Chapter 15 chapter eight

"Well, Sci, you're right," said General Mattson, "and Jared Dirac came in handy at last." General Mattson, General Szilard, and Colonel Robbins had lunch in the general's mess, and this time all three ate.It was General Mattson who officially broke the tradition that his subordinates were not allowed to eat here. That time he ordered a large plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce for Robbins. The general next to him was furious when he saw it, and he replied loudly. : "Dry old shitball, shut the fucking beak. This man deserves a goddamn plate of spaghetti." Since then, other generals have started bringing their subordinates to dinner.

"Thanks, General," Szilard said. "Now, if you don't mind, can you tell me how you plan to fix the problem with BrainPal? Seven ships lost." "Robbins, be specific," Mattson said.The two turned to Robbins, who carefully swallowed his mouthful of steak Wellington. "We're going to be closing that back door in the near future—that's for sure," Robbins said. "It's been announced that this is a major upgrade to BrainPal. It's fixed. We'll be reviewing it in the next few days." The entire code of the BrainPal system, screening legacy code, backdoors, and other codes that may cause security risks. We will also detect whether there are viruses in the conversations and information passed between the BrainPals. Butin’s way of spreading viruses is no longer possible It worked."

"It shouldn't have been successful in the first place," Szilard said. "There were virus protection programs in the early days of computer technology, and you didn't install this thing in BrainPal. You forgot the most basic computer. Safety rules, almost killed everyone." "It wasn't installed because it wasn't needed," Mattson said. "BrainPal is a closed system, completely immune to external attacks. Even Boutin's attack failed in the end." "But only by a tiny bit," Szilard said. "Yeah, the reason it was only a little bit off is because some dude here wanted to make a body to put Charles Boutin's consciousness in," Mattson said, "I won't say who it was .”

"Hmph," Szilard said. "The current Brain Companion system will be phased out anyway," Robbins said. "The next-generation Brain Companion has been tested by Camela and will soon be popularized to all members of the Defense Force. The new system adopts a completely different architecture, 100% It's organic, the code is optimized, and it doesn't have the hangovers from the early BrainPal code. This type of attack won't find a place to bite, General." "The guys who were working on the previous generation of BrainPals probably won't be able to do anything about it," Szilard said. "What about the guys working on the next generation of BrainPals? You've got to keep an eye on them, lest anyone go astray."

"We definitely will," Robbins said. "I'll see," Szilard said. "Speaking of going astray," Mattson said, "what are you going to do with Lieutenant Sagan?" "What do you mean?" Szilard said. "Let's be blunt, she knows too much," Mattson said. "Through Butin and Dirac, she knows about the high-level secret meeting and how we strictly control the information in this area. Her secret level has not yet reached." So high. This information is very dangerous." "At the end of the day, these are facts after all," Szilard said, "so I don't understand the danger. High-level secret societies exist objectively. If they really act together, we may be going against the current."

"It's dangerous because that's not the whole truth, Schee, and you know that," Mattson said, "Boutin didn't know about the existence of the anti-high-level secret society, how deeply we were involved, how we Manipulating the two sides against each other. The situation is moving fast. The time will come when alliances must be forged and decisions must be made. Humanity will no longer be able to sound neutral. We don’t want Sagan gossiping and spreading gossip.” "Then tell her the whole story," Szilard said. "For God's sake, she's an intelligence officer and can handle the truth."

"I don't count," Mattson said.Szilard was about to speak, and Mattson held up his hands. "I don't count, Sci. If the anti-high-level secret society officially breaks with the high-level secret society, you know what that means. The whole damn galaxy will be at war. At that time, the recruits recruited by the earth alone will not be enough. The alliance will demand The colonies are helping too, maybe even mandatory conscription. You know what that means. The colonies are going to riot. You'll be lucky if you avoid infighting. The colonies aren't kept from this information just because we want to keep them in the dark In the dark, but also because we don't want the whole league to fucking fall apart."

"The longer you wait, the worse it will be," Szilard said. "The Union will never find a good way to get the news to the colonies. When the colonies figure it out for themselves, they will wonder why the Union kept it from them for so long. " "It doesn't matter what I say," Mattson said. "Yes, I know," Szilard said angrily, "you are lucky, there is another way. Sagan's service period is almost up, and I remember that there are still a few months, at most a year, enough for We allowed her to retire early. As far as I know, she was going to leave the army when she retired. We put her in a new colony, and if she talks about high-end secret meetings with her neighbors, who the fuck cares? Everyone is busy planting crops."

"You think you can persuade her to retire early?" Mattson said. "You can seduce her," said Szilard. "A few years ago, Sagan fell in love with a soldier in the Defense Force named John Perry. Perry started service a few years after her, but we can let him go early." Veteran. Also, she seems to have a crush on Zoe Butin, who is an orphan and needs to be resettled. You see what I'm going to say." "Understood," Mattson said, "let's do it." "I'll oversee it myself," said Szilard. "And speaking of secrets, how are your negotiations with the Obin?"

Mattson and Robbins cast wary glances at Szilard at the same time. "Who's negotiating with the Obins?" Robbins said. "Of course no one," said Szilard. "You're not negotiating with the Obin about how to continue developing Butin's consciousness programs. Nisha people. No one is negotiating with anyone. How are the negotiations that don't exist?" Robbins looks at Mattson, who nods. "It's not particularly good," Robbins said. "I'm afraid I can't talk about it these days." "How unpleasant," said Szilard.

"I still want to talk about Sagan," Mattson said. "When do you think you can get an answer from her?" "I'll talk to her today," Schillard said. "I'll give her a week to get ready. That should be enough time for her to take care of what needs to be done." "For example?" Mattson said. "Farewell and closure, what else?" Szilard said. "I want her to help me make a few decisions." Looking at what appeared to be a miniature light show, Jane Sagan asked, "What is this?" "The soul of Jared Dirac," Kennan said. Sagan glanced at him and said, "Remember you said that special forces soldiers have no souls." "This moment and that moment," Kennan said, "and I'm not so stupid now. But it was his consciousness," Kennan said. "It seems to be rescued by one of your men, and as far as I know Know, recorded by Boutin himself. I understand that your task is to judge how to deal with it." Sagan nodded.Szilard came to her and proposed to let her and John Perry retire, and give Zoe Butin to them for upbringing. There are two conditions in exchange: first, the existence of the high-end secret meeting must not be revealed; second, Decide what to do with Jared Dirac's consciousness. "I can understand the high-end secret meeting," Sagan said, "but I don't understand the Dirac matter." "I'm just curious what you're going to do," Szilard said, declining to elaborate further. "What are you going to do about it?" Cainen asked. "What do you think I should do?" Sagan asked. "I know exactly what you should do about it," Kennan said, "but I'm not you, so I won't tell you what I think until I hear your decision." Sagan looked at Harry Wilson, who watched the scene with great interest.Sagan asked: "Harry, what about you?" "Sorry, Jane," Wilson said, laughing, "I'm asking to invoke the Fifth Amendment. That's your decision." "You can bring him back to life," Sagan said to Kennan. "It's possible," Kennan said, "that we understand the technology better now. We're better at tuning the brain now than they were when they tuned Dirac's brain to accept Boutin's personality. Risk of teleportation failing to take root." Still, and then you'll have a Dirac-like situation where one personality develops normally and the other emerges. But I think it's much less of a risk now, and it won't be a major risk any time soon. I think if you're willing , we can indeed bring him back to life.” "But that's not what Jared wanted, was it?" Sagan said. "He knew Boutin had recorded his personality, and he could ask me to find a way to retrieve the storage device. But he didn't." "No, he didn't," Kennen agreed. "Jared made his decision," Sagan said. "The decision in this matter rests with him. Kennan, please erase the record." "Now you understand why I knew you had a soul," Kennan said. "Please accept my apology for having my doubts." "No need to apologize," Sagan said, "but I take it." "Thank you," Kennan said. "Lieutenant Sagan, I don't know if I can ask you for a favor. Maybe it's not a favor. It's more appropriate to ask you to pay off the debt." "What?" Sagan asked. Kenan looked over Sagan and landed on Wilson, who suddenly became very disturbed.Kennan said to Wilson, "You don't need to stay and listen to me, my friend." "Of course I'm staying," said Wilson, "but allow me to repeat, you're a bloody fool." "Remember," Kenan said, "thank you for your concern." Wilson crossed his arms, looking puzzled. "Go ahead," Sagan said. "I want to die, Lieutenant," Kennan said. "These past few months, I've been feeling the pain of the antidote getting weaker and weaker." "We can increase the dose," Sagan said. "Yes, it might work," Kennan said, "but I'm in pain, not just physical pain. I'm far from my people, from home, from things that bring me joy. I cherish my friendship with Harry Wilson, Cherishing my friendship with you - Omg! Friendship with you. But every day I feel like the part of me that is Le Rey, the part that is really me, is getting colder and smaller , it won't be long before there will be nothing left. Then I will be alone, utterly alone. Alive is alive, but inside is dead." "I can persuade General Szilard to release you," Sagan said. "That's what I told him," Wilson said. "You know they can't release me," Kennen said. "I've done so much for you and know too much. Even if you did release me, do you think the Raleighs would welcome me home Is it? No, Lieutenant. I'm far away from home and know I'll never go back." "I'm sorry, Kenan, I made you like this," Sagan said. "If I could start all over again, I would definitely change everything." "Why?" Kennan said, "You helped humanity avoid war, Lieutenant, and I was only part of the price." "But I'm still sorry," Sagan said. "Then pay the debt," Kennan said, "help me die." "How?" Sagan said. "When I was studying human culture, I read about seppuku," Kennan said. "You know what?" Sagan shook his head.Kennan continued, "The Japanese suicide ritual. The ritual includes an intermediary, who is the second-in-command of the suicide victim, who kills the seppuku in the most painful moment to relieve his pain. I choose to die because you let me Got sick, Lieutenant Sagan, but I'm afraid I'm going to call for help when I'm in the worst of it, which I did, and end up disgracing myself and taking the path that led me here. The lieutenant could have avoided it I am humiliated again. I ask you to be my intermediary, Lieutenant Sagan." "I don't think the Colonial Defense Forces would allow me to kill you unless it was on the battlefield," Sagan said. "Yes, I find that ironic beyond imagination," Kennan said, "but this time they will allow it. I have asked General Mattson's permission, and I have General Szilard's permission for you to serve as me. deputy." "What if I say no?" Sagan asked. "You know what I'm going to do," Kennan said. "When we first met, you said you believed I wanted to live, and you were right. But like I said, one moment and another. Now, I Want to be free. If I had to die alone, I would die alone, but I don't want that." "No," Sagan said. "I accept, Kennan, as your intermediary." "I thank you from the bottom of my soul, Lieutenant Sagan, my friend." Kenan looked at Wilson who was weeping silently, "How about you, Harry? I asked you to accompany me to the last moment, but you refused, and now I will I'll ask you again." Wilson nodded vigorously, and replied: "Okay. I will accompany you, disgusting grandson. I will watch you die." "Thanks, Harry," Kennan said, turning back to Sagan, "I need two days to finish work here. On the third night, can you come see me?" "Okay," Sagan said. "Your grappling dagger, I think, would be a good fit," Kennen said. "As you wish," Sagan said, "Is there anything else I can do for you?" "One more thing," Kennan said, "if you can't do it, I can understand." "Go ahead," Sagan said. "I was born in Farah Colony," Kennan said. "I grew up there. I'd like to go back there if I die. I know it's going to be hard." "Leave it to me," Sagan said, "even if I have to go there myself. I promise you, Kenan, I swear you'll come home." One month after Zoe and Sagan returned to the Phoenix space station, Sagan took Zoe to take a transport boat to visit his parents' graves. The pilot of the traffic boat was Lieutenant Claude. He asked about Jared, and Sagan said that Jared had died.Lieutenant Cloud was silent for a moment, and then he began to tell the jokes Jared had made.Sagan smiled broadly. In front of the tombstone, Sagan stood by, and Zooey knelt down, reading the names of her parents with a clear and calm tone.For a month, Sagan watched Zoe go from being a confused girl when she first met—looking younger than her actual age, crying for her father—to becoming more cheerful and talkative, gradually approaching her actual age.As it happened, she was only a few days younger than Sagan. "My name." Zooey stroked her name and said. "When you were kidnapped, your father thought you were dead," Sagan said. "Uh, but I'm not dead." Zooey objected. "Of course not," Sagan said with a smile. "No, absolutely not." Zooey touched his father's name and said, "He's not here, is he? Not under here." "Yes," Sagan said, "he died on Aristor, and that's where I brought you back." "I know," Zoe said, looking at Sagan, "Mr. Jared died there, too, didn't he?" "Yes." Sagan said. "He said he knew me, but I really don't remember him," Zoe said. "He does know you, and it's hard to explain," Sagan said. "I'll explain it to you when you're older." Zooey looked at the tombstone again. "Everyone who knew me is gone," she said softly in a monotonous voice, "all my relatives are gone." Sagan knelt down beside Zooey and hugged her affectionately. "I'm sorry, Zoe." "I know," said Zoe, "I'm sorry, too. I miss Daddy and Mummy, and even a little bit of Mr. Jared, though I don't know him very well." "I know they miss you too," said Sagan, turning to Zoe. "Look, Zoe, I'm going to live in the colony soon. You can come with me if you want." "Just you and me?" Zoe said. "No, you, me, and a man I love very much." Sagan said. "Will I like him?" Zoe asked. "I think so," Sagan said. "I like him, and I like you, so you have a reason to like each other. You, me, him." "It's like family," Zoe said. "Yeah, like a family," Sagan said, "very much like a family." "But I already have Daddy and Mommy." Zooey said. "I know, Zoe," Sagan said, "I definitely don't want you to forget them, ever. John and I are just two adults who happened to be lucky enough to live with you." "John," said Zoe, "John and Jane. John and Jane and Zoe." "John and Jane and Zoe." Sagan repeated. "John and Jane and Zoe." Zooey stood up as she spoke, swaying with the rhythm of the three names, "John and Jane and Zoe, John and Jane and Zoe! I like it!" Zoe said. "Me too," Sagan said. "Well, well then," said Zoe, "I'm hungry." Sagan smiled and said, "Okay, let's go eat." "Okay," Zoe said, "let me say goodbye to Mummy and Daddy." She ran to kiss the tombstone, said, "I love you." Then she ran back to Sagan and grabbed Sagan's arms. "I'm ready, let's go eat." "Okay," Sagan said, "what would you like to eat?" "What do we have?" "There's a lot of options," Sagan said. "You name it." "Okay," Zoe said, "You know what? I'm really good at making choices." "Well," Sagan hugged the girl tightly, "I'm glad to hear you say that."