Chapter 1

[Braking News]

According to the sources from the Z country that the recent self-destruction of the Area 22 Military Base of the Z city is related to the notorious terrorist named Traceless who was believed to be the cause of the assassination of several important political figures around the world.

The Government has released a statement regarding a sting operation done in order to capture the terrorist who in the end triggered the self-destruction of the entire base taking down 312 military personnel's lives leaving 73 to be heavily injured. Although the details about the operation is not revealed to the public we can assume that the Traceless must be desperate to trigger that kind of suicide move.


In almost all the news channels around the globe this kind of news about the demise of the famous terrorist Traceless was being carried out. Traceless was known to be lone wolf who started as an independent assassin for hire. His specialty was that nobody knew how he looked like, that's how he got his name Traceless. Then one day one of his employers tried to double cross him by teaming up with an assassin group which wanted to recruit Traceless but he turned them down. In the anger born out of humiliation that powerful assassin group put up a bounty on his head. Traceless dismissed it like nothing because nobody could actually find him in the flesh but then they started to disturb in his jobs. The result was that 3 months later at an exact time the headquarters and the branch offices of that assassin group exploded to smithereens.

This sent the underground world in chaos. Previously there has been people who went against the groups like that but nothing this spectacularly finishing them in one swoop. Since then Traceless was named to be the most wanted terroist in the entire world. And now there was a news that he was dead which bring many people great joy while many were secretly depressed too.

2 months later on an desolate island in the middle of pacific ocean which contained the secret governmental research facility a single army chopper arrived carrying a heavily guarded male prisoner. The prisoner was in his mid-30s had unshaven face and a messy hair. He was escorted to the warden of the facility. After 3 hours of handing over the prisoner procdures the chopper went back to where it came from and the island became once again silent.

Inside the facility an aged person in a lab coat hurriedly entered the room to meet the prisoner who now looked fresh after the nice shave, haircut and a shower. There was an unprecidented joy and excitement could be seen on the face of the elderly person but the prisoner still wore the uninterested expression on his face as if he was disregarding the enthusiasm of the elderly fellow.

"The famous Traceless at last in the flesh. I am so glad that I could meet you here. I am a big fan of your work." The elderly opened his mouth showing his row of sparkling white teeth.

"Hmm."

That was the only response the man gave. Yes. He was the famous Traceless. Instead of being dead as declared he was captured and kept in a secret supermax until he was transferred here.

"I know you must have lot of questions as to who I am and what you are doing here despite being considered as the most dangerous man in the world. But before that you and I have met once, you probably won't remember it but..."

"Yeah. I remember you. You were sitting across me in the train from C city to Metro City on July 22 2023. You ordered peanut butter milkshake along with veg sandwiches. Cut the chase and get to the point. What do you need of me?"

The elderly was surprised to be cut short and even more so when he heard what the man said. Then his expression became more joyful like he found some big diamond in the bag.

"As expected. Although I must say I am surprised that you remembered what I ordered too. An impeccable memory just like what I desired and astute observation deserving the title of Traceless."

"Well not anymore apparently. So are you gonna tell me what do you want?"

"Hehe. No need to be impatient. The government has already relinquished on your freedom and the world thinks you are dead."

"And you made that happen. So what? Do you expect a thank you? I hate the people do something that does not benefit them."

"Humor. It is good to have it. Hehe. Don't worry I didn't buy your freedom for nothing. I am no saint. I am a researcher and my company holds most of the country governments in the pockets."

"The Global Expo. You are their chairman right? You know people say I am Traceless but it should be given to you."

"Hahaha... No no.. Good deduction but it is a bit off the mark. I am their founder."

Hearing this a trace of surprise flashed across the face of the expressionless man.

"Then that means you are more that 120 years old? How is that possible? You look.."

"So young? This is all due to science my boy. And it is due to science and technology that I was able to get in contact with you."

"Ok. I do understand and believe you for minute but if you are in hold of such technology then why haven't you made it public? It would have fetched you a nice market."

"Hmm. Although it is true that technology helped me in prolonging my lifespan and I was able to retain my youthful appearance, I succeeded in doing it only due to the several life threatening operations done on my body. It can't be applied to everyone in general. Oh. Look at me we went off topic. I am offering you to be my test subject in the next experiment."

The man didn't even reveal any displeasures and asked "What kind of experiment?"

"Oh. Most people when they here they were being used as guinea pig for experiments they would reject it or at least express their displeasure but you young man doesn't look like it. How so?"

"Either I become a guinea pig for your experiment or die in the hands of the government. Either way I don't have much hope but if the experiment succeeds then I will have a slim chance of being able to regain my freedom. So I will take the gamble. Tell me my role in the experiment."

"Okay. I am developing a new device which can be used as man-machine interface which you might have heard about it."

"True." He nodded seemingly displaying that he understand the subject.

"Then you might have known about the problems the humans face when interfacing with the machine. Although human brain has far more capacity than the machine in terms of handling the data, the burden it is put through due to the interface is very harsh. According to my calculations one in Trillion human will possess such naturally active brain. And you my friend are one of them."

"Why it has to be me? I mean don't you have all the technology to simulate the brain to reach your required threshold?"

"No. The artificially simulated brain activity will result in overloading the brain. We have tried it as well but the subject is rendered in vegetative state after the interface. Whereas the naturally active brain can handle the influx of the data from the machine and stay alert to control it. That's where you come in."

"Ok. When do we start testing?"


7 months later...

"Hahahha... Success..."

Sounds of laughter echoed through the laboratory.

"My boy. It's a success. Your suggestion of using the Self-Conscious AI monitoring the data communication interface while you control it with mental commands was ingenious. We succeeded in creating the first ever man-machine interface in the history of mankind. Oh I am so happy today."

Just as atmosphere inside the lab was turning normal, a small tremor shook the entire room. The elderly man was shocked because he knew that the structure was built to withstand even the largest scale of the earthquakes. Hurriedly he went to the control room but before he even reached the door deafening sound of something exploding rang out. The man who laid in the bed with a bunch of wires connected to his head was startled and then his vision went black.