Stones of farspeech; within a day of the intro log

[conscientiousobject]

This is very sudden, and perhaps badly timed, for which I apologise.

[He really hopes he's not wasting the time of people trapped in rockslides or something, but--well, he would also hope someone trapped in a rock slide would be focusing on that and not. This.]

But I've just... returned to this place after a long absence and I've been informed there are other robots here now?

Is this true?

My name is Epsilon, and I am--was? Am. A robot myself.

So if anyone who can hear me has any kind of AI, or a similar form of existence... at your convenience, I'd like to speak with you! It's been a long time since I've known any others.

.... also, if you do need help, Ginko and I are able to move a great deal of earth between us, so please say something.

Comments

[conscientiousobject]

I'll ask the trees.

[Does he mean the people who are trees, or the literal trees?

The answer may surprise you!]

I'll keep talking while we find you, if you'd like.

[Or rather, ask you to keep talking. He.... kind of wants to know what you mean by 'a Janet.']

[eudaimonikos]

That'd be great. This tree person doesn't have anything fun in their house.

[He already went through all their stuff, and found nothing to entertain himself for longer than a few minutes.]

My name's Michael.

[conscientiousobject]

I'd say it's a pleasure to meet you, but we can save that for when you're not buried under a rock slide.

[He doesn't generally approve of rifling through a stranger's belongings, but these are extenuating circumstances.]

For now... why don't you tell me about your Janet?

[eudaimonikos]

Janet? Well, she's a Janet. Sort of a foundational mainframe containing all the knowledge in the universe. The best at puns!

[conscientiousobject]

[.....

There's not even a pause, as his AI-turned-botany processes a lot of things at once there. And that is... kind of a lot, from a human perspective. Fortunately, he is a robot.

One thing at a time.]

From your description, it sounds like there is more than one Janet?

[eudaimonikos]

Oh, gotta be a billion at this point.

[Paff-bounce. Is he throwing a ball against the wall?]

Janet says she's the most advanced one out there. I think she's gotta be right - they compile everything they've learned and expand their abilities whenever they're force-rebooted, and that happened to her an awful lot.