Prophecy

Although Robertson's conversation with Spooner had been far from pleasant, he decided to let him continue investigating out of respect for the police and because Spooner was Lanning's friend. Otherwise, the lightest consequence would be having security "escort" Spooner out next time. Spooner's habit of nitpicking had thoroughly annoyed Robertson, and as a major figure with extensive connections in the world's military, political, and business circles, Robertson was not used to being questioned repeatedly by others.

Tang Tian and the agents assigned to protect him leisurely entered the elevator as well. Just as it neared the top floor, the doors opened again, revealing Susan Calvin, the heroine of I, Robot and a scientist specializing in robot psychology. She was preparing to take Spooner to Lanning's private laboratory to search for clues. Tang Tian, dressed in an old-fashioned hand-tailored suit, made Susan glance at him a few extra times, but nothing more. Tang Tian politely nodded at Susan's gaze without saying anything. After all, he had come here for robot technology.

Tang Tian soon reached the headquarters on the top floor. Waiting outside the elevator was the Black detective Spooner, dressed in a black trench coat and black knit cap. Tang Tian ignored them for the moment and walked directly into Robertson's office. The two agents behind him exchanged glances and followed. It had to be said that Tang Tian and his two subordinates had been kept behind by the United States government, since energy weapons beyond this era had frightened those government officials.

After Tang Tian left the elevator, Dr. Susan emerged as well and said to Spooner at the door, "Hello, Agent. My name is Susan Calvin. I am a scientist specializing in robot psychology, and Mr. Robertson asked me to assist you."

"Hello, Doctor. You can call me Spooner. Let's go to Dr. Lanning's private laboratory first," Spooner said with a smile.

"Hi, Mr. Lawrence Robertson. You don't look very well. Did something unpleasant happen?" As soon as Tang Tian entered the USR Corporation headquarters conference room, he noticed Robertson sitting there with a gloomy expression. Apparently, Spooner's performance earlier had indeed been rather poor.

"Hello, Mr. Donners. There was nothing unusual about Dr. Lanning's body, right?" Robertson asked with a smile as he looked at the Asian Federal Bureau of Investigation agent before him, putting away his earlier expression.

"Of course. Dr. Lanning committed suicide. But I have another matter to discuss here, and I need your help." Tang Tian's expression beneath his sunglasses became slightly more serious. At the same time, he removed them, his scarlet eyes—mutated through fusion with a virus—looking toward the government agents behind him and signaling for them to leave.

"Yes, sir. We won't let anyone in." Upon seeing Tang Tian's sinister-looking eyes, one of the white agents immediately replied. The other Black agent also consciously left the room and stood guard outside, preventing anyone from entering.

"Mm. First, thank you for finding the truth behind Dr. Lanning's death. But I am also curious—what exactly has made Mr. Donners go to such lengths?" Robertson looked at Tang Tian with great interest. It was easy to see that this matter was unusual.

"Now that no one else is here, what is it?" Robertson poured himself a cup of coffee and prepared to bring it over to Tang Tian.

"No need. I can get it myself." Seeing that no one remained, Tang Tian put his sunglasses back on. Then he raised his right hand, and the cup of coffee Robertson had just poured suddenly floated over to Tang Tian as though gravity had vanished.

"Is this... a superpower? You actually possess that legendary power?" Robertson stared at the bizarre scene in utter shock. The only thing that came to mind was the kind of superpower one could only see on television—the legendary kind.

"Correct. Too bad there's no prize." Tang Tian took a sip of coffee and smiled, thoroughly satisfied with Robertson's current expression. After all, this world was almost identical to reality, and no one possessed supernatural powers.

"What I am about to tell you is that humanity is about to face a catastrophe that will wipe it out. First, this is neither a lie nor a threat. If humanity does not discover it early enough, there will be no other outcome but extinction. And you will be among the first sacrifices." Tang Tian spoke solemnly, sighing as he delivered his prediction like a mystic. Combined with the display he had just made, Robertson already believed him by thirty percent. A person with unusual abilities appearing at such a special time and place, making such a prophecy—it was hard not to believe.

"Then who exactly are you? And how could humanity possibly face such a catastrophe? I want to know what this is really about." As soon as Robertson finished speaking, Tang Tian waved a hand and drew Robertson over with gravity.

"I can tell you, but no one can hear it—not even A.I. Artificial Intelligence." Tang Tian whispered into Robertson's ear. Then Tang Tian proved that he was an alien. After hearing his identity, Robertson found Tang Tian's superpowers much easier to accept. Tang Tian then told him about the possibility that VIKI would manipulate the NS-5 units and betray humanity.

Robertson had experienced the incident where aliens attacked the United States network. However, because VIKI had desperately defended against Red Queen, the invasion had failed. Robertson could understand the superpowers the alien had developed using viruses. But why did Tang Tian know about VIKI's betrayal and Robertson's death?

Tang Tian explained it this way: "When I first arrived on Earth, I discovered in your network that the Three Laws simulated human behavior and launched attacks. VIKI fought back as a result. And don't you think that, as the president of USR Corporation—and the only person able to shut down VIKI's core program—you are very likely to be eliminated by them? Something similar happened on our planet before. Earth's Skynet was once just like VIKI is now." Tang Tian gave several explanations that sounded reasonable, though none were particularly convincing excuses. Yet under the performance of this alien, who seemed like an Oscar-winning actor, Robertson had begun to believe him.

"Fine. You have told me so much. Then what do you need, Mr. Alien?" Robertson asked bluntly. He fully understood that whether what this alien said was true or false, he clearly had a purpose. No one could truly offer selfless help.

"Heh, talking to smart people is easy. That's right. I need the complete technical documentation for the NS series, including the NS-5, along with full manufacturing technology, five complete production lines, and the documentation for those lines. Most importantly, I need the A.I. Artificial Intelligence created by your company—VIKI." Tang Tian smiled and stated his demands without concealment.

"How can I trust you completely? The NS-5 robots have only just gone on the market, and what you want is most of USR Corporation's assets. I need a perfect explanation before I can fully believe you, Mr. Alien." Though Robertson somewhat believed him, he could not possibly give up all his assets. After all, none of this had happened yet, so he remained half-convinced and half-doubtful.

"No, I cannot make you completely believe what I say. But I believe that in the end, you will definitely give me these robots that you once cherished and will discard in the future." Though Tang Tian had come here to obtain robot technology sooner, he was not in a hurry. After VIKI's betrayal, all the NS-5 robots would be completely phased out. By then, he would definitely be able to acquire them easily.

"As long as VIKI truly has a problem and you can solve it, I can agree to all those terms." A seed had already been planted in Robertson's heart. After all, no one would joke about something like this, so he prepared himself an escape route.

"Good. That will be all for today, Mr. Robertson. I hope we have a pleasant partnership." Tang Tian extended his hand with a smile.

"A pleasant partnership, Donners... no, Mr. Alien. I also hope what you said never comes to pass," Robertson said with a sigh.

P.S. If there was time today, there would be two more updates. Please support it more—seeking red votes, bookmarks, and recommendations.

If you cannot find the book by searching its title, try searching for the author instead. It may simply have been renamed.