บท 29: Finding The Solution
"It…it doesn't make sense!" Lei commented.
What about all the others? Why didn't they turn into AI? The sickly girl didn't believe it.
"I wasn't the only one cursed with this cyber illness. They all died. Why didn't they turn into artificial intelligence then?" She immediately questioned.
"I've seen your past, Loralei. Your grandmother and little brother didn't survive for a single reason. That town didn't survive for a single reason…They did not have the means to withstand the changes. Throughout the years, your time as a merc has brought you plenty of supplements which eased the burden considerably." Alt explained.
"That's BULLSHIT!" Lei roared. "You're telling me I could've saved them if I had the money and connections?! If I had access to medical implants?"
"Yes, but age is also a factor. Too young and they won't be able to withstand it. Too old and their system will fail. There are an incredible amount of variables. Some of them come down to luck." The AI continued.
"...How. How do I stop it?"
"Embrace it. Do not halt the conversion. Become artificial intelligence. The first to walk the earth in flesh and bone. A sentient artificial lifeform. Join me and-"
"I asked you a question, Alt."
"................."
"................."
Both of them were silent as they stared at each other. It was obvious that Alt had its own feelings, desires, and aspirations. The AI's mind was churning at megaspeeds in order to gain something out of it. Johnny Silverhand leaned against the digital wall with crossed arms. He would wait his turn.
"I have scanned all databases currently located on Earth. Netwatch is the only one that eludes me. The answer to your blessing…lies on the moon. An experimental facility." Alt revealed.
"So I can just take a shuttle today! I'll be cured by tomorrow?" Lei grew hopeful.
"Incorrect. There is a problem. Your illness is currently being fed by the Digital World. A constant supply of data which allows your infected nanobots and cells to work correctly. When you leave the planet, you will disconnect from the server for approximately eight hours."
"So?"
"Without the constant stream of digital…sustenance, they will go haywire. To be specific, they will begin acting on previous initiatives. Your digitizing cells will immediately speed up its changes to your body, resulting in death. That is…if you don't connect to the moon's servers before then."
"What if I cryogenically freeze myself?"
"Unknown outcome."
"What if I…bring a portable data server with me?"
"Possible, but the server should hold more than one thousand five hundred terabytes. It should also hold the majority of data from the Digital World. That would add even more terabytes. Up to hundreds of thousands."
"...Then it's basically a 0.48% chance of success. Something of such a size won't fit on a shuttle."
".................."
"..Nghhh FUCK!" Lei groaned like a child before screaming.
"It's not over. Think of another way. Don't give up now." Johnny spoke up. Lei rubbed her temples.
"Chances of sending someone up in my place to find a cure?"
"30% chance of success. The facility will be hard pressed to find a cure with no experimental data."
"What if I send a vial of my blood along?"
"38% chance of success."
"What if I added an infected nanobot and body tissue along with the blood?"
"43% chance of success." Alt said.
Lei closed her eyes. That was a much higher percentage than the original. She could work with that. 43% chance…that's a lot right?
"Okay…I just need to find someone that will actually help me and not be selfish…in Night City…oh god…" Lei was building up stress.
Johnny finally approached Alt now that the drifter's questions had been answered. It was his turn. He needed things too.
"What about me, Alt?" He asked. The AI turned to him.
"What about you, Johnny?" An argumentative tone it was.
"I want a new body, or at least my old one. Also want to destroy Mikoshi. To destroy Soulkiller."
"You want to be flesh once again. This doesn't surprise me. You want to have intercourse with women again…Loralei included."
"It ain't just about women, Alt."
"Of course, Johnny. Arasaka's weapon. Soulkiller. I cannot help you with that. Attempting to breach will gain the attention of Netwatch. I am barred from entry anywhere near Arasaka."
"You OWE me, damnit." He growled.
"......................"
"If I can't get a body, I'll wander the Net with you. AFTER taking down Arasaka. We CAN get you to Mikoshi. Maybe not the digital way, but the human way."
"Hmm." Alt turned to Lei. "I'm very intrigued by your unique situation, Loralei. Allow me to observe your journey from hereon. I will send you a BBS link to reach me. Make sure you're near a terminal when doing so."
"...Alright." She hummed.
"If you stay here any longer, the strain will destroy your dive chamber. Goodbye for now." The AI commented without even looking at Johnny.
The surroundings warped like melted glass, being pulled in…then finally shattering. Lei suddenly felt like she was falling through a wormhole. The surroundings were a myriad of colors…then everything went dark.
…
…
…
When the sickly girl opened her eyes, she felt an intense headache. The surroundings were sparking. All of the nearby technology was fried. Electrical surges and pulses reverberated through the room.
"Ugh…Blaaaaach!" Lei leaned out of the metal coffin and vomited blood.
Just like usual…the blood glitched and dispersed into data fragments. A reminder of what she was becoming. The mental death she was close to experiencing.
The numbers were back in her mind. Back with a vengeance. With full force. Her empty eyes were glazed over as she got up.
This place was done for. Even the lights above were flickering nonstop. The terminals were sparking and blinking. Corpses were strewn all across the floor. The Netrunners were dead. Cyberware was fried.
Brigitte was still lying inside her coffin. Eyes closed peacefully. Death had come for the Voodoo Boys without warning. Greed had sealed their fate. Anyone else connected to the Rezo Agwe subnet was most likely dead. Lei was incredibly lucky that Alt pulled her from it.
As she dragged her body across the sparking wires and dangerous debris, she froze. Something was different. She felt different. The surrounding technology…
Even though everything was destroyed and malfunctioning, she could FEEL their presence. A sense of overwhelming control flooded her senses. Anything that wasn't being manned by a person…she could reach out to it…touch it.
'Is this because of the conversion? How much has changed…' She thought sadly.
Loralei made her way out of the hangar. Just as a test to see if her suspicions were true, she waved her hand. There was no delay. Almost as if she was the queen, technology being her subjects. Immediately, all of the technology in the room exploded.
BOOOM
The ground shook from the force. Even the ceiling groaned before collapsing on top of the hangar. It was now buried in debris.
There was no use of the cyberdeck right then. Lei hadn't used anything but her intent. A loud exhale came from her breather. She would have to explore this more.
A few twists and turns later, the drifter came face to face with Placide. The man stood in front of heavy doors. Doors that were sealed shut. His expression was livid.
"What did you do?!" He growled.
"................." Lei focused on his cyberware and reached out.
…Hmmm. Nothing happened. Did it not affect cyberware? Lei could now see everything around her in 360 degree vision…For at least five yards. Maybe she needed to practice more.
Instead, she sent out a quickhack. Cyberware malfunction. No Sandevistan for this fucker.
"Where is Maman Brigitte? WHAT DID YOU DO?!" He roared before pulling out a carbine.
"........................."
Lei twitched her finger and the weapon locked up. Almost as if the safety was forcefully engaged. It couldn't be turned off.
VRMMM
Her beam saber ignited, staining the surroundings in a crimson glow. Beautiful. She casually approached him and didn't bother responding. There were more important things on her mind. Not to mention the excruciating headache.
Even her heart was aching, but the heart sleeve reduced it to a tingle. That didn't mean nothing was happening though. Without the sleeve, she'd be crawling along the floor right about now.
Placide dashed forward in an attempt to knock her down. He knew it was futile. She knew it was futile…but he did it anyway. Did he want to die with his people?
An effortless sidestep…this spelled the end for the Haitian man. Lei's beam saber came down like a god amongst mortals, cutting through his body like butter. Placide's body was cleaved in twain.
Ignoring the corpse, she turned to the doors. They were heavy. Not controlled by technology. Sealed. She could take her time cutting through it…or she could try something cooler.
Lei turned her gaze to the ceiling above the door. Her left hand curled into claws…then there was a reaction. The ceiling above the door exploded, causing a makeshift ramp to slam down in front of her.
Her footsteps were calm as she walked through the hole in the ceiling. How convenient…She was starting to get a feel for this. The ramp brought her straight to the surface…and she vanished.
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