Chapter 45: |
00045 <-- #The Mind of Artificial Intelligence %26 #Journal %26 #Signs -->
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#Intermission, The Mind of Artificial Intelligence (3)
Hello, dear customers. Have you been enjoying our Trinity and having some fun all this time?
No? I see.
Of course, it must be the case. I was just saying it for the sake of saying it. The number of complaints we receive at the Customer Satisfaction Center hasn't decreased at all. It's truly... a country needs businesses to thrive, so why can't some consumers leave them be? Clearly, they lack patriotism.
Oh, my. Don't you worry. I'm not talking about you. I said "some" consumers. Just some. I-I-I-I-some. Korean can be a bit tricky.
Anyway, today is the final time we're introducing Trinity. I'll talk about the last component of the triad, the Independent Artificial Intelligence Module.
To put it simply, an independent AI is 'complete personality.' It's a machine with self-awareness, capable of thinking. In other words, it's also known as a technological singularity. You know that, right? It's a cliché setting that's heavily used in the science fiction genre. An era where technology creates technology, machines dominate humans, and killer robots from the future come to kill someone, and they're supposed to scream but they don't have mouths.
Don't worry, paranoid folks. The things you're worried about won't happen because the Independent AI Module is incomplete. It has been so till now and will continue to be in the future.
When our company received the government project for AI development from the Afterlife Insurance Corporation, the initial engineers who designed Trinity dreamed of the impossible. They talked about creating a completely perfect AI. For them, the TOM Reading Module and the AI search module were just stepping stones on the path to the Final Module, a tool to complete the true AI.
But, you see... many people wanted to create that, but if it hasn't come out until now, there must be a reason, right?
The initial engineers somehow managed to create a basic version of an independent AI. They believed there was something human-like in the Final Module. But it couldn't be verified. It was still a million light-years away from completion.
So they gathered and said.
"If you give us a little more time and budget..."
The higher-ups were deeply impressed and fired them all. It was the natural outcome. If they didn't meet the government project's deadline, they'd have to pay an enormous penalty. And there was no shortage of eager beavers to replace them.
The new engineers reported like this: Trinity is undoubtedly incomplete, but even at the current level, it's the world's best AI engine.
Then, the higher-ups said, "Well, it's a finished product."
And so, the Afterlife Insurance was launched without a hitch. It's a happy ending.
I've rambled on like this because even the current system administrators, including me, don't understand the Independent Module.
How can I explain something I don't understand?
It's not just me who doesn't understand; all my colleagues who worked with me were in the same boat. It seems to have some function, but what that is is unclear. But we can't remove it either. It would shut down the entire engine. The Third Module's operation has left the engine in an inscrutable state for anyone to decipher.
Well, the initial designers might be able to do it. Those people were truly amazing. They were the best geniuses in South Korea.
What are those geniuses doing now?
I don't know. Probably frying chicken or something.
That's how employment contracts work. To prevent technology leakage, after leaving, you can't work in the same profession for 20 years. During this period, changing your nationality is also impossible.
Some may wonder if it's okay to say things like this, but it's alright. As long as the revenue keeps rising, they won't care what I say, right? This company is all about money, and the Afterlife Insurance operating revenue is skyrocketing.
Our Nakwon Group Virtual Reality Business Department will continue to do our best to plunder your wallets in the future. Thank you.
#Journal, Page 76, Camp Roberts
The number of support troops from refugee volunteers has sharply increased. While we need them, I also wondered if it's a precautionary measure against the Winter Alliance. Deputy Min Wangi agreed with my thoughts.
Most of them were of Chinese descent. The number was already significant, but the proportion was unusually high. What's interesting is that it's not the Triad which used to be the leader of the Black Society (Heishehui), but people from the Anliang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hapseung Party, and Zhili Party. There were rumors of Captain Magath being behind this. The situation that Ailing was concerned about seemed to be coming true. For now, it's their problem, but it will soon become our problem as well.
#Journal, Page 79, Camp Roberts
The bad weather continued for several days. It was an area that received a lot of rain in the winter.
The temperature kept dropping, and the early morning cold, going below freezing, tormented the refugees. Colds started spreading. Initially, we isolated the sick, but now we're isolating healthy people. It was not uncommon for a tent to be filled with patients.
Usually, it's rare for people to die from a cold. Not now. Weak individuals succumbed to secondary infections. Antibiotics ran out, and the death toll increased day by day. The military doctors worried that it might not be a simple cold.
Aircraft supplies were focused on food, followed by fuel and heating supplies. Hence, medicine was in short supply. It was hard to understand: medicine doesn't take up much space. All you need to do is reduce other cargo slightly.
As it turns out, they couldn't provide it because it wasn't available. Captain Capstone told me. East of the blockade line, civilians were hoarding medicine. He found out while talking to his friend in Boston.
Typical medicines don't work for Morgellons. People probably knew that. But fear wasn't a rational emotion.
The Winter Alliance was relatively okay. Is it because of better nutrition and hygiene there? Deputy Min Wangi is concerned, though. I bought as much food as possible from the PX. There was a limit per person, but I get the special exemption due to my achievements. The soldiers felt sorry and said they would help when they got their salaries. I told them not to worry. Keeping everyone healthy is the greatest help.
"Reverend Park Taesun is healing the sick through prayer and blessings! O, burdened and weary brethren! Listen to the words of salvation!"
The zealots believers of the Church of Full Gospel were spreading the gospel today as well. Strangely, the church people were exceptionally healthy. There wasn't a single case of a cold patient. They claimed that Reverend Park Taesun performed miracles. They said that drinking the holy water blessed by the reverend would cure even the most seriously ill patients within a day. The idea of holy water in a Protestant church seemed outlandish, but more and more people were swept up in the rumours. The number of people testifying to miracles increased, and thus the church's followers rapidly expanded.
"Could it be that they're dissolving antibiotics in the water and calling it holy?"
That was Deputy Jang Yeonchul's opinion. It seemed plausible to me. Where they were sourcing the medicine from was still a mystery, though.
Regardless, people only cared about the results. Even if they were being fooled by calling antibiotics holy water, people were willing to be fooled. In the Winter Alliance, there were a few defectors as well.
There were unpleasant updates about securing medicine. We had to go further and further. An entire mission unit, including more than 100 people, including refugees, went missing en route to Atascadero City, a city located south of Paso Robles.
The camp's leadership was in shock. The faces of the officers we met were dark. With the shortage of personnel as it is, and many of the missing were American soldiers. However, they couldn't give up on the mission. Atascadero State Hospital was said to be a temporary base for the U.S. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). When contamination of north-west America began, it served as the epidemiological headquarters for twelve cities.
Now it's an abandoned facility, of course. But there might still be a considerable amount of medicine left, according to the briefing. It was confirmed directly by the CDC.
The battalion commander ordered us to carry out reconnaissance in the region. There's definitely something there, and we were to find out what it was. If possible, it should be eliminated, and if survivors were found, it would be even better. It was a mission with many orders. The battalion commander smiled and said it would be easier than Santa Maria.
Fortunately, this wasn't going to be the maiden mission for the Winter Alliance combat unit. No matter how distraught the battalion commander was, it wasn't a task to be assigned to new recruits. The reinforcements would come from Captain Capstan. Unlike Santa Maria, the transport would be by vehicle.
It seemed like a long journey.
#Signs (1), Camp Roberts
「I have something to tell you.」
Before heading to Atascadero, when Gyeoul stopped by the Alliance, an elderly woman named Kang Yeongsoon wanted to have a conversation. It was a discreet conversation with no one else around. In a quiet place, the old woman wrote the first line.
「Lee Hoontae-ssi actually doesn't have a hearing impairment.」
The Intel Correction showed Hoontae's information. The memories were blurry, so the pictures were too, but I could still recognize who it was. In the personal profile provided by Kang Yeongsoon, it stated that he had a slight leg disability and couldn't hear from one ear.
"What does that mean? Is he pretending to have a disability all this time?" Gyeoul asked, and the old woman moved her pen.
「Yes.」
「This was one of the means for us to survive.」
「Near deaf people, it's not necessary to lower one's voice.」
Ah, I see. Information acquisition. The moment the woman referred to the man as a deaf person, it became clear who the subject was. Gyeoul inclined his head.
"The reason for telling me this... I have an idea, but I still have to ask."
「What you're thinking is probably right.」
「You told us to gather information through people with disabilities.」
「He can listen in on everyone's conversations without being suspected by anyone.」
「However, it didn't seem right to keep this hidden from little boss,」 the elderly person replied.
After a moment of thought, Gyeoul asked, "Are you going to be alright?"
It was a simple but extended question. The elderly person calmly continued writing.
「Liu Bei had virtues, but his achievements were not solely due to virtues.」
Gyeoul corrected the question, "In case you get caught later, Lee Hoontae-ssi will be resented very much. People might become wary of not only Lee Hoontae-ssi but other disabled individuals as well. It could even lead to hostility. Haven't you ever considered the danger?"
「The weight of life is equal for everyone. Just as the Little Boss is willing to take risks, so are the people below him. It doesn't matter if you're able-bodied or disabled, it's just that everyone has different things they are able to do.」
「Depending on the situation, a disability can become a talent.」
The old woman had many thoughts about the role of disabled individuals. After thinking for a moment, Gyeoul nodded.
"Okay. But there's one condition."
With a look that questioned what it was, the woman asked with her eyes.
"If you get caught, say that it was my order."
Blaming Gyeoul would make it easier to absolve the situation. If it came to drugs or being suspicious of cults, it couldn't be helped, and there might be complaints, but it was unlikely that anyone would openly protest. After all, there was no one to directly challenge Gyeoul.
However, the old lady shook her head.
「That's very kind of you. Taking responsibility is the virtue of a good leader. I was impressed.」
「But there's no need for that.」
「Lee Hoontae-ssi is trying to find the meaning of life. Everyone will dislike it, but in the end, it's for everyone. He's helping the Little Boss, and the Little Boss is trying to help everyone. If only boss approves, he will be satisfied enough.」
After thinking again, Gyeoul sighed.
"I see, tell him to always be careful."
「I will. He'll be pleased.」
Observing the elderly person's attitude, it seemed unlikely that Lee Hoontae would come directly to Gyeoul. to minimize the potential for suspicion and to keep the interactions discreet. Sign language was essentially like a code. It was only understood by some disabled individuals, and even then, only by a few.
'I shouldn't trust him too much.' Gyeoul thought. Having diverse sources of information was beneficial.
「Then, please return safely,」 the elderly person bowed with a touch of reverence. Gyeoulbowed even deeper than that, showing respect for their age. Even if it meant nothing.
---------------------------= Post-Work Review =---------------------------
Among the cereals that came out of Pulmuone, there's something called Muesli.
It's a mixture of barley and cranberries.
It has a good taste, but it's too hard. Eating it, my teeth hurt.
After some thought, I decided to cook and try it.
The result was...
Ugh...
Don't try this at home.
It's like a first-hand experience of a refugee camp. It wasn't even this bad when I cooked and ate military rations...
I can't throw away the food, so I reluctantly ate it all.
I feel like I'm going to die.
---------------------------= TL Note=---------------------------
I just love this series! I hope everyone will be OK with me translating it. I won't re-translate the previous chapters since it was already well written. I will adapt the terms and names from the previous TLs, but I will need help from you dear readers if I misnamed some characters and places. Cheers on this novel, let's enjoy this together!!!