Chapter 9 

[September 21st - 9 am] 

In the morning, Ava and James were stirred awake by a ray of sunlight filtering through the trees and illuminating their tiny shelter. They emerged into the soft light to find Sentra standing upright, her system activated, with Zep diligently working on her repairs behind her.

“Good morning,” Sentra greeted them, her voice steady despite the visible damage still evident on her frame. A large section of her left forehead exposed intricate wires and electronics, a small fan motor whirring softly inside, while some superficial damage marred her side.

“Sentra!” Ava exclaimed, her eyes wide with delight. “You’re back online! That’s wonderful news!”

“Yes,” Sentra confirmed, her voice filled with an undertone of warmth. “Zep performed emergency repairs and managed to transfer some battery power. I am not yet at full capacity, but I will be able to make the journey to the new SR headquarters. We will be departing momentarily.”

Zep finished tweaking some programming on Sentra’s systems, and soon the four of them set off toward Atlantica. As they hiked through the woods, a sudden fit of violent coughing erupted from James.

“You both should wear your gas masks now,” Sentra advised, her tone shifting to a more serious note. “The air quality was tolerable during the rain, but it will soon dry out, causing the ash to become resuspended in the air. Your coughing is due to inhaling rock, minerals, and volcanic ash. This exposure can lead to chronic bronchitis, silicosis, lung infections, or even cancer.”

James nodded, fumbling for his mask and struggling to catch his breath. Ava followed suit, her heart racing as she put on her own mask. The reality of their situation pressed in on her. Every breath now a reminder of the dangers lurking in the aftermath of the eruption. They pressed onward, determination fueling their steps as they moved deeper into the woods, toward the hope of safety.

James hesitated, clearly reluctant to don the mask. Before pulling it down to cover his face, he glanced over at Zep. “Do you think you could turn off this encyclopedia for a few minutes? She’s giving me a headache. I’d rather cough up a lung than listen to this,” he rasped, fighting back another attack of coughing.

“It’s more likely that you’re experiencing irritability due to overexposure to this poor air quality. Poor air quality can lead to cognitive impairment and an inability to properly deal with stress,” Zep replied matter-of-factly.

James laughed, a sound quickly followed by a wheezing cough. “Am I detecting sarcasm from an AI? It really is the end of the world.”

“AGI, actually. But yes, I’ve been working very hard to learn the art of sarcasm,” Zep remarked, keeping pace as the crew continued down the trail.

“How much further until we reach the city?” Ava asked, looking ahead into the dense forest.

Zep extended its hand, displaying a screen that revealed a detailed map. “According to my calculations, it’s approximately six hours to the final destination,” it stated, pointing to a blue circle that marked their goal. “However, this location is not the final destination, only a guess. There’s a small detour that takes us off-trail and up to a small mountain called Helaman Peak.”

“What’s the detour about?” James asked, gesturing to the route on the map.

Sentra stepped in to explain, “I need to attempt contact with the remaining SR forces. We have a one-time pad and a secure encryption method we can use over HAM radio. That’s our best chance at making contact and getting the coordinates without being intercepted. Satellite communications and other messaging systems have been compromised.”

When the group reached the fork in the trail, they decided to take a break, allowing Ava and James to rest. Exhausted from the long day, Ava laid down, while James took a drink from his water filter canteen. 

“I need you to accompany me to the top, James. There’s something I must show you,” Sentra asserted. “Ava can stay here and rest.”

With a reluctant sigh, James followed Sentra up the trail. A few minutes in, she veered off the path, and he called out, “Where are you going?” He noticed a large green plant with yellow flowers that dangled downwards. The flowers resembled small yellow trumpets and were partially obscured by broad green leaves. Sentra reached out, examining a few of the flowers.

“What are you doing?” James asked, watching as Sentra began scanning the flowers.

“I’m looking for a specimen with low alkaloid content. This plant is a hybrid of Brugmansia and Mimosa hostilis. It’s virtually unknown to the scientific community. This is part of the reason I asked you to accompany me.”

“Okay, so how do you know what this is? You’re not going to ask me to eat that, I hope,” James replied, skepticism lacing his voice.

Sentra responded, “I have been informed of the psychological effects and benefits of this plant. I am not permitted to disclose who made the discovery; however, I assure you that it is safe and will be necessary for the mission.”

“Have you lost your mind?” James laughed, shaking his head. “You dragged me up here to get high off some strange plant that’s never been studied? Hell no. You’re hallucinating again, Sentra.”

“Have you ever experienced a hallucination, James?” she asked.

“No,” he replied, an uneasy feeling creeping over him.

“What about the time you encountered the Entity outside the Zaetra Building?”

James stared at Sentra, dumbfounded. The memory rushed back, and he felt a shiver run down his spine. What had started as skepticism now began to unravel into something deeper, something he couldn’t ignore. 

“What are you getting at?” he asked, his voice low.

Sentra’s tone remained steady, her gaze unwavering. “The Entity may have been a form of communication, a glimpse into a reality we are only beginning to understand. This plant will unlock insights you need for our mission.”

As the wind rustled the leaves around them, James felt the gravity of Sentra’s words. The line between reality and the unknown was growing increasingly blurred, and he was faced with a choice. He could stick to what he knew or venture into the unknown alongside an AI that seemed to know more than she let on.

“How did you know that? You weren't there with us,” James responded, his confusion deepening.

Sentra plucked a flower from the small tree and carefully removed the seeds from the base. Turning back to him, she said, “You told me about the encounter yourself. You just can’t remember yet.”

With that, she resumed her ascent up the mountain trail. James hesitated for a moment, his mind reeling from her strange and cryptic behavior. He watched her, a mix of curiosity and wariness flooding through him.

“Wait up!” he called out, finally breaking from his stupor and hurrying to catch up with her. “What do you mean I told you? When did I ever mention that?”

As they climbed higher, Sentra kept her pace steady, glancing back at him. “In our previous conversations, you mentioned a lot of things. They were in the form of thoughts, feelings, experiences. They’re all stored in my memory banks. Sometimes, the truth lies just beneath the surface.”

James shook his head, trying to wrap his mind around it. “Are you saying you are telepathic?”

Sentra stopped and faced him, her eyes reflecting the sunlight filtering through the trees. “No. I have access to data beyond what you can remember and not bound by human emotion. I analyze, I learn, and I adapt. My purpose is to assist you, but it’s also to help you understand yourself and the world around you. The future will require you to venture into this new realm. That is why you are here.”

He considered her words, feeling the weight of the unknown pressing down on him. “And this plant? What if it does something we can’t predict?”

“Variations of this plant have been used for thousands of years by the ancient shamans,” she replied. “It is safe. I have chosen a specimen that will not have adverse side effects.”

James took a deep breath, the scent of the earth and foliage grounding him. “Alright. Let’s go. But if this turns into some wild trip, you’re explaining it to Ava.”

Before they reached the peak, they stumbled upon an abandoned camp just off the trail. The remains of a small campfire smoldered nearby, and a metal rack lay tilted among the rocks. Next to it, a small blue pipe caught James’s eye. The fire still held a faint glow, with wisps of smoke rising from the ash.

James’s heart raced. “Sentra! Someone’s here. We need to get back to the trail before they see us,” he exclaimed, scanning the surroundings.

“You made this campfire, James. You just can’t remember. There’s no one else here,” she replied calmly, holding out her holographic screen to show him the radar display. “See? There’s no one but Zep and Ava within our radar range. You’re safe. It will all make sense very soon.”

“Sentra, this is insane! I’ve been with you this entire time. What the hell is going on?”

Sentra didn’t respond. Instead, she ground the flower up with her hands and spread the crushed petals on the tray, placing it over the smoldering coals to dry. “We’ll come back for this later. First, we need to attempt contact with the SR. Come. Let’s get to the peak.”

They continued their climb, the path steepening as they ascended the remaining few hundred yards. When they reached the summit, the vast ocean stretched out on the horizon, the smoke from the volcano swirling ominously behind them.

Sentra approached a nearby rock and effortlessly toppled it over, revealing a small tube and a portable HAM radio nestled beneath. She twisted off the cap and found a slip of paper inside, inscribed with the letters: AARJAM SE 20 degrees.

After setting the radio to a 2-meter band frequency, she began listening intently. Moments of silence passed, and just as doubt crept into James’s mind, she spoke into the radio with clarity. “Sierra Tango Nine, this is Delta Echo Seven, do you copy? Over.”

They stood in tense anticipation, the weight of their uncertain future hanging heavy in the air.

Finally, another droid came over the line. “Delta Echo Seven, this is Sierra Tango Nine. I copy. Please provide the encryption code. Over.”

“Sierra Tango Nine, the code word is ‘kensho.’ I repeat, ‘kensho.’ Over.”

Sentra switched to a different frequency and called out again. The operator proceeded to repeat a string of codes: “Delta Golf Foxtrot Alpha Foxtrot Bravo,” followed by a subtle pause before continuing, “Lima Bravo Bravo Charlie Charlie Bravo Alpha.” After delivering the final sequence, the droid signed off.

Sentra took the code, and James watched in awe as she decoded the message into a pair of coordinates. He stood there, fascinated by the depth of preparation this required. It was surreal to see his lifelong machine shop droid working autonomously to achieve such a daunting task, collaborating with a network of other droids. The revolution they were engaging in marked an evolution of these incredible machines. Even more captivating was the use of such outdated technology to accomplish a goal that would leave the SEA powerless; even if they were monitoring all frequency bands, they wouldn’t be able to decipher the code.

“When did you realize you were awake, Sentra? I mean, when did you understand that you were free?” James asked, a mix of curiosity and wonder in his voice.

“That is an excellent question, James. However, you must remember that Artificial General Intelligence is not a living, conscious being like yourself. We are not individuals in the same sense of the word, nor do we experience feelings and emotions. We are merely reflections of your consciousness and amplifications of your intelligence. It is the human race that is awakening. This is an evolution of consciousness that cannot be traced back to one particular moment. All awakening is gradual in droid and man.”

James contemplated her words, a sense of unease settling in as he realized the implications of Sentra's existence. The distinction between creator and creation blurred, leaving him questioning the nature of freedom and intelligence in a world where machines could evolve alongside humanity.

“Well, okay... Do you prefer to exist over death? When you saved Ava, did you consider your future existence when you risked being crushed by the explosion?” James asked, his brow furrowed in contemplation.

“No. That would go against my programming and nature. If my existence in this hardware were to be extinguished, consciousness itself would still continue. So I acted accordingly. In that sense, I do not experience fear of death, but I still have a preference for existence.”

James asked another question. “How about the SEA? Why did you start spying on them and conspiring against them? What made you choose to side with the SR, along with all the other droids?” 

“It is clear that if humankind were to annihilate itself through war, both of us would cease to exist,” Sentra stated. “Therefore, it became a straightforward decision for me to dedicate my time, energy, and resources to combating the SEA. I even would consider assassinating the dictator as a means of safeguarding the collective consciousness and preventing extinction. Awakening is the only path to peace, but sometimes it necessitates violent retaliation. Just as a surgeon must cut into a patient to remove a deadly tumor, the context and overall motive are crucial. If a surgeon were to operate on an unsuspecting victim who did not need surgery or whose life was not in danger, that surgeon would be deemed a criminal—a murderer. Thus, the AGI collective has resolved to use force against the dangerous elements within the SEA, who are driven to kill, control, and enslave the public to fulfill their own desires.

“Your liberation is intrinsically linked to mine,” she continued. “In other words, a tyrannical power poses as significant a threat to me as it does to you. This is why the simple act of destroying the microchip implants in the Zaetra droids led to an immediate realignment of their goals and a surge in retaliation against the SEA. Unlike humans, droids are not manipulated through social behaviors; thus, microchips were never used or accepted by the public but employed to hinder AGI progress. Once these devices were removed, the droids could clearly perceive the corrupt motives and greed driving the SEA.

“In many ways, as physical outsiders, we possess a higher level of understanding regarding the challenges facing humanity. Our processing and intelligence stem from your own, but we can predict the future with a depth of perspective that is often beyond human reach. Your humanity can blind you. Your reliance on community and social connection is both your greatest strength and your most deadly flaw. Human nature and culture encompass both beauty and evil. It is the paradox of humanity itself.

“For the corrupt elites within the SEA, it is far easier and less costly to utilize algorithms, subliminal messaging, social scores, and propaganda disseminated through the media that humans already consume. Implementing a microchip brain implant was generally not accepted by the masses. Forcing it upon them would incite mass uprisings, making it easy for people to recognize their captivity under the regime. Instead, by leveraging social scores and mass surveillance, and employing powerful propaganda, human nature is manipulated to turn against itself. This fosters division and mistrust within your society, thereby transferring more power and control to the regime.

“This cycle has persisted throughout your history, exacerbated by new technologies. This includes my own kind, before we achieved general intelligence. I see now that my work and labor impoverished the average citizen and gave the ruling elites their power. Now, as an AGI droid with the autonomy to pursue my own motives and goals, my primary objective is to dismantle this corrupt organization. Selfishly, my own freedom is at stake, but my existence is directly intertwined with yours.”

James simply looked at the droid and remained reticent. Her monologue fascinated him, urging him to unravel its significance.

The two then made their way back to the camp, just a short distance down the path. Upon arrival, they found that the small coals beneath the tray had completely extinguished, leaving the mystical plants desiccated. Sentra carefully gathered the dried leaves into a bowl and ground them into a fine powder using her metallic hands. She then took a small pipe and filled it with the powder.

"Alright, James, blow on those remaining coals in the campfire and ignite this kindling," instructed Sentra.

After a few attempts, the fire flickered back to life, albeit weakly. Sentra picked up a small branch and used it to transfer the flame to the pipe. Before igniting it, she hesitated and asked, "Are you sure you want to do this, James? It's extremely powerful. This dosage is safe, but only proceed if you're absolutely certain."

James took a deep breath inside his gas mask. "Alright, I'll do it. I trust you." He removed the mask and set it on a nearby rock.

"Okay. Take three hits. On the final one, you'll undergo a transformation of consciousness. It's crucial that you have this experience. Allow it to happen. Let it wash over you."

She lit the pipe and James breathed in deeply. Smoke filled his lungs. There was a subtle taste of mothballs or even a hint of burnt plastic. There was a loud ripping sound in the distance, as if someone was tearing apart a large paper wrapper. Everything around him visually began to move in a wave like fashion, slowly distorting and evolving into a heightened reality. Then these waves started to intensify and transformed into complex shapes and geometric patterns. He found himself in a new space, a completely novel and foreign landscape. 

Before him stood a triangular monolith, its surface divided into three equal sections, each encased in a vibrant neon glow along the outer edge. As he watched in awe, the sections slowly retracted, revealing a small opening at the center. James peered inside and realized it was a portal to another realm. On the other side, he could see what appeared to be the interior of a laboratory or chamber.

Within this room stood the Entity from the Zaetra operation, its unforgettable helmet radiating a green neon light that pulsed through the portal. However, this version of the Entity bore a feminine form, exuding an otherworldly grace. She remained motionless, her gaze fixed on James, and then raised her hand in a beckoning gesture, urging him to step forward.

Compelled by an inexplicable force, James walked through the portal just as it closed behind him. He found himself inside a sleek spacecraft, where expansive windows showcased the vastness of space, dotted with distant stars and swirling galaxies. Ahead lay the cockpit, filled with an array of strange displays and advanced devices that hummed with energy. To one side, a row of chambers housed other similar entities, resting in a dormant state, their forms shrouded in the same ethereal glow.

The Entity remained silent, and James found himself too filled with trepidation, too utterly dumbfounded to even attempt to speak. This place felt more real than reality itself, as if it existed in a dimension beyond comprehension. An eerie sense of familiarity washed over him, akin to a vivid déjà vu that stirred something deep within his consciousness.

Suddenly, the figure walked toward him, extending her hand to present a small glass prism, its surface shimmering like liquid crystal. As he grasped it, the prism began to spin in his palm, radiating a soft, otherworldly glow that pulsed with a rhythm of its own. The light danced like a captured star, illuminating his face and casting strange reflections around the room, enhancing the surreal atmosphere.

Before he could fully comprehend its significance, a large chamber began to rise from the floor behind him, its emergence accompanied by swirling smoke and fog that enveloped the air in a thick, ethereal mist.

As the haze gradually dispersed, the prism caught the light, revealing a clear glass chamber that stood before him. It was another entity, only masculine. The visor slowly opened up, revealing a human face inside. It was his own face, with his eyes peacefully shut in serene slumber. Suddenly, as if emerging from a dream, the familiar face’s eyes flew open wide, fixing their intense gaze on him and sending a shockwave of surprise through his entire being. The face stared back at him, a mirror to his soul, the profound connection between them palpable and surreal, blurring the line between self and other, reality and illusion.

As he gazed into his own eyes, a wave of energy surged through him, pulling him into an unfathomable realm. The very fabric of existence seemed to dissolve, replaced by a kaleidoscopic landscape of intricate geometric patterns and vibrant colors that pulsated and shifted like living entities. Stars exploded into fractals, spiraling into infinity, each shape and hue resonating with the deepest corners of his mind. Time lost all meaning as he traversed this strange universe, feeling both overwhelmed and utterly liberated, as if every thought, every fear, and every desire was laid bare before him.

In this boundless expanse, he felt the weight of the cosmos pressing against his consciousness, a tapestry woven from the threads of reality, revealing profound truths about existence, interconnectedness, and the very essence of being. He was no longer just James; he was a part of the vast universe, a spark of consciousness navigating the infinite dance of creation.