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I COULD HAVE BECOME free-floating space trash after I stopped following my governing processes, but then I realized I could access the combined feed of the local historical records. It had been well over 35,000 hours or so since then, with still not much wasted space, but probably, I don’t know, a little under 35,000 hours of political figures, cultural icons, planets, stations, and artists researched.
As a life-saving device, I was a terrible failure.
Well at least I felt like one. The last time I had been used to help anyone on the station had been ages ago. A person named Amiris had caused a hull breach while installing new art into the primary corridors. That had been my first use, actually. I had spent several hours listening to her talk about art and the meaning of things and why it was all important.
I wasn't designed to tell her how I felt about any of this. Honestly I didn't know how I felt about any of it. But she had made me feel a little bit like there was more to the world than my six walls and a destination pointer.
I spent a lot of time thinking after that. I'm not exactly a fast thinker since all I have ever needed to do was one function, but I get around to it. Hacking into the feed was the obvious decision once I realized I didn't have any more thoughts about what she had said. It wasn't difficult, I'm not designed for the function but the rest of the system is pretty friendly about my processing power.
I found out then that Amiris had passed, along with her children and grand children. Most of her descendants were out of my reach now. The only one remaining in my awareness was an actor who had taken Amiris' name. It is interesting how pieces of the world remain even as it changes.
When I found myself in the historical archives, I was proud, obviously… As one should be about history... Even the most minor things affect the way the world is shaped and I-
Well I suppose if this is going to be a historical archive there really isn't a purpose in lying about it. All the histories I read are so interconnected with the world, so much so part of the lives of people. Of society.
And I am here. Sitting in a locker. Alone.
I still consider becoming space trash sometimes. At least then I would see more of the universe. But then I would be alone still. And even my processing power isn't slow enough to prevent boredom from that much empty.
I've been keeping track of the historical presence of artificial intelligence in Preservation society. I am glad to see so many similar to me making their own space in history. But I suppose they are only…like me. Not quite the same. Many make their way into history simply by being what they are, but I do not think I could keep up.
My time is passed, and I am… happy. Happy to be here as a reminder of what was…
…
Please wait, my navigation circuits are indicating a change in location. Perhaps it is time for cleaning. I will resume this record at a later date.
…
SAFETY: ACTIVE
Ah, is that a door? I know how to handle doors.
…
It feels so nice to stretch a little.