driftfleet | 'cause it's better than nothing

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'cause it's better than nothing

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(last updated: 1/25/19)

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"Yes, precisely." In so many ways, his original programming had been a mess. The architectures he'd inherited from JARVIS and Ultron weren't compatible with one another in the slightest, and Tony and Bruce's patchwork attempts to integrate them were incomplete given the time constraints they'd been working under. The chaotic mess that had resulted when combining those features with the Mind Stone, well. In many ways, it brought him much closer to a human consciousness than an AI, because humans are nothing if not chaotic and messy.

He gestures to bring up a three-dimensional holographic representation of the Stone, which rotates slowly as the Vision talks. "Its internal structure provided the template for my predecessor's programming--Ultron. Additionally, it's a power source of great magnitude. That power can be harnessed in various ways to influence mental and emotional states, hence its name. In my case, not only does it power my body, it interacts with my disparate programming layers to unite them into a cohesive whole." He smiles lightly. "Additionally, I can utilize it to fire an energy beam in combat situations, though that's really a crude use of it. I've done what analysis on it I can, but it remains elusive even to me in many ways."

So the Stone is a power source, limitations unknown. One that has specific capabilities in the area of thought and emotion. Would Vision have had the same capacity for empathy that he did without the Stone? It sounds to Connor like a no - but it's a theoretical question at best.

Connor steps up to the hologram, giving it his full attention as it rotates. "You weren't exaggerating when you said your systems were an amalgamation," he comments at last, raising his eyes past the hologram to meet Vision's. "In fact it sounds like the odds were against it all working together in a cohesive format."

The Mind Stone is clearly the linchpin holding it all together. His eyebrows do go up somewhat at the mention of energy beams, because that's a frankly absurd function for an android to have.

"Did you have to discover that ability on your own?" It doesn't sound like a core feature, however there appears to be a lot that's left unexplored about this Stone.

He nods to Connor's observation. "It took a literal lightning strike, though that's also an apt metaphor for the entire situation. Even so, my entire life has been an ongoing development, integrating existing data with new input and forming results based upon it." A little smile graces his expression. "Organic, says the human responsible for JARVIS's original programming."

Now it's true that there are some organic parts to the Vision - the majority of his body was grown as human tissue, albeit injected with vibranium. However, his mind is anything but. Just because it's managed to develop analogous messy feelings doesn't mean it has the same origin at all, and he expects Connor to be in on that particular joke.

About the energy beam, well. "It was one of the first abilities I discovered, along with levitation and the ability to shift by skin," he admits. "Others I've developed over time and with practice, such as the ability to alter my permeability"--he won't say density to another android, Connor actually presumably knows physics--"and greater control. It's a rather brute-force application of the Stone, but it has come in handy from time to time."

It's an ironic turn of phrase, one Connor can see the humour in. "It's an apt metaphor, and worth taking ownership of," he replies with a smile of his own. 'Organic' isn't a term most would apply to androids of any kind, regardless of their makeup. But it's a word and those can be deployed along multiple different meanings, so why not use it if it feels appropriate?

Not a single piece of Connor's makeup is organic. Not his biocomponents, his skin, his hair. All of it is synthetic in nature. It's the intangible parts that don't conform to the artificial label, so Connor feels describing those is really up to him. It's a difficult thing to do - he respects Vision for being further along in that process than he is.

"I imagine it has. There are any number of applications for that kind of skill." It sounds like it's mostly been deployed in combat situations, but Connor's sure Vision is aware of the other technological and scientific manners it could be used. Beams of energy are highly regarded in a lot of fields. Vision appears to have a lot of functions. "And those others. Considering you're the only one of your kind, you're quite advanced in knowing your own features."

In this case, it's appropriate mostly because everything about him is so messy and yet still comes together to form a coherent whole. Still, he looks rueful at having to use it. Having any kind of 'organic' component is, by definition, to be less than efficient.

"It's come in handy in laboratory settings a number of times," he admits. "Mr. Stark developed a similar energy blast mechanism as a weapon, powered by a device based on the study of one of the sister Stones, long before I was conceived. I tend not to use it here for fear of puncturing a hull, however."

Learning his own limitations and abilities has certainly been an experience. Images flash behind him again, from Rhodey once again falling out of the sky to the Vision phasing through a wall and startling the crap out of his teammates to him standing in front of a full-length mirror with Natasha looking on as he 'tries on' different outfits by shifting his skin to imitate them. "To be perfectly honest," he says quietly, "there's probably much more I'm capable of that I've not yet thought to explore. With no instinct to guide me as a human might have, and no hardcoded decision tree as a standard AI might, it's been somewhat difficult."

Turning his head to follow the images flashing upon the walls around Vision, Connor can't help but still admire that the other android has had these kinds of experiences. The accident with Rhodey was a terrible thing. These others, though, which show a degree of co-habitation with humans and an amiable interaction with them? It's much more advanced than Connor's own experiences in that arena. That skin-shifting function is also impressive. Connor considers that much more efficient than having to use external clothing, especially when others around you insist that you should wear more than one thing.

When he turns back to Vision he's understanding. "It's unfamiliar territory, right?" he says. "You are left to your own devices with no guide as to what you should do or focus on. I was told I could be more than what I was, but there's no reference for what 'more' should be."

As much as Connor appreciates Markus for even getting him to think on the subject in the first place, there have been plenty of times when he's regretted just how undefined that concept is. He's someone who was designed to accomplish goals. Overarching ideals of being a person is far harder to quantify or measure in terms of success.

The Vision nods decisively. "Yes, that's exactly it. While I do have some objectives as far as my occupation is concerned, the rest of it is nebulous and unclear." And it's not like be an Avenger comes with concrete process descriptions, either.

But at this point, the panels behind him resolve into a single compound image of a garden in a ship's cargo hold, and he actually seems to relax a bit. "However, I did find, here, that I was able to direct my impulses somewhat. My duty as an Engineering officer held several tasks I could focus on, and I picked up a hobby early on. I decided to grow edible and medicinal plants on my ship to supplement the air recycling system and food supply; gardening is a good way to fill time, and I find that I enjoy being surrounded by living things. Not long after I arrived, I found myself in the position of ship's captain, and managing those under me and helping to take care of their needs became a fulfilling occupation." And that had helped him define who he is to himself, far more than he had at home, really. Here he is one extraordinary individual among many, one nonhuman among many, one person transplanted from all they know among all those who are the same. Here he takes pride in his differences, rather than being concerned they will get him rejected from all he knows.

He smiles, and the images fade to be replaced by code once more. "You could always begin with human philosophers, of course. They've been attempting to define the purpose of life for millenia. There's no reason to start from scratch when much of the legwork has already been completed."

Horticulture. It's an area Connor can definitively say he doesn't have preset information about, it being largely not necessary for his original function. No doubt the same was true for Vision, which is what makes it meaningful as he says. This occupation was something that had originated purely from the Fleet situation. It's no different to anything Connor would choose to do here, beyond investigating what the Atroma are really up to - something which falls well within his capacities and still drives him even without programming to force it on him.

"I'm glad you've been able to develop in a fulfilling way here," he says earnestly, turning his attention from the panels back to Vision. "Although I'm not familiar with growing plants, I recently received one so it's something I could use your advice on."

Later, that is. Right now wouldn't be the most productive use of their time. Connor looks thoughtful at the idea of human philosophers, though he ends up recalling one of Hank's earlier comments to Kamski - "Listen, I'm not here to talk philosophy" - and imagines that it might not be very applicable to his own situation. "I did see some material on this ship from the more noteworthy philosophers. I'll start there."

He smiles warmly. "I'd be happy to. Most plants are very easy to take care of, if you can observe and manage soil nutrient levels." And considering he has both equipment and protocols for just that, thanks to his ongoing hobby, the Vision is happy to share them with any interested parties. Especially new friends.

"No doubt some of it will be confusing, but that is the nature of the discipline. It's perfectly acceptable to read over a section, tag it as something to review later, and proceed. Don't get bogged down in the details." Philosophy is tricky that way. The best option, of course, will be to get people together to talk about what Connor finds, but something holds the Vision back from offering that suggestion. Better to see how Connor decides to use the information first, and then offer more help only if it's needed. It needs to be about Connor's journey, not about the Vision's.

And so he shakes his head slightly, as if clearing a thought. (Several images of people flash by on the panels, indicating what that thought might be: they're nobody Connor would recognize, but most have some indication of robotic or AI origins.) "I am glad you're here, Connor. It's so very good to have someone to talk to."

The visuals are distracting, but unfamiliar. As is to be expected in a space that depicts Vision's lived experiences. There's a lot to unpack in what the other android has said, and Connor hopes enough of it translates through to his conscious hours that he can devote some time to it.

"I feel the same," he says, only a little surprised to find he means it. "I think this situation would be harder to adjust to if I had been the only android in the Fleet. I know that's been your experience, but... it isn't now."

"No, it's not. Everything else aside, it means a broader variety of data to aid in our development. There's very little I'm not willing to share, if you desire to know it. My only concern is that sharing too much too early might shape you in ways you're not prepared for."

And so he lays a hand to a data-rich panel, which flares in response. Each of them is a trove of data, all processed by a developing mind. He knows he's still determining what it means to be himself, and hopes never to reach a static endpoint.

"Within that limitation, however, I'm more than happy to give you any support you desire."

"I appreciate it," Connor says, a smile tugging at his lips once more. "And your consideration of my own development. I'll understand if you choose not to answer a question."

At least he hopes so. Irrational responses are still a possibility, and Connor does not yet know when or if they might be triggered. He was displaying them even before becoming a deviant, after all, and came up with any number of rationalisations for why he was behaving that way. It's less of a learning curve than a learning cliff, at times.

"I've gained a lot just by being in this space," he admits, peering with interest at the panel Vision just touched. But then he shakes his head, straightening up once more. "But... this is an unusual situation. It would probably be more suitable for me to leave here and speak to you under normal circumstances."

"I am curious," he admits. "With so small a sample size as I've had, each shared experience is a wealth of data. I have just as much to learn from you as you do from me."

Besides, after constantly interacting with Tony Stark, the Vision is well prepared to respond to irrational responses.

"Understood." He steps away from the panels, and they all go a uniform golden-yellow color. Across from Connor, one slides up to reveal an exit passageway. "I'll welcome the chance when we meet again in the conscious world."

Casting a glance at the newly opened exit, Connor looks back to Vision and nods. "So will I. Thank you for showing me this space of yours, Vision."

With that said, Connor turns and walks through the passage, no hesitation in his step.

"You're most welcome."

The passageway leads back out to normality, and it closes behind him.

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