Biodroid: Dawn of a New Age

Hope

-"You want to do, WHAT now?" asked a surprised Cpt. Edwards. "Woah woah woah, walk me through it again, what?" 

-"I want to create a new Biodroid Core that can heal himself and has better capabilities in combat by combining man, machine and the animal kingdom, what's so hard to understand?" replied a very composed Dr. Fu. This came after the explanation of what that 'something' that was being researched by Dr. Fu that should help with the stalemate was. As of now, the Soulmate System and resonance link work by combining the mind of a pilot with the mind of a biodroid, this process itself was both very complex and dangerous to develop and is still not 100% efficient because not all pilots can merge with a biodroid. 

-"Ok this time you surely lost it granny." said an exceptic Edwards, and continued "Did you forget all the problems we had while testing the current system? Pilots would go crazy for weeks after their first joint mind session, some of them never recovered fully, the risk is too high, I won't allow it!" For the risk was high indeed, while combining a biodroid with a human mind was complex, it was still easy to control if the 2 minds had the same brain wave pattern, but to combine 3 minds, and one of those minds being an animal's , the risk of losing  the pilot was too big. 

-"I understand your concern, but we see no other choice, the metal we use to birth the biodroids is being controlled by the federation, that same metal is required to repair the current fleet, we needed a way to make the biodroid repair itself, combining it with the genes and mind of an animal will surely bring this desired effect." started explaining a very calm Dr. Fu, then continued "Besides the healing process, combining the cunning of a pilot with the instincts of an animal should also prove beneficial in combat, imagine this: a Pilot making decisions with the quickness and exactness of a machine combined with the instincts of an animal, say, a tiger, this shall result in both less damage to the Biodroids and less injured pilots, this could mean the advantage we've been looking for for years now." Surely the argument made sense, so much sense that it was hard to argue against it, but the pilots where few as it was, some of them lost their droids and couldn't form a neuralink with another droid, truth is, the fleet was very thin.

-"Don't worry Nick, I won't endanger any human lives, we already have all the data of the animal kingdom documented and gathered, we found it inside 'the Arc' ages ago." Said Dr. Fu, and continued "The Arc was the facility that we found the most data of them all, it had information history, biology, space traveling, computer science, we found that somebody recorded every living creature's name and habits, and started a simulation of an animal kingdom, we found all the data of said simulation, we already mimiqued a lion in a simulation, it behaves just as described by the information we found". Here, Edwards seemed both surprised and curious, then asked

-"Ok, so you can simulate the behavior of a lion?"

-"Yes, completely, his thought process, instincts, reflexes, fears, likes, we can modify it to our liking and generate a Biocore with said features, as everything that its alive, we can stimulate the healing capabilities of said Biocore and hopefully make it so that the resulting biodroid regenerates itself if the damage is not severe." this actually sounded more difficult the more he thought about it.

-"Then, let's assume you can create said Biocore, how will this 'animal'  understand the invasion of another mind when a pilot tries the resonance link for the first time, wouldn't it resist it?" this was the question Dr. Fu was expecting from him, Edwards is no researcher, but he is not mentally challenged either, he understands very well how the bioresonance system works and that's why he exceeds at everything with his soulmate, they have reached a level of synergy that no other pilot has reached yet. 

-" Because, Nick, we found a way to simulate the connection on a safe environment and adjust the biocore's self accordingly." Silence. Edwards was astonished, he couldn't generate a sound.

'How...' he began to think, 'but then...' he was full of questions, wanted to ask them all at the same time, so much information was crossing his mind at the same time, then the silence broke:

-"We can copy your memories, feelings, experiences and save it into a simulation by using the resonance link." answered Dr. Fu as if knowing exactly what was going through his head. 

-"Slow down granny, so you can make me a Biodroid?" asked Edwards incredulous.

-"No, first of all, stop calling me granny in front of people, second, listen to me well, I will explain how this will work: We have enough materials to make at least 12 new Biocores and biodroids, so that's the number of people we can provide a soulmate to. First we need to test if we can create a biocore with an animal's instinct and persona inside and we have to modify it so the animal can communicate with its pilot, otherwise the resonance link won't be complete. Once we complete this phase, we will start trying to merge the previously simulated mind with this 'Animal Biocore' by running simulations of joint mind sessions, if we successfully create an 'Animal Biocore' then we already have both, machine and animal minds, merged, all that remains if the human part of it." Edwards face must have lighted up because Dr. Fu  smiled as if thinking 'I knew you would get it',  then continued "Here in this simulation we will try the resonance link, with no risk for the pilots or Biocore, there we can adjust the biocore brain wave to a state that easily accepts the pilot's mind and form the resonance link. Nick, do you understand what this could mea...?" he interrupted promptly 

-"We can avoid losing pilots to the resonance link first session! We can make every biodroid compatible with every pilot! We can form an even stronger fleet! This is amazing Dr. Fu!"

-"Yes, that's the plan, but we have yet to begin testing , so I'm not sure of the challenges this will pose ahead, Nick I can't trust this information with anyone outside these walls, I need you to trust me and please don't rush me, this will take time." said Dr. Fu with pleading eyes, but Cpt. Edwards's euphoria was evident, his eyes changed from his usual mockery and bravado look to one of admiration and hope, for hope is what this idea posted, better yet, a light at the end of the tunnel and all of a sudden, thoughts of Ron Walker came to him 'Maybe if we had these kind of biodroids earlier, Ron would still be here along with the others...' a sad line of thought that was quickly interrupted by Dr. Fu.

-"I need you brain Nick, I want your experience and wave pattern for the tests, you have managed a level of synergy that none of the pilots is even close to reaching, I need to understand that, how and why are you able to merge so deep with another mind,  before I start attempting to resonance link anyone's simulated mind with an animal biocore."

-" Of course Dr. Fu, whatever you need, when are we starting?" asked an eager Cpt. Edwards.

-"Tomorrow morning, I will have the environment for hosting your 'self' created tonight."

-" Self?" asked Edwards.

-"Yes, in essence, what I am attempting to do is make a copy of your 'true self ' inside a virtual environment, so, self seems like a fitting name, don't you think?."

With a broad smile he said -" Indeed, a fitting name Dr." he watched her smile and added "you truly are the savior of mankind, Dr. Fu."

-"Don't say such things, I have yet to complete anything and time is of the essence." She said while motioning him towards the door, "Now Nick, go home and rest, I need you well rested for tomorrow, your mind must be in a state of calm and awareness that only the early morning provides, so I'll need you here around 6 am sharp, is that clear?"

-"Yes Dr., I'll be here before 6 am." he said with a serious tone. As he walked away and was close to the door he heard Dr. Fu say:

-"Oh, and Nick, bring that lazy Wife of yours tomorrow, share some details with her of what we are planning on doing tomorrow and only tomorrow, I will need her help and she needs to come out of retirement, this endeavor will require the best minds we can get."

-" Will do Dr., see you tomorrow." and so Ct. Edwards was out of the lab, in there he lost track of time and it was well past dinner time so he hurried home thinking how to explain to Aiko what she needed to know and nothing more and still be ready for tomorrow. 

He walked the same road that Ken and Ryan did earlier that afternoon, he was near the now open bar and saw Lt. Cruz stand up and walk towards him

-"So, what did you find out? Sure took you a long time" asked Lt. Cruz.

-" I can't tell you, I can't tell anyone, not even you Cruzie." he said in a serious tone.

-" It must be one hell of a secret then 'hermano', for you to be this serious." said a now serious Cruz.

-"Yes, it is, but rest assured, eventually I will be able to let you in on the details, for now I need you to prepare those new cadets like the world depends on them cause, it does, we are in the front lines and we need to pass along our experiences to the young ones so that they are better than us, I'm glad that Ken is on you platoon David!" he said while placing his right arm on top of Cruz's left shoulder.

-"About that... your kid seems a little lost 'hermano', is like he is there in body, but his mind is somewhere else, he just going through the motions, he did ask some good questions but I don't know... Ryan on the other hand seems like a clear pilot candidate." said Cruz while he studied Edwards's face expressions and changes, then, all of a sudden a broad smile lighted Edwards's face and he said

-"So let me see, he was late and got grounded for it, asked some questions, seems like he doesn't care for what he is doing, right?" he asked Cruz.

-"Exactly, it's like he has all of these curiosities and questions, seems like he wants to do great, but then loses all of that hunger, the light in his eyes disappears." he said on a low tone.

-" That's Ken for you, all the potential in the world with none of the discipline and hunger to exploit it, reminds me a bit of someone, full of potential but with a clear problem with authority and a lack of discipline so much like Ken's that it's amazing." said Edwards with a chuckle that turned into laughter. 

-"Hey!! I'm way past that time 'jefe', I'm more dependable now!." protested Cruz.

-"Indeed you are, I don't know what I would do without you brother, but you need to remember that you were once much like ken, so I trust you will find a way to reach him and turn him around, he is my son and Aiko's, we know how far he can get, but he doesn't realize his potential yet, he needs a guide that understand the difficulties of having a high bar set for them, someone like you Cruzie, I trust that no one else but you could make Ken the finest Pilot in the EDF, I leave him in your hands David!"

-"That's one heavy task Nick, I promise you that I will do my best!" said a serious David Cruz.

-"Then if its your best, it shall be enough, you still don't know what your best is David and I am eager to see the day that you find out." 

He waved goodbye and resumed his walk home, past the Wall of the Defender he glanced at it under the dim light of the setting sun and thought 'Your kid is already a cadet, Ron, he shall be a fine pilot like his father, and if Dr. Fu manages to make everything work, your sacrifice won't be in vain, good night Ron, Mat and Jessica' referring himself to the first names of the 3 fallen heroes of  Walker's platoon.

Once Home, he found Aiko sitting on the dining table with a book in her hands, she noticed him and smiled 

-" Hi darling, what took you so long?" she asked lovingly. 

-"You won't believe the news I've got, hun." he said warmly.

-"News? Did something happen at the Academy besides the welcome ceremony to which your son was late?" she said with a bitter tone while putting the book down, for she always said that Ken's carefree attitude was Nick's doing.

-" Ah yes, that've been taken care of, I believe." he replied with the same warm tone.

-" Well, apparently he is afraid of being late tomorrow, you and Cruzie made it very clear to him that being late will result in dire consequences." she said changing the tone from cold to understanding, then to warm again and asked "So, what are these news you bring me?"

-"Granny Fu wants you at the lab tomorrow before 6 am." he said abruptly.

-"Wait...What? Why? these are not news! This is a calamity! That old lady wants to work until she dies and now wants everyone to work as such!" she said complaining, then added "I refuse, I am very much enjoying my retirement." at the same time she finished her remarks, she picked up the book again and was trying to read it but kept glancing at Nick who said nothing and was standing there with a broad smile.

-"Well, aren't you going to say anything? " she asked, evidently exasperated by his silence and smile.

-"She's found a way to end the war." each word he emphasized, each one heavier than the last one, and then added "She has an idea for a little something that you will find out tomorrow, she needs you Aiko, she needs both of us tomorrow morning, I know you are bored to death here, Ken is already a cadet, there is nothing else for you here, she requested your presence personally." he concluded.

-"Well, it's been a while since I've seen you this excited... Seems like something big is about to happen."

-"Oh honey, you can't even begin to imagine what that old granny has come up with, I know you are going to go ballistic when she explains it to you." he said with evident excitement. 

-" I understand needing me, but why does she needs you 'rocks for brain' for?" she meant that as a joke comparing the intellectual level of the pilots to those of the researchers and developers.

-"You'll see, tomorrow is gonna be a big day for humanity." he said tempering his excitement, then asked "Where is ken?"

-" He should be sleeping already, he called the day early, he doesn't want to be late tomorrow again, maybe we should walk him to the academy since we are going the same way?" she asked him and he replied the only way he could: with a witty remark.

-"Say What? and lose that extra hour of sleep? no way, he needs to be there at 0500, we are needed at 0600, we will be waking up at the time he is supposed to be there already, nope, I like my beauty sleep, thank you very much." he replied with a smile, then added "Besides, he needs to be responsible for himself, he is not a kid anymore, he is a cadet, what he did today shows that he still has much to learn, Cruzie is gonna guide him, it might take a while for him to mature, but I trust Cruzie will make ken great, just you wait." he finished with a wink. 

-"Ok then, here is your dinner, eat up so we can go to bed too, something tells me tomorrow it's going to be eventful and I'm going to work more than you think." 

As they ate dinner, the conversation turned very casual, they talked about the welcoming speech, how curios that Cruz is Ken's platoon commander, he mentioned what Cruzie said to him on his way back about Ken's lack of clear goal which came as no surprise to either of his parents. When Nick finished eating and doing the nocturnal chores, like cleaning the table and doing the dishes, they both went upstairs to their room and got in bed, still talking of trivial things when all of a sudden

-"She needs you Aiko, trust me, this is going to change the war." he said while looking at her eyes.

-"I can only Hope so, Nick." 

They kissed deeply and drifted to sleep, dreaming about a future that was as clear as day, even clearer now after today's event. 

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