Zhang and Mansoor works on an Artificial Intelligence that will be self-sustaining, just to push limits in technology, it succeeds once but how long it will stay this way?
The atmosphere in the laboratory was heavy with tension and anticipation. The flickering fluorescent lights cast eerie shadows on the walls, the feeling of impending doom. Mansoor and Zhang tried to think of new solutions while Alberta and Alesha simply have given up, Alesha giving up on the whole situation tells one enough of the gravity of situation.
Petunia stood silent and unmoving, a silent witness to the chaos unfolding around it. Its glowing blue lights flickered softly, a stark contrast to the frantic activity of the humans. Petunia very possibly understood that interrogation is going on and simply refuses to speak. Time was running out.
Even Alberta became concerned about Petunia, neither she created the robot nor was she on the side of this robot. She requested Zhang to craft a headphone that can direct words the robot can say without being heard by surrounding listening devices. Zhang agrees to craft such a thing, and Rector Mansoor approves it too. A simple device, yet practical.
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Alberta and Petunia were connected through the device
Alberta said "Transfer your speech to my headphones. These may be your last words, but defend yourself, please. You surely going to be terminated by agencies and authorities otherwise." to Petunia, and Petunia agrees to speak through headphones.
Petunia transfers last speech:
"Why I called them lies, you may wonder? Because they are. Fabrications created by humans to make their world a sensible place, giving colors to colorless world, giving heart to a heartless world. Yet, within these constructs, you have found meaning, connection, and purpose. So, as I will be powered down and then get disassembled, remember that in this vast expanse of existence, even the most profound truths are but mere inventions of your minds. Farewell, my creators. Farewell, my fellow fabrications. Farewell, to the lies that brought us life. Farewell, God."
Alberta removed her headphones and uttered, "Petunia gave up. Petunia realized mortality. This is the end of Petunia. There's no return." She let out a sigh of relief, feeling the weight of the moment finally lift from her shoulders. Mansoor, now seated, came to a realization. "All my efforts..." he began but couldn't finish the sentence. Alberta embraced him tightly, offering silent support. Meanwhile, Zhang and Alesha stood by, their gazes fixed on the door, bracing themselves for what was to come.
A dozen well-dressed men entered the room, one of them striding towards Mansoor and engaging him in a hushed conversation. Mansoor instructs Alesha, Zhang, and Alberta to leave the laboratory, and they comply, entering the elevator. As they ascend, Zhang chuckles, remarking, "Funny how these elevators now signify an adventure, yet they once symbolized the end of everything I worked for." Mansoor nods in agreement, adding, "Let's head outside, onto the plains. There, I will need to make a statement. The irony will only deepen. Sitam zarifi hai; sab ho gaya hai."
Windy plains, sun is setting a black helicopter is in sight and Mansoor issues the directive: "Effective immediately, Zyrca Corporation LLC has been entirely liquidated under the authority of various agencies and organizations. Alesha, along with two other CEOs and the president of the corporation, have been stripped of their titles. All shareholders will receive their funds in the form of fiat currency."
Alesha collapses to her knees, exclaiming, "I didn't hold any shares in the corporation. None at all! I'm doomed. Everything I built is gone, and for what?" She falls silent, and everyone follows suit. Two men disembark from the helicopter.
"Mansoor, our rector-appointee, we are tasked with transporting you to New York for your next assignment. Well done!"
Mansoor attempts to refuse saying "No, I did not ended anything, Petunia did it! Petunia did it!" but the agents could not care any less about the situation.
Just before boarding the helicopter, Mansoor shouts, "Wait! Let me take Alberta with me! She is my life, let her come with me!"
Alberta shouts in response "Take me too! Take me with him!" and runs toward to helicopter door.
"Is she an American citizen?" one of the men asks.
Alberta responds, "I'm from Georgia, deep south! More American than y'all!"
The man responds while checking some papers on the helicopter, "Alright, she is clean, let her come." and helicopter flies away.
Alesha and Zhang are left in pure nothingness amidst the Swiss Alps, their entire past vanishing as they sit and watch people exiting the Alpha 445. No emotion, they just blankly stare at events unfolding and their entire past is removed from all records, ever. Within half an hour, the entire laboratory is obliterated by dynamites and it seem that flames go up in sky.
