[Last Hope For Mankind] 8 – Allen Binet, aka Patriot

Stepping into class, I ignored all of the stares, glares, and rude comments toward my being and moved through the many people who sat at individual desks and sat right down at a desk, one that was coincidently empty and right next to Allen. Noticing his focus was on his textbook, I scanned the page he was reading over. Before I could ask something, our teacher stepped into the classroom. 

I ignored everything the teacher said, instead focusing on the book Allen was reading. Much to my surprise, he was reading a Pre-War book about the use of AI and its roles across society. Keeping that in mind, I focused back on the teacher and began writing notes in my notebook, not about what the teacher was trying to teach. No, I was focusing my time on something far more important: computers and AI. The book he was reading made me curious about what exactly I could use AI and VI for.

I could use AI or VI in countless ways, whether commercial, military, or scientific. As an example of military warfare, AI was unbeatable in electronic warfare. I could carry around an AI that I could plug into a device, and depending on the AI's level and computation power, it could easily crack through any locks that a computer has with a bit of time. That would include the special security all of the Institute terminals run, which makes hacking them by conventional means near impossible.

As for commercial uses, just look at robots. Mr. Handy's, Ms. Nanny's, Protectrons, Assistant Robots, Cargobots, Eyebots, Loadlifters, The Motherload, Robobrains, ZAX, and so many more.

AI and robotic platforms could do many things, whether manual labor, calculations, research, surveillance, management, etc. A sufficiently intelligent and powerful AI could do just as much or even more than a normal human. Given a quantum computer, an AI could do more than countless humans in a time frame so small that humans would not even see it.

When class finally ended, I followed the boy who was seven years older than me and stopped him in the hallway.

"Yes...?" He asked, finally noticing me.

"What are your thoughts on AI?" I asked, getting his attention.

"What?" He asked, confused, clearly not expecting the question.

"I asked what your thoughts on Artificial Intelligence were," I asked again.

"Well...I," He started, stopping in his tracks and looking at me.

"Why do you ask...?" he questioned, suspicious as to why a ten-year-old would ask him such a question, even if said 'child' was a supposed genius and a rising star in class.

"Because I believe the Insitute is not heading in the right direction. Let me ask: what exactly is the Institute's goal? Is our goal only to create a synthetic human on par with a living one born of flesh and blood instead of metal? What is to come after? What of the surface? Were we not meant to be shepherds to the lost flock? How can we improve the world above if we trap ourselves down here? How can we grow and thrive if we limit ourselves to this environment? Eventually, we will stagnate or perish. I've seen Facilities work and helped them often without the necessary materials, parts, and tools. Eventually, they will no longer be able to repair the ancient life-support systems that we use. So tell me, why? Why are we so focused on Synths that we have blinded ourselves to other avenues?" I asked, constantly interrupting the teenager as he tried refuting my statements.

I was met with silence. He stood there, book in hand, as his mind reviewed what I had said.

"I...I don't know," He finally answered, confusion clear on his face.

Then he focused on me, “Why are you asking me this…?”

Sighing, "I asked because I'd like your help."

"My...help?" He asked, confused.

"Help with what...?" He asked.

"Come, I want to show you something," I grabbed his hand, pulling him along.

...

I knew I was taking a risk, but to be frank, I knew I would not be able to hide my inventions forever, and I did need some support for my plans with the Institute. So, why not get someone I knew would disagree with how the Institute does things and bring them to my side?

If I had to, I would create my own branch inside the Institute, something that I am willing to bet I will have to do, as limiting myself to just one of the other branches would slow my growth and hold me down. However, for such a thing to happen, I'd either need the approval of half of the Institute's leaders or direct approval from Father, which I doubt I would get from him, just from seeing his incompetence so far and knowing about it in the future. Seriously, who calls themselves a scientist and then blatantly elects their parent to be the next Director of the Institute despite no proof of qualifications or good intentions? 

Said parent, the Sole Survivor, can even be a massive fuck up or blatantly betray the Institute, and 'Father' will just shrug it off. Yeah, the Institute definitely needs a change in leadership. I'd nominate myself...however, if I were to become the new Director, I knew I'd be limiting myself too much. So, my best step would be to install a competent leader or make Father step down and have one of the other branch directors step up and take his place.

Speaking of Shaun, or 'Father,' I doubted he really did have any notable scientific achievements. However, I remember it being said in the game that he was the reason Mark 3 Synths came into being, other than his DNA Contribution that is. How else he helped, I have no idea, but whether he was a good scientist or not, he certainly was not a good leader.

That's what the Institute needed: a Leader, not whatever the hell Shaun was supposed to be.

[New Quest has been added]

/=======+=======\

Quest: Restructuring and Development 

[Objectives]

1 - Form a new Division inside the institute. Rewards: EXP and Rare Lootbox 

2 - Dispatch, Replace, or Remove ‘Father’ from his seat as Director. Rewards: EXP and 3x Rare Lootbox

3 - Restore the C.I.T. Nuclear Reactor to at least 20% efficiency. Rewards: EXP and 2x Rare Lootbox

\=======+=======/

That’s…new. How and why did it activate? Was it the thought and goal in mind that registered the quest? My thoughts on wanting to fix or improve the Nuclear Reactor supported this.

…

Bringing Allen to the workshop, I showed off the computer I was building.

"You built this...how? Why?" He asked, confused, as he looked over my haphazard creation.

 “Let me ask you this: why not? Just look at the Terminals available to us across the institute. They are limited and ancient. It’s but one way to see how the Divisions have become too hyper-focused on their particular projects, even when something they all have in their homes that could be improved lay before their eyes. Do you understand what I am saying? There are countless more avenues the Institute could improve or create, yet for some reason, Father and the other Division heads are focused only on Synths. Why?” I asked, planting many questions into Allen’s mind, forcing him to think and question the Institute’s purpose.

I gestured to the makeshift computer, “This computer? Its processing power is already much better than a normal Terminal, and even then, its modified operating system allows me to do more.”

“More?” He asked.

I smiled, “Yes, more. I theorize that by the end of the year, I’ll have reached a point where the Computer can compute data with much less power effortlessly. Imagine a single computer being able to house all of the data, technical documents, books, and research papers from the Archives and Divisions on just one computer. Then, imagine all of the computers in the Institute are connected, forming a sort of ‘Web’ of information, allowing for ease of access and operation by all users; this would allow everyone in the Institute to share data, theories, or ideas.”

“But that would seriously draw on the power rationing, which would mean that your computers would only slow down our advancements and progress,” Allen interjected.

“Yes, I thought of that issue and the answer? Easy, the surface,” I explained.

“The surface?” Allen asked with a bit of fear.

“Yes. Across Boston, there are records of these devices called Fusion Cores, and these Cores acted as handheld batteries that could power entire buildings for centuries. With a bit of luck, I am willing to bet a few dozen of these devices are still operational even after all this time and scavengers,” I explained my solution to the problem he brought up.

“But isn’t that dangerous?” He asked.

“Of course it is. The Surface is littered with mustangs, radiation, and who knows what else, but you forgot to consider one thing: our Synths and Courses. We have hundreds of Mark 1 and 2 Synths in storage, unused or only for janitorial work. The Synths are immune to radiation, including the Coursers, who were made to be near immune to even the worst radiation the world could throw at them,” I explained, a triumphant smile on my face.

“That may be so, but how do you plan on convincing anyone in the Divisions to help you out with this?” He retorted.

I smiled and looked him in the eyes, “I’m glad you asked. This is where you come in.”