Many people would find it hard to believe that Hirooki developed Mecha AI entirely on his own, without assistance from other AI systems, however, that's exactly the history behind it. While he did have a team of application testers every line of code was created solely from his mind. He wrote thousands of lines of code himself, meticulously crafting details down each parenthesis.

He would have liked to work in a sector of programming where his code was open source, but this was classified code. Even from its conception, the project had always been shrouded in mystery. There had been controversy before Hirooki was even in the company. The debate was if the machine required to have a human pilot inside. That was a discussion between Hirooki's father and Kei. Kei was the other co-founder of MechaGodzilla's development, but you won't find Kei's name anywhere in the hallways or the organization's paperwork.

When Hirooki took over as lead programmer after his father's sudden heart attack and death, Hirooki fought to give control to the AI over a pilot. He respected the capability of the human mind, but if something could do it in milliseconds and with less margin of error why not take advantage? What if in a split-second decision human error caused a missile to misfire, miss the target, and destroy a building? AI took all this information in, designed an outcome, and created an action based on data gathered. He was saving the pilot from personal anguish.

At the moment, Kotoe was presenting in a press conference which meant Hirooki was tasked with supervising the intern. Hirooki enjoyed having an intern with him. The last couple of days he had taught Mai the framework of the software that had commanded MechaGodzilla: Mecha AI. Today, he would take her to where the machine was held and explain to her the physical design of the machine.

The other intern had already quit. Akio's reason for quitting seemed bizarre to Hirooki, but Akio bluntly explained that he had found a better internship overseas. Something with data analysis for ecological purposes. Hirooki was all for the job itself, but still, it was strange to decide this job wasn't for you in such an irrational way. Disappearing off the grid after a job wasn't exactly easy, there were many hurdles to overcome.

Hirooki scanned his badge with Mai trailing behind him. The door opened to a massive cylinder room that had grey panels covering the walls. In the center, the gigantic MechaGodzilla towered before them. The robotic feet in front of them had a height of 15 feet and were attached to rolling ankles. The torso consisted of a giant silver breastplate. On its back was a line of spines meant to mimic Godzilla. Its impressive form glistened from spotlights that were built into the wall.

"The idea is to use visual queues to alarm Godzilla. This is meant to have the Mecha assume an alpha role," explained Hirooki. "With help from Mecha AI, this should be able to contain Godzilla."

"Or cause Godzilla to become more aggressive," Mai said as she craned her neck towards the top of the Mecha.

Hirooki tapped the Mecha's pointed toe. "The Mecha AI was designed to work with a human pilot. They work together as one entity in the cockpit when AI can do it from miles away. " He frowned.

"How do you get a pilot in there?"

"There's a lift that opens up and takes the pilot up near the head. The seat is actually behind the breastplates."

"How many pilots are trained?"

"Two."

As they walked around the Mecha, Hirooki explained the variety of offensive weapons that the machine had.

After the brief tour was over, they returned to Hirooki's office. Mai sat in a corner seat and rubbed her temples.

"I know, it's a lot to take in," Hirooki said understanding how bizarre the situation was.

"How long have you been with the project?" Mia asked.

"I've been coming here since I was a boy. My father designed most of what you see. His science was, to say the least, extraordinary."

"His talents were remarkable, I'm surprised he didn't leave."

"He knew his powerful research for weapons would be used correctly here. Which, it's not to say he worked alone. He had a — well he had some help."

Mia waited for Hirooki to continue, but when he didn't she said, "What's with the hesitation? What do you mean 'help'?"

"My father had a business partner, Kei, when they were developing early plans for the Mecha. They combined their intellectual strengths to make great progress… but they disagreed."

"What over?" Mia wondered as she looked over the concept art.

"Mecha AI. How much control should the Mecha have? My father wanted it to have full control, not even a pilot inside. Kei wanted a pilot without any AI."

"And this led to?"

Hirooki tapped his desk. "Kei couldn't settle for even a generous middle ground of what we have molded today. Kei was removed from the company. His name isn't even listed as a co-contributor. It's almost as if he is forgotten."

"That's…sad…" Mia said. "For wanting a different direction?"

"He was wrong to avoid the power of what we have. Mecha AI is a perfect balance between human control and AI control that I designed. I would have liked more towards AI control, but…" Hirooki shrugged his shoulders.

Hirooki then grinned and waved his hand. "And he had no input for software, he was all hardware. He would have been in the way of every decision."

"What happened to Kei?"

"My father tried to keep in contact but relationships were strained. He disappeared from my father's life. I couldn't even tell you if he is still alive."

Mia read from her phone. "Looks like he may have died."

"Oh, well there you go." Hirooki didn't care, he couldn't imagine the hurdles Kei would have placed before him. Hirooki's work that took him five years would have taken ten years.

Hirooki's phone buzzed. "It's almost lunchtime. We still have to double-check the security of the database. Then we have a long list of tasks this afternoon." He scrolled through his phone. "You should be excited Mia, it's time to show the Mecha to the world tomorrow!"

Mia gave a nervous grin.