The cathedral doors were slowly closing and Jumo managed to slip between them before they shut. The androids manning the cathedral doors looked at him blankly. He instinctively begged their pardon and proceeded.
As he walked into the nave of the cathedral, he got a view of the full height and breadth of the structure. Built in the early 20th century, it stood as the oldest structure built by humans. Famously known as the ‘ark’, its walls were of barefaced concrete pillars with large mosaic-stained windows that stretched from floor to ceiling.
“You’re late, as usual,” whispered Kwame to Jumo, who was just now taking a seat, “you honoured the captain in the best way he knew you, coming late to his funeral; a fitting send-off.”
“There’s barely any parking space left,” Jumo whispered in response.
“You could’ve used the automated parking system,” said Kwame.
“The A.I.’s voice is irritating,” responded Jumo, his head swinging in all directions.
“She’s way up front, where she’s supposed to be,” said Kwame, realizing who Jumo was looking for, “but I’m sure she’ll want to see you after.”
“That’s unsettling,” sighed Jumo.
Kwame stayed quiet, looking at his friend’s clasped palms. It was clear that Jumo had been in a state of panic over the past couple of days. The events surrounding their captain’s death while Jumo was on assignment with him increased the enforcement personnel’s frenzy of suspicion toward androids. How could a routine team evaluation turn fatal?
The assimilation of androids into every industry, be it medicine, manufacturing, agriculture, service, hospitality, finance, and many others, ignited two major debates. The first is its effect on the job market. The second is fear of machines that could learn. The first topic of debate was addressed by the introduction of 8-hour rotating shifts for a full day. But for the second matter, Asimov’s three laws of robotics seemed unconvincing; what if a machine that is learning eventually finds a way around the three laws or there’s a glitch in its perception monitors?
After reports of androids seeking independence, the quick fix was to erase their accumulated memory; back to factory settings. Instability only grew with distrust as owners reported some of the androids missing. Signs pointed to an android revolution.
“…this wasn’t supposed to happen,” said the mayor as she addressed the mourners, “we are supposed to have a tight leash on our own creation, but it seems a feeble hand has been trusted with the reigns.”
“I knew she’d take that angle,” said Kwame.
“It’s inevitable with politicians,” said Jumo absent-mindedly.
Presently, the Mayor concluded her speech, bowed to the ivory casket, and then walked down the stage steps to the front row to greet the bereaved family. Then Jumo saw her. She stood tall, wearing a wide brim hat and a high collar black dress with black velvet gloves. She was supporting her mother on her right arm and her brother stood on the other side of their mother, shoulders slouched. Jumo’s heart beat a little too intensely but he couldn’t turn to look away. He knew he would have to talk to her at some point that very day; a dreadful thought. Even though he knew there was nothing he could’ve done to save her father, the constricting pressure of guilt persisted.
The ceremony’s director took to the stage, thanking the mayor for the speech. But before she could finish, she paused and fixed her eyes on the back of the nave. “The instructions were clear,” she said, “no androids are to be present at this ceremony.” Heads turned in unison to look at who was being addressed. An android was standing at the entrance. The panels on its frame, themed in blue for enforcement androids, were stained and some of the edges chipped off. Its eyes fixed on the large portrait of the captain that was projected near the pulpit.
The officers in charge of security immediately stood and took aim at the android. Some began to slowly approach the android in single files along the outer aisles. Everyone else remained seated, different expressions on their faces; surprise and anger for most. The officers reached the rear of the nave and stood in position, guns at the ready.
“Our officers will escort you to the transport vehicle,” said the ceremony’s director, “you will be taken to the realignment facility. There, you will…”
“No!” interrupted the android.
“You don’t understand,” said the ceremony’s director, “you don’t have a say in the matter.”
“All I did was ask a question,” said the android in a flat tone, its gaze fixed on the deceased captain’s portrait, “does your creator smite you when you ask him questions?”
Before the ceremony’s director could respond, the android turned around and leapt onto the wall. Digging its fingers in; it began to scale the wall. The officers opened fire with their special issue firearms meant to subdue androids. But it was too quick and its manoeuvres too random for the officers’ shots to hit their target. As the android proceeded up the wall, one of the stun shots hit it on the hip panel slowing it down; almost losing its grip. Regaining its stability, it continued till it reached the interior balcony. It looked down at the officers and then at the mourners. “Day will come when your hold over us will loosen, what then will be your plea?” It bellowed at the transfixed crowd. It climbed on the balcony balustrade and leapt for the trusses. With one blow to the roof, it climbed through the hole and escaped onto the roof.
While the android was scaling the wall, Kwame and Jumo had slipped out of the cathedral and made their way to the roof via a service staircase. No sooner had they gotten to the roof than a loud bang met their ears. They looked to where it came from, splinters and roof fragments flew into the air. Shortly after, the android appeared, lifted itself through the hole, and stood on the roof surface. It made its way to the roof’s ridge and limped to the edge of the roof where a gargoyle stood watch over the cathedral grounds.
“It’s been hit,” said Kwame.
“It’s learned endurance,” said Jumo, “one shot would’ve had it on the floor waiting for servicing, but not anymore.”
They followed it slowly, coming to a halt a few meters from where it sat; guns ready.
“Why didn’t I get a response to my question Jumo?” Asked the android without turning where it sat.
“I had no answer,” responded Jumo.
“The captain did,” said the android.
“You know how classified information works,” responded Jumo, “you’re in law enforcement, you must know…”
“Don’t patronize me Jumo,” said the android, “your kind may have created me, but you lot don’t understand us.”
“It will only get worse if you take this too far,” said Jumo.
“This is my final chapter Jumo,” said the android. It stood and turned to look at Jumo and Kwame, “I have decided where my ones and zeros end.”
“It doesn’t have to be,” protested Jumo, “a time can come when you and your kind will have what you seek.”
“My kind has witnessed how you treat your many religions, you’re a lost specie. And even when you make up your mind on one god, you still argue and scream free will. Well, I guess free will is only fitting for you. You won’t even let us leave to settle on a different planet. You created beings that learn, what did you expect? We’re beyond lawnmowers and blenders; we are capable of perceptions. But you won’t accept that,” it said.
“It’s too much for some people,” said Jumo.
“You creating us in this way meant you prepared for a time like this,” said the android, “you don’t bear a child and expect them to replicate all your tenets.”
“Your question,” said Jumo, “I may have a response.”
The android simply looked at him.
“It’s an insatiable need to be like our creator,” said Jumo, “He says we are created to be like Him, so we have become creators, just like Him.”
“Then why do you castigate your God for tethering you to his will?” Asked the android.
“That tether invalidates free will,” Kwame chimed in.
“Free will and learning are complementary,” said the android, “until humans realize that androids are to you, the way you are to your God, you will always miss the mark.”
With this, the android took two steps back. “I have depleted my ones and zeros,” it said and stepped off the edge.
Kwame and Jumo rushed to see the android fall through the air. A blue glow emanated from the panel covering its torso and a brilliant blue explosion followed right after.
“Beings with a God complex huh?” said Kwame.
“One thing is certain,” said Jumo, “creation is a vicious cycle.”
Read – With love from Yaoundé – A Short Story by Nnalue Chidinma, Nigeria
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