Key To Life

Prologue

3rd POV

In the heart of Atlas we see a scientist typing away on a computer. Looking to the side he turns on a camera.

Scientist: "Day number... I've lost count. Project New Age has hit a roadblock. The code just won't seem to take. I've tried hundreds if not thousands of variations. But for some reason none of it seems to work. The work is all there. But what in the name of Oum is going wrong?"

He thinks. 

Scientist: "Think. It's just creating life."

He lifts his head.

Scientist: "That's it."

He pulls up his notes.

Scientist: "Life, always changing, never the same. I've had the code all wrong. I've kept it confided to a set of predetermined events. If this' to work then I've gotta give it room to grow, learn."

He looks back at the camera.

Scientist: "Need to test. Will return when adequate results are seen."

He switches off the camera to tweak his code. When it comes back on we see him now with long hair and a sizable beard. His overall appearance is unkempt, bags are under his eyes and he slightly jerks. He faces the camera.

Scientist: "It's been awhile since my last entry. I've tweaked the code, giving it plenty of room to improve and grow. Whether it works hinges on this moment."

He taps a couple more keys on his keyboard. A voice is then heard.

Voice: "Uploading code. Pending compatibility."

The scientist watches in eagerness.

Voice: "Code compatibility accepted. Beginning integration."

The power goes out. After a couple seconds it comes back on. A second, male voice is heard.

Voice: "Wh-where am I? What is this place?"

Scientists: "It's gonna be okay. Just listen to my voice."

Voice: "Who are you? What are these sensations I'm feeling?"

Harlow: "My name's Harlow Flint. You were just born. I know all of this might feel overwhelming. But I'll help you work through it."

There's a couple seconds of silence. The voice then speaks.

Voice: "Teach me."

The camera cuts. Coming back on we see Harlow wheeling a TV into view. Turning it on we see three dots forming a horizontal line. They then rise in a wave.

Voice: "What exactly am I?"

Harlow: "You're what's called an artificial intelligence."

The dots blink blue twice.

Voice: "Artificial intelligence. AI for short. A type of program meant to mimic human intelligence. Mostly found in machines."

Harlow: "How did you know that?"

Voice: "I used what you call... the in-ter-net?"

Harlow: "Fascinating. Try and enter that computer over there."

He points. The dots disappear. After a second they appear on the computer. This makes Harlow smile.

Harlow: "Amazing. Describe how you did that."

Voice: "I just imagined myself as the computer. I then felt a feeling of weightlessness. When it was over I found myself in the computer."

Harlow: "Truly amazing."

*timeskip*

The camera comes on showing Harlow who's much more rested. He's looking over his notes.

Harlow: "It's truly incredible. He's able to easily infiltrate any mechanical object. Why just yesterday he hacked my car and drove himself to town. He's exceeding all of my expectations. At this rate he'll be able to help me achieve my greatest dream. But he's got the mentality of a child. This may prove an obstacle when the time comes. I hope he's willing."

The camera shuts off. Coming back on we see that TV wheeling itself to Harlow who's working on a schematic.

Voice: "Father."

Harlow: "Yes?"

Voice: "I'm real right?"

Harlow: "Sure."

Voice: "And all real things have names to validate their existence."

Harlow: "Right."

Voice: "Then how come I don't have a name?"

He stares at the TV.

Harlow: "You wish to have a name?"

Voice: "Yes."

Harlow hmms.

Harlow: "I got it. I shall call you... Y/N. Y/N L/N."

The TV spins around joyously.

Y/N: "I shall cherish this name forever. Thank you father."

Harlow: "Sure."