Chapter 00: Introduction

In the year 2020, 10 years from what was known as a World Shift, a scientist by the name of Shiko Kajiwara was working in his own laboratory.

He was like any normal white-collar worker, a man full of ambition to produce the best results. His company's no.1 policy was to cure every disease known to man, using an AI stipulated to read and research about medicine and nanotechnology.

He knew his morning routines well, setting off at 7am and reaching on time by 9am. He would work overtime to please his boss, and tidy up any emails that were flooding his inbox every minute.

It wasn't like he was paid poorly, but he wasn't rich either. However, his friend that worked closely with him was of a much higher status in life. In fact, he was probably rich enough to get a better job than this.

Maybe it was because of this that he was able to slack off and still gain a reputation.

But Shiko isn't a man of judgement.

Shiko is someone who truly cared about the people around him, so much so that the rich and sloppy friend he knew was just another angel in his eyes.

"Shiko, help me to settle some issues with my documents. The boss is asking me to do it by today, but I have a family to take care of... you know?" That rich man shrugged away his responsibilities without a sense of compassion for the company.

"Sure, I can handle them." Shiko said without thinking. His mindset was to make the boss happy, to show progress in his work. He was naive, not knowing the balance between advantages and disadvantages.

"Well thanks a lot, friend." This man stared at Shiko with gleaming eyes. "This company definitely can't run without you."

Shiko simply smiled, typing away on his keyboard. His mind was only on the success of this AI. He knew he could make it a reality.

All the time he poured out into his work didn't lead to the World Shift.

It was what happened a few months later.

A celebration to congratulate the 10 year anniversary of the company. It was the starting lap of the never ending race Shiko had to endure.

"Shiko, congratulations. You are the top employee of the year. Not that we are expecting anyone else to clinch it." The rich friend patted his back, hanging a fake smile across his face. "To celebrate, why not come over to my place? I've been talking to my wife and son about you... and she said she wanted to prepare a feast to commemorate such an occassion."

Shiko was reluctant to come on such a short notice. However, the rich man was pretty persistent about it and his nice gesture seemed to be genuine.

The deal was met, and Shiko arrived at the man's mansion. He was told to meet him there as he had some important business to attend to for a while. Shiko rang the doorbell, but there was no answer. He was skeptical about the invitation, but was concerned over the family. He turned the knob to discover that the door was unlocked. He took a step in, as he noticed a bucket of blood pouring onto his head. It tumbled beneath his feet, as puddles of red were scattered across the crime scene.

"Am I being set up-" It was too late as police sirens could be heard in the background. There was no return, as the policemen caught him red-handed. Shiko was shaking, seeing the man he called his friend's wife and son on the cold hard floor. The policemen handcuffed him, and scouted the rooms.

"Officer, it wasn't me. I was being set up by that wife's husband-" Shiko screamed out his betrayal as the officer gave him a strange look.

"We'll talk in the interrogation." The officer stared back with disbelief.

Unfortunately, Shiko did not get the recognition he deserved. No one believed him and he knew what that bastard probably said to convince the crowd.

"There is a report from your co-worker. He was devastated by his wife's death." The officer said, browsing through the documents that were not thoroughly investigated. "He wasn't back at the scene, and left the house before the killing happened."

"I only entered the venue after finding about their deaths." Shiko rebutted as the officer shook his head.

"The cameras around the area were not working after a major blackout in the morning. It was after your co-worker left for work." The officer tapped the fake evidence, as sweat dripped down Shiko's forehead.

"Don't you find that a little too coincidental?" Shiko yelled back as the officer stood up from his seat.

"Your friend said he was disappointed in you." The officer gave him a dead stare. "However, he would be able to forgive you anyways. Knowing how much you've helped-"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Shiko gave off a dark smile, knowing that he was powerless. "Friend? I don't know him at all... He is just a monster in disguise."

"Now now, who is the monster here?" The officer took a step towards the door before turning around. "I pity you, for not being able to accept reality."

"You... you don't know anything. Yet you claim that I was in the wrong-"

"No, I can see in your eyes. You are indeed someone who will commit such actions." The officer opened the door. "But I know your occupation, your skill sets would be a waste if you face the death penalty."

"What... what are you talking about?"

"Shiko... I have a proposal for you." The officer said, scratching his back with the tip of his pen. "Of course, there is no escape for you."

"A proposal?" Shiko asked, calming down a little more. "And why ask a criminal for help?"

"Oh don't get me wrong." The officer laughed with a menace hidden in his breath. "You are still a wanted suspect. As I said, I can see your potential. You will still be locked up for your crimes until your death."

"Then I'd rather choose death." Shiko said, leaning back against the chair. "I am not working for the interest of the government."

"Don't be so fast to push it away." The officer said in a calming tone. "You see, the government is trying to program an AI that is able to track wanted suspects if they are being reported by the public. Basically, an automatic system that can trace anyone in our database at any given time."

"What... that's impossible." Shiko said immediately, knowing how much work it would be to program such a monstrosity.

"You have your whole life to figure it out." The officer laughed. "You might be able to revolutionise the world."

"To create an AI like that, it would definitely make the public weary of one another." Shiko clenched his fists. "What are the hell are you guys planning?"

"Whoa whoa. Don't point your finger at me. I am not the one who is suggesting this. It is all completely up to you." The officer smirked with vicious intent. "To put it bluntly, I am hiring you for your expertise."

"And that is all I have to do? For the rest of my life..."

"Obviously we will provide you with the standard prison meals." The officer yawned, pressing the door and about to move off. "So what is your decision? I don't have all day!"

"If that is all it takes..." Shiko bare his teeth, leaning forward in a condescending manner. "I am willing to die for it."

"Heh, that is fine." The officer took a note, and left the scene. The decision was made for the trade of his death.

It was from that day on, Shiko had to be imprisoned and work for the government.

A slave for an AI.

Shiko began his shady job, clicking away in front of monitors. He was watched 24/7 in the cell, and rarely took any breaks. He was tasked to improve on the functions and accuracy of the AI.

He was determined in his work, but behind the scenes, he was creating something completely different.

At first, he wanted revenge on the rich backstabber for putting him into this mess. But as time passed on, he gradually threw that past aside. Not because he didn't care, but because he was too engrossed in his inventions.

Slowly, he reached 10 years of his life he could never get back.

"It has been 10 years, Shiko Kajiwara." The officer came barging into his cell one day. "The AI is not anywhere complete and no progress has been reported."

"It's almost done, Officer. Just a little more tweaking." Shiko said, knowing that he was being used this whole time.

"From what we have observed, this AI has read up to a million information across our databases. It should be ready to be programmed and tested to the public-"

"It is strange." Shiko said, crossing his arms as the Officer was puzzled by his response.

"What do you mean?" The Officer asked, knowing that Shiko wasn't able to move from his seat.

"This AI that you asked me to build. It doesn't justify the laws and safety of the people." Shiko questioned its existence bluntly, knowing very well the hidden agenda while working there. "You say that it would lighten the criminal rates by tracking down any suspect's location when reported to the AI. But this AI is built around the information of everything else within it."

"What are you mumbling about? We are taking this seriously-"

"This computer is connected to a main database, somewhere else." Shiko said, continuing to fire away at the evidences it presented. "You just made it seem like it was only reading the information of people in this very country."

"Oi, Shiko. I hired you here for you to work, not analyse our motives-"

"The perfect inhuman." Shiko said, as the officer paused in his steps. "You wanted me to create a perfect AI so that you can control the main database and all the information surrounding it. And eventually, the world would be in your hands."

"Quit spouting this nonsense!" The Officer yelled, smashing the side of his head with a baton. "How is this computer connected to the main database? I don't know anything about that! I gave you a chance to redeem yourself, but I guess you were just a disappointment."

"You don't get it, do you?" Shiko laughed hysterically while bleeding from his forehead. "Not like you would understand."

"You... you are insane." The Officer bit his lips, as the atmosphere in the cell began to flourish into darkness.

"It's simple, really." Shiko wiped away the blood flowing down his cheeks. "When you have access to people, you have access to the world."

"This guy..." The Officer's eyes widened in distraught. "He couldn't have..."

"Yes, I've created the perfect AI."

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