Глава 15

We don't have much time left.

Can we seamlessly switch to the new terminal command system?

I... I'm still working on that.

We still have no way to replace PRTS's current role in Rhodes Island's daily operations. Much of our medical data and resource allocation calculations still rely on PRTS.

But the biggest issue I'm facing is how to construct a data center and energy hub reliable enough to support the new command system.

Nothing comes close to what PRTS can do here—even while handling the massive, high-precision computations Rhodes Island requires, it still has power to spare.

Unfortunately, I still can't make sense of PRTS's underlying logic… Even ZOOT, which completely mimics its design, keeps throwing errors in weird places you wouldn't think of.

What if we used Amnannam?

Closure, I reviewed the comments you added to my report, and the theories you outlined in response.

According to the Kazdel office's logs and experimental results, there is—at least in theory—a possibility that Amnannam could function as a data center and energy hub.

But...

That is also extremely risky.;We still aren't totally familiar with Amnannam.

But it's not like we haven't learned anything from all this.

At least we verified that there's a possibility of using Amnannam for super-long-range communications and data transfers.

Even though she'd been informed in advance, Wiš'adel was still freaked out when your 'greeting' showed up out of nowhere.

And the operators who went to assist Kazdel, have they settled in alright?

Everyone was surprised when they first got there. They assumed the city would be in... worse shape.

They found their footing quickly, and when the time came for Midnight and me to head back, it was hard to say goodbye to the new friends he'd made.

Doctor, do we really have to keep sending people out to the various branch offices?

I've never seen the ship as deserted as it is now.

We've come to a mutual understanding, Closure.

We're sending more personnel to the regional offices partly to reduce the number of people at risk in the event of an accident aboard the ship, and partly to ensure those offices can respond more effectively when needed.

I know that, of course. I'm just not used to having to say goodbye to friends all of a sudden.

I don't know when it started, but my schedule is packed with farewell dinners now.

Once the risks aboard the ship are cleared, it'll be up to you to decide when the operators return.

If everyone is here, then we'll start the meeting.

Also, don't forget to delete the voice recordings and data logs from today—wipe them from PRTS.

From here on out, every decision we make will shape the future of Rhodes Island.

We've reached a consensus: if we want to guarantee the safety of Rhodes Island's people and assets, there are certain decisions we can't avoid any longer.

Simplify the ship's structure.

Yes. We need to segregate Rhodes Island's important resources and help the personnel stationed on the ship settle in.

This will help ease the concerns of those stationed on the ship while also improving everyone's response time in the event of an emergency.

Uh, but I still have some questions, Kal'tsit.

This means we'll have to dismantle the vast majority of the ship's structure.

Dr. Kal'tsit, did you accelerate Rhodes Island's defense planning only because of PRTS's recent irregularities?

The recent irregularities have made one thing clear—

PRTS is slowly spiraling out of control.

And as time goes on, this will only accelerate.

However, PRTS is only Rhodes Island's terminal control system.

If it's no longer in our control, then who is it taking orders from?

You're worried about internal threats?

Amiya, that possibility has always existed.

...I trust you, Dr. Kal'tsit.

Phew. What a headache. What do you think, Doctor?

I trust Kal'tsit's judgment.

She and I have already rehearsed hundreds of contingency plans.

Okay. Then what can I do, Kal'tsit?

You've already played a big role in the ship's reconstruction.

The mechanical structures connecting the different core areas have been almost completely replaced with cyclic hydrocarbon prefabricated materials over the past five years, which can support a certain degree of modular disassembly.

A certain degree?

The power systems on the lower deck and the uppermost deck cannot be separated for now.

When Rhodes Island was first excavated, the limitations of available technology and other constraints prevented us from restoring it to its ideal condition.

It wasn't until seven years ago, when Closure and I drafted the blueprints for the restoration, that we discovered it would be very hard to modify Rhodes Island's structure. I'm pleasantly surprised that we've managed to do as much as we did.

The Catastrophe warning system and the medical center are particularly crucial modules. Both involve technologies that are not yet ready to be disclosed and are also the hardest to deploy.

Columbia?;Ægir?;Londinium?

We have a close working relationship with Rhine Lab. Appointing them to take care of the warning system and medical center was an obvious choice.

But Mark Max has long maintained a high level of interest in Rhodes Island, and I can't predict how the President of Columbia will view the collaboration between our two companies.

In addition, the situation in Trimounts is still complicated; I am afraid that Rhine Lab might not be able to shield itself from the fallout.

I have an idea...

It's risky, but well warranted.

Leveraging Clementia's and Gladiia's private channels, we won't even have to establish contact with the Ægir authorities. I can ensure this matter is handled discreetly and properly.

We might even be able to conduct technology transfers. I reckon that would make Warfarin happy.

That is the path I believe we should take, Doctor.

The Londinium Parliament's reconstruction work these past two years has been difficult, but the results have been surprisingly impressive.

Not only have they cleared most of the Originium crystal clusters from their route, they've also managed to stabilize the city's supply of medicine and other resources.

Londinium can now indeed provide a secure operating environment for the medical center, and we'll also be able to obtain a large amount of firsthand case data.

But this also means we'll be officially cooperating with Parliament again, and the dukes will once more put heavy pressure on Vina.

That's not exactly good news for Londinium, which has only just begun to get back on track.

Doctor, I have another risky idea.

Ægir. Looking at all of the factors, this is the best choice we can make.

I will personally communicate with the Inquisition and Ægir personnel to ensure the safe arrival of our own personnel and assets.

Most of our patients have now been temporarily placed in treatment facilities in various offices along with reinforcements.

All that is left is for the remaining patients to be transferred to Ægir once the medical center is operational again.

Leave this matter to me. The support vehicle for long-distance patient transport is already prepped and ready to go.

As for the transfer arrangements for Logistics and Engineering...

I talked it over with my people, and everyone was enthusiastic about temporarily moving to Kazdel.

Many of them are old friends who stuck with us back then, and returning to Kazdel means a lot to them.

Yes. I talked to Wiš'adel before leaving Kazdel.

Babel will assign personnel to escort both our people and our key assets throughout the entire journey. We'll be flying the banners of Babel and the Military Commission. The mercenaries won't dare try anything.

And then there's our Mining Module.;The militarized mining modules need to be handled with caution.

A long time ago, I purchased a semi-decommissioned mining ship from Rim Billiton and registered it under Rhodes Island's name.

The ship's mining module can now be legally transferred to the new mining vessel to continue operations in Rim Billiton.

At the same time, I placed an order on the market to buy the mining module.

To hide your tracks?

Making any major changes, in the short term, is sure to attract attention, especially from our rivals, who will use the opportunity to use them against us.

While calling it a 'refit and upgrade' may be something most factions will accept, anybody with their own plans—the ones watching us more closely—won't be fooled.

We need a few more sophisticated explanations.

I stopped in Siracusa to resupply before returning to the ship, where I visited Vigil and Penance in Nuova Volsinii.

They helped me dig into the current state of affairs in Nuova Volsinii.

As long as the famiglie are not publicly pressuring Nuova Volsinii, City Hall will be able to protect us.

I propose inserting a business department into Nuova Volsinii by means of investment. Establishing a cooperative relationship with City Hall will counter both overt and covert maneuvers from competing companies.

Doctor, what do you think?

I agree with Amiya.;Perhaps we can establish some backup warehouses or supply stores.

We can build a backup warehouse in Nuova Volsinii as well.

The logistics system of Nuova Volsinii has changed a lot in the past year, and the port's cargo throughput is extremely impressive.

With City Hall's cooperation, it will be easier for us to conceal the transportation and storage of important assets.

Doctor, let me handle coordination for the rest of the support facilities.

There is one last painful task on the list...

Everyone looks at the blueprints spread out in front of them, as the command center falls silent.

This is the key to everything we're doing.