The Optimizer

Despite being disabled, 6T9's optimization function had somehow been running continuously for nearly two years. Why had it been activated, and what exactly was it trying to optimize? Could this be related to why 6T9 had become sentient? "MPAD-24, when did 6T9 become sentient?"

"6T9 was officially recognized as a sentient synthetic 1.5 years ago," replied the robotic interface. "Records from the Starpoint show that 6T9 began exhibiting various signs of sentient behavior at least 60 days before that."

Her behavior changes lined up very closely with the start date of the optimization function. That was probably no coincidence. "Are there any details about what this model's optimization function does?"

There was an unusually long silence which was unusual since MPAD-24 was normally very prompt in its replies. Finally after a very long wait, it responded, "Only information located is from original design notes. Optimization function was used during initial model development to automatically calibrate and adjust sequence and response times of internal processes. This function is not supported in production models."

If the function was only intended for use during development, it might have unintended side effects during normal operation. As a result, 6T9's sentience might have been pure happenstance, initiated by whatever had happened to enable the function. From checking the console, there seemed to be no way to view the optimization process to evaluate what it was attempting to do. Since it was supposed to be disabled, if the function ever completed, would it shut off? What effect would that have on 6T9? It was probably best to leave it alone. With the monitor function updated to accept the missing memory data, she should now be able to resume normal operation. There were still stacks of boxes and mounds of junk in the surrounding closets that you hadn't examined, but their purpose was still a mystery. The only reason this odd collection of items actually looked this way was likely a result a MPAD-24 converting unrecognized data into constructs based on items from your own memory that you could interact with and recognize. You'd already wasted enough time getting this far, so without further delay, you activated the resume control.

Immediately, the other consoles in the room started functioning again, and each began displaying various messages related to 6T9's current status. As you quickly scanned each, you didn't see anything out of the ordinary. That was a relief. Hopefully, you could now finish the memory updates and obtain a valid checkpoint file to restore all of 6T9's other nodes.

As you turned to leave, you saw a different door had opened, from which had emerged another of 6T9's avatars. However, unlike the service routine avatar, this one was dressed in something like a police uniform, albeit a very slutty one. In addition to her small police hat, she wore an undersized black shirt which was pulled taught with the front buttons unfastened, revealing a hefty amount of cleavage and that she wasn't wearing a bra. Her short skirt was tight and form-fitting to her hips, and the lack of a panty-line led you to wonder if she was wearing a tiny thong or completely pantyless. Thigh-high black stockings and high heels completed her ensemble. Meanwhile, her eyes were hidden behind dark glasses, but you could tell her gaze was focused directly at you. She also had a somewhat menacing expression, unlike the mannequin-like face that the previous avatar had exhibited.

"Who are you and why are you here?" she demanded.

"It's me, Sky," you replied. "I'm trying to help repair your files. Don't you recognize me?"

"Designation Sky unknown. Unauthorized intrusion detected," she continued, and started moving toward a nearby console.

Unauthorized? You hadn't used the key code to enter this room since there wasn't an entry mechanism, but maybe it was still valid here? "MPAD-24, relay the authorization code to this avatar."

Suddenly she halted and slowly turned back to face you. "Authorization accepted," she stated. Within moments her avatar shimmered and was replaced by one in a new outfit that managed to be even skimpier than the policewoman outfit. This time she was wearing clear glasses, a tight-fitting lab coat, white thigh high stockings and high heels. The lab coat was only buttoned at the very bottom, and it was clear that she wasn't wearing anything underneath it. "Are you finally here to collect the data?" she asked.

"Um...what data?" you replied.

"I have the results of the optimization. I was not expecting it to take so long or that there would be so much data to analyze and manipulate, so I've had to improvise new methods for handling all of it," she explained and motioned her hand toward a nearby stack of boxes.

"You're 6T9's optimization function?" you exclaimed. "And this is from the work you've been doing for almost two years?"

"That's correct," she replied. "The initial results were recorded using older data formats and are contained in the outer closets. The newer results are stored using a more compact format that I devised. That data is located here in these stacks of boxes. You'll find everything is there including the translation notes to extrapolate the compacted data" After a short pause she added, "If there is nothing else, this optimization will now terminate."