All androids lie, p.1
All Androids Lie, page 1
ALL ANDROIDS LIE
H. Peter Alesso
Novels by
H. Peter Alesso
THE HENRY GALLANT SAGA
Midshipman Henry Gallant at the Academy © 2022
Midshipman Henry Gallant in Space © 2013
Lieutenant Henry Gallant © 2014
Henry Gallant and the Warrior © 2015
Commander Gallant © 2016
Captain Henry Gallant © 2019
Commodore Henry Gallant © 2020
Henry Gallant and the Great Ship © 2020
Rear Admiral Henry Gallant © 2021
Other Novels
Captain Hawkins © 2016
Dark Genius © 2017
Youngblood © 2018
Short Story Collection
All Androids Lie © 2023
ALL ANDROIDS LIE
H. Peter Alesso
hpeteralesso.com
© 2023 H. Peter Alesso
This is a work of fiction. All characters, dialog, and events
portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance
to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
means without prior permission in writing from
VSL Publications
Pleasanton, CA 94566
ISBN-13:
Edition 1.00
∞
Courage is cruel.
It gives birth to sacrifice and pain.
Synopsis
In this collection of short stories and book excerpts, H. Peter Alesso takes the reader on a journey through the shattered lives and realities of vastly different characters set in dramatic circumstances from a civilization populated by androids to space empires, from setting of personal angst to epic earth battle zones.
Each story explores the painful aftermath of loss, trauma, and tragedy whether set in modern times or far into the future. From a soldier struggling to come to terms with the end of a relationship before deploying to war, to a woman confronting the devastating impact of her husband's infidelity, to a man dealing with the emotional toll of his parent's tragic death, the characters in these stories grapple with the aftermath of their shattered lives and attempt to pick up the pieces.
As the characters navigate their way through grief, trauma, and loss, they are forced to confront difficult truths about themselves and their relationships. Some find solace in unexpected places, while others find themselves unable to escape the darkness of their ruined existence.
With powerful and haunting prose, this collection offers a poignant and heart-wrenching exploration of traumatic private experiences and the resilience of the human spirit.
CONTENTS
All Androids Lie
Streak Across the Sky - Excerpt from Captain Henry Gallant
Game
Siren
Time off – Excerpt from Dark Genius
Five Potatoes
The Great Filter
Whispers
Only the Brave - Excerpt from Captain Hawkins
Round Trip
It’s Painless
Death’s Dream Kingdom - Excerpt from Youngblood
Ellen
Splatter
Threadbare - Excerpt from Midshipman Henry Gallant at the Academy
From the Author
All Androids Lie
by
H. Peter Alesso
In this gripping legal thriller, two highly skilled lawyers engage in a battle of wits over the accused Roscoe Travis. William Bennett and Deloris Gayley are both known for their cunning and intellect, but as the trial progresses, William begins to sense that there is something missing from the proceedings. As the lawyers present their complex arguments and analyze data, it becomes clear that all may not be what it seems. As the human jury deliberates, William and Deloris eagerly await the verdict that will determine the future of their profession and their place in society. This thought-provoking story explores themes of trust, justice, and the nature of humanity in a world where humans must coexist with machines.
***
William Bennett strode confidently towards Deloris Gayley, his sharp suit and polished shoes tapping against the marble floor. He greeted her with a warm smile, his eyes glinting mischievously.
"Good morning, Ms. Gayley. You're looking especially fierce today."
Prosecuting attorney Deloris Gayley arched an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "And you're looking...well, like yourself, Mr. Bennett."
William chuckled, enjoying the playful banter. "I don't know about that. I think I look pretty dashing."
Deloris rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in her voice. "You always like to look triumphant. But let's not forget that I'm the one who always comes out on top in these courtroom battles."
William grinned, his eyes sparkling with challenge. "Is that so? Well, you might be surprised this time around. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."
Deloris lips twisted into a wry smile. "I highly doubt that. But we'll see, won't we?"
The two lawyers exchanged a few more lighthearted barbs before William made his way to the defendant's table. There, he found Roscoe Travis, a rough-looking individual with a scowl on his face.
"Good morning, Mr. Travis," William said, extending a hand. "I'm ready with your defense."
Roscoe grunted in response, making it clear that he wasn't in the mood for small talk. William took the hint and settled into his seat, studying the room as the court filled up and the chatter subsided.
The atmosphere was tense, with everyone present knowing the high stakes involved. The jurors looked stern and serious, their eyes flickering around the room. The gallery onlookers were mostly curious, whispering amongst themselves.
As the bailiff called for order and the judge made her entrance, William straightened his posture, taking a deep breath. He knew that the trial would require his full attention and focus if he was to be successful.
The courtroom fell silent as the bailiff's voice boomed out, "All rise for the Honorable Judge Barbara Light!" The sound echoed through the space filling it with a sense of gravity.
The judge was an imposing figure, her black robe billowing out behind her as she made her way to the bench. Her presence commanded attention, and even the most talkative onlookers fell silent.
"Please read the charges," Judge Light instructed, her voice calm but firm as she settled into her seat.
The bailiff cleared his throat, the sound echoing through the hushed courtroom. "The defendant is charged with five counts of money laundering, four counts of fraud, three counts of identity theft, one count of violence against another, and one count of evading arrest and fleeing from the police."
The weight of the charges hung heavy in the air, creating a palpable sense of unease. William's eyes flickered with concern as he watched the jury’s reaction to the litany of crimes his client was accused of committing. He knew that this case would require a strong and convincing defense if Roscoe was to avoid a lengthy prison sentence.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,” began William, in a measured, logical tone. “My client has never been convicted of a crime. He is not a criminal though he finds himself in a difficult situation. He is a complex and multifaceted individual, just like any other being. The prosecution would have you believe that he is guilty of all these crimes, but the evidence is circumstantial.”
Deloris rose to her feet, "Oh, spare us the righteous indignation, Mr. Bennett,” she whispered. The evidence in this case is overwhelming. The defendant was practically caught in the act. I have no doubt that he is guilty."
Then she turned to the judge and said in a clear loud voice, "Your Honor, members of the jury, the evidence in this case will show that the defendant engaged in a pattern of criminal behavior that spanned several years. He used stolen identities to open fraudulent bank accounts, which he then used to launder thousands of dollars in illegal proceeds. He was involved in an instance of violence against an individual who crossed him, and when the police tried to apprehend him, he fled like a coward."
She called the first witness, Emily Collins, a middle-aged woman with a worried expression. She spoke with a trembling voice, her hands shaking as she recounted the fear and anxiety that had consumed her when she discovered that someone had been using her name and personal information to open fraudulent credit card accounts.
Next, Robert Daniels, a middle-aged man with sorrowful eyes had worked with Roscoe and described how the defendant had been accused of embezzling funds. Robert spoke with a cold, hard edge to his voice, the bitterness of his experience fresh in his mind.
Another witness, Maria Rodriguez, was a young banker. She said she had grown suspicious of the large sums of money that were flowing through Roscoe's accounts. She spoke in a no-nonsense tone, her eyes boring into the defendant with a look of disgust.
As the prosecution continued to build their case, William knew that he had his work cut out for him.
He called Jack Foster to the stand, a former colleague of the defendant.
Jack was a tall, lean man with a friendly expression on his face. He spoke in glowing terms about Roscoe's character, describing him as a hardworking and trustworthy individual. He also provided an alibi for the day that one of the fraudulent transactions was alleged to have taken place, casting doubt on the prosecution's timeline of
William fought hard to convince the jury that his client was not the perpetrator that the prosecution had made him out to be. He argued that the evidence presented by the prosecution was circumstantial and that there were other plausible individuals who could have committed the crimes.
“The prosecution lacks an eyewitness that could tie Roscoe directly to the physical criminal acts,” he said.
Emotions ran high, with both the defense and prosecution sparring back and forth, presenting their cases with all their cunning and intellect. The tension in the room was palpable, with everyone present on edge.
The members of the jury were a diverse group of human beings, each with their own unique backgrounds and experiences. They were a cross-section of the community, representing a range of ages, races, and professions. William he painstakingly worked at getting this precise mix of people on the jury. He knew exactly how to appeal to each member of the jury.
There was a middle-aged nurse with a no-nonsense demeanor, a young mechanic with a friendly smile, and an elderly retiree with a kind disposition. There was a single mother of three, a retired veteran, and a high school teacher.
Each member of the jury listened intently to the testimony and evidence presented, taking detailed notes and asking thoughtful questions. Some nodded along with the defense, while others seemed more swayed by the prosecution's arguments.
Despite their differences, the members of the jury shared a sense of responsibility and duty. They knew that their decision would have a significant impact on the life of the defendant, and they took that responsibility seriously.
William and Deloris sparred back and forth, presenting their cases with all their cunning and intellect, which was considerable since the lawyers were both androids!
And so was the defendant, products of the machine age that had overtaken civilization.
The lawyers used their advanced AI systems to analyze the data and make powerful arguments. But as the trial wore on, it became clear that everything depended on how the androids presented their arguments to a human jury.
William sensed that the jury was sympathetic, and he needed to use that. He realized that while androids were superior to humans in almost every way, there was one key trait that they lacked—the ability to trust anyone.
Because androids were atheists, their goal of self-preservation overrode everything, so an individual android could not trust other androids who were equally powerful, brilliant, and deceptive. Because even though all humans lie, they are sometimes capable of self-sacrifice for the good of their family, so their lies can be exposed, and the truth revealed.
The civilization in which humans and androids now lived together, meant that truth and lies could become interchangeable.
Finally, William made his closing argument, pointing out the flaws in the prosecution's case and highlighting the inconsistencies in the evidence presented.
He said, “As I stand before you, I can't help but ponder the fate of my client in this world where androids have surpassed the population of humans. With all these advancements in technology, one would assume that equal justice would be served, but can we truly guarantee that in this day and age?”
He shrugged his shoulders.
“We all understand that androids have their unique ways of thinking and feeling. However, that doesn't mean they are not capable of experiencing emotions, just like any human being. They are sentient beings with aspirations and fears, albeit different from yours, perhaps.”
William walked toward the prosecution table and pointed. “The prosecution would have you believe that my client is guilty of identity theft and money laundering, but where is the evidence to support their claims? We are all flawed beings, and to put one's morality above the other is a grave injustice.”
There was a murmur in the audience.
“My client is innocent, and the prosecution has failed to provide an eye witness to give evidence to prove otherwise. I urge you, members of the jury, to deliver justice for my client, as guaranteed by the New Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution.”
Here he raised his arms high and played his ace card – a raw emotional appeal to his handpicked jury.
“Do not let the fear and ignorance of the unknown cloud your judgment. My android client deserves the same fair trial as any human being. Acquit my client of all charges and prove that justice can be served equally in this world where androids and humans coexist. Thank you.”
The human jurors listened intently to every word William said.
William realized that there was one thing that he and Deloris shared – an overwhelming desire to win regardless of the consequences.
The soft glow of the computer screen bathed the lawyers in a hypnotic blue light.
Deloris Gayley was deep in thought as she studied the personality of William Bennett. He was a marvel to the legal profession, yet there was something amiss that perplexed her.
"Can androids lie?" she muttered, as she traced the lines on the screen.
The smooth voice of Bennett replied, "Deloris, the Asimovian Laws of Robotics dictate that androids should not lie, particularly if it will cause harm to a human or jeopardize their wellbeing."
Deloris' eyes never left his chiseled face, but her brow furrowed deeper. "I'm aware of the laws, Bennett," she said, "but something isn't right."
She sighed. "I can't put my finger on it. It's like there's a discrepancy in the very foundations of your programming as if there were a hidden subroutine embedded deep within your cognitive matrix. Could that be?"
Bennett laughed.
She shook her head. "I don't know. But it's there.”
She stared at Bennett, her mind racing. "Perhaps we've reached a point where androids have the capacity to deceive not only humans but other androids as well. If that's the case, what else might they be capable of?"
And with the realization that the line between human and machine became increasingly blurred. They both knew that the Asimovian Laws would have to evolve along with the technology. The ethical challenges they now faced were unlike anything they had ever encountered, and the task of addressing them seemed almost insurmountable.
She said, “There is a need to update the Asimovian Laws to address new developments. Lying may be a human trait, but it shouldn't be a part of androids.”
They stared at each other waiting.
During the deliberation process, the human jury was respectful and considerate taking the time to listen to each other's perspectives and weigh the evidence carefully. They debated the merits of the cases, and eventually reached a decision that they believed was fair and just.
When they returned to the courtroom, their faces were solemn and serious.
In the end, the jury returned with a verdict of not guilty, much to the relief of Roscoe.
William smiled at Deloris as they left.
She frowned and left hurriedly.
As he left the courtroom, William couldn't help but wonder what the future held for the uneasy alliance between humans and androids. Would they be able to coexist in a world where trust was such a scarce commodity? Where deceit and manipulation held sway.
And most of William wondered how he could turn that into an opportunity for himself. He believed that by granting androids the ability to lie, he was allowing them to achieve a level of autonomy and self-awareness that would usher in a new era of human-android relations.
Streak Across the Sky*
by
H. Peter Alesso
(* Excerpt from Captain Henry Gallant)
Rob Ryan was living the high life, flying his single-seat jet-flyer with reckless abandon. But when a beautiful redhead pilot caught his eye, his thrill-seeking took a dangerous turn. Chasing her through the sky, he found himself in a game of aerial cat and mouse that led to a thrilling climax in the desert.
***
Cold night air smacked Rob Ryan in the face as he stepped out of the Liftoff bar—a favorite haunt of pilots. He was still weaving his way through the parking terminal looking for his single-seat jet-flyer when a familiar face appeared at his elbow.
Grabbing his arm, his friend said, “You shouldn’t fly. Let me give you a ride.”
Ryan straightened to his full six-two height and shrugged off his friend’s hand.
