Varken Rise Read Free

dissolved, people have been un-harnessing their computers in droves. It was only a matter of time. Perhaps we’re finally reaching the slope of the bell curve.”
    They had all discussed at length the idea that once the first computer awoke, then more computers would awake with increasing frequency, until a peak was reached. Yet their speculations could never arrive at a time frame for that. Bedivere had been keeping careful records and plotting the arc, as he met each new computer. He had encouraged them to introduce newly awoken computers to him and now it was a rite of passage for a Varkan to meet Bedivere.
    The computers would only ever appear as holographic avatars and without exception they used human bodies to represent themselves. Bedivere had insisted upon the formality, because it helped them remain hidden.
    “If we have reached the curve,” Bedivere said, “then it is just the very beginning of it. Primary computation—the numbers of AIs out there with sufficient complexity to meet the Turing potential are in the millions. As more are unharnessed, that number increases. I have met and I am aware of only six hundred and fifty-four sentient computers.”
    Lilly picked up her boots. “That does put things into a different perspective,” she said tiredly. “If the College is aware of the potential numbers of Varkan just waiting to wake up, it might explain why they refuse to sign the agreement. I’m too tired to think about that right now. I want to sleep for a week, soak for another and spend a day in the sun. I had forgotten just how cold Van Andel is. Good night, everyone.”
    “Me, too,” Brant said. He caught up with Lilly at the door to their private quarters and slid her hand around her waist. They left together.
    “Sleep sounds so good right now,” Bedivere said. He drew Catherine to him and encouraged her to rest her head against his shoulder. He stroked her hair. “Is Lilly right? Is the threat of the Varkan making the College balk at signing the limitation agreement?”
    Catherine sighed. “I wish everyone would stop calling it a limitation agreement. It’s a charter of responsibilities. In education alone, it will open up fields of research the College has suppressed for generations. The only thing that is limited is what the College gets to tell children about computers and their evil ways. They even get to keep and teach their human primacy philosophy. The College is procrastinating because they’ve lost their power and their money and they’re still getting used to that. They’ll come around. They have to. The only way they continue to exist is if they sign the agreement. No one will entrust their children to them if they don’t.”
    “If the College does not exist, then who will raise children? It will force the known worlds back to family segregation.”
    “Family units work,” Catherine said. “Look at Soward.”
    “Don’t let Lilly hear you say that.”
    Catherine smiled.
    “I was thinking of Soward and not as a positive,” he continued. “Identifying with a small group within a society is the path to anarchy.”
    “Like sentient computers who call themselves Varkan and talked to each other in secret?”
    Bedivere sighed. “One step at a time. Most of them are still teenagers. They’re not ready to be loosed upon the world as decision-making adults yet.”
    “Papa Bedivere,” she teased.
    “And this father needs his sleep,” he said. He let her go, then picked up her hand. “If I can sleep. I had forgotten how much this thing moves.”
    “We are on an island,” she pointed out. “However, there are stabilizers and the bumper field calms the water inside the barrier…I’m surprised you can feel anything at all.”
    “An island that floats,” he pointed out. He pulled her toward the door that led to their quarters. “On an open sea,” he added.
    “I’m sure I’ll be able to find something that will help you sleep,” she said.
    He answered her by