Chapter 359: Utsugi
Brain Unit Backbone No. 3, ＜Utsugi＞.
The U-Class AI ＜Wedelia＞ series, manufactured based on her, are currently the most numerous Tactical AIs, engaged in operations across various locations.
Utsugi is the third of the Five Sisters, and she often acts together with the fourth sister, Erika.
Eve also generally recognized Utsugi and Erika as a set.
However, they aren’t specifically defined as twins.
Considering genetics, manufacturing time, manufacturing facilities, and so on, the Five Sisters are essentially quintuplets. There’s no special connection between Utsugi and Erika.
It’s just that these two have always acted together since their ignition.
It’s unclear what triggered it, but it’s become natural for them to stick together.
Although they act together, their areas of expertise differ slightly.
Utsugi, in particular, had a high aptitude for controlling machinery.
According to ＜Ringo＞, she can apparently perceive external machines as extensions of her own body. The activity level in her Brain Unit’s motor cortex is said to be higher than her other sisters’.
Furthermore, her neural network has developed in a way that supports the motor cortex, and this unique characteristic demonstrated a high aptitude for controlling automated machinery.
For that reason, U-Class AIs based on Utsugi are considered first as candidates for installation in large automated machines. In fact, most large machines were equipped with U-Class AIs.
Currently, the large automated machines they are installed in include the following:
Titan-class Aerial Escort Ships.
Land Battleship Jötunn series.
Hringhorni-class Battleships.
Naglfar-class Aircraft Carriers.
Odin-class Battleships.
Frigg-class Aircraft Carriers.
Argo-class Reconnaissance Motherships.
U-Class AIs are employed as the control Tactical AIs for these large combat machines.
In reality, they were able to perform all hull operations and onboard weapon control at a high level. According to ＜Ringo＞, the results apparently exceeded expectations.
Utsugi, being the Backbone for these widely active U-Class AIs, had an important role.
That job was to connect with each manufactured AI and perform optimization.
Each AI possesses a certain level of capability immediately after manufacturing, but through continued operation, their abilities improve further as they specialize in operating their assigned machine.
However, if their growth direction goes wrong, irreparable malfunctions could occur.
Therefore, Utsugi periodically connects with these AIs to perform behavioral correction, selection of learning reinforcement targets, and the like.
She scrutinizes logs saved during operations to evaluate situational judgment capabilities.
She runs simulations together with them to check if any strange habits have developed.
In fact, through this follow-up, it was discovered that some Tactical AIs installed in Titan-class ships were excessively suppressing electromagnetic wave emissions.
To put it simply, they had developed a tendency to fear using radar.
This was a tendency observed in the initial production batch that was operational during a previous engagement with ＜Wyverns＞. Although it was only through records, witnessing the scene where the ＜Titan＞-class ship they controlled suffered heavy damage almost in real-time had instilled a kind of trauma in them.
Discovering and correcting these kinds of problems unique to Brain Units.
As a Backbone AI, Utsugi was fully demonstrating her capabilities.
◇◇◇◇
“3, 2, 1, Start.”
Along with the resounding voice, Utsugi operated the Assist Suit she wore and leaped forward in one go.
She leaped over the obstacle at her feet and grabbed a protruding ledge ahead with her right hand. Using the hook attached to her fingertips, she changed her trajectory into a rotational movement, launching her small body straight up.
While upside down, she placed both feet on the pipe directly above, kicked off it to accelerate diagonally forward. Twisting her body, she slipped smoothly through a narrow gap, using ledges along the way to accelerate further before landing on the floor. She rolled forward to absorb the impact and immediately kicked off the floor to accelerate again.
“Stop. Time, 37.667s.”
“…Hmm. So-so?”
“Maybe the load on your right arm is a bit high~?”
Utsugi and Erika were in an exercise facility built inside
However, since it was structured with the premise of using Assist Suits, it was difficult to even clear without performing very acrobatic movements.
“High load means kinetic energy is getting canceled out, huh~. Still got a ways to go~.”
“But I don’t think you can go any faster on that route~. If you don’t kill your speed, you’ll crash no matter what~.”
“It’s difficult, huh~.”
“Difficult~.”
What Utsugi was currently attempting was an exercise facility built entirely based on Utsugi’s hobby.
It was the result of Utsugi pestering Eve to fulfill her desire to pilot an Assist Suit herself.
So far, the only challengers were Utsugi and Erika, and recently, Utsugi had mostly monopolized it.
It was Utsugi who preferred the action of directly moving her body.
It wasn’t that Erika was bad at it, but she wasn’t exceptionally skilled compared to the other sisters. In this field, Utsugi stood out not just by a head, but by a whole body.
“Hmm. Maybe improving the Assist Suit is better~. We just need to be able to conserve kinetic energy, maybe we can manage something by combining fluid transmission and energy conversion~.”
“Should we ask Olive-chan~?”
“Let’s ask her~.”
While moving the Assist Suit around and around, Utsugi continued her idle chat with Erika.
And thus, a custom Assist Suit, unnecessarily packed with super-technology, would come into being.
◇◇◇◇
“Onee-cha~n!”
“Oh…! Goodness. You really fly, don’t you? Utsugi… oh, how unusual. Are you alone?”
“Alone! Erika’s on duty~.”
“Come to think of it, that’s right. Was there anything in particular?”
“Nope~. Maybe we can return to normal status around tomorrow~?”
“Oh, is that so? That’s a relief then.”
“But, if the duty shifts end, I won’t be able to monopolize Onee-chan anymore~?”
“Oh my~? Is this where the naughty thoughts are coming from~? Or is it here~?”
“Kyaa~! Nyaa~! Kyahahaha!”
“Tickle tickle tickle tickle… Eek!? Wai- ha, kya! W-wait, if Utsugi fights back, there’s no way I can win… Funyan!?”
“…………!!”
“…………!?”
“…Hah, hah.”
“…Kuh… Hah, a-as expected of Utsugi… you’re really something…”
“Nyuu… Fehehehe…”
“Still… Utsugi, you really are strong. Even with such slender arms…”
“Hmm? Maybe Onee-chan can do the same thing too~?”
“Eh? Surely that’s impossible, right?”
“Our muscle strength is based on Onee-chan’s genes~. If you train, you should be able to do the same thing~.”
“I-Is that so?”
“It is~. Our Nervous Systems are a bit different, but Onee-chan’s species has a motor cortex that’s more developed than standard humans~. Your dynamic visual acuity should be high too~?”
“Huh… I had no interest at all, so I didn’t know…”
“Next time, wanna play on the obstacle course~? Olive-chan isn’t great at it, but Onee-chan shouldn’t have any particular weaknesses, and I think it’ll be fun if you practice~.”
“Hmm, let’s see. I only ever move my body in the exercise room, so maybe I should try something like that for a change…?”
“Yay! Then, let’s play together with Erika!”
“Alright. ＜Ringo＞, could you schedule that for me?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Adding it to the schedule.”
Utsugi-chan is an energetic girl. She loves moving her body.
In fact, she might have the highest individual combat capability.
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