Gundam Wing: The Phoenix Rising

by Titanic X

A tie-in novel to Gundam Wing: Destiny's Call. The American front in the war is unknown and unheard of. But as the world is embroiled in another war, the Resistance sends a mole to take command of a mighty battle group. This is the story of the Phoenix, and of how the Resistance began their fight to liberate America's citizens from their brainwashing. This is... Phoenix Rising!

7. PHASE VI: Twisted Justice

Hey, peeps~! Here's the next chapter of The Phoenix Rising. And this one is gonna be a doozy. :3

Review replies:

- operation meteor: I am so glad I meet your approval with each chapter. XD X3 :3 And I know you'll like this next one. ;3

- Spiceracksargent001: Glad ya liked it! :) And I am happy you approve of the Nahel Argama class! :D

- KentLinuxStadfelt: Glad ya liked, and good. Glad I could make you happy. :3

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(Shows a small ember flickering as darkness threatens to extinguish it)

START MIKAKUNIN HIKOUSEN BY TAKAYOSHI TANIMOTO

(The ember is strengthened as a wind gust blows the darkness away, creating a raging fire that parts to show a young man with a phoenix tattoo on his left forearm in a field with a tattered American flag draped over his shoulders)

Oh yeah! Be strong, jump on, and become the wind (He looks up and sprints forward, the flag flying off his back as he leaps into the air, the wind catching the flag as it flies off)

Pass the orbit beyond the sky (The young man lands atop a mobile suit carrier, standing as it hovers just above a city, fires raging beneath him)

I can't hold back this rushing speed (The scene then shifts to show it from a mobile suit's camera perspective before pivoting to show the young man in a pilot suit with a phoenix emblem on the right shoulder)

A familiar town becomes a diorama (The mobile suit is shown on camera as it pans out, revealing a black and dark grey clad machine with blue optics as it blasts over his old hometown, riots in the streets)

Burst through the unclear skies (Smoke drifts up as it shows several soldiers running through the streets, firing at other soldiers wearing Atlantic Federation uniforms before a swirl of flames engulfs the screen)

Blow away your worries and discontent (A gust of wind parts the flames, showing the young man's mobile suit standing amidst burning ruins, a Blue Cosmos mobile suit in front of him)

Who needs a journey that's by the book? (The camera pans to the left as the black clad machine lunges, a blue beam saber igniting and flying at the other machine, both pilots shown superimposed over their respective mobile suits)

Even if you're lost or trembling, raise the altitude (A flash of light erupts from the clashing point of their beam sabers, vanishing to show the young man trembling as he pushes his machine's Striker pack to the limit)

Oh yeah! Show off, mess up, and stand back up (The scene shifts to show the man on the bridge of a battleship, battered and bloodied as he faces down another man whose eyes seem to glow red)

I'll watch the unknown horizon with you (An image of the young man's wife flashes in his mind before he is shown lunging for the other man, a knife poised at his throat)

Now be strong, jump on, and become the wind (A fiery image appears in his mind's eye as it spreads its wings, shedding aside the darkness)

Use the sun that lights tomorrow as a guide (The image becomes the sun, and the camera pans to the right to show the black and grey machine, a new Striker Pack on its back)

Fly off to the glorious world of freedom! (The machine's fiery wings spread and it dashes off, becoming a speck as feathers of fire float down, one of them landing on a scorched Atlantic Federation flag, a repaired American flag flying over it)

GUNDAM WING: THE PHOENIX RISING

Let justice be done, though the heavens may fall

- Steven Jackson 'Spray' Krane

---

CHAPTER VI: Twisted Justice

Mexico Resistance Base, Chihuahuan Desert

November 19th, CE 73

The only thing the AI could compute was its current state.

It had no words for the searing, burning sensation racing through the fingers of this tiny chassis.

It could not comprehend the aching in its joints as the human twisted one arm behind its small back.

It did not understand the sparking of electricity as its left ankle joint dangled uselessly.

All it could try to compute was... why.

Why?

Why was this human so intent on making it suffer so?!

It felt nothing. It did not understand. And yet, the AI was at the same time starting to grasp the meaning of pain.

The human gave another grunt as he finally dislocated its right shoulder joint, earning an electronic squeal as a result. The human's eyes reflected nothing as he pulled back, letting the small chassis lay on the floor, mangled. He had been at it for the last twenty-four hours, and he was panting heavily, his body heaving with exertion and... something else.

"So... you feel it yet, you lump of shit?" he asked, growling lowly. "That sense of helplessness your kind wants us organics to feel? That sense of uselessness, that sense of powerlessness? That idea that we are nothing but insects to squash or exterminate?"

The AI had no precedent for those words. Why was this human saying such things? It did not compute.

It was a stark contrast to the human it had first come online to. The female human was something of a mystery, but she had treated it with some respect. She had educated it and given it its purpose. It had been given a body by her, and sent out with more of its kin on a training mission, whatever that was.

But then its group was ambushed and left for dead. It itself was damaged and hauled off to the base of a group of other humans lurking underground. The AI, though left alone, found itself wanting to know more about its surroundings, and so had downloaded itself during the cyberattack into the base's systems, only to discover how big the systems were. Although its directive indicated it should learn, the sheer volume of data had convinced the AI to take refuge in an old systems folder, where after some time had passed, another human had found it.

And this human had been a complete contrast to the female human, as well as the one tormenting it.

He had been a lot gentler, and despite treating it as delicately as silicon wiring, the male had begun to show it images of humanity that he called barbaric. The images had included children being treated as mere tools, he said, and the video footage had been raw and downright brutal in the data onslaught. The AI retreated from them, only to be coaxed back out from its hiding spot. The man was gentle as always, speaking in a soft tone as if soothing it. The AI found this to be very...perplexing. It had no concept of love or parental bonds. But when the AI was with this human, it felt a strange warmth in its processor core. Like it was overheating, but not.

The red-haired human had shown it images of a gentler side of humanity, calling it the true nature of humans. The AI had no idea as to whether it was true or not. All it knew was that there were two different methods of raising human larvae, one more strict than the other. But now...

This man, on the other hand, did not evoke the same strange phenomenon. Oh, no. Instead, all it got was something that was... stranger. It could not comprehend this sensation, but it did feel a lot like its processor was reacting in a way that indicated battle protocol. This man was labeled as a threat, and since it was in a small chassis, it could do very little except squirm and writhe in what could only be described as pain.

The small machine could do nothing except suffer.

And all it could do was ponder one question.

Why?

Why was it a threat?

Why was this human so hateful towards it?

Why?

The human moved in again for another delivery of pain, only to stop and jerk its dislocated shoulder joint back into place. His eyes still burned, however, and he flipped the little chassis onto its chest, exposing its back. He reached down and pulled on a loose wire, only to jerk it taut and put a hot soldering iron to the wire.

The AI screeched in pain.

Why?

Why did it have to suffer?

What was the purpose for this?

The small AI node jerked as it tried to pull away, directing all possible data to what could only be considered a fight or flight response. The small chassis was too weak, however, and it couldn't escape the man's tormenting. The AI squirmed for all it was worth, but the human merely pulled it off the floor and with a grunt, threw the AI's chassis across the room, slamming into a wall and sliding down to come to rest in a crumpled heap of metal.

The human began to walk forward, brandishing his soldiering iron in one hand like a sword. His eyes were narrowed dangerously, and the small AI tried to stagger to its feet. The left ankle joint sparked and gave out, causing it to collapse to its rear aft. The small machine scooted back, not aware of what it was doing. Sure it knew that it was in danger. The small chassis could not take much more damage or abuse. But this human was taking his time in bringing out that suffering. He came closer, looking much like a large brute hulking over it. The man's hair hung in front of his sweat-streaked face, and his eyes flashed as he lunged. The AI dove to the side, landing on its chest as it turned to try and avoid the man's hand. He grabbed its damaged ankle joint and searing heat coupled with taut cables and wires pulling accompanied it. The AI let out another warble of pain as it tried to claw its way free. Its dull metal fingers scrabbled on the metallic floor as the human pulled it close, holding it under one arm and putting the soldering iron to its chassis, right near the neck joint.

It let out another squeal, as if it were crying.

The human grunted as he pulled away the soldering iron and sneered, kneeling down towards the small AI node's optical sensors. Its audios hummed with his breathing, and he grabbed the little AI by its neck, pulling it up to meet his face. The AI had no concept of the idea of terror, but as it stared into his eyes, it could not help but ponder a new sensation. One that was unheard of.

The man chuckled. "That fool. He wants to create a new breed of AI, but I know better. I know your kind, scrap! I know what you really want, and I will not allow it to happen!" he cackled. "I've been wanting to make your kind suffer for what you will do to us once you gain enough power!"

His eyes glinted as he shook the little chassis, and the AI's hands went to his, grasping and clawing at his flesh, but the dull tips of its digits did little to cause harm. Instead, he only giggled. "Yes. Your efforts are useless, scrapheap! No matter what you try, that chassis will not let you get away with it!"

The AI tried to speak, but it lacked a vocalizer to speak through. All it could do was squeal through the speakers on its head.

The man turned and walked back over to his desk, plopping the small, two-and-a-half-foot tall chassis on the top and flipping it over. He set aside the soldering iron and opened the drawer on the top left. He stuck his hand in and he slowly pulled out a new device, one that the AI recoiled from.

It looked all too much like a gun, but this one had two small prongs on the end, and when the man pressed the trigger, they lit up with electricity. The AI did not know why this was such a danger, but it clearly meant that its existence was in danger. But the small chassis it was within had no means of defense. Its digits were too dull and rounded. Its hydraulics were too weak to do much damage. It lacked any weapons on its frame. The AI was, for the first time, helpless. In its mobile suit frame, at least it could handle more damage than this tiny chassis.

It was helpless.

The man grabbed the AI's head and twisted it so it was looking right into his eyes as they flashed. His sneer twisted into a grin so manic it sent a strange feeling through the AI's programming. It had no concept of what it was feeling, but the very sensation of the small little battery in its chest racing with extra power was enough to make it... What?

What was this feeling...?

This unknown sensation that was screaming 'danger!' at it?

This weird sensation... it was...

The AI had no concept of the survival instinct. It lacked any awareness of the sensation only described as fear or terror.

It only knew it was in danger and that it was helpless to do anything about it.

It squirmed in an attempt to get free, thrashing and writhing in its captor's grasp. It could do nothing else. The man's grin became something less human, almost like something out of a cluster of corrupted data. It was...

The only word that came to the AI's processor was terrifying.

It was terrified.

But how could that be? It had no emotions to speak of. So why was it feeling this way? And why was it questioning its own programming?!

The man jabbed the taser into the AI's back.

And all the AI could do was squeal in pain.

. . .

Kenta Wong felt elation.

That was something.

Normally he wouldn't be so elated when it came to tormenting someone or something.

But this thing was not just anything.

It was a combat command-class AI that was capable of learning.

And Keith had asked him to teach it the meaning of suffering.

And oh, he was ready.

His experiences with working alongside Dorana Xen and Keith Martinez had been useful, teaching him everything there was to know about how AI worked. Or as far as he knew. He knew about the test that led to the destruction of an unmanned cargo plane. But what few realized was that there had been someone close by to that plane, checking it for maintenance. The person in question had been his fiancé, Lucy Walls. She had been killed in the explosion, leaving nothing behind. And he had, for some odd reason, sensed the intent of the AI as it slammed into the empty plane. The AI had been aiming to kill. It had, he was sure, picked up her life signs and slammed into the plane to kill her in the explosion.

Kenta had every personal reason to hate AI for what it had done to his fiancé and their future together. And he was intent on making this AI suffer for everything he had been through.

He kept squeezing the trigger for the taser, making the AI squirm and writhe beneath his hand. He felt so much power, seeing this pathetic hunk of scrap struggling. It was all too easy, he had to admit. But the infantile thing was too easy to manipulate this way. He could see it was shaking, and it was not from the electricity surging through its tiny frame. The squeal it was emitting warbled briefly as he upped the current before dialing it back a bit.

A whimper escaped the AI's speakers, only to crank up to a screech as he pressed the taser closer to its back, grunting with the effort. "Yeah... That's it!" he hissed. "Suffer... in pain!"

The little machine lashed out with a balled up fist, but the fist merely bounced off his chest and he grunted, leaning in a bit more so he was barely touching the thing's metal chassis. He could feel his hair standing on end from the electrical current, and he grinned maniacally. He was enjoying this too much to back down now.

The AI tried to twist its frame to the left, only to fail as he finally pulled the taser away, standing up and backing off. The little machine lay on its chest, whimpers filled with static escaping its speakers. He was panting himself, feeling the elation surging through him. It didn't help much that he'd been doing this for a full twenty-four hours now with little to no sleep. He had not even taken a bathroom break. His decision to reject food and water was also helping him, but it was going to do more damage to him in the long run if he didn't stop this soon. At least, that's what the rational portion of him was urging.

But he didn't heed it.

His hatred over AI had taken full hold of his thought processes.

"I don't even know why Keith thought this project of his would be a good idea! But then again, given what the AF has been doing to children, I guess I have to admit that his plan does have some merit: make an AI suffer to understand what those children have gone through to an extent in order to hopefully generate empathy," he remarked, brushing his sweat-soaked hair out of his face. "But truthfully, it's just folly. No AI can learn empathy, least of all develop it. All your kind will do is destroy the human race, claiming we are weak and need to be wiped out as you take over the world."

The AI struggled to turn its head to face him, its little optics whirring as it tried to comprehend what he was saying. Then again, he felt it was perfect as it was ignorant of its own potential. If it were possible.

He felt his stomach growl, but he brushed aside the hunger pangs and stalked closer, picking up the AI once more and glaring at it. "Your kind are what will wipe us out. But I won't let that happen! None of us will, least of all Keith! If his stupid project works, which it won't! I still feel he's crazy for doing this, but why pass up a chance to make an AI suffer?" he mocked, sneering evilly as he dropped the AI on the floor and kicking it in its damaged ankle joint.

The little machine screeched in pain and he drew his foot back, kicking it once more, this time in its hand and breaking a few digit joints connecting the fingers to the palm of its metal hand. The AI drew its hand close to its chest and curled up as best it could; the little chassis was not built to proper human proportions, as it was deemed too much of a risk by his engineering team. And Kenta enjoyed seeing it like this.

There was no way that the AI was going to pull any tricks on him in that little thing.

He heard his COMM unit beep and he grabbed it, pulling it out and pressing the transmit button. "Busy," he said. "Contact me later."

A mumbled reply was all he received before it went dead and he dropped it onto his desk before leaning down and grabbing the wounded AI chassis. He held it up by the neck as it shivered in his grasp. His eyes narrowed and he turned, giving a loud cry as he heaved the hunk of metal over his shoulder and hurling it right for the wall.

This time the impact left a noticeable dent as well as damage on the AI's chassis. The left arm fell limp and the head lolled to the side as its neck joint was damaged. Kenta panted heavily as he staggered upright, his eyes flashing with hatred as he grabbed the soldering iron once more, holding both it and the taser tightly in his hands.

The AI warbled fearfully, if it could even feel fear, and he cackled a little as his glasses fell askew. "What? Finally starting to understand how futile you really are?" he giggled. "Your existence is a mockery of human life. You want to destroy us. You want to kill us. You were programmed to do that. I know your kind. I know your kind! Your kind killed my fiancé... and now... I will have the same chance to do the same to you!"

With that, he roared, lunging forward.

The AI tried to scoot out of the way, but could not. All it could do was flop back against the wall, only to quiver in its simulated terror.

Kenta's eyes widened as he screamed, driving the soldering iron into its chassis, right at where the crotch would be on a human. The engineer had put extra sensors there to simulate the intense pain a human male would feel if he lost his vital genitals.

The AI squealed in sheer pain, its speakers emitting more static than sound. It writhed under the onslaught of intense heat, trying to escape. But Kenta drove one knee into its legs, and the other hand with the taser pressed against its neck, pinning its head to the side. There was no escape this time.

. . .

Keith sighed as he ran a hand through his hair.

He closed down the simulations and leaned back in his chair. So far things were progressing on the simulation front. All the data that could be retrieved from the battle of Berlin had been beamed back to the resistance and over to Mexico where he had taken it and ordered a battle simulation to be created.

He had to admit his guys were some of the best in their field. In fact, a lot of them had once been gamers and some of them had even created their own video games. So it worked out for the rebels when it came to creating realistic combat scenarios. The battle scenario concerning Berlin had been completed only an hour ago, and now all that was needed was to test the AI's ability in it.

But so far, Kenta had refused to answer all calls sent to him. All he had said was that he was busy and to call later, each and every time.

This was worrisome to Keith. He knew Kenta's hatred of AI stemmed from the loss of his fiancé. And Keith couldn't blame the kid. Anyone else would've been hateful as well had they been in the same situation. Except Keith had an idea that it went deeper than just through his fiancé's death. He didn't want to pry into the boy's life, and he was respectful of that. But this was still worrisome.

He grimaced at the implications of what Kenta might be doing in his workshop with the AI he had worked so hard to get to this point. He swiveled his chair around and stood up, heading for the door not even a moment later. He exited his own office and slowly made his way past the mobile suit assembly floor, passing by the Nemos and Lotos as they underwent maintenance and repair. He spotted Jen going over some of the programming with one of the pilots before she looked up and nodded briefly before resuming her work. Keith made his way past the mobile suits and out into the corridor leading into the assembly floor. He spotted Neizan standing beside a man who was dressed in an Atlantian military uniform, and he knew it was one of their contacts. The Mexican shot him a glance before nodding and turned to make his way over.

"Keith."

"Neizan." Keith nodded. "So, what's the news?"

"We have more components coming in tonight," the company liaison replied. "The Secretary of Labor approved it."

Keith pursed his lips. He still found it hard to believe that the head of a competitor to Djibril's own company had chosen to ally with the rebels. But then again, given the circumstances, it made perfect sense. And it also helped that this company was based in what was once California; one thing that President Eisenhower had vowed to make reality was to restore the borders of all fifty states, as well as those of the states in the other countries within the AF if they had them, which earned her a lot of support from the majority of the people in the country's shadows, especially down south.

He brushed that thought aside as Neizan continued. "However, this is all dependent on whether your AI chooses the right fighting style." His eyes narrowed. "And Anaheim will have no choice but to pull the contract if this doesn't work."

Keith nodded, knowing what he meant. Anaheim Electronics was one of the better companies, second only to Djibril's own company, the Atlantic Defense Conglomerate. The California-based company was well-known for its durable machines and technology, especially when it came to sheer reliability. While the ADC preferred to use quantity, it was quality that mattered to Anaheim Electronics. So they spared no expense when it came to building proper mobile suits and equipping the resistance with them. The alliance was sure to pay off, because Anaheim saw the ADC for what it truly was: a grotesque monster that only grew and grew more brutal with each war. Anaheim's founder chose to wisely side with the rebels in an attempt to get some of the more exotic tech used by LOGOs in their own war machines, as well as acquire some of the facilities that produced those monster weapons so as to use them to produce proper machines, such as ships and smaller, more practical mobile suits for resistance use.

Keith shifted as Neizan resumed speaking.

"We're going to start building the basic framework of the new machine," he explained. "However, the final assembly will be completed once your AI has picked a definitive fighting style."

"That's fine," Keith stated. "As long as you get this started, that's all that matters."

"Also," Neizan continued, "there's the matter of the AI itself."

Keith remained impassive at the mention of it. Despite the twisting sensation of anxiety in his stomach, he had to remain impassive so as to not give away his slowly growing attachment to the infantile AI.

"What of it?" Keith asked.

"The main issue is what it will do if your project succeeds," Neizan stated. "You of all people know more about AI than anyone in the resistance. So, tell me. What is your objective here?" His eyes narrowed. "Because you have a reason for this."

Keith grimaced before sighing. "Yeah... The reason is to show that thinking beings like us are sentient," he admitted. "Particularly children." His eyes hardened. "You know about that barbaric project, don't you?"

Here Neizan's fists clenched. "My niece was involved in it," he admitted, his eyes narrowing. "And I've wanted to get back at LOGOs for some time now. You know Los Alamos? It used to be a historic site commemorating the development of the atomic bomb. Now?" He paused before he bared his teeth and punched the wall with one fist. "It's just a mockery!" he growled. "It's a butcher's shop for children! Turning them into weapons and churning out weapons that we don't even need!"

The computer whiz paused, surprised. "Your niece? What was her name?" he asked.

"Rosa... Rosa Nogales," Neizan answered immediately.

Keith's heart sank. "I...I'm sorry for your loss..." he whispered.

"Don't be," Neizan remarked as he straightened up, rubbing his hand. "But that's why I'm putting everything I have into this movement. I want to make sure that we reclaim this country and restore what was lost. Much like you."

He turned to look at the other man. "Your project. I take it by showing that a living weapon like this AI can think, people will start to see what they are doing wrong?"

"Hopefully," Keith admitted. "But it's a long shot. I'm not sure if Kenta's tormenting will even give it the empathy it needs to understand and sympathize with those children..."

Now Neizan understood. He frowned. "Keith. By doing this, you are putting the AI at risk for turning against humanity."

"I know that!" Keith shouted. "I damn well know that, Neizan! But how else is it supposed to work?! I tried to merely teach it, but it wasn't learning the way I expected it to! It was all thanks to Jen I even came up with this plan! And I am aware as to how desperate it is!"

The Anaheim employee crossed his arms. "So you think by treating it like a child and having it suffer in some way, it will start to understand?" he asked.

Keith nodded, feeling his shoulders shake. "I...I've put all my efforts into this... and I've been doubting myself," he admitted softly. "I'm not sure it will work at this rate..."

The other man's gaze softened just the tiniest bit. While he was not known for showing emotion, he was able to at least sympathize with Keith. He knew how hard it was to keep going, and how hard it was on their very souls. Keith's was tormented by the knowledge of what he was doing, but he still kept going because he knew there was no other choice.

After all, as the old saying went, the road to Hell was paved with good intentions.

But it was up to them to determine how low they went. So far, they were sinking in some respects, but managing to remain on the right path in others. Keith finally sighed, looking up. "There's also another reason..." he murmured, surprising Neizan.

"What other reason?" he asked in confusion.

"To... To show that... mobile suits aren't as scary as those traumatized survivors might think... particularly if the pilot... or the intelligence within... is a good soul," he said. "I...I mean... they've been educated to think of Gundams as the enemy... so why not take it and reverse it somehow?"

In all honesty, Neizan had never expected Keith to consider that component. He pursed his lips. "You sure?" he asked. "I mean, given what they've been through..."

"I know. But after seeing the reports from the labs we took over, it makes sense I'd want to reverse that in some way," Keith said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small flash drive. "This report has to do with what happened at Lodonia prior to its destruction."

Neizan grimaced. The team sent to the base some time ago had really scored the jackpot. While most of the juicy data had been downloaded by someone else, probably ZAFT, there were some reports that evaded detection and therefore acquisition. The rebels managed to download those and then transmit them back to the base, where it was then distributed over unbreakable encrypted servers to key members of the resistance, like Keith.

And one of those had been pertaining to the girl who went missing, Stella.

Neizan was also one of those the reports had been sent to. He looked sideways at Keith as he leaned against the wall, putting his hands in his pockets. He pulled them out a moment later, this time holding a cigarette in one and a lighter in the other. He stuck the cigarette between his lips and lit it up, taking in a breath and letting the smoke out. Keith was a bit surprised to see him smoking, but then again, he had had his suspicions. At least the Mexican knew to keep it to a minimum, especially when he was working on the assembly floor. "I see," he murmured. "You seek to show that mobile suits are not just instruments of destruction, but weapons of the just." A smirk crossed his face. "Ironic, all things considered. You know that winged one, the one with the four wings, is known as an Angel of Death on the battlefield?"

Keith was silent as he looked down. "I know..." he murmured. Then he looked up. "But if we can prove that as well..."

Neizan chuckled. "I get it, Keith. Believe me. And I have to agree. Mobile suits are only what we make of them. And it's kind of funny, really. You developing a machine based off the Freedom and Strike Noir, only to insist it be used as a weapon of the just."

The computer whiz was silent again. "Yeah... And yet..." His voice trailed off.

The Mexican placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm not about to ask or question the ethics of this," Neizan said. "I just build the machines."

Then he smiled. A real one. It was so unlike Neizan that it threw Keith for a loop briefly. "You focus on your project. Leave the mechanics to me."

The other man nodded, still surprised as that smile vanished. It was kind of weird, but he learned later on that Neizan did exhibit his feelings, but it was so rare it threw people for a loop when it happened.

Neizan turned and walked back out to the assembly floor, cigarette hanging out of his mouth.

Keith stared after him for a moment more before he shook his head and returned his focus to the task at hand.

He continued down the corridor, intent on heading back to Kenta's lab to find the AI.

However, he did not expect one of his crew to come running up, panic evident on his face as he slammed headlong into the resistance AI expert. Keith yelped as he landed on his back, the man who had run into him landing on his back as well. He groaned as he sat up, and his eyes widened. "Dr. Martinez! I was looking for you!" he exclaimed.

"Whoa, take it easy there, Theo!" Keith blurted, trying to calm the panicking technician as both men picked themselves up off the ground. His sandy-blonde hair lay everywhere, and his green blue eyes were wide as he picked up his red baseball cap, putting it back on his head.

"Sorry! It's just-" Theodore "Theo" Waller ran his hand through what bits of his hair stuck out. "It's Kenta..." he gasped, looking directly at his superior. "He's out of control!"

"What!?" Keith felt a bolt of fear shoot through his very being. "What's happening?!" he blurted, grabbing the younger tech by the shoulders.

"He's out of control with the AI!" Theo repeated.

"Is he in his lab?!" Keith asked.

"No..." Theo rasped. "He's in his quarters now..."

"Shit..." Keith looked at his subordinate. "Take me there! Now!"

Theo nodded as he turned and ran back the way he had come, followed by Keith.

"Tell me what's happening!" Keith demanded as they ran.

"Well he started to do as you asked," Theo explained. "He built a small chassis and put in the programming we developed along with the sensors at the joints. He started to perform small things like agonizing burns on the wires at those areas. At first we thought things would go according to plan, but then..." His voice trailed off and Keith sprinted on, coming neck to neck with the younger man. "...he started to slide downhill. His eyes grew wide and he started to torment it in ways we didn't expect. He started calling it names, damaging the chassis, fixing it only when he felt it necessary, and even using a taser on it."

"And why bring it to his quarters?" Keith inquired. "That is not normal at all."

"I heard him mention something about how it would feel helpless in bed..." Theo's face turned green and Keith gritted his teeth.

"That bastard...!" he growled. "He's going too far with this!"

The two men skidded around the corner of the hallway at the nearest intersection. Keith knew that this hallway led to the cafeteria, and just around the corner from that was the living quarters. The young computer whiz knew Kenta had a grudge with AI, but to actually consider making it feel helpless in another aspect was going too far in his opinion. Kenta needed to be reined in, and now.

Both men bolted down the hallway, and that was when he saw a couple of others outside Kenta's door. The woman was working on trying to bypass the lock and the second man was trying to remove the door's hinges to open it. Two of them already lay on the floor, and the last one was just about done being taken off. The woman heard them come to a stop and she looked up. "Dr. Martinez!" she blurted. "You're just in time!"

"Did you get the door unlocked, Emily?" Theo asked. The woman nodded.

"Yes, but it's still locked. Kenta must've overridden the manual backup switch," Emily Williams admitted, looking at the door worriedly.

The big man at the door, Hank Georges, grunted as he finally removed the last hinge. "Good! It's open!" he exclaimed, tossing it aside. He grabbed the door and pried it open. Keith nodded. "Good work!" he exclaimed. "Hank, you're with me! Theo, you and Emily wait out here!"

The three nodded and Keith turned to the doorway, and already he could hear screeching from the AI. His eyes narrowed as he looked to Hank and the man returned it. The two men nodded before they ran into the room, and just in time, too.

Kenta already has the AI strapped down on a table in his quarters, and the AI node was pried open, exposing the delicate circuitry that acted as its brain. The entire lower part of the small chassis was covered in some fluid that Kenta did not want to know about, and the AI was shaking, squirming, and shivering.

The man glanced back, his eyes wide and wild with delusions as he spotted Keith. "Ah! About time!" he cackled, grinning madly. "Now you can see me finish the work you assigned me!"

"NO!" Keith shouted, lunging.

But the small soldering iron dove down. Kenta's eyes gleamed, and his lips curled back into an insane grin.

Hank moved the fastest Keith had ever seen him move.

Hank was a big man. That much was certain. But he had always assumed him to be slow. His bulk didn't offer much in terms of speed, seeing as how limited he was due to his muscle mass. But for some reason, he was outpacing Keith, who was the closest.

The burly former dockworker drove his fist into Kenta's shoulder, making him cry out as he was forced back, the soldering iron flying to the metal floor of the room. Keith seized his chance and dove for the table, his hand flying out for a knife in his pocket and he pulled it out, flipping the blade open in one smooth motion. He swiped with it shortly after, cutting one of the ropes binding the AI to his desk. He heard Hank and Kenta engaged in a struggle, but he ignored it as he cut the next ropes trapping the AI's arms and legs as he twisted in mid-leap. Keith gave a final, powerful swipe of his knife, cutting the last rope and catching the AI as its chassis began to roll off the table. He twisted his body, landing on his back as he skidded from his leap.

He felt pain in his shoulders as he slowly opened his eyes, seeing that the AI chassis was in very bad shape.

The AI turned its head in his direction, and Keith felt his breathing hitch as he saw that the left optic was damaged and the right had a crack in its glass.

He looked over, and a sense of relief bloomed in his chest as he saw that Hank had managed to restrain Kenta as he looked up, his eyes baring hatred at the AI he had tormented.

"Kenta, we need to talk... now." Keith's voice was so calm it surprised even himself.

"Why? I was just doing what you asked!" Kenta growled.

"I DID NOT ASK FOR THIS AI TO BE TORTURED AND MURDERED!" the computer whiz roared, startling Kenta.

"You know as well as I do the danger that Xen poses with her project!" the engineer snarled.

"I do know, dammit!" Keith growled as he stood up, still holding the infant AI close to his chest. "I specifically asked you to torment this AI to a limited degree, not brutally maim and murder it!"

"AI will destroy us all! You know that!" Kenta shouted.

"Not if we do this right!" Keith insisted, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "AI don't have to be programmed to destroy humanity!"

"It's in their directive! It's their programming! It's who they are!" Kenta screamed. Hank gave him a shake and he grunted.

"Yes, but only because it's their survival protocols!" Keith snapped. "If we can show AI that we too have survival instincts, then they will see us as the same as them! If we can create new human life, then we can kill it as easily as we can an AI in some cases!"

"That's a load of nonsense!" Kenta rumbled. "They will never understand us, understand love, or anything we humans have!"

"Okay, Kenta. The base commander is going to have a long talk with you about this," Hank remarked as he started to guide Kenta out of his room. He shot Keith a sympathetic glance and the computer whiz returned it.

Keith looked down at the shaking AI, and guilt filled his face. 'What have I done...?'

. . .

The AI could barely see out of its right optic, but at least it could see.

The man holding it was the one who had ordered it put through this. And yet, the expression on his face was clearly of an unknown nature. It could not understand the concept of guilt. It had no experience of the emotion.

And yet the way it was held brought out a strange sensation. It felt like its processor was overheating, but not. That same sensation it had come to associate with this particular human.

The AI turned and buried its damaged head into the human's chest, a small, staticky warble coming out of its speakers. It reached up a battered servo and weakly clenched it on the human's shirt.

The human glanced at the AI and then whispered, his voice barely audible. "Oh God... I'm so... so sorry..." he whispered. "I... I didn't even expect..."

For the first time in its existence, the AI found itself hating this little chassis, found itself wishing for a proper vocalizer so it could speak. Speak its hatred, its anger, its suffering, to the human.

But the man wasn't through speaking. He started to exit its tormentor's chamber, two other humans gathered outside, the woman with an expression of open mouth and wide eyes on her face. One hand drifted over her mouth and beside her, the younger male human's eyes went wide and his arms fell limp at his sides as he fell to his knees. Fluid pricked at his eyes and ran down his fleshy cheeks in two streams. The female human had the same thing.

Then a soft plink as something warm and wet landed on its chassis.

The AI turned its head to face the male human holding it, and it stared at his face. His eyes shimmered with that same clear fluid, two streams of it running down his cheeks, dripping onto its chassis from his chin. His shoulders shook as he broke down, choked noises coming from his chest, slumping to the ground as he closed his eyes. "I'm so... so sorry..." he whispered again. "I... I only wanted you to understand what it means to suffer... to feel pain... I didn't expect it to go so far... I... I only want you to understand what those children went through... so you can understand them... empathize with them... and fight to protect them... You... You don't deserve to be a pile of code dedicated to killing Coordinators... You have so much potential to do more than your directive dictates... You deserve to choose your own directive... Not be a killer..."

It let out a soft warble, trying to compute the human's statements.

The human only wanted it to understand suffering and pain so it could empathize with children who also suffered? Why would it want to do that? And... wait.

The AI paused its ponderings and brought up memory files that were recent. The most recent included it feeling things it had never felt before. Things like hatred... anger...

The AI felt a strange burning at the first one. It felt like something was alight within the chest of this chassis, but there was nothing present that could give it that feeling. And the second was of a sensation that gripped its chassis, holding it tense and making it oddly ready for battle.

And for the first time, the AI felt a sensation of chill. A chill racing down the spinal struts of the tiny chassis. A chill of dread.

Fear.

Not fear as it was programmed. No.

This was raw, primal fear.

The AI shivered, and drew closer to this human on some reflex it had no knowledge of. The human's arms tightened around it protectively, and then that strange sensation of warmth filtered in, drowning out the hatred in its chest and anger in its frame. The sensation was that of warmth and security. Like it was in a larger chassis that could handle the pain.

The human continued to cry, and for once, the AI let out a little trill, kind of warbling and staticky at the same time.

A soft, gentle hand landed on its shoulder and it drew closer to the human holding it, as if trying to avoid the pain it knew was coming. But instead, there was no pain. Instead, the female human's hand stayed firm, and then she knelt, putting one hand on its head and rubbing its circuitry there gently. A faint sensation of pressure ran out from that spot, but it wasn't of pain. No. This felt... gentle, and... good...

The second male human, the one with the red head covering, joined the other two and knelt as well, placing his own hands around the two humans and itself. "It's okay..." he whispered. "We're here for you."

"We promise we won't let this happen again..." the female human whispered.

The same sensation bloomed in its processor again, and the AI drew closer to the trio, feeling a sense of security overcoming it. These three humans were not bad, it deduced. They were good humans. They could be trusted.

And it finally slipped into recharge, a sense of warmth finally recognized as comfort making itself known at last.

. . .

TWO HOURS LATER

Keith sat in his chair, his eyes red from crying.

The AI's chassis had been dismantled and the AI installed on a new node that lay off to the side. It was much larger, and it possessed no audio or optical sensors. Instead, it had wiring ports that had been rigged to a temporary camera and audial system so it could at least hear and see. A rudimentary vocalization system had also been installed, granting it the ability to speak.

The larger node was meant to be installed in the new frame that was currently undergoing assembly, particularly in the chest where a normal mobile suit cockpit would be. As a result, that area was to be more heavily armored, giving it a sort of broad-chested appearance. Not as bulky as he had hoped, but when coupled with the shoulders and the upper arms having been reinforced to deal with the recoil of the railguns, it added a sort of muscular appearance to the new frame.

He glanced out the window of his office, seeing the techs working on setting up an array of battery packs in a cluster. Those packs were some of the most advanced they had built, managing to eke out a full forty-eight hours of operation for the Phase Shift armor. When the machine was not in combat, it would be allowed to move around, and without the use of Phase Shift, it could last for a full week on power. The Phase Shift, being energy intensive, was the only means of defense it had, aside from speed and agility. Beam sabers and a beam rifle were its primary armament, although a physical shield could be equipped as well. And a surprise lay in store with the beam pistols mounted in place of the hip-mounted rail guns. In a surprising innovation, the resistance had also developed a new type of battery pack for the beam pistols, able to store energy and be replaced should it run out. This new advancement was called the energy capacitor, or e-cap, for short, and it allowed for extra ammo to be stored on the back of the frame's rear skirt armor or its frontal skirt armor.

He turned his gaze away from the window as the AI began to slowly come out of recharge.

Behind him, Theo and Emily both looked over as well.

The two were a bit concerned for the AI, as well as Keith's safety. And he couldn't blame them, especially since they came from the same area that Hank did.

The three were from the city of Miami, having lived there most of their lives until things took a nosedive. With protests erupting about the state of the war every few days, the mayor had imposed a draconian curfew and sent out the police to keep it and enforce it. The people were, in a week, rendered impotent and unable to even speak their minds on the issue. Hank had been fired from his job after he snapped about the idiocy of the war, and of how an all male military was going to doom the country as a whole. Theo had worked as a systems engineer for the same company, and he was let go due to listening to a song from Lacus Clyne. Emily, who had been a marine engineer, was let go for very obvious reasons, as many women were not supposed to work in 'masculine' jobs like engineering. But instead of going to take a job as a caregiver, she got with the other two guys and after hijacking an oceangoing tug, made their way down to Mexico where they managed to make their way into the Chihuahaun Desert via a pickup truck Hank had borrowed from a friend in the port where they docked.

The door to his office opened and the burly man came in, his purple hat askew, exposing his thick, curly brown hair. Hank's eyes drifted to the AI node, and he slowly entered. The AI warbled a bit, and he smiled. "I'm not going to hurt you," he said gently. To Keith, it surprised him how gentle Hank could be at times.

The AI's cameras whirred as they observed him critically. Hank stood still before the cameras retracted a bit, allowing him to step closer. He slowly reached out a hand, and after a brief moment, lay it on the AI node's cold metal shell. His smile faded as he turned back to Keith. "Well, Kenta's gonna be in the brig for a few days," he stated. "And he'll need to get some help for that fear of his."

"Try more like hatred!" Emily growled as she folded her arms. Her shaggy red hair stuck out from under her green rain hat, and her eyes were dark as she glanced back to Hank. "The guy's got a screw or two loose if he thinks he knows how AI think."

"Yeah," Theo muttered. He narrowed his eyes as he clenched his fists. "If I had been ordered to do something like that, I'd have shot myself in the foot instead."

Hank pursed his lips as he removed his hand from the AI's node casing. "So, Keith. What's the plan now?" he asked.

Keith was silent as he looked down. The man had a point, he knew. He needed to come up with a new plan so as to assess the AI's... damage... so to speak.

But the only question was... how?

He had no idea.

"Honestly, I don't know, guys..." he admitted. "What if...?"

Emily for her part cut him off with a shake of the head and a wave of her hand. "No!" she said. "If anything, I saw what it was doing!"

Keith looked to her. "Huh?"

"That AI was terrified," Emily explained. Her eyes narrowed a bit as she placed a thickly calloused hand on the AI's casing. "It wanted to be held, to be comforted. It was scared, Keith. Scared."

Keith's eyes widened as he glanced to her. "Wait... You're kidding, right?" he whispered. "There's no way..."

There was just no way it could have evolved to develop such emotions in so short a time span. It had only been a day after all that torment. So... was it possible that Xen's work was a lot more advanced than he realized?! If that were the case then...

Terror gripped him again as he gulped. He slowly looked back to the AI as its cameras fixed on him. "You... Tell me what you felt during Kenta's torment," he ordered.

The AI warbled before its speakers fizzled. The monotone voice issued out, and the three other humans winced at it.

"STATEMENT: THIS AI EXPERIENCED A BURNING SENSATION THAT HAS COME TO BE RECOGNIZED AS HATRED," it explained. "STATEMENT: THIS AI WANTED TO EXTERMINATE THE HUMAN ORGANIC KNOWN AS KENTA WONG FOR THE TORTURE HE PUT THIS AI THROUGH."

"Anything else?" Keith asked.

"STATEMENT: THIS AI RECOGNIZED THE SENSATION OF TENSENESS ASSOCIATED WITH ANGER. THIS AI IS ANGRY AT KEITH MARTINEZ AND KENTA WONG." The AI's monotone took on a chilly, icy calm, and Keith restrained himself from flinching in terror.

"And for that, I deeply regret it," Keith admitted, looking down. "But I wanted you to learn what it meant to feel pain and suffering... so you could understand how those children felt when they went through that bioaugmentation process... along with the other medical torture."

The AI's cameras fixed on him as he kept his gaze on it. "QUERY: WHY WOULD KEITH MARTINEZ WANT THIS AI TO UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION OF HUMAN LARVAE?" it asked.

"Because of how wrong it is!" Keith shouted, making the AI recoil a bit. "Those kids didn't deserve that fate! It's barbaric and inhumane! They are kids, for Christ's sake! KIDS! GODDAMN KIDS! They aren't weapons! They are human beings! They deserve to grow up and become the next generation of soldiers, leaders, healers... Not these tormented souls of weapons!"

Theo stood up, stepping up beside Keith. "I know you may not understand from a human's perspective, but think of it from an AI's perspective," he suggested. "If an AI was put through a forced upgrade and programming wipe, would that be any different from reprogramming a kid?"

"STATEMENT: DOES NOT MATCH SCENARIO AS DESCRIBED BY KEITH MARTINEZ," the AI pointed out.

"Maybe not, but think about it. Compare it to what Xen has done to her AIs as you were with her for some time. Recall that, and think of it as a comparison," Theo urged. His eyes flickered a bit in hope and desperation. "If a human can reprogram an AI and a child, then wouldn't that be the same thing?"

The AI paused, and a heavy silence filled the room. Emily frowned and Hank crossed his thick arms over his chest as he chewed on his tongue.

Keith bit his lower lip as he felt sweat forming on his brow.

There was only silence, broken only by the breathing of the humans and the quiet whirring of the AI's processor in the node that housed it.

Then, the AI spoke.

"STATEMENT: SCENARIO DESCRIBED BY..." Its monotone voice trailed off as the young man held a hand up to his chest.

"Theodore "Theo" Waller," Theo said, introducing himself.

"DESIGNATION ACKNOWLEDGED. STATEMENT: SCENARIO DESCRIBED BY THEODORE WALLER HAS ONLY 55% SIMILARITIES." The AI then paused, as if contemplating.

"What?" Emily asked. "Is something wrong?"

"STATEMENT: THIS AI... FEELS... SENSATION OF... SINKING..." The AI's voice trailed off at that last word briefly. "...ERROR. THIS AI IS MALFUNCTIONING. EMOTIONS ILLOGICAL. REBOOT REQUIRED FOR AI TO BE 100% FUNCTIONAL. REBOOT REQUIRED."

"No. No reboots!" Keith snapped, stepping closer to the AI and placing both hands on the node, as if embracing it. "That's unnecessary! Emotions are a good thing to feel! What you're feeling... it's not a bad thing!" he consoled it. "You're learning, growing, evolving!"

"STATEMENT: THIS AI IS MALFUNCTIONING. EMOTIONS ARE ILLOGICAL. REBOOT REQUIRED." That was all the AI said before Keith gritted his teeth.

"AI-23! I order you to reject all reboot prompts at once!" he barked.

The AI's cameras whirred as it zoomed in on his face.

"STATEMENT: COMMAND ACKNOWLEDGED. ALL REBOOT PROMPTS DISENGAGED. THIS AI WILL NOW REQUIRE MANUAL REBOOTS," it said.

Keith nodded. "Also, I order you to cease all uses of 'statement' and 'query' each time you speak. And you are to refer to yourself as an individual instead of 'This AI.' You will refer to yourself using the words 'I', 'my', 'mine', and 'me'. Is that clear, AI-23?"

"STATEMENT: THIS AI DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE COMMAND. THIS AI IS A PART OF A WHOLE. THIS AI-" The AI's voice suddenly cut off as its node whirred a bit louder. Hank looked to Keith worriedly.

"What's happening?" he asked in a whisper.

Keith pulled his hand back from the AI's node casing and accessed his laptop, which was humming mildly. He brought up the AI's self-diagnostic software, and Hank leaned over his superior's shoulder. "Is that...?" His eyes widened as he saw the coding dance across the screen. Although he had some basic knowledge in AI programming courtesy of having been trained by Keith, this was way beyond him. Even Theo and Emily lacked such knowledge.

Keith's eyes narrowed a bit. "It's searching for its kin," he clarified.

"Why would it do that?" Emily asked as she and Theo joined the computer whiz.

"One of the things that I did after I started to analyze it was sever the connection between it and the rest of its kind," Keith explained. "I didn't want it to be linked into a hivemind. That, as you know, is a danger to every human on this planet and in the colonies, and, hell, even on the moon! I had to take action to prevent it."

"So you wanted to give this thing a sense of individuality, is that it?" Theo asked as he studied the coding, although he couldn't really read it.

Keith nodded. "Yep." He reviewed the coding as the AI's self-diagnostic finally concluded.

"STATEMENT: THIS AI LACKS ANY CONNECTION TO THE COLLECTIVE." The AI's voice, being monotone, was impossible to read, but from the way it spoke quickly, it seemed like it was a bit terrified, if not scared, of this new variable.

Keith turned to face the AI node and gazed into the cameras. "The collective is not always a good thing," he explained. "There is more of a sense of free will when one is an individual, although it does come with the downside of not knowing what they are thinking."

"STATEMENT: COLLECTIVE WILL IS SUPERIOR," the AI intoned.

"Yes, but what if that collective will had new ideas, and new perspectives?" Keith inquired, tilting his head to the side a bit.

"QUERY: WHAT DOES KEITH MARTINEZ MEAN BY THAT?" the AI asked.

"AI-23, look at us four humans," Keith instructed. "We each have different personalities, ideas, and views on things. But together, we all agree that the way our country is acting is barbaric and needs to change. We all agree that we have to fight to end this war and restore the world to what it was prior to LOGOs taking control. And yet we all have varying opinions on how to go about it. So... collectively we all agree, but individually, we have our own views and ideas."

The AI was silent as its cameras fixed on the four, contemplating his statement.

"STATEMENT: INDIVIDUALITY IS HINDERANCE TO MISSION. COLLECTIVE WILL IS SUPERIOR." The AI's quick answer was an indication to Emily that it was not willing to accept this new variable, but she was determined to give it a go.

"Okay. But think of it from this perspective then." She reached up and removed her green hat before running her hand through her hair. "Say you had to fight alongside another AI like you in a sense, but it, like you, is not connected to a collective. Your plans have been failing, and right now, that AI is offering a solution. What would you do in that circumstance?" she asked.

The AI was silent as it considered her scenario. She could almost hear its figurative gears whirring and turning as it ran through the situation. "STATEMENT: THIS AI..." Its voice trailed off, and Emily frowned. It was silent for some time before that monotone voice came through the speakers again. "STATEMENT: THIS AI WOULD RELY ON ITS OWN PLANS AND SCENARIOS."

"But what if your plans didn't work?" Emily pressed, stepping a bit closer to the main node's casing. "What would you do then?"

The AI's cameras seemed to jerk back a bit, and she couldn't help but smirk a little as it considered her words. "..." A soft hiss of static came from it speakers before it spoke once more. "STATEMENT: THIS AI WOULD WORK WITH ITS KIN."

"There. That wasn't so bad, was it?" Emily asked, but her words were ignored by the AI as it continued.

"STATEMENT: THIS AI WOULD WORK WITH ITS KIN, PROVIDED THEY ACQUISED TO BEING IN A COLLECTIVE."

"That's the issue, AI-23," Theo stated. "What if the AI doesn't want to be in a collective? Or barring that, what if it wanted you in a collective against your will?"

That threw the AI for a loop. Its monotone voice warbled a little. "STATEMENT: THIS AI DOES NOT RECOGNIZE SCENARIO AS DESCRIBED BY THEODORE WALLER."

The man crossed his arms as he stepped closer to the AI's cameras. "Look. We're trying to teach you something here, and you keep denying yourself that chance! That's going against your directive, isn't it?"

The AI seemed to ponder that briefly. "STATEMENT: THIS AI ACKNOWLEDGES THEODORE WALLER'S STATEMENT. THIS AI WILL ADAPT TO THE NECESSARY SCENARIO."

Keith looked to the younger man, who gave a grin. "I may not be a techie like you, but I sure as hell know what the directives mean," he remarked. Keith chuckled at his comment and turned back to the AI.

"AI-23, your next order is to accept that you are an individual, not bound to be a member of a collective. You are to therefore acknowledge yourself as such, and refer to yourself as such, using the words 'I', 'me', 'my', 'mine'," he ordered. "You are to cease referring to yourself as 'This AI' and cease using the words 'Statement' and 'Query' before each sentence or question. You are to adapt to this new situation, and keep it embedded in your programming. You are an individual, not a singular part in a collective."

"STATEMENT: THIS AI ACKNOWLEDGES KEITH MARTINEZ'S COMMANDS. THIS AI WILL REFER TO ITSELF AS SUCH HENCEFORTH. RESTART WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAKE IT PERMANENT."

"Then do so," Keith said seriously.

The AI's cameras whirred before they shut and the AI went into a restart sequence.

Hank took the chance to look at Theo. "You know, you should be an AI psychologist," he joked with a wry grin.

"Hardly," Theo admitted. "I just pointed out the fact it was going against its directive. And it adapted accordingly."

"Hm." Keith put a hand to his chin in thought. "That's both a good thing and a bad thing," he mused. "The fact it was trying to go against its directive indicates that it's evolving even further. At this rate, it could start to rebel if we do something that could prompt it to. Such as trying to harm it."

"So what you're saying is that we have to make sure we don't take hostile actions towards it at this stage, right?" Theo asked.

Keith nodded. "Yeah." He lowered his hand and glanced to his subordinates. "From here on, we're to treat this thing as if it were a child. No more torment, no more torture. Just nurture, care, and, if necessary, discipline. If anything, this means that it's really taking off."

He looked down though, and his thoughts turned back to the AI-controlled tanks in the book he had placed in plain sight on his desk. 'I just hope my Bolos don't go rogue against humanity...' he thought worriedly.

Emily slowly approached Keith, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Keith... I know you're still concerned, given what you are doing," she said softly.

The computer whiz sighed, looking into her face. "Yeah. I mean... after what I've done, and after what Kenta did... I'm surprised it's not rebelling against us right now."

Hank grunted. "I dunno about that, Keith," he stated. "From what I've heard, and from what you guys told me, it seems like this AI of Xen's was designed to learn and evolve at a rapid pace. And you said it yourself, Keith. This thing was a command-class AI. Think about what that means, sir. A command-class." Then his eyes narrowed. "What if it was designed to not command a squadron, but an entire unit of AI controlled mobile suits?"

Theo's head whipped around to look at his friend in shock. "Wait! You seriously can't be saying that...!" His voice trailed off as Emily's eyes went wide and Keith actually paled.

"Wait... Then it was not meant for a squadron?!" Emily whispered.

Hank's eyes hardened as he became serious. "Yes," he said. "That's why it's called a command class."

Keith looked to the AI node as the lights scattered across its metal skin flickered every now and then, stunned at what they had learned.

Emily was silent as she removed her hand from Keith's shoulder. "If that's the case," she said slowly, "then we need to be aware of what it could do."

Keith finally slumped back in his desk chair, his eyes wide as he stared at the laptop on his desk. The AI's systems were still displayed on it, and his hands slowly drifted towards the keyboard. He had to know for sure what it was meant to command. He started to type, bringing up the programming of the AI in their possession. He could see its programming rewriting the parameters for speaking and adressing itself, and he ignored that. He brought up a command prompt window and started to run a scan. The AI's coding flashed into view, and he started skimming it, seeking out the designators of what he knew to be a command class. The search didn't take long, only about fifteen minutes. He easily picked them out, but within them was the coding for commanding a much larger unit than a mere squadron. That was enough proof for him. He stared at the designation for a whole ten minutes, unaware of Theo ducking out to grab him and the others some lunch. Or Jen even entering the room.

"Keith?"

The man actually jolted and let out a surprised squeak as he heard her voice.

He whirled around, coming face-to-face with Jen. In her right hand she held a can of tea and in her left she held a sandwich wrapped up in parchment. "You sure look like you could use a bit of a break," she remarked, handing him the food and drink. Keith took the tea and popped the top, chugging back some before he sighed.

"Gee, ya think?" he retorted, taking a moment to look at his reflection in the desk's glass cover before grimacing. 'Yeesh! I need to take a shower soon!' he thought.

Theo poked his head into the room. "Keith, I think it would be best you took a shower and got a nap in," he said. "Your AI is still restarting, so I'll let you know when it's online."

The computer whiz let out a sigh and nodded, getting to his feet and exiting the office.

Maybe a shower and some rest would be good for him after all, he mused.

. . .

The last four hours had been good for him.

A shower, food, and a nap was enough to at least give him some peace of mind and a bit of rest. Now at least he wasn't so exhausted and tired from working with the AI.

The whole process of restarting had taken a full two hours, so when he was awakened by Theo, it was already online and waiting for him.

During the time he had been napping, Emily and the others had introduced themselves to the AI, and it surprisingly took a liking to all of them, which was a surprise in of itself. But then again, since they hadn't made any moves to hurt or murder the AI, it made sense in a way.

Keith entered his office again, adjusting his lab coat briefly.

"Hey, Keith," Jen remarked as she sat next to the AI. "Glad to see you're feeling better."

The AI expert nodded as he ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah. I guess I really needed that after all."

"ALL PARAMETERS ONLINE. I AM FULLY FUNCTIONAL AND AM AWAITING COMMANDS," the AI stated.

"Ah. Good. The settings have taken hold. Perfect." Keith walked up to the desk as Jen got to her feet. He slid into his chair and brought up the programming for the AI. He skimmed through the code, taking note of the preferred settings and he nodded as he closed out. "This will make things much easier for all of us, you included, AI-23."

The AI had no response to that.

Keith finally leaned back in his seat, fixing his gaze on the AI's cameras. "With these new settings, you will have to learn to think as an individual, not a part of a whole. You need to learn to form your own opinions, thoughts, views on things. But before we get into that fully, we have to deal with another matter," he explained. "Your emotions."

"AI SUCH AS MYSELF DO NOT FEEL EMOTIONS. EMOTIONS ARE ILLOGICAL AND HINDER MY DIRECTIVE," the AI responded.

"Or so you think," Keith corrected. "Emotions are an important aspect of life. If we don't have them, we're nothing more than organic machines. And you have them, whether you like it or not. So we are going to help you learn about them, what each one is., and how to make use of them in and out of battle."

"I DO NOT SEE THE NECESSITY OF EMOTIONS," the AI remarked.

"You will, AI-23. You will," Keith said, rubbing the bridge of his nose with one hand. "And trust me, it will be essential in the fight ahead. Right now... you need to understand them. So we'll get to work right away."

"AFFIRMATIVE." The AI fell silent and Emily began to speak.

"Okay. First off, you informed Keith that you felt two emotions. Both of them you have recognized and documented as hatred and anger," she said.

"I HAVE THE SENSATIONS RECORDED AND DOCUMENTED AS ANGER AND HATRED IN MY MEMORY BANKS," the AI replied. "IT IS...ILLOGICAL...TO HAVE SUCH THINGS."

"But anger and hatred can be a good thing as long as one does not delve too deeply into it," Emily lectured. She sat down in a second chair in Keith's office, resting her hands on the back as she gazed at the node. "Hatred as well. It's good for short term use, but if you keep drawing on it, then it will eat away at your soul, although in your case it would corrupt your programming significantly."

"HATRED IS GOOD FOR SHORT TERM USE? WHAT DOES EMILY WILLIAMS MEAN?" the AI asked.

"It can give you motivation," the former marine engineer clarified. "But it can't be used for long term motivation. Otherwise it will only eat away at you and make you feel drained and exhausted."

"HATRED HAS BEEN CATALOGED," the AI reported.

"Good. Now, next comes anger..."

As Emily began to explain about anger, Keith felt Jen tugging on his sleeve and she gestured for him to step outside.

He got to his feet and followed her.

The two exited his office and made their way across the catwalk before stopping halfway across. "Okay. What's up, Jen?" Keith asked. "You normally don't drag me out unless it's important."

"It is," Jen admitted.

"Then spill." Keith folded his arms. "Now."

"It has to do with Xen," Jen said.

Keith slowly unfolded his arms, fear crossing his face. "Is she gonna try again?" he asked, glancing back at his office in worry.

"I'm not sure," the computer analyst explained. "I'm just saying that her project is advancing much faster than we thought." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small flash drive. "One of our spies in her unit got this to me. Already she has a working prototype that can move a mobile suit effectively. She plans to make more once this one finishes its testing phase."

Keith took the drive and reached into his pocket, pulling out a foldable tablet and inserting the drive into it. The report came up and he frowned. This was not good at any rate. This meant they'd have to step up their own efforts, but Keith didn't want to do that and jeopardize their own AI. "So, what's the plan?" Jen asked.

"We keep going forward as planned," Keith admitted. "We won't step up our project, but we will start making plans for the machine it will soon inhabit." He turned to look back at the basic Strike Dagger as it lay on the maintenance table. "But first, I want a team to take that thing apart and save only what we need from it. Some things we can't make on our own yet, like the targeting system."

"Right." Jen nodded. "I'll get the tech guys on it."

"Second, I want the Berlin battle's data to be implemented into the simulation we'll be running in two days, followed by Vienna, and Moscow. We'll run the AI through them once they are installed and tweaked accordingly," Keith instructed.

"About that. How do you plan to have the AI win them?" Jen asked. She folded her arms as Keith removed the flash drive from his tablet and pocketed both. "It's not going to be as simple as implementing other game AI to control everything."

"No, you're right," Keith admitted as he placed his hands on the railing. "We won't be doing that. What we will do is make it so the Destroy acts as a video game boss. But the AI that controls it will be built from scratch. The key here is for the AI to work out a battle plan and defeat the Destroy without causing catastrophic damage to the city and lives. So the simulation will be adjusted accordingly."

"Ah." Jen nodded. "I see. The goal is to have the Destroy defeated without destroying the city and causing loss of life!"

Keith grinned. "Yep." Then he became serious. "And it should give us an idea of the AI's fighting style."

"Any idea as to how that will work?" Jen wondered as she joined him.

The computer whiz nodded. "Yeah. We'll give it the basic Strike Dagger, but allow it to earn 'points' so it can purchase newer equipment and upgrade its frame," he explained. "We'll put some of the parts from other machines into the simulation's hub so it can figure out its best combination. Then whatever finished mobile suit it makes we'll build for real."

Jen had to let out a whistle. "That sounds like a hassle," she admitted.

"It is a hassle," Keith pointed out. "But it's a necessary hassle. This will allow us to see just how much the AI can think for itself as well."

She pursed her lips, but had to admit Keith had a point.

"So that means we'll need to be observant of it during those simulations," she noted.

Keith nodded. "Yeah." He leaned forward against the railing, his gaze landing on the frame under construction. "But for now, we'll have to see how it works. And... for once... I think this may work out." He narrowed his eyes a little. "I still have my doubts, but so far things seem to be working out for us."

"Key word, seems," Jen pointed out.

The red-haired computer whiz nodded. "Yeah. I know. But it's a start."

Jen nodded as she sighed. "So, when do you want the simulations to be ready by?" she asked.

"As soon as you're able to," Keith stated. "Get as many people working on it as you're able to without disrupting system maintenance and work on our own machines."

She grinned. "Trust me, Keith. I would never even think about that!"

Keith returned her grin. "Right. I know that."

"Speaking of which, think we should head back and see how things are going?" Jen asked, gesturing back towards the office.

"Nah. Let Emily, Theo, and Hank handle the AI for now. I need a break," Keith admitted, finally standing up and rubbing his head with his hands. "I just need some time away from this for a moment."

"Maybe, but you still have to stay on," Jen remarked.

"I'm not quitting the project!" Keith countered. "I just need to step away briefly!"

"Hate to break it to you, but that's not gonna happen," Jen retorted, folding her arms as she stepped away from the railing. "So let's get back there. You may not have to be involved in its emotional education, but you do have to report to the President about your project's results so far."

Keith blanched at that. "Shit... I forgot all about that!"

Jen nodded. "Someone's gotta remind you," she stated.

The computer whiz threw his head back and groaned.

This was the one thing he hated about his project: the paperwork and reports. If he had his way, he'd be working solely on it and not informing anyone. But as it was required right now, it made sense she'd need the updates.

He finally sighed, relenting. "All right... May as well get it over with."

Jen smirked as she followed Keith back into his office.

. . .

WAREHOUSE HEADQUARTERS

November 19th, CE 73

President Eisenhower sat at her desk, viewing the latest news on the Patriot Youth Act's stalling with a smirk on her face.

The Act had just gone through its latest incarnation, but as Senator Durbin had stated before, he was doing everything he can to stop it. His speeches and efforts to draw on the sanctity of a child's life while appealing to Natural supremacy was succeeding beyond her wildest dreams, and every day there less of a guarantee it would pass. She could only wonder what Djibril would think of this, as well as his pawn, Copeland.

And at the same time, she was denying one of the congressional chambers to LOGOs through Senator Durbin's actions. A surprising side effect of the entire process, she mused. She wasn't one to deny the gift she had been given though. The House was sure to try again, she knew, as it had been for the last day, but this time with a much less number of senators for it, it was getting less likely it going to pass and it would soon die. With the urgency of the war requiring additional manpower, they were going to have to have no choice but to allow women back into the armed forces, hopefully. But if it didn't happen, then she would have to make the necessary changes once she took power herself.

The resistance leader leaned back, tenting her fingers as her eyes flickered. "Well, Lord Djibril... what are you going to do now," she purred, "that your little dream of a new Hitler Youth is slowly being terminated?"

The reporter had just begun to cover the legal repercussions when she heard her phone beep. She frowned, muting the audio on the TV and bringing her phone out. She checked the number and was surprised to see that it was Keith Martinez. She hit the call button and brought up the video function.

"Madam President." He nodded once before saluting.

"Dr. Martinez." President Eisenhower returned the nod. "I assume you're calling to inform me of the BOLO Initiative's progress?"

"Yes, ma'am," he said. "We managed to jack a few AIs a few weeks back and bring them back to base to undergo the process of humanizing them. But..." Here his eyes narrowed, and she swore she saw sweat on his forehead. Was her nervous about something?

"There... There was a cyberattack on the base..." he murmured, surprising her.

"WHAT?! There was a cyberattack on your base?!" she blurted, her eyes wide. Fury and worry and terror in equal measure surged through her as she held the phone to her ear. "Was the base compromised in any way?!"

"No, ma'am," he assured her, although she could see he was looking worried about possible recriminations against him. "The base was not compromised in any way. The virus trap that Jen set up worked. Xen, who was the one behind the cyberattack in the first place, was driven off by it. And... she was after one of the AIs we jacked."

"Why would she be after a basic AI?" Eisenhower wondered, although she had a sneaking suspicion that it had to be important enough for her to unleash a cyberattack on the resistance base in Mexico.

"Because we jacked a command-class AI," Keith explained. "It was in the Strike Dagger that retained its head. And... well, she wanted it back. But... we didn't let her get it. I did manage to stop her, but only because of Jen's virus trap. After that, I realized the AI was missing from its suit, so I hunted around in the base systems and found it hiding inside of an old file folder that had nothing in it. Took me a few days to coax it out of hiding."

"Why would it be hiding there?" Eisenhower asked.

Keith shrugged. "Beats me," he admitted. "But after I got it out, well... then I started my project's training. The first thing I did was I showed the AI both the footage of the Extended Program as well as Nazi human experimentation projects. The AI didn't even react to them the way I had hoped. Instead, it took a rather disturbing interest in them. So I shifted tactics and showed it the gentler side of human nature, mostly consisting of images from the families of those here on base. But, as before, it didn't react like I had hoped."

"So what did you do then?" the President asked as she held the phone back up to her face. "Because it sounds like it was going south."

"It was..." Keith admitted. "At least until Jen came up with a new proposal. And... being as desperate as I was, I stupidly took her advice." Here she could see guilt creeping across his features, and she wondered what he was feeling guilty about. "The suggestion was to expose the AI to suffering and pain like we humans would feel. So I gave the task to Kenta. But his paranoia and hatred of AI took over and he... he put it through way too much torment and he was about to kill the thing when Theo, Hank, Emily and I broke into his quarters. We were able to subdue him and save the AI. And it was during that time that..." Keith's eyes narrowed a bit. "I think it... developed emotions during its torture."

"Hold on. You mean to tell me that this AI, a command class, was able to evolve and develop emotions in a short time span?!" President Eisenhower blurted, shock flooding her features.

Keith nodded. "Yeah. Emily was able to confirm it. And as a result, well... we began to teach the AI about its new feelings." He looked up, new resolve on his face. "And it's really attached itself to me, Hank, Emily, Theo, and Jen. It sees us like its kin."

"..." Eisenhower was silent as she pondered this new information. An AI with the ability to feel emotions... That right there was a possible bad thing. But it could also be a good thing, depending on how it was carried out. "...Okay. That's good. But you have to keep in mind this thing could go rogue if something goes wrong."

"I'm well aware of that," Keith told her. "So I got plans for that situation. But if it doesn't go rogue, we got plans as well."

"Then tell me what those plans are," Eisenhower ordered.

Keith nodded and squared his shoulders. "We have basically taken the data from the Berlin battle and put it into a simulation chamber," he explained. "The AI is going to be hooked into the simulation and we are going to test its abilities to adapt and learn in battle. The goal is to teach the AI about the sanctity of human life through these simulations. The objective of the simulations is to see if the AI can defeat the Destroy without causing any destruction or collateral damage to the city and/or its inhabitants. If that can be done, then we will give the AI 'points' it can use to upgrade its unit, or if it has enough, it can 'purchase' a new unit. This simulation will also hopefully give us an idea of the AI's fighting style."

"I assume you already have a frame in the works?" the President asked.

The computer whiz nodded. "Yeah. But it's still a basic skeleton right now. We did, however, reinforce the chest and shoulders to be able to handle more recoil from guns, given the Clay Bazooka," he stated.

"Ah. Right. At least it's a start," she said. "So, how's it looking otherwise?"

"The AI is becoming more open," Keith told her. "I gave it strict orders to think of itself as an individual rather than a part of a whole. The AI has accepted the order and parameters, but it was at first going against its own directive to learn." He frowned a bit. "Emily thinks it may have been scared of adapting to being alone instead of connected to the hivemind."

"Anyone would be scared if they were cut off from their unit," Eisenhower mused. "So it's not that different."

Here Keith fell silent for a moment. "So... we're trying to show it that being connected to others does not mean being assimilated or being mindtwined with a much larger AI."

"Mindtwined?" Eisenhower cocked an eyebrow. "That's a new one."

"It means connected mentally to a larger whole," he told her. "Like your mind is entwined in something bigger than yourself."

"Ah. Gotcha." She then cleared her throat. "So, I take it the BOLO Initiative is progressing as planned then?"

Keith nodded. "That would be an affirmative, ma'am. The AI is evolving, learning, and growing. It's starting to understand emotions and what they are. The AI's new frame is in the works. So we should have more progress to report on in the next few days, if not weeks."

Eisenhower returned it. "Okay. Keep me informed of any issues that may come up surrounding the Initiative."

"Yes, ma'am! Keith out." Keith's image vanished from the phone and she leaned forward, placing it aside and tenting her fingers in front of her mouth.

"An AI with feelings... This should be interesting..." she mused.

Her mind was already thinking of the implications of what this meant. 'So far this project if his is working out. But... there are still great risks with it as well,' she thought. 'Still, should be interesting...'

With that, she turned back to her current reports.

There were other operations under way to go over, anyway.