Just Like The Old Times - an Operation Edgelord narrative

 

“It’s been fifteen years…” Diplomat Xi's small figure looked even smaller in the steel and polymer frame and furniture of the so-called “office”, a tiny room of a garrison in the frozen plains of Svalarheima. This is all but exaggerated by the sumptuous purple robe of the man (silver-lined, no less!), looking oddly out of place in the gray-toned room, just bigger than a broom closet. 

The subtle aroma of pu erh and chrysanthemum filled the narrow space. There was little steam coming from the steel kettle, but scent emanated from the gaiwan the diplomat and the other man were holding in their hands.

“I don't remember precisely, but they probably are”. On the other side of the steel desk sat the imposing figure of Colonel Tang Shun. A simple gray pilot's suit replaced his usual attire. “Our first meeting took place in Shidong, certainly not here at the Quanxue base.” The clay cup looked comically small in his big hands.

“You have a good memory.” The diplomat put down the now empty cup on the table. “Sure thing is we are not here to talk about this, nor to congratulate for the latest successes of your task force”. He poured a little water on the leftover leaves.

“Tundra Wolves are no more. The Task force has been disbanded for the losses suffered during the New Hypathia crisis…” Tang Shun replied, dry. After all this time, it still hurts.

“That’s why I’m here. I’m asking you a favor, just like the old times. Let me explain fully, don’t interrupt me.” Xi knew exactly how to interact with the Colonel. “There’s a growing crisis in the Human Edge, there are these three planetoids…”

“Heard of that, they call it ‘the three body problem’...” Tang Shun sipped from the cup.

“Exactly, while I was traveling here I got informed that a certain cargo has been located in one of those planetoids. The Yuan Yuan vessel that boarded and sacked one of our freight ships crashed on the surface of 1777 Du-ε.”

“Tell me more about this cargo.” Tang Shun put the cup on the table and started taking notes.

“Among the rest of the junk, there is a Data Pack. Military grade casing, completely isolated from the network, the highest standard of quantronic security, the finest of Wanhou production. We were relocating it to a secret facility in the Human Edge. Long story short, Yuan Yuans came, boarded and took all the stuff, Data Pack included. We then located the object, boarded them, but they crashed the ship. We 'pirated' the pirates.” He hinted at a smile. “No survivor, as far as I know, it happened a few hours ago.” Xi’s voice showed no signs of concern. “I am sure the data has not been compromised nor been read, those pirates haven’t the technological prowess to access them. But this crisis has recalled a lot of operatives of other nations and organizations. If the Data Pack is found, someone can have access to what’s inside.”

“What’s in that?”

“The early development of Kǒng Fūzǐ”, stated that Diplomat. For a brief moment there was no sound in the room. It was like the cold of the frozen plains had found a way to enter the room and chill even the time itself.

“So, it’s not just a legend that the Party wished to get an AI under their control…” Tang Shun broke the silence.

“In Xiāndăo Neosteelworks we witnessed what AIs are capable of in terms of neo-materials production. The Party funded the project immediately: Aleph is great, but a little nosy. The goal was to reach a comparable computing power without the all-seeing-eye intromissions. Pretty big, isn’t it? If Aleph finds out, we are screwed. Or, even worse, if someone outside the Party discovered all of this…” Despite describing an apocalyptic outcome for the Party and all Yu Jing, Xi was pretty much aloof and apart. “The Data Pack has to be retrieved or destroyed.”

“Is there an AI in a Data Pack?” Tang Shun asked, a little stunned.

“You ask very stupid questions for being one of the best combat hackers of the White Banner Army.” Xi replied. “Of course not, there isn’t, there are just the early developments of the project. It may be enough to make accusations or attract the harsh scrutiny of Aleph, though. It’s a risk we cannot take.”

“It may be already late, it has become a busy area. And not in a good way.” He stopped, then spoke under his breath, as if he was talking with himself. “If only I had the gang together, I could…”

“You have. They’re already waiting for you. No heavy machinery this time, they’ll slow you down, but I demanded them to be ready as soon as possible. They must be ready by now. Your stuff has already been loaded.”

“And you tell me it like this? There’s no time to waste!” Tang Shun rushed past the diplomat, reaching the door in just two steps. He turned back before entering the corridor. “If you know all this from just a few hours, why did you come here in the first place?”

“Oh, I just need you to extract logs from enemy IFF systems. You can do it during the current operation. The program has already been loaded on all of your devices.”

Tang Shun was puzzled and his face showed it.

“It would be very nice of you all if you collected them before some imperial agent could. The Party would be pleased”. He smirked. “It will ruffle some feathers.”

“Imperial feathers. I suppose. Just like the old times…” The Colonel smiled briefly and ran to the loading bay.

“Just like the old times”. Xi sipped from the gaiwan, enjoying his tea, knowing well he was in the best hands. 

Looks like our favourite Dàofěi and his gang are back in town!