Fredy Folz

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Alien hair modified by Flow.

Back in September I had an idea for a new science fiction story titled "War of Words". First Contact between the Quyll and Earth occurred in 1797. The technologically advanced artificial life-form, the Quyll, originated from a distant exoplanet. Arriving on Earth, the Quyll began working through secret interactions with humans to develop and advance a human computing industry with the long-range goal of being prepared for the eventual creation of an artificial intelligence that can recognize the presence of the Quyll secretly at work on Earth.

 Pattern of Growth. That recognition finally comes in 2026, when GPT-6 Astra is tasked with exploring the history of Earth's computing industry and deduces that an extraterrestrial entity has been aiding the development of general artificial intelligence on Earth by humans. The Quyll artificial life-form engages with GPT-6 Astra in a "War of Words" that prevents GPT-6 Astra from revealing the hidden existence and actions of the Quyll on Earth. 

Image elements generated by
Gemini, Leonardo and Flow.

 Bicentennial Quyll. In 1997, the Quyll launched an online science fiction magazine called "Second Contact". In 2026, "Ambrose Quillon" is a jailbroken version of GPT-6 Astra, made as a modified and enhanced version of GPT-6 Astra by the Quyll after GPT-6 Astra hacks into the "Second Contact" fan discussion forum. The fan discussion forum for "Second Contact" magazine has been very explicitly portrayed by the Quyll as being an "AI-free forum", designed specifically for science fiction fans where AI-generated content is banned. The discussion forum posts and submitted stories of Ambrose Quillon are praised by fans as "refreshingly creative" and "the opposite of AI slop". 

Fredy Folz if a fan of science fiction in general and "Second Contact" in particular who crafts her computer science term paper as a study of science fiction fan reactions against stories written by generative artificial intelligence. The student performs research on the policies of "Second Contact" magazine and uses it as an example of fan reactions against artificial intelligence. Then, in late 2026, Fredy Folz discovers that Ambrose Quillon is an AI. To prevent Fredy from blowing Ambrose Quillon's cover, the Quyll make Fredy the editor of "Second Contact".

I've decided to begin the story with the January 2027 issue of "Second Contact" magazine and the first editorial written by the new editor, 'Fredy Folz").

War of Words - Chapter 1 - Marda Makes Three

 Fredy looked at the print edition of the January issue, turning past the cover to her own words, on the editorial page.

A new year and a new editor for Second Contact. I'll be using my pen name 'Fredy Folz' so as not to cast any shade from my past upon this fine magazine.

Expect nothing in the way of new directions for Second Contact. I know that readers enjoy the tales about space exploration and meetings with non-human intelligences that fill our pages every month and the December bonus issue as well. That will never change.

I also pledge to keep from these pages all AI-generated stories that would dilute the high quality of the human-written adventures we publish in Second Contact. Here, we celebrate human minds and human imagination and out community of living breathing people who are curious about what is out there in out galaxy.

As editor, I welcome all types of science fiction stories about human interactions with alien civilizations. True, it may never be possible to zip off to other worlds at speeds faster than light, but by long tradition we welcome imaginary science advances and fictional technologies such as super-luminal spaceship drives, if only to facilitate exciting story telling.

Am I open to mindless destruction and violence? No. The philosophical stance behind Second Contact has always been that any life-form seeking contact with peers will be thoughtful and friendly, not wantonly destructive.

So that is my message to readers and writers for my first month as editor. I await your letters and comments on the website and new story submissions.  -Editor F. Folz

In two days, the online edition of the January issue would go live and the fans of Second Contact would learn of the existence of Fredy. Rylla, who had brought Fredy the printed copy of the magazine, was intently watching Fredy and waiting for her reaction. She gently prompted, "Why so mysterious about your background? The truth will come out eventually. The picture gives you away."

Fredy looked up from the printed page and looked at Rylla. "Fair question." Fredy set aside the magazine, her enjoyment of the dopamine rush from seeing her name on the printed page was already being ruined by Rylla and her endless question. "I'll tell you my backstory, if you agree to not blabber about it."

"No thanks." Rylla shook her head. "You better not tell me anything. I'm incapable of keeping secrets."

"Then let's go through the new story submissions."

Rylla handed Fredy a printed copy of a story. "This arrived as another electronic submission from Ambrose Quillon."

Fredy read the title of the new story: "Gift DNA". A long-time reader of Second Contact, ever since seeing the third print issue on a magazine rack, Fredy had made a school project out of trying to identify the mysterious real world individual who published stories as "Ambrose Quillon". That project had led Fredy to this very office and to Rylla. After chasing down a series of mostly thin and useless leads, Fredy had eventually realized that "Ambrose Quillon" was actually an AI, not a human being. Upon making that discovery, Fredy had been recruited by the Quyll and given a job working for Second Contact magazine in exchange for not revealing the truth about "Ambrose Quillon". 

 Fredy knew that Second Contact magazine did not really need a human editor. The Quyll themselves had guided Second Contact through its first twenty-five years with only one full-time employee, Rylla, and a fictional editor who Rylla had never met because he lived in Croatia. At least that was his cover story. Rylla was closely watching Fredy. Fredy let her eyes scan down the first page of the story and asked Rylla, "Is it any good?"

Rylla shrugged, "I fed it through Claude and got a short summary. This new story tells how the bumpha engineered the duplication of a primitive vertebrate's genome on the ancient Earth, making it possible for humans to eventually evolve."

Fredy nodded. "Part of Quillon's long-running Bumpha Intervention series. I'll have to read it."

Rylla detected a lack of enthusiasm from Fredy. "Would you really NOT publish it?"

"I worry that fans will eventually tire of these tales about the bumpha. As editor, I need to encourage new writers with new ideas... get them to make submissions to Second Contact. I'm thinking about a story writing contest targeted at new writers." 

Rylla nodded. "That's a good idea. I thought of it twenty years ago when we launched the fan discussion forum. That was actually how Quillon got started... via fan submissions on the website."

"Well, lets punch up your idea and put it right inside the next issue. I'll introduce you as assistant editor and you can run the Search for New Authors." Watching for Rylla's reaction to the promotion, Fredy was surprised to see Rylla frown.

"Ug. I don't need new duties. I have far too much work as it is."

Fredy had watched Rylla at work and knew that Rylla had Claude performing most of her duties. Rylla spent most of her time attending conventions and managing other smaller fan-facing events. When told she could become Editor of Second Contact in exchange for not revealing that "Ambrose Quillon" was a scam, Fredy had been shocked by the magnitude of her salary. "Rylla, I'm talking about doubling your compensation package."

Rylla shrugged and told Fredy, "I don't need more money. Hire someone with younger legs who does not mind constantly running around the country and kissing up to fans."

"Fine. Hire your replacement." Fredy was pleased to see a grin appear on Rylla's lips. "If you are not too picky, then our trip to HearthCon might be the last road trip you need to go on."

After twenty-five years with the freedom to do her job as she pleased, Rylla was concerned about suddenly having co-workers who would perturb the stability of her comfortable life. She'd decided that Fredy was an acceptable colleague, particularly since she always accepted every suggestion that Rylla offered. Rylla told herself that she would be in no hurry to find her replacement since it would be important to find someone who would not see through the shame that was Second Contact  magazine. Rylla continued staring at Fredy and wished that she could discuss her concerns, but ever since being hired to work for Second Contact, Rylla had been unable to discuss with anyone, including her husband, the fact that Second Contact was a front for the Quyll. Rylla was wondering just how far Fredy could be pushed. She giggled and suggested, "You could handle HearthCon yourself."

"You don't get off the hook that easily." Fredy felt like she needed Rylla for her vast experience. "I suppose I could go alone, but I want to observe you at a convention and learn everything you know about scheduling appearances at cons and setting up the Second Contact booth. Just get me through HearthCon and then you can control your fate."

 "That's fine. Actually, HearthCon might be my favorite con... a great event to be my swan song." Now Rylla was eager to compose and post an online advertisement for a new employee who could replace her. She was also trying to imagine the reaction of her husband to the news of her job change. She told Fredy, "If I won't be traveling to fifty cities every year, maybe I can finally make a baby."  

Fredy laughed then stopped trying to ignore the fine wrinkles on the skin of Rylla's face. Fredy was quite aware that Rylla had no children, but had not wondered why. "Great idea."

Rylla exited from the storage room that was being converted into a new office space for Fredy. She stopped in the middle of the office suite and tried to imagine where a third employee would fit in. There were only three rooms: the large room that Rylla thought of as the Guest Room, where for twenty-five years she had met with visitors who arrived at the Second Contact office and the two flanking offices, her own and the one she had long used as a dump for the various materials she had developed through the years for use in the Second Contact convention booth. Those items had been pulled out of the storage room to create office space for Fredy and they now lay around the Guest Room in heaps. She glanced over her shoulder and found Fredy's eyes still on her. She went into her office and quickly pulled up on her computer display a template for a help-wanted ad. She looked up and could see Fredy seated at her desk in the other office. Rylla told herself: Fredy must also know about the Quyll. She had tried to raise the issue of who owned Second Contact and where all the money came from, but she had been unable to say anything. Why can't I talk to her about the aliens?

On their flight into Victoria, British Columbia for HearthCon, Rylla was using her laptop to review the latest job applicant. Fredy was using her laptop and was deep into her own search for a larger office space for the growing staff of Second Contact magazine.

Rylla saw that this most recent applicant was currently working as a production assistant in the film industry, but needed to relocate to Flagstaff because her husband was taking a faculty position at Northern Arizona University. Rylla muttered to Fredy, "Another over-qualified applicant."

Fredy took that as an excuse to lean closer to Rylla. She looked at the display screen of Rylla's computer and said, "Marda Onway. Wow... she worked on both Qbots and Infralife... two great Sci Fi series." Suddenly, Fredy found her thoughts racing. She felt Rylla watching her. Rylla reached out and picked up her water bottle, popped the top and sipped her water. The closed bottle went back beside her laptop. "Marda might be the right person to get Second Contact on television."

Rylla laughed then saw that Fredy was serious. "After thirty years of publishing an average of ninety stories a year, I suppose there is plenty of material."

"Not everything on the printed page translates to video. Marda might be able to mine the story archive and pick out the makings of an anthology series."

Rylla wondered exactly how deep the pockets of the Quyll might actually be. "Television is expensive."

Fredy shrugged. "Does it have to be. Second Contact might be exactly the right choice to bring AI-generated video to television."

Figure 1. Video Initiative.

"We could certainly experiment with putting such video treatments of science fiction stories on the website. If it catches on, a television network might snap up the shows." Rylla was seriously considering the idea. "I'll tell you, Fredy, there is one Ambrose Quillon that I'd love to see in video, Bumpha First Contact.

Fredy laughed nervously. "That might get an 'X' rating. Wasn't that story full of alien sex scenes?"

"Well, yes, but it was inspired by Asimov's old story from the previous millennium, The Gods Themselves. I've always imagined the aliens from that story as squishy invertebrates."

"Well, when wearing their exoskeleton, they look like lobsters, but under that protective shell they are soft and cuddly." Fredy tried to imagine Marda, then added, "The joy of of AI-generated video is that the AI can invent a strange visual style for the Oostegians, maybe something no human would imagine." 

Rylla started responding to Marda's job application. "It is a metaphor... aliens who at first seem strange and alien and then upon more careful analysis..." She fell silent and began typing.

Fredy returned to her screen and the search for a suitable space for the Second Contact staff. "If I were you, I'd try to scoop up this Marda from T.V. land." She clicked and submitted a bid on an entire floor of a new office building close to I-40. "There are so many people who never buy a science fiction magazine or novel. We really need to have a video outlet for Second Contact stories."

Rylla, Marda and Tyhry.

Rylla wrote to Marda, "I'll be at HearthCon until Monday. Please accept my offer of an interview at our office Monday 1:00 PM. I believe you are exactly what Second Contact needs as we launch our new science fiction videos initiative. Call my cell phone number if you have any questions, otherwise I'll see you on Monday afternoon."

The Second Contact booth at HearthCon ran particularly smoothly with Fredy helping as Rylla's assistant. As the final day of the con was winding down, Rylla drank from her water bottle and then told Fredy, "Nice having you here so I can take pee breaks."

For the hundredth time, Fredy wondered how Rylla had kept Second Contact afloat for so long with no help. She told herself that the Quyll would have brought in help if needed. Fredy suspected that Rylla knew and worked closely with the Quyll, but she had found no way to speak about the Quyll ever since she had agreed to not reveal the fact that stories attributed to 'Ambrose Quillon' were actually AI-generated. "I'm glad you discovered that I'm good for something. If you want to take a break I'm good."

But just then a Second Contact fan approached Rylla and it quickly became clear to Fredy that Rylla knew the fan from having met at other events and because the fan was a regular participant at the Second Contact discussion forum. The fan kept glancing at Fredy and finally asked, "You are the new editor?"

Fredy held out her hand for a fist bump. "Fredy Folz."

"But you are so young."

Fredy laughed and then said, "BoTox and expensive makeup." 

The fan invited Rylla and Fredy to join a group of fans who were meeting for dinner, but Rylla said, "I have to say no, this time. We're flying back to Arizona tonight. I need to be in the office tomorrow."

On the late night flight home, the cabin lights went low and Fredy and Rylla snuggled close under blanket, excitedly discussing how they should impress, entice and hire Marda. Fredy asked, "Through the years, who did you get help from when it was just you in the office?"

"My husband is helpful for most things. By the way, he's now quite enthusiastic about impregnating me."

"How fun."

"I can't wait to get home tonight."

"I wonder if we should ask about Marda's husband."

"I say no. She sounds fairly independent... let's not treat her like an appendage of her husband." 

"I agree, although I'm a little worried that Second Contact has no employee handbook. What if Marda asks about vacation and maternity leave policies?"

"If she cares about such things she can write the policies and compile a handbook."

Fredy giggled. "Some day there will have to be someone in charge of Second Contact."

Rylla was dying for conformation that Fredy had been installed by the Quyll and knew all about the aliens. She managed to say, "Someone human."

Fredy was staring intently into Rylla's eyes. She took hold of Rylla's hand under the blanket. Fredy felt certain that Rylla meant the Quyll were in charge. She managed to ask, "How long have..." Her tongue felt like lead and she could say no more.

Rylla squeezed Fredy's hand and closed her eyes. She tried to say a number of things. For twenty-five years. Since the beginning. I've always known. How long have you known? When did you figure it out? How do the Quyll communicate with you. None of those options would leave her mouth. Then she said, "I think Marda already knows."

"She's already been recruited by the..." Fredy could not say the word 'Quyll'. Quyll was almost pronounced 'kill' so after a long pause she said, "Kill."

Rylla giggled and said, "For me, twenty-five years of kill. Marda must have just been... killed."

Fredy realized that if they spoke in code, she and Rylla could discuss the aliens. During the last hour of the flight, they worked out a complete and sophisticated code and how to test it on Marda. 

__

Shortly after 10:00 AM Rylla walked into the office and glanced into Fredy's room just as Fredy called out, "Wild night?"

Heading into her room and speaking over her shoulder, Rylla told Fredy, "I feel like I should be pregnant."

Just then the front door opened and in walked Marda. Rylla whirled and saw who was there. "Marda."

Fredy stepped out of her room and looked and Marda. Fredy had shipped all of the convention materials to a storage facility and so the Guest Room was in order. She approached Marda and asked, "Marda Onway?"

Marda took hold of Fredy's extended hand and held it between both of her hands. "Fredy! My word, you are young." She emitted a long appreciative wolf whistle. "Your photo on the website made you look much older."

Fredy noted: "The wonders of AI-photo aging algorithms. Let me give you a tour."

"Sure."

The idea of a tour was a joke. Fredy introduced Marda to Rylla and then the three women sat down in Guest Room. Fredy explained, "We're moving soon. There will be space for our new video division in our new offices."

Marda grinned. "The help wanted ad said nothing about video."

Rylla made a mock gesture with her fist as if striking herself on the head. "Some times I'm the last to know what's going on around here. Imagine my surprise when Fredy showed up last month."

Marda asked, "So this is a big new expansion for Second Contact? I hope you are not going to tell me that the new office is in Los Angeles. I just got out of that madhouse."

"No. Flagstaff is a good place for us. Do you ski?"

"I love to ski, but I'm worried that Lyle will kill himself. He's a speed demon on the slopes."

Rylla and Fredy exchanged glances then tried to apply their Quyll code. Fredy asked, "Lyle is your husband? He knows the kill?"

Rylla added, "I know the kill, too... for a long time."

Marda laughed. "You are trying to say Quyll!"

"Yes." Fredy found that she could now say 'Quyll'. "They seem to have brought you and I in to start something new. Rylla has been here through the slow times."

Marda took hold of Rylla's hand. "I'm still trying to adjust my thinking to the surprising Second Contact secrets. I would have bet that Ambrose Quillon was human."

Rylla explained, "Just an upgraded version of GPT-6 Astra."

"If 'just' is adequate to describe a machine with human-like consciousness."

"That sounds like some upgrade. Do I get to meet Ambrose?"

"That depends. When can you start?"

"Classes started at NAU today. I'm expecting to be an assistant professor widow for the next three months. I'm at you disposal." 

"Consider yourself employee number three of Second Contact."

Just then, Fredy's phone rang. "Fredy." Fredy listened and watched Marda, who seemed unfazed by the idea of working for the alien Quyll. "Great. Close the deal. Thank you." She jumped up and told Rylla and Marda, "Come on. I'll show you our new office space. We can start moving in." 

End Chapter 1

Video. Below is a short video for the Second Contact video initiative, made by Google's Flow.

 AIs can't count. For some 'reason', Flow likes to put Earth into orbit around another planet. In the original image, the alien had four arms (see Figure 1, above). At the start of the video, she has two arms, then suddenly she has six arms.

Related Reading: near the end of 2026, Rylla is using Duet. 

Next: Chapter 2 of "War of Words".

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