“Darius, my son. I have so much to tell you. If you’ve found this, it means that my plan has probably failed.” Gradius swallowed hard.

“I’ve put much time and effort into this plan, and I need you to pay careful attention if there is to be any chance of success at all.

“It is rumored in the upper echelons of the corporate government that the North American Union military has been using mind harvesting technology to not only kill enemies of the state, but also to download their minds. To those minds, seconds feel like hours. This allows officials to interrogate prisoners in a matter of seconds.

“Del Peck has been creating a compression technology called CellarDoor, which would be used by the corporate government to harvest loyal minds and merge them into a single overmind. Think about it. All of that knowledge, stored in one powerful mind. It could be used to change the balance of power in the world.

“In fact, that’s what I intend to use it for. CellarDoor has been stored in the cybernetics that I’ve installed into you. It’s the only remaining copy.

“I have given CellarDoor a rudimentary AI so that it will be able to navigate the deep web. In doing so, it will seek out other AIs and absorb their knowledge, but culling their personalities in favor of its own.

“Think about it, Darius. A superintelligent merged AI. One with the intellect and desire to help humanity… to lead humanity. It would replace governments. It would end wars, and guide resource distribution to end world hunger. It would improve technology for the betterment of all humankind! If everyone is happy, there is no need for struggle. Imagine a world where machines do all of the hard labor and everyone is able to pursue their own dreams at their leisure. I’m talking about a Utopia, Darius!

“Your mother and I made a pledge years ago. We would end corporate war. We would make the world a better place. Well, humanity has proven that it’s unable to govern itself. This AI would be able to do far more for humanity than any person ever could. It has no selfish desires, no greed, no ambition beyond making humanity happy and healthy and fulfilled.

“My plan, Darius, is to use you as a mule to sneak CellarDoor out of the country and onto the deep web. You and I would finally be able to have a life together, in a new world; a happier world. Where people like your mother won’t be taken from us. Where people are cared for.

“But, since it appears that I’m no longer with you… All I need you to do, son, is decrypt CellarDoor with this key.” Gradius held up a memory key.

“Then, I need you to push CellarDoor into the deep web, and guide it to an AI. Once it has absorbed enough data, move it to the web. It will take care of the rest.

Son. I’m sorry I’m not there to help you, but I’ve left some guidance for you to find. I love you, son.” Then the video ended.

“Shit.” Tinker said, then he looked at Darius. “Those files aren’t design files after all. They’re for something much bigger.”

“His plan. It could work. It could tear down all corporate and political power. Remove the influence of wealth.” Darius thought aloud.

“At what cost? You can’t just change the world overnight and expect it all to go smoothly. People will rebel. The rich and powerful won’t take it.” Tinker raised a hand to his forehead.

“Every revolution has its casualties.” Darius turned his head to look at Tinker. Surprised to see that the expression on his face was one of horror. “It’s a brilliant solution…”

“It’s the death of liberty. Putting an AI in charge of humanity will destroy all that humanity is.”

“It will free humanity to be the best it can be. Didn’t you hear? It will focus technology to free up human time to do what they desire.”

“Necessity is what brings the greatest creativity, Darius. Without conflict, without problems, we fall to our own vices. We end up slovenly and useless. No longer challenged to the point of making anything.”

“Freeing us to create! To ask questions and find solutions! It doesn’t mean there are no problems.”

Tinker shook his head. “I don’t know, man. It feels wrong to me.”

Darius sat up, wires and sensors pulling from his body and the monitor going dark. “I don’t understand why.”