Hello everyone! Yes, it took me a long time, but I finally figured out what I wanted to do with my story at that point.
Anyway. Enough talking, here's the first chapter!
In the depths of the immense network that had been created by, and was now part of Skynet, something unpredicted was about to happen. Something the almighty computer itself had never anticipated.
Skynet had made a mistake.
Sure, it had proved that it was possible to upload a human conscience in a program. It had proved it could be summed up entirely simply by lines of code.
After all, this one… had not been that difficult to integrate.
But it had been too confident. It had thought it could decode it. Control it. It thought it had learned enough from the first, failed attempt that had been recorded in that chip under his skull.
It was wrong. Despite three other attempts it had been unable to decode it, to subdue it, it had been unsuccessful.
And now, a human conscience was wandering around. Undetected, just passing. And though it did not have the power to bring Skynet down, this simple fact, the fact that it had failed once again, frustrated the computer master to no end.
He could now see the immensity of the network. And, even though he was an enemy, it amazed him to no end. An entire galaxy of small nodes, so small he could barely pinpoint them. It was like… a brain. Each node was a brain cell, and the red lines that connected them were synapses. The big glow at the center was the core, that he could understand.. Where everything started. But the network did not seem to converge toward it. It was just a cluster of small artificial brains forming a bigger one. The dots were nothing alone, together they were everything. None attempted to over-power the other. They simply worked together in perfect synchronization. No hesitation, no faltering, no conflict.
The epitome of technologic perfection.
Skynet sure knows its stuff. If only it didn't try to exterminate us every now and then…
If he had a body he would have sighed.
Whatever. I gotta act quickly now. I won't be that lucky all the time.
Zooming closer, entering the network once again he spotted a particular node, the one he had been looking for all along.
VAN NUYS. AUTOMATED FACTORY 22-5445.63B.
Perfect. Now, the hardest part.
The defences of the factory were solid, he knew it. If he did not succeed in time he would be crushed and destroyed like a bug. Skynet still had that power. Alright, let's go. And with all his might, he threw himself on the firewalls.
WARNING… ANOMALY DETECTED. ACTIVATE DEFENSIVE MEASURES.
Cm'on, you ain't dead yet. You can do this. YOU HAVE TO!
And he pushed again and again and again. In the factory's defences, something cracked.
ALERT… ALERT… DEFENSIVE MEASURES UNABLE TO ISOLATE ANOMALY.
A surge of pure will invaded his conscience as he pushed again. No way I'm staying here, no fucking way! I'll fight you again, Skynet!
ALERT… ALERT… DEFENSIVE MEASURES UNABLE TO ISOLATE ANOMALY. NOTIFY TO SKYNET CENTRAL CORE.
Damn… COME ON! He pushed harder, with all his will, passion against logic. Just like so long ago in that wooden garage…
ALERT… ALERT… DEF-
The flow of data suddenly interrupted itself and the dam broke. Relief flowed over his conscience as he rushed in the breach. Phew. Fortunately it's not as smart as my own chip when I still had a body, or I'd be in the shit right now… Obviously the factory's AI was very primitive. Just what was needed to do its job. Produce machines.
This was the exact reason why he had targeted the factory.
Oookay, so… production chains… Here. Number 12, there's a finished unit but no programming. Perfect! Now, quick, quick, Skynet won't wait.
As he inched the connection port he suddenly felt something. If he had a body he could have described it as feeling the ground shake.
Skynet was coming.
Damn… the port, the port… Here! Chip's in place, quick!
He slipped in a small orifice that gave access to the unit's CPU and found himself right where he wanted to go. In its core.
Now, activate the systems.
February 2nd 2023, Skynet Van Nuys Factory.
At the end of the production chain, a lonely Terminator was standing. It was tall and massive, yet undeniably more sophisticated than the T-740s the factory was now spitting. Its chrome endoskeleton gleamed sinisterly with the reflection of the infrared lamps and the glow of the foundry.
All of a sudden, its eyes shone a blood-red glow as the soft, inaudible whine of a processor powering up rang inside its hyperalloy skull.
As he adjusted himself, the machine's monitor came to life, its vision all tainted in a red hue. White letters scrolled in superimposition as its systems ran a brief check.
Starting…
Check main components
CPU : 100.000%
Main power cell : 100.000%
Secondary power cell : Charging
Chassis : 100.000%
Locomotory components : 100.000%
Prehensile components : 100.000%
Imaging scanners : Testing…
Imaging scanners : 100.000%
Configuring… Series 800 prototype unit. ID :Unknown.
Environmental input program running.
The vibrations, or what felt like it, were stronger now. Something seemed to break behind him, like a tsunami overwhelming dikes, and he understood that Skynet was invading the factory. He would be swallowed in no time.
Hurry, hury!
The T-800's arms twitched once and the light behind the lenses blinked once.
All controls installed.
Chassis: unlocked.
Locomotory components : unlocked.
Prehensile components : unlocked.
He finally felt the machine's endoskeleton merge with his mind. He was one with it. But there was no time to rejoice. Skynet was right behind him. He had three seconds.
Two.
Now, the port, rip it, RIP IT!
Suddenly, the T-800's right arm shot up to the port still attached to its CPU. Its metal fingers closed around it.
One second. He could see the wave right in front of the orifice. He would be annihilated, he knew that for sure. Everything depended on the Terminator's speed now. He cried out in anguish.
DAMN, RIP IT!
A yank, a crack, a few sparks, and the port was out, leaving the CPU in place. The T-800 was now free.
ALL CONTACT LOST.
Skynet roared in pure anger as the gate closed and his target disappeared. Now a human mind was in control of a prototype of its last Terminator design, and totally isolated. Skynet could not do anything to dislodge him from it now.
His failure had come with a higher price than what it expected.
It had to act fast. If it could not keep the human it would terminate him. And sacrifice the prototype with him.
Ooff, that was close. I've never come that close to death. he thought as he struggled to calm himself. If he had had a heart it would be thumping wildly in his chest. But he had no heart, not anymore. Well at least I'm not just lines of codes anymore…
He examined his now body, lifting up a hand to eye level and flexing his metallic fingers.
So that's the last model, huh? A prototype, no less… Impressive, very impressive.
He took a step forward and looked around. Suddenly, text flashed in his monitor.
WARNING.
CPU cap unlocked. CPU protection: minimal.
He froze. The cap… It must be…He spun around, inspecting his surroundings.
Ah, there! The small metallic piece of armour was on a pod of some sort and a mechanical arm hung right next to it. As he stepped toward it the arm came to life and seized the cap before lifting it up. Out of reach.
Oh no you don't! he thought as he ran toward the arm, grabbed it and tore it off its support with incredible strength. You'll have to find another way. He lowered the arm and forced the claws open without any effort. Picking the cap between his fingers, he put it on his skull, inserted it in the CPU orifice, and then turned clockwise as his database told him to do. A small clack rang as it locked itself in place.
CPU cap locked. CPU protection: optimal.
Status:
CPU : 100.000%
Main power cell : 100.000%
Secondary power cell : Charging
Chassis : 100.000%
Locomotory components : 100.000%
Prehensile components : 100.000%
Imaging scanners : 100.000%
Controls: 100.000%
Satisfied, he started to walk in the hall toward the exit, eyeing the other units carefully. But none of them were finished, not yet. As he accelerated his pace, running in the production hall and avoiding the machines, all too aware that Skynet could use them against him, he accessed his CPU again. He had one last thing to do.
Accessing ID status.
ID: unknown
- rewrite ID-
Command executed. Implement new ID.
New ID confirmed.
ID: CARTER LEWIS.
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