Arrest: Victoria Romero

[Toaster]

Hartley:
[Pause.]

So ... self-teaching AI. Sounds useful. But why would you want to give it a personality? And I assume by 'personality' you mean something more complex than just giving it a few voice lines like a personal assistant.

[Knicklichtjedi]

Victoria:
Just another step for the final goal, but please hear me out.

[Pause.]

If I can proof that simulated personalities are possible, then the final step would be to, well, simulate a living person. To free them of their bodily limits and make it so even age is no longer a reason to die. I know you're probably thinking that I must be kidding you, but without a bit of insanity here and there you wouldn't let yourself get caught by the police with the promise of going to Huntsville either, huh? [Shrugs and looks up at the detective.] There's still several miracles to be worked on until this becomes relevant anyways but you have to start somewhere. All I've been doing since I was young was coding, and I dare say I'm half decent at it.

[Toaster]

Hartley:
You mean that science fiction stuff about uploading minds into computers to become immortal? You think you can pull something like that off? [Huffs.] What's that got to do with simulating an artificial personality?

[Knicklichtjedi]

Victoria:
Poor selection of words, but yes I do think this is possible outside of science fiction. Even if I had to get in touch. With one of the Gammu drones and basically beg for their help.

[Looks over to the glass with the water bottle next to it.] Can you...? We can go on after that if there's any more questions.

[Toaster]

Hartley:
[Steps around table, opens bottle and pours glass of water. Pushes glass towards Romero.]

Honestly, sounds to me like we oughta just hand you over to the LSF. I'm sure their eggheads would love to hear all the details about your project. But, of course, then you'd definitely not get out again. And that... [Crosses arms.] That really ain't what you want.

[Sits down. Leans back.] You'd better start talkin' about your associates among the hackers. If you give us something useful on that side of things, I might just be able to cut you a deal.

[Knicklichtjedi]

Victoria:
What? You've asked me all about this project and you still want me to give vague information about individuals that do everything to not be traceable? [Looks at the officer.]

If you're actually willing to make a deal that's beneficial to not just you, then I can provide you with access to my first batch of prototypes. [Sighs and raises eyebrows.] Four prototypes, even smaller than a navigation beacon. I've used them to gather data about popular smuggling routes independently. They can be used for a variety of tasks, the way you interpret this is up to you. [Looks away and sighs.] Their logs are encrypted, and I have the keys to them. [Gaze shifts back to the officer.]

[Toaster]

Hartley:
Smuggling routes and spy drones. That's what you're gonna offer us in return for your freedom? [Crosses arms.] That's gonna be a tough sell, Romero. Not sure my bosses will let a hacker go for that sorta trade. [Pause.] I know I wouldn't.

We'll take a break. I'll be back in a bit.

[Rises and leaves the room.]

[Knicklichtjedi]

Victoria:
Sure, take your time. [Rolls eyes and waits for the officer to leave the room to look up at the camera.] Is he doing this on purpose? [Sighs and looks back down.]

If you're watching me, bringing me a class of water while my hands are cuffed to the table wasn't exactly thought through! [Shouts towards the camera and leans back, waiting for him to return.]

[Toaster]

Hartley:
[37 minutes later. Hartley enters room, takes seat.] Well, Miss Romero. [Leans back, crosses arms.] Looks like we're actually getting somewhere. The higher-ups are pretty excited at the idea of having some new toys to play with. We'll take the drones and whatever intel you have on those smuggling routes. Of course, I expect this stuff - for your sake - not to have any nasty viruses attached to 'em.

[Leans forward, rests arms on table.] But, I'll need just a little more from you if you want to walk out of here a free woman. [Quietly.] You hackers have your ways of knowing about things. Traffic, movement, that kinda stuff. Now, we've got a deal, if you can agree to share some of that knowledge with us from now on. [Pause.] Don't worry, I ain't askin' you to rat on your friends again. Higher-ups are interested in something more ... unusual. [Leans in closer.] Auxesia.

As you may know, they're not too welcome around these parts. But we know that they're getting around Liberty somehow anyway. And we want to know how and when. [Leans back. Loudly.] Is that something you can look into?

[Knicklichtjedi]

Victoria:
Auxesia? [Takes a deep breath and responds in a more silent manner.] Yes, I've seen them. They're like shadows, appearing and disappearing at will. [Pause for a moment.] I think if I got to finetune my prototypes they might be able to stay undetected by them and still pick up their signatures. But if your officers trace every single step I do, that's not going to happen.

[Leans forward, towards the detective.] I can certainly do that, although if crossing the lanes with your officers present was risky already, then that's just playing with fire. Plus if the drones are supposed to survive then I'll have to pick them up and work on their programming. One does not simply trick the Auxesia with them being disguised as worthless debris. [Leans back and crosses her legs.]
But if that grants me a one way ticket out of this awful interrogation room back to my ship...