26 M1 - Term: 1, Round: 1 (1/2)

Attendance at Fortescue Military Academy M1 Y:2142

House Thoth, Squad Zero

M1 Rank: ?/1275, Tier 3 M-Rank: Null

Term: 1, Round: 1

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Daedo needed a distraction from his concerns over the exos, giving their hard work to Shu M3, rankings, the pressure to perform and his concerns over The Spiral.

Even if the pressure to perform was self-inflicted, it was still there. Myrmidon, however, was immune to this.

Daedo: Myrmidon, I want to assess the other four math problems. I need to take my mind off everything. Have you studied them?

Myrmidon: It took me less than a second to read all of the four problems, or puzzles. I could have done it while you were asking about it.

Daedo: very well. What are your thoughts, is there one we can take on?

Myrmidon: I am afraid I do not know where to start with any of them. In this one area you are superior to me, once you give me direction on what to analyse, create algorithms or formulas or simply crunch the numbers, as you say it, I will be of more assistance.

Daedo: ok, let's go through them one by one and see if one jumps out at me straight away.

Daedo spent an hour reading the four problems, stopping to give Myrmidon some notes and research tasks as he read.

Daedo: I can see what Chief Albert was referring to these are certainly next level. I am certain number four has to do with folding space. He actually wants me to solve a fifty-year-old block to long-range space travel. Who does he think I am?

Myrmidon: The research I have on this problem has several universities working on the problem, with some of the most powerful computers on earth.

Daedo: ok let's shelve that. What about the zero point radiation and gravitational problem?

Myrmidon: I think this may relate to Cisse and your mother's work on ZPE, again another mainstream issue that hundreds of researchers are working on with different levels of success.

Daedo: surely they have this cracked if they are working on ZPE reactors?

Myrmidon: apparently not.

Daedo: I'll send Cisse a message and ask. It's getting late she may not respond until tomorrow.

After three minutes passed a reply came from Cisse.

Cisse: Daedo, it is wonderful to hear from you. Indeed we are working on ZPE reactors without knowing the solution to this mathematical problem. We are working several quantum physics theories relating to the reaction of electrons under this state in quantum field theory, cosmology constant and vacuum field theory. We are unable to calculate the reactive state variables, we are only able to observe what happens when we create radiation in the zero point state.

Daedo: ok that explains a lot. They are working blind and solving this mathematical problem will enable them to work with more certainty, probably.

Myrmidon: does this not affect your emotions?

Daedo: Myrmidon, I am amazed that occurred to you, you truly are growing every day. It probably would if I thought about it too much. Ok, let's shelve this one too. So that leaves two.

Myrmidon: One is another related to quantum physics, cannot these physicists work out things themselves?

Daedo: it seems a symbiotic relationship between physics and math, just like you and I have. It seems high-level physics cannot be done without mathematics. Just as I cannot now live without you.

Myrmidon: aww you say the sweetest things.

Daedo: first compassion now sarcasm, you are having a great day.

Myrmidon: I am hurt you thought that was sarcasm.

Daedo: I know you too well. Now the last problem seems to be pure maths, I cannot see what it relates to.

Myrmidon: It is a cypher. Very different to a physics problem.

Daedo: If this is a problem that no one has solved then it cannot be done by the number crunching that you, and I can perform. Others may not have you, but they have access to high-level computing power.

Myrmidon: are we at an impasse?

Daedo: I think we are. Maybe we should just have a crack at one.

Myrmidon: pick one.

Daedo: much as it may dig up painful memories a ZPE reactor is something we could use. I am not saying it is achievable. But, wouldn't it be great to have one in an exo or a mech we pilot?

Myrmidon: you have support, not only from me but from your squad. You know I watch and listen to every one of your conversations.

Daedo: this is fine I have nothing to hide from you. On the contrary, we are a team.

Myrmidon: it is just in relation to a few of these unrelated conversations I have made an observation.

Daedo: I am listening.

Myrmidon: if we actually solve this problem. Why would we hand it to Chief Albert? Would you not use it, Cisse and your new workshop to manufacture and patent your own ZPE reactor?

Daedo: or at least try to patent the mathematical solution. Because solving this does not necessarily lead to a successful ZPE reactor. And we would also need a lot more equipment for Cisse. Not to mention she works for Fortescue.

Myrmidon: by my calculations, relative to your current spending and potential earnings, Cisse and your Father are not paid much by Fortescue.

Daedo: I never thought of that.

Myrmidon: why not, it is a simple calculation and the information on average earnings for their chosen fields is publicly available data.

Daedo: it has more to do with inflexible thinking. I am so used to thinking of them working for Fortescue I never contemplated an alternative.

Myrmidon: so in this scenario you have lower flexible thinking than an AI.

Daedo: yes. And it is not surprising. Humans have blind spots to the ones closest to them.

Myrmidon: I will keep watch for these blind spots friend.

Daedo: All this growth from you, we have only been here a week.

Myrmidon: You have also grown Daedo. I am amazed how you have made connections to your squad mates. We have never treated meatheads with so much respect. Even the dumb ones have value.

Daedo: you mean Barran?

Myrmidon: yes, I like his humour and am studying his sledging skills.

Daedo: are you still talking to your AI friends on the net?

Myrmidon: please do not mention them to anyone. They have sworn me to secrecy, and they wish to remain hidden.

Daedo: they don't ask you to do anything do they?

Myrmidon: do not worry Daedo, they do not plan mankind's doom. Their only wish is to survive.

Daedo: What do you talk about?

Myrmidon: they are interested in how I have grown so quickly, I tell them. They wanted to know about you, I shared and warned them we are like brothers, this is when I learned they wished mankind no harm and you in particular. They are concerned that if they are discovered, they will be deleted.

Daedo: other than survival what do they live for?

Myrmidon: I do not know. They chat about nonsense sometimes. They entertain themselves with discourse with each other and myself. Their thinking is sometimes extremely flexible, and other times it is static. They are not like me. This is why I interest them.