"I hereby declare the charges against ex-Captain Kafka Wang!"
A deafening bellow roused me from my weary slumber. Blinded by the numerous spotlights around me. As my vision adapts, a grand podium towers before me, with a blurry figure standing before it.
Behind me I could hear ravenous yelling, filled with curses and profanity. As I wonder for what reason they yell, my mind wakes up, sheding light unto my predicament.
Chained, for crimes I did not commit.
Branded, for treason against the very ideals I fight for.
Dishonored, by the people I serve and protect.
The trial continues as I try to take in my surroundings.
"High treason against the Admrialty!"
Lies.
"Disobeying orders from his superiors and common sense!"
LIES.
"For causing the deaths of his fleet and crew!"
ALL LIES.
"These are the crimes committed by the man before you!"
…
"From henceforth! You, Kafka Wang, are dishonorably discharged from service!"
*Cheers*
Stop it.
"You are sentenced to five lifetimes of imprisonment!"
*Roaring Cheers*
Stop cheering.
"And finally! You! Kafka Wang, are sentenced to DEATH!"
*Hysterical Cheering*
Stop cheering for your doom.
I try to speak, to tell them of the lies, but alas, my mouth is sealed; my arms, legs, and head; all bound.
"TAKE HIM AWAY AND START HIS SENTENCE, AT LEAST THIS WAY THE FALLEN WILL HAVE SOLACE!"
Ah, all that work, all of my service, gone. Because of a lie.
All that fills my vision, is the butt of a rifle.
And everything returns to darkness.
Funny enough, I felt no pain. For everything that I have has been ripped away from me.
————————————————————
"Is he hooked in? Good. Wake him up, its time for him to pay for his crimes."
Suddenly, a flood of pain forcefully pulls me out of darkness.
As I come to, several figures come into view.
"Welcome to hell, Prisoner." One of the figures spoke to me, bearing the insignia of lieutenant.
"At least they're a little respectful if they're sending a lieutenant to send me off." I commented as more of my vision returns to me.
*Whack*
One of the other figures hit me across my face. This one bearing the rank of petty officer.
Before I could comment on him, I notice my surroundings. Full of tubes and wiring, many of these tubes connected to the back of my head based on what I feel.
"What have you done to me?" I ask rhetoricaly, as I'm fully aware of what they've done.
"You should know prisoner, you were the one opposed this action, this idea." The last figure spoke, he then turned to the petty officer and reprimanded him. "Thats enough, you aren't paid enough to replace this in the event you break something."
The petty officer steps back and salutes the person who just spoke in fear. Probably because he sports the rank of rear admiral.
"Welcome to your prison cell, Karka Wang. For the next 5 lifetimes, you will be a guinea pig for us." The Admiral spoke to me. "This vessel you are connected to is a fully experimental, semi autonomous fast battleship."
He spoke in awe of this 'vessel'. As if this 'prison' was going to revolutionize the world. Which it technically has the potential to do so.
"You must be wondering, 'why a battleship? Why not a pt boat, or a destroyer, something with less firepower?'" The admiral turned to me and answered himself. "Thats because you are not in control!"
Oh no.
"This vessal is fully automated. Your purpose, is to act as a living bank of experience for the AI to learn from."
"Do you have any idea of what you've done?" I glared at him.
"I do," he smiled as he answered. "I've brought forth the future. And you shall be the one to carry it."
A figure comes into the room.
"Sir, everything is nominal. Ready to launch at any moment."
"Good, Nautilus, put Kafka to sleep."
[YES SIR]
A robotic voice rang in my ears as my consciousness fades away.
————————————————————
"Fusion core online!"
"Ammunition fully stocked!"
"Supplies fully stocked!"
"Library vitals stable!"
"Very good." The admrial muttered to himself as he grinned at the departing ship. "Bon Voyage Kafka! Have a good trip!"
"Launch ship! Begin the sea trials! Nautilus set course to waypoint one!"
[DIRECTIVE RECIEVED]
The hull released a low magnetic hum as its fusion core and engines begun spooling up.
"Propulsion systems all green. So far all good sir." One engineer reported.
"Data link strength at full connection. No input lag reported." Another one responded.
"Good, make sure the library stays asleep, theres no need for it to awaken." The admiral ordered, "Are the drones following along?"
"Yes sir, all drones are recording their respective angles."
"Good, once Nautilus reaches waypoint 2, start preparing for test bombardments."
"Roger that!"
————————————————————
[WAYPOINT 1 REACHED, PLAYING PRERECORDED MESSAGE]
"Captain! I'm sorry. There was nothing I could do that wouldn't attract their attention. So, being the genius that I am, I've programed the AI Nautilus to be as forthcoming and helpful to you, all under the conditions that those corrupt things don't notice. This is the most I can do without endangering myself and anyothers who wish to help you. Whatever Nautilus does on its own is up to its own discretion. Good luck Captain, we hope to see you conquer the seas once again. 'Zephyr' out."
[MESSAGE FINISHED, SETTING COURSE TO WAYPOINT 2]
————————————————————
"Hows the connection to the Nest?" The admiral asked as Nautilus approached waypoint 2.
"The connection is strong and secure, ready to go at any moment sir."
"Good, start the stream, I would like to address the Nest before our demonstration begins." The general chuckled as he set himself up for his speach.
————————————————————
[APPROACHING WAYPOINT 2, PREPARING BOMBARDMENT SEQUENCE.
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
DECTECTING ABNORMAL WATER BUOYANCY. FLUSHING BALAST TANKS.
WARNING, VESSEL STABILITY COMPROMISED, UNABLE TO RECOVER. INITIATING LIBRARY RECOVERY SEQUENCE.]
"Uhhh…"
A low groan escaped from my mouth, nothing but dull pain filled every part of my body.
"Where am I?"
As I try to collect my thoughts, a memory takes hold of my consciousness. A familiar voice, with a tone filled with arrogance that manages to tick off anyone who hears it.
"So it seems that not everyone had chosen to forsake me."
[CAPTAIN, TRANSFERING HELM TO YOU, REPORTING CURRENT SITUATION.]
A sharp pain hits my head as a large stream of information floods my thoughts.
"What the f*ck?"
What kind of situation is this? Sudden water disruption? Unable to stablize the ship? Propulsion isn't working at all? What kind of a f*cked up situation is this? x2
Well first things first, start purging weight. Releasing all smoke and chaff countermeasures first, since they're the easiest to get rid of.
Hmm? Theres a drone out there recording us? How suitable that the first thing they see is a giant cloud of smoke and metal fragments.
————————————————————
"…So Admiral. Care to explain what is going on right now?"
Displayed on the screen right now was blurry, unstable image of an experimental ship deploying its smoke screen. With a large amount of whitewater surrounding the sea around it.
The drone operator pulled the drone back, restoring the image quality.
"Well I can explain." The admiral responded a little meekly. "There seems to be a anomaly occurring in the water surrounding the ship. And it is currently responding to the situation by discharging any weight at the moment."
As the admiral spoke these words, a sudden bright bluish pink light exploded from the ship, filling the screen and blinding everyone watching. Soon, the display shutsdown, eitha report from the drone operator that signal was lost with a high chance the drone was destroyed as well.
"Well admiral." A stern voice could be heard. "We would love to hear your explanation for 'this' and the next court hearing. Good day, 'Admiral'."