We saved two worlds, and only a handful of Programs and fewer humans will know how or why it happened. Nor do they know that this was just a battle. The war for our worlds, increasingly dependent on one another, has been going on for a long time now, and is far from being over.
I am Math Assistant Three, Administrator and guardian of the Encom system, holder of the Shiva Laser protocols. I am one of its casualties.
The heavy mask conforms perfectly to my face, and the robes are confining and impractical. They're still necessary. They can't know what I really am, or it would be a danger to them all. Outside the doors of Citadel, there is a crowd cheering and celebrating. They laugh and hug, drink energy and dance, all so grateful to be alive. While I'm happy to see so many alive and safe, it only serves to remind me that the people I love aren't here anymore.
Mercury stands by my side – faithful, vigilant, and looking at the crowd with the same mix of relief and loneliness. "Guess we won."
"For now," I say.
"Yeah," Mercury concedes. "I told him to appreciate the victories when you can, though. Better take my own advice."
She doesn't need to specify who "he" is. I miss Jet, too. Even knowing he wasn't my first choice, even without knowing the full truth, and even though I kidnapped him and forced him to risk his life for a world that wasn't his, he still chose to protect – gladly. I know Mercury became…close with him. I don't disapprove at all.
"Ma3a," Mercury says. "If I'm going to protect you from future threats, then I need to know the truth. When I removed you from your dock, you were injured."
"Yes."
"You didn't leak energy. It was red, sticky…I saw the same substance when he was injured. You're like him, aren't you? You're human."
I had hoped that memory hadn't been restored from backup. However, there isn't any point in denying it, especially to Mercury. The fact she uses "human," and not "User" is another indication as to how much has changed. I'm not surprised, and a little proud, that Jet rejected the title. However, I'm sure Thorne's rampage and the Wraith invasion also undermined the reverence and gravity a Program like her would invest in it.
No one else is listening, and no one is likely to intrude. It's just the two of us, the Administrator and her Champion. And after becoming so close to Jet, she might be able to understand.
"Yes."
Mercury straightens and scowls for a nanosecond before processing this with a nod. "What happened?"
"I had to give it up. This isn't going to be an easy story to tell, Mercury, and it's not going to be easy for you to hear."