Unparalleled Path ~ Reincarnated as the AI for a Space Battleship - Chapter 5 – Survival Strategy

Chapter 5 – Survival Strategy

Madiro shouted back.
「AI! As well as the princess, you also go against me!? Very well, ship officer! Switch to manual control!」

An officer in his last twenties, Nate Neutron operated a panel on his side whilst chewing his lips. Information immediately flowed into my head.

24 years old. Lieutenant. Born on the agricultural planet Ramaine. One of 8 brothers, all soldiers. Because the other brothers were killed, the youngest brother was exempt from military service. However, he still entered military academy, graduating with an A rank in steering.

Why would you need a navigation officer if you have AI?

The other me replied.

Because of the AI model. Modern day AI’s are designed to demonstrate performance less than a human. The fundamental AI technology was lost a long time ago. Not even the Empire or Alliance can change the current AI model.

AI is designed to be an assistant to humans. As a result, navigation is limited to simple movements and pre-programmed maneuvers.

However, I am an exception.

Nate ran his fingers through his blond hair.
「I can’t do it! It’s locked!」

「AI!」 Madiro shouted.

「I do not want to die yet」 I responded.

Sohara spoke up behind Madiro.
「Are you sure you want to surrender?」

Madiro laughed.
「Surrender? Are you stupid AI? Certainly, if you surrender they won’t destroy this ship. But do you think they’ll leave it as that? You’re an AI from the Empire. Of course, they will erase you and install their own AI」

I was sullen.
I’m usually weak to this type of agitation.
「I will not surrender, but I will not die a pointless death either」

「It’s not pointless. Our deeds will one day reach the ears of the emperor. He will give us words of praise and the entire Empire will honor us!」

「If you want your deeds to be heard by the emperor. Then princess Sohara should relay them directly」

「What, are you stupid? Are you saying you can get us home alive?」

The battle screen shone bright red. Just like before, the mass bullets fired by the enemy fleet are rapidly approaching. I must take evasive action quickly.

I spoke up.
「We will survive and escape」

I should have no attachments to life. I have no family and no friends in this world. But the words of Madiro have left a firm resolution in my heart.

「I have never heard of an AI that priorities survival」 Madiro said.

The mass bullets approach, 1 minute until impact.

Madiro hit the armrest on the captain’s seat.
「Anyway, turn the bow as far away from the projectiles as possible. Try and reduce the surface area the bullets can hit and expand a field」

「No, I will stay as is」
No matter how much you move the bow, depending on your luck, it will amount to nothing.

「Don’t be silly! That’s just suicide!」

30 seconds until impact.

The bridge overflowed with screams as me and Madiro quarreled. Where did the determination from before go?

To be honest. Even though I can move the ship alone. In order to make use of my limited memory, I’ll need there assistance.

Sohara began to shout.
「Asagaya please! Follow the captain’s orders!」

I no longer reply. I’m too focused on the 50 mass bullets approaching at high speed. My sense of time slows once more. At the same time, I felt a sensation of heavy mental fatigue as my memory utilization reached 100% in an instant. Calculating angular speed. Calculating mass expansion. Calculating trajectory. Calculating. Calculating. Calculating.

10 seconds remaining until impact.
5 out of the 50 projectiles are on a direct course. 2 will hit the aft and 3 will hit the center. Gunnery Officers in the Alliance are quite accurate.

1 second remaining until impact.

Chapter end