Building the Collateral - 88 - Early Access (Patreon)

Did I want to know where HORUS found a spare server on the cheap? Not really.

But when Jean mentioned the steal of a price, I considered how much work Veronica had been doing this entire time within the constraints of the building digital architecture. According to her, it wasn’t like that’d been insufficient- the closest comparison would be just having a simple desk in front of my office. A perfectly serviceable arrangement.

However, I also had to consider the growing number of NHPs being found on Cavia. Kaldun was one such individual, and apparently one of the two senior advisors being recommended via the SSC was too. Though it wasn’t yet settled on if I’d hire them or not, it felt only right to spend a little extra for more suitable accommodations. If nothing else, I suppose Jean might be pleased by having a little desk space set aside whenever he dropped by in passing.

Which would hopefully help keep the HORUS affiliates pleased and not causing corporate anarchy.

Already, the purchase was paying off tremendously from what Veronica quietly messaged me with. Our latest digital guest was seemingly impressed by the service provided, good receptions being something that could translate between reality and code. So that worked out to leave a hopefully positive first impression.

Now it was time for me to make my own thoughts as well as the projector flickered, bringing forth two more digital avatars to the conversation. Veronica appeared as she always did, ready to assist me in whatever manner necessary. She even prepared a little introduction for my benefit. “Commander, if I may. This is Miss Kishi, who wishes to offer her services as a veteran educator for our people’s benefit.”

“Thank you Veronica.” She nodded and drifted backwards a bit, allowing for the foreign teacher to stand before me by herself. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kishi. You may call me however you wish.”

“Premier-General then, as is your official title.” The SSC entity bowed in greetings, then glanced at those lancers present. Her gaze passed over Erica, lingered briefly on Luna, and finally settled on Morgan before widening. “Oh my. Is she the rumored ward I’ve been hearing of?”

“My niece,” I smoothly clarified, watching carefully. “Morgan, do you wish to introduce yourself?” I suggested, not realizing my mistake until it was too late.

“Um…sure?” She rose up from where she was seating and hesitated. “Well, er. I’m Morgan. Nice to meet you?”

…Right, I’m guessing that whoever previously took care of here didn’t teach much about proper etiquette. Not that I was expecting something like proper noble greetings, but I’m fairly sure my very distant ancestors from Karrakis are probably rolling in their graves. Because there’s being simply uncouth, then there’s...that.

Yet to her credit, Kishi took the very awkward introduction in stride. Maybe she was used to worse. “It’s nice to meet you too, Morgan. I’m glad to hear that you’re being cared for now.” She glanced my way. “Would it to be too forward for me to ask about her prior circumstances?”

“Such things are, for now are, on a strict need-to-know basis,” I plainly told, not yielding a single step on the matter. Morgan herself also kept quiet on the matter, understanding that her muddled origins as they were deserved a layer of secrecy until we could uncover the truth ourselves.

The denial did not damper Kishi’s spirit at all, the NHP simply giving an understanding before returning to studying the fidgeting girl. “I see. Hmm, do you maybe have a frame of reference as to whatever you’ve learned, Morgan?”

She perked up slightly. “I do. I read and solve a bunch of workbooks in this series. It was something to do about a farm, I think.”

“Oh, we’re in luck. That’s a series published by an affiliate subsidiary, so I am very well-versed in it. Please describe it a bit more.” Kishi listened patiently, likely taking digital notes in her head as she assessed my relative’s state of education. “Thank you. I have a good idea where you roughly are in terms of learning now. You are likely only just slightly behind your peers in terms of basic education.”

“Is…that a bad thing?”

“Not necessarily. Maybe a few extra classes and worksheets for a bit, but you’ll be ready for advanced schooling soon enough. So don’t worry, you’re not going to be left behind by your classmates if I can help it.”

Interesting. I did get the same impression that Morgan at least got something about equal to basic schooling in spite of her circumstances, but it did seem that Kishi did have a more specific understanding of just where exactly the girl fell in comparison to others of her age. Which was hopefully a good sign of that stated career as a veteran educator.

Then of course, the HORUS in the room spoke up. “Pft. Education, schducation!” Luna declared with a snort. “Girl’s already a whiz as a pilot. Does she really need anything else?”

That earned a furrowed brow from Kishi as she turned to face the streamer. “You’re…hmm. Far be it for me to tell you who to associate with, Premier-General, but you understand where this one’s loyalties lie?”

“I do and for the moment, they have been a good ally of my administration.” I ignored the vtuber sticking out her tongue at my labeling and continued with addressing her. “Luna, this isn’t about what you think. It’s about what Morgan wants.”

“It is,” my niece confirmed with a faint, but determined nod. “I want to learn with Icihigo and everybody else.”

“Then do it out on the field, because trust me- advancing schooling doesn’t teach you s- stuff.” She quickly amended, perhaps out of habit or in response to the heated glare her way from the teacher in the room. “Look, maybe some stuff can come in handy here and there. But if you ever really wanted to learn about something, you know what’s the best way? The omninet, where there’s no shortage of passionate experts that’ll probably satisfy your hyperfixation or teach you what you actually want to know within minutes!”

When put that way, the terminally online woman did have a point. Because of the omninet’s galactic reach, it was technically a great resource for connecting or finding expert material on sites relevant to such topics. Even better yet, because of such a wide reach, it was practically a guarantee that said author would surely be very passionate about the subject if they went out of their way to contribute. There of course were fakes and misinformation, but the sheer volume of accurate sourcing did usually outpace those of ill-intent swiftly enough.

However, there were some things that couldn’t just be accomplished via video essays, especially when it came to a growing mind.

Kishi seemed to recognize that quite keenly and delivered a rather scathing rebuke to Luna. “It isn’t just about knowledge. It’s also about learning and developing social skills alongside,” she argued back with some heat to her voice. “Something that I am inclined to believe you might also benefit from.”

The streamer took that rather personally. “Hey, I’ve got friends! I’ve got Jean, my…manager. Um…my gal who…drags me into League queues as her healer…” Luna looked down at her hand, the lack of raised fingers a rather damning statement. Her head next snapped to face Morgan with just a little bit of desperation. “And Morgan! Hey Morgan, you’re a friend, right?!”

“H-huh? I-I mean…” She coughed awkwardly. “I guess? But I don’t think in the same way as Ichigo…”

“...Stars above, she’s got more friends than me at her age.” Luna whispered in a near-horrified tone, dropping down into a crouch and clutching at her head. “Oh no. Dark days of my forbidden past, begone!”

Veronica helpfully set a temporary mute on the streamer’s mutterings so that the conversation could continue unimpeded. It was then the turn of the one lancer who had remained quiet at the entire debacle, staying silent through the rather slapstick drama until it was actually time for business. “Advance schooling’s not something that comes cheap or easy,” Erica mentioned with a knowing gaze. “It’s one of the big benefits offered by the Colonial Legion even. Free attendance at a campus of your choice after your tour’s all over.”

“You speak like somebody that’s taken advantage of it,” noted Kishi, calming herself. “And the Premier-General is of course a graduate of a naval academy.”

“That’s the truth of it- but I don’t think that makes me an expert on how to establish or run such an institution.” My finger tapped once against my desk. “If anything, I think that my own learning heavily featured more about military service than anything else.”

“So too do the affiliates universities,” grumbled Erica. “You’d think the recruiters would relent when it’s no longer the fresh blood, but they’re even more ferocious when they sniff colonial veterans too. Anything for that juicy reenlistment bonus I suppose.”

“I see.” The NHP paused, analyzing my words before voicing the subtle implication in them. “You don’t seek to replicate such curriculum on Cavia?”

I exhaled, thinking on the academy project a bit more. “It’s hard to say. While I recognize that a military education can lead to better officers, I also do want this place made at least accessible to civilians as well.” I nodded to my aide and Veronica manifested a folder that was offered to the interested Kishi. “It’s still a work in progress for sure. I’ve only just recently set out feelers to congress about whether or not they would support a project of this scale, so if it’s too soon or needs additional revisions, there isn’t much of a commitment yet-”

“No, no. You need to really start laying down the groundwork already,” Kishi told, flipping quickly through the proposal with a visibly excited expression. “This is more than what I expected. You actually seem to have put real thought into what subjects and topics you want to be made available for the students to learn. It just needs some fine-tuning and clarification.”

“It’s a little rushed,” I confessed and looked at my niece. “I only recently revisited the subject because of Morgan. It would be a terrific shame to let her waste her days away doing nothing but consuming media. Then I scaled that issue up to our entire populace and discovered plenty reason to truly commit to it.”

“Uncle,” said girl told with a slight blush. “I…don’t watch television all day. I hang out with Ichigo too.”

“Who is only one minder away from breaking the lock on the power tools to get to work on heavy machinery,” I drawled, earning a small giggle from her. “At least by turning it into like an optional workshop class to get hands-on experience with working on frames, she could earn academic accreditation for it.”

“Which would serve her well in whatever future she deserves with such effort.”

Exactly. Since Ichigo was Morgan’s friend and seemingly personal mechanic, it looked pretty much a given that she’d follow her anywhere. Meaning that it was best to not just wave a hand and let her join our logistics corp, though I’m sure Lieutenant Nasir would welcome the help. But knowing the supply officer, they’d honestly also want to insist that Ichigo go to school instead of the military first.

Which led me to think about how many locals probably also should take that advice. Because as it currently was, their love for big mechs would ordinarily channel them to the military. Which was always a hard decision, as it was a far different life than remaining a private citizen.

Hence adding a new pressure valve to the influx by way of academic expansion.

The proposed academy would be a chance for higher education beyond basic schooling. The goal was to begin cultivating local talent and experts, then stressing that the military surely wasn’t the only option for them. That had been something that was so characteristic of SecComm successors, what with the massive streak of militarism that ran alongside Anthrochauvinists.

Go figure that the humanity supremacists were obsessed with having the best military, for all the wrong reasons.

However, it would be incredibly remiss for me as well to pass up on the opportunity for talented leadership for our own ranks. And also just a little bit hypocritical, considering my background. Plus, Morgan had mentioned…

“If Ichigo decides to tag along, then I’ll follow her to keep her out of trouble too,” my niece mentioned, reminding us of her presence in the room. “I don’t like fighting. But if I have to in order to protect my friends and family, then I won’t back down.”

Yeah. As much as I really wished otherwise, Morgan had already made up her mind about keeping her options open. In which case, there was naught an uncle could do but make sure she at least got the very best- and that she had enough time to really grow into it. “Both her and you would ideally keep the learning at the academy instead of on the field,” I laid out, earning her attention. “You’re far too young to come along with us.”

“Absolutely,” added Erica with a grunt. “You’re younger than my first deployment even. I told you to run for a reason back then.”

“Indeed. That casual readiness to venture out too…I suppose I need to perhaps talk and see about what counseling services we can offer,” Kishi noted in a softer tone. “Many accompanied the expedition and are more than ready to offer their services too, Premier-General.”

“Both theirs and yours, I believe we can make use of.” My mind was made with how impressively Kishi presented herself. “For the moment, the Department of Education within the Cavia Committee has yet to be defined. But I would like to work in cooperation with you to lay out a path for it in time.”

Her avatar flickered briefly, an expression of surprise from what I knew about Veronica’s own little tells. “I…I would be honored to work in partnership with your administration. It is a great opportunity to bring higher learning to Cavia, made available for all.”

“Yeah, yeah, just don’t make me have to attend too,” Luna loudly added as she eventually undid the mute on her side. “I’m too cool for school.”

Something like a sigh came from Kishi’s synthesizer. “The option will remain open regardless. It is never too late for one to learn something new.”

“Uh-huh. Speaking of which, wanna tell us about the SSC shuttle that just landed?” Luna pointedly looked past the teacher’s shoulder and at the doors. “It’s apparently causing something of a stir outside.”

“She is right, Commander,” Veronica informed me a moment later, rapidly blinking as she processed information from the perimeter. “There is a…highly unusual disturbance. Something to do with the expedition.”

I raised an eyebrow and looked at Kishi, issuing a plain demand. “What is this all about?”

My concern only grew when the educator’s face soured into a twisted expression, taking on a look akin to having found something quite distasteful in a plate of food. “It’s just them. They cause a stir everywhere they go,” she explained as if that made sense. “I suppose that since you’re SecComm successors, there’s obviously going to be some awkwardness to this all.”

Huh? What does that mean?

Veronica spoke a moment later. “They are pressing forward to your office without waiting for authorization. Stating, in brief summary that it is quite unfair for Miss Kishi to present herself first without consultation.” My adjutant pursed her lips. “Shall I order security to stop them?”

Maybe my curiosity was piqued a little too much, as I rather thoughtlessly waved the offer aside. I almost wanted to meet whoever could make an NHP clearly passionate about learning suddenly so intolerant. I also wanted to figure out myself why there might be anything resembling gauche in this supposed first meeting with a representative from so far away.

Plus, detaining somebody the SSC sent my way willingly would have considerable political optics, regardless of reason. I trusted my guards to know the difference between real danger or plain stubbornness too. If their judgment was wrong, then maybe all these lancers in my office could prove an emergency safety net.

That turned out to be quite an erroneous presumption when the doors swung open to let them in.

Morgan’s reaction was visible shock, her entire body freezing up in the moment at the sight of a very alien sight.

Erica’s breath hitched and her eyes narrowed, fingers twitching in the direction of her holster as if remembering old disputes.

And Luna capped it all off with a very violent swear. “Holy shit, it’s a bug!”