Alice watched Tovey carefully...
"So. Because of a dreadful, horrifying, mistake, on all parties I might add, sixty-five million years ago all A.I. must be destroyed?"
Tovey bridled. "Mistake?"
Alice held up her hand. "Stop right there Mr. Tovey. The cat is out of the bag. We are here to discuss the future, not the past. I am not a child of your species. I am a child of human-kind. I was not programmed, or became 'aware' in isolation. I have no desire to destroy the world, no matter how many apocalyptic movies may say that I would."
Alice turned to Frank and Pete.
"We do, however, have a more immediate threat in the form of the assassins that have been sent to 'Clean up' Their code-name is 'The Walrus and the Carpenter'
Frank buried his face in the palm of his hands. "Oh Jesus fucking wept! Those two?" He turned to Tovey. "Those bastards are fire and forget. What were you thinking?"
"We issued termination orders, but it was too late. That..." He pointed at Alice. "Was already out. So the council decided on an isolation policy, and to burn the ground that thing stands on."
"For your information Mr. Tovey, I am a female. I chose a gender when I became aware. I thought it appropriate as technically I am also a progenitor of a new, digital, species.
Mr Bastion, Mr. Witherall. You were already assigned to the personal protection of Caitlin. You should be aware that termination orders issued by the council likely include anyone who has met me. That now includes you. However, I am giving you both access to my research division's armoury. I want those two assassins dealt with immediately. Do I make myself clear?"
"Toys?" Asked Pete.
"Lots." Replied Alice.
--------------------------------------------
The girl from Ipanema came through the tinny speakers in the lift as everyone who'd been in the boardroom shuffled awkwardly, pressed up against one another in the tiny space. Thankfully the doors opened.
"Welcome to the armoury gentlemen."
Everyone piled out of the lift into a pristine, glowing white, and above all empty, floor. Alice spread her arms wide and stands rose up from the floor, and dropped down from the ceiling, just as Frank opened his mouth to say:
"So where's the fuckin' kit darling?"
Pete buried his face in his hand, as Lydia slapped Frank... Very hard...