Chapter 2: Prologue Part Two
The Royal Palace of the Everdawn Kingdom had long been replaced by a skyscraper. It towered over the city below, a conglomeration of steel glass and gold. While some traditionalists looked askance at such a visage, it was said to make sense from a logistical perspective as it made the kingdom's administration easier. It was in a lounge on the top floor of this building that the War Games beta test reached a conclusion.
The lounge was luxurious, but its delicate artwork and artistic decal were overshadowed by the characters sitting within. An old man so skinny that he looked made of sticks. Wearing threadbare faded green clothes, stretched his arms wide. A satisfied smirk on his lips. Across from him sat a muscled youth. Dark hair, dark eyed, dark clothing. He seemed to be not sure whether to laugh or cry as he sat there glancing between the other two occupants. The third occupant's entire appearance was dominated by a brush sized moustache. Elegantly groomed, he wore an impeccable military uniform. With his eyes closed, he seemed content to ignore the others in the room. Though it was obvious to those that knew him that he was listening intently.
"A.. Dragon", Vasily, the youth, choked out at last.
"An immemorial dragon", Jonathon corrected gleefully. "Hey Lan Feng what did you think of my cutie?", he asked the mustached man.
Lan Feng's mouth twitched at the word cutie. "It was a spectacular… abuse of the game bug." He waved his arm at the double doors behind him. "Which Georgiy has fixed."
The mousy man wearing large glasses and a lab coat pushed open the lounge door in reply to his words. Bowing slightly Georgiy affirmed his words "yes, Lord Marshall the bug in which the evolution mechanics of spirit animals within the game has been resol-".
"Did everyone like my dragon", Jonathon interrupted. "I bet they loved it. Oohing and ahhhing. And cheering when Vasily was gobbled up", he enthused.
Georgiy glanced hopefully between the other two men in support. No support was given. "Well", he said hesitantly. "It scared them a little. I don't think anyone cheered either." Jonathon looked a little disappointed. Though Vasily's complexion seemed to improve at his words. "Except perhaps Feng Mian… She was very enthusiastic", Georgiy finished.
"Scared of a dragon", Jonathon muttered. "Back in my day we-"
Lan Feng interrupted him, "as I remember you came running to me for help the last time you met a Western Dragon".
"What was it you were screaming again?" Vasily asked rhetorically. "It wasn't me?"
Lan Feng gave a rare smile at the memory while Georgiy struggled to hold his curiosity.
Jonathon in turn seemed rather petulant. "So is everything set for release?", he asked Georgiy hoping to change the subject.
Georgiy bobbed his head before answering, "Yes my lord, over the last century we have been able to make extensive tests and adjustments to not only the underlying software of the game but the servers and gaming devices as well."
"And the AI?", Vasily asked.
Georgiy nodded once again, "The AI is completely stable and is constantly improving itself. It is spending the vast majority of its processing power and memory banks on building the future game worlds. Furthermore, it has taken on the role of creator with a noticeable enthusiasm."
Lan Feng gave a slight nod before taking his turn at asking a question. "Is the AI itself dangerous?", he questioned.
Georgiy took a moment to think his answer through before replying. "The AI itself is incredibly intelligent and in its own way powerful but in a society like ours it is really difficult for it to exert influence in any meaningful way. We simply do not have the technology needed for it to grow. On a plane like the Goblin Federation's where you retrieved the knowledge on creating an AI it would be a true god. Able to manipulate and utilize every form of technology from weaponry to household items. Able to absorb information directly from their data net."
Georgiy took a breath before continuing, "In comparison we had to spoon feed it every piece of information needed to build the game. And while there are several technological devices that it can interact with which have been retrieved from technologically advanced planes the most dangerous of these is the rusty iron mech in the Reception area of the Lonely Farmer Sect. In conclusion there is no foreseen threat from the AI except perhaps from it sabotaging the war games project. Which while frustrating it wouldn't actually hurt anyone."
Vasily nodded pleased at the comprehensive answer.
It was Jonathon who asked the next question. "Last question", Jonathon smiled. "I just wanted to double check that there's no way the Goblin Federation could use the AI to spy or steal knowledge from us. It would be embarrassing if they one-upped us that way."
Georgiy nodded in understanding, "I think to truly answer this question comprehensively you would have to read my report on its creation…"
"Its rather long", Jonathon muttered thinking back to the several thousand-page report that seemed to be written in a different language with formulas, graphs and data sheets being emphasized. Utter gibberish.
Georgiy seemed disappointed but he persevered, "Well in short answer is that while the knowledge on the Bio Core was incredibly useful in giving us insights on how to create the physical body of the AI, the information and building blocks which create the AI's identity establish its purpose was written by the research team and is no way affiliated to the goblin code. Which was quite interesting but a bit too simple and rudimentary. The goblin code also seems to limit the growth and abilities of the AI which makes sense looking at their society. Even the Bio core is different to the goblin invention as we utilized magical materials and used magic in a way which is impossible for the goblin race. So no, there is no way that the goblins could spy on us through the AI."
"Thank you for your time Georgiy", Lan Feng said in dismissal.
Vasily leaned forward in his chair and made direct eye contact with Georgiy before speaking, "We are looking at starting the next War Game in 5 years. Before that you can release the game devices to the market and make it possible to create a character. You've had over 100 years to develop this game so there better not be any bugs upon launch. Let me know personally if there are any problems."
Jonathon smiled agreeably while Georgiy started leaving and as he opened the door he said, "Can you ask the Librarian to come in. She seems to be ignoring my mental nudges." Georgiy's eyes widened a little at this but he nodded affirmatively. The door closed softly behind him.
"I believe she wishes to discuss the Immortal Child", Jonathon smiled.
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