00038 - The Little Prince in the Ossuary
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#Unread Messages (2)
「BigBuffetBoy86 : Oh! We're moving to the operation area by helicopter! I love flying in the sky!」
「ProIdle : But the helicopter is too small. It looks like a toy.」
「DevilPlay : Right. Are those platforms outside meant for people to sit on?」
「Saebom : Is that for real? ㅋㅋ Did the old US military really use such dangerous rides?」
「Don'tPitchWithNames : Yes. This is called an MH-6. It was widely used for US special forces transport because it allowed people to shoot freely while seated on either side, it offered quick boarding and disembarking, and its small size made infiltration easy.」
「FantasyAnimalGirlfriend : Thanks for the info ㅅㄱ.」
「MorningDewSoju : Boom Boom Boom Budoodoom Boomboomloomloom」
「まつみん : Oh? Helicopter? This shouldn't be happening?」
「YeominROCK : What's wrong?」
「まつみん : Matsumin is afraid of heights!」
「DamnKim : Then disconnect Sensory Synchronization. Or synchronize only part of your senses.」
「まつみん : I can't do that!」
「DamnKim : Why not?」
「まつみん : I refuse! I won't miss even a single moment with Gyeo-ul!」
「Eeek-dah : Matsumin ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ」
「YeominROCK : Matsumin ;ㅅ;」
「Lemonade : Oh, the blades are starting to spin!」
「BigBuffetBoy86 : Fu-! Flying! Flying!」
「Jjarappappa : What? Whoa? He's not holding the handle?」
「FantasyAnimalGirlfriend : Oh! Oh! Gives me the chills!」
「1BillionLoan : Hey, hey, hey, hey, isn't this intense? If they fall, won't it be a broadcasting accident?」
「OpusHomme : Sheesh... Phew... using a cheap connection... phew... connection... the sensory block is imperfect... phew... if disconnected... would have wet my pants... phew」
「TeamLeaderKimMiyeong : This guy, really has no fear;;; Just goosebumps all over;;; can't even close my eyes since it's not me ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ」
「FrankSausage : No, no, handle, host, handle, handle! Don't reach out! Hey! You'll slip! Hey! Hey! Host! Read! Damn! Read!」
「BigBuffetBoy86 : Fu-! Fu-! Fu-!」
「まつみん : Aaahhh! I don't want this! Gyeo-ul, please don't do this to me!」
「まつみん : Kyahhhh!」
「まつみん : Kyahhhh!」
「SnowFieldFox : Kyahhhh!」
「まつみん : Kyahhhh!」
「MagnaCarta : ㅋㅋㅋ Matsumin is breaking down」
「PoopPuppy : Matsumin, you're cute, Matsumin.......」
「OldSpice : Wait, there's a spy among us?」
「まつみん : Scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared scared」
「まつみん님 gifted 47.61 stars...」
「Storm224 : He's sending stars during all this chaosㅋㅋㅋㅋ」
「ActiveXStaresDown : But what's with the number of stars? Is it a system error?」
「Ryu Kwon-nae Lau : Exchange rates are a problem. Even a humanities major like me knows.」
「ActiveXStaresDown : How did it always add up perfectly before then?」
「DoomtsDoDoomts : That's true. Why is that?」
「まつみん : Because! Japanese people! Are meticulous!」
「まつみん : Kyahhhh!」
「OldSpice : Saying everything he needs to while freaking out ㅋㅋㅋ Really cute ㅋㅋㅋ」
「Grapes of Wrath : Ah, I'd like to date a girl like that.」
「SnowFieldFox has gifted 1 star.」
「SnowFieldFox has gifted 1 star.」
「SnowFieldFox has gifted 2721 stars.」
「JessicaFullTimer : Whoa.......」
「SALHAE : Whoa.......」
「BigBlackPines : Whoa.......」
「Владимир : Two Active Xs left. этого ещё не хватало(That's all that's needed)! I will surely install them! And I will find the person who made these security procedures and get rid of them!」
#Intermission, AI's Mind (2)
Greetings, esteemed customers. Today, we introduce the second segment of the 「Trinity」, the AI engine of our headquarters. Did we talk about the TOM Interpretation Module before? Today, we'll enlighten you about the second phase of the trinity that constitutes virtual personhood—a search-type AI module.
What is a search-type AI? As the name implies, it refers to AI realized through a search engine. It reads all human records floating in the vast ocean of information, the World Wide Web, to find an appropriate answer for the situation.
Can it possibly achieve this? Think about it. Consider how many people are wasting their lives on SNS! The internet harbors love, hate, sadness, joy, happiness, despair, virtue, vice, and all human emotions, knowledge, philosophy, memories, history, and even their dark pasts are all preserved intact. From the era of your grandparents' grandparents, a voluminous data collection has been accumulated. We call this Big Data.
The search-type AI implements personality with logic and data mining to find wanted answers from the Big Data. In fact, even a single module like this can realize complete personality.
Theoretically speaking.
So what's the problem? It's the time needed for searching.
Implementing personality is not an easy task, is it? According to Mehrabian's Law, words account for only 7% in communication! The rest is dominated by vocal tone and visual information!
Hence, when you pose a question to AI, it must find the answer, verify if the answer fits the worldview and situation, and after searching for suitable intonation and tone, figure out the coinciding expression and gesture!
Have you ever imagined how much time this process might consume?
And yet, even then, the reaction is one-dimensional. The mentality of the one who farted getting angry—this can't be perfectly realized through just searching. It only finds the correct answer.
That's why the TOM module holds significance. It drastically reduces the search scope. It explicitly indicates what to search for, you could say? Users with high TOM grades and aptitude sometimes see the search module's occupancy rates drop below 10%.
When two modules create a synergy, the AI will delight you with rich emotions and diverse actions.
Now, a question. Why am I sharing these thoughts once again?
It's simple. It's because of you, our precious customers. Without understanding the technical limitations, just from hearing that persona realization is possible with search-type AI, there are those kind enough to relentlessly call us with complaints.
Well, if it were possible, wouldn't we be selling it already? We are a company that does things for the money anyways.
When explained this way, there's always a follow-up question. When having sex, even with using the search module at 100%, the AI quality and response speed are surprisingly decent, so why is that?
Why indeed?
Oh-hoh hoh-hoh oh-hoh-hoh.
More than 70% of the big data collected until now is pornography. The difference in quality and quantity is on a different level. Finding quality data is easier, you see. Why? Because you just have to search based on high views, recommendations, or download numbers! And things are well-categorized by keywords! Plus, there are detailed reviews in the comments! The search module takes these opinions very much to heart. Of course, the quality has to be good.
Therefore, we ask you to refrain from making complaints on this matter in the future.
This has been a message from the Paradise Group's Virtual Reality Division.
#Journal, page 59, Santa Maria
Ranger 1st Platoon that entered from the north of the city successfully rescued the survivors in the western block of the city. Along with the survivors at Western Motel, the total was thirty-four civilians. Although there were many injured, none were in life-threatening condition, as long as you didn't count those already deceased.
Someone was furious at them. The Commander of the Ranger Company, Captain Ray Emert.
"My subordinates died trying to save these pieces of trash!"
The civilians were petrified. The furious commander's hand rested on the holstered pistol.
I understood his anger.
The civilians were a group of criminals. In the abandoned city, they had been trying to steal abandoned cash or valuables.
It was suspicious from the start. Santa Maria had long not shown any survivor signals. Suppose it wasn't at a position to request help. All survivors were males, and with varied races, one couldn't even call them family. Judging people by appearance isn't right, but their looks and dress were untidy. And there were unsightly tattoos. When coincidences pile, they become inevitabilities.
These people, after a brush with death, weren't in their right minds. When interrogated, they tearfully confessed. They could have escaped on time but deliberately stayed back to score big. A check of their belongings turned up some precious metals and drugs.
The Commander even drew his pistol. He trembled violently, seemingly ready to shoot. Officers tried to dissuade him. If those guys were killed, the soldiers' deaths would truly become meaningless. Sacrificing their lives without saving anyone.
Captain Emert eventually didn't pull the trigger. He couldn't contain his anger and kicked the wall, swollen ankle. It seemed excruciatingly painful, as the Captain groaned despite his dignity. However, no one laughed. It was a grim scene.
Before departing, many individuals came to say goodbye. They requested to be remembered or hoped to meet again someday. There were numerous requests for exchanging mementos. It was awkward, as I had nothing brought with me. Some even gave addresses for exchanging letters and others requested me to write their names in Hangul. The invitation from unit 75 was puzzling. Was that even a matter I could determine?
In any case, they all displayed friendly attitudes.
I was acknowledged through my skills.
Only Lieutenant John Fray, commander of the 3rd Platoon, had an ambiguous attitude. During the mission, I didn't follow his orders. It was hard to tell if his words were praise or criticism. Yet, they came wrapped in warm bluntness. In parting, he left a gift—a Zippo lighter, evidently of high quality. On the inside of the cap, a hand-engraved message lay crooked.
「Rangers lead the way. J. E. F.」
Thanking him for the wonderful gift, he scratched his head once and then left, saying goodbye.
Truly, will we meet again?
Before departing, a commemorative photo with the Ranger Company was taken. During this mission, Captain McGuire's team did nothing noteworthy except this. I offered words of consolation to the Captain. Regrettable for no results, but the Captain shook his head.
"Unaware as you are, all drone-captured footage is recorded. Though less excellent than a well-angled shot, it actually comes across more authentic, hence the mission is a resounding success."
That thought hadn't occurred to me.
"Personally, it was an enlightening and surprising encounter. I didn't put much faith in you. Simply regarded it as propaganda. Truly, people like John Basilone exist in this world."
A smiling face graced his countenance for the first time.
"All along, I've been transforming fiction into reality. That was my role. But this time, conveying truth as is might come off as fabrication. Indeed, a worthwhile challenge it shall be."
In my embarrassment, he extended a handshake.
"Earlier you received a Bronze Star, didn't you? This time, at least a Silver. Videos I take along will sooner be seen widespread, even top brass will be compelled to award you. Congratulations in advance, surely my superior will despise it."
The latter comment puzzled me. I inquired further, but he offered no clarity. It wasn't anything significant; eventually, it'll become apparent, he said.
On the return flight, the helicopter passed over Santa Maria.
"Look, Lieutenant, the streets where you fought."
The helicopter pilot announced over the intercom. Thoughtful, it seemed, an intentional route for my sake. Likely to mask Ranger Company's base too.
Traces of battle drenched in the sunset. Those prominent marks of death, the bloodstains on roads, immersed in warm light, merely rendered a tranquil scenery now. A sense of alienation washed over. The 200 meters once risked by life. The fiercely intense battlefield then, contrasted starkly with the scenery I witnessed now.
Infected mutants faced the sky. Hands reaching upwards. Although opening their mouths, no sound reached. Distorted faces appeared to convey something agonizing, evoking an uncanny sentiment as well.
Two helicopters that orbited twice cut across the sky with the sunset at the left side.
---------------------------= Author's Note ---------------------------=
1.
Q. SoulOnTour : Seeing the special mutants classified under the Alpha grade symbol implies that as they get enhanced or mutate, they could also receive Beta, gamma, etc. Does this mean it'll eventually turn into a mere game of grades... It's merely a passing concern. I trust Tunguska! No, I believe in Tunguska's childhood innocence!
A. Yes, trust me. Such matters are inconceivable in a novel written with childlike innocence.
2. The author is suffering from a lack of childlike innocence these days. There's a movie perfect for regaining childhood who's just opened, conjuring 2, would love to watch it.
Clacky's Corner:
Yeah, I always feel like the intermission guy is an ass.