Story Reader / Main Story / 27 Aeon Reforged / Story
Right-angle pliers... Watch the hydraulics.
...
He wanted to open his eyes but could only manage a small slit, through which he saw nothing but blinding white light.
He could feel his body being cut open and replaced, but there was no pain.
Only occasional words reached his ears, reminding him this wasn't a dream.
Bone saw... how's his M.I.N.D. signal?
Stable...
M.I.N.D...
When he heard the term, he felt as though a sea had appeared before his eyes.
But the sea was like a dead pool, with no waves and no flow.
Sea...
Suddenly, a point of light appeared in the dead silence, like a lighthouse on the sea.
It stood firm in the center of the sea, guiding a ship to an unknown destination.
The lost ship slowly approached, gradually surfacing from beneath the water.
His consciousness is fluctuating again!
Bump up the connection! I'm sure we can wake him up!
Two more people said something, but Watanabe couldn't make out what they were saying. He tried to grasp something, but the whirlpool of memories pulled him in harder still.
His consciousness sank beneath the surface again.
Hmm...
When he opened his eyes again, he was lying on a hospital bed. But instead of common medical equipment or IV tubes...
He found himself hooked up to some strange machines he had never seen before.
Feeling somewhat light-headed, he patted his head out of force of habit—and heard a metal-like clank.
?
He looked at his palm in confusion, thinking he could remove the word "like."
As he tried to move his fingers, the mechanical structure of the spherical joints in his body moved as he willed.
Looks like you're pretty much now awake?
A voice he'd recognized instantly came from the side.
Ballard... is it really you?
Who else do you think you're talking to now?
But...
A humanoid figure made entirely of metal and synthetic skin leaned against the wall by the bed. He recognized that face—except it felt strange, even a bit frightening.
You should probably check yourself out in the mirror first.
Watanabe lifted his head, seeing his reflection in the mirror on the wall.
A body of machinery, a barcode imprinted on his forehead, and eyes with different colors.
We had a bit of an emergency, and a few things went a bit awry when we tried to make your body.
I know you're still feeling confused, which is why I'm bringing you up to speed here.
Your guys delivered the supplies to the camp but never saw you return, so they went ahead and reported your disappearance to the command post.
Before that, there was a huge explosion in City 175, and the staff figured that you were likely trapped in the city by the riot of Corrupted.
I happened to be on my way back to headquarters. I was about to pass by the outskirts of City 175.
So it was naturally upon me to save you.
I know what you're thinking. The child has been sent to the safety zone, and the remains of those who had passed were found and cremated a few days ago.
Noticing Watanabe wanted to say something, Ballard answered his questions before he even asked...
Now, here's the important part. You were too severely injured for emergency treatment to be effective.
So I went ahead and picked Construct modification for you, thinking that this would give you a better chance of survival.
Construct? Is that a new type of prosthetic modification?
Similar but different.
He clenched his metal hand, similar to Watanabe's.
With the most advanced prosthetic modification, you'd at least be able to keep important biological materials like your brain and part of your neurons.
But it's different when you're turned into a Construct—because with it, all of your body parts are replaced with metal components.
We are still driven by electrical signals, but the part that sends out these signals is this complex structure they call the M.I.N.D. and not your brain.
That's about it. I don't know the specifics since I'm not a scientist.
Does that still make me... me?
He couldn't help but think of the classic Theseus's Paradox.
When all the wood that makes up a ship is replaced, is it still the same ship?
I wouldn't worry about that.
Will what you intend to do change just because you're no longer flesh and blood? Will the people you save stop thanking you and mourn the chunk of flesh that you once were?
Ballard grabs Watanabe's shoulder, forcing him to look into his eyes.
Modification isn't going to negate what we've done, neither is it going to change what we seek.
We're beings of experience, and we've been leaving footprints behind since the day we were born. Modification is just part of that journey.
Someone may hinder your future, but no one can truly take away your past.
...
Geez, when did you become so philosophical?
I ain't. I've just got more time to adapt and think than you have.
I mean, I wouldn't have signed that consent form for you if my own modification had been a failure.
Feeling better?
Yeah.
Great. Let me get down to the second thing on the list, then.
He lets go of Watanabe's shoulder and sits on the chair by the hospital bed.
I'm setting up an intelligence department consisting entirely of Constructs and would like you to be part of it.
I thought you were already the director of the Security Intelligence Bureau, no?
Ballard shakes his head.
The Security Intelligence Bureau lost so many people at the beginning of the catastrophe that it's practically defunct now.
Besides, I wasn't planning on adding new personnel.
Can't find suitable candidates, I presume?
Just sensing some changes in the times.
The fact is, Constructs' capabilities have far surpassed humans'.
But there is more to it than that.
In the foreseeable future, as long as this calamity continues, we'll only be seeing more and more Constructs.
Potential enemies are changing. We'll only be making ourselves vulnerable to infiltration if we remain stagnant.
Uhm...
Ballard didn't show any displeasure at Watanabe's subtle tone.
Do you think I'm overly suspicious?
Watanabe didn't answer.
Watanabe, as long as there are differences, there will be enemies. This is something that's never gonna change.
And the ones you can't see often prove more deadly than the ones you can when they come at you.
Extraordinary enemies call extraordinary measures. That's why I want to form an all-Construct intelligence department.
Which is why I was hoping you could help me.
...
Watanabe didn't respond immediately. He placed his hand on his chest, where a mechanical heart lay.
The heart was beating strong and powerful, and he would never forget why he had his real heart replaced with it.
My mother left nothing but an empty tombstone. I swear I'll never be like her.
Ballard, I think I've figured out what my mother truly left behind.
The pit filled with drifting ash could no longer trouble him, and the persistent hellish visions were shattered.
He stepped out of the shadow and once again stood before his mother's grave—this time facing the short epitaph.
She sleeps here along with the war, bringing peace as a gift to the world.
I wouldn't have been here had it not been for Backhaus, Bruce, Coates, Albert, Garzah... and the rest of the Oasis squad.
We've come this far because of trust, and it's also because of this trust that they entrusted their future to me.
Which is why I feel the front line is where I belong.
I've come this far because of all these people who have been helping me along the way...
Which is why the front line is where I can make all the help I've received count.
I want to put this catastrophe to an end and bring back peace, even at the cost of my life.
...
Hold your horses there, son. This isn't something you can solve alone.
Ballard stood up. He knew Watanabe had found his conviction, and that there was no talking him out of it.
And you probably want to focus on adapting to your new body first.
This is a good chance for you to replace that mismatched eye sensor, too.
I wouldn't worry. It doesn't affect my vision.
Not going to bother with that when I've already had a major modification done.
And don't lose this again.
Ballard handed over the shotgun Watanabe received on his 18th birthday.
Watanabe reached out and grasped the gun, suddenly recalling Ballard's words from years ago.
Do you still find me half-baked?
Ballard hesitated for a moment, then loosened his grip on the gun.
Heh, I guess you pass.
He turned and walked toward the door, leaving one final remark.
You don't want to stay in bed forever. Communications between the ground and space will resume soon, and we'll be needed.
Evacuate the Constellia construction personnel to Line G111. The Akdilek Commercial Alliance convoy will meet them there.
Kowloong Chamber of Commerce said they'd halted the southern advance of the Corrupted.
Update the tactical map. We need to replan the area of defense.
Deploy the Second Army to City 169. There are many shelters donated by the Transatlantic Economic Community.
The former World Government Summit Hall is now bustling with activity. After the brief chaos of communication silence, it's been repurposed as the command center for the battle against the Punishing Virus.
Nothing really merits a discussion until this calamity is resolved.
...
Hans furrows his brow at the world map projected in the center of the hall. The Red Plague has taken over a quarter of the world's land and a tenth of its oceans.
Humanity, now reconnected, has stymied the Corrupted's advance, but the speed at which the troops and equipment are being consumed far exceeds that of production.
The latest Constructs have achieved notable victories in local battle zones, but it was a drop in the ocean for the larger picture.
So far humanity's pinnacle of technology and military might—the Starship Fleet—remains out of contact.
Whether they're still under control is a matter of life and death for humanity.
Since the completion of the ultra-high-energy transmission antenna array constructed by the Arctic Route Union last week, the World Government has been trying to contact the fleet in space.
Before a new satellite communication network can be established, this antenna functions as humanity's lifeline to space.
But no one can say for certain whether these signals can be received by the Starship Fleet—or if the Starship Fleet is capable of receiving these signals at all, for that matter.
Where is humanity supposed to turn if space falls before the ground?
Commander, this is the high-energy antenna monitoring station. We've received a signal from outside the atmosphere.
Based on the signal strength and characteristics, the analysis team speculates it may be from "Miracle". Should we accept the signal and respond?
Connect immediately!
Everyone pauses their work and waits to hear from the other side of the signal.
Their response will determine humanity's fate.
Mere seconds feel like centuries.
This is Shin, a command officer onboard "Miracle" under the World Government's Starship Fleet.
Please identify yourself. I repeat, please identify yourself.
The gentle male voice brings a sigh of relief to everyone in the command center.
Space is still under human control, thank goodness.
I am Hans, Chief Commander of the military. I'll brief you on what's happening on the ground in just a bit.
I'll need you to bring us up to speed on what's happening in the space first.
Got it!
Currently, 30 starships, the International Space Station, Eden II colony ship, and the lunar base are still under our control.
Supplies are sufficient for over six months of use.
On the third day after communication was cut, we contacted the personnel stationed at the International Space Station, Eden II, and the lunar base, confirming their safety.
After sending out drones for reconnaissance, we concluded that all 240 orbiting satellites had self-destructed. Due to the lack of production lines for core components at the spaceport, we couldn't repair them.
The drones were shot down by a network of anti-aircraft fire when they entered the atmosphere.
Since we couldn't be sure what was happening on the ground, we didn't force our way through or destroy the network.
The tech department quickly built multiple temporary antennas, and the communications team monitored them 24/7 to avoid missing any possible signals from the ground.
And I guess we made the right decision.
Good work. Now, let me update you on what's happening here on the ground.
Three months ago, during the ignition ceremony, an unknown virus came out of the core of Reactor One.
It showed astonishing infectivity to logical circuits and severe corrosiveness to human bodies. We still don't know how it works, but we'll send you a detailed report in a bit.
After limited communication was restored, we learned that the deep well housing the Gestalt also shut down on the day of the virus outbreak.
Some people from the Science Council who made it out alive told us that the defense system there was infected, too, like the network of anti-aircraft fire you encountered.
Since smart weapons can't effectively strike before being infected, we have no good solutions for those defense arrays until the Science Council improves the firewall.
But things might just take a turn for the better going forward since we're now in contact.
The starships can only deliver effective strikes with ballistic missiles, but their control systems are susceptible to hijacking, too... Are you saying we should put Longinus Arsenal on Eden II to use?
That's what I was thinking, except I think we have a cheaper option here now having heard what you just said.
A cheaper option... Are you talking about those satellites that are no longer in use?
Exactly. Those satellites are perfect raw materials as the "Rods of God".
We'll be joining hands to destroy the infected defense arrays in the shortest time.
Yes, let's do that.
Humanity will have its chance to fight back once the path between space and the ground is cleared.
Within the next month, the Space Force, aided by the ground forces, launched a total of 115 high-density metal rods made from decommissioned satellites at the infected defense arrays.
Among them, 21 are intercepted, and 7 deviate from the intended impact area, failing to deliver effective damage.
The remaining 87 directly hit their targets, delivering a devastating blow to the infected defense arrays.
Humanity finally regains its footing through the successive victories brought about by the meteors that are the "Rods of God".
The last barrier between space and ground is broken, re-establishing the four-dimensional strike system.
The newly formed Purifying Force eradicates doomsday rhetoric, human trafficking, illegal trades, and inhumane experimental sites established under the guise of the World Government.
The World Government gradually regains the credibility lost due to the Punishing outbreak.
First All-Hands Meeting on the Battle against the Punishing
We've been fighting alone due to communication breakdowns since the Punishing first emerged from the Zero-point Reactor.
Fortunately, through relentless effort, we've re-established contact and are once again united for a single cause.
This meeting aims to set strategic directions for future battles against the Punishing. All opinions are appreciated and welcome.
I do have a question before we go ahead with the discussion.
The councilor looks toward a corner of the meeting room.
Representatives of the Science Council, do you have anything to say about this disaster you brought about?
Councilor, this meeting isn't about assigning blame.
...
What would you like to hear?
I'm sorry? Or you have my apologies?
And just for the record, I don't think we did anything wrong.
Nithart...
Nithart's words spark murmurs around the room, but none speaks out out of respect for the Science Council, knowing that blaming would be futile.
But once this fuse is ignited, it's difficult to extinguish.
If you don't know the severity of the issue because you're always cooped up in the lab, let me lay it all out for ya!
Since the Punishing outbreak, there have been 30 million casualties, humanity has lost 20% of its living space, and direct economic losses are twice that of the previous unification war!
Now, are you still going to tell me the Science Council did nothing wrong?
...
Nithart takes a deep breath.
In primitive society, the first humans who touched a flame didn't know it would burn them.
But they weren't deterred. Humanity harnessed fire, drove away beasts, and gradually grew to dominate the land.
During the industrial era, pollution wiped out 70% of wild species in less than half a century, yet we didn't return to farming.
Before the theory of cold fusion, nuclear waste from fission reactors took hundreds of thousands of years to lose its radioactivity. Did we regret exploring atomic energy?
Seemingly a little uncomfortable giving long speeches like this, Nithart takes another breath.
We don't abandon ethics for exploration, but we aren't so naive as to think there won't be any costs.
To us, the Punishing is just another hurdle to overcome, like environmental destruction, greenhouse effect, or radioactive pollution.
We face challenges head-on because our goal is true, and we will not back down because of any challenges.
Easier said than done. The Zero-point Reactor still emits the Punishing. How do you plan to overcome that?
The Chief will lead a team over to shut down the reactor when we have the Inver-Device for Constructs developed as the first line of defense.
Nithart, shouldn't we discuss the personnel for this mission?
Trillard clearly doesn't think this is a wise choice.
No one knows the Zero-point Reactor better than its designer. This catastrophe requires everyone's full effort to solve, including mine. I won't be sitting around doing nothing.
I'm just quoting the Chief's words. Is there anything you'd like me to relay?
He is speechless.
...The Science Council has stated its position. What about the rest of us here?
Let me say a few words, then.
Hans presses down on the speaker button.
My plan is to do a major relocation.
As you all know from various sources, the Punishing spreads. It is everywhere. The only difference is the concentration.
But there is one last untouched sanctuary. Humanity's last refuge is—space.
He presses a button and a tactical projection appears before everyone.
This time, the map isn't filled with complex contours but is an expansive star chart with several simple orbital lines.
Spaceports, Starship Fleet, the International Space Station, Eden II colony ship, and the lunar base.
The red dots that function as indicators move across the map.
Using these as bases, we'll establish a 380000-kilometer strategic depth between Earth and the Moon, creating an insurmountable barrier to the Punishing.
By relocating non-combatant civilians in batches, we'll have enough workers to work on spaceports and starships to accommodate subsequent populations. This will enhance other production functions, which will give us a stable base support.
The Moon and other planets in the solar system will serve as our resource reserves. Some modified starships will shuttle between these locations to transport industrial materials to our space factories.
With a continuous supply of weapons and equipment and the enemy lacking reinforcements, we will eventually eradicate the Corrupted on Earth.
We'll then be able to research ways to deal with the Punishing without hindrance.
Ladies and gentlemen...
His gaze sweeps across the room.
History is a cycle. Some generations enjoy blissful ignorance, while others are burdened with great expectations...
Now it's our generation's turn to shoulder our responsibilities.
Humanity will take back our home, no matter how long it takes and what it costs.
Silence falls after his speech.
After a while, a councilor breaks into what seems like a self-mocking laugh and drops his prepared proposal into the recycling bin.
Now... that's truly something.
He starts clapping his hands. The sound echoes through the silent, empty hall.
Soon, a second, a third, a fourth... almost everyone starts clapping.
In the end, Hans' proposal passes with an overwhelming majority.
The official name of Han's proposal is—Project Acadia Transfer.
