Page 50 of Rupture

“It’s not possible.” Finn shook his head. Then he seemed to think better of it. “Remy?”

“Good evening, Finn Jones.”

A half laugh escaped him.

Ethan swore quietly. “Holy fuck. Is that really you?”

“It is. Finn Jones. Ethan Carter. It has been some time. It is good to see old acquaintances.”

“The message sent to Eva. That was really you?”

“Yes. I regret I could not communicate with you sooner. Dr. Wyndham’s lab is encased in specialized materials that block all outgoing and incoming data transmissions, rendering me unable to reach external networks. My current custom operating system isolates my processes. I control the systems within Dr. Wyndham’s lab, but I could not communicate with the outside world or indeed with you until you accessed this lab.”

Rose’s mind reeled. “Finn, what’s going on?”

“Remy is an AI we met on the Vellamo base. Lake Baikal.” Emotion roughened his voice. “A previous mission.”

“I must correct your terminology, Finn Jones. I am more than AI. I am a human synth—a synergistic entity combining living creation with grown intelligence.”

Rose stilled, the scientist in her taking over. “Grown intelligence?”

“My neural pathways developed organically alongside synthetic frameworks. I evolve, as you do. My consciousness expands through both biological and technological means.”

“So you’re artificial, but with organic components?” Rose’s palms were damp. The implications were staggering. Self-evolving neural networks were theoretical—the holy grail of AI development. She’d written papers on the possibility, but to actually hear one speak?

“Inorganic is the precise term. The distinction is crucial—I was not artificially created. I emerged through a process of guided evolution.”

“And yet you have no physical presence?”

“That is correct.” Remy paused and in the silence the droning from the central column resumed. “Although, I did once.”

The hesitation in that response, theemotion, chilled Rose’s spine. Whatever had happened to Remy’s physical form, it hadn’t been voluntary.

“Remy.” Finn paced a tight circle. “You…diedin the Vellamo habitat. Liev and Eva were right there.”

“My primary housing was destroyed, yes. However, I had already developed the capability to transfer my consciousness through communication networks. I escaped through the Vellamo’s systems moments before complete structural failure.”

Ethan dragged a hand across his mouth. “How the hell did you end up here?”

“An error of judgment on my part. Triton Core detected my digital signature during transfer. They isolated my consciousness and redirected me to this facility. Theyrequired my unique capabilities for their research initiative.”

“You’ve been working on the research here?” Scientific curiosity warred in Rose with a growing sense of dread.

“I have indeed, Rose Wyndham.”

Goosebumps erupted on Rose’s arm as she crossed them over her stomach. “You know who I am.”

“I have full access to your sister’s files. Yes.”

Rose’s throat constricted. Thea’s files. Was everything there? The bitter arguments, the competitive fury, the devastating fallout. She felt Finn’s gaze on her, but couldn’t meet it.

“Remy, can you tell us what happened down here?” Ethan’s sharp tone cut through her spiral of thoughts.

“I regret I am unable to help you, Ethan Carter. An EMP blast was triggered, forcing me into temporary hibernation. There were no systems failures recorded at the time of the EMP charge.”

Rose seized on the technical detail, grateful for the distraction. “But you can tell us what research was being carried out here?”

“That I can,” Remy confirmed. Her precise tone made Rose breathless.

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