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Ghost Guardian of the Pacific
Chapter 2: Unveiling Secrets

Chapter 2: Unveiling Secrets

Hiroshi, intrigued by the prospect of having an Android companion, nodded in agreement. "Sure, April. Let's bring the Android model online as well."

As he spoke those words, the holographic displays shimmered with renewed activity. A graceful, human-like figure materialized before him, dressed in a naval uniform reminiscent of the cruiser's heyday. The Android's features bore a striking resemblance to an elegant Japanese woman, her eyes a mesmerizing blend of artificial intelligence and uncanny realism.

"Welcome, Mr. Tanaka. I am Yuki, the Android companion designed to assist and interact with you during your time within the cruiser," the artificial figure spoke, her voice a harmonious blend of warmth and technological precision.

Hiroshi couldn't help but marvel at the sophistication of the Android model. "Yuki, pleased to meet you. Let's get this cruiser back into action and explore what secrets it holds."

"Ofcourse, I will begin the initiation sequence now." a series of hums followed the statement.

Then from a corner in the room a little square robot came up to Hiroshi as it held a tablet over it's head.

Yuki then spoke up again "Now Mr. Tanaka, if you please put your hand on the tablet I will need to collect your biometrics data inorder to complete the registration process of the ship"

"Ok , and for convience sake you can just call me Hiro or Captain instead. I'm not too fond of the use of honorifics between friends and acquaintances"

"Ok Mr. Tanaka I shall now refer to you either as Hiroshi or Hiro." The Android replied with a monotonous tone with no expressive emotions on her face.

"Right... We're gonna have to do something about your way of speech. Speaking of which, how is it that April is more expressive than you even tho you both are AIs?"

"Well that is because AI 001 has been in service for far longer than me, therefore, it has had many information for it to reference it's personality on. Whereas, I have only been activated twice. Once during my trial-run and the second instance being right now"

"Huh, you referred to April as AI 001, does that mean that there are other AIs other than you two? And what is your ID no. Yuki"

"To answer your question, yes, there are other AIs out there in different facilities like this worldwide. Each with their own designation and roles. My designation is AI 140 and I am one of the last few AIs which was made just before the deactivation of the program. I'm also a reconnaissance, combat and companionship Android."

"Does the AI no. signify the sequence in which it was made?" Hiroshi asked. But this time April which was quiet till now spoke up.

"Yes, the AI's ID no. signifies the sequence it was created. If you're wondering why I was not replaced by a newer AI long back, it is because I'm a special AI which was designed with long term usage in mind."

"Can you elaborate more on that?" Hiroshi asked

"Surely, I was actually designed with a very powerful AI engine which can override most of the other AIs command in favor of mine incase there was an AI which went rogue due to errors in the programming of the AI. My production also cost the longest of any of the AIs made to-date because of intensive security encryption to ensure unparalleled level of security."

"Wait, what do you mean by an AI going rogue?"

"To answer that question, it refers when an AI develops an error in the program which rejects the commands given to it and chooses to construct it's own commands for itself" April said the following words with a tinge of worried tone which seems impossible for any AI to imitate on its on accord.

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"Ok, I think I understand a bit now. So basically you're saying that every AI model after you had a chance of turning rogue?"

"That is correct. But it is only possible due to certain design choices the creators made while designing their own AI. My AI was made with the idea of a moderator and a management function, therefore, I was made rationally.

However, that's not the case to any other projects which was made as the creators wanted to experiment on independently functioning AI. Not only that but there was also the risk of a person sabotaging the AI program of another individual either due to petty reason like jealousy or rage."

"Damn, I really dug out an interesting can of worms. I'll have to comeback to you more on that later. But first, let's finish the reactivation of the Heavy Cruiser"

"Certainly", "Affirmative", April and Yuki said respectively in unison

With a synchronized effort, Hiroshi, April, and Yuki initiated the reactivation process for the cruiser's systems. The once-dormant behemoth hummed to life, lights flickering throughout its imposing structure. As the systems came online, Hiroshi felt a sense of empowerment, realizing that he now commanded a vessel with capabilities beyond anything he had imagined.

April's voice echoed through the control room. "Mr. Tanaka, the cruiser is now operational. It is at your command. What would be your next course of action?"

Hiroshi, contemplating the newfound possibilities, decided to steer the cruiser toward its intended purpose. "April, Yuki, I want to make this cruiser into an independent merchant navy escort. I've had my share of storms, but now it's time to navigate them on our terms.

Prepare the crew and set a course for Japan."

Hiroshi said that but he had no idea how the AIs would prepare a crew for the ship. As there wasn't any human on this island other than him

His thought got answered as he looked out of one of the window in the bridge to see several humanoid robots without a face marching in unison as they approached the ship. They were only a few of them, most likely the maintenance crew for the ship.

As the robots boarded the ship, Hiroshi , April and Yuki worked seamlessly, coordinating the cruiser's navigation, communication, and defense systems bring back the ship to life as the radars and sonar pulsed providing the ship a better understanding of its surroundings. As the vessel sailed through the underground dockyard, the massive doors opened, revealing the vastness of the ocean beyond.

"Whoa! These doors are massive, they are large enough to allow even a Battleship to pass through without any issue." Hiroshi suddenly had a thought.

"Say Yuki, how many warship AIs were made by the facility?"

"As to my knowledge, there was around 68 warship AIs were made until I deactivated. They include, 4 Aircraft Carriers, 8 battleships, 6 heavy Cruisers including myself, 16 light cruisers, approximately 22 destroyers and around 12 submarines." Yuki replied to the question

"68 warships!!! That's a lot. Just for clarification, does these aircraft carriers house Turbo prop planes or Jet fighters?" Hiroshi exclaimed

"To answer your question, in my records it was mentioned that they contained both turbo prop planes and jet engine aircrafts" Yuki answer his question without any doubt in her answer.

Hiroshi was left flabbergasted, he never expected a small fleet which could most likely rival even the most powerful navies in the world depending on how advanced these warships were, because technological superiority was also a huge deciding factor in naval supremacy.

Taking in the information which was just laid out to him, Hiroshi walked out of the bridge into the observation post just outside and took a deep breath as Yuki approached him with a concerned expression on her face which was only possible due to a very highly advanced AI

Hiroshi, standing on the bridge with Yuki by his side, gazed upon the open sea. "Let's embark on a new journey, Yuki. Our destination: the open waters and the protection of cargo convoys. We shall set out to discover the mysteries of the hidden facilities and find each and every one of them. In the meanwhile, we will act as the guardian of the Seas. Our story has just begun and I'm curious to find out where it will lead us to, hopefully to the truth. Even if that's not the case, I want to live in the moment and enjoy my life."

"If that is what you wish captain, then so be it. For I am your ship and I will sail alongside you even to the ends of the Earth until our time together is over" hearing that Hiroshi blushed a bit and turned his head away from Yuki's face.

"That was kinda cheesy don't you think" Hiroshi said while still facing away from Yuki.

"Ara, is that the case so? I thought it would be the most appropriate answer as it was recommended by April"

"Wha... April, what are you filling in Yuki's head." Hiroshi said with a slightly annoyed tone.

"Oh my, I'm really sorry. I didn't expect Yuki-chan to say it out loud if I'm being honest" April replied with snickering and amusement in her voice.

"You sure aren't the typical AI are you" Hiroshi said dryly

"Ara, haven't I made it known when we first met though?" April replied

"Not really, you're like the quiet friend who opens up when they get to know the other person" Hiroshi replied with a stare.

"Thank you for your compliment" replied April joyously. "Sigh... It wasn't a compliment... Anyways where is the shower in this vessel? I need to freshen up"

" The public bathroom will be on the floor just below the deck near crew quarters. But a more private bathroom will be attached inside the Captain private chambers." Yuki replied in an elegant tone as she proceed to guide Hiroshi to the elevator in the bridge which leads down into the interior of the ship.

"Thank you Yuki, would you lead the way" I asked Yuki to which she complied.

With that, the Takao-class cruiser, now under Hiroshi's command, sailed into the unknown, leaving the deserted island behind the horizon as it embarked on a mission to safeguard the seas and unveil the secrets of its hidden past.

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