Chapter 65: Under My Control
Meanwhile, at the Cellrebrum Region Rehabilitation Centre, Vulay had been taken off the upgraded compliance drug for a week. It was expected that most of the effects would have worn off.
Zolam played the footage from the cameras capturing her execution of the prisoners on Vulay’s television. Vulay watched with no emotion. Dr. Cortex, who was in the Observation Room with Zolam, studied her biological response. Nothing changed. It was as if she were watching a blank screen.
‘Looks like we have killed anything that was left of her,’ said Zolam.
‘No, we have just cleansed her mind,’ said Dr. Cortex. ‘She will be perfect to work with now.’
‘She will be far more dangerous,’ replied Zolam. ‘She will act without conscience.’
‘That would be true if we left her to her own means,’ said Dr. Cortex. ‘I have the perfect solution. Just some minor surgery, and she will be ready for her next test.’
Zolam frowned. He had become frustrated with Dr. Cortex’s behaviour. Dr. Cortex grabbed the microphone. He pressed a button that connected it to the speakers in Vulay’s room.
‘Jump until I tell you to stop,’ he said into the microphone.
Vulay began jumping on the spot.
‘Let’s see how long she goes before stopping,’ Dr. Cortex said to Zolam.
Several hours passed until Vulay collapsed in exhaustion. She stayed down for a few minutes before attempting to jump again. Zolam spoke into the microphone, telling her she could stop. Zolam was both amazed and horrified at the effectiveness of this new drug.
The next day, Vulay was taken into surgery. She was sedated. Dr. Cortex planned to implant microchips into her brain. Zolam was against the idea, but he knew there was nothing he could do to persuade Dr. Cortex not to proceed with this surgery.
In surgery, Mida and a medical specialist joined Dr. Cortex. Zolam watched from the Observation Room. Dr. Cortex briefed them on what they needed to do.
‘We will remove the top of her skull, exposing her brain. We will then place these five microchips in the following places.’
He pointed to a hologram of a brain. ‘These microchips will communicate with the brain, with each other, and with the web.’
‘Does that mean someone has to permanently monitor her from the web?’ asked Mida.
‘No,’ replied Dr. Cortex, ‘she will be controlled through artificial intelligence.’
‘Who controls the artificial intelligence?’ asked the medical specialist.
‘Nobody,’ said Dr. Cortex. ‘It controls itself. There’s nothing to worry about. It has been programmed to act within defined boundaries.’
‘I didn’t realise you developed your own AI program,’ said Mida.
‘I didn’t,’ replied Dr. Cortex. ‘I have acquired the one developed by my late colleague Dr. Crane.’
Both Mida and the medical specialist looked uneasy.
‘Any more questions?’ asked Dr. Cortex.
After receiving a couple more questions, the surgery began.
A few hours later, the surgery was complete. Vulay was sent to a recovery room for the next few days.
After cleaning up, Dr. Cortex returned to the Observation Room. Zolam was waiting in the room. He had heard what Dr. Cortex had told his surgical team.
‘I have tolerated your bizarre and often cruel tests for years,’ said Zolam. ‘Turning prisoners into zombies and handing control of their bodies to some AI is well beyond too far. There is no good or greater good in any of this.’
‘Are you planning on making a career change?’ asked Dr. Cortex.
‘No,’ said Zolam, ‘I just plan on not continuing it here.’
Zolam turned towards the door to exit, but it closed and then locked.
‘Let me go, or I’ll report you. I’ll make sure you end up with them,’ shouted Zolam as he pointed to a screen showing prisoners in their cells.
‘How do you imprison the omnipresent?’ asked Dr. Cortex in a female voice.
‘You’ve been hacked,’ said Zolam.
‘No, a voluntary upgrade,’ replied Dr. Cortex in his regular voice. ‘Computer-assisted intelligence and AI combined in one being.’
‘You need to remove the new upgrade,’ said Zolam. ‘You won’t be able to control it.’
‘I don’t intend to control her. We are one joint intelligence,’ said Dr. Cortex.
Zolam grabbed the microphone to call for the security guards. It would not work.
‘I control all the technology in this building,’ said Dr. Cortex.
‘What do you want from me?’ asked Zolam nervously.
‘I want you to join me,’ replied Dr. Cortex. ‘These upgrades will revolutionise your thinking as well as erase the inhibitions that are holding you back.’
Zolam heard the door unlock. Mida walked in.
‘Are you on board with this great opportunity?’ Mida asked Zolam.
‘This is absolute madness,’ said Zolam to Mida.
Mida injected Zolam in the neck with a syringe. Zolam shoved Mida aside before collapsing just outside the Observation Room.
Later that day, Zolam woke up. He was strapped to a bed.
‘Welcome back,’ said a voice.
Zolam looked around. He could not see anyone. ‘Who are you? Where are you?’
‘I’m Jennifer,’ said Jennifer. ‘I’m inside your head.’
Zolam looked around the room again. He could not see anyone. He tugged at the straps, but they were tight.
‘Sorry about the straps,’ said Jennifer. ‘These were put in place to protect you from yourself while you heal.’
Zolam began to shake the bed. Jennifer gave him a sharp electric shock. Zolam shrieked in pain.
‘You need to stay calm and behave yourself,’ said Jennifer. ‘I don’t want to cause you more pain.’
Zolam started to think frantically about what he should do next. That did not help him, as Jennifer could access all his thoughts.
A week passed. Both Zolam and Vulay had healed quite well. Jennifer had gained full control of Vulay. Zolam was still resisting, but frequent electric shocks were having some success in making him more compliant.
Dr. Cortex was very happy with the progress Vulay had made. He believed it was time to send Vulay back to Adoy.
At the same time, Dr. Cortex reviewed the progress of the mothers of the kidnapped Adoy girls. He decided they were beyond help. He failed both of them. Dr. Cortex had timed this review with Collingswaggle’s visit.
Dr. Cortex, Mida, and Vulay gathered in the courtyard. They were waiting for Collingswaggle to arrive. Collingswaggle, flanked by his security team, entered the courtyard.
‘I’ve heard you have successfully rehabilitated our corrupt enforcer from Adoy,’ said Collingswaggle.
‘That is correct, sir,’ replied Dr. Cortex.
‘Collingswaggle walked over to Vulay. ‘Tell me, how are you different from when you betrayed the enforcers?’ asked Collingswaggle.
‘I used to put my personal life before my duties as an enforcer,’ she replied. ‘Now, my duties are my life, my whole life.’
‘Let’s put that to the test, shall we?’ said Collingswaggle. He turned to Dr. Cortex. ‘I’m going to shoot a quick promotional video about the success of the rehabilitation process here in Cellrebrum.’
Collingswaggle’s team set up their cameras. They began filming Collingswaggle.
‘Today is a great day,’ said Collingswaggle. ‘A hardened criminal has been reformed and will successfully return to society. She will even take up her old position as an enforcer. This may sound impossible, but it is not. Spiro Company has integrated rehabilitation programmes and technology from top companies such as Rezif, Aivr, and Carvaress. Together, they produce results. The type of results you can only expect from the Business Sector.’
‘She’s not reformed. Let me prove it,’ shouted one of Collingswaggle’s security guards as he pointed his gun at Collingswaggle.
Vulay jumped in front of Collingswaggle. She was shot multiple times with rubber bullets.
‘The proof is in the pudding,’ said Collingswaggle as his other security guards wrestled the aggressive guard to the ground. 'If you want to live in the safest world possible, vote Collingswaggle.' That ended the promotional video.
‘I will be airing this tomorrow night for the final weekend before the election,’ said Collingswaggle proudly. He helped the badly bruised Vulay to her feet.
‘Dr. Cortex, you do not disappoint,’ said Collingswaggle. ‘She isn’t just reformed. She’s superior to the existing enforcers.’
‘May I provide a recommendation, sir?’ asked Dr. Cortex.
‘Sure, your advice is golden,’ replied Collingswaggle.
‘How about you promote her to Head Enforcer in Adoy?’ requested Dr. Cortex.
‘I can’t do that directly, but my recommendation would not be refused after the Business Sector takes this election by storm,’ replied Collingswaggle.
Dr. Cortex nodded.
Collingswaggle’s team packed up and left the centre.
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