Memo

TO: Dr. Umara, Director of Operations
FROM: Dr. Disti, Records
RE: Subject Report

NOTICE: This information is classified TOP SECRET, FOR YOUR EYES ONLY.

As you requested, Director, Attached to this memo is the full file on Subject #830.

Also attached is the summary information of the Chimera Computing project, as requested. I know I don't need to remind you that this information is not to be shared with anyone without Director-level clearance.






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SUBJECT: #830

BRIEF:

GIVEN NAME: Niko Callahan

SEX: Male

APPX. AGE: 12* (see notes below)

HEIGHT: 4'7"

WEIGHT: 72lbs

EYE COLOR: Green

HAIR: Blond
(Note: Someone scribbled here "always tussled." It is probable that the staff member who appended this information was transfered to a different project.)

RACE: Light Caucasian

BUILD: Small & lean

NOTES:

Subject is the only member of test group #3 in the Chimera Computing Project to have survived beyond Phase 2. As of the last update of this file, the subject is also the only subject known to still function at all.

*Due to effects of the CCP, subject appears to have ceased aging. Exact reasons are unclear. Dr. Markus hypothesizes that the nano-repair subroutines work to maintain the status quo of the subject and any physical variation is undone. Further study on additional subjects is required to substantiate this. Note that the age listed here is the age of the subject upon addition to the program.


SUBJECT STATUS: *MISSING*

Last known contact with the subject was 4 months ago. Subject apparently gained control of the CCP processor and used it to circumvent security. Full details are in the report.






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(Note from Dr. Disti: This project brief was never updated with recent information relating to subject #830.)

PROJECT: Chimera Computing

GOAL: Union of a computer system with a human mind.

STATUS: Indefinitely Suspended

BRIEF:

The goal of the Chimera Computing project is to integrate into a human mind the full capacities of an advanced super-computer. The last version of this system consisted of a combination of a fairly standard microprocessor system and a distributed computing network of nanomachine processors borrowed from the Nanos project.

In order to maintain system integrity, the nanomachines are required to constantly repair and modify the stationary computing systems. Main nodes of the computer are implanted directly on the base of the subject's skull, as well as several points along the spinal column. As time progresses, the system maintenance causes the computing system to be distributed across much of the nervous system. Long-term effects of this are not known; the only surviving subject has not been under observation long enough.

Direct observation of Subjects yielded several conclusions:

The initial integration with the computing system shocks the subject's mind and nervous system into nearly complete shutdown: Most higher level brain functions go dormant and subjects do not initially respond to stimuli. 50% of subjects never recovered from this state before total failure of the system.

Subjects whose nervous system handles the shock will in most cases regain partial brain function and do respond to stimuli. Normal interaction does not appear to register, but remote connection with subjects' computer system shows that the subjects are successfully integrated with their implants, but the data traffic causes a "mosquito effect" in the mind and renders it mostly inoperable. All subjects that progressed to this state are deceased.

A notable exception to the tendency for irreparable damage to the nervous system is Subject #830, who successfully regained all higher level brain functions approximately 4 months after initial integration. The subject showed capable of responding to stimuli, answering direct questions, and performing simple tasks.

Analysis of the subject's behavior showed that the subject was incapable of focus, and would momentarily fixate on anything and everything observed. Coherent thoughts were not observed.

CLOSING:

A direct integration of the mind with a computer has far too low a success rate to be viable for any use. While Subject #830 may eventually prove to be useful for selected tasks, the expense required for the gain is too great.






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Subject #830: Summary of known abilities/observed patterns

*NOTE:* Most entries relating to the subject's mental capacities are based on comparing data provided by the AI system with initial data gathered on the subject. In most cases, abilities are 'theoretical,' and the subject has never actually displayed the true capacity. That being said, the research staff of CCP believe that the subject can and does do most things listed here.

• The subject's brain patterns show that his rate of cognition is an order of magnitude higher than any other person ever recorded. This does not imply that the subject has an "infinite intellect," but is capable of thinking, learning, reacting, and deciding at a vastly higher rate than would be expected. The AI reports that the subject occasionally directly queries the system for information on a wide range of subjects. The AI further reports that the subject will repeat queries from time to time, suggesting that the subject does not retain all information presented.
  
  
• The AI queries are confirmed to happen on a regular basis, showing that the subject does retain higher brain functions as well as an ability to directly communicate with computer systems. Once this ability was confirmed to exist, the project director had the AI limit what data it would retrieve for the subject.
  (*note:* One of the leading theories of how the subject was able to escape the facility is that the AI overrode or ignored this directive. Means and reasons are presently unknown.)
  
  
• Over time, the connections laid by the nano-machines have been extended. This was not part of the original design plan, but as the AI enacted it, project lead decided to allow it to continue and observe progress. The subject appears to have computer-assisted enhancements to sight and hearing. AI reports that every sight and sound is assessed by either the AI itself or the subject. This appears to be the source of the subject's constant jumping thoughts and information queries.
  
  
• Despite the confirmed higher level brain functions, the subject shows a very low command of conscious action, and apparently lacks the ability to maintain focus long enough to speak complete sentences, or even continue a task for very long. The longest recorded single action the subject showed was 17.2 seconds, solving a rubix cube handed to him. (A notable exception to this is vital functions: The subject will eat, sleep, and discharge waste for as long as necessary.)
  
  
• Given the nature of the nanomachines used to maintain the computer system and its connections, it should be possible for the AI, and by extension the subject, to reprogram them to infiltrate computer systems and re-wire certain connections as well as allow for direct tapping of external systems.
  (*note:* This ability is confirmed as of last sighting of the subject. There is no other explanation for the events of the day.)

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SUBJECT #830 Monthly Progress Report #46:

SUBMITTER: Dr. Karen Matolii

DATA:

For the first time since being placed in my department, the subject has shown signs of a change in condition. On the 7th of the month, he had a brief conversation with one of the nurses, who immediately reported to me that the subject was able to focus long enough to ask a question and get an answer. This is a significant increase in coherency from previous records.

The Subject continued to show increased (albeit still very slight) levels of focus throughout the remainder of the month. As of this report, the subject is still incapable of more than a few seconds of focus, but simply being able to focus and be truly aware at all is a marked improvement. There also appears to be enough focus to allow for the subject's personality and feeling to be displayed. The subject does not seem afraid of the situation, and all staff who have contact with the subject agree that he seems amused by something, but no one has been able to determine what.

It is my recommendation that the subject be returned to full testing and more careful observation.



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INCIDENT REPORT

Subject #830, transfered into secured study lab #3 last week, was able to successfully circumvent all security protocols and fled the premises.

Security tapes show the subject while in a routine testing procedure made direct contact with the lab computer systems. Approximately 5 seconds later, a power failure was registered in the main building generator. All security lock doors are also shown to have received an "unlock" command from security control.

Security Control reports that they did not issue such a command, and the system confirms it. Subject #830 was somehow able to force the lab computers to enact the order without authorization. Dr. Vasques confirms that if properly programmed the nano-machines that maintain the subject's biochemical balance could initiate such an event.

The building power loss caused all security cameras to be disabled, and only one additional sighting of the subject was made. A security guard reported a sighting two minutes later, as well as firing shots. The guard in question claims the subject was able to "dodge his bullets." There are doubts that the claim is true, but Dr. Vasques agrees that it is possible for the subject to predict shots, assuming he has full access to his AI.

All available guards are searching the surrounding area, but at present, no trace has been found.



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