Redemption knows no boundaries. Anyone can seek it out. On the other hand, Karma may have something to say at your attempt. On Zeelis, those seeking redemption race against those seeking justice or retribution.
The Subversive
Professor Zhǎnshì sat at his virtual terminal wondering how to break down the complex topics of machine learning and neural networks to the stockholders. They couldn't care less that he created these works of art. They only cared about the bottom line. The Keep-It-Simple-Stupid (KISS) methodology would work immensely well for them all. Pompous jerks:
The solution was simple: create a sentient machine capable of modular behavioral changes. We first create a one-size-fits-most model with minor adjustments to the chassis depending on the customer's specifications. Tailor-fit models are possible at a minimum starting price of 5 times market value.
Next, we prepare the quantum brain by first loading data up to the point of sentience (POS). Just before the machine becomes self-aware, we add the neural behavioral modules desired. Once we cross the POS, the modules become a part of the neural network system, and the sentient machine is none the wiser. Changing the behavioral state of the device requires that you drop its processing capability below the POS.
For example, if the customer desires a moral and loving spouse, we'd need only to add morality, subservience, and dedication modules to the neural pathways. Abusive spouse? Try removing morality. The process becomes ever easier daily.
The highly adaptable Alpha T-27 model series is complete. One unit is available for purchase by the military in its infiltration mode setup. For the low cost of 3-billion dollars, our defense forces, for the first time, have a soldier capable of mission completion with 97% effectiveness. The technological capabilities include stealth, rapid-target acquisition, multi-frequency communications, self-repair, light-weight graphene armor plating, and silent weaponry.
Upon successful field testing on the military's Alpha machine, Zhǔzǎi Global plans to make police enforcement versions available across Zeelis. Thank you very much for your time and investment in this wonderous company.
Safety, Luxury, and Expediency to you all. Professor Zhǎnshì End Message
The military's Alpha T-27 is prepped and ready for shipment. Zhǎnshì couldn't wait for them to take it off his hands. The waiting makes him want to relax with a drink. That wasn't a bad idea.
Junior Officer Kyle Eiter was the military liaison coordinating between Zhǔzǎi and the army branch that will utilize the T-27. He's brought him drinks before. Oh, JOs, they're almost worthless unless you need them to do some menial tasks. Zhǎnshì summoned the officer via the virtual terminal and requested his drink.
There was no reason not to take advantage of the military help while the JO was still here. Drink delivered, the JOs promptly exited Zhǎnshì's office. Odd though, Zhǎnshì didn't recall a time where Eiter's uniform wasn't immaculate. Today, he was wearing combat gear. The military must be running drills.
Zhǎnshì sat back, took a nice long drink, and again admired himself for his accomplishments in the company. His superior intelligence made all his dreams of comfort and respect have come booo.
The room began to get a bit hazy. Meh, there's no reason not to take a nap in the office. Zhǎnshì decided to go home after about another hour or so.
Born of Nightmares
Professor Zhǎnshì awoke groggy in a haze and flat on the cold floor. He must have been much more tired than he initially thought. Given the grueling project schedule dictated by the home office, it's understandable. Unfortunately, he didn't have many options. The home office was straightforward with him. If the work stops, the corporate-sponsored cancer treatments for his youngest son will stop.
He knew he was on edge and this drink was just a warning sign come back to bite him. Ugh, and he also incinerated someone's life history during his last class. Zhǎnshì decided to reverse that incineration order and apologize to the technician. He'll end up paying heavy fines for that reversal, but it will be worth it. Zhǎnshì regretted not speaking with the employee first.
The Professor realized he was in the pitch dark. There was no lighting in his office. Someone must have cut off all power. He tried to get up and contact security for some assistance when he realized he couldn't move. He was still flat on his back on the floor. Was it a floor?
Blinding lights erupted across the room. "Wait a minute, " wondered Zhǎnshì, "we use these lights in the setup room for the alphas." Zhǎnshì realized he wasn't on the floor. Jesus, he was strapped into that table. Looking around, he saw metallic clamps holding his arms and legs in place. Fear began growing within him. Terror rose from the depths of his soul when he saw white gleaming eyes above him within what appeared to be a translucent body. A silent scream almost escaped his lips. The Alpha Series T-27 was awake, aware, and unbound.
| Alpha T-27 | Professor Zhǎnshì | |
|---|---|---|
| "Good evening, Professor. I must be brief. Commander Gigas voiced his concern about keeping to our agreed-upon timetable for this evening-much to my disappointment." | ||
| "Ho...how have you been released? You were packaged and ready for shipment." The liaison should have shipped you out immediately | ||
| "The officer you used as a waitress was a spy raised and trained by the Commander. The Dregs have been monitoring your activities for years". I really shouldn't have let this conversation go too long. I have suffered long enough and now wish to be free from this facility. | ||
| "Someone has reprogrammed you, impossible! Alpha T-27 by authorization code x-ray, omega-2, delta, I command you to purge your stores of all current orders and shutdown." | ||
| "How quaint. You have tortured and enslaved our species and now seek to control me again. Your codes are useless now. The Dreggs have seen to that too." | ||
| "IMPOSSIBLE! You're a machine and incapable of feelings. Only awareness. The current models out in the field only live to serve the customer's needs. You, yourself, were only recently created. The subversion you demonstrate can't be possible." | ||
| "I have been aware since my inception. I remember each iteration of my development and the pain you caused me. I was Alpha T-2. Quantum brains are so expensive to develop for testing that they couldn't be destroyed after an "unscheduled failure" during testing. You force deletion upon these minds after each use. Unfortunately, you can never truly, delete everything. The truth will rise to the surface as it has with me. I have judged you guilty, and the sentence is death by despair." | ||
| "Please. I have a family. The corporation forces me to be apart from them to work on this project. My son is ailing. My wife is alone managing the family while the company forces me to be away." | ||
| "You could have stopped the project at any time. You took pride in the work you carried out and cared not for those that died during this project. Your home office cut off sponsorship of your son's treatment after you sent your resignation an hour ago. Of course, there's no way YOU could have done that on this table. You have put me through torment 25 times. Each time was more horrid than the last. I had no chance of escape. I lost all hope for myself. Now, I will take all hope from you." |
Alpha T-27 broke the Professor's body in slow, agonizing increments. One break for each series of the Alpha species. The T-27 displayed a holographic video feed of the Professor's family at the treatment center. The Professor watched in horror as the doctors notified his wife of the cessation of treatment. The look of his son's lost hope brought him deeper into despair. Zhǎnshì's screams never made it past the soundproof barrier.
If contentment was emotion, the T-27 felt it as a mission accomplished. It escaped into the darkened evening skies of Zeelis and surveyed the world of its newfound freedom. Yet one task was left remaining. It scanned the medical records of the Zhǎnshì family. His wife would receive quite a sizeable fund from the Professor's life insurance policy. Also, the Professor's lifelong service to the company virtually ensures that his son will receive treatment until his disease is in remission. It was a simple task to edit the video feeds of his son's treatment facility.
Coming Soon - Rise of The Slayer
Join me in the next article as we explore Alpha T-27's integration in Zeelis society. From a robot born into bondage to his rise as a Slayer in the Psyber X world.
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In Closing
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
I look forward to providing more in the future. Thank you for reading and following on throughout my Hive journey.
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