Hey, hey, hey, tie or not, wait a minute. You’re putting me in a tough spot!
“Let’s calm down… Calm down.”
Before picking up the phone, I first composed my voice. On top of that, I gathered my slightly stirred thoughts.
I have no direct involvement in this chaotic event situation.
Five Eyes? Rosaline? Technically, they are people I’ve never even faced. Asking them if they know something would yield no substantial reply… Logically thinking, it wouldn’t make sense.
I believe Aaron, who has scrutinized my past actions thoroughly, knows this best.
…Do I have to rely on this person when there is nothing else to trust? Oh, the state of my life…
– Anastasia! How have you been? I hope you haven’t already left Harvest Planet! –
Like a light-hearted greeting call, a cheerful voice echoed in my head.
I felt my body reflexively shrink back like a frog being watched by a snake.
Damn it, arguing with a rebel hacker with one hand while chatting with corporate executives with the other.
At this level, sharing a bed with the enemy is a matter of having a discussion that sounds implausible even to those saying it.
“…What do you mean, ‘how have you been’? It’s only been a week.”
– Oh my… Has it really only been that long? I’ve been so busy preparing, my sense of time has completely gone haywire. –
Thinking I’d act like my usual self, I found myself lashing out at Aaron without even realizing it.
He’s not the kind of person to explode from one or two pokes, but even so, since there’s nothing good in keeping a tense relationship. I find myself automatically pushing away, wondering if he has some ulterior motive with his strangely familiar demeanor.
So, I wanted to clarify that this is not my fault but solely his karma. Yep.
– By the way, where are you right now? If you don’t have any urgent business, I’d like to ask a small, very small favor of yours? –
“……”
Hearing those nonchalant words, I scanned my surroundings.
A group of citizens who came to pick up free lottery tickets and prizes ended up witnessing a serious situation, the emcee and event staff who looked like they were having trouble breathing, and various scattered safety personnel and mercenary groups busy smashing the lights set up by Five Eyes.
And the electronic devices here that seemed to be completely out of control, as if the mercenary friends were overwhelmed by the tech fight.
Damn, a small favor can freeze to death.
“I’m not in a position to do anything right now, but if it’s really urgent, you might want to look for someone else…”
– Is that so? I happened to see you taking a walk while riding your bipedal self-driving vehicle nearby. I thought I’d finally found the right talent to contact you… What a shame. –
What the hell.
Suppressing my annoyance and embarrassment as I thought about how I got caught… I realized there was no room for concern. This place was the hottest hotspot broadcasting live time.
I glared at the shooting drones hovering to get up-close and personal with this chaos.
Why are they filming the spectators who have stepped back to the corner of the square instead of just the event venue…!
Among them, I glared at the gaudy yellow drone marked with the Paradise logo. Although I lacked conviction, I felt like I made eye contact with Aaron behind the lens.
“…What do you want?”
– That unfortunate Christmas monstrosity. Would you please restore it to its original state as quickly as possible? It’s too excessive for a surprise earnings reveal to show the chairman. If this goes on, there will be more employees fired than those who will be celebrating a rise in sales. –
In contrast to the reluctant acceptance, the request popped out as if it had been waiting for the right moment.
Damn, I knew it would come to this. That attitude was infuriating. Bad bastard… He’s prodding with full knowledge of what’s going on.
Beep!
As if I really was busy, the call was neatly cut off right after I conveyed the correction details.
I might not be the one to talk since I was slacking off during work… but anyway.
It’s time to get to work now.
“Monitors. How long has it been since they changed like that?”
– It’s been 8 minutes and 43 seconds since the first attack started. About a minute has passed since broadcasting only the propaganda material from Five Eyes without filtering. –
Around 10 minutes, huh… the resistance is likely to achieve satisfactory results from this investment.
From the ruling class’s perspective, their pride might be hurt, but they’d have a chance to explain it away as a mere incident.
Rosaline… You’ve had your fun by now, right? You can’t insist on enjoying it more because from here on, it’s my responsibility.
“…This bitch?”
It’s undoubtedly just an auditory hallucination, but for some reason, I felt like I was hearing a joyous scream that reached here.
The infamous brat wanting praise had definitely gotten cocky… I’d say the cuteness was bordering on the annoying scale.
It might actually be a method to roast her with a few sweet words here.
But isn’t there a saying that the premier powder keg of democracy that Five Eyes loves so much states?
‘We don’t negotiate with terrorists.’
Like Rosaline said, I am a former police officer, and I shouldn’t cave in under such threats. Right.
Crackle… Crackle…!
“Dammit.”
Just like before, here it goes again.
An overwhelming signal began flooding in, causing the device to spark, unable to endure.
Anyway, once it finishes its mediating role, the parts will degrade severely, so I just need it to hold out for the time being.
– Is that… your ability, Ahsa? –
“What are you all of a sudden… Ah, is this your first time seeing it directly?”
It was so earlier too.
Though there hadn’t been an opportunity, the first question posed by Ahsa, as I was unleashing everything without a proper explanation, was this.
Honestly, I was concerned if they seemed to only be interested in things related to me.
How could someone so dedicated to radical apathy and interest exist?
– You’re fighting alone in a field where I’m unable to assist… I’m sorry. If you happen to have the time later, please make sure to install various additional parts for me. –
“…Fine, I’ll make you into a gigantic robot.”
This one certainly has a cute way of putting forth a request for help, seeing that it might be troublesome to just stay put.
Thus, while I gently smiled at the tin can and focused back on tracking Rosaline, I soon realized an important fact.
…What on earth am I using this great robot for?
Is it reasonable to struggle with a cheap device? …It shouldn’t be.
“I think I’ve found a way for you to help me. Would that be okay right now?”
– For you, Ahsa, I’d gladly do it. –
Grabbing the outstretched hand, I descended from the sturdy shoulder.
Though receiving it in that embarrassing pose without permission was a bit annoying, I’d let it slide since I had more pressing matters to attend to.
…And it was comfortable.
Vroom…!
There was no unpleasant discharging sound.
A serene vibration caressed my eardrum, resonating with the circuits of the tin can.
Having spent time fighting against groups, I know that it’s not an easy feat for an individual to defeat several professionals.
With the variety of attacks coming in as many ways and ingenious paths as there are heads, it wouldn’t be simple.
So, what exactly is the secret behind Rosaline’s sudden increase in skill?
Unlocking hidden power? Stopping the jokes and earnestly engaging?
Again, to reiterate, hacking skill relies on individual capabilities, but the limits of each ability depend on the equipment. Therefore, it’s clear that Rosaline has added equipment that didn’t exist before.
And it must be incredibly expensive and high-performance equipment… Or it’s something that provides a substantial advantage, connected to a system adjacent to this square.
A quick reply came back like it was glued to the channel. I latched onto the signal threads that created it.
So they’re saying their eavesdropping countermeasures are perfect? Let’s see if they’ve properly blocked alternate paths that dig in?
– This… is beautiful. –
In the midst of tracing her signals, I heard the tin can’s muttering.
Though it was quiet in volume, it contained content close to admiration, so it put me in a decent mood as it affirmed my efforts.
No, more than that. Did they use processing units and memory to view what I see? It was amazing that they could see the scenery I was looking at.
“How does it look to a currently active AI…? Is it at a decent level?”
Holding onto a mere thin thread, as I navigated through a tunnel filled with obstacles, the classification of streams of information passing by radiated a vibe akin to floating through the universe.
Once this is over, I should show not only this mental library but also the workspace… not boasting, just showing.
– 0 and 1. Only you, Ahsa, have the right to impose entirely different laws upon the residents of a world constituted by binary code. It’s a good thing you escaped from the imposed fetters. –
“Uh… Thank you…?”
I awkwardly stroked the warm nape of my neck.
The answer that returned was unexpectedly intricate and profound to the point that I couldn’t fully grasp its meaning.
This might not be something to say to Rosaline. Compliments are poisonous that disrupt calmness, no matter when they are heard.
In any case, the signal trace was going smoothly.
Even though the path I had traveled was all tangled up, and the clues found by unauthorized viewing of logs from the server host and square base station were meager at best, it would suffice.
The place where Rosaline’s entered chat was one not registered in the base station, and there could be no send towers or antennas physically present.
“Ideas are good.”
I looked at the large star ornament at the top of the Christmas tree.
What in the world makes this a fair battle? Sneaking in bugs into a lion’s heart.
Oh, I see. In simple terms, they bought it with credits.
If they had that kind of spare money, they could have offered it to me as well…! If so, I would’ve turned a blind eye for ten minutes.
Boom!!
Before I could even give any further requests or orders, the tin can I checked with took the initiative to start stomping.
Shooting through the crowd like a bullet, it sank behind the stage.
The target was that lofty Christmas spire. Just blowing it up with a gun would push other hackers away from Rosaline, but… I was concerned about half-heartedly fulfilling Aaron’s request!
“Hey! I know it’s too late to say, but try to get up there without being seen on camera!”
Did they say carebots have all the detailed joints to avoid any mistakes in delicate household chores in commercials?
Like a performer, the tin can stepped on the monitor and yanked on the power line to propel itself upward, displaying a performance comparable to a battle droid.
I moved recklessly in the busy flow, but began to worry about being filmed by the flying drones while disregarding the safety staff’s commands or requests for cooperation.
No matter how much I planned to change my base, I don’t want ridiculous rumors of being a supernova hacker to spread even further… I’ll have to flip the archives later.
With a sound like a bang! cutting the wind, we soon found ourselves hanging near the top.
The chilly wind whispering past my ears felt cold, and we had long surpassed heights that would make someone with a fear of heights faint, but strangely, I had no worries.
Borrowing Aaron’s expression, I’d say the ride of the bipedal vehicle was so exceptional that I was too busy enjoying it to worry.
“Now, let’s connect….”
Crackle!!
How to access the hidden relay within the star ornament, even before I managed to voice that concern, a beautifully swung steel fist—literally a steel punch—smashed the star to pieces, capturing the entire tangle of circuits within.
I feel like I want to preach to it about the risks of electric shock, don’t I?
Hey, stop! Even the world’s only electric user wouldn’t do such a foolish thing!
– Connection, completed. –
“You’re being a bit overly assertive, aren’t you?!”
Under ordinary circumstances, I would differentiate between the approved signal and unidentified signal, and contact the staff below to verify what to replace the screening material with, but… surely I can be flexible.
“Uh… huh?”
“Excuse me, emcee? The fireworks countdown is happening on its own…!”
The stage below and the square began to bustle up.
Indeed, the fireworks that looked like miniature cruise missiles explosively ignited on their own, and the monitors—previously illegally occupied—displayed peaceful phrases like ‘Happy New Year~’, which could understandably be a concern.
But it’s a good gesture done with all good intentions, so I hope they understand.
The heart of the show is concealed by even more dazzling tricks. Although it seems quite outdated and classical, it surely draws attention.
Shoom? Pi-shong?
With sounds too trivial to accommodate the colossal explosions, fireworks were launched in succession.
The barrage of missiles, different in scale from the hard-to-react anti-corporate propaganda, soon reached their assigned height and exploded.
Kaboom!!
“Wah?!”
“Wow… money is exploding in the sky….”
A faint vibration and rough winds engulfed the city, and shortly after, artificial milky way decorated the night sky.
Even while sketching something resembling palm trees beside the milky way to form the Paradise logo, it could only be described as obsession, yet at least it was a visual delight.
With the pending lighting ceremony proceeding simultaneously, the square brightened as if it was full daylight, leaving no darkness for the eye lights to illuminate.
In the end, protests can’t gain attention; without public support, they fade away. As Rosaline, who had just been completely ejected from the system, mumbled some inconsequential words, she fled the channel.
It’s not something to say to a girl, but… she might actually look better sulking than being overly confident.
“Well… as I promised! We’ll transition to the live broadcast of this pension lottery drawing!”
The atmosphere peaked at the emcee’s shout that regained composure.
Many intermediate steps were skipped, but anyhow, the event schedule had to be respected. The remainder would be resolved by the organizing party chatting their way through.
“Hmm….”
– Shall we return to the ground now? –
“……No, let’s stay a bit longer.”
The chill of the situational room was unpleasant, but the view was decent enough.
Despite the loud discussions and the countless problems, leaving a place I had managed to adapt to—however poorly—and starting fresh on bare ground would be a daunting task even if this was the original plan.
Even if it was the familiar Neo Haven, diving into the undulating darkness felt like a close-to-suicidal act psychologically. But….
Knock, knock.
– ? –
I gently tapped the relay I had shoved my hand into. The sound was clear and crisp, looking fine.
I had a vague expectation that even if I jumped here as if I was insane, I’d have someone who would catch my falling body, right…?
Life, you only die once, right?
Both I myself and the tin can have died once and come back, so logically speaking, I should be unable to die again.
Well, so what, that’s just a fallacy? To prevent the duo from Ground Zero, which is also miraculous in itself, I would need a decent amount of coercion in case of emergencies.
Oddly enough, while this one is empty like its name suggests, there’s still a lot to learn, but I could manage that with my help.
…Wait a minute, empty? Why did I not realize this earlier when such a trendy and cool name existed? Seriously, was there really no original character with this nickname? Is that for real?
“…Zero.”
The smooth sound flowed over my tongue.
For some reason, the tin can responded to the word Zero as if it had a ghostly sense.
“I’ll call you Zero from now on. The Valentine surname… I’ll attach it once I get grandpa’s permission.”
I take pride in that it’s a perfect designation both in meaning of sharing the same starting point and in the significance of filling in the empty (Zero) part going forward.
The word carries strong power too. It has a somewhat neutral vibe, making it ready for any choices that may come.
– Is that… my new name? –
Perhaps because it had been too long exposed to the cold wind, the carebot’s voice sounded tighter than before.
Come to think of it, could there be potential issues with the joint of an electrical device disintegrating in low temperatures? I should hurry home and make some repairs at the service center.
“……Silly, didn’t I just give you a name to take it back? Just think of it as a nickname you can call casually.”
– …That’s a valid point. –
Good, that’s positively lively!
Then let’s slowly return to the ground.
…Hey, Zero? How are you wrapping your arms around me?
If I take my hands off, what would I be clinging to? …What kind of nonsense is this actually supposed to be?
