So, Love Can Disappear

Inside the elevator, Ethics pressed the button for B5.

Its hand, momentarily removed from stroking Pet's wires, caused the little robot to wriggle in protest. Ethics quickly resumed its ministrations.

There was a strange harmony in the interaction, but Shu couldn't ignore the fact that they were two sentient machines. It was both logical and illogical at the same time.

Weren't they going to B3? Why B5?

Before Shu could ask, Ethics began to explain, still gently petting Pet.

"Accessing lower levels requires authorized personnel credentials. Unauthorized individuals can only reach B6."

"The… entity you're cooperating with didn't provide you with credentials?" Shu asked, tearing his gaze away from the wriggling Pet.

"Regrettably, the provision of credentials is contingent upon the fulfillment of our contractual obligations," Ethics replied matter-of-factly, continuing to pet Pet.

Shu stared at Ethics. Wait a minute… is this AI… not very bright? It seemed to answer every question he asked.

"So, what's the plan? How do we get credentials?" Shu asked, shaking his head. The priority was still reaching B3.

"Levels B5 and B6 house the living quarters for Heliopolis's lower-level staff," Ethics explained.

"Some higher-ranking personnel also reside on these levels. Our objective is to acquire credentials from such individuals."

Shu nodded. So, the employee dorms were underground.

We've been talking for a while now. Why hasn't the elevator reached B5 yet? He frowned at the display, which had been stuck on "B5" for over ten seconds.

Finally, the elevator stopped.

"Do you know which high-ranking personnel have the credentials we need?" Shu asked before the doors opened.

Ethics nodded.

Then why not get them yourself? Shu shot Ethics a curious look before stepping out of the elevator.

He immediately felt like he'd stepped back into his college dorm. Only, this was far more luxurious. Sleek aluminum walls, high-tech flooring… it looked more like a futuristic base than student housing.

Ethics led the way, Shu following close behind.

Passing an open doorway, Shu glanced inside. Four bunk beds with integrated desks—a stark contrast to his own spartan college experience. Not only was it a four-person room with a private bathroom, but it was also twice the size of any dorm room he remembered.

Still not as good as his private compartment on the Hyperion, though.

Ethics had said these were the dorms for lower-level staff. What about the higher-ups? Did they have underground mansions?

Well, considering the state of ARC City above ground, extravagant underground accommodations wouldn't be too surprising.

They walked for quite a while. Shu estimated this single floor could house several thousand people.

Two floors of this? Plus the executive quarters? And several more levels below…

"We have arrived," Ethics announced, stopping in front of a door. "Mr. Shu, please prepare for combat."

Shu blinked.

"Why?" he asked, already channeling his [hope].

Ethics held a keycard. "This unit contains a highly aggressive, mutated organism. The credentials we require are on its… person."

Shu's eyes widened. "A mutated organism? In here?"

So, Heliopolis was involved with the gene lock issue.

"Any restrictions on… force?" Shu asked, pushing down his other questions. Now wasn't the time.

"Negative. Recovery of partial remains is sufficient," Ethics replied, swiping the keycard and opening the door.

Shu tensed, every muscle coiled, ready to unleash his power.

Several glistening, pink, fleshy tentacles lashed out from the doorway, writhing and twisting like whips.

Shu's first instinct was to run. He bolted, not hesitating, Ethics right beside him.

"Mr. Shu, why did you refrain from attacking? My calculations indicated a high probability of success," Ethics asked, turning its head in confusion.

Shu glared back. "You didn't tell me it was a tentacle monster!"

"Tentacle monster?" Ethics seemed to search its internal database. "Mr. Shu, do you have an aversion to such fictional entities?"

I used to like them… Shu glanced back. The creature had emerged from the room, its pink tentacles flailing wildly.

Now it's trying to kill me, so I don't like it anymore.

"I find such… beings aesthetically displeasing," Shu said, staring intently at Ethics.

"Yet, humans created them," Ethics replied. Shu wasn't sure if it was referring to the tentacle monster or to the concept itself.

"Creating something doesn't mean we like it. We don't like plastic bags, or… bullets!" Shu insisted.

Ethics's eye flickered.

"Understood. It is… required."

Shu tilted his head. Wait, what? Required for what? Who requires it?

Ethics, still holding Pet, suddenly looked… thoughtful.

"The human mating process requires tentacle monsters."

"No, it doesn't! Humans do not need that!" Shu yelled.