Chapter 179
Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Arson
A simultaneous outbreak of fires erupted not far from Dr.'s living quarters. It's presumed to be deliberate arson, laced with malicious intent.
"Amy, come on!"
Dr. immediately follows me out. I'm worried he might get hurt, but I can't bring myself to tell him to stay back in a safe spot.
"Be careful... it's dangerous!"
I can see the worry etched on his face. Even though a biomechanical android like me should prioritize her own safety, Dr. is fretting over me.
"Hey, wait up! What am I supposed to do if you leave me like this...!"
Isaac, unable to keep pace with us, shouts from behind. He's awkwardly stumbling along with unfinished prosthetic legs fitted to his lower body.
It's been so long since he's walked or run that his body can't keep up with the prosthetics' movements. On top of that, adapting to their superior performance compared to the previous pair will be quite challenging.
"Damn it, what is this thing? Okay, so I just press this—huh?!"
There's no time to explain the controls to Isaac. Right now, we have to trust his instincts and deal with the fire.
First, to prevent the flames from spreading to Arachne's web, I chop down all the surrounding trees. Without fuel to burn, the fire won't reach the web.
"Dr., I'll leave the remaining trees and grass to you. I'm heading straight to the ignition point."
"O-okay...! Be careful. You can't get hurt!"
After clearing about half the area, I bolt toward where the fire started. Dr. cherishes his lovers too much to let Arachne's web burn.
I deliberately left half uncleared so he won't follow. Tricking him pains my heart, but otherwise, he'd push himself too hard as always.
Squeal—
Crackle—
Small forest animals, terrified, are already fleeing in panic.
Singed marks mar their fur. The flames are spreading faster than expected, billowing toxic smoke as they consume the entire woods.
The [Mysterious Light], reappearing after just seven days, sobs at the sight of the burning forest. Its face is indiscernible, but its profound sorrow is plain to see.
The light reaches out a hand to the animals convulsing and fleeing with fur ablaze.
Not one senses its presence amid their desperate escape, but the entity doesn't care—it expresses its grief openly.
The light echoes Dr.'s exact words. This interference complicates my risk assessment of the unknown variable.
It's mere speculation without solid evidence, but the numerical data fluctuates wildly. I must proceed with caution.
More dangerous than the raging inferno are the arsonists themselves.
Dr. calls them former colleagues,
hoping to part ways amicably.
But humans aren't the type to give up so easily. They're hardly creatures who casually embrace symbiosis and harmony.
Having spent time with Dr., I can say this confidently. Humans can't be summed up in a few sentences—they're prone to the unpredictable.
In Dr.'s case, those traits sparked miracles and positive outcomes, but the data in my database precludes viewing humans as inherently good or selfless.
Dr.,
humans aren't like you.
In truth,
humans are—
"Surrender!"
Humans are dangerous.
Controlling them always introduces variables;
they're emotional, worldly, and sometimes vulgar.
"Surrender immediately. Crew members."
They occasionally commit baffling acts of stupidity. Blind to their own folly, they resort to violence and self-destruction without hesitation.
"This is your final verbal warning. Drop your weapons and surrender at once."
The crew members set the fires.
Now, within 50 meters, I detect flammable materials and lighters in their pockets. Deliberate arson...
"Alright! I surrender!"
One raises both arms high, coughing as she bursts out. Singe marks mar her body.
It's not just planetary creatures dying in the blaze. Flames produce toxic gases and searing heat lethal to humans too.
"I surrender! Don't kill me!"
Yet they lit the fire. It doesn't seem like a rash mistake. Planned arson—but why?
They waited until the heavy rain from days ago had fully dried. They even timed it when others were dispersed on tasks.
They observed Dr. and us continuously before acting. Setting fires only to suddenly surrender makes no sense.
"..."
Eliminating them and containing the blaze might be priority. The fire spreads even now.
But the behavioral protocols I proposed to Dr. before our sea departure bind me. To harm them, I need his authorization.
Dr. wouldn't eliminate them physically.
I want to neutralize the threats, even against his wishes, but his recent emotional turmoil means killing survivors would devastate him.
Nothing pains me like seeing Dr. grieve. Killing them would put him in a tough spot.
"Argh!"
So first, I'll break their arms and subdue them for capture. Harm is off-limits, but restraint for [investigation] is permitted.
"You'll explain yourselves directly to Dr. Setting fire near the living quarters counts as an intentional assault."
I secure one swiftly and notify the rest.
"All of you, surrender and show yourselves immediately."
Their lack of fight is oddly pronounced. Too passive for an attempt to harm Dr. via fire.
"Fine, I surrender."
It's Nicole.
Another crew member emerges beside her.
Just three in total?
Not all survivors joined. Quick arson leveraging mobility?
"I'd rather not burn alive. Who could've guessed the fire would spread this fast?"
"You have no obligation to converse."
Even Nicole submits meekly. Perhaps they're simply terrified of the blaze and seeking my protection.
But I can't trust surface motives. I must stay vigilant, restrain them one by one, and resolve the situation.
"Amy, you do have a duty to talk. We're the Paradise Ship's crew. You're the AI responsible for crew safety and lives."
Nicole keeps talking without pause. I can't grasp what response or dialogue she seeks.
Yet all three allow restraint without resistance.
"Yeah, you've always been like that. Pretending to care while doing whatever you please."
Humans blame externals when things go awry. Lashing out at a target brings psychological relief.
"From now on, obey my orders."
Cornered, they resort to nonsense like this. As if I'd heed her, she lowers her voice and speaks firmly.
"Amy, I'm your command priority."
"Overruled—"
I need to escort these three reality-detached women back to Dr. Evacuate him and Isaac to safety before the fire spreads further.
"Overru—"
But the words won't come.
No issue with my vocal systems.
"..."
"Finally behaving. Amy, release the restraints."
My body obeys Nicole's command.
No reason to without Dr.'s order—yet my body defies logic.
"What have you done? This is—"
"Amy."
The moment restraints are off, Nicole brushes off ash and dirt, then addresses me. Her command takes precedence.
A green status light blinks below her ear. Crude stitches mark a hasty implant.
"From now on, eliminate Joo-ho. And the natives connected to him too."
An unknown variable.
A human-held control mechanism hidden from AI awareness.
"Nicole, wait. What about Isaac?"
"We'll take him. Now we have Amy. She'll protect us during stasis. No male risk factor."
"...There are only 13 usable stasis pods."
Bang-!
Before I can process, a rifle pierces one crew member's head.
Another meets her end beholding her trusted leader's true face.
Bang-!
"Yeah, 13. Plenty."