Chapter 2 - Price of a new life

Battle of Casaden Ridge - A.D. Unknown

"Lieutenant Jako, what's your take on this mission?" asked a sergeant of shorter, stocky build. "In my opinion, the higher-ups in command should have stepped down and give up, it seems like they are just going through the motions," Jako replied candidly.

"How would those guys know when to give up if they have no sense," the sergeant joked, "I can't disagree with you there, you definitely have a point," Jako responded, trying to mask his frustration with a hint of humor in his tone.

As artillery fire sound off in the distance, Jako took a deep breath and shouted, "Prepare to charge, boys! Show our enemies how fast a bunch of starving troopers can chew through their supply line." The company of troopers, wearing a variety of uniforms, silently readied their weapons, unmotivated and apathetic to the command. Jako spent a moment looking at his troop but made no effort to raise the morale, with a final check of the time he ordered the charge.

The misfit of men with guns charges out of their trench quickly reaching a distance of 200 meters in under a minute. But when the return fire came, everyone was mow down within seconds, unable to get even half way to the first line of cover.

The promised artillery screening from the main battalion might as well be non-existent. Jako found himself fallen beside his sergeant, "Jako, didn't I told you this was a dumb mission. But it sure felt better now that I'm dying beside a friend" making a smile as if satisfied from a full meal the sergeant draws his last breath. "Ya buddy, sure was fun while it lasted, though we were just decoys, pawns. Maybe the one without brains was us after all.

180 troopers lost, never am I going to let my friends die to a lost clause." And that was Jako last thought before joining his friend in the supposed endless dream.

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Unknown Space Station (in a internal shuttle) - New Age Date A.C. 302

Jako inhaled deeply, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of events from the past day. The flurry of transfers between ships, buildings, tubes, and elevators, left him disoriented and unsure of whether he was still in outer space or back on solid ground. The secretive nature of his journey only added to the confusion.

Despite the uncertainty, Jako couldn't help but be awestruck by the futuristic surroundings. The sight of flying space shuttles, drones, and weightlessness was something he had only ever seen in science fiction. But this was no dream or B-grade movie, this was his reality.

While the thought of living in the future and having exciting adventures in space was thrilling, Jako couldn't shake off the ominous feeling of uncertainty about his own safety. The constant thoughts of life and death looming over him cast a shadow over what should have been an extraordinary experience.

Just when Jako thought nothing else could surprise him, he was once again taken aback when he heard a voice speaking directly into his mind.

"Start-up procedure has been completed, synchronization green... Welcome, host. I am your personal Integrated Replica Intelligence System, IRIS for short, or System. You can also change my name to anything that strikes your fancy," a woman's voice said. This must be the modification Chloe had mentioned.

The experience of hearing a woman's voice in his head was strange and unsettling. It felt like the voice was generated from his own thoughts, yet also like a split personality or a ghost, something foreign and unfamiliar. He couldn't help but wonder if this was how mentally ill people felt when they heard voices in their head.

But before Jako could dwell on these thoughts for too long, IRIS interrupted him. "Miss Casteer has sent you a file titled 'Read and Memorize', which consists of the agreement between you and the Institute. Would you like to open it now?"

"You sure move fast, IRIS... I guess I don't have much choice but to keep up." Jako couldn't help but feel rushed and unprepared for what was happening. He was about to ask if there was a terminal for him to read the files on, but before he could even finish the thought, IRIS displayed the document directly in front of his eyes.

"What the...?" Jako exclaimed, taken aback once again by the unexpected developments.

"I am able to send signals directly to your brain," IRIS replied, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "These signals merge with the information transmitted from your eyes, forming the overlay you see in front of you. My suggestion to you is to try not be so surprised by these small details. I will now play a hologram message from Miss Casteer."

As IRIS played the hologram message from Chloe, Jako watched as Chloe's virtual self appeared on the seat opposite him. There was a brief pause as the hologram flickered to life before Chloe began speaking.

"I will keep this brief, the plan is for you to be integrated into ITI under the cover story of a student from a backwater country. You are chosen for an exchange program, so act smart, read the file and memorize your story. I would like to emphasize that, while it might be a waste but if you break your cover, I will personally terminate this project. That basically means you... treat this as your only warning..."

As the hologram of Chloe fickle off, IRIS's indifferent voice returns. "Additionally, I have taken the liberty to provide you a summary of your current status. Please review it before reading Miss Casteer's file."

Name: Jakobsen Bedivere

Citizenship: 2nd Class ITI Citizen

Specializations: None

Institute Points (IP): 0

Credit: 0

Current Schedule: Attend the Fleet Academy open ceremony

[Certification]

None

[Physical Attributes]

Strength: 0.6

Dexterity: 0.7

Endurance: 0.6

Not affected by any alignment - Healthy - Slightly fatigue

[A.I. Abilities]

Knowledge Injection - experimental

Skill Injection - experimental

A.I direct Body management - experimental

IRIS provides a candid summary: "The physical attributes of the average human at the host's age is 1.0, making the host physically weaker than most humans his age. He does not even have a basic education certification, indicating that he is likely less intelligent than most. Having zero IP and zero credit also suggests that he is financially destitute. Conclusion, host is weak, stupid and broke. Stay away as it might be contagious."

"Ouch, seriously, a sarcastic A.I. as if those who invented you aren't arrogant enough... I'm going to ignore your summary, since in a sense, I'm only a day old... so what's up with your abilities? Do you even have any abilities that aren't experimental?"

Rather than answering Jako's question, IRIS responds in a cheerful manner. "Please note that these abilities are confidential. Other citizens' A.I. are not equipped with these functions.

"Host, be careful not to breach the confidentiality agreement stated in Annex 2A. Failure to do so will result in your immediate termination. Please also review Section 17 on the termination clause. I would hate to lose you... after only a day."

Jako was growing impatient with the A.I.'s constant chatter, "Just get on with it. Tell me about the academy."

IRIS began to give Jako a rundown of the academy, its history, and its purpose.

The First Fleet Academy is a prestigious institution that focuses on the military aspect of ITI. It is jointly owned by eight military fleets and consists of a wide range of academic departments, each organized under one of five divisions: offense, defense, ship, support, and science.

These divisions are self-governed and have their own internal structure and activities. The academy's buildings and facilities are scattered messily throughout the administrative center, with most of them concentrated within the divisions. The Science division, in which most science departments are located, is the area that bears closest resemblance to a structure campus.

Before recent reforms, the curriculum at the First Fleet Academy was known for being impractical and inefficient. Now, teaching at the academy is structured around weekly tutorials in the simulation chambers and halls. Other learning opportunities, such as classes, lectures, seminars, and laboratory work, are also provided by the administrative body. The reforms, implemented 10 years ago, established the five divisions in order to better place students in their ideal roles and streamline knowledge gains. This has resulted in the creation of specialists rather than generalists.

The highlight of the Academy is that it houses ITI oldest space faring ship, the founding colonization ship. In addition the data center for the largest academic library and the largest shipyard of the Institution is located within the Academy controlled space.

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As Jako finished listening to IRIS's summary of the academy, the shuttle came to a stop signaling that they have reached their destination. The door opens, revealing another guard waiting outside, gesturing for Jako to board another ship. The transition was swift and seamless, leaving Jako feeling like a pawn being moved on a chessboard. With reality bearing down on him, he steels himself, determine to do what needs to be done.

"Show me the files, time to find out what is the price for this new life."