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Chapter 140: Echelon In Trouble!

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[Master, there are movements in the security team of the Hotel! Mom said that Boss is in danger!]

Lily didn't want to startle Amanda but she was also obligated to inform of things that may also affect her as a guest of the event.

On the call, Amanda frantically asked, "Thorn, can you hurry a bit? Rex's in trouble..."

[Can you add more?] Asked Lily.

[This isn't enough to combat the enemies trying to hurt the Boss but to help mom lessen the burden, it should be enough.]

"Please continue to persuade them. I will try to repay you back after this is over."

Thorn was about to say that Amanda didn't have to worry about it but when she saw the worried expression on her face that didn't even look at her display, he gave up and nodded.

"Thank you." this time Amanda looked at Thorn's display and said.

After he spoke, he paused the video link and it went black as Thorn switched to a different call.

"Lily..."

[I'm connecting now.... connection established... I am now linking to mom's online network... loading all battle parameters... initiating counterattack...]

*****

"What?! Is it another AI?"

Chronos was startled. For a foreign AI to be able to give a "punch" this strong, it only meant that it's not too far off from [Database] in data-processing capability —meaning, it was as strong as Rex!

By now, they have already dismissed the notion that the Echelon Network was created by a Battle-AI because they've now pointed the arrow to Rex, as the creator of that network security program.

And yet, just as they were about to jump in joy, an unknown AI suddenly came out of nowhere and made this entire notion alive again.

How could they not be surprised?

"Where's it coming from?"

Chronos wasn't stupid in computer but he wasn't a noob in programming either.

Still, the term "eternity encryption" eluded him that he just had to ask, "Old coot, what are you talking about eternity this and that? Explain to me! Why can't your [Database] crack this Battle-AI although it was actually weaker than it?"

The old gangster was frantic and livid, aside from actually being excited as well. This surprised the Abraxas Family Head. There're only a few things in this world that could make an old man like this Goldwyn to go smiling about like that and this had something to do with technological geekiness!

"What then? What made this weak Battle-Ai very special than the rest?"

"NANI?!" the news greatly surprised Chronos. It should be said that every copied 'soul' from the world-wide identification scan eight years ago, are used to fuel the launch of [Project Salvation]. The project itself wouldn't have been possible without those 'copied souls' so they had to make sure that every 'copied soul' was used and that not one of them were leaked in the outside.

They were sure of it. None escaped. Nothing was leaked because the security of the entire installation procedure was supervised by [Abraxas] and [Database] at the same time.

So they were sure, they were utterly, very, sure that all 200,000 copied souls were installed inside the incubation program of what it was now today as the universe of RPG: Terroa.

And so, Chronos was shocked... how?

How could a copied soul escaped the detection of the two [God-AI] when, from the extraction to the last seconds of the installation procedure, nothing included external connections and that everything had happened in a closed-network environment?

Thinking about it, Chronos shot the old gangster a finger, "Stop messing around! Not one Fluctlight escaped our detection so how could a copied soul be out there outside of our jurisdiction?!!"

While he was angry at this mishap, Goldwyn was not overly so,

Chronos inhaled deep. If this is true, then there's a lot more reason to actually launch a cleansing campaign amongst the World Nobles.

What if their NLD-exclusive technology, the STL, was actually copied by outside forces?

(AN: reference in Vol_5 Ch_12)

No.

It's impossible...

Every NLD is installed with a wireless locator that operates outside of the Neuro-Net Connection. If the NLD goes outside the grid or it disappears inside it, the local Panorama-HQ would have been alerted about it.

Manually disabling the player-security features will not render the NLD incapable of use. Only when it was "hacked" or when it was "disassembled' would this locator feature be activated.

Every NLD was installed with the Soul Translating Language (STL) which was a software component responsible for converting thought processes of [Users] into avatar-action commands. Before this, there is only the [SCAN] (Sensorineural Copying Ascription Neuro-Transmogrifyer) device which was an earlier, more medically basic version of the current NLD's STL Program developed by the Kingsley Doctors for Panorama Corporation.

The NLD's [STL Function] was the improved form of the [Scan]. If selfish and evil third party radicals get their hands on it and try to tap into its system, unless they were as strong as Cortana who could cancel and trick the "security locator" wirelessly as well as being an exception even if he did managed to disassemble the NLD, anyone else would have to face the vengeful wrath of the UNICORN.

It was, after all, their prized technology.

So far, no one had managed to escape this locator scan aside from Rex's disassembled NLD since it was already altered by Cortana. Every NLDs were all accounted for in the entire planet.

As such, there shouldn't be anyone who knew the secret purpose of the NLD, even if counting in the fact that they do know this secret function of the STL in the NLD.

Given that background, a Battle-AI with an Eternity Encryption shouldn't be possible—

——unless Rex's backers managed to replicate the [SCAN] device on their own.

"This is impossible! There were only us who knew the secret of the STL function in the NLD. No one should have been able to unlock this unless they have the same software skills as Pegasus!"

Pegasus is in [Moon Base] and it was a jurisdiction under the Abraxas, Goldwyn, and the Thornberry Families. Aside from these three families, no one else knew that Pegasus was alive, well aside from AG, perhaps, but even so.

There should be no one else who knew about the secrets hidden in the NLD.

Besides that, replicating the [SCAN] device was as hard as building the [Moon Base] because there are certain software requirements that only people in Alfred Pegasus's level are capable of doing.

It was also this "failsafe feature" that ensured that nobody else is capable of copying the [SCAN] and [STL] since it required a special understanding of the world of software development, not to mention that it needed hardware parts that the UNICORN is keeping an eye out for. Adding in the "locator" that quickly dispatches The Authority whenever a person or an organization tried to study it in depth, this tight (and also loose) security feature was one reason the technology wasn't easy to replicate.

"This is why I should have joined this earlier."

*****

"Argh!!"

Rex came back into hiding, in prone, clutching his head and grunting while chasing his breath. This was too painful to just endure.

[Boss, the pressure to the Echelon Network had increased to 45% of my limit. Lily has provided a 10% relief but the Echelon is still being attacked and there was a 5% erosion rate happening in the Echelon Network. I cannot increase more than the current limit since your Tolerance Limit could only go so far as this.]

Even with the current data-processing boost their current Echelon Network provided to Cortana, her limit of 15% still increased to 45% just to cope up with the pressure. But that's it. There are no more ways on how to increase that number since they also had to keep the anonymity of the Echelon Network from its infected computers or its hosts would begin a purge and so thereby also lowering the Echelon Network's rate even further.

[Lily said that there are support coming but time is all they needed.]

—and time, again, wasn't on my side!

Rex cursed.

The headache was too painful. The pressure from a software attack would have been easier to lever if only he had more time to sync with more of the NanoMechs in his body.

At this time, like a resounding boom, Rex imagined himself hearing something exploding like a bomb.

Just as he was about to ask, Cortana already made her report promptly.

[The attacks have intensified! They're breaching our defenses! Firewall integrity is down to 30%! I can't stop it with the current tolerance resource we are using, sir!]

Currently, Cortana had pulled out 45% of all of her data-processing power to power up the defenses of their Echelon Network. Even with Lily's help, it could only amount to little more than a tiny bit as the enemy was on Cortana's level paired with its superb state-of-the-art hardware setup.

With everything they currently have, 45% was the limit or else, any more than that and Rex would've lost consciousness here from over exertion.

And that would result in him failing the assessment event and thereby being absorbed as a prisoner/ slave/ grunter in the Abraxas Family.

If that happens, his plans would crumble to.

He can't let it happen...

...but he also can't let the Echelon Network fall!

'Damn it...!!'

Rex audibly clicked his tongue as he closed his eyes to endure. He can't pay attention to how he was being seen by Chronos just because he really couldn't afford to fake not being in pain at all.

'Use more! Use more of my brain tolerance! Do it now, Cortana!'

[Negative sir! I can't risk it. The pressure might end up releasing [Siva] and if that happens, I will die and you will lose your mind. I would've failed my master if that happens.]

Although it was an emergency, these words were still delivered in a calm matter-of-fact manner. Rex bit his lips. He wanted to quit right away.

Just then, on his scope, he saw people moving.

Enemies.

They were heading straight at his direction. When he looked again, he even saw the Squad Leader pointing at the exact place where he was hidden.

—how could they...

Rex realized, this squad might have used the scan feature and caught on his location!

"Shit." He cursed and aimed his sniper rifle then pulled the trigger. The reverberating gunshot rang in his ears with the shock wave of the large caliber and the recoil jolted his body, making him almost lose his consciousness as it only added burden to his already waning mind.

His first target was the Squad Leader and while it was hiding behind a rock, the rock exploded along with his body. The other candidates were shocked but there was someone who immediately took the leader's role and issued experienced commands.

Despite the pain, Rex still asked, 'Who was that?'

A pop up window appeared on his vision and the face of the man and his profile was shown.

'Elaphe... so that's him. Sorry bud, I want you in my team so you should die.'

Rex grits his teeth and just as he was about to pull the trigger, there was another illusory explosion in his head and he heard Cortana spoke again.

[Firewall defenses down to 18%! There's only two minutes until system breach!]

"Damn it!" he audibly voiced his frustration.

By now, he was sure that this attack had something to do with Chronos and that this pressure both inside and outside the Assessment Event were all designed to make him give up.

After all, if he does give up, then he'd become a part of the Abraxas Family so it was his win.

Whether the attack in his Echelon Network works or not, being defeated in either fronts will result to him losing everything he's been working for.

'Cortana!'

[I can't let you lose your mind, sir. My job is to be a support tool and my primary mission as an AI is to make sure that you will not lose your mind.]

—shit... shit!!!

——damn you Chronos!

In the two seconds Rex cursed in his heart, there was a change within the squad. Their earlier show of confusion was quickly resolved and an ordered structure was reestablished. They rushed towards Rex who was 1km away.

The pressure in the Echelon Network continued and even if the enemy's hacking didn't increase its intensity, their current defenses weren't enough to hold on to its inevitable defeat.

BANG!!!

Rex pulled the trigger and the recoil shook him once again. The tree where Elaphe was hiding in was destroyed and his body became hundreds of polygonal red pieces as it scattered about. In the vision of the candidates, there was no gore but it wasn't the same in Rex's who was seeing blood all over the place.

He pulled the handle to reload. The empty shell in the size of his palm jumped out of the heated lock chamber and a fresh bullet replaced it from below, readying the fire procedure.

BANG!!

Another bullet flew. Someone died again. But the squad's advance wasn't broken. They grit their teeth and charged, zigzagging, hiding into rocks and larger boulders, crawling into invisible angles and appearing on another place in this uneven rocky terrain.

—dammit! Just stay there! I don't have time to pay attention to you people!

[30 seconds to breach!]

Cortana's reminder only made his heart burn in his anger even more. He pulled the trigger, timing it to the moment the next target was about to hide.

Reload. Aim.

[25 seconds.]

Fire. Reload. Aim.

[20 seconds! Another group noticed the gunshots and is heading your way! 2 o'clock direction, 3km in range... they've purchased an air drop! Contact in 10 seconds!]

After Cortana's warning, the sound of an airplane crossing the wind barrier rung on Rex's right side and this also made the other squad wary.

BANG!!

Rex only listened but didn't let his guard down.

—just four more! Come on, stay where you are!

[15 seconds to breach. 5 seconds to drop!]

At this point, the plane went passed Rex's location and a group of people jumped out of the plane, the landing point was right behind his location!

"Fuck you!" Rex flipped his body and pointed at the sky and then fired at the first person he saw.

The bullet went passed the person and he died. It should be noted that in the Geneva Laws of War, parachuting forces shouldn't be attacked unless it was an all-out extermination war and not part of a conventional warfare. The difference between the two laws was thin but their relative importance to the kind of war being fought was largely essential.

This law was in place because parachuting people were essentially defenseless and those who break these laws are going to be subjected to attacks of the Unified Neutral Arbitrators Alliance Committee.

But then again, these laws do not apply here. Not to Rex Kingsley as he was now, at the very least.

For the candidates who were briefed by the laws of conventional warfare, since someone attacked them while they were still in midair, they were then entitled for retaliation since, if the Laws of War are to be followed, just as the ground forces wasn't allowed to attack midair troops, this is also applied to the midair personnel to not open fire to ground enemy forces.

These were the laws of "conventional warfare" in the modern world.

T-T-T-Ta~~!!

As series of gunshot were fired and Rex rolled to dodge, hiding in the ledge protruding from the cliff he was hiding on.

[Ten seconds to breach! Hostile targets, 300m on your four o'clock!]

Rex cursed, the headache was too great and he was chasing his breath, sweat trickling down his face and back.

He cursed. He was angry. He hated the situation.

'Cortana...'

Rex wanted to beg but he also knew that if he snap out now, Cortana might really vanish and he can't afford to let that happen.

But the thing is, he also can't let the Echelon get breached and his 'secret project' discovered by his enemies.

[I'm sorry, boss. I can't.]

Rex wanted to cry. He felt helpless. He can't get angry at her because he knew that she can't really defy his dad's orders. It was Neth Kingsley who's responsible for making Cortana who or what she is today to him.

"Damn you, Chronos!" he let out a curse and said the name of the person he targeted this hate into.

He gritted his teeth, stood up, leaving the rifle in his hiding spot, and drew the handguns from his thigh as he charged at the enemy coming from his behind. He won't go down without a fight.

"I'll kill all of you!"

*****

"Hm? Did he just curse me?"