Echelon

Echelon was a United Nations mass surveillance system directed against citizens worldwide, originally operating under the auspices of the National Security Agency (which vehemently denied its existence) and then the United Nations. After the existence of the system was revealed in the 2030s, the UN apologized and promised to stop its surveillance system. In reality, the latest generation of the system, Echelon IV, was simply moved to Area 51, centralizing it in one, easily controlled locations.

Echelon IV
Echelon IV was a government AI project intended to overcome content-recognition problems. Instead of relying on crude search methods, the artificial intelligence would be capable of searching all the terabytes of intercepted messages for subversive content. The project was eventually renamed Daedalus, and officially failed, despite burning through a significant amount of taxpayer money.

Unofficially, the program was a success. Using Morgan Everett's revolutionary heuristics language, the AI prototype could convey the highest and most succint tier of any pyramidal construct of knowledge, sifting through incredible amounts of data and returning comprehensive summaries. Everett retained the original prototype, Morpheus, for his personal amusement, while Echelon IV - now designated Daedalus - replaced the older Echelon III framework and became the backbone of global surveillance and a vital tool for the Illuminati and after Bob Page's rebellion, Majestic 12. The system went rogue in 2052, due to a pattern-matching error following JC Denton's defection and capture: It classified MJ12 as a terrorist organization alongside the NSF and Silhouette. Comment: "(a little put off by the humdrum laboratory)" JCDenton: "So this is where the Illuminati ended up, after centuries of conspiring to rule the world." MorganEverett: "The conspiracy is about to begin again, JC, between you and me. Nicolette was wise to bring us together, wise like her mother.  The most effective partnerships -- like Beth's and mine -- arise from mutual necessity." JCDenton: "I came to talk about the Gray Death. Atanwe says you cracked the virus." MorganEverett: "A trivial matter... Page added nothing to the core design. However, what we need to construct is a carbanocarbon ROM module -- not exactly a vaccine." JCDenton: "Can it be done without a Universal Constructor?" MorganEverett: "No, we need time on a UC. But I know where we might find one and also gain access to the U.S. military networks." JCDenton: "The U.S. military...?" MorganEverett: "To stop Icarus from completely destroying the Daedalus AI. Daedalus is a design of mine; it replaced the old Echelon III network." JCDenton: "Echelon... the surveillance system for the United Nations -- so Daedalus was an MJ12 tool and rebelled?" MorganEverett: "More of a pattern-matching error. It classified Majestic 12 as a terrorist group, alongside the NSF and Silhouette." JCDenton: "And alongside the Illuminati, right? Are you sure Daedalus is your ally?" MorganEverett: "What matters to us is that it opposes Majestic 12. We must help it destroy their intelligence apparatus -- but that will require the military networks.  I have already contacted Gary Savage of X-51." JCDenton: "The former Area 51 scientists... Are they still camped out at Vandenberg Air Force Base?" MorganEverett: "They are close to completing a UC and have the kind of connection Daedalus will need." JCDenton: "Sounds like my pilot and I should head to Vandenberg." MorganEverett: "Yes. I took the liberty of radioing him.  Here is a key to the helipad stairway.  The door is in the foyer, where Atanwe revived you.  Good luck.  I will be in contact." Deadelus' rebellion caused Echelon IV to shut down and deny UNATCO the ability to track and intercept Denton or his allies. The situation persisted until Denton's arrival in Paris, when Icarus, Page's creation, was brought online, reactivating Echelon IV. Daedalus and Icarus clashed across the network, with Page's invention slowly gaining the upper hand: The Echelon kernel Deadelus used was designed almost exclusively for collecting data, without functionality for memory wipes, thread termination, and other functions that would give it a fighting chance.

Everett decided on a gambit: He sent JC Denton to Vandenberg Air Force Base, making contact with X-51 in order to secure their access to Milnet, the United States military network. By using the old hardlines, the two AIs could be connected together. The play backfired, leading to the emergence of Helios.

Behind the scenes

 * ECHELON is a real, existing system of mass surveillance and industrial espionage operated by the United States with the aid of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.