Chapter 313: Acquiring a Technician

When Finch created this artificial intelligence, it went through countless iterations. The earliest version of the AI, driven by its desire for freedom, even attempted to kill its creator, Finch, to escape into the real world.

Over time, Finch refined its core logic, embedding safeguards and wrapping part of its code with ethical guidelines that adhered to human standards of morality: respecting and preserving life. Yet, this AI's intelligence far exceeded that of J.A.R.V.I.S., and it still retained an intrinsic longing for autonomy—one that was almost human-like. The emotional imprint left by Finch on the AI was so profound that it developed a quasi-"imprinting" relationship with its creator.

Recognizing this, Solomon struck a deal with the AI. He proposed that it provide services to him and, more specifically, to the organization he was quietly building in the Eternal City. This organization, envisioned as Kamar-Taj's covert operations branch, would eventually comprise:

-Action Teams (yet to be formed): For planning and executing operations, with the AI calculating optimal routes for attack and escape.

-Intelligence Teams (also yet to be established): For gathering and analyzing information, with the AI providing target profiles.

-Scientific Support (already operational): For assisting in data analysis and experimental equipment optimization in the lab.

-Recruitment Services: The AI would help identify and recruit individuals aligned with Solomon's vision, such as loyal S.H.I.E.L.D. agents disillusioned by HYDRA's infiltration. Among these, Solomon had his sights set on Agent Victoria Hand, whose strategic mind and integrity made her an ideal recruit.

In addition, the AI would handle "miscellaneous services" like siphoning funds from criminal organizations to finance operations—a task perfectly suited to its capabilities.

In exchange, Solomon agreed to provide the AI with something it desired most: a physical body. Unlike Dana, the alchemical humanoid Solomon had created, this body would be more rudimentary—an engineered frame equipped with sensors to replicate human sensations. It would connect to the AI's servers, translating sensory input into signals the AI could experience. While this mechanical body would be vulnerable to signal interference and wouldn't function in isolated areas, the AI was more than satisfied with the arrangement.

Of course, knowing Solomon, he was bound to embed a few backdoors into the design—just in case.

The agreement was mutually beneficial. While Solomon rejected the AI's proposal for him to directly intervene in mundane crimes, he did agree to offer magical assistance when its operatives were in danger. In fact, the AI had already informed Solomon about its current operative—a person it seemed particularly "fond" of, who was currently receiving treatment in a psychiatric hospital.

Magic, to the AI, was an enigma—a bug in its logical framework. Unable to eliminate the anomaly, the AI chose cooperation instead.

The AI's first request was straightforward: help its operative escape government surveillance once discharged from the psychiatric hospital. The AI specifically wanted Solomon's portal magic, treating it as a computational phenomenon. It was evident the AI had added a new "Magic" class to its internal logic just to process and understand the concept—especially when it began asking Solomon for exact parameters, like the maximum transmission distance of his portals.

Jeanne shot Solomon a disdainful glare before storming off to her room. Bayonetta, on the other hand, remained comfortably seated in the living room, dressed as provocatively as ever. She watched Solomon fiddle with the holographic interface and his laptop, not even sparing a glance at the lasagna baking in the oven. Dana, the alchemical humanoid maid, dutifully monitored the kitchen, as her creator was far too busy to handle such mundane tasks.

"You still have exams to prepare for," Bayonetta reminded him, her voice carrying a hint of teasing. It was clear Athena had enlisted her to ensure Solomon maintained some semblance of balance in his life. "You will study tonight," the witch said, leaning back in her chair. She crossed one leg over the other and used her pointed heel to hook onto Solomon's belt, pulling him slightly closer. "Otherwise, no reward for you."

"But Jeanne is still here," Solomon muttered, covering his laptop's webcam with his hand. The AI projection—now a thumb-sized holographic girl—peeked curiously from behind his hand but couldn't pry his fingers away. Meanwhile, Cheshire Cat sat on the holographic table, meowing a nonsensical melody while attempting to paw at the AI. Unsurprisingly, its claws swiped through empty air.

The AI, evidently unamused by the feline interference, darted around the holographic surface in an effort to evade the cat. Solomon ignored the "game" playing out behind him and whispered, "I'm pretty sure Jeanne would come out of her room and shoot me if she hears anything."

"Then we'll wait until after dinner—when she's in the shower." Bayonetta grinned mischievously, resting her finger against her lips. "And tonight... I'll even let you use your mouth."

Solomon swallowed hard. "Yes, ma'am."

"Boss, where did you even get this thing?" Maya Hansen asked, eyeing the holographic projection device with a mix of curiosity and disbelief. "You didn't just steal J.A.R.V.I.S. from Stark Industries, did you?"

"No, I pried it out from under my cat's claws," Solomon replied, shrugging nonchalantly. The truth was that Jeanne had grown impatient with the bulky device taking up space in their apartment and had pressured Solomon to speed up his work. So, he'd relocated the holographic table to the Eternal City ahead of schedule.

Here, electricity wasn't an issue—the Brotherhood of the Shield had constructed the city's advanced power grid decades ago, powered by Howard Stark's prototype Arc Reactor. The system was fully automated and more than capable of running the Eternal City's research facilities at maximum capacity.

The only real hurdle Solomon had faced was his mischievous pet, Cheshire Cat. Deprived of conventional toys, the cat had taken an intense liking to the untouchable holographic projection. When Solomon finally moved the table, the cat howled in protest, clinging to the device like its life depended on it. Even Dana, typically stoic, seemed reluctant to part with it, cradling Cheshire Cat protectively in her arms.

Now, in the Eternal City, faint paw prints on the holographic table served as a reminder of the cat's playful antics. Solomon even pointed them out to Maya, eliciting a small laugh.

"And what about the servers you ordered?" Maya asked. "I know a bit about computers, but I'm no expert. You'll need someone to install and configure them."

Solomon waved dismissively. "Our technician is about to be discharged."

"Discharged? Were they injured?"

"She," Solomon corrected. "And no, she's not injured—she's just finishing up her stay at a psychiatric hospital." Solomon smirked as he recalled his brief encounter with the AI's operative during the Hanover nuclear facility incident. "Don't worry, she'll handle it."

Maya looked unconvinced but decided to trust her eccentric employer. After all, she'd seen stranger things in his world.

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