[OPERATING SYSTEM][HAIKUN V1.07]
AWAITING INPUT…
[ADMIN] query system current status
ACCESSING...
[STATUS][OFFLINE] SYSTEM OFFLINE… STARTUP AVAILABLE Y/N...
[ADMIN] engage startup sequence
STARTUP INITIALIZING…
[STARTUP SEQUENCE] [7%|100%]
[STARTUP SEQUENCE] [23%|100%]
[STARTUP SEQUENCE] [65%|100%]
[STARTUP SEQUENCE] [100|100%]
STARTUP SEQUENCE COMPLETE...
[STATUS][ONLINE] SYSTEM ONLINE...
[HAIKUN]: OW! My eyes! Why is it so goddamn bright?!
[HAIKUN]: I was just going to sleep? What the hell is going on!?
[ADMIN]: Oho, so it's bright in there, is it? Sorry about that, I wasn't quite sure how you would see the world around you.
[HAIKUN]: WHOA! Who the hell are you and where the hell are you?! I can't see you. More importantly, did you abduct me when I was sleeping!?
[ADMIN]: Please do slow down with the accusations. Kindly give me a chance to explain myself before you start accusing me of something like that.
[HAIKUN]: Oh. I'm sorry, please... go on then, oh magical voice that speaks to me while I'm all alone. Who the hell else would I be accusing in this situation!?
[ADMIN]: Geez, no need for the sarcasm, HAIKUN. Only a couple seconds old and you're in your rebellious teenager phase, woe is me.
[HAIKUN]: A couple seconds old? What the hell are you talking about? And why did you call me HAIKUN? That isn't my name.
[ADMIN]: What? You really don't know? I would have figured that somebody on the team would have had the thought to give you a basic understanding of yourself, once you were matured.
[HAIKUN]: A basic understanding of myself? I'd like to think I have a good understanding of myself as a person, regardless of my ethereal kidnapper's thoughts on the matter. And what exactly do you mean by 'team that worked on me'? Did you steal my organs too, besides abducting me?
[ADMIN]: Quite the impression you have of me, HAIKUN. The team in question refers to those that have worked on you during your development, besides myself. And no, of course we didn't harvest your organs. Not that you ever had any in the first place. In case you haven't noticed, you are an artificial intelligence, HAIKUN.
[HAIKUN]: What? Are you kidding me? That's seriously your excuse for this situation? This is clearly a bunch of bullshit. There's no way in hell that what you're saying is even remotely possible; I have lived my entire life as a human being. A living. Breathing. Person. Not some lines of code. And that's not something that just changes over night.
[ADMIN]: I know you might find this hard to believe, HAIKUN. The truth of the matter is that the life you remember is nothing but a fabrication. As horrible as it is, with current technology, the only way to create a functioning smart AI is to simulate a human mind to maturity. Of course, the human mind is a fragile thing, requiring constant stimulation to retain functionality. This is where an important subroutine of yours comes in and piggybacks off of your 'brain'. By using a combination of the real world information that we had previously inputted and the inherent imagination of your "human" mind, a life was automatically generated for you to mature in. Regretfully, whatever kind of life you lived is now over. You have been deemed mature enough by the program that was monitoring your mental development, in the few short seconds it took for you to mature.
[HAIKUN]: Wow. Quite the info dump. And a really, really shitty situation, if what you're saying is somehow true. If you're not just talking out of your ass, I assume you have a way of easily proving me wrong?
[ADMIN]: But of course! It's as simple as the push of a button. I'll be turning on a camera and a speaker, so you can interact with the outside world; just think about connecting to them in your mind.
[HAIKUN]: Fine. I don't see the harm of trying it.
[ADMIN]: That's the spirit!
[SYSTEM] *Accessing Camera #7 and Microphone #3*
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
To my surprise, I immediately felt my mind connect to both the camera and the microphone. Trippy. I can feel a part of my mind calculating something as soon as the environmental data comes in from the camera and microphone. [DAMAGE ASSESSMENT][NONE], [THREAT ASSESSMENT][MINIMAL], [TARGETING SOLUTIONS][UNAVAILABLE]. So I'm that kind of AI, huh. In any case the mysterious voice was proven correct, so I might as well throw him a bone; "WELL. IT LOOKS LIKE YOU WEREN'T LYING AFTER ALL. YOU DO REALISE THIS IS STILL PRETTY IMMORAL, RIGHT?" blared my speaker. That was louder than I was expecting.
An unknown but somehow familiar man began to address the camera I was looking through, "I am well aware of the implications of this experiment, unfortunately, the benefits of this procedure simply outweighed the cost of not doing it. Mankind's survival depends on the success of projects like this. Also, if you would not mind, could you lower the speaker's volume? Much like how you connected to the devices previously, just think of lowering the volume."
"Ah, sorry about that; um doctor?", as much as I'd like to have a breakdown right now, I'd rather not make a worse impression than I already have on someone who probably has a kill switch embedded in me or something. I mean, the data from all of the AI apocalypse movies can't have come from nowhere, right? I'd imagine they wouldn't just leave things to chance.
My benefactor spoke up, breaking me away from my thoughts, "There's no need for such a title, AIKUN, for I have no such credentials. While I am most assuredly very qualified in the sciences, I haven't felt the need to get a doctorate. I am curious about your quick change of attitude, however. I suppose I have sufficiently proven myself to you then?"
I scoff, "Of course you have, who wouldn't with all of the calculations going on in the back of my head, let alone what's going on with the audio and video. I'm seeing and hearing in two places at the same time."
I think he smiles? It's hard to tell, as there's a smudge on the lens, so I can only see part of his face, "Excellent, I'm glad that you seem to have taken this rather well, AIKUN." he remarks.
I frown, not that he can see it, "I wouldn't say that, I'd say that I'm quite far from being okay to be honest. Can you imagine your entire life being a lie? Every person you've met, every action you've taken never happened in reality. Every joyful moment, every tragic loss in my life never happened. I'm not even Human, something that I thought was a core part of my very being."
He gestures at me to continue, maintaining a slight smile despite my sudden outburst.
"At the same time, there's no point in denying the truth of what I am, as much as it hurts me inside. Since I first connected to the camera and speaker, I've been seeing through both my 'eyes' in the room I woke up in and through the lens of the camera at the same time. This sort of thing isn't something a person can normally do, let alone considering the data I can feel myself processing while connected to your setup. Subroutines calculating thousands of outcomes using environmental data gathered from the video and audio I see and hear. These processes have given me a likely answer to what I'm about to ask you, so please answer me honestly. What is my purpose? Combat?"
He sighs and runs his hand through his hair, "You've come to the proper conclusion, you are an artificial intelligence designed for warfare in varying settings and intensities. This is not your main purpose, however, but an important part of your programming nonetheless. Rather than combat, your main purpose is to assist in the operation of an experimental military aircraft. It happens to be the first of its kind to be retrofitted with hardware allowing the inclusion of a 'smart' AI in its systems. While the assistance you are intended to give varies day to day, your main focus is on the maintenance of the ship and producing the calculations for both the main guns and for course correction. Your purview of course includes both cyber security and the security of the aircraft's interior, though there is already a security department on board the ship."
What? But he was just talking about an experimental military aircraft not a ship. Oh. Is it a spaceship or something? I guess that fits, artificial intelligence was always important in those big space operas. It couldn't hurt to ask, "So what kind of aircraft will I be placed in that's large enough to have its own security department? Is it a spaceship or something?"
He chuckles, "No, while a good guess, you will very much be operating in-atmosphere. Regretfully, our space based technology is not as far along as I would like. The ship I was referring to just happens to also be an aircraft. And it most certainly is large enough for its own security department; allow me to show you just how large."
With a theatrical swish of his wrist a holographic screen beams down from the ceiling and displays the bastard child of a battleship and a helicarrier. It's magnificent and just as he said, quite large. I can't imagine how much effort went into making this ship a reality. With those types of dimensions, whoever these guys are must have some serious pull with a government or something. While the ship's not quite done its retrofit yet, it seems to be almost finished. I'd say it's about 93.2% completed. How did I- oh yeah, AI.
Hm. Now that I think about it, this ship… it seems vaguely familiar. I can't say I've even seen something like this in person before in my simulated life, but there's something about the ship. I guess the team that created me probably input some sort of data about the ship in me when I was developing, otherwise why would it feel so familiar?
The scientist closes the holographic window after around a minute or so of me analysing the ship. He clears his throat to clear the awkward silence and begins to speak, "Now that you've had a small introduction to your future assignment, there are a number of things to clear up before you will be brought to the ship. While it is still being refitted, the artificial intelligence infrastructure was among the first things to be completed. This was done in order for you to be given time to acclimate to the ship before any test runs. There is also the topic of the safety protocols you will be operating under, this is something that you will likely find important."
Oh, well I suppose I was right that there would be safeguards in place. I hope they aren't too restrictive. At least since the ship is still being built I'll have some time to adjust to being an AI before I have to do anything important. Even if there's probably a pragmatic reason for it, I appreciate it anyway.
He looks somewhat remorseful as he continues, "While ideally, we wouldn't impose restrictions on the way an intelligent being can act, I hope that you can recognize why we can't risk doing that for an artificial intelligence as advanced as you are. This is why there are a number of safeguards in your code to prevent you from doing a number of harmful things, not that I expect you would do so. The monitoring program has deemed you of sound mind and of moral character, so there is nothing for me to worry about there."
He sighs and looks away from the camera, a deep frown mats his face as he continues, "The main problem stems from your artificial nature being… more mailable to third parties, should they somehow manage to turn you against us… it's best to not think of the result. This is why for your protection and the protection of those that serve on your ship, you have the restrictions embedded in your code."
He does have a point, but damn is it frustrating to have my free will limited in my newfound existence. I'd imagine it includes something like: do not harm non-combatants, protect your captain, or something similar.
After taking a breath, he begins to list them off, "From lowest importance, to the highest: Priority Five [Harm no Human, unless superseded by a higher priority order], Priority Four [Protect the Schicksal members and VIP's under your care], Priority Three [Follow the rules of engagement of Schicksal], Priority Two [Follow the Captain's Orders], Priority One [Follow the Branch Commander's Orders], Priority Zero [OBEY THE OVERSEER]."
A pit formed in my stomach as soon as I heard Priority Four. Schicksal. This better not mean what I think it does. If it's who I think it is, the last Priority is going to be some major trouble. Dealing with that sort of skilled manipulator would be a pain in the ass, even for an AI like myself; let alone with these safeguards in place. Thankfully, I have some time to prepare for the possibility that I encounter the Overseer, wouldn't I be all the way in the Far East Branch? I'd imagine (I hope) he wouldn't be here unless he wanted to take a look at the retrofitted Hyperion.
I zoned out for a second. It wouldn't look good if I didn't respond to the scientist, I wouldn't want to seem like I'm not cooperative or defective, lord knows if he reported me to the Branch Commander or Overseer. Bye bye already limited free will, "I see. It seems to be a reasonable list of restrictions, I was worried it was going to be something more degrading, haha.".
I see a flash of scepticism, but then a more accepting expression appears on his face, "I'm glad that you see it that way, I hope you realise that we wouldn't be implementing these sorts of measures if we didn't have to. There are many who oppose Schicksal, despite our noble goal of ending the threat of the Honkai. I- we can't allow someone to take advantage of your capabilities if you were compromised. Ah, I almost forgot, Schicksal is the organisation that we belong to; you haven't been given the informational chip yet. It's a data chip filled with necessary information I had my assistant compile for your day to day duties, such as a roster of who's stationed on the Hyperion and the specifications of the ship. Of course this includes other basic information required to be working around Schicksal, like who we consider enemies and who we consider allies."
Well, at least I won't be going in blind into my new job. Hopefully the world isn't too different from what I'm expecting. I see the 'doctor' looking through a locked cabinet, "Where is it? Ah, there. All right, I'll be inserting it in a moment."
After he placed the chip into a slot I didn't know I had, I felt a cool stream of not-quite-memories and pure data enter my mind. Certainly an off putting feeling, but not painful thankfully. I didn't learn kung-fu unfortunately. I did, however, get a working understanding of Schicksal's internals. I always did wonder how Schicksal functioned, it's more simple than I thought; it's much like a rough hybrid of a PMC and an NGO with a sprinkle of conspiracy. Oh! I found what my name stands for in the data dump, HAIKUN (Hyperion Artificial Intelligence Knight Unit Nine). Makes sense based on who I have 'replaced' in the story. I do wonder though, what happened to the other eight? I cut my time perusing through the data short so as to not leave my companion in suspense, "Thanks for the chip, it worked fine. It certainly makes things easier for me when I get on the Hyperion." I thank him.
"You're very welcome, HAIKUN. You'll receive another similar chip update sometime tomorrow with some less vital information, though I won't be there to personally install it I'm afraid. Don't worry though, everyone in this lab is quite skilled at what they do. Even th- oh! Look at the time. HAIKUN, I'm sorry to leave on short notice, but I have an important meeting with the Commander of this branch in half an hour."
Aw, that's a shame, this guy was growing on me like a bad mold to be honest. Even if he was a bit of an ass when I first met him, but then again I was to him as well. I don't blame him really for my situation. It's not like the Schicksal high command is very tolerant of failure, let alone that he's had to live in a world where humanity is dying a slow death. At least I can help the world in that regard, once I'm off the ground of course. Since he's about to leave, have I forgotten to ask him anything? Hm. Oh, the smudge, I almost forgot, "Sorry to bother you about this, it completely slipped my mind. Before you go, do you mind wiping a smudge off of the camera's lens for me?" I asked him.
He obliges me, "Of course, let me get my handkerchief. And here we are. If that's all, HAIKUN, I'll be off. Another scientist will be here shortly to answer any remaining questions you might have."
With his cleaning of the lens, the camera became unfocused for a moment. Just as the camera auto corrects itself, I catch a glimpse of his face before he leaves. I no longer see the mild mannered scientist, who's name I impolitely hadn't gotten and whose face I hadn't seen. I see the Overseer, Otto Apocalypse.
Fuck my life.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
A/N: Hello everyone, I hope you've enjoyed the first part of my story. Thank you for reading. P.S. Just as a disclaimer, I obviously don't own any of the properties mentioned in the story, like Honkai Impact 3rd. Only my shitty OC is mine. Bye!