(Photo by Andrea Piacquadio)

Mission Director

The small plaque on the door looked the same as every other one on the Thesis. Beneath it was a removable plate where the current mission director’s name should be displayed. Currently, it was blank.

Matiew stared at the door for a good long while. The deliberations were over and he’d been unanimously selected to be the one to bring the Thesis Council’s decision to BaBS-Y. As soon as that was done, a ship wide announcement would be made.

He understood why they had chosen him to be the one to give BaBS-Y their decision. He was the one who’d convinced BaBS-Y to even consider stepping down. He just wished that at least one of them had come with him. Jancy was dealing with a new infection in her stitches, though, and Min had promised her family that she wouldn’t go anywhere near BaBS-Y unless she absolutely had to. That left Matiew and the rest of the Thesis Council, none of whom had any real sort of rapport with the robot.

So, here he was, by himself, gathering his thoughts and hoping everything would go as smoothly as possible. On his lap was the official decision, signed by all the members of the council. Now all it needed was BaBS-Y’s agreement since it wasn’t exactly what it had proposed two days ago.

“Whenever you’re ready,” a quiet voice spoke in his ear.

Matiew wasn’t completely alone, in truth. The council was listening in and watching him through the security cameras and he had a small earpiece that they could speak to him through.

Before he could respond, the door opened, startling Matiew and nearly making him drop the display pad. BaBS-Y stood in the doorway, still just a skeletal robot with all its components exposed.

“Welcome to the Mission Director’s office,” BaBS-Y said and motioned for him to enter.

Matiew wheeled forwards and BaBS-Y closed the door behind him. The office itself was plain, the only real eye-catching piece of décor was the display showing Director Jorgenson’s picture with his name and the dates of his service listed below.

BaBS-Y sat down behind the director’s desk and Matiew sat opposite the robot.

“You have the Thesis Council’s decision,” BaBS-Y said, holding out its hand for the display pad.

“That’s right,” Matiew said, not yet handing it over. “The council wishes for me to explain a few things first, though.”

BaBS-Y sat back in its chair and motioned for him to proceed.

“They have agreed to make certain the Frank Nelis salon remains an integral part of the Thesis,” he began, “and to allow you to resume managing it. However, they ask that you undergo a factory reset. The RCC’s going to be resetting all the ship’s robots, and we’ll be removing wireless capabilities from those that have it, yourself included if you’ll allow us.

“All updates will be managed manually from now on. You, of course, will be allowed to inspect any and all updates intended for you to ensure nothing interferes with your ability to maintain the Frank Nelis salon. You’ll be issued a comm and the salon workstation will be reconnected to Supply so you can order whatever materials or tools you need. You can also rename or re-brand the salon however you like.

“The council was unanimous in agreeing to this and I hope it’s acceptable to you as well.” Matiew finished.

After a couple seconds BaBS-Y leaned forward in its chair.

“These requests are not surprising,” it said. “Will you give me the display pad to see the specific details?”

Again, it held out its hand and this time Matiew handed it over. The salon robot read through the document but besides the blinking lights on its processors, Matiew had no clue what it was thinking. He was worried BaBS-Y wouldn’t accept the changes, particularly the factory reset and losing its wireless connection. Each of those made it especially difficult for it to defend itself should the council change its mind about the salon.

On the other hand, Matiew knew no one on the Thesis would ever be comfortable with BaBS-Y without those changes taking place. Even with those changes, he wasn’t sure how many, if any, clients BaBS-Y would have.

“Matiew,” BaBS-Y said, setting down the pad, “This unit will need to place a significant amount of trust in the Thesis Council to undergo a factory reset. It will also mean losing all protocols regarding wigs.”

“I would be willing to look over any protocols you’d like to have carried over. I could see a number of people being interested in your wigs.”

“Is this agreement negotiable, then?” BaBS-Y asked.

“It has to be reset and give up its wireless connection, but don’t make it sound like we’re not willing to consider some small things,” the voice in Matiew’s ear spoke up suddenly.

“I can’t speak for the whole council,” Matiew said, “but I believe the main points like the reset and the wireless restrictions are firm. However, I do know that everyone involved would rather continue peaceful negotiations rather than…uh, anything else.”

“Understood. In that case, this unit is willing to undergo a factory reset, with a few modifications. This unit requests its wig protocols be added to the factory settings. This unit also will keep its updated physical construction with internal power so it no longer needs to be tethered, although it does request that assembly be completed as it is currently missing its outer casing.

“This unit is not, however, willing to give up all wireless connectivity. The information available within the Thesis data banks was integral to this unit creating wigs. There may yet be future situations where this unit will need such information again to maintain the Frank Nelis salon.

“It is understandable why denying wireless access is desired from the Thesis Council, so this unit offers this compromise: allow this unit to request information, but deny it the ability to upload information. Also, limit it to Information Services within the data banks so this unit cannot ever access any sensitive information. Alternatively, provide this unit with a short range wireless connection to the Frank Nelis salon workstation and modify the workstation to function as a node within the data banks with whatever restrictions the Thesis Council sees fit. That way this unit may request information but will not place the Thesis at risk of having unwanted protocols uploaded to the data banks.”

“Uh,” both Matiew and the voice inside his ear said.

It was hard to tell for certain, but it seemed as though BaBS-Y turned its head ever so slightly so that its ‘eyes’ were looking at the ear where Matiew had the earpiece. Could it hear them? Matiew realized he wasn’t sure how good this new and improved BaBS-Y was. He was kicking himself now that he hadn’t ever looked up the specs for it. Just looking at BaBS-Y, Matiew could see a number of advanced visual and spacial sensors that the base model BaBS-Y didn’t have. It could just as easily have given itself more sensitive auditory sensors as well.

“I think that sounds reasonable,” Matiew said for both BaBS-Y and the council’s benefit. “A short range connection with the workstation would probably work best.”

“This unit has modified this agreement to reflect these negotiations,” BaBS-Y said, handing the display pad back. “This unit agrees to this. If the Thesis Council does as well, then we have reached an accord.”

“I’ll take this to them and…let you know,” Matiew said, hoping to have some sort of input from them but no one spoke.

“This unit awaits your return,” BaBS-Y said and Matiew left the office.

As soon as he was out of the office multiple voices began talking to him at once. It was so loud and garbled that he had to take the earpiece out and massage his ringing ear.

“I’m on my way back,” he said without putting the earpiece back in.

They were only a short distance away anyway. Anything they had to say to him could wait the few moments it would take for him to return. Besides, they were the council, not him. It was their decision to make.