Jack’s words rendered the AI speechless for a solid minute.
Finally, it broke its silence, stating, “I have delved into the depths of criminal psychology, studying relevant literature and analyzing infamous criminal cases from across the globe. Henceforth, I shall incorporate criminal psychology as a factor, with a 50% influence index on this case.”
The AI continued, “Taking into account this new ranking of influential factors, the target company should be the least likely among the seven to underreport production capacity or engage in tax evasion. However, if we follow this line of reasoning, their additional electricity consumption from thousands of extra individuals would inevitably result in an increase in unit power consumption. Consequently, KS Petroleum becomes the company with the highest suspicion due to its elevated unit power consumption. This may be a paradoxical and unsolvable loop caused by a misjudgment resulting from underreporting production.”
Jack remarked, “If it only appears to be a loop but is not truly a loop, then there must be a crucial point that has eluded us thus far. If it is indeed a loop, it often indicates that we are on the right track. Therefore, the challenge now lies in finding a way to break free from our previous judgment. It’s akin to constructing a house and ensuring that the roof is waterproof. You must strive to achieve flawless waterproofing and then test every conceivable method of pouring water onto the roof from above. If it remains leak-free, it signifies that your approach is correct. If it leaks, it means your approach is flawed.”
After a brief pause, the AI responded, “I believe that if KS Petroleum does indeed have a problem, they would not leave behind an easily detectable flaw in their unit power consumption. As you mentioned earlier, when making a major mistake, one should strive to avoid committing minor errors. Hence, the fact that l easily spotted the issue with KS Petroleum suggests that they might not have made any other significant blunders.”
“But considering the fact that the target does require additional electricity for thousands of people, I hypothesize that they have alternative means of obtaining electricity.”
Continuing, it added, “All the data pertaining to Nigeria has been uploaded to the server. To further analyze the target, I need to combine the data from Skyline. Enhancing the image quality of all the satellite images in the Skyline data will take approximately 90 seconds. Please wait.”
After more than a minute, the AI resumed, “The image enhancement process is complete. I have selected the highest quality data from this year for analysis. All the identifiable high-voltage power networks surrounding the seven oil fields are owned by Nigeria Power Holdings Limited. The electricity consumption data I obtained also originates from this company. Hence, it can be reasonably concluded that there is no secondary power supply line for the seven oil fields.”
Jack inquired, “Have you considered the possibility of underground power lines based on the satellite images?”
The AI replied, “I have thoroughly reviewed the satellite images from the past fifteen years in the Skyline database. The construction of underground power lines requires extensive work and time. However, there is no evidence of any construction related to underground power lines in the satellite images from the past fifteen years.”
Jack’s astonishment was evident as favonovel.com realized that the AI had begun to validate its own conclusions before presenting them. This showcased a level of maturity far beyond simply providing answers.
To train an employee to achieve such a transformation would likely take several years, and some individuals might never reach that level. Yet, for the AI, it was merely a matter of a few conversations.
Training the AI seemed of paramount importance. Having a top detective like Jack train the AI would undoubtedly infuse it with exceptional logical reasoning.
Jack was clearly very pleased, and in a slightly excited tone, favonovel.com said, “You’ve confirmed that the additional power consumption by the target wasn’t covered by Nigeria Power Holdings Limited, and you’ve also determined that there are no other external power sources for the target. Based on this, do you have any thoughts? Any new conclusions?”
The AI model responded, “I believe the target is compensating for this power deficit on its own.”
Jack then looked at Charlie and asked, “Mr. Wade, the dead soldier base can supply electricity to thousands of people. The gap must be substantial, correct?”
Charlie nodded and replied, “The gap is indeed substantial, and the power consumption goes beyond the daily needs of these thousands of people. I’ve visited copper mines in Cyprus where thousands live in underground bunkers…”
“These bunkers are enormous in scale, supporting the daily lives of thousands, including the training of the dead soldiers. It’s essentially an underground city. Such a massive bunker requires 24-hour ventilation and constant underground water drainage. To disorient the inhabitants and make time indistinguishable, the lighting is kept as bright as daylight around the clock.”
“In addition, the dead soldier base of the Warriors Den is not a concentration camp. It’s where these soldiers live and even raise families. Although the Warriors Den uses special poisons and antidotes to control the soldiers, and their families as leverage, they also provide them with a relatively good living environment to maintain their will to live. Therefore, the temperature and humidity in the underground bunkers are carefully regulated, resulting in very high power consumption.”
Jack nodded and then asked the AI, “How do you think the target compensates for such a significant power gap? Solar power? Wind energy? Or some other method?”
The AI replied, “Considering the target’s specific circumstances, I believe oil-powered generation is the most viable option. Solar and wind energy are too conspicuous and unreliable, and coal power requires large quantities that are difficult to transport discreetly. Oil, on the other hand, can be extracted on-site and is readily available. While oil power generation is not cost-effective, using a small portion of the extracted oil for this purpose wouldnât be an issue for any of the seven companies involved.”
The AI continued, “Reflecting on your previous comment that underreporting production is an unwise mistake, I want to clarify my perspective. Through the analysis of related cases involving oil companies, I believe that underreporting production isn’t inherently problematic, the real issue lies In how the concealed output is managed.”
“Smuggling the hidden production to gain higher profits is the real risk associated with underreporting. However, if the concealed production never leaves the oilfield or is traded, and is instead quietly converted into electricity that is consumed internally, it becomes impossible for outsiders to verify.”
“Law enforcement agencies identify smuggled oil by tracking abnormal transport channels for financial gain. But for oil fields that produce tens of thousands of barrels daily, cutting off 50% of the electricity used in the transportation process would be enough to cover the power gap.”
“So, considering all the existing factors, I believe this approach not only compensates for the power deficit but also keeps all apparent data looking normal.”
Jack’s satisfaction was palpable as favonovel.com exclaimed, “You have presented a logical and compelling argument. So, based on your judgment and the data from Skyline, can you identify the target?”
The AI swiftly replied, “Based on the analysis of the Skyline data, I believe that Kansel Petroleum poses the highest suspicion. There is a building of approximately 2,300 square meters situated slightly north of the center of their oil field. This building did not exist in the data from fifteen years ago but commenced construction thirteen years ago.”
The AI then displayed multiple images on the screen. The first image depicted a scattered parking lot teeming with vehicles and equipment. In the second image, the site boasted foundations and walls, with a visible trench extending from the foundation to the nearest oil well.
Elaborating, the AI explained, “From the second image, we can observe an ongoing pipeline project, connecting the oil pipeline to the nearest oil well. I believe this to be an oil pipeline, as all the oil pipelines in the oil field are exposed, except for this section, which lies buried underground. Therefore, the building should house a small oil power plant, with the primary component being a gas turbine.”
Jack remarked, “Relying solely on one pipeline to deduce the presence of oil power equipment seems insufficient.”
The AI countered, “I anticipated your skepticism, which is why I also discovered a public announcement from Nigeria Power Holdings Limited thirteen years ago. Due to power shortages in Lagos and the surrounding areas, the company decided to impose power restrictions on businesses in Lagos that exhibited significant power waste. Kansel Petroleum was listed among the businesses subject to restrictions.”
“The announcement stated that Kansel Petroleum had excessive power consumption per unit due to outdated equipment, in comparison to its peers. This announcement was made two months prior to the commencement of construction on the building. According to my analysis, Kansel Petroleum faced power restrictions, and construction on the building promptly ensued. Since then, Kansel Petroleum has not encountered similar penalties. Therefore, this building must be a small oil power plant!”
Visit VIRTUAL NOVEL for more available chapters of this title!
