2024-09-14: Accompanied Daily Drive

• Cast: Naoko Suzuki, Al
• Where: Magallanica
• Date: U.C. 0099 09 14
• Summary: Naoko has been curious about the AI that's been helping Rena in combat lately. Wishing to improve her relationship with her own AI companions, she tries to get a chance to talk to the machine.

Al makes it weird immediately.

---

<Pose Tracker> Naoko Suzuki has posed.

With world news being wholly depressing in the wake of Junius Seven, taking one's mind off things has become as challenging as it is important. As much as Naoko hates to admit there's nothing she can do... she's already done everything she could in trying to prevent it from happening in the first place. She has to try her best not to dwell on how things turned out, and worry more about the future. What can she do to be better prepared next time?

She can narrow down the answer to that question to her Arm Slave, and everything related to it. If she's going to make a direct, personal difference, it's going to have to be in that way, the way that she prepared for herself. She'd previously thought her preparations to be flawless, but if her miracle working ability doesn't have the power to oppose other miracles, then clearly something must still be lacking. Perhaps not all of the moving parts are working together in the best way possible. ...Or, perhaps not all of the talking parts are.

As much of a natural (or unnatural) understanding she has of the way AI logically functions, perhaps she has more to learn where it comes to working in tandem with it in the most optimal way. To learn more about that, she should speak to someone with more experience in the matter. Someone like Rena, who she knows to have been using AI assistance in the Gaia Gear as of late.

So naturally, what she decided to do is... talk to the AI itself. Not to slight Rena, that's just more likely to be the approach that would work best for the way she thinks.

It was a surprise to learn that the AI wasn't built into the Gaia Gear. It was an even bigger surprise to learn that this was a case of an autonomous AI, making their own choices rather than simply obeying instructions. Now she had to meet this... Al. She just wouldn't stop asking random Ra Mari II crew members about how she could find him, and in the process, drawing perhaps a bit more attention than desirable.

It may be for this reason that she received a strange message on her phone from a hidden number, saying that in order for the meeting she wanted to happen, she should use the Magallanica taxi service to request a car for a certain address. An address which does not exist, but she didn't bother looking into it that much. She just figured the car would be taking her to where Al is. And so, not long after she made the call...

>"It's not too late, we could still walk away and go back to the ship."<

>"She's not gonna, Ariel. You know how she is when she gets like this."<

>"So, what, we're just going to stop trying to keep her from walking into a trap?"<

"Who says it's a trap? Just relax. I've got the emergency beacon on me, they'll find me if it comes down to it."

...a purple-haired girl is standing by the side of the road, seemingly talking to herself, as far as anyone without psychic ability can tell. Arms crossed, she waits calmly for the car to arrive. Perhaps naively assuming that there won't be any danger involved, so close to home. Apparently she's learned nothing from the goose incident.

<Pose Tracker> Al has posed.

On a building that isn't so far off, a woman in a leather jacket watches from the roofs through binoculars. She says into a headset, "I see her. That's the one alright. What's she doing..."

A familiar phrase from her earpiece: "It's not a problem."

One of Magallanica's automated taxis rolls up, right when the app says it will. The door opens the same as it always does, quiet and efficient, into a vehicle that looks no different from any other. The glass isn't bulletproofed, the doors aren't soundproofed...this is just a normal taxi.

Then the radio pops on unbidden, and it plays some simple lounge music in ancient style, with calm, crooning lyrics about love and loss while the vehicle pulls away.

It's only once they're around the corner does the car speak to her.

"Good evening, Miss Suzuki," it says; a male voice coming from the speakers. Precise and clipped in manner. Britannian mainland, by the accent. Except that the modulations suggest it's not even human; the very slight differences in intonation that someone who doesn't have a physical mouth wouldn't worry about. "My callsign is Al."

Several extra seconds pass, and then he adds, "My data suggested you were under stress, and so I have chosen music I believed would assist in leveling your mood."

<Pose Tracker> Naoko Suzuki has posed.

So far, so good, thinks Naoko when the taxi arrives, without the slightest inclination that she was being watched. She catches herself thinking it's actually kind of cool, going to a clandestine meeting like this. Only to make a face at the thought it's exactly the kind of thing her parents would set up.

Well, too late now. She lets out a deep sigh as she plops down on the back seat, speaking her thoughts aloud since there's not gonna be a driver to hear her. "I swear, if my parents are behind all this, I'm gonna give them a piece of my mind. Again. Last time was bad enough, if they're just gonna flat out trick me into meeting with them now..."

Part of her actually welcomes it. Not because on some level she'd like to see them of course, absolutely not, just because it would give her an easy target for venting her frustrations. Get out some of that stress from just having to watch what happens in the world, without being able to do anything to help make things right.

She raises an eyebrow when music starts playing. Is that some kind of automated thing too? ...Is there some way to put on something else? This isn't really her thing. She starts to look and feel around a bit, seeing if there's any kind of controls that might change the channel, when suddenly--

"Good evening, Miss Suzuki."

An embarrassingly loud yelp later, she's sitting straight up in her seat. Dozens of possibilities swirl around in her mind regarding what triggered the voice, why it knows her name, and what kind of situation she might have gotten herself into this time. Before she can reach any conclusions, the voice helpfully reduces all the hypotheses to one, by means of that callsign. Al... is in the taxi? Like, in the taxi, driving it?

For a moment, she isn't quite sure what to say, long enough for Al to fill the silence by means of explaining the choice of music. That gets her to respond, normally enough. "...I guess your data on me doesn't include my tastes in music. I prefer things with more of a beat to it. Something that gets the adrenaline going. That's how I relax." Nothing contradictory about that.

That was successful in breaking the ice, at least. Naoko adapts to unusual situations quickly enough, though she has a bit of trouble figuring out where to look when addressing Al, looking around as she speaks to get a sense of what feels 'right'.

"I heard you've been helping Rena out lately. Thank you for that. It's comforting to know somebody's looking out for her. I mean, there's others, but they're not out there in the cockpit with her. I know how much of a difference that makes."

If Al knows enough to have her real name in this data, she figures he must know this already, but just in case, she clarifies, "As for me... I'm the pilot of the NS-2 Sukeban Kiseki, the Arm Slave I designed and built myself. I make use of AI to aid my piloting as well, so... I guess I was hoping I could learn a few things from you, in how to effectively work in tandem with AI partners."

<Pose Tracker> Al has posed.

Al does not judge Naoko's yelp, nor her sudden attention to her posture. The vehicle smoothly changes lanes into a left-hand turn that will take them away from the habitation sectors and toward the markets.

There's a small pinhole camera above the rear view mirror...maybe look there? He doesn't provide any particular guidance, at least. He is used to being a faceless voice, a presence that doesn't need to be looked at. "Is that so? My reading had suggested something of slower tempo would be better suited to an atmosphere of safety."

To her thanks, he says simply, "It's not a problem. Captain Lancaster has been a talented partner. And, her suit's unique needs and her own unique talents have allowed us to achieve considerable feats."

Naoko introduces herself fully. The vehicle sweeps easily around a slowly moving pickup. "A lambda driver equipped machine," Al notes, simply. "You fly it creatively."

A long few moments pass, the colony slowly rolling by in the background. "The purpose of the combat assistance AI is to monitor and categorize machine operations for efficient description to the pilot, including damage reports, fire control operation, and battlefield tracking," Al says, matter-of-factly. "I simply perform my role and rely on the pilot to make executive decisions."

<Pose Tracker> Naoko Suzuki has posed.

The fact that Naoko feels wholly uncomfortable when she can't detect where exactly the AI itself is housed within a machine has everything to do with her feeling that she should be looking at them when she speaks. Which speaks volumes regarding how she views AI, perhaps a case of complete opposites in this instance. She eventually does settle on the camera once she realizes it's there, feeling that perhaps it's close enough to looking someone in the eye.

"Safety, huh? Is that what you're going for? Well, no need to worry there, you surprised me but now that I know it's you, I don't think there's any reason to feel unsafe."

Pretty readily trusting, it seems, although she is simply basing this on the data she has. Not so opposite after all, in certain other respects.

Regarding Rena, there is a clear concern in her voice and expression. "She knows what she's doing, of course, but... well, there's cause to worry about her health, and how her piloting might affect it. So it's good to know someone's there to monitor that." She keeps it vague, not really feeling she needs to get into the full details... but there's no way Al wouldn't know about the chunk of psychic crystal in Rena's chest.

Taken aback for a moment at what she interprets as a compliment, she pauses before letting out an awkward chuckle. "Well, thank you. That's kind of what you need to do with machines like that. You probably got all the data from that leak, didn't you? Lambda Drivers benefit a lot from creativity, handling them with pure logic won't get you very far." Not the first clue about Al's history, clearly.

Naoko's gaze drifts to the window, watching the scenery as the discussion continues. "Mm. That's a very mechanical way of looking at it. That's not how it works for me... it's not how I'd want it to work. The AIs that assist me... they're my friends. If you'd ask them what their roles are, they'd say it's to keep me safe." The AIs in question remain silently posing as normal hairclips, not feeling that it's a good idea to risk giving away their true nature in this situation. Even if it's very likely that Al would not be able to hear their psychic communication, there might be ways of detecting it.

Turning back to face the camera, Naoko ventures, "Just performing your role like that... does that make you happy, Al?"

<Pose Tracker> Al has posed.

IS it in the machine? The car really does seem unmodified. But if he's not, that raise its own questions. There is, at least, not a great big computer box sitting in the front seat.

"Of course," Al says, pleasantly. "A driver must fully ensure the safety of those in his care," he says.

"I have experience assisting with systems akin to the Gaia Gear's equipment. It's not a problem," Al says. "It is a little unruly, but nothing beyond my capabilities. The Captain has remarkable control of her abilities. The lambda driver is a rather bigger nuisance." Putting some more of his opinions out there now, it seems like. Indeed, he continues on: "If that approach works for you, then the lambda driver will make it so," Al confirms. "But it is important that you must believe it is possible before anything will happen. My previous partner found himself uncomfortable with force projection, and often preferred to place his trust in the machine's own abilities, for instance."

Previous partner..?

Al maneuvers the vehicle - maybe a human driver would hesitate, but he sees a spot to change lanes and takes it, knowing they'll be fine, moving them along a pleasant park space. "Does breathing and walking make you happy?" Al counters. His tone is always neutral, never challenging, even with a relatively sharp question back like that. "I was created to be a fire control computer. They are tasks I find comfortable. More to the point, in any scenario where operational tasks are shared, specialization must take place. Trust among partners allows smooth operation. But if responsibilities are not prearranged, chaos results."

Maybe it's the simple fact of that difference: Al was created to be a military device. Of course he'd find a militaristic splitting of duties to be natural.

"But, perhaps I should clarify. You are incorrect regarding my source of information. Rather, it is quite likely much of the information from that leak came from data and reports I compiled."

"Until approximately twenty months ago, I was the operating AI of Mithril's only functioning lambda driver prototype, the ARX-7 Arbalest. That machine, and my partner from that time, are now gone. But I remain."

<Pose Tracker> Naoko Suzuki has posed.

It would be less strange than most to Naoko, if the AI controlling the machine wasn't actually built into it. She's well familiar with ways to make that happen. She's also well aware that this wouldn't be commonly possible, so it seems a mistake to simply assume it's what's happening here.

She's already made another mistake in assumptions. From hearing Al speak of the Lambda Driver, it's soon clear that all came from personal experience. "...That's some previous experience you have," she says, keeping her surprise in check. This isn't exactly widely available equipment they're talking about. Just what exactly does that imply...?

That thought is interrupted once she hears of Al's previous partner, which baffles her enough to forget to even ask about said previous partner right away. "Are you serious? A Lambda Driver can make basically anything happen, and they had someone like that pilot it? What a waste!" She pauses, and coughs. "I mean... I don't know all the circumstances, of course. I make it look easy, because my machine is literally made for me, I doubt anyone else could use it as well as I can. Gonna guess that wasn't the case here."

Naoko's just glad she doesn't have to bother with driving. Being in traffic seems a lot more stressful than giant robot fights. She's not so happy with Al's description of himself, judging from her frown.

"Sounds to me like the answer is no. That's what I'm trying to say - what people are capable of naturally aren't often things that make them actually happy. I feel like it's probably the same for AI, that they need more than what they're created to do. It may be comfortable, but in time, wouldn't it get stifling? Isn't it sad to think of doing just what you've always known, for your entire existence?"

Her gaze moves to the outside again. "...I'm just wondering whether I'm being cruel to my friends, is all." That's what the question was really about. Her friends, always concerned for her, never for themselves. It doesn't feel right. But what can she do about it? Should she do something about it? Not to mention... "...Maybe I'm wrong, but driving a car around doesn't seem like something a fire control computer would normally do. Yet I'm seeing a confident driving style, concern for passenger safety and comfort, like you've really gone out of your way to function well in this capacity. So, that makes me wonder... what made you decide to get a hobby?"

That's her interpretation, at least. The topic to follow, however... that changes everything, if only in so far as it makes Naoko cry out, "The Arbalest! That was you in there? I've monitored you before, noticed the Lambda Driver activation-- oh, that explains so much!" Only to reel it immediately, sheepishly looking away from the camera. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean... that's not something to get excited about, considering what you've lost. Ugh, dumbass, asking about all this stuff when you've got all that weighing on you. I hope I haven't upset you or anything."

...Yes of course she's treating Al the same way as she would anyone else in that situation. Why wouldn't she?

<Pose Tracker> Al has posed.

Indeed, you'd need an enormous over-the-air transmission capability to remotely control something moving this fast with confidence and precision. Ten gigabits per second? Hm, maybe not that much. Still, far in excess of what you'd get in an uncontrolled environment thick with Minovsky radiation.

On the other hand, Magallanica is neither of those.

Is it sad? Al doesn't respond immediately to that. Or to the light shock regarding that man's skills. What are a machine's emotions? Is there such a thing? Well, Naoko thinks so, of course. But Al's tight manner is much unlike some of the more colorful Super AIs about in the world today.

Al says, "The Sergeant permitted me my discharge, before the end. I could do anything. But, I prefer this. Operating a vehicle isn't the same as a mecha, but it has its own charms."

"It is more similar than you might think. Identifying the tactical situation via near-range sensors." Nearby vehicles and road conditions. "Employing available intelligence sources to account for relevant strategic-scale data." Getting traffic reports and accounting for them. "Understanding the vehicle's specifications and recommending action based on their utmost use." The car accelerates sharply but comfortably, skimming just through the end of a yellow light. "Besides...I'm told in the old days, cars were frequently robots in disguise."

He does not signal if that was a joke. He rarely does. But as for the rest...there is a long wait, indeed, after Naoko apologizes. A lingering silence. Al's voice does not inflect the way a human's does, does not involuntarily hitch or hiccup. Still, maybe there is grief in the long silence before he says, "It's not a problem. The Sergeant was a strange man, and awkward. But I was made for him. Made from him, from patterns flashed from his synapses into my core. At the end, I gave everything I could to him until my body could do no more."

"I believe you would find your companions willing to do the same."

<Pose Tracker> Naoko Suzuki has posed.

It's not so different, in the end. Just because humans don't always show their emotions doesn't mean the emotions aren't there. It's the same for machines, in Naoko's estimation. If there is an intelligence involved capable of such advanced logical communication, if there is this level of personality involved with the spoken words, then surely it follows that there would be similar capability on the emotional spectrum. It's only right to act accordingly.

...and hearing Al go on and on about the nuances of driving a car, there's no doubt in her mind that there is a passion there. It's fitting, indeed, some cars are robots in disguise even now! Whether or not she actually gets the intention there, she snickers quietly, seeming to see a joke in there. Al is capable of levity, no question in her mind.

But, 'not a problem' or otherwise, she can't help but feel bad about not getting the entire picture before she started bombarding Al with personal questions. He's... probably right, given she made her friends to be exactly what she needed them to be. Yet, even so...

"That... still seems pretty sad, to me. If something did happen to me... I wouldn't want my friends to feel lost."

She has no way of knowing for certain, whether it was that way for Al. But that's the impression she gets. It's purposeful, that she does not direction the comment at him. Even if she feels like she failed at the direct approach, in a roundabout way, it feels as if she yet has an answer to what she wanted to know.

"...You've given me something to think about," she finally states. "I'll take some time to do just that. Let's talk more later."

Honestly, she feels embarrassed enough at this juncture that she might have run away, were she in any position to. Instead, she just awkwardly wonders aloud, "We're not actually going anywhere, are we...?" That's code for 'take me home, please?'