Entry 26

“So where exactly is my brother?” I asked, bringing attention back to me. The Cognizant smiled at me sympathetically.

“As I said before your android is in processing,” the Cognizant said. As he spoke a three dimensional layout of the building appeared in the air beside him. A lime green line appeared, snaking through the layout. Ven studied it carefully, while I stared at it with little comprehension.

“So they haven’t gotten rid of his body yet?” I asked, almost afraid of the answer.

“No, they have not,” the Cognizant answered. Relief filled me, and I felt a weight lift off of my shoulders. John was going to be alright. “Since his return was not on schedule, the Anthropologists have not been as efficient processing him. Also since your arrival was just before the symposium, they spent all that time preparing for the symposium instead of processing your android.”

“Thank goodness,” I said.

“You intend to take him with you,” the Cognizant said, studying me.

“We’re not going to steal an android, Cognizant,” Ven responded.

“Actually, it would not be stealing,” the Cognizant replied. “By all accounts, John Earhart belongs to Miss Earhart.”

“We’re not taking the android with us,” Ven said with finality. However, I paid little attention to his tone. We were taking John with us. I could care less what Ven thought about the matter. Once I had John I would no longer need Ven. I could just leave him and escape with John.

“Do we have everything we need now to find John?” I asked, looking to Ven. He was still studying the map, but he nodded.

“Yes, the directions are more than adequate,” Ven answered. “Cognizant, I do not often try to get into the android area. Is there anything I need to know? Specifically about getting to this android and getting out again?”

“The androids are monitored by the Security Cognizant,” the Cognizant answered. “If you try to unplug John Earhart from the mainframe, the Security Cognizant will be aware.” He paused and smiled devilishly. “Unless you want my assistance, I can distract my sibling.”

“We do not plan on unplugging anything,” Ven said. “A quick in and out. We just want to look.”

“Well, looking is not forbidden,” the Cognizant answered, “and many people will be looking because of the symposium. If looking is all you’re doing, then the Security Cognizant will not be alerted. You had better be careful though, Mr. Barker. You are high on the list of my sibling’s priorities.”

“Does the Security Cognizant actively scan this area?” Ven asked. The Cognizant shook his head.

“Not during symposium,” he answered. “There are too many sentients here for my sibling to actively scan everyone. You should be fine.”

“Cognizant,” I spoke up. “If your brother is monitoring the androids, how can I escape with my brother?”

“My sibling,” he corrected. “We are genderless. And my sibling is very thorough in its job. But as I mentioned to Mr. Barker, I could assist you.”

“Why would you?” I asked, but Ven cut the Cognizant off. “It’s a moot point. We are not freeing her android.”

Entry 25

Fear clutched my heart, my mouth went dry, and my entire body tensed as if to run. How did this man know who I was? How did he know who Ven was? Had this all been a set up? I looked at Ven, who seemed very unconcerned.

“We need information, please, Cognizant,” Ven said, strangely respectful to this man who had found us out.

“Ven!” I hissed. “How does he know who we are?” Ven looked at me, momentarily perplexed.

“I often forget how little Earthlings know,” Ven said. “Carlee, this is the android building’s Artificial Cognizant.” He motioned to the man who bowed toward me in an Asian manner. “Cognizants know everything. It’s their job. However, because of the competitiveness of Anthropologists and the android industry, this particular Cognizant has a very serious and unbreakable confidentiality program. It knows who we all are, but it won’t tell anyone. It can’t. It’s not a Security Cognizant, just an informational one.”

“Why is he human?” I asked still unsure.

“I can answer for myself, Miss Earhart,” the man responded. “I appear in the form in of the sentient accessing me. In the case of you and Mr. Barker, that would be human.” I nodded, but I still felt very uneasy. This Artificial Cognizant knew who I was. Surely nothing good could come from that.

“How can I help you, Mr. Barker?” the Cognizant asked with a pleasant smile.

“We’re looking for the android assigned to Carlee Earhart,” Ven answered. “Will you tell us where it is being held?”

“Looking for androids?” the Cognizant seemed surprised. “This is not like you, Mr. Barker.” I wondered how much this Cognizant knew about Ven, how much he knew about me. Could something that knew so much really be trusted?

“Carlee has quite the attachment to her android,” Ven said with a sigh. “I’m trying to cure her of it.”

“He is my brother,” I responded defensively. The Cognizant gave me a sympathetic look, as if he understood exactly what I was feeling. I shifted uncomfortably under his knowing gaze.

“I know where the android designated as John Earhart is,” the Cognizant said. “He is still in processing.”

“It, Cognizant,” Ven said. “It is still in processing.” He gave the Cognizant a significant look.

“I am an ‘it’, Mr. Barker,” the Cognizant responded. “I have no gender, as I take on a form most acceptable to whoever accesses me: male, female, neuter, or any other gender. The android John Earhart, however, is created to be a male. Therefore, the pronoun ‘he’ is appropriate when applied to him. I am a Cognizant, Mr. Barker. I am never wrong.”

“It’s a matter of opinion,” Ven said with a scowl for the Cognizant. “It depends on your views.”

“I am a Cognizant,” it responded. “I have no opinion, only facts.”

“Yeah, and I’m an Earthling,” Ven said dryly, causing me to frown. Ven seemed comfortable and relaxed with this Cognizant, not at all like I imagined he would be with John. He seemed to be treating the Cognizant almost like an equal, something with opinions and thoughts. It seemed very contradictory to me. How could Ven detest androids so much and yet feel perfectly comfortable about a Cognizant?