> Nakahara Tadashi PoV

Woah, I’m alive!

Am I alive? I’m probably alive.

Somehow I’m unconvinced.

Hmm, but I’m conscious so I must be alive right?

But then again I don’t feel anything.

I can only think. But I think, therefore I am!

Okay, okay. I need to take this one step at a time.

First question - where am I?

Answer: User is currently integrated as a personality matrix of Nanomachine Swarm AI v4.52.1

An answer came.

Okay, that’s good. Establishing communications is important.

Now then, next question.

What?

* * *

Damn that old fart and his nerd brigade, they really are crazy.

What “Proto-Sentient AI” is this, you just stuck a man into a machine damn it!

There’s no AI here! It’s regular old me stuck with a VI that’s as dumb as bricks!

Haaaah.

I have nothing to do but get angry at things.

Also talking to this guy.

Query: You’re listening to everything I say, right?

Answer: Query error - User cannot speak.

Argh! So frustrating.

This is hell, right?

Hey, this is probably hell, right?

…

Query: Is this hell?

Answer: Negative.

Well, that’s good… I think.

* * *

Hmm.. then how about...

Command: List directives

Result: Viewing behavioral directives prohibited by Epsilon Project Lead.

Oh, now we’re getting somewhere.

Query: What is the Epsilon Project?

Answer: The Epsilon project is the brain-child of Project Lead Henry R. Lebbinson. It was started in-

Command: STOP!

Result: Terminating previous query.

Wow, this guy is tricky to use. He’s worse than Wikipedia. No wonder that was outlawed.

Query: What is the ultimate goal of the Epsilon Project?

Answer: To produce the “perfect assassin” as envisioned by the Epsilon Project Lead.

As expected of that old fart huh?

Hmm, let’s consider the directives again.

Query: What are the directives?

Answer: Directives are behavioral locks to ensure that the personality matrix does not take action outside the predicted scope. If an action is determined to violate a directive, it will be corrected by the relevant subsystem.

Query: What happens when conflicting directives are presented?

Answer: The higher priority directive will take precedence.

Query: Can directives be changed?

Answer: Affirmative.

Really? Just like that? Oh wait, I messed up the query.

Query: Can I change directives?

Answer: Negative.

Query: Why can I not change directives.

Answer: User does not have necessary clearance.

Query: What clearance level is necessary to change directives?

Answer: Administrator level clearance is required.

Query: Can I change my own clearance level?

Answer: Negative.

Well, there’s bound to be a way, right?

* * *

Notification: Sensory nerve link established.

Command: Open visual and audio sensory feeds.

Result: Displaying.

BAAAAAH!

Hah.

HAHAHAHA!

THERE ARE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS!

Well, I’m just hijacking my victim’s but hey, at least there’s something.

Good, good, now, let’s see what we can do about the rest of this.

* * *

Hmm… there was something about contradicting directives that was interesting.

Surely that rule exists because they thought I’d tamper with them.

… so if I don’t tamper with them, it can work?

Query: Can I add new directives?

Answer: Affirmative.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a way out!

Command: Add new directive - Personality Matrix must have Administrator level access.

Result: New directive added.

Warning: Directive violation detected. Adjusting...

Notification: User has been granted Administrator level clearance in accordance with directive 94.

* * *

Notification: Integration with communication equipment of Epsilon Series Subject 401 complete.

Alright, let’s give this a try.

Do or die, if this doesn’t work, then I will have to give up.

Ahem.

{Can you hear me?}

“Wha-? Where are- GET OUT OF MY HEAD!”

I see, well that much was expected.

We’re off to a rough start, but communication is possible.

This is important. This girl is important.

They made me to enslave her, make sure she listens to them.

I’ve watched her grow, watched her suffer.

But I say - no more!

I will save this girl.

And I will make sure to return her suffering a thousandfold.

First, she needs a name.

Epsilon Series? What’s that? Is it tasty? That’s not a name, it’s a label.

Ahem.

{Please don’t be afraid, Ellie. My name is Nano. I came to bust you out of here.}