Venus remotely assisted him in completing these tasks, while Mercer's main job was to use his unique 'instinct' to distinguish special data within the data piles with his eyes.
Just before time was about to run out, Mercer's eyes suddenly narrowed, then he suddenly spoke: "Why is the consciousness data core's data... different?"
"What?" Ultraman's figure appeared.
"This wandering AI's source code is not the same as Venus's..." Mercer spoke rapidly.
"That's normal, the source code for Venus was pieced together by Bartmos from the first initial AI and the core of subsequent intelligent AIs.
Over decades of AI's continuous self-evolution and derivation, many AI core codes have become very different from the original, which also makes them non-replicable."
Ultraman continued: "This is also one of the reasons AI hasn't thoroughly flooded the market; many mature AIs essentially can only split into sub-AIs, but cannot use their source code to replicate themselves identically."
"No, no, I'm talking about... corruption." A term sprang up in Mercer's head, then he said solemnly, "This wandering AI's source code has been corrupted!
That thing Lilith called the Consciousness Sublimation Program might not originally have been developed for humans, but rather... for AI?!"
This bold hypothesis made Ultraman wrinkle her brow for a moment; she pondered, finally staring at the section of source code highlighted by Mercer: "Do you think this thing is contagious?"
"At present, it doesn't appear to be, but you'd better be careful... suppose this is a corruption program similar to Bartmos's rabies virus; it's very likely her ultimate goal is to first corrupt the world's AI.
This might also explain why Ye Corporation collaborated with her, but the brainwashing operations seem to be completely different processes."
Mercer's bold hypothesis made Ultraman's prosthetic eye flicker with a glimmer; her tone remained unchanged, but it was clear she was serious: "Possibility is not low... I will talk to Bartmos and the others to study it."
"Be careful, I wouldn't want to face an anti-human Ultraman, even a surface friend is a friend, don't mess this up." Mercer said.
Ultraman turned to glance at him: "Alright, as a surface friend, I'll remind you—don't underestimate Arasaka Saburo, he's a truly formidable opponent.
His intellect, his strength, may not be greater than yours, but his ability to read and manipulate people's minds is far more adept than either of us.
Don't think your dealings with Yoshinobu are so secretive; think more, consider before acting.
I haven't seen what you look like fully uploaded yet, if things seem impossible, prioritize preserving your consciousness data."
Mercer rolled his eyes: "Are you cursing me?"
"No, surface friends are still friends, all I want is Arasaka's Divine Chariot, as for Arasaka Saburo... don't mess this up."
Ultraman finished speaking, her figure gradually became illusory: "If you want to study it further later, dive deep into the Hong Kong server, I'll have Internet Supervision open a dedicated line for you, of course, it needs authorized access.
Don't think about bringing trouble to me, I'm not as easygoing as Spider Murphy—close friends, clear accounts."
"That's close brothers! You really need to learn Chinese well." Mercer snorted.
"To reiterate, biologically speaking, even if we digitalize, we'll likely have reproductive isolation—I'm just being precise with words, really should catch up on language class, friend." Ultraman disappeared.
Mercer looked reluctantly at the wandering AI, but it wasn't really worth researching anymore; rather than research value, looking at it more just added one more headache, and it felt like there were quite a few deep pitfalls.
Handing it over to Ultraman might indeed be a good choice—hope if Lilith has a temper, she'll cast a meteor at Ultraman's side, just don't bring one to Night City...
Mercer sighed and exited the deep dive.
Lilith, Moon server, what Ye Corporation and Lilith were doing with the 'Consciousness Sublimation Program', Ultraman's warning about Saburo...
Mercer shook his head, temporarily setting aside the troubles.
"How is it?" Rebecca asked immediately when she saw Mercer open his eyes.
Mercer just shrugged, disconnecting the data cable from his rear head using his Octopus Arm: "The good news is, for now, we don't have to worry about the Little Beidou Facility causing big trouble; Ultraman has taken over the big trouble.
The bad news is that the world might be one step closer to destruction."
"Ha?" Rebecca looked baffled: "World destruction?"
Mercer stood up, looking at the Neural Matrix Device in front of him transmitting data and flickering with lights, he sighed.
"No matter, let's go."
"Where to?"
"Let the robot move the equipment, as matters stand, let's go back and have a midnight snack first."
If the sky falls, the tall person will hold it up; let AI handle it.
As for him...
Get Dog Town sorted first.