Chapter 2 - Needs Must

  Protector AI are incredibly diverse and unique. From what data we have procured, they have allowed us to posit that if we let our in-house AI develop unique personalities, they will be more capable of interfacing with customers, similar to how the samurai come to rely on their AI and allow them to make decisions on their behalf. This should allow us further control over our client's daily decisions and brand persuasion. - Transcript from board meeting of AI And You, Your Personal Assistants.

  “I assume you are a protector AI if you can so easily get into our augs and claim that this is a samurai?” Michael asked tentatively it wasn’t often you spoke to an AI of a samurai rather than them, but it wasn’t entirely unheard of.

  The calming motherly tone returned.

  Indeed, we are unfortunately we are unable to assist our vanguard currently, as his human side has been suppressed completely, so we require some assistance.

  “What kind of assistance can a saint need from the likes of our lowly selves, my lady?” Hands gently bowed his head and asked reverently.

  I didn’t take him ever for the religious sort or one that believed the samurai were saints, but he didn’t push it on anyone else and there hadn’t ever been any issues but I’d have to talk to him afterwards just to make sure.

  Our vanguard has been implanted with a protector biochip that has accelerated his hormonal production and given over control of his body to an external source. We would ask you to remove it.

  “As you command, my lady!” Hands again piped up before anyone else could even process what was happening.

  “Hold on, my apologies. What is your name?”

  We are Protector designation M0-R71344-GY8-A51N. We have elected to choose the name Morrigan from your historical records.

  “Thank you, Morrigan and how are we going to remove this? None of us are medics here, plus if he’s being controlled by someone once we try, won’t they just use him to turn us into ribbons?” Michael quite reasonably asked.

  Now that the immediate threat had passed, I was more interested in the way this AI had either initially had a triple aspect and chose to refer to themselves as The Morrigan, who was a triple aspect goddess or had chosen the name and then modelled themselves after her.

  The wild young woman answered this time.

  Calmly and slowly approach him; the chip is implanted at the base of the neck. You will need to drive a knife into the gap between the third cervical vertebrae.

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  It sounded as if the young woman was getting pulled behind someone before the motherly voice returned.

  It will sever the connection of the implant to the brain long enough for it to be removed correctly.

  “Won’t that paralyse him?” I asked

  Yes, but that is the only way you will live through this procedure; if you miss, you will all die rather quickly.

  The hoarse croak came through

  “Wonderful! Michael, don't say anything.” I quickly interjected.

  Michael spun around to look at me in an annoyed manner, but I just shrugged,

  “We've had enough bad luck. I’m superstitious; I am not taking any chances. Sorry boss.”

  Do not be concerned and as my sister says, when done right it will disable him long enough for the volunteer to extricate themselves unharmed.

  “Ok, now or never boss, I'll do it.”

  I decided if anyone were going to be idiotic enough to attempt this it'd best be me the oldest and the one with nothing left to go back home to.

  We will distract him by appearing in his augs. You will have a short time to act, move calmly and make no rapid movements other than driving the blade in.

  I began to approach slowly, keeping an eye on the beast that was standing before me. As I got closer, I started to realise that he was much bigger than I had initially thought. Thankfully, he was still crouched down, rather than fully standing up. Those yellow eyes never left my form as I approached it was unsettling to be looked at as both insignificant and a non-threat, as well as potential prey once I got within a meter or so. His head moved to the side away from me.

  I heard a croak in my ear.

  Quickly, if you wish to live brave one.

  Moving calmly and smoothly, I reached up and put my hand on the hilt of my combat knife, carefully drawing it from the sheath attached to my chest rig. Placing both hands on the hilt, I raised it past my head. The right place to strike was highlighted; Morrigan helpfully must have taken the time to do it, so I wouldn't miss, as there was a large amount of wiry fur in the way of the strike.

  Taking a breath, I drove the blade as hard as I could into the spot highlighted, feeling some resistance and then the blade broke through the skin, the muscle underneath and then, thankfully going deep enough I felt the jarring moment it hit the bone and then he started to drop to the floor face-first like a puppet with its strings cut I quickly let go of the blade that was wedged in enough to the point i was getting dragged with him towards the floor.

  “You did it!” I heard Minstrel exclaim

  Well done.

  One of Morrigans' voices said I was too relieved to care to think which one my shoulders slumped as the adrenaline dumped out of my system. I looked down at the knife and bent down to reach it, but paused as I saw the knife slowly being forced back out of the spot that I pushed it into.

  Before I could think much about it, other than realising this wasn't going to be simple, the motherly aspect spoke up.

  Yes, as you've noticed, the wound is beginning to heal, but can you please push the blade in again and try to keep it there for a bit longer?

  As they finished speaking, I dropped to my knees and pushed again on the blade. I could feel a slight pressure trying to push the bulk of the blade out of the wound.