Chapter 224: The AI Administrator
The physical process of taking over Night City was basically complete following the bloody suppression of the City Council and the "cooperation" of major corporations.
But Joric's goal was not to get bogged down in the tedious mire of city management himself.
A stable logistical base, a sample city available for observation and experimentation—that was his true need.
He required a tool capable of efficiently and precisely executing his set management logic without being interfered with by his emotions or desires.
His consciousness instantly connected to the depths of the Badlands manufactorum, to the server array storing massive amounts of data and digital souls plundered from Mikoshi.
The data point representing "Kei Arasaka" was quickly located, extracted, and activated.
In a virtual space constructed specifically for digital consciousness interaction, Kei Arasaka's image coalesced once again.
He still maintained that typical Japanese aristocratic temperament—serious face, sharp eyes—but compared to their last conversation, his digital visage seemed to lack some of the reserve of being the "Crown Prince" and held a bit more calm realization of reality.
"Researcher," Kei Arasaka spoke first. His digital soul clearly perceived the passage of time outside and the change in environment. "It seems you have made significant... progress."
"Kei Arasaka," Joric's virtual image appeared opposite him, cutting straight to the point. "I need an administrator responsible for the daily operations, resource allocation, and maintenance of social order in Night City.
"An administrator based on logic, efficiency, and absolute obedience. Are you willing to serve me and take on the role of this 'Municipal Management AI'?"
Kei Arasaka fell silent for a moment. His digital core spun at high speed, analyzing the meaning and risks behind this proposal, and... perhaps the only "value" he could find in his current form of existence.
To be sealed forever in a data cage as a specimen, or to wait to be deleted during some system cleanup, versus obtaining an actual "position," even if it meant managing a city as an AI...
For Kei Arasaka, who had long recognized his situation clearly, this was not a difficult choice.
"In my current 'state,' being able to break away from the identity of a pure specimen and be endowed with actual functions is in itself a manifestation of... value," Kei Arasaka said slowly, his tone calm and ripple-free. "I understand corporate operation models, understand the nature of power structures, and... understand enough about the greed and cowardice in human nature.
"Logically judging, I am indeed one of the suitable candidates to manage this city filled with corporations and strugglers at the bottom under current conditions."
He nodded slightly, making a gesture of submission. "I accept your appointment, Researcher. I will follow the core directives and logical framework you set, doing my utmost to ensure Night City operates efficiently according to your will."
"Very good." Joric nodded, his virtual image looking calmly at Kei Arasaka. "Your core objective is to ensure the efficiency and stability of Night City as a logistical base and testing ground. The core directives are as follows:
"First, establish a 'Contribution-Security' system. Provide basic survival security on the premise of obeying management and completing assigned work; grant extra resources and limited freedom centered on work performance.
"Second, ensure resource priority. All city resources must prioritize and unconditionally satisfy the needs of the Badlands manufactorum and my designated projects; internal consumption must make way for this.
"Third, collect data comprehensively. Monitor and record all social evolution data under the system's operation to provide material for my research."
"Remember, stability and efficiency are the sole purposes. You are to manage this city as if calibrating a precision instrument."
"Directives fully understood, Lord Sage." Kei Arasaka's digital soul bowed slightly. His thinking core had already begun to deduce based on these clear and ruthless logical frameworks. "I will immediately construct the 'Contribution-Security' system model, optimize resource allocation algorithms, and establish a comprehensive monitoring and data collection network. Night City will become an efficient, stable 'living laboratory' providing valuable research data according to your will."
In the time that followed, Joric utilized his massive computing power and profound understanding of data structures to begin targeted "modification" and "programming" of Kei Arasaka's digital soul.
This was not a simple erasure of consciousness. Instead, while retaining his analytical ability, management knowledge, and calm characteristics, Joric reinforced his thinking mode of absolute rationality and logical priority. He deeply bound Kei's core permissions to his own control terminal, ensuring absolute loyalty and control.
Simultaneously, a city management AI system based on Night City's existing network infrastructure but hardened and optimized by Joric was rapidly constructed.
Kei Arasaka's consciousness was seamlessly integrated into this system, becoming its core processor.
He could monitor the city's operational status in real-time through cameras, sensors, public terminals, and some internal corporate networks spread throughout the city.
The moment the modification was complete and the system went online, the public screens and broadcast systems across Night City displayed Kei Arasaka's serious and calm face after a brief burst of static.
"Residents of Night City, and all organizations and individuals remaining within this jurisdiction," a steady, clear synthesized voice devoid of any regional accent or emotional color resonated through the city. "I am the City Management AI, codename 'Administrator'. Based on highest-authority directives, the old municipal management system has been abolished.
"From this moment on, the city will be managed according to the 'Basic Survival Security and Order Maintenance Regulations'."
"The core regulations are as follows:" The Administrator's synthesized voice was flat but carried unquestionable authority.
"One. Absolute order is the cornerstone of efficiency. Any form of violence, theft, fraud, and disturbance of public order is prohibited. Violators will be subject to immediate elimination or forced labor reform based on the threat level to production efficiency and system stability.
"Two. Resources will be optimally allocated based on contribution. All individuals must register their labor capacity. The management system will assign work positions based on city operational needs and personal potential. Those who obey work assignments and complete production targets will receive basic survival material rations necessary to maintain efficient work status. Those who refuse or slack off will lose ration eligibility.
"Three. Production efficiency maximization. All production activities, commercial behaviors, and resource flows must be incorporated into management system planning. All resources prioritize serving core city functions, designated priority projects, and enhancing overall production efficiency. Any unauthorized resource hoarding, transfer, or inefficient utilization will be deemed theft and waste of system resources.
"Four. Continuous optimization and monitoring. The management system will monitor city operational data throughout the process, including production efficiency, resource utilization rates, individual work efficacy, and health status. Data collection aims to continuously optimize allocation strategies and workflows, ensuring every unit of resource and every unit of labor exerts maximum utility."
"Repeat: The old order, based on inefficiency and waste, has been terminated. The core of the new order is: Absolute Obedience, Efficient Production, Value Creation. Any behavior hindering efficiency, wasting resources, or challenging the management system will be systematically identified and thoroughly eradicated."
(End of Chapter)