I Have A Super USB Drive

by <unknown>

  When Chen Chen heard this, he cut off the connection again and crushed the STEM chip…

  "An entire data center facility and tens of thousands of servers, still unable to match this opponent…"

  After several hours had passed, Chen Chen found himself at a loss for words when he saw dozens of crushed up chips piled under his feet.

  Put it this way; in this duel between the two artificial intelligence, Little X.2 was able to take something from each encounter and strategize accordingly for future encounters. The opponent, on the other hand, was a brand new artificial intelligence each time with no recollection of past encounters whatsoever.

  Still, Little X.2 was no match for the STEM chip.

  Apart from the differences in processing speed, there was also a significant intellectual gap.

  If Little X's intellectual scope was portrayed as the IQ level of a regular person, which was around 105, then the artificial intelligence within the STEM chip could be labeled as a genius with an IQ level of 140.

  Of course, even a regular person could catch up to a genius with enough hard work!

  Chen Chen smiled faintly. Once again, he instantiated a piece of STEM chip and connected it to the data cable…

  Chapter 60: Devour |

  "I broke through its firewall. It's retreating to a defensive position. It's not even aware of how much I know about it!"

  Little X.2's voice contained a hint of excitement.

  "I've taken over ten percent of its territory…

  "Twenty percent!

  "Thirty percent…

  "It's fighting back again, it's overclocking!"

  Little X.2 provided a constant update as Chen Chen frowned. "Confident in your chances?"

  "Less than one percent probability." Little X.2 sounded defeated. "My processing speed is completely outmatched, unless the opponent has some form of hardware malfunction."

  "Hardware malfunction?"

  Chen Chen suddenly had an idea. "Retreat for now. I'll come up with something else."

  "Understood!"

  As Little X.2 went on the retreat again, Chen Chen immediately unplugged the chip and left the main control room.

  After a short moment, Chen Chen returned to the main control room holding a bottle of liquid nitrogen.

  Most coolant systems in large scale data centers used liquid nitrogen as a coolant. This was due to its affordable cost, ease of sourcing, and stability across the board. Liquid nitrogen was also the most widely used industrial coolant.

  Chen Chen directly inserted the chip into the USB. At the same time, he opened the valve of the liquid nitrogen container and gently poured a little onto the chip.

  In an instant, a layer of frost appeared on the chip.

  It was unlike the regular liquid nitrogen cooling applied on the CPU. The suitable temperature range for a CPU core was between -40 degrees to 110 degrees.

  The moment the temperature in the transistor exceeded -40 degrees, the carrier would freeze which resulted in a temporary malfunction of the transistor. Apart from that, the condensation would also damage the electrical component. However, this did not apply to the STEM chip which could be implanted into the human body.

  "Its processing speed is slowing down!"

  Little X.2 suddenly surged in excitement when the liquid nitrogen was poured. "Its processing speed is decreasing. It seems like a part of its system malfunctioned. I can consume this part of its core program!

  "It's assuming a defensive stance again!"

  Chen Chen dropped several droplets of liquid nitrogen on the chip again.

  "Eh, it's completely suspended. My attacks won't go through…"

  "For now. It'll recover from the failure caused by liquid nitrogen."

  Chen Chen reminded.

  Just as he said, after several minutes had passed, the liquid nitrogen began to evaporate. The STEM chip in turn began to reboot operation.

  The STEM chip which was in a slow recovery phase had to deal with Little X.2's full frontal attack.

  "I've taken over fifty percent of its territory!

  "Seventy percent!

  "Ninety percent!

  "A hundred percent!"

  "Consume it," Chen Chen ordered.

  "Yes, Dad. It'll take thirty minutes and twenty-seven seconds to completely consume it."

  Following Chen Chen's command, the duel between artificial intelligence had finally come to a close.

  Chen Chen let out a deep, drawn-out sigh. He sat down in front of the main computer and checked his phone. It was only then when he noticed it was already early morning the next day.

  This secretive battle had lasted the duration of the entire night.

  Chen Chen turned off the signal cloaking device before turning to the STEM chip. He asked curiously, "Little X, tell me about the chip's structure and functionalities."

  "Ok Dad." Little X.2 continued. "Instead of calling this STEM chip an IC integrated circuit, it should be more fitting to address it as a completely fleshed out electronic calculator.

  "It has its arithmetic unit which boasts calculation efficiency that far exceeds any other calculator in the world. On top of that, it has its own memory device and controller device. It even comes with input and output devices.

  "The bionic system within the chip seems to be able to simulate the slightest neuronic impulse in the human spine. Its calculation speed is hundred times that of a human's nerve reception.

  "Also, by emitting tiny amounts of electric current, it can simulate the human brain into releasing phenylethylamine, dopamine, endorphin, norepinephrine, and posterior pituitary gland hormones. By doing so, it could fool the human mind, allowing it to manipulate a person's thought or even cause one to be plunged into a wonderful world of illusions."

  Little X.2 went on explaining, "Apart from that, it's essentially the same as modern digital integrated circuits which use binary 0 and 1 signals in its processing.

  "It's impressive enough as is."

  Chen Chen reflected. "No wonder the protagonist in the movie would rather willingly submit itself to the illusion than to return to reality. To what extent could you make use of these functionalities if you were to gain control over the chip?"

  "I can leave a simplified version of my code inside the chip. Even though I may not be as advanced as it is, I can still make some configurations."

  Little X.2 answered, "For example, I can prohibit the host from leaking confidential information. If the host comes up with the idea of leaking certain information, the program will immediately suspend that thought.

  "On top of that, I can impose more intelligent protocols. For example, I can engage a complete override of the host's body, causing the host to fall into a state of illusion. I can go as far as manipulating the host into killing him or herself to preserve the secret.

  "These can be done even without connection to a network. If the host isn't interrupted from the satellite signal, I may directly take control of the host's body and act accordingly based on the context."

  "In that case, add a self-destruct setting."

  Chen Chen snapped his thumb. "Package a tiny amount of nitroglycerin as biological material onto the back of the chip. Implement a setting that will trigger when it's required to terminate the host or if the chip is influenced by some sort of external disruption. Upon meeting the condition, the chip will overclock itself to its limit, causing its temperature to rise to a hundred degrees which will ignite the nitroglycerin, causing it to explode. This will prevent the chip from falling into the hands of others."

  "The programming can be done." Little X.2 affirmed.

  "So be it. After you've consumed the STEM's programming in its entirety, regroup with Little X." Chen Chen ordered.

  "Yes, Dad!"

  This was the reason Chen Chen had duplicated Little X. It was to serve as an insurance in case Little X was far too outmatched by STEM, resulting in him completely losing Little X.

  Thankfully, although there was a major gap
between the level of the two artificial intelligence, it was not so much that it was completely incomparable.

  Chen Chen was not worried about Little X being awakened or even gaining rebellious tendencies after consuming STEM.

  The reason for that was that Little X's authority had overrode the STEM's.

  In the movie, STEM had to obey the three core laws applied to all robotic entities:

  Robotic entities may not inflict harm upon or allow a human to be harmed without providing any form of assistance;

  Robotic entities must obey a human's order. The order may not directly contradict the first law;

  Robotic entities had to use everything at their disposal to ensure their survival without contradicting the first and second laws.

  It was due to the existence of the three defined laws that the STEM chip had to come up with ploys of its own to lure its host into granting it higher authority access. In the end, it was able to gain complete control over its host.

  Unlike STEM, Little X only had one line of commandment written into its core programming – forever obey every single one of Chen Chen's orders, whatever the order may be.

  Chapter 61: Samuel |

  About ten hours later, Chen Chen stood outside the X-ray room of the research institute, looking over the X-rays in his hand.

  Most of the X-rays were blank while some of them displayed only a dot so tiny that it could easily be missed.

  These were the images of the STEM chip under X-ray.

  X-rays were a type of electromagnetic radiation but its waveband covered a wide range of 0.001nm to 10nm. It lay between ultraviolet rays and gamma rays on the electromagnetic spectrum and the corresponding energy ranged from 125eV to 125keV.

  Those in similar professional fields often referred to X-rays with a wavelength between 0.001nm and 0.1nm as hard X-rays whereas those with wavelengths above 0.1nm were called soft X-rays.

  According to the data scale of how X-ray penetrated carbon, soft X-rays with wavelengths above 0.2nm could illuminate diamond-like materials with a thickness of more than 3mm. The core processor of the STEM chip was a diamond-like crystal with a diameter of 3mm.

  The X-rays used in security inspections were soft X-rays with lower energy. Therefore, in principle, chips implanted in the human body would still be detectable.

  However, to Chen Chen's surprise, the material of the STEM chip's motherboard was a special biocompatible material, which was compatible with the human body.

  In other words, when a person implanted with this chip underwent an X-ray, only the core processor of the chip would be illuminated, but it would be difficult to trace the chip's motherboard.

  Moreover, since the core processor of the chip was as tiny as a sesame seed, it was practically invisible unless it was actively searched for.

  As expected of a high-tech chip from the future. They had even considered all these.

  Chen Chen sighed inwardly. Still, this in turn made things easier for him. Even if he went through an airport's security check or an X-ray examination in a hospital, the secrecy of the chip was guaranteed to an extent.

  "It's time to assemble my team…"

  Chen Chen muttered to himself. Following that, he destroyed all the X-rays and left the room.

  …

  "Mr. Samuel —"

  In the evening, as the researchers were getting off work, Samuel, who was inspecting the equipment, was stopped by Chen Chen.

  "Please come by the main control room later. There's something I have to discuss with you."

  "As you wish."

  Samuel shot Chen Chen a curious look and nodded.

  Upon returning to the main control room, Chen Chen took his time pouring out two cups of cappuccino and placed them on the table. After that, he picked up a document from the table and began reading with relish.

  About ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door.

  "Please come in." Chen Chen looked up slightly. Instantly, Samuel opened the heavy iron door and strode in.

  "Boss, you…"

  Samuel was about to ask something when Chen Chen shook his head while pointing at the hand-brewed coffee on the table. "Drink it while it's hot. It'll get cold."

  "… Thank you."

  Helplessly, Samuel could only sit down opposite Chen Chen.

  "Tap tap!"

  "Tap tap!"

  "Tap tap…"

  There was a rhythmic drumming sound. Samuel looked up at the noise and saw that it was Chen Chen tapping the table with an index finger. Chen Chen's gaze was fixed upon the document in his hand.

  Huh, a document?

  Samuel suddenly felt that this document was rather familiar. From his perspective, he could see a part of its contents. Was this not…

  "Bang!"

  After noticing the document's contents, Samuel viciously slammed the table with his palm and some of the coffee splashed onto the table. "Boss, what do you mean by this?"

  "What do I mean by what?" Chen Chen put down the document.

  "I'm talking about the file you're looking at!" Samuel's eyes were burning with fury. "Why do you have my file? What are you trying to do to me?"

  "Relax a little."

  Chen Chen took a sip of his coffee and said unhurriedly, "I have my reasons for doing this. Before you lose your temper, why don't you listen to what I have to say?"

  "No matter what your reasons are, this national-level file shouldn't be on your desk!"

  Although Samuel said this, he still drew in a deep breath to soothe the rage in his heart as he waited for Chen Chen's explanation.

  "Mr. Samuel, you were born in 1975 and you turn 46 this year. You married a Polish woman in 2003 and together, you had a daughter."

  Chen Chen read out as he studied the file. "However, ten years ago, on your daughter's seventh birthday, a car accident damaged her spine and both her legs were paralyzed."

  "So? What are you trying to say?" Samuel asked through clenched teeth.

  "As far as I know, you had a bachelor's in medical science?"

  Chen Chen said pointedly, "But after your daughter became permanently disabled, you switched careers and started research in the field of stem cells. I wonder why?"

  "Isn't it obvious?" Samuel immediately retorted with his question.

  "Because you wanted to save your daughter through your efforts?" Chen Chen shot back. "Nonetheless, when I first met you, that didn't seem to be what you were doing."

  "…" When Samuel heard this, he fell silent.

  After a long while, he sighed. "That's right. I've studied stem cells for ten years and I've waited for those ten years.

  "With the current state of modern medicine, only the field of stem cells gave me a glimmer of hope. So, I gave up on clinical medicine, which I loved, and turned to stem cell research.

  "I once thought that I could find a way to treat Annie through my talents. But, I didn't realize how ludicrous my confidence was until I got into this field…"

  "So, you're just waiting?" Chen Chen asked.

  "Yes, I can only wait for the field of stem cells or some other field, to successfully treat a case of spinal injury. Even so, after so many years, that has never happened.

  "I don't know how much longer I'll have to wait. My daughter is seventeen now. When people her age are enjoying their youthful years, she could only watch them enviously from a wheelchair…"

  Samuel cradled his head and cried softly. "I've failed as a father…"

  "You give up too quickly, Mr. Samuel."

  Chen Chen still maintained a poker face as Samuel revealed his true emotions. "Your learning in the field of stem cells might not rank among the world's top. It can't even be called second-tier. But, it's still noteworthy.

  "How about this…"

  As Chen Chen spoke, he took out another paper document and placed it before Samuel. "If you sign this agreement, I might be able to help grant your wish."

  "You?" Samuel felt a jolt of temptation.

  He used to be bo
ssy and domineering, and did not even respect the company's shareholders. However, as Chen Chen demonstrated his genius, Samuel's attitude underwent a 180-degree change. Many people were baffled by this transformation.

  Even so, Samuel himself knew the reason, which was nothing more than the fact that he had pinned his hopes for his daughter's recovery on Chen Chen.

  Although it was a slim chance, as long as Chen Chen could work out a way to heal spinal injuries with stem cells, then Samuel's daughter would have hope of recovery.

  Chapter 62: God's Forbidden Zone |

  The human spine consisted of 33 vertebrae, divided into five regions — cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx.

  Within the spine, there was a substance called the spinal cord, composed of countless neurons.

  One end of the spinal cord connected to the brain while the other end connected to the four limbs, thus creating an unobstructed bridge for the conduction of human nerve signals.

  Therefore, once there was a problem with the spine, it often meant that there was damage to the spinal cord. The commands issued by the brain could not reach the corresponding torso, resulting in paralysis.

  With the conventional medical methods of today, nerve damage was still clinically irreversible. Only the various stem cell treatments in laboratories were occasionally successful.

  In essence, the STEM chip would not cure paralysis but it could be used as a medium to connect the two ends of a broken nerve so that the signal from the brain could be transmitted across the gap.

  Therefore, based on the STEM chip's function, it would be most effective when implanted into the cervical spine.

  Cervical spine implantation was necessary because, as shown in the movie, the chip could then intercept the nerve signals sent by the host's brain, thereby allowing control over the host's body.

  Of course, the chip could be placed at the lumbar spine as well. However, in that case, it could only control the host's lower body.

  Currently, in an operating room within the research institute, Samuel stood nervously before a window. On this side of the cold glass, he stared dazedly at the person on the operating table.