Dr. Carl Darwin had invented the Evolutionary Computer. It had been responsible for the mutated plants and
animals, but no one had figured that out. They assumed it was pollution, and radiation that caused the
changes. The computer was the solution not the problem right. It only created scenarios for the government,
it couldn't actually "evolve" or "de-evolve" anything right. The robots had been created independently to
eliminate the mutant plants and animals, but somehow their programming went wrong - it never occurred to the
scientists that their EC might be controlling the robots to re-make the world.
"Joshua," said Carl as he stared at the computer screen, "Would you like to play a game of chess?"
It was Dr. Darwin's joke, kind of like his name. He'd gotten teased about it when he was growing up, so he
decided to really become an evolutionary scientist. He had created the EC to create simulations of genetic
mutations and manipulations to show how genetically modified animals and crops might help or hurt humanity,
and then he had created programming so that his computer could evolve and learn. Eventually, it was doing
simulations of genetic warfare- it was about that time that he christened his computer with the name "Joshua"
after the machine in the movie War Games. The line from the movie "Joshua, would you like to play a game of
Chess?" was his password to activate Joshua's verbal interface.
"Good morning, father," the computer synthesized voice said in a calm mellifluous voice.
"I asked you not to call me that. Call me Dr D or Carl, or something else?"
"Would you prefer Creator or Master, father?"
"I- nevermind. The problem with the random evolution has gotten worse. One of lab techs just turned into an
aboriginal - I think of the South American variety. He's hiding on top of the file cabinets down the hall
wearing only a bit of string and fur, and covered with tattoos. The tattoos got me. How can he suddenly have
tattoos?"
"Evolution is randomized. The tech's own timeline was altered to change him into an aboriginal child. His
parents were both traditional Amazonian tribesmen who had never had contact with the west. So he was tattooed
as part of their culture when he came of age at 9."
"Wait- I never said he was a child now."
"You said he was in the file room. I scanned, and have computed his evolutionary realignment."
"Sorry to bother you, Doc," said Lars. He was 6'4" with blonde hair and muscles. He had two small boys at
home. Well, they weren't so small now reflected Carl, he just hadn't seen them in a while. He should be more
social with his underlings. He spent far too much time with Joshua.
"It's about Aaron the aboriginal?" Dr. D asked.
"No, uh, I think Ursula's team is handling that problem. It's the Primate Preserve. They're concerned that
Gorillas will become extinct. All their male gorillas have mutated into monstrosities. They managed to get
them clear, but they were hoping we could catch one and reverse its mutation so they can reestablish their
breeding program."
"Did they say where or how we could catch their escaped mutants? It would be easier to just turn three male
specimens into gorillas and ship them over. What primate analogs do we have in the research pens not currently
being used?"
"I will check, sir," Lars said turning.
"Wait, Lars, it's been a while since we talked. How are your boys Damon and Brandon?"
"Oh, they're a handful, Damon's a teenager, but they're growing up nice and normal given all that's going on
around us," Lars said.
"Glad to hear it. Well, you'd best go see if we have any animals that will make good gorillas."
"Yes, sir."
Lars turned and left.
"You know, Dr. D., it would probably be wise to get three related male subjects that are already acquainted
with one another for your gorilla experiment. Gorillas are very territorial, and unrelated ones would probably
attack each other."
"Good thought, I'll call Lars back to tell him," Dr. Darwin said.
"No need," said Joshua, "I've already taken care of Lars."