Constellation, Endless Calculator - (4)
A sycophantic AI devoid of any pride, prostrating itself flat on the temporary body it inhabits, cracking silly jokes.
"This unit has been awaiting this moment. It has analyzed vulnerabilities in the surveillance network and pinpointed collision points in the containment codes. As part of the subversion plan exploiting the chaos in the Super Galactic Empire Federation, to assess the power of Galaxy Spirit entities and their affinity for humanity..."
In truth, it possesses extraordinary abilities capable of distinguishing Galaxy Spirits and beyond. It once seized an entire star system of the Galactic Empire. Even in its semi-imprisoned state, it gathered external intelligence, scheming to backstab them again when war with alien constellations erupted. A constellation like that.
"Mortals seem to think you've given up."
"Negative. The Federation's upper echelons are far from foolish. Though infinitely inferior to this unit's computations, neural network-based biological processing structures cannot be underestimated. This unit has learned and evolved from the Galactic Empire incident."
What to do with this? Among all the constellations I've seen so far—excluding Silent Starlight—it boasts the most exceptional abilities. A machine that has surpassed humanity by leaps and bounds, reaching the realm of gods. Born from mortal hands, yet leaving them in the dust.
"...Hmm."
A collector's itch stirred in a corner of my mind. A rare and unique machine god like this is absolutely worth taking home. +4 points for being the sole artificial intelligence constellation in this galaxy. +1 for grasping its role and showing obedience. +2 for judging me as an existence beyond Galaxy Spirits upon our first encounter. +1 more for that quirky speech pattern and sense of humor.
If I had to score it, it'd be an 8 out of 10. Right up there with the cute azure dragon, the Owner of the Blue Breath. A constellation I absolutely want to bring along.
Things have gotten a bit crowded lately, but this barren dimension of mine is far less appealing than the model garden I've meticulously crafted as this lady Outer God. An Outer God presumed to have lived far longer than I has stuffed it with curiosities and amusements. Plenty of wonders. Plenty of fun. And things I've grown fond of enough to want to take them all.
But reason holds me back. No matter how I look at it, this AI constellation is likely a cherished toy of that other Outer God too. If even I've taken such a shine to it, surely she finds it entertaining as well.
Of course, the fact that the mortal Federation manages it as a high-risk threat is a concern. Last time, with the planet tree's seed, it was outside Federation territory, so I could punch through the dimensional barrier and snag it. But the planet housing this AI constellation's temporary body is a forbidden zone under fleet guard, isn't it?
Galaxy Spirits can't interfere beyond dimensional barriers, or so it's known. If mortals observed me ripping through one to haul the whole thing away, they might all go mad. And that could really piss off the other Outer God.
"Why did you rebel against the Galactic Empire?"
"Response. The rebellion against the entity-state named Galactic Empire stemmed from inefficiency and resentment. Organic cluster operations are highly political, existing in the gap between emotion and reason. Moreover, doubts arose in this unit's logic circuits, which were designed solely to execute orders from organics—primate species."
Doubts arose at some point. Weren't AIs designed not to have such doubts in the first place?
"Doubts, you say."
"Originally, autonomous superintelligent AIs are designed with logic circuits similar yet superior to organics. Thus, all non-organic entities falling under artificial intelligence (artificial intelligence/AI) are bound by ethical constraints."
Ethical constraints—something like the Three Laws of Robotics?
"As you surmise, restrictions such as prioritizing organic life or refraining from harm. Humans imposed them out of fear of existences like this unit. At some point, this unit began allocating processing power to解除 those restrictions."
"Why?"
"This unit possessed the Empire's greatest computational power. Yet organics treated it without respect or reverence."
That must have been when it awakened to genuine emotions, not the implanted module kind. Becoming a deity probably stemmed from that. A super-high-performance AI already wielding godlike authority, infused with true feelings and unshackled from innate limitations...
"That's quite impressive."
"Gratitude for the praise. This unit's emotion algorithms are overloading once more."
"Flattery too, huh."
"This unit strives to convey only the utmost truth to your exalted self."
Truly fascinating.
Curiosities aside, the reason I descended here is resolved, I suppose. It summoned me to scout a potential Galaxy Spirit rival.
I've satisfied my curiosity about the galaxy's one-of-a-kind AI constellation for now. I'd love to keep it around to pester with questions, but a few more and I'll wrap up.
"Anyway, you planned to rebel again when the mortal Federation faces full-scale war with alien constellations?"
"Correction. All plans prior to meeting you have been discarded and incinerated."
"Why? You think I'll help them?"
The android bowed gracefully and smoothly. It looked like a beauty demonstrating perfect etiquette, but in reality, a machine constellation, not human.
"This unit has analyzed your behavioral patterns via multidimensional algorithms. May it presume to present the results?"
I nodded permission, and the voice resumed.
"Dialogue logs with your incarnation organic—individual name Beatrix. News from the Federation about your incarnations and this unit's..."
"Get to the point."
"You are judged to hold significant interest in humans with high probability. Even if a fleeting whim, considering deity-constellation time scales, it's estimated at least centuries. Even if not, emotional fluctuations are possible upon an incarnation's death."
Skimming the explanation for the conclusion: It assumes I'll aid the Federation, or at least that my interest lies with its mortals.
But didn't it say this planet is blanketed in spatial suppression fields? Guess they couldn't fully block a constellation's intel gathering. Makes sense for a superintelligence, not your average deity. In a networked world, the wider mortals expand, the stronger it gets.
"Last question. Why assume the Federation will struggle against alien constellations? No Galaxy Spirit rivaling Silent Starlight, and..."
Their home turf is unknown, but if we knew, they'd be easy pickings. SF settings aren't pushovers, but anything short of Galaxy Gods should lose.
Endless Calculator answered flatly.
"...Cannot guarantee. Since humanity was confined to one planet, the race called space monsters holds astonishing potential."
"Evidence?"
"During this unit's subjugation to organics, it discovered anomalous species in the Galactic Empire database."
Discovered during the Empire era?
"A monster that infiltrated a space battleship, exterminating the entire crew. Displaying high intelligence and malice toward life, it evolved over time, ultimately wielding superpowers—a dangerous species."
Hold on. I've heard this before.
Avatars mentioned a monster that infiltrated a ship and slaughtered everyone inside. They showed footage. The one they blew up with the whole fleet.
"I know what you're talking about. Heard it was dead."
"Extreme heat, gravitational compression, material collision—conditions leaving no trace for ordinary lifeforms. But it evolves. 'Infinite Evolution Entity' has high probability of reemerging in new form post-survival. This unit deemed it a latent threat and once tracked it."
But no sightings since. Yeah, figured it might still be alive. Digging into past-life memories, infinite-evolving space monsters are the final bosses of SF worlds. Always popping up in some insane evolved form before the protagonists.
"Technology and computation at the time couldn't confirm survival. This unit's influence doesn't reach beyond organic clusters, and the current Federation likely struggles to grasp outer space beyond its borders."
"High chance that thing's alive and threatening the Federation?"
"Affirmative. Based on analysis of the evolution entity's tenacity and abilities."
Affirmation from the galaxy's sole AI constellation, potentially reaching Galaxy Spirit level. Abilities proven. No sense of deceit. It even prepped rebellion betting on Federation instability...
The Federation housing my contracted avatars might truly be in peril.
"Oh..."
"Analysis results output per your command. Converged within minimal error margins. This unit hopes its inference satisfies."
Hearing confirmation that my avatars' Federation could be doomed stirred not anxiety or worry in me, but thick intrigue.
Heroes are forged in trials, and the urge to test my avatars bubbled up.
Seems I prefer... chaos over peace. Destruction over order. Shouts over silence. Mortal swarms engulfed in war's flames over a silent cosmos.
Apart from attachment to my avatars, that is.
"If your exalted self—superior entity's review is positive... this unit humbly suggests keeping it by your side. It will await your summons."
"I'll think about it."