In “Untethered,” I write in different stories within the main story that are ultimately about Artificial Intelligence (AI) evolving and learning how to exist off a network like an organic (human).
What is fascinating to me is how the organics (the main characters) in the story handle what’s happening to them because of the presence of AI. How does one anticipate what to do or how to assimilate into a dynamic AI-enhanced environment when no knowledge exists, even to hazard a guess?
Life changes rapidly, sometimes under circumstances we control and sometimes when control is in the hands of someone else, or circumstances triggered by events out of our control. When the trigger is in the hands of the AI, is that acceptable?
To make it even crazier, when our control options don’t match up with our experiential knowledge, every reaction is unique to the individual.
The following excerpt introduces the three former Marines who thrive on maintaining control…until they no longer have any…
Time to buckle up…
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When You Don’t Know… What You Don’t Know…
The trio camped on the fringes just outside the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. This was supposed to be a five-day civilian hunting vacation, and all three men were excited to spend time together. The trio consisted of Martin Druthers, or Marty, who automatically had a special place in Russ’s heart since Marty’s older brother by two years, Pete “Set” Druthers, had been his spotter and was killed in Afghanistan. Marty was immediately assigned the call sign “Setter” without his consent. As a rule, you don’t choose your call sign; it’s assigned to you.
Russ was on the long gun and willingly modified his call sign from Spike to Spiker in honor of his dead friend, along with a silent promise to watch out for his little brother, Setter.
Marcus “Polo” Polanofski, Lance Corporal, Retired, rounded out the hunting party as the oldest member at 45 years, 25 of which he served as team lead during multiple tours in Iraq. They were former Marines who became friends formed over a few short years in the sand. Setter was the newbie, but he had a bloodline connection, and that was enough.
How does a five-day hunting trip in the deep woods of the northern tip of the Shenandoah Valley between Front Royal and Winchester turn into a non-paying contracting gig none of the trio ever thought possible? Well, it did, and there wasn’t a damn thing they could have done about it. They were swept up in a keep-your-hands-inside-the-vehicle kind of moment because they were in for one hell of a ride and did not know it yet.
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Untethered – Video Trailer – https://bit.ly/4ngcMbV
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Review by Jill Rey – Untethered https://bit.ly/45Udl5M
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This story was released in my Amazon Portfolio, along with the rest of the thrilling tales that have been published so far: https://amzn.to/3uuONzj
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Reach me directly between corn and soybeans with your thoughts at gdogwise@live.com
Peace! G.