Playing the Game - BT x CF SI - chapter 6
🕑 Added 2024-09-24 07:36:17 +0000 UTCChapter 6
Capital Habitat, Deep Kingdom of Subnautica, Leviathan’s Trench
Novo Franklin, Periphery Space
December 3rd, 2980 AD
I pressed my finger into my temples, releasing once the pressure from tightened muscles had subsided.
“Comstar. I knew they would be out here, but I wasn’t expecting them to already be on this world. I thought they didn’t do the whole “Periphery Reach Out” until the thirty teens.”
Emme had been rubbing my back for a bit now, and it did help.
Breeze gave a shrug. “Perhaps, but you did state the data on this world was minimal due to the lack of importance to the setting. Perhaps they have been here for a while, but never really put efforts beyond the bare minimum?”
I shook my head. “Maybe. I couldn’t imagine what reason beyond the whole “rich agriculture” thing this world got on the map for, that they would put an HPG here. It’s on the ass end of the Federated Suns near the borders…oh.”
“Of the Combine, and the Outworlds Alliance. Their reason to be here is likely as much to keep an eye out for things as it is to facilitate trade.”
I rubbed my eyes at missing what could likely be an obvious situation. Given the lack of data, I couldn’t really have known though.
“Well, they’re asking for a meet-n-greet. Find out who the new guy is, and where the hell we got all this shiny technology they will nuke us over, from.”
I could feel Emma roll her eyes. “Given the depths of this trench, and the overall progress we have made with the new locations on the southern continents and seas, they can try, and will fail.”
Huh. She’s gotten more confident; I can sense pride in there. I’m proud of her progress in becoming more human.
“Well said. I’m just worried more than anything given my knowledge of Comstar and the actions they have done, and those that have yet to come. If the First Circuit are aware of this, they can only act aggressively.”
Breeze floated before me and handed me the PDA. It showed the Neural Lace they had placed inside my head when I gained that new knowledge. This coupled with some technology from the other settings, I was finally able to connect to machines and pull a “netrunner”. Uploading the entire “Biosynthetics” database from the “Biomega” setting had taken time and made my brain heat up despite the changes done via serum and overall improvements.
“I believe it’s actually a rather simple matter in how to face this. We simply present a front too powerful to overcome.”
I nodded. “Well, we’re well on our way to doing that already. This world as of right now cannot stand against us, as we outnumber the planets whole population ten to one in terms of Synth Population. Every single one is a combat unit ready to fight as needed. Plus, the dedicated ones that are enlisted, plus the Marines in their Power Armor, the Abyssals which is an entire army of “Captain America” modified infantry. With this new database, I was going to make the Abyssals the Recon, Search and Rescue, and Deep-Sea specialists, while creating the new “Astartes” units for land and space.”
Breeze looked up to me from the PDA. “Still insisting on making your own Space Marines?”
I shrugged “Units like them will be necessary given the Elementals of the Clans, and ours will be better. Especially if we insert FEV into the mix to increase overall capability, plus biosynthetics they used to create the artificial humans of Biomega. With the Synths we are already a third of the way there.”
Despite being non-human, I could sense unease from Breeze.
“What’s wrong?”
“…reading over the Biomega Data, I feel uncomfortable. The things the DRF had made are things that even the Covenant had not dared. The end results…It comes too close to the enemy.”
I stared for a minute, before nodding. There was a lot the Flood, the DRF, and Virus had in common.
“You are correct. It’s why I had no intention of going down that route. I’m to an extent a bit of a transhumanist. If humans can be improved, then they should have the option to do so. There is a line I do not want to cross however.”
My face hardened.
“I’m not Nyaldee. I will not recreate the world to fit my wishes of existence.”
Stemla stared for a moment before it gave out a low whistle.
“I’ll make sure to smack you if you start down that path.”
I grinned. “Fine.”
“Speaking of remaking things. There is a non-zero possibility that using FEV will make whoever it is applied to sterile. While we can mitigate it with clones organs or using artificial systems thanks to Biomega, it’s entirely possible this could happen to fifty percent of anyone this is use on currently.”
I nodded. “The Master faced this. So, we’ll take DNA samples both by blood and by normal means, and will apply it to either of those if needed. We’ll also allow those undergoing the procedure know this is a possibility and might want to save samples for future insemination if they desire, otherwise, that’s the deal. Becoming a physical demi-god isn’t without costs.”
“Hardly Demi-Gods, they can still be killed if they get hit enough.”
“Yeah, but they will be moving at speeds, and hitting with force normal humans simply aren’t capable of. Add on top of that the specific Power Armor designed for them to increase their capabilities, they will pretty much be close to actual Astartes.”
With a nod, Breeze zaps their PDA several times before focusing on some new project.
I take that as dismissal and turn to Emma, who was attentive as ever.
“Emma, you ever had Ramen?”
She blinked. “No, I have not.”
“Would you?”
She stared for a moment before blinking, a slight blush before she nodded.
Yay. Ramen. I stood up and looked up places that had the Japanese Menu available.
It was at that moment a star fell, and grabbed something.
[spoiler=“Clang!!!!]
-Genius (Rick And Morty) (400CP)
You may not be the Rickest of Ricks but you are the smartest person in your own universe. Your capacity for invention is mind-boggling and even highly advanced alien civilizations barely hold a candle to you.[/spoiler]
I flinch and cry out in pain which sent Breeze and Emma to my side, it ended almost as quickly as it happened, and one more my mind was altered, though not necessarily in the best way.
Then again, I couldn’t complain since…well, I have Rick smarts now, so yeah.
“Wubba-lubba-dub-dub.” I groaned.
Capital Habitat, Deep Kingdom of Subnautica, Leviathan’s Trench
Novo Franklin, Periphery Space
December 20th, 2980 AD
Precentor Nyung Lim felt sick as he gazed into that pitch blackness. Knowing that the only thing between him and instant death was a sheet of transparent metal. His three subordinates weren’t any less queasy about it.
“How deep are we now Captain?” He asked in a sickly tone.
“We’re nine kilometers now. This dark should go away in a bit. You will see the city soon.”
He nodded as he leaned on the railing and looked down, holding back the fear that filled him with all that black. It went away as soon as they saw the beginnings of a light, which grew more and more until the entire landscape was covered in white, neon colors, and habitat.
He couldn’t help but be in awe of what he beheld. This was Subnautica. An underwater city in the deepest location mankind had ever dared to build such. Whoever the people that came up with this idea were, they had to either be on the edge of madness, or the greatest geniuses to have lived. Probably both.
“I must ask Captain, even though I may be informed later, but who was the mad genius that started this place?”
The captain smirked. “You have no idea how on the mark you are with that. Mad Genius is exactly who it was. The founder of this place was an industrialist name Andrew Ryan. He envisioned Subnautica not as a haven of scientific study and achievement, as it did become, but as a city under where ultimate freedom could be pursued.”
“How grand. He succeeded.”
The Captain scoffed, to his surprise.
“On the contrary, it was a total failure. The historical lecture you will be given later will give more details, but the place was a Free-Market Nightmare. You earn what you get by the sweat of your brow, and people pushed that to the logical conclusion. Pay to eat, pay to sleep, pay to breathe. People think the Lyrans are money conscious, the people of that era would rob them blind by stabbing their eyes out, and then say they will sell them new ones.”
His brow rose at the explanation. “How did Subnautica survive then?”
“By not being a part of the problem. You will see, but as a heads up, there’s not one city down here, but two. One is Subnautica. The other was called Rapture. Rapture is a husk now, a monument to madness, and what we will never allow to happen again.”
The Captain went silent, and Lim filed that away, intent on learning more. The city filled his view for the rest of the ride and he saw wonders the likes which perhaps could only be matched by the Star League. That was a cause for great concern, for him, and the great plan. Given it was limited to but this one world, it can be contained, and he intended to make sure it was so.
The Cyclops entered a large Moonpool, and they exited out to a brightly lit room. At the end of the room were the people who would escort them to the Sovereign, the woman who walked up to them with a smile was stunning. Most Subnauticans were quite healthy and attractive as a matter of fact. Perhaps some kind of genetic augmentation?
“Precentor Hyung Lim. I am Sub-Dector Alise Alda. I am pleased to be the first to welcome you to Subnautica.”
He copied the smile and bowed slightly. “Thank you Sub-Dector. It is a pleasure to finally see the face for the voice. You are as lovely as I imagined.”
She smiled more. “You’re sweet Precentor. I better warn the girls about that charm.”
He gave a roguish grin, while those with him either were silent, or scoffing lightly at the exchange. These people have been around the surface warlords too much, he will need to remind them that the Subnauticans are not those people.
She motioned to walk beside her, and he took the invitation, her arm wrapping around his.
“I noticed that you are wearing the suit beneath that regalia.” She began as she led.
“Given the warnings the Captain gave about going to deep in the ocean, I felt it was necessary to do so. Though, I admit I…that we hesitated until we reached the cliff.”
She nodded. “That is how it goes sometimes. People do not truly understand the need for the suits until they witness the abyss. I hope it is comfortable?”
He nodded. “Quite comfortable. The fact its coloration matches our attire made it easier to accept. Forgive me for asking, but would this have protected us though?”
She nodded with a smile. “No offense taken, and yes. The suit is reinforced with several extremely advanced materials that allow the suit to resist pressures at a depth of fifteen kilometers. After that, a kyanite modified suit is required.”
He blinked. “Kyanite? The gemstone?”
She grinned. “Normally it is that, but Kyanite found deep in the ocean is slightly different. The pressure down here causes them to glow in the dark because of an excited molecular structure. When you take it in this excited state and combine it with lithium, and apply that into to a suit, it becomes capable of withstanding pressures far greater than even the one you are wearing.”
He noted that for his report. He knew the mineral could be found on Terra, but no one has ever looked for it in the deep ocean. Something that may occur soon after his report.
“So how deep can a Kyanite modified suit dive?”
“I cannot say, as we have yet to reach its maximum depth. We would need to find a deep-water world specifically to test that.”
So, until further notice, it has no known depth limit. That is both very intriguing, and very worrying. The again, if pressure chambers exist, they may very well know what the limit is, and are simply not sharing.
They boarded a tram which quickly moved them along the central line of the city. Alise explained the various sectors, as he, and his subordinates, looked at everything. This city was a shining technological jewel in an age of darkness, and he felt dirty being here despite being a part of the organization seeking to bring this very light to the Inner Sphere.
He truly hoped the first circuit didn’t order this place to be destroyed. It would be a sin.
In time they reached the palace at the center of it all. It was the tallest structure of the city, and the widest. Exiting the tram, he saw how many people moved about working, and other things. There were Marines in dress uniforms preforming marches for the public, while police officers walked their rounds. There were also men wearing suits of Power Armor, not like the Tornado at all, and they carried what appeared to be some form of advanced energy weapon that glowed a bright teal on portions of it. Then there were the mechs.
These units were not at all like the ones on the surface. They lined the outside of the Palace like statues, but if they were anything like the Lyrans, then they were very much manned. They were enormous, standing a full eighty feet tall.
“I have never seen such a large mech in my life.”
Alise looked over to them and nodded.
“One of the issues with living this deep if that the pressure can crush anything less than capable. So, with powerful machines, often requires a great size. These particular ones are called Jotun, after the giants of Nordic myth.”
“How heavy are they, if I may ask?”
“These ones weigh one hundred and sixty tons I believe. They can go as high as two hundred though, depending on the model.”
He had to swallow the saliva that built in his mouth, and take a breath to calm the spike of ice that grew in his gut. Apparently, these people have solved the problem of Super Heavy Mechs. Turns out it’s just ‘better materials’.
“Those are some large cannons.”
She patted his arm. “The Sovereign will probably let you ride one if you ask.”
He glanced at her as they walked up the stairs. “You think?”
She shrugged. “You can only ask.”
Walking into the Palace, the first chamber was enormous and contained more mechs, but these were much different. These were posed with plaques and a wall of data at the foot of them.
“What are these exactly?” he asked.
“This is the touring portion of the palace. It shows the history of our nation, and actual examples of technology to show the history of development of the technology down here. The mechs are prominent due to their size and popularity.”
He paused and pointed at the first one. A machine that looked more like the Battlemechs he was familiar with.
“This was the “Deep Ocean Operations Apparatus.” Or more simply, the Marine Mech. This was not a combat unit, but rather an industrial mech. See the various wings? Those control surfaces altered to the flow of water to “lift” or “Drop” the machine as it moved.”
He nodded. It was a fascinating design now that he got a better look at it. Like a LAM in Airmech mode, but purpose built without the transformation technology. The wings and canards were placed over the body at points that wouldn’t make sense unless you knew this operated in deep water. It had what appeared to be jet engines on the back, but they would have to be for water movement.
Passing by the next two machines, he could see the technical changes over the periods of time. New materials and advances allowed for different designs that, while functional underwater, were not just for the sea anymore. He stopped before the fourth one.
“Isn’t this similar to the one the Sovereign use to save the Emeri Empire?”
Alise nodded. “These are what we consider a milita mech for our forces. Mostly we use them for labor and security, but our Sovereign took one as it was the most readily available unit at the time. We didn’t even realize he did so until after he left the trench.”
She sounded embarrassed, and unhappy about that. Understandably. Even so, this machine supposedly destroyed two lances of mechs within a total combat time of a minute, or even less. He didn’t know if it were an exaggeration or not, but given the Jotun outside, and the four other machines past this one, it might be true.
They continued on, and the designs became far more…organic. Fluid. It spoke of a highly advanced manufacturing and even more advanced combat capability. The last one had him stop to take pause.
“Why does this one look…like it has flesh?” he asked uneasily.
“That’s because it has Biosynthetic armor.” She replied simply.
His confused expression made her grin.
“I do not have a full understanding myself, but simply put, we took plants like kelp, mixed it with a fast growing bacteria that hardens after it reaches a predesignated level of growth, and placed it over an advanced composite alloy shell. As a result, you have armor that grows itself, and if damaged, regrows itself. You just need to feed it with a mixture of minerals and organic slush.”
His eyes were wide as a plate at that. Biomechanical technology! These people have created Bio-Mechs! Like out of those science fiction movies he saw as a teenager! He quickly looked back at his people, who were just as shocked as he was. Looking back at the…thing before him, it was clear where the machine was, and where it became organic. It wasn’t a complete coverage. More like armor plates on infantry body armor. The rest was a dark navy blue metal.
“How long ago was this achieve?” he asked, holding back on outright demanding lest he cross a line.
She looked at him for a moment, before coming to a decision. “About one hundred and twelve years ago, but we only began using the technology to its potential about twelve years ago. It is quite a difficult line of technological development.”
He nodded. He was no Bioengineer, or even a Biologist, but he knew enough to understand the massive hurdles to achieve this. It is no small matter in the least. These people have surpassed the Star League in many ways if Biosynthetics is one of their technologies. If they can do this with mechs…
He felt his eyes widen as he took a careful look at the Subnauticans around him and he suddenly realized it.
They were all fit, attractive, and clean of blemishes and noticeable genetic issues. Not just because of where they are…these people…they could be improved humans. Every. Single. One.
He felt himself begin to sweat under the suit. These people were as much a danger to Comstar as they were a boon. Now…he suddenly felt very much the danger was greater. He had to control his breathing, and force calm, lest he lose his composure.
Her rubbing his hand brought him back to her, her…perfect face. She smiled kindly.
“Let’s keep moving forward now. Give you some time to rest before meeting the Sovereign.”
He nodded. “I believe I would like that.”
---
I watched through a dozen eyes and cameras at the Precentor walking through the halls to a suite for him and his adepts. I couldn’t help but smirk as he sat on a chair and breathed heavily. I knew, watching him through the eyes of security and through the new modifications applied to the biomechanical cameras, that he was freaking out.
Goooooooood.
Shock and awe baby! Show just how out of their depth they really are, and realize they are not even at the deepest part.
I do pity the man a bit though, he is just a man in the end. One working for Comstar, but a man nonetheless.
Even so, I want him to send a report home that is too much to believe, but with footage and data to back it up with corroboration with his adepts, and that which we give him. I want Comstar to shake in their boots at our mere existence, despite being on only one world. Let them send warships. By the time they do this world will be united in an Alliance, and becoming a stellar player, and I will be too powerful personally, and Subnautica too untouchable to overcome.
Twelve years. Ha! More like Twelve days! Nanomachines to the rescue once more, with the smarts of Rick Sanchez, a little help from some of the less common pieces of technology of Fallout and the Covenant, we were able to take most of that Biomega knowledge out of my head, transfer it into the PDA, and make immediate use of it. It helped me figure out how to control FEV since Biomega was doing crazier stuff far longer than Fallout did. Breeze is actually having trouble keeping up with me now.
The first thing I did, thanks to Rick Sanchez’s genius, was to modify the Synths into BioSynths. Basically, they were like the artificial people of Biomega, but now were fully functional humans. They could now have actual children of their own as opposed to just making stuff up as I had been. The children that had been made for this huge ruse, were now actual children, and would grow up, and have children, who were also artificial humans.
It took about a week, but with nanotech, the process was complete across the entirety of the Kingdom, and I now had actual subjects to protect and care for, which I will and do.
Since then, we have applied it where we immediately could, including making a mech out of Biosynthetic technology.
Our first successes was the one the Precentor saw on display, while the real ones were being tested elsewhere to improve upon them further, and make them even more powerful than anything this universe has ever seen. This shit is going straight to Splicers the way it is proceeding, which is frightening since Biomega at its highest was about as crazy.
“Let him rest for the next hour, and then tell him I am ready to meet with him in my office. He may bring his adepts if he wishes.”
A BioSynth who was the head of Palace security nodded with a salute. “Understood my Sovereign.”
I returned the salute and left for that office. It was an earthy place with holowalls like my garden in my old Base Three, showing snow capped mountains and functional environmental controls that functioned like it was actually on the surface. If I opened a “window” during a gusty day, wind would blow in. Sunny? Warm air. Winter, ice cool air and real snow would fall past and onto the window sill. It was luxury, and I would be showing it all off.
The office was like a large library with advanced computers built into everything to show it wasn’t entirely old fashioned for nostalgia. I also had a few frames hanging on the walls, such as Old Glory, because America, The Terran Hegemony flag, the Star League flag, and the Novo Franklin flag. Of course, I created the Subnautica flag, which with a stylized “A” in the shape of a star, super imposed on a planet, with a dark navy background, with two blue waves over the dark blue.
I also have models of ships on display, specifically the Aurora, which was classed as a “Leviathan Class” colony sub.
Couple this with a map that held markers across the planet’s oceans including my new habitats on the lower continents, it should send a clear message as to how out of control we are for Comstar.
Over the time the Precentor rested, I actually did do some work. Most of the daily work was done by Synths and AI, but the most important projects, namely things Breeze and Emma needed from me, I took care to work on.
The alert finally came, and I stood in the middle of the room as the doors opened. The Precentor was alone, and much calmer now. He got a good look at me, and I him, and I could tell he was reading me as much as I was him. With a smile I stepped forward as he did.
“Precentor Hyung Lim. I am ***** *******, the Sovereign of Subnautica. At your service.” As spoke as I held out a hand.
He returned the smile, though I could see the strain. “and I yours, Lord Sovereign. May the Peace of Blake be upon you.”
Holding his hand for a moment to get a feel for it, I was satisfied with the strength and give. Releasing it, I invited him in and walked slowly as he got a look around the office. His eyes roamed appreciatively at the wooden old-world aesthetic, which held advanced technology inside. He gazed at the windows, and took pause at how real it looked.
“Holo-screens. One of our oldest technologies. Not based on light, but on the arrangement of diodes in layered sheets of transparent metal. It gives it far more detail than light can give without it being a theater grade unit.”
He nodded appreciatively. “It looks quite real.”
I grinned as I walked over to the window and opened it, it was a breezy summer day, and soon the summer breeze flowed through the room as if it were actual wind. Such a simple thing caught the precentor by surprise as he unconsciously wandered over to see it was not a prop of fans but more.
“The environmental systems for this office are some of the best we have. They are meant to be utilized in total catastrophe, but in this, they can be used as a luxury as well.”
“Most impressive.”
“The engineers of the past thank you for the praise. Do you need a drink? Water, or something else?”
“Water if you would.”
I nodded as I pressed a button on my desk. “Water, cool. Bottle and glasses for two.”
He looked confused for a moment until the fabricator in the desk produced the asked items. He kept his face calm, but I could see the minute shifts in his eyes, his pupils retracting to a smaller size. He hadn’t seen the fabricators in action before now, but I know he is aware of them.
I poured water into both glasses, and invited him to sit down. He took it, walking somewhat stiffly, but otherwise made a good show of calm.
“I have to say before we start, that I am glad Comstar has reached out so readily once you became aware of us. Your record of neutrality stands as a testament despite the era we are living in.” I began with flattery. A simple thing that costs nothing, and paints us as “in the dark about the truth” like everyone else.
He smiles with a hint of pride, though with a conspiratorial edge. “It is one we put much effort into, as a light in a dark age is better than none at all.”
“I agree. There are far too many who would just as soon rip down their fellow man to gain little, rather than to work together in a common goal for the betterment of humanity, towards a Greater Good.”
As soon as the word were spoken, the effect kicked in and began working its way into the man’s mind. It was something I watched with fascination in previous people when I had gained the ability. Common people were easily swayed by the notion, and couldn’t help but actively live life to better the greater whole despite self-interest.
Leaders like Carson Emeli, his immediate family, and subordinates were less swayed by the notions of the Greater Good, but continuous exposure to it via radio communications, vocal recordings played on music radio stations, and personal visits from myself over the months had solidified the ideas in them as well.
I know that a short exposure to the idea will not sway the Precentor, but in time, I know I can bring him and his over to my way of thinking. While it is grandiose to believe I could subvert Comstar entirely to achieve their stated goals over their actual ones, it doesn’t hurt to try.
The effect, while minor, was immediate as I saw the subtle shift in Nyung Lim’s posture as he became more attentive and receptive.
“Yes. It is good to know you share such a vision as well. Few leaders on this world do. Perhaps due to your isolation of the surface and its troubles.”
I gave a small smile at his probe. “Among other things Precentor. Our Isolation started as a choice, but in time it was due to complacency. Why go to the surface when we have all we need? That was what my predecessors thought.”
I took a drink as Lim thought over the words. “You obviously think differently.”
“Not entirely. There is safety to be found here as you can plainly see. Even at its height, I have doubts that the Star League Defense Force could assail Subnautica without a large fleet to bombard the ocean into vapor, or at least sink a million metal shells down into this trench. Literally burying us under a mountain of metal.”
I waved over to the map of the various habitats as a Star once more fell to the Forge. It reached out and missed. Energy for the fire. “Assuming they could find all of our habitats in the first place.”
Nyung Lim frowned slightly, but nodded. “Assuming the worst, I have doubts they would even expend that sort of force to begin with, let alone that much effort. Easier to simply blockade the planet and prevent leaving.”
I nodded. “Indeed, because there are times when the opposition is too much to take on without overwhelming force. Brian Cameron had the same thought when he made those castles of his, as to remove one would require literally blowing up a mountain. Too much force even for the enemies of his time, and in the now, for certain. Subnautica is the same way in that.”
I gestured the glass in his direction. “But there’s the key word in those words you first mentioned. Isolation. We’d be safe down here from anything, especially since no one was aware until recently, but things cannot be forever. There comes a point where the human spirit is driven to escape from what it perceives as a cage. Even if it is for its own safety, the outside of the cage is where all the excitement is. Adventure. Food for the soul.”
I refilled our glasses. “While I am not entirely taken by such a thing, as I am more than aware of the truth beyond even this one world, of the greater Inner Sphere, the same cannot be said for the youth of this generation.”
The Precentor’s eyes shone with epiphany at what I was leading up to.
“Youth are naturally going to rebel against that which they perceive as containing them. You share in this, though to a lesser extent, and sought to provide an outlet for this growing rebellion?”
I nodded, raising a glass to him. “To put it simply. You are on the mark. Putting down such desires only allows it to fester and grow with discontent. It isn’t a new phenomenon, as such an ambition has been growing for generations. However, they find a sympathetic man in me, as I too seek to leave the undersea world and go beyond. So, for the Greater Good of my people, I sought avenues. Unfortunately, things went sideways.”
Lim’s head leaned to the side in curiosity, much like a dog hearing a new sound.
“How is it that you came to the surface anyways? To be stranded upon the surface and in the Empire?”
I gave an expression of bewilderment. “An accident. A very unusual one.”
I shook my head. “Let’s just say it involves some experimental technology and leave it at that. It would be entirely too unbelievable without proof, and the proof is currently in limbo.”
The Precentor wanted to ask what I meant, but his discernment of the situation forced him to stay his desire. Despite his newly gained openness, he was still playing the middle man of Comstar. Truthfully, he and his were actually officers in the true successor state of the Terran Hegemony, and delving too deeply for answers would be giving away his interests.
He nodded in acceptance, and gave a look of interest. “Speaking of which. I passed by the museum of the palace. The machine that used Biosynthetic technology was interesting. You Sub-Dector illuminated some aspects of it.”
I grinned. “and I am willing to bet you would like to know more details about it.”
He gave a wry grin. I nodded. “Well, while I cannot, and in some cases, will not, answer some questions, I can give you some. What’s the most burning one on your mind?”
That made him actually take a moment to think before he asked.
“Are all the people here…forgive the term, “products” of this technology?” he asked, a sense of grimness under the veneer of curiosity.
I nodded to him. “They are indeed, in one way or another. Thanks to Biosynthetics, we were able to commit genetic engineering on a level that is straight out of science fiction. Genetic modification and augmentation, from embryonic to all age ranges after Birth. As a result, cloning technology ranging from individual cells to entire people is possible. Life extension treatments are the norm for us, though given the relative newness, few people are really old just yet. Also, Thanks to the understanding of the neuro-synaptic pathways of the brain, we can copy memory out of people, and from there we gained a few technologies you will see soon.”
The Precentors eyes widened slowly, and he became somewhat pale when the memory portion was mentioned.
“For example, Skill Shards. Data chips you may purchase which contain access keys to programs at a Neuro-Clinic. The knowledge, experiences, and skill of your purchase is then inserted directly into your mind as if you had experienced it all yourself. It is also permanent, unless you wish to remove it via mind-scrubber.”
His mouth was opening widely. “That’s…T-that-“
I nodded. “I understand. It was seemingly a fantastical technology. As I said, straight out of science fiction. I must however say, it isn’t a perfect technology, or rather, the human brain is not. Even with ones that are augmented as ours are.”
The sharpness returned as Lim settled back into reality. “How do you mean?”
“Well, let me ask you this. How much time does it take, normally, to master a skill?”
Lim gave it thought before coming to an answer. “I believe the accepted answer is about ten years.”
“Correct. Now…imagine shoving that much data into your head all at once. How much strain do you think it would give the recipient?”
Realization came almost immediately. “I would imagine a good amount.”
I raised a glass up in a salute. “A normal, unmodified human being such as yourself, could only have it done three times. They could not be done one after another, but years apart for the sake of safety, and anymore than three in a short time, and you start risking synapsis burnout. Both from the procedure, and from the data integration. That second one is what does most of the actual damage however. For a modified person, such as myself, having the best biosynthetic modifications that exist, even I could only do it so many times before my brain literally melted.”
The good Precentor grimaced at the thought. As he did that, I felt another star fall from the Forge. I felt a reach out, and it grabbed something.
[spoiler=“Clang!!!!]
-Secrets of the Ancients (Subnautica) (600CP)
This is a Precursor planet, and that's likely why you came in the first place, because you're something of a Precursor expert. With working examples of the technology in front of you, you will learn to manipulate and eventually recreate their devices. Scanning alien artifacts will provide much more information, as well as blueprints with varying material costs. Some nonstandard buildables will require their own, special constructors. [/spoiler]
I am able to control my expression due to the training given to me by the teachers from Dune, and able to keep my excitement, and composure. I also now had fear, as something beyond my control had now appeared into the universe. In this instance, two things came to mind immediately.
First; the Karare Virus. If that suddenly appears on this world, we’re fucked. I don’t have the enzymes of the Emperor Leviathan to cure it, though Biomega might be able to solve the issue…then again, it might not given the source of problems of that setting. I need to keep a sharp eye out for anything appearing like the virus.
Second; people finding precursor sites, such as Comstar. While they do not have the means or technological prowess to understand the precursor artifacts, it doesn’t change that they will be able to reverse engineer some things given enough time.
The one thing preventing me from just outright taking a firm hand at this moment is that the Architects were focused on living in the oceans. While this is not necessarily truth given the world the games are set upon, they give me an edge over everyone if it is the case. I will find all of the sites before anyone else has the chance, and take them for myself. Phase Gate technology and Ion Cube fabrication is something I really, really want.
I push the thoughts away and focus back in the here and now.
“Despite this however, it is well worth the cost, especially given there are three levels of skill shards. Basic, Advanced, and Master, all which give three, six, and ten years of data respectively. Each level gives its own level of strain, so while you could only have three master skill shards, you could easily have nine basic ones before the same occurs.”
The Precentor’s eyes widened at this, and the cogs turned in his head. Obviously of the potential, and what this could mean for people. “I suppose you have no need for schooling with such technology.”
I shook my head.
“While the technology is amazing, we still have schools that teach the old way, though modified for our augmented functions. Despite the Skill Shards, learning the old way is more beneficial as, financially, it costs nothing, does no synapse damage.”
I give a wry grin. “Though the youth would argue otherwise.”
Lim, despite himself, grinned a little.
“And often gives opportunities and experiences one cannot get otherwise. People often purchase for young children if they have a family tradition or the child wants a path early in life. Otherwise, skill shards are usually purchased when a person finds a career field they have need of but little to no skill for, or to augment what they already possess.” I finished before taking in the last of glass of water.
Lim’s squinted heavily at the sheer depth of the technology I had presented to him. It was revolutionary by Battletech standards. Hell, by any standard. Unless you were in Cyberpunk, which is what inspired the whole thing.
While I had not developed the cyberware that would allow Skill Shards to be a thing in this world, the BioSynthetic technology did. Though, it did it in a way that is more beneficial in my opinion. Unlike Skill Shards that give and then take away experience and knowledge if inserted and removed, my was more like a fast version of normal learning.
The dangers I presented were quite real though, and I was willing to shelve the tech-path if Breeze, and most of my people, didn’t argue for its permanency and getting so much use out of it. Emma, being formally a PDA, had all of the basic data on survival, construction, plus all of the knowledge that subsequently was entered into the device.
That data was the basis of the Shards, which when augmented by the actual experiences of Breeze and all of the Biosynths to the data-net, it was entirely too beneficial to discard now.
Biosynths with the students from the Empire were introduced to it once they were acclimated, and acted like it was always there. The prince, Harold Emeri, and the rest of his class had already gotten three basic shards entered into their minds, which is all they could have at the moment. Mathematics up to a high school level, English up to a high school level, and Subnautican basic “History”, “Law”, and “Culture”.
With the first two, they would be able to grasp the knowledge they were now being taught, and the last was to help integrate themselves among the population and know what was expected of them. It helps that the last one was chock full of my own speeches and such to press the Greater Good upon them even more than it has already. It will make the son, and his fellows, loyal to the idea and to Subnautica over their own nation.
I wouldn’t make them turn on their own, as that isn’t what I seek, but I could if I wanted to. Wasn’t that a scary thing to know.
Capital Habitat, Deep Kingdom of Subnautica, Leviathan’s Trench
Novo Franklin, Periphery Space
December 20th, 2980 AD
Nyung Lim laid upon his bed in some provided night clothes. The bed was much softer than his own back home, but he wasn’t thinking about that as he stared deeply at the ceiling.
Today was a day of revelations, and realizations, and he was burned out by it all.
Subnautica was by far the most advanced society to ever exist. Beyond the Star League in ways he had never imagined those days ago. They were so advanced, and so capable, that the danger they represented to Comstar was on an existential level. This minor kingdom possessed technology that would easily destroy the Inner Sphere in ways that didn’t require firing a single shot.
Skill Shards and the technology used to create them alone...It wasn’t even a weapon, yet it might as well be! It held the power to uplift people with knowledge, in a near instant, with master level skills that took a lifetime to build, or several basic level skills equivalent to a high school education.
He had mentioned that it would be quite the tool for brainwashing, just to gauge the Sovereign’s reaction.
The man just nodded and said it could do exactly that if the program was made to be so. Then went into describing the pros and cons of attempting such a thing on a massive population in the billions. The conclusion, which Lim reluctantly agreed with, was that the best way to do it was subtly over time. Make people trust the technology, and slowly introduce ideas in as time went, as scrubbing went, until a good amount of the desired loyalty and adherence to the brainwasher’s motives was achieved.
Lim felt his soul chill at how detailed and thorough he had been about it.
He admitted his predecessors had thought of this very idea, because humans do what humans do, as the Sovereign said. He could not disagree. Any one of the House Lords, and even Comstar, would try this brainwashing in a heartbeat if they could do so without being caught.
He felt actual relief fill him when the Sovereign told him it would never work if the population was constantly changing hands and rulers as they had with the third Succession War, as their brains would fry to nothing from the constant reprogramming, and the fact that such technology needs a dedicated computer network to keep the absolute immense amount of memory space for all of the data required to make the procedure simply function.
Lim had pointed out that Subnautica could do this. The Sovereign shrugged and simply replied, “But would that be for the Greater Good of all?”
He could have argued it would be for them, but then he realized the Sovereign, and Subnautica….really didn’t need it. Their technology was so much more advanced than anyone else’s, they could just come into a world, construct hospitals, houses, roads, power and transportation infrastructure, along with basic needs, and the world would become loyal. No need for brainwashing when simple good will would win many worlds and their people over.
Simply doing morally good actions would upend everything Comstar had built and worked for. That was how dangerous Subnautica was.
But the thing that made him fill with confusion and despair, was that there likely wasn’t anything he could do about it. In fact…a small part of him was wondering if he should do anything about it. He needed to think. He needed to meditate on his next actions.
He wasn’t going to be able to sleep tonight.
Capital Habitat, Deep Kingdom of Subnautica, Leviathan’s Trench
Novo Franklin, Periphery Space
December 26th, 2980 AD
Hyung Lim stood before the Cyclops submarine doors as he and the Sovereign shook hands. He still sported a light hangover from the Christmas Celebration he and his subordinates had been invited to, which also counted as a sendoff party for their little group. It had been an illuminating five days for him. The shock of the first few days had thankfully not been a constant, but it was fairly regular, but he had a decent idea of what Subnautica was capable of now.
It was terrifying, and Comstar was doomed if they ever managed to leave the world.
However…he also came to a different perspective. He had been exposed to many things about the people, their lives, and how they all functioned for the Greater Good. He would never admit it, as such a thing was treasonous, but…he came to appreciate it.
He had been relegated to a backwater world only due to the agricultural importance of the world, and because he hadn’t risen high enough to not piss someone off without consequence. Hadn’t played politics well enough to use what connections he obtained to prevent such a posting. Despite what connections he did have, he couldn’t find out who it was that even pushed for his pseudo-exile.
Comparing his life to that of the people of this Undersea Kingdom…it caused something to grow in him over these days, and he was afraid to admit, he felt unease at leaving it. He wasn’t the same man who came here nearly a week ago.
However, he was Comstar, and its goal of the great plan had become his. To lead the Inner Sphere to a brighter future once the House Lords had been reduced to nothing. No longer able to fight. No longer able to make war. Reduced as the people of Novo Franklin’s level. To bring them, and all of the people into a new age under Comstar’s guidance and leadership.
But…was that for the Greater Good? Would that truly create unity? Or would it just be…another chapter in the tale of tyrants? Was Comstar any different than the Terran Hegemony of old if that were the case?
It had made him look back on history and it was easy to say yes given all of the destruction the Succession Wars had brought about, but going back to before eve that, during the Star League, given all of the intrigue and shadow wars and still present problems that originated from that era… He didn’t know.
Which is why he made a decision. He would watch for himself, and see if Subnautica provided a truly better path. It was only a matter of time before they clashed with the surface. The other nations are hearing of them, and war will come as a result.
How Subnautica holds themselves in this will determine what end their path shall lead to.
He will wait, and see for himself, if he wants to be a part of this new path, or remain with the old.
“On behalf of comstar, myself, and my subordinates, we thank you for you allowing us to stay, and show us your wonderous nation.”
The Soveriegn grinned and nodded. “And on behalf of my people, I thank you for the recognition of their potential for humanity as a whole.”
With a grin upon their faces, they released their hands and he stepped within the submarine.
“May the peace of Blake be upon you.”
“May the Greater Good show you the way forward.”
The door closed, and they sank beneath the water, leaving the lights of the city, and into the dark of the abyss.
But Lim did not worry, for soon the light of day would be upon him, as it would the consequences of his choices.
Soon, in both cases, he will see what comes of it.
Comments
Kasikan
Is there a reason he just let them in and let them out without downloading their brains and replacing them with Synths? That would have been a hundred times better than simply giving Comstar more information. Synth style Trojan horses would have been a far better alternative to how that went. Especially if alien tech and species were added. Having more Synths in Comstar would have aided him far more than anything else he could have done there in information gathering alone.
anthony corcoran
Not sure about what it means about stuff showing up, the wording hints that he's just going to be great at reverse engineering alien tech, or is there more to it?
