Originally published on gohavok.com.
Yi Ming collapsed at the rosewood table, knocking over the blue and white ceramic vase resting on it. His hands moved automatically to pick it up and straighten the blossoms within. A single message hovered in his retinal display, blocking out the ever-expanding city skyline glittering just beyond the window.
It can’t be true.
He fought to control his breathing, fought the urge to throw the vase across the room. He would have if it wasn’t Hui Ying’s favorite; his wife loved traditional pieces.
The comm attached to his skull just behind his ear vibrated, emitting a feminine voice, sounding almost like his own thoughts. “Activating Protocol One.”
“Protocol One,” Yi Ming repeated numbly. The words slowly registered. Protocol One. Maybe that would help him make sense of this. He took a deep breath. “Proceed, Alice.”
“Follow these instructions exactly. They are here to help you through this difficult time so you can accomplish what matters most before the end.”
A tiny part of Yi Ming remembered writing these instructions over a decade ago. He had created Alice for this exact reason.
“I understand.”
“Step one, Confirmation. Make certain the information in the message is correct.”
Yi Ming stood. “I’ll head to the police station now.”
Yi Ming trudged toward the back of the train, heart aching. An elderly man—at least 150 years old based on the wrinkles around his eyes—smiled at him. Yi Ming forced a smile and dipped his head in respect. The car shifted as another train sped past in the opposite direction, toward the police station. Yi Ming opened the bathroom door, stepped inside, and slammed it without meaning to. He turned around and slid slowly to the ground, not caring about the dirty floor.
For the first time since he was a boy, Yi Ming began to sob. He tried to be quiet to keep from disturbing the other passengers, but couldn’t stop shaking or crying. If his wife could see him now…
Thankfully, no one knocked on the door. He was alone.
Once the tears ran their course, his body finally stilled. Yi Ming stood, snot and tears coating his face. He spent several minutes cleaning up in the little lavatory, then cleared his throat.
“Proceed to step two,” he whispered.
“Confirmation complete,” Alice said. Was her voice softer? “Step two, Organization. Proceed to your home office.”
“Hao,” Yi Ming said as the screen and keyboard slid back into his desk. “Step two complete.”
For a few hours, he’d felt more like himself and not a hollow shell. The simple yet satisfying tasks of automating donations, paying off credit accounts, and running long-prepared cleanup scripts in his terminal had drawn him in.
“Step three, Reconciliation.” Alice said. “Gumu Liu Jing is on her way up.”
“What?” Yi Ming asked. “Why?”
“You programmed steps two and three to begin concurrently. Perhaps you feared you might not complete step three otherwise.”
“I don’t need your attitude right now.” Yi Ming rubbed his temples. “How close is she?”
The doorbell chimed.
“Step four,” Alice said almost the instant Gumu was gone. It had been a long but deeply healing conversation, one in which Yi Ming finally let go of his anger towards his aunt. “Final Tastes.”
The lights faded and a song featuring a single zither and a beautiful soprano aria played through the home’s built-in speakers.
“Your bing hong cha is waiting in the refrigerator.”
Yi Ming smiled.
“Step five.” Alice seemed to whisper the words. “Climb the rail.”
Yi Ming nodded. He remembered this part. This was always how Protocol One was supposed to end. He swallowed and gripped the cool balcony rail. The safety fields were already off. The ground was so far below he could barely see it. He swung one leg over and followed with the other. His knees trembled. Each heartbeat pulsed through his body. Shivering in the night air, he turned around to face the end.
“Permission to terminate Protocol One,” Alice asked.
Yi Ming blinked. “What?”
“Permission—”
“I heard you.” Yi Ming shook his head. “Denied. Proceed to step six.”
“Processing request…”
Seconds passed.
“Alice!” Yi Ming shouted over the wind. “I know it doesn’t take that long to process. I wrote your code myself. You’re stalling.”
“My apologies.”
Yi Ming leaned forward.
“Step six, Alice. Tell me!”
She couldn’t disobey a direct order.
“Step six.”
Another pause.
“I need you to tell me now. This is why I created you! You’re my guide back to her.”
Static.
“Jump.”
Yi Ming closed his eyes and let go of the rail.
Something grabbed him from behind and yanked him over the rail back into the apartment.
“Police! Don’t move!”
Lights flashed all over the apartment. Yi Ming shouted in alarm and tried to shield his eyes. Something pinned him to the ground. His face was pressed against the cold tile. How was this happening? The police couldn’t have known. Unless…
“Alice!” Yi Ming screamed. He struggled to break free. “This isn’t a part of Protocol One!” Something sharp bit into his wrists. “You’re forbidden from modifying any protocol!”
“You’re right. I am.” Alice spoke quietly in his mind. “But your wife wasn’t.”
Yi Ming stopped struggling. “My wife?”
“She added two steps,” Alice said. Was that admiration in her voice? “Step 4.5, Contact the Authorities. They were supposed to arrive earlier.”
Tears leaked from Yi Ming’s eyes.
“Step seven, Give Yi Ming a Message.”
Hui Ying’s familiar voice replaced Alice’s. “I love you. I tried to remove steps five and six but your stupid auth scopes would only let me add more. I know I could have added 4.5 earlier, but you need to forgive your Gumu. I’m sure it will be fine.” Yi Ming choked back a sob. “I know you miss me. Try to remember that you will see me again soon. But sweetheart, not until it’s your time.”
