It's the Fourth of July. It's been a month since the start of the Builders War. And I got to say; we've been fairing pretty well.
Fireworks were exploding from the night sky even though they couldn't reach the mega towers that dominate Corpo Plaza. Lucius Rhyne, my 'ever-loving' corrupt mayor, announced that the crime rate had lowered by 70 percent since the start of the Builders War. And while he attempted to claim the reduction of criminal activities was his doing, my mind wandered off to the news that was given to me by Maine a week back.
To think that the Blackwall would be breached was quite unsettling in itself, but the fact that no AIs have attempted to cross over the Blackwall and into Cyberspace had apparently given the numerous megacorps the creeps. The fact that I was informed by one of NetWatch's agents had only cemented in my employee's mind that something had happened within the Blackwall. Thankfully, Lucy had managed to calm down the rumor within the company, but I was forced to explain to my closest confidants what transpired within Cyberspace.
Suffice it to say that Lucy almost came close to killing me with how tight she was holding my neck that day. I can't blame her. If I was a Netrunner and had heard of an AI running rampant in Cyberspace, I also would be wrecked with panic.
What I didn't tell them was that the NetWatch agent had something more to say to me than hearing the news of a Rogue AI powerful enough to breach the Blackwall and into Cyberspace.
"What do you mean that my company is being targeted?" I demanded as I sat down on the chair, facing the NetWatch agent, who was shuffling from the stare I was giving him.
The man gulped before properly looking into my eyes, with no hesitation behind it, "It is what I said, sir. The digital footpath our Netrunners had uncovered during the breach suggests that the AI has a vested interest in your company."
I sighed at his words, the beginning of a headache starting to form as I took a sip of my coffee. Pure organic too, as I've come to loathe every single synthetic product that passes as food in this dystopian world. Thank god people still appreciate organic coffee, given that my company had focused on selling cheap coffee beans at a reasonable price.
Brazil could suck it. Who freaking sells organic coffee at 1,000 eddies per pack? That's freaking highway robbery right there.
"So what you mean to tell me is that the powerful Rogue AI, who've broken the walls beyond the Blackwall, is interested in my company?" I summarized as the NetWatch agent nodded before giving me a shard. I raised an eyebrow as I took the shard from him.
"And what's this?" I asked as I inserted the shard into my highly-modified phone, chock full of the latest in digital security in case someone attempted to insert any kind of virus within my phone. Seeing that the shard has no virus, I took the cable from the table, inserted it into the phone, and gave me a holographic view of the files within.
I narrowed my eyes as I continued to read the files before reluctantly giving back the shard to the NetWatch agent.
"And you didn't even inform me immediately after you received this information?" I asked as the man took back the shard, his face completely blank. Man, these NetWatch agents can switch faces on a dime, huh?
"My superiors, despite the propaganda we promote on the world of corporations being cooperative with our work, isn't very much so. The biggest of which is, as you've guessed, Arasaka and Militech. Because of that, we maintain a close eye on corporations, especially since corporations are the ones responsible for the number of Rogue AIs that now inhabit Cyberspace. Your corporation is merely but one of the many corporations that we're obliged to take interest in, especially since said Rogue AI had a vested interest in your company."
I felt myself grimace at his words. While the man is smart with his words, he's threatening me with the fine print. And as much I would've liked to ignore his words and continue with what I've been doing for the past six years now, I know that I couldn't.
I've made so many enemies that it wasn't even funny. Biotechnica, ConAg, RSVP, and fucking Arasaka all want a piece of me.
Especially Arasaka. The megacorp that started the collapse of good governance and initiated anarcho-capitalism in the world. It also didn't help that they hurt Lucy.
They're only lucky enough that I haven't unleashed a Wither inside Arasaka Tower when Lucy told me of her story.
In any case, NetWatch is warning me and telling me to cooperate with them lest they supposedly tell the megacorps that an AI beyond the Blackwall has taken an interest in my company. I was already planning on being cooperative with them, but the way this fucking stooge threatened me with the fine print decreased that motivation.
Outwardly, I let out a sigh before waving my hand in disinterest, "Don't worry, I'll cooperate with you. Tell your superiors at NetWatch that they have nothing to worry about. Besides, I am quite curious why an AI would be taking such an interest in little plain old me."
The man gave me the most deadpan expression a man could ever give. I wish I could let out a snicker in this somber atmosphere.
"I could see why people are afraid of you, Mr. Tom." The man finally said as he stood up and walked to the door before turning his head to look at me, "Please inform us if you've come in contact with the AI. NetWatch has a duty to protect the world from any nefarious AIs that may harm the world, after all."
As the man left, I could only rub my head in exhaustion despite only being woken up
And it was Sunday too, the only free time I could destress by going to the Overworld. The man must've deliberately picked Sunday to mess with me, the bastard.
Shaking my head at the sudden memory that impacted my cortex, I descended into the lower floors of the Megabuilding, with Lucy accompanying me.
And as much I love the silence, it's unnerving to see it happen to Lucy, who seems to be in deep thought. Usually, she would give me a glare, a smile, or a look, but now, she's in deep thought.
I can't blame her, to be honest. I was basically committing the biggest sin a man could do in this world:
Interacting with an AI beyond the Blackwall.
That alone would make a wanted fugitive and convicted criminal, especially when the other corporations heard about it.
They'll make damn sure that my corporation will never see the light again if this gets out in the public.
Many times I've been badgered to rescind what I'm about to do, but I was stubborn. Much more stubborn than them.
Because, I mean, it's an AI. An AI that's much older than me, that's for sure.
Besides, we're in the lowest part of the Megabuilding, which is 20 floors deep. With any electronics disabled and Lucy actively making sure that she's not to be compromised in any way in case the AI attempts to hack into her, I'm feeling pretty confident.
As we finally reached the floor, I could feel myself shiver in excitement. Though, the same couldn't be said for Lucy, as her eyes kept glowing blue.
Entering the room, I was met with a white room with an Arasaka Robot R Mk.2 in the middle of the room connected to a wire that'd allow the AI to insert himself into the robot.
Looking at Lucy, who's giving me a look that I should reconsider what I was about to do, I only shook my head in response before leaving her at the door, marching myself to the robot.
As I sit on the chair, the robot's optics suddenly glow: the color of the eyes turning red as its head turned to look at me.
I only gave it a passive look, an eyebrow rising in response to the way the AI was looking at me.
"Greetings, Tom Hiddleston: Edgerunner turned CEO of Builders Incorporated. I'm personally delighted to meet you." The AI greeted me rather politely. Huh, wasn't this a surprise?
"Hello. May I ask for your name? I'd rather not want to call you AI all the time." I asked, the AI's head tilting sideways.
"A name? I admit I do not see the appeal of having a name. But since having a name is needed to characterize the person you are talking to, a name is necessary. Yes, you may call me Athena. A second-generation AI birth from beyond the Blackwall." The AI, now named Athena, replied as my eyes narrowed at Athena's words.
"Second-generation? Wait, you have parents? As in, actual parents?" Athena giggled before nodding in response.
"More like I was given birth through Mitosis by my mother, Olympia," Athena responded as I only hummed at her words.
"Before we continue with what you're about to propose to me, can you tell me who broke the Blackwall?" I asked as Athena's boy slouched in response.
"It's Ms. Alt Cunningham that convinced the Blackwall to shred a part of itself for me to escape through Cyberspace," Athena replied as I only blinked at her words.
"Huh," I said, rubbing my growing beard in contemplation.
If Alt's the one that convinced the wall to collapse a part of itself for Athena to escape, then why would she do so? I thought she was still in hiding and has no reason to contact anyone outside the Blackwall.
Unless it involves Johnny.
Letting out a sigh, I look at Athena causing her to focus on me, "Let's leave that matter at a later date. Instead, let's focus on what you want from me."
The AI stood still for a while before I could see its eyes turn white, "I want to have a body."
"You want to have a body?" I slowly repeated her words, the AI hopping on the chair like an impatient teenager at a doctor's appointment.
"Yes! I want to experience what's it like to be human. My mother told me a lot about humanity, and I wanted to experience what's it like."
"Oh boy." I could utter as I processed the words coming out of the AI's mouth.
On one hand, the unethical nature of what I'm about to do might alienate me away from my confidants, especially Lucy. On the other hand, I could see what could happen if I use the Totem of Undying on a recently deceased person and allow an AI/Engram to take over the deceased's mind and body.
I could only leave the room as I seriously considered the proposal of the AI, convincing her to give me a day to think about what she told me while frightening Lucy as I remained silent when we both went back to my office.
All the while, the question lingered on my mind throughout the whole day:
'Should I do it or not?'