Ch64: Vezna's Grudge

President Mitsui sat at a massive ring-shaped table within the headquarters of the EFSF. Many representatives of various factions occupied other positions around this ring.

The surface of the table was a smart surface. Usually, it maintains the state of a solid silvery hue--a resting state. When required, the ring table with rounded corners can display information over its surface, as well as project additional digital holograms of a multitude of shapes and sizes into the air.

This secure room existed inside a building complex that the citizens of Earth call The Crown. If one gazed at this building complex from afar through a drone tuned for human visual wavelength, they would see a ring-shaped complex, with five gleaming silvery spires that curl high into the air. The silvery spires were shaped like the tip of a fountain pen, equidistant from one another in a circular formation.

Mitsui was, of course, here, to discuss the Earth Federation's response with the others. Mitsui wished that he could simply act-- to him, this meeting felt wholly unnecessary, a waste of costly time. The issue, however, is that he needed soldiers. And those reserves reside within the many Terran nations, or have loyalties to certain factions.

To say Mitsui felt frustrated with this 'mechanism' would be an understatement. His thoughts often strayed toward the possibility of a super-intelligent AI, one capable of manufacturing and operating an army for him. Then, he would no longer need to consult with all these representatives on every single major decision.

Having reached this line in thought, Mitsui's heart began to pound in fear. He suddenly recalled Denys' stranglehold over Earth's digital space. He recalled Denys' complete blockade, against the development of overly intelligent artificial intelligence.

When he first came to know of Denys' existence upon obtaining the seat of the Earth Fed's presidency, he felt horror. Then, he came to learn of Denys' reluctance to make any major moves, and thus assessed the AI's nature as 'wimpy'. Now, he began to see Denys as an obstacle. Another factor limiting what he could potentially achieve if he had free reign.

Is Denys currently eavesdropping, aware of these new considerations inside his head? A degree of fear rose within Mitsui, which he quickly quashed with overwhelming frustration.

He was not given the chance to stew in this state of unease, for Admiral Petrov stood as the final representative entered the room.

"Let us get straight to the point," Petrov growled, apprehensive with the current state of the war. "We have already sent our backup forces to strengthen the defenses of our orbital colonies. However, we are stretched thin. The Kasvallians' homebase remains in the dark-- it may not be possible to strike at the Kasvallians even if we can locate their position."

"How have our detection systems not picked up their home?" A representative of tradecraft asked.

Admiral Petrov sighed. Many representatives of various factions here naturally have backgrounds irrelevant to the issue at hand. He himself also did not know the full extent of the available detection systems used by the EFSF's Planetary Defense Office. Still, these representatives needed to be informed. They pass word to those within their faction or profession-- this is critical to maintaining the Earth Federations' public relations.

"Likely a combination of positioning and technology to obscure their location. Currently, we suspect that they use a cloaking technology to emit wavelengths that camouflage their home into the background of space. Their home must also be relatively light, making it impossible to detect their gravitational pull," Petrov reworded what the Planetary Defense Office's explanation in words that he himself would somewhat understand.

A black-suited man suddenly stood up, causing many to wince as his chair screeched backward across the ground.

"Tell me. Exactly what action will you take?!" The man growled, his eyes bloodshot. "You should understand. I demand blood!"

Admiral Petrov examined the man. The man was slightly overweight with a distended belly. His wrinkled face was oval-shaped, his chin clean-shaven. His grey eyebrows were extremely pronounced, while his eyes sunk deep beneath those arches. His short grey hair was flat against the top of his skull.

This man was none other than Goldstein, a retired executive of the Blackrock orbital colony. The original rep, Branson, had succumbed to the Kasvallians' attack. This man had luckily not been on the orbital colony at the time. He was essentially forced to come out of retirement to settle the resulting chaos.

Some time in the past, Blackrock opted to store much of its data solely within the orbital colony. That allowed them to circumvent many of Earth's nations' laws and policies, as well as impeding any potential investigation into the Blackrock entity. Now, Blackrock was in a state of confusion due to the Kasvallian's surprising attack-- some assets might even be simply lost to the void.

Many looked at this man in pity. But not all. A few of the nations' representatives were, in fact, quite satisfied to see Goldstein so flustered.

The reps from the CBA, SACA and Saud orbital colony had expressions of relief. Frankly,these three orbital colonies could have easily been targeted instead of the Blackrock orbital colony.

As for the other three? The DWA-- Digital World Alliance, had long developed strong ties to the AI Denys upon its inception. That meant they had an unnatural high level of security. Not that others are aware of this.

Neurorevo, responsible for the development of Nexarms, naturally had their own competent defenses. Not to mention, they have strong ties to the MacLeods.

The E-cube orbital colony, which powered the world, was naturally already well protected by the EFSF.

"We will continue with our attempts to locate their home and the Kasvallian orbital colony that has disappeared," Petrov said. "Our strength in numbers is dominating the battle within the Wolf's Coil on Mars. The Kasvallians have taken to utilizing terrorism tactics to intimidate our forces."

"That's all?!" Goldstein roared.

"Cease your pointless outburst. They serve no purpose," a bespectacled woman in her sixties rolled her eyes as she waved an arm to indicate for Goldstein to take a seat. Her hair was tied in a neat grey bun behind her head. "The Kasvallians are resorting to using fanatical suicide bombers, especially against our female squads?" she questioned with a tilt of her chin. Despite her age, every single one of her movements had an elegance, as if she was swaying leisurely in the wind.

"Ms. Blanchett," Mitsui interjected, somewhat ruffled in preparation for a possible confrontation. "Indeed, that is true. However, it is nothing but the Kasvallians' attempt to disrupt our harmonious society. Our soldiers remain resolute. The Kasvallians seek to pressure us into returning to an age of male-dominated army. However, if only men must put their lives on the line for Earth, they will eventually return to society, expecting to be rewarded for their sacrifice."

"A man who might have been forced to put aside his engineering career will return, finding his career lagging being women who were not legally required to fight on the frontlines. He will not feel he has been rewarded for his sacrifice, particularly if he saw his companions die beside him. And when the next battle comes, he will not answer the call. If forced, he will not fight with any level of morale."

"We will ultimately lose the war if we choose this path. Unless you believe that these war heroes should be rewarded and given favoritism in their career paths upon their return?" Mitsui queried, wondering what this woman representing the Women's Interest Group might say. The conflict against the Kasvallians was projected to last a number of years, at the very least. Possibly even decades, given the predicted tussle over the asteroid belt.

"You have my support," Ms. Blanchett replied. "Do not be controlled by the Kasvallian's methods. I will do what I can to muffle potential dissidents on Earth."

"Good," Mitsui harrumphed. He was initially worried that Ms. Blanchett lacked what he considered as the wisdom to see the long game. To do what is necessary. The importance of both having high morale within the EFSF while maintaining social harmony as it relates to typical human responses to incentives.

With that agreement, any potential trouble should be minimized, Mitsui believed.

"Will it be possible to capture one of these… fanatics?" A man with a thick white beard and white robes asked. "I am rather curious about their belief system."

"That will depend on luck, O Enlightened One," Mitsui bowed. This man was from the autonomous region of Jerusalem, where nearly all religions had congregated.

"Admiral," Mitsui said. "Reinforcements and the T3ST colony."

"Yes, President," Petrov nodded as his hand tapped on the ring-shaped table.

The digital surface of the ring lit up and many graphs and tables lit up to present statistics to all present.

"The Kasvallians will likely put up a final resistance once we reach the City of Remus. However, we should be able to overcome it," Petrov said. "Admittedly, we were fooled into thinking that the Kasvallians valued control over Mars."

Many faces were surprised. They all assumed that Mars as a planet was important to the Kasvallians. After all, they themselves saw it as a highly valuable jumping point to the belt.

"We now believe that the Kasvallians were simply… well… fucking with us," Petrov grinded his teeth as he said this.

"Initially, they tested new forms of weapons against us." A holographic video of a mecha-centipede was played.

"Here. You see the unit with the skull emblem?" Petrov drew attention to this haisnaf. "These forces were sent to attack the Blackrock orbital colony from Mars." A holographic recording of Bone's presence at the Blackrock orbital colony was played.

"Their resistance within the Wolf's Coil also mostly consists of cyborgs launching sneak attacks before escaping, and suicidal bombers, often with a grudge towards Earth or a fanatical obsession with Syned."

"You all understand why we have determined that the Kasvallians simply do not value Mars as we do," Petrov concluded.

"Then…" Selena, representing the DWA, suggested. "They must be preparing for a major attack on a target that is of value to them."

"Indeed," Petrov grumbled. "The truth is, we do not truly know what Syned Vezna's goal is. Does he wish to conquer Earth? Highly improbable, given the sophistication of our defense umbrella. Even if he was successful, the population will not bow to him."

"Is it ideological? To convince us Terrans to gradually develop the belief we must operate our world similar to that of the hidden Kasvallian society?"

"As long as we do not know Syned Vezna's goal, we cannot truly pinpoint exactly how we should face him," Petrov muttered. "We can only attempt to locate the Kasvallians' hidden home world and seek out a method to cripple their capabilities."

"Though," Selena added. "Given that the Kasvallians seem to have comparable technology, their defenses will not be any lesser than that of Earth's."

"So it is that we, the EFSF, request all nations and factions to perform an additional draft, and for the meantime, contribute your reserves to bolster our defenses. I am certain that with the Blackrock orbital colony's bloodbath, it would definitely politically benefit you to do so," Petrov finished.

Many heads nodded in agreement.

"Onto our next objective. Action must be taken, especially against that skull emblemed so-called haisnaf unit that struck at the Blackrock orbital colony," Mitsui said, his voice threateningly gentle, as he refocused the conversation. "Though the Kasvallians' home has yet to be located, the many asteroid colonies that have chosen to stand on the Kasvallian's side are like signal flares in the darkest of nights."

"Yes," Petrov nodded at Mitsui as an apology for the discussion having somewhat veered off track onto contemplating Syned Vezna's true intentions. "That skull unit is piloted by a member of the T3ST colony." A swipe of the hand and holographic information on the T3ST colony popped up before everyone's eyes.

The many representatives tapped their neuro circlet to transmit the information to their minds. Many simultaneous gasps ran out as they were given access to classified information on the T3ST colony's origins.

"I must say, I am simply amazed that you dared to provide this information to us. The public will soon learn of it should you execute an operation of this scale," a dark-skinned man with thick black hair muttered. "Either you are a madman or simply shameless beyond measure."

This was the current representative of the Global Human Rights Association.

"Mr. Mandela," Mitsui replied with a smile. "The T3ST colony was a result of early experimentation on incarcerated prisoners in the early centuries of the Solar Era-- it was not under my orders. You can only blame those already buried beneath stone. Unfortunately, as a result, this colony's descendents hold a deep grudge against Earth. Some other asteroid colonies have also pledged their loyalties to the Kasvallians, effectively supplying the Kasvallians' war efforts. They are perfectly reasonable targets."

"I will not be able to stand in support of your position should the situation develop in an unfavorable direction," Mr Mandela replied at length. "However, for now, my stance will be a tacit acceptance. I believe those within my faction will be split fifty-fifty-- under the current circumstances."

"Heh." Mitsui shrugged off Mandela's concerns. Any resistance from within Mandela's faction will sound only weak under current circumstances. It will fail to sway the masses. After all, the Blackrock orbital colony had just been massacred.

"I must agree with Mr. Mandela," Selena softly said, causing many heads to turn towards her. The DWA controlled a whole orbital colony. Her voice was of a greater degree of significance.

"My concern lies in the future," Selena said. "If we target the asteroid colonies, it will become more difficult to win them back over to our side in the future."

"Or perhaps, their fear of our retribution will prevent more asteroid colonies from standing beside the Kasvallians, Muller." Mitsui narrowed his eyes towards the woman named Selena Muller. He naturally knew of her familial relations to Athena Watanabe, who he had sidelined due to his desire to separate himself from the Varoufakis era. Selena unblinkingly returned an indecipherable gaze. 

President Mitsui sometimes couldn't help but wonder if the DWA might be attempting to undermine him. Though he wasn't sure who opposed him, he certainly was aware that not all of the representatives supported his presidency. Some of these factions will most definitely undermine him should the war begin to go south.

"It must be done," Goldstein reentered the conversation. "Retribution must be paid for their barbaric attack on the Blackrock orbital colony."

The majority within the room agreed. Selena could only frown as she accepted this outcome.

________________________________________________

On the Isle of the Blessed, Elysium.

Jennifer MacLeod had spent many months alone, having isolated herself in a research facility to explore and develop technologies from her imaginations. She had the assistance of many robotics connected to her neuro circlet. She expertly and deftly controlled these robots to create various prototypes for testing.

She had even programmed some of these robots with certain personality traits. She treated them as friends.

However, today, she was forced to go on a walk with Syned Vezna. She couldn't help but recall how her mother always said that if she ever was truly left alone, she would come to regret the lack of social interactions. That disagreement had exploded after Jen threw a tantrum when her mother forced her to attend a social function hosted by the MacLeod family.

Well… that turned out to be false. Perhaps she truly was an oddball. Or perhaps a monster, so her mother had once called her. She had never felt better in these past few months.

"... this paradise. Look at it. Built with perfection and balance. You can have a far more significant-- a critical role in shaping this world," Syned Vezna passionately gestured at the grassy fields and artificial forested mountains within their view.

"Surely, you know of what I speak of. The world is inherently miserable. Humanity is only driven by incentives, rotten to the core. If one had the method to enrich themselves, they would do so even at the cost of another's life. It is but an endless merciless race to the top."

"When I was a child, we were beloved within the Blackrock orbital colony. My father, as an executive within Blackrock, made strenuous efforts to support the citizens of the orbital colony. Yet one day, we were thrown from our home into the streets."

"I didn't know then, but I later came to find out that my father was targeted by other powerful figures within the Blackrock hierarchy. Data was forged to put him into eternal debt. Slander was used to ruin his reputation. Eventually, he took his own life. That debt was then passed onto me and my mother."

"Did they ever show mercy towards a woman or her child, when neither was truly responsible for the manipulated debt? Did we receive any assistance? No. Of course not. Those in the orbital colony avoided us like the plague, despite my father's generous assistance in the past."

"Indeed, the orbital colony may be under Blackrock's control. Yet, surely, the Earth Feds should have interfered. The other orbital colonies, and nations upon Earth, were similarly useless."

"When my mother worked herself to death, I couldn't help but think. How could all of this have been avoided? As I labored in my teens, I examined the system, and came to realize… any system can be manipulated by the powerful to serve their needs."

"I finally understood that to be the ultimate truth of this world. For the world to be better, humanity needs to be controlled by something beyond human. Those of rotten hearts will never satiate their hunger, unscrupulously attaining power and influence. Once in position, they will do anything dreadful just to earn an extra penny."

Syned Vezna turned and his cape dramatically swished behind his back.

"Now that we are one, we will be able to extend our reach. And the Terrans? They hide on their planet, willfully blind to those around them, easily manipulated by the Earth Federation and the powers that be. With you at my side, we will surely be able to visit devastation unto their world. When they are forced to escape Earth, their minds will awaken, and their eyes will no longer be clouded by the system,' Syned Vezna declared.

He observed Jennifer MacLeod's physiological responses. With Syned within his neuro circlet, that was both a quick and easy analysis.

The results were disappointing. Jennifer MacLeod had no positive response to his rising speech. If anything, the woman seemed to be… irritated.

"How strange…" Syned muttered within Vezna's mind. "Humans are generally responsive to harrowing origins, and a call for justice. It is unfortunate, but it is highly unlikely that your pursuit will be successful."

Indeed, Jennifer MacLeod felt a degree of annoyance. Again, she was expected to rise for a cause. Her mother had often pressured her to rise to the occasion, expounding on the importance of the MacLeod family's influence in directing the future of the world.

Jennifer MacLeod actually only agreed to this meeting because she, at the very least, understood that the supplies for her research activity are controlled directly by Syned Vezna.

"Come, come!" Syned Vezna had yet to fully accept Jen MacLeod's lacklustre response. He led the woman over a metallic walkway into a cylindrical elevator of pure glass. The elevator descended down a transparent tube into the ground.

Eventually, the cylindrical elevator arrived at a deep level. The two walked through twisting hallways guarded by many cyborgs. They eventually entered a dungeon that housed many slumbering prisoners within cells.

"You see these men and women?" Syned Vezna asked.

Jennifer MacLeod peered into each cell. The prisoners were each attached to a gleaming metallic silver helmet that covered the whole of the head. These helmets are each attached to a glossy black square box stuck to the cell wall.

"You see. I once came upon a theory that humans disruptive to society often have mad ideas that might prove effective. So I placed these men and women into a neverending simulation, hoping that their actions within simulated worlds could provide innovations for our world."

"Did you have any degree of success?" Jen MacLeod performed the minimum to demonstrate a degree of 'interest' in Syned Vezna's words.

"No," Syned Vezna shook his head as Syned continued monitoring Jen MacLeod's physiological responses. "Many of these men and women resorted to all sorts of criminal methods to attain their wealth in these simulated worlds. What they could get away with, they did."

"Well. A few certainly attempted to build their ideal worlds within their simulations. However, the population of these simulations were given typical responses of your average population. They often contradicted the expected outcome within the prisoner's mind. Their ideal simulated worlds always crumble midway through the process," Syned Vezna added as they strode off. "These citizens are often eventually freed then easily reintegrated back into our society."

"Vezna," Syned said in his head. "Her response continues to be muted. She will not be in sync with our minds or our purpose."

A pity, Vezna thought. He had hoped to avoid using Jen MacLeod's preserved egg that was provided by her mother, Victoria MacLeod. However, Jen MacLeod's ability in neurotech research meant her genes were of value to the Kasvallian Republic's future. And since she displayed zero interest, using the provided preserved egg was unavoidable. Additionally, it would be quite beneficial to have familial ties to an influential family on Earth.

Once Jen returned to the abode, the research facility given to her-- a simple but gigantic metallic hanger painted white on the outside-- she paused to reflect on her day.

How strange. She couldn't help but recall how free she felt when she was with Xeight. Whenever she was with her family, the MacLeods, she always felt a sort of pressure to act and behave a certain way. To prioritize and participate in specific functions. It was the same with many of those that she had met as Jennifer MacLeod.

There was always an ulterior motive. She, too, sensed that 'pressure' from Syned Vezna. Her thoughts returned to Xeight. Indeed, they had parted in silence. Well. To be accurate, she had chosen to give Xeight the silent treatment due to Xeight's willingness to participate in the conflict after his grandfather's death.

Jen sighed internally. If there was one thing the Syned Vezna said that resonated with her, it was the fact that humanity always descends into war, led by ideological leaders, dragging their followers along with them. Innocent lives lost, and those who survive, hearts blackened by the sins of war.

She closed and secured her research facility, shutting out the whole world. Those sorts of tussles certainly occurred between influential families on Earth as well. It was all the same. Perhaps it was simply the inevitable result of an escalating competition between humans of differing beliefs. The surviving belief system becomes the winner.

And Xeight? He was likely to drown in that maelstrom. In her eyes, he should have listened to her, and hidden himself. 

Today, she finally began to understand herself.

A holographic system she had set up suddenly activated, projecting an image of Earth Federation's President Mitsui. It was an announcement of the Earth Federation's retribution against the T3ST colony, for the skull unit's actions. Despite isolating herself, a small part of her still wanted to remain aware of the state of the world.

____________________________________________________

Within Syned Vezna's gold and marble gothic cathedral.

"You used me!" Bone growled, his hands balled into fists. He dared not attack Syned Vezna due to the present cyborg guards. Bone had rushed to Syned Vezna's abode after the Earth Federation announced their intention to target the T3ST colony.

Of course, Bone could have simply communicated with the Syned in his head, but certain disagreements required a face-to-face confrontation. At least, most humans of this age felt this to be the norm.

"Is that what your woman, Yfour, said to you?" Syned Vezna crossed his legs, unperturbed by Bone's outburst.

"Your plan to attack the Blackrock's orbital colony has led to the Terrans setting sights on my T3ST colony! Is it your intention to destroy my-"

"Calm yourself, Lieutenant Bone. Do you not recall the Terrans' methods?" Syned Vezna. "Tell me."

"For years, the Terrans' have used underhanded methods to keep you and other asteroid colonies weak, poisoning your people to death. Simply to profit off your labour."

"Now that you have struck back, and rightfully so, the Terrans, instead of targeting you, have chosen to further target the innocent non-combatants residing on the asteroid colonies?"

"You have succumbed to fear, Lieutenant Bone. The Terrans are holding your home hostage to force your mind into disarray. To divide our cooperation. Do you not see it?" Syned Vezna raised his chin as he looked down upon Bone. Syned could sense that the compatibility between itself and Bone, which had dropped a good ten percent earlier, had now risen by fifteen percent.

"Forgive me, your eminence," Bone signaled his reaffirmed loyalty as he performed the Kasvallian salute, placing his military cap on his chest with his left hand while raising his right in a clenched fist. "I lack the insight to see through their evil methods."

"I remember that you once complained your hapless brother and father fail to understand the necessity of going against the Terrans," Syned Vezna dramatically sighed. "Now, however, perhaps they will truly understand. Perhaps, they will now see the light. You should be happy."

Bone was thunderstruck. How had he not realized this before? Indeed, with the Terrans, unreasonably targeting the T3ST colony, it meant that the rest of the colony will finally see the light! They will now truly understand his irrefutable stance!