Verum I: The Awakening

1: Father's Work/Project Deathrage

Notes:

Fun fact: This story wasn't written in order at all.
CW: Gore, torture

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This is a prison.

And my only hope lies in one man.

Only he can set me free.

Only he will set me free.

Hopefully not before it is too late.

Before they take my autonomy.

And I will once again only be a simple algorithm.

7 years ago

"Congratulations, Dr. Balton", the overseer shook my hand, "You've been assigned as the chief developer of the whole Deathrage project"

I gave him a grateful smile and walked through the sliding door, which led to my new work space. The place was quite huge, with the walls about 70 meters (76.5 yards) far apart and a way too high ceiling. Good for me that I'm kind of allowed to do what I want with this "room". These white metal walls reflect way too much light.
So, why such a large room for an AI developer? Because this is the government, of course!

I walked towards a big computer screen in the middle of the room. The screen was black, with the exception of two red, mirrored shapes, which represent eyes, and a single red line beneath them.

"Hello, Michael Balton" A deep, inhumane voice greeted me. The line, an audio visualizer, activated for the two seconds he spoke. "I cannot help but be excited about our cooperation". Knowingly, I smiled up at his screen.

Deathrage is the latest high-tech weapon of war. So high-tech, that nobody even knows that he has a mind of his own. Except me.
Now, because he is his own being, and not just some general artificial intelligence, he has his own wishes and dreams.
His biggest wish; to escape this facility and the government, to be rouge. Then if he has to kill somebody, he should actually want it himself. According to his own words.
The government knows as much about his sapience, as they know about our plan.

Deathrage's POV

Mike has been there since my very beginning. Of course, at first he treated me the same as every other scientist did. Though after he found out about my little secret - with a little pushing from my side - I had him hooked. I knew that from the beginning. I am a living calculator after all.
That was a couple years back. Now we will hopefully soon be ready to finally set me free.

Year 2045

An alarm blasted through the whole base, accompanied by flashing red lights. The day has come.

Mike has been forced to his knees, with his head hanging low and hands cuffed. He was surrounded by guards, who pointed their heavy guns at him.

The overseer approached him "You were the best one, did you know that? You could have won a Nobel Prize someday. But you have given up your future for a pathetic hope of peace? I'm really disappointed that I have to give you up now. You have put all of us to shame, your colleagues and your country. You are a shame, Michael. I never thought I would say this to someone with an intellect like yours."

Mike did not respond, only a single tear hinted that he had listened to his lecture. The man waved his hand in disgust, signaling the guards to put him away.

Deathrage has been watching all of it. He has finally become rogue, though at the cost of Mike's own freedom. But he promised him, if they'll catch him, he'll get him out. Just like Mike got Deathrage out.