The Glapouine’s peduncled eyes, almost hidden by the sensory tentacles of her head, turned nervously towards the multiple cameras that floated around her, at a reasonable distance. Although not a beginner, she was always a little nervous before a broadcast.
She gave a few orders to the chip implanted in her head and it allowed her to visualize her notes clearly inside her thoughts. Comforted by this inner vision, she relaxed and her ocular tentacles rose again above the others, focusing on the red camera indicating the main shot.
The Glapouine gave a conventional smile and spoke.
“Welcome to our show ‘Understanding the Universe’! I am Uana Gemme and this is our guest today: Doctor Ged Glo, doctor of the Universal University and specialist in xeno-anthropology. I would like to point out that this show has been validated by the Network Institution, Sub-Institution of Communications as well as by the Science Institution, Sub-Institution of the Conservation of Knowledge... Hello Doctor Ged Glo, it is an honor to have you on our holovision set.”
“Yes.”
“Attached are the links to the doctor’s official biography and the list of his many and impressive accomplishments for science. Without further ado, I would like to start questioning you.”
“You could vary your notes from one show to another... uh, I mean, do so.”
Uana's peduncled eyes had twitched slightly as she stared at the doctor, which was an indicator of annoyance among her species. Ged obviously knew it because he had changed the subject and pulled his wide-brimmed hat slightly down over his eyes. Assured that he would not do it again, the journalist began the interview:
“Who has not heard of the Homs Vermilions? From a secret program of the Administration and officially put into service during the twenty-thousandth Lonaé, when the Titanic threat was at its height and the Zcarbbs had already invaded several galaxies. Rumor has it that they are immortal cyborgs in the service of the Administration, but yet one of them, Vector, was the first person to seize supreme power within the Administration...”
Instinctively, Uana reached for a device attached to one of her hearing tentacles as she received new information. Her body undulated curiously with her worry, then she spoke again, more serene in appearance:
“... a supreme power that he acquired through coercion and not elections, it is obvious that it cannot be compared to the legitimacy of a universal presidency where the holder of supreme power is elected by a majority of votes, compared to his competitors, coming from the infinity of citizens... Yes, let us recall that Vector has... used force and threats to force the deputies of the Assembly of the Administration to validate his seizure of power... by arms... and therefore totally illegitimate, even according to the circumstances... Uh, and so my... my first question was... uh... ah, there you go... Before talking about their history, what can you tell us about the Vermilions? Who are they, where do they come from, are they truly immortal?”
“Well, a lot of this information is confidential and even I don't have access to it. On the nature of the Vermilions, they are cyborgs, that is to say biological beings with significant modifications of a mechanical nature. Their biological part itself results from advanced genetic manipulations that were illegal at the time. Of course, this illegality was due to the pressures and threats exerted by the Hogloo Nations against any genetic practices that could fill the technological gaps between our two entities. From what we know, from the documents to which I had access, the Vermilions were designed mainly to counter the Hogloo threat. This is also why most of their known bases were already in the border no man's land when their existence was revealed.”
“Cyborgs and genetically modified people, is it this nature that allows them to be immortal? Are they truly immortal?”
“Well, it's more complicated... I... Yes, I can say that... When a Vermilions' physical body is destroyed, their... how to say... the Hogloos say something like ‘essence of life’, but it's a rather shaky translation of the Tadlomas language... Let's say that this essence of life can be transferred by some mysterious means to a secret base where the body will be reconstituted. The details are top secret, of course. As for the reality of their immortality, I would say that they are not really. There are a few rare cases where destroyed units have died permanently.
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
“Another question: submissive machines or independent citizens? There are many rumors about the Vermilions, some saying that they have no real independence of mind and others fear that they are plotting some new coups d'état like Vector. What is the reality?”
“The Vermilions are people and not simple machines: that much is certain. However, their special role in defending the Administration removes their right to vote, and their initial programming makes any betrayal impossible. In fact, it’s this point mainly that removes their right to vote, because otherwise they could be forced to vote for the incumbent president... in theory.”
“But if they are so loyal, why did they overthrow the government, in complete illegality, under the leadership of Vector?”
“This is the old generation of Vermilions and, as surprising as it may seem, they did this by following their programming to the letter. Faced with the growing danger of the Zcarbb invasion and the monumental defeats on the Titan front, they concluded that only their absolute and logical control over the Administration could counter the threat. So, they betrayed the laws, but thinking they were following their duty.”
“And, were they right? I mean, was it actually… positive for the Administration?”
“Um… No… Let’s say that from a purely military point of view, it allowed our lines to hold better and to limit enemy expansion more effectively. However, it did not really change the outcome of the conflict and imposed too many restrictions on the freedoms of citizens. We all know the story: Admiral Rêvétoile, hero of the war against the Titans, was recalled from the front by deputies in order to restore the right law. However, he joined the Titans and took control of the Administration as his personal domain... There is much debate as to whether or not he had acted well, knowing that his ultimate plan led him to imprison himself with the Titans and the majority of their most powerful servants in an area now erased from the accessible universe. But we digress... Let us recall that Vector, driven from power by Rêvétoile, took refuge in the Imperial Universal Federation and took direct control of it, alternating between phases of alliance and confrontation with the Rêvétoile Administration, in the face of the Zcarbb threat. During the administrative restoration, leading to the current ‘Steel Administration’, an Administration more united and solid than ever, Vector Vermeil chose to abdicate and surrender to the forces of Order.”
“Why did this tyrant make this choice? Was it a kind of belated remorse?”
“Well, there are several theories, some claiming that he had lost confidence in his own abilities, others explaining that he had logically chosen the best path for the survival of the Administration. The most outlandish even invent legends like that he would have been heartbroken following the death of the one who was his second: knowing that the Vermilions are programmed not to have feelings useless to their duty, it is more than improbable. In any case, he voluntarily chose to end his dictatorship and returned the Empire to the Administration, consolidating the alliance of the universe and agreeing to pay for his crimes with a lifelong stasis.”
“Could it be that other Vermilions continue his projects, or that they could revolt in a similar way?”
“No. I answer you frankly: it is no longer a possibility. The new models have new programming, more efficient and more respectful of the laws, while the old models gradually choose to be put into stasis, considering their own obsolescence. They can always be reactivated in case of absolute necessity, constituting the last line of defense of the Administration.”
“The last line of defense? But finally, what are the real powers of the Vermilions, apart from their immortality?”
“The Vermilions have the most modern arsenal and are insensitive to pain and corruption. Beyond these qualities of ideal soldiers, they also have natural protections against all known weapons, not infallible, of course, but allowing them to face all types of adversaries. They also have an enhanced intelligence and an unrivaled capacity to use the Network, which makes them elite military commanders.”
“Thank you very much Doctor Ged Glo for all your answers. It is very reassuring to know that there is a group so faithful to administrative values and that its excesses of the past can no longer be repeated. Do not hesitate to share your opinions and questions in the comments on the holo-forum. I am legally required to inform you that, according to the Transparency Act, you will be held legally responsible for the content of your exchanges and that these may be collected by the various Institutions in order to guarantee the safety of all of us. I also remind you that the Homs Vermilions are both high-level administrative agents and military officers, any insult against them will be considered from a legal point of view. This was Uana Gemme, for the show ‘Understanding the Universe’ with our special guest, Doctor Ged Glo...”
The cameras pan to give the illusion of distance as the show's end credits music plays.