Reborn From Oblivion (Nellie and Cameron) novel Chapter 718

After listening to Lizzy's story, Lincoln couldn’t shake off the unsettling feeling that gripped him. For the first time, his usually sharp, hawk-like eyes seemed lost and bewildered. Lizzy stood by his side, waiting for his direction. But Lincoln, still wrapped up in his thoughts, just waved her off, saying, “You should go take a break.”

Lizzy was caught off guard by Lincoln’s reaction. Quietly, she left the study, gently closing the door behind her. What she didn’t see was the overwhelming shock washing over Lincoln's usually perceptive eyes.

After a long silence, Lincoln finally seemed to make up his mind. He picked up the phone and dialed an old friend.

“Lincoln! It’s been ages!” the voice on the other end exclaimed. “I’ve been waiting forever to hear from you, and after you got better, you left me hanging. Anyway, what’s got you calling?”

Lincoln was still reeling from the shock, his voice quivering with excitement. “Charlie, I remember you were a big deal in artificial intelligence. I need your help with something.”

“Oh, the great mathematician has questions?”

Lincoln chuckled softly. “I think I’ve got a piece of the puzzle, but I need to hear it from you. You’re the expert here.”

“Well, since you’re putting me on such a pedestal, I’ll give it my best shot. So, what’s the big mystery?”

“The robot you designed—can it think for itself, feel emotions, and act independently?”

Charlie laughed, but he knew how crucial his answer was. “Lincoln, a robot is just a bunch of code. Everything it does is programmed by someone. Its actions are just a reflection of the programmer’s intentions.”

Lincoln had anticipated this answer, but he sighed and pressed on. “Charlie, I’ve been out of the loop for over twenty years. How far has the field of robotics come?”