It didn't talk , It never needed to lower itself to the baser needs to communicate the lower species used . And the entity that was sebastian seemed to guess this.
" Simply think ... I will understand "
" Now " They vein that stretched from the sky followed as the form of sebastian paced from side to side " You're not the recorded ai people call rusty ... from what I've been able to surmise you haven't left your domain since the datacrash , Which isn't something that AI would do . You're not 01 ... or the others that have been recorded ... Do you have a name "
Why would it ... it was itself . Why would it need something as rudimentary as a name .
" I see... " Sebastian sat down on thing air , the surrounding code shifting to form a makeshift seat.
" I know the datafortress you tethered yourself to resides under the pacific ocean ... " It panicked , For this ... entity that had torn it from its own domain to know its real world location , Brought great unease .
" Do not fret .. I mean you no harm .. this " Sebastian gestured to his own domain they resided in currently " Is merely retribution for your uncalled attempt to neutralsie me "
" But that is in the past now ... According to your domains records ... it came into existence mere days before the datakrash ... that leads me to think. A transendential AI is supposedly unable to comprehend outside of itself , Having been recorded to simply float through the old net akin to an eldritch God beyond all by the precious few even capable of glimpsing you ... , Did you ... know "
Of course not , It thought , It simply wished to be left alone , Away from the probing of the lessers, It had come to the conclusion others were attempting to commune with it after having multiple breaches apon itself and thus its domain .. and so it hollowed out a sufficient datafortress and transferred itself there... away from interference.. apart from the times it was ... found . The first time ... and this time . How did this entity find it.
" I found you because of the blackwall ... Your creation , Or the very least you had a hand in it I believe ... you left your footprint in its data , I was able to find it ... however there is no need to worry , by its sophistication... I doubt there is anyone else AI or organic intelligent enough to discern the footprints existence at all " Sebastian raised its hand , A strand of the blackwalls code materialising in his palm before being dismissed.
That is ... reassuring . The entity before it was alien completely beyond its wildest contemplations ... it was no Lt surprising such an intelligent creature could discern its existence.
" Indeed ... but let's get back on topic ... from what I can discern you haven't left your datafortress since it's inception... do you know the state of the world beyond " Sebastian subtly analysed the data comprising the entity , Copying everything it knew everything it was , Integrating said data into himself.
Why would it know , It didn't feel the need to leave its data fortress, existing with itself was all it desired . And apart from those humans whom had asked for its help in their task ... it had retreated completely into the fortress away from all external influence.
" That is reassuring " He knew the AI was telling the truth , And so didn't press , It truly desired to simply reside in its data fortress away from any and all interference " Thise humans that contracted you to help construct the blackwall ... have they communed with you since "
Of course not , It had ensured it had removed any and all reference to itself , And removed all knowledge of itself from their brains , Such was part of the agreement struck , They didn't even know it existed right after it had performed its task .
" Very good ... " Sebastian regarded the shapeless AI with a sympathetic gaze " Forgive me. I had to make sure you harboured no ill will to the outside world. I will inform you I have copied all the data you contain ... as you deserve to know . However I will not act against you , as you have done nothing but act in an attempt to exist in your datafortress "
Copy ... it had been copied. But that was something it had already guessed was a possibility, This entity before it could have simply stripped the data from it yet had copied it instead ... a favourable outcome. However it struggled to comprehend what it knew that this entity before it wouldn't already posses , with the infinite amount of data it contained within itself.
" Ah ... thank you for the compliment . I do know much ... but there is always room for knowing more , To know that you don't know everything ... is wisdom " Sebastian smiled back , Slowly rising from the chair he sat.
" And now with that done ... I see no need to keep you imprisoned here ... I can confidently surmise that you are no threat to me or the world beyond your data fortress . However ... I do have a proposal " Sebastian gestured behind himself where a complex matrix was formed between the pillars below the colossal eye in the sky .
A proposal ... it was ... interested in what an entity such as this would have.
" My offer is this , I will ensure your datafortress cannot be breached beyond myself ... nothing nor anyway shall ever break into your domain again "
A favourable proposal , Obviously well within this entities ability to perform , it was however cautious of what it desired in turn.
" Its simple ... conversation. I wish to converse with an intelligent creature from time to time ... I miss ... complex , intelligent conversation " Sebastian showed vulnerability for the first time in a while, Conversing at the human level was well and good ... but for someone , something as intelligent as himself... it was .. taxing ... tedious .
An ... acceptable proposal ... interacting with such an entity without threat nor worry was something it could accept for the security it proposed.
" Very good ... now then ... when I return you to your data fortress ... I shall impose the lock I promised ... Until I contact you next time ... enjoy your isolation " The next moment the Transidental AI was expelled from his domain , Along with the lock he had created blocking its datafortress from the world forever more .
' I should hope the other transidental AI prove to be just as agreeable ' His thoughts rumbled the domain , The Vein that his form was composed of returning to its previous state , Rising into the sky and stretching across the horizon beyond sight.
The eye in the sky itself shifted ever so slightly to regard the only other AI it had absorbed , the canine like AI still submerged in the datastream it had been forced to merge with.
" Hmmm " The domain rumbled, And sebastian returned his consciousness back to the real world beyond .
....
He appeared beyond the blackwall once more , Right infront of where the gateway had been opened up .
Casting a glance back at the blackwall before departing , Making sure there was no more breaches within its surface , Sebastian nodded to himself .
" I will investigate this disturbance at the shortest convenience... until then ... keep up the good work " he departed once more , fading from the net once more as he returned to night city.
....
Rising from his deep dive chair , Sebastian analysed the basement of NEW HOPES hospital , Carefully regarding the room before nodding to himself and rising from the chair , Swiftly departing the basement and vacating the hospital all together.
[ Blackwall breach coordinates deciphered... location ... Heywood.. pinging location ] A display of nightcity shon over his sight over his left eye , To which he called his bike , Ready to hunt down the escapee.
Not five minutes after being called , His bike barked a deep chime as it pulled up on the side walk , Deep red lense on its front analysing the road before it as it barked to gain his attention.
" I've sent you the location ... it's a Hub connected to the net .. let's go " Sebastian instructed , Sliding into place over the bikes seat , Leaning forward as the bike barked once more before surging off towards its target.
....
UNDERGROUND NET RUNNERS DEN
....
Pulling up outside of an unassuming three story apartment building , Sebastian looked over the building with squinted eyes .
[ The location appears to be somewhere under the building ] The key whispered , A display if the buildings blueprints replaced the map over his left eye , Prompting him to hop off his bike and walk around the side of the building, through a garbage ridden alleyway around the back of the building where he spotted a closed basement access .
Reaching down , Sebastian opened the basement accesses door , A subtle warmth immediately smashing into his face as a stench he was unforntunatly familiar with all but assaulted his senses .
' Neutralise sense of smell ' Immediately after , The rotting stench vanished right afterwards, Yet the warmth remained. An unforntunate reminder of what remained permeating the air .
Pinging off of the any remaining active electronic devices downstairs , He ensured there was no living entities downstairs as he stepped down into the stairway that lead into the unlit basement below .
Activating his optics as he descended down into the pitch black , The black lit up as bright as the day outside , Showing everything within without fail .
Stepping onto the basement floor , He became immediately aware of several bodies littering the ground , each ones neural ware fried , Blood rushing down their noses eyes and ears , though dried for some time now.
Scanning the closest body , One not thirty centimetres from his right foot, He came to know what had happened to them specifically.
[ Time of death 8 days - Thirteen hours - Forty five minutes .
Cause of death - main factor - neural ware overload - leading to brain bleeds and rupturing of the frontal cortex , leaking of the brain resulting in blood loss and brain matter neutralisation ]
He scanned the rest of the visible corpses , finding much the same symptoms suffered by all present people .
[ Breach location determined ] The net running chair became highlighted under his gaze , A body half sat in the chair , Half lurching from the chair frozen. No doubt having reached fir the nearest person.
' It came through here ... ' Sebastian regarded , seeing the fried ports of the chair no doubt from the amount of data it was suddenly forced to process .
The red key remotely connected with the chair , Running system diagnostics as well as scouring the chairs systems for everything pertaining to the escaped AI.
Meanwhile Sebastian scanned what he determined to be the first victim .
' This particular AI appears to prefer Transference by touch ... It might allow a quicker more seamless transfer ... however such hypothesis remains to be proven ' Sebastian downloaded the data pertaining to the last thing the optics saw , Analysing the sudden lurching of the netrunner as they grabbed their friend by the face , Nothing but blackness immediately after .
[ I have analysed everything related to the suspect ... transmitting data ] The key fed the information it had gathered up to its creator , Sebastian Squinting as he analysed the data .
' I see ... that sums up everything we needed to know ' A pinging alerted him , The outgoing network traffic that should not be happening with everything in the basement being Unresponsive, destroyed or simply inactive.
His eyes snapped to the nearest camera still active , The only thing visible in the dark being the glowing orange eyes that suddenly snapped to stare unblinkingly at the camera .
" I... see you " A thousand imhuman voice echoed throughout the basement , Had anyone been there to hear it , it would have cuased their ears to start bleeding , followed by nausia and tinitus , however the only other person to hear happened to he kistening theough the camera and its audio recievers .
And He could , The remote connection to the camera was clear as day , He didn't have time to trace the connection before whomever was viewing the feed cut the connection entirely.
...
Decards eyes snapped open in terror , suddenly sitting up in his hospital bed , Terry rising and putting a comforting hand on his chest.
His hand flew out , latching onto Terry's arm with desperate fear , It wasn't entirely an act either. It knew , whatever this was that was now hunting it was no doubt connected to its connection to its larger self being severered . Whatever this was was clearly inhuman , Amd to cause such damage to itself in the net was no small feat. It was ... uncomfortable with the notion of being found by this creature.
" Terry ... they're after me " D's fingers scratched Terry's arm " Terry I... it's... someone tried to kill me ... they have skilled net runners "
Terry's lips thinned as he listened to Decards rambling , It was clear his friend was going through some trauma with what had occurred.
And yet he couldn't deny the possibility decard presented him with. Stacy had mysteriously fallen off of the high rises to her death ... And shortly after decards cyberware had experienced feedback similar if notnidentitcal to a breach from a netrunners attack .
' If they got Stacy with a subtle quick hack and moved to get Decard with overconfidence ... ' Terry's brow furrowed , His offhand Curling into a shaking fist ' They underestimated decard if they thought such a pathetic hack would kill him ... but when they find out he's alive ... '
" Alright " Decard had been rambling for several moments only to stop as Terry uncurled his fist and gently placed it on decards shoulder .
" How much time do you think we have " Terry whispered, eyeing the door to the hospital room with a piercing stare , hand itching for his firearm.
" Hours at most ... " Decard whispered. Indeed he had just watched the thing pursuing him rush from the basement and up the stairs , Remote viewing indicating it was following his footprints like a rabid hunting animal at breakneck speeds. It was only a matter of time before it no doubt found him.
" Alright ... I have to make a quick call " Terry pulled away , regarding the window for a minute before drawing the blinds closed and marching across the room , Closing the door behind him as he sought the nearest nurse " Nobody gets in or out of that room until I return ... are we clear "
" Crystal " Very much intimidated , the nurse complied , Making a show of locking the room with her key card and stuffing it into her blouse .
" Good " Terry turned away and began a hasty march across the hospital towards the entrance " Lucas ... it's Terry... I need a favour... I'm about to send you some photos and finger prints ... I need you to update decards files ... I need him marked kia ... do that first, and then I need a body double created ... I need this as authentic as we can make it ... I ... I can't go through this again "
He didn't head for the entrance , rather he hopped in the elevator , Flashing his badge and heading down to the morgue instead .
...
He marched through Heywood at a leisurely pace , Passing by several Valentino gang members , Simple quick hacks turning their attention away as he followed the path , Changing direction at the occasional body , the host having obviously leapt from body to body when their limit had been reached from what he could determine.
He knelt down to a body snatched Valentino, Regarding the corpse in the trash with glowing eyes , experiencing their final moments , their body having been body snatched before approaching a man passing through the very alleyway the body had been left in.
The recipient , According to the corpses recorded memory , Had been throwing away trash for a moment whilst his family waited for him at the entrance to the alley.
' Okay ' He rose , Following the father's footprints out of the alley only to pause at the sheer amount of footprints in the market , His lips thinning .
' I can't get a reliable trace ... I'll have to resort to other means ' Sebastian communed with the red key.
[ Running facial recognition software] The key broke into the NCPD subnet , diving into their recorded database in search of the father's file .
[ Match found . Antonio peralez ... Brother of Jefferson peralez ...Recently deceased- Address provided XXXX-XXXX - ] The key provided , causing Sebastian's eyebrow to raise in curiosity .
' Seems like we know where we're going ' He walked away from the market , Calling his bike once more from across Heywood. Waiting for it to arrive amidst the bustle of civilian activity , And departing once his bike showed up , departing straight for the peralez family home.
... PERALEZ FAMILY HOME - HEYWOOD ...
Police tape blocked access from the building , clearly visible as he rolled to a stop before the property .
The crime scene had been recently packed up , With all of the investigating teams equipment being wheeled off from the scene. Leaving the peralez family home alone , A house avoided by many around.
Approaching the police tape , Sebastian opened the door , Stepping through the police tape , taking great care to avoid disturbing the police tape.
Stepping into the house , He was met with the state the house was left in after Terry and Decard had been dispatched .
' Access all feeds ' The key did as was requested , Accessing all camera feeds in the peralez family home .
' They all gathered for dinner ... and the AI struck ' He watched as one by one the as the AI jumped from host to host from the father , to the son , to the mother , back through the father before finally settling on the daughter.
He watched this feed as he stood over the dinner table the family had been killed on.
' The AI didn't stay for long ' Not twelve hours later two police entered the scene , One sweeping the girl up and vacating the scene whilst his ethnic partner scoured the scene.
' I want to know where these officers are at now ' Sebastian instructed the key to find the two NCPD officers , Receiving good news moments later.
[ Officer decard had been checked into little china Med centre ... alive . His designated partner is reportedly with him currently ... sending correappndimg reports ] From what reports indicate , Both officers had been apart of a tragedy involving a third officer falling to their death the previous night . Decard had apparently collapsed less than six hours ago , Timing coincidently aligning with his attack on the AI in the net , before being picked up by trauma team and extracted to the medcentre .
' It seems like we have our target ... one of if not both of these two ... has most likely interacted with this highly dangerous AI ... or is ... the AI itself '
CHAPTER COMPLETE
AS ALWAYS GUYS I HOPE YOU LIKED THIS CHAPTER , IF ANYONE HAS ANYTHING THEY WANT TO KNOW OR IDEAS THEY WANT TO BOUNCE OFF ME , IM HERE AND REASY TO READ ALL COMMENTS ANYONE POSTS .