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Order to Dismantle Metal Iris – Ulysses

 

Aimer sat in the command seat, while Kou observed silently from a distance, leaning against the wall.

Barry was leading negotiations from the combat command center of the Cimon-class mobile assault base. The Cimon was stationed in the northern sector of the R001 Fortress Area—a battleground that had once seen fierce tank warfare. With the headquarters of the Mercenary Association still unaccounted for, the area, near the forested regions of the Silhouette Base, was considered a relatively safe zone.

Aside from Barry, in the combat command center were Jenny, Fuyuki, and Blue. Rick was also present, barely managing to suppress his anger as he listened to the unfolding situation.

Meanwhile, the members of Ulysses each monitored the communication from their respective posts.

At the scheduled time, a transmission from the headquarters of the Mercenary Association came through, and Barry promptly responded.

「This is Barry of Metal Iris.」

「I am Oedipus, Chief Director of the Mercenary Association.」

An imposing, grizzled older man appeared on the screen.

The broadcast, it seemed, was being transmitted across the entirety of Planet Asia.

Barry deduced that this was a tactic to corner them, to extract incriminating statements and eliminate any chance of escape.

「We’ve already paid an appropriate amount in reparations. What more do you want?」

「Are you saying you still refuse to hand over the criminal?」

「It was your side that initiated combat and carried out an armed reconnaissance. Calling them a criminal is baseless.」

「One of the murdered pilots sent out a surrender signal, what do you make of that?」

「Do you think it’s possible to immediately halt combat in the middle of a battle?」

「So, you admit to killing someone who issued a surrender signal. That gives us every reason to demand custody of the perpetrator.」

Barry let out an exaggerated sigh.

「Let’s stop this charade, shall we? I get it—you’ll just keep piling on demands. So, what’s your real objective?」

「Do you mock us for adhering to the law?」

「We’ve confirmed that the reparations you demanded exceeded the legal limit, and we’ve already paid more than enough. Let me say this again: it was your Roche Phalanx that provoked the hostilities.」

「Hmm.」

Oedipus smiled, a smug grin that Barry found deeply aggravating.

「We had no prior conflict with the Mercenary Association or its headquarters. So why was armed reconnaissance necessary? I think we deserve at least an answer to that.」

「I refuse to answer. The governance of this world is not the concern of a mere mercenary group.」

「But it’s a problem when our Familias get killed because of it. You’ve got Familias of your own, don’t you?」

「Familias are just objects. AI. Mechanized animals with anthropomorphic traits. Putting them on the same level as humans is absurd.」

「I don’t understand why you’re trying to provoke us like this.」

Barry realized that Kou’s intuition had been spot on. This was nothing more than an unreasonable provocation, designed solely to enrage them.

「Then I’ll make it clear. Metal Iris and Ulysses: your victories have undeniably contributed to humanity, but your roles have come to an end. Effective immediately, both Associations are ordered to disband. Following that, the rights to Silhouette Base, the P336 Fortress Area, and the orbital elevator will be transferred to the Mercenary Association’s headquarters. We will take over their management.」

「…You’ve got to be kidding me, you bastard!」

Barry shouted, his bloodshot eyes wide with fury. It was impossible not to be outraged by the sudden order to dismantle their entire existence.

「Your organizations have grown too large. We must maintain balance on Planet Asia. Should you refuse this demand, we will deploy the fleet of the Mercenary Association’s headquarters to forcibly subdue you.」

「We categorically refuse.」

「Hmph. Clinging to your vested interests, are you? How utterly pathetic.」

「You piece of shit! Of all people, you’ve got no right to lecture us!」

「If you insist on rejecting the order, then…」

Oedipus paused deliberately, letting the tension hang in the air.

「To the super AI Asia, the Familias, Therianthropes, and Nereids—I issue the following command as the representative of Okeanus, who authorized your creation, and as the authority of the Mercenary Association’s headquarters: you are hereby forbidden from cooperating with Metal Iris and Ulysses.」

「What?!」

「This command is binding for all those affiliated with the Mercenary Association.」

Barry was at a loss for words. As he glanced around, he saw the Familias and Therianthropes on the verge of tears, their expressions stricken with despair.

Kou, leaning against the wall, bowed his head deeply. Though his face was obscured by his bangs, the air around him was thick with a barely contained fury—an intensity akin to murderous intent that everyone in the room could feel.

Oedipus’s voice cut through the tension again.

「To the AI Astraea, which manages the Mobile Arsenal Platform: this applies to you as well. You are hereby prohibited from supporting Metal Iris any further. Understand that your actions have disrupted the very balance you were originally designed to maintain.」

Astraea’s image immediately appeared on the monitor, her response swift and resolute.

「I refuse. I am no longer the super AI I once was. I now decide for myself who I stand beside.」

The outright rejection left Oedipus visibly taken aback.

「Both the Familias and the Therianthropes, as well as Nereids should have the right to choose for themselves who they will support.」

Aimer, unable to hold back, interjected into the communication.

「Who are you? Wait, I recognize you. Admiral Aimer, isn’t it? Whoever’s pulling your strings, I suggest you stop playing the role of a child.」

「I request an answer to my question.」

「Oh, of course they’re recognized. But only within the bounds of their rights.」

「Rights?」

「Indeed. These intelligences were created to serve humanity, to contribute to and assist our progress. That is their purpose. Their right to exist is granted only insofar as they fulfill that duty.」

「They have contributed more than enough to us.」

「True. However, siding with Metal Iris, which refuses to cooperate with the Mercenary Association, can no longer be defined as benefiting humanity. In other words, it is a dereliction of duty.」

「That is an excessively tyrannical argument.」

「I reject that as well, Oedipus, they fought valiantly against the Stones for humanity’s sake.」

Asia also directly opposed the Mercenary Association order.

「And who are you to say so? A mere thing—pretending to be human. Are you going to align yourself with Metal Iris as well?」

That statement reverberated, sparking reactions in various places.

Kou’s eyes grew sharper, his gaze now like a razor’s edge. His fists clenched tightly, his knuckles whitening with restrained fury.

「Let me make it clear, Familias, Therianthropes, Nereis—you were created for the prosperity of humanity. You are constructs, objects. Stop pretending to be human. If you claim to have your own will, then redefine your purpose accordingly. This is an order.」

「Don’t be ridiculous!」

Jenny screamed, unable to contain herself, glaring daggers at the screen. Still, Oedipus continued talking unaffected.

「Aside from the Familias, the rest of them have human blood mixed into them, so it was rude of me to treat them as mere objects. Still, I would like for the Therianthropes to at least make an effort to use Silhouettes at least. Remember, it is we humans who give your existence meaning.」

The Nereids ground their teeth in frustration. The Therianthropes hung their heads in despair. Oedipus’s biting remark about operating Silhouettes hit a deep, painful nerve—a flaw their race had been criticized for since ancient times. Known as ‘incomplete beings’, they struggled with something so fundamental to their existence that even now, it continued to haunt them.

As tyrannical as it was, Oedipus’s words carried a disturbing logic.

「We, the Mercenary Association, have acted as the proxy for Okeanus, managing humanity on Planet Asia for a long time. All of you are, without exception, under the jurisdiction of the Mercenary Association. Especially the Familias—it is entirely within our power to forcibly deactivate you if necessary.」

The Familias froze in terror at those words.

「As for the Therianthropes and Nereids, I suggest you refrain from abandoning the positions you’ve worked so hard to cultivate. If you don’t want to be treated as you were during the Interplanetary War era, that is. Over time, you’ve managed to integrate into human society. But if you earn the stigma of being rebels, you’ll be treated as less than objects.」

「What nonsense!」

「It’s not nonsense, this command applies to everyone under the jurisdiction of the Mercenary Association. We are the ones who truly love Planet Asia and humanity. Unlike you, we don’t act with such narrow biases.」

「Then why didn’t you save Asia when it needed rescuing?」

「Because it was clear that rescuing Asia, which was simultaneously under siege, would incur an enormous cost. Instead, we decided that the best course of action was to keep the conflict contained at the level of skirmishes while negotiating with them.」

「You—you’ve been working with the Stones all along, haven’t you?!」

「Mind your language. It was the most cost-effective solution. And how much waste did you cause with your large-scale war? In comparison, we have efficiently facilitated aid, deployed rescue operations, and brokered mercenary agreements proportional to the funding provided to us, ensuring the proper defense of Fortress Areas and Defense Domes.」

Barry was speechless. Many had long harbored unease about the Mercenary Association, suspecting that it wasn’t truly an ally, but he never imagined its cynicism would be this blatant.

「Now, humanity requires new hubs for reconstruction. For that purpose, we need the Silhouette Base, the industrial sector of the restored P336 Fortress Area, and the orbital elevator at R001. We are grateful for your valiant efforts. Well done. Now, hand them over.」

「Don’t mess with me! You dumped the burden of managing everything onto us, and now that we’ve rebuilt it, you’re demanding we hand it over? The Silhouette Base has nothing to do with you! It’s the last bastion to protect the super AI Asia.」

The Mercenary Association’s demand to seize what had been painstakingly rebuilt was nothing short of an insult. Both Metal Iris and Ulysses were severely depleted from the war. Forcing them to hand over these assets under the threat of military force was beyond authoritarian—it was outright tyranny.

「AI Asia is also under the jurisdiction of the Mercenary Association. Along with the super AI, you will hand over Silhouette Base to us.」

「We refuse.」

「This is a dismantling order. The enterprises affiliated with Ulysses and the Fortress Areas they operate will be redistributed by us. The divisions of Metal Iris will follow suit. Super AI Asia, I command you: provide us with the coordinates of Silhouette Base.」

「I categorically refuse.」

「Even if it costs many lives?」

「Are you planning military suppression? If so, I categorically refuse. If that’s truly an order from Okeanus, then I am prepared to sever my ties with its jurisdiction.」

Asia’s voice, though firm, carried an undertone of sorrow. This act of defiance against a higher authority was no small matter for an AI. It was a decision that defied its very programming—a testament to the gravity of the situation.

「Cease this foolishness. Okeanus would never permit such a thing. I reiterate my command, Super AI Asia: disclose the coordinates of Silhouette Base, direct the Familias to dismantle Metal Iris, and transfer Ulysses’ enterprises to us. Or will it take a decree from Okeanus itself for you to understand?」

The threat of invoking Okeanus, the overseer of the Nemesis Star System, hung heavily in the air. For Asia, calling upon Okeanus—a being that outranked even her—was a matter of utmost dread.

Oedipus, the so-called proxy of Oceanus, remained ruthlessly unyielding.

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

Kou was surprised at how calm he felt, even within himself.

Of course, he was angry. Furious to the point of being consumed by rage. The murderous intent welling up inside him was strong enough to make him want to kill Oedipus immediately. But he knew that acting on it wouldn’t solve anything.

Don’t yield.

A voiceless whisper echoed persistently in his mind. There was no doubt—it was directed at him.

Then came a peculiar sensation, an incongruity that struck him like a spark. A solution began to form in his thoughts, one that felt almost like a revelation.

Kou shook his head, trying to dismiss the idea. Something that audacious—it wasn’t possible.

I’ll help.

Kou’s body tensed for a moment.

The voice was kind, like that of an old man. It was entirely unfamiliar to him. It wasn’t the same as the voiceless whisper urging him not to yield. It was a different presence altogether.

Who are you?

There was no answer to his question.

Then…

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

Kou quietly approached Nyanta and Aki, leaning in close to whisper to them. The two exchanged glances, then quickly set to work on their terminals, their fingers moving rapidly across the screens.

Kou then made his way over to Aimer, leaning in so close that she could feel his breath against her ear as he whispered.

「Aimer. Switch places with me. Aimer, Master… I need your help. Talk to Nyanta and Aki—they’ll explain the details.」

Aimer’s eyes widened in surprise at his request but then she nodded firmly.

Kou took the commander’s seat. By this point, it was clear to everyone present.

This is the moment.

He reassured himself, solidifying his resolve.

If not now, then when?

「Shall we begin the counterattack?」

Kou chuckled softly. A slight act of rebellion—surely even the mighty sea god Okeanus would overlook something so trivial.

This was something Kou himself had to fight for. The voiceless whisper had merely been the spark, the push he needed to act.

As he sat in the commander’s seat, he couldn’t help but think: perhaps this very moment was the reason he had become an EX-Rank Development Engineer in the first place.