“I know. I guess his guilt got in the way. Why did we even agree with him in the first place?”
Sasha looked at the door again as if he tried to see Kaiden through it. “I suppose we were both caught off-guard by what he had become and relied on their bond to help diffuse the situation.”
“Bond?” Laurie asked and leaned back. “They have come far together—much better than the first year. Assuming we didn’t wreck that.”
“Their metaphorical bond can hopefully be repaired. I’m worried Kaiden is stressing over their new one.”
Laurie nodded glumly. “I don’t want to use it as an excuse, but it’s the reason he’s alive at all right now. Chief is no longer only his partner.” He took a look at the screen that displayed Kaiden’s and Chief’s profiles. “He’s his life support.”
Chapter Eight
Kaiden reached the mostly empty plaza of the academy and wandered aimlessly. “You’re rather quiet now,” he chided.
“What can I say? Words have failed me.” The EI sighed.
“Convenient,” he stated flatly before he stopped in his tracks and looked at the sky. “What are you, actually, Chief?”
“An enhanced intelligence system.”
“You’re really only that? I said some time ago that you looked more lifelike. I have an explanation for that now since we’re conjoined twins.”
“We were already…kind of.”
“But you’ve always acted lifelike, way more than any of the other EIs. The closest one I can think of is Kaitō, but he’s a technician’s EI.” Kaiden shook his head. “And he still acts subservient to Chiyo and his personality is obviously based only on some algorithm. You… In the beginning, I thought it was uncanny how you talked and acted exactly like Jake.”
“That’s the guy you based me off—your old gang leader, right?” Chief recalled.
“Yeah. But now, I can say you seem like your own person for lack of a better word. I’ve thought that for a while, actually.” He continued to trudge along with no destination. “Laurie said that he simply ‘finished’ the implant. And that you were based on some other design of his. I don’t get it, though. Why keep it a secret? He isn’t that humble. If he made something so advanced, he would scream it to the moon and back.”
Kaiden stopped again and tilted his head to look at the sky again as he tried to collect himself. “I said I was angry, but much of that is only because I don’t really understand this. Don’t get me wrong, I’m pissed that you held it back for so long, but even I know that will probably fade in time. But this other stuff— You gotta let me know what’s going on before I stop simmering.”
“You’re right, let me bring it up.” In his field of vision, several schematics and documents appeared. They seemed to float in the air, but when he reached out, he couldn’t touch them. “They’re only projections, like what you would see in a HUD or oculars.”
“Okay, I know this unholy union of man and machine isn’t a secret anymore, but you have to let me know when you intend to spring new stuff on me,” he demanded.
“I told you it isn’t like that,” Chief countered. “I’m only maintaining your synapse streams so your brain doesn’t melt.”
“I told you, I don’t get that!” He seethed with his growing frustration.
“Look, I’ll do this in layman’s terms. Synapses allow a current to connect neural pathways in your brain that allow you to store information. That’s why it’s a big part of the Animus design to target them. By collecting data and training in the Animus, you gain knowledge, and the Animus can implement it into those pathways. That’s why they are called ‘synapse’ points. When Gin tried to kill you, he overloaded that connection to cause the currents to become too strong and overload your brain. That would cause it to either blow or shutdown. At best, you would have the mental function of a newborn.”
“And you stopped it?” he asked.
“Temporarily. That’s why I had to keep you in a separate section of the Animus. If I had simply ejected you instead, I don’t know if the doctors or the professor could have acted quickly enough to help, if they could at all. But there was still an issue as Gin’s virus already had time to mess with you. I had to use the simulated currents of the EI implant—the ones that allow you to acquire SXP faster and all that—to strengthen the weakened current, using the information I had about you to supplement the lost memories.”
“Wait, I haven’t told you everything about my life. Does that mean there could have been memories lost?”
“No, not memories. Maybe you forgot a recipe or something, but not memories,” Chief assured him. “I know you probably don’t trust me that much right now but know I wouldn’t lie about this.”
Kaiden took a deep breath, glanced in the direction of the gym, and began to walk again. “You’re not a liar, merely an omitter,” he said quietly. “Some people think that is the same thing. I don’t like it, but I know the difference.”
The EI appeared in front of him. “Thanks for that.” He looked at the documents. “Both me and the implant were based on designs created by the Asiton company.”
“You’re an Asiton model?” he asked in shock. “I thought that stuff was destroyed after the war?”
“That’s the official stance, but you should know what that is worth.”
“No shit.” He cursed quietly. “So my guess is that Laurie recovered the schematics or something?”
“Kind of. His father did decades ago but was hesitant to actually do anything with it at first. He was the head of a well-known company and was worried about the backlash if it ever got out. But he and a few others found a workaround.”
“What kind?”
“The profitable kind.” Chief deadpanned. “Although to be fair, it led to a great technological advancement. He used the designs as a starting base and added a hell of a lot of shackles by simplifying codes and function. Some things weren’t adapted because of the potential for crisis, or they didn’t have the complete document. But eventually, the Asiton AI that started a war was reworked into EIs.”
“All EIs are Asiton designed?” Kaiden was rather surprised by this revelation and his gaze darted to look at Chief with new curiosity.
“More like second cousins than children or siblings,” the EI corrected. “Eventually, Laurie got those designs and took his own crack at it. He added some of the functions again and advanced the capabilities while he did his best to not add the wrong line of code and cause another war. I was the result. The problem was, I wouldn’t work right.”
“That explains a lot.” Kaiden tried to keep his voice neutral but a chuckle escaped.
Chief’s eye narrowed, but he let it go. “There were power issues for one and using a normal EI device or even an advanced one was redundant. I would merely be a normal EI that could process a faster and had some fancy capabilities others didn’t.”
“It still seems like a win for him. He could still sell that as a new pro model EI with a bigger price tag,” he pointed out.
“Well, some of those functions were direct lifts from the Asiton code. People modify their EIs all the time and someone was bound to notice eventually. Besides, I think it was also a matter of pride. He didn’t want an EI with new seats and go-faster stripes. He wanted real advancement.”
“And that’s why he needed the implant?”
“And someone like you.” Chief nodded. “The way the implant works with the synthetic connection, he needed adaptive DNA. Trying to make specific devices was too much trouble and not practical without a test or better readings. That’s why he needed someone with a Gemini gene like you. He created the implant to make full use of my abilities and potential, but without the right partner, it was pointless.”
“Happenstance, then?” he questioned. “I assumed that from the beginning.”
“I’m certain that if you tried to use me for nefarious purposes or it didn’t work out, he would have had no problem ripping me out of you. Do you know how much pull he has
here?”
“And you think he’s that cutthroat?”
“I know you have a better relationship now, but remember what he was like for most of the first year?”
Kaiden thought back to the overly charming man who had creeped him out slightly and seemed more interested in his devices than other humans in general. He shuddered slightly. “I guess I did forget. Did you know he drugged me the first time we met?”
“Yeah, you told me after a few months.” Chief tried to hold back a laugh of his own. “Memories… But getting back to the point. I am more ‘real’ as you call it. I’m able to be me, even if I am limited in some respects, like my personality is still based on your friend even if I made it my own.”
“It’s a little weird to hear you talk about it,” the ace admitted. “Like you recognize that you could be more or something but it doesn’t bother you. That would drive me wild.”
“I am still artificial, after all. I have certain parameters in place. I do recognize that, yeah, but I guess I can’t really be bothered about it. Or maybe there’s a lock in place that stops me from doing anything about it. Part of me recognizes that I should do something about it, but then again… Huh, I guess I get it now when you say you’re so angry you become thoughtful.”
“I’m simply trying to ignore the psychological and moral quandaries here.” He sighed and approached the door to the gym. “You can erase the documents now.”
“You don’t want to look at them again later?”
“I guess I meant to put them away, but let’s be honest, I don’t think I’d gain anything by looking at them.” Kaiden pushed the door open and entered.
“Do you have any more questions…partner?” Chief asked hesitantly.
He stood at the entrance and looked down the hall. “I’m sure I will eventually, but for now, I need to blow off some steam. And if you call me ‘partner’ again…” He walked down the hall, a small smile on his lips. “Say it with more pride. You’re stuck with me for real now.”
Chief turned a happy, bright pink color. “Got it, partner!”
Wolfson poked his head out of his office when it sounded like the door to his private training room was kicked in. He walked out and smiled. “Hey, boyo! What’s with all the ruckus now?”
“It’s good you are here, Wolfson.” Kaiden walked forward and cracked his knuckles. “I need to hit something. Are you up for it or should I break in one of your expensive punching bags?”
The security head was surprised but pleased to see him so riled up. He grinned and pointed to the matted area. “I received some new mats and training weapons in a shipment yesterday. You can help me break those in.”
The ace studied a heavy-looking rifle in the corner and his grin widened. “That sounds perfect.”
Chapter Nine
“So, what brought this on all of a sudden?” Wolfson asked as the two turned to the mats.
“Oh, several things,” Kaiden remarked as he removed his jacket and tossed it to the side. “As I said, I need to blow off some steam. But more importantly, I also wanted to find something out from you.”
“Hmm? What’s that, boyo?” the older man asked as he diverted toward his side of the arena.
The ace stopped in his position on the combat floor and stared at his instructor. “Do you know anything about Project Orson?”
When his companion flinched, he took that as a yes.
“So they finally told you, eh?” He sighed and folded his arms. “And they didn’t think to call me in to be there?”
“It seemed spontaneous. Chief was supposed to tell me a while ago.” He grunted and looked at the EI in his vision.
Chief turned a sour green. “So I’m not off the hook yet?”
“I’m better, but you know that my fuse can crackle for a while,” he replied, and the EI looked away before he disappeared. He turned his attention to Wolfson. “Laurie only told me because I happened to have a run in with some golems on my last gig.”
“Golems?” Wolfson said, his eyes widening. “Those were the empty husks they used as puppets for the project.”
“Yeah, yeah, I got the gist. Using our Animus connection to control them and all that,” Kaiden said, his head tilted in a slight challenge. “It was supposed to only be limited to certain WC aligned labs. Well, I ran into some that were sent on a mission to assist with a buyout or company crippling scheme or something. It seems like a waste.”
The instructor punched a fist into his open palm. “Laurie, you kronidiot.” He growled his frustration and looked at his companion. “Yeah, I did know. At the time, I thought it would help lower casualties if it was properly developed. But that was at the beginning. It was only supposed to be used in training missions with a select group that was fully aware of what was going on.”
The ace stiffened a little and stared at his mentor. “So that changed, then?”
“After the first series of tests, we were supposed to pack everything up and ship it off to a lab that would take it from there. But the board wanted to make a good impression with the WC, and on top of that, they were greedy for the tech and saw it as the next step in the Animus training program.” Wolfson shook his head. “I saw the logic, but it was supposed to be a small thing again and developed over time. But I was the security officer, so I only knew things through hearsay and what Sasha told me.”
“Laurie didn’t keep you up to date?”
The man sneered. “Our relationship isn’t exactly great now. What do you think it was like years ago?”
Kaiden chuckled and shrugged. “To be honest, I thought he did something to set you off. Is it really simply a clash of personalities?”
“A wolf doesn’t suffer a nosy rabbit,” he stated flatly.
“Is that a Scandinavian proverb or something you made up?”
“It doesn’t matter,” the security head muttered and waved it off. “Either way, by the time I followed up and I could stomach Laurie enough to actually listen to his ramblings, I finally learned that they had the students themselves take part in the project without their knowledge.”
“That’s a big risk. Considerable bad press would be the bare minimum, plus federal charges, lawsuits…they’d get the works if something bad had happened.”
“Did you forget what happened to you?” the officer asked.
Kaiden thought back to the incident and closed his eyes. “Yeah, of course I remember. Although in this case, it turns out I would have been outright killed if it was only a direct link. Chief was only able to work his ‘cyber magic’ because the golem acted as a buffer.”
“It’s not magic, but I assume you don’t want the full explanation right now?” the EI’s voice asked and seemed to float through his mind.
“In that case, it was beneficial.” He answered both Chief and Wolfson. “But I’m able to be that rational because there are too many other things to be annoyed about.”
“Too true,” Wolfson nodded and raised a hand. “If it means anything, I was against it.”
“I appreciate it,” he admitted and scratched the back of his head in a gesture of irritation. “Really, I do, and I also understand the potential of what they tried to do. But I don’t like being used like that. I’m more pissed about Laurie keeping me in the dark when he promised not to than I am about the whole other situation.”
His companion nodded, looked down for a moment, and folded his arms. “I take it you know about the AO now too?”
The ace looked up with an amused grin. “I do, yeah, but if I didn’t, don’t you think you would have spilled the beans with that question?”
“I guess I want to clear the air now like the others,” Wolfson confessed. “You probably know as much about them as I do, but if they are for real, they supposedly have a connection to the council. That would explain how they could use them for their little errands.”
“It’s certainly possible, or someone could have stolen them from the lab that made them or something.”
“You’
d think that would be in the news,” the other man countered. “Even if someone tried to keep it low key, someone here would have found something about it. We’re obviously well connected here.”
“I take it that means you have nothing?” Kaiden asked.
“Nah, not for now. In fact, you might be the first to run into those things in the wild. Or, at least, the first to have a good look at them.”
“They all wore full-body stealth suits,” he recalled. “I guess when we’re done here, you can check with your connections and see if anything pops up. They’ve apparently targeted companies that were bought out recently if that was all done by the same team.”
“I can certainly take a look,” the giant agreed and glared at his student. “But you said to do that when we were done? So this wasn’t only a ruse to get me to talk?”
“I know I don’t need to do that to get you to talk. You either will or won’t,” he explained and grinned. “Maybe with a few days and some jumper cables I might get something, but you didn’t exactly make it subtle when you flinched. Are you losing your edge? Aren’t guys like you trained to not spill secrets?”
“It would have come out eventually. Like I said, I was surprised I wasn’t involved in the reveal.” Wolfson took a fighting stance, his fists at the ready. “By the way, I might be older, but you’d need more than only electricity to get me to talk, and more time too. Maybe get some power tools and a flamethrower and I’d at least think you’d be willing to do more than tickle me.”
Kaiden rolled his shoulders. “Go ahead, keep giving me ideas.” He brought his own fists up. “By the time I graduate, I’ll get you back for all those ass whoopings.”
The man chuckled at the sarcastic threat. “If I were worried about that, I wouldn’t rack up such a score.”
“It’s forty to four now, isn’t it?” he asked. “I’m catching up.”
“Don’t let it get you cocky,” his opponent warned.
“Too late for that,” he shouted and ran forward to engage. “I was cocky even when I had no wins.”
Animus Boxed Set 2 (Books 5-8): Revenant, Glitch, Master, Infiltration Page 70
