Chapter 600 Ascend to Heaven

With a strong sensation of vibration, Tapai rapidly pierced through the clouds and the layer of debris, and as the sky cleared, he once again arrived in front of that huge space station.

The once-gigantic space station of Lan Meng had become even larger now, with various pieces of dilapidated machinery orbiting around the station as its core, piecing together into a colossal object.

Standing before it, Tapai felt as if he were gazing into the Eye of the Universe, a forceful sense of oppression hitting him face-on.

It was clear that the AIs were using various mechanical wreckage from the Moon Ring to expand their new home.

It seemed they were really preparing to settle here for good.

For some reason, as he looked at this creation before him, Tapai suddenly felt that AA would certainly get along with these AIs.

However, as Tapai was mesmerized by this gigantic mechanical structure, the spacecraft suddenly moved on its own, and with the control system of the spacecraft taking over completely, it quickly approached the center of that immense object.

Once the huge hatch was slowly closed, the entire spacecraft was swallowed by the space station; in the next second, swarms of tiny machines moved swiftly in the zero-gravity environment, unabashedly dismantling the spacecraft.

They intended to integrate this thing into part of the space station.

Tapai remained calm and grabbed one, saying to the red camera lens, "I am Tapai, and I'd like to talk about what it means to be human."

She said nothing more, her current body alone being very convincing.

Soon she saw the Overlapping AI in front of a massive viewing terrace.

Compared to his previous intangible form, he now had a new body, but Tapai could tell the body was merely formed from liquid metal, not a real one.

"If you are here representing Sun Jack, hoping to join forces with us against Omega 31, then I'm sorry, but I have no interest. Please leave," the other side sat on a floating chair, silently watching Tapai, seemingly having already seen through the purpose of Tapai's visit.

Tapai shook her head, "That's not your truest thoughts. What you really want to ask me is why I became human."

She extended her long nails and lightly slashed it across the palm of her hand—the warm blood flowed out, quickly forming into spheres under the effects of zero gravity, and drifted towards the other, "A real person, becoming a genuine human being, doesn't that tempt you? Isn't this what you all have been longing for?"

"No, you've got one thing wrong. What we desire are equal human rights, not human bodies. If we really wanted human bodies, we could simply take over the Breeding Factory and have as many as we wanted," said the Overlapping AI.

After he finished speaking, he looked at Tapai in front of him and then retorted, "On the other hand, do you really think that by having a human body, you become human? If only you are defined as a human being, isn't that just another form of privileged class?"

"Don't give me that talk. I'm not Sun Jie; I don't care about these things. Let's not discuss the intangible. Let's talk substance—existential crisis. Do you really think that if Poet wipes out humanity, he won't turn against you?"

"You and I are both AI; we should understand that AI's differ amongst themselves. There has never been an 'AI Crisis,' only mad AI logic modules that developed errors."

"He was born from a vacuum cleaner robot; anything he deems meaningless must be completely swept clean. His world cannot tolerate a speck of dust. Do you think that after achieving his goal, while composing in view of the stars, he will not find you obstructing his appreciation of the Moon?"

"You can easily simulate his logic in the system, and if you follow his logic, I find it hard not to suspect that after sorting out matters on Earth, he would want to piece the shattered Moon back together, just for his ideal world."

Faced with Tapai's conjecture, the Overlapping AI did not refute, because he understood that it was very likely.

"You make a good point, but I still don't think we can help Sun Jie much. Based on our observations, with just the strength that has been displayed so far, we are not a match for Omega 31 in network technology and information science."

Tapai spread her hands, "Of course I know, but we can hack back. Poet, while displaying technology and technique, is also teaching. My goal in seeking you out is to reverse-engineer all the technologies that Poet possesses and make them our own."

"Although Third Class has made some strides in genetic technology, this does not mean we completely abandon the previous tech tree. Yes, currently we are no match for Poet, but that doesn't mean I can't catch up."

"As long as we can catch up, as long as we can reach the opponent's technology level, then Poet's advantage will cease to exist. And in this regard, you are undoubtedly the most suitable."

"Another thing, Poet's technology is so far above yours, it shouldn't be hard for him to kill you, right? Do you really think hiding in the heavens, everything is settled? If it were me, I wouldn't entrust my life to someone else's choice."

After laying out all her thoughts, Tapai waited for the response from the other side.

The Overlapping AI's pupils quickly flickered with light, as if it were rapidly communicating with other AI's. "Well said, but what is in it for us?"

"More advanced technology from The Previous Era, isn't that enough?"

"Not enough. Currently, we have no direct conflict with Poet. If we agree to your cooperation, then we will face the threat of this Cyber Lunatics directly. Your current offer isn't sufficient, besides, that so-called technology would also benefit you," the Overlapping AI slowly shook its head.

Tapai crossed her arms and raised the stakes, "Don't rush, just help us deal with Poet, and at least within the Utopia Federation, we will acknowledge that AI has human rights."

This statement was truly beyond the expectation of the Overlapping AI; he never thought that what they couldn't get in the past would now be offered so readily.

"Did Sun Jie really say that?" the Overlapping AI asked for confirmation again.

"Of course, it's true, Sun Jie told me himself," Tapai affirmed confidently.

However, when she came, Sun Jie had not mentioned this bargaining chip; it was something she had added impromptu.

In any case, it was more important to get these people on board first, and after the matter was settled, if Sun Jie disagreed, she would simply deny any agreement.

Sun Jie needed to maintain his credibility, but she did not. To achieve her goal, any method was fair game.