A Forest of Stars - Kevin J. Anderson [214]
During the tour, Peter noticed two black Klikiss robots, like alien insects, observing the manufacturing process. They made him uneasy, though he couldn’t pinpoint why. He didn’t entirely believe the convenient story that their memories had all been wiped out, that not a single one of the recovered Klikiss machines could recall what had happened to their progenitors.
If he commanded that they be removed, would the large insectile machines obey?
The Soldier compy components were intricate, a labyrinth of technology that Peter doubted even the Hansa’s best scientists could fathom. But in times of such urgency, the engineers were not inclined to ask too many questions.
When the supervisor completed the tour, King Peter crossed his arms over his chest, seemingly lulled into complacency. Then he sprang his question. “So tell me, Supervisor, you derived a great deal of technology and cybernetic advances from the Klikiss robots, correct?”
“Yes, Sire. The AI-specific subroutines we copied allowed us to take great strides forward, giving these units much more complexity than our other compies. Our greatest computer and electronics specialists would have needed a century to make such breakthroughs.”
The King nodded. “Then you have broken down the Klikiss components and studied them from first principles? You understand everything you’ve copied before applying the basic programming?”
“Not…entirely, Sire.” The supervisor looked confused. “I’m not certain I see the point of your question.”
“It’s simple enough. Do you understand what you’re creating? Or did you simply replicate entire Klikiss system modules without comprehending them?”
“We, uh, used the Klikiss robot as a template and modeled our systems based on what is obviously functional in our mechanical friends.” The factory supervisor gestured toward the nearest Klikiss robot, who seemed to be observing the King’s conversation with great interest. “Since we are at war, Sire, none of us saw the need to reinvent the wheel.”
Peter narrowed his eyes. “Supervisor, I think I can speak for all of us here, even the bureaucrats, that we understand how a wheel works.” Some of the eavesdropping workers chuckled. “You are, however, manufacturing and installing extremely complex components taken from sentient robotic systems designed by an alien race—a mysteriously extinct alien race.
“These new-model Soldier compies have been assigned to virtually every battleship in our Earth Defense Forces, handling our most powerful weapons. A great many Remoras and Mantas have been refitted so that these machines can operate independently. And yet you’re telling me that you don’t even understand how they work? That nobody does?”
“You are oversimplifying the problem, Sire.” The supervisor looked around desperately for assistance. “Our cybernetic engineers know all the basic algorithms, but in the interest of expediency we adapted some existing Klikiss components and programming to run minor systems. We did this with the blessing of Chairman Wenceslas.”
Peter frowned. “Chairman Wenceslas has made several…rash and unfortunate decisions in prosecuting this war. You’re aware that a compy-crewed expedition force at Golgen recently vanished without a trace?”
“Yes, yes, Sire. A tragedy. However, the Soldier compies did perform admirably in the Osquivel battle. I’m sure they saved a great many lives.”
“I don’t argue with that. But I am uneasy about putting so much trust into something that remains such a complete mystery. Even the Klikiss robots can’t tell us what caused the demise of their parent race.”
“Sire, you can’t be suggesting—”
“I am merely suggesting that we exercise prudent caution. Given the skill and brilliance of Hansa technology specialists and cybernetic