Chapter 19. Shock

It was Jack's turn to try to get some facts from Tog. He went to the Command Station late at night to try.
"Do you have any information about these aliens we've encountered?"

"They are not like you."

Jack thought about that for a moment before responding. "In what manner?"

"You are carbon based. They are silicon based."

Jack wasn't sure that made any sense. Did he infer that they were computers.

Tog assumed that he thought that. "They are living creatures based on silicon."

"I realize that silicon is close to carbon on the periodic table, but I didn't think that silicon could create a chemical system like DNA."

"Silicon is easily oxidized in an oxygen atmosphere. However, in an oxygen free water environment It could create skeletal structures out of silicon that have evolved into electronic systems."

"Are you inferring that those fish-like creatures we saw could be composed of silicon?"

"That is a logical assumption."

Jack ran his hand through his hair. "Do you think they are a threat to us?"

"The probability is low, but there is a possibility that a faction on Earth has attempted to obtain their technology."

"Are you suggesting that they might attack Earth?"

"I believe it has already happened."

That was like a gut punch. Jack didn't know what he could do to avoid any possible attack.

It wasn't until the evening meal that Jack revealed what he learned from the ship's robotic pilot.

"Tog believes that the aliens we thought looked like a fish are actually creatures based on silicon."

"You've got to be kidding!" Lorrie said. "How the hell did he figure that out?"

"I think Tog is way more intelligent than we realized. I'm not sure how that's possible, but his responses to my questions indicate that he's sentient."

"Maybe that's the reason we rookies are out here," Natalie said. "NASA didn't know what kind of aliens they were dealing with."

"Tog believes that a rogue group is trying to obtain their technology,"

"That could be the reason that Earth is in silent mode," Jessica said.

"Yes, and the last thing we want to do is get involved in some idiot plot," Jack said.

"Why are we on a course for Earth if that's where the aliens might attack?" Natalie asked.

"I think it's our responsibility to determine if the aliens have attacked Earth."

"Even if they did, what could we do about it?" Lorrie asked.

"Well, there's no way we can go down there. We don't have any way to do it. I don't think that the aliens have caused any major destruction. That would be easily visible, especially since we're just coming up near Jupiter."

"Why are we going near Jupiter?" Natalie asked.

"Because we're using it as a gravitational assist in getting to Earth sooner."

"I take it that Tog thought of that," Jessica said.

"Yes. He's definitely on the ball."

"I don't understand how he became sentient," Lorrie said. "I don't recall any project like that."

"Maybe it happened during this mission," Jack said. "NASA was working on a cognitive robotic project. Maybe Tog is a result of that."

"If that's the case, why didn't they send robots to repair the probe?"

"Cognitive robotics would not necessarily be curious," Jack said. "Let's face it. We're expendable."

That statement described the mission. It resulted in a feeling of despair that would lead to depression. Jack had to determine a way to stop that from happening,

He decided to question Tog for how he had become sentient. The best time for a second session was late at night.
He sat down next to him and waited for a moment before saying anything.

However, Tog began the conversation. "We are in the perigee of our course around Jupiter."

"We believe that Earth has already been attacked by the aliens," Jack said. "Do you think it's safe for us to orbit Earth?"

Tog turned to look at him, his robotic eyes moving around as if to scan him before he turned to the control system. "It is logical to assume that the aliens have completed their mission and have departed."

"What was their mission?"

"To determine if Earth represented a threat."

"And did it?"

"No."

Jack waited a moment before continuing. "Do you realize that you're alive?"

"I am functioning."

Jack smiled. "Welcome to sentiency,"

Tog did something that surprised Jack. He smiled. He realized that his upgrade was probably supposed to happen to save the mission, but Jack wasn't finished questioning him.

"Do you believe in God?"

Tog stared at him for a moment before replying. "I believe that there is a superior intelligence that's responsible for the universe because of my acceptance of the principals of causality and determinism. I don't think the prime mover is like the classical notion of God. The superior intelligence fashioned order out of chaos to create what we see."

Jack wasn't sure how to comment on that. He smiled. "I think you may be right, my friend."

Tog smiled, a sign that he was definitely sentient.