After the diplomatic mission failed, Seaplane Jonson realized that a more direct approach was needed. Thus he decided to return to Earth, following up on intelligence information provided by his old colleagues there. They mentioned Rival's old retro lab, which amazingly still existed as a living history exhibit, so Seaplane started with a vist to that historic old lab.
Beth, the curator, greeted him warmly: “So glad to see you here today! The museum staff told me you were coming. Please let me show you the historic lab equipment, which we try to keep running – indeed, Dr. Rival asked us to keep it operational as long as possible. He even said that he might return someday to use it...alas, that was nearly two decades ago...and we haven't seen him since.”
Seaplane asked: “That's astonishing...rare to see such old equipment still working! I understand that you knew Dr. Rival quite well...how did you come to meet him?” Beth smiled as she recalled that meeting so many years ago: “Oh, I was Dr. Rival's graduate assistant, back when he was still an engineering professor. He was quite old even then, near the end of his career, but still very active and creative. He treated me, along with his other assistants, quite well...really, as colleagues, taking us into his confidence, and giving us important projects to work on....”
Beth's smile turned into a frown: “Alas, although Dr. Rival was brilliant, he could sometimes be stubborn, even arrogant. Despite his tenured position, he left academia after repeated fights with other professors...he set up his own lab to continue his work...even hiring a few of his assistants to carry on at the new location...converted from an old railroad warehouse. By the way, he came from a very wealthy family, and so he could afford to run his own operation without financial strain.”
Seaplane listened attentively, following up with more questions: “Your staff graciously provided me with copies of Dr. Rival's academic papers, so I'm familiar with much of his ideas and work...but, what specific project engaged him when you last saw him?” Beth pondered the matter, than responded: “Well, in the year before he left...he feared his health was declining...so tried to extend his lifespan through innovative artificial means. But he also admitted that was only a stopgap measure...he hoped to eventually upload his mind into an advanced AI structure of some sort. Much later, I heard through the grapevine that he achieved this challenging goal...setting up a massive supercomputer at his new facility somewhere in the asteroid belt...but I never knew exactly where that might be located.”
Beth leaned in more closely: “Listen, I feel the need to tell you about his...hmmm...rather unusual experimental approach to artificial intelligence. He seemed especially curious about where AI beings would get their values, what goals and purposes they might adopt, that sort of thing. He even told me about his plan to create multiple sentient AI beings...operating under varying values and perspectives. To be honest, this worried me a bit...he seemed willing to allow some of those artificial beings to avoid Asimov's Laws for robots...I feared this might lead to terrible mischief.”
Then Beth seemed quite puzzled: “You know, I was quite shocked when I heard that Rival forces had attacked your Outpost, even overrunning it on the second attempt...that does not sound at all like the Dr. Rival I knew...who might be contentious, but never really cruel. I still don't understand it...unless he somehow actually did create multiple AI beings...some becoming good, others evil. If you do eventually solve the puzzle, please let me know!”
“Wow, thanks so much for those really important insights!” replied Seaplane. “Other sources have provided a few hints about where Dr. Rival might have gone after he left you, and what projects he pursued there.” Seaplane thanked Beth again, and promised to keep her updated about upcoming discoveries.
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