"The Gentlemen" Episode 1: The Guild of Scientists of Unknown Nationality Known as G
(Synopsis)
Scientists who explore the truths of the universe and the laws of nature. Their wisdom has always been arbitrarily distorted by those who prioritize majority rule and the logic of money. However, this is the story of the gentlemen and ladies who stood up for the emergency care of this planet when that violence led to the multiple onset of intractable diseases on Mother Earth. In the first episode, a secret society named after the only school rule of the Sapporo Agricultural College, "Be a Gentleman," and a person with the name of an ancient Indian scripture meaning "Hymn of Knowledge" meet, and they take on the abolition of nuclear weapons, which everyone gives up on as impossible. In the following Episode 2 and 3, as a prehistory, the couple who later founded the secret society and their son "expand humanity to non-humans" and fight against violence in a league that transcends species. Why a secret society? Because the nail that sticks out is often hammered down.
1. Attention
When the 2079 Nobel Prizes were announced, people were astonished.
[Medicine] For elucidating the full picture of advanced information processing models of the brain. Not only is the research accumulated on this being applied to the recovery of brain functions widely lost today, but it also laid the foundation for the development of training to unearth new brain functions (replacing memory and repetitive actions, which have decreased in importance due to the spread of AI).
[Chemistry] For the discovery of a mechanism that significantly slows the corrosion of specific metals. While the improvement of space flight safety is a recent memory, this is mainly for the achievement of protecting urban infrastructure from natural disasters that are becoming more violent year by year due to the progress of global warming.
[Physics] For the development of elements that generate electricity with weak stimuli. This enabled micro-power generation from even the slightest stimuli, such as not only light but also sound and smell, and laid the groundwork for today's widespread use of wearable devices and the utilization of big data accumulated from them.
The winners are all "Gentlemen." This is not a person's name. It is an organization known as a "guild of scientific researchers of unknown nationality." Papers began to be submitted under this name around 2063, and although they were not taken seriously at first, they gradually attracted attention as their novelty and innovation were proven. Their research on "the mechanism linking climate change and insect outbreaks" gained unshakable trust when it minimized the damage caused by locust outbreaks across Africa and South Asia in 2066. By 2072, they ranked first by country (though not a country...) in the number of papers, leading global scientific research. That accumulation led to the monopoly of the natural science categories this time. And before anyone knew it, people began calling them G.
Members of G publish anonymous papers under the organization's name, and the prize money goes to UN agencies. Patents also belong to the UN, and the UN receives the profits generated from them. Furthermore, by contract, those funds are allocated to insurance, compensating for damage in countries seriously affected by "climate change" or "war." However, as a condition at the time of the contract, countries with a negative impact on the environment are excluded from compensation. In addition, regarding war, it was stipulated that nuclear-armed states could not receive compensation.
For example, in the brain research that won the Medicine Prize this time, many people who had partially lost or severely declined brain function were able to return to almost normal lives just by wearing small external devices, and it has come to be used in many treatments around the world. Furthermore, it sparked a "brain training" boom to exercise brain functions that cannot be replaced by AI (creativity, innovation, dealing with discontinuities and exceptions, etc.), so the Gentlemen (or more accurately, the UN, their proxy agency) received a large amount of funds every year. Since many other research results have been put to practical use, it is said that they generate profits comparable to the national budget of a medium-sized country. Naturally, they are overwhelmingly supported by small and medium-sized countries that can receive the fruits (via the UN), and they are an extremely inconvenient existence for major power governments that have long increased their armaments at the expense of the environment... that was G. Therefore, around 2070, when they grew rapidly, they were subjected to all kinds of sabotage by major powers. For example, like this...
This is R-country, a hegemonist state. Naturally, it possesses nuclear weapons and viewed G's success with bitterness. Located at the northern end of the world, this country has a history where spies have been active to the point where it could be called a "specialty." So, to grasp the reality of the mysterious G, they first tried to send a decoy spy inside.
"I understand the mission. So, who should I contact first for infiltration?"
"What are you talking about? Finding that out is also your mission."
"What! But... their location and members are unknown, and they only appear in the world as the senders of papers. I hear they use disposable accounts and are untraceable. What am I supposed to do without any clues?"
"What are you talking about? Don't we have our own ways of doing things?"
After thinking about it, the spy tried to "impersonate" them. He submitted a paper under the name of G without permission. He thought, "Heh heh. Even if this isn't accepted, they'll surely make some move." But the content was so poor that no academic journal would deal with it, and it was completely ignored.
This is A-country, which created the Internet. The Internet is said to have been a diversion of military technology, and as a military superpower, it naturally possesses nuclear weapons. It is famous for its intelligence agencies that have huge data centers near the capital and extract and analyze only relevant information from the vast Internet. In the past, they have identified numerous terrorist masterminds here. It is like a wiretap spread all over the world. An order was issued there to capture G's movements.
"I understand the mission. However... what am I supposed to do without any clues?"
"What are you talking about? Don't we have our own ways of doing things?"
After thinking about it, the spy searched for such exchanges in every language. However, contrary to expectations, nothing came up. "How can that be! How are they communicating? In this day and age, without going through the Internet at all, what on earth can they do!"... The intelligence agency was at a loss.
This is C-country, which imposes complete information control on its citizens. A country where the state can monitor at any time without regard for private rights. It promotes scientific research with the prestige of the state, and although it overwhelms other countries in the number of studies, it lagged behind G in terms of quality. For this country, which possesses nuclear weapons and pursues "its own country first" in both military and science, losing is absolutely unacceptable. Here, too, the intelligence agency moved.
"I understand the mission. So, this is all the clue we have."
"That's right. I found an expression in their paper that is only used in a part of our country. In other words, there is a high possibility that our citizens are involved. You understand. Do it our way."
Without even thinking about it, the spies decided to monitor the citizens by any means necessary. They kept a particularly close watch on powerful scientists, but there was nothing suspicious to be found. To all appearances, they looked like nothing more than model citizens dedicated to the state...
2. Appearance
Shortly before such movements—which could hardly be called sabotage—began beneath the surface, in 2065, when the name G began to be known to the world, Rigveda, a zoologist in Country I, was conducting research on birds. Because the country had the world's largest population and its sanitary standards were not particularly high, he was researching diseases transmitted by migratory birds to prevent the spread of infection. This was a plain, unglamorous task far from praise; it was expected that he would prevent infections, so he carried out his routine meticulously and nervously every day to ensure that no bird-borne infections would spread.
He had another side to him. In this country with a long history, the term "classic" refers to its own traditional folk songs, and it takes pride in a unique culture not found in the West. In such a country, he took an interest in whistling as a musical instrument, and after participating in a world championship himself, he founded the country's largest whistling association. His whistling, which he had practiced by imitating bird calls since childhood, quickly stood out, and before he knew it, he had become involved in managing the championships as well.
One day, after returning from an international world championship, he noticed something in his laboratory for the first time in a while.
"Hmm? There's a strange smell... It seems to be coming from around here. This is the area where I've collected birds with quite serious conditions. Since it was only recently proven that this disease doesn't infect humans, I suppose I might never have smelled it before. Let's collect some data and investigate it in detail."
As a result, he was able to extract odor substances from the malfunctioning cells that were different from normal metabolism. In Country I, many spices are used daily, so smell is also an important element that makes up daily life. Thereafter, he refined this extraction method, and in 2067, he finally succeeded in identifying individuals from their scent.
At that time, he received a message from a foreign whistler he knew well.
"I always find your posts on social media very interesting, and your recent discovery is quite fascinating. Why don't you try solving this puzzle? I'm sure it will be easy for someone as brilliant as you, and I'm certain you'll like the answer."
In reality, he struggled quite a bit to solve it, but it turned out to be a method of contact, and when he reached out, he was connected to the person who had posed the puzzle. And it was there that he heard the name G for the first time.
First of all, please forgive me for taking such a roundabout way to tell you this story.
From here on, I will speak directly. We are "The Gentlemen." As you are also a researcher, you must be aware that last year, our research on "elucidating the mechanism linking climate change and insect outbreaks" was used to predict a locust plague, and that your country also kept the damage to a minimum? I have watched you as a friend for a long time through whistling. With that in mind, I speak to you with trust. Won't you join us? As material for your decision, I will explain below who we are and what our purpose is.
First, why do we leave no trace on the internet? That is thanks to "blockchain." While this itself is now a common mechanism as a "distributed ledger," a genius among our members developed a special system for it. It is a system where "if anyone other than the members inscribed in the ledger attempts to access it, the related information vanishes instantly the moment they try." It is an extremely troublesome mechanism because valuable information disappears unexpectedly. However, since we are a group of geniuses, reproducing it is easy. Conversely, it can be said that it is a mechanism that no one but us could possibly master.
So, why invite you? Through our interactions, I have come to know well that you are a person of integrity who can be trusted without any selfish motives. But that is just a prerequisite. The deciding factor for reaching out to you is that you are conducting research that can make a great contribution to humanity in a field unrelated to your main profession. Yes, the "odor substances" you recently discovered. You may not have anticipated it yourself, but I believe this is the final piece to completely hide our true identity. Of course, it is not yet sufficient. I would like you to continue your research and extract the "trace amounts of odor substances" that people unintentionally emit when they lose a certain state of mind.
By the way, it is most important to sincerely believe that "if the power of science is used correctly, humanity can coexist with the Earth into the future," and if you cannot do this, I cannot welcome you as a member. I reached out to you taking a certain risk because I believe you are someone who can do that. Although, I would not have taken such action if I were not convinced that this risk (that you might decline this offer and, furthermore, make our offer public) would end in groundless fear.
There is our research suggesting that when even the slightest doubt arises in this belief—that is, when one becomes lost in the meaning of fulfilling one's own life, and furthermore, when one comes to feel that the prosperity of descendants is merely a pretext—humans may unintentionally secrete trace amounts of substances. I would like you to confirm this. If this substance can be identified, we could combine it with wearable devices to become a group that is completely united in purpose. What do you think? ...Please consider it carefully. I will contact you again.
Note that this message is programmed to automatically vanish the moment you move to the next operation. A group of people who possess the ability, character, and conviction to leave no trace other than in our own minds, and who can dedicate themselves to what is important for humanity and the Earth even if it is unrelated to their main profession. That is why we are "The Gentlemen"... You understand, don't you?
3. Detection
Now, returning to the time, the following year, 2080, serious corrosion was discovered in the mechanisms used for nuclear attacks in successive nuclear-armed nations. The trigger was a nuclear test conducted by one country, which exploded earlier than expected. When this was conveyed beneath the surface, it dealt a great shock to various countries. This is because it could have exploded within the country that launched the nuclear attack.
"I am reporting! As a result of a top-secret investigation, similar corrosion is progressing in our country as well."
"What! That is a grave problem. It is a triple affliction of not being able to announce it, not being able to repair it, and not being able to launch it!! ...It cannot be helped. We have no choice but to proceed with nuclear disarmament negotiations in secret. Do you understand? Be very careful not to let other countries find out."
Military officials were flustered, but government officials welcomed it. This was because not only could they reduce military spending, but they could also receive compensation as part of G Insurance, which they expected would improve their approval ratings among the public. While major powers are generally harmful to the environment and thus their damage is not compensated, if they abolish nuclear weapons, damage from conventional weapon conflicts is compensated. However, one problem remained. Among the nuclear-armed nations, only Country N seemed to have no corrosion, and they would not come to the table for nuclear disarmament negotiations.
In 2077, before that happened, Rigveda was bewildered. As a member of G, he had succeeded in identifying the "scent substance" required of him, and the app to implement it into devices had been distributed to all members without delay. From then on, the moment a member felt doubt about the organization's goal of "coexistence between humanity and the Earth," the device would detect the trace amounts of substances secreted unconsciously, and it could build a system to instantly erase all traces linking that researcher to the organization. He should have fulfilled the role expected of him by the organization... but why? The moment he installed the app on his own device, he lost contact with the organization.
Was he set up? He immediately dismissed the suspicion that had suddenly crossed his mind. As far as he knew, it was not an organization where anyone could take such measures for personal motives. Then why... He was shocked by the conclusion he reached after thinking it over. He could only think that he himself had developed doubts about the organization's goals. "If it wasn't conscious, did I realize the possibility of unconsciously endangering this philosophy? What on earth could that be..." After thinking for a while, perhaps having had an idea, he grabbed his passport and rushed out.
Up in the air, he remembered a paper published under the name of G around 2068 titled "Mechanisms that 'Significantly Affect' the Corrosion of Certain Metals" (yes, the research that led to the 2079 Nobel Prize in Chemistry).
"That paper, if I recall, suggested not only that it could delay corrosion, but also that under certain conditions, it could conversely accelerate it. And the 'hydrogen embrittlement of metals' in another paper I read last year, that was also under the name of G. It is likely that these two things happened simultaneously in many countries that use hydrogen as fuel, causing the missile mechanisms to corrode. However, Country N did not use hydrogen fuel. That's right, I knew this would happen. Even that Country N would stop nuclear disarmament. And I had also thought of a way to overturn that. That was detected as a scent. It's certainly not the power of pure science. I can't go back to the organization anymore. If so, I will put the idea I had at that time into action!"
4. SECURING
Time moved forward a little to 2081, and Rigveda was in Country C, having been invited to a university near the border with Country N. What was expected of him was the prevention of infectious diseases. Due to Country C's unique dietary habits, it was easy for animal-derived infectious diseases to be brought to humans, and since most of the infectious diseases that had spread globally in the last quarter-century originated in Country C, they could not ignore international criticism. They had set their sights on a scientist who had a reputation for having protected Country I, which also has a large population, from infectious diseases for many years.
For Rigveda, it was a godsend, and he dared to accept the broad request that was not limited to his specialty of birds because he had another aim. He wanted to find a comrade in Country N at all costs. Not of the organization... but a companion who shared the aspirations of himself, who had drifted away from the organization. Now that he could no longer use the blockchain's automatic erasure device, if he moved clumsily, he would be arrested as a terrorist. He was looking for someone with the resolve to face such danger, using his specialty of "scent detection."
He found several candidates. All of them were people involved in cross-border arms deals. From here, Rigveda was about to follow the same path he had taken when he was approached himself. Deepening friendships through whistling and probing the true nature of the person who had lowered their guard... it was what had once been done to him.
Furthermore, he learned in the organization that the sound produced by whistling, using the oral cavity as an instrument, contains a "sound print" that can identify an individual. Indeed, the size of the oral cavity, the state of the teeth arranged there, the shape and size of the hole formed by the lips, the length and shape of the tongue, and the habits of the sound produced by adjusting the space in the oral cavity and the position of the tongue... it is impossible for all of these to match in another person. Furthermore, whistling also functions as a mirror reflecting the mental state of the person blowing it. G had accumulated such research. And that remained in Rigveda's head even now that he had left the organization. He made full use of this.
"My, as always, a lovely tone. Mr. Choi's whistling gives a straightforward and sincere impression. I heard you were originally from Country J, but what kind of work did you do originally?"
"At that time, I went by the name Akagi and was a lacquerware craftsman. I didn't come to Country N because I wanted to, but they appreciated that my skills could be widely applied to painting, and they even promoted me to an advisor to teach technology to AI. In that sense, I am grateful, but I cannot like the fact that they are biased toward the military and do not care about the lives of the citizens."
Furthermore, his scent indicated a personality that was selfless and prepared to die for justice. Convinced that he could be a comrade, he finally brought up the main topic.
"I have a consultation for you, as I see you as a man of honor. It is a request that will risk not just your career, but your life, but will you listen?"
"If you have seen that much in me, I cannot refuse. Very well. So, what should I do?"
"Oh... are you sure you don't want to hear the details first? It is very dangerous."
"That means you have valued me that much. At the same time, I also value you."
To the request, "Can't we introduce hydrogen fuel to Country N's nuclear weapons?", Choi acted very tactfully. He skillfully told the upper echelons that Country J's missile defense posture was more substantial than it actually was, and stirred up a debate on what should be done to dramatically increase propulsion speed. Country N did not know that nuclear weapons were becoming unusable in other countries one after another, so they decided to introduce it, saying, "Naturally, the introduction of hydrogen fuel is the global trend, and we must catch up and overtake it!"
Once they decided, there was no point unless they conducted an experiment immediately and showed its power to Country J. In the following year, 2082, the missile experiment, which staked the prestige of Country N, met a tragic end by exploding within its own territorial waters. Due to this unprecedented failure, Country N was forced to come to the table for nuclear disarmament, and humanity succeeded in peacefully letting go of nuclear weapons.
As for whether the leader of Country N was ousted, that did not happen. Since Country N, which had been biased toward the military, had a positive impact on the environment, it was able to receive the benefits of G Insurance twice over, along with no longer being a nuclear-armed state, so the administration held on. And that failure became a lesson, and the country rapidly transformed into one that valued craftsmen and engineers.
But a little before that, there was Choi, meeting secretly with a high-ranking government official of Country N.
"I must report. Taking this opportunity, our country should steer toward becoming a technology-based nation."
"What? If we do such a thing, our country will be looked down upon by the world! What will we do if Country C attacks us in the meantime?"
"Please do not worry. I have received information from a reliable source that, in fact, nuclear weapons are currently unusable in all nuclear-armed countries. I believe it is a good opportunity for our country to make a major policy shift."
"What! That is good news, but why did such a situation occur? ...What! Then you mean to say that you knew that and stood by while our country moved to introduce hydrogen fuel!! I cannot forgive you."
"Your anger is justified. I am prepared for punishment. I am very sorry."
A few months earlier, Rigveda was stopped by a high-ranking government official from Country C.
"Hey, where have you been and what have you been doing for the past few days?"
"I was on vacation for Whistling Association activities and meeting with a performer from Country N, but is there a problem?"
"It's no use playing dumb. We recorded the conversation you had there with a micro-drone. You can't talk your way out of this."
"I was aware of that. I will offer no excuses. I am prepared to accept any punishment."
5. BREAKTHROUGH
The following year, 2083, the Nobel Prizes were announced as follows.
[Economics Prize] For conceiving and building the mechanism of the so-called "Gentlemen's Insurance," including the country-specific AI scoring model.For the achievement of enabling humanity to find a path toward economic development in harmony with the global environment and military affairs.
[Peace Prize] Also for the conception and construction of "Gentlemen's Insurance."For its role as an economic and financial safety net in the process of achieving global nuclear disarmament, which bolstered the decisions of the countries involved.
It was the first time in history that the Economics Prize and the Peace Prize were awarded simultaneously, and the world cheered and applauded, but in response, "Gentlemen" issued this official statement for the first time as an organization.
We, as global citizens, are overjoyed that global disarmament has made significant progress and that this will have a definitive positive impact on the preservation of the future global environment. We are honored if the insurance mechanism we devised was able to contribute to this. In this sense, we would like to humbly accept this Economics Prize.
However, with all due respect, we must decline the Peace Prize. While our insurance may have had an indirect influence, we are not the protagonists who brought about this joyous result. There are others who are the protagonists. They are Mr. Rigveda of Country I, who is imprisoned in Country C, and Mr. Choi, who is in a prison in Country N. Both are awaiting sentencing as political prisoners, but we believe they are the ones who deserve this Peace Prize. We hear they are accused of being terrorists who endangered their nations and are charged with subverting the state, but we know they are innocent and can prove it scientifically. You should be able to understand this by reading the following papers, and we can submit the judgment data for both of them.
[Paper 1] Mechanism for personal authentication and psychiatric evaluation using the "sound print" of a whistle
[Paper 2] Mechanism for proving a specific mental state through the analysis of microparticles contained in the "scent" emitted by the human body
We believe that the Nobel Prize is truly deserved by those who have made the greatest contribution to humanity, just as they have. Although they are not members of "Gentlemen," we work with the same aspirations, and we cannot stand by and watch those aspirations rot away in prison, covered in the political face-saving and misunderstandings of the state. We send this statement with those feelings in mind. We hope that those involved will give this their full consideration.
Lastly, should they be released, "Gentlemen" intends to welcome both individuals as members. This should be the best news for those who are tirelessly researching our organization. Also, a word to everyone around the world who is working hard every day with the same aspirations as us. If you are interested in our activities, please whistle. If you post a video to the online competition we will be holding soon, we may reach out to you someday. We look forward to your submissions.
The great powers no longer had the energy or the reason to make an enemy of G. Both men were released due to strong international public opinion, and for the first time, a "visible" member was born. However, even after this, the full picture of the organization was never exposed (the reason, as you all already know). Thus, fortunately, humanity and the Earth regained harmony. And the world was filled with the various tones of whistling.
Now, the released Rigveda returned to Country I and was undergoing a diagnosis from his family doctor.
"My goodness! Your chronic immune disorder has subsided. The attack on yourself has stopped completely!"
"Really!! Because it was an intractable disease, I thought the cause was unknown and it was incurable... What a mysterious thing."
"Trust must have collapsed somewhere, and the system that was originally in harmony must have unraveled. Trust is truly not to be underestimated."
"However, please be careful. This is called remission, not a cure. Therefore, I do not know when the symptoms might recur. I hate to be repetitive, but there is the example of my father."
"Indeed... I will be very careful about signs of harmony breaking down. No need to worry, Dr. Kaoru. Come to think of it, the man named Choi who was also in the news this time was born in Country J, just like you, Doctor."
On the way home after finishing Rigveda's house call, Kaoru noticed that he was whistling for the first time in a long while. Perhaps it was because he heard his father's story... Come to think of it, whenever he whistled, the memory of his late father would faintly scent the air. The shadow of his father Giichi, the founder of "Gentlemen."
◆Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading until the end!!
If you'd like, I would be happy if you could also read this as well◆
"Gentlemen" Episode 2: Human Development ① ~ Giichi and Chloe
"Gentlemen" Episode 3: Human Development ② ~ Leona and Kaoru
Also, if you are interested, please check out the prologue that leads to "Gentlemen."
(This is an entry for the 2023 Creative Awards: Mystery Novel Category)
Whistling SF Mystery Novel ① "Is the Culprit Swimmy?"
Part 1: Evidence Chapter,Part 2: Darkness Chapter,Part 3: Conclusion Chapter
#CreativeAwards2023 #MangaOriginalWorkCategory