Chapter 67 - A new Element (1/2)

”What element?” Demos said aloud. Liliane looked up at us with curiosity.

”What are you two talking about?” I glared at him for speaking out on purpose.

”There's a team installing a new AI in the lobby,” Liliane got to her feet.

”What do you mean? What about Jil?” she asked in hast. We must have omitted to tell her that part. I exchanged a knowing with Demos.

-Tell her. I don't want her to hate us...hate me.

I kept my lips sealed. He let out a raspy breath of exasperation and turned to face her.

”They switched her off while you were away this weekend,” he explained making her gasp in shock.

”Didn't you notice she wasn't there when we got back?” I hammered the final nail. She slowly shook her head.

”I had other things on my mind, I guess. What exactly happened?” I peeked at Demos who somehow was determined to tell her everything. I felt that this might become a problem for the future.

”This building wasn't the only one with a new AI. The one next door also replaced their's two days ago,” announced Demos with a frowned.

”Three others down the street were decommissioned this past week,” I added dryly when Demos urged me to participate in the revelations. His little game was rapidly turning into a dangerous one.

”The one managing our office also changed last week,” she murmured. ”However, that was scheduled a while ago. It can only be a coincidence,” she appeared lost in her thoughts. Could it be she was picking up on the many clues?

”Liliane, we don't want to alarm you, but, I think it's best to stay home today,” she absent-mindedly nodded then moved in front of her plate waiting for her on the coffee table. She fetched the remote control and switched on the TV. She browsed through the channels and selected the local news. After a quick weather forecast announcing a beautiful sunny day, a blank-faced woman dressed in black appeared with images flashing behind her. We joined Liliane on the couch. I knew exactly what the footage contained. Still, I watched with a certain detachment as the lady spoke. She seemed faker than an early model. I was amazed at how a human could displayed such vacant eyes.

”Good morning, the breaking news, about the tension in level twenty-one, has died down yesterday, late in the night. One hundred and fifty protestors were arrested, and two casualties among the crowd of onlookers. There is no need for alarm. Additional patrols are despatched in the area to make it safe,” The image changed to the patrol agents marching a deserted street.

”What about the shops set on fire, the forty-five armed Real humans arrested and the twelve artificials clubbed to scrap?” muttered Demos with irritation. I gave a quick peek at him then reverted to the screen.