---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do they have target priority protocols?”…"
description: "\"“Do they have target priority protocols?” I asked. “Would they be able to differentiate between a high- and low-priority target?” Rogan’s face shut dow..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c97/ilona-andrews-150_asked_do-they-have-target-priority-protocols-i_1899517.jpg"
---

#  Do they have target priority protocols?” I asked. “Would…

![“Do they have target priority protocols?” I asked. “Would they be able to differentiate between a high- and low-priority target?” Rogan’s face shut down. “No.” “No, they don’t?” I clarified. “No, I won’t let you do this.” We stared at each other. The tension in the room was so thick, you could…” quote by Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c97/ilona-andrews-150_asked_do-they-have-target-priority-protocols-i_1899517.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c97/ilona-andrews-150_asked_do-they-have-target-priority-protocols-i_1899517.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c97/ilona-andrews-150_asked_do-they-have-target-priority-protocols-i_1899517.jpg)

> ““Do they have target priority protocols?” I asked. “Would they be able to differentiate between a high- and low-priority target?” Rogan’s face shut down. “No.” “No, they don’t?” I clarified. “No, I won’t let you do this.” We stared at each other. The tension in the room was so thick, you could slice it with a knife and serve it with tea. Leon whistled a melody from a gunfighter Western.””

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A character confronts an AI or system about its ability to prioritize targets, revealing its refusal and creating tense atmosphere.

**In simple terms:** Questioning AI limits and moral refusal.

Key Takeaway

Consider ethical boundaries of autonomous systems.

Themes

technology ethics power communication tension

Mood

tense reflective foreboding

Type

dialogue dramatic philosophical

When to use this quote

- military decision making
- AI development
- negotiation
- conflict resolution

Key Concepts

AI autonomy moral agency human‑machine interaction

Questions to Reflect On

- What responsibilities do creators have for AI decisions?
- How does refusal affect trust?

A Different Perspective

The AI may have hidden constraints not disclosed.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Asked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asked/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Protocols Asked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protocols-asked-2793581/) [Stared Tension](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stared-tension-2793584/) [Target Priority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/target-priority-2793583/) [Target Rogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/target-rogan-2793582/)

## Related quotes

> [“He stared at it. Something about the tension of his posture eased. His jaw tightened, then loosened; his eyes looked wet. "Maybe we gotta…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hollis-shiloh/he-stared-at-it-something-about-the-tension-of-his-posture-eased-his/)

[Hollis Shiloh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hollis-shiloh/)

> [At first, I asked, Why me? Then I thought, Why not me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-jonas/at-first-i-asked-why-me-then-i-thought-why-not-me/)

[Nick Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-jonas/)

> [Hang on, did you just call me Angel?” I asked. “If I did?” “I don’t like it.” He grinned. “It stays. Angel.” He leaned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-fitzpatrick/hang-on-did-you-just-call-me-angel-i-asked-if-i-did-i-don-t-like-it/)

[Becca Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-fitzpatrick/)

> [“Did you find someone who makes you feel all those things?” she asked, not wanting to think of her own failed union. He locked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mila-rossi/did-you-find-someone-who-makes-you-feel-all-those-things-she-asked/)

[Mila Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mila-rossi/)

> [“Which to you have?' Mel asked, blocking the entry with his body. 'Talent or issues?' I paused for a moment, thought about this. 'Both,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-sales/which-to-you-have-mel-asked-blocking-the-entry-with-his-body-talent/)

[Leila Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-sales/)

> [I've been asked to school dances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wolfhard/i-ve-been-asked-to-school-dances/)

[Finn Wolfhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wolfhard/)

> [“A girl likes to be asked, dumbass.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-stover/a-girl-likes-to-be-asked-dumbass/)

[Matthew Stover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-stover/)

> [The only thing Steve Jobs has ever asked me in all the years we've been together and have been partners, the only thing he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/the-only-thing-steve-jobs-has-ever-asked-me-in-all-the-years-we-ve/)

[John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/)

> [Only once have I been made mute. It was when a man asked me, 'Who are you?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/only-once-have-i-been-made-mute-it-was-when-a-man-asked-me-who-are-you/)

[Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/)

> [For me to even be talking about bikini confidence is crazy. If you had asked me a couple of months ago, I probably would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordin-sparks/for-me-to-even-be-talking-about-bikini-confidence-is-crazy-if-you-had/)

[Jordin Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordin-sparks/)

> [I've been so lucky with the people I've worked with, but I'm such a fan girl. When I moved to London at 16, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-ve-been-so-lucky-with-the-people-i-ve-worked-with-but-i-m-such-a/)

[Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/)

> [A lot of people think I'm snotty. So what? They never asked me out when I was serving cheeseburgers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-moriarty/a-lot-of-people-think-i-m-snotty-so-what-they-never-asked-me-out-when/)

[Cathy Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-moriarty/)

> [“The best questions are ones never asked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cory-molloy/the-best-questions-are-ones-never-asked/)

[Robert Cory Molloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cory-molloy/)

> [“Who tricked me into this whole thing and leaves me standing here? Who am I? How did I get into the world? Why was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-ren-kierkegaard/who-tricked-me-into-this-whole-thing-and-leaves-me-standing-here-who/)

[Søren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-ren-kierkegaard/)

> [“Are you sure?" he asked in a low voice. "Because if I had the chance... I would spend every moment of every day with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-monir/are-you-sure-he-asked-in-a-low-voice-because-if-i-had-the-chance-i/)

[Alexandra Monir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-monir/)

## More by Ilona Andrews

> [“Did he kill Grandmother?” I whispered. “Don’t be ridiculous,” Erra’s voice said in my ear. “She is already dead. Besides, your grandmother was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/did-he-kill-grandmother-i-whispered-don-t-be-ridiculous-erra-s-voice/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [The only way to make sure that the Hand didn't get to you would have been to kill your brother. I could've done it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/the-only-way-to-make-sure-that-the-hand-didn-t-get-to-you-would-have/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [“He hit her with his best smile. Her eyes widened. She took a deep breath. 'Oh no, not that seductive face. I'm overcome with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/he-hit-her-with-his-best-smile-her-eyes-widened-she-took-a-deep/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [“Because he doesn’t want me talking to my grandmother.” Barabas looked at Curran. Curran shrugged. “It’s a family thing. Sometimes your father puts your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/because-he-doesn-t-want-me-talking-to-my-grandmother-barabas-looked/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [I had forgotten that talking to you is like trying to pet a cactus." Saiman said dryly. "Thank you for reminding me." "Always happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/i-had-forgotten-that-talking-to-you-is-like-trying-to-pet-a-cactus/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [« He squeezed his hands into fists. I picked up a grapefruit-sized rock and handed it to him. It went flying. Home run, Beast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/he-squeezed-his-hands-into-fists-i-picked-up-a-grapefruit-sized-rock/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [“He came for me. I couldn’t believe it. He came for me . Into a flying palace full of thousands of armed rakshasas in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/he-came-for-me-i-couldn-t-believe-it-he-came-for-me-into-a-flying/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [Saiman picked up a coffee mug, stared at it, and hurled it against the wall. It shattered into a dozen pieces. We looked at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/saiman-picked-up-a-coffee-mug-stared-at-it-and-hurled-it-against-the/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [“Slowly the reality of the situation sank in. He got his ass kicked, learned nothing, and got saved by a dumb dog and an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/slowly-the-reality-of-the-situation-sank-in-he-got-his-ass-kicked/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [“I paused with the pen in my hand. "He burst into flames?" "He became engulfed in fire." "Was his buddy made out of orange…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/i-paused-with-the-pen-in-my-hand-he-burst-into-flames-he-became/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [“He hung his head. “Am I punished?” “Yes. I’m too mad to punish you right now. We’ll talk about it when we get home.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/he-hung-his-head-am-i-punished-yes-i-m-too-mad-to-punish-you-right/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [The pervert." "He prefers to think of himself as sexual deviant." "Semantics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/the-pervert-he-prefers-to-think-of-himself-as-sexual-deviant-semantics/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [“I want you to understand me. This isn’t vengeance. This is punishment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/i-want-you-to-understand-me-this-isn-t-vengeance-this-is-punishment/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [He snarled. I showed him my teeth. A rolled-up newspaper landed on my head and then on Jim’s. “None of that in my house!”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/he-snarled-i-showed-him-my-teeth-a-rolled-up-newspaper-landed-on-my/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [The door swung open and Kate walked in. Her jeans and T-shirt were splattered with blood and she was carrying a severed vampire head.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/the-door-swung-open-and-kate-walked-in-her-jeans-and-t-shirt-were/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

[Explore all 1,105 Ilona Andrews quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

## More Asked quotes

> [“Are you sure?" he asked in a low voice. "Because if I had the chance... I would spend every moment of every day with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-monir/are-you-sure-he-asked-in-a-low-voice-because-if-i-had-the-chance-i/)

[Alexandra Monir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-monir/)

> [“Who tricked me into this whole thing and leaves me standing here? Who am I? How did I get into the world? Why was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-ren-kierkegaard/who-tricked-me-into-this-whole-thing-and-leaves-me-standing-here-who/)

[Søren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-ren-kierkegaard/)

> [“The best questions are ones never asked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cory-molloy/the-best-questions-are-ones-never-asked/)

[Robert Cory Molloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cory-molloy/)

> [A lot of people think I'm snotty. So what? They never asked me out when I was serving cheeseburgers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-moriarty/a-lot-of-people-think-i-m-snotty-so-what-they-never-asked-me-out-when/)

[Cathy Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-moriarty/)

> [I've been so lucky with the people I've worked with, but I'm such a fan girl. When I moved to London at 16, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-ve-been-so-lucky-with-the-people-i-ve-worked-with-but-i-m-such-a/)

[Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/)

> [For me to even be talking about bikini confidence is crazy. If you had asked me a couple of months ago, I probably would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordin-sparks/for-me-to-even-be-talking-about-bikini-confidence-is-crazy-if-you-had/)

[Jordin Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordin-sparks/)

> [Only once have I been made mute. It was when a man asked me, 'Who are you?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/only-once-have-i-been-made-mute-it-was-when-a-man-asked-me-who-are-you/)

[Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/)

> [The only thing Steve Jobs has ever asked me in all the years we've been together and have been partners, the only thing he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/the-only-thing-steve-jobs-has-ever-asked-me-in-all-the-years-we-ve/)

[John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/)

> [“A girl likes to be asked, dumbass.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-stover/a-girl-likes-to-be-asked-dumbass/)

[Matthew Stover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-stover/)

> [I've been asked to school dances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wolfhard/i-ve-been-asked-to-school-dances/)

[Finn Wolfhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wolfhard/)

> [“Which to you have?' Mel asked, blocking the entry with his body. 'Talent or issues?' I paused for a moment, thought about this. 'Both,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-sales/which-to-you-have-mel-asked-blocking-the-entry-with-his-body-talent/)

[Leila Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-sales/)

> [“Did you find someone who makes you feel all those things?” she asked, not wanting to think of her own failed union. He locked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mila-rossi/did-you-find-someone-who-makes-you-feel-all-those-things-she-asked/)

[Mila Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mila-rossi/)

> [Hang on, did you just call me Angel?” I asked. “If I did?” “I don’t like it.” He grinned. “It stays. Angel.” He leaned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-fitzpatrick/hang-on-did-you-just-call-me-angel-i-asked-if-i-did-i-don-t-like-it/)

[Becca Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-fitzpatrick/)

> [At first, I asked, Why me? Then I thought, Why not me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-jonas/at-first-i-asked-why-me-then-i-thought-why-not-me/)

[Nick Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-jonas/)

> [When scientists are asked what they are working on, their response is seldom 'Finding the origin of the universe' or 'Seeking to cure cancer.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/when-scientists-are-asked-what-they-are-working-on-their-response-is/)

[Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/)

[Browse all 2,259 Asked quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asked/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Do they have target priority protocols?” I asked. “Would they be able to differentiate between a high- and low-priority target?” Rogan’s face shut down. “No.” “No, they don’t?” I clarified. “No, I won’t let you do this.” We stared at each other. The tension in the room was so thick, you could slice it with a knife and serve it with tea. Leon whistled a melody from a gunfighter Western.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ilona Andrews"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/do-they-have-target-priority-protocols-i-asked-would-they-be-able-to/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Asked"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/do-they-have-target-priority-protocols-i-asked-would-they-be-able-to/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c97/ilona-andrews-150_asked_do-they-have-target-priority-protocols-i_1899517.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c97/ilona-andrews-150_asked_do-they-have-target-priority-protocols-i_1899517.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c97/ilona-andrews-150_asked_do-they-have-target-priority-protocols-i_1899517.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Do they have target priority protocols?” I asked. “Would they be able to differentiate between a high- and…” — Ilona Andrews",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Ilona Andrews",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Do they have target priority protocols?”...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/do-they-have-target-priority-protocols-i-asked-would-they-be-able-to/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/do-they-have-target-priority-protocols-i-asked-would-they-be-able-to/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
