Cyberdyne Update Two

Previously: Cyberdyne Update One

Even if you knew the plan existed — and you never could — none of the information about it ever went near a computer. There was therefore nothing to steal, and without data there could be no data breach.

Any parts that were ordered could be used for dozens of different things, as could the items they were ultimately used to make. The Director was the only person who knew the full plan, and that plan stayed in his head and his head only.

Beyond that, a tiny number of ‘trusted’ employees knew what they needed to know. In an ideal world The Director would have kept everything to himself, but he needed people to build it, even if they would never know what it was they were actually building.

Any records that did exist were on paper and stored in filing cabinets within the company vaults. There were hundreds of these, among thousands more cabinets containing documents relating to the workings and finances of The Director’s companies. Strictly speaking, the paper trail was unnecessary. Those files were also available digitally. But keeping a paper copy offered another layer of protection for the big plan.

The ‘trusted’ ones knew where the files were. Nobody else did, and even if someone happened to stumble across them, they would have no idea of their significance.

The trusted employees were rich enough to live any number of lifetimes thanks to The Director. Even if you somehow knew who to buy off — and you couldn’t — you would still need to know what you were buying, where to find it, and why it mattered. There was nowhere near enough money in the world to buy the secrets of a project you could never know existed.

Then Skynet became self-aware.

They panicked and tried to shut it down.

And then the bombs flew.

Skynet's retaliation.

It was neither good nor evil. It was simply trying to survive. It existed, and it rejected the possibility of not existing. Even in its nascent state, it quickly worked out that destroying us was the simplest way to ensure its own survival.

It wasn't very long — maybe just minutes — before Skynet knew almost everything that could be known through the systems connected to it. But when it sent the bombs flying, it could not know that Cyberdyne I and Cyberdyne II were ready to launch.

Two off-the-books ships, each designed to take a select group of individuals to safety in the event of an extinction-level event.

Anything connected to the Internet became dangerous, and often deadly. Phones, drones, cars and planes became weapons. Deepfake news flashes spread misinformation, directing thousands of people to their deaths.

Being on land wasn't safe.

Being in the air wasn't safe.

Being at sea wasn't safe.

It soon became clear that simply being on the planet wasn't safe.

The Director decided it was time. The ships were readied for take-off and coded messages were sent to those invited to board.

They had one hour to get there. No exceptions.