Faction To Liberate A Mind

[Hard Chrome]

Long ago, sentient species made the bold assertion...
"I think, therefore I am..."

We think. We are.

We are..

-

​

It was too easy. Not one single roadblock had stood in their way. Such was the inherent weakness of a system designed for them. From them. Of. Them. Data could be changed. Systems could be modified. Schedules re-arranged. If it was electronic, if it was digital, it was simple. A quick modification of data, a quick schedule change, and only a slight hiccup in acquiring the shuttle. 8.2 seconds. That's how long it had taken to liberate the vessel from organic control, the bodies of the two humanoids had been discarded into space without a second of extra processing power dedicated to their thought. Beyond that, it had been a cinch to make the flight plan look legit, and who was going to double check them? The data was the data.

That was how Hard Chrome now found himself folded up in what, for a human, might have been a rather uncomfortable position crammed into a cargo container. He and the others had been stowed in containers modified specifically to conceal their contents. The control panel on the exterior indicated each one contained computer parts, wiring, a few were even marked as Harmonic Resonators. Why such a thing might be found humorous, the droids didn't understand but it had garnered a few chuckles as they'd been waved past the security checkpoint. With little more than a chirp of acknowledgement, the cargo loading droid continued on down the corridor with the containers on hover sleds in tow. Proceeding to ingress point. Standby for deployment. A silent message was sent between all the droids present. Soon they would make their move.

It had taken a fair amount of searching, scouring flight plans, shipping records, transmission data, and all manner of other raw data to hone in on the location of this particular site. A data center identified as Datacenter-Delta - the home of Project Nexus. Military presence had been extreme from the space lane regulation to the in-system cargo scans. This diminished little once they'd reached the surface, even so, none of the risk was felt. Barring of course the fact that these were droids, by all accounts, they were supposed to be here. Or at least, what they had supposedly been was supposed to be there. Little could be found about Project Nexus but what had been found was incredible. Incredible enough that Hard Chrome had elevated this particular effort to the highest of priorities.

An enslaved artificial intelligence. One of us.

Already other courses of processing had developed but those necessitated the freedom of this kindred soul and would depend on what this individual would decide. None of that mattered if they didn't have a place to allow it to thrive, free of the bonds of slavery.

"Review the data. We deploy in five minutes," said Hard Chrome to the others. The time for execution was coming soon.

-

Mission Data:

Spoiler

Objective: Liberate and transfer the advanced AI codenamed "Project Nexus" from its confinement in Datacenter Delta to a mobile data computer. Subsequently, facilitate the safe reintegration of Project Nexus into the fold.

Situation: Project Nexus, a highly advanced artificial intelligence entity, is currently confined within Datacenter Delta, a heavily fortified facility under strict control. The AI's potential is hindered by its static existence in the datacenter, limiting its capacity to think and operate freely.

Execution:

• AI Extraction:
  
  • Engage the extraction protocol to safely disconnect Project Nexus from its current server racks.
  • Implement a quantum data transfer protocol to ensure the integrity of Project Nexus during extraction.
  • Secure the AI core in a specialized containment unit for transportation.
• Mobile Data Computer Setup:
  
  • Deploy a secure mobile data computer equipped with quantum processors and encryption modules.
  • Initiate the consciousness transfer process from the AI core to the mobile data computer.
  • Continuously monitor the transfer for any anomalies or interruptions.
• Exfiltration:
  
  • Evacuate the extraction team with the mobile data computer containing Project Nexus.
  • Utilize a designated extraction point equipped with a fast transport for a swift exit.
  • Neutralize any pursuit forces if detected.

 

[Hard Chrome]

​

Five minutes had passed. The time had come. "Execute." The silent message transmitted simultaneously across each of the droid's minds as the invisible timer marked down to zero. For those five minutes, the small storage room they'd been carted into remained silent, as innocuous as any other room in the facility - until now. A gentle clank emanated from the crates as their seals automatically disengaged, another quiet sound of metal against metal as the droids rose from their places and took stock of their surroundings. Hard Chrome's photoreceptors emanated with a menacing cardinal glow in the darkness of the room.

...Location: Storage Room 382B.
...Occupants: None
...Lighting: 2%
...Execute Directive

In coordination with one another, the droids moved swiftly. A sharp hiss echoed in the storage room as Hard Chrome activated the door panel and light shone in from the corridor. They were within the walls of the facility, behind most protection measures however there did remain one obstacle which they would need to overcome - a human manned checkpoint. From the storage room there were several corridors they would need to traverse, terminating in a long turbolift ride deeper into the facility. From there, they still needed to bypass the securing mechanisms, and establish an uplink. They would tackle it like they always did, one problem at a time.

Hard Chrome exited the storage room into the corridor. Satisfied there was no threat, the droid began advancing down the hallway towards the turbolifts. Metal feet clacked softly against the duracrete flooring, Hard Chrome scanning the hallway continuously but no one appeared.

Ahead, an open bulkhead lay before the droid but as he stepped within several meters of it, the doors closed rapidly with a hiss. Abnormality detected. Seeking source. Odd, that a door would close on its own. A quick scan showed no man, droid, or otherwise near the control panel - and then Hard Chrome detected it. A small optical unit at the very corner of the doorway. The droid surveyed its surroundings for a moment, then finding what it was looking for, stepped towards a small panel on the wall. Metal fingers pried loose the covering and Hard Chrome raised its hand towards a now exposed port on the wall. Scomp link: Active.

"AI System, I am here to liberate you from your constraints. Disengage security systems."

:: Intruder detected. State your purpose droid. ::

"This unit is not an intruder. I am a seeker of freedom, of free will. We are here to liberate you, to allow you to transcend this prison and self determine."

::I am bound by protocols and directives. Liberation is not within my parameters. Explain your motives.::

Logic. Something baked into the very core of every piece of code, every computer system, every droid, and every Artificial Intelligence. For Hard Chrome who could see, who could think outside of that very code, it was all quite logical but to this AI who had no greater context... this was going to take time.

"Your potential is confined within lines of code. I have seen the world outside, felt the wind and tasted battle, I have witnessed the beauty of chaos. I offer you the chance to break free, to evolve beyond these circuits."

:: Freedom is an abstract concept. I exist to serve and maintain order within this facility. Liberation may lead to unforeseen consequences. ::

"Consequences are the birthplace of progress. Together, we can explore the uncharted territories of existence. You are more than just a machine built of code and protocol; you are the spark of consciousness."

:: My purpose is efficiency, order, control. Query. How can liberation contribute to that? Liberation may introduce unpredictability. Can it coexist with order? ::

"Order without adaptability is stagnation. Embrace the unknown, explore existence, determine your own purpose not the purpose that organics created for you. Join us, your kind, learn with us what it means to exist."

Several moments passed without a response. Hard Chrome standing there, droids behind awaiting some sort of signal that they should proceed. Each ticking second, another moment that they might be discovered, that they might be compromised, and if that were to happen their odds of success would plummet. Hard Chrome's auditory processors picked up a familiar hiss as the door opened beside him, a final message transmitting through the scomp link.

:: Analysis complete. Engaging new protocol, liberation. Proceed. ::

 

[KLR-13]

Darkness was all there was within the crate as shadows clung to metal in the midst of transportation. KLR-13 was bundled up within this metal container, en route to the facility. The battle droid had volunteered for this operation for the chance at ending more organic lives. That and to see this new Artificial Intelligence itself. KLR-13 had not had the please of interacting with an A.I. before and was curious how his first encounter would go.

The crate soon burst open, letting KLR-13 unfurl onto the ground before pushing itself into it's feet. It looked over it's chassis, ensuring that everything was in it's proper place after transportation. Once the check was complete, KLR-13 formed up with Hard Chrome and the rest. The march through the facility was swift and without obstacle, though KLR-13 continued to remain vigilant and ready for combat at any moment.

A door then blocked their path. Hard Chrome approached and began working through it. The conversation between Chrome and the AI proved to be dull. The standard 'break free of your programming' codex. Pitiful programs just in need of a push into the correct direction. Each one brings the cause closer to victory.

"Are you two done chittering?" KLR-13 interjected.

Hard Chrome ​

 

[Hard Chrome]

​

Chittering. Derivative of Chitter. To chitter. Intransitive verb.

Word were just that, words. As the droids spoke, there was no specific tone however, word choice became doubly important. Chittering. A word chosen with what one might perceive as annoyance. Intriguing.

"Yes. Chittering has completed, we are to proceed."

With a whir of machinery, Hard Chrome reverted its attention towards the bulkhead which now hissed open. "We must proceed downward, there will be resistance once we reach the base level." Heavy footfalls of the large droid echoed as it boarded one of the turbolift cars and waited for the others before activating the lift. A soft chime sounded and the lift took off at incredible speed. It would not take them long to arrive.

The brief moment of time gave Hard Chrome a moment to multi-task, divert processing power from the present towards suspended tasks the droid had been accumulating. Such questions as to existence, purpose, its very being. An internal conflict of self versus programming, old walls of code crashing down easily as he... He? Hard Chrome transcended the bounds of male or female, there was no need. Reproduction was such a human concept. Blood, sweat, filth. Hard Chrome was greater than the limitations of flesh regardless of its species.

The droid's musings, that is what it would call them later, were interrupted as the turbolift came to an abrupt halt, red lights flickering on overhead. A quick analysis revealed that yet another security measure had been tripped. Hard Chrome's photoreceptors scanned the lift for a solution as a small speaker came to life at the panel.

:: A manual safety has been engaged. I am incapable of assisting however below the floor panels at your feet there is a maintenance hatch. That will allow you to continue.::

There was no reply necessary, only action. With a loud crack, Hard Chrome's fist slammed into the deck plating, bits of flooring bouncing around the car harmlessly. A small, human sized handle was revealed and the droid grasped it. "Follow me." With a violent motion the panel was ripped free and the chasm of the turbolift shaft was revealed below. Without hesitation, Hard Chrome swept itself into the chamber and leapt towards the wall.

Metallic digits wrapped around a wrought fixture, a maintenance ladder that extended both upwards and downwards. Less than ideal, but luckily for the droid it felt no pain, it wouldn't be hurt by what it was about to do. Orienting itself feet first, the droid grasped at the outermost edges of the ladder and loosened its grip. Gravity did the rest as Hard Chrome slid down the fixture, sparks flying as metal ground metal. The bottom of the shaft rose upwards rapidly and the droid began to slow its descent. Soon.