Artificial Agent

a novel by Isaac Bailey

Summary of Act One, Scene Three:

The Committee

Scene Overview:

Athena attends a semi-public Committee meeting to secure approval for her orbital experiments, which she presents as crucial to advancing humanity’s computational and resource efficiency. The virtual chamber, designed with mythological grandeur, symbolizes the Committee’s immense power and influence over humanity’s future. Athena’s pitch faces resistance, particularly from Hades, the Committee’s arbiter of resources and a staunch advocate of stability. Despite the opposition, Athena secures approval by leveraging both her persuasive arguments and a private deal with Hades.

Key Events:

  1. The Chamber and Introductions:
  • The Committee convenes in a grand virtual setting styled after ancient Greece and Rome, reflecting their godlike status.
  • Committee members are introduced, each with distinct personas and visual branding that symbolize their ideologies and roles:
  • Athena: Pragmatic and authoritative, representing progress and innovation.
  • Apollo: Heroic and commanding, embodying ambition and vision.
  • Artemis: Earth-mother environmentalist, cautious and resistant to technological overreach.
  • Hephaestus: Rebellious yet practical, representing engineering and industry.
  • Baucus: Charismatic and theatrical, advocating for entertainment and human joy.
  • Hestia: Warm and traditional, representing harmony and comfort.
  • Hades: Reserved and authoritative, the arbiter of stability and the chief opposition to Athena’s plans.
  1. Athena’s Proposal:
  • Athena proposes a single three-week mission to continue groundbreaking experiments in zero-gravity, emphasizing their potential to enhance computational systems, resource efficiency, and sustainability.
  • She highlights the need for real-world testing of exotic matter and micro-wormhole phenomena to advance photonic computing and other technologies critical to humanity’s future.
  1. Opposition from Hades:
  • Hades argues against the proposal, citing the risks to humanity’s hard-won stability and the possibility of reigniting tensions with the Eastern Bloc. His pragmatic stance reflects a fear of destabilization and speculative science.
  1. Support from Baucus:
  • Baucus counters Hades’s caution with a rousing speech about humanity’s need for joy, wonder, and progress, framing the proposal as a necessary investment in the future.
  1. Athena’s Negotiation:
  • Athena sends Hades a private message offering support for his mining initiatives in exchange for his backing. The strategic concession shifts Hades’s perspective, softening his opposition.
  1. Artemis’s Concerns:
  • Artemis voices caution, echoing concerns about humanity’s history of destructive overreach. Athena reassures her by framing the project as an investment in sustainable progress.
  1. The Vote:
  • After intense debate, the Committee votes in favor of Athena’s proposal, granting approval for the launch. Hades reluctantly concedes, reminding Athena to use the opportunity wisely.

Key Characters Expanded:

  1. Athena: The protagonist of the scene, embodying progress, pragmatism, and vision. Her authority and eloquence are contrasted with her frustration over the Committee’s conservatism.
  2. Hades: The primary opposition, a symbol of balance and caution. His practicality underscores the tension between stability and innovation.
  3. Baucus: Charismatic and persuasive, advocating for human joy and creativity as essential components of progress.
  4. Artemis: A voice of environmental caution, highlighting concerns about growth and sustainability.
  5. Other Members: Apollo, Hephaestus, and Hestia each bring unique perspectives that enrich the debate.

Scene Outcome:

Athena secures approval for the launch, but at a cost—she must support Hades’s mining initiatives to gain his backing. The vote reflects the ongoing tension between progress and stability, with Athena’s victory marking a pivotal step forward for her mission. However, the resistance she faced hints at future challenges as ideological divides within the Committee grow increasingly pronounced.