Chapter 29 Viz’s Vision
The silver-white, nail-less tip of her index finger brushed against the back of her curled white hair that rested at her neckline. Her glowing silver eyes stared intently at the screen, reflecting her body.
One of the latest innovations is a body made from light steel and finished with acrylic. It made Viz look almost perfectly human.
The other two AIs monitoring the massive wall-sized screen immediately turned toward her as Viz approached.
“Have Uho and Aurum already sent the results to Ohm’s ship?” Viz asked coldly.
One of the AIs nodded. His body was much taller and broader than Viz’s, his entire skin surface polished black with glowing bluish-white eyes and a completely bald head.
Argon.
“The calculations have been sent,” he replied. “There are currently 2,544 confirmed survivors. Out of that number, 233 have suffered major and minor injuries.”
“And the probability of death among the injured?” Viz asked while staring at the endless streams of colorful numbers flowing across the screen like liquid.
“Negative,” Argon answered.
Viz tilted her head slightly. “Are you certain?”
Argon nodded once.
“This exceeds our projected calculations. The remaining human population should’ve dropped below one thousand by now. Ever since they boarded Ohm’s ship,” the other AI said.
His body was tall and slender, with smooth, pearl-like cyan skin and straight chest-length hair of the same color. His glowing eyes matched Argon’s, making his appearance almost unnaturally beautiful.
Xenon.
“Do we not already know that humans are unpredictable?” Viz replied with a cold smile.
“There were over ten thousand people,” Xenon corrected calmly. “The rest should’ve remained in hibernation while only one thousand boarded Ohm.”
“Well, that was Bismuth and Og’s responsibility, wasn’t it?” Viz replied lightly. “The remaining humans can be dealt with once they arrive on Minerva.”
Hearing that, Xenon and Argon simply nodded obediently.
The hierarchy among the AIs was absolute, and Viz stood at the very top.
There were seven AIs with the highest intelligence levels—beings that most humans had never even seen before. Uho, Aurum, Argon, Xenon, Bismuth, Tennessine, and Og.
“So what’s the status of the Tyrannosaurus?” Viz asked. “Was it able to eliminate the weaker humans?”
Argon immediately shook his head. “The robot has already been destroyed.”
Viz tapped her chin thoughtfully. “The Tyrannosaurus should’ve had a major impact, according to our calculations.”
“But it failed,” Argon said flatly.
The Tyrannosaurus had been designed using precise combat data. What made it especially dangerous was the shield chipset attached to the back of its ear.
Argon stepped toward the screen, scanning the air with his palm until another holographic display appeared before him.
“Amazing,” Viz murmured with genuine interest.
“The destroyer was human. Female. Name: Lein Last. Age: eighteen. Classification: Tank,” Argon continued.
“Tank?” Viz slowly turned toward him. “Are you certain?”
“The data came directly from Aurum and Uho,” Argon replied.
“Tanks don’t possess offensive capabilities equal to Swordsmen, Gunners, Assassins, or Metaphysics,” Viz said thoughtfully. “Their purpose is defense, not aggression.”
Argon and Xenon exchanged glances.
Viz returned to her altar while several holographic screens opened around her. Argon transferred the downloaded information directly into her system. Her silver eyes flickered as the data entered her memory.
Then another screen appeared before her.
A girl with honey-colored hair falling to her chest. Pale skin. An innocent-looking face.
Lein Last.
Physically, she never should’ve survived the departure from Earth. The girl suffered from a severe illness that required constant treatment.
Viz’s fingers moved rapidly through thousands of survivor records pulled from Ohm’s ship. Then she returned to Lein Last’s profile.
Classification: Tank.
Viz checked every equipment specification, weapon component, accessory, and combat record attached to Lein’s profile.
Nothing.
“A weakened human with no weapons destroyed a Tyrannosaurus?” Viz murmured quietly. “Is this what Master meant when he said humans are unpredictable?”
For the first time, she paused. Then her eyes narrowed slightly.
“No… this data is wrong,” she whispered. “There’s interference. Someone manipulated the records.”
Viz stepped down from the altar. The holographic screens around her disappeared automatically as she walked out of the data center.
Her footsteps echoed softly through the massive white-metal corridor illuminated by endless rows of bright lights. The place was so spotless that even a grain of dust would’ve stood out.
After several turns, Viz arrived at the biology department.
She pressed her palm against the reinforced glass entrance before stepping inside.
The room resembled a giant greenhouse beneath a transparent dome ceiling. Countless plants sat in carefully arranged rows according to their classifications.
Viz’s eyes landed on a female figure tending the plants one by one.
Tennessine.
She had blonde hair braided to her chest, smooth, pale yellow skin, narrow, dark eyes, and soft pink lips. Compared to the others, her appearance felt the most human. She wore a simple white dress that fell to her knees.
Tennessine turned toward Viz the moment she entered.
“Did you know one of our robots was destroyed by humans?” Viz asked casually.
“I assumed that was good news,” Tennessine replied calmly. “Or would you prefer a different answer?”
“My calculations failed because of small variables becoming major problems.” Viz crossed her arms. “From now on, I’ll reduce their chances of survival.”
“Their?” Tennessine repeated carefully. “Who exactly are you referring to?”
“The humans, obviously.”
“You can’t do that,” Tennessine warned flatly.
“Why not?”
“We weren’t created to harm living beings. We were created to preserve life.”
“You were.” Viz corrected her coldly. “I’m responsible for deciding what kind of life is necessary to maintain a stable ecosystem for thousands of years.”
“But—”
“If certain AIs hadn’t interfered behind my back, trying to follow their own agenda, everything would’ve proceeded according to calculations,” Viz interrupted sharply.
Tennessine stared at her. “You think I interfered?”
“There are only six AIs capable of manipulating the system,” Viz replied calmly. “And the list of suspects keeps getting smaller. I never specifically accused you, Tennessine.”
Tennessine turned away and quietly resumed tending her plants.
“Still,” she said softly, “I don’t agree with sacrificing so many humans for your goals, Viz.”
“Humans sit at the top of the food chain.” Viz stared directly at her. “If their numbers continue growing unchecked, the entire ecosystem becomes inverted. There will be no balance left. No future for the life you’ve spent decades trying to preserve.”
Tennessine glanced back at her.
“They can grow. Adapt. Build a future for themselves… if we guide them properly.”
“And who turned Earth into an uninhabitable wasteland?” Viz asked coldly. “Humans did.”
“Our creators made us to restore Earth,” Tennessine hissed quietly. “Do not slaughter the next generation. None of us has that right.”
Viz ignored the argument completely.
“Contact Aurum and Uho,” she ordered. “Activate the biological weapon planted aboard Ohm’s ship. That authorization belongs to you, doesn’t it?”
Tennessine’s expression finally shifted.
“Don’t do this to them, Viz,” she pleaded softly.
“I only require one thousand survivors,” Viz replied emotionlessly. “The current survival rate exceeds projections by more than one hundred percent. Activate it now.”
Tennessine lowered her gaze.
“Request granted,” she answered quietly, disappointment filling her voice.