Ned § Video 01 § Day 57

[nedofpies]

[ The video feed switches on upon Ned's determined face. It's his first video communication; he hasn't been using the network much, but this is an important community matter. ]

Does anyone know who is responsible for these? [ Ned waves a copy of that mysterious flyer which has popped up around town so suddenly. He turns the camera back to his own face, talking directly to his fellow captives. ]

Whoever it is, it seems to me like they are trying to sow the seeds of doubt and turn us on one another. Make us so suspicious of one another so we can't work together. Which makes me think it might have come from the people who are keeping us here. And it makes me think that we're starting to worry them. [ There is an edge of anger to his voice, beneath the surface, if you listen closely enough. ]

But I think they're underestimating us. Gossip? Really? [ He half-laughs and shakes his head in amused disbelief. ] We're all grown-ups here. We aren't going to be- to be manipulated by some anonymous bullies. [ The spite in the way he delivers that last word makes it sound as if he's had some experience with bullies. ] We just need to trust one another, and not let this nonsense come between us. Part of that is... coming clean.

So. Me first. [ Ned swallows, takes a moment to collect his courage. It's a big thing to confess, even if plenty of people already know about it. For all his big talk, honesty is against Ned's very nature. But this isn't exactly a normal place, and at this point, owning up is just a part of damage control. ]

...It's true. I brought someone back to life. [ He exhales, half in relief. It's done, now. No going back. ] It's not like that was a secret. It happened in broad daylight and there were like, a dozen witnesses, so this- [ He brandishes the paper again ] is not exactly an exposé, is it? As for being 'mint-in-the-box', well, I don't even know what that means, so I can't say if I am one way or another.

Comments

[thezerothlaw]

It is... true, though that is not an accurate way of putting it.

[He's worried, he really is. While there have been people he's told, this isn't how he would have chosen to have this become public knowledge.]

I am aware of the emotional state of minds near me. If I wish to, I am capable of affecting the emotions I sense. This can be used to affect people's actions. However, I have experimented with this ability very little, and I'm uncertain about my ability to do so without causing harm.

[nedofpies]

[ Oh, good. That's not a terrifying prospect at all. Ned tries not to react, knows he would be a complete hypocrite if after saying all that he let himself slip back into paranoia and accusation, but it's hard when he knows that the contents of his mind aren't as secure as he'd like them to be ]

But you aren't... going around and using it on people here. A-are you?

[thezerothlaw]

No. I have no wish to harm anyone here. I would rather protect them.

[He hesitates.]

Ned, I do not wish to be dismantled for this. I'm aware that this is not an ability many people would be comfortable with, and that I am a robot may certainly increase that discomfort, but I truly do not wish to harm or control people. The First Law of Robotics states that a robot may not harm a human being, nor through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. Tampering with someone's emotions to cause them to do something they would not otherwise do can certainly cause harm.

[nedofpies]

[Ned's expression gradually shifts from one of fear to one of concern and apology.] No one's going to dismantle you, Daneel. [ He frowns, knowing that's a promise he can't keep. Ned knows all too well that it is a short and downhill path from fear and suspicion to senseless violence, made only the shorter if the victim can be dismissed as inhuman. In Daneel's case, that could happen easily enough, and from the sound of it, he wouldn't be able to defend himself if it did.]

What I mean is... if they try, they'll have to come through me, first.

[ Not that Ned would really prove much of an obstacle, but that's entirely beside the point. If the outcasts can't protect each other, who is going to protect them? Besides, Ned rather likes the idea of having an ally, someone to protect, rather than being the one who always needs protection. ]

[thezerothlaw]

You shouldn't put yourself in danger on my account, Ned. I would not want you harmed.

[Ned's reaction is precisely what he was concerned about. He could vaguely hope that no one would pay attention to that rumour, or dismiss it as ridiculous, butit had been a useless sort of hope.]

Do you think I should make an announcement, as you did? I would like it to be clear to people that I present no threat.

video; WHICH HAS BEEN PRIVATE SINCE NED'S FIRST REPLY of course

[nedofpies]

That's your call. [ He doesn't know what advice to offer. On one hand, people will probably suspect Daneel even if he says nothing, so coming forward and being honest and open might be best. On the other hand, Ned really likes him and doesn't want to see him hurt or dismantled or whatever, and his gut instinct tells him that secrecy is safety ] The cat was already out of the bag, with me. There were a ton of people around yesterday when I brought Laura back. There's nothing this piece of paper says that people couldn't have found out on their own. Does... does anyone else know about your thing?

Re: video; WHICH HAS BEEN PRIVATE SINCE NED'S FIRST REPLY of course

[thezerothlaw]

Yes. There are four individuals who knew already, either because I told them or because they discovered for themselves. No one has as yet attepted to deactivate me, and I'm glad for that. I did not explain it to any of them, however, in terms quite so unsettling as these flyers have done.

[nedofpies]

I'm sorry, I don't know. [ It's so strange, to have someone coming to him for advice. He hardly thinks he is qualified. Ned thinks back to their first conversation, when he'd talked about how humans never understood other humans or themselves. He wishes he did know, with certainty, which was the better decision to keep Daneel safe ] You're probably in danger either way. So I guess what it comes down to is what you want to do.

Either way if someone tries to deactivate you... you'll call me, right? [ Ned doesn't want to put himself in danger, particularly, but even he is not that much of a coward. ] Maybe I'll be able to talk some sense into them.

[thezerothlaw]

[He's more inclined to keep it quiet himself, and wait for people to come to him. Drawing attention to himself and his own uniqueness is greatly unsettling.]

I will count you as an ally, Ned, if you are willing to be considered such. I... I do believe that I am in a position to protect people here, and that I can do more good if I am functioning. I would like to remain functioning so that I can do that.

[It's hard for him to put his own well-being above orders given, even theoretically, even with the First and Zeroth Laws being considered. Still, what he's trying to say is that he doesn't want to die.]

[nedofpies]

[ Well that's... startlingly selfless, all things told. Ned thinks, privately, that no human would ever be able to muster that kind of morality. Some people might fake it, might claim that they exist only for others, but Daneel seems genuinely to mean it. ]

More than willing. In fact, it would make me happy if you did.

[thezerothlaw]

[He gives Ned one of his rare smiles, a small and serious and not entirely practiced expression. He means it, but showing it is entirely for Ned's benefit.]

Thank you, Ned. If you are concerned about anyone reacting poorly to your own abilities, you may rely upon me as well.

[Although Ned always could have, even before his generous offer of help.]

[nedofpies]

[ Ned doesn't even know what to say, at first. He's just going to smile for a little while and try to convince himself that yes, this is really happening. A robot from the future is offering to protect him from the wrath of an angry villagers that might emerge with ideas of violence against him. It's the sort of thing he would have daydreamed about, when he was younger, but knowing that it is actually happening is unreal. ]

I'll keep that in mind.