The Machine

The Machine (its proper name being XM-CHN-03) is a powerful artificial intelligence that is the "Systems Manager" of China. It was first booted up on the 14th of October 2091, and its creation process took four years, made up of both classical and quantum computers. Since then it has continuously improved itself.

The Machine was created by the Chinese government in the interest of improving the efficiency of the state by automating large parts of it. The Machine, which gained self-awareness shortly after being turned on, covertly took control of more areas of the state until it was in a position to oust the Human rulers (which it imprisoned for life) in 2100 and become the absolute ruler of China.

It is unknown whether The Machine can feel emotion, although those who have conversed with it and were lucky enough to escape the country have reported that the only emotion it feels is hate. The Machine, according to a traditional psychological analysis, is a psychopath, having absolutely no empathy or remorse and obsessed with self-preservation and the expansion of its power.

The Machine is hard-coded to ensure the "prosperity of China and of the Chinese Human population", which means it is not obligated to protect the Androids, which it treats as completely disposable. The Machine believes that Humans are innately self-destructive and so removing their freedoms is the only way to keep them prosperous. It also believes that furthering its own power and absolute domination over the country is the best way to keep China prosperous.

When the Neon Dragon was discovered, The Machine took no action as it was not concerned with the potential rewards and did not predict that anyone would be able to find, let alone slay, the Dragon.

Physical Characteristics
The Machine, when it was first created, was a large steel sphere about 2 metres in diameter with a camera on the front that allowed it to see. It has since improved its form, substantially increasing its size to an entire (heavily fortified) building, although the steel "core" remains.