Babylonia
Two months ago
Seated in the office chair, Nikola held himself with ramrod straightness, his fingers drumming a steady, impatient rhythm on the table. He prided himself on his impeccable military bearing, a standard he upheld with ruthless self-discipline.
But today, a faint line of anger was carved between the brows of the military commander-in-chief.
While his face seemed an unreadable mask to most, it betrayed a subtle, simmering fury to anyone who knew him well, such as—
HASSEN!
And that fury went unanswered. The President of Babylonia and Nikola's friend, Hassen, had stood him up.
Nikola's rhythmic tapping ceased as he slammed a fist on the table, surged to his feet, and marched straight to Hassen's office.
He flung the door open and demanded an answer, his voice low with contained anger.
I've been waiting in the conference room for a full twenty minutes!
Have you forgotten the meaning of punctuality?!
Or perhaps that anger was no longer contained.
The commotion snapped Hassen out of his trance. He tore his gaze away from the document he'd been staring at blankly.
Ah, my apologies. Has it really been that long?
Striding to the desk, Nikola glanced at the document in Hassen's hands.
Hassen passed it to him without hesitation, and Nikola gave it a cursory look.
He recognized the document he had already reviewed long ago.
This damage assessment report detailed the aftermath of the Gestalt data wall breach, focusing primarily on the destruction of the A1 Airport terminal.
To this day, that shattered "petal" of Babylonia remains unrestored.
I don't get it.
That crisis is over. Why are you still looking at an old report?
Hassen heaved a deep sigh, his response tinged with unmistakable melancholy.
In just a few short years, Babylonia has faced multiple attacks that threatened its very foundation.
...
First, the Luna incident, where Huaxu infiltrated Gestalt and seized control of most of its processing modules. It completely severed Gestalt's ability to regulate Babylonia's power systems.
Then Ballard... with 7295 unguided ballistic missiles still aimed directly at us.
One push of a button from the Forsaken, and we could be shot down at any moment.
And then there's... that thing... that showed up from behind Gestalt's data wall.
We've been walking a tightrope over an abyss this entire time.
Do you know what those politicians and wealthy elites are saying?
Hmph, I don't need you to tell me.
"Keep the battlefield on Earth," they say. "Don't let it disrupt our lives on Babylonia."
...Fools.
Nikola fell silent for a moment.
But our position is improving, isn't it?
His words held an indefinable hope, caught between a question for Hassen and a statement of fact.
We've developed new Central Purification Filter technology. The conservation areas on the ground are gradually replacing their tower cores, and we're establishing new safe zones.
Construct Tech is advancing as well.
Doesn't the Science Council have a new technology for the M.I.N.D.?
The first frame to be equipped with it... is Liv's new frame?
That will depend on whether [player name] approves it.
Okay.
He returned to their previous topic.
Regarding the agents, Vonnegut has disappeared, and Luna isn't showing strong hostile intentions right now.
By any measure, the situation is stable and improving.
...
Maybe it is.
Nikola raised an eyebrow; he sensed Hassen was holding something back.
You think there's another crisis coming?
No. You're certain of it.
...
Why?
Some members of Parliament are growing restless.
Kurono again?
No, it can't be. Kurono isn't worth this level of concern.
Kurono is a hyena, chasing after scraps. You can control them with bait, and once they're full, they're no threat. Handle them correctly, and they'll cough up everything they've swallowed, stomach acid included. Sometimes, they'll even fight for you.
But these ones are different. They're far more dangerous.
Who are they?
That's the problem. I don't know who they are yet.
...
You. Don't. Know. Yet.
He spoke slowly, giving each word weight.
I'm not exactly a prophet here.
For everyone's sake, I hope you're not.
Sigh...
But you are Hassen. The legendary "Hassen the Undefeated".
The long-forgotten title from Nikola's lips gave Hassen pause, his expression softening with a hint of nostalgia.
That's just an empty title from the past. It's not worth mentioning.
There's something else that's been on my mind.
It's about our cybersecurity here on Babylonia.
Isn't Gestalt...
He started to ask if Gestalt wasn't enough, but the thought died as he recalled its dismal performance in recent years.
I believe the digital domain will become a critical battlefield in the future.
A look of realization crossed Nikola's face.
So that's why Teddy's new frame got pushed through so fast.
Well, she is quite wealthy herself.
But yes, that is the reason.
From what I hear, her new frame should be almost ready. About 80% complete.
I'll be assigning her a mission after that.
What kind of mission?
...She'll be looking for facilities with sufficient computing power.
Do you remember what came before Project Gestalt?
If I'm remembering right... was it the quantum network and artificial intelligence engineering?
Close enough. The full name was "Quantum Neural Synapse and Advanced AI Matrix".
It was a supercomputer and AI project led by the Science Council in collaboration with universities and research institutes worldwide.
And Gestalt... it needs two key things to be what it is.
First, it has to be a quantum supercomputer. Second, it needs to have advanced artificial intelligence.
What's this got to do with Teddy's mission?
I want her to find me a quantum supercomputer that doesn't have the AI part.
You don't trust Gestalt?
I never said that.
Your actions suggest otherwise.
That is your assumption.
...
Nikola let out a resigned sigh.
Why not at least wait until her frame is ready and switched?
No need to wait. This mission is exactly what she'll need.
Why would you need a quantum supercomputer without an AI?
It's just a precaution.
Hassen pushed himself up from his seat and moved to the window, his eyes fixed on the profound darkness of space.
What would you say is the real "foundation"—or the "cornerstone"—of everything we've built here?
Strength.
Nikola answered without a moment's hesitation.
Strength, huh... Of course you'd say that.
What's your answer then?
Hassen offered no answer. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on the distance, where a shimmer of brilliant stars pierced the infinite darkness.
What are you... really up to...
