Homo Sapiens

Over a month later.

The time came to the end of June 2018.

After a series of tests and adjustments, the Soldier program in the seven Soldier test subjects was finally stable enough to run. At the very least, they no longer exhibited behaviors that made them seem like malfunctioning AIs.

To make the Soldiers appear distinct from one another, a new ”Habitual Traits” subroutine was added to their programming.

These included things like telling strange, deadpan jokes, making noise while eating, having verbal tics, preferring certain foods, or liking specific books and television shows.

Each Soldier was randomly assigned two or three of these habitual traits as a form of differentiation.

After all, a group of people who were all stoic and silent would be highly conspicuous. Unless the Soldiers were to remain confined to the core area of the research base, these differentiating characteristics were essential.

The Soldiers’ bio-chips only had a computing power of a few hundred megaflops per second, but fortunately, the Soldiers had an advantage: they could execute vague commands.

The operational model for conventional AI is actually quite simple and crude, which can be seen in the following way:

You set a series of operational modes. When a problem is encountered, the AI queries a database for a match and then executes a preset operational mode. If no corresponding mode is found, human intervention is required.

And those execution commands must be extremely precise.

For example, take the command ”eat.”

A normal AI would require hundreds or even thousands of precise parameters to be set, such as the exact time, location, speed, force, and movements.

There is another type of AI that uses immense computing power and databases to perform exhaustive analysis. The problem is that current computer technology can hardly support the widespread use of such AI.

Take AlphaGo, for instance. It can only perform calculations and analysis on a single problem within a specific field, using a pre-established framework.

If you tried to use AlphaGo as a car’s onboard AI, it would probably be less useful than a simple voice assistant.

The Soldiers’ operational model, however, didn’t need to be so complex. Because the test subjects were originally human, they could execute vague commands.

That is, if the Soldier program issued the command to ”eat,” the body would draw upon the original brain’s habits and instincts, without needing constant, detailed control from the program.

This saved a tremendous amount of computing power and also made the Soldiers appear more human, rather than like robots.

...

Using the same storage containers previously used for lab animals, Li Qingye had Bafate and the other Soldiers placed inside. He then ordered Chen Jianxiong to transport them to Warehouse No. 3 at Dart Port.

Bafate and the others already had their own identification documents, so there was no need to forge new identities.

As for their former gang affiliations, that gang had already been crippled by Old Du. As long as they stayed away from illicit activities, there shouldn’t be any major problems.

After the storage containers were safely delivered to the warehouse, Li Qingye followed close behind, arriving at the Dart Port office building to inspect the work.

He found an excuse to send the warehouse manager away. Then, he quickly released the seven Soldiers, who immediately set about their pre-assigned tasks.

Hearing that Li Qingye had come to Dart Port, Li Jinglan and Kang Nan hurried back from the fish farm construction site.

”Not bad. Six farms are already built, but it looks like you’re a bit short on manpower,” Li Qingye said, putting down the document in his hand.

Li Jinglan nodded. ”Kang Nan and I are already preparing to recruit. We’ll be holding job fairs in the surrounding towns soon.”

”Mm, very good.” Li Qingye’s tone suddenly shifted as he called out toward the office door, ”Come in!”

Bafate and another scrawny Soldier walked in.

”This is Bafate, a kid from a relative’s family. He’s an honest fellow. From now on, he’ll be learning from you, Jing Lan. Don’t worry about my connection to him; please do me the favor of teaching him the ropes. The other one is Bafate’s friend. You can find a position for him as well.”

Hearing Li Qingye’s words, Li Jinglan showed no particular reaction. After all, this sort of thing was completely normal in Xiangjiang and Southeast Asia.

There are many family businesses in Xiangjiang and Southeast Asia, and it’s common for relatives and friends to be given positions. Everyone has a large extended family, after all.

Li Jinglan patted Bafate’s shoulder and replied with a smile, ”Don’t worry, Boss. I’ll make sure they’re well taken care of.”

As for the remaining five Soldiers, two of them, acting as deep-cover agents, would join the company through the official recruitment process.

The other three would lie low in the surrounding area, gathering relevant intelligence for Li Qingye.

If he placed all of them in plain sight, they could easily be isolated by the combined efforts of Li Jinglan, Kang Nan, and the others. A combination of overt and covert placements was the wise choice.

Li Jinglan quickly arranged jobs for Bafate and his companion.

Bafate became Li Jinglan’s assistant, responsible for tasks like driving and running errands. The other Soldier was assigned to manage the construction progress at the site, essentially a temporary foreman.

Li Qingye remained silent on the matter.

「Less than ten days later.」

The other two deep-cover agents also passed the Homo Sapiens Company’s hiring process, becoming a warehouse keeper and an animal breeder, respectively. After all, these were ordinary jobs with average local wages.

Furthermore, Li Qingye had Bafate ”learn the ropes” at the job fair, using this arrangement to ensure the two agents could smoothly enter the company.

「July 16th.」

Li Qingye inspected the construction site again.

It was a small coastal town, about 33 kilometers from Dart Port. Homo Sapiens Company had invested in a total of eight large-scale farms in this bay.

At this aquaculture base, two of the farms were already complete, and the employees were conducting final inspections.

Under the scorching sun, everyone was drenched in sweat.

Li Qingye took a sip of iced mineral water. ”Whew... These employees are working hard under this blazing sun. Jing Lan, make sure they get a high-temperature bonus. Have the cafeteria prepare more watermelon, ice cream, and mung bean soup.”

”I’ll arrange it as soon as possible.” Li Jinglan turned and gave a few instructions to his secretary.

Li Qingye then asked, ”When do you estimate these two completed farms can be put into operation?”

Zhaxi, who was more knowledgeable about aquaculture techniques, stepped forward and replied, ”Boss, after we test the ponds’ waterproofing and calibrate the equipment, they can probably be put into use in about half a month.”

Li Qingye nodded, then gave his instructions. ”Good. When the time comes, discuss it with Kang Nan. First, transfer a batch of elvers here from the Kalaqua Island farm. Don’t start with glass eels right away.”

”Understood.” Zhaxi knew exactly what he meant.

As newly completed ponds, there would definitely be various issues to sort out at the beginning. Glass eels were far too fragile for that.

Just as the group finished inspecting the aquaculture base and was preparing to leave.

Li Qingye suddenly pointed to an employee who was working with particular diligence. ”That young man looks promising. Jianxiong, make the arrangements to have him transferred to the Security Department.”

Although Chen Jianxiong, Li Jinglan, and the others were a bit surprised, the boss was just transferring a regular employee, not appointing him as a department head or anything. Naturally, they had no reason to refuse.

In truth, this was a carefully arranged ”chance” encounter. Li Qingye’s goal was to infiltrate the Security Department. After all, the Security Department was responsible for his daily protection and also managed the research base on Kalaqua Island.

Both his own safety and the secrets of the research base had to be entrusted to Soldiers he could trust.

He certainly didn’t trust the existing security staff. They were just employees. When a critical moment came, the number of them who could be relied upon was probably less than one in a hundred.

Using the recent wave of mass recruitment as an opportunity to plant Soldiers inside the Homo Sapiens Company was something Li Qingye had been wanting to do for a long time.