“Ms. Mack.” Han’s English was precise, academic. “You’re asking us to entrust our nation’s defense to machines that think for themselves. Forgive my skepticism.”
“Skepticism’s healthy, Admiral.” Jodi manipulated the holographic controls. The display zoomed, focusing on the Penghu archipelago. “These aren’t just machines. They’re force multipliers. Let me demonstrate.”
She highlighted a cluster of icons near Magong Naval Base on Penghu’s main island. “Mr. Matsin’s team deployed twelve Seeker-class XLUUVs five days ago. Since then, they’ve logged over eight hundred hours of autonomous patrol time. Colonel Hsu, what has your information warfare section observed?”
Colonel Hsu adjusted his Marine-issued glasses, consulting his tablet briefly before replying. “Three PLA submarines transited the Penghu channel. We identified them as Type 093 attack submarines, running silent. Our diesel boats never would have detected them.”
“But the Seeker did.” Jodi pulled up acoustic traces. “Here, here, and here. Each submarine tracked continuously for twelve hours. The AI identified them by their pump signatures, reactor cooling patterns, even crew movement rhythms. The machines never tired, never lost contact.”
Vice Admiral Lo Hua, Han’s deputy, studied the data intently. “Incredible. What about rules of engagement? What stops these units from attacking?”
“Excellent question.” Jodi expanded the display, showing decision trees. “Four-layer authorization protocol. Layer one: passive monitoring only. Layer two: active tracking with human notification. Layer three: weapons free with human authorization. Layer four: autonomous engagement if Taiwan is under active attack.”
“And who controls these layers?” Lo pressed.
“You do. Specifically, this room does.” Jodi gestured to the command stations. “The entire system operates under your authority, not ours. Think of it as the world’s most sophisticated watch officer — one that never sleeps.”
Lieutenant General Wu Jian-tai of the Marine Corps stood, his bulk imposing even among the seated officers. “I see a lot of graphs and neat videos, Ms. Mack. And while many of my officers speak highly of the equipment TSG has provided, I have ten thousand marines preparing to counter beach landings and protect critical infrastructure. It’s clear how your robot fish helps the Navy, but what about my marines?”
Jodi smiled. This was the question she’d been waiting for. “General, may I show you Tainan scenario seven?”
Without waiting for permission, she activated a tactical simulation. The hologram shifted, showing Taiwan’s western coastline in detail. Red icons appeared — showing a massive simulated amphibious force.
“Here we see one hundred twenty landing ships approaching the shore as they disembark their force,” she narrated. “We now have six hundred amphibious assault vehicles nearing the beach. A traditional defense would require your marines to meet them at the waterline. The casualties in this scenario would be…”
“Catastrophic,” Wu finished grimly. “We’ve run these scenarios before.”
“Exactly. Now watch this.” Jodi activated the autonomous defense network. Blue icons swarmed from hidden positions. “Thirty-nine Zealot USVs launch from Budai alone. Each carries four Hellfire missiles. That’s over one hundred fifty precision strikes before they close for kamikaze attacks.”
The simulation played out in accelerated time. USVs weaved between landing craft, missiles launching in coordinated volleys. Ships exploded, burned, and sank. The neatly organized invasion formation dissolved into pure chaos and destruction.
“Meanwhile,” Jodi continued, “Sea Guardian smart mines activate beneath the first wave.” More red icons vanished. “Next, the Seeker XLUUVs hunt the escort submarines protecting the amphibious assault ships.” The video simulation showed numerous underwater battles erupting across the display.
General Hsu watched his marines’ beach positions remain untouched as the invasion fleet died at sea. “How many reach the shore?”
“In this simulation? Seventeen percent. Your marines are mopping up survivors, not struggling to survive against wave after wave of landing craft.”
“God in heaven, it’s a slaughter,” someone whispered.
Major Lin from Submarine Squadron 256 raised his hand like an eager student. “The Seekers — they can coordinate with our diesel boats?”
“Yes, but not just coordinate,” Jodi replied. “They enhance them. Your submarines are quiet but limited by crew endurance and battery life. Seekers can scout ahead, maintain contact while your boats position for attack. You become wolfpack leaders, not lone hunters.”
She pulled up real-time footage from a Seeker patrol. The underwater view showed murky darkness pierced by sonar returns. A massive shape materialized — a commercial freighter’s hull passing overhead.
“This is live?” Admiral Han Ji-cheng asked.
“Ten minutes ago. Unit Seven, patrolling the Penghu deep channel.” Jodi enhanced the image. “Watch the AI work.”
