File 4.5 - Justifications for Conflict

Concluding the first part of the orientation, Shizuka entered the classified details about the AESIR Project. The Lieutenant changed slides and presented blueprints of something that Shizuka didn’t recognize, let alone understand. She only made out the words “AESIR” and “Freya” from the slide, which sounded familiar.

“Everything I’m about to tell you is highly classified information and does not leave this room. You are only allowed to speak about this information to those with clearance at or exceeding your level of clearance.”

“How will I know who does and doesn’t have clearance?”

“In general, pilots all have the same level along with the engineers and mechanics working on the machines. Work crews do not and are highly compartmentalized. Anyone else, it is best not to say anything unless they can provide you proof of their clearance.” Redirecting back to the slide, she activated a button on the device in her hand. The blueprints expanded and changed showing even more information about the previous slide. “I will be providing you with the introductory material about the machine you will be piloting, the AESIR Unit 01, Freya. Further details on your machine can be found with the mechanics and engineers working on the machine.”

“Lieutenant, what is the Freya, that machine I saw?”

“The AESIR Project was created for the sole purpose of developing and producing the machines known as the AESIR. The AESIR machines are part of the ARM Project, the highest-level project overseeing all related work. The AESIR are what we call ARMs, Advance Response Machines. ARMs are designed for frontline response to threats that the general policing and military forces cannot handle. The AESIR stands for All-Purpose Equipment for Self Interfacing Response, or highly specialized ARMs designed for human pilots to command and control.

“As you’ll learn in the training, the cockpit of the AESIR uses neural links to aid the pilot in control. Much of the machine is still manually controlled, but lower level functions are managed through these neural links. Part of your training will be accustoming yourself to this so that it is second nature.”

“Um…I don’t follow a lot of this, but this looks like a machine for combat, for war. What are we fighting against that these are needed?”

“I’m told you saw them already. Elements of human society here still do not wish to work together for the betterment of the Earth and survival of the human race. They wish to destroy what we’ve achieved and will use any means to do that.”

“Are you talking about the terrorist group Ragnarok?”

“Though we don’t know how, they have been able to create ARMs themselves. Such weapons of destruction are a threat to the peace and stability of the Earth. The AESIR are meant to protect humanity.”

“But I’ve never heard anything about this before. If they were using them, the media—“

“You’ll learn that the media doesn’t know everything about the truth of the world.”

“But is such power really necessary?”

“It is only with overwhelming power will we prevent further conflicts from occurring.”

“So we’re a deterrent?”

“Once they understand the power of the AESIR they will not want to fight anymore.”

Shizuka considered everything the woman told her. It all confused her. The battle she witnessed was very real. If the potential of more battles like the one she saw happened, more villages, innocents would be sacrificed. ‘If I don’t have to actually fight. If it is just a deterrent, but wouldn’t anyone do then?’ Pieces still didn’t add up correctly. “Why me? Why even use a human pilot?”

“You’ll have to speak to the engineers if you want to know why a human pilot is required to control the AESIR. As for yourself, you were selected by Doctor Kitawara specifically for the Freya. He insisted it be piloted by no one else other than you.”

“So when he suddenly has a use for me, he comes calling. I’m otherwise forgotten, huh?” It didn’t really bother her as much as she thought. Such facts were accepted by her a long time ago. The reason she ran away was because she realized the facts, the truth about him. When he needed her, he came and he needed her for his project. ‘He doesn’t think about anything other than his work and what he needs to complete it.’

Answers came, but questions rode along with them. They were never ending. Most times the answers weren’t enough. The answers were only vague enough to keep one satisfied, but wanting more moments later. Always starved, always hungry. No real truth, just the convenient truth.

The ‘truth’ ended eventually, followed up by the real part of orientation, physical training. Lieutenant Noltz began her explanation, “The first week I’ll be testing your physical condition and endurance. You will be required to be in peak physical condition at all times as an AESIR pilot. A specialized training regime has been created for you to get you in shape. It will be tough at the beginning, but you’ll adapt in time.”

A hint of doom came out in her words, like an ill omen. Shizuka swallowed slowly, a little concerned about what they would subject her to for training. She feared that they might use it as an excess to punish her for her escape and behavior.

Whether a punishment or not, Shizuka never felt exhaustion like she had after the first day. It was something that she would never forget, yet never remember either. She was quite certain death was similar to how she was at the end.