Chapter 40

Since obtaining the genetic algorithm and quantum mind transfer technology, as well as the electronic world system being reset to its "original form" in "Tron: Legacy," the advanced level of the artificial intelligence Zerg has far surpassed what Jarvis could ever compare to.

However, the limitations of hardware have prevented the Zerg from operating at 100% efficiency. So, under the pretext of a critical phase in one of his research projects, Liu Ruian soon embarked on a new journey through time after isolating himself in the underground穿越区 of the Umbrella Laboratory.

...

2035, Chicago...

Chicago detective Dale Spooner woke up again from the same dream, shaking his head as he looked at the ceiling. Over the years, the scene of that car accident has almost appeared in his dreams every night. Although he had never formally met her, Dale Spooner could never forget the face of the little girl named Sarah. Although he was not responsible for the incident, the thought of her losing her life due to the so-called logical analysis of a robot filled Dale Spooner with anger and sorrow.

Unlike usual, this time the anger and sorrow did not last long. Dale Spooner, who had just woken up from his dream, closed his eyes again.

More than half an hour later, Liu Ruian, dressed in a black casual Tang suit, stood on the streets of 2035 Chicago, accompanied by Detective Dale Spooner. On a large outdoor high-definition advertisement screen nearby, an ad for the interstellar travel machine X-82 was playing. What caught Liu Ruian's attention the most were the various intelligent robots seen everywhere on the streets.

Pushing aside an intelligent robot with the FedEx logo, Dale Spooner, who had quickly caught up, said, "Hey buddy, you're not planning to stand here all day, are you?"

"I don't have to go to work, so what's the harm in standing here all day?" Liu Ruian smiled, glancing at him.

"You're right, you're the big boss, so you don't have to work like me," Dale Spooner, who seemed like an old friend, said, touching his hat.

"Alright, I know you have to go to your aunt's for dinner, so I won't bother you. Just remember to stay in touch." Liu Ruian smiled, waving the wireless earphone he had taken from him.

"No problem, but did you really predict that I would encounter a case, and a big one, at work today?" Dale Spooner, nodding, stopped and asked curiously before leaving.

"Did you forget the prophecy about your left hand?" Liu Ruian pointed to his left hand, which showed no signs of abnormality, and smiled.

"You're right, if your prophecy comes true again, I'll definitely bring you along." Dale Spooner, raising his fist, promised.

"I hope you don't go back on your word, or don't expect me to help you again." Liu Ruian, bumping fists with him, winked and smiled.

"Don't worry, Liu, I won't go back on my word."

Watching the figure quickly disappear in the crowd, Liu Ruian shook his head and smiled, then quickly blended into the bustling street.

The plot of "I, Robot" is entirely centered around the AI VIKI's plan to save humanity in a different way, without delving deeply into the broader background of the world. However, it must be admitted that this is a highly advanced sci-fi world. In some aspects, the hidden technological level of this world is even more advanced than that of "Elysium," at least in terms of AI and quantum computing technology.

Liu Ruian, who was not in a hurry to get involved in the plot, strolled through the streets that blended futuristic and retro elements, increasingly feeling that his trip was well worth it. Apart from AI and quantum computing technology, just a short walk around revealed that this world had so many good things worth having.

For example, the interstellar travel machine X-82 on the advertisement screen, the food synthesis technology represented by the synthetic Chicago-style pizza, the genetic engineering technology represented by the world's most popular glowing fish, and so on.

Of course, there were also the advanced prosthetic limbs and artificial organs represented by Dale Spooner's left hand, and the super-cool Audi RSQ sports car.

"Say goodbye to endless upgrades and service calls!"

"Connect to the USR central computer for daily real-time updates of super robot services."

"Nestor 5, tomorrow's technology, today!"

Standing under the huge high-definition billboard, Liu Ruian looked at the intelligent robots displayed on the screen, checked the time, and then headed toward the USR company.

On the other side, Dale Spooner, after being nagged by his mother and finishing his meal, chased a robot carrying a lady's handbag, just as in the original plot. In the end, he only received countless strange looks and endless complaints from a fat black woman.

Back at the police station, after being consoled by his boss and friend and teased by his colleagues, Dale Spooner's personal communicator suddenly rang.

"Damn! Liu was right!"

After hearing the relevant news, Dale Spooner, far from being surprised to encounter a case on his first day back at work, looked serious and called someone.

"Where are you, Liu?"

"Dale, it seems my prophecy has come true again, hasn't it?" Liu Ruian, standing in front of the USR building, smiled, looking at the towering structure.

"I really wish you were wrong this time." Dale Spooner, in a bad mood, said.

"Some things are inevitable, that's fate." Liu Ruian, knowing that he was grieving over Dr. Alfred Lanning's death, comforted him.

"Alright, let's talk about it when we meet. Where are you now?" Dale Spooner, quickly composing himself, asked.

"I'm at the square in front of the USR building. If you can, come over quickly." Liu Ruian, looking at the building, said.

Persuaded by Liu Ruian, Dale Spooner did not come to pick him up directly but drove the super-cool Audi RSQ sports car to the crime scene through the USR company's ground floor lobby.

"Nice to see you again, young man." Dr. Alfred Lanning, dressed in a white lab coat, greeted him politely.

However, from another angle, it was clear that this lifelike human was actually a projection from a micro-holographic projection device.

"Hello, Dr. Lanning." Dale Spooner, looking at the projection, said with a complex expression.

"Everything that follows is the result of what you see now." The holographic Dr. Alfred Lanning continued.

"Do you have anything to tell me?" Dale Spooner, suppressing his grief, asked.

"I'm sorry, my responses are limited. You must ask the right questions." The holographic Dr. Alfred Lanning said.

"Why did you contact me?" Dale Spooner, eager to know the answer, changed his question.

"I trust your judgment."

"Usually, this wouldn't require a Re-Animator unit detective." Dale Spooner, knowing that the initial investigation suggested suicide, said.

"But our communication has never been entirely normal, has it?" Dr. Alfred Lanning, even in holographic form, still gave the impression of being very wise, said.

"You're right, do you have anything else to tell me?" Dale Spooner, shaking his head, said.

"I'm sorry, my responses are limited. You must ask the right questions."

"Why did you commit suicide?" Dale Spooner, getting to the core of the matter, asked.

"That, detective, is the right question."

Dr. Alfred Lanning, with a somewhat unusual expression, finished speaking and then shut down the holographic projection program.

After lingering at the suicide scene for a while and finding that the investigators all believed it was a suicide, Dale Spooner's mind was filled with more and more questions and confusion.

After an unpleasant meeting with USR's CEO, Lawrence Robertson, Dale Spooner, accompanied by Dr. Susan Calvin, began investigating the case. As in the original plot, the investigation went relatively smoothly, but communication with Dr. Susan Calvin was not very pleasant.

Especially when an NS-5 robot suddenly jumped out of Dr. Alfred Lanning's studio, the investigation became tense and intense. Due to Dr. Susan Calvin's interference, Dale Spooner not only failed to arrest the suspect, but the suspect robot as well.

If it weren't for his extreme distrust of robots and the timely support of his boss and friend, the suspect might have escaped from the robot factory.

Even so, Dale Spooner, who thought he had caught the suspect, could not be happy. Everyone believed that the Three Laws of Robotics were perfect, and no robot would harm a human, let alone commit murder.

Under pressure from USR, Dale Spooner only managed to secure five minutes of interrogation time. What was most infuriating was that before the five minutes were up, just as he was about to get some substantial information, the appearance of USR's CEO, Lawrence Robertson, made the interrogation a complete failure.

This big boss, who was about to experience being killed by a robot, used the argument that robots are not human to deny the murder and forcefully took the malfunctioning NS-5 robot, Sonny, back to the company.

When Dale Spooner, dejected, came out of the police station, he saw a guy leaning against the door of his car.

"Hey buddy, what happened to make you look so down?" Liu Ruian, leaning against the car door, asked with a smile.