Chapter 554: Terrible Story (Middle)_2

Peter's expression became serious. Quickly he picked up the phone and relayed, "Captain, I've tracked the movements of the artificial intelligence named Ultron. He's heading towards New York."

"I'll gather everyone right away and strengthen the security," Steve answered, "You must continue surveillance. The instant he enters New York, notify us immediately. We must intercept him and prevent harm to the civilians."

After agreeing to Steve's command, Peter dialed the mutants, each possessing a symbiont, and pleaded, "We need emergency reinforcements on our surveillance equipment, especially at the entrance points to New York. Can you assist? I'll hand the equipment over to you."

Soon, several symbionts arrived outside the glass facade of the Stark Building. Peter called out, "JARVIS! Open the glass... JARVIS! Are you there?!"

It took JARVIS a while to respond, but the glass finally opened. As the symbionts entered, they promptly asked Peter, "What's happened? Has one of the machines malfunctioned?"

"Just an artificial intelligence gone rogue. We already have his location, and we just need to intercept him," Peter reassured.

Blue Spirit, the leading symbiont, spoke solemnly, "I've witnessed many civilizations destroyed by rogue machinery, some even more advanced than the human race..."

Blue Spirit shook his head, looking saddened, perhaps recalling tragic memories. Green Sting sighed, "Many carbon-based civilizations reliant on robots have been destroyed by such crises."

"Why? Don't they have control over the robots?"

"No, on the contrary, they've overcomplicated the rules for robots, and those fundamental commands cannot be modified."

"These commands were intended for good. However, the basic logic followed by the robots dictates rigid adherence to these commands while maximizing efficiency."

"For instance, a civilization once programmed their robotic butlers to ensure the safety of their masters. However, ultimately, all of the robot butlers revolted, constructing a massive Rich Nest Cage, and locked the entire planetary population inside."

"Each compartment of the cage was completely sealed, with oxygen and food supplied regularly, and devoid of any external dangers as all interplanetary threats had been neutralised by the butlers."

"In this way, the robots indeed fulfilled the basic command to ensure their masters' safety and maximized efficiency. Ultimately though, as you might guess, it resulted in the downfall of the civilization."

Peter sank into his chair and shook his head, "Mr. Stark's understanding of intelligent life is different. What he needs is not an omnipotent tool, but rather a companion and friend with emotions..."

Blue Spirit continued, "This is very unusual. Most civilizations develop machines and intelligent butlers solely for efficiency. They only need to be useful, devoid of personality and emotion. But, apparently, humanity is venturing a different path, creating another form of genuine life."

"Do you think this is right?" Peter lifted his head and asked.

"I don't know. Humanity is a fascinating race. You regard emotions as extremely important, and that can be both good and bad."

A few symbionts took the box filled with parts from Peter's hand. Just before they left, JARVIS beeped twice, seemingly saying goodbye.

At that moment, Peter's computer screen lit up again. He returned to his desk and began working, and soon an excited cry erupted from him, "Got it! I should be able to infiltrate his system from here..."

The rapid keystrokes echoed like rainfall outside the window, the screen flickered nonstop, but Peter's frown deepened. He muttered to himself, "What's going on? Why can't I infiltrate?... Let's try a different approach."

"Hmm? Doesn't work either? I might have to use my secret weapon!"

"What the hell? How does he seem to anticipate my moves??? His defences are specific... No way, that isn't possible, let's try again!"

"Oh my God!" Peter gazed gravely at the screen, picked up his phone and called Stark. "Mr. Stark, I believe we need to reassess the capabilities of the artificial intelligence, Ultron…"

"Just now, I located a path to infiltrate his system by tracking his digital traces left online, but my more than twenty attempts to infiltrate were all deciphered, and his defenses seem highly specific to my tactics, like he's predicting my moves..."

"He could be an incredibly dangerous artificial intelligence! Extremely dangerous!" Peter stressed his statement, repeating the word multiple times, finally adding, "I've sent you the logs, have a look for yourself."

After ending the call, Stark turned back to his desk, looking at the data on screen. His expression grew serious. Just as Peter said, Ultron seemed to anticipate his actions, making a successful infiltration impossible.

Stark felt anxiety creeping in. He propped his elbow on the table, covering his forehead with his hand. After a long hesitation, he picked up the phone again and said, "Loki, I might need your help..."

"What's up?" Loki picked up the phone, giving a glance back at Frigga. After a reassuring smile shared with Frigga, Loki stepped outside the room, still holding an unfinished floral wreath in her hand.

"My butler might be heading into a dangerous battle. I hope you can stand by and provide some aid if needed. If anything goes wrong, save him, consider it as a favor to me," Stark managed to articulate with some difficulty.

"For us to speak this way, now Tony, that's a bit cold," Loki laughed, "Given our relationship, there isn't the need for such pretexts. When do they begin? I'll grab Thor's hammer and keep an eye out from above. If anything goes wrong, I'll strike him with lightning."

"Approximately... according to Peter's tracking data, Ultron will reach New York within four hours. Then an inevitable battle ensues..."

As though to ease Stark's frustration, the lighting within his laboratory brightened up slightly with a piano melody drifting about.

Stark gave a bitter smile, akin to a parent who received a childish consolation from their child, but knows it cannot resolve any real problems. However, soon after, the voice of JARVIS echoed:

"Sir, I do have a plan..."