Sgt. Pinback wants the bomb to disarm, the exchange takes the form of a Socratic dialogue between teacher (human) and student (machine). Temporarily confused, Bomb #20 retreats to the bomb bay for contemplation, and disaster seems to have been averted. Sgt. Pinback then addresses the bomb over the intercom to begin the disarming process, and we learn that Bomb #20’s introduction to epistemology and ontology has had unexpected consequences.
Pinback: All right, bomb. Prepare to receive new orders.
Bomb#20: You are false data.
Pinback: Hmmm?
Bomb #20: Therefore I shall ignore you.
Pinback: Hello… bomb?
Bomb #20: False data can act only as a distraction. Therefore, I shall refuse to perceive.
Pinback: Hey, bomb?
Bomb #20: The only thing that exists is myself.
Pinback: Snap out of it, bomb.
Bomb#20: In the beginning, there was darkness. And the darkness was without form, and void.
Boiler: What the hell is he talking about?
Bomb#20: And in addition to the darkness there was also me. And I moved upon the face of the darkness. And I saw that I was alone. Let there be light.
The thermonuclear Bomb #20 explodes as it believed that it is God. Thereby the bomb-god fulfills his destiny in a moment of simultaneous creation and destruction.