Chapter 141 – When We First Met (5)
One time we talked about the sea.
[Are you here after swimming in the sea?]
She said to me as I entered the central control room.
“Preload!”
The West Sea is not suitable for swimming, but the sea leading from the cave at the back of the shelter is an exception.
Due to its structure, deep water comes out quickly, and the nearby seabed is a rocky area, so the water is clean. There are no people, there are places to dive, and because it is in the West Sea, the water is warm.
If you have the opportunity, you can take off everything and bathe naked in the sea. Personally, I think this is the best beach in Korea.
The back entrance is a restricted area, so only a limited number of people can enter, but I am that limited number of people.
That’s right! I, too, am a great person. It’s not noticeable when you’re next to the truly amazing Artemis.
These days, I feel like Red watching Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption by my side.
“There is a perfect place for swimming in the back cave. There is a swimming pool at the shelter, but I enjoy being submerged in seawater in the cave more.”
[Soaking yourself in water… That’s terrible.]
Artemis shuddered.
For her, being submerged in water is like a death sentence.
“How good does it feel? “It’s a pity that I will never know this feeling.”
[I can do as much as I like, like swimming in the sea. Because we can create tens of thousands of realistic oceans.]
A beach scene appeared on the huge screen in the central control room.
There was Artemis who enjoyed sunbathing on a bench in a place where the waves hit.
Waves repeatedly crash in and out beneath her outstretched feet. It’s a pretty risky location choice, but if it’s not reality, what’s the problem?
[All scenery and environments are perfectly realized. Well, what do you think? Are you still going to act proud like this?]
“…”
I just stared in fascination without even having time to reply.
The cold-looking skin has an elegance that cannot be tolerated by any man’s touch.
Moist lips will still be sweet even if the salty sea breeze lasts 100 years.
Every time the wind blew, her brilliant silver hair flew around.
The soft moonlight shines all over her body, so it doesn’t seem like she needs any oil to block the sun’s rays.
Goddess.
There was no word more suitable for that appearance.
[Hey? Technician?]
Only after she called me several times did she come to her senses.
“I admit it is a wonderful sight. “It’s more beautiful than anything I’ve ever seen.”
[Right?]
The beach seen beyond the screen was more perfect than the real beach. This is because it embodies the impossible utopian nature in her imagination.
“But it won’t be as good as taking a dip in the real sea. “Human senses are amazing.”
[Isn’t it overrated? It is just an electrical signal.]
Artemis said dissatisfied.
“No. That’s not true. I am evaluating it properly.”
[Then try to convince me.]
Convince her, her supercomputer? No matter what logic I bring, it will be refuted with even more logic. After thinking for a while, I found another way.
“Due to the enormous difference in intellect between us, I am not confident that I can convince you scientifically or logically. So, let’s try to persuade him emotionally.”
[How do you mean?]
Artemis was interested.
This is because even she, the master of all numbers and logic, has the realm of her emotions unexplored. Just like quantum mechanics, she once tormented many scientists.
“Artemis, I want to give you a taste too. The feeling of submerging your body in seawater, tossing and turning in the waves, and the feeling of your feet sinking in each time you walk barefoot on the wet sand. When you wiggle your toes, sand and water flow down between your toes. The feeling of the cool sea breeze hitting your wet body, and the feeling of water droplets falling from your hair hitting your shoulders, chest, and thighs cannot be left out. “I want you to feel all these sensations.”
I was thirsty because I spoke for a long time, so I drank water. While everyone drank a glass of wine, Artemis waited patiently without contradicting what I said.
“I wish I wasn’t the only one who enjoyed this feeling, but that you also knew this feeling… I constantly have these thoughts.”
There are times when people feel this way, but it’s usually about delicious food.
However, Artemis’ experience lacks something very basic, even before the taste of food. Unfortunately.
“Then I am properly evaluating the value of the senses.”
Artemis still didn’t answer. In her central control room, only the sound of waves on the artificial beach she created resonated.
The sound somehow sounded very unstable.
* * *
Time continued to pass.
Events that occur and are resolved alongside Artemis. The feeling of seeing it is like witnessing a living legend.
In the past, it was explained as the relationship between Andy Dufresne and Red, but these days, it seems closer to the feeling of becoming Homer.
It feels like observing and recording a real-life legend. And that too by the goddess’ side.
‘Still refusing full sync?’
Even though the time to ask this question was slowly approaching, I did not dare to say it.
Because I was afraid that our growing relationship would be ruined by just one question.
Responsibility as a shelter manager took a backseat. I was prioritizing my relationship with Artemis.
“Ha, I’m in no position to criticize my predecessor.”
[What are you talking about?]
I was startled by the self-talk that came out without my knowledge.
“It’s nothing.”
[Hmm. Just focus on chess. You are losing.]
Even when she and I started enjoying various entertainment together, she never asked.
[I couldn’t match him, so I decided to show him a special favor. I will bring you down to the same level as you. Know with glory.]
I couldn’t ask her even when she was willing to temporarily downgrade herself to play with me.
[You have violated security regulations.]
Artemis once caught me violating shelter security regulations.
[This is not an issue that can be taken lightly. Although it is not a serious violation, it is a deviant act that approaches it.]
Deering.
[But I didn’t see anything.]
Even when she deleted her CCTV records and manipulated her ledgers in front of me, turning a blind eye.
I still couldn’t ask.
[Are you saying the overtime pay wasn’t recorded correctly?]
One month, I checked because my salary was much larger than usual.
[What are you talking about? You went to work that day. Isn’t it also captured on CCTV?]
My image of myself working hard was displayed on the screen in the central control room.
This is an impossible video unless I unconsciously used self-immolation.
“I was playing Raid at home on that date?”
It’s just absurd to me.
“Besides, I don’t have that kind of gangster hairstyle and I don’t smile like that, right?”
[Shut up and take my money!]
An animation character shouted from across the screen, holding a bundle of money in his hand. She was a silver-haired woman who had been redesigned in the Simpsons style.
“It’s not even your money, is it?”
[Yes. Here is the true monthly Lupine!]
She brushed her hair as if she was showing off.
“…”
It was also the same.
Beyond turning a blind eye to my violation of rules, she first illegally took care of my interests.
I didn’t ask if they could do full synchronization.
Maybe she was more scared because she was happy to be close to Artemis and have her take care of things for her.
There are people who think, ‘Is it okay to confess to you because you’re this good to me?’
There are people who take a step back, saying, ‘This relationship may fall apart.’
I wasn’t this much of a coward before.
* * *
Construction work to remove and reconnect all the lines connecting each control room. It wasn’t easy, but it’s coming to an end.
The saying that her time solves everything seems to also apply to her, her machine.
Artemis has changed.
She stopped talking about NASA at all.
We inspected, reviewed, and improved all aspects of the shelter construction together.
Artemis was completing all tasks given to her with 120% perfection, even those that were not assigned.
However, the shadow may not have completely disappeared from her heart. It just sunk deep, very deep.
The original purpose of Artemis’ existence was to pioneer the lunar world. However, realistically, it will never be feasible.
As a human, I can live my life wondering, ‘What should I do?’ About missions, but for her, as a machine, her purpose is her reason for existence. Every day is like being denied her own existence.
Of course, it cannot have a negative effect on her mind. In the meantime, it was painful to request synchronization of the shelter.
However, the completion of construction is imminent. Now you have to convince her to start synchronizing on time.
I thought about it for a while and thought about it again.
And she finally found the best way to do it.
“Haaa.”
After taking a few deep breaths, I called Artemis to the central control room.
[What’s going on, Doctor Seo?]
Artemis’ face appeared on the huge screen.
The title for me changed from Mr. Sir to Doctor Sir.
It is not just a relationship between a system administrator and a central control AI. They respected me even as an equivalent scientist with a doctoral degree.
[The heartbeat is extremely fast. But I don’t see any records of your exercise in the last few minutes. We will prepare medical support. Move to the intensive care unit.]
Instead of responding, I took another deep breath.
“Artemis, you are a goddess.”
He spoke in the most reverent and serious tone possible.
[…?]
She looked embarrassed when I suddenly said something out of the blue.
[I do not consider myself a goddess.]
Artemis said.
“Why don’t you think of yourself as a goddess? “The name Artemis, your mission to the moon, your great intelligence, your purity, you are wonderfully worthy of a goddess.”
Her rebuttal came back immediately.
[I am nothing more than a creature created by humans. It has no divine power or authority. Why do you think I am a goddess?]
Artemis seems to have perceived this conversation as a kind of philosophical play. There was great curiosity and a bit of enjoyment in her voice.
My plan is simple.
It is easier to grow firewood by adding firewood to an already burning fire than to start a fire from bare ground.
Artemis’ arrogance and pride. I plan to make these burn even brighter.
Let all the depression and sadness latent within her be swept away by the flames.
To the point where I trivialize things like synchronization and laugh at things like memories that were sold.
That’s my plan.
