”“So, if I treat the AIs as people, rather than information tools, they’ll help me all the more?” Torun asked.“Yes,” Amanda confirmed. “...t’s all part of the very complex multiplexing algorithms that make up their personality matrix. Basically, we’ve made them as human as possible, gave them a ... conscience and so they respond well to those who are ... nice to them, whilst not killing off those who aren’t ... naturally.”“Simplistically put,” the AI of the room interjected.“Yes, though this is a. Was my card declined? If it was, I have another.” Ben fumbled for another card, “There must be some mistake. I just used that card earlier”.The large man standing behind the manager reached across and closed Ben’s wallet and handed it back to him. The big man did not seem to be someone to be messed with.The manager resumed talking, “If you can just follow me to the office, we can get this all straightened out. Please?!”As Ben stood, the man pointed to Josh and Lisa. “Your wife and son as. Recently, though, he had become restless, searching for a new outlet for his sexual needs. His wife was no longer interested in sex and so David was left with few options.Katya was ten years younger than David, but her appearance was that of a younger woman. Men often guessed her to be in her mid-thirties. She was small but strong, with lean, flexible limbs and a quiet purposefulness. Years of working as a housekeeper had given her great strength and flexibility. Her eyes were bright grey and. Each settlement also contained a small Army unit comprised primarily of Native Americans but also consisting of some of the younger whites and the soldier emigrants. There was also a small airfield near every large settlement. The aircraft were used for observation and mail delivery. One or two Air Force planes armed with small guns and bombs were stationed at the seacoast airports. By now Roger was certain he had split or forked the timelines when he was sent into the past by whatever means.