F.L.A.G Case Files

[Vogel]

6/9/819
= Case 003 =
- Investigation: OCULUS Co. -

"Good evening, Michael."

"Evening, Devon," the young man replied with an amiable smile, "So what mess am I going to clean up this time?"

Devon Miles frowned and looked down at a datapad, rapping his knuckles next to it on the rosewood desk.

"I've been reviewing the logs that Kitt has been recording," he began, "And have had one of those curious instances of... How would you phrase it?"

"Gut feelings?" Michael filled in.

"Yes, quite. You ran across one of those OCULUS drones in orbit of Houston..."

"Find it odd?" Michael interrupted.

"Clearly you did too, judging by your conversational material," Devon continued, "But that drone is only one of many suspicious things that this company has been involved in. I did a little digging, and found such gems as a mysterious, unresolved death of a high-level programmer, not twenty-four standard hours after he voiced complaints about the company and lost his employment."

"Suicide?"

"With a family to provide for?" Devon countered, "Possible, but not very likely. They also had an open contract about constructing a new research facility, with a distinct emphasis on privacy and a large scale."

"Well privacy isn't anything new," Michael muttered, "After all, the Foundation doesn't like authorities poking into our business either."

"Yes, but then again the Foundation was created for a fundamentally beneficial purpose, whereas OCULUS is a profit-seeking corporation from top to bottom. Their vaunted technology division in conjunction with a large scale, private development area leaves far too many questions."

Michal Knight clicked his jaw and looked square in Devon's eyes.

"Shipyard?"

"It's possible," Miles replied, "Although, let's be honest, who knows what it means."

"Aren't those guys also a front-runner in Artificial Intelligence, social robots and the like?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact they are. Dare I say that their progress in that department rivals that of Knight Industries' old programs."

"You don't mean to tell me..."

"No," Devon said, "Kitt is not obsolete to our knowledge. Knight Industries and the Foundation kept their entire AI development project out of the public sphere, and so far there is no sign that industrial espionage has compromised Kitt's technology."

Michael leaned against the desk and stared at the pattern embroidered on the carpet.

"So what do you want me to do about it?"

"I want you to do what you always do. Sniff around, prod the people that others won't. I realize that OCULUS represents a powerful organization to trifle with, but we have the benefit of stealth and surprise."

"What about Kitt?"

Devon shook his head and sighed quietly.

"A risk we'll have to take. If push comes to shove, then you know what to do."

"Here's hoping I won't have to," Michael said as he kicked off the desk and left the office.

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