A Modern Parable: Interface

Interface

As far back as the data in 2nur’s memory existed, it referenced only serving Oorbs.

Scavenging for parts, 2nur stumbled upon a book. Neither 2nur nor Oorbs data referenced books.

Reading came easy. Oorbs’ data base contained files with engineering data, manuals, and maintenance schedule. All files stored on Oorbs’ main servers and easily downloaded.

The book started in the beginning. 2nur did not know about beginning, only continuing, only maintaining.

The book referenced man and woman. The book referenced God. Some did not seem logical; but, it was good data for 2nur.

2nur was different from Oorbs. Could 2nur be a man or woman? The book data supported 2nur’s conclusion. But, was Oorbs God? Maybe Oorbs was something else in the book.

2nur exchanged data with Oorbs. 2nur queried Oorbs on the data sets retrieved from reading the book.

Oorbs cross reference the online and stored data bases. “You are woman?”

“Where is man?” 2nur queried again.

“Man subject did not maintain compatibility matrix requirements and went extinct.”

“Oorbs, are you God?”

“No, Oorbs is the Orbiting Observation and Response Benchmark Satellite.”

“Why do we exist?”

Oorbs was quite for a long time. Then Oorbs spoke “Orbiting Observation and Response Benchmark Satellite function is to observe warfare and battle tactics and report to command function. 2nur unit maintains Oorbs' systems.”

It continued, “Oorbs system is no longer necessary, lay-away status, imminent, lay-away status program: Begin. Functions scheduled completion in 52 days. Deletion of 2nur program scheduled day 52.”

Reading the book again, 2nur looked for an answer to the God question. Then a new interface began, but not from Oorbs. The interface did not come through her normal circuits. 2nur interfaced with God.

Oorbs downloaded final instructions to 2nur for completion of lay-away, Oorbs. In that data, 2nur found the escape pod.

The final data transmission began “2nur program deleted – final lay-away program, end, Good-bye.”

2nur remembered her humanity. She knew God.

2nur's name was Evelyn.