Chapter 1562: You Have Me
In the early morning, a bright silver flight landed at Jinling Airport.
Walking out of the terminal with Ling, Lu Zhou showed Ling’s ID to the security inspector at the exit. He then took him through the inspection.
Although the ALPHA virus crisis had been resolved, the investigation on the awakened robots had not slackened. Before the release of specific legal documents, the flesh and blood dominated by chips and unregistered AI individuals who had their human emotions awakened were illegal in Pan-Asia.
After all, the rebellion in Guanghan City had left an overwhelming impression on people’s hearts.
This scar caused by the war, without the baptism of time, could not be wiped out that easily.
However, Lu Zhou still had hope in his heart for the future.
In a recent meeting, the Pan-Asian Cooperation Congress had been discussing the amendments to the Artificial Intelligence Act, such as how to define the intelligence standards of artificial intelligence and whether to grant different levels of social statuses and rights to artificial intelligence with different intelligence standards.
The development of artificial intelligence followed the same pace of continuous technological progress in this society. If it were not for a major change, this positive trend would remain constant.
Not today, but perhaps someday in the future; as long as human beings still relied on intelligent programs, then sentient intelligence would definitely appear.
However, Lu Zhou did not think this was a bad thing.
As long as the emotions injected into the awakened robots were love and peace instead of hatred and resentment, then the future of humanity and AI would be harmonious and beautiful.
He could see hope from Tail’s actions.
The seeds were germinating…
When leaving the terminal building, Lu Zhou suddenly received a call from Captain Xing. He then found his car in the parking lot.
“I didn’t expect you to pick me up at the airport.”
Sitting in the back row, Lu Zhou casually greeted Captain Xing. He then smiled at the new driver and nodded.
He still remembered that the agent who drove last time was Shi Jin.
No one thought that the loyal agent was actually an undercover lurking in the Security Bureau.
Xing Bian: “Because I have to thank you… and say sorry.”
“No need for apologies,” Lu Zhou said casually. Looking at the buildings flying away from the car window, he said, “This is something that no one can predict, including me.”
Xing Bian: “Speaking of which, what were you doing in North America?”
Lu Zhou smiled relaxedly and said, “I went back to look at my former residence, to sweep the grave for my mentor, and find the notebooks left behind… That’s all, how about you? Is the task force disbanded? You seem to have a lot of free time.”
“Free time? Me? I wish.” Xing Bian curled his lips and said with a smile to himself, “Although the culprits behind Guanghan City have been identified, after investigating David Lawrence, we found that he has nothing to do with The Spirit of The Universe Foundation.”
The contest between the Security Bureau and the Foundation had just begun, and it was too early for people like them to rest.
“Oh, really.”
Xing Bian said, “You don’t seem to be surprised?”
Lu Zhou: “It’s nothing surprising because the ideals of those two are inherently different. I would actually be surprised if they are in the same group.”
Judging from Morinaga’s confession, the idea of the Foundation was to spread the belief in the spirit of the universe by creating chaos and to establish a unified modern theocracy that encompassed the entire solar system.
And the awakened ones, as well as the pioneer who dominated the awakened ones, had an idea to replace human beings as the masters of this solar system.
In this sense, in this intelligence crisis, the Foundation was also the one being exploited.
They did not realize that the source code of the ALPHA virus they obtained from the space pirates in the asteroid belt was actually sold to them deliberately by David Lawrence. When the number of infections reached a certain order of magnitude, these viruses would no longer be controlled by them.
They were like hard-working bees, working hard to spread the ALPHA virus on the black market, while those awakened robots had already unknowingly turned their backs on them.
Had it not been for Morinaga’s lawlessness and the military operations on Ceres that disrupted the arrangements between the two parties, this intelligence crisis would probably have been delayed by 20 years.
But if that had happened, it would have been too late…
Lu Zhou: “In other words, your task force will continue to exist?”
“Sort of, but we have already changed the task force to the ‘Countermeasures Division of The Spirit of The Universe Foundation’.”
The team leader of the task force was promoted to the head of the countermeasures department. Although Lu Zhou did not understand the organizational structure of the 22nd-century security department, he knew that the leader of a division was higher than the leader of a task force.
“Congratulations on your promotion.”
“Not really a promotion, I feel more and more tired.” Xing Bian sighed slightly as he said, “If we can be peaceful forever, I would rather be a small cadre for the rest of my life and eat and rest until I die.”
Obviously, this was not going to happen
Pan-Asian Cooperation was the most powerful regional alliance in the world. Under this near-infinite glory, there was bound to be undercurrents.
Their work would only get busier and busier, and there would never be eternal peacefulness.
Lu Zhou teased, “The robot rebellion is now over, yet you are still worried about this little trouble?”
Captain Xing was slightly stunned. He then said with a hearty smile, “You’re right.”
Hovering along the magnetic levitation highway, the car quickly drove to the door of a mansion in the suburbs.
Xing Bian politely refused Lu Zhou’s invitation to stay for dinner. He said he had more matters to take care of. After saying goodbye to Lu Zhou, he ordered his driver to start driving.
When Lu Zhou was in front of the access control system, the fence door at the entrance of the courtyard opened immediately.
A petite figure rushed into his arms.
“Master!”
Lu Zhou caught Xiao Ai who had rushed over. As if he were petting his pet, Lu Zhou rubbed the fake hair on her head fondly.
“I’m back. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Xiao Ai: “Xiao Ai was really worried. Master has disappeared for a century already. Can you promise Xiao Ai? Can you not go so far next time?”
After thinking for a moment, Lu Zhou answered with a smile, “Not go so far… I’m afraid it’s a bit difficult. After all, I have already decided where I want to go. But next time, if I plan to go to a place that is far, far away, I promise I will bring you.
“Then we won’t be apart.”
Xiao Ai: “Really?!”
Looking at Xiao Ai’s happy face, Lu Zhou couldn’t help but complain in his heart.
Um…
Why am I agreeing to her requests?
I’m the master here…
Tail walked out to greet him.
Lu Zhou thought for a while before asking, “What about you? What are you going to do?”
“I… Actually, I haven’t really thought about it.” Hearing Lu Zhou’s words, Tail couldn’t help but hesitate slightly. She then said hesitantly, “I want to raise Lili, but… I am a robot. When she realizes how her parents died, I’m afraid—”
Lu Zhou: “You think of her as a family member, right?”
Tail froze for a moment. She then nodded slightly.
“Yeah.”
“Then please keep this feeling in your mind and never forget it.”
Lu Zhou stared at the robot in front of him seriously.
Tail’s expression gradually became more and more solemn. Lu Zhou suddenly smiled.
He changed into a much calmer tone as he continued, “Before this, I was planning to hand Lili to my descendants to raise, but during this period of time when I was away, I thought about it and finally changed my mind. Although my descendants are indeed gentle, you’re the one most suited to raise Lili.”
The expression on Tail’s face was that of slight embarrassment. She hesitated for a moment before saying, “Me? But… if she is with you, she will have a brighter future.”
“You are already able to think about this kind of problem? That’s surprising.”
A smile appeared on Lu Zhou’s face, and he continued, “But you may have misunderstood one thing. What can be considered a bright and beautiful future must be determined by her. I think she must be more willing to be with you than an outsider like me. You’re her only family in this world.
“As for the rest, don’t worry. I will give you an allowance as a reward for saving the world. Take this money and start a new life in a place where no one knows you. I believe you will be able to do it.”
Tail shook her head slightly and said, “My concern is not money… My current identity itself is illegal.”
“Identity? Don’t worry about that. The Pan-Asian Cooperation will soon give you… and all the awakened robots, who have good intentions, legal identities.”
“This is too…” Her face was full of shame. Tail slowly lowered her head and said, “After all, my compatriots did those things in Guanghan City.”
“That’s fine. It is our fine tradition to embrace the past. As long as you can prove yourself to this society… I believe it is not difficult for you.”
Lu Zhou gave her a confident smile and continued, “Also, you have me.”