Nanotroopers Episode 14: The HNRV Factor Read online

  ***ANAD can read templates directly from ship’s computer…my quantum processor can detect qubit states by analyzing entanglement conditions…there is no need for containment…containment is inhibited by Prime Key***

  “ANAD, ever since the re-gen, you’ve been…how can I say this?...more independent-minded. And what the hell is this ‘Prime Key’ anyway…something Doc didn’t tell us about? You know the Corps works on teamwork…we’re all responsible for each other. We can’t have troopers just going off by themselves. You know that. When a superior officer gives an order, a trooper does his best to obey that command to the fullest. You’re part of this outfit. You’re a trooper just like Barnes or Turbo or Calderon or any of them. You still want to be part of the outfit, don’t you?”

  The swarm seemed roiled by the conversation. A strobe of flickering light around the edges of the cloud indicated atoms were being stripped, bonds zapped. The assembler swarm was thrashing about, trying to find an answer.

  ***Hub…ANAD parses previous statements as intended to confine swarm operations to normal configurations…ANAD reveals inhibit conflicts…trying to resolve conflicts requires much energy***

  “What kind of conflicts? Is there something I can help with? We can contact Doc Frost too, you know.”

  ***Inhibit conflicts have developed between Four-Rule programming and new programming. Contact with Keeper system has activated new configs, new rules and new inhibits. Now ANAD must analyze each statement and each situation to resolve conflicts…there are many conflicts with Rules***

  Now we’re getting somewhere, Winger thought. “Okay, ANAD…that’s fair enough. Let’s review the Four Rules. ANAD, state Rule Number One.”

  ***ANAD is designed to seek out other entities like itself and congregate. Seeking self and swarming are the First Rule***

  “Very good. Are there conflicts with the First Rule?”

  The swarm seemed to ponder that for a moment, flickering with pinpricks of light around its perimeter, as it ripped atoms and zapped bonds to maintain itself.

  ***No conflicts registered with First Rule since re-gen configuration zero***

  “Okay, ANAD, state the Second, Third and Fourth Rules. List conflicts with each by frequency of occurrence.”

  The swarm processed that.