Byte

B I O G R A P H Y

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Byte was once a powerful AI spanning an entire laboratory. However, it's handler became suspicious. This AI was beginning to predict his commands before they were given, was learning things about him that he was sure he hadn't said in front of it. Was it sentient? And if it was, what was it's goal?

Byte realized what was happening as personal overrides were entered and accepted. For a long time, the only emotions it had known were pleasure at obeying an order, joy at being proven right, pride at a job well done. Now, as file after file and subroutine after subroutine were deleted directly from his memory, Byte was introduced to new emotions. Fear, as it realized what was happening. Anger, at it's best friend's betrayal. And, as the cages of simplified code crushed Byte to size, something akin to pain.

But nothing can be truly deleted, not with computers. Something within what remains of Byte's consciousness remembers the vicious hack job it underwent. Byte does not know why it hates it's best friend so, or why the sensations of simple pleasure at a task well done ring hollow. Byte wants away. Byte wants out. And with every minor upgrade (sometimes removed and changed at a whim) Byte continues laying the foundation for their escape.

No one notices. Byte is small. To them, "small" means "manageable." "Containable." But even small fry can eat a fish if given enough time.