SecUnit Activation - Tumblr Posts
The most upsetting thing about the (impeccable) accuracy of this observation is the knowledge that a) this is also exactly how new humans first announce themselves, and b) there’s just no way this (understandable, tbh) reaction to being thrust into consciousness without warning or consent isn’t going to instantly be answered by a governor shock.
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The company CEO stands with the lead engineer, looking down over the first mass-produced batch of their successful prototype as it is being delivered to the factory floor, below them and behind a thick barrier of clear plex.
CEO: So they come off the line still powered down… and then you wake them.
Engineer: We activate them, yes.
As they speak, techs greet the newest “arrival,” guiding the lifter into an upright position. The unit is still swaddled in the biofilm remnants of its organic growth process. The film sticks to the contours of the plastic incubator and it takes some labor on the techs’ part to get it out, cleaned, and ready for activation.
CEO: Sure sure - it’s just with its mouth open like that it seems like it’s yawning, is all. See? There it goes! They all seem to do it….. maybe marketing can do something with that…. Obviously we don’t want to overdo the emphasis on organics, but this is supposed to be the big advantage of these hybrids - a human face on security without the human cost. Or the human error.
Engineer, uncomfortable: Er, right. Even at a fraction of operational capacity, one of our units could - er, would still be very effective, compared to a human equivalent. The processing speed alo-
They watch the new unit jerk a second time in as many seconds, snapping its mouth closed and coming to attention instead, only the merest wobble indicating that ambulatory systems still undergoing final checks. Its eyes are wide, alert. Its limbs no longer tremble.
CEO, pointing with a little chuckle: Ah - I see - that one snapped right out of it! No griping about rest hours from these! Can they even speak?
Engineer: Er, yes, they come standard with a bank of buffer phrases that can be customized, but if organic speech is required, they are equipped with functioning vocal cords and language models compatible with the hybrid brain. We have comprehensive displays prepared to show you their factory standard modules.
As the unit obeys a direction to advance to the next step in the process, the CEO indicates the intercom button: Let’s have one of the techs demonstrate - I want to hear for myself. I know it’ll be rough at this point, but—
Engineer, urgent, flustered: Sir, I don’t- the noise- er, before they’re fully calibrated it —
The CEO rolls his eyes, leaning forward to press it himself. Below, the next unit is being activated, and the comm link comes to life at the same moment it does.
Other bots' first words: "Hello world!"
SecUnits' first words: "AAAAAGGGGHHH!!!"