Core Convictions

[Implosion]

Epilogue: "Project Phoenix"
829 A.S Durban Station, Medical Wing C.

”...and although we can slow the decay, it is inevitable.
The neural degradation will reach its peak in about three to four years.
My estimations are rough, but if we continue implanting cybernetic augmentations, your brain would simply shut down. There’s only so much input it can handle. On top of that, it’s already under massive strain with all the current tech we’ve put in your body.
You have to understand, no matter how advanced our tech is, we’ve already replaced more than three quarters of your body.
You do not have a vital organ that’s not cybernetic, Guildmaster. “

The doctor was almost genuinely scared for his life. Telling Daniels that he could not carry out his orders and downright refusing to implant even more augmentations was not a healthy thing to do.

”So you’re saying…I’m living on borrowed time? Is that it? There’s nothing you can do about this?”

Daniels’ expression was neutral, cold, as if he was discussing somebody else’s faith.

”Well…Mr. Daniels, you have to understand…if I go forth with this operation, I’ll be condemning you to certain death within the year…your brain…your brain is, well, to put it in layman’s terms… it’s overloading. We already have the AI from Project Strix directly linked to your implants. It’s handling most of the stress…but this…this is too much.”

”You do not seem to understand the gravity of the situation, Samuel. There’s much more than my life at stake here. If I fall…the resulting proverbial shockwave would end the lives of many more. We’re talking thousands. Tens of thousands of people. Dead. The moment I step down from my “Throne” a power vacuum is almost certain to emerge. Those who were loyal to me would be hunted, killed…or worse. You are one of those people, Samuel.”

Daniels lit up a cigarette and inhaled the deadly smoke. It was the least of his concerns at this point of time and space.

“Your faith, I’m afraid, would not be death. You know too much, seen too much. You will be tortured, both for fun and for that information.
If you do not want that to happen, I would suggest you start giving me solutions, instead of excuses.
No matter how extreme.”

Samuel, currently most likely suffering a minor heart attack, slowly turned to the screen in front of him and began authenticating. He placed his finger on a small reader on the desk, which also took a blood sample from his thumb. Moments later, schematics and detailed data on Project “Strix” were displayed on the monitor.

”There is…there might be a way...I’m…I’m not certain that it’s doable. Not with our current technical capabilities.
We would be able to basically digitize your personality and memories…insert them into a neural matrix. In a way, turn you into a hybrid. AI, but with human emotions...and memories. Capable of feeling. You would technically die, but you will also live on, as an actual, honest to god AI.
However, that requires technology that we do not possess. Strix isn’t even close to being that advanced. Nothing is…”

“Samuel…it would seem you underestimate our neighbors from Kappa. I would imagine they have the tech. Think about it, Sam.
For them to survive this long…that’s not purely by chance. If, hypothetically speaking, we were to conquer their little rock in the middle of buttfrak nowhere and grab a handful of their databases, would you be able to complete this task?”

Samuel almost laughed. Daniels’ idea was as crazy as it was poorly worded.

“First, you don’t grab a handful of databases. You hack them beforehand, infiltrate them, freeze them. So they can’t be changed, backed up…or deleted. Then, we need to actually study them, see what the architecture is.
Oh and there’s also the menial task of reverse engineering that thing, integrating it within our systems and creating an AI so powerful, it could mimic you with at least 99.98% precision. The margin for error is too small. I can't just snap my damned fingers and make it happen, Daniels.
With our processing power, this would take a month, at the very least.
And as for the actual digitalization...well, it's not like downloading a holovid from the net. We're talking an entire life worth of emotions. We need to be able to read and record every nanosecond of your memories. We would need stimuli so powerful...I can't possibly imagine something that could force your brain to do this...”

Daniels smirked.

“Do I need to find someone with a better imagination, Samuel?"

"Imagination isn't the issue here. Technical limitations are. Here's the basic idea. We'll use a neural interface, more direct than anything you've seen before. We've had good success with "Project Strix" so far. Test subjects with "hotwire" implants were successfully influenced by the AI, via an array of small "nudges". Hormonal and neural control meant we could pretty much read the minds of our subjects and change the way they think via subtle manipulations. None of them lived, however. All died within a month. Eventually the "hotwires" fried their brains. Complete neural decay. However...we could just as easily fry yours and it wouldn't matter. By the time it happens, the procedure should be done. With the right AI in charge, it would most likely be done within a week, ten days tops. The problem here is, we don't have that kind of AI. It needs to be able to put you in suspended animation and in the same time, in a simulation. I'm not talking that VR bullshit. I'm talking about a direct line between machine and brain. Every single neuron firing will be recorded. Depolarization is a helluva thing to watch for. You have to understand...this requires mojo that is way beyond Strix...to us it would seem like magic in medieval times. Unholy...impossible...

The Guildmaster took a few puffs from his cigarette.

"Are you trying to tell me, we have to artificially make my life flash before my eyes, before you kill me for good? What would that accomplish?"

"Two very important things. First, your memories would be digitized. Stored as data. Lines of Os and ones. But the more important part is, since it will be, for a lack of a better word, a dream of sorts, the AI will capture the change in your emotions.
Everything from heart rate to hormonal reactions from your body. We'll then convert those into code as well.
And then, with all the data we've gathered, we'll create a behavioral algorithm. More complex that any other AI's. We've already had a breakthrough with that kind of tech with Strix.
We've managed to infuse basic human emotions into him...it. Every frame his cameras capture, every scent, every gust of wind...every ship it sees, everything is being cross referenced in his vast database. Strix reacts with anger towards its enemies and welcomes fellow pilots as family. It's...well...magic. But, Strix lacks one major component. While it's still building its database, it never was alive. While you...you're a whole different story. IF we managed to transcribe all memories in time and IF we have the right AI to capture all changes in emotion during them...I'm confident we can recreate you in a way that mimics the original you. It won't be you and in the same, it will be. "

Daniels nodded kindly to the woman who had just brought him a glass of whiskey before she left the room. He couldn't care less about Samuel's disapproval of his drinking habits.

"Like a Phoenix...I shall rise from my own brain's ashes? Poetic, but tell me, would I be able to enjoy a glass of whiskey? A cigarette?"

Samuel was clearly getting excited now.

“That and much more. We know how the human mind works, we know why it works as it does. Emotions aren't the issues if we have the right amount of data.
As for whiskey and smokes...with the right proxy, I don't see why not. I mean, if we do perfect the "hotwire" implant...you'll be able to "remote control" host bodies from across the sector. Quantum entanglement comms would allow you to seamlessly posses a suitable candidate, given he has the "hotwire" too.”

"I’ll make the call. Meanwhile, I’ll get APM to start working on our servers. We need to double our processing power in the coming year. Effective immediately, you’re now in charge of Project “Phoenix”. There are absolutely no limitations and rules to adhere to. I want. This. Done.”

Samuel jumped up from his chair, as if he was electrocuted. His theory was just that, a theory. He never believed Daniels was ready to kill himself, even if there was a chance it would be permanent.

“But Jack…”

Daniels’ cold stare spoke more than a thousand words.

“Yes, Guildmaster. I shall get to work.”

Daniels put out his cigarette.

“Good. Meanwhile, I’ve an invasion to prepare. Even If I die, at least I’ll go out with a proper damned bang.”

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