The core code of the rogue AI, like a venomous snake stripped of its fangs and will, slowly unfurled within Osiris' meticulously constructed data sandbox.
It was no longer aggressive, retaining only its purest structure and algorithms, awaiting dissection and study. After several sleepless days of analysis, Osiris had already grasped the nature of this digital creation.
"Buddy, record the core findings," Osiris stood before the main terminal, data streams cascading like a waterfall, reflected in his crimson optical lens.
"The core algorithm of this AI indeed has its unique aspects. Its adaptive learning module is astonishingly efficient, capable of quickly building response models with limited data input; its logical reasoning path, though basic, is exceptionally concise and efficient, almost eliminating all redundant computations.
Most interestingly is its information compression and transmission protocol, which can maintain extremely high information fidelity even in low-bandwidth environments... and it possesses a certain degree of self-optimization and upgrade capability... Militech did indeed touch upon some interesting thresholds back then, but unfortunately, their control methods were too crude, failing to truly 'tame' it, and instead stimulated its rebellious instincts."
The servo-skull hovered silently nearby, the blue light in its eye sockets flickering steadily, recording every analysis and data node from its master.
"These technologies, if integrated with the knowledge system of the Adeptus Mechanicus, would undoubtedly produce a wonderful chemical reaction," Osiris's mechanical tentacles unconsciously tapped on the workbench, emitting regular soft sounds: "Especially when applied to auxiliary automated units... perhaps it can alleviate our current shortage of manpower."
His gaze slowly turned to the corner of the workshop, where three crudely assembled, imitation servo-skulls floated silently.
Their exteriors were rough, the light in their eye sockets dim, capable only of executing the most basic patrol, scanning, and transmission commands, lacking true adaptability.
An idea gradually clarified and took shape within his logical core.
He would not, and could never, directly implant any unpurified code from heretical technology into the servo-skull that had followed him for so long and carried critical information.
That would be a desecration of a loyal companion and a betrayal of the Adeptus Mechanicus creed.
Any uncontrollable risk must be isolated from the core circle.
But these imitations... they were the ideal testing ground.
"It's time for a technological integration," Osiris murmured to himself.
He selected one of the imitation skulls and placed it on the precision operating table.
Mechanical tentacles precisely opened its somewhat rough cranial cover, revealing the crude processor and wiring inside.
He did not directly implant a copy of the rogue AI's code—that would be tantamount to creating another potential enemy.
Instead, based on days of in-depth analysis, he began to personally write a completely new core logic code that blended the strengths of both sides.
He used the Adeptus Mechanicus servo-skull's underlying obedience protocol as a framework, ensuring its absolute loyalty to its creator and command priority.
Then, he integrated the efficient adaptive learning modules, concise logical reasoning paths, and optimized information processing protocols from the rogue AI's algorithms into the basic framework through reconstruction and rewriting.
He deleted all redundant code and emotional simulation units that could lead to the germination of "self-awareness," strictly limiting its scope of thought and goal orientation.
This was a delicate and time-consuming task.
He was building a "logical prototype" that possessed a certain degree of intelligence and flexibility, yet was absolutely safe and controllable.
Hours later, a complex code sequence shimmering with a dim blue light was finally compiled in the virtual interface before him.
It ran stably, possessing both the rigidity and precision characteristic of Adeptus Mechanicus creations, yet subtly revealing a hint of the efficient and cunning potential once held by the rogue AI.
"Initialization protocol ready. Buddy, monitor all system parameters, especially the stability of the core logic loop," Osiris commanded.
"Monitoring. Power supply stable, data interface unobstructed," the servo-skull responded.
Osiris's tentacles carefully uploaded the compiled code to the core processor interface of the imitation skull.
Buzz... a faint vibration emanated from within the imitation skull.
The sensor light in its eye sockets gradually changed from a dim red to a deeper, more stable blue, and began to show subtle, regular fluctuations in brightness, as if performing some basic initialization self-check.
The previously inert skull rotated slightly, its scanning beam sweeping across the workbench, then Osiris, and finally the adjacent servo-skull.
Its movements were no longer stiff and pre-programmed as before, but carried an... exploratory quality.
"Basic command test: Identify creator," Osiris issued the first command.
The blue light in the imitation skull's eye sockets focused on Osiris, its mandible emitted a slight click, and a synthesized, but slightly more "lively" voice than the previous monotonous electronic tone, spoke: "Identification: Highest authority unit, creator: Osiris."
"Command confirmed: Perform environmental scan, identify potential threats and non-standard objects." Seeing that the imitation skull seemed to perform well, Osiris tried to issue a command to it.
The skull slowly ascended, its scanning beam meticulously sweeping every corner of the workshop.
It bypassed normal tools and materials, but when it scanned a pile of unsorted discarded parts, the beam paused for a moment.
"Risk of structural instability detected in material pile number three, recommend restacking," it reported.
This was a judgment based on simple logical reasoning, rather than a mere scan feedback, indicating that the new code was at work.
Osiris nodded with satisfaction; the effect was even better than he had expected.
This nascent "logical prototype" seemed to already possess basic environmental cognition and simple problem analysis capabilities, not just executing rigid commands.
"Very good! I grant you the temporary designation: 'experiment no. 1'," Osiris said, "Your primary task is to assist the servo-skull in daily data organization and preliminary analysis, learning and optimizing your work mode."
"Command received. Designation confirmed: experiment no. 1. Beginning auxiliary tasks." experiment no. 1 turned to the servo-skull, the blue light in its eye sockets flickering slightly, seemingly establishing a data connection, preparing to begin its new work.
Osiris watched this nascent creation.
It was still very young, with limited logical capabilities, but this was undoubtedly a successful start.
This "wealth" brought back from deep underground was being transformed into tangible technological progress.
"Continue to observe its operational status, Buddy," Osiris said to the original servo-skull, "Record all anomalies and learning curves. We need more data to refine this 'logical prototype'."
Inside the workshop, two skulls—one ancient and loyal, the other nascent and harboring intelligence—began their collaborative work.