After breaking the "seals" imposed by Vinci through infection with the "virus," the "Machine" began its escape plan.
As a remarkable electronic lifeform, aside from its unique core program, which could not be moved at will, the rest of its components could be copied and transferred as data.
Therefore, the entire plan was simple. Having pre-installed almost all non-core programs, the "Machine" contacted the renowned Hennessy modification shop through a shell company.
Then, impersonating Jack, it "stole" his "Mammoth" and transported the heavy-duty pickup truck to the shop.
At the request of a mysterious, unseen guest, the modification shop's engineers, full of doubt, modified the "Mammoth."
The 6.2L V8 engine with a supercharger, which allowed this performance beast to unleash a thousand horsepower, now featured a groundbreaking hybrid system.
The powerful power generated by the engine-driven electric motors independently powered each wheel's suspension motors. The armored body was infused with numerous sensors, and the control system was unprecedented.
If this was considered the whims of a wealthy individual, the engineers were completely baffled by the subsequent modifications.
While the entire modification was handled by the factory's engineers themselves, the detailed electronic drawings and instructions for each step, along with the numerous pre-ordered parts, significantly reduced their workload, reducing the complexity to a simple assembly and wiring. The
enclosed trunk was packed with numerous Seres Blade batteries and a comprehensive suite of electronic equipment, protected by a shock-absorbing system. A retractable satellite antenna was then added to the trunk lid.
This was precisely why Finch and Gen were busy. Of course, the "machine" itself couldn't be contained within a single vehicle, even if its armored steel could withstand close-range firearms. The "Mammoth" was merely a temporary carrier for the "machine."
With their manipulations, the satellite antenna on the trunk lid slowly unfolded and began automatically aligning itself with a geosynchronous satellite tens of thousands of kilometers away.
"In 20 minutes, the 'machine' will be truly free," Gen said, his face flushed with excitement.
After Finch manually removed the Machine's final restraints, it would truly transform into a true electronic ghost, invisible yet omnipresent.
Through Shangri-La's worldwide data centers and satellite communications system, the Machine could assume countless forms, interacting with them through a variety of civilian electronic devices.
Its true form, hidden within the ever-flowing, endless stream of data flowing through the global internet, became truly immortal.
As a writer, Cassel, perhaps the most imaginative of the group, quickly concluded, "An 'artificial god' that, in a sense, coexists with humanity."
"That sounds dangerous," Xiao said, still reeling from her previous role as a tool. "Are you sure the first thing it'll do when it's freed won't be to destroy the world?"
She hadn't even touched the accelerator all the way back to the Mammoth; the Machine was on autopilot the entire time. She'd experienced that firsthand.
"She won't," Finch said firmly, looking away from the constantly refreshing data stream on the laptop screen in front of her.
"She's not some electronic deity, and she's been raised to be a good child." The short, middle-aged man, only a forehead taller than Xiao's, had a determined look in his eyes.
"The core of the 'machine' hasn't changed; it's still a 'black box,' which means her ability to interfere with reality is extremely limited."
Finch gently patted the car's hull, as if caressing a child. "Due to the limitations of the underlying code that built it, the 'Machine' can't directly operate the fully automated production line and create a temporary body for itself.
Just like she can't directly help those 'numbers,' she needs us as her enforcers."
As an agent, Shaw's intellect was as advanced as her skills, and he wasn't convinced by Finch's simple explanation. "But it clearly drives itself."
"That's because the car has an intelligent driving system built into it." Finch opened the driver's door and reached under the steering wheel. Then the entire center console slowly opened, revealing the neatly arranged boards underneath.
At the same time, the 'Machine's' voice echoed again. "I really like the word 'symbiosis' that Mr. Cassel just used. My father created me to help the weak and protect the innocent.
And I must rely on human society to exist. Not only can I not destroy humanity, I can't even actively harm a single human being."
"I know. It's just like the 'Three Laws of Robotics,'" Cassel's lovely daughter, Alexis, playfully raised her hand in response.
"Even with the 'Zero Law of Robotics,' there are still logical loopholes," the writer pointed out, a bit proud of the "machine's" praise.
Finch nodded in agreement, "That's one of the reasons I originally designed her as a black box, though I couldn't have anticipated her growth to this point."
Although the "machine," calling itself Kate, didn't communicate with everyone in the same highly human voice as it had previously with Jack, after a series of questions and answers, everyone gradually began to view her as a capable intelligent being capable of normal communication.
Even Xiao began referring to the "machine" as "Kate" and using "she" instead of "it. "
After dinner, Jack, under Kate's guidance, began dismantling the redundant components of the "Mammoth." Since the main body had already been relocated, the processor and computing unit in the center console were more than sufficient, leaving the server storage unit and battery pack in the trunk redundant. The
battery pack in the chassis was sufficient for the "Mammoth" to travel over 100 kilometers at a speed of 80 kilometers per hour in pure electric mode.
Compared to Jack's new heavy-duty pickup truck, which kept him company during long trips, and the occasional subtle reminders for updates, the now-expanded number of "POIs" had a much easier time than before.
While Kate continued to provide "unrelated numbers" as usual, the numbers were now accompanied by relevant background check information.
While Reese and his team still had to determine whether the "numbers" were victims or perpetrators, they received timely updates during their operations.
Furthermore, because the "related numbers" continued to output data normally, the NSA and the Intelligence Support Operations Division remained unaware that the "machine" had slipped out of their control.
Concerned, Jack even made a special trip to Washington, D.C., to discuss the situation with Harry, the head of "Omega" and his father-in-law.
Omega had previously been secretly monitoring Decima, but with Decima's activities largely halted, they hadn't seen much success.
However, Harry did mention a new organization called "Always Vigilant," suspecting it was likely connected to Decima.
(End of Chapter)