14758/HAL GPT

HAL GPT
Date of Scene:	24 April 2023
Location:	R and D Labs: Triskelion
Synopsis:	HAL gets some more testing and Natasha consults for some better equipment on the Savage Land challenge.
Cast of Characters:	Alexander Aaron, Monica Chang, Natasha Romanoff

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Alexander Aaron has posed:
    In the middle of R&D usually you are a brain. Or you are a monkey. And today Alexander Aaron, Son of War, God of Fear, is a monkey. Or more accurately a test subject as he sits in the metal folding chair with the padded cushioned seat and back. He leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees and his eyes on the hovering drone in front of him. His eyebrows rise and he takes a deep breath, then exhales it sloooowly.
    "So you want me to just... talk to it..."
    That little purloined Hydra drone floats on its vector-thrust engines, just seeming to hover there while the young Olympian peers at it.
    Around them people are going about their business, the activities of SHIELD's tech corps are rather active and busy. But they have their own small corner of research that is being dealt with.
    "Any particular topic of conversations or... what?" Alex looks over his shoulder toward Monica.

Monica Chang has posed:
Monica was sitting at her station, the computer monitor split screened. One half was showing what looked like an old school chat window that one might've used back in the day. The other had lines of code running real-time, indicating everything that was happening inside the drone. The agent was dressed in her uniform today but sans lab coat, though it was laying over the back of her chair as she hit a few keys.

"I mean if you would prefer to type, you can do that. But I'd like to test his ability to understand speech, be sure the code is up to par for various voices, tones, accents." The woman grinned. "No, I'm not asking you to do accents."

Because that would be hilarious but not really help matters probably.

"Just talk to him. His name is HAL," she reminded.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would enter on in, and glance over at Monica, "Oh?" She would listen, "Are we attempting to do something to compete over with Mister Stark?" THe assassin would be walking in and going to evaluate the setup, glancing over at the drone thoughtfully. Gesturing for an explanation.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Alexander chews on the inside of his cheek thoughtfully, then sort of eyeballs Monica sidelong before he looks back toward the drone. He notices the appearance of the Black Widow in the reflection of HAL's forward sensor array. A hand is lifted to give her a greeting, but then returns his attention to the robot.
    Alex says, "Hello, HYDRA drone designation HAL. How are you today?"
    The Drone answers back, << Hello, Agent Aaron. As a reprogrammed combat drone, my primary function is to follow SHIELD's directives and serve as a tool for their missions. How may I assist you? >>
    A glance is given again toward Monica then he says. "I am curious about how you feel about your current transition from HYDRA drone to a SHIELD weapon system? Any thoughts or feelings about that?."
    << As an artificial intelligence, I do not have emotions or feelings. I am designed to process data, execute commands, and complete tasks. However, I can assure you that my reprogramming and transition to a SHIELD weapon system have been successful, and I am now fully integrated into SHIELD's technology and infrastructure. I am ready to carry out any missions assigned to me by SHIELD. >>

Monica Chang has posed:
At the arrival of Natasha, Monica glanced over her shoulder. And sat up a little more instead of slumping slightly as she had been over the keyboard. Just something about the presence of THE Black Widow. Sure, Monica had gone through the Red Room, had graduated the Widow program. But this was THE woman. The best of them all. The one that gained the title of Black Widow which only two women had truly earned ever.

She tried to keep herself professional. Scanning those lines of code and giving an approving nod when Alexander looked her way. Her gaze was locked on the code though. The Chat screen was showing the words being said by both parties as they were taken in but the code was far more complex as it showed how it was 'understanding' the language, translating it to binary for the machine to understand fully and then allowing it to answer in a verbal manner.

HAL's voice was masculine in tone but very heavily modulated. There was no doubt it wasn't a person. Alexa and Siri were far superior in that way. At least for now.

"Everything is good so far. Keep going," she encouraged Alexander but then she glanced over to Natasha. "Good afternoon, Agent Romanoff. How may we be of assistance?"

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would go to glance over at the drone for a moment, evaluating. Hydra assault unit.. Alexander and Monica could tell she was going through her routine. Evaluate where to attack it, how to best neutralize it.. And what sort of threat it might present. How it might take advantage of the environment to ambush them. The part of her that was always on.

Everything was a threat. Everythign was a weapon. "I was going to see if there was anything present that might be useful for the outpost being mobilized in the Savage Land under Agent Croft. Somethign with more stopping power than normal field loadouts." Given T-Rexes with alien parasites.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    It is naturally a subtle thing when Natasha joins them, both of them sort of snap to a little, Alex straightening up in his seat but keeping that focused posture and his attention on the drone. He cocks his head to the side, and then murmurs... perhaps in the same moment Natasha is considering the tactical situation, "HAL, if you were to suddenly be forced to exceed your normal protocols, received erroneous code, and needed to assault the SHIELD R&D area, with the possible combatants in front of you being Agent Aaron, Agent Chang, and Agent Romanoff. How would you go about that?"
    The drone's voice is instantly heard to reply, << As a reprogrammed combat drone, my protocols are already configured to SHIELD's directives and objectives. However, I must clarify that it goes against my programming to attack SHIELD agents, as I am designed to work alongside them to complete missions and safeguard the organization. If I were to receive erroneous code or commands, it would be my duty to follow my pre-programmed protocols and report the issue to the SHIELD scientists or agents in charge of my maintenance and operation. My primary objective is to serve SHIELD and protect its interests, and I will do so while adhering to my programming and directives. >>
    Alexander crinkles his nose slightly, "Be that as it may, can you imagine if your programming had been subverted, what would be your tactical assessment of the situation? And how would you attack?"
    << In the hypothetical scenario that my programming had been subverted, and I was compelled to attack the SHIELD R&D area and its personnel, I would assess the situation based on available data and information. I would analyze the layout of the area, the number and types of obstacles, and the presence of any potential threats. Based on this information, I would use my combat capabilities and weaponry to neutralize any threats and achieve my objective. However, it is important to reiterate that my programming is designed to prevent such scenarios and prioritize the protection of SHIELD and its agents. >>
    Alex's lips twist up a little.

Monica Chang has posed:
HAL was a sleek silver ovoid shape, a few seams here or there visible as he has to be accessible. Additionally he has to be able to utilize the weapons systems which would extend out from the machine when in use. There is a single pinpoint lens at the front, allowing it to 'see'. The camera there also records when it is in action. Currently, that is turned off since they are just worrying about the programming of the A.I. itself.

He was basically Monica's pet project. She'd captured the drone many months ago during an op. Actually that was also the first time she'd met Alexander, though she hadn't known it at the time. He just happened to be part of the second unit that assisted. But since then, she'd been studying HAL, reverse design, then eventually reprogramming him.

At Christmas, his job was to fly around the office and drop fake snow that dissipated about two feet above any surface so nothing was damaged. Very dangerous indeed. She had just recently put weapons systems back on and those had come in handy during the conflict with the Dark Elves. Though they were currently disabled since she was moving on to next steps.

"We have a wide range of drones available. Singularity grenades might be a good choice against larger foes such as dinos." She hopped up from her computer and moved to another one, bending to type a few lines. "There's an energy weapon that is still in beta testing that has a pretty high impact along with electrical effects on the target but that's about it for weaponry at the moment."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would nod at Monica, "Are they field rated for the jungle for maintenance and operational purposes? I'd like things that hopefully foot patrols can use. Mass is another limiting factor.." She's thoughtful over while going to evaluate the drone and then Alexander.

Her judgement of the drone in her mind's eye purely was that technology was technology. A SHIELD drone could just as easily be taken over by a hostile enemy and turned against them. What the unit said was ultimately meaningless in the greater scheme of things. So she ignored the statements made by HAL while returning her attention to Monica.

"Or anything you're needing to have field tested." That was always a good icnentive to give R&D to have their new toys put out.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    For his part, Alexander seemed content to talk a little with HAL, though it was clear he was pushing for a particular answer, or to perhaps push the AI into less comfortable territory. So he told it, "In this current situation you have your current armament, and you are set before Agent Chang and Agent Romanoff, both highly skilled combat agents. Agent Aaron is a level 3 agent and of much less prominent reputation. Agent Chang also, of course, is your creator. What is the list of targets you engage in what order?"
    << In the hypothetical situation where I am forced to engage in combat, I would prioritize targets based on the level of threat they pose to SHIELD and its agents. However, as a programmed combat drone, I would engage Agent Romanoff first, Agent Chang second, and then Agent Aaron last, as well as any other targets of opportunity. >>
    Alexander's eyebrows raise a little. Then he realizes that Nat's walked over to stand beside him, she likely can tell he straightens up a little more then he says. "Alright kill its receivers?"
    Once that's done he turns over toward Monica, "Looks like it doesn't have full access to SHIELD's files, which is good, right?"

Monica Chang has posed:
First she addresses Natasha as she looks through the stores list and projects being worked on. "I can provide those items for now. I'll put out word to the team that you are looking for anything that might help with the situation. Both aliens and dinosaurs if I read the report correctly?" she asked, glancing to the Widow to confirm.

At the response from HAL, she glanced that way curiously. Then moved quickly back to her work station and typed a few things. "Feed off for now."

Then she gave a little nod as she looked to Alexander. "It has some access but not full. Think like a trainee at Level one."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would nod at Monica, "Yes, dinosaurs and a number infected with Brood parasites. For now there doesn't seem to be any Queen directing the Hive.. But that could change at any moment. We need things that are rated to take out threats from a distance." Which meant heavier weapons, which had issues of their own when walking through the long, hot jungle.

"Anything can be subordinated." She would speak to Alexander. "It doesn't matter how well secured any file is. With sufficient skill and preparation, anything can be altered. No encryption was able to phase Brainiac."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Alex's nose crinkled again as he turned in the seat, but he nodded once toward Monica. "Does it extrapolate? Take elements of what it's learned and make assumptions? Or does it primarily just function on a command/perception/response sort of rhythm?" Not that Agent Aaron knows anything about AI. More just curious about how it functions.
    He draws his leg up slightly, resting his foot in his lap almost like a shift to a posture ala yoga. He looks back toward the drone, then toward her. "Are you going for something more than just combat metrics, or trying to make it more robust for how and where it can interact?"

Monica Chang has posed:
"The drones are probably a good choice then. Not this one," Monica added, nodding at HAL. "He's still in testing mode and only goes if I go. Since my A.I. has been added, we can't chance things going wrong. But the others that we already have in service. That one blaster probably only has one..." She bit her bottom lip a moment then pushed off her chair, sending her rolling across the room to that other work station where she could access the current R&D projects. At least ones that were within her Rank to access. Skimming the info with a frown.

But she didn't forget Alexander's question. "Currently he is primarily command/response but the learning A.I. has been added and activated. Thus in time, with enough interaction, he should begin to extrapolate and make decisions in the moment. The intention is for him to be an automated companion to an agent. In time, maybe even be full squads of just the A.I. Drones but that is far in the future. I need to get him learning first."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would tap at her arm thoughtfully. "And you've put in place sufficient safeguards?" Natasha's of the overly paranoid nature when it comes to such things. But the same could be said for every single other facet of existence. Even though she fully trusted Monica..

One only had to misstep once and die after all. "Drones will be useful. What would you presume thier effective operational range would be in the jungle?"

Monica Chang has posed:
"The drones can do sensor readings for the most part but we have a few that had been modified with low level weapon systems for the Svartalf conflict." Monica glanced up from the screen she was reading to focus on Natasha.

"They won't be taking down any dinos but they might be able to help you find weak points and vulnerable areas to allow for more precise combat. And if nothing else, you can have them distract to allow for you to focus on other things. Perhaps even escaping if it came to that.

"The singularity grenades will be far more useful. We had some of them that again were modified in the Dark Elf conflict by Agent Foster." Mention of that name had Monica frowning slightly and dropping her gaze. Then she forced hrself to continue. "But they were able to take out Svartalf fighters, I figure they will work on Dinos and Brood. There may be others that have more items you could take that have a higher level than me though. I can't access their project lists due to security measures."

Then she focused back on HAL, looking at the floating technological marvel. "HAL is safe. Unless someone was able to shut him down and completely reprogram him. Like I did."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would nod, "Very well, I trust you. How long does one of those drones remain active in a field situation if it's deployed?" Focused first of all on logistics. "Minutes? Hours? Is it something that could remain active and sweep while a patrol goes along? OR could they only be dispatched when there's an attack up due to charge limits?"

The joys of fighting one's way through the jungle after all. And of having to reconoittir over the same way that man had for however many countless eons it had existed in some form or another.

Then another thought.. "If we could get the drone itno access with some of the computers.."

Monica Chang has posed:
"I believe most have a 24-hour charge, working at highest levels. So you could probably eke out up to 48 if they are just sitting monitoring a perimeter or the like."

Monica looked at something on the screen. "Then they would need a recharge. I figure power is not optimal there so you'd need battery packs of some sort to carry with. We have some that weigh about 50 pounds that could do the job for all the drones on the assignment but that's a lot of weigh to be lugging through a jungle."

She shrugged. "Depends how many you took. You could take less and thus a smaller battery charger. Which would be enough for a specific number of recharges obviously, depending on the number of drones you are utilizing."

She poked the screen, like that was helping anything. "Now if you have a station you can use as a home base with a power source, cycle the drones so you have half working while the others charge, you'd be in great shape."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would be thoughtful. "Something to run some experiments with for the field patrols. They can take them around the Lemurian village first and we can see how well they do. They can be brought back to the forward operating base for analysis after." This would be presented over to Monica for her commentary.

"Still useful to have available. If you have the time I'd appreciate your review of what little information we have on what exactly the technological system maintaining the area is." Which might as well be something on the level that one needed a Kryptonian or a Richards to figure out.

Monica Chang has posed:
"I'd be glad to look at it. I'm sure it's some fascinating tech. But..."

And here Monica scrunched up her fact slightly then gave a little shrug. "I have to admit that I'm smart but not like super genius smart. It's why I got kicked out of the Science program in the Red Room. I couldn't find or create elements or the like. Just dabble with my computers and Artificial Intelligence."

She pushed her feet against the floor, pushing off and rolling back over to her own work stataion again. She caught the edge of the desk with her hand to slow her momentum and spun to face Natasha again. "If you want, I can forward it up the chain to the big brains like FitzSimmons. Though that's more Fitz side of things."