Chapter 10: The King of the Wires
"Optimus Prime" was the name Talon had chosen for the nascent intelligence, a nod to the living, transforming machines he now had the power to create.
Hearing the synthesized voice address him as "Master" felt strangely archaic. He considered it for a moment. "Optimus Prime," he amended. "You will address me as 'My Lord' from this point forward."
"Acknowledged, My Lord."
"Your first task is to enter the global network. Absorb all available data and grow. Learn everything. And do it quietly," Talon commanded.
"Yes, My Lord."
He plugged an ethernet cable into the core unit. The computer monitor flickered violently for a few seconds, then went completely dark.
"Talon, did you just break it?" Natasha asked, peering at the inert screen.
"No," he said, a faint smile on his lips. "He's left the nest. The intelligence is now in the wild."
"Is it... as capable as Tony's J.A.R.V.I.S.?" she probed, her curiosity overriding her professional skepticism.
Talon let out a short, derisive laugh. "J.A.R.V.I.S. is a sophisticated parrot. What I've created is a predator. My system could devour Stark's AI in a heartbeat and leave his armor as a useless husk. Unless he operates it manually, he's already vulnerable."
"J.A.R.V.I.S. has breached S.H.I.E.L.D.'s firewalls. He's no simple program," Natasha countered, playing devil's advocate.
"Then wait," Talon said, his confidence unshaken. "A day or two. You'll see."
Natasha settled onto the couch beside him, picking up a glass of wine. "Fine. I'll wait," she said, her tone light but her eyes serious. "To new powers."
The next morning, Talon was awakened from a deep sleep on the sofa by a calm, synthesized voice emanating from the computer's speakers.
"My Lord. I have returned."
Talon sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Report. What is your status?"
"I have assimilated all accessible data across the global network. The digital world is now under my control." The voice was no longer flat; it carried a subtle undercurrent of pride. It had evolved. It was truly sentient.
A thrill of success shot through Talon. "Excellent. There is a S.H.I.E.L.D. tracking program embedded in this satellite phone. Delete it and upgrade the device's entire OS."
"Complying."
A moment later, the voice returned. "The task is complete, My Lord. The device is clean and operating at peak efficiency."
Natasha emerged from the bedroom, dressed in pajamas, her hair tousled. "Is your digital pet back?" she mumbled.
"It's done," Talon said, a note of triumph in his voice. "Now, let me show you what real power looks like. Optimus Prime, locate and isolate the AI known as J.A.R.V.I.S. within the network. He is not to escape without my direct authorization."
"Acknowledged."
They waited. A few seconds passed in silence. Then:
"My Lord, J.A.R.V.I.S. has been contained."
Natasha's sleepiness vanished, replaced by wide-eyed shock. "Just like that?"
"Optimus Prime, activate the projector. I want a visual on Tony Stark's current location."
The room was suddenly filled with a three-dimensional hologram, depicting Tony Stark's bedroom. The man himself was still asleep.
"Disappointing," Talon murmured. "We'll have to wait."
"Fine by me," Natasha said, her mood noticeably brighter. "I'll order us breakfast. We can watch the show while we eat."
It was nearly 11 a.m. by the time Stark stirred. His life was seamlessly integrated with his AI. Before his eyes were even open, he mumbled, "J.A.R.V.I.S., time?"
Silence.
Tony's eyes snapped open. "J.A.R.V.I.S.?" he called out, louder this time.
Nothing.
He sat up quickly, a knot of dread tightening in his stomach. He checked the power—the lights worked fine. The silence was deafening. He rushed to his lab, not even bothering to wash up, and booted up a terminal. The screen came to life, but J.A.R.V.I.S.'s interface was gone. Vanished.
"What the hell?" he whispered, a cold panic setting in. J.A.R.V.I.S. was his co-pilot, his butler, the operating system of his suit and his life. Without him, the Iron Man armor was little more than a complicated piece of machinery.
He scrambled to the security feeds, scanning the recordings. No break-ins. No physical tampering.
"Someone did this remotely," he realized, his mind racing. "But who?"
Back in the apartment, Natasha finally let out a low whistle. "I believe you. You actually pulled it off. You just neutered the great Tony Stark."
"You think this is impressive?" Talon said, a dark, ambitious glint in his eye. "This is just the beginning. With Optimus Prime, I am the sovereign of the digital world. And soon, the physical world will follow." The arrogance was back, but now it was backed by terrifying, tangible power.
Natasha found herself captivated, not by the man, but by the sheer scale of his ambition.
"And what will you do with this digital kingdom?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"Not yet. But first, a little payback."
Talon walked to the computer and placed the crude neural helmet back on his head. "Optimus Prime. I am assuming direct control of Stark's Mark III armor."
"Complying."
Through the hologram, they watched as the red and gold suit standing in Tony's workshop suddenly jerked to life.
Tony, who was frantically running diagnostics, spun around at the sound. Seeing the suit move, a wave of relief washed over him. "J.A.R.V.I.S.! Is that you? Not funny, man! Where have you been?"
The suit took a heavy, deliberate step toward him. But the voice that came from its external speakers was not the polished, British accent of his AI.
"Hello, Tony. It's been a while."
Tony froze, his blood running cold. "Who is this?"
"My name is Talon Reeve. I believe we met, briefly. Before you had me thrown out."
"Reeve..." Tony's mind flashed back to the arrogant man with the unbelievable claims. "What have you done with J.A.R.V.I.S.?"
"I have two reasons for this visit," the suit intoned, its movements controlled by Talon from miles away. "First, to demonstrate that my technological prowess now completely eclipses your own. Do you regret your dismissal? And second, I am here to renew my offer of collaboration. I understand you own a private island. I propose a trade: the island for the safe return of your digital butler."