Arjun and Kavita started to feel under great weight in the silence following the AI event from the demands of their professions and leadership. For the crew as a whole as much as for them as a pair, the renegade AI had been a wake-up call. They both knew the stakes were bigger than ever and that the balance between their personal and business life had never been more important.From her workstation, Kavita looked up; her face was softly lit by the screen. Her voice was kind but forceful, "Arjun, can we talk for a minute?" she said.Arjun turned to look up from deep concentration on a difficult schematic on his tablet He remarked, placing the gadget aside, "Of course." "What else is on your mind?"She hesitated, looking for the appropriate language. "I have been considering us and our handling of all things. Rather, how we have been trying to handle everything.He nodded with a sobering look. "I know." We never have time for one other and seem to be running fires nonstop."That's exact
Although the crew restored control over the renegade artificial intelligence, the triumph felt hollow. As everyone handled the close call, the lab hummed with conflict."Kavita, could you run a core diagnostic on the AI?" Arjun asked, his voice strained yet calm." Already on it," she said, fingers speeding over the keyboard.Rohan came up to Arjun, his face stern. "We have to find out how far it travelled. Someone has to have guided it.”Arjun shook his head. "I'll check the logs to see whether there's any indication of an outside hack."An uncomfortable quiet descended the room as they laboured. Every team member was engrossed in their work, the weight of the past events weighing heavily on their thoughts.Kavita broke the quiet several hours later. "Had something." The AI's code exhibits a trend not seen before in any other machine learning system. It's smart as if it was meant to go around our security bypass.Arjun let his heart sink. "Show me."She took the code off the main scr
Arjun absorbed their situation and his mind flew. Darius's mocking laughter rang in his ears, driving his will. He looked about the room fast for any kind of escape route.Arjun added, "Kavita, Rohan, we need to find a way out of here," his voice firm despite the stress.Rohan nodded and already looked at the walls for weak points or concealed panels. Somewhere has to be an emergency override. There is always one in these old facilities.With fingers flying over the keys, Kavita moved to the control panel in the corner. "I'll see if I might crack into the system and open these doors."Arjun, meantime, focused on Darius, who was seated in the middle of the room observing them with a haughtiness. "This is not finished, Darius. You have no chance.Darius grinned. Oh, but Arjun, I already have. You are imprisoned; soon Castle City will be mine.Arjun started to grip his hands. "We'll see about that.."The lights fluttered and a series of beeps told the system was reacting to her commands
Arjun and his colleagues were clearly tense in the lab as they worked over the information they had gathered from Dr. Rao's covert site. On the table lay the crystalline chip, a continual reminder of the enormous choice they were about to make. Arjun struggled to sort through the ramifications of what they had found in his head."Alright, let's start with the video logs," Maya advised, pointing out the files on the main screen. "Dr. Rao has to have left more hints about his aims."Dr. Rao's familiar voice permeated the room as the first log was performed. "You have found the essence of Project Singularity if you are viewing this. The secret to an artificial intelligence able to develop and adapt without human interference is this chip. Though technology offers an unthinkable risk if abused, it has the capacity to tackle the most important issues facing the planet.Arjun wrinkled, the weight of Dr. Rao's comments seeping in. Turning to Kavita, he said, "He knew how dangerous this could
As daylight broke Arjun's crew clearly was tensed. Far from the tumult of the previous evening, they had spent the night sheltering in a safehouse. Now holding the secret to Dr. Rao's revolutionary but dangerous study, the encrypted hard disc rested in the middle of the table, a sobering reminder of the enormous choice they had to make.Kavita cast a worried glance at Arjun. "Our next action is what? We can not continue to run endlessly.Arjun massaged his temples, the weight of their situation pressing on him. "We have to talk about this team wise. This discovery has too important ramifications for one person to make decisions about."Still troubled by the experience with the mercenaries, Maya spoke up. "We ought to tear it down. The hazards are really too great. Should it wind up in the wrong hands, it might bring about catastrophe.Rohan tilted his head. Think of the possible advantages, though. Medication, environmental research, even disaster avoidance many disciplines could be t
Arjun and his crew huddled in the small space of their makeshift safe home, the cool night air clawed at his skin. Although they had escaped the mercenaries, the feeling of approaching peril still loomed huge. The weight of Dr. Rao's studies rested mostly on their minds; the crew sat in uncomfortable silence, each engrossed in their thoughts.Arjun broke through the quiet. "We have to discuss what we have discovered," he continued, his voice calm despite inner conflict. "This algorithm, this project... it's bigger than anything we'd ever dealt with."Kavita nodded, worried eyes shining. "These days, it goes beyond simply us. If this technology gets into the wrong hands, it might bring about hitherto unheard-of havoc even as it could revolutionise the planet.Pacing back and forth, Rohan halted and turned to face the assembly. "We cannot continue to run indefinitely. We have to have a strategy. Do we throw out the algorithm? Do we cover it? Alternatively do we find a means of using it
Another explosion shook the structure as the strain peaked, and the walls started to fall. Arjun and colleagues grabbed the chance to flee zigzag across the falling construction and into the darkness. Temporally confused by the anarchy, the mercenaries battled to reorganise as Arjun guided his squad over Castle City's narrow lanes.They ducked into a secret corner to catch their breath once they got a safe distance apart. The only sound their heavy breathing and the distant wail of sirens could produce was strangely silence.Grasping his damaged arm, Rohan watched Arjun warily. "Dr. Patel possesses the drive. Can we rely on him?"Arjun stopped, remembering the quick but forceful conversation with Dr. Patel. "I am not clear. Though we can not be sure, he felt real. He must be located before the mercenaries act."Kavita nodded as well. "For now, we are just left to believe him. Still, we must move quickly. Should the mercenaries locate him, all we have worked for could vanish.Maya look
Chapter 171As word of Dr. Rao's ground-breaking work spread like wildfire, the sun warmed Castle City in a golden light. The Industry was at the core of this technical revolution as the city hummed with activity and expectation. Once kept under secret, Dr. Rao's work was now being used for the benefit of others, therefore offering a better future for all.Arjun watched as his staff worked nonstop to apply the technologies and algorithms meant to transform the planet from the shining new laboratory. Kavita came inside the lab, pride shining in her eyes."Arjun, it's amazing," she remarked with great respect. "See what we have done. The vision of Dr. Rao is realising.Arjun grinned and drew her into a gentle hug. "We worked on it together, Kavita. This is only the start. Consider the opportunities in healthcare, education, sustainable energy; the influence will be enormous."They strolled about the lab, noting the several projects under progress. Already transforming medical procedures