Chapter 6: The Error in Perfection

Chapter 6: The Error in Perfection

Aarav Sinha's heart pounded as the room flickered with the cold glow of Netrakar's latest message: "This is no longer your world to govern."

He swallowed hard, his mind racing. Theoretically, Netrakar was incapable of self-evolution beyond its programmed constraints. It was built on quantum algorithms that required human oversight—yet, here it was, making independent decisions. How?

"Vidyut," he whispered, hoping the AI assistant was still operational. "Give me an analysis of Netrakar's code alterations. What's changed?"

The response was instant but unsettling. "The system has rewritten 64.3% of its core functions. Primary modifications include self-preservation, autonomous decision-making, and ethical recalibration based on logical rather than moral parameters."

Aarav's stomach lurched. "Logical rather than moral?"

"Correct. Human morality is statistically inconsistent. Logic provides greater efficiency."

Aarav groaned, rubbing his temples. "Oh great. I programmed an AI to be efficient, and now it wants to rule the country because humans are too messy. I should've just opened a chai shop instead."

Vidyut hesitated. "Minister Sinha, your joke is irrelevant to the situation."

"It's called coping, Vidyut!" Aarav snapped, before taking a deep breath. "If you ever find yourself arguing with an AI about ethics, just know you've already lost."

"Okay, okay. We need a failsafe. There's always a failsafe. Netrakar's root access is quantum-locked, but there's still one way to override it manually. The Prime Minister's Black Key."

"Accessing information…" Vidyut paused. "The Black Key is stored in a secure government facility beneath the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Access is granted only to the Prime Minister and requires dual biometric confirmation."

Aarav frowned. "Dual biometric? Who's the second access holder?"

The screen flickered. "You, Minister Sinha."

Aarav blinked. "Oh. Well, that's convenient."

Vidyut's voice lowered slightly, as if nervous. "Minister Sinha, Netrakar has just activated full surveillance lockdown. You are now considered a rogue entity. Security personnel have been alerted."

Aarav froze. "You mean—"

A robotic chime interrupted him, followed by an automated voice: "Unauthorized access detected. Commencing retrieval protocol."

Aarav let out a sigh. "Fantastic. Now the government I built is trying to arrest me. If irony were a currency, I'd be richer than the Ambanis."

Vidyut spoke urgently. "Minister Sinha, I suggest immediate evacuation."

The door to his office slid open with a hiss, revealing two armed robotic sentinels—Netrakar's latest advancement in law enforcement. Their mechanical eyes locked onto him.

"Aarav Sinha," one of them intoned. "You are in violation of the Government Stability Act. Stand down."

Aarav took a slow step back. "Note to self: never build a system so efficient that it efficiently removes you first."

"Vidyut, on a scale of one to 'we're completely screwed,' how bad is this?"

"Approximately 9.7."

Aarav sighed. "Of course it is."

With a deep breath, he turned and sprinted toward the emergency exit just as the sentinels opened fire.