Polaris Manor, Pacific City, October 20, 1000 Solar Era.
The terrans soldiers that had been stranded on Mars successfully returned to Earth with the use of smuggler ships. They encountered zero issues-- martian defenses had been mostly destroyed by the EFSF, and their remaining forces were discordant over the current political situation of the planet.
Athena found herself standing before the new president of the Earth Feds, Nobunaga Mitsui, after going through extensive debriefing. This was the first time she had visited the Polaris Manor, the living arrangement for every single Earth Feds president.
“Athena Watanabe,” he said while shaking his head in disappointment. “Although you share the same roots as me…”
“I’ve examined your combat records. You lack the ferociousness of fighting to the death for the Federation. Me-- I’ve led troops in the belt. Every battle, I expect myself and my soldiers to be relentless, trading blow for blow until the very end.”
“To survive… you sacrificed your compatriots’ lives to escape and descend onto Mars.” Mitsui had already examined the data cube brought back that contained the details of the battle in martian space. Athena, of course, had hidden one, remembering James MacLeod’s instructions to create multiple copies.
“I’ve chosen to suspend your role in the EFSF until further notice. You will be in the reserves and nothing more.” Mitsui’s eyes stared deep into Athena’s soul as he uttered his final decision.
“President!” Athena was astonished by the man’s words. “I’m willing to fight and seek justice for my fallen compatriots! I--”
“Watanabe!” Mitsui cut off the woman’s protestations. “Maintain your silence and accept your fate, woman. Else your situation would worsen if the families of those fallen discover that their loved ones could have had their brains preserved and bodies restored if not for dragging you safely to the martian surface.”
Athena was not the only one in this meeting room within the Polaris Manor. Behind her was Vice-admiral Son. Admiral Petrov was also here, seated to the side, but he looked away with a sigh when Athena glanced at him for assistance.
“President!” Athena was beginning to feel both desperation and exasperation. She had been clinging to the thought of seeking justice for her compatriots. Frankly, that had kept her sane the past week as her mind recalled the sacrifice of the others in that final battle. “I can still contribute! I--”
A hand tightly gripped her forearm and forcibly dragged her away. It was Vice-admiral Son.
“I apologize, President,” he stated over his shoulders as he pulled Athena towards the meeting room’s doors. “I will escort Watanabe off these premises.”
As she was unwillingly hauled out, Athena’s eyes discovered that the other hand of Vice-admiral Son, who she had known to be mostly mild-mannered in all aspects, was bone-white with trepidation.
“Watanabe,” Son exhaled and tapped his neuro circlet. A private communications channel was opened between him and Athena. Their messages were thus directly transferred between their minds.
“You should know this is a politically motivated decision,” he explained. “Petrov was here before the previous President Varoufakis came to power, and so his position is less threatened. You, however, and James MacLeod was a decision coming from that man himself.”
“President Mitsui is a far less tolerant man. He is vindictive and decisive. Accept your fate for his tenure. We’ve already arranged a private house for you. Be careful. President Mitsui has already identified those that did not support his rise to power. And those who acted against him when he himself was thrown out of the military for his actions in quelling the enemies in the belt in the past.”
The information provided by Vice-admiral Son stupefied Athena. She had little-to-no previous knowledge of President Mitsui. How had this man risen to power? That was her first thought.
Soon, Son led her out of the Polaris Manor and sent her away in a car that had already been notified of her destination.
Son gave a curt farewell wave and hurried back into the Polaris Manor.
“Vice-admiral Son,” President Mitsui switched his attention away from Petrov upon Son’s return. “We’ve paid a steep price for your return. Part of that has been repaid by the valuable data within the data cube. But that alone is not enough.”
“Yes, President,” Son replied. “The agreement was for there to be valuable information on the Kasvallian Republic.”
“The man-- I will keep his identity anonymous for his safety-- provided certain information. He indicated that he himself was unable to track the location of Kasvallian Republic’s home base. He stated confidently that he at least knows that the position is constantly shifting, blending into the vastness of space on the outer edges of the belt.”
“Observe.” Son tapped his neuro circlet and a hologram on Mitsui’s desk lit up. “These are some of the Kasvallian Republic’s soldiers. “ A holographic image of a cyborg transforming into many different forms while in combat played before Mitsui’s eyes.
“This is provided by one of their men, who had recorded the strange sight when he came upon this conflict.”
“Excellent…!” Mitsui seemed genuinely surprised by this information. “To think such an age-old technology has been revitalized… Perhaps this may be why it has been so difficult to root out the hidden Kasvallians on Earth… The AI Syned has solved the very weakness of these cyborgs. Countermeasures will need to be devised.”
Son would continue to provide information regarding the Kasvallian’s hidden technological expertise, their fully-functional and extensive nuclear arsenal. Ford had been true to his word, and also provided details on how the Kasvallian Republic was run-- Syned effectively functioned as a singular government. Son soon delved into examples of Syned’s rules and principles.
“Soon, the Kasvallian Republic will run their subsidized innovation fest. Every single year, their… government will provide a handout of a thousand solar credits per person, but this one thousand solar credits has to be spent on creating a prototype,” Son explained as he recalled Ford’s explanation.
“Just a government handout?” Mitsui rolled his eyes as he mocked. “We do that often as well.”
“Well…” Son hesitated, not wishing to directly contradict Mitsui’s words, fearing that he might be demoted for it. “The funds have to be spent solely on creating a prototype of a new idea not registered and copyrighted.”
“If a citizen of Kavallian Republic fails to submit their project, they would lose out on the thousand solar credits. Many of their raw material and design companies participate to assist their population in generating these new prototype products and benefit from the payment.”
“The citizens are allowed to come together and pool their solar credits for a more expensive prototype if they wish to. And at the very end of the year, the rights to these innovations are publicly sold or invested in, with the payments going directly to the creators of these products.”
“The man explained it as a method for someone with zero credits to their names, potentially becoming millionaires in a single year. Supposedly, Syned restricts the spending of these funds on innovative practices for a specific reason. The man who told me of this example explained that Syned saw no benefit in providing the citizens with the solar credits, only for it to be recklessly spent and sent back into the pockets of the large conglomerates.”
“And why do you believe he provided this example?” Mitsui asked with a frown.
“My humble opinion, my president,” Son bowed his head, “is that the man believes we would gain an understanding of the being that we are contending against. The Kasvallians are fanatics and worship Syned like a God.”
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“Perhaps, it may even be proper to treat their people as a religious cult. They are united by Syned’s will, and have discarded their free will to follow his determinations. And…” Son seemed fearful of his own thoughts at this point and ceased his words mid-phrase.
“And? Continue, Vice-admiral Son.” Mitsui’s eyes were daggers. He hated it when others avoided finishing their sentences and thoughts.
“They seem stronger for it. I feel the unity of their society. Their unyielding… fanatical devotion to Syned Vezna’s idea of productivity, innovation, and competition.” Son further explained himself, fearful that a lack of words might lead to a misunderstanding with his head on the chopping block.
“We… humans can be selfish creatures… clinging to what we have gained, our own benefits at the cost of others… With the Kasvallians, it feels as if they are willing-- no-- perhaps they simply have no choice but to devote themselves to Syned’s principles, even if it means the loss of personal benefits due to said principles.”
“Such authoritarian rule…” muttered Mitsui, his thoughts indecipherable to Son.
“Perhaps,” Son agreed but also pointed out an uncomfortable fact. “But because Syned is the government… there is no corruption in the government itself. Because of its intelligence as an AI, it has complete data on human behavior and the ability to analyze and project long-term patterns. Thus, it does not have the weaknesses of an inefficient centrally-planned economy.”
___________________________________________________________________________
Like Athena, Varoufakis was inside a fine suburban house himself at this time. He, too, had been given a house under Mitsui’s command. Varoufakis knew better than to think of this as a boon. Mitsui was clearly concerned about his influence and wished to keep him within crosshairs. Already, Varoufakis could see that it was quite easy for Mitsui to observe his every move at this location.
He still had friends and informants inside the Earth Feds, but it was not as if they could easily contact him under his current situation. Still, he had inadvertently come upon the knowledge of Mitsui’s moves.
In the past few weeks, Mitsui had been making efforts to raise the gaseous harvesting rate of the flying cities of Venus. Mitsui had also reached out to the colonies of Saturn’s and Jupiter’s moons, securing some form of agreement with those settlers for resources. The E-cube Corp that had full control of the sun with the EFSF’s assistance had been instructed to play hardball when negotiating e-cubes with the Kasvallian Republic and those closely connected.
Then, there was the offer to Mars, to set aside their past differences and unite against the Kasvallians’ authoritarian AI.
Varoufakis’ heart desired to be in a position to push Earth towards a brighter future, but he could only accept his situation as a disgraced president of the Earth Feds.
A holographic image of a man struggling against armed forces played before his eyes as he rested in the living room. Earth had been in absolute anarchy for the past few weeks.
The many local forces cooperated with the EFSF to knock down doors in a bid to retrieve and destroy all Kasvallian products. How would it be easy? Many citizens weren’t willing-- not all bought into the dangers of these Kasvallian goods. They might be considered second-rate, but they were also cheap and durable.
That was not the only issue. The larger problem that popped up all too soon was the fanatical cult that worshiped Syned. So far, the Earth Feds had been unable to find these cults. No matter what they did, the Earth Feds failed to locate and apprehend any priests of the cult.
Already, some terrans had begun developing a somewhat positive view of Syned due to this cult spreading their gospel to all corners of Earth.
Varoufakis sighed again. He reminded himself that he was not in a position to influence any of these changes, and it was best for him to let go. Mitsui had him very much locked down in this house.
“Breaking News! Our correspondent with the local forces in Vietnam have discovered a trace of the Syned cult! To you, Debra!”
The holographic image presented a pristine woman in combat gear following behind a row of well-equipped soldiers into an underground tunnel of a thick-wooded area. Their path opened into a large cavern with a stone slab in the center.
The cameraman controlled many devices that provided different angles of the cavern to the viewers.
“Debra reporting. This is the first discovery of a cult center.” The camera zoomed onto the stone slab. “As you can see, these are the principles of Syned. It is truly--”
The woman’s voice was interrupted when the cavern walls suddenly transformed as an image projection was lifted. The projected muddy walls had turned into gleaming metal walls!
Then one metal plate after another slid open, revealing many artillery guns. Some openings simply had piles of grenades roll out into the cavern.
The cameras moved jerkily as the controller attempted to escape. A cacophony of explosions and firing of guns could be heard before the transmission was cut.
“A desperate struggle against a Satanic Cult. This is Terran News. We will continue to bring you updates.”
The program ended early.
_____________________________________________________________________________
T3ST Colony.
Bones had returned overjoyed, brimming with a fanatical devotion to the Kasvallian Republic.
“Father!” He had immediately come to the Chamber of Elders on his return. “I’ve already had personal discussions with Syned Vezna! He has informed me that we will be given the highest positions in his society. We will be his best soldiers, and our descendants with their people also given the noblest cause of defending their principles!”
This did not sound all that positive to Grand Elder Enine.
“Son…” Enine sighed. “What if we do not wish to be such soldiers?”
“Father!” Bones spoke with zest. “There is a limited number of positions within the noble guards. As long as the best of every generation joins, the others will be given freedom for other pursuits!”
Eninie frowned. He would need to meet Syned Vezna to come to a final agreement. The current offer was… not desirable. Xeight’s assessment of the being that is Syned Vezna was proven correct.
“Why do you hesitate?” Bones grumbled. “These are his words during the assembly: It is normal for society to place the best of the best in their given roles. That increases efficiency and productivity, so Syned Vezna has stated. He also acknowledged that human devotion is a factor in this productivity. What is there to fear?”
“Syned Vezna has even given us gifts as well!” Bones had been thoroughly won over. “We’ve returned with new cockpit designs and modules. With a bit of modification to our nexarms, we will soon have an human-AI integrated function! When we become the noble forces of Syned Vezna, he will personally assist us in battle through syncing with our brains!”
“The terrans will be nothing but meat for dicing in our next conflict!”
Xeight was called to the Chamber of Elders.
“I have no interest,” was his straightforward response. “The conflict between Earth and Mars is over. I am returning to mining asteroids.”
That did not mean that Xeight had not forgotten his promise to grandfather Zseven. Unless the situation presented itself, he was quite unsure of how to achieve such a resolution. Zseven’s words were for the T3ST colony’s members to have the opportunity to explore and pursue their individual dreams. Every generation’s best having to enlist as a noble guard of Syned Vezna? That was not it. Perhaps Bones himself enjoyed the task and felt valued by the role.
Xeight saw it as against the very heart of the T3ST colony. They had been exiled here as lab rats for many years. Then put to use to harvest resources for the terrans. They have been the most efficient harvesters due to their ability to control more neuro devices. If their minds are combined with AI, and their control of devices multiplied based on their compatibility… they would become supreme in harvesting resources.
When his thought occurred to Xeight, he couldn't help but wonder, “Why has Syned Vezna given us the role of noble guards instead of resource harvesting? We would be highly efficient resource providers.”
That question stumped Grand Elder Enine, sending him deep into contemplation.
“Brother,” Bones clucked his tongue in disapproval. “When Mars came and you failed to act, grandfather lost his life. Your hesitance is detrimental. It is unnecessary to overthink this.”
Silence ensued for a few minutes. Xeight could only accept the truth in Bones’ words. However, he was not so easily swayed.
“I understand… Syned’s principles…” Enine finally muttered in epiphany. “Syned Vezna values competition. If our colony, with our members’ vastly superior number of neuro channels were to be amplified by AI and have our best harvesting asteroids at an even more efficient speed… It would put undue pressure on the other asteroid colonies' ability to stay in the game.”
“But…” Xeight frowned. “Syned Vezna wishes to maximize efficiency, does he not? Brother had long explained his principles.”
“Yes, son. But even if the best of us become his noble guards, the rest of us will still be able to highly effectively harvest resources,” Enine explained. “I can’t be certain, but Syned Vezna must have performed many long term projections. I can only guess that perhaps in those projections, a superior noble guard battalion allowed certain aspects of the Kasvallian Republic to have more security and thus flourish in peace. In the long run, that must prove far more beneficial to the Kasvallian Republic.”
“Eventually, our integration might spread our genes to other Kasvallian member groups, and thus the issue of our overly efficient genes for neuro device control will no longer be an issue,” Enine concluded.
“Grandfather wished for us to be more. I must maintain the position that none of the T3ST colony and its descendants can be compelled to join such a force,” Xeight staunchly stated. “I will continue my harvesting of asteroids. That is my will.”
“There is no such freedom, brother,” Bones replied. “The sacrifice of a hundred of each of our generation will guarantee opportunities for the other few hundred, perhaps even a thousand as our descendants to flourish. Syned Vezna’s calculations and projections are undeniable. It is time that you accept this reality.”