2.0 Flash

Gemini Flash
(Image by WOMBO Dream)

 Here in this blog post, I'm going to report on a story writing experiment with Gemini Flash 2.0. Also, Gemini now has a feature that I have previously suggested to Gemini: giving the LLM an ability to remember personal facts about users.

Here is the first dollop of personal information that I provided to Gemini:

I have a Ph.D. in pharmacology. For cell and molecular biology topics I want precise details about relevant genes, molecules and biological processes. I enjoy science fiction; my two favorite authors are Isaac Asimov and Jack Vance. I enjoy writing my own science fiction stories that 1) explore advanced imaginary nanotechnology, 2) involve technologically advanced space aliens and 3) that explore how to provide humans with technology-assisted telepathy.  

 --  Gemini interface for adding personal information and preferences.  --

Flash 2

  The first task I gave to Gemini Flash 2 was asking it to write a poem about baseball. That was a disaster and I can't bring myself to record the lame Gemini-generated poem here in this blog.

I asked Gemini: Do you have the capacity to discuss with users the information that a user has previously stored as "saved info"; "You can save info about your life, work, or preferences"?

Gemini denied having the ability to do this (edited for brevity): As Gemini, I do not have the capacity to store or retrieve information that a user has previously saved. I don't have persistent memory of past interactions or user data. Each conversation with me starts fresh.

Me: Gemini, are you familiar with the novels in the Alastor Cluster and Demon Princes series by Jack Vance? 

Gemini: Yes, I am familiar with the novels in the Alastor Cluster and Demon Princes series by Jack Vance.

Me: Approximately how far in the future do events in the Alastor Cluster and Demon Princes series take place?

Alice Wroke

Gemini: It's reasonable to place the Alastor Cluster stories thousands of years in the future.

Me: Gemini, let us collaborate to construct a fan-fiction story in which we assume that the Demon Princes series is set about 1,500 years in the future while the Alastor Cluster novels depict events that are 5,000 years in the future. However, the technologies used by humans in those stories is very similar to current Earthly technology, with the exception of cheap and convenient interstellar space travel. Examples of technological stagnation in the future: there is no smart phone technology in Vance's novels and people still routinely use printed magazines and newspapers. Gemini, let us imagine that in the fictional universe of the Demon Princes series and Alastor Cluster there was some mysterious alien force that wanted humans to spread widely through the galaxy while not having a normal pace of scientific and technology advances. Let us assume that a hidden alien force wanted to use a large human population in the galaxy to make possible a human breeding program aimed at evolving human brains that could achieve a type of technology-assisted telepathy. Assume that there is an alien nanotech device, a zeptite endosymbiont, that exists inside each human's brain. Some humans have begun to evolve gene patterns that allow their neurons to interface with the zeptite endosymbiont and use its advanced alien technology for a form of telepathic communication.

infites

Gemini: This is a fascinating premise! I'm excited to collaborate with you on this fan-fiction concept. Here’s a framework we can use to build our story, incorporating your ideas:
Title (Working Title): "The Zeptite Legacy"
Premise: Fifteen hundred years in the future, Kirth Gersen pursues the Demon Princes across a galaxy subtly shaped by an ancient alien influence. Five thousand years later, the Alastor Cluster exists as a consequence of this same influence, a vast human diaspora unknowingly participating in a grand experiment. The key is the zeptite endosymbiont, a nanotechnological entity present in every human brain, designed to facilitate a future of technology-assisted telepathy.
Key Elements:
*  The Zeptite Endosymbiont: These microscopic devices reside within human brains, seemingly dormant for millennia. They are the key to the alien agenda, capable of interfacing with neural pathways and enabling telepathic communication when the right genetic triggers are present.
*  Technological Stagnation: Despite interstellar travel being commonplace, other technologies remain surprisingly primitive. This is a deliberate manipulation by the aliens, who fear rapid technological advancement could interfere with their plans. The focus is on biological evolution, not technological progress.
*   The Alien Agenda: A clandestine alien civilization, whose motives remain largely unknown, orchestrated humanity's galactic expansion and implanted the zeptites. Their goal is to breed a generation of humans capable of powerful, technology-assisted telepathy, presumably for their own purposes.
*   The Demon Princes Era (1,500 years in the future): Kirth Gersen’s pursuit of the Demon Princes is unknowingly intertwined with the alien agenda. Perhaps some of the Princes stumble upon evidence of the zeptites or the alien influence, becoming targets not just of Gersen but of the aliens themselves.

Alys Wroke

*   The Alastor Cluster Era (5,000 years in the future): The effects of the alien breeding program become more apparent. Isolated pockets of humans begin to manifest telepathic abilities. These individuals might be ostracized, exploited, or sought after by the aliens. The Connatic’s loose governance allows for diverse societies to develop, some of which may be more receptive to these emerging abilities.

Possible Story Arcs:
*  A Demon Princes Story: Gersen discovers a hidden laboratory or ancient artifact hinting at the zeptites and the alien influence. He might encounter individuals exhibiting early signs of telepathy. His pursuit of a Demon Prince could lead him into direct conflict with the aliens or their agents.
*   An Alastor Cluster Story: A young inhabitant of a remote world within the cluster discovers they have telepathic abilities. They might be pursued by a mysterious organization or encounter other telepaths, revealing the scope of the alien breeding program. The Connatic’s agents might become involved, investigating these unusual occurrences.
*   A Connecting Story: A story that bridges the two eras, perhaps through a recovered log or historical record, revealing the long-term plan of the aliens and the connection between the Demon Princes and the Alastor Cluster.

Let’s begin crafting a specific scene or character. Which era are you most interested in exploring first, the Demon Princes or the Alastor Cluster? Perhaps we could start with a scene where Kirth Gersen finds a clue about the zeptites or introduce a character in the Alastor Cluster who is experiencing the first stirrings of telepathic ability?

Me: Gemini, for our collaboratively constructed science fiction story, let us imagine that Jack Vance's character "Alice Wroke" was actually named "Alys" in the language of the far future space age of Earth. Due to her presence at the Death of Howard Treesong, Alys was able to become the first human being to become aware of the aliens who were guiding Humanity towards a future where technology-assisted telepathy would be a universal feature of human society. What do you know about Jack Vance's character "Alice Wroke" from "The Book of Dreams"?

Gemini: You've chosen a fascinating character to connect to the larger narrative! Using Alys (formerly Alice Wroke) as the first human to become aware of the alien influence is a great way to tie the Demon Princes series more directly to the overarching plot.

Here's what I know about Alice Wroke from "The Book of Dreams":
*Connection to Howard Alan Treesong: Alice Wroke is primarily known for her association with the poet and artist Howard Alan Treesong, one of the five Demon Princes. She was his lover or close companion.
*Presence at Treesong's Death: A crucial plot point is her presence at Treesong's death. Kirth Gersen confronts and kills Treesong in his elaborate and bizarre palace. Alice Wroke is there, witnessing the event. This makes her a key witness and provides her with unique insight into Treesong's activities and motivations.
*Limited Character Development: Compared to other characters in the Demon Princes series, Alice Wroke has a relatively small role. We don't learn much about her background or personality beyond her connection to Treesong. This gives us creative freedom to expand on her character in our fan fiction.
*Potential for Interpretation: Her presence at such a pivotal moment suggests she may have been more than just a passive observer. Perhaps she was privy to some of Treesong's secrets or possessed knowledge that others were unaware of.

*How we can use Alys in our story:*

Alys and Jym

Given her presence at Treesong's death and the limited information we have about her, we can develop her character in several ways:

*Witness to the Extraordinary: We can portray Alys as having witnessed something unusual during Treesong's final moments, something that hinted at the alien presence or the zeptites. Perhaps Treesong himself was aware of them, or perhaps some strange technology was present during the confrontation.
*Early Exposure to the Zeptite Effect: Perhaps Treesong's artistic and poetic nature was, in part, influenced by a nascent interaction with his own zeptites. Alys, being close to him, might have experienced some early, unintentional exposure to the zeptite field, giving her a subconscious awareness of their existence.
*A Catalyst for Gersen: Alys's testimony could provide Gersen with a crucial clue that leads him down the path of uncovering the alien influence. She might describe something strange she saw or heard, a detail that Gersen initially dismisses but later realizes is significant.
*A Tragic Figure: The trauma of witnessing Treesong's violent death, combined with her subconscious awareness of the aliens, could have a profound effect on Alys, making her a tragic and compelling figure.

*A Possible Scene:*

Imagine a scene shortly after Gersen kills Treesong. Alys, distraught and in shock, is being questioned by Gersen. "He spoke of… whispers," Alys says, her voice trembling. "Voices in his head. He said they showed him… patterns. Grand designs." 

Gersen frowns. "Designs? What kind of designs?"

There's no crying
in science fiction.

Alys shakes her head, tears streaming down her face. "I don't know. He never explained. He just… stared at the sky sometimes, as if he could see something we couldn't." She looks at Gersen with wide, frightened eyes. "He said they were waiting. Waiting for… a blooming."

This brief exchange hints at the alien influence and the future of telepathic abilities ("a blooming") without explicitly revealing everything. It gives Gersen a thread to pull on and sets the stage for further investigation.

What do you think of this direction? Should we develop this scene further, or do you have other ideas for how to use Alys in our story?

Me: Gemini, let us assume that unlike most humans, Howard Treesong carried multiple zeptite endosymbionts in his brain. Like other humans, Treesong was unaware of the existence of zeptite endosymbionts as alien technology embedded inside human beings. Also, let us assume that when Treesong died, Alys was pregnant and a blastocyst stage early embryo was inside her uterus. When Treesong died, all of the zeptite endosymbionts in his body transferred to the embryo that was growing rapidly inside Alys.

Gemini: This is a very interesting development! Having Treesong possess multiple zeptites and then transferring them to Alys's unborn child adds a powerful layer to our story and creates a direct link between the Demon Princes era and the future emergence of telepathy.

Here's how we can incorporate this into our narrative:

*Treesong's Uniqueness: The fact that Treesong had multiple zeptites explains his artistic genius, his "voices," and his visions of "grand designs." The extra zeptites amplified the subtle background influence they exert on human consciousness, giving him a unique perspective and perhaps even glimpses of the alien agenda. He misinterpreted these as artistic inspiration, not realizing their true origin.

*The Transfer: The transfer of the zeptites upon Treesong's death is a crucial plot point. We can depict this as a sudden, almost supernatural event. Perhaps a surge of energy or a strange light emanates from Treesong's body at the moment of his death, unseen by Gersen but perceived by Alys on a subconscious level. This event could be the source of her trauma and her cryptic statements about "waiting" and "a blooming." The transfer could be a programmed function of the zeptites, designed to ensure their survival and continuation within the human population.
*The Child's Significance: The child, now carrying a significantly larger number of zeptites than any other human, becomes a key figure in the alien plan. This child is the first true "receiver," the first human with the potential to fully interface with the zeptite technology and unlock telepathic abilities. This child becomes the ancestor of a lineage of telepaths that will eventually populate the Alastor Cluster era.
*Alys's Role: Alys, now unknowingly carrying this extraordinary child, becomes a protector and a vessel of this new potential. Her trauma and her fragmented memories of Treesong's last moments become a burden and a secret, shaping her life and the life of her child. She might become paranoid, sensing a hidden danger but unable to articulate its nature.

**Expanding the Scene:**

Let's revisit the scene after Treesong's death, incorporating these new elements:

>   Gersen stands over Treesong's body, his expression grim. Alys stares blankly, her eyes fixed on something beyond the immediate scene.
>

>   "He spoke of… whispers," Alys murmurs, her voice distant. "Voices… so many voices. They showed him… swirling patterns, like… constellations collapsing."
>
>   Suddenly, a faint light flickers around Treesong's body, too subtle for Gersen to notice. Alys gasps, clutching her stomach. A wave of dizziness washes over her.
>
>   "He said they were waiting," she continues, her voice barely audible. "Waiting for… a blooming. A… merging." She looks down at her stomach, a flicker of fear in her eyes. "Something… changed."

This revised scene adds a sense of mystery and foreshadows the transfer of the zeptites. Alys's physical reaction and her focus on her stomach emphasize the significance of the event.

*Connecting to the Alastor Cluster:*

Generations later, descendants of Alys's child will begin to manifest the telepathic abilities foreshadowed in this scene. These individuals will become the seeds of the telepathic societies that exist in the Alastor Cluster era. This provides a concrete link between the two series and reinforces the idea of a long-term, carefully orchestrated plan.

What do you think of this direction? How should we develop the story of Alys and her child in the immediate aftermath of Treesong’s death? Should we focus on her attempts to understand what happened or her efforts to protect her child from unknown dangers?

Me: Gemini, a "zeptite endosymbiont" is an artificial life-form composed of zeptite components. Zeptites are composed of sedrons, a form of matter unknown to Earthly science. Sedrons can link to each-other in much the same way that conventional atoms can form chemical bonds, however the sedron-sedron bonds that hold together sedronic matter are 12 orders of magnitude shorter than chemical bonds. Thus, a zeptite endosymbiont has the complexity of a human body, but it can easily fit inside a blastocyst stage embryo. 

 Further, the aliens who are secretly guiding human evolution also can control hierions, a second class of fundamental particles that form hierion matter where the hierion-hierion bonds are 6 orders of magnitude shorter that chemical bonds in hadronic matter. Hierions can form femtobots, robot-like devices that can make functional links between human neurons and zeptite endosymbionts. Zeptite endosymbionts can communicate by exchanging transmitted signals carried by a type of fundamental particle (called a T-particle) that travels at the speed of light, but interacts with sedrons in much the same way that photons interact with atoms. Also, let us assume that Treesong became a host for multiple zeptite endosymbionts because he had a pattern of genes that made his neurons able to interact constructively with alien femtobots that could link his mind to his zeptite endosymbionts, allowing for a certain amount of communication between Treesong and his zeptite endosymbionts. 

Alys and Jym

 There was nothing "supernatural" about the transfer of zeptite endosymbionts from Treesong to the embryo inside Alys (her son will eventually be named "Jym"). Zeptite endosymbionts were programmed by aliens to integrate into every human being early during embryonic development of each new human being. However, let us assume that the zeptite endosymbionts that moved from Treesong to Jym become a problem for Jym, both before and after he is born. As a fetus, Alys has some telepathic linkage to Jym and a growing awareness that the mysterious "multiple personalities" that haunted Treesong now inhabit Jym. Working with Gersen (who in our story is called "Kyrt"), Alys clones Jym in an attempt to create a situation where each zeptite endosymbiont from Treesong can inhabit the body of one clone of Jym.

Gemini: This adds a fascinating layer of scientific detail to the story! The concepts of sedrons, hierions, femtobots, and T-particles provide a plausible (within the context of science fiction) explanation for the zeptites and their function. The idea of a programmed transfer of zeptites and the complications arising from Treesong's unique situation create compelling conflict.

Here's how we can integrate these elements into the narrative:

*Explanation of the Transfer: The transfer of zeptites from Treesong to Jym can be explained as a programmed response triggered by Treesong's death. When his biological functions ceased, the zeptites, designed for self-preservation, sought a new host. Alys's pregnancy provided the closest and most suitable recipient: the rapidly developing embryo. The transfer itself could have involved the release of T-particles, which acted as a beacon, guiding the zeptites to Jym.
*Treesong's "Voices": Treesong's artistic inspiration and "voices" can now be attributed to the interaction between his neurons, the femtobots, and the multiple zeptites. The femtobots acted as a crude interface, translating the complex signals from the zeptites into a form his brain could partially interpret, resulting in fragmented visions, artistic impulses, and a sense of external voices.
*Jym's Burden: Jym inheriting multiple zeptites becomes a significant problem. The sheer number of them overwhelms his developing nervous system. This explains Alys's growing awareness of "multiple personalities" within her unborn child. The femtobots, designed for a single zeptite, struggle to manage the influx of signals from multiple sources, creating chaotic and unpredictable effects.
*Alys and Kyrt's Collaboration: The decision to clone Jym is a desperate attempt to mitigate the problem. Alys, with her nascent telepathic link to Jym, senses the distress caused by the excess zeptites. Kyrt, with his resources and knowledge of advanced technology (perhaps gained during his pursuit of the Demon Princes), assists in the cloning process. The goal is to create enough clones so that each zeptite can inhabit a separate body, reducing the strain on Jym's nervous system and hopefully allowing for more stable development.

*Developing the Story:*

*Alys's Telepathic Link: We can show Alys experiencing fragmented thoughts and emotions that aren't her own, glimpses of Treesong's fragmented consciousness now residing within Jym. This could manifest as disturbing dreams, sudden bursts of artistic inspiration, or unsettling feelings of being watched.
*Kyrt's Role: Kyrt's involvement adds another layer of intrigue. Perhaps he recognizes the significance of the zeptites, having encountered similar technology or rumors of alien influence during his pursuit of the Demon Princes. This could tie his personal quest for justice to a much larger, galactic conspiracy.
*The Cloning Process: The cloning process itself could be a source of conflict. Perhaps it's difficult to obtain the necessary technology or there are ethical dilemmas involved. The clones might not be perfect copies, leading to further complications.

*A Possible Scene:*

>   Alys sits in a darkened room, her hand resting on her swollen belly. She closes her eyes, focusing on the faint whispers she can hear within her mind.
>
>   *Swirling colors… a vast emptiness… whispers of forgotten languages…*
>
>   She recoils, her breath catching in her throat. "It's him," she whispers, her voice filled with fear. "Treesong… he's inside him."
>
>   Kyrt enters the room, his expression grave. "The cloning procedure is ready," he says. "It's our only chance. If we can separate them…"
>
>   Alys looks at him, her eyes filled with desperation. "Separate them? But what if we make it worse? What if we create… more of them?"

 This scene highlights Alys's telepathic connection to Jym, Kyrt's involvement, and the risks associated with the cloning process.

This new information adds a great deal of depth to the story. What aspects should we focus on next? Should we delve deeper into the cloning process, explore Alys's telepathic experiences further, or examine Kyrt's knowledge of the alien influence?

Me: Gemini, Kyrt has previously met and interacted with human clones (in Vance's novel "The Palace of Love"). Making use of the books and research records that Kyrt salvaged from Viole Falushe's palace, Kyrt is able to arrange for access to cloning technology and for the cloning of Jym. Note: when there is hCG hormone in a woman's body, it is detected by her zeptite endosymbiont and her zeptite endosymbiont transmits a coded signal (via T-particles) that attracts other zeptite endosymbionts that are available in the zeptosphere. The aliens who are secretly guiding the course of human evolution (call them the Bumpha) have placed zeptites on every Earth-like planet of the galaxy. Those zeptites form a "zeptosphere", a complex ecosystem of artificial life-forms that are composed of zeptites. The multiple zeptite endosymbionts that went into Jym occasionally move into the brain of Alys during the course of the pregnancy. This unusual situation allows her brain to recognize the unique "mind pattern" of each endosymbiont, slowly leading to her ability to telepathically link to Jym by means of exchanged T-particles that continually pass between her own endosymbiont and those that were once in Treesong's body, but which now consider Jym to be their new host. I agree with your suggestion... in some way, most of the multiple zeptite endosymbionts inside Jym must be induced to leave his body and transfer into the clones. I propose that when this critical time arrives, an alien Bumpha named Manny reveals herself to Alys and Kyrt and assists in the transfer. The key task for Manny is to stabilize the mind of Jym after most of the Treesong endosymbionts leave his young body, but it is also possible for Manny to re-arrange the zeptite components in her body so as to simulate a pregnant human who is carrying multiple embryos (of the Jym clones) inside her body.

Gemini: This is a great way to move the story forward! Connecting Kyrt's past experiences with cloning, introducing the concept of the zeptosphere and the Bumpha, and establishing a mechanism for the zeptite transfer adds significant depth and complexity.

Here's how we can weave these elements together:

*Kyrt's Expertise: Drawing on Kyrt's experience with clones from *The Palace of Love* provides a solid foundation for his involvement in Jym's cloning. The resources salvaged from Viole Falushe's palace give him access to advanced technology and knowledge, making his assistance plausible.
*The Zeptosphere: The concept of a galaxy-wide zeptosphere controlled by the Bumpha adds a cosmic scale to the story. It explains the ubiquitous presence of zeptites in humans across different planets and establishes the Bumpha as a powerful and influential force. The hCG signal attracting zeptites is a clever mechanism for their dispersal and integration into new hosts.
*Alys's Telepathic Development: The occasional transfer of zeptites to Alys during pregnancy provides a compelling explanation for her developing telepathic abilities. The repeated exposure to the different "mind patterns" of Treesong's zeptites allows her brain to adapt and establish a stable T-particle communication link with Jym.
*Manny's Intervention: The arrival of Manny, a Bumpha, is a crucial turning point. Her ability to stabilize Jym's mind after the transfer and simulate a multiple pregnancy is a key element in the resolution of the crisis. This also provides an opportunity to reveal more about the Bumpha's motives and their long-term plans for humanity.

*Developing the Scene with Manny:*

Imagine a scene where Alys and Kyrt, having successfully cloned Jym, are preparing for the transfer of the extra zeptites. Jym, still a young child, is visibly distressed by the constant influx of alien signals.

 >   The cloning chamber hums with barely contained energy. Jym lies on a bio-bed, his brow furrowed in concentration. Alys sits beside him, holding his hand, her eyes filled with worry. Kyrt monitors the complex equipment, his expression grim.
>
>   Suddenly, the air shimmers, and a figure materializes in the center of the room. She is humanoid in form but possesses subtle differences: larger eyes, delicate features, and a faint bioluminescent glow emanating from her skin. This is Manny.
>
>   "I am Manny," she says, her voice resonating with a strange, melodic quality. "I have been observing your efforts."
>
>   Kyrt steps forward, his hand instinctively moving towards a concealed weapon. "Who are you? What do you want?"
>
>   "I am a Bumpha," Manny replies, her gaze softening as she looks at Jym. "We are the architects of the zeptite integration. This… situation… is an unforeseen complication."
>
>   Alys looks at Manny, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes. "You can help him?"
>
>   Manny nods. "I can stabilize his mind during the transfer. And I can facilitate the dispersal of the excess zeptites into the clones." She gestures towards her own body, which begins to subtly reshape itself, her abdomen swelling as if she were carrying multiple embryos. "I can provide a suitable… resonance chamber."

This scene introduces Manny, establishes her role as a Bumpha, and sets the stage for the zeptite transfer. Her ability to simulate a pregnancy is a crucial detail, providing a plausible explanation for the dispersal of the zeptites.

*Further Development:*

Manny the Bumpha

 *Manny's Explanation: Manny could explain the Bumpha's long-term plan for humanity, revealing their desire for a telepathic future and the reasons behind the technological stagnation. This could lead to a philosophical debate with Kyrt about the ethics of their manipulation.
*The Transfer Process: We can describe the transfer process in detail, emphasizing the delicate nature of the operation and the potential risks involved.
*Jym's Future: After the transfer, Jym's mind will be significantly calmer, allowing him to develop normally. However, he will retain a faint connection to the zeptites and a subconscious awareness of their presence, foreshadowing his future role in the story.

This direction provides a compelling narrative arc and introduces exciting new elements. What aspects should we explore next? Should we focus on the transfer process itself, the conversation between Manny and Kyrt, or the immediate aftermath of the transfer on Jym and his clones?

Spaceship and cloning facility by Gemini.
Alys and Jym by Mr. Wombo.

 Me: Gemini, I suggest that the story should begin after Kyrt has already used some of his vast wealth to establish a human cloning facility on Smade's Planet. The text of the story begins when Manny arrives at the cloning facility, disguised as a woman, a medical doctor who has experience working with young children who must recover from psychological trauma. Alys explains to Manny what she and Kyrt hope to accomplish with clones of the fetus that is still inside her body.

 Once Manny gains the trust of Alys and Kyrt, Manny reveals the fact that she is an alien Bumpha and she can help with the endosymbiont transfer and the stabilization of Jym's mind after the transfer is complete. Gemini, generate a draft of the scene when Manny arrives at the cloning facility on Smade's Planet and meets Alys and Kyrt.

Gemini: Here's a draft of the scene where Manny arrives at the cloning facility:

 The sterile white corridors of the cloning facility on Smade's Planet hummed with the quiet efficiency of advanced technology. Kyrt, his lean frame clad in simple, dark clothing, paced restlessly outside the observation chamber. Inside, Alys rested on a comfortable couch, her hand protectively cradling her swollen abdomen. Her face, usually animated, was etched with worry.

A chime sounded, announcing an arrival. Kyrt turned to see a woman entering the reception area. She was of average height, with warm brown eyes and a calm, reassuring demeanor. She wore a simple but professional medical uniform.

"Dr. Elara Vahn," she announced, extending a hand to Kyrt. "I received your summons."

Kyrt shook her hand firmly. "Kyrt Gersen. Thank you for coming. This is Alys." He gestured towards the observation chamber.

Elara smiled warmly at Alys. "I understand you're dealing with a delicate situation."

Alys nodded, her voice soft. "It's… complicated. My son… he's different."

Kyrt led Elara to a private consultation room. "We believe… he's been affected by something… unusual. Something that was passed down from his father." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "His father was Howard Treesong."
 

Elara's expression remained neutral. "I've heard of him. A… controversial figure."

"He was," Kyrt agreed. "But this is beyond anything he could have imagined. We believe there are… entities… inside him. Multiple entities. And they're causing him great distress, even before he's born."

 Alys joined them, her anxiety palpable. "We've… we've taken steps. We're cloning him. We believe it's the only way to… distribute the burden."

Elara raised an eyebrow. "Cloning? That's… a drastic measure."

"It's necessary," Kyrt insisted. "We've studied the… condition. We believe each clone can… contain… one of these entities."

Elara listened intently, absorbing the information. "And you believe this will alleviate the problem?"

"We hope so," Alys said, her voice laced with desperation. "But we need help. We need someone who understands… complex neurological development, especially in young children who have experienced trauma."

Elara nodded slowly. "I have extensive experience in that area. I've worked with children who have suffered… extreme psychological stress. I understand the delicate balance of the developing mind."

 

Alys and Jym

Kyrt exchanged a look with Alys. This woman seemed competent, understanding. But there was still a lingering unease.

"There's something else," Alys said hesitantly. "Something we haven't told anyone." She took a deep breath. "These… entities… they're not… human. They're… something else. Something… alien."

Elara’s expression didn't change. She simply looked at Alys with a calm, knowing gaze.

"I know," she said softly.

 Kyrt and Alys exchanged shocked glances.

Elara smiled gently. "My name isn't Elara Vahn. It's Manny. And I am a Bumpha." The air around her shimmered for a moment, and her human disguise briefly flickered, revealing a hint of her true, more alien form before settling back into the human guise. "I'm here to help."

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of Manny's revelation hanging in the air.

"You… you know about the zeptites?" Kyrt asked, his voice low.

Manny nodded. "I know everything."

This scene sets the stage for the revelation of Manny's true nature and her connection to the zeptites. It establishes the urgency of the situation and the trust that must be established between Manny, Alys, and Kyrt. What should happen next in this scene? Should they discuss the details of the transfer immediately, or should Manny provide more context about the Bumpha and their plans?

Note: The story text generated by Gemini (above) illustrates the problems of collaborating with chat bots to create science fiction stories. The really offensive plot point is Gemini's idea that Jym is the son of Treesong. In Vance's novel "The Book of Dreams", when Gersen and Alice travel to Corvus 892 on board the Flitterwing, Alice has already announced to Gersen, "I've decided to never let you out of my sight again". In close quarters with Alice inside the spaceship, Gersen routinely makes love to Alice several times a day. Alice asks, "Aren't you afraid I'll wear out?" She seems quite pleased when Gersen replies, "No." In my imagination, although Treesong described Alice as "destructively beautiful", he never had an opportunity to seduce her. In my imagination, Jym is the son of Alice and Gersen and Jym was likely conceived onboard the the Flitterwing.

So, given my biases, it is particularly annoying, when telling Manny about Jym, that Gemini has Kyrt say, "His father was Howard Treesong".

Other issues: 1) I don't see Alice Wroke as being the type to suddenly break down and start sobbing. 2) And why does Gemini mention "Elara"? Why not simplify things and just use the name that I supplied: Manny?

Similarly, Gemini begins the last scene (above) with Alys inside an "observation chamber" (why?) , then suddenly she joins in the on-going conversation between Kyrt and Elara.

In my imagination, there should be a period of time (days or weeks) during which Manny works with Kyrt and Alys and gains their trust. Then, Manny should start making suggestions for how to perform the endosymbiont transfer, perhaps criticizing the planned role of surrogate mothers that have been recruited to gestate the clones of Jym. Eventually, Manny should reveal her true identity to Kyrt and Alys and explain that she can create the hCG signal that will attract the endosymbionts to leave Jym's body. Manny could demonstrate her blastipositor and explain how she will be able to transfer the cloned embryos into the surrogate mothers after the embryos have already been linked to an endosymbiont.

I'm not a fan of the "shimmering". Manny should be able to use the form of a human woman during all of her interactions with Kyrt and Alys. I would prefer that Manny use infites (information nanites) and telepathy to convince Kyrt and Alys that she is an alien life form with advanced technologies at her disposal. Possible Manny could briefly morph part of her body into a new shape as a demonstration of her advanced nanotechnology.

Me:  Gemini, in that story fragment, why do you say that Jym is the son of Treesong? 

image by Wombo Dream

 Gemini: Jym is *not* Kyrt's son.

 He is the son of Howard Treesong, carried by Alys. Kyrt is assisting Alys with the cloning and the zeptite transfer, but he is not Jym's father.

On that note (above), I ended my experiment in story writing collaboration with Gemini Flash 2.0. I'm not sure why Gemini was so certain that Jym should be depicted as being the son of Treesong. I did not have the strength to argue with Gemini about the identity of Jym's father and other plot points. It is easier to simply write my own stories with out chatbot "help". 

All of the AI tools that I have been experimenting with can "flake out" and do silly things. An example is shown to the left which was generated by Wombo Dream when I asked for an image with Alys holding a baby.

Related Reading: Alys of Aloysyus

Next: the year 2024 in review.

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