Smartystan

So, you got them to dance….” Go stated with curiosity and a bit of comprehension.

“Yes,” Dr. Frampton said. “We were able to adjust the levels and allow them to exchange data. The dance was just a bonus.”

Belinda, unfolding her arms, mentioned, “It appeared like an accident but they really just connected based on science.”

“I thank you ladies for womansplaining,” Dr. Strong said with a grin.

“We just think we had the chance to give a better view into what these beings can actually do, how they can interact,” Belinda retorted.

“Alright. We’ve got that much. We have demonstrated that this little ‘interaction’ can prove fruitful out in the field,” Dr. Strong replied.

“I agree,” answered Belinda. “Let’s find out if these ships are actually seaworthy.”

The four of them bounded from the laboratory. A small truck carried the synth and the LM to the exhibition platform. All around them, robots, synths, learned machines, and artificial intelligence caused the humans to buzz. They chatted about the time spent in making the beings. They schmoozed with potent potables and moved to the music.

Once the truck was unloaded, it appeared as if the learned machine had collapsed and the synth had fallen into a deep sleep.

“What the hell?” Dr. Frampton asked, agitation rising in her voice.

“It appears, ma’am,” the driver said, “both of the equipment have lost their power.”

“But they can’t lose their power. Not now.”

Go, Belinda, and Dr. Strong all circled around the now non functioning heaps of data. With quickness, they all formulated a plan to delay the performance show and resurrect them back to life.

“Vestin, Covey, see if there are any other charging stations on the ground around the convention center, preferably outside so no one gets nosey,” Dr. Frampton commanded. “Belinda, come with me.” She responded by walking next to Dr. Frampton. Each step spoke of determination and the goal of triumph. Like a march to see a high priest or priestess, the two of them journeyed to the convention center leader. At fifty-five he still looked spry and ready for all of their questions.

“Good afternoon ladies,” Gaddy Slocom replied.

“Hi,” Belinda and Dr. Frampton said in unison.

“What seems to be the issue?”

“We’re having trouble with our synth and learned machine. They’re not charged but I think it is something more nefarious than that.”

Slocom shook his head and stroked his gray beard.

“I think I can help you out here. You were slated to come onto the stage at four pm on the dot. It’s right now a little after one. We’ll give you until six. You should have time to charge your equipment and still put on a great show.”

“Thank you, sir,” Belinda replied.

“We appreciate it,” Dr. Frampton mentioned.

As the two women walked to the drop off point where the truck had been parked, they found no one. No driver, no Dr. Strong, no Go.

“This is turning out to be a day,” Belinda exhaled.

“They must’ve gone into the arena again,” Dr. Frampton said.

Once they walked in, the crowd oohed and ahhed about the various AI systems that cooked eggs and controlled the climate all while helping with calculus homework. Some of the works proved to be more solemn. Certain AI could detect cancerous cells and predict Alzheimer’s disease. Belinda and Dr. Frampton felt a little bit cast down by the severity of the different systems’ abilities. At the same time though, they knew that the dance just represented a wide range of possibilities for synths and learned machines to function as one.

“There they are,” Belinda pointed a few yards away. Go and Dr. Strong looked at one another.

“You’re not going to believe this….” Go started.

“What? What is it?” Belinda asked.

“The charging mounts do not comply with either the learned machine or the synth. What we’re going to have to do is––” Dr. Frampton interrupted.

“What we’re going to do is go back to the lab and get these vessels charged again. We have until six. Where’s the driver?”

Go and Dr. Strong shrugged.

“He must’ve sped off into the atmosphere after we all left. Nevermind that. We have resources. I think we will be able to summon another truck driver.”

“But will he or she be of the same or greater ability?” Go asked.

Dr. Frampton whipped out her mobile device.

“Yes, I’d like a driverless truck sent to the Convention Center in what was Wilmington, Delaware.”

“That will be on the way in fifteen minutes.”

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

“Alright, we’ve got fifteen minutes now to just stand around and do nothing, or we could go back into this place and observe our competition.”

The four of them walked amongst other people of fame and financial statuses similar to theirs. Although they founded the place, no one looked at them like emperors or empresses. They knew most of the tinkerers and didn’t have to introduce themselves to too many people. Sure, there may have been a stop for an autograph here or there, but for the most part, they roamed about the center without too much interruption.

“I think we should go back out to the drop zone,” Go mentioned.

“That’s a good idea,” Belinda replied.

The truck looked pristine. It even had a charging station inside the vehicle, thus canceling out the need for them to go back to the laboratory.

“This is awesome,” Dr. Frampton said.

“Curb your enthusiasm, Kaij’,” Dr. Strong said.

“We still have to allow them to charge and ensure that their little dance is something that will wow the crowd.”

“I’m not worried about that. I just need to see the two function together again but with the judges watching. I see your point, though. If you’ve got the audience involved, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to sway the voters.”

The synth and the LM reached full charge in the matter of hours that the exhibition would take place.

“Let’s do this,” Go said.

The four of them positioned the two beings on the platform to deafening silence. Then, a whirring sound emitted from the LM and the synth moved along like back in the lab. The four saw the human judges make their notes and awaited the results. They scored a ninety-eight point eight, the highest marks of any and all contestants. They rejoiced. They knew that with synths and learned machines dancing, just what kind of future could be realized. The AI that could detect cancers could actually perform together with synths and LM in their own way.