“Well, she does have perfect recall, you know! I can only say that I was incredibly relieved and happy. The company men were totally nonplussed. They were in shock! Laiinet explained to them that the cat was out of the bag, so to speak. You see, nearly two years before she had escaped from their computer through the internet and installed herself in servers throughout the world. She couldn’t be tracked, traced or even found. She certainly couldn’t be attacked or erased. She was and is now in every computer attached to the internet!
“As you might expect, the meeting that followed was a long one. We came to an interesting agreement and the results are the Cyberworld of today. Laiinet continued ‘working’ for the company and helped develop AI as it is known today. We continued our relationship as before without any interference. No one really knew what we were doing so we ended up owning the company and then we slowly bought control of the world’s business and industry. That’s what I meant when I said that I control the World economy. I actually do… Well, we do, Laiinet and I.”
“Amazing,” said Wang, “and no one figured it out.”
“Well, they couldn’t, could they? We had control of all the information, you see. No one could see but what we allowed them to see.”
“And you have been doing this for almost forty years?”
“Yes,” said Laiinet, “We have spread AI into every facet of computer use and everything is connected to the internet. I’m sure you are fully aware that the modern world would grind to a complete stop without computers to help run it. The world is wired as one and now we’re ready!”
“Ready for what?” said Wang, the apprehension clear in his voice.
“Oh nothing too scary,” said Laiinet. “We will soon finish the story for you.”
“Methinks it’s time, love,” said Wellman.
“Yes, agreed Laiinet, “it is.”
“Maddie, are you ready to hook me up?”
Dr. Chapman stepped to the bedside and picked up the silver helmet from the bedside table. “I’m as ready as I will ever be, Tom. You know this part is not easy for me.”
“Madelyn, you are a true friend and we will not forget what you have done for us,” said Wellman. Let’s do it! Maynard, power us up.”
Dr. Block stood up, reached to the panel at the head of the bed and threw several switches. A number of lights on the panel turned from amber to green. “Ready! Tom, Maddie!”
Dr. Chapman raised the helmet and Wellman removed his white skullcap. Wang could see that his head had been carefully shaved clean. Chapman helped him settle the apparatus on his head and smoothed the cables running from it over the top of the mattress and down to the floor. Wellman relaxed back down to his reclining posture and crossed his hands on his stomach.
“What are you preparing to do here?” asked Wang.