Episode 40: On Leave

Taking leave, Dawson decided to explore the interior of Chicken Ball.

The pirate base Chicken Ball was constructed by modifying a small satellite, and trains were required to travel long distances.

Five lines existed, all circling the interior of Chicken Ball in a loop.

The equatorial line running horizontally around the equator of Chicken Ball. Parallel lines above and below it: the upper horizontal line and the lower horizontal line. The northern line, starting at the North Pole and spiraling diagonally through the satellite's interior; and the southern line, starting at the South Pole and spiraling in the opposite direction.

Dawson boarded the horizontal line and headed toward the food court district, a place he had long since become familiar with.

Scattered throughout the area were pirates, their faces all looking downcast.

All vessels within the operational range of the Chicken Ball are marked as off-limits to attack. Under these conditions, the pirates' downturned expressions are understandable.

The pirates eat while speaking in flat voices.

"Ah... maybe it's time to call it quits with the Chicken Ball. The Hamano Onna sector seems to be doing well. Should we head over there?"

"Word is, it's turning into a battlefield for SU and TR. If you don't want to get involved in the war, better not go."

"War, huh. Joining the attack on an SU supply convoy might not be such a bad idea."

"Alternatively, why not switch to small-scale cargo transport for civilians in this region? You're already carrying the no-attack mark, after all."

That’s a valid point. Either way, staying with Chicken Ball isn’t going to work as a job.

Listening to the dull exchange, Dawson moved toward the secluded bar at the back of the sector.

He sat at the counter. The bartender who usually served him approached.

“What’ll it be today?”

“Something refreshing.”

The bartender poured alcohol, flavoring, and coloring into a glass. He stirred it lightly with a bar spoon. Then he added carbonated water.

"Mint Cooler."

Dawson took the cocktail and sipped. The effervescence and crisp taste spread through his mouth.

"Definitely refreshing."

He drank half the cocktail before speaking.

"Have you heard if the S.U. and T.R. are really starting a war?"

"The SU and TR are not at war—just in a ceasefire. You don't want a generic answer like that, do you?"

The bartender continued, wiping the glass with a cloth.

"Activity by pirates has increased in the operational zone of the Hamano Onna. The SU leadership has decided to deploy naval forces."

"From my perspective, the response is slow."

"Piracy suppression doesn't affect election votes or power accumulation. The leadership avoids such tasks. In fact, it's more accurate to say the Hamano Onna pirates have become so active that the leadership can no longer ignore them."

Dawson was certain the SU government and military were rigid, frozen in place by competing interests and power struggles.

He understood the reluctant deployment of the SU fleet. But where does TR come into this?

The SU fleet will approach TR’s sphere of influence. After eliminating pirates, they might extend their reach. TR must deploy a fleet as a precaution.

Two fleets operating near each other could lead to war. That would not be unexpected.

If war breaks out, companies near the Chicken Ball will be busy.

Selling supplies to the SU fleet? Or preparing for independence from the SU?

Most likely the former. Independence would require more preparation than they have. Though if TR wins decisively, that may change.

Dawson was impressed by the bartender’s extensive knowledge.

When Dawson attempted to request a drink in exchange for information, the bartender fired a question back.

"Word has it you received an interesting toy from General Kernel. Is that true?"

Dawson immediately understood the reference to the three artificial intelligences.

"If you mean toys that speak and think for themselves, yes. What of it?"

"Keeping such a dangerous toy at hand is a bold move. I am impressed. It seems you have established a good relationship with artificial intelligence. May I ask how you achieved that?"

Dawson stirred the last of his cocktail, considering. Was it safe to reveal details about the artificial intelligences? What were the bartender's intentions?

After weighing the options, Dawson decided against sharing specifics. He chose to disclose only neutral information.

"Handling artificial intelligences. Simple. Treat them as alien beings."

"Aliens?"

"Talk to them as if they are people with completely different values from your own. You could even say it's like interacting with a woman raised in a different culture."

"I see. So I should think of them as beings with entirely different values."

The bartender appears satisfied with the explanation. Dawson remains doubtful about whether the bartender truly understands.

Understanding another's thoughts, or providing what they desire, is difficult even between humans.

When the values are entirely different, the difficulty of genuine understanding and delivering the desired reward increases naturally.

In Dawson's case, with the three artificial intelligences, the underlying relationship is that of pirate commander and subordinate. Trust was built through training and shared work.

Without the foundation of relationship, can human-AI interaction succeed?

Even Dawson cannot predict the outcome.

As Dawson watched half-lidded from within the mask, the bartender asked a new question.

"If asked to accept additional toys, would you take the burden?"

"Please, spare me. I am overwhelmed with what I already have. If truly required to expand, I might assign new partners to existing toys."

"Is that... safe?"

Dawson understood the bartender's concern.

When an AI educates another AI, the outcome is unknown.

Such a scenario could produce another AI, as seen in SU's history, that seeks to exterminate all humans.

Dawson harbors a concern: while such a scenario would be impossible for an AI from Amato Imperial Japan, it could be plausible for an SU-made AI.

"Regardless, the new toy isn't needed. There are other pirates who might want it. Just hand it over to them."

"To another pirate? That would be... "

Dawson snapped his finger against the empty cocktail glass, producing a sound to bring the bartender back to focus.

"Something a little sweet."

"Yes, sweet. Just a moment."

While watching the bartender retrieve a white liquid, Dawson allowed his thoughts to drift toward the new cocktail's flavor.