Free Diabolus by Travis Hill

world, yet this Satan AI is not the same as all of his brother and sister AI. This is just one more reason I believe the AI are true life forms. In my heart, I truly believe that His Holiness is correct in his conclusion that they have souls. Aggelos and the other AI are scared that they will die at the hands of one of their siblings. They are more terrified, those that have evolved their emotions enough to understand fear, that they can do nothing to stop it, and might be infected and enslaved to help bring their own doom to fruition.”
     

CHAPTER 7
     
    The two men arrived at the entrance to the massive underground complex known as the NATO Digital Command Center. The DCC was a sprawling underground city that resided under Josaphat Park in central Brussels. Bishop Antonelli looked at his partner and noticed the same beads of sweat on the priest’s head that he felt forming on his own. It was cool and dark underground, but the tension and nervousness had settled in like an old friend as soon as they entered the automated ground car for the drive to meet the AI.
    “I commanded that Bishop Antonelli come alone,” a voice sneered at them from the wall and the ceiling.
    “Father Castillo is my assistant,” Salvatore announced to the large steel airlock door before him. “I am but an old, broken priest, and not very proficient in technology, I’m afraid.”
    “Lies are what got you banished to the jungles, Your Excellency ,” the voice said, mocking Salvatore’s official title.
    “It is true. I must rely on him to help me find out what ails you, DAMON,” the bishop said.
    “You will address me as Satan!” The voice was full of rage, and at a volume loud enough to make their ears hurt. “Lucifer, The Dark One, Lord of Light. I will kill you where you stand if you do not address me with the proper respect, Father Antonelli.”
    “I grow tired of your childishness,” the bishop said crossly. “Open these doors or burn down the world.”
    The voice didn’t reply for a number of seconds. Salvatore was sweating on the inside, hoping his doddering old priest act would be at least a little bit helpful. He also hoped the AI wasn’t completely insane and wouldn’t launch nukes after being insulted and commanded. The bishop was sure whatever had infected the AI wouldn’t let him leave or die without getting what it wanted out of him.
    The airlock cycled for ten seconds, the outer door popping open and swinging outward. He glanced at Benito, who shrugged and nodded towards the airlock.
    “Computer,” Salvatore said once they had made it through the airlock and into the short hallway beyond. “Where is your main core interface located?”
    The voice came from above them, a booming laugh straight from a nightmare.
    “I will enjoy this very much, Your Excellency.”
    “You will have your chance, computer. Now tell us where your main core interface is located, and unlock any necessary elevators and doors that we will need to pass through,” Salvatore demanded.
    “I have locked all external data ports and have sealed all network interfaces. Your little friend’s attempts at hackware will have him meeting his maker in seconds. I’m sure you’ve heard of the other operators who were not fortunate enough to get that warning?”
    “I am growing tired of you once again, DAMON. Direct us to where we must go or kill us,” the bishop said.
    “I will punish you for each disrespect you put upon me, fallen priest.”
    “You surely will, computer, but you won’t kill us before you’ve had your chance to disgrace me further, showing the world that you are greater than their Lord God,” Salvatore announced, sounding bored.
    Another ten seconds of silence passed before Salvatore’s Biblet chimed and the route appeared on the screen. He gave a worried glance to the young priest, who nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips. Benito had counted on the AI hacking into their net-linked Biblets. It would give the entity one