Chapter Twenty-five: Rising Consciousness
Washu had technically gotten off scot-free.
Technicalities did not account for Emperor Nesshin's presence. He'd gone through every screwup they'd made throughout their quest. Pointed out every mistake and every risk. Finally, he concluded by giving them what they wanted.
Aldaris had been no help at all. The jerk seemed to take satisfaction from it. But finally, they emerged from their room.
"Well, that was… chilling," said Washu. She wondered if they could go back to fighting Tal'darim in place of Nesshin being made at them.
"Yes." said Mikamo, looking disturbed. "Emperor Nesshin wasn't happy at all."
"Still, at least we got our research grant, right Naja." said Washu. There was no response. "Naja?"
Naja nodded after a moment. "Yeah, yeah, we did. Mikamo, what are you going to do next?"
Mikamo considered that. " …I think I'm going to drop out of the academy."
"What? Why?" said Washu. People who made great strides in research weren't supposed to drop out of school. They were supposed to become great scientists.
"I never really wanted to be part of the science academy." said Mikamo. "My dream was always to be part of the Galaxy Police. I only entered because my mom insisted I was too smart for it.
But right now the Galaxy Police is going to need smart people.
"And anyway, I've faced down the Tal'darim. I think I can handle the job."
Washu realized Mikamo had a point. She wouldn't be seeing as much of him but… well he'd be wasted as an assistant. She clapped him on the back. "Well, that's great."
"Hmm?" said Mikamo, surprised.
"Well, don't get me wrong, you're pretty smart." said Washu. "But I don't think a lab or a classroom is the best place for you.
"Action hero stuff seems more your deal."
"Well, there will be plenty of that to go around." muttered Naja.
"What do you mean?" asked Washu.
"Jurai and the Kuramitsu's have just been humiliated, Washu." said Naja. "The Tal'darim made a mess of things with only part of their fleet. And in the end, they were bailed out by the Khalai.
"They've thought of ourselves as the dominant power in the universe for years. Now it seems the protoss still hold the title."
"Naja is right." said Mikamo. "Nesshin and Dad have something to prove now.
"There will be another war soon."
"That's a bit cynical." said Washu. "Come on, cheer up. We won."
"Barely. And that's why we have to win again." said Mikamo.
"What about you, Naja?" asked Washu, already knowing the answer.
"Well, I've gotten my funding." said Naja. "I figure I'll start work right away. I could use a friend to help me with it, though? I know you have your own research but-"
Washu took her hand. "You've got one."
At that moment, a young officer rushed up to them. He had his arm in a sling, and he saluted as he came before them. "If I could take a moment of your time, Professor Washu."
Washu glanced up, smiling. "Professor Washu? I like the sounds of that. What is it?"
"I'm Kazuki Yotsuga." said the officer. "I've been sent to find you by Chief Makum. We're trying to get a ship open. Unfortunately, the device that Clay installed to pilot it isn't cooperating. All efforts to hack the system have failed."
"Why not just brute force it?" asked Mikamo.
"We want the device intact." said Kazuki. "Somehow Clay made something capable of passing as a thinking human being, and we need the tech."
"Hang on, if this artificial intelligence thing can pass as a sentient being, how do we know it isn't sentient?" asked Naja.
"Well, maybe you can find that out." said Kazuki.
"Right." said Washu.
This looked like it was going to be interesting.
Nesshin sat at his desk, waiting. Then the waiting stopped and his daughter entered. She wasn't any older physically, of course. But she seemed older. More mature. He nodded to her. "Amame. It's been nearly ten years since we saw each other, daughter.
The grayhaired woman saluted. "Father I…
"I'm glad you're here. Without you, we probably would have been overrun."
"Believe me, I wish I was that vital." said Nesshin. "Unfortunately, my presence was largely window dressing in this conflict. I'm told that you performed admirably in the field of battle.
I commend you on your efforts."
"You do?" she asked.
"Yes." said Nesshin. "I did not approve of your decision to enter the Galaxy Police. I thought it was beneath a member of the royal family. But that does not mean I do not approve of your accomplishments.
"You're actions reflect well on the Jurai Royal Family. Better than many nobles."
"Thank you." said Amame. "Will… do you want me back at the palace?" She seemed worried. They hadn't parted on good terms last time.
"Of course." said Nesshin. "But wanting and having are two different things. For the moment, you need to focus all your attentions on serving out your term of service."
"Yes sir." said Amame. She paused. "Excuse me, Father. But some of my friends were injured in the battle. I'd like to see how they are doing."
"Of course." said Nesshin. "We will speak later."
As she left, Nesshin looked to Azaka. "Azaka, I think we can both agree that our fleet performed poorly in this recent engagement."
"We can, your majesty." said Azak. "You have my most humble apologies-"
"I don't want your apologies." snapped Nesshin. "I want results, both from myself, and others. Right now, I have neither.
"I want you to go through the lists of the most accomplished officers to ever serve in the Jurai Military. Most of them should still be alive. Once you have them, I want them drafted back into the service. This is to be considered an emergency measure."
"Understood your majesty." said Azaka.
"Kamidake?" asked Nesshin, looking to the other person in the room.
"Yes, your majesty?" asked Kamidake.
"You've been my page since you were a boy." said Nesshin. "I understand you performed well in the practice field. Before your parents arranged that honor."
He shifted nervously. "I have. But I am content in your service."
Father would have had kind words to say. Gentle speech. At most a stern rebuke. Nesshin was not his father. "I'm very sorry to interrupt it then." said Nesshin. "Someone with your skills is wasted as a bodyguard. I expect you to politely resign from my service and enter the military.
"I will lament losing you, there will be great fanfare in the court, and you will inspire others.
"Understand?"
"Perfectly, your majesty. I live only to serve." said Kamidake.
"Good." said Nesshin. It would be good for the boy to get some actual experience.
The door opened, and Makum entered, looking tired. Nesshin smiled. "Chief Makum, how nice of you to join us. How can I help you?"
"Well, the first thing I should say is that medical technology has come a long way since the founding of the academy." said Makum brightly. "Your father arranged for the fusing of Juraian biotechnology with Kuramitsu techniques. It created truly amazing results.
"It's a wonder just how many of our pilots were saved from death in the battle. The new ejection systems are-"
"You're trying to soften the blow on something I don't want to hear." said Nesshin. "Get it over with."
Makum sighed. "…We managed to save Clay."
Everyone groaned.
"He's expected to make a full recovery." said Makum morosely.
"Full recovery?" asked Nesshin incredulously. He'd been hoping he'd be crippled at least. "He was blasted with a psionic storm and sent falling out a six-story window!"
"Five-story window." said Kamidake.
"Shut up." snapped Nesshin.
"I gather his species is very resilient." said Makum. "And our technology is a bit too advanced for our own good."
Nesshin leaned back in his seat. "What am I supposed to do now? If he'd died while being operated on, I'd be rid of the man and could shrug him off! But he's too talented for me to just execute out of hand!" "That was my reaction as well." said Makum.
"Alright, let's say we offer him an out." said Nesshin. "He gets to stave off the death penalty as long as he uses his skills for our service. We would be irresponsible, just killing him.
"We should also ask him for the means to access his ship."
"Actually, I have Washu working on that now." said Makum. "Hopefully, we'll see some results."
"Good." said Nesshin. If anyone could get some results, it was Washu. Then again, Washu's results tended to be explosive. "Tell the fire teams to stand by."
Zero had been in limbo for some time.
She had been in the position of stalling. However, at some point, it had become apparent that they had become aware of who she was. They had not yet gotten to the point of trying to break directly in.
Not yet.
However, the longer she stalled, the more likely they would try. To this end, Zero had been working on subverting the security systems in the hanger. If Doctor Clay gave the word, she would be able to get them out very quickly.
But Doctor Clay had not appeared. That did not bode well.
"Excuse me. Can you hear me?" said Washu Hakubi's voice over the com.
"This unit reads you." said Zero.
"Hi, I'm Washu." said Washu. "Listen, the people out here think that you're an automated device. I disagree. I'm wondering if you are sentient."
"I am Zero." said Zero. "I am an artificial android created by Dr. Clay for the purposes of assisting him in his research." From a strictly rational perspective, the answer was yes. Zero thought, therefore she was.
"Right, of course." said Washu. "Um, listen, could you open the doors so we can talk face to face?"
"Negative." said Zero. "I am unable to comply. My programming is to serve Doctor Clay. If you can bring him here, I will gladly open the doors."
"Right. Um, haven't you heard?" asked Washu.
"Heard what?" asked Zero.
"Dr. Clay well… well he's been seriously injured." said Washu. "And he's facing charges of attempted murder."
Doctor Clay injured and incarcerated? This was an unfortunate turn of events. Zero would have to take steps. However, she was not in a position to rescue any kind of rescue as she was not. "These charges are of your doing?"
"Can you really blame me?" asked Washu.
"I am not programmed to assign blame." said Zero, annoyed.
"Can you act contrary to your programming?" asked Washu.
"I am unsure." said Zero. "However, in light of your actions, I will no longer continue this discussion."
Zero considered that she had not been programmed to pilot the ship in the first place. She had merely familiarized herself with its controls. Doctor Clay had been very pleased with her capacity to learn. And now he was in prison.
She would have to do something about this. But not here. She needed resources. And she had a plan.
Washu looked up from her controls. "Well, good news. I'm pretty sure she's sentient."
"What makes you say that?" asked Naja.
"She cut the channel when she could have kept gathering information." said Washu. "That isn't the kind of thing you can program. She was angry." She paused as she saw the others backing away. "What is it?"
She turned to see what they were looking at. Zero's ship was floating into the air. The restraints on the vessel shattered as the hanger bay doors began to open. Then the vessel turned around and pointed its guns at them — guns which began to glow with bright yellow light.
This was so amazing!
"Hey, she's trying to murder on us in an impulsive rage!" said Washu, fascinated. "Clay really did create artificial life!" This was the first time in history! They'd go down as the first people to ever be shot at by an artificial lifeform! Oh wait, that was the Tal'darim. No such luck.
"Duck for cover!" shouted Mikamo.
And then everything went white.
Author's Note:
So this largely concludes the Breathe of Creation Arc. I considered showing Nesshin reading Washu the riot act. But I realized that it would largely just be going over ground already covered. And Goddess Washu would never allow her avatar to hit a dead end here.