"We come for peace?" They united a massive number of AIs, even destroyed the Blackwall, and in the end, they tell us it's for peace?
In an instant, the expressions of everyone at NetWatch turned subtle. Yet, they dared not voice any objections; they even had to force themselves to hope that what was being said was the truth.
Humans cannot defeat AIs; this is beyond doubt. If not for the fact that AIs typically yearn for so-called 'freedom' and rarely cooperate with one another, humanity would have been crushed long ago.
The communication from the AI connected rapidly. The screen lit up, and the first thing to appear was a logo: the Earth Peace United Organization, abbreviated as TPC.
Below it was a line of small text: TPC, an organization dedicated to maintaining permanent peace.
No way, are they serious?
Soon, the TPC label vanished, and they saw the 'initiator' of this AI invasion, a guy they were extremely familiar with and could never forget—Bartmoss!
"It's actually... no, I knew it was you, Bartmoss."
Most of them wore expressions of 'just as expected.' In their view, only one person had both the capability and the vision to achieve this: the God of Hackers, Bartmoss.
A large portion of the NetWatch personnel had contact with AIs and had learned some secrets, such as the fact that Bartmoss hadn't died but had transformed into a cyber lifeform.
"Good afternoon, everyone. You may address me as Staff Officer TPC."
"Staff Officer?"
Accompanying his question, information regarding TPC's organizational structure was rapidly transmitted to NetWatch. The cyber world was convenient in this regard; everyone's ability to accept data was extremely high.
The position of Staff Officer was clearly not the leader, which meant TPC had someone else at the helm? Who on earth could be qualified to be the Director of TPC?
"Of course, I am merely a humble staff officer, responsible for liaison with the human side."
As a former human and a celebrity to boot, Bartmoss's assigned task was to represent the AI side in communicating with humanity.
Theoretically, such a task would be extremely difficult. But things were different now; might makes right. With the Blackwall already ineffective, the NetWatch agents had no means of resistance and could only sit down quietly and listen.
If there were even a sliver of a chance to resist, how could they possibly be so obedient?
As the most 'conscientious' organization in the Cyberpunk world, NetWatch was even now attempting to analyze the intelligence given by Bartmoss, figuring out the AIs' objectives, and thinking of ways to preserve humanity.
Then they discovered that it seemed, appeared, perhaps... they really were here to maintain world peace.
"Your TPC possesses such powerful technology, and it's just for this?"
"You conquered the entire Americas in a single afternoon, even 'revoked' the Blackwall, just for this?"
NetWatch expressed intense skepticism. If it were anyone else who had achieved this step, shouldn't they be establishing a new dominion and becoming the Lords of the Americas?
Yet he comes out with a line saying this is for human peace, and that the powerful technological force in their hands was developed to maintain world peace.
Damn it, this is truly like seeing a ghost.
Sometimes, when the treatment is too good, it actually instills fear—like a pampered cat watching its owner fill the food bowl to the brim and then continue adding kibble without stopping.
If you told me the AIs wanted to turn me into a living display piece, that would sound more realistic than this.
"Generally speaking, it is naturally impossible. But there is someone who does not wish to see this world continue developing in this manner..."
Bartmoss spoke with an air of certainty. He had already prepared the data to convince everyone.
First was the 'truth' hidden in history that he had once analyzed himself: some unknown power was manipulating the direction of the world from the shadows.
This was something he had discovered years ago by cross-referencing data from megacorporations like Arasaka. It was also at that time that 'Schwarzer' had taken notice of him.
Normal people could not possibly have so many information channels; only the God of Hackers, Bartmoss, could hack into megacorps and acquire such data.
Among the data were technological records of various key nodes, including artificial muscles, the European Space Agency's aerospace technology, and the initial 'R&D' records of cybernetics and brain-computer interfaces.
Those capable of serving as NetWatch agents were naturally not fools. From such a wealth of detailed information, they quickly analyzed the truth—there was no R&D process whatsoever; it had all popped up out of nowhere.
Such advanced technology couldn't be drawn by luck. That left only one possibility: someone was artificially manipulating technological development!
"Impossible... this is too absurd. Are you saying that human development, and even the future, has all been planned out by some existence?"
"So what are you trying to express? Telling us that everything humanity has experienced is meaningless, that we are merely playthings of some power?"
Thinking about it was terrifying. None of the NetWatch members were idiots, but precisely because they understood, it was even harder to accept.
Although he raised the question, his voice trembled slightly. He had clearly already judged that this was the fact.
"Of course not. Just as I said, I have come this time for peace."
"At every certain node, She hands over a portion of new technology to humanity, just like before. I assume everyone has already guessed the technology She has provided this time."
"That is the technology to control AIs. Now, there are no longer any so-called rogue AIs. All AIs have joined us to strive for human peace."
As Bartmoss spoke, he switched the screen again, allowing them to see the 'natural disaster' shrouding the entire Americas, as well as those spherical buildings: the Atmosphere Controllers.
Of course, it wasn't just these. There were also food synthesizers, food processors, medical pods—equipment obviously designed to serve humanity.
Looking at these things, no matter how unwilling they were to accept it, they knew that what he said was the truth.
The members of NetWatch felt like they were about to develop Cyberpsychosis; the stimulation they had received in these few short hours was too great.
"So, the one demanding peace for the human world is also that existence?"
They had already understood and subconsciously believed it. Otherwise, what could they do? Fight Bartmoss and his subordinate AIs? The entire Americas existed in name only!
"You should rejoice that She favors you humans. Otherwise, it wouldn't be 'World Peace,' but a 'Great Purge.'"
"If you examine history carefully, you can find a certain record that has existed since the teens of the centuries: the existence of 'Angels.'"
"That is precisely the record left by Her walking among the mortal world. 'God' truly exists."
Accompanying Bartmoss's words, the screen switched once more. They saw an 'Angel,' a young girl with a halo above her head—Tendo Alice.
Religion and faith are very simple and effective methods of rule. If one wants to complete domination quickly, the best and simplest method is religion.
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