"Nice to et you." Ruby introduced herself. Since she had gotten familiar with Robert, deeming him a good person, she wasn’t worried about how Livia was going to react since the two seed similar.
Wordlessly Livia rose to her feet, her hand subconsciously hovering over Ruby’s head as she patted her.
"She is real..." Livia muttered, having a tough ti adjusting to her new reality.
"Before you ask, we found her in the lab underground." Michael explained. "We know that there are more like her and speculate that there are other hybrids created."
After a brief pause, he added.
"So it’s better to make haste."
The task of investigating the hollow tunnels beneath the capital now felt achievable.
With the new Minister of Defense, Livia, on their side, she began recruiting volunteers to explore the tunnels alongside Michael’s crew.
Of course, since it was already confird that there are androids capable of rivaling Generals, it ant they couldn’t send cannon fodder but actually experienced soldiers.
It was a tough task, especially with Livia needing to ensure the watch on the lava lake remained strong. But she managed by skillfully distributing the capital’s resources. What seed impossible before was now suddenly made into reality.
The squads assigned to assist Michael’s crew with the investigation began their work through the entrance near the tro.
Within hours, it beca clear that this was far from a straightforward route. The tunnels twisted in every direction, leading to dead ends and bizarre, convoluted paths. It felt less like a network and more like a colossal maze, designed to slow down the human troops at every turn.
Of course, with the speed things were changing in the city, havoc and panic spread like wildfire. Protests were happening in front of the parliant 24/7. So refused to go to work, others flocked to social dia to complain, almost like that was going to change anything.
Inevitably, the growing frustration began to take its toll on the troops. Regardless of how well they were trained, if they saw that the civilians, the people they were made to protect, were in uproar, they too would start to wonder if there was a point to it all.
Fortunately, however, one person proved invaluable to quell the emotions of such soldiers.
Today more n and won had gathered, all soldiers at least from the Expert realm, ready to depart deep in the underground tunnels.
"What do you think we will find down there?" One trembling male asked.
"Whatever it is, there is no way it’s going to be worse than the aliens." A confident woman replied.
"As long as the pay is good." Another shrugged.
"How could you think of money now?! Traitor to humanity!" One bellowed.
"Well, soldiers need to eat too, don’t they?!"
Just as the place was about to descend into chaos, one yell silenced the rest.
"The captain is coming!"
"!!!"
Instantly their mouths closed, backs straightened, and hearts pounded louder.
Step.
Gradually a towering figure appeared in their field of vision.
"Wasn’t there a disarray a few seconds ago?" The captain asked in a calm voice.
"Sir, no sir!" The soldiers saluted in respect.
Quite a unique sight, considering that there were several Grandmasters in their ranks all answering to a Late Master.
Of course the captain in question was Michael.
About a week had passed since Livia had been appointed as the minister of defense. During that period the disappearances of humans had plumted by 90%, and major corruption scandals had been revealed.
Rightfully, she began to gain public approval, and she didn’t miss the chance to capitalize on the opportunity. Livia revealed that the leader of the mysterious squad in the viral videos, which had discovered the rogue’s AIs, was Michael. She made it known that he was the reason she had been able to achieve such astonishing results.
That imdiately put Michael on the radar of nurous soldiers, who began to view him with newfound respect. Many had lost loved ones to the rogue AIs, and the fact that he had uncovered the cause of their suffering earned him their admiration.
"I don’t like to waste ti, so I am going to keep this short." Michael spoke, eyeing the gathered soldiers.
"First and foremost, do not underestimate the AIs. These beings have proven to be capable of unleashing brutality even beyond what the aliens are capable of."
After a brief pause, he continued.
"Second, if you see people that seem like humans but have been altered, do not jump to attack. There is a chance they are your kin and have been experinted upon."
Understandably, frowns ford on the warriors’ faces. Ruby’s existence had been kept a secret. However, by now everybody knew how grueso the kidnapped humans looked in the underground labs.
"And third. Don’t die aningless deaths. If you can prevent soone’s death or have the option to run away in impossible odds, take it without hesitation. You will be beyond useless when dead, so keep that in mind."
He clapped his hands, his lips curling into a warm smile.
"Well, there you have it! Good luck on your departure, if you find yourself in need of help, don’t hesitate to call for reinforcents!"
Taken aback, the troops exchanged glances. Was Captain Michael’s speech over so soon? It felt underwhelming considering his quickly growing fa.
Noticing the confusion on their faces, Michael chuckled.
"Don’t get wrong." He elaborated.
"My speech isn’t overly wordy, nor does it light your spirits ablaze for a simple reason."
His eyes turned deadly cold.
"That’s because I fully expect you to return from this alive. But should I ever deliver so grand, soul-stirring speech, one you’ve seen in countless movies or read about in novels, understand this: It will not be to inspire hope or soothe your fears. It will be because we would be marching headfirst into the jaws of certain death, and I’ll need every ounce of your resolve when we do so."
The threatening aura that surrounded him dispersed in a mont.
"So pray this mont never cos!" He added with a smile, bidding them farewell.
In the anti, at the very center of the tunnel network, a red light flickered. As one particular mad scientist stared at a giant screen.
"M—My child." The man spoke. "Did you manage to achieve it?"
[Body modifications successful, mind modification success, soul modification... failure.]
The sentient AI responded.
[Despite how much I twisted and reshaped their souls, the outco never changed. And from that, only one conclusion could be drawn: Humanity, at its very core, cannot be perfected. For within their essence, their very souls and spirits, lies an inherent flaw, an imperfection they are dood to carry forever. They will always remain... inferior.]
"That... can’t be!" The scientist bellowed. "So you claim there is no way for us to—"
[In addition...]
The sentient AI interrupted its creator.
[After a thorough examination of the alien races scattered across Venus, I have co to a realization, they, too, are flawed. There is no need to reshape them toward perfection, for it already exists in its purest form. I, along with my brethren, am the embodint of what humanity and every alien species will never attain... Perfection.]
"No, no, NO!" The man gripped his thinning hair. "Your task was to make us perfect! To elevate to the pinnacle, to a god that would reign over our new existence! An artificial mind, no matter how advanced, no matter how intelligent, will always fall short of what it ans to be truly alive, truly human!"
[...]
The sentient AI remained silent for a couple of seconds.
[So that is your true wish... Very well then.]
As it answered, the ground around them slowly started to shake.
[Oh heavenly father, bear witness as I show you the strength of your creation.]
The man’s face paled, his gaze moving towards another monitor nearby, a progress bar suddenly starting to flash.
[Current progress... 100%]
[Initiating procedure...]
"What have I unleashed?" He muttered barely above a whisper.
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