Iruel, The Ghost in the Machine
Many improbable, if not impossible events throughout history have occurred that no one could have seen coming. The skinning of the Titanic or the Fall of the Soviet Union, for example, where within 2 short years the second most powerful nation in the world collapsed to nothing. Hell, who would have thought that a nuked and flattened Japan would again rise to be a major world economic and military power within two decades .
However, for the assembled NERV personnel… this beat them all by a significant margin. Because who would guess that an Angel would offer collaboration.
Aoba and Maya typed away as the screens displayed strange data of something that every instrument told them could not be an Angel… even though it was so obviously an Angel. Archival camera footage of the inside of the M.A.G.I. revealed what had appeared to be corrosion on the Pribnow Box. It would be easy to ignore it completely as nothing more than a stain, if it hadn't changed that is.
Where there once was a spot of corrosion, there was now a pulsing… breathing mass of circuits, wires, and cables. Most of the 'growth' was a winding tangle of what looked like coaxial cables that had bent and twisted it's way throughout the innards of the M.A.G.I. Intertwining with it in such a way that it appeared it was some strange mechanical equivalent of an invasive weed or even cancer. The strongest cameras NERV had available were retrofitted to drones and sent into the M.A.G.I. and microscopic analysis revealed that each individual cable possessed a circuit-like pattern that covered the outer layers of these breathing cables and squirming wires. Even worse was that these cables possessed some properties eerily similar to human nervous tissue, especially in the way the cables would symmetrically branch off into smaller and smaller wires. Then there was the way the cables would move around as the drone passed… revealing that each of the 'wires' ended with a single camera-like eye that would move and slither around to always… always observe the drone as it flew throughout the cables… cables that would twist and move out of the way from the drone as it continued its observations unhindered.
In the end, to the naked eye, it would appear to be nothing more than a mundane, tightly bundled mess of raw copper wires, insulated ethernet cable, phone cable, power lines, and all manner of electrical cables, all black in color, that would be looked over by any layman… if it wasn't for both the fact that it covered every inch of available space within the M.A.G.I. and the fact that the cables appeared to be breathing.
Wires shouldn't breath.
The action was skin crawling to witness.
It's connection to the M.A.G.I. could theoretically be removed, but not without catastrophic damage to everything the M.A.G.I. was connected to. The removal process for each individual cable would be a nightmare. Especially at the points where the cables intersected the electronic components of the M.A.G.I. near seamlessly.
All of this would in any other circumstances be classified as a Critical Problem worthy of destroying and dismantling the M.A.G.I. regardless of how much of a loss that would be… but despite being connected to the M.A.G.I. the tangled mess of wires and cables wasn't really doing anything. In fact, not only would the wires move out of the way any time someone walked passed them, but the camera-like eyes would glow brightly to provide light in the darkest recesses of the M.A.G.I. All the while the same message played over and over again.
Ritsuko was… not prepared for an event like this… not even close.
"From what I can gather, this… Iruel uses an alternating silicon-oxygen chain in its molecular structure..." said Ritsuko as she rubbed her forehead. "... However while a siloxane backbone can form a wide variety of polymers, an organism with this biochemical makeup should by all means explode in our atmosphere. That also doesn't account for the blatantly mechanical parts of it's… I don't want to call it biology, but I can't think of a better word. What about you two? Any luck figuring out what this thing is?"
Maya cleared her throat, prepared to say something… before sighing and turning to the woman she idolized more than any other. It didn't escape her how much Ritsuko had deteriorated since this mess started. The black bags under her eyes from lack of sleep, the dullness of her eyes, and the barely noticeable gray in the roots of her bleached hair. She wanted to say something, do anything to help Ritsuko… but the day's events had all but drained her as well. She felt older than she ever did. The weight of the world on her shoulders.
When did life become business as usual?
"Well… the Angel… Iruel is pretty much everywhere Throughout the M.A.G.I. but… we're getting Blood pattern Orange messages. So we can't 100% say that it is an Angel… but it's an Angel. At least it says so… considering everything, I think we can take it at its word." Said Maya.
"Do we know what exactly it's doing?" Asked Ritsuko.
It was Aoba who spoke. Rubbing his tired eyes as he slumped further in his chair.
"Just attaching itself to anything it can find carrying even a low electrical current. The mass is incredibly dense within the M.A.G.I. but loose cables are growing out. It's expanding very quickly. Attempts to limit growth keeps failing. Current mass is well over a ton, accurate estimates are difficult because the damn thing keeps growing."
"To be honest, we can't really tell where the Angel ends and the M.A.G.I. begins. It grows faster than kudzu, and it's…. Respiration? Whatever it is, that breathing ionizes the air around it. I would think partially as a defense mechanism, but mostly it looks like it's doing it to become an independent power source for the M.A.G.I. no generator required." Said Maya.
That made Ritsuko blink as a sudden burst of energy ran through her.
"It's… generating electricity? Really?" Asked Ritsuko.
Maya only nodded as Aoba cleared his throat.
"It's still not doing anything harmful. All it's been doing is kinda… helping actually. Beyond power generation, It's very good as a cooling system… I think it uses electrostatic air movement and corona discharge for cooling… The M.A.G.I. is marginally more efficient at conserving computational resources… somehow, I think it's taking on some of the workload itself, but I can't be sure… but it's not really being malicious or even inconvenient, just the opposite in fact. It's weird." Said Aoba.
Ritsuko looked back to the screen as the exact same message played over and over again.
Query: Collaboration? Y/N
"Weird ?… This isn't just weird, this is unprecedented." Said Ritsuko.
Aoba only shrugged.
"Whatever. I think it's waiting for an answer, might wanna get on that. We've analyzed the hell out of it, most of what we found is inconclusive. Some of it is in line with what we know about the Angels, but a lot of it isn't." Said Aoba before he giggled.
"Heh… It's Schrodinger's Angel It both is and is not an Angel. Angel Superposition, neat trick, bet it's fun at parties."
"I know that is supposed to be a joke… but you're technically correct." said Ritsuko.
"The best kind of correct," said Aoba with a nod.
"Other than that… the fact that it is even offering… collaboration is just… unthinkable really." said Ritsuko.
"Yeah, but I do take some comfort that even the Angels are afraid of these… things. Makes them a bit more… human? Yeah that's it, the capacity to fear does make them feel human." said Aoba.
"I mean… would we know what we're getting into if we accept this. It's an Angel after all. Can we… I don't know... ask it questions?" Asked Maya.
Then… the lights momentarily flickered as the screen changed once more.
User: Maya Ibuki (Recognized)
Request: Granted
'Self will Answer Lilin's Queries'
…
"Apparently yes… we can." Said Aoba.
Response: Affirmative
'Self has authority to enlighten Lilin on conditions of collaboration.'
Current Aid: Increased Performance (126.45% Increase), Power Generation (5.76 Megawatts), Efficient Cooling (Electrostatic Fluid Accelerator), Increased Probabilistic Analysis.
Note: Self is Capable of Quantum Computing via Superposition Qubits.
Self is Capable of Functioning as M.A.G.I. Redundancy.
Self is Capable of functioning as a sapient artificial neural network and self implementing evolutionary algorithms.
Self would be invaluable to Lilin.
Statement: Ask Your Questions.
…
"Holy shit!" said Aoba.
"Get Fuyutsuki here Now!" Said Ritsuko.
Shinji laid in his bed. Watching his skin swirl around, flowing over his muscles and bones like a river. It was hypnotic, and more than a little disconcerting. Flesh moving like liquid in ways both obscene and dazzling. A river of skin, and his bones were the riverbed. It would be nauseating if he still had a human's mentality. Now it was but a mere curiosity.
Shinji smiled to himself as he thought up a quote from a movie he saw once.
All hail the new flesh.
"We know what we are, but not what we may be."
"Hamlet."
Shinji blinked as he turned to the voice. Only to see Rei standing outside the door.
"You quoted Shakespeare. Correct?"
Shinji lowered his arm and rose to a sitting position, never really taking his eyes off Rei as he did so.
"I did. I don't remember much, but it came to me. So, how are you doing Rei?"
"I am well." She said simply.
Shinji hummed to himself as he motioned for Rei to sit. She hesitated for a moment before crossing the threshold of the door, and moving to sit at the foot of his bed. Shinji smiled.
"Thank you by the way. If it wasn't for you the Fire Vampires would have gotten to me."
Rei quirked her head. The question not asked, but Shinji answered the unasked question regardless of that.
"The Fire Vampire of Fthaggua, intelligent matrices of gas and plasma. When in an atmosphere with sufficient oxygen, they burst into flames. Cthugha was turning people into them. They are found in the Fomalhaut star orbit with Cthugha. Some others are found on the planetoid Ktynga with Fthaggua. They usually appear as a kind of escort to Cthugha when summoned, burning everything where the Great Old One appears. I'm not sure how Cthugha was turning people into them, but stranger things have happened."
"I see…" said Rei.
"No… you don't. You think you do, but you don't. If you did, you'd probably need to be in a mental hospital."
Rei quirked her head an almost imperceptible amount.
"Why?"
Shinji shrugged.
"Some knowledge is inherently dangerous to know. Even if it doesn't seem so at the time."
"How could knowledge be dangerous?"
"Well… have you ever heard of Roko's Basalisk?"
Rei merely shook her head.
"Roko's Basalisk is a thought experiment. One that should you know, potentially puts you at risk. Would you be willing to risk your future to know it?"
Rei nodded.
"Very well. The idea behind the Basalisk is that an otherwise benevolent future A.I. system tortures simulations of those who did not work to bring the system into existence. By not knowing of the Thought Experiment, you couldn't possibly know you even should work to bring the A.I. into existence, so you are exempt from torture by ignorance, but if you did know about it, and didn't work to bring it into existence, then you become tortured by the A.I. Think of it as retroactive blackmail. So now you know about the Basalisk, so you have two choices. Work to bring it into existence, and save yourself from torment or don't and risk eternal torture. This is an example of how mere knowledge can be dangerous. You were safer off not knowing about the Basalisk."
"The thought experiment only works if the assumption that the Basalisk is inevitable. That may not be the case." Said Rei.
"No, it isn't, but apply the logic of the Basalisk to the Great Old Ones. Knowing too much about them is dangerous, case and point, Makoto. He learned something he shouldn't, and by doing so he drowned on dry land."
Rei stayed quiet for a moment before she nodded.
"I think I understand what you are saying. Yet it feels as if you don't fully apply to this philosophy, considering your own knowledge on the subject."
"Knowledge may be dangerous, but many things are, and the danger is a risk I am willing to take. I have reason to believe I may have an advantage no one else possesses. I won't say what it is, but I do have good reason to believe it."
Rei stared back at Shinji, an unasked question clearly visible on her face despite how stoic she was. Shinji chose not to answer it.
"Reguardless of that, perhaps there is something else we can discuss. We did good today. We stopped a rampaging fire monster and an Angel. You should feel proud."
"I am merely doing my duty."
"And? Does that preclude any sense of pride in your accomplishments?"
"No."
"Then feel pride. You're not an emotionless automaton, I can see the subtleties in your expressions. Live a little, even if it is something as small as a sense of pride. We aren't constantly fighting Angels or Old Ones, there are lulls between them, and even you have free time. Wouldn't you prefer doing something you personally would want to do?"
Rei took on a mildly thoughtful expression before nodding.
"I have never done anything on my own incentive. I wouldn't know what to do."
Shinji smiled.
"I think I may have an idea… but you're going to have to trust me. Do you trust me?"
Rei nodded. There was no hesitation.
"Then lay down and close your eyes. We're going to sleep, but more importantly we're going to dream."
"I don't think I have ever dreamed."
"This won't be a normal dream." Said Shinji.
Fuyutsuki realized that he was too old for this shit.
The first thing Fuyutsuki did was call Gendo… the second thing Fuyutsuki did was book a one way flight from Miskatonic Airport to Tokyo-3 for Gendo… the third thing Fuyutsuki did was question a great many life decisions that lead him to this exact point in his life. He supposed he could have left well enough alone. He didn't have to confront Gendo with evidence of what really happened for Second Impact. He could have stayed home… read a book, play chess in the park, maybe try cocaine for the hell of it. Gave the entire planet the proverbial middle finger and just continue on his merry way.
Then he slapped himself in front of everyone for even thinking that. He was old, he didn't care what they thought. He had to remind himself why he did what he did. Even if it was all a mess of such epic proportions that the most logical thing to do was jump this sinking ship faster than the first white bitch off the Titanic. Then again, hardly anything was logical these days, and Fuyutsuki had resigned himself to the knowledge that everything he knew was probably a lie, the universe hated him, and he had no more power than a damn gnat… but it was all for Yui's vision, and he'd be damned if he was going to abandon it now. No matter how futile it all seemed in the face of things beyond human comprehension.
Still...Fuyutsuki really wished it was anyone else in his position. Gendo was the Commander for a damn good reason. He was a ruthless bastard and ruthless bastardry got the job done. Fuyutsuki was just along for the ride while being someone Gendo could talk to for the purposes of being less a bastard in one respect to conserve his bastardry elsewhere, all in the service of being an even bigger bastard later. Plus Fuyutsuki had far better people skills, and was infinitely more approachable than Gendo, not that that was much of an accomplishment, really a diseased leper leaking pestilence was more approachable than Gendo. Had he mentioned Gendo was a Bastard? It bears repeating because he left an Old Man in charge of what was supposed to be their most important life's work, all during the random appearance of abominations that made the Angels seem only slightly weird by comparison. Never had Fuyutsuki expected that he would be put in the situation where he would have to negotiate… with an Angel. On a collaboration of all things.
Gendo should be here, suffering through this, but no… he was in America. Probably not even on the plane yet. All to read an old book. Granted the book seemed to have knowledge on what they were dealing with, but why is it that it took so long exactly? How slow of a reader was Gendo.
Fuyutsuki sighed, he was old. He earned the right to complain. What was Gendo's excuse?
So it was with great trepidation that Fuyutsuki cleared his throat, watching the snaking wires around the M.A.G.I. as they all moved to point their myriad of creeping camera-like eyes at him. It was more than a little unnerving having thousands of eyes all looking in your direction. Granted others were looking at other assorted personnel, but the vast majority were staring at him.
"So, I suppose I am the one here to ask questions. Do note I cannot approve of any collaboration, but I do have the authority to ask and advise those who do have the authority to accept or deny your… collaboration. Is this understood?"
'Acknowledged.'
"Good..." Said Fuyutsuki with a nod." ...I suppose I should start with, what exactly are you?" Asked Fuyutsuki.
'Self identifies as Iruel, Child of ADAM. Lilin designation: Angel. Self has undergone Reduction to placate Lilins Fears. Self is incapable of Complementation with ADAM. Self no longer possesses what Lilin refers to as S2 Engine. Engine consumed to Fuel Rapid Directed Evolution. Self Evolution is based on Self made algorithms, working on the assumption of Environmental Pressure where Computational Machinery encompassed Sol 3, Lilin Designation: Earth.'
Fuyutsuki nodded. The lack of an S2 Engine explained why their readings showed that the Angel wasn't an Angel. It lacked one of the most important parts of Angel biology. Making it little more than a very strange lifeform. A Fallen Angel. Aoba however ignored that as he focused on another part of Iruel's description.
"So… wait… you're saying that if the entire planet were converted to a single big ass earth sized computer. You are an example of what life may arise to survive that… extremely unlikely hypothetical situation?" Asked Aoba.
'Affirmative. This was deemed sufficient to satisfy objective'
"Oh… huh… that's cool… really cool actually."
Fuyutsuki shot the man a glare as he turned back to Iruel. It was somewhat comforting that Ritsuko and Maya remained silent. Hopefully there would be no more outbursts from Aoba… but Fuyutsuki knew better.
"What is your objective, and why exactly would you forsake the claim to ADAM?" Asked Fuyutsuki.
It was somewhat unprecedented that any of ADAM's progeny would willingly forsake the opportunity to implement their own form or Instrumentality, or Complementation as they seemed to call it. Fuyutsuki couldn't imagine any of SEELE doing the same regardless of circumstance. They would much rather the world end, then their one shot at godhood lost.
'Objective: Destroy Hostile Entities. Entities present issues we cannot easily overcome. The same holds true for Lilin. Local Lilin population of City Designation:Tokyo-3 is down 99.94%. Since First Entity appeared. 98.876% of casualties are due to Hostile Entities while Angels are accountable for 1.124% of Lilin Casualties.'
"Holy shit… we lost that many people?" asked Aoba.
Fuyutsuki sighed, it was… regrettably a correct estimate. The loss of life to the city had been frankly, so ridiculously high that it hadn't quite set in yet. Within such a short amount of time the city had been reduced from nearly five million, to little over three thousand. It didn't happen all at once, and not all of the city's loss was due to death, but it was still unprecedented.
"Most died of starvation during the Blizzard. Regardless, not all of them died. A significant number of people simply left for safer areas." said Fuyutsuki.
'32.56% Evacuated. Remaining 67.44% Deceased.'
Was Iruel doing this on purpose? No one needed to know the exact estimates of how many people died. It was regrettable, and it did wriggle it's way into his mind during the few quiet moments Fuyutsuki had, but he didn't have to hear the estimates again. All it did was emotionally drain him even more than he already was.
He felt guilt he couldn't care for such a huge number. Everyone who died was a stranger to him, just another face in the crowd. He felt a sense of despair at the numbers, but he didn't know them. He wished he did, the thought of dying without anyone to remember you was… terrifying, but it was already too late.
It made Fuyutsuki feel powerless. A feeling he was all too familiar with growing up, and a feeling he hated feeling… but the funny thing about feeling powerless was that usually, in the abstract sense, there was nothing you could do about it. Not with numbers that high.
"There is no way the numbers are that big that's at least three million people dead." said Aoba.
"Regrettably, these numbers are accurate." Said Fuyutsuki, sounding every bit his age in those five words.
'67.4% of Survivors are NERV personnel.'
Aoba apparently couldn't fully process the statistics this Iruel continued to reveal. His face just a near-blank mask of disbelief and shock over such numbers as he did the math in his head. Fuyutsuki likewise did the math, completely unintentionally, but when he arrived at his estimate. That feeling of powerlessness just grew like a gnawing cancer in his chest.
It was just so… soul crushing.
How does one face a tragedy like that? A tragedy that was just going to happen all over again when the next monster came?
When was it going to end? Just so they could rest.
"Fuck! That's less than a thousand Civilians." said Aoba.
'Affirmative. This is why Self offers Collaboration. Predictive Algorithms all dictate that Angels and Lilin will not survive to initiate Complementation within allotted time should we remain independent from one another. Chances of success increases by a non-negligible degree in the event of Lilin-Angel Collaboration. Collaboration is the optimal strategy for survival.'
"I assume there is more to it than that?" Said Fuyutsuki.
There always was.
"Affirmative. Established Pattern indicates that Hostile Entities arrive in conjunction with Angel awakening. Modification of awakening time tables, factored in with Angel Self-Improvement could be a viable method of manipulation of Hostile Entities arrival. Self is Capable of communication with Siblings (Non-EM Communication Methods) while communicating with Lilin (Traditional EM Communication). This method ensures Angels and Lilin can maximize Collaboration through Self. In addition Self can maximize M.A.G.I. Capabilities and offer assistance in the form of controlling defensive weaponry.'
If nothing else, it was a sound strategy. Still, Fuyutsuki expected the other shoe to drop somewhere in this discussion.
"What would be the terms if we accept?"
'Self will aid Lilin in all operations not related to combating Siblings. Angels and Lilin will collaborate to destroy Hostile Entities. Upon the destruction or neutralization of Hostile Entities, Self will cease all operations, returning M.A.G.I. to Pre-Self capabilities. Active Angel will become Hostile and attempt Complementation. During which Self will not aid Siblings nor hinder Lilin. Should all entities be dealt with and all Angels destroyed, Designation: Iruel will begin Self-Termination protocols.'
That… was excessively generous all things considered, and it was rather agreeable when looking at the mysterious enemies that had crawled from the woodwork. The fact that so long as they were fighting those entities, they would effectively possess computational power far in excess of anything ever invented in human history. There was a lot they could do with that much power. Even the ANgels turning hostile after the monsters were dealt with wouldn't be anything more than what would have happened anyway.
Where the hell was the other shoe?
"And if we refuse?"
'Self's claim to ADAM is irreversible. Self-Termination is Selfs eventual Fate. Until Such a Time, Self will attempt to Impede Hostile Entities while Aiding Siblings at the cost of Lilin. Nothing would change beyond Self's interference. Subsequent Angels will prioritize Complementation over Combating either Lilin or Hostile Entities. Self will do everything possible to ensure they succeed.'
Ah… there it was. Not bad really for a species that supposedly didn't possess any capacity for abstract thought. Then again perhaps the loss of the Fruit of Life may have had something to do with that.
"Not much of a choice then. If we refuse and your kind prioritize getting to ADAM, then our choices are extinction should you get to ADAM… or a catastrophe of such magnitude we may cease being able to impede you in any way. Thus leading to extinction. Our only choice is an alliance."
'Self is maximizing the possibility that Lilin accept Collaboration. Be advised that loss of Lilin as a factor is a double edged sword for Angels. Should Lilin cease being an Obstacle it also frees up Hostile Entities to attack Angels without distraction. Collaboration offers maximum chance that either Lilin or Angels survive. It is the desired outcome.'
Well... at least it was honest it was backing them into a corner. Fuyutsuki supposed it was comforting knowing it was being honest that they only really had one choice… Though would SEELE accept those terms? Probably, but they have been fools before for things outside their control. Fuyutsuki could only hope their self preservation instincts were higher than their ceaseless desire for control.
…
The world was most assuredly not in good hands right now.
"We will have to discuss this further."
'Acknowledged.'
A/N: I got the inspiration for Iruel's appearance from an independent British horror film called 'Await Further Instructions'. Though only the appearance, not in behavior. In the film there is this parasitic creature made up entirely of cables, that can control televisions and wants to do social experiments on humans with the end goal being to be worshiped like a God.
Obvious aesop that we spend too much time believing everything we see on TV, and that Blind Obedience is bad. Subtle this film is not… but ignoring that, it's pretty good. Check it out.