Chapter 5. Ohm's Spaceship

Ohm’s spaceship was so massive that it could not have been manufactured by AIs on Earth, and its frame was attached to the moon’s surface. There has never been a human aboard the spacecraft.

Until then, Red, Call, and three other passengers boarded the transport ship to the Ohm ship. Red had no idea who they were or recognized them. Two guys in their forties and a little boy. Taking a seat away from Red and Call. As Call sat alone with Red, Ursula accompanied them.

Their expressions were anxious as the ship left the Earth’s atmosphere, whether it still had one. From a distance, the Earth seemed to be a cream-colored orb. There is no sea, no trees, only sand.

Humans breathe oxygen on Earth, owing to AIs that can create tools to convert polluted air into oxygen. Red is unaware of the number of humans living on Earth today.

Ohm’s spaceship appeared once they arrived on the moon. It was silver in color and oval in form, like a hot air balloon, but with wings on both sides.

According to what Red had read on a knowledge tablet, the AIs used wormholes to access other dimensions to save time. But people have yet to learn if that theory has been applied. All Red knew was that galaxies other than the Milky Way existed. These AIs are working hard to explore other galaxies, investigate, and search for possible sources of life for humanity.

Call checked the little window to make sure they were almost there.

“Did you see that? The ship is so big,” he whispered.

“If it’s that big, why did the AIs abandon the people in the capsules?” Red let out a soft sigh. “It doesn’t make sense; are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Because Ohm’s was used as an arena ship.”

“What arena? Call, you still need to share the detail with me.”

“If I knew the details, I would tell you everything. But, Ingo at the hospital only gave me a little information.” Call grumbled quietly. “They told us we’d be battling in the arena on Ohm’s spaceship.”

Red let out a soft chuckle. “You’re kidding, right? Who will we be fighting? The AIs?”

Call simply shook his head. “I have no idea. What are our chances of defeating these robots if we do? They’re nearly perfectly designed.”

It made Red realize it straight away. Was Jeremiah foreseeing this? So he gave Ingo the authority to carry on their mission? It would be genuinely horrific if the AIs eventually defected and turned the arena into a game to slaughter humans.

There is no way for humans to defeat AI.

Humans will be exterminated.

Transportation ships emerged from all directions, approaching Ohm’s spaceship. Red scarcely blinked an eye; the closer she came, the more enthralled she became with the cruiser. There were apparently decks with translucent walls all along the ship. The AIs were busy wandering through the halls. Red had never met any AIs, cyborgs, or robots.

Troy and Ingo were both present, but the surface of their bodies was gilded with the color cyan. Red had never seen anything like that before.

In Earth, Ingo’s body is constructed out of mild steel, and the surface of their skin is gilded in white and gray. Ingo’s face is expressionless, pale white with blue eyes, a little nose, and lips. Their mouth is used to taste various flavors, allowing them to identify whether there is poison. That is why Ingo were designated as nurses, protectors, and housekeepers and intended to be kind. They more useful in hospital.

A few different types of AI coexist with humans. Robots are common yet rare. They are more commonly utilized in physical devices such as vehicles, traffic control, and other tasks that don’t require social interaction with humans.

The transport ship passed through one of the gates and landed in an area marked with glowing white lights. Red, Call, the other three, and Ursula exited the transport ship as soon as the door opened. Several additional people were disembarking from other ships. The number of persons on one cargo ship varied. On the other hand, the Troy from Earth went home as soon as the passengers disembarked.

Red noticed a guiding path on the floor leading to another smaller gate's threshold. Call, and Red followed the people who came through the gates, mounting the metal-smelling steps with their feet like a regular musical rhythm.

People were carrying their own robots. Those bearing animal kinds, such as Feline, it was either giant or tiny cat robot. Equus is a transportation robot designed to mimic the original horse or donkey; some are adapted to fly due to the presence of wings. Then came Canine, whether giant dogs or coyotes, which made Red nervous since the robots were menacing.

But everyone looked terrified to meet Ursula, and no one brought robots with unique and unusual types like Red. Surprisingly, the Troy on Ohm’s ship didn’t appear to mind what sort of robots the humans carried into the ship’s bowels. For a while, Red and Call were the focus of the public’s attention.

Yet they were diverted as soon as they saw other humans with more stunning appearances. The humanoids. Known as half-robots. Most of these people were either involved in an accident or were born in an imperfect condition. Robot components replace their damaged body parts. Red, for example.

But it was the first time the girl had encountered individuals with cyborg-like bodies that were genuinely human.

“Horrible,” Call muttered, his hair standing on edge.

“You mean the humanoids?” Red asked.

“I’m not sure what it’s like inside our bodies, having blood flow or whatever it’s called for androids. I can’t imagine.”

“I suppose it’s normal.” Red rolled her eyes. “Do we not all eat porridge every day? Maybe we’ll get along just fine.”

Call stroked his head, which was not itchy. “Well... I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying. Oh, well, I won’t question it anymore.”

They walked down a narrow hallway, then through a corridor with bright lights, till they reached the gate's threshold leading to the vast hall. Everyone was gathered there, who knows how many thousands, but there was a large crowd. Virtually everyone’s expression was the same: they were perplexed, anxious, and unsure of what would happen next.

“Your mask’s battery is going low. You can breathe easily here, and I believe it is cleaner and fresher.” Call emphasized.

“Oh, OK.” Red saw that the battery on her mask was already red, so she opened it and turned off the button. “You’re right. The air here feels better than on Earth.” She was about to place the mask in the backpack on Ursula’s wrist.

“Let me hold that for you,” Call said, offering his hand.

“Thank you.”

The last few people entered the hall before the gate closed with a loud thud. They noticed a podium secured by six Troy, followed by the appearance of a holographic screen. Everyone was drawn to the picture of Viz, a single AI with no versions other than itself. She is the primary driver behind all AI programs and technological endeavors.

Viz had a feminine physique, a thin and elegant face, silver eyes, and pale silver lips. Viz, unlike the other AIs, resembled a human. Wearing a dark cyan outfit with long sleeves. Even though her gown was adorned with jewels, Red knew the holographic form before she was not human.

“Hello and welcome to Ohm. This is the Savage Glory arena. Those who survive this will be awarded the most valuable reward. Live in peace on the planet Minerva,” stated Viz, who was broadcast around the hall via speakers.

Red and Call exchanged glances; neither had heard of Planet Minerva. Neither did the thousands of other people who had gathered.

“The fate of all humans on Earth is in your hands. You will determine whether they will live together on Minerva or sleep there eternally.”

“Is she crazy?” Red spoke quietly to Call.

“Technically, the AI wouldn’t go nuts unless there is a system failure.” Call diplomatically nodded. “Or is the software malfunctioning?”

“She needs to be rebooted.”

“Savage Glory. What kind of game is that?”

Red’s response was just to lift her shoulders. For she, too, had no idea what Viz meant.

Her remarks were very illogical.

About the game, the fate of mankind, and the planet Minerva. Why didn’t the AI give a rundown of the event and explain it in better detail, starting with what happened? Instead of creating a game.

“More than ten thousand people have assembled here, and I am thankful for your participation. Yet, just a thousand warriors are required to compete for the throne of Savage Glory.”

As Red saw a section of the floor sinking, she retreated reflexively. Later, meter-long metal bars, similar to playground fences, appeared on the surface. Red and Call locked their eyes, staring once again. They were nearly laughing.

“What should we do with this?” Call wondered. His palm gripped the gleaming metal with a smooth surface. “It’s the nicest thing to lean on; have you done that?”

Red gave the nod. “Yes, as I recall, but when I was very young.”

There were murmurs everywhere, as well as laughs. Because everyone thought the game was ridiculous. Why did Viz bring up the iron barriers in some of the hall? Red’s eyes scanned carefully, her instincts alerting her to the fact that something was wrong.

Unfortunately, no definitive solution was provided. Red observed merely the ship’s construction and the metal kinds used. Call seemed surprised at Red.

“What’s wrong with your left eye? Why is the iris glowing red?” the young man asked, caught surprised.

“I’m part human, half robot,” Red explained coldly.

“Your left eye?” Call inquired, wide-eyed.

Red nodded once. Despite this, she remained wary of her surroundings. Nothing was suspicious about it, but bringing up the iron railings or fences made Red wonder what Viz was up to.

“You can’t be labeled half-robot if just half of your eyes are robotic,” Call added. “I’d say one-twentieth part or two percent humanoid.”

Red couldn’t help giggling. Callum was a reasonably funny and apparently laid-back young man. His honey-colored wavy hair was neck-length, and he had a set jaw, a sharp nose, and bright blue eyes. The young man’s skin was ruddy white, and he stood around six feet tall, taller than Red, who was about six feet tall at the temples.

“Without spending any more time, I’m sure you need some rest after traveling so far,” Viz remarked, “and we’ll arrange a place for the chosen ones.”

Red and Call look at each other in shock.