Chapter 604.2: The Survivors

Chapter 604.2: The Survivors

He cursed inwardly, but what had happened here for decades, centuries, was beyond undoing.

That place had been like this for a long time.

And there were surely countless hells like it across the wasteland.

Unless the wasteland itself ended, new hells would always rise, and new tragedies would play out.

How to end the wasteland... He had no idea.

Maybe... Their mighty administrator would have a plan.

He was just a player. All he had to do was strip away the cruelty and enjoy the game itself.

At least daily life in the New Alliance was still full of joy.

...

What Irene didn’t know was that even the all-powerful administrator didn’t really have a good solution.

A large part of the Qi Tribe’s population had been born in breeding pens. Only a few were wastelanders captured from outside, or slaves contributed by nearby settlements.

It was common knowledge that a human’s worldview formed during brain development. Only those raised in society could fit in properly.

Those survivors were more like people raised by animals.

The Blackstone Mutant Human Tribe in the desert had some like that, but nowhere near the same proportion as the Qi Tribe.

Based on isolated real-world cases, just teaching such biological humans to eat with their hands could take 10 years or more, let alone mastering a trade to feed themselves.

The New Alliance had no way to suddenly support 10,000 of them. Sending them to any city of the New Alliance wouldn’t fix it.

And most of those survivors were addicted to Na Fruit.

Evacuating thousands of hosts carrying spores from Na Fruit was a bad idea, especially at their current stage.

Chu Guang stood on the bridge, frowning in thought.

Then, Vanus spoke. “What about the Spirit Interference Device?”

Seeing Chu Guang silent, he went on. “They’re addicts. In theory, during their trance, they should be susceptible to the device. If we use this brainwashing tool properly, maybe we can reintegrate them.”

Chu Guang sighed, “The New Alliance has never used that on people. We carried forward the rule of the Federation. Equipment like that is only for driving off aliens. It’s not that I won’t adapt, but I ask myself... how do we make sure today’s choice doesn’t plant a worse problem later?”

Vanus blinked. “For example?”

Chu Guang said flatly, “Let me ask you: how can a madman prove he’s not mad?”

Vanus was puzzled. “Is that something you need to prove?”

Chu Guang continued, “If we do this, future generations here will face that question, and it might be the smallest of their problems.”

It was easy for him to say, but executing the order would be a massive project.

In such a project, too many points could twist the intent. Technology never meant for humans could create a dystopia.

The New Alliance’s sixth settlement might turn into a giant asylum, and into a black mark on history.

Still, Vanus’s idea tempted him. The device could at least make those without full capacity perform simple labor.

The catch was that he would need a morally flawless and utterly selfless administrator to carry it out.

He wasn’t that perfect himself.

Just then, the silent Frost spoke up. “Let me try.”

Eclipse shot it a flat look, hoping it would retract those words. But Frost didn’t.

Chu Guang blinked and his interest sparked.

He had almost forgotten. He had such an asset at hand.

However, that was the fate of tens of thousands. It was not something to toy with.

In response, he fixed Frost with a stern gaze. “Are you sure? This won’t be easy. Imagine those survivors as infants with adult strength, and you as their nanny. You’ll plan their work, daily life, education, even eating and drinking. With limited resources, you must help them live like people.”

Oddly, Chu Guang thought he saw the android’s eyes shine brighter with excitement.

That was supposed to be a colossal chore...

Could this thing be a massive

M

?

Suppressing that thought, he pressed on. “First, get them self-sufficient. Eventually, integrate them and their children into our society. We’ll support you, but honestly, we’re poor. Don’t expect much.”

“Have you thought it through...”

“I have!” Frost cut him off with its mechanical eyes blazing. It pressed its right fist to its chest in a clumsy salute. “I’ve longed to use my knowledge and experience to help the suffering of this wasteland. Now the chance is here... I feel it!”

Chu Guang narrowed his eyes. “Feel what?!”

Frost’s fist clenched harder, voice ringing with passion. “The intellect plug-in... It is burning!”

Its tone even wavered in a sing-song tone, ending in reverent vibrato.

Chu Guang just stared at Frost like he was looking at an idiot.

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

Forget it.

Whatever it was saying, the sincerity was real.

It had the same steadfast desire as Eberts, though in its own way.

As an android, Frost had no material greed and no moral flaws.

If anyone could handle this task beyond humans, that was it.

It was at least worth a try.

Vanus looked worried. It was his suggestion, but the android didn’t seem reliable.

However, Chu Guang only saw those burning eyes, ignoring his aide entirely. “Then I’ll leave it to you.”

“Yes!” Frost declared with zeal. “Leave it to me!”

Behind it, Eclipse pinched its forehead.

Damn it! You’re an envoy from the Health Luxury Corporate Group! Did you forget already?!

Things were about to get messy.

...

At night, in the captain’s cabin.

Little Seven sat on the pen holder with its chin in hands. Its pencil-thin legs swung around as it pouted, “Master.”

Chu Guang looked up from his tablet with a gentle gaze. “What is it?”

“I may just be an assistant AI... but I can help out a lot too.”

Seeing through its thought at once, Chu Guang smiled and rubbed its little head. “I know you want to help, and I trust your ability. But this isn’t your role. Besides... You represent me.”

“Hm?” Little Seven tilted its head.

Glancing at the draft plans for the 6th settlement of the New Alliance, Chu Guang smiled faintly.

“The New Alliance must unite all survivors, but it has to be according to the state they are in. Those who choose to progress freely, we’ll give autonomy and let them help us out. But in the case of Singularity City, we must take the opposite approach, manage them strictly to prevent shock to society.”

“This isn’t about 10,000 people alone. The Ocean Edge Province still has vast lands to liberate. Our burden may multiply many times over.”

“Harsh as it sounds, if Frost fails, that’s the Health Luxury Corporate Group’s fault. Doubts will fall on androids in public service. I suspect parts of the Highest Council won’t sit idle.”

After all, their forebears had caused the whole mess.

If not for that accident 150 years ago, none of the chaos would exist.

Little Seven nodded faintly. “So... You just want someone else to take the blame later?”

This little fella doesn’t seem to fully understand my intentions, but... That’s how others will think too.

Chu Guang chuckled, shaking his head. “If I just wanted to dodge blame, I wouldn’t be handling this mess at all.”