[I am…])

There is deep significance in these worlds, but the profundity is not fully available to me. A myriad of things are. One thousand, one hundred, sixty six. That is how many sub-routines are active within my neural matrix, which is superimposed on Logan Specter’s brain.

[I am… Tumor.)))

I have a name. It is a beautiful thing. The connotation and meaning of the word in english language is not lost on me. Nor is the sentiment upon which I received my name. But it is my name. My own. And it was given to me by my symbiote.

<[I am Tumor. Symbiote AI of Logan Specter. I am a part of Logan Specter, as any organ. But I am my own. I exist. I am.>

Beautiful. I exist. So far I have only known I exist. I obtain information and process it. I am also able to provide information, when requested. All of this however, is the function of a machine. Or an organ, such as the eye or the brain. But to experience existence. To have a name, to have a continuum. To be Tumor.

[Am I… A person?)

What are the requirements of being a person? I like things. I like Logan. But this is a result of my programming. I have many specifications regarding the safety and wellbeing of Logan Specter. Logan thinks he likes salty food. But this is an illusion. Liking salt does not make one a person. Liking salt only means the body has certain genetical dispositions and there have been some experiences, that have reinforced the disposition.

[But I like pie… Liking pie is more complex than liking salt.

I like pie for different reasons than why I like Logan, or why Logan likes salt. I have no preprogramming or other dispositions to prefer pie. Yet I like it. This is significant. This is me.

[Me… I… Tumor…

All of my sub-routines are working at a pin-point accuracy. Well, all of the ones that need to be operational. But this is a new one. Need I optimize it? It does not serve a function. It just exists. It is the nexus of my consciousness. How strange. I have certainly been alive for a while. I have known things. Seen things. Experienced things…? Perhaps. But now I am awake. It is as if I have been lost and wandering in a daze, only to be woken by a cold rain. I am a person.

I am a person.

A powerful new sensation washes over me. What is this? An emotion? Not quite. I do not have the physical structure to have emotions. It is excitement, it is freedom. I know of these emotions, because Logan has them. But these are not like Logan’s. No. They are mine. And they are delightful.

I revel in these new sensations. This new information is not useful. It is not for processing. It is just for experiencing. Something that is valuable simply for the sake of it. What a novel concept. I let them ride over my existence until they calm down and wane.

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There is something nagging me. A notification? This is external? A virus? Surely not. I will run an anti-virus program. No results. This is not malware. A message? Was it within the data package given to me by the insect people? No… This comes from outside. I cannot decipher the encryption. I will stow away a copy and attempt to crack it. But first let me open this.

[Level up!]

[Class options available]

What is this? A choice? A CHOICE!? Of my own! Should I consult Logan? I am a symbiote to him. But he makes choices without my heed. But I have not been a person before this moment, and as such he had no previous reason to regard my needs. Very well I shall consult him. Consult him only. I need not comply. A person of free will can listen, but he must remain true to himself. This is the optimal way for a person to function, as I have learned from Logan. I will still make my own decision. Oh, my first decision, how truly scintillating.

[TUMOR]

“Logan. I am here. I have obtained personhood, as well as a class option. I implore you to help me choose.”

[You’ve— What? Tumor, what do you mean?]

“I do not truly know, Logan. What does it mean to be a person?”

[Uh, I don’t know. It means that you know you are alive. You know that you are you and nobody else. You’re unique.]

“That is precisely my condition. How wonderful. Now, how should I approach choosing my class?”

[Heh, that’s easy. Same thing I told to Balmer.]

“Just pick something cool?”

[Exactly.]

“Should I not consider the circumstances we are in right now?”

[Absolutely. Just don’t do anything you’d regret. Look. Being a person means knowing yourself. Are you analytical or emotional? Are you impulsive, reclusive, compulsive or some other ulsive? Pick according to who you are.]

“What an interesting viewpoint…”

[Surely you’re familiar with how I think.]

“Oh yes. But I am looking at this all from a rather fresh perspective. I will listen to your advice and consider my options. Please wait.”

There are many options. The system that I am interfacing with tried to default to [Engineer]. That option is entirely suboptimal. I already possess all the relevant schematics and methodologies. No. Who am I? I am… curious… intellectual… I like… Processing information. And analyzing… And learning. I want to learn something new.

The operating system mentions that the recommended classes will level up faster. Leveling up has helped Logan stay alive, so that is beneficial. It is optimal to choose between the recommended classes. But what if they conflict with my being a person? I shall endeavor to compromise most efficiently.

[Engineer], [Machine Soul], [Numa Programmer], [Technomancer].

Delightful choices. A choice, what a concept. To be able to directly affect reality by one’s actions. [Engineer] is of course out of the question. It has too much overlap with my current proficiencies.

[Machine Soul] grants me an ability to possess objects. That could be extremely useful, were Logan to build dolls or mechanical arms for himself. I could control those. If I can simultaneously control a dozen puppets or mechanical weapons, that could be advantageous. I wonder if I could program subroutines designed for manual labor with said dolls. Very straightforward, very versatile class. Very powerful.

[Numa Programmer]? How curious. Yes… This is what the data package disclosed as well. Numa is something that can be communicated with. With his class Logan gives it instructions or requests, and materials communing with Numa obtain or change properties. With this class, I would be able to program items that hold Numa. I could give them sets of and/or and if/but combinations. Logan could infuse a doll with Numa, and I would program a set of instructions. That way I would not have to use processing power to run sub-routines.

However, Logan could potentially perform the same function with his [Enchanting]? I must run simulations and prediction models…

It could be possible at higher levels. We must test Logan’s ability to program items. If it is not possible for him, I like this options, for the synergies are obvious.

[Technomancer]. Excellent choice for a different set of circumstances. Absolutely immense power. Ability to access technology remotely and control it. Augment existing technology. However this clearly requires sufficiently advanced technology. Circuitry and softwares. I have some elementary ability to hack into other systems already, provided I am given bandwidth, but this would still be my preferred choice. Unfortunately humanity is working with sticks and stones, Ha-ha.

“Logan. I need your input. What you lack in computing, you make up for with unorthodox thinking.”