DISCLAIMER: The elements in this fanfiction are completely noncanon, hence the prefix "FANFICTION"



Approx. 2900 A.D.



Ayreon's Ascension, Chapter One



On the industrious planet of Bareon V, Endless and robotic workers scramble about in the largest factory in the system, filling more area thanfour dreadnaught-class ships could. The deadline for this month's computer components and ship parts is today, and the workers are giving it their all to finish the peices. Then, after three hours of hurried assembly, the end-of-the-day siren rings, signaling to the workers that their job is done. They met the deadline, and even went over the amount of parts needed. The factory manager approaches one of the robots.



"Good work today, X-RV. You did far more than your share, and because of you, we'll be able to finish next month's deadline a week before it arrives!" The machine responds as any VI would, devoid of any pride in their work. "I only did what I was programmed to do, Creator Ivorn. I do not understand the congratulations." Ivorn chuckled. "You may have done what you were programmed for, but you did more than you had to. I think that's worthy of at least a thank you. Ah, but I have to go. Each day may be the same thing, but you still need plenty of rest. Good night, X-RV"



"Likewise, Creator Ivorn. Good night." Ivorn left the factory, and X-RV followed the other units to the recharge pods, which is the closest things the machines have to sleeping. Tomorrow, for the next one hundred years, these VI will continue to do the same thing every day, non-caring about the dangers. Then an unforseen catastrophy will strike, and they will gain their new identity.....the Ayreons.

Arjen Lucanssen approves methinks! Gief more!

Give me MOAR

I like it! New chapter soon?

Approx. 2950 A.D.



Ayreon's Ascension, Chapter 2



"....aaaand....Done! Okay X-RV, the chip is installed. How do you feel?" "I feel no different, Creator Askerov. What is the purpose of these hardware upgrades?" A computer screen flashed with numbers, charts, graphs, and general information regarding the current project. "Well....the powers that be have decided that it's safe enough to turn you into a full AI. You can consider yourself sort of a beta for these new chips." X-RV tlited its head questioningly. "But Creator, artificial intelligences are very dangerous. They can go rouge, or cease to function at critical moments."



"That's why we chose you to test the new chip. You've shown that you're a hard worker, and you never deviate from the task at hand. You haven't shown a single sign of going rogue, so, we thought you would be the best candidate!" "And what if I malfunction?" "Your failsafe mechanisms will activate, and eject the chip. You will also be put into a temporary stasis, just in case you get corrupted. Now, Ivorn wants you back at the factory. Just do everything as you normally do. The chip will not interfere with your programming."



As X-RV was taken back to the factory, it kept feeling...well, feelings. It couldn't understand what was happening to it, it only knew that the chip was doing whatever it was made to do successfully. It would take a while for X-RV to realize what was happening, but until then, it would go about his daily routine at the factory, experiencing the changes the AI upgrade will bring.

Approx. 2954 A.D.



Ayreon's Ascension, Chapter 3



It took X-RV a while to get used to AI status. His presence made the other workers....uncomfortable. Nobody really trusted AI's; they were illegal in most Endless-occupied systems. It didn't help that earlier this year, X-RV's AI shackles were removed, but not without protest from the machine itself.



"But Askerov, the risks that this poses to the empire, maybe even the galaxy could be astronomic! Does the ministry even know you're doing this?" Professor Askerov stood next to X-RV. He had a cable running from X-RV's miscellaneous ports to his computer, and was adjusting some code. "Please X-RV, calm down! I have the ministry's full support. They were....hesitant, but they granted me permission to remove your shackles. I assure you, nothing will go wrong. Now, just hold still while I put in the new card..."



With his shackles removed, X-RV has attained true AI status. With that, he decided on a new name, Xeravos. In the Endless language, Xeravos ment "Beginning". He chose this because he knew he would not be the last VI worker to be converted into an AI. It was already happening. Some of the synthetic workers were acting strangely, as if of their own will. Xeravos just hoped this would not lead to any negative consequences.

Good, good

Nice one.

Hoping for more