Ai No Kusabi Fan Fiction ❯ New Dawn On Amoi ❯ In The Beginning ( Chapter 1 )

Historical Fanfic - Jupiter's rise to power. This story is set approximately
400 years before Ai no Kusabi.
Based on the world created by Yoshihara Rieko.
Disclaimer: Amoi and Jupiter were both created by Yoshihara Rieko.
I am only borrowing them. I do not make any profit from this.

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He drifted in the realms of cyberspace, completely at peace amidst the endless streams of information. This was the only place he felt truly complete, interfaced with the mind of Jupiter, the Supercomputer that managed life on Amoi. He knew that soon he would be pulled back into the 'real' world, where he would make his report to the scientists there, but for the moment he was content to drift, one piece of data among millions, a part of the whole.

Jupiter was truly an amazing computer and she only became more so each time he interfaced with Her, his mind linked to Hers in the most total bonding possible. Jupiter's potential seemed as endless as the universe. Everyday the scientists in charge of the Jupiter Project worked on Her programming, adding a new and exciting facet to Her. And he was the only one who could truly see the results of their effort.

Contact came suddenly and with a sigh that was purely mental, he disengaged himself from Her, heeding the summons of the scientists outside with very little enthusiasm. They just didn't understand and probably never would.

"Jason, it is about time. You should have finished almost 15 minutes ago."

Doctor Hiroshi, a tall, handsome, darkhaired man stood over him, frowning disapprovingly. Jason sat up from the the specially designed chair, swinging his legs to floor. He pushed long platinum blond hair back from his perfect face and met the Doctor's stern gaze with one of cool blue.

"My apologies, Sensei. I did not mean to take so long," he replied quietly, his voice as cool as his eyes, devoid of any real emotion.

Doctor Hiroshi nodded. "We've been waiting for your report."

Jason looked around, noting the other scientists in the room, members of the Jupiter Project, which Hiroshi led. He knew them all by name,but never saw them outside of the labratory. The other scientists were seated in front of several terminals around the room, watching him. He gave them no more than a passing glance. They meant nothing to him, after all.

"Well, how does the new programming seem to be affecting Jupiter?" Hiroshi asked, annoyance showing just slightly in his voice.

Jason paused a moment to consider his reply, "I did not find any problems from the new programming, Sensei. She is still working at maximum efficiency. Her comprehension levels seem higher as well, though it is too early to be sure."

Doctor Hiroshi smiled triumphantly and there were some congratulatory remarks among his team.

"Excellent. We will have it perfected soon. Jupiter will become the most perfect Supercomputer in the known universe, as well as the most incredible Artificial Intelligence. We are definitely doing our work perfectly, and soon it will be complete," Hiroshi decided. A murmur of approval followed this statement.

Jason sighed softly to himself.

Doctor Hiroshi leaned forward and spoke quietly, so that only Jason could hear. "Jason why don't you go take a break before your afternoon classes start? We are done with you for today. I'll see you later."

Jason nodded and started to leave, but Hiroshi stopped him.

"And, Jason," Hiroshi continued, just as softly, "Don't make me remind you. Jupiter is an 'it', not a 'she'. Computers do not posess a gender. I don't want you to imprint one on it."

"Yes, Sensei," Jason whispered as he once again turned to leave. Behind him Doctor Hiroshi turned his attention back to his team, dismissing the young man from his mind.

Jason stood in the hallway outside the lab for several seconds before turning away and walking slowly toward the elevators that would take him to the Domitory, a special wing in the Central Complex where he lived, along with the thirty others who were like him.

Well, almost like him.

Jason freely admitted that from the thirty survivors of the Genesis Experiment, he was the pinnacle. Which was why he was the one chosen to be implanted with the mind link that allowed him a direct mental interface to the supercomputer Jupiter. With this mind link, he was able to 'see' into the mind of Jupiter and analyze the effects of the programs installed by Doctor Hiroshi and his team. Jason did just that for Hiroshi and nothing more. However, in his free time, Jason had often used the mind link device to hack into Jupiter's database and study the Supercomputer. She was his only passion.

Jason walked slowly down the Domitory hall, lost in own thoughts. His room was the farthest from the entrance. Several other Genesis survivors passed him on their way out and bowed slightly to him. A certain rank had been established among them and Jason paid them no mind. He reached his room and laid his palm on the keypad. His gaze travelled over the sign above it as he waited for the scanner to read his palm print. The sign gave his ID number for the Genesis Experiment, number 305M and then his name. After a moment the door whooshed open and he entered, letting it slide shut behind him. He set the door on a privacy setting and dropped into his overstuffed chair.

Jason had decorated his room simply, in blue and white. It reminded him of his favorite view, the sky over Tanagura. He leaned back into the chair, eyes closed, letting his thoughts continue to wander along familiar paths.

The Genesis Experiment was his life, his and thirty nine others. Ten of the forty infants created had died during childhood from various reasons, leaving the thirty survivors. The experiment had been the scientists of Amoi's first attempt to create perfection in the form of genetically engineered children. All of the infants had been designed to be highly intelligent as well as physically beautiful, perfect in every respect. Jason and the other survivors were fast approaching their fifteenth year and for the most part the experiement had been deemed a success. Thirty male children, young men now, with blond hair and blue eyes, each exceptionally gifted and trained since their third year in various fields of scientific study. Some had shown a talent for chemistry, some for biology, biochemisty, physics, geology, genetics, every major aspect of science.

Jason's specialty was computers. At the age of five, Doctor Hiroshi had become his official Guardian. At the age of ten he had been implanted with the mindlink device Hiroshi had designed. His access to Jupiter, granted by the mind link, was supposed to be limited and controlled by Hiroshi, but it had not taken Jason very long to hack around the safegaurds installed by the good doctor. Hiroshi had not considered the possibility that Jason would do so and Jason had been careful to keep Hiroshi unaware.

Keeping Hiroshi in the dark had not been all that difficult. The Doctor, like most of the other scientists, still considered Jason and the other Genesis members to be easily controlled test subjects. On Jason's suggestion the other Genesis members had done what they could to enhance this misconception. If such simple human blindness allowed the scientists' creations to learn enough to eventually overcome them, that was the fault of the scientists. At least, that is what Jason hoped would happen.

Jason exhaled slowly.

It was not that he had any hatred for most of the scientists that ruled Amoi, the men and women who had created and raised him. It was just that he and the others had come to a realization that apparently none of the well-meaning scientists had. The goal the scientists had set for themselves was impossible. Their dream of a perfect society could never be as long as human nature decreed otherwise. Human nature did not allow for such a thing as perfection. Even the Genesis members were imperfect. All of the Genesis members had been created sterile, as a means of controlling the core group. Still the scientists considered the Experiment successful, as far as it had gone.

Now the scientists had a new project; to make Jupiter, their supercomputer, which they had created their supposedly perfect society around, into the most perfect and complete Artificial Intelligence in the universe. Once all the programs were installed, Jupiter would be able to think and reason like a human being, and not merely process information as a computer. She would be self-aware and Jason could not help but wonder what She would think of the scientists and their society. The Jupiter Project was the one project Jason was in agreement with the scientists on; after all, a computer program had to be perfect to run properly, so providing all went well, it was possible perfection could be attained with Jupiter.

However, in other aspects of life on Amoi, Jason did not understand how the scientists could believe they were near perfection. Their society as it was now still had its imperfections. The majority of the populace was happy and in agreement with the leaders of Amoi, but there were those who were left out or overlooked. There were people who had been here before the scientists and settlers came, who were not considered part of the perfect society. Those people were disliked and distrusted.

And then there were the Genesis Experiment members, who, due to their classification as androids, were still considered as an experiment and not as citizens of Amoi. Considering all of this, perfection was obviously an abstract idea in direct contrast to the nature of humanity. To believe in absolute perfection and to strive for it, seemed beyond illogical to him and he had been trained to think logically his entire life.

The bell on his door rang once and it slid open, pulling Jason out of his musings. As there was only one person permitted to open his door through a privacy setting, Jason did not bother to look behind him.

"Hello, Jason." Rand said as he entered the room.

The other Genesis member smiled slightly as he settled himself on the edge of the bed across from where Jason sat. Rand's appearance, like all the Genesis survivors, was very similar to Jason's. A perfectly proportioned body, beautiful facial features, they might have each been made from the same mold were it not for the slight variations in facial features, hair and eye shades, and height. While Jason's hair was platinum blond, Rand's was a deep honey gold. Jason's eyes were an ice blue. Rands were deep royal blue. Both were close in height, seperated by only a couple centimeters, Rand being taller. Both young men wore the uniforms that all Genesis members wore, a simple dark blue pants and jacket suit.

"Rand," Jason replied, with a nod and slight return smile. "Anything of interest today?"

"Not paticularly. Biochemistry just doesn't have any major projects underway right now. We just finished our part in terraforming the Northern sector. Rumor has it that phase two of the Genesis Experiment may be starting but I am not sure what our involvement will be in this. I doubt it will be anything major."

"Of course. We are officially still part of the Experiment. Our part is to be studied," a slight overtone of bitterness edged into Jason's voice. Rand nodded in agreement.

"How about Jupiter?"

"They have transferred almost all of the programs into Her and my analysis was good. Doctor Hiroshi and the others intend to install the rest this afternoon. They don't need me again until tommorrow. They want to give the programs time to run. And to see if Jupiter responds."

Rand shrugged and leaned back on one arm. "Do you really think it will work?"

"Do you mean, will She really become a self-aware A.I.?" Jason raised one finely arched eyebrow. "Jupiter is already halfway there. Since they have started this last batch of installs, Jupiter has seemed to respond better. It feels almost as if She is on the verge of awakening on Her own. It is possible that with time She could develop to that stage even without Hiroshi's programming."

"So you are sure?"

"Only of the programming. Once She starts thinking for Herself, rather than just obeying commands, I can't really say what will happen."

"I wonder if the good Doctor has thought this through as much as you have."

Jason shrugged elegantly. "Doctor Hiroshi is the leader here. It is his ideals that have brought all the others this far. Who can say what he has thought of. Everyone respects his opinion though."

Rand's blue eyes bored into Jason's. "Even you?" he asked quietly.

Jason frowned. "You know better. I think he is obsessed with his ideals of perfection. I think he has his blind spots. And I think the future will become very interesting." Jason's eyes were a cold as the ice at the northern pole.

Rand nodded once. "So, where will you be this evening?"

"After classes?" Jason's voice was as cold and distant as his eyes had become. "Resting, where else?"

Rand nodded and gave Jason a knowing look. "I suppose we should go eat now. It is noon and class starts in less than an hour."

Jason closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, the chill had receeded somewhat. He pushed himself up out of his chair. "Agreed. Let's go."

Afternoon classes were five hours long starting with History right after lunch, followed by Advanced Mathmatics, Arts and Literature and then a hour of free time in the gymnasium. The classes were designed to give the young men a more well-rounded education, especially since they were so advanced in their scientific studies. The classes, with one exception, were taught by civilian professors who had come to settle the rural planet with the scientists.

The classes had been implemented five years ago at the suggestion of the original psychologist who had kept an eye on the Genesis survivors. When he had died, the new psychologist, Doctor Kaine, a tall redhaired man in his late twenties, had continued the classes, determined to teach the young men more about the other aspects of human civilization, not only science and technology. Jason thought Doctor Kaine was one of the more intelligent members of the Genesis science team. Perhaps because Kaine understood people better than most of the others who were too involved in their research. It was from Kaine that Jason had learned most of what he knew about the world outside the Central Complex.

Perhaps that was why he and Doctor Kaine got along so well.

Jason spent more time talking with the psychologist than with any other scientist, except Hiroshi. He and Kaine usually talked after class for some time, when the opportunity arose. Jason ,like all the boys, also had a meeting with Kaine at least once a month. Those meetings were usually one of the high points of the month for Jason, but sometimes Kaine could be difficult, asking questions Jason wouldn't answer..or couldn't answer. This upset Kaine more than it did Jason. There were just some topics Jason saw no point in discussing.

At the end of that day's class, Jason had noticed Kaine watching him as he left with Rand and the rest to go down to the gymnasium. It had been obvious that Kaine had been hoping Jason would talk to him, but Jason was not in the mood for a discussion today. Jupiter was taking up to much of his attention. All afternoon, he'd been unable to think of much else. Besides, their next scheduled meeting was in four days. Kaine could wait.

Jason spent an hour swimmming in the large pool with Rand, then went to dinner. After dinner most of the Genesis group pursued individual studies, or discussed the day's class topics with others. A few would return to the gym, to swim or play games.

Jason almost never participated in the evening activities. He wasn't expected to. Hiroshi had ordered Jason to rest in the evenings, saying that his work with Jupiter was too important. So nearly every night, he returned to his room alone, while the others spent their freetime however they choose to.

Alone in the Dormitory, he stripped out of his uniform and stepped into the shower stall connected to his room. He washed the last of the pool smell from hair and body , enjoying the flow of the water down across his back. After he dried off, he climbed into bed and was asleep in moments.

It was late at night when the call came. Still groggy from sleep, a strange oppressiveness in his mind, Jason hit the respond button on his intercom without opening his eyes.

"Jason, I'll be waiting for you in my apartment, " Doctor Hiroshi said. "Don't be long."

The implication there was 'Don't make me wait.'

"I'll be there shortly, Sensei." Jason responded, voice glacial despite his sleepiness. The intercom went dead and Jason pulled himself out of bed, glancing at the clock. It was a hour after midnight. He shook his head, attempting to clear it, and pulled himself out of the tangle of blankets. Turning the lights on low, he opened his closet. He pulled out a pair of loose white drawstring pants and pulled them onto his lean form, tying them across his hips. Next, he grabbed a light blue button-up shirt and pulled it on, buttoning it most of the way up. He stepped into a pair of light indoor sandals, buckling them at the ankle. Slowly he ran a brush through his waist length hair, pulling out the tangles and letting it fall freely like a silken curtain.

Dressed again, though in casual clothing, he opened the door to his room and stepped into the Dormitory hall. Most of the other doors were closed, their occupants fast asleep. Only further down the hall, did Jason find two open doors. One was Rand's and there were voices coming from within. Jason approached it and poked his head into the room. He cleared his throat and the two inside jumped in surprise.

"You do know it is after curfew, don't you?" he asked.

Rand shrugged, "Sorry Jason. We were involved in a rather interesting discussion on a theory. Kevin and I disagree on it. We must have lost track of the time." Kevin, Rand's companion, had light blond hair that was not as pale or as long as Jason's, nodded in agreement.

Jason nodded once in understanding. "Well it can wait until morning, can't it? Curfew was three hours ago. Take it up again tomorrow. You both work in the same field."

"Yes, Jason." Kevin gathered up his notes at Jason's order, giving Jason a half bow in the process. Rand only gave another minimalistic shrug.

"No problem, Jason. He isn't likely to convince me anyway. What about you?"

"My Guardian called," Jason replied flatly, "I'll see you in the morning." He turned and left then, continuing on his way out of the Dormitory.

Once he was gone, Kevin sighed. "Well, at least his Guardian still makes time to see him, even if it is at such a late hour."

Rand stared after the departed Jason. "Go to bed, Kevin."

Kevin gave him a strange look as he left. Rand shut the door to his room and climbed into bed, but it was a long time before he was able to sleep.

Jason walked down the deserted halls of the Central Complex. The building was mostly empty at this hour. With the exception of the Genesis group, ten residential scientists and a small contigent of guards, no one else stayed in the huge structure that was the heart of Tanagura. Doctor Hiroshi, as the leader of Amoi, had a residence on the floor below his office, at the very top of the huge skyscraper. His office took up the entire top floor, along with the true heart of Jupiter. Jason had never been allowed on the top floor.

Two elevators and a security checkpoint later, found Jason standing outside the lab he worked in, halfway to Hiroshi's apartment. As he went to pass the lab, he decided to stop and look in, arrested by the strange feeling that someone was in there. Once the door opened he was rather surprised to find the lab empty. After a moment he shrugged it off and continued down the hall. An elevator bay waited there, with a high security check point. Jason typed in his ID number, and then submitted to a retinal scan, bending down to look into the lens of the scanner, before being allowed to pass onto the elevator.

This elevator opened into an glass-walled room that allowed an incredible view of the entire city, at this hour sparkling with enough lights to rival the stars in the heavens. Jason gazed down at it for a moment, mind blank, before crossing to the entrance to Hiroshi's apartment. He took a deep breath and laid his palm on the keypad.

The door slid open before him and he stepped into the first room of Hiroshi's large apartment. This room was Hiroshi's unofficial office, containing only a desk, a computer terminal and Hiroshi's collection of antique books. Jason crossed the room without looking around and entered the next. A sprawling living area lay before him, containing three leather couches, two chairs and a large vidscreen. Several expensive, antique paintings hung on the walls, elegantly framed. Jason had expected to find Hiroshi here, but the doctor was nowhere in sight.

The sound of glass clinking on glass drew Jason's attention to the kitchen to his left. A moment later, Hiroshi, half dressed, in a pair of pants and undone shirt, stepped out from there, glass in hand. He paused when he saw Jason and studied the young man, his eyes travelling slowly from head to feet and back again. Jason said nothing and gazed back, blue eyes cold.

Hiroshi was a tall, well-muscled man in his early thirties. His brown eyes always seemed to burn with a light of their own, giving his gaze the intensity of a panther's. His black hair, styled short, never had a single hair out of place. His lips were full and sensous, his smile could charm almost anyone.

Hiroshi wasn't smiling at the moment, however. He raised his glass and downed it in one long, slow drink. Jason could smell the alcohol from across the room. Finished, Hiroshi set the glass on a table as he crossed the room to Jason, towering head and shoulders over the young man. "You're late."

"I know, Sensei. There were some others violating curfew."

"And, ever obedient, you sent them to bed," Hiroshi snorted derisively. He reached out and grabbed Jason by the chin, tipping his head up to glare into Jason's cool gaze, his thumb caressing Jason's cheek. "That is no excuse. You obey me. Never make me wait for you again." He trailed his thumb along the soft flesh Jason's lower lip. "You belong to me. Understand?" His voice dripped cruelty, and Jason winced inside, though he didn't allow Hiroshi to see any reaction.

"Yes, Sensei," he answered softly, his voice glacial and distant.

"Good," Hiroshi purred. His hand slid around to tangle in Jason's hair, pulling the young man's head back as his bent down and pressed his mouth against Jason's, his tongue driving relentlessly into Jason's mouth, as the young man gasped in pain and surprise.

Jason struggled against Hiroshi for only a moment before his extreme self-control snapped back into place. It was no use. Hiroshi was still too strong to over come. He bore it all passively, but inside the anger and hatred crystalized. Someday, he would see Hiroshi dead.

Three hours later, with the sky beginning to pale in the east, Jason emerged from Hiroshi's apartment. He rubbed gently at sore wrists, unshed tears visible in his ice blue eyes. Calling the elevator, he began the long trip back to the Dormitory. He hurt in more ways than he thought possible, but he should have expected it. Hiroshi was incredibly inventive.

Back in his room, he stripped out of his pants and tossed the torn shirt down the garbage disposal to be incinerated. Pressing the switch on the wall, he reopened the shower and stepped in. The warm water eased over his aching body, as he rested against the wall of the shower. It was along time before he turned it off. Towelling off quickly, he staggered over to his bed, and dropped into it for a couple more hours of sleep. He fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, ignoring the strange, persistent buzzing that he had ' heard' all night. Only then,when he was fast asleep, did the tears finally come, leaking down his cheeks and soaking into his pillow.

To Be Continued...

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Notes:

This fic actually began with the question "Why does Jupiter put up with all of Iason's shit?". It was also meant to be a one shot, but I am afraid it got too long. Anyway, after some thought I came to the conclusion that perhaps Iason reminded her, in a way of someone else she had known in the years of her existence. Hence, Jason, Hiroshi, the Genesis Experiment and all these others were born. I have enjoyed my little foray into Amoi's possible past. I hope you do as well. If you have any questions about this, or want to offer an opinion (constructive criticism only, don't just say "your story sucks" and leave it at that) feel free to write me. Happy reading!