“Is it ironic that a species whose planet is basically a giant ball of water and who look like humanoid fish can only eat seafood, or does it make complete sense?” Kaiden wondered. “I lean toward the latter, but it also sounds weirdly like cannibalism.”
“I think the things you focus on can be quite odd,” Chiyo countered. “However, since you are both here, I wanted to run something by you.”
“What would that be, friend Chiyo?” Genos asked
“It’s about our theory on the test.”
“We have a theory? Was it mine? Mine was to simply shoot everything,” Kaiden joked.
“She’s talking about how the map changes and who controls it, dingus.” Chief huffed dramatically.
“Correct. I think I might have found something that could indeed point to the fact that it is run by an EI,” she stated as she took out her tablet. “I found old schematics and descriptions in the library on the Animus systems. During the first few years, the advisors were mostly just technicians with a different name. They observed the Animus like the advisors do now, but they were looking over the system itself, not the specific maps or tools or scenarios like they do now. That was because all of that was handled by modified EIs. Their job was to make sure those EIs were running properly and updating or fixing them if need be.”
“All right, that would make sense. It’s new tech, and EIs could probably handle the load better and make changes and the like easier while they figured stuff out,” Kaiden reasoned, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair. “But the Animus was basically a giant space that multiple people synced into at the same time then, right? Now it makes personal spaces that aren’t as intense on the system or users, and they cleaned up the integration process and Synapse transference, yadda yadda, so they stopped using those kinds of things like fifteen years ago or something, right?”
“Sixteen, but you’re correct for the most part.” Chiyo looked at him. “I’m surprised that you knew that, Kaiden. Animus history doesn’t seem to fall into your interests.”
“Laurie is chatty,” the ace deadpanned.
“I see. Well, before they updated the Animus, they were able to bond all the EIs together and install new coding, making it faster and more powerful. It was able to generate more space within the Animus, and separate it for the students so they could do various types of missions and practices. Along with this, it controlled the specifics of integration and handled more items and designs than before, all in real-time rather than pre-made maps or functions. They called it the ‘Director.’”
“It sounds like a sort of beta test of the modern Animus design,” Genos said.
“A good way to think of it,” Chiyo agreed.
“If it was so kickass, why did they drop it?” Kaiden inquired. “There were probably some hang-ups.”
“It couldn’t create personal spaces, for one. It needed to be able to access the entirety of the Animus and couldn’t handle multiple large individual areas with numerous actions going on at once. Basically, it created a giant map that it separated using giant walls and skyboxes, creating the illusion of personal spaces. It was also an enormous power drain, meaning only a certain number of students could go in at a time. That’s the main reason that they only started expanding the Animus Center about ten years ago—that, and the student population was lower.”
“So what makes you think this thing is responsible for all the crazy stuff that’ll go on in the test?” the soldier asked.
“Because the two things they have not been able to replicate in the current system are the Director EI’s ability to transfer and change a map rapidly, along with the ability to react to anyone in the Animus, read their weaknesses, their strengths, and react to them. When one does that in the Animus, it’s essentially a reboot of the system. The way the map and everything on it changes, the way that it seems to analyze the situation and restructure itself accordingly, it checks out when compared with the notes I’ve taken.”
Kaiden and Genos exchanged quick glances before focusing on Chiyo again. “It’s a strong case, but what are you suggesting we do? It’s not like we can get at this thing, right?” Kaiden questioned.
She simply smiled. “Actually, we can. And I believe that we will.”
Chapter Seventeen
“All right, everyone stay with your partners and follow the instructions of the advisors,” an instructor shouted through the throngs of three hundred initiates as they all made their way to the Animus.
“The Animus Center will be stuffed to the tits,” Flynn shouted to the others. He looked behind him, and his eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Oh, we already lost Raul and Silas. Pay your respects!”
“They’ll turn up,” Cameron called back. “Keep going, or we’ll lose the good pods.”
“So do the three of us hold hands, or are we simply playing a big-ass game of Marco Polo?” Kaiden asked, looking at Chiyo.
“Just keep moving forward. If you get lost in the shuffle, I’ll send Wulfson to find you,” she retorted.
“Rather you leave me to die,” he countered as they entered the Center. Glowstrips lit up, guiding the students to available halls. Monitors also displayed the current open halls and their current capacity.
“I would think in this instance it would be better to take the stairs,” Genos advised as he pointed to the elevators. “It looks quite busy over there.”
Kaiden looked at Chiyo again and shrugged. “I did bring my stomping boots. Sounds good to me.”
“The stairs are also likely to be full of students. The next available hall is seven stories up,” the infiltrator pointed out.
“Hey, if cardio isn’t your thing, you can climb on my back and I’ll carry you up there. Won’t lose you that way.” Kaiden chuckled.
She frowned. “I’ll be fine. I’ve been training for the entire school year, so stairs aren’t exactly an insurmountable challenge.” The group moved down the hall, past the elevators, and toward the stairs which, as Chiyo predicted, had a stream of students ascending, “Better not fall down here. The others will see it as an opportunity to take out the competition.”
“No kidding.” Kaiden laughed, looking over his shoulder. “Hey, Luke and Marlo, think you can clear a path?”
The two heavies looked at each other, and nodded and pushed past Kaiden. “Everybody, get the hell out the way,” Luke shouted as they charged up the stairs. Those who were walking calmly or taking their time ascending looked back in horror as the big men rushed upward and either began to run up themselves or moved to one side.
“That’ll do it.” Kaiden snickered, raised a hand, and waved it forward. “Race the rest of y’all up to the top.”
“You know, if I had known they would send us into one of the private rooms, I wouldn’t have been in such a hurry.” Kaiden huffed as the door slid open and revealed the compact, darkened room.
“I don’t mind. Less of a crowd,” Chiyo reasoned as she walked to the room’s console.
“The normal halls have a total of five hundred pods. They really needed to ship us off to the corners?” Kaiden asked, leaning against a pod as he crossed his arms.
“It is probably to maintain some order or leave more pods available for the upperclassman. This test will possibly take all day,” Genos said and hopped into an empty pod.
“Eh, guess I’m just bitter I won’t hear any applause when I step out. If this works out, I might even do a twirl once we win.” The ace smiled, pushed himself off the pod, and walked past Genos. “Also, the test isn’t starting for a few more minutes. Gotta wait for the advisor to give us a speech or something.”
“Ah. I am comfortable, although perhaps I’ll lie here and consider the loadout options while we wait,” Genos offered.
The soldier snorted. “Not a bad plan—meditation with extreme prejudice.” He walked over to the console and saw Chiyo pressing a few buttons. “I don’t think you can set up the specifics of the match, or are you playing Minesweeper while we wait?”
“Neat.” He leaned forward and looked at the screen. “How’s it going so far?”
“Well enough. We have just over two hundred students so far.” She placed her hand on the screen and began to swipe. “Although it appears that the first couple dozen students to arrive are already being sent into the Animus.”
“They get a head start? That doesn’t sound very fair,” he grumbled. “Where the hell is our Advisor so we can hurry up and get in there?”
“Hello, Team MIA,” a familiar voice greeted them. Kaiden looked around and Chiyo pointed at the screen of the console, where he was greeted by the smiling face of Advisor Faraji.
“Hello, Akello,” Chiyo said.
“Good morning, Chiyo…and Kaiden.”
He clicked his tongue in annoyance and crossed his arms again. “Why such a sourpuss? I’ve been coming to your workshops again.”
“You say that like you’re doing me a favor,” Akello muttered, her lips tightening.
“Can’t win with her,” Kaiden growled. He threw his hands up and walked away from the monitor.
“Where’s your third teammate? Genos the mechanist?” she asked.
“I am here,” Genos called. “I am in a pod. Violently mediating, according to Kaiden.”
“That is…actually a better way of putting it,” the ace said, giving Genos a thumbs-up that the Tsuna returned.
Akello looked at Chiyo, blinking several times in confusion. The infiltrator simply waved a hand to tell her to ignore it.
“All right, Team MIA. I am the advisor in charge of all teams in the private rooms. Which means I get to be a little more personal, but I do have to hurry as I gotta make it to the other teams.”
“Why are you calling us ‘Team MIA?’ Which of you registered that?” Kaiden inquired, looking at Chiyo and Genos, who shook their heads.
“It is how we keep track of the teams in the match. We create the team names based upon the initials of your classes. Therefore, team mechanist, infiltrator, and ace become ‘MIA,’” she explained.
“MIA, really? As in, ‘missing in action?’” Kaiden muttered. “Why not AIM? Ace, infiltrator, and mechanist. It makes more sense and sounds better.”
“You that full of yourself that you want it to be you in the first spot?” Akello teased.
“It’s alphabetical,” he countered.
“Maybe, but I was in charge of the names, and I choose MIA. It sounded nicer.”
He sighed as he walked back to the pods. “This seems like an abuse of power.”
“You are in my domain, remember?” she warned, earning an unintelligible grunt from Kaiden. “Anyway, I’m here to give you guys the last-minute details and answer any questions you might have.”
“Understood.” Chiyo nodded. “Go ahead.”
“When you are synced in, you and all the other initiates will begin on one of three cruisers that are flying around the island this test is taking place on. Once all initiates are in, a countdown will begin, at which point you can choose your loadouts. Once the timer reaches one minute, you will have the opportunity to jump out of the cruiser and land at any destination you wish.”
“In drop pods like in the Division Test?” Kaiden asked.
“Nope, free fall. Your armor will be loaded with shock absorption insulation and reinforced frames. Those mods will disappear upon landfall, so keep that in mind—unless you already have them installed.”
“I’ve been meaning to get shock absorption, but haven’t had much use for it outside a couple of missions,” Genos said thoughtfully.
“Well, this will give you an opportunity to see what you are missing,” Akello said.
“Anything else we need to know?” Chiyo asked.
“Nope. Just remember that the map will change and shrink as time goes on and that the main building is where most of the action is, so factor that into your plans. You guys have any more questions for me?”
The infiltrator looked at Genos, who shook his head and leaned against the pod, bracing for the sync. She glanced at Kaiden, who rotated his finger in a circle, telling her to move on.
“We have no further questions, Advisor Faraji,” she answered.
“Then get in those pods, and I’ll set you up.”
Chiyo left the console and made her way to the pod between Genos and Kaiden. “Team MIA are in our pods and ready for sync.”
“Oh, don’t you start with that too.” Kaiden scowled.
She looked at him with a small smile as the pod doors began to close. “I quite like the name.”
“Once we get done with this, we’re getting a real team name,” Kaiden shouted as the doors sealed, nearly cutting him off.
“Pods closed and syncing has begun. Best of luck to you all,” Faraji said over the speakers in the pod.
He closed his eyes as the device began to scan his body and white light pulled him in. Despite himself, he smiled as he could feel the Animus accepting him. “Let’s raise some hell.”
Kaiden awoke in full armor. He looked at a couple dozen other initiates already walking around the carrier. The “lobby” was rather sparse, with a high ceiling, silver flooring, and a few catwalks above for easier traversal. There were windows on either side next to large unopened doors.
“At least this time I won’t be strapped into a chair,” he mumbled as he looked at the various dropways. He walked to one of the windows on the left and saw the island below. It was far bigger than the Nexus Academy island and looked even bigger than the one that had been used for the Division Test. But it was the building in the center that grabbed his attention.
It looked to only be a few stories high, but it was long—at least two miles. It was dark, too, even in the daylight. A foreboding compound, almost like it both beckoned the initiates to it and dared them to enter. Either way, that was where the lion’s share of the points would be. He made up his mind that he would get to it.
“There you are, friend Kaiden.” Genos greeted him with his usual cheer.
The ace looked away from the window for a moment and nodded at his teammate. “Hey, Genos, take a look.” He motioned to the window.
The Tsuna looked out, his eyes widening for a moment before returning to their normal size. “It is quite a lot of ground to cover.”
“You think we should drop out and try to land closer to the building? Maybe on top?”
Genos shook his head. “I’m sure many of the other teams are using that same line of logic. I recommend we pace ourselves slightly—maybe land half a mile to a mile out. There will be merc camps and patrols we can take out for Valor points, along with possible opportunities for Chiyo and myself to apply our skills for some Data and Motes along the way.”
“Sounds solid, although we do need to discuss our little backup plan that Chiyo was talking about.”
“Indeed we do,” the infiltrator stated.
Kaiden spun in an instant, startled, before he sighed and relaxed. “Are you somehow summoned whenever I call your name?”
“That would be helpful if we are ever separated, but I simply found you using the network,” she explained. “My guess is that the massive loadin has placed initiates randomly around the carrier.”
“Or the techs are having a laugh,” he suggested. “At least we’re all on the same carrier, so they can’t be screwing up too much.”
Chiyo walked past them and looked out the window. “I’m going to guess that you and Genos were discussing our landing point?”
“We were. Genos suggested we land about a klick from the building and make our way there so as to dodge all the other initiates who go straight for it, and take out some trash along the way.”
“I know the other initiates won’t turn hostile right away, but since we don’t know exactly when they will, I feel it’s best that we try to keep ourselves out of the potential
chaos as long as possible,” the Tsuna explained.
“I agree.” Chiyo nodded. “There is a lot we cannot control here, but we can at least give ourselves some breathing room.”
“Squad Test to begin in three minutes. Begin loadout,” a synthesized voice declared.
“Looks like we’re about to get to it.” Kaiden opened his load-out screen. “Chief, load my triggerman outfit.”
“Triggerman outfit?” Genos asked as he searched manually through the loadout screen.
“Yeah, it’s one of my saved loadouts. Don’t you have favorites?” Kaiden asked as his Raptor rifle appeared on his back and his armor changed to his more flexible mods.
“He’s been giving all his saved loadouts cute little nicknames.” Chief chuckled. “He’s got triggerman, gunslinger, assassin, bullet ballerina—”
“He made that last one up,” the ace retorted. “Besides, it’s better to give them unique names than using some sort of Greek alphabet thing.”
“Kaitō, please load Infiltrator Beta,” Chiyo instructed.
“Of course, madame,” her EI acknowledged and changed her armor to her light model, then armed her with a sub-machine-gun.
“Got anything else to say, dumbass?” Chief asked.
“Nah, I’ll just leave it.” Kaiden sighed.
“Two minutes until test begins. Doors open in sixty seconds,” the carrier’s EI announced.
“So, any last words of encouragement?” Kaiden asked.
“Just remember what we discussed. We will play this test as it was meant to be, but we should search for the Director EI. I believe that is how we can win this test,” Chiyo stated.
“Assuming it’s actually here,” the ace pointed out.
“I believe Chiyo’s deductions,” Genos declared. A medium-sized Tesla cannon appeared on his back, and his orange armor changed to silver with blue accents. “The Director is most likely somewhere within the map. The matter of getting to it or finding it… Well, that may be rather difficult.”
Animus series Boxed Set Page 77