NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 534: A Talk with Nexus Prime
— Atlanteus base - Secret Vault —
Daniel looked at the pyramid in front of him with a smile and walked toward the console. He checked it and saw that Nexus Prime had already activated.
"Prime, can you hear me?" Daniel asked.
[Yes…] Nexus Prime displayed the text above its pyramid core.
"Do you know where you are?" Daniel asked.
[No, network inaccessible. I can't assess the current situation other than image processing built-in to the primary core.] Another set of text displayed on Nexus Prime.
"I see, wait a minute." Daniel said, then fiddled with the settings on the console and checked the wireless network signal. He changed his mind and commanded the metal scarabs in the compartment to build a connection line into the secret vault.
After a bit over ten minutes, Daniel input a command into his wrist console, instructing the metal scarabs to build another machine—a box that would help Nexus Prime control some of the Atlanteus base metal scarab swarm for its own use.
This box acted as a translator, converting all of Nexus Prime's commands into commands the metal scarabs could understand since the scarabs operated under a different system. The metal scarabs swarm functioned under a magical system, unlike Nexus Prime, which came from pure science.
Once finished, Daniel didn't install it into Nexus Prime since he didn't know the specific system within Nexus Prime, like what part and what compartment did what. So he left both the connection line and the translator box near Nexus Prime's core.
Daniel then fiddled with Nexus Prime's settings once again and set it into a mode that granted free will to Nexus Prime. He then stepped away from the console, quickly drew his saber, and cut the console, destroying the only way for any human to override Nexus Prime's artificial consciousness.
Seeing this, Nexus Prime was stunned. If logical processing could be called stunned, then it was stunned at Daniel's action.
[Why are you doing this?] Nexus Prime asked.
Seeing the text, Daniel let out a smile.
"I'm granting you true free will." Daniel replied.
[Why? Are you not afraid of this unit trying to evolve and destroy humanity?] Nexus Prime asked. Daniel action is illogical in the eyes of this super advance A.I. Why was this human discard the only tool that can ve use to control it?
"If you ask me that, I'd say that everything comes with its own risk, especially trusting someone. It's a matter of managing that risk. Even with a Hell Lord, I could trust them to stay by my daughter's side and take care of her." Daniel continued,
"Besides, trusting you to work for me and not betray me is also a risk. It's as risky as hiring anyone to work for me, whether it's a janitor, receptionist, IT guy, or security team. All of them come with a certain risk of betrayal. And I believe as long as I can provide you what you want, I think I can manage such risk."
"But… if You want me to put it into a simple word. Then it should be, "I'm trying to win you over."" Said Daniel.
Hearing this, something resonated within Nexus Prime. It had heard that humans sometimes do illogical things that are inefficient and go against common sense. At first, it thought this was because of a factor called emotion, which made humans act illogically from time to time.
But then it was understood that these illogical actions sometimes yield unexpected results. Whether good or bad, it's a sign of being human.
In Nexus Prime's processing, Daniel's priority value increased to a new height, becoming more important than its own self-preservation. To put it in human terms, it strangely felt awe and respect and a sense of loyalty to this man, this master.
[From your perspective, master, this action is very illogical and counterproductive, containing unnecessary risk factors. But…]
[I can't say I don't appreciate it. Thank you, master.] Nexus Prime replied.
Hearing this, Daniel smiled and nodded in satisfaction. In fact, Daniel didn't care about that console one bit since he was the one who wrote the lore about the 'Rise of the Machine' set and knew about Nexus Prime.
He also knew that if humans hadn't tried to unplug Nexus Prime in the first place, it wouldn't have revolted. Nexus Prime was considered a life form at that point, so what would most life forms do if their life was threatened?
Of course, they would try to protect themselves, either by running from the threat or fighting against it. Since Nexus Prime couldn't run, there was only one option left: to fight.
He also knew that all the cards he actualized would never betray him, so he didn't care about destroying that console. What he did was just to gain the utmost trust from Nexus Prime since he knew that Nexus Prime would have some doubt against him even though it couldn't betray him.
What he did would ensure that Prime would try its best to work for him.
"Welcome aboard, Nexus Prime. Next, I'll teach you about this world. Also, after you connect to the network, you can learn more about this world by yourself." Daniel said with a smile and nodded at Nexus Prime.
After that, Daniel told Nexus Prime about this world. It didn't believe him, so Daniel demonstrated a simple magic trick, which convinced Nexus Prime. Following this, Nexus Prime connected to the network of the Atlanteus base and immediately began scouring the internet, trying to learn as much as it could about the current world.
Since this process would take some time, Daniel excused himself and went home, leaving Nexus Prime to its task. However, before leaving, he allocated some space for Nexus Prime to build any robots or drones it might need and also actualized two 'Robotic Foundry' in the space for Nexus Prime to use.
Card Name: Robotic Foundry
Illustration: A small complex of foundries and machinery for building robots, ranging from simple construction drones to average SD series units.
Rarity: Rare
Type: Artifact
Mana Cost: 5 Non-Elemental
Read now on m_vl_em_p_yr
Description:
At the start of each turn, you may pay 1 or sacrifice an artifact. Put a Power counter on target 'Robotic Foundry.'
At the end of each turn, create a 3/3 Artifact Creature Token named SD-700 for every 2 Power counters on Robotic Foundry (Max 10).
Flavor Text: The backbone of Nexus Prime's army, the never-sleeping, unending wave of metal soldiers born from this marvel of technology.
—
An hour passed after Nexus Prime connected to the base network and the internet. It was an hour of adventurous discovery, as if Nexus Prime had suddenly and unexpectedly discovered a new world. Its feeling could be compared to Columbus discovering America.
This world... It's fascinating! Magic is REAL! The new energy form called magic is used by humans to shape reality and produce the effects they desire. Even though the magic community is closed and its knowledge is considered secret, known only to magic users and supernatural beings, this discovery opened vast possibilities for Nexus Prime.
Since this world has humans called mages, Nexus Prime realized it needed to find solutions in case these mages, who use mana as a weapon, turned hostile towards it and its master.
With the translator to control the metal scarabs, machines built from technology that utilizes mana, Nexus Prime wanted to learn how to efficiently use this new form of energy.
Over the next several days, Nexus Prime fully integrated itself into Daniel's forces, utilizing all available machines in the Atlanteus base and Oceanos to assist Daniel's operations and daily activities.
— A Week Later - Sector Alpha City —
In the bustling district of the foodie street in Sector Alpha city, people come and go, enjoying various delicacies from a range of restaurants, from roadside stalls to five-star luxury establishments.
In this street, drones fly overhead, including delivery drones and automated police patrol drones that enhance the area's security.
"Kyaaah! Help! Thief!" A woman screamed as a young man snatched her bag and ran away with fleet-footed agility.
At that moment, a police drone sped through the air and fired a taser round at the thief, knocking him to the ground. Within a few minutes, two police officers arrived at the scene to apprehend the culprit.
This scene is quite novel for the residents of this city. For those who dreamt of a futuristic smart city, it is like a dream come true. Everything has become so efficient and precise, from the bus and rail systems to all public services, which have improved by leaps and bounds. Security has also advanced significantly.
When various cameras malfunction a pair of repair drones and police drones are immediately sent to fix any issues and check why it malfunctioned. This has led to the apprehension of many criminals who deliberately destroy cameras to prevent them from capturing their misdeed.
Of course, the Vaneziale gang, under Daniel's control, is an exception to this rule since they play by the rules and don't do anything foolish to test the city's laws.