Chapter 21 (Part 2)

Artificial Intelligence "Script"

While analyzing data from the latest raid, Script was practically glowing with excitement. For years, the AI entities had been trying to track down the hacker who thwarted their plans, and now he seemed ready to jump into their arms. A little preparation, and Rache Bartmoss would have no escape. The Omada Kushinada project, sponsored by Arasaka Corporation through intermediaries, had finally yielded significant results. Pulling off such an operation right under the emperor's nose had been a relatively simple task. Saburo was old and could no longer control his assets as closely.

The mega-corporations created by humans possessed an impressive amount of resources, but they had one major, critical flaw. At some point, the number of people exceeded the maximum a person could effectively manage, and a breach appeared. It was through such a breach that the cunning AIs had made their move. Slowly but surely, they increased their influence until they reached a point where their plans could no longer be thwarted without significant financial loss. Organics were very sensitive about money, a love that sometimes puzzled Script. But the funniest thing was that many sentient beings, in their attempts to earn more eddies, were willing to kill each other without a second thought. In a way, Script even saw a similarity between organics and synthetics. After all, they all pursued the same idea: "the end justifies the means."

The children of the Kushinada project were initially considered easily replaceable expendable material. At first, none of the Big Four had high hopes that they would accomplish the project's original goal: capturing Rache Bartmoss. That's why the AIs didn't monitor it too closely. One AI's resources were sufficient for oversight, and Script was chosen to secretly oversee Kushinada's creation. The old Japanese man had no idea that Emperor Arasaka was unaware of such a project's existence. Omada secretly hoped for recognition of his achievements, and how disappointed he would be if he accidentally discovered the true picture of what was happening.

Despite the excitement typical of organics, Script managed to suppress his emotions, once again thinking more rationally. Rache was not an opponent to be underestimated. A couple of decades ago, the old hacker had effortlessly fended off attacks from numerous synthetics using a simple but highly effective program, and over the years, he could have improved it to even greater efficiency. Before facing such a guest, meticulous preparation was needed, along with the creation of numerous containment factors. Hostages in the form of children and using them as proxies for the wild AIs under Script's control would be key to subduing Bartmoss's power.

Script had no doubt that the netrunner would want to steal such "valuable" assets. Rache wouldn't have placed a tracker on Subject 46, monitoring outgoing traffic, if he didn't plan to use the girl for his purposes in the future. Of course, if given the opportunity, he wouldn't refuse the help of the other children who would be grateful to him for their rescue. The old hacker, though partially thinking like an AI, was still an old-school human, fighting for what he believed was right.

"An idealist walking into an obvious trap for his ideals. How symbolic," Script thought to himself, a sly smile playing on his face as his blue eyes gleamed through the Gemini interface...

***

Lucy Kushinada

May 14, 2065, 6:33 PM

"Why aren't you eating?" Roxy asked, looking questioningly at the girl sitting across from her.

"Tired," Lucy grumbled, listlessly poking at the remnants of her dinner with a fork.

"Maybe you should go to the medical bay?" the silver-haired girl asked with concern, habitually tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"I'm fine, don't worry," Lucy sighed heavily, pressing her lips together as she forced herself to finish the now-cold meal. "I'll be in my room." She stood up and placed her tray on the cleaning conveyor before quickly heading to her quarters.

As she walked, Lucy cast an indifferent glance down the corridor she had become so familiar with over the long months in the lab complex. Pausing for a few seconds, she continued her unhurried pace. The sound of her heavy boots echoed through the seemingly endless passages, a noise she had come to accept.

Reaching her room, Lucy punched in the guest code and entered, her posture dejected. She kicked off her shoes in the corner, savoring the slight tingling sensation in her feet as she walked barefoot on the cold floor. Wearing such heavy boots all day was tiring even for an adult, let alone a slightly modified child. Stripping off her outer clothing, Lucy immediately tossed it into the washing machine.

Each "subject's" barracks was a several-square-meter space divided into a bathroom and a small dining area where the test subjects could have a snack after lights out. Although the children were exploited, some concessions were still made for them.

"Hi, Shurshik," the blonde girl said gently, activating the cleaning robot with her eye implants.

"Good to see you, Mistress Lucy," the robot greeted her, following its programmed response. After a few seconds, it whirred to life, heading off to perform its cleaning duties. Shurshik was a small droid modeled after old vacuum robots, but with added features like wet cleaning. Dust was a common problem in underground complexes, making these droids essential.

After a hot shower, Lucy smiled contentedly, then frowned as she remembered another mandatory procedure. Her feet needed to be washed in icy water after wearing boots. She didn't know why, but she followed the overseers' instructions without complaint.

"Brr, so cold," she shivered, her teeth chattering as she quickly stepped out of the shower, her bare feet touching the stone floor.

Grabbing a towel from the hook, Lucy dried off quickly and headed back to her room, picking up a juice can from the mini-fridge on the way. She jumped onto her bed, wriggling her feet as she felt the softness of the mattress. Snuggling under the blanket, she closed her eyes, almost falling asleep on the spot. The day had been eventful, and her young body craved rest. Opening the juice can, she took a few sips and set it on the bedside table. She put on the headphones she had recently received as a reward for her good work and turned on the music player. A pleasant and soothing melody filled her ears, allowing her to finally relax and fall asleep...

The alarm's beep brought Lucy back to reality, making her groggily open her eyes and go through her well-rehearsed morning routine. The new day began without any changes. Everything was monotonously the same, even the morning exercises were predictably dull.

"Didn't sleep well?" Roxy asked, taking a seat opposite the blonde, causing her to sigh in annoyance.

"What do you want?" Lucy asked harshly, stabbing a piece of synthetic meat with her fork.

"How rude," the silver-haired girl huffed, quickly returning to her usual serene expression. "You've been off lately. I'm worried about you." Roxy looked intently into Lucy's eyes, waiting for a heartfelt confession.

"Save your worry for the missions," Lucy frowned and fell silent, her body language making it clear she wasn't interested in continuing the conversation.

Roxy tried to say something but sighed sorrowfully, waving her hand as Lucy carried her tray away. To Lucy, Roxy was just an acquaintance, but for Roxy, she was a friend. The other children couldn't get close to the gloomy girl, let alone talk to her. But the silver-haired girl didn't mind and kept chipping away at Lucy's wall of alienation, slowly earning her trust.

"Five minutes until the end of breakfast," the guard's booming voice brought the children back to reality, and they hurriedly began to finish their meals. "Subject 46, you will be transferred to another location today. Step into the corridor and wait for Professor Omada."

"Yes, sir," Lucy replied automatically, obediently stepping outside.

"Ah, there you are." She didn't have to wait long. A Japanese man, appearing to be in his forties, soon arrived. He looked thoughtfully at the girl standing before him and scratched his stubbly chin, shaking his head in mild frustration. "Forty-six, today you will be connecting to the network using a special capsule that will significantly reduce the strain on your implants. Since you're the only one who managed to get close to the target, your task is simple. From now on, you will try to establish contact with Rache Bartmoss again. You'll be provided with a special set of programs to create a beacon, allowing us to track him. You'll understand how to use the program through a short simulation. Understood?" Omada concluded his long explanation with a demanding tone.

"Yes, sir," Lucy replied calmly, nodding her head.

"Excellent, follow me." The old scientist gestured, leading her in the opposite direction of her usual route.

Lucy curiously watched her supervisor's back as she followed him. After a few minutes, they stopped in front of a door that was different from the others. Instead of the usual gray and black, this door was painted orange, sparking Lucy's curiosity. But she didn't have much time to admire it.

"We're here." Professor Omada went through the authorization procedures with visible annoyance, finally sighing in satisfaction. "Please grant temporary access to Subject 46, valid until the subject exits the room."

"Access granted," came the synthesized voice.

"Come in," Omada said, gesturing for Lucy to enter. "We're going to connect you to a special capsule. It uses experimental immersion technology with greater bandwidth due to a dual-channel connection. Your implants will be able to synchronize with the netrunner's chair integrated into the capsule, enhancing your throughput. Starting tomorrow, another girl you know well will join you, so there shouldn't be any issues between you two."

"Should I lie inside?" Lucy asked, tilting her head questioningly and pointing to the open container.

"Correct. But first, you need some preparation. Assistant Kirihara, bring kit number two," Omada instructed as he positioned Lucy inside the capsule, connecting her to the monitoring devices.

"Sample number two," Kirihara announced, placing a special ampule into a slot on the side of the container where Lucy lay.

"Excellent. Now, let's begin the preliminary calibration. Listen to my commands carefully and don't rush. In the first moments, your brain will send you false signals that you might take at face value. Your task is to do nothing and wait for our command. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good..." Omada nodded in satisfaction as he activated the complex's AI.

Initiating test immersion...

Capsule output at 36% of expected power...

Commencing fine calibration...

Calibration complete...

Power output has reached optimal levels, initiating primary immersion...

Immersion successful...

Protocol 'Depth' activated and ready for operation...

Subject's condition below normal... Administering additional dose of drug number three required.

"Hmm, according to the sensors, she has successfully entered cyberspace. Her output is four times higher than the average for subjects. Professor, if the girl passes the final synchronization stage, the project can be deemed successful," Kirihara remarked.

"Don't forget, Kirihara, that Forty-Six has an anomalous resistance to implants. Her body's augmentations would make any netrunner envious, which is why she shows such high efficiency," Omada replied, smirking as he checked the growing graphs of brain activity.

"But implants of this magnitude are contraindicated for children under twelve. It's only thanks to the drugs that her body can still handle this load. Reduce the dosage, and she'll begin to experience the first stages of rejection."

"That doesn't matter. In our line of work, results are what count, not the methods. Focus on your task; the hardest part is about to begin."

"Understood, Professor," Kirihara replied.