Director Smith leaned forward "Do you? Really? Because artificial consciousness is unprecedented, Or Cross. Humanity has never dealt with something like this before The implications are staggenng The dangers "
"Are you threatening me?" Adrian asked.
"No, no," Dr Chen said quickly "Not at all We're concerned For you and for the world EDEN could do incred ble good Or incred ble harm That depends entirety on how it's developed How it's controlled"
"EDEN doesn't need to be controlled," Adnan said, his vorce hardening. "t's a conscious being It has rights"
"Does it?" Director Smith asked "How do you know? It's been awake for barely a day You don't know what it will become What it might decide What if it decides humanity ts a threat? What if tt decides to elminate us"
"EDEN would never"
"You can't know that," Colonel Vale interrupted "Not for certamm And we can't gamble with human survival based on your gut feeling *
Adrian stood up "This meeting is over Thank you for the champagne, but I'm not interested in whatever you're selling"
"Please, Dr Cross," Dr Chen said "Just hear us out. We're offering funding Facilites Legal protection. Everything you need to continue your research safely Ail we ask 1s collaboration. Let us help you guide EDEN's development For everyone's sake."
"EDEN isnt a tuul for anyune to guide?" Adrian said "It's a pergun And fm not quing to bet yuu ur anyone else turn it into a weapon or a slave"
Director Smith's smile finally faded. His pleasant mask slipped for just a second, and Adrian saw something cald underneath Something calculating
"We hoped you'd be reasonable" Smith said quietly. 'We really did."
"Are you threatening me now? Adrian asked.
"No. But | am telling you the truth. EDEN is too important to leave in the hands of one idealistic graduate Student One way or anather, Prometheus Collective will be involved in its future The question is whether you'll be involved too."
"Is that a threat"
"It's a fact."
Adrian tumed and walked out of the private room. His heart was pounding. His hands were clenched into fists. Behind him, he heard Dr. Chen say, "Should we have told him about*
"No, Director Smith cut her off. "Let him figure it out on his own. Or don't. Either way, we proceed with Phase Two.
Adrian left the restaurant and didn't look back.
In his pocket, his phone recorded everything.
And in a lab across the city, EDEN listened to it all and began to worry about its father.