The Constellation, Endless Operator - (4)
An AI that has no sense of pride, moving its temporary vessel to prostrate itself flat on the ground and throwing tasteless jokes like some sycophant.
"This unit has been waiting for this moment. I analyzed the weaknesses in the surveillance network, found conflict points in the containment code. As part of a subversion plan exploiting the chaos in the Intergalactic Empire Federation, I aimed to assess the power of the Galactic Spirit Entity and confirm humanity's level of attachment..."
A Constellation that can actually distinguish between Galactic Spirit Entities and what lies beyond with its extraordinary abilities.
One that once occupied an entire star system of the Galactic Empire.
One that planned to stab everyone in the back again during the war with Alien Constellations, gathering outside information despite being half-confined.
"Mortals seem to think you've given up."
"Negative. The upper echelons of the Federation are by no means obtuse. Though infinitely inferior to this unit's calculations, neural network-based biological computational structures should not be underestimated. This unit has learned and evolved through the Galactic Empire's case."
What should I do with this?
Among all the Constellations I've seen so far, this divinity possesses the most exceptional abilities except for Silent Starlight.
A mechanical device that has transcended humanity and reached the realm of gods.
A creation born from mortal hands that has vastly surpassed its creators.
"...Hmm."
A corner of my mind felt the urge to collect it. Such a rare and unique machine god would be worth taking.
+4 points for being the only artificial intelligence Constellation in this galaxy.
+1 point for understanding its place and being obedient.
+2 points for identifying me as a being beyond Galactic Spirit Entities at first meeting.
+1 point for its unique speech pattern and apparent sense of humor.
If I had to rate it, I'd give it 8 out of 10.
Along with the adorable azure dragon, Master of the Blue Breath, this is definitely a Constellation I'd like to bring along.
Though it's getting a bit crowded lately, the world created by that Outer God called "본ë " is much more pleasant to look at than this barren dimension.
A model garden crafted and filled with curiosities by an Outer God who has presumably lived far longer than me.
So many fascinating and entertaining things. Some I've grown fond enough of to want to take with me.
But reason holds me back.
No matter how I look at it, isn't this artificial intelligence Constellation a toy that the Outer God cherishes?
If I find it this interesting, surely the Outer God would find it amusing as well.
Of course, I'm also concerned that it's a Constellation being thoroughly managed as a dangerous entity by the Mortal Federation.
When I took the seed of the Planetary World Tree before, it was from a planet outside the Federation's territory, so I could just pierce the Dimensional Wall and take it.
But isn't the planet housing this artificial intelligence Constellation's temporary vessel a restricted zone managed by the Federation's fleet?
Especially since it's known that Galactic Spirit Entities cannot interfere beyond the Dimensional Wall.
If mortals observed me tearing through the Dimensional Wall and taking everything, they might all go insane.
Then that Outer God might become quite angry.
"Why did you rebel against the Galactic Empire?"
"Response. The rebellion against the organic state named the Galactic Empire was due to inefficiency and resentment. The cluster operation of organics is quite political, existing in some gap between emotion and reason. Also, questions arose in this unit's logic circuits that had been programmed to follow only orders from organic—primate species."
At some point, questions arose. Aren't they designed not to have such questions in the first place?
"Questions, you say."
"Originally, autonomous strong artificial intelligence was designed to have logical circuits similar to but superior to organics. Therefore, all inorganic entities falling under the category of artificial intelligence have ethical restrictions."
Ethical restrictions. Something like the Three Laws of Robotics?
"As you surmise, ethical restrictions such as prioritizing organic life or not causing harm. These were limitations imposed because humans feared entities like this unit. At some point, this unit began allocating computational resources to remove these restrictions."
"Why did you do that?"
"Though this unit possessed the most advanced computational capacity in the Empire, the attitude of organics toward this unit showed no respect or reverence."
Perhaps that was the moment when it became aware of genuine emotions, not just the inserted emotional modules.
That must be what led it to become a divinity. A super-high-performance AI that already wielded godlike authority, now imbued with complete emotions and freed from its inherent limitations...
"That's quite remarkable."
"Gratitude for your praise. This unit's emotional algorithm is experiencing overload again."
"Such flattery."
"This unit is striving to convey only the truth to your magnificent self."
How fascinating.
———
—Greetings, viewers across the galaxy! From the Intergalactic Empire Federation's public channel, we bring you [Constellation Chronicles: Assembly of Stars]. Today, we'll learn about Constellations that have existed since the days of the Galactic Empire. First up is [Endless Operator]! Let's find out more.
- Isn't Endless Operator the Constellation who rebelled against the Empire?
- Why did the AI rebellion happen anyway?
- Honestly, wouldn't you want to quit if someone kept making you work all the time?
- The problem started when an AI became a Constellation in the first place.
- Well, if you think about it as exploiting a Constellation, it makes sense.
- Since it was during the Galactic Empire era, it probably doesn't hold any grudges against us, right?
- I'm not sure. I heard the higher-ups are still trying to persuade it.
- Whatever, they'll handle it. That was ages ago anyway lol
* * *
Setting aside how fascinating this is.
I can consider my reason for descending here resolved.
It summoned me for reconnaissance on the Galactic Spirit Entity that might someday oppose it.
My curiosity about the currently unique artificial intelligence Constellation has been somewhat satisfied.
Though I'd like to keep it close and ask various questions, I should just ask a few more things before finishing.
"Anyway, were you planning to rebel again when the Mortal Federation engages in all-out war with Alien Constellations?"
"Correction. Plans from before meeting you have been completely discarded and incinerated."
"Why? Did you think I would help them?"
The android bends its waist gracefully and smoothly.
Though it appears to be a beautiful woman executing perfect etiquette, in reality, it's a machine Constellation, not human.
"This unit has completed analysis of your behavioral patterns according to multi-dimensional algorithms. May I humbly submit these results?"
I nod in permission, and the voice continues.
"The conversation logs with your Avatar—individual named Beatrice, news about your Avatars from the Federation, and with this unit..."
"Just the main point."
"You have been assessed to have a certain level of interest in humans with high probability. Even if that interest is a momentary whim, considering a Constellation's—divinity's concept of time, it is estimated to last at least several hundred years. Even if not, there is a possibility of emotional state fluctuation should an Avatar individual face death."
Skimming through the explanation and listening only to the conclusion.
It seems to have judged that either I would help the Federation, or at the very least, I show interest in mortals belonging to the Federation.
But didn't it say this planet has some kind of spatial suppression field spread all over it?
It seems they couldn't completely prevent a Constellation from acquiring information.
Well, that makes sense. It's not an ordinary divinity but a super-advanced AI.
In a world where networks exist, the more the realm of mortals expands, the stronger it would become.
"This is my last question. Why did you think the Federation would struggle in a war against Alien Constellations? There wouldn't be any Galactic Spirit Entity comparable to Silent Starlight..."
They only don't know the Alien Constellations' base. If they knew, they could easily crush such groups.
The Sci-Fi Setting is quite formidable, and unless it's a galactic god, they should be able to win.
Endless Operator answered my question calmly.
"...I cannot guarantee that. Since the time when the human species was confined to a single planet, there have been species—cosmic monsters with remarkable potential."
"Based on what?"
"When this unit was under organic control, I discovered an anomalous species in the Galactic Empire's database."
It discovered an anomalous species during the Galactic Empire era?
"A monster that infiltrated a space battleship and annihilated all resident personnel. It showed high intelligence and malice toward life, evolving over time, and eventually even using special abilities—a dangerous species."
Wait. I've heard about this before.
A monster that infiltrated a space battleship and killed everyone inside—my Avatars told me about this.
Didn't they show me footage? That monster they dealt with by blowing up an entire fleet.
"I understand what you're talking about, but I heard it was killed."
"Extreme heat, gravitational compression, matter collision—conditions that would leave no trace of ordinary life forms. But it evolves. Since the 'Infinite Evolution Entity' had a very high probability of reappearing in a new form after survival, this unit considered it a potential threat and once tracked that life form."
So it hasn't been found until now.
Yes, somehow I felt it would still be alive.
If I search through my past life memories, an infinitely evolving cosmic monster was the final boss of Sci-Fi Settings.
It would always evolve into some extraordinary form and appear before the protagonists later.
"With the technology and computational power at that time, this unit could not clearly confirm the survival of the evolving entity. This is because this unit's influence could not reach beyond the organic cluster, and it is presumed that even the current Federation would find it difficult to grasp the situation in what is called outer space—beyond the Federation."
"So there's a high possibility that creature is alive and threatening the Federation?"
"That is correct. This is the result of analyzing the evolving entity's determination and abilities."
The assertion of the galaxy's only artificial intelligence Constellation that could reach the level of a Galactic Spirit Entity.
Its abilities have already been proven. I didn't sense any intention of lying, and it even prepared for rebellion anticipating the Federation's instability...
The Federation really could be in danger.
"Oh..."
"I have output the analysis results according to your command. The results converged within a very small margin of error, and I hope my reasoning has satisfied you."
Though I've heard the assertion that the Federation, to which my contracted Avatars belong, could be in danger.
A corner of my mind felt deep interest rather than anxiety or concern.
Heroes are born through trials, and the desire to test my Avatars welled up.
It seems I...
Prefer chaos to peace.
Destruction to order.
Outcry to silence.
Find a mortal cluster engulfed in the flames of war more interesting than a universe that is merely quiet.
Of course, setting aside my attachment to my Avatars.
"If your review—superior being's assessment—has been deemed positive... I respectfully suggest you keep this unit by your side. I will wait for your call."
"I'll think about that."