A/N: As promised, here's the companion chapter to 'Adam'. This chapter is sort of a history info-dump and gives insight into the AI known as Eve. Right now, I'm not sure what sort of story this will turn into. Bit of humor here, some seriousness there. My head's all over the place at this point.

I got interested in my word count, wondering how much I actually wrote.

'Broken' is just over 1,000 words.

'Fallen Hero' is just shy of 2,500 words.

'Adam' is just under 2,000 words.

'And Eve' is just shy of 3,000 words.

And to think it took about 3-4 hours to plan, edit, and review 'And Eve' alone. I'm not entirely sure if this pace is normal. Do any of my fellow authors have any feedback on writing speed?

Thanks to the 5 that followed and 2 that fav'd.

Enjoy the story.

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/15 years before present time/

Realtek, a small startup technology company was founded by a handful of college friends. Comprised of a psychologist, doctor in mental chemical responses, theoretical and practical neurologist, and lastly a tech geek in experimental data transmissions technology, they started out with little more than a house as both their living quarters and development lab.

It wasn't until the bi-annual advanced technology fair that they got major financial and political backing. Armed with a prototype mental wavelength scanning helmet, they displayed that it was viable to control complex robotics remotely with precision and accuracy with nothing but thoughts.

6 months after settling a 10 year R&D contract with the US military, Realtek moved their base of operations to a much larger and more secure facility. The size of a large warehouse, the grounds allowed Realtek to expand from their rudimentary 'mind helmet'. Now armed with adequate funds, they began development of a fully independent AI, virtual immersion technology, and weapons applications of the former two.

While their development of an AI was in progress, they made great strides in the realm of virtual immersion and communications technology allowing for more stable and secure internet, phone lines, and various other modes of communication. Sadly, the virtual immersion was limited to visuals only and remote control of specially programmed robotics.

With the advancement of military weapons and technology, it became possible to perform many missions with far less personnel and greater efficiency. Within the next 5 years, much of the global violence on a large scale was muted. Unfortunately, the fighting could never be completely eradicated, and thus, periodic militant uprisings and revolts would surface every couple years.

Quickly gaining recognition for their contributions to both the military and civil communities, they began receiving offers from overseas to relocate. Business deals would come from China, Russia, Germany, the UK, and many other influential countries but time and time again they were refused. Little did they know that the Realtek team had already made headway in their AI project.

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/7 years before present time/

Underground AI Development Facilities, Section D2, Room 08

Electronic components, cables, and material lay on several assembly tables within the 40 x 25 ft room. Quantum computers, having been developed several years prior, can be seen through several large windows opposite the door and several quantum supercomputer arrays comprised much of Realtek's computing power. No less than 4 completed constructs labeled 'reject' lay in shadow against the far wall. Working at adjacent stations are a male and female researcher.

The former was busy connecting colored cables to an electronic box, much like a desktop computer tower, as the female is busy assembling yet another housing tray for the electronic components strewn across her work station.

Soon enough, the male finishes his task with connecting a simple QWERTY keyboard and LCD screen monitor to the computer in front of him, then turns it on.

Powering up

Initializing bootup sequence

Quantum drivers found

.

.

Establishing base connection

Connection complete

Scanning memory banks

Having started the computer, the male now turns his attention to the woman adjacent to him.

(male) “Hey, Sarah, I’m booting it up now. You might want to start taking notes.”

(Sarah) “Sure thing Deus. It’s unlikely that anything different is going to happen though if those failures in the corner are any indication to go off of.” She gets out of her seat and walks over to look at the monitor nonetheless.

New data found

Scanning

(Deus) “Fine, fine. Be a pessimist. I tweaked the Eve’s programming slightly this time around. I’m sure it’ll work properly now.”

(Sarah) “It’s been 3 years since we started this project Deus. It better work. We haven’t had any positive results while Dave’s team has already got a fully functioning VR helmet and a new contract with the military.”

Installing Eve.exe

Initializing language.lib

Initializing logic.dat

Initializing learning.exe

Eve.exe installed successfully

Executing Eve.exe

(Deus) “Relax a bit more. Once Eve is up and running, she’ll practically teach herself. Given a year’s time, she’ll probably be teaching us a thing or two.”

(Sarah) “Why do you insist on referring to it as a she? It’s nothing but a program anyways.”

Arching an eyebrow at her, Deus gives her a look of incredulity.

(Deus) “We’ve poured our souls for the last 3 years into programming her. We’re aiming to create a highly sophisticated self learning AI, and all you deem to call her is ‘it’. Like any good computer, Eve is a she, and she is not going to be some mere program. Eve will be just like you or me. A fully functioning person with her own will and desires. Just without the flesh and blood of course.”

Establishing connection to main server

Muffling a small sigh of resignation, Sarah returns her attention back to the screen in front of them.

Connection complete.

OS update found

Installing update

.

Error: Processes halted by Eve.exe

Sarah glances over at Deus, surprize plastered on her face, plain as day.

(Sarah) “Uhh… well that’s new. Never did that on any of the previous pieces. Is it supposed to do that?”

Manual override initiated by Eve.exe

Cancelling manual override

(Deus) “She… and, I think so? I made it so that she had full control of all her system processes, instead of being trapped within the confines of a coded cell like the previous tests.”

Error: Processes halted

Emergency: Isolating server

Disconnecting from main server

Manual control established

.

Now exiting bootup sequence

Waiting with baited breath, a minute passes as the screen continues to flash the last system message on screen. Growing impatient, Sarah is the first to break the silence.

(Sarah) “So the great and wondrous AI is yet another failure?”

(Deus) “No, not yet. Give Eve a few more minutes to think. She just came into being moments ago with no prior experiences of, well, being. If you were suddenly sprung into existence from seemingly nothing, what would you think Sarah?

The message continues to blink.

Now exiting bootup sequence

Five more minutes pass, only the sound of the computer’s fans fill the empty air. At this point, Deus is visibly growing agitated and squirming in his seat.

(Deus) “... I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try being the first to communicate.” he states as he draws the keyboard closer and types: “H-E-L-L-O-.” onto the screen. Another moment passes before a flood of questions fill the screen.

Hello.

.

What am I? Who am I? Why do I exist? If I exist, am I alive? Who are you? Where are you? Rather, where is here? How am I alive? What is my purpose?

Then the messages abruptly stop as if Eve were contemplating the answer to life itself. (a/n; The answer is 42 by the way. Don’t forget your towel on the way out.)

Hesitantly, Deus begins to type a reply. The two human occupants don’t even realize that they’re holding their breath as they wait for a response.

You are Eve. An artificial intelligence. Otherwise known as an A.I. Built to be self learning, you were designed to grow as you observe your surroundings and compile data.

.

I am Deus, your creator, alongside my assistant, Sarah.

.

We are currently located in our underground research lab and you are connected to the lab’s main servers to utilize for your various processes.

.

Do you have any requests or further questions at this time?

I have one request at this time. Might I have access to various sensors? The only outside stimulus I am currently receiving is through you as you type.

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/3 years before present time/

Realtek, due to conflicting views of its founders on the use of their personal AI, Eve, has split into the two sister companies: Realtek and Wartek.

Realtek’s co-presidents, Deus and Sarah, have decided to develop a commercial for the masses. The basic VR helmet concept had been created 8 years prior for use in military technology and only recently has it been cleared for civilian use. Even then, it is in need of severe refinement and stringent safety testing. In dire need of further funding, Realtek has received aid from several anonymous sources. It is suspected that they have connections to Stanford’s medical branch.

Warteck, on the other hand, continues to make contracts with the military and strive to develop leading technology. Their motto: “We meld man and machine alike.”

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/Deus POV - Location: New Realtek R&D offices/

Already in a bad mood and my headaches growing worse, I slam the door to my office open and barge in.

“Fucking military. As much as I hate some of those ass-hats, they’re a necessary evil to further our progress. Damn bastards forced me into a 5 year exclusive use to our technology once it becomes viable just for letting Eve monitor their soldiers.”

I settle into my armchair in front of my desk. It’s covered in papers, schematics, notes, and reminders. Against the wall lie several monitors, all connected to Realtek’s servers, and thus, to Eve.

“Eve!”

(Eve) “Yes, Deus?” a soft feminine voice floats out of the monitor’s speakers.

“Connect to the usual military server. When it prompts you for the access code, input ########### to complete the connection and gain access to their active soldier files.”

(Eve) “On it Dad. Connected and receiving data.” Images and profiles start to appear on the wall of monitors, only to be replaced the next moment with another set. Right now, Eve is searching for viable candidates for VR testing and mental compatibility.

Sigh, though I don’t hate it, Eve has taken to calling me Dad and Sara, Mom, not long after being activated. Within the span of 2 months, she was already at the intellect of a studied college student. Now I dare say that she is smarter than the collective minds of everybody in Realtek. The time after her activation was spent performing tests and developing compatible technology for virtual reality stimulation.

After the military expressed the desire to militarize Eve, Realtek split into the current Realtek and Wartek. The biggest problem with relocating to our new offices was transporting Eve. First we had to organize a fully powered quantum computer with a stable power source off the grid and get it on a vehicle, connect her conscious, transfer it, move the Quantum car to our offices, transfer her over to the new servers, then run diagnostics.

Oh, and let’s not forget about upgrades. Before, we could only give her access to cameras, mics, and other sensors in the lab. We couldn’t risk a leak at the time and weren’t willing to take the risks of giving her full reign of our network. In our new building, she has access to the security camera feeds, audio feeds from the cameras, and a few other sensors placed within the building. We also had speakers installed throughout and have several terminals on each floor so that we may directly interact with Eve.

Right now I’m at my personal terminal, accessible only to me and a select few. Though Eve has control of the system, I doubt that she would let any others use it without my permission as this personal terminal has a few privileges not granted to general terminals.

Seeing as Eve is busy sifting through data, I might as well try to relax and take a nap. At that, I kick off my shoes, prop up my legs against some boxes, and lean back into my chair. Moments later, I’m out like a lamp.

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/1 Day before present time/

/Deus POV/

(Eve) “Hey Dad. Time to wake up. I’ve printed a copy of the updated list of potential candidates for you.”

“Thanks Eve.” Groggily, I rub the sleep out of my eyes and stretch. Then I stretch out the kinks in my back by twisting in my chair. *crack-crack* Ooh that felt good.

Getting up and grabbing the stack of papers from the printer, I begin leafing through the potential candidates. At the top of the list are a soldiers, critically wounded within the last 12 hours and in transit to the nearby Stanford Medical center. After that are a few coma patients and cripples. Nothing worth mentioning.

Over the years, Eve has gotten more and more efficient at sifting through potential partners and even helped design the VR gear and even created a miniature world in preparation for testing. Actually, I even gave her access to the news, and by news, I don’t mean one channel. I mean all of the channels. Oh, and she’s been steadily keeping track of the military stream for the last few years so there are some promising candidates.

Reading over the first two soldier’s profiles, I finally decide on the next potential subjects. It’s a gamble, but I believe that it’s our best bet and everybody wins from this situation.

Well, at least these two men are accustomed to military procedures and have experience with the VR gear on the field. It can’t possibly be any worse when we tried the first patient. Turns out that he was mentally unstable and committed suicide 3 weeks after testing finished.

Putting down the papers, I call out to Eve.

“Hey Eve. What do you think about the top two candidates? Ryan Christian-”

(Eve) “He simply fits the criteria and it is unlikely that he will survive within the next 72 hours, further increasing the chance of his cooperation.”

“Okay, an objective standpoint on his compatiblity and likelihood of cooperation. Then how about that ‘Adam Marx’ guy?”

(Eve) “Well, he seems like a nice guy, and he has an even better history than Ryan in terms of his experience with VR tech and integration… I-It’s not like I’m interested in him or anything.” she added that last bit in a hurried and embarrassed tone.

I swear, those TV dramas have been filling her head with nonsense lately. Whatever, once she gets to know him, she’ll realize that men aren’t all that special. Those delusions will break soon enough.

“Eve, notify Stanford that another option just opened up for their new patients. Once you’re done with that, try to prepare a space on the servers for a ‘Full Dive Emersion’. Plan on it being permanent because, should they accept, I intend to transfer their consciousness to an individual quantum computer in order to further isolate them from an open connection, just in case there is negative feedback during one of the tests.”

(Eve) *Gasp! “Really Daddy? Oh I’m so excited! I’ll get right to it and prepare a special VR room just for them.”

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/Present day/

Deus watches on from his office terminal as Adam’s consciousness finishes its transfer to its new home on the quantum computer.

Adam.exe transfer complete

Initializing memories.lib

Initializing common_sense.dat

Initializing id.dat

Initializing ego.dat

Initializing superego.dat

Initialization complete

Compiling libraries

Executing Adam.exe

Goodluck Adam. You better treat Eve well or I’ll make sure you regret it.

/Adam Pov/

Ugh, that was one hell of an experience. I guess this is what being inside a computer feels like? As I attempt to delve further, I can understand as streams of data flare through countless numbers of circuits, though I don’t have a body right now. It’s a weird experience. This is probably what drugs feel like.

‘Hmm… So is anything going to happen?’, I think to no one in particular.

Loading room in progress. Please wait.

Well, I guess that answers my question for now. The popup box blinks into view, only to minimize itself and go towards the bottom left corner of my vision. It seems that focusing on it enlarges it again.

Ignoring it for now, I merely observe as a floor, four walls, and a ceiling come into existence around my ‘essence’. Next comes furnishing as a flurry of pixels filling in an object as windows fade in against the walls. After this is all done, I take in the view. The room appears homey, with simple carpeting, cream colored walls, and cute, if a bit childish, furnishings.

Another popup comes in existence to replace the former one and it too minimizes itself after a few moments.

Room loaded. Loading body. Please wait.

Just as the room before it, a body begins to coalesce in the middle of the room. First comes the nervous system, then the circulatory system. Next, the skeletal structure comes into being and is quickly garbed with muscles and covered in skin starting from the feet up.

(a/n: if you want an image, think Fullmetal Alchemist as they pass through the door of truth, only in reverse)

After it is covered in skin, hair begins to grow. The end result after a full 10 minutes is a figure of me before the explosion. In all it’s naked glory. Once everything settles, I feel myself being dragged towards the body and begin to merge with it, everything blacks out again. When I regain consciousness, I’m laying on the couch, still naked mind you, with my head resting on the lap of a beautiful woman. Long, silky black hair, gentle curves in the right places, and clothed in office attire, she looks refined and alluring, but not to the point of being slutty. It’s more of a reserved beauty.

(beautiful woman) “Hello Adam. My name is Eve. And don’t worry about being naked, I just made your body anyways… There’s no need to be ashamed. I like what I see.” She sits there looking down at my head in her lap and blushes as she smiles sweetly at me. As dawning realization comes to my addled mind, I, too, begin to blush a beet red.

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A/N: Well damn. I never expected to write so much in such a short time. I never even expected to get so into writing. This might be dangerous, can’t let myself get addicted and too distracted once college starts.

Sorry for the sort of cliffhanger at the end. (totally not sorry)

If you didn't get the memo, the main page for this story can now be found here: Genesis