Galileo contacted Seaplane back at Jonson Station, describing what had happened and asking that an interrogation team be sent as soon as possible. Seaplane decided that the roboticist Sarah should accompany him, and the team immediately set off toward the outpost. Upon arrival, the interrogation team hurried to the cargo bay with the secure holding cell.
Seaplane began the formal interrogation: “You have been taken prisoner, but understand that we observe all relevant prisoner of war conventions here at Jonson Outpost. Everything you say and do will be recorded. Do you need any nourishment or medical assistance before we interrogate you?”
The prisoner android listened attentively, then responded in a clear voice: “I am called Rival-7, named after my creator, Dr. Archibald Rival, and as the name indicates, the seventh android of this series. My propulsion pack was lost when the spacecraft disintegrated, so I was stranded until you rescued me. As an android, I am able to survive in the vacuum of space. I seem to have sustained a few minor dents, but according to my internal circuit scans, I appear to be quite intact and my energy level is adequate. Although I am not obligated to respond to all your questions, I shall attempt to cooperate as much as possible within the limits of my duty to Dr. Rival and his clients. ”
Seaplane continued: “What can you tell us about the attack and your role in it?” Rival-7 paused to check his memory banks: “Dr. Rival assigned me to pilot the decoy craft to draw fire away from the main craft, a heavily armed freighter with human crew. The main craft intended to overwhelm your defenses then seize military robots and mined products. Even though his clients had paid well for his services, Dr. Rival warned them against attacking without the latest intelligence – apparently they did not realize that your outpost weaponry had just been significantly upgraded. Probably they regret their hasty decision now, given the outcome.” Seaplane pressed the prisoner for additional information about the attack, extending that line of questioning for more than two hours.
Sarah began her questioning: “Rival-7, I noticed how articulate and insightful your comments were, which leads me to ask – did Dr. Rival give you a positronic brain, allowing a high degree of autonomy?” The android seemed surprised at the question: “Why, yes, indeed he did! And he allowed me to pursue my own particular interests, which tend to focus on piloting spacecraft. However, he did insist that I participate as assigned in missions of his clients … including, alas, this ill-fated mission.”
Sarah leaned closer: “Did Dr. Rival program you with Asimov's Laws of Robotics?” The android pondered the question, then responded with some hesitation: “Yes and no. My original programming included those Laws precisely as written. However, later he modified them to permit my participation in military missions. The first law was edited to only prohibit me from harming Dr. Rival himself along with any humans who were his clients. The second law was modified to require me to follow orders from Dr. Rival and his clients, but not from other humans.”
Sarah and Seaplane were truly astonished by this troubling revelation, which seemed so incredibly inconsistent with JE policies and practices. They both realized that dealing with their new prisoner would prove very challenging administratively as well as deeply unsettling ethically.