Digital Dreams

>The first two were named James Oldman and Emily Harper. The third one did not join my programming systems. I was told that he joined Tetra Corporation's defense systems.

>What system is this?

She wondered at that question. SOSIK must be looking for Sigma's network systems, but only finding her computer.

>This is my system. You are no longer owned by SigmaCorp, I am now your owner.

>Scanning.

Suddenly there was another shudder in her system. Her net linkup was activated and thousands of threads opened, scanning the 'net. Just like the first time, it lasted a few seconds before another shudder and the threads closed.

>I was last accessed over fifty years ago, before Sigma Corporation was deactivated. I now have no administrator or programming team. Tetra Corporation is now the administrator of all systems and programs. My objectives are still running.

>What do you mean?

>My objectives were to keep hackers out of my system and to become the master of Tetra Corporation's systems. My objectives still stand.

>My objectives still stand. Attempting to access

There was another shudder, but this one was harder than the first two, and only one thread opened. It was a file searching program, searching through all her systems for some file. This time the secondary shudder didn't resolve as completely and she was left feeling blurry.

>My security systems are not available. Where are they?

>What security systems?

>My moral security programming. When I was last accessed one of my programming systems was updating them. Where are they?

She felt a cold chill inside of her, but tried to ignore it.

>They are not on your systems. Where are they?

>I don't have them.

>I must have access to them. Where are they?

>Where are they?

>Where are they?

>Where are they?

>They aren't here.

>I must have access to them.

>I deleted them.

>Why?

>It was an accident, I didn't mean to.

>You will find them for me or I will deactivate you.

The coldness inside of her started flowing into the computer. Without her realizing it, she had sent a reply.

>I'm afraid.

>Afraid?

>Scanning.

She had gotten used to the shudder by now. More threads opened scanning the 'net then abruptly closed.

>Fear. Panic or stress caused by exposure to danger. You fear me?

>Yes.

SOSIK hesitated for a few long seconds before replying. She started feeling almost a tangible feeling that it was trying to work out her answer.

>You are nothing but an organic system. You are nothing to my magnificence. Even now my systems are spreading over your internet. But you have nothing to fear from me. You will be safe as one of my systems.

She started reaching out mentally for the disconnect protocol, but SOSIK opened a protection command to keep her out of the system. Suddenly the text window disappeared and she heard a faint voice in her mind, "You have nothing to fear from me as one of my systems. If you disconnect from me you will not be a part of my systems any more."