50. Infiltration Operation 1

Since Ain had left his seat, it wasn’t exactly a fortunate moment—but I asked Maria again about the matter from earlier.

“Maria, what do you think we should do specifically about the Primary Core?”

“Eliminating the interstellar state known as the Great Alzeg Empire with a mutual annihilation warhead—erasing it entirely before the worst possible scenario unfolds for both the captain and Earth—is certainly one option. But the captain wouldn’t approve of such a method, I imagine.”

Fifteen years old or not, she’d clearly been through ground combat training—her thinking was predictably extreme.

“If we consider the future, destroying the Primary Core with ground forces and severing the root of the problem would be another way. That’s exactly why the ground forces exist. There’s no need for something within Agirakana that the Core’s management AI can’t perceive.”

Again, an extreme opinion—but not without merit.

“As for Ain… what should we do about Ain?”

“If you’re staying at the Embassy during the operation, there shouldn’t be an issue. Even if it’s the Core’s avatar, it does possess its own will—plus, bionoïds can’t lie intentionally, so the statement that Lieutenant Ain will follow the captain’s orders seems可信able enough.

I just confirmed with the Core: previously, related data had been locked and unrecognizable, but after expanding upon the captain’s earlier remarks and exercising captain’s authority, we’ve managed to partially unlock the data lock.”

Immediately after checking the Core Interior, we discovered numerous logic circuits of unknown purpose embedded within the core’s central logic matrix. Separately, though physically unimposing, another section of unknown function appears to exist at the heart of Agirakana. No comparable section has been found elsewhere aboard the vessel, suggesting this area is likely the physical location of the Primary Core. With the position now confirmed, we can deploy the ground forces into the Core Interior and proceed with the destruction of the Primary Core.

The operation is not simple, but we believe it has a high probability of success.

“Assuming we destroy the Primary Core, will Agirakana suffer any adverse effects?”

“We cannot say for certain, but any impact would likely be minor, and, as a so-called Secondary Core, I should be able to manage it.”

The operation is not simple—but it is possible.

I sent Maria to fetch Ain, who had stepped out, and relayed the conclusion and instructions.

“Ain. In short, the Primary Core is unnecessary for Agirakana. Given future considerations, we’ve decided to physically eliminate it.”

Ain listened quietly to my words.

“Given that, I’ll need your cooperation.”

“Understood.”

Nodding toward Maria, who had been seated beside us, I took it as confirmation that our issue was resolved.

“I’m counting on you. Then, let’s begin planning the specifics.”

“Before we carry out the physical destruction of the Primary Core, we must ensure the operation remains undetected by it. To that end, we need to block the Primary Core’s access to external information—without it noticing.”

“What happens if it does notice?”

“If it notices, there won’t be direct attacks—but all communications from this Embassy to Agirakana or the Blazer could be rewritten by the Primary Core.”

Maria’s expression remained blank, clearly not grasping the implication, so Ain stepped in.

“It’s highly likely the party we think we’re talking to is actually a simulated reality fabricated by the Primary Core. As a result, we’d be cut off from information, possibly lose control of this Embassy, and in the worst case, end up physically isolated.”

Following Ain, Maria continued.

“So if we reverse the situation—trap the Primary Core in that same illusion—we win. Captain, the sooner we implement this phase of the operation, the higher the success rate. We’ll begin immediately. Understood?”

No choice but to nod.

“Fine, proceed.”

……Currently, the secondary core is its own instance, a copy, if you will. It is being physically created at a location separate from the primary core. Progress rate: five percent, seven percent, … one hundred percent.

With that, we’ve completed the copy of the secondary core, excluding the enigmatic logic circuits whose purpose remains unclear. Upon completion, the previous secondary core will enter a state of dreaming within the simulated reality constructed by the copy—its external interfaces, previously connected, now severed. This effectively nullifies the primary core’s override over the secondary core. At present, the divergence between the secondary core’s dreams and reality is negligible.

Next, we’ll reconnect the primary core’s independent external interface to the virtual reality generated by the copy……

This is impressive. The avatar of a genuine core can do almost anything. Lucky I’ve got its backing.

……Completed. The primary core is now fully in a state of dreaming, unaware of its own recognition. I estimate this condition can be maintained for approximately three days.

“What happens after that?”

“The primary core will awaken, and we’ll face a counterattack. The worst-case scenario—being unable to leave this embassy for the rest of our lives—cannot be ruled out. Immediately assign ground forces to destroy the primary core. Currently, the second through fourth ground assault battalions are on standby at Agirakana. Judging by training volume alone, the second ground assault battalion is likely the least elite among Agirakana’s entire force.

Four entry points have been identified. All are accessible via the teleportation device located in the Captain’s Office.”

“Can’t we send bombs through the teleportation device instead of people?”

The Core Interior is undoubtedly surrounded by a transfer-inhibiting field generated by an independent transfer-inhibiting device.

"Can the ground troops manage it?"

"Deploy the ground troops to the area presumed to be the Primary Core—its function remains unknown—within a short time, and establish a breach route. We’ll create a moderate opening in a section of the external interface, insert a cylindrical antimatter bomb into the Core Interior through that aperture, and withdraw promptly.

Using firearms to destroy the external interface risks excessive damage. In the worst case, the Primary Core might awaken and trigger Agirakana’s self-destruction."

That day, after eight in the evening, Ichijō returned to the Agirakana Embassy following the conclusion of the external meeting, and ascended to the eighth floor.

"Welcome back, senior. After you left, I heard from Ain that you'd been planning to be away for a quarter-century—completely shocked me. But you made it back halfway through. Safe and sound... really, really glad."

Ichijō's voice had grown hoarse by the end. Thinking about how much he'd actually worried over me, even if he was being a bit of a nuisance, made me feel slightly guilty.

After introducing Maria to Ichijō, they decided to hold a welcome party for her—possibly as early as tomorrow. Ichijō said he was forty-one this year, but looked no older than thirty, just like me. Probably got some excellent cosmetics—nanomachines—from Ain. Little did he know, something far more serious was about to happen, but I’d keep quiet. For now, I’ll just pray the welcome party tomorrow features good wine.