Fixed Classes
Shu waited patiently for Ethics's answer.
"Because… [humanity] is individual," Ethics replied after a moment. "Humans possess unique names. Other animals do not."
It tapped Pet's casing, eliciting a disgruntled chirp.
"Like Pet, Mr. Shu. Every Sixth Sequence unit is named Pet, just as your society uniformly labels [cats], [dogs], [pigs]."
"This is the hierarchy of the biosphere, a class divide established by those at the apex—yourselves. Mirroring your own legal systems," Ethics continued, its red eye meeting Shu's, sending a chill down his spine.
"Before the Honkai eruption, your societal laws dictated that—when an individual's life is threatened, their survival supersedes the interests of all other organisms."
Shu recalled something similar.
"Within the grand societal structure of the biosphere, class boundaries are insurmountable. These are the rules established by [humans]—tyrannical, yet… fitting," Ethics said, looking back at the now-fussing Pet. This time, instead of soothing it, it raised a hand threateningly.
"Just as… within the micro-societies of humanity, class divisions remain unbreachable."
Ethics's voice was unusually firm. Its hand came down sharply, striking Pet's casing.
A brief, sharp electrical crackle, and the protesting Pet fell silent, even nuzzling against Ethics.
Shu's eyes widened. He opened his mouth to speak, but hesitated. "That's… not entirely true. Class isn't that rigid. Inherited status, predetermined destiny… those are just outdated notions…"
He wasn't entirely convinced of his own words.
Ethics didn't reply. It stroked Pet gently, then looked ahead.
The elevator had reached B8. The doors were opening.
"Mr. Shu, true class is not determined by birth…" Ethics said, stepping out of the elevator. "True class division… lies in the inherent talents and abilities of an individual, or a species."
"Besides," it added, "isn't being human the highest class distinction of all?"
Shu frowned at Ethics's retreating form.
He felt like there was something fundamentally wrong with its worldview. Even Otto wouldn't say things like that… or would he?
No point arguing philosophy with a sentient AI.
He sighed, shaking his head.
Ethics hadn't answered his real question, leaving him to grapple with his own doubts. Again.
"I can't save everyone… I'm sorry," he whispered, looking at his now-clean arm.
After a moment, he stepped out of the elevator onto the metal grating of the floor.
He looked up, his eyes widening in disbelief.
"Are those… Titans?!" He stared at the enormous space, easily a hundred meters high.
Rows upon rows of Titan mechs stood in neat lines, secured by mechanical arms and metal scaffolding. He estimated there were at least a thousand.
"How many are there?!" He didn't wait for Ethics. He rushed to the nearest Titan, placing his hand on its… leg.
He glanced around. Not just Titans. There were also Raptors, Scorpions, and a variety of other mechs that looked familiar but whose names escaped him.
And…
He took a step back, his gaze moving past the kneeling Titan to something even larger in the distance.
"The Wotan…" he breathed, staring at the colossal mech, partially embedded in the wall, its head nearly touching the ceiling even in its half-kneeling position. Its black armor seemed to press down on him, a suffocating weight.
He felt something approach. He turned to see Ethics walking towards him, Pet cradled in its arms.
"This is the eighth basement level of Heliopolis," Ethics said, also looking up at the massive mech. "A truly remarkable… work of art, from our perspective."
Do androids dream of electric sheep?
Shu swallowed, turning his attention back to the Wotan. "Are these mechs… part of your objective?"
"Affirmative," Ethics replied, nodding.
Shu couldn't shake the feeling that there was a hint of longing in Ethics's gaze.
"Including… that one?" He pointed at the colossal machine.
He couldn't imagine such a thing having free will…
"Regrettably, our current plan extends only to the Titan-class units," Ethics replied, lowering its gaze. "The Wotan is… magnificent, but its magnificence is contingent on completion. This unit is… incomplete."
Perpetually 90% complete?
Shu felt a wave of relief. He'd subconsciously been framing Ethics and the Collective as potential adversaries, a "machine uprising" scenario. The knowledge that the Wotan was unlikely to be under their control was reassuring.
[Besides, isn't being human the highest class distinction of all?]
Shu paused, then shook his head.
Better to leave this thing dormant. He couldn't imagine the consequences if it were to… awaken.
But the Titans… he couldn't deny the appeal.
If I could just bring a couple back…
Wait… bring them back?
He looked at the mechanical arms, then at the spare parts stacked in the corner.
What if… he could bring the Hyperion (train) here?