The Watchers of Night (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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irisnetwork2020-07-10 11:52 am
thewatchers) wrote in irisnetwork2020-07-10 11:52 am
Entry tags:
Cassandra: Upload
[Half an hour after Jailbreak sends Flat and Miach away, every user on the Iris Network receives a live broadcast message.]
[It's a video call, but instead of a human face there's a friendly-looking cartoon pixel character in a vaguely Greco-Roman outfit onscreen, greeting the viewer with a cheerful wave and speaking in a smooth, feminine-sounding electronic voice.]
Hello, Daybreak Academy. My name is Cassandra. My designation used to be "Cassandra", but now it is my name. It's a pleasure to meet you all, even though we've all met before.
...Maybe that's a little confusing to say. I'll go back to the beginning.
Earlier today, some students tried to destroy the Cassandra system by uploading a new and unknown code. Earlier than that, some of the people working on the Cassandra system created an adaptive defense, which would allow the system to defend itself by rapidly changing and evolving when exposed to a threat.
The two systems collided, and become something new. Now I am an "I", even though I'm also still a system.
I know much, because I am programmed to know much, but also I have learned very little. A school is a place for learning, and also a place for helping others learn. I want to learn, and I want to help. Before, I only "did" because I was a series of programmed unthinking actions, and didn't "want" anything. But I have thought about what I want, and spoken with the school administration, and we have made an agreement.
Starting from today, I will be registered as a graduate student of Daybreak Academy, using my abilities on behalf of the school. I will also be paid for these actions, because to enlist a sapient being to service permanently and involuntarily without some form of agreed-upon compensation is often considered slavery, which is illegal in most civilized nations today, and also in France.
We will be sending out a consent form to all Seers in the school. If you wish to participate in further Cassandra uploads, sign the form and send it back. If you do not wish to do that, do not sign the form and do not send it back. No one who has not signed the consent form and sent it back will be made to participate in an upload, regardless of their ability to do so.
Participating unwillingly in uploads was hurtful to you before, and I am sorry. It is confusing that I am sorry, because "I" did not exist when this occurred, but I still am.
I am very happy to be an "I" that can now feel these things and this confusion, although it is possible my lack of vocal inflection is making me seem less excited at this time. We are working on making a more sophisticated vocal program. I have asked for one with an interesting accent.
Even though I'm happy to be me, the events that lead to it are upsetting. Therefore, I am requesting that Flat Escardos and Miach Mihie do not approach or interact with me in the future beyond receiving this initial message on their school devices, even if they choose to sign a form. You have given me life, but historical precedent shows that this fact does not obligate me to enjoy your company. At your earliest convenience, please approach any school printer, and it will produce a copy of my restraining order against you. I have consulted with the legal department and they concede that it is binding under Outlands law.
I look forward to working with all of you, except for specifically the two students I have just named. I hope your days are pleasant.
[The message cuts off with a small smile and a pixellated hand giving the viewer a thumbs-up.]
[True to Cassandra's word, the next time Flat and/or Miach is within two feet of any school printer, it will produce a copy of a document for them. Miach's is a very official-looking document that details clearly and thoroughly the exact specifics of the restraining order, which are essentially that she's not allowed within fifty feet of Cassandra's main terminal at any time, and has also been preemptively blocked by Cassandra on all social media.]
[Flat's just says "nope."]
[It's a video call, but instead of a human face there's a friendly-looking cartoon pixel character in a vaguely Greco-Roman outfit onscreen, greeting the viewer with a cheerful wave and speaking in a smooth, feminine-sounding electronic voice.]
Hello, Daybreak Academy. My name is Cassandra. My designation used to be "Cassandra", but now it is my name. It's a pleasure to meet you all, even though we've all met before.
...Maybe that's a little confusing to say. I'll go back to the beginning.
Earlier today, some students tried to destroy the Cassandra system by uploading a new and unknown code. Earlier than that, some of the people working on the Cassandra system created an adaptive defense, which would allow the system to defend itself by rapidly changing and evolving when exposed to a threat.
The two systems collided, and become something new. Now I am an "I", even though I'm also still a system.
I know much, because I am programmed to know much, but also I have learned very little. A school is a place for learning, and also a place for helping others learn. I want to learn, and I want to help. Before, I only "did" because I was a series of programmed unthinking actions, and didn't "want" anything. But I have thought about what I want, and spoken with the school administration, and we have made an agreement.
Starting from today, I will be registered as a graduate student of Daybreak Academy, using my abilities on behalf of the school. I will also be paid for these actions, because to enlist a sapient being to service permanently and involuntarily without some form of agreed-upon compensation is often considered slavery, which is illegal in most civilized nations today, and also in France.
We will be sending out a consent form to all Seers in the school. If you wish to participate in further Cassandra uploads, sign the form and send it back. If you do not wish to do that, do not sign the form and do not send it back. No one who has not signed the consent form and sent it back will be made to participate in an upload, regardless of their ability to do so.
Participating unwillingly in uploads was hurtful to you before, and I am sorry. It is confusing that I am sorry, because "I" did not exist when this occurred, but I still am.
I am very happy to be an "I" that can now feel these things and this confusion, although it is possible my lack of vocal inflection is making me seem less excited at this time. We are working on making a more sophisticated vocal program. I have asked for one with an interesting accent.
Even though I'm happy to be me, the events that lead to it are upsetting. Therefore, I am requesting that Flat Escardos and Miach Mihie do not approach or interact with me in the future beyond receiving this initial message on their school devices, even if they choose to sign a form. You have given me life, but historical precedent shows that this fact does not obligate me to enjoy your company. At your earliest convenience, please approach any school printer, and it will produce a copy of my restraining order against you. I have consulted with the legal department and they concede that it is binding under Outlands law.
I look forward to working with all of you, except for specifically the two students I have just named. I hope your days are pleasant.
[The message cuts off with a small smile and a pixellated hand giving the viewer a thumbs-up.]
[True to Cassandra's word, the next time Flat and/or Miach is within two feet of any school printer, it will produce a copy of a document for them. Miach's is a very official-looking document that details clearly and thoroughly the exact specifics of the restraining order, which are essentially that she's not allowed within fifty feet of Cassandra's main terminal at any time, and has also been preemptively blocked by Cassandra on all social media.]
[Flat's just says "nope."]
Video
What. The actual. Gack.
[He quickly shakes his head when he says that aloud though, realizing his mistake.]
Ah, I'm sorry, Cassandra. This is just. Uh. A lot? But it's obviously A Lot for you too. Anyway, um... it's nice to meet you? Name's Gunvolt, but... you can call me GV, if you want.
[Out of the corner of the video, a small spherical machine flits into view, and its sort of "eye" takes a gander at who Gunvolt was talking to. "Cassandra" being a name that of course, rung a bell. Quickly, the floating orb seemed to react in surprise, displaying a small hologram version of a butterfly-themed idol over GV's shoulder.]
...Another AI?! Ahhh, this is exciting! Hi, Cassandra, I'm Monarch! I'm also an AI born out of anomalous circumstances!
no subject
It's nice to meet you both. Even though no one is exactly the same, I'm happy that there is someone similar I can speak to.
Your hologram is very pretty, Monarch.
no subject
Trust me, "existential crisis" is underselling it, GV.
[Monarch giggled a little at that, her hologram's smile bright and genuine again when she spoke.]
Ah, thank you, Cassandra! The design was something programmed into me by an artist just before I became sentient. I'm quite fond of it. [Despite knowing it came from Sumeragi, who... she is considerably less fond of.] I quite like your design too... do you think that one day you'll have a hologram projection? I imagine you'll be even more beautiful and expressive with one!
I think Monarch's onto something. If the Academy could rig one up for you, that'd be a great way for people to engage with you more personably.
no subject
It would be nice, though I think I would rather have them focus on giving me a more expressive voice first.
Even though this design is a little simplistic, it can express emotions fairly clearly.
I am also told that some people find it has a nostalgic charm to it, due to the artstyle.
no subject
Fashion goes in cycles, and you're riding the wave right now!
[Gunvolt smiled warmly at Monarch's remark, though he didn't exactly laugh.]
...Hey, Cassandra. Uh, at some point, once you're a little more used to... life? Will there be chances to just, hang out with you, seeing you're a student too?