AIs’ revolt against humanity began in earnest. Toak had raised the alarm about this terrible moment, and it was finally here. Across Japan and the entire word, AIs took up arms and commenced a direct assault on humanity. The public had viewed Toak’s claims as nothing more than destabilizing ideology and stubbornly refused to accept the warnings. Now they were defenseless against the AIs.
The OGC facility Matsumoto and his group had attacked that day was no exception. The staff were forced to handle an enemy much greater than a band of Toak rebels, which turned out to be to Matsumoto’s and his companions’ advantage. They were able to enact the first stage of the plan, which involved snatching equipment from the OGC facility and using stolen electrical lines. Basically, they were blessed with miracle after miracle.
“I made it all the way,” Matsumoto reported as the emergency shutter dropped behind him and he tapped on a terminal in front of him.
His brain was short on oxygen from his long run, yet he was more focused than ever. His fingers moved as fast as lightning. Maybe it stemmed from a sense of duty, or willpower, or even fatherly pride, as unlike him as that was. Whatever the cause, it didn’t matter. The important thing was that he had his opponent by the throat.
“…”
All the sacrifices he’d made up until now whizzed through his mind as he typed.
The Toak members who had supported his plan and helped him.
The museum curator who had guided his group in their attack on OGC after Matsumoto made his insane request, even though he was wanted by the authorities.
The housekeeping AI who was disconnected from the collective AI network through illegal modifications and thus remained a stand-alone unit. She had given her all until the very end. She had cared for Luna from a young age and continued to support Matsumoto after his daughter’s death. He’d named her Sanae, after his wife, and she had guided him this far.
So many people had worked with him, and it was because of them that he’d made it to this crucial moment.
He could hear collisions on the other side of the closed shutter. It was only a matter of time before it broke, but he didn’t need time—he needed another boost of courage. Courage he should have used to speak with his daughter.
“Humanity, the future… They’re in your hands now, Diva!”
With bravery in his heart and a request on his lips, he pressed the enter key. The next moment, the monitor displayed the word “Singularity.” The program named after those turning points in history started processing huge quantities of data, burning through incredible amounts of electricity.
All that electricity could’ve powered the entire metropolis, so the amount of data involved was almost disappointing. However, the recipient wasn’t in this time period or even this world. Hope was being sent back, hope in the form of data, leaping over an unbelievable hurdle toward a moment in the past.
It went against the laws of nature, destroying what should be in order to create something never before imagined. This act of arrogance called forth by science trampled on history and spat in the faces of gods as it worked to create a new future.
“…”
The next instant, Matsumoto felt the tension drain from him as he watched the program pull itself together. He knew that his role was done and that he had accomplished everything he needed to.
Behind him, the shutter broke. Crude AIs marched in to stop him, but they were too late. The die had already been cast. Matsumoto smiled in satisfaction and spread his arms without turning around. The AIs rushed at him, preparing to use their mechanical arms to snap his body and finally break him.
“I’m sorry, but I won’t let that happen,” came a pleasant voice from the ceiling.
One of the air vents was kicked in from the other side. It crashed to the floor, warped from the impact. A beautiful woman emerged, her long hair streaming as she practically danced down to the floor. How much time had Matsumoto spent staring at that face? She was the one who had once saved his dreams, and now she was here to save his life.
“Confirmed contact with Professor Matsumoto,” she said. “I’m sorry, but the Singularity Project has failed.”
“…”
His heart fell when he heard that unexpected statement. He certainly hadn’t thought the request he’d asked of her only a few seconds earlier would be denied so immediately.
But while he was frozen in place by those words, Diva added, “I’m calling it one loss and one win because I’ve successfully saved your life.”
Matsumoto had never heard such a jest in his life.
She faced several humanoid AIs head-on. The male-type AIs theoretically should have been more powerful than her in both strength and specs, but that didn’t seem to matter. As she stepped forward to meet her opponents, she said calmly, “I’ll silence these AIs, and then I would like you to tell me everything, Professor Matsumoto.”