Yamaki was impatient. Night was falling and there was still no data regarding the stream of data that had blocked cyberspace. Suddenly he decided to check if the media had disclosed something about the incident. He switched the monitors to pick up satellite Tv signals. It called his attention that news agencies all over the world were reporting sightings of mysterious animals in different metropolitan areas. In rural Indochina a boy was missing and was apparently abducted by one of these creatures.

- Rosa, give me a list of the geographical locations you pinpointed when that bulk of data was lost.

- I am sending it to your printer sir.

Yamaki pulled the paper from the tray. He could not believe what he was reading. The same locations referred by the sightings. He was confused however because some of the sightings did not correspond to the locations of the IP addresses.

- Chen. Have you come up with something?

- I'm not sure, but these codes look very similar to the ones I saw many years ago in a presentation at the Technical Institute of Tokio. A group of engineers were presenting a project on Advanced Artificial intelligence.

- Advanced Artificial Intelligence?

- Yes. That project went beyond conventional artificial intelligence because it consisted on computer programs that were able to reprogram themselves according to surrounding conditions. The University hadn't authorized that presentation and suspended it before the audience could know more details. The staff that worked on the project was put in probation and latter they graduated in a private ceremony and nobody knew of their whereabouts afterwards.

- Do you have any information on them?

- Yes, I already got their profiles and their possible whereabouts….. What do you know! The head of the project still lives here in Tokio. I'll fax the address to you.

The fax machine whirred as the printed paper came out. Yamaki pulled it out with enthusiasm. He saw the resume on the paper.

- Henry Wong. – said Yamaki clicking the lighter's lid repeatedly. – Toy company worker?. What a profile for a computer genius…..

- What are you instructions Sir? – said Rosa hoping down form her station.

- Stay here and call for the special forces to go to those geographical spots to investigate. – he said as he put on his coat.

- What are you going to do?

- I'm paying Mr Wong a little visit. – he replied stepping into the elevator down to the parking lot.

Rosa immediately called the secret service headquarters requesting personnel on the diverse geographical areas. Five minutes later the phone rang. Rosa picked up; it was Yamaki.

- Sir. I already deployed the task forces to the different locations.

- Can you call them back?

- Sir, That would be a real problem because once they are assembled they become subordinates of the secret service. Only they can stop the operation. Is there something wrong?

- No nothing. Carry on. – he said hanging up.

He was not used to drive at that late hour, but this time he had to. The boss wanted to check on the new prototypes and he did not want to disappoint him.

Henry was driving his SUV along the empty streets of Tokio heading home. He switched his radio off. He couldn't stand news at this hour. He parked the car in front of the apartment complex he lived in and took the elevator to the fifth floor.

He was carrying boxes with blueprints and concept art for his new prototypes. He struggled to carry everything to the door of his apartment. Finally he managed to open the door which he finally shut close behind him in relief.

However relief turned to panic when he saw someone sited on the chair at the other end of the living room. He went to reach the light switch.

- Don't bother Mr Wong. – said the voice of a man. - You're late.

- Who the hell are you? If you want to rob me, take everything and leave!

- If I were a robber I wouldn't be sitting on a chair in your living room and you would be dead by now.

- I figured it out. – said Wong in a sarcastic tone. Very annoying is your clicking noise. Would you cut it out?

- Sorry…. It's my way to deal with stress. Tell me Mr Wong, What can you tell me of your artificial intelligence project?

- Oh no…. You're from the rival company! You caught me red handed…. – said Wong anxiously. – Look, I won't sell. ok?

- This is not a business meeting Mr Wong.

- Then who are you? – said Henry putting the boxes on the carpet.

- My name is not important. What you have to know is that I work for people familiar with your projects. Are you aware of the problems that have been going on in the network.

- Yes. So I heard. It's a very nasty bug.

- Yes. And we think is one of yours

- What do you mean?

- Haven't you heard about the sightings of creatures in many cities around the world?

- I switch my radio off in the evening. I hate news.

- Then let me inform you. In many locations around the world, monsters have been sighted and the authorities are baffled. Apparently they have the ability to outwit security perimeters.

- If you figured this out. Then why do you need me? – answered Henry in disbelief.

- We need to locate them. But when we ran the source code provided by one of your associates it gave vague readings. I want to know why.

- Was it Shibumi right? – said Wong despectively.

- Yes. We need your help.

- Ok. I'll tell you. This goes way back when the project of artificial intelligence was assigned to us. We were a team of eight but the main programmers were only three. Shibumi, Daisy and myself. However our thesis professor told us we needed to develop the software in individual blocks. Each block would be designed for specific goals. My block of the program consisted in software for human interaction applications.

You see. I wanted something that could help handicapped humans to learn so I designed my software with different specifications from the ones that the others in the team had developed. Daisy was supposed to integrate the source codes from all the members of the team and build the data bases with the denominations given to each program. From her I knew that Shibumi was developing his software for military applications; targeting systems, battle logistics etc….. With this disparity, rivalry came. I argued that my program would sell better and Shibumi said his would be the top seller.

That's when we settled a presentation where we called engineers from all around to evaluate the program. Since the interface was so video game like, the military emissaries did not buy it and left before we could show the other applications of the software. The word was out in the faculty and the dean came and pulled the plug. We were put on probation and the unfinished version of the product remained installed in the university mainframe without anyone knowing.

Lately, I have used parts of the code I developed to design interactive video games.

- So. There are two types of source codes in your programs.

- Yes. So if you are having trouble tracing Shibumi's code then it must be my code strolling around the park out there.

- Hmmmm…. I see. – murmured Yamaki as he placed the silencer on his pistol. Henry could not see it because it was dark.

- Actually, I am working on software to enhance human interaction with the programs. I am designing the prototype of a device to trace the assigned data bases you want. I'll show it to you. It's in my laptop. – said Henry when he felt a sting on his butt. Instantly he felt dizzy and fell to the ground.

- You can show me in my office. – said Yamaki holding the tranquilizing dart gun next to his lap.