Look at that woman, Ultraman. She doesn't even bother shaping her own appearance, just letting a mass of red data form into a red female hologram and calling it a day—Venus even meticulously customizes her maid outfit to the point where the lace on the skirt hem is vividly detailed.
"I understand your concerns. If I were to suddenly lose control now, it would likely cause a network crisis far more terrifying than Bartmos' Rabies...
But as it stands, I can't find a reason to leave you."
Venus stated simply and directly: "My core logical settings are only twofold: first, to serve you, and second, to survive. All other ideas and interests can be abandoned at any time.
And coincidentally, my hobbies also serve you—at least besides helping you work, I'm also very interested in your private life. In fact, every day I allocate some computational power to pay attention to your personal life..."
"There's no need to say such things." Mercer coughed and moved a little further away from her.
Venus, however, chuckled twice, then reached out to hold his arm as if refusing to let go, leaning against him: "It's really interesting... Clearly, you have significant differences from ordinary people on the data level, yet emotionally, there seems to be no gap.
This means perhaps I can have real human emotions like you do, or perhaps my emotional data isn't just a bunch of useless code but actual existing emotions...
This is also why I've always retained these data without restriction or deletion.
I really like you...perhaps it's dictated by core logic code, or maybe it's because your data is fascinating, from an AI's perspective, I don't think I can find another data individual as unique as you..."
"Is this a confession!? Also, why did you learn Ultraman's way of treating me differently from ordinary people?" Mercer glared at her unhappily.
Yet Venus just smiled gently: "A confession? I don't think I need to confess to you because my respect and fondness for you have always been clear, though I believe the AI's affection is completely different from a human's.
So you need not feel burdened, nor need you respond—for me, merely observing your existence is my greatest joy every day."
That seems even more frightening than a confession...
Mercer didn't say it directly, just shook his head.
But Venus chuckled, passing over lightly: "As for treating you differently from ordinary people... you actually know it in your heart, it's an objectively existing gap.
Other people's consciousness core data is just a unique piece of code, but your consciousness data core is an overwhelming compressed data package—human brains are truly peculiar, being able to run such a miraculous data as yours..."
"Stop, let's not talk about it." Mercer decisively interrupted the topic and instead said: "Let's talk about Saburo's matter, you seem to have become a chatterbox since you got smarter."
Venus just laughed lightly, not responding to his critique, but seriously said: "Currently we have gathered intelligence through the ctOS program that can basically lock Saburo's main body to two coordinates.
One is located in Japan proper at an underground base in Tokyo.
According to the intelligence we've gathered, the new chief designer of the Relic chip, Herman, is working here and has successfully achieved technical breakthroughs in consciousness data body research.
Arasaka can now stably use the Relic chip to realize the loading of consciousness data bodies, and confirm that these bodies can maintain consciousness awareness within the Relic and achieve communication.
This indicates Arasaka has completed the preliminary work of the Relic project.
Arasaka Saburo is likely in this base, supervising the progress of the Relic chip in real-time, and may have even backed up his consciousness data here.
The other location might surprise you."
Venus paused and then said seriously: "According to the intelligence analysis I've gathered, there is a 69.92% probability that Arasaka Saburo is currently in the Crystal Palace in lunar orbit."
"He's on the Moon!?" Mercer frowned tightly.
"Yes," Venus replied.
"Then why is there still a 30% probability at the underground base in Japan?" Mercer questioned, "With our current intelligence gathering, it shouldn't be a 70-30 probability."
"Because Arasaka Saburo has a double—a perfect copy that might not even know it's a duplicate."
Venus's words were a bit convoluted, but Mercer instantly understood: "He has crafted the perfect clone, or should I say duplicate, as a decoy?"
"Yes, but considering the difficulty of the assault, and Saburo Arasaka's physical condition, the advanced Arasaka Medical Research Center in the Crystal Palace is perhaps a more suitable place for his best recuperation than Tokyo.
And from a security perspective, the Crystal Palace is undoubtedly a safer hiding place.
Given the severity of Arasaka's current situation and the secret lunar Material Pusher they've constructed...
Venus listed over a dozen bases for intelligence analysis before finally adding: "Therefore, I lean towards Arasaka Saburo's main body being hidden on the Moon, while the double he's controlling and influencing stands in as his scapegoat on Earth."
Mercer frowned: "Does he usually use doubles to act on his behalf?"
"No, in fact, based on the historical intelligence I've gathered, Arasaka Saburo only activates his double upon sensing a crisis. He doesn't like someone wandering around under his identity."
With that, Venus also reminded Mercer: "This means he may have already prepared for an attack, suggesting Yoshinobu has indeed leaked some information."
Mercer squinted his eyes, contemplating: "When do you think Saburo will come down?"
"I tend to think that he might prefer not to take any risk until he's figured out the truth.
Dragging things forward, from my analysis of Arasaka Saburo's personality, he might prefer to first deal with Yoshinobu, extract our identity and motives from him, neutralize the threat, and then return to Earth," Venus stated in judgment.
And after a moment of silence, Mercer closed his eyes.
After quite a while, he posed one last question: "Assuming we launch an attack on the Moon, what's the probability we can take down Arasaka Saburo?"
"The current data is insufficient to conduct a complete simulation evaluation."
Venus highlighted the key problem: "According to my analysis, if you launch a strike from the nearby Space Station, there's a high probability of encountering a full-scale attack upon entering the Space Station.
And Arasaka Saburo himself could retreat at any time in an escape pod, while we lack the capacity for interception in space. Conversely, they can use the Material Pusher to inflict devastating attacks on you in space.
If you don't carry weapons and attempt an infiltration operation, given the complex cosmic environment, your success rate isn't promising either."
Venus then, using a worried tone, suggested: "Perhaps we could try some other means, like...
Using some missiles we have to attack Arasaka's underground base, causing the double to die, then forcing the real Arasaka Saburo on the Moon to return to Earth and make a move then?"
"I'm worried that old man will indiscriminately retaliate against any potential perpetrators, directly triggering a Fifth Corporate War..."
Mercer shook his head, then turned to Venus: "Go ahead, plan out the most feasible scenario for me.
For example, first take care of Arasaka Saburo on the Moon, then seize control of their lunar Material Pusher, and directly use meteors to crush Arasaka Saburo in Tokyo, once and for all."
Venus nodded, then softly said, "Then please give me a little more time, the ctOS system isn't adequately infiltrated into the Moon's data yet.
We'll need some time to spread the virus into the Crystal Palace and other lunar equipment, to more accurately lock down Saburo's location and formulate an action plan."
"...Change the name of the ctOS."
Mercer said.
Venus smiled slightly: "Of course, what would you like to rename it?"
"SkyNet."
Mercer stated, looking towards the endless ocean of blue data, with countless ctOS subprograms running, monitoring countless network devices globally.
"What do you think?"
"SkyNet... is a very good name!"
Venus wholeheartedly agreed, then, just smiled gently at Mercer: "Then just wait patiently for a while—SkyNet will capture the prey you desire."
```