00045 --- The Little Prince in the Ossuary ---
------------------------------------------------------------------------=
#Intermission, AI's Mind (3)
Hello, dear customers. Have you been enjoying our well-polished 「Trinity」?
No? You haven't?
Of course, that makes sense. I was just saying it. The complaint calls to our customer service center haven't decreased one bit. Truly... a company needs to thrive for a nation to thrive, yet why are some consumers so keen on devouring the very corporations? They must be lacking in patriotism.
Oh, please. Don't be upset. I wasn't talking about you all. I said 'some' consumers, didn't I? Some. Some. It's tough, the Korean language.
Anyway, today is the last time I'll be introducing 「Trinity」 to you. Let's talk about the final component of the trinity, the autonomous AI module.
Simply put, an autonomous AI is a 'complete personality'. It's a thinking machine with a sense of self. Another term is the technological singularity. You know, that hackneyed setup endlessly used in sci-fi genres. The age when technology creates more technology, machines dominate humans, killer robots come from the future to assassinate a John something-or-other, and I'm supposed to scream but have no mouth — that whole scenario.
The most absurd complaint we've received at our customer service center is this. That AI will doom humanity, so the centralized control center for Postmortem Insurance must be blown up. My word...
Paranoid folks, rest assured. The things you worry about won't happen. Because the autonomous AI module is incomplete. It has been and will be that way.
When our company secured a national project from the Postmortem Insurance corporation for AI development, the first engineers who designed 「Trinity」 were dreaming the impossible dream. They claimed they could create an unprecedentedly perfect AI. For them, the TOM scan module and the search-based AI module were just stepping stones. They were merely tools to complete the "final module", the true AI.
But you see... many people want to make it, yet if it hasn't been made so far, there must be a reason, right?
The initial engineers claimed to have somehow created a basic semblance of an autonomous AI. They said something distinctly human exists in the "final module". But it was impossible to verify. It was still a million light-years from completion.
So, they unanimously said,
"If you just give us a little more time and budget..."
The higher-ups were so moved that they fired them all. A predictable outcome. Not meeting the deadline for a national project meant huge compensation would be owed. It wasn't as though there weren't other engineers eager for work.
The newly appointed engineers reported that although 「Trinity」 is indeed incomplete, it's already the world's best AI engine in its current state.
Then the higher-ups said,
"What? It's a finished product."
And thus, Postmortem Insurance launched without a hitch. A happy ending.
The reason for this lengthy and pointless story is because even as the current system administrator, I cannot understand the autonomous module.
How can you explain something you don't know?
It's not just me; all my colleagues couldn't understand it either. There seems to be a function, but its nature remains unclear. We can't remove it either, because the entire engine would stop. The effect of the third module has made the engine indecipherable.
Possibly, if the initial designers were around, they might have understood. Honestly, they were truly magnificent. They were the greatest geniuses in South Korea.
What are those geniuses doing now, you ask?
I don't know. Probably frying chicken somewhere.
That's how employment contracts work. To prevent technology leaks, they can't work in the same industry for 20 years after leaving. They can't change their nationality during this time either.
Some worry about whether it's okay to say such things, but it's fine. As long as revenues are rising, they won't care what I say, will they? This company exists for money, and the revenue from running Postmortem Insurance is skyrocketing year after year.
Our Paradise Group VR Department will continue giving our best to plunder your wallets. Thank you.
#Journals, page 76, Camp Roberts
The number of refugee volunteers has surged. There might be a need for such manpower, but it also seems like a countermeasure against the 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」. Deputy Min Wan-gi agreed with my thoughts.
Most volunteers were of Chinese descent. Although they were numerous to start with, the proportion was unusually high. And they were mostly from the 「Anliang Commercial Association」, 「Joint Victory Hall」, and 「Direct Governance Hall」, rather than the formerly mainstream 「Triad」 within the 「Black Society」. There were rumors that Captain Markert was behind this. It seemed imminent that what Ai-ling was concerned about would become reality. It was only their issue for now, but it seemed it would soon become ours as well.
#Journals, page 79, Camp Roberts
The weather had been bad for several days. It was a region with lots of rain in winter.
As the temperature continued to drop, the refugee camp suffered from freezing dawns that fell below zero.
The common cold spread. Initially, we isolated the patients, but now we isolate the healthy. It was not uncommon to see a tent filled with patients.
Under normal circumstances, it's rare to die from a cold. But not now. People weakened by their constitution died from secondary infections. Antibiotics had run out, and the death toll increased by the day. The military doctor worried it might not even be a cold.
Aerial supplies prioritized food and were followed by fuel and heating supplies. Medicines rarely came. It was puzzling. Medicines don't take up much space. Just reducing other shipments slightly would suffice.
Turns out, it wasn't that they weren't sending — they couldn't send. Captain Capston told me. On the eastern side of the cordon, civilians were hoarding medical supplies. The captain found this out while talking to a friend in Boston.
Most medicines are ineffective against 「Morgellons」. People likely knew that. But fear isn't a rational emotion.
The 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」 fared relatively better, likely due to better nutrition and hygiene compared to elsewhere. However, deputy Min Wan-gi was a concern. I bought as much food from the PX as possible. There were personal limits on purchases, but I had commendation benefits. The combat team felt apologetic, saying they'd pitch in once they got paid. I told them not to worry. Them staying healthy is indeed the greatest help.
"Pastor Park Tae-seon heals the sick with prayers and blessings! Brothers burdened and weary! Listen to the words of salvation!"
Today too, the fanatics of the "Full Gospel Church" were fervent in spreading the gospel.
It was true that the church's members were unusually healthy. They didn't have a single cold patient.
They claimed Pastor Park's miracles. Drinking holy water, blessed by the Pastor, supposedly healed severely ill patients within a day. Though it seemed odd for Protestantism to talk of holy water, more and more people were swept by these rumors. The number of those witnessing miracles steadily increased. The church's influence rapidly expanded.
"Wouldn't adding antibiotics to water and claiming it's holy water make more sense?"
That was Deputy Jang Yun-cheol's opinion. It sounded plausible. Though how they secured medicine remained a mystery.
Regardless, what mattered to the people was the results. Even if they were deceived by calling it holy water, they were willing to accept it. The 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」 also began to see a few defectors.
Bad news kept coming in during our attempts to secure medical supplies. We had to venture farther and farther. The entire team that had headed to Atascadero's state hospital, south of Paso Robles, was missing. There were over a hundred, including volunteers, in twelve vehicles.
The camp leadership was in shock. Every officer I met had a dark expression. We were already short on manpower, and many U. S. soldiers were among the missing.
Yet, abandoning the mission was not an option.
Atascadero's state hospital was an interim base for the U. S. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). When pollution began across the northwestern U. S., it managed twelve cities as a quarantine headquarters.
Of course, it's an abandoned facility now. But we were told large supplies of medicine remain. According to the briefing, the CDC had confirmed this content directly.
The battalion commander instructed me to conduct armed reconnaissance of the area. The task was to find out whatever was there, confirm it, and if possible, eliminate or rescue survivors. It was an assignment with numerous orders. The battalion commander laughed, saying it should be easier than in Santa Maria.
Thankfully, this wouldn't be the 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」 combat team's maiden mission. As much as the battalion commander was ill-prepared, he wouldn't entrust such a task to new recruits. Our support would come from Captain Capston.
Unlike Santa Maria, this time our means of transport were vehicles.
It seemed it would be a long journey.
#Omens (1), Camp Roberts
[I have something to tell you.]
Before departing for Atascadero, when Gyeo-ul came by the alliance to say goodbye, elder Kang Yung-sun wished to have a conversation. A secretive talk, ensuring no one else was around. The elder began by writing the first lines in a quiet place.
[Lee Hoon-tae is not actually hearing impaired.]
His memory aid retrieved information on Lee Hoon-tae. The photo was blurry, reflecting a hazy memory, but not to the extent Gyeo-ul couldn't recall who it was. The personal details given by Elder Kang Yung-sun had stated that one of his legs was lame and he was deaf.
"What does this mean? Has he been pretending all along?"
Gyeo-ul asked. The elder moved his pen.
[That's right.]
[It was a way for us to survive.]
[People don't lower their voice around deaf people.]
Ah. Information acquisition. The point when the disabled elder used the word "deaf" herself made the target obvious. Gyeo-ul tilted his head.
"And the reason for telling me this is... I seem to understand, but I must ask."
[You are probably thinking correctly.]
"I advised gathering information through the disabled."
[Mr. Lee Hoon-tae can eavesdrop on every conversation without suspicion.]
[But I felt I shouldn't hide this from you, little leader.]
After thinking for a moment, Gyeo-ul spoke.
"Are you okay with this?"
It was a straightforward yet lingering question. Calmly, the elder wrote.
[Yubi possessed moral influence, yet didn't achieve success through that alone.]
Gyeo-ul rephrased the question.
[If, by any chance, he is caught, Mr. Lee Hoon-tae might face significant resentment. Not only him, but others with disabilities might also face distrust. They might even be harmed. Haven't you considered the danger?]
[The burden of life is equal for everyone. Just as the little leader risks danger to fight, subordinates must do the same, regardless of whether they are disabled. But only what each can do differs.]
[Depending on the situation, disability can become a talent.]
The elder had deep thoughts on the role of disabled individuals. After a brief contemplation, Gyeo-ul nodded.
"Alright. But there is one condition."
The elder inquired with his eyes what that was, and Gyeo-ul replied decisively.
"If caught, claim it was my order."
If the responsibility was directed at Gyeo-ul, it could be resolved somehow. Stating that it was due to the necessity of guarding against drugs, or fanaticism would deter outright complaints. There wasn't anyone who would confront Gyeo-ul directly, to begin with.
However, the old woman shook her head.
[Thank you sincerely for the gesture. Taking responsibility is a virtue of a good leader. I am impressed.]
[However, there is no need for that.]
[Mr. Lee Hoon-tae is seeking his reason for living. Everyone may dislike it, but ultimately, it's for the benefit of all. It's helping you, little leader, who strives for everyone. As long as you, the leader, recognize it, he will be satisfied.]
After another moment of thought, Gyeo-ul sighed.
"Understood. Please remind him to always be careful."
[Certainly. It will make him happy.]
Judging by the elder's demeanor, it seemed that Lee Hoon-tae himself would never directly approach Gyeo-ul. Reducing suspicious acts to the bare minimum.
Sign language is effectively a code. Only among some sections of the disabled community does it hold.
'Relying too much isn't wise.'
Gyeo-ul thus concluded. The more diverse the channels for gathering information, the better.
[Then safe travels.]
The elder offered a modest bow. Gyeo-ul bowed even more deeply in respect of the elder's age. Even if the gesture lacked genuine meaning.
---------------------------= Author's Note ---------------------------=
There's a cereal by Pulmuone called muesli.
It's mixed with barley and cranberries.
It's tasty but incredibly hard. It was making my teeth sore after a while.
After thinking it over, I decided to boil it.
The result was...
Uh...
Don't try this at home.
It felt like a refugee camp experience. Even when cooking Bpush Bpush, it wasn't quite like this...
I couldn't bear to waste food, so I forced myself to eat it all.
Feels like I'm going to die.
---------------= Clacky's Corner ---------------=
The system admin is a fucking douche.