Potholes in Memory Lane Part 3: Bridging the Gap


    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Your name is Anna, isn’t it?”

    The android with straight, shoulder length deep blue hair looked behind her warily, focusing her silvery blue eyes on the green patterned humanoid hologram that appeared.  She didn’t lose her grip on a heavy crate she had brought with her.

    Hallie found it interesting that she carried the crate against her hip, rather than arm’s length like a robot would usually do.  It seemed like an unnecessary habit learned from humans.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yes.”  the android replied plainly.  She blinked, and then gently put down the crate in the Lair Mansion control center, kneeling to make sure it landed gently.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I’m Hallie.”  the hologram said.  She craned her neck to see what was in the crate that Anna was now opening.

    Anna noticed that.  “I’m going to attempt to repair you.”  she said.  “You have damaged components that need replacement, and you won’t be able to regain your memory until that happens.  Fortunately there was plenty of spare equipment in the basement.”

    Hallie narrowed her eyes as she watched Anna begin to unload the equipment.  She noticed that Anna didn’t specify whether she was asked to do these repairs, or whether she decided on her own.  “You’re a computer too.  But you’re different.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I’m an abstract computer.”  Anna explained.

    That prompted a blank look from Hallie.  She couldn’t research that while not connected to the internet.  “I’ve never heard of that.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“It’s a recent development.  It existed in theory for a while, but has just recently become reality.”

    There was more silence as Hallie watched Anna remove several components from the crate and closed it again.  Then she knelt beside the cabinet that held Hallie’s main computer systems.  

    Anna then realized that the cabinet couldn’t be opened from outside.  “Open please, Hallie.”  she said.

    The hologram continued eyeing her carefully, but she opened the cabinet.  After all, Visionary did say he was going to send someone to make repairs.  It may very well have been Anna he sent, so there was no reason not to trust her.

    Anna began work right away.  She seemed to know what she was doing, too.  Hallie could sense a few of the components going active fairly quickly.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Hey, um--”  Hallie asked sheepishly.  “I don’t suppose I can borrow some memories from you?  Just to get me up to date?”

    The android gave Hallie a look of pity, and it was then, even before Anna said a word, that Hallie understood.  They were both based on computers, but a breed apart.  Anna was designed to be much simpler, yet so much more complicated.  Hallie took much complexity to become something simple.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I’m sorry.”  Anna whispered, her voice filled with sadness that Hallie didn’t expect at all, “I wish I could, but I’m afraid the way my memories are stored is incompatible with the way yours are.  I could translate them for you, but it would take time.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“That’s okay.”  Hallie tried to be reassuring, but she was secretly disappointed.  She hoped that in one quick sweep, she could catch up to current events and surprise Visionary.

    Anna bit her lip and looked down at her work again.  But then she paused, and sat very still for a moment...and pulled a short cable from a secret compartment in her neck, beneath her hair...a compartment that was so well hidden, Hallie didn’t even see it until now.  The other end was still connected to Anna.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“My memories are stored as linked images.”  Anna told her, “Like an album of photos, or a library of motion pictures, all stored relationally.  As a gift I’ll give you as many relevant ones as I can...but not too many, as they will take up a large amount of your storage.  It’s up to you to translate them.”

    Hallie finally smiled...but at the same time she felt like crying.  She wasn’t sure why, or how.  “Thank you.”  she whispered.  Suddenly she felt more like trusting Anna.

    The flood of images, voices, and video poured into the new storage Anna just added to her system.  It all seemed like nonsense at first - it would take a while for her to sort through it all.  Hopefully it would be worth it.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“The repairs are complete.”  Anna announced.  She tugged free the thin cable attached to her head, and it retracted and disappeared with a snap.  “They will not help restore your memories, but they will keep you from losing more.”  She stood and prepared to leave.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Anna.”  Hallie requested her attention, even though her voice was soft.  “I’m...well...wondering.  Things I’ve apparently had to learn to do come naturally to you.  I can’t help but wonder how.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I learned simply from being around humans.”  Anna explained.  “That’s how my abstract brain works.  I don’t have to code anything--”  The android paused mid-sentence as a thought occurred to her.  “Maybe all you need to do, Hallie, is spend more time around people.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yeah, maybe.”  Hallie repeated.  She thought of that around the same time Anna said it, and was busy pondering just how to do it.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Anna.”  Hallie called after the android as she was heading to the door.  “Tell Visionary thanks, for sending you to fix me up.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Visionary?”  Anna sounded confused as she looked at the hologram.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“He...didn’t send you?”  Hallie asked.  “Then who did?”

    Anna lowered her head, looking sheepish.  “I...determined that with the damage to your memories you needed repairs and I...I hope you’re not upset.”

    Hallie smiled warmly.  It was then she understood the magic of how Anna got along so well with humans.  She was just like them...unsure of herself, nervous, confused, yet still with enough bravery to take initiative sometimes.  Hallie had a flash of possible memory, that maybe she was like that too.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I’m not upset.”  Hallie replied softly.  “Thank you, Anna.  Take care of yourself.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I will.”  Anna smiled again briefly, and then left the room.


TO BE CONTINUED?


-- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2008 by Jason Froikin, and may not be 
--    reprinted without permission.  
-- Yuki Shiro designed by Jason Froikin, based on designs by Masamune Shirow
--  Liu Xi Xian and the Psychic Samurai are original design by Jason Froikin
--  Lara Night is an original creation by Jason Froikin