Chapter 12: Busted

*The world around us has been what it is long before humans settled in. Humans didn't hesitate a second to use it and exploit its resources to saturation. The day might come when a difficult choice must be made to euthanize a large part of the population, unless there's a fair redistribution of living space or a major technological breakthrough. Firiyaze has already solved most of its problems related to this; in fact, the federal government has expanded beyond its capacity and discovered worlds it wouldn't occupy for a long time. Sitting in a chair in their secret HQ in Hokkaido, Monty sat facing a computer, snacking on popcorn. From this computer emanated a voice engaging in conversation with him.*

- But what happens when the federation encounters an already inhabited world? *asked the voice.*

- Well, the procedure is to initiate contact with the leader of that world. Generally, that's how it goes, but there are rare cases where the world itself is divided into several tribes.

- And these tribes can speak various languages depending on how the inhabitants try to distinguish themselves from a socio-cultural perspective, right?

- Exactly, ICE. You catch on fast. On Amadori, for example, some of the most spoken languages are all derivatives of a single language spoken long ago.

-Like Latin?

- Exactly. *Gael smiled*. But it's a dead language today. It was spoken by the most powerful empire of its time, the Roman Empire. But it's gone now.

- Why did it disappear if it was so powerful?

*He suddenly turned and aimed his weapon at the door. The person he pointed at jumped, frightened.*

- Ah, it's you? *He said, putting away his weapon.* What do you want?

*It was Chanel, Francis's wife, coming to check on him.*

- You've been locked in here for 3 days, and you haven't eaten anything at all.

- I'm nourishing myself properly, don't worry.

- I meant real food, not your disgusting ration capsules.

- Ha, you've never been on deployment, have you? *He said*.

- That's not an excuse. Japan has a wide variety of culinary products; it would be a shame not to enjoy them. *She insisted*.

*She approached him and tried to pull him by the shoulder when the computer turned on.*

- Oh, what's this?

- It's an evolving control intelligence, or ICE. But I doubt you understand what it is.

- Hello. *ICE said*.

- Well, hello. You're an artificial intelligence, aren't you? A bit like Earl.

- I am still far from the level of sophistication of Herstal V93, but I can tell you that I am learning.

- ICE is one of the many AIs I develop myself. There's Alicia taking care of my apartment on Bastion, Jerome in my box at Fort Lavigne, and now ICE here. I plan to make him an autonomous AI that will accompany me everywhere on missions. When he's ready, I'll install him on WhiteStar.

- But to develop his program and for him to gain new expressions, you have to dialogue with him.

- Yes, it helps to streamline the data flow...

- And stimulate the learning program of the AI. It's like raising a child; the more it learns, the better program he becomes. *She said fascinated*.

*As they chatted, Gael got lost in explanations and even found himself smiling. That's when he noticed the screen.*

- Hey, but you know quite a lot, actually. What's your job again? *He asked intrigued*.

- Fascinating stuff. *She said, staring at ICE's code*. Anyway, you need to eat something other than those vitamin bars. And don't give me the "It already has all the nutrients" excuse; I know it's false.

- She's right; the human body needs a wide variety of nutrients to live. You'll exhaust your rations at this rate. These are made for emergency situations, sir.

*He sighed, exhausted. If even ICE turned against him.*

- Okay, then. But before that, what day is it?

- Thursday, why?

- Thursday? A new chapter comes out every Thursday.

- Chapter of what?

- A manga that I have to buy. There are over a thousand chapters, but I persevere; it's really interesting.

*After that, he went upstairs where young Uriel was. Among the team members, Gael was the one he liked the least, so he behaved quite well in his presence.*

- Itadakimaaasu.

*Indeed, there were quite a variety of dishes on the table with flavors he had never tasted before. Damon hadn't lied; the food on Amadori was top-notch. While enjoying the various flavors, he received a call on his earpiece.*

- Gael? Are you available? *Nikto asked*.

- Just eating; what do you want?

- Mr. Monferra, no phones on table. *Chanel said*.

*But he didn't listen and continued the call.*

- I need you to freeze the accounts of a guy, one of my competitors.

- Okay, send me his name, and I'll do it later.

- Do it now; it's a matter of life or death.

- Okay, give me two seconds.

*He projected a holographic display from his watch and, following Nikto's instructions, froze the accounts as planned. When he finished the call, he saw Chanel observing him with a pouty expression.*

- What... It was urgent.

*He barely resumed eating when the device started ringing again.*

- Montyyyy, turn off your communicator.

- Sorry, it's probably urgent.

- Monty? It's Guarneer. I just sent you a list of products; I'd like to know where we can find them according to your analyses.

- Are you trying to euthanize someone or what? *He asked while browsing on his watch*. There are plenty of painkillers on this list.

- Yes, it's not for me but for my grandfather.

- Wait a minute... Since when do you have a grandfather?

- It would be a long story. I'm driving now; I have to let you go. Don't forget the list.

*He hung up and crossed Chanel's annoyed gaze again.*

- Okay, okay, I'll stop.

*He started eating again, and the device rang again. But this time, Chanel stole it before he could answer and gave him a blood-curdling look.*

- I said, at the table, Sergeant.

- Yes, ma'am.

*At the same time, on the other end of the line, Sullivan and her accomplice were in a rental car on their way to where Gnezou worked.*

- Damn. He refuses to answer.

- Who, your father? *Roger asked*. He must be busy; you told me he works in parliament.

- Yes, yes. *She sighed*. But this is really important; I need him.

- Oh, we wonder who's the idiot who cut ties first. *Stowe said at the front*.

- Douglas.

*She approached his ear slowly and whispered.*

- I remind you that I am the second-highest-ranking officer on this mission.

- Hm hm, yeah, you're right. *He said aloud To cover his embarrassment*. "He shouldn't have treated you like he did."

*Back in Hokkaido, Gael finished his meal under Chanel's strict supervision. Afterward, he went downstairs and headed to the nearest village, where there was a store selling various items, including manga. The owner was a young adult full of zest for life.*

"Hey, hey, my favorite customer. So, are you still reading the manga I recommended?"

"Yes, but it's quite long, so I'll just take a few volumes and two other mangas to mix things up."

"So, where are you in the story now?"

"Well, the hero's brother got captured, and there's a kind of coalition forming to save him. By the way, what's wrong with the author, making the government look like the bad guys?"

"Well, that's what makes the beauty of the work. There's no good or bad, the world isn't all black or all white, you know."

"And what do you know about the world?" *Gael thought*.

"And in the end, justice triumphs," *the young man said*.

"Oh, ease up; I know you. This will end up in spoilers like last time."

*Once his purchase was done, he exited the store and started walking down the street when his earpiece lit up.*

"By the way, sir, you still haven't told me what happened to the Roman Empire." *ICE said*

"The greatest empire on Amadori? Well, it was first divided into the Western and Eastern empires. Once weakened and with the incompetence of emperors, Rome couldn't survive the barbarian revolts. The empire was dismantled piece by piece."

"Do you think such a fate is possible for Firiyaze?"

"Historically speaking, all great empires eventually fall, without exception. But Firiyaze still has good days ahead. And my job is precisely to make sure that doesn't happen."

*A silence settled between them, and they resumed the conversation.*

"Sir, what would be the procedure to pacify Amadori if we wanted to?"

"I have no idea, but it would be a damn nightmare."

*He stopped at a red light as vehicles started moving. He stared at the sky thoughtfully.*

"I know nothing, but it would be a nightmare."

*The light turned green, and he was about to cross when ICE alerted him.*

"Sir, that utility vehicle isn't stopping."

*Gael looked to his left and saw a truck speeding towards him.*

"Oh, damn," *the driver shouted*.

*The guy hit the brakes, but the vehicle still traveled a good ten meters before hitting a lamppost. The driver, panicked, got out to check, but Gael had miraculously avoided the accident. What the driver wasn't sure he saw was that Gael had jumped over the truck.*

"What... Sir, are you not hurt?" *asked the panicked driver*.

"No, but is this a joke?" *Gael said, annoyed*. "Didn't you see the light turn red, idiot? Did you get your license in a garbage bag or what?"

*The driver bowed repeatedly to apologize, and after insulting him, Gael walked away.*

"Damn. I hate Isekai too."

*After this little mishap, he returned to the chalet, where he could focus on his job.*

"I'll read later."

*That's when he saw several missed calls on his phone, but it wasn't Gaines or other team members.*

"Sullivan, huh?" *He returned the call, and she answered.* "So, what does the black sheep want..."

"GAEL, WE FOUND IT!" *she screamed*.

"Easy, don't shout in my ears. And don't call me by my name," *he said, annoyed*. "You found the Opal I asked for?"

"No, I found something even better," *she said*. "I think we found our target, Dr. Shraken. Well, not necessarily him, but we're getting close."

*The sergeant displayed an intrigued smile.*

"Tell me more, kid."

*To be continued...*