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From: cyberczar@hushmail.com (CyberCzar)
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NNTP-Posting-Date: 7 Jul 2001 03:09:12 GMT
Subject: {ASSM} the Michael Collins' Anthology (Book 2 - Chapter 1)
Date: Sat,  7 Jul 2001 22:10:04 -0400
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http://www.asstr-mirror.org/files/Authors/cyberczar/www/ ===============================

   (Author's Note: The Prologue for Book 2 hasn't been written yet, so
understandably it may seem like pieces of the puzzle are missing.  I hope
to write the Prologue this weekend.)

   Copyright (c) 1999 - 2001 - CyberCzar@HushMail.com - See Website for
License

   Cogito Ergo Sum

   "All rise!" the court-officer called out.  "This is civil-case number
USC-11-4427 for the U.S.  District Court, Northern Georgia Division; in the
matter of The People vs.  Michael Collins, Becky Carson, and Chip Carson;
automatons, for the purpose of determining citizenship and legal-status
within the United States of America.  The Honorable, Judge Judy Swaggert
presiding."

   A graying, petite woman walked into the courtroom from a side door and
made her way up the stairs to her bench.  Everyone in the courtroom stayed
silent, and standing, as the Judge rustled some papers in front of her, and
poured herself a glass of water.

   "Be seated," she finally said, and a mumur of rustling and shuffling
could be heard from the audience as everyone sat back down.  "This is a
unique case, which has enormous implications to society and the World, as
advances in technology continue to surpass and usurp a previous invention's
generation."

   Chip, Becky, and Michael sat quietly opposite the U.S.  Attorney next to
E.  F.  Sutton, their defense attorney.  Mr.  Sutton was famous for his
trial, and ultimate acquittal, of a former basketball player who was
alleged to have murdered his wife.

   "At stake here is not whether a toaster, or coffee maker, has the same
rights and liberties as I, or anyone else," the Judge continued, "but
whether machines; so complex in fact that they exhibit and experience
complex emotions, can communicate, and are self-aware, should be afforded
the same rights thereto."

   She paused to take a sip of water, leaned back in her chair, and took
her glasses off.  "Since this case has such monumental implications;
following its completion I will not render a sole opinion.  I have
contacted the other judiciaries within this district.  Upon this case's
completion, we will review the transcripts, and evidence, and render a
joint opinion.  Both parties have agreed to waive their rights to appeal,
and let this combined opinion stand.  Mr.  Clark, you may begin your
opening arguments if you are ready."

   "Thank you, your Honor," the man said, as he rose from his chair.  "Your
honor, this case is simple.  Should a device or technology crafted by man,
have the same rights as someone crafted by God?  I shall endeavor to prove
that these three automatons, sitting to my left, are in fact nothing more
than tools and devices, not unlike a common screwdriver or microwave oven.
We don't think twice about the feelings of our microwave ovens when we heat
up a cup of coffee.  These three machines were crafted by man, for the
Department of Defense, and should be returned back for examination."

   William Clark sat back down at his table after finishing his short, and
quick, arguments.

   Mr.  Sutton was quick to rise to begin arguments on behalf of his
clients.  "Your honor, we don't think twice about the feelings of our
microwave ovens when we heat up a cup of coffee because microwave ovens,
and screw drivers, or as your Honor pointed out, even toasters do not have
feelings.  They are not self-aware, either.  `Cogito Ergo Sum.' I think,
therefore I am."

   "I shall prove to you, and everyone else, that Michael Collins, Chip
Carson, and Becky Carson do think, are sensient, intelligent, and
experience every emotion known to man.  They are individuals, and
subsequently should be afforded the same rights and liberties as everyone
else."

   Mr.  Clark opened his case by calling Craig Vance, the designer of
Michael's hydraulic systems, to the stand.

   "Mr.  Vance, for the record please state your name, occupation, and
education."

   "Craig Vance, research scientist, Defense Advanced Research Project
Agency.  I have a PhD in Mechanical- Engineering, a Master's Degree in
ElectricalEngineering, and a Bachelor's Degree in Anatomy and Physiology."

   "Thank you.  You designed part of the systems for the automaton known as
Michael Collins, did you not?" asked Clark.

   "Yes, I designed his micro-hydrualic systems which are embedded in his
limbs."

   "And what do these systems do?"

   "They provide him with movement."

   "And how are his movements controlled?"

   "By his sub-processors which send commands along his control buses."

   "Who designed his sub-processors?"

   "The late Dr.  Carson."

   "Could you show us how the automaton's hydraulic systems work?"

   "Sure, I brought in an old prototype, and have wired it up to a
demonstration panel."

   Clark walked over to the side of the courtroom and wheeled over an
armature mounted on a piece of plywood.  It had twenty-one joints, with
many many different tubes and wires, connected to tiny black boxes, running
throughout it.

   "Your Honor, I present People's exhibit one.  One of the prototypes for
the automaton's arm.  Mr.  Vance, would you please demonstrate how this
works for us."

   "Sure," he replied, standing up to walk over to the exhibit.  "Different
control signals activate twenty-one different hydrualic pumps and servos
which allow his arm and hand to move." Mr.  Vance pressed a button on a
box, which was mounted on the board, and suddenly the arm came to life and
extended its hand to shake his.

   "No further questions for this witness." said Clark, as Mr.  Vance
returned to his seat at the witness stand.

   "Mr.  Vance, how does your arm work?" asked Sutton, walking up to
approach him.

   "Objection!  This witness is not an expert in how human limbs work,"
cried out Clark from his chair.

   "Your Honor, Mr.  Vance has stated for the record that he has numerous
degrees, one of them being in anatomy and physiology...."

   "Agreed," said the Judge.  "Overruled.  The witness may answer the
question."

   Mr.  Vance paused for a moment before answering the question posed by
Sutton.  "Well, my brain sends signals down my nerves which my muscles
interpret, and either extend or retract,"

   "Not very different from how you've designed Michael's arm now, is it?"

   "I don't understand." said Vance.

   "Well, doesn't Michael's arm receive signals from his brain which tell
it how to move?"

   "Yes."

   "And doesn't your arm receive signals from your brain which tell it how
to move?"

   "But it's more complicated than that."

   "Yes, or no, Mr.  Vance?"

   "Yes."

   "Thank you.  No further questions."

   "Re-direct, your Honor?" Clark asked.  "Mr.  Vance, is that arm sitting
in front of you alive?"

   "No, it is not."

   "Mr.  Vance, if your arm was removed from your body and laying on the
table in front of you, would it be alive?" asked Sutton.

   "No."

   The first day of the trial was spent hearing from several different
witnesses.  Clark called to the stand individuals who had designed various
components of Michael's anatomy.

   Sutton, on the other hand, was not phased by any of the People's
witnesses, and was quite pleased to notice that Judge looked keenly
interested in hearing about many of the technical aspects of his clients.

   After six-hours of testimony, the trial recessed for the day, and
everyone left the courtroom.

   "Mr.  Collins!" a reporter called out as they were exiting the
courthouse.  "Mr.  Collins!  How do you think it went in there?"

   "It went very well," Sutton interjected.  "The People's attorney was
trying to convince us all that Michael, Chip, and Becky, are nothing more
than a walking microwave oven, but I think we've done a good job in
countering those assertions."

   The three androids followed Sutton into the back of his limousine, and
it quickly sped away from the courthouse.

   "Good job in there guys," he said, to noone in particular.

   "Mr.  Clark is a formidable opponent," remarked Chip.

   "Nah," Sutton replied.  "I see his tactic now, and he's setting himself
up to fall."

   "What do you mean?" asked Michael.

   "He's going out of his way to prove you guys are machines, but what he's
failing to see is that I'm a machine, too.  So is he, and so is the Judge.
I think she realizes this point."

   Sutton had lined up interviews with all of the various news and
television organizations to present the three androids to the public. 
Nightline, 20/20, 60 Minutes-2, Hard Copy all wanted to interview the
electronic family.

   Seventeen even had an interview lined up for Chip.

   Sutton knew that if this case was ever going to be won, it was going to
be in the court of public opinion and not any courthouse in Atlanta.

   

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