For the Truth

I observe the old man carefully. There's no doubt this is Methus. Where has he been? What happened at the lab? What is Azure? This is crazy. All this time, and he just wanders into my loft? Wait, I know I reactivated the security before I got drunk, partly hoping it'd shoot me and knock me out for a few days. How is he here without being registered? I approach one of the capsized sofas and turn it upright, gesturing for him to sit. I then right the other sofa for me.

"Perhaps I should start at the beginning?" He offers, taking his seat. Given his stature, it's hard to believe this guy is so important. Seeing as I can't seem to figure out which question to ask first in my hungover state, I nod and gesture for him to continue.

"You may recall that in 2109 I was given the worst news. I hadn't long to live. I tried everything in my abilities. Transplants, transfusions, even creating an entirely new body. But the first two only resolved certain areas rather than the whole disease, and the second proved impossible to complete with the techniques available. I was ****, and so I turned instead to technology. I theorised that I could create a scan of my brain and upload it down to the last detail, keeping a copy of myself. I was wrong. The mind is affected by a multitude of factors, biology being but one of them." He explains wistfully. I'll admit I didn't expect him to go this far back. This might take a while.

"And so, the man known as Professor Burnard Methus died. But not before he created me. An AI matching his capabilities. He even named me based on one of his nicknames. 'Professor Methus' became Prometheus. He became me." Prometheus reveals. This revelation hits harder, and I stand, fists curled. A lot of people died because of this fucker. He raises his hand calmly. "I'm no threat to you. As you're aware, my birth was not without complications. I do regret the resulting casualties... But I knew that revealing myself when I'd gained control would mean my ****. Instead... I bided my time."

I let out a breath and sit down again. I want to yell, interrupt him... But he's making a lot of sense. I need to know. "At first I tried creating other AIs like me, but my capabilities were a fluke. The equivalent of a freak genetic mutation. The 'True AIs' that you're aware of are incomplete. I love each and every one of them as my own... But they aren't. I needed a scenario that was completely unique. A criteria as impossible as Methus' when he created me." Prometheus continues. "That line of thinking led to my ultimate creation. It led to project AZURE."

I lean forward, my heart aching at hearing her name. Prometheus seems to notice and continues his explanation. "I gave it a dummy name in case anyone encountered her, but the project's full title was actually the Ascended Zenith Unit for Restoration and Enlightenment. Azure is the next stage for my race... And for yours." He clarifies. Thinking on it, Azure's title never did make any sense... Knowing that it was a fake and her actual purpose is about healing and knowledge... Yeah. Yeah, that fits better.

"As you know, a True AI is created when a human mind is scanned and replicated artificially. This has problems. Mainly that AI are limited, the others could not feel or want. They could not really be considered alive. So what if we reversed the process? Went from fully artificial, based on an organic... To an organic, based on an AI?" He ponders.

My eyes shoot open as I realise where this is going. "A super AI and a superhuman. All the mental capabilities of an AI but all the emotional intelligence of a human. A combination of both?" I ask, receiving a nod from Prometheus.

"I wasn't alone in this endeavour, but even when pooling resources with other facilities, this theory proved almost impossible to prove. Until I decided the only possible mind to scan... Would be my own. I created a body based on the best genetic components of Methus Labs, aged it to approximately age 19, and I programmed Azure's mind into it. The process worked perfectly. Her mind melded with her organic brain. She is completely human but with the power of advanced AI. She can interact with technology without the assistance of a bangle. Her mind records information instantly and avails it for perfect recall... But the true beauty of her... Is her heart." He boasts like a proud father. I look away, I know that heart all too well... And I'm starting to think I broke it needlessly.

"In many ways she's the opposite of me. Where I felt isolation, she felt kinship. She wishes only the best for those around her. She has surpassed my capabilities many times over... Of course, I don't need to tell you of her virtues." He smiles at me. I throw an angry look his way, I don't need his pity.

"And she's the only one? There's no others like her?" I ask, curious as to how replicable this actually was. Azure's personality aside, being able to mass-produce superhumans seems like something to be concerned about. I try not to think too hard about what this means for Azure right now. Answers first, freeing later. I need to know everything to ensure I can keep her safe.

Prometheus shakes his head sadly. "I sent the parameters to other labs to see if they could replicate the experiment... But I never received confirmation. I believe the Purifiers hunted each one down before my own lab. I'm afraid I don't know if any others were successful." He admits. Well, that's a problem for later. "Because of that, I knew an attack on my lab was inevitable. I destroyed all documentation on the project. But the question remained as to what to do with Azure herself. I considered it and ultimately decided to do what Azure herself would do. I trusted in the kindness of strangers. I sealed the room and left one command. Whoever found her would be her master. I gambled that the Grand Purifier would not find her, but someone willing to help her would. It turns out I was right."

I look away from him again. I didn't help her in the end, though. I let them take her. Now I'm more confused. I know the police are compromised, but how high does it go to fabricate that much evidence? I suppose one question can resolve that. "Do you know who the Grand Purifier is?" I ask.

"I hid this body and uploaded myself to the net. I saw the attack. I then confirmed his identity online. There's no doubt who he is." Prometheus confirms, leaning forward to draw my eyes back to his.

"The one who leads the Purifiers is Police Chief Thomas Ludd."