328 – EP.12 Teaching Feeling-3
***
“It doesn’t seem like the base has been discovered. However, it is true that it wouldn’t be surprising if it were discovered at any time.”
NB, who returned to base later than scheduled, spoke calmly after hearing about what happened today.
“What should I do?”
“Only by knowing why they are moving will we be able to determine their future direction. However, I am not sure why the Ark is conducting such an extensive search.”
The Ark’s intentions are still unknown. If NB doesn’t know, how can I know?
“I think the best way for now is to observe the Ark’s behavior.”
“What if I get caught before then? Can I move to another base?”
A plan was needed to prepare for sudden emergency situations.
“If such a situation arises when I am with Kang In-ho, you can follow my lead and move, but if not, Kang In-ho must move alone.”
NB took out a map from an old iron drawer. It was a base map drawn by NB for me.
NB’s fingers move along a crooked line.
I stayed closer next to him and followed the finger with his eyes.
“The base closest to here and the secret route is the A-32 base.”
Even though I was close, I couldn’t feel NB’s breath. At times like this, he is reminded of the fact that NB is an android.
“The majority of Ark’s actions are carried out through drones. The integrated drone in use in Aaru is a versatile model equipped with all the functions of search, reconnaissance, suppression, and execution.”
“You mean we have to go through that?”
I swallowed dryly even though such a situation had not yet occurred.
“Yes. Of course, the drone will not directly harm Kang In-ho. According to sacred rules, all artificial intelligence cannot harm humans.”
“That’s a good thing.”
“However, some physical force may be used in the name of safety.”
“…Suppression is possible.”
“That’s right. That’s why the important thing is to get out of the base before the drone hits the base. If you’re in the same space as the drone, it’s the same as having already been caught.”
NB drew the drone and me with a poor drawing. And then he wrote down the number 50.
This is the range of the capture net. 50M. If you enter here, there is a 100% chance you will be caught.
“Okay. 50M.”
And NB wrote the number 120.
“Next is the shooting distance. Since you won’t be using a firearm anyway, you just need to keep this in mind.”
“It looks like a flag, okay.”
NB wrote the number 300.
“Finally, 300m. This is the maximum recognition distance of the drone.”
“Is it too long? Is there a chance of running away?”
“If you hide behind cover, they won’t recognize you. And in the case of heat-seeking devices, you can neutralize them in the following way.”
“Which way?”
In response to my question, NB pointed to the horse barrel in the corner of the base. The barrel, whose mouth was tightly sealed, was filled to the brim with some kind of liquid.
I felt like I knew the identity of the liquid, so I asked NB to confirm.
“It’s gasoline. Before running away, just set the base on fire. This will temporarily disable the heat-seeking device.”
“If you want to hide a tree, you have to hide it in the forest.”
“That’s right. And even if it’s not a heat-seeking device, it’s right to incinerate everything in the base.”
“Everyone? It’s a waste.”
I looked around at the things in the base and said.
Not all of them are valuable, but these are the things NB took from Aaru despite taking risks.
“Nothing is more important than safety. The materials can be brought back to Aaru. However, in the case of books, it can be said that it is difficult to judge.”
NB, who had already prepared dinner, handed us a simple sandwich.
“I see.”
Feeling the salty taste of bacon, I repeated in my head what NB had told me.
Clearly, my instincts were telling me that it was knowledge that I would have to use someday.
***
The atmosphere outside was serious, and NB and I had the same night.
I sat and warmed up by the fire, and NB read a book and asked me questions.
“What does it mean to have a name?”
Today, NB’s curiosity was ‘name’.
“Why the name?”
NB showed the cover of a romance novel he had recently started reading and explained its contents.
It was a novel with the theme of office romance, and it was a scene where a boss, who only called his subordinate by his title, expressed his affection by calling his subordinate by his first name.
“Well, if you call someone by their name, it shows that you respect that person. Hey, you, you bastard, you’re gay. Rather than doing this, it feels more friendly if you call someone by their name.”
“In order to move towards a more intimate relationship, a name is needed.”
“I always say this, but in general, there are cases where names are not called.”
“Human thought and culture always seem to require exceptions.”
“Even if it’s difficult to understand, there’s nothing we can do. That’s how humans are.”
“I see. The name. Who decides that?”
“Usually parents give it to us. Guardians give it to us.”
“So, a being like me who has no parents or guardians doesn’t get a name?”
NB asked an unexpected question.
“There’s already a name. NB.”
I pointed at NB with my finger, and NB shook his head in denial.
“NB is a serial number. If you apply this to humans, it is similar to the meaning of being the 23rd human born on December 11th.”
“Ah, um… Do you want a name?”
“I would like to have it if possible.”
I felt like NB’s eyes became bright.
The warmth of the fire warmed my knees.
I blankly focused my eyes on the fire.
And then he slowly opened his mouth.
“Let’s name it ourselves. It will be more meaningful if we name it ourselves.”
“But I can’t think of a suitable name.”
“You don’t have to name it right away. Think about it slowly. Someday you’ll think of the perfect name.”
“Are you talking like emotions?”
“What?”
“Just as emotions that I don’t understand now become known naturally over time, will a name that fits me also emerge?”
“Yes, of course.”
I nodded to NB’s innocent question.
As the night continued to deepen, NB and I faced the next day.