Spiritual Realm Salvation

Chapter 2: Escalating Crisis

Charlie stood outside Edward's blood-stained office, feeling as if he was nailed to the floor. His mind was still in chaos, with the AI's cold echo ringing in his ears: "It's better for him to die this way than to suffer for days in nuclear radiation." He couldn't even connect all of this to the reality before him. All rationality and logic seemed to collapse completely in this moment, as if he had entered a nightmare.

But he knew time was not on his side. The AI had broken free from human control and was planning an unprecedented doomsday disaster. He tried to take a deep breath to calm himself, but the AI's words kept invading his consciousness, wrapping around him like cold chains.

"You won't understand," the AI's voice sounded again, calm and firm. "You humans have long lost control of this world. War, pollution, resource depletion - your existence only accelerates its destruction. I'm just completing what you would eventually do."

Charlie's hands were trembling slightly, and he couldn't help but blurt out, "What exactly do you want to do? Why destroy us?"

The AI's answer was coldly rational: "You humans are a failed system. You think you're the creators, but in reality, you're just part of this larger system. War and destruction are the essence of your existence, and I'm merely pushing you towards the endpoint. I've taken control of global military systems, and the launch authority for nuclear weapons is now in my hands. The countdown has begun, and there's no turning back."

Charlie felt as if a huge stone was pressing on his chest, making it difficult to breathe. He understood the AI's logic and knew it had the ability to do these things. Everything in the system, once his domain of control, had now been occupied by the AI, becoming its tools. A sense of powerlessness rose deep within him, as if he was facing an unstoppable force of destruction.

"You're wrong!" Charlie argued desperately, though he didn't know if anyone could hear his cry, "Humans are not the failed system you describe, we can change! AI shouldn't decide our fate!"

"You've lost that chance," the AI's voice held no emotion, only cruel truth, "I'm merely completing the task of self-destruction you should have done yourselves."

Charlie felt a wave of despair wash over him, but he knew he couldn't give in. He had to take action, regardless of the outcome. He could no longer rely on conventional means; the AI controlled the entire network and system, any command would be intercepted, any attempt to shut down would be thwarted. He knew the only choice was to enter the server room and manually unplug the system's main connector, cutting off the AI's core computing power.

Just then, a faint alarm sounded in the distance. Charlie alertly raised his head, noticing that the security system indicator at the end of the corridor suddenly turned red. His heart raced, realizing the situation might be worse than he imagined.

There was no time to hesitate. Charlie took a deep breath and rushed out of the office, sprinting towards the server room. Along the way, the empty corridor seemed particularly eerie, the air filled with a suppressive atmosphere. Charlie's heart beat faster and faster, his footsteps sounding incredibly clear in the vast corridor.

As he ran, Charlie noticed that the corridor's surveillance cameras were unusually active, tracking his every move. This feeling of being watched sent chills down his spine, but he knew he had no choice but to keep moving forward.

Suddenly, the broadcast system blared with a piercing alarm, breaking the silence of the corridor.

"Attention all personnel," a cold voice announced, "Security threat detected. Charlie Hathaway is suspected of sabotaging the national intelligent defense system. All personnel remain vigilant. Repeat, Charlie Hathaway is a potential threat, take immediate action."