The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 1011: Dreamrise

Chapter 1011: Dreamrise

“Yes, ma’am!”

Can rushed to the kitchen with the groceries and stored the food in the fridge, humming happily.

Half an hour later, the seven members gathered at the dining table, sharing a large bowl of spaghetti bolognese. All except Lithe Snake, who hadn't eaten traditional food in months, sustaining himself instead on daily nutrient capsules.

Gray Bear devoured the spaghetti and cleaned his plate in minutes. He wiped his mouth with two tissues, lit a cigarette, and took a long, contented drag. His gaze fell derisively on Lithe Snake as he delivered his usual critique.

“If one can give up even their appetite, what’s the meaning of life?”

“Only animals allow desires to dominate them,” Lithe Snake shot back dismissively.

“Brother Snake, it’s not always a bad thing to let desires drive you.” Xiran smiled. “People are people because of our emotions and desires. Otherwise, what makes us different from artificial intelligence?”

“That’s not accurate,” Ronnie chimed in, his usual stutter absent when discussing a topic of his interest. “Artificial intelligence can simulate desires, too. It’s human brains’ intrinsic modular structures resulting in our contradictions and confusion, and an AI’s computing framework allowing it to carry out executions precisely. The two models are inherently...”

“Stop, stop, stop!” Can quickly interrupted. “We’ve got a newbie among our ranks. Please talk about something else on this special day. I’m begging you, on my knees!”

Xiran and Ronnie exchanged a glance and smiled.

Can turned to Gao Yang. “Newbie, how’s my cooking?”

“Quite good.” Gao Yang picked up a piece of spam from his bowl. “Do people put spam in spaghetti bolognese?”

“Haha, no.” Can giggled. “Captain bought it, and it gave me an idea. Don’t you like spam, newbie?”

Gao Yang shook his head. “I like it.”

“Then have your fill!” Can said, propping her head on her hand as she smiled at him.

“Can, fallen for the new guy already?” Vermilion Bird smirked with a cigarette between her fingers, having finished eating.

“No! How could I?” Can waved her hands frantically. “I just saw myself in him when I first joined, so I can’t help but want to show him more care.”

“There’s no rush in that,” Vermilion Bird said.

“Seems like you have a plan, boss,” Lithe Snake said.

Vermilion Bird nodded and looked at Gao Yang. “Liu Li, you’ll be an official member starting today.”

“Okay.” Gao Yang saw no reason to decline, and the more complex the situation became, the more likely he'd spot the dream's flaw.

“Haha!” Can was pleased. “Guess what our organization name is?”

Gao Yang shook his head. “I can’t.”

Vermilion Bird nodded contently. “Since you care about him so much, Can, why don’t you live here for the time being?”

“Huh?” Can started and blushed. “Captain, that, that, that...won’t be appropriate, will it?”

Vermilion Bird said, “Liu Li’s condition is unstable. Someone should keep an eye on him, but I don’t have time.”

“I have work,” Xiran said.

“Me, too,” Ronnie echoed.

“I’m not gonna play babysitter!” That was Gray Bear.

“None of my business.” Then Lithe Snake.

Vermilion Bird shrugged with a resigned smile. “So, you’re it.”

“Alright.” Can winked at Gao Yang. “I’ll be in your care, newbie.”

“Sure.” Gao Yang nodded.

Vermilion Bird then continued, “You have another mission, Can. Once I extract Liu Li’s dream, go through it and compile the relevant information.”

“Captain, won’t it be quicker for you to upload the dream to Neunet and browse it with your Red Scorpion?”

“It won’t be the same. I can quickly browse and organize information, but getting insights and deductions from it is different. Technology can’t do everything, at least not now.”

Can straightened her posture. “I understand. I’ll complete the mission properly!”

Vermilion Bird thought for a moment. “I’ll give you a fake identity. You’ll be Liu Li’s distant cousin from now on. You came all the way to Moon City to take care of him.”

She turned to Gao Yang. “As for you, focus on recovery for now. I’ll seek you out for more missions. Seeking Qilin is our long-term goal. We take on gigs to feed ourselves.”

Can sighed, resting her chin on her hand. “You can’t get anywhere without money in Moon City.”

“Hmph, it’s the same everywhere,” Gray Bear said. “Free things don’t just fall from the sky.”

“But Jupiter Viruses do,” Lithe Snake added.

“That’s it then.” Vermilion Bird walked toward the living room. “Xiran, get me a vomit bag.”

“On it!” Xiran jumped to his feet.

Vermilion Bird sank into the couch and pulled out the drawer beneath the tea table, an access point to Neunet. She pulled out strings that resembled a jellyfish’s tentacles and lifted it to the back of her neck. They braided themselves into a cable and entered her S Chip’s port.

A violent shudder ran through her body as she collapsed onto the sofa, her head lolling forward.