When an AI chip was implanted in his brain, he rose to power

Untitled Part 1 Smart Brain Project

In a dimly lit laboratory, a boy of about ten floated unconscious in a rectangular glass tank filled with bright green liquid. His small body was completely still, and his shaved head bore a gruesome red wound that stretched from the center to the back, stitched tightly. A breathing apparatus filled his mouth, and thin metallic plates were adhered to his body, connected to intricate medical instruments outside the tank, which emitted a faint glow.Surrounding him were state-of-the-art medical devices; the brainwave monitor and electrocardiogram indicated that the boy was alive and well. However, the atmosphere was thick with an ominous tension. Behind five-centimeter-thick bulletproof glass, a group of scientists in white lab coats anxiously monitored the boy's condition, scrutinizing data with grave expressions as if they were hiding a dark secret.In the control room, a gray-haired expert was in a heated argument with a sharply dressed man. The tension in the air was palpable as the suited man coldly stated, "Dr. X, you're already half a year past the timeline set in your proposal, and the research funding has doubled. Our benefactor is running out of patience. If this drags on, I fear it won't just be me—everyone here could face dire consequences...""My research report was only a draft! What could I do when you treat it like a treasure?" Dr. X shot back, his eyes ablaze with defiance. "Moreover, without my old classmate, Dr. Wang Xing, this project has fundamental issues that remain unresolved. Rushing into it has already cost lives, and I won't initiate the chip until these problems are addressed!""Dr. Wang is a big name now; we can't touch him! Even if he were here, he probably wouldn't cooperate." The suited man's voice dripped with menace and frustration. "Come on, Dr. X, you're a world-renowned expert. Alongside this elite team from around the globe, this project should be straightforward. You must be harboring some reluctance, huh? If you don't cooperate, you might never see your son, daughter-in-law, or that lovely granddaughter again... Dr. X, as the head of the Smart Brain Project, I'm ordering you to initiate the chip!"Dr. X's fury surged as he glared at the cold-hearted man before him, momentarily speechless. Memories flooded back of how he was kidnapped to this place two years prior, realizing that his hastily written feasibility study on implanting artificial intelligence chips in the brains of vegetative patients had somehow leaked. After extensive research, he and his old friend, Dr. Wang, concluded that the technology was insufficient, the data too sparse, and the chance of success was below one percent. For any test subject, this was a brutal gamble, so he had shelved the idea, never expecting it to be stolen and treated as a prized possession.Under duress, Dr. X reluctantly initiated the research project, as the shadowy organization gradually recruited experts from around the globe, and the plan began to take shape. Yet just when they thought they were on the verge of success, the hidden boss ordered the activation of the synthetic chip implanted in a subject's brain. To their shock, the test subject suffered instant brain death, and the smart chip was destroyed. Following that, several other subjects also died, until this little boy was brought in.Faced with the plight of this innocent child, Dr. X felt a wave of anguish wash over him. He couldn't bear to see the boy suffer such a fate, but the project had progressed to the point where his direct involvement was no longer needed. The boy underwent surgery to remove the brain structure known as the "line body." For years, Dr. X suspected this little-known part of the brain was the true control center, only the size of a broad bean, located at the front of the cerebellum, yet it seemed to subtly monitor the entire brain. Though it appeared inconsequential, Dr. X believed it housed the essence of the soul; removing it would render the person unresponsive, much like a vegetative state.After the surgery, the line body was replaced with an upgraded synthetic super chip, and the next crucial step was to activate the chip. However, the activation password was in Dr. X's hands, forcing the shadowy figures to threaten him once more. Looking at the photo of his adorable granddaughter in the man's hand, Dr. X reluctantly muttered, "wang5201314, you already know the password. Please don't bother me again..."The man gestured for his subordinate to input the password, and everything finally began to execute according to plan."All systems ready, injecting the subject with a stimulant and a local anesthetic... Injection complete; subject status normal. One minute until the smart chip is activated... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, chip activation begins... Voltage 0.2 volts, current 3 microamperes..." The computer's voice announced the sequential procedure, and nearly everyone's attention was fixed on the boy in the tank, including Dr. X.Suddenly, the boy twitched as if jolted by an electric shock, his body convulsing violently, sending ripples through the green liquid, splashing some onto the floor. Tension filled the laboratory; everyone held their breath, some worried for the boy, others for the million-dollar chip."Chip power system activated, all systems normal, subject stable. Initiating the smart chip's intelligent section to take over the functions of the line body. First step: memory transfer... All systems normal... Memory transfer successful. Initiating neural control system takeover... All systems normal... Neural control system takeover successful... Initiating next step... beep!" Suddenly, the laboratory plunged into darkness as a power outage struck, and backup energy kicked in, causing the lights to flicker back on. The team scrambled to restart the chip, but the smart system repeatedly announced, "...Chip connection failed... Connection failed...""BEEP..." The brainwave monitor displayed a straight line. Dr. X looked sorrowfully at the boy in the tank, filled with despair. He knew the experiment had failed completely. Though the boy's body was alive, his brain had ceased to respond, and the chip was irreparably damaged. The human brain could not endure another similar surgery, and henceforth, this boy would exist as a mere shell, devoid of consciousness.The suited man turned pale, fear written all over his face. Dr. X gazed at him with resignation, understanding that this project had seen several leaders come and go. Watching their anguished farewells, he could only imagine the fate awaiting this man.The suited man, driven to desperation, shouted, "Restart the chip! Keep trying to activate it, no matter what! If we're going down, we're going down together!"Meanwhile, the researcher reported to Dr. X, "Preliminary estimates suggest that the sudden power outage and subsequent restoration caused a surge that burned out the chip. We'll need further investigation."The man, now frantic, demanded, "Why did the power go out? Investigate immediately! I want answers!"One of his subordinates nervously suggested, "There have been widespread power outages due to the ongoing drought. Many cities are experiencing rolling blackouts...""But don't we have our own generators? Why are we relying on the city's power?""Both generator units failed; the replacement parts have to be imported from overseas, and it'll take about a month. For now, we're stuck with city power...""Aren't Japanese products supposed to be durable? How could both generators fail at once? What parts need to be imported?"The two men stared at each other in disbelief..."Even if the city's power goes out, there should have been a notification, right?!""Power hasn't been cut in years. The notification might have been sent to the ground staff, but the main contact is currently out of the country, and nobody else knows the situation...""This is driving me crazy...""Fate... sigh..." Dr. X lamented, his heart heavy with despair and regret. He understood the toll of this experiment would be irreparable.