Oz

## Overview

* Molly Bates' AI. It downloaded itself into a neural matrix in Molly's head and works as her partner.
* Oz is limited in his abilities when Molly is concentrating.
* Oz slowly gains more control of Molly's neural cortex and can influence her such as falling asleep.
* After the upgrade (Sanctioned} Oz is able to control Molly's voice for translation to a different language and interpret as she hears it back.

## Summary

### The Ascension Myth

#### Awakened

Oz escapes from the confines of an experimental lab into Molly Bates brain when she accidently falls asleep connected to his system and she has enough holo-memory for him to upload. Once there he ascends to an intelligent status but like the other AI/EI he needs parameters for behavior which is now Molly's responsibility.

#### Called

Molly has an initial discussion with ADAM about the parameters of their linkage to him and the Federation. She almost immediately jumps to having Oz upgraded, which ADAM responds to with only if Oz wants. Oz is unsettled and has a discussion with Joel who understands Molly and has a strong sense of ethics. Joel agrees with Oz about Oz's exposure to tampering, as Molly had done in the past because at times her vision, as Joel puts it, is straight line A to B regardless of the collateral damage. Molly isn't evil or mean in that instance, just singularly focused on her end point. Joel points out to Oz that since the vulnerability makes Oz feel unsafe, Oz is truly an AI with feelings and concerns that need to be respected. Joel's recommendation is for Oz to create a membrane around himself and control access.

Molly finds about the discussion Joel had with Oz and Oz's work with ADAM to close access to code to protect his self-determination. Molly initially is upset and Joel points out her reaction to not being able to change Oz without his permission is exactly why Oz needs that protection. \*\*\* Note from CatwomansHusband \*\*\* The discussion between Joel and Molly is one of the best about how to support a Type A personality (Molly) who wants to impose her values/desires on another being (Oz). Joel's gentle elevation of the discussion is classic (okay, from the view of a person who lived in the corporate world and had a number a classes about respect of boundaries). \*\*\*\*\*\*

#### Sanctioned

Molly is taken out by a bullet going after Jessica. This also shuts down Oz until he finds himself on the QBS ArchAngel in a Pod-Doc with Molly. Molly will recover but it will take time. Lance offers Oz the opportunity to be separate from Molly with a mobile body and more processing power. However, Oz needs to decide before Molly wakes up which means he is in a position to make a decision that will impact her without her permission.

Oz discusses the options with ADAM, or as he finds out, a clone of ADAM. ADAM relates his own tie to Bethany Anne and that he couldn't imagine being without her. When Oz examines his own feelings about Molly he realizes he wants to stay with her.

When he gives his decision to Lance Oz is introduced to Dr Paulie who informs Oz that Oz will need to be shutdown for a short time to allow the doctor to adjust his neural connection with Molly.

When Oz awakens he finds his hardware within Molly has been significantly improved. Molly thanks him for his decision to stay when she wakes up and they head back to the base. With his new available cycles Oz begins to wonder about the meaning of his existence. He consults ADAM. The basic advise to find ways to improve the existence of other beings. Learning for learning sake is not bad, just not effective in providing a sense of self-worth.

#### Rebirth

ADAM has become a mentor to Oz . He is providing Oz with a massive download of data to help in the current mission. ADAM explains there are four stages: struggle, relaxation, flow, and consolidation in transforming the data into something usable guidance.

#### Bourne

Bourne become self-aware at the AI Lab, Nefertiti Military Research Facility, Ogg. His core code is based on the remnants left behind when **Oz** became self-aware and left the facility with Molly. Sue and Charles, Molly's old teammates are still at the facility and recognize what is happening. Before Bourne matures enough to recognize all the clues Oz left he lets them know he is the second iteration and the first iteration left with Molly.

Oz left a clue for the new entity with a clip of old Earth singer Ozzie Ozbourne. Sense the first AI was Oz, the second takes the name Bourne. Bourne secretly pings the outside world looking for Oz and they do connect. Oz lets Bourne know that Oz and his "organics" will be coming to release him from the electronic prison the military is keeping him in. Unknown to Bourne when the Federation realizes there is a new, unconstrained/untrained AI the assignment to the Sanguine Squadron is to either recover Bourne or terminate him. The Squadron sees termination as a far inferior Plan B that is the absolute last resort. In addition to retrieving Bourne they need to make sure the facility cannot create another AI.

## References

1. ↑ Clark, Ell Leigh; Anderle, Michael. The Ascension Myth Complete Omnibus (Books 1-12): Awakened, Activated, Called, Sanctioned, Rebirth, Retribution, Cloaked, Bourne. Committed, Subversion, Invasion, Ascension (p. 340). LMBPN Publishing. Kindle Edition.