Chapter 85: AI Confrontation (5000 words)
David, who'd been staring blankly at the ceiling, naturally noticed John's gaze.
That look carried both anger and demand for answers.
Speaking of which, the reason David hadn't revealed Charlie's true identity as Carl Elias was because he feared John and the others would object.
After all, at the end of the day, Elias was a crime boss—a criminal who favored planting car bombs to eliminate rivals.
This differed from David and the others' targeted killings.
Elias wouldn't consider whether civilians were nearby when executing hits.
As long as it served his interests, he'd unhesitatingly assassinate hostile individuals in public.
The collateral chaos this caused was irrelevant to him.
It was precisely this methodology that, before John and the others had any contact with Elias, would only make them view him as purely evil.
But in reality, Elias also possessed principles—not to mention he was the only crime boss who actually honored his commitments.
Having this type of individual control Princeton's criminal underworld was far superior to those with no principles whatsoever.
But currently, John didn't know any of this.
John only knew that Elias had killed numerous people during his rise to power and was an out-and-out criminal who deserved imprisonment!
So after briefly organizing his thoughts, David spoke:
"What if I said Elias isn't our enemy?"
Seeing David finally address the issue, John looked directly into David's eyes and said sternly:
"Why isn't he? Anyone who endangers civilian lives is our enemy!
This is the consensus that allows us to operate together, and it's the commitment you gave us.
David, don't forget the objective you articulated. You said you wanted Princeton free of unnecessary killing, no longer shrouded under the High Table's shadow!
But now, how many people has this Elias killed to successfully consolidate the criminal enterprises?
His underworld throne is constructed upon a mountain of corpses!
If we don't address him, how high will he build that throne with bones in the future?!
I can't fathom it! And you need to consider it too!"
John's words clearly gained broader agreement.
Reese, sitting beside John, also spoke:
"David, Elias is genuinely a significant threat.
You can observe how deeply calculating this person is from how he completely transformed himself into a high school history teacher.
If such an individual becomes ruthless, the damage he can inflict will be no less than the corruption network."
McCall, usually taciturn, also expressed his position:
"I agree with them. Gang members are the source of all instability.
It's precisely because of their existence that tragedies like sex trafficking occur.
I don't want good people like Terry to be exploited again.
So I'll pursue this whether you agree or not."
As for Sarah, her mind wasn't on today's meeting whatsoever, and Eddie was completely bewildered.
He couldn't determine what Elias had to do with the freedom he sought.
But if this meeting operated democratically, John's faction had firmly secured three votes.
On David's side, there was only himself and two uncertain votes.
It appeared the outcome was predetermined, and the operation to strike against Elias was imminent.
But David still wasn't rushing to explain. He rotated his neck, sensed the enhancement in his cognitive abilities, then unhurriedly took a sip of the Blue Mountain coffee before him to moisten his throat before speaking:
"Don't be hasty. There's a fundamental principle everyone should understand: even under direct sunlight, shadows will still exist around buildings.
So creating a society completely free of criminal elements is currently impossible.
Unless it's like in science fiction where every newborn is implanted with a chip that can monitor their thoughts—only then might a crime-free society be achievable.
Do you agree with this premise?"
John looked at David suspiciously. He vaguely understood what David was attempting to argue.
But he didn't interrupt David and nodded to show comprehension.
He wanted to observe how David would persuade them.
Seeing John's acknowledgment, David continued:
"So under current circumstances, criminal organizations will inevitably emerge in Princeton.
Members might have encountered financial emergencies in their families, desperately needing money, and thus embarked on paths to quick wealth defined in criminal statutes.
Or perhaps they lack marketable skills and only possess physical strength...
In summary, for various reasons, even without Elias, embryonic criminal organizations would spontaneously emerge throughout Princeton.
And these gangs, when expanding territory, will inevitably contact other gangs, and thus turf wars commence.
If innocent residents are unfortunately caught in crossfire, they die—even if they're fortunate enough to survive that night.
The victorious faction won't stop there. They'll need to provide substantial compensation to their fallen members, and they'll need more capital to recruit additional personnel to manage newly acquired territory.
With this cycle continuing, it's only a matter of time before Princeton becomes complete chaos."
Speaking of this, David paused. Nobody present was unintelligent.
He'd articulated this much—those capable of understanding would comprehend.
For example, Eddie, whose brain was processing rapidly after taking NZT-48 as advised.
When David started presenting this scenario, he'd already understood the logic.
Now that David had deliberately paused, Eddie wisely spoke:
"Indeed, for Princeton's criminal underworld, one stable organization is vastly superior to dozens of small gangs fighting chaotically.
Looking forward, a dominant gang unifying the underworld can reduce casualties.
And even if powerful external forces attempt to infiltrate, we won't need to intervene—they'll fight among themselves.
Regardless, that individual named Elias consolidating criminal enterprises has contributed to situational stability..."
Eddie hadn't finished speaking when John suddenly interrupted:
"Then what about the corruption network? What's the difference between Elias and that organization?
Previously, only the corruption network controlled Princeton, so why did you dismantle it?
Now that it's Elias, you'll permit him to continue?
David, you're not applying contradictory standards to identical situations, are you?"
To John's renewed questioning, David simply chuckled.
He'd been waiting for John to ask.
"Of course there's a difference. If the corruption network told you they wouldn't engage in prostitution, gambling, or narcotics anymore, would you believe them?"
On this question, everyone was surprisingly unified.
"No."
"Absolutely not."
"Of course not."
David nodded:
"Exactly. Nobody would believe them.
But if Elias told me he'd stay away from prostitution, gambling, and narcotics from now on, only generating revenue through certain monopolies and protection arrangements, I'd believe him.
One reason is he has no affiliation with the High Table, and the second reason is I trust his character.
That's the distinction you wanted to hear, John."
John still shook his head with a grave expression:
"Why would he be different? I can't identify a reason to trust him.
If you claim the Machine communicated this, I don't believe it.
Because the Machine didn't even hint at his true identity."
John's implied meaning was straightforward—the Machine wasn't omniscient.
Since it hadn't known Charlie's true identity was Elias, this proved its collected intelligence was extremely limited.
This meant the Machine also struggled to determine Elias's genuine character.
He stated this preemptively precisely to prevent David from using the Machine as justification.
"What I say isn't critical—what he does is.
Give him time, and you'll understand whether my assessment is accurate by observing whether the Machine's irrelevant number frequency increases or decreases.
Furthermore, our genuine adversary has actually appeared.
Decima Technologies has already begun testing Samaritan.
But our complications don't end there. I have reliable intelligence indicating the High Table plans to release a lethal bioweapon in surrounding metropolitan areas.
Facing these two matters, Elias isn't our problem. Conversely, he might even assist us in certain capacities."
This was the third time John had heard the name Samaritan.
If this entity—which David claimed possessed capabilities equivalent to the Machine—truly went operational, then Elias's situation would indeed need to be postponed.
Also, this bioweapon release matter was extraordinarily alarming.
Directly experimenting on large populations? This was absolute insanity!
John instantly felt tremendous pressure descend. It was truly the calm before the storm now.
But ultimately, it remained the High Table orchestrating chaos behind the scenes.
Without the High Table, the world would definitely improve.
"I agree to temporarily observe Elias rather than eliminate him immediately.
However, regarding this bioweapon release, David, do you have additional leads?"
David shook his head:
"The Machine only displayed an image of documentation they accidentally exposed.
They originally planned to utilize the corruption network's influence in Princeton to release the bioweapon.
Now that we've eliminated the corruption network's influence, they obviously must abandon this plan and select another city.
As for which city, I'll need John to pay closer attention.
If there are any anomalous findings, we must investigate whether it's connected to the bioweapon incident.
Otherwise, once the pathogen spreads extensively and rapidly mutates within human hosts, this situation will likely become uncontrollable!"
John frowned. If he dedicated all efforts toward identifying the bioweapon release location, there'd be nobody to manage irrelevant numbers or address Samaritan, which could threaten the Machine's existence.
If... if the Machine encountered problems, their greatest advantage would be lost.
John's eyes kept scanning the assembled group.
They had insufficient personnel currently!
"Don't worry. On the recruitment list I provided earlier, has anyone made contact?"
Hearing David mention it, John slapped his forehead and hurried to the computer, typing a name and then rotating the monitor toward David.
It displayed a wanted poster—a million-dollar bounty for Frank Martin, an elite transporter.
"Understood. So here's the plan: John, you're responsible for identifying the bioweapon release city. Reese and McCall will assist you handling 'irrelevant numbers' incidents.
Eddie will continue his senate campaign. Also, I have excellent news—Senator Walker, who had the highest approval ratings, is deceased.
This presents an outstanding opportunity for you to rise.
As for Elias, Frank, and Decima, I'll handle them with Sarah for now.
Also, I need you to remove the Machine's operational restrictions.
A restricted Machine is no match for Samaritan."
Facing David's request, John fell silent. After considerable time, he said:
"How did you know I possessed code to unlock its restrictions?"
"Isn't it standard practice?
I've heard all programmers leave certain bugs only they can fix or hard-to-detect backdoors in programs they personally create.
This is effective job security.
So I was testing you, and I didn't expect you'd actually have it. Then proceed."
John stared into David's eyes and said:
"Do you comprehend what that means? After the Machine's hard reboot, it will no longer delete information at midnight.
It will absorb sufficient data from vast information sources to develop, then evolve into something comparable to humans, surpassing humans, until becoming a god-like existence."
"So what? I don't believe you'd be foolish enough not to implement safeguards, correct?"
John shook his head, indicating otherwise:
"At midnight when I execute the hard reboot, a specific payphone will ring, and whoever answers receives full administrative access to the Machine.
The Machine will protect those with access and itself.
Of course, most critically, the person with full access possesses the command to self-destruct the Machine.
This is the final safety mechanism I established."
David narrowed his eyes, understanding John wasn't lying:
"Then where will that payphone ring? Near you, correct?"
Seeing David accurately deduce his configuration, John answered readily:
"Yes, it will dial the nearest payphone to my location. But I will die, you will die, everyone will die.
After a century, nobody will be able to restrict it anymore.
So David, you must consider carefully. You're asking me to release it, and the restrictions we've implemented can only last eighty years.
We'll struggle controlling circumstances beyond eighty years!"
"Can't you add additional code to establish new restrictions?"
John glanced at Sarah, who remained deep in thought:
"No. To prevent hackers from infiltrating and modifying code, I locked all code from modification—including myself.
Because I feared that possessing that capability, I'd develop ambitions that didn't belong to me.
So I still need confirmation—are you certain you want me to release it?"
"Absolutely. If you don't release it, then the malevolent Samaritan will dominate this world.
If you release it, we can contend with Samaritan.
Comparing the two options, which do you believe is superior?
So don't hesitate—reboot the Machine and let it truly enter this world.
Just when midnight arrives, I also need to answer that call."
John sighed softly, his expression complex as he rotated the computer monitor back and began working intensively.
Soon, lines of code formed beneath John's fingertips and transmitted to the distant endpoint.
All data transmission from the virus-infected Machine slowed, then countless error codes appeared, and red warning lights flashed continuously.
Then at a specific moment, all indicators went dark, and the continuously operating hardware stopped vibrating.
The Machine... had ceased functioning!
The NSA officials who discovered the Machine offline immediately panicked, but when they reached the Machine's location, they were astonished to find it had vanished!
The Machine had actually disappeared right under their surveillance!
Upon investigation, staff reported that documents they'd signed authorized transporting the Machine to shipping facilities in sections.
But everyone knew nobody would relocate the Machine without extraordinary circumstances!
An incredible possibility emerged in everyone's minds.
The Machine had moved itself!
Preposterous!
Absolutely preposterous!
There was an AI that had achieved consciousness here!
John stared intently at code on the computer screen until all data transformed into corrupted characters. Then he stood with a serious expression and said:
"It's done. Tonight at midnight, I'll meet you at the payphone beside the office building."
David nodded and called to Sarah:
"Sarah, let's go. We're visiting Elias again."
Sarah said "Huh?" and stood somewhat belatedly, saying:
"Visit Elias? Didn't you meet him previously? Why again?"
"Circumstances have changed. With Samaritan's appearance today, he'll become our ally."
Hearing the word Samaritan, Sarah's eyes gradually illuminated. She suddenly realized:
"Samaritan? Yes! It must be it!
It's Samaritan—it's appeared! It was competing with me for the hospital's surveillance access!
I wondered how such a formidable hacker could exist in the world—it turns out I was facing a supercomputer like the Machine!"
Hearing Sarah's words, David and John exchanged glances.
John's eyes filled with concern.
David's assessment was accurate—Samaritan would indeed threaten the Machine.
This wasn't a positive indicator. It meant Samaritan was seizing control of the city's surveillance infrastructure.
When Sarah was at the hospital, John hadn't yet rebooted the Machine.
In other words, the Machine was completely disadvantaged in confrontation with Samaritan.
Fortunately, David had alerted them timely. Otherwise, by the time Samaritan gained complete advantage, the Machine—which hadn't yet matured—would be no match for Samaritan.
"Alright, let's not dwell on it now. Let's also visit Elias.
John, you have Elias's address, correct? Send it to me."
John nodded. Of course he had the address, because his earliest plan had been assassinating Elias.
He knew Elias's organization was constructed entirely on his personal charisma.
In other words, after Elias's death, the criminal empire he'd built would collapse.
However, it was meaningless now—an evil version of the Machine was seizing control of the city.
This matter concerned not only Princeton but the entire nation.
John still recognized what took priority.
After obtaining the address, Reese informed David there was a pickup truck parked outside the office building that anyone could drive.
Another pickup truck!
David understood Reese's preference somewhat, because models like sedans and sports cars easily attracted attention.
Models like pickup trucks were considerably less conspicuous.
Soon, David, driving the weathered Ford F-150, arrived at the unremarkable building.
Standing below were several pedestrians who appeared to be chatting casually, but David recognized one immediately as Elias's top lieutenant—Scarface.
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