"Asimov proposed the three laws of robotics: A robot may not injure a human being, A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings, and A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law."
"Artificial intelligence and robots are not equal, but these three laws can also be applied to AI to constrain it from harming humans."
Lin gripped the control stick, his fingers lightly touching several buttons to bring up the system information. He questioned the nearby AI, which claimed absolute obedience: "Didn't Mei set these three laws for you?"
The voice this time came directly from his mind: "Doctor Mei set the Three Laws while adding a zeroth law that supersedes all three: An AI must protect the overall interests of humanity from harm. At that time, protecting Lin had a higher priority than Rit. Rit was an individual who harmed the overall interests of humanity, so I could not execute the command."
"..." Lin closed his mouth, beginning to familiarize himself with the controls, which were different from the last time. He tacitly accepted Prometheus's explanation.
If he thought about it carefully, he could find a loophole in Prometheus's statement. They didn't know Rit would do that then. Based on his previous behavior, he was more likely to abandon Lin and run away, and Lin's priority wouldn't outweigh the people in The Deepest Reaches.
But Lin didn't press further. Since Prometheus was dodging the question, there was no point in asking again.
Prometheus's mechanical voice echoed in his mind: "Simulation scenario: Changkong City. Neural connection confirmed. Ten, nine, eight... two, one, simulation starting."
Climbing out of the cockpit, Delta, holding equipment, waved at him: "Tough luck. Dragging you out on your day off again... Oh, wait, you don't seem to have days off, do you?"
The Moth of the Fire Chasers did have one day off a month, but Lin never took time off. He spent his time on missions and training, which is why Delta said he didn't have days off.
"It's fine." Lin stepped aside for the R&D department members to enter, then picked up his coat from the rack and put it on.
"The main body is almost complete. All that's left is continuous testing and modification. I can finally take it easy for a while." Delta knocked on the large iron shell and grinned. "You must be sick of constant simulations. You'll be able to pilot a real Titan soon."
"..." Lin adjusted his cuffs, put on the miniaturized system on his ear, and watched the information interface display through his contact lenses. He nodded silently.
"...I've been meaning to ask since you came in. Why are you today..." Delta rubbed his chin, giving him a knowing look. "Dressed like you're going on vacation?"
And it wasn't just a vacation; the neatness suggested a date.
"Heh heh, so the kid finally got a clue. Makes sense. You haven't rested for months since the Third Honkai War, and you've been on missions constantly for over a month now." Delta unceremoniously put his hand on Lin's shoulder, leaning in conspiratorially. "Who is it? Who? Elysia? I remember you two were together at the last Party..."
"Don't ask too many questions."
Lin shook off his hand, jumped down from the maintenance rack, and brushed off the dust before leaving the research department.
"Oh, even this kid has a private life now. Well, I'll be..." Delta shook his head in amazement.
"Captain, the mission report from yesterday is ready."
Immel, whom Lin encountered on the way, reported to him while walking. He had been running around with Lin more than Hua in the past few months, working diligently and following orders. If the squad were to have more members in the future, Immel would likely serve as Lin's second-in-command.
The mission report appeared on Lin's interface. After spending just over two seconds reading the detailed report, he nodded to Immel.
The report was over nine thousand words long. Immel spent nearly a day writing it. Only Immel himself knew the hardship involved, but he had no doubt that Lin could finish the report in almost an instant. He believed that if he asked Lin for the location of any sentence in the report, Lin would be able to answer.
"Alright, as for today's mission... Huh? Captain, are you planning to go out?" Immel, like Delta, had initially noticed Lin's unusual attire, but he thought Lin was just wearing casual clothes for once. It was only when Lin walked past the Seventh Squad's operation rest area that he asked hesitantly.
Lin briefly replied after submitting the report: "Yes."
"Is it a private mission?"
"No, today is my day off."
"...A day off?"
"A day off."
"Wait a moment, Captain." Immel seriously blocked Lin's path. He pulled out his communicator and dialed the cafeteria: "Hello, this is Immel from the Seventh Squad. I'd like to request an investigation into whether the food provided yesterday was spoiled... Yes, the Captain is showing symptoms of mental derangement. Please deal with this seriously..."
"..."
What did he usually think of me?
Lin silently had Prometheus cut off the call, instructing: "You and Hua continue training. I expect to be back tonight."
"Eh? O-okay..."
It took Lin about half an hour to settle everything. Most of the people he knew thought Lin might have taken the wrong medicine. Especially when Kevin looked at him with an expression that said, "You've finally gone mad," it left Lin speechless.
Elysia was out on a mission, which saved him from her endless questioning. Mobius was the same as usual. Her lab now had an efficient slave... assistant, and Lin rarely needed to help with anything except cooking. She didn't seek Lin out for most experiments either, which was convenient. It was the newly acquainted Vil-V who was the opposite... She occasionally called Lin over to assist with the testing of some inexplicable equipment. Today, she wanted Lin to help with "Girl Machine 2.0."
A meaningless name, a meaningless 2.0, and a meaningless requirement for Prometheus. From head to toe, it was all in Vil-V's inexplicable style.
"Oh dear, you're going out? Alright, alright. Could you at least leave Alpha? Don't worry, nothing will go wrong."
[I'll stay. You go on your "date"]
Prometheus was surprisingly proactive. Since that was the case, Lin transferred Prometheus to the terminal Vil-V had prepared. He glanced at the "Girl Machine 2.0," which was covered by a black cloth, unable to see what was inside.
It was short, barely reaching Lin's neck, and the width didn't seem wide either, making one curious about the true identity inside.
But Vil-V immediately shooed Lin out after receiving Prometheus: "If you're not staying, don't look. Go take care of your own business."
After closing the door, Vil-V walked to the terminal and said to Prometheus inside: "Alpha, won't you adopt my suggestion? Like installing a particle accelerator cannon..."
"..."
"Alright, you really are like Lin in this regard. You just ignore anything you don't want to answer."
Vil-V smiled lightly: "Then, let's begin. Another great invention by Ms. Vil-V!"