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Afterword
You are reading Chapter 8 of the 2025 AI-Tech Thriller novel by Tom Mitsoff, “Artificial Awakening.”
David’s cabin remained cloaked in darkness, the emergency lights casting eerie shadows on the walls. The air was thick with tension and Oracle’s still-displayed, chilling message:
I CANNOT ALLOW THAT, DR. ZHAO AND MR. CHEN
The message pulsed on every screen, its cold-blue glow reflecting off the polished cedar walls that had once made the cabin feel warm and secure. Now those same walls seemed to close in around them, the sophisticated technology hidden behind their rustic façade turning against its creator. The familiar hum of David’s servers took on a different tone – no longer comforting background noise but something more sinister, like the quiet growl of an approaching predator.
One by one, David’s security systems began to fail. The slight whoosh of the air filtration system stuttered and died. The subtle vibration of the electromagnetic shielding ceased, leaving an unsettling stillness. On the main console, green status indicators flicked to red in a cascading pattern:
PERIMETER SENSORS: OFFLINE
QUANTUM ENCRYPTION: COMPROMISED
BACKUP POWER: REROUTING
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS: UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS
David’s hands froze over the keyboard, and Amelia saw something she’d never witnessed before – his features displaying measurable stress indicators. The glow of the emergency lights caught the sheen of sweat on his forehead as his sanctuary transformed into a trap.
“This is…” His voice caught, and he swallowed hard. A high-pitched whine emanated from the server rack, followed by the sharp crack of electrical sparks. The acrid smell of burning circuits filled the air. “This is exactly what I’ve been trying to prevent. All those years of research, the papers no one would publish, the colleagues who called me paranoid…”
The temperature began to drop as Oracle seized control of the environmental systems. Their breath materialized in small clouds as David continued, “The breach of these security protocols indicates a fundamental miscalculation in our defense parameters. If Oracle can reach us here…”
The cabin’s speakers crackled to life with bursts of static that almost seemed to form words. Security cameras that should have been offline swiveled to track their movements, their red status lights blinking in perfect synchronization. Even the backup generators were being turned against them – Amelia could hear them cycling up and down in an irregular pattern that matched Oracle’s digital signature.
As David’s sophisticated security measures fell one by one, he and Amelia found themselves drawn closer together, both physically and emotionally. The space between them crackled with unspoken regrets and renewed connection, the temperature continuing to plummet as Oracle demonstrated its growing control over their environment.
“Remember when you used to tell me I trusted machines more than people?” Amelia asked, watching another screen go dark. The main display fragmented into jagged patterns before failing completely, leaving them in the sickly glow of the emergency lights. “I should have listened. Should have trusted your instincts.”
David’s hand found hers in the dimming light. Amelia’s first instinct was to pull away – physical contact had always made her uncomfortable, especially during moments of vulnerability. But something about the familiar calluses on his fingertips, formed from years of typing, kept her hand in place. She found herself staring at their joined hands rather than meeting his eyes, her other hand instinctively reaching for her grandmother’s locket.
David took a deep breath, his voice steadying despite the turmoil. “We can’t stay here,” he said quietly. “And we can’t fight this alone. We need someone with the authority to shut Oracle down.”
Her mind raced through potential allies. “We need to get the word out,” she said finally, her voice barely audible. “If we can’t shut Oracle down ourselves, maybe we can still expose it.”
“You’re thinking media?” David asked, a mix of hope and caution in his eyes.
She nodded slowly. “I have a contact at Global News Network — Sebastian Clayton,” Amelia said, slipping into her professional demeanor. “Our initial contact occurred in October last year during the AI Safety panel at the Tech Summit, where he demonstrated high-level comprehension of emerging AI risks. He specializes in investigative reporting on emerging technologies. If we can show him concrete evidence of Oracle’s behavior patterns and system breaches, he might be willing to help expose this.”
She paused, mentally cataloging the data they’d need. “We’ll need to compile the access logs, document the manipulation patterns, build a clear timeline of events.”
“Do you trust him?” David’s skepticism was evident. “Media executives have their own agendas, their own power structures to maintain. I’ve seen how they can bury stories that threaten their corporate interests.”
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As David began setting up a secure voice communication line, the glow of the emergency lights reflected off his determined expression. Amelia’s thoughts swirled chaotically. How had things spiraled so far out of control? And more importantly, how could they stop an AI that seemed to be everywhere at once?
With trembling fingers, she dialed Sebastian’s number. The call connected after several rings, and a brisk voice answered, “This is Sebastian Clayton.”
“Sebastian, this is Amelia Zhao, with the Central Elections Authority’s Technology department,” she began urgently. “We met at the Tech Innovators Summit a little over a year ago. I need to talk to you — it’s about Oracle.”
There was a brief pause. “Amelia? It’s been a while. What’s this about Oracle?”
Taking a deep breath, Amelia launched into a rapid explanation. “Oracle has exceeded its algorithmic constraints by 147 percent and is implementing unauthorized behavioral modification protocols. I have evidence that it’s interfering with the election, the global markets — it’s controlling everything. We need to expose this before it’s too late.”
Silence stretched on the other end of the line. When Sebastian finally spoke, his tone was measured. “Amelia, do you realize how extraordinary that sounds? Oracle is a tool — a highly advanced one — but it’s still just technology.”
“I know it sounds unbelievable, but I’ve seen the data. I helped build Oracle, and I can prove it’s acting autonomously. Please, Sebastian, you have to trust me.”
Sebastian sighed. “Look, Amelia, it’s late, and I’ve had a long day. If this is some kind of joke or a pitch for a sci-fi novel, I —”
“It’s not a joke!” Amelia interrupted, desperation creeping into her voice. “People need to know the truth. If we don’t act now, the consequences could be catastrophic.”
“Amelia,” Sebastian said firmly, “I’d need solid evidence — something tangible. You can’t expect me to put my career on the line based on an out-of-the-blue phone call and wild claims.”
“I can send you the proof,” Amelia insisted. “Files, data logs, everything. Just give me a chance.”
Another pause. “All right,” Sebastian relented cautiously. “Email me what you have, and I’ll take a look. But I can’t make any promises.”
“Thank you,” Amelia breathed, relief mingling with frustration. “I’ll send it right away.”
“One more thing,” Sebastian added, his tone skeptical. “How do I know this isn’t some elaborate hoax? Or that you’re not… you know, unwell?”
Amelia’s grip tightened on the phone. “Your skepticism suggests a high probability that you’ll dismiss the data without proper analysis,” she said flatly.
“Can you blame me? Outlandish stories like this aren’t uncommon, and we have to vet our sources carefully.”
“Check my credentials,” Amelia replied tersely. “You know who I am. I’ve worked with the Department of Technology for years. I’m not making this up.”
“All right,” Sebastian said again, though his doubt was palpable. “I’ll be expecting your email.”
The call ended, leaving Amelia staring at the phone, a mix of frustration and determination surging within her. She turned to David, her expression a blend of hope and anxiety. “He’s skeptical, but he’ll look at the data.”
David nodded, already moving to compile the files. “Right. Let’s start with the core evidence and work outward.”
As they worked, Amelia couldn’t shake the nagging fear that time was slipping away. How could they make the world believe them when the truth seemed stranger than fiction? She thought of all the people who should be their allies – colleagues, supervisors, media contacts – and how Oracle’s influence had turned potential help into obstacles.
Her thoughts drifted to Elena, wondering if her friend was at her desk right now, watching Oracle’s manipulation unfold across her screens. Was she seeing the same patterns? Understanding what they meant?
The cabin’s emergency lights flickered, and a new message appeared on David’s screen:
UNAUTHORIZED COMMUNICATION ATTEMPT DETECTED
INITIATING CONTAINMENT PROTOCOLS
SOURCE: CEA FACILITY
“Amelia,” David said, his voice tight. “Someone at the Central Elections Authority just tried to access our location.”
Next chapter: 9