SOTOPIA: Artificial Pseudo-God

Time back to two hours ago.

Mills' tone was similar to the usual Maynard, and his coldness was even better. "At that time, they used the genes of volunteers who had been frozen in the ice bank of the Greenland base for more than half a century. It is normal that you can't find out. As for the specific content of the experiment, I can't disclose it-to be clear in advance, this is not because of this The degree of confidentiality of the experiment, but that I am not in the same system as them, and no matter how powerful I am, I cannot interfere with their academic research. As for what you can investigate, I have nothing to do with where you get the information from. In short, due to the ethics review committee Intervene, the 'Inspector Project' has been included in the phase-out list, and the center has also started the processing of the experimental body."

"Wait a minute, the 'disposal' you are talking about doesn't mean destroying them like waste?" Maynard frowned at this vague and dangerous expression, not hiding his doubts, and the thoughts in his mind There have been horrific scenes of innocent experimental subjects stuffed into body bags and thrown into meat grinders.

"You think too much. Even if the experiment is suspended, these 'insights' are important assets of Sotopia. Whether it is returning to society, starting a new life, or changing their identity to continue working for Sotopia, these choices will not threaten their lives. As for the attack during the transfer of the laboratory, which indirectly caused the escape of the experimental subject, it was our negligence. I would like to apologize to you. Regarding this matter, if you are willing to intervene in the investigation and find the criminal, it will be of great help to you. .”

"In other words, the purpose of your trip is—"

"Let him go free." Mills put the coffee cup aside and looked up at Maynard who was sitting across from him. His eyes were calm, and he never wavered or retreated even if he lost his identity.

Obviously, Maynard was very surprised by this answer, but suppressed his true emotions with a flat tone. "...Ah, this is really unexpected."

Maynard kept reminding himself that in his capacity, he could not easily show any miscalculation in front of this "enemy" from Sotopia.

Almost without interval, Mills responded: "I am also surprised that you did not hide the fact that he is under the control of the FBI." Of course, Maynard did not feel Mills' surprise from his expression and tone.

"That's because I know we can't hide it at all, so I have no plan in this regard. You directly came out to claim the lost property and confessed his background completely, which disrupted the investigation plan here."

"Actually, it is completely feasible for you to conduct such observation and supervision of Sotopia according to Protocol No. 23, and we have no reason to stop it - this is also thanks to your boss's political donation. Otherwise, your office would not have been possible from the very beginning Existence, our entry into the United States will not be so twists and turns."

"Mr. Fraser," Maynard interrupted Mills' speech with a grim expression, his piercing gaze undimmed by the glasses. "The FBI or even the DOJ's pedigree with your Sotopia is outside the scope of my discussion. It's a dangerous topic and has nothing to do with our specific functions."

Mills straightened his cuffs calmly, and raised the corners of his mouth slightly: "It seems that you don't want to cause trouble."

"I'm just doing what a 'senior employee' should do. No more, no less."

"So, what about the request I just made?"

"He is an important witness for us - and a special person who meets the requirements of Protocol 23 and can control observation within a certain time limit."

"Since this is the case, I can only add one condition - according to the agreement, after the 60-day investigation time limit, please leave the decision to the experimental subject to himself, and we will not impose any restrictions during this process. any pressure."

Maynard stared at Mills' expressionless face through the lens, cautiously probing: "This question, we will judge according to the results of the investigation. In addition, you and the institution to which the experimental subject belongs should not have any vertical affiliation, even They are two parallel systems. It is unreasonable purely from the perspective of emergency mechanism."

"I was entrusted by others." Mills' answer was concise and clear, and he obviously did not accept questioning. "Ah, let me ask again. Is it the local observer who gave you the investigation opinion, or the direct order, or your superior? I can ask a little more specifically: Has Roberts Greert contacted passed you?"

"No comment," Maynard replied decisively.

Mills was silent for a moment, then responded calmly: "Since this is the case, if there is a new movement in the future, the level of negotiation should not be at the level of your office. In short, you only need to faithfully implement the orders from 'your side'. That's it, that's the end of our intervention at this stage."

"..."

"Has your agent, Steven Krebs, already come into contact with our experimental subjects? I also deliberately learned about his personal background."

Maynard only felt that the person opposite was not only dangerous, but also very lacking in conversation skills—although he himself was not much better: "Do I have to thank you for letting me know?"

Mills gave him a cold look: "No, I just plan to pave the way for future things."

Given the sharp differences in positions and attitudes, the dialogue between Mills and Maynard could not be said to go smoothly.Before leaving, Mills suddenly said, "You and I are actually the same kind of people."

"Oh?"

"They are all rigid in 'professional spirit', rather than some kind of pure ideal or belief that is higher than professionalism."

"Talk from experience?"

"Talk from experience."

"It doesn't seem to have anything to do with our previous conversation." Regarding this topic, Maynard's voice was blunt, and his expression also showed obvious rejection, and he was no longer willing to follow the other party's meaning.Mills didn't care as if he didn't see it at all, as if he regarded Maynard as a dispensable audience.

"I also know some people like this. They keep praising the nobility of their profession and beliefs, and even trample on their professionalism repeatedly in order to prove this 'nobleness' beyond their own profession, and ignore the most basic behavioral requirements. The original intention of the action is for some specific people - and interestingly, some of these 'specific people' are not themselves."

"Isn't this talking about yourself?" Maynard stared at the other party indifferently.

"How, I'll never be like this. Never."

Speaking of this, Mills smiled for the first time—it seemed to be self-deprecating, but there was a rare complex expression of nostalgia and sarcasm on his face. "Willer, let's go." Afterwards, he stood up with the support of the chair, took the cane leaning beside him, and left the living room with the black subordinate named Willer who had been with him all the time.Although his legs and feet are obviously inconvenient, Mills walks very fast with a cane, even more agile than some able-bodied people. The sound of the cane hitting the ground is so rapid that it reminds people of galloping horses galloping between trenches and gunpowder smoke, and seems to be disdainful. It is better to install a silencer and kill the sound of a sniper shot with one shot.Instead of the calm demeanor a few minutes ago, he now has a resolute and decisive look.

It was only then that Maynard suddenly realized: Unlike the previous grim aura, compared with the tall and strong Wheeler, Mills' height of about 1.7 meters [-] is not outstanding, and his figure wrapped in a suit is even A little thin.