Shin Kidou Senki Gundam W: Frozen Teardrop – Shokuzai no Rinbu Chapter 9

Peacecraft File 2

AC 145 WINTER

The explosion of the Earth delegation shuttle in the vicinity of the L-1 colony cl.u.s.ter was finally announced as an act of terrorist by colonial extremists. The sole survivor, Duke Cinquant Khushrenada, expressed his feelings [by stating], "I think it is regrettable that the path to peaceful coexistence between Earth and the colonies comes to an end," and the Earth Sphere United Alliance Army added that [it] ought to be stationed in the colonies [ALT: and CINQUANT added that the ESUAA ought to be stationed in the colonies #0]. Regarding Sabrina Peacecraft, who was supposed to have been the other survivor, she was reported by the ma.s.s media as having died with the other pa.s.sengers. Since then, no, since before then, history was full of ostentation and deception. Everything was handled with a (sort of) white washed interpretation [of events] that was favorable to the authorities. The colonies and Earth had decided that the AC 145 [shuttle] incident was the start of the antagonism [between them], but in fact this beginning is a fabrication through and through. On the one side, the rebels and United Alliance Army's deadlock in the Norther European kingdom of Cinq continued. The skirmishes at the (very) front lines were (see-sawing) one step forward and one step back; and despite the ocean blockade in [Cinq's] territorial waters that had been [in effect] for nearly half a year, [neither side] was able to make the decisive blow. Here a "buzzword" appeared. Though it truly was a momentary fad, it was (a word that was) exactly like it was the "truth" [ALT: it was a word that was taken at face value as being the truth]. Throughout history, these kinds of frequently appearing "buzzwords" often lead the ma.s.ses off in the wrong direction. In the AC era, it was this [phrase]:

Early conclusion

In truth, this was ceased-thinking conclusionism and simple logic. Of course, an urgent situation that is getting worse must quickly be ended. However, as the situation was at a standstill, it was not necessary to arrive at an immediate conclusion [at the expense of one] that would allow for a gentle, good change to occur. Speaking more concretely-

"Because people will naturally die as long as the war continues, and where a number of victims is unavoidable, it is better to use a WMD (lit: large scale weapon) and wipe out the rebel forces once and for all."

-is one mode of thinking. This loses sight of the real issue. At the same time, the people were under the impression that they had thought up the words themselves. [Because of that buzzword], there was a tendency to value an 'end' to the war over the 'life' of a person. Ma.s.s media, which caters to public opinion, also backed the irresponsible 'early conclusion.' The United Alliance Army executives decided to launch a nuclear warhead (limited area dispute use that is in the satellite orbit 216/3/4-6).

"Set the launch for midnight on November 27th [#1], colony standard time." That was, of course, an order of the utmost top-secret importance. All the people were being lead around by their noses with superst.i.tious sounding 'catch phrases' like 'it will be easier once it's over' without careful deliberation; they don't notice that they themselves are accomplices. Spreading thoughts of conventional conclusion didn't spread out 216/3/11-12. All they could do was move forward. They had lost the power to imagine. Humans who have lost their imagination can find value only in results. One may sympathize with this state of mind. And that is a terribly deep sin.

*

Sabrina was taken in by the Darlians. However, the Darlians were [no longer] affluent but had mortgaged their luxurious home and s.p.a.cious grounds and were poised to relinquish them in few months' time. Because their own country had been taken over by the rebels, the Earth Sphere United Alliance was imposing a heavy tax upon them. Moreover, the colonies' middle cla.s.ses gave official notice of 'wealth redistribution.' For the upper cla.s.ses, [they, the middle cla.s.ses] commenced the dismantling of the upper cla.s.ses' 'vested interests.' The ever-magnanimous Darlians accepted all these demands and chose to relinquish their fortune. A sharp decline began. [Katerina] had to give up the (early morning) horseback riding and s.p.a.ce walks. She even gave up her adored horse. Without the means to employ a tutor, it was decided that Heero Yuy would be discharged at the end of the month. For Katerina, that was the one thing she didn't want. Heero, however, consented. As he hadn't ever really done any tutoring, he had felt guilty about receiving the monthly reparation (lit: salary). When the seed in Katerina's heart sprouted with sadness, it probably had not yet been foreseen that this feeling would become 'love' in due time . It was Sabrina who breathed very different air from the Darlians [family] 217/1/4-5<. at="" this="" time,="" she="" closed="" her="" heart="" and="" did="" nothing="" but="" play="" the="" piano.="" she="" continually="" played="" chopin's="" revolutionary="" [#2].="" or="" she="" chose="" the="" difficult="" "mazurka"="" [#3].="" these="" songs'="" senses="" of="" speed="" could="" not="" be="" expressed="" if="" they="" were="" not="" played="" from="" memory="" [thus="" allowing]="" one="" [to="" focus]="" on="" the="" keyboard.="" but="" they="" were="" excessively="" elaborate="" and="" short="" in="" emotion.="" it="" is="" believed="" that="" sabrina="" definitely="" seemed="" to="" want="" to="" forget.="" her="" country,="" her="" parents,="" the="" people="" who="" had="" perised="" in="" the="" shuttle="" explosion,="" and="" now,="" even="" herself;="" [she="" was]="" now="" a="" n.o.body.="" yet="" the="" more="" she="" concentrated="" on="" the="" song,="" the="" more="" the="" faces="" of="" the="" people="" she'd="" lost="" came="" back="" to="" haunt="" her.="" she="" fell="" into="" a="" spiral="" of="" loss="" and="" the="" gap="" between="" herself="" and="" her="" surroundings="" widened.="" as="" a="" result,="" she="" became="" unable="" to="" concentrate="" on="" anything="" other="" than="" the="" songs="" and="" while="" the="" vicious="" circle="" continued="" without="" end,="" she="" continued="" beating="" the="" abyssally="" depressed="" keys="" [alt:="" she="" continued="" to="" be="" the="" keys="" in="" her="" abyssal="" depression="" [adjectival="" order]=""><>

Then, unexpectedly, she heard a voice speaking at her ear. If she focused too much on things, she would fall into an certain type of a state of trance 217/2/10-11. Despite the mezzo forte of the piano, she could hear the discussion of her littler sister Katerina and the tutor Heero Yuy in the neighboring room. Their voices seemed to have a certain anxiousness and reluctance in their soon-to-end relations.h.i.+p. It was a heated, lively discussion.

"Emmanuel Kant isn't saying 'one cannot lie' 'for the sake of eternal peace.'"

"Kant is saying that the foundation of moral metaphysics is: 'one must not tell lies whatever the circ.u.mstances.' So it stands to reason that it would be under that heading. For peace, 'sublime goals' and 'obligatory motive' are necessary and without that, if (decorating with falsehoods) isn't permissible, then b.l.o.o.d.y battle is also negated and peace that came of it will have no value."

Sabrina stopped playing, and she faced the adjoining room, drawing closer,

"Please tell me what you mean, in detail," Sabrina posed the question from the doorway. "I can accept that 'peace' is morally correct. Ergo, isn't it more important that 'peace' be achieved, regardless of the 'means'?"

"You're saying that peace achieved by military intervention is also just, yes?"

"Yes......"

"Come in......" said Heero, "you're wrong." Heero had two students for his final cla.s.s. [#3.5]

"I am wrong!" Tears flooded Sabrina's eyes. "Isn't it obvious that [I am? you are?]wrong?" She went sobbing to Heero's arms. Heero was perplexed, hit as he was by Sabrina's flood of emotion. "I want to see Sam...... I want to see Sam!"

"Sam......?"

Sabrina's emotional support was the cat Sam who she had left on Earth. Katerina was likely sympathetic to her older sister's state. But sure enough, seeing her snuggled against Heero and in tears unmistakeably disquieted her heart. Katerina's expression was different from usual. Gone was the carefree cheek, it was replaced with dark jealous/envy.

Even though we have the same face, Sabrina is an angel from Earth......I'm the lost child that was thrown away in s.p.a.ce.

That may have been the second when she realized the happiness which she had enjoyed was [actually] a 'hard life' that was [only] called 'freedom.'

*

Sabrina and Katerina were, on the surface, close sisters, but it was (perhaps) enmity neither one wanted to acknowledge that ran through their hearts. One might even call it an abhorrence of their closest relation. The two of them did not share a bedroom as if that were the most natural thing [#3.75]. Nevertheless, since their rooms were next to each other, it was possible for one to pay a visit to the other. That, however, had not yet happened even once. The siblings never spent the night talking, or shared their feelings or comforted one another. Undoubtedly any words they exchanged were empty ones. Worry for their country or thoughts of their father and mother (probably) only brought sighs and it was (probably) impossible to fill the deep gulf that had been dug between them. However, Katerina had been taught by Heero Yuy. If humans were intended to discover what it means to 'live,' each individual's thoughts were important and there was no particular need to limit it to history or place or environment. Setting aside the fact that her (older) twin sister--who was this young woman named Sabrina?--Katerina screwed up the courage to go and pay a visit to Sabrina's room.


"Sabrina, I want to talk to you!" Her graceful (older) sister looked at her blankly. "What is your dream? What do you want to be when you gorw up?" The value of a human living--Now is the time to discuss what we think of the future.--she recalled hearing that from Heero Yuy. Sabrina, however, shook her head.

"--I'm already dead [#4]."

Katerina argued without hiding her irritation, "You mean historically? You're breathing and crying and capable of love, aren't you?"

"What about you, Katerina?"

"Huh?"

"What do you want to be?"

Katerina asnwered the very next second, "An astronaut! I want to explore s.p.a.ce!"

"......but you're a girl."

"So what?!"

"What if that's impossible?" Sabrina's point was calmly made. Considering the actual state of affairs at the Darlians, they couldn't spend money freely [#5]. An astronaut, to become one would require a higher education with a huge price tag. It was only for civilians who joined the Earth Sphere United Alliance who were mostly exempt from paying those expenses. Katerina didn't want to enlist. She decided to select a different future employ. "Maybe a teacher at school......with my school record, though, that might be impossible."

"No, it's not!" Sabrina encouraged her with a smile. "You can talk about such difficult [issues] with Heero-sensei." Once she said that, she tried talking about her own dreams for the future. "I also want to teach--the piano to children, I'd like to have a quiet life."

"You could do that, couldn't you?! Since you're not a princess anymore."

"Y-yes......that's right." For most girls, they're pleased to be [just] 'a girl.' And [Sabrina] was always at war with that feeling 219/1/8.

"Sabrina, I'm beginning to see you in a new light."

"Katerina, you're a better sister than I imagined." They looked into each others eyes and decided to always trust one another there after.

*

Heero went to his college for the first time in a long while. More than six months had pa.s.sed since he had handed in his leave of absence form. Heero went to visit his friend Jay Null.

"Heero Yuy, good to see you." That underground lab was an eerie place. On the numerous, old-fas.h.i.+oned blackboards there were several illegible numerical formulae written, a stag's head that was a throwback to bygone days decorated the wall, and on the (plank surface) below it were a miscellany of notes posted without any s.p.a.ce to spare between them; the heaps of books, files, datachips [and what not] lay scattered as a result of an avalanche [their own great number] had caused; there wasn't even s.p.a.ce to walk in. The oddest thing was that [no one] had the foggiest idea what this man's specialty/major was or what he was researching.

"The next meeting is the day after tomorrow......everyone is welcome."

"That's not why I came here today."

"What a shame."

Heero had heard all manner of bad rumors about this man. [For example] that he was a vastly wealthy man because of the several fusion reactor patents he owned but was evading taxes and irrespective of that, he was providing his own research expenses by (cracking [#6]); or he was hogging the school's latest materials and apparently constructing something; or that he was so brilliant, the underground organization also saw him as a threat. Heero, however, wasn't very interested in any of those categories of gossip.

"What are you researching now?"

"Developing a new life form--I'm using silicon instead of carbon [#6.5]......it's, uh, actually a simple experiment." No sooner had he said that than there was a small explosion. "Cripes! Come on! Another failure? c.r.a.p!"

Clearing his throat, Heero held up a small plastic bag in which there was some/a cat hair.

"Actually, I wanted you to clone a cat from this fur."

As he patted out the fire burning on the desk, Jay said, "Oh, okay......put it over there somewhere......I'll bring it with me the day after tomorrow."

"You will? Thanks."

"Leave it to me, there's nothing I can't do."

*

Afternoon, two days later--

Jay brought a seventeen meter large-scale trailer loaded with what seemed to be a white-painted aircraft to the Darlian residence. It resembled a winged dragon with two heads.

"Buck up, Heero......for I have brought you the cat."

"What is this?"

"Once you see it, you'll see it's {Wyvern}."

"I asked for a Norwegian forest cat. The young lady here isn't hoping for a two-headded flying dragon monster."

"Well, I am appalled at your lack of common sense."

"I don't want to be told that by you."

"Listen, all you brought me was a single cat hair. Probably one from the lady's skirt--"

"That's correct."

"If it had had the root attached, it'd be different, but to (read) DNA data without any somatic cells would take a h.e.l.l of a long time. It wouldn't be possible (to do it) in just two days."

"You can't do it, then?"

"Didn't I tell you--there's nothing I can't do." Jay was smiling boastfully, "I applied a little artificial intelligence."

"Artificial intelligence?"

{Wyvern} was taken to the backyard. It would be close to Sabrina's and Katerina's rooms there.

"Originally, this {Wyvern} needed a servomechanism to make solo flight possible. This machine had to be freed from the instructions of the pilot, ground crew, and controller and from exact flight plans and all that. And I made it such that the system makes the machine land safely in any location, under any circ.u.mstances, the {ULS} [#7] is done by AI ((artificial intelligence))."

Heero was impressed with what Jay had said.

"I didn't know you were so well versed in that field."

"It pains me to say it, but my teammate Thomas Quarant programmed it." A small, pale man in round gla.s.ses came out of the trailer. He looked up timidly at Heero from the bottom of his gla.s.ses.

"I am Thomas Quarant. I am developing the first program that expanded the genetic algorithm using quantum computers 221/1/5-7. If I'm allowed to study with this, I can complete the artificial intelligence that can 'immediately judge the environmental situation and quickly calculate-disposal'--the {Zero system}."

"I don't believe such a fantastical system is necessary for just one cat."

"Heero, Heero, Heero......Quarant, did you connect the artificial intelligence to this computer?"

"It's already done."

"Well, let's hurry up and turn it on."

The machine called {Wyvern} bore a strong resemblance to the mobile armor form of the future {Gundam Epyon}. Near the end of AC 195, Doctor J was being held prisoner upon the White Fang's battles.h.i.+p Libre, but he learned of the existence of {Gundam Epyon} which had destroyed the Bulge Fortress. He had seen Treize's blueprints with his own eyes and among the (efficiency), he had some (beliefs/thoughts) about the transformative flight ability [Treize] called {mobile armor}.

"Whaaat, so this isn't Wyvern," he had seemed unable to prevent the nostalgia from seeping out into his voice. "Taking the lead from my bird mode, thinking of a design that makes a Gundam transform into a Wyvern is laudable...... however, the name mobile armor is a bit......" When he spoke of just how unfortunate that sole point was, he eyed the technical officer. "Did that Treize Khushrenada design this?" Doctor J tacked a "what a boorish name" at the very end.

But that is a terrible digression.

The two young students entered Sabrina's room and into that terminal unit they entered the cat data.

"The basic data of a Norwegian forest cat is in. Now, you have to input the cat's characteristics."

"What? But......" Sabrina was at a loss. Quarant asked questions as he nimbly typed upon the keyboard.

"What is the cat's name?"

"'Somewhere'......"

Jay was delighted, "Oh, that's a good name! Wouldn't that be a better name for this sytem than 'ZERO'?"

"But I call him 'Sam'."

"Oh," Jay said, loosing heart as he showed Quarant a photo of Sam and had him trace it in the monitor. And [Sam] meowed to Sabrina.

"Actually, we know quite a bit about you, my lady."

"Huh?"

"What, didn't you always come out to the outer wall construction site? We worked part time out there!"

"I loved those homemade cookies."

"......those [were made by] my younger sister, Katerina."

"Is that so?"

"......" No matter what, the conversation didn't pick up.

"Well, I suppose there's no help for mixing the two of you up since you're twins and all," said Jay with false cheeriness.

"Yes, yes."

Afterwards, Quarant asked Sabrina detailed questions and (repeated) the fine tuning. He spoke after hitting the enter key for the last time, "Okay, finished. Please try (corresponding) with 'Sam' as you did before......I'm positive the (learning fuction) will run immediately and he'll come to behave just like your 'Sam'." Sabrina called "Sam" and the 'Sam' in the monitor answered with a 'meow.' The voice and expression was just like the Sam who was still on Earth.

"I missed you, Sam."

"Meow, meow."

Seeing Sabrina like that made Heero and Katerina skeptical that it really was okay [to have made a digicat / #8].

"Isn't this the same as those pet-raising [simulation] games from long ago?" Sabrina asked naively.

"Absolutely not! This Sam has actual emotions!" Quarant vehemently denied [her statement]. He went on and on, speaking in [scientific] jargon but to summarize: intelligent beings pa.s.sed vaguely synthetic judgement with regards to their targets/objects 222/2/1-4. For example, imagine you are in a coffee house and you notice an elderly patron who you sense is irritate--[the synthetic judgement is] understanding how one feels this. One might understand from the position of his eyebrows or the [direction?] of his gaze or the expression on his face but not to what extent. The number of wrinkles in the paper that he's holding, the clatter of the cups, the oddly rough nose breathing, the inability to feel at home for all the excessive movement, or the sensitive response to each and every buzz in the air around--isn't that taking in the signs created by the whole body? 222/2/15-19 Until now, computers have diagnosed things like pulse, blood pressure, and (the numerical value of palpitations), but they hadn't come to the point where they could understand the mental state of an irritated old man. Conversely, [apply this] to an unsettled, lonely young lady. Healing that girl's heart won't take kind words, it is enough [to say], 'I'll simply be with you,' but if a computer doesn't understand feeling 'lonely' or 'anxiety,' the action is a superficial thing and lacks feeling. Apart from instinct, dogs and cats (judge) all the various trifling/trivial behaviors of humans and come snuggling up or take to someone. For that to happen [though], a certain degree of (experience) is necessary and by the same logic/reason/argument, a newborn puppy or kitten could not respond in this fas.h.i.+on. One had to make [the] vague and uncertain [human] feelings understandable in order to allow a computer to have feelings, but that required enormous volumes of information and communication in addition to experience and time. That was what Quarant spoke pa.s.sionately about.

--[To] introduce feelings to your partner ((target))--

Just to do that, it was apparent that the (high speed calculation disposal equipment) of quantum cla.s.s computers had to be developed/evolved. That said, Katerina and Heero only understood about half of that. Boisterous as usual, Jay put his arm around Quarant's shoulder and made to leave.

"See you later, Heero! That meeting tonight starts at nine in lecture hall three, you gotta come!"

"Y-yes......(but) are you leaving that Wyvern here?"

"Leave it alone until [we/I] can make/get a subst.i.tute A.I.! It was getting tough to hide it at school anyway! Don't you think that bright idea kills two birds with one stone? Ka ka ka ka ka [#9]......" And then, Hurricane Jay and Brouhaha Quarant left.

"They probably really just wanted to get rid of that thing......if the authorities [ever] found this, it'd be quite a fuss."

"I thought Sensei was [a little] strange, but your friends are even more so."

"Yes, that's about right."

Heero and Katerina let out a little sigh. To completely cover the giant, ominous machine with a sheet, they had no choice but to cancel their afternoon cla.s.s.

*

That night, for the first time in a long time, Sabrina decided to play Nocturne for the 'Sam' in the monitor. As she'd done before, she (tried) to say "play it once, Sam." Same gave a small "meow" and curled up. That little thing was just like the real Sam. So was the way he rolled over in his sleep during the song. Nocturne continued (forever). Sabrina's beloved peace of mind had returned. A quiet night descended. The song changed from Nocturne to Waltz No. 2. "Grand Valse Brilliante." [#10] Heereo and Katerina, who were in the backyard and felt compelled to finish covering {Wyvern} with the sheet, were fascinated by the waltz they heard [from the house]. Suddenly, Katerina faced Heero and with proper social manners said, "Sir, may I have this dance?" In living with Sabrina, she'd somehow picked up those pretty kinds of manners.

"In these situations, isn't the man supposed to do the asking?" Heero's wry/bitter smile was self conscious.

Laughing, Katerina answered, "Aw, [since] when did you ever think of me as a girl?"

"Since now."

--And tonight will be the last, won't it.

After this evening, Heero intended to quit being a tutor. He believed his connection to the underground activists Jay and Quarant would surely cause trouble for the Darlians. For the last night at least, it was (surely) alright to pretend to be someone else. Heero took Katerina's hand and danced elegantly. Under the star filled sky, their light steps pa.s.sed on endlessly 223/2/8-9. Though [dancing] on the gra.s.s wasn't [easy]. 

"Someday, at a party, I'd like to dance with you."

"Did you want to embarra.s.s me furhter?"

"No, Sensei......for a stick in the mud (頭が固いワリ), your rhythm is smooth and gentle."

"You're good, too, for a tomboy." There was nothing as beautiful as those two [as they] danced against the lights of the Darlian residence.

"Thank you for helping Sabrina."

"It's only natural to a.s.sist a pupil in a difficult situation."

"......so will you help me, too?"

"You?"

"Yes......I'm now in a lot of pain." After that were probably [going to be] words [of her] ("loving heart.") But the far off piano music had finished. And from the second story window, they heard Sabrina.

"Sensei, Katerina! I'm sorry I was having fun by myself! I'll come and help you!"

"It's alright, Sabrina......we've already finished," Katerina said. An infinite moment cannot last forever.

Heero looked at his watch and said, "I have to get going. Can't break my promise to meet Jay."

"The a.s.sembly? The student movement?"

"I'm just going to put in an appearance." And just like that, he went off into the darkness of the night. He didn't say goodbye. They were certain to meet again--. Beside Katerina, who was always seeing Heero off, was Sabrina.

"Did Heero Sensei leave?"

"I'm--"

"Huh?"

Katerina raised her hand in the direction which Heero had disappeared.

"I'm Katerina Peacecraft......and you are?"

Sabrina looked at her sister with wonder.

"What are you playing at?"

"It's okay......(now) I'm in the same position as you, Sabrina." At this time, Katerina was clearly aware that she was in love. She was simply happy to love him, Heero.

*

Hundreds of people had gathered in the college's underground lecture hall number three. Standing on a dais was a middle cla.s.s man with an air of a true intellectual.

"Our colonies have been living under a monarchy that merely calls itself a democracy [#11]. Long have we been suffering with excessive taxes. Must we continue to labor just so that the people of Earth may live in peace and quiet? We, the people of the colonies, pay taxes more than fifteen percent higher than those living on Earth. What's more, most of those taxes are used for the military expenses of the Earth Sphere United Alliance Army! This is outrageous! There is absolutely no fighting here in s.p.a.ce, why then must we pay war expenditures? That's not all! We citizens of s.p.a.ce supply many of the (materials) and safe produce for the Earth is the status quo, so why are we so oppressed?"

Heero entered the hall in the middle of this speech. Jay took swift notice, beckoned 'over here!' and had [Heero] sit. Even [catching] only part of the speech, he knew the man's a.s.sertions were (freedom principle advocating/自由原理主義的な) libertarian [#12]. Naturally, he could predict what would come next.

"Now we ought to stand up! We are not a people who have been thrown away! We are the people who, of our own free will, choose to live in s.p.a.ce! We have the right to live freely!" Just when the applause was about to start, someone in the front row raised his hand as he stood up.

"If I may? I am Cinquant Khushrenada, a member of the Romefeller Foundation on Earth." Those words threw the place into an uproar. It was shocking enough to have someone from Earth there, but he had some nerve to [wish to] express his opinion. And a small number of people in the hall recognized that he was the sole survivor of the shuttle that had just [recently] exploded. That [bit of information] was whispered around the room, an indescribable tension spread across the hall. Heero had seen that explosion with his own eyes.

"The other light that went in another direction [what his escape pod]......"

He hadn't asked the details [of the shuttle] from Sabrina. But the timing of it was [too] good and felt deliberate; he was dubious.

"Everything my esteemed counterpart [#13] has said is correct. But I have two or three particulars I want to question."

"G-go ahead."

"What is this 'freedom' you talk of? What is the 'right'? Do you intend to return this orderly world to lawlessness? If the law and taxation system are lost, your [own] livelihood and economy cannot keep going. Where upon 'freedom' will be lost. If the Earth didn't exist, you, my friends, who have rights, wouldn't [even] exist. Before insisting on 'rights,' I'd have you remember your debt to the earth. What would you have the mothers do when [it is time] they give birth? Independence is fine, to rise up is good. However, I'd like you to consider the things for which the Earth, as it exists now, are necessarily indispensable. That is to say, supporting the Earth has the [same] significance as supporting your [own] livelihoods."

Silence befell the hall. One person, only Heero Yuy, saw this scene as something to ridicule. Those were not questions or even refutations just now. It was nothing more than a one-sided telling of Earth's situation. That was how Heero a.n.a.lyzed it. Cinquant slowly climbed up the dais and presented a pistol and a short sword, [both?] embellished with gold and jewels, to the man who had been making a speech.

"It appears everyone already knows but, I am the one who, by rights, should have died in that shuttle explosion. If you, my good man, are wis.h.i.+ng for bloodshed, by all means, start with me (lit: run me through). If your will is strong, it should be an extremely simple thing. My life along with the peris.h.i.+ng of Earth! So, which shall it be, the sword or the gun?"

This gathering was for the sake of rising up, not a place for discussion. Much less the thoughts of shedding blood 226/1/12-14 [sentences seem contradictory].

"Would you mind knocking it off?" Heero Yuy stood up. "Not a one among us hopes for bloodshed! That doesn't depend on our resolve 226/1/19, it's because [I/we] wish for peace for the future of Earth and s.p.a.ce!"

"And you are?"

"A student at this school who also does colony construction."

"And what of future peace? I'd like to hear your opinion."

"[Just] as the colonies need Earth, Earth needs the colonies. What we don't need is antagonism [or] (I believe) this hatred for one another......if we can eliminate the unnecessary elements, our futures should see peace by themselves."

At the time, Heero's choice of words had become rather simplistic. (As expected,) the months spent with Katerina had (likely) changed him.

"In building a future for this grand Earth, there must be n.o.ble ideas [to serve] as the foundation stones. I want people to have more respect 226/2/7-8. We can obey you if [and only if] you treat us like humans. I'd have you remember that any and all humans are deserving of respect. If you rule Earth with justice, you ought to give us freedom. Just now, you asked, 'What is freedom?' The 'freedom' we want is a trifling thing. It's anybody being able to provide for their family. It's work being offered to any man. It's allowing those who desire so to continue along their scholarly path. Mankind dreams of a peaceful world where he may live in happiness. If this freedom will be secured, even we can accept the (legal order?) offered by Earth--" That probably wasn't the general will of the [people in the] hall. Freedom was, for a man, the absolute minimum right they would claim. It was an immature and naive idealistic theory but it touched many of the young people in the hall. "--And to complement this, would you please refrain from unfairly punis.h.i.+ng guiltless people by arresting and imprisoning them?"

"What is your name?" Cinquant Khushrenada asked.

"I am Heero Yuy."

"I'll remember that......"

And then the meeting broke up then and there without any further apparent ado. Later, (this) Cinquant and Heero became Earth's and the colonies' representatives and while recognizing each other, would come to have a connection that was equally matched in antagonism as it was in cooperation.

*

The ringing of an explosion was minutes after the [meeting at the] third lecture hall broke up. It had been caused by a timed bomb that had been set up by a special operative from the Earth Sphere United Alliance Army. The purpose seemed to be to stamp out the underground activists. However, with the appearance of Cinquant Khushrenada, that timing was lost and it had been [set] to blow at an [ill-defined] time (lit: made/allowed to blow at a vague time). It resulted in [just] a few victims. But it wouldn't end with just a few. Heero Yuy, Thomas Quarant, and Jay Null were among those few. Jay lost his left arm, Heero suffered large burns to the back, and Thomas Quarant was gouged through the stomach.

"We were fools......" Quarant said with feeble breath.

"Heero, help me get Quarant......if the authorities catch us, we'll be in a right fix."

"Y-yeah......" At this point in time, Heero was still in a state of shock (lit: stupefied). It might have been because of the ringing in his ears from the [sound of the] explosion. It might have been because he'd witnessed first hand [his] ideal get pulverized.

Quarant kept murmuring things meant to motivate [Heero/them], "An ideal is as an ideal does......" he laughed even as he coughed up a glob of blood, "I always knew it......a peace without fighting......"

"Of course that ideal is impossible......" Jay railed. "Enough already, shut up!"

Quarant, however, continued to chatter, "Just a little more and 'P4' {PPPP{{Prototype Perfect Peace Program}}} would have been finished......that's too bad."

"That program is too dangerous. Better it be unfinished." They heard the footsteps of a corps of military police. They'd surely followed [them] due to the large quant.i.ties of blood stains.

"Sorry......here is good......" said Quarant, somehow maintaining a distant consciousness. "Leave me here and go......" But the other two didn't obey. They'd elected to be arrested by the authorities just as [Quarant would be]. They believed forcibly taking Quarant any further would endanger his life. However, b the time the MP's emergency medic arrived, Thomas Quarant had already died from blood loss.

*

Even the Darlians were notified about the [bombing] of lecture hall number three. Sabrina and Katerina were horrified. News programs disclosed the names of the arrested and displayed identification photos of the dead. 'Thomas Quarant' was among the casualties. And they saw 'Heero Yuy' and 'Jay Null' among the names of those arrested.

"That's......!"

"How could they arrest them!"

A summary of the incident follows:

In the previously established battle for sovereignty, there was an intensification of the opposition to the underground activists who'd already been experiencing internal strife and ended in this bombing. It was reported that the culprits, like the shuttle bombing before, was an offense [committed] by the L-1 extremist group.

Sabrina intuitively knew that history was being [rewritten (lit: fabricated)]. Katerina knew better than anyone that there was no way Heero would do such a thing, but she had a feeling that from an ethical point of view, there would be no release from [his] tenacious character 227/2/2-1. Was there something the could do--? If they asked for an interview/meeting as the daughters of the house of Darlian, perhaps they could meet. However, considering the colonies' general animosity towards the upper cla.s.s, that might have have the opposite effect. It was an endless cycle that ultimately left them without any brilliant ideas. At a time like this, they couldn't do anything. It was especially difficult for Katerina. Just as she'd discovered her love [for Heero], she was pained by being unable to see the one she loved. Impatience and guilt. The cowardice of being unable to take any action and regret. Katerina's heart was greatly jolted by her irritation at how powerless she was [ALT: Her irritation at how powerless she was was quite a jolt to her heart.]. In a voice so quiet that Katerina wouldn't hear, Sabrina sang.

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

*

For two weeks from the beginning of November, Heero Yuy was imprisoned for ideological/political crimes. It was already established that he was not the perpetrator of the bombing. However, regarding the MP's interrogation, because he constantly offered sound arguments, he had been branded as being defiant. Furthermore, there was no one to vouch for him. He could have used the Darlians' [good] name, but he hadn't. Even while he was being questioned, he didn't even mention (lit: talk about) his work as a tutor. He may have thought that would have inconvenienced Katerina and Sabrina. He also may have been concerned about the two-headed flying dragon concealed in their back yard. The burns on his back healed immediately. But he had yet to recover from [the shock] of Quarant's death.

One day, Heero was suddenly released. Meeting him was the site foreman of the colony construction's outer wall repair unit.

"I've been contacted by a gentleman called Duke Khushrenada......told me to help you."

"Khushrenada?"

"He was also the one to post your bail. Make sure you thank him! Earth's n.o.bility. I tell ya, they pull all kinds of crazy stunts." What Cinquant was thinking or why he went to such great lengths [for Heero] was a mystery. "While I'm on the subject, he also vouched for that brat, Jay."

*

At the time, the Darlian household was preparing to move. Their new home was a cheap, downtown apartment that was somehow big enough for Mr. and Mrs. Darlian and (the sisters) Sabrina and Katereina. The majority of their household effects were auctioned and as for Wyvern in the backyard, even the people who'd come to appraise it couldn't understand its value and saw it as being on par with construction sc.r.a.p. Katerina baked a big batch of her special cookies. When she couldn't do anything, she'd do the things she could. That had recently become her (daily routine), it became almost like faith to her. Several times, Sabrina offered to help, but Katerina stubbornly refused. Sabrina, who was at loose ends, sat before the computer monitor and lamented her parting with Sam.

"If you were the real Sam, I might have been able to take you with me......I'm sorry."

"......" Sam was sadder than usual. He didn't even reply to her. He surely foresaw that he would be left behind and was rather pained by it, Sabrina thought. Katerina came up with some sample cookies.

"These might be my best cookies yet," and she smiled for the first time in a long time. But neither Sabrina nor Sam were in good spirits. "What's wrong?"

"Sam won't respond."

Katerina took a peek behind [her]. The Sam in the monitor appeared to be frightened of something. "Something is certainly off......" Sam's attention was continually [drawn to] the rear and his ears perked up and he turned around several times swis.h.i.+ng his tail in large sweeps.

"......Whew......!" Sometimes, he had an angry expression. With a sad face, Sabrina murmured, "I'm sure he must know he's going to be left behind, isn't he just terribly sad about it?"

"No, it's not that (level) [of sadness]." Katerina took Sabrina's seat and began working the computer. "Something's happening. Something big......"

*

Jay and Heero entered the lab Quarant had used at college. They were thinking to organize the things he'd left behind. There was no comparing Jay's lab to Quarant's. Dozens of (large-scale) computers were lined up in an orderly manner; there was not a speck of dust on the floor.

"Well, well, well, all he's left behind is a single microchip with his research data saved on it."

What about these computers?"

"Belongs to the school, all of it......there's nothing of Quarant's."

"And his family?"

"He had a little brother......but he's supposed to be in high school."

"What's his name?"

"'Quinze' I think he said, but I haven't met him."

Heero remembered the face of a boy named Quinze, "......could be him." Quinze was a slender student who, despite being physically inferior, would pick a fight with anyone only to end up done in by his own fighting words. It was more than half a year ago. One evening, he noticed a student crouching at the edge of the school yard and called out to him. Quinze was the student. He muttered a "don't mind me" [despite the fact that his] lip was cut, his cheek was swollen, and his eyes were full of tears. Even now, Heero could still distinctly remember how [Quinze] desperately resisted Heero's forcibly taking him to the nurse.

"I'll go give [?] that microchip [to him]. I used to be a part-time teacher [and I saw Quinze at the school I taught at]."

"Okay, I appreciate it." When Jay answered, he suddenly looked around and was excited. "The computers are running at full capacity! Meaning something big is happening......" Certainly, the temperature in the room was high. Heero undid a b.u.t.ton at his collar.

"Isn't this a quantum computer?"

"The thing we incorprated in Wyvern was the first ever......well s.h.i.+t!" Jay was annoyed.

"What?"

"Could you get on the keyboard for me! I'm just not used to my mechanical hand yet!" Jay's left hand was currently a prosthetic hand. Heero took Jay's place sitting before the monitor. 

Jay spoke without hiding is impatience, "The pa.s.sword is 'PEACECRAFTx2HEEROYUY'."

"Why'd you give it a pa.s.sword like that?" When [the pa.s.sword] was entered, the monitor was teeming with an enormous volume of information.

"Th-this......" Jay's face got more and more pale.

*

Katerina took in the situation desperately. Information was flooding in from over a wide network. And what she finally understood was that the Cinq Kingdom would be at the heart of an attack. The 'ZERO' system Quarant had created was brilliant enough to predict the Alliance army's most top-secret [plans].

"What do you think we should do?" Sabrina was shuddering/trembling with worry and fear.

"......" Katerina wasn't able to answer immediately. But she had steeled herself for one thing. --At times when she couldn't do anything, she would do things she could do. She absolutely would not live a life of regret.-- Those words she ruminated time and again to herself. Just then, Heero's face appeared on the monitor. He'd contacted them via a communication link.

"Sensei, you've been released?"

"Yes, earlier this morning......"

"I'm glad." At least one of Sabrina and Katerina's worries was (annulled).

"More importantly, it seems something terrible will happen to your home town."

"We heard about it just now."

"If you're going to [try to] do something, earlier is better......" In a separate window, Jay's face popped up. "Destroy the attack military satellite......[use] the Wyvern you've got there."

"I'll try doing it......I'm on my way--"

"I really must refuse, Sensei," Katerina refused flatly. And she wanted to see what her current self's greatest achievable thing was. "Cinq Kingdom is our country. It's got no relation to you, Sensei." In the back of her mind, she recalled how, just a few weeks ago, she could do nothing to help Heero. She felt she would never think like that again.

"It was me who made the Wyvern! It's got to be me who flies it!" Shouted Jay from the monitor.

"That's correct......but 'Sam' [has] (sided/become taken with) Sabrina and me." --Sabrina could not be a pilot. But it wasn't impossible for [Katerina]. Moreover, [Katerina] was the one who understood Sabrina's desire to help the Cinq Kingdom. --Katerina bet on her own greatest potential.

"You mean you'll fly Wyvern?"

"Yes," Katerina answered immediately. "My (operation) skill is far better than [Heero's]."

"Don't talk stupid! Don't put [Wyvern] in the same cla.s.s as the (large) machines used for outer wall repairs!"

"If you think I'll give up because of a threat like that, you've got another thing coming."

"Huh?"

"When it comes to 'Sam' the quantum computer, I should be able to handle/operate it, too."

"......looks like you've read quite a bit."

Katerina began negotiating, "I've learned the basic manual! I think I'll be more reliable than Heero-sensei!"

"But" Jay didn't accept yet. Katerina knew she had no choice. She decided to pull out the big guns.

"I have the best cookies I've ever made in my life right here. You can have them all. There's a heap of them."

"Really......in that case, I'll let you pilot."

"Thank you! That's why I like you, Jay!" She gave him a cute/sweek wink. During the conversation, the Heero on the monitor stayed silent. Frankly, he couldn't make an immediate decision/judgement. It was Sabrina who was first to step in to stop Katerina's rash behavior.

"You can't, Katerina! You can't be allowed to do something so dangerous!" But Katerina couldn't/wouldn't listen to what Sabrina had to say. [Katerina] promptly pulled out a large suitcase that had already been prepared [for the move]. From it, she removed her beloved astrosuit and changed right there in the hall then flew to the backyard.

Sabrina chased after her, yelling, "Why do you have to do this? What should I say to the Darlians?"

Katerina stopped where she stood and turned around, "Sabrina, we trust each other, right?"

"Y-yes......of course."

"I'm going to give you the most important thing to you as a present......so, I'll take your emotional support......"

"What do you mean?" Sabrina didn't understand [what her sister] meant.

"An exchange! 230/3/313<" determination="" filled="" katerina's="" eyes.="" "i'll="" take="" sam!="" so="" don't="" let="" heero-sensei="">

"I don't understand......what does that mean?"

Katerina removed the sheet and nimbly go into the c.o.c.kpit. "Let's go, Sam!"

"Meow," answered the Sam in the monitor happily. The propulsion systems started up one after the other.

"Can I leave the (form control) to you Sam......But the speed control is delicate, be extra careful."

"Roger!"

She took off at full throttle. Wyvern flew off at suicidal speed. Sabrina saw them off with a thousand emotions [in her heart]. Her little sister was on a journey [to save] the country that had rejected her. For all that they were twins, was it truly okay for her to accept such a cruel fate? At the time, Sabrina wouldn't register [what] the most important thing was that she'd received from Katerina. She didn't receive 'Heero Yuy.' She was entrusted with [Katerina's] 'love.'

*

Leaving from the s.p.a.ceport [#13] to s.p.a.ce, the Wyvern headed to Earth. When she was allowed to research 231/1/11< by="" sam,="" it="" became="" clear="" that="" the="" united="" alliance="" army="" had="" eight="" offensive="" military="" satellites="" in="" high="" orbit.="" which="" one="" of="" them="" had="" nuclear="" warheads,="" which="" satellite="" would="" fire="" at="" the="" cinq="" kingdom,="" as="">

"Sam! Do you know which one?"

"Meow."

Words appeared on the monitor:

It is not possible to predict launch time. Ergo, it's not possible to specify a more than 25% probability for each satellite.

"Well, calculate a route [where I can] hit them all!"

"Meow."

Making snap decisions was a characteristic Katerina came by naturally. After she destroyed the eight attack satellites, if the Alliance Army asked for compensation for damages, it would be an astronomical sum. There was no way Katerina could pay it herself, even if the Cinq Kingdom survived, it would be bankrupt.

"Never mind that! Now, I must protect Cinq!" But that alone wasn't the problem. But Sam asked questions one after the other: the attack method fuel supply, specifying the limits of Earth's gravitational field, etc. To each of those, Katerina calmly answered [Sam's questions]. As long as they were dealing with 'nuclear warheads,' there was no excusing a direct attack with means or missiles [due to the] pollution [that would contaminate] just outside of Earth's atmosphere. There was also no excusing an increase in unnecessary s.p.a.ce debris.

"Isn't there some way to get them out of Earth's...o...b..t?"

"Meow."

The answer was yes. It was possible to send the satellites into (graveyard orbit) which is outside the Earth sphere; to do this, the satellites would have to get off their original orbit. This could be done by manipulating the speed changes the satellites performed to [keep themselves in orbit]. [#13.5] The trouble was the attack satellites whose purpose was to destroy meteorites and large s.p.a.ce debris. These satellites were double constructs consisting of an upper and lower part and came equipped with position stabilizing mechanisms that used high speed counter-revolution thrusters; in the event of an attack (from the outside) she could only a.s.sume that they would automatically take evasive action. She needn't consider the supply of propellant. She intended to get rid of all the satellites in a single orbit around Earth. When she was done, she would just storm through the atmosphere and land on Earth. However, the probability of being successful, while not zero, was close to being impossible. Her courage was taken down several notches.

"But it's not zero, right?"

"Meow."

Katerina was resigned/determined and ready to die, she plowed ahead to confront [her] despair. Just then, the commlink resounded with an incoming call.

"This is Heero Yuy......Wyvern, come in." On the monitor appeared the face of the one whose encouragement she most wanted.

"Sensei!"

"Jay was able to do the hacking. The launch will be midnight November 27th, colony standard time."

"Thank you! That's all I need to pinpoint the [right] satellite!"

"Meow," Sam also voiced his grat.i.tude.

"There is something I want to ask." Heero's eyes were earnest. "Before, you said you were in pain."

"Yes! Truly I was; I am now!"

"Could you tell me what it is [that pains you]?"

"That's a secret. But I'll tell you if this mission is a success."

"Okay......in that case, you come back alive."

"Roger!"

"Meow, meow."

*

The satellite Sam specified was named 'Gemina MW." Currently, it was the farthest away, being located at the far side of the Earth. A time limit appeared on the monitor. It was the time the nuclear warhead would be launched. Even at top speed, the Wyvern's ETA was cutting it close. But it turned out that there was something even worse than that. That attack satellite was one of the duel construct ones.

The most effective method of attack is to destroy the median axis connecting the upper and lower parts at close range.

Katerina repeatedly thought over those words as they were displayed on the monitor. And by that method of attack, she confirmed that it was possible to keep it away from Earth's atmosphere, subtle timing was necessary. It was a method whereby she would approach and attack in an instant, even as Earth's powerful gravity was pulling at her from behind, and make the thrusters run flat out without destroying it. Her weapon of choice was the manipulator arm that came from [one of the heads/ #14] of the two-headed dragon.She would attack with the beam saber (attached to it). However, it would not be easy. If she cut it in two, it would fall to Earth. Masterful skill was required to neatly cut off just the rotational axis's magnet equilibrium system. 

*

The target, 'Gemina MW', was caught on the radar. Sam instantly released/scattered EMC [Electric Counter Measures] that would obstruct the remote operation [of the satellite]. But they had already exceeded the time limit. They could not cancel the launch now.

"That was also in the realm of expectations." Katerina focused on the (operation) of the manipulator. She started up the beam saber. "Take care of (the handling), Sam."

"Meow."

While going a roundabout way, Wyvern got into the inner orbit of 'Gemina MW.'

"Excellent! Now Cinq can be helped even in the worst case scenario!" If she became the missile's target, she would be the only one to die. But Katerina had no intention of dying. "There's still a ton of things I want to do!" Wyvern suddenly took on more speed. Katerina extended the (eyepiece) scope (from behind the seat) and got the magnetic equilibrium system of the 'Gemina MW' between the cross hairs. The missile launch barrel was just barely open. She could make out a little of the ominous warhead in the light that was reflecting off the Earth.

"Not on my watch 232/2/14<." she="" would="" absolutely="" send="" it="" off="" into="" s.p.a.ce.="" she="" approached="" with="" even="" more="" painstaking="" care.="" by="" the="" effect="" of="" the="" ecm,="" the="" wyvern's="" approach="" of="" the="" 'gemina="" mw'="" went="" unnoticed.="" [they="" were="" as]="" close="" [as="" possible]="" and="" katerina="" was="" fixed="" on="" the="" image="" [seen="" through]="" the="" (eyepiece)="">

"......" She took a deep breath. And she sang a song in a quiet voice. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." It was the song Judy Garland sang in that movie from long ago. As of recently, she'd been having Sabrina teach it to her. She'd said the song had given her a tiny bit of courage. It was an odd sensation. It was perhaps a trance-like state (in the midst of one's limits) 233/1/7. There was a force at work that far exceeded her own will, and with nimble accuracy, she made the manipulator move. Fine timing and masterful technique were demonstrated. It was a miraculous moment [ALT: It was the moment of truth]. The magnetic equilibrium system was carved out by the beam saber. Little flashes of light sparked out.

"Mission complete."

"Meow."

Katerina gave him a small smile. The next moment, attack satellite 'Gemina MW' detected the (scooped out) magnetic equilibrium system 233/1/7< and="" made="" to="" take="" evasive="" action.="" but="" the="" thrusters="" ended="" up="" synchronizing="" in="" the="" same="" direction="" and="" sent="" it="" further="" and="" further="" away="" from="" earth.="" 'gemina="" mw'="" disappeared="" off="" into="" empty="" s.p.a.ce="" without="" launching="" its="" nuclear="">

*

Wyvern was slowly pulled in by Earth's gravity. She thought the faint G forces were pleasant; she said something to Sam that Sabrina used to often say.

"Play it once, Sam."

"Meow."

"Take the wave course to break into Earth's atmosphere."

"Meow."

"Let's head straight to Cinq and set her free!"

"Meow, meow!"

All at once, Wyvern was breaking into the atmosphere. The c.o.c.kpit was filled with dazzling sunlight and under the harsh G forces, Katerina shouted loudly, "My name is Katerina Peacecraft! Second heir (in line in the Peacecraft family) to succeed to the Cinq Kingdom throne." Charging through the flash of light, the (white body of) Wyvern added still more light. "As of today, AC 145 November 27th, I declare war against the rebels who occupy [my] kingdom as well as proclaim the restoration of imperial rule [alt: the ruling house of Peacecraft]!"

To Be Continued..

#0 - haha, I'm not sure if it's Cinquant or the Army making this addition. I don't suppose it's super important, but it's probably Cinquant since he's the one speaking.

#1 - Well, a brief look at 11/27 yields nothing interesting in 20th century history in any century ending with a '45... which is disappointing and puzzling. There must be some significance to this date... and I was thinking along WWI or WWII lines, but the closest we get is, apparently, the armistice of WWI was signed on 11/11 and the only WWII thing I found were 1. the Royal navy going against the Regia Marina 2. the French navy scuttling s.h.i.+ps to keep them out of n.a.z.i hands, 3. an explosion at a British ammunition dump. I guess the first one is the most similar, but... reaching.

#2 - Opus 10 no. 12 seems to be the typical English notation?

#3 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazurka it's just the KIND of song, not the t.i.tle of any particular piece, according to wikipeidia.

#3.5 Ugh, that attribution of "Heero said" comes BETWEEN the lines "Yes..." and "Come in" but it doesn't make SENSE for Heero to say "Yes" because, given the lack of politeness in the "You're saying it's okay to acquire peace through warfare" is OBVIOUSLY Heero. Why would this PAST TENSE attribution come BEFORE Heero actually says "Come in" and why would there be an entirely new line of dialogue for that "yes" line? Unless Katerina is throwing in some speech, too? *fumes*

#3.75 - again, I point out in j.a.pan (and probably many other places), it's not uncommon for whole FAMILIES to sleep together in the same room (each with their own futon). I've know families with elementary aged children to share the same room for sleeping. This could just be Sumizawa a.s.suming everyone does things like they are done in j.a.pan, OR it could be Sumizawa trying to allude to who "un-twin-like" the girls are.

#4 - literally, this says "I'm already not living" but since that sounds hokey, "I'm already dead."

#5 - I suppose in a normal situation, the royal family would give the Darlians a stipend to the Darlians for raising their own daughter. I'm not sure, nothing about who's paying for her upkeep was mentioned until now... and I suppose it makes sense the Darlians necessarily must accept financial responsibility for her as Katerina's own country is kind of kaput... but still...

#6 - according to the j.a.panese dictionaries, the difference between "cracking" and "hacking" seems to be that the former is done with malicious intent. I guess that means to imply the rumor was that Jay was illegally accessing back accounts and stealing money.

#6.5 - This is purely ME talking in this note. You know, I've asked at least someone like my old high school chemistry teacher or some science-type person about alien life forms and all that jazz and I was told something to the effect that only carbon-based systems can support life. But that seems very egocentric to me. Carbon based systems work well for HUMANS on EARTH, but why the h.e.l.l couldn't life evolve in an entirely different set of circ.u.mstances where it's be, I don't know, carbon dioxide or something would be like air to them and hydrochloric acid would be their water? I mean, f.u.c.k, if we're going to contemplate alien life, why the h.e.l.l limit ourselves to the pattern of *human* evolution.

In fact, now that I'm on this soapbox, isn't that "carbon is the only basis of life" the ant.i.thesis of the scientific method, give we have but one paltry example of life supported on a carbon-based system (that is to say: earth). Kind of seems like a cla.s.sic case