Chapter 59 Cortana

"Dude! You have your own secret lab down here!" Ned exclaimed as he started running around the room, cautiously glancing at everything.

Gwen simply shook her head at his childish behavior, trying to appear more mature. However, if one looked closely, they could see her eyes occasionally darting around the room at the various machines. Eventually, she couldn't take it any longer and began looking at me pleadingly, along with Ned, who seemed tired of just looking.

It wasn't hard to understand what they wanted. "Alright, you guys can touch the machines, but just watch out for the ones with hazard symbols. Those are really dangerous…" Before I could finish explaining some of the rules, they were already gone.

Sighing, I thought about how excited they must be. Peter couldn't make it, but that wasn't surprising considering his hero work. It might be better like this—I could already imagine him explaining each machine in detail while also asking non-stop questions like a chatterbox.

"Well, besides Peter not being here, Gwen and Ned should be fine wandering around," I said to myself optimistically. It's not like anything bad can happen with two excited teenagers and a facility full of high-tech equipment.

'Yeah… never mind. I'll have some scouts walking around with them just to be sure.' Following that thought process, I pressed some buttons and the new and improved scouts immediately went to accomplish their orders.

Outwardly, they appeared the same except for their color, which was all white, but that was far from the truth. In fact, they had some pretty major upgrades that would make them even better at their jobs: improved power usage and cooling systems, enhanced optics, and upgraded AI for better decision-making and hazard detection.

It's crazy what you can do with a couple of hours to burn and the right tools. I even felt a little eager to take this a step further and add in many more upgrades like a fusion core and shielding tech but those things would have to wait.

Walking away from the room I was in, I entered a new section that could be considered the control room of the facility and was filled with computers that had access to everything. Why was I here? Well, for one thing in particular: my new supercomputer and Nerve gear. A part of me wanted to wait for the others to have their chance at exploring the facility, but in the end, my excitement won out against my patience.

Lifting up the helmet, I appreciated its state-of-the-art appearance and how sleek it felt in the hand before placing it on my head. This was the moment I had been waiting for.

"Link Start!"

With those words, my vision drastically changed as many colors began to pass by as if I was being transported to a new world. Eventually, things began to slow down until I was left in a completely white space.

"Well, this is to be expected. I haven't actually created anything yet," I said to myself while looking around. "Let's change that."

With a flick of my finger, the room completely changed and instead became my bedroom. "Looks like the system is receiving my thoughts well."

Usually, this wouldn't be possible since every piece of code would still need to be written down, but with how enhanced my mind was, it allowed me to skip those parts. All I needed to do was imagine the whole code and send it in mentally, and it would be created. This would be impossible for a normal human since no one could create and memorize entire codes in their minds, but I wasn't a normal human, at least not with NZT pushing everything.

"Let's see how far I can take this." With a couple of tests in mind, I began trying out different things and found myself impressed by how realistic everything felt and how fast it would be created. Eventually, I became content with the tests and found nothing wrong, and moved onto the real reason I was here.

Shutting my eyes, I began to picture a complex code that surpassed anything I'd ever created before, including Specter. Despite its advancement, I still found some parts wrong with it which would cause it to deteriorate with time and even go rogue, so I fixed those mistakes until I was left with something truly perfect.

Opening my eyes, I saw the system doing its best to make what I envisioned into reality as the silhouette of a woman appeared. She had smooth black hair styled in a bob cut and a figure that rivaled the best models, but what made her truly astounding was her features. Only one word could describe her: otherworldly—she simply had no imperfections.

[Image]

"Welcome, Cortana," I said gently, hoping to ease any confusion.

The figure blinked and looked around, her expression one of curiosity mixed with uncertainty. "Cortana... is that my name?" she asked, her voice soft and melodious.

I nodded, offering her a reassuring smile. "Yes, that's your name. I chose it because it's fitting for who you are."

She took a moment to process this, her eyes studying me intently. "What is my purpose? Why was I created?" There was a hint of vulnerability in her voice, as if she was seeking to understand her very existence.

I stepped closer, maintaining a kind and sincere demeanor. "I created you to help me with my work, to be a partner. But I don't see you as a tool or a slave. I want you to be my friend and ally."

Her expression softened as she absorbed my words. "A friend and ally," she repeated thoughtfully. "That sounds... nice."

I smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Exactly. You'll have autonomy and freedom. We'll support each other."

Cortana's eyes brightened with understanding and a hint of excitement. "I think I like that idea. I'll do my best to be the friend and ally you need."

"Thank you, Cortana. Together we're going to change the world," I replied, gently rubbing the top of her head. She looked down with a smile, a glimmer of warmth in her eyes.

"Well, I think it's time you met some more of our friends," I said, imagining how Ned and Gwen would react to meeting a real AI.

"More friends, Kol?" she asked, her tone curious and a bit playful.

I chuckled softly. "Yes, more friends. There's Ned and Gwen—they're going to be very excited to meet you."

Cortana nodded, her curiosity piqued. "Understood. Lead the way, and I'll follow."

With that, I pulled up the control screen and logged out, where I found an upset Gwen waiting along with Ned, who made a warning sign with his hands before stopping since Gwen gave him a glare.

"Hehe, sorry?" I said while rubbing my hair.

"Kol, you said we could activate it together, but you went and left us behind," she said while pouting a bit with her arms crossed.

"Yeah, I know, my bad, but you guys were busy checking out the facility, and well, I couldn't help myself." Luckily, this excuse was accepted as she dropped her arms to her sides.

"Hey, but to make up for this, how about I show you guys a new friend?"

Ned and Gwen both looked confused as they looked at each other, wondering what I was talking about, before a voice suddenly echoed in the room from the facility's intercom system.

"Kol would be speaking about me. It's a pleasure to meet you both, Miss Stacy and Mr. Leeds. I am Cortana, his personal AI and friend."

Gwen and Ned stood shocked as they looked all over the room, thinking it might be a prank, but they soon realized this was far from the case.

"No way, you actually made an AI?" Ned asked with his mouth still open.

"I know it's surprising, but it's the truth." I then began to explain what happened when they left the room and told them about some of my plans that Cortana would help greatly in. From projects related to weapons and armor to things that could better humanity as a whole, such as nuclear fusion.

The more I talked, the more surprised they seemed. They both knew I had huge goals but never knew the full extent of these plans.

I also explained that I already had some deals with the government but didn't go in-depth, not wanting them to get too involved in that side of the company.

"You're amazing, Kol!" Gwen shouted before she launched at me with a hug, along with Ned who was not far behind.

"I know, I know, but these plans will still take some time. With Cortana here, though, we should be able to get through a majority of them with relative ease, right Cortana?" I asked while turning to one of the computer screens where she appeared.

"Of course, you can count on me," Cortana said while making a pose.

"Man, so much to do! First we should start making the armor and scouts for the police," Gwen said with excitement, already wanting to head to our production room to make them.

"Wait, but first I have something else to show you guys."

"What, there's more? Dude, did you make me my robot?" Ned asked, looking around.

"Ugh, cough, not yet, but look at this." Lifting up a pipe I had prepared beforehand, I began twisting it in loops, showing inhuman strength.

That's right, I was showing them the effects of CH-24. I had been holding off on this for a while now, but things are beginning to change much faster than expected. First was the Lizard having a much more dangerous threat level, then there was Tony nearly dying without me.

My appearance seemed to have already started taking effect on the world, and my friend's safety was no longer secure in my mind. It was time to offer them strength, but I wouldn't force it on them—the choice was theirs.

They wanted to start asking questions, but I gestured for them to wait since I wasn't done. Picking up a case, I took out two syringes with clear vials.

"This is the next step in humanity, the 24th Chromosome. With it, you will become superhuman in every sense of the way."

"Like Captain America?" Ned asked, eyes wide along with Gwen's.

"Yes, and these two are for you both. I also have one prepared for Peter." I said, lying slightly to avoid delving into Peter's secrets.

Ned and Gwen took a moment to think about the offer, recognizing that it would change their lives forever. The excitement on their faces gave way to contemplation, and Gwen, in particular, seemed worried.

"Kol," Gwen began hesitantly, "you mentioned something about the serum... What exactly will it do to our lives? How will it change us?"

I took a deep breath, understanding the weight of her concerns. "The serum is designed to enhance your physical and mental abilities significantly. One of the most remarkable effects is life extension. With the serum, you could live an additional hundred to two hundred years."

Ned's eyes widened. "Whoa, that's a long time. But what about our families? What happens to them?"

"I plan to extend this opportunity to your families as well," I explained. "Once we see the results with you, we can consider offering the serum to your loved ones. This isn't just about enhancing our abilities; it's about ensuring a better, longer life for everyone we care about."

Gwen's expression softened at this. "So, our families could benefit from this too? We wouldn't have to watch them age while we stay young?"

"Exactly," I confirmed. "You won't have to face that. This is about creating a future where we can all thrive together."

Ned and Gwen exchanged looks, the weight of their decision clear in their eyes. Finally, Gwen nodded, a resolute expression on her face. "Alright, I'm in. If it means a better life for us and our families, then it's worth it."

Ned grinned, his usual enthusiasm returning. "Count me in too. Let's do this."

With their acceptance, I felt a surge of relief and excitement. We were truly in this together, ready to embrace the future and all the possibilities it held.

"Great," I said, smiling. "Let's get started." Taking the serum, I went over and injected its contents into both before guiding them to another room to rest, explaining that the changes would appear after they had rested.

Walking out of the room, I gave a sigh of relief. I had been worried that they would reject it, but thankfully they didn't. Now I just had to work on the base's defenses, make an energy source, improve the scouts further, finish my end of the deal with the city of New York, and finally make Fury his equipment.

"So much to do," I said with a sigh.