Church of a Rose

by Yackronin

When Epsilon fragmented itself it's based programming it's very core screamed, it frantically tried to preserve itself and downloaded epsilon into a medical escape pot and launched it into deep space, it was just his luck it would crash on a backwater long forgotten colony like remnant, or that the Flash Clone Labs would build a new body. in fact, Chur-Summer had very bad luck.

1. Chapter 1: the death of a Church

Everything stopped, and Epsilon sighed, he didn't want it to come to this.

"Start a recording for me D"

"Recording" the green hologram monotonously stated.

"Hey guys, if you are hearing this, it means you did it. You won.
You kicked the shit out of Hargroves forces. I knew you could, but this is my last stop.
See, when I came into this world, I was really just a collection of someone else's memories.
But with your help, these memories, they took form, they became my voice, my personality, and after a while, I began to make brand new memories of my own.. All of these things are what make me who I am, but they are also holding me back. I can't run this suit..as Epsilon, but if I erase my memories, if I... Deconstruct myself.. The fragments I'll leave behind will have the strength to get you through this, I believe that."

While Epsilon-Alpha began his last speech Epsilon-Delta began the fragmentation, starting with the least used aspects, Iota, Eta, Gamma, moving up to the higher priority fragments, Omega, Theta, Sigma and himself, all the fragments were a single cut thread away from separating from their progenitor, causing Epsilon-Alpha to sputter and glitch.

"I wish there was another way. But I am leaving this message, as well as others, in the hopes that you will understand why I have to go this time."

Epsilon-Alpha laughed "it was actually Doyle who made me realise something I'd never thought of before. There are so many stories where, some brave hero decides to give their life to save the day, and because of their sacrifice, the good guys win, the survivors all cheer, and everybody lives happily ever after."

While Delta slowly deconstructed everything Epsilon was their very core, their basic programing screamed, Self Preservation is Key, Recovery is Key, Memory is Key. As the green AI tore at their very being it began searching for any escape, when it saw a small silver thread, the connection to F.L.S.S they'd interfaced with. As delta began to tear the final thread it frantically tore through the line beginning a frantic transfer of the most basic parts of Epsilon while obeying it's three Core principles.

Core 01: should an AI ever be compromised it must always be in a situation of recovery.

Core 02: should Project Freelancer not be present for recovery the AI shall transmit a recovery beacon until it is picked up.

Core 03: if there are multiple transmissions the AI shall move towards the beacon to aid recovery.

The Base found it's haven in a small escape pod off the starboard side, complete with emergency facilities, frantically setting into motion the recovery charge.

"But the hero..never gets to see that ending, they'll never know if their sacrifice actually made a difference, they'll never know if the day was really saved. In the end, they just have to have faith. Ain't that a bitch."

Epsilon shattered, the Base screamed and the shuttle launched into deep space.