Chapter 20. The Hope tinted Despair
"You know, Li, sweetie."
He felt his cheeks get warm from the way she called him but ignored it and focused on his task. Just a little more, and they would be done here!
"Yes, Ariadne?"
"I was, admittedly, quite… enthusiastic when you told me you wanted to go on a date at an amusement park and said you already prepared everything." Inhale, a grunt, and exhale. "I mean, I have seen them but I never go on one and sometimes I wonder how it feels to ride their toys."
"Really? I am glad then! Did you enjoy your time?!"
"Not. Exactly."
As if to punctuate her words, he heard the sounds of steel being pummeled down and crushed from behind him. Then he heard her grunt and the noise of something smacking at each other with a loud "clang" and followed by explosions.
"I mean, a date supposed to be two people enjoying their time romantically, that is as far as I know the meaning of that term, or has it changed over time? Does it have another meaning in the 20th century? Did it change into a… I don't know, exterminating hostile lifeforms, maybe?"
"Not exactly. Well, date so have multiple meanings such as-
"Focus, Li, focus!"
"Right! Sorry, don't worry, I aaaam done!" He exclaimed with a big grin. "Power source connected, emitter installed, the communication system ready to go, and the broadcast tower is on!" He said while turning back to her.
And just in time to see a Machine that reached for him but was prevented by a boot to its face.
With a grunt, the white coated android pushed her leg and she sent the unit flying, crashing to its fellow Machine.
He didn't stay idle, he extended his hands, accessing his technopathy, he controlled the nanobots that had invaded their vicinity and used them to move the steel beam and wires to attack their enemies.
The metallic tendrils shifted behind Ariadne who charged to the Machine' heads on. Whenever she makes a move by delivering a metal crushing punch or kick, they cover for her opening, deflecting or catching blows that are meant for her.
Her movement was fast and agile, she easily dispatched the units that could possess a threat to modern age soldiers like they were toys. She even punched and kicked away energy balls that launched at her with almost relatively ease.
'I guess those augmentations work.' He noted in satisfaction. From the corner of his vision, he saw one of the Machine rushings at him and quickly maneuvering his nanobots to-
That was unnecessary apparently as a medium Biped unit was thrown at it with a neck breaking speed, flinging both of them away from him.
"Thanks!"
"Anytime sweetie!"
He feels his lips twitch upward before he takes a deep breath. "Ariadne, get ready to jump back! I am spiking them all up!"
"It's finished as well?!"
"Yes!"
"Okay!"
He placed both hands on the ground, eyebrow scrunched into a concentration, his technopathy went up and accessed the nanobots that he had scattered everywhere. He makes the calculation, stabilizing all of them, solidifying their existence, and molding their shapes.
"Now!"
Ariadne kicked one unit away before she hastily leaped back, creating a long distance between her and the horde of the Machine lifeforms. As soon as she did this, metallic stakes sprouted out from the grounds like flowers blooming briskly.
Each of them hit the Machine in various places: heads, arms, abdomens, at the same time. Piercing through and effectively killing them. None was saved, not even the one that hid on the roof or flew in the sky. And if some managed to survive, the stakes that lodged into their bodies began to sprout and branching akin to a mockery of trees, further wrecking their insides.
He inhales a deep breath before letting it out steadily. Sweats poured down from his face but immediately got regulated by his nanosuit.
"You got them all?" She asked while fixing her beret and keeping an eye on the staked Machine units.
"I did… no, one still remains." He amended. "And this one is big, it will come from-"
He didn't need to finish his words as they both saw what looked like a spider-like giant Machine climbing up from one of the houses. Its multiple eyes glow ominously while having humming cannons pointed at them.
Ariadne takes a few steps forward and stands protectively in front of him. She spread her arms and they began to unfold into many segments that extended, each of them letting out a hissing noise.
The cannons fired, launching a thick and wide crimson laser that was enough to engulf them wholly, disintegrating anything on its path, including the pierced Machine units into ashes just by grace.
As the World swallowed by the brightness of the crimson light, Ariadne grunted as pushed her palms forward and blocked the attack.
"Ghgh!"
The laser was somehow blocked by her hands despite the different sizes between them yet she was pushed back at a steady speed, her soles roughly digging the asphalt beneath her, desperately to ensure her body to not blown away. The Love Model struggled valiantly, not allowing herself to be swallowed by the attack, the effect of the heat of the beam even visible judging by her skin that was reddened and blistering.
"Weapon system, down."
Suddenly the laser was gone as if it was never there, freeing the beauty from her struggle.
"Movement system, down."
The goliath class Machine unit's movement stopped precipitously, its massive body tumbling and falling from the house, down to the ground and creating a small quake by doing so.
"Defensive system, down."
He smirked. He is getting faster at breaking through them, only less than 10 seconds now. His technopathy is growing.
"Ariadne, blow him."
The female android beamed. "Gladly~"
Her arms that are glowing are now folded back, and blue electricity instantly sparkling around her entire figure. She rushed forward at a blinding speed, reaching 70 meters in a second, arriving at her target.
'Dynakinesis like Behemoth is definitely out of question, I can't replicate how he redirects heat and all forms of energies and transmits them so easily. However, if one has a proper vessel and knows how to calculate the amount of frequencies and wavelengths received from energy based attack?'
He grinned as he watched Ariadne thrust her fist.
And the World quaked under its force.
The forty meters monstrosity of steel did not Machine even stand a chance. The fist was barely connected before its body already caved in from the kinetic force it had and when that attack truly connected, its body disintegrated on the spot.
'And stored then use them properly as propellers for kinetic force much like Assault's power? Definitely doable.' He finished his thought while the wind from Ariadne's attack washed over him.
It takes a lot of time to finish this augmentation but seeing the result by how Ariadne performs? Worth it. The Striker perk from his Brute power really come in handy as he could study how to make metal become similar to vibranium in a way.
"Fuuu, that was… more intense than I thought," Ariadne said with a sigh, wiping her forehead with the back of her arm. Only for her to wince and immediately extend that arm away. "Ouch! Hot! Hot! Hot!'
"You just hold back a laser that could disintegrate steel on contact, of bloody course they are hot." He noted dryly as he approached her. He pulled out a device from his pocket. "Give them to me, I will cool them down."
She gave her arms to him and she pouted as she looked at the state of her sleeves. "Aww, they ruined my outfit, again! And I already use sturdier material for them this time!" She whined.
He shot her a bewildered look while working on his gadget on her. "Really? That's what you are worried about? Not like… you can turn into ashes on the spot and me following you next?"
"I have 100% confidence in your stuff if you truly say you completed it, Li, so I know I will be fine," Ariadne answered faithfully. "But my coat! Hngg, Doctor has to wear a white coat and all, it was the symbolism of being a healer!" She then narrowed her eyes. "And you didn't wear your coat again!"
"Arie, they are outfits meant for work. Not something you wear when you explore, let alone fight." He replied exasperatedly. She has chided him about this multiple times, frankly, he was getting bored.
"I used mine in combat, and it is perfectly fine!"
"You ruined your outfit 36th times already, this is the 37th." He pointed wryly.
"So?"
… he has no response to that.
"You should wear yours, more than me." She said again.
"Babe, I get what you mean, it shows my status as your fellow Doctor and all, and it's even cute that we have matching outfits but come on."
"It's not just that." Ariadne shook her head vehemently and looked him in the eyes… well, eye technically but his new nanobots are now already good enough to allow him to see back with two eyes. "When you are injured, when you are left alone, when you wonder whether you will die or not and in pain, what would be in your mind?" She asked.
He narrowed his eyebrows at the sudden question. "Healer or a Doctor."
"Exactly," She smiled. "And you know what they felt when they saw them? Hope." She gestured to the coat on her body. "When those people see this white coat, they see hope. Hope for them to live, to survive, for things to become better. And you," She placed a hand to his chest, her smile mellowed, eyes gazing at him lovingly. "You are Hope, Li. My Hope. And I wished for you to become Hope for every single android as well."
… okay, first of all, this entire thing came out of nowhere. And he is flattered, very, to have her speak highly of him, that was really one of the most touching words he ever heard about him.
Second…
He doesn't know how to answer that expectation. He isn't a stranger to it to be honest, his mother and father expect a lot from him after all and he was more than eager to meet them but this?
"I don't think I can." He muttered.
"Li, you already did just by being alive." She stated kindly. "Just by living and trying, you already bring hope to this World, you bring meaning because you are still trying. You, a human, the one who supposedly rested on the moon above yet you came down to fight for us personally." She tilted her head, hair swaying gently. "That was more than what the androids could have hoped for, more than what the so-called Council above did." She grinned and placed her other hand on her chest. "But if you feel down or tired from it then tell me and I will do my best to help you, I am your assistant after all."
That's right. He is no longer alone now, is he?
Even if he carried a burden on his shoulders, at least he has someone to lean on now. He is no longer only by himself in his journey.
He smiled back and leaned forward, their foreheads touching. "Thank you, you are my hope too, you know."
The brunette laughed and she planted a short yet passionate kiss on his lips. "You are welcome, love. I am happy I can serve in that role for you."
He pulled her in a hug, breathing on her hair and closed his eyes.
He missed his family. He missed his friends. He missed the safety of a boring daily day. Heck, he even missed those twittards on the net.
But this? Her? She has already become part of him.
"Hey didn't we have a date?"
Oh, right.
He released his embrace from her and grinned. "That we are!" He quickly turned around and clapped his hands, sending a particular signal to the devices he set. "Show time!" He yelled.
Engines humming and the ride started to go on, the night stimulators he worked on activated and enshrouding the entire place with stars and moon, lamps turned on and illuminating the entire place beautifully.
Then a song began to play in the background.
He inhaled and took in the sight of his work with a smile. He missed this. He is happy about this. Always wants to take his partner on a date like this. Free amusement park and a nice song in the background.
Cliché and traditional? So what. Traditional isn't bad.
As fireworks began to bloom in the dark sky, he turned to Ariadne and found the woman was enraptured by the sight of the entire thing judging from her widened eyes and slackened jaw.
He chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "It took some time to fix this entire place." Indeed, this place was nothing but a half-baked amusement park – he didn't know who built it but he was grateful for it – and fixing all of them took quite a time and he had to overexert his technopathy and nanobots to reach the schedule. "I have to set the power sources, and we also ended up having to clean this entire place from the Machine again. I expected it but didn't know it would be that much, so I am sorry." He apologized. "But hey, none of them will come for the next 24 hours, and no one will be able to detect this place, I pretty much sealed this for us."
He extended his hand to her and smiled.
"Shall we have our date now?"
She looked at him in wonder, her blue eyes meeting his black's. She was quiet for a moment, seemed to be mesmerized by something and he let her, giving her all the time in the World.
Then she smiled back and took his hand.
It was a beautiful sight.
"I love you." She said affectionately.
He cannot help it. The warmth and joyous emotions from his heart moved his face. His lips broadened, stretched open into a big. "Love you too, Arie."
"Father is waking up."
A2's neck snapped in his direction the moment that announcement was made by Chloe. The twins who also set up the camp also turned to them.
She stood from her seat and made her way, from the corner of her vision she caught sight of Popola running at her and… carrying a bottle?
The red haired woman shoved it to her immediately much to her confusion.
"What is this for?" She asked.
"For him. Give it to him." Popola ushered while pushing her back.
"Why don't you-"
"Me and Devola will give him some snacks later, for now, it's your turn. Quick!"
She stared at her with bewilderment and confusion. Then her mind remembered the conversation they had a few hours ago.
"Are you fucking ser-"
"Look, that plan is not the main priority," Popola said strictly. "In fact, we better shouldn't do it. However, ensuring he is comfortable and still welcomed even after showing that side of him? Yes. It will help a lot and there's nothing wrong with being nicer to him." She gives her a knowing look. "You do care for him, don't you?"
"Him? That nerd, well…"
"Yes, you are." She cut her easily. "Besides, you are checking up on him anyway, might as well go prepared." She said while pushing her again.
"Okay! Okay! Stop pushing! I can walk by myself!"
She huffed as she went into the camp while carrying the bottle. Stupid redhead, it's not like she didn't consider giving him something anyway!
As soon as she enters, she is welcomed by the sight of Li's laying form who is groaning. She smoothly moved to his side and crossed her arms.
"Have a good sleep?" She asked.
"Wha…? A2?" He muttered tiredly, eyes still closed but he pushed himself to raise.
"If you still have a headache, just lay down." She grunted.
"No, I… I am fine. I guess. My head just… aching."
Yes, courtesy to her. Even if he has been healed, Chloe did report there would be phantom pain due to his stress.
"You will be fine." She said with a soft sigh. "Here, have some water." She gave the bottle to him casually.
"Thank you, A2. Glad you are here." He mumbled while opening the cap.
She feels her lips twitch upward slightly at his words but quickly forces them down.
"Haa, that's good." He exhaled in pleasure while rubbing his throat using his right hand. "Could use a cola but I guess beggars can't be choosers."
"The heck is cola?"
"It is a soft drink, a carbonated drink that sweet. It tastes good, I bet you will like it since you have a sweet tooth. It is also good to have on a hot day."
A pleasant cold drink in hot weather doesn't sound bad. "And you can make it?" She asked.
"Nope but I guess I can start experimenting later if you want it?" He offered.
She was about to rebuke that offer but realized this actually can be a good thing for him as well given their discussions a moment ago. "... I guess." She admitted.
"Then I will try to recreate it." He replied genially. "I also want to drink it again. It would be fun."
Having fun is such a mundane thing. "Only you, nerd. Only you." She sighed.
"Well, I do love normalcy sometimes. Because that means things are peaceful and-" He paused, eyes widened, shocked expression marred his face.
Oh great, here it comes.
"That thing! The Honkai!"
Honkai? Is that what that white mechanical beast is called?
"Where are we?! A2, did that thing-"
"Worry not, Father." Chloe's voice resonated in the camp, her body manifested from the ground and now standing on their side. "I dispose of that thing and burn everything in that area down to ashes."
She snorted. 'Burn my ass, you were about to explode that entire place into the pit if we didn't stop you.' The AI already set a bomb and was about to detonate it when they didn't look at her. Thankfully they managed to convince her it was a bad idea because something called overkill does exist you know?
"As for where we are now, it has been 6 hours ever since our encounter with the Independist. We are outside of the laboratory area. I would have brought you to the lab immediately but you were unconscious and your nanosuit didn't work at 100% efficiency if you were asleep. I don't want to take a risk. I also already contacted the AI designated there – Asari – and have her prepare the equipment for you to work on."
"Good, then we should immediately start the proce-ouch!" He let out a hiss as another headache seemed to hit him judging by how he clutched his head.
"Hey, take it easy there." She said as she leaned forward a bit. "We are already in front of your lab, we have some time before doing the entire thing. Don't rush it."
"Indeed, Father. Remember, you have to be in prime condition to undergo Project Armstrong." Chloe added. "No foreign chemistry or medicine should be in your body, the nanobots need to be disintegrated very well to avoid the risk."
"That… yeah, I suppose." He is reluctant to accept it but hearing such a thing seemed to give him no choice. "30 minutes, no more than that."
"Sounds acceptable."
"Sir, we heard some noise," Popola asked as she came in, her sister towing behind her. "Is everything okay?"
The older sister gave her a look instantly, one that A2 was aware of what it implied and glared at her.
Nothing happens, you annoying redhead! Geez!
Aren't they on a mission now?! Do they have time for something like this?!
"Devola, Popola, nothing happens. It's just…" Li shook his head. "No, that's not important-"
"Beg your pardon, sir, but your health is the most important thing," Devola said worriedly. "If you are feeling unwell then you should tell us immediately."
"I am perfectly fine, Devola." He said in an exasperated voice. She could tell he is getting impatient now. He turned to the AI. "Chloe, you are sure nothing but ashes remains of that thing?" He asked grimly. "Because that thing consist of nanobots, specialized in self replicating its own cells and limited only to its platform, which means-"
"Even a single drop of a living nanobot would resurrect it back, yes." Chloe finished after him with a nod. "I am perfectly aware. I burned it down to nothing while also keeping a frequency disruptor on it to cancel its self healing system despite it's already dead."
Her mind comprehends what she just heard and she gives the man a stare. "What the fuck? You mean that thing can keep going even if it is chopped into pieces?"
"Yes." Li answered gravely. "It is a puppet on a string, it will keep going as long as the puppeteer wills it even if it is only in pieces. And some of them can multiply into a group from each sliced part." He massaged his temple with an irritated expression. "The only way to kill them is to torch them until nothing is left or use a Magical attack – which I don't know how, that is not my specialization – since Emil did turn most of them into a statue."
"Statue?" Devola repeated confusedly.
"He still possesses that ability? Wasn't that… no." Popola shakes her head. "That… you are talking about that white mechanical beast." She said as caught up with their conversation. "Sir, that kind of… capabilities…"
"That sounds like something very troublesome to fight." Devola continued with a cautious look.
Of fucking course it is! Because they would need a heavy weapon to kill it and that still doesn't count how much power they need to use on it.
"What in the name of- '' Machine's butt heads were you thinking when creating them?! That was what she wanted to ask but she noticed the warning glares and rapid shake of heads from the twins out of the corner of her vision and quickly amended her words. "Machine's stupid head was that thing anyway?"
The twins give her thumbs up and approving nods while giving her a grin – a smile in Popola's case.
Habit. That was a fucking habit. Damn it! 'I mean, it is just right to question someone when they made a mistake right?!' She huffed internally. Granted, the context right now isn't good but… ugh!
Really have to get used to this, huh?
"It is called Honkai," Li answered tiredly. "Designed and named after one of my favorite games back in the 20th century. Created for the sake of "honoring" me." His disdain at the "honoring" word cannot be more clear as he practically spat on it.
So that confirms it. He didn't create them.
"And who decided to create that thing to honor you?" She inquired carefully.
He was quiet, eyes no longer staring at them but glazed forward, as if seeing something that they couldn't see. Finally after what seemed to be a long time, he broke the silence. "The Intelligence I created." He answered in a low voice. "She grows too powerful and… she goes beyond my control."
Well, she knew it was coming but to have it confirmed? Shit. Something that he made and goes out of control? The implications weren't good in the slightest.
"How did you lose control of it?" This guy is always careful with his creation. Always.
"... how much did you girls know about my past already?" He asked in return. He looked like he seemed hesitant to talk about it.
"Well enough to put things together." She answered easily. "You had a partner, ended up together in Independist, working for them for a while, then you realize they are a pile of shit. You wake up and try to stop them or escape, your partner betrays you, things go horribly wrong, half of the island goes down as a result and now you are here." She summarized.
Ignoring the twins' exasperated look at her, she solely focused on the human who was staring at her with blinking eyes.
A dry chuckle escaped his lips. "Yup, as expected of you, A2. You can make things so simple sometimes."
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
He simply smiled wryly and shook his head. "I am not gonna ask how you all know or put things together but in any case, yes, to roughly summarize it, that was what happened." He sighed. "When I created that Intelligence, I was… not in exactly a good condition. You can say that was where I got this as well." He raised his left hand and it went plopped down, revealing his stump.
A2 internally winced. Okay, maybe she could tone down some of her bluntness if this is how it feels.
"I lost an arm, bleeding profusely, my head wasn't clear at that time and I only wanted to escape so I activated that thing. It wasn't supposed to be activated so early but at that time? It was either I got captured for real or released her to help me escape so I picked the latter."
He let out a self-deprecating and pained laugh while putting his hand back.
"In hindsight, I maybe should just let them capture me, I would get my chance to escape eventually, and that would end better for me instead of-"
"Like hell it is!" She cut him angrily. "Look, what happened back there? I maybe know not the details but I am fucking sure it was an accident!"
"It was an accident that ended up killing everyone save for me!" He screamed back. Guilt, horror, and pain were evident on his face. "There was… there was a settlement near the castle. Small and only hundreds of androids living there but they were all non combat units, we built it to protect those who no longer wanted to fight, and guess what?! Charlie used them all as materials when fighting Emil to protect me! You can't say that is merely an accident! Accident didn't end with hundreds of lives to be used as… as…" He trailed off and covered his face, the raw emotions he exuded were very vivid, the horror and nausea visibly reflected through his eyes.
Well… that… that was fucked up. Even she didn't know what to say to that. It is one thing if the Machine came and killed them but they were used as materials or products to protect him?
The human's life always comes first. Always.
'Perhaps, but not in this case.' She thought grimly. She would be more understanding if they were soldiers. Fucked up it is, but those people know what they fighting for, they are aware of the consequences of it but these? If they are truly what she is thinking then… yeah, it is screwed up.
Granted, civilians – or equivalent to normal people in human's eulogy – are not something that exists in androids society or models, most of them at least were given basic how to use a weapon, and they are made to fight and engage in war after all but…
In the first place, all androids were created to fight. You don't give up. You fight for Him. Androids can be rebuilt. Memories and personalities could be gifted back to them in hours. But human?
Yeah, and this human is about to become less human because of it! It's not worth the effort if it caused him this much pain!
The idea of people you cared for or take care of was used as equivalent to a meat shield for your own safety? She… can't fathom how it would feel, it is sickening.
'This explains his reaction to No. 7 – or Emil as he called it – and his paranoia around Chloe.' She realized grimly. No wonder he always looked at her with doubtful and distrustful eyes. He is afraid Chloe would turn out into another Charlie.
"Be that may, Sir," Devola called in a soft and sympathetic voice. "You didn't know, back then. You didn't know your Creation would be…"
"I didn't but I had my suspicions. Always." He whispered. "I knew what she was capable of. I build her not to fight to be honest, she was meant to be an organizer but I put those capabilities on her because I knew this fucked up World wouldn't settle for a simple management AI!" He laughed, hollow and cold. "Turns out that wasn't the problem, the one that I should keep an eye on since the beginning was…"
He cut himself off. Revulsion and anger flashed across his eyes as he clenched his fist. He looked down to the blanket that covered his lower body, face indecipherable.
"No, it doesn't matter. It already happened." He whispered in a resigned tone. "Can't build a time machine, wish I could though but I have no slightest idea how to build one."
No, it does matter! You don't just shrug such a thing like-
She shut herself off. It is important, he shouldn't just say it like that. But it is as clear as the day he is avoiding this topic now. Not yet then. Not yet but…
Time… all in due time.
"Where is she now?" She asked, focusing on the most important thing. "Charlie, where is she?" Because if they now have a rogue AI running rampant somewhere or has been preparing herself for more than a year then-
"I shut her down." He said flatly.
Well, at least that one problem was solved. She expected no less of him.
"Unfortunately, the same thing can't be said to her Creation, that Honkai thing." He sighed again. "I tried to study them but… I didn't get much and I was underequipped back then, and they oozed out Maso particles. Risky. I can't do much. So I decided to burn them all. They aren't scattered everywhere thankfully, Charlie brought the remnants of them with her after her fight with Emil while the rest was sunk into the ocean. I spent months after that incident, I tracked and burned all of the Honkai in that vicinity, and then as a good measure I made a quarantine zone and sealed the one in the ocean along with the remaining Emil clones."
"Hold on! Li, are you telling me you came close to them?!" Devola asked with a horrified voice.
"Not much of a choice back then, I ain't risking the Machine or the remnants Independist getting their hands on them, we might be one of the biggest branches but we aren't the only one as far as I know." He then let out a groan. "Yet it got out somehow. I don't even… who the hell do those Independist have to the point possess enough mental strength to not just bypass those obelisks let alone tamper with it?! Those were modeled after the Markers for God's sake!"
The Markers? The hell is that? Another reference to something in the 20th century?
"Sir, I don't know what kind of seals you put up but… it is not a secret that the androids in the Independist are not well in mind." Popola commented with an insult when regarding them.
"Can't exactly argue with a madman, and a lot of times they can be as stubborn as a mule." Devola agreed with a snort.
Li's face darkened as he nodded grimly. "Can't make people insane if they are already one in the first place. I should make it leak a killing aura instead of just traumatizing their CP- no, nevermind." He sighed. "I have so many things to check, so many to do after this project immediately. Damage control and everything. I will track those bastards for real this time." He grumbled. "Speaking of, Chloe, their missions, have you finished decrypting the whole thing?"
"Some data was missing, the death of that tall female android and research model triggered a self erasing program," Chloe reported. "I was able to recover almost all of them though, that includes their missions and various locations of their bases."
"Good, show it to me." He ordered as he raised his hand and froze abruptly. "Where is my visor?" He asked.
"Here." A2 answered as she pulled it out from her barely-existing pocket and tossed it at him. This is one of the first things she secured immediately given what it is capable of.
"Oh, good. Thanks, A2." He answered. "I could kiss you but I think you would slap me if I do."
He probably doesn't mean to say it aloud judging by how he immediately put on his visor and focused on it but nevertheless, hearing such a thing made her cheeks redden.
W-Well, it's not like she's going to slap him! If he did it out of gratitude she could understand somewhat and-
Her flustering was stopped when noticed the grin that Devola shot at her. It made her want to smash that annoying mug of hers.
"Well, this explains why Penny goes inactive." He mumbled. "And I was right, Emil wasn't attracted to them."
"What is it?" She asked. "What did you find?"
"... short story, they come here following that Honkai signal in hopes to get more of my techs, the Independist thought they are my creations. The Honkai… they might be dead but they actually pretty much can be reactivated under the right circumstances since they do possess some kind of core that works through Maso and direct sunlight or indirect – such as reflection by the Moon.
"Not like they can be active very long though. They are puppets after all, they only will lash out blindly for at most ten minutes before dropping down, but in that spawn of ten minutes those puppets will focus on finding their puppeteer.
"In this case, they find some method to preserve that power core and use its instinctual desire to be reunited with their creator – and by extension my creation – to track my techs. That's how they got into one of the Project Armstrong labs because it is the most prominent in featuring Maso particles among all my projects."
He let out a tired sigh after that long explanation, leaning back on the bed slightly.
"Fortunately, they didn't know what exactly they would find, they were also digging blind here. The reason why Penny is uncontactable is that she shut herself down, I installed that program on all of my AI that works on Maso tainted area if they detected Honkai in the vicinity to avoid the possibility of Charlie's coming back or they got influenced by the Honkai and become another Charlie."
"... sounds like they are quite desperate then," A2 concluded after the explanation as she considered the information she has. "They didn't know what they were looking for, yet those things must cost quite a fortune from your definition. From what I see, they are also risking themselves by using those unorthodox gadgets openly like before." If what Devola told about them were true then the Army of Humanity would recognize them in an instant just by doing a short check.
"That, or they just didn't care, or they actually have much more than we thought but that is not important right now." Li's face contorted into a grim expression. "I am more worried about that damned seal but it is located on another continent. I have to finish Project Armstrong first before going back there, as soon as possible."
He then shifted in his bed and goes down, hand clutching his visor tightly.
"I will go check on Asari personally, worry not." He gave them a look before they could say anything. "I only will do a check from here."
He didn't let them reply and walked away, getting out of the camp. They only could watch him leaving with their own thoughts. A2 didn't know exactly what the twins were thinking but their faces were enough to tell they were still worried.
"He is definitely avoiding the topic." Popola sighed.
"No shit he is," She snorted. As if that wasn't obvious. "He also definitely has a lot on his mind now. I don't know the details but I can tell just from the implications, this is a disaster." They would probably take a trip outside this nation after this whole thing is settled. "So much for relaxing and taking a break." She grumbled.
Devola massaged her forehead with gritted teeth. "Should've killed those bastards back then." She muttered darkly.
"We do know at least ten of their locations at least." Chloe chimed in. "It would make preemptive strikes easier."
"Anywhere near?" A2 asked sharply.
"The nearest would be where Penny is located but I think Father wants to deal with them personally to ensure the Honkai is destroyed properly. The other would be in one of Indonesia's archipelagos, East Kalimantan to be precise." She makes a contemplative face. "Should I sink them all to the bottom of the ocean as well?"
""No!"" The twins instantly yelled.
"Bitch, he was having trauma from an AI he personally created by sinking an island," She shot her a 'You fucking dumbass' look in here. "And you want to do that again?"
"He doesn't need to know." She answered plainly. "We can erase his worry to a degree and take a trip to the farther base, buying us some extra time to make sure he relaxed somewhat."
That… was somewhat a good argument. They would be able to mollify his mind slightly, allowing him to recover and rest but…
"No, just no." Devola shakes her head. "That was a recipe for disaster if he found out."
"When he found out." She corrected her. "That nerd is not stupid, and after got betrayed, ain't no way he won't check such a thing." She gives Chloe a bewildered look. She knew this bitch isn't stupid, what's the point of asking that?
The blonde haired woman simply gave them a look before shrugging. "If you all say so then. I will keep an eye on the perimeter." Wordlessly, she turned translucent and disappeared from their sight.
A2 gives the twins a cautious look. Yeah, they definitely have to talk about that AI, preferably soon.
"A2, you might want to check on him," Popola suggested. "Not now but maybe around… next five minutes."
"Bring this to him as well," Devola added while pushing a plate of snacks to her. "He needs to eat after just waking up."
She took it but gave them an annoyed look. "Why the heck didn't you do this by yourself?"
"Because you are the closest one to him. We will have our moment with him later but for now? He needs someone who he truly trusts and that is you."
Not gonna lie, she did feel flattered to be regarded highly but… it is weird.
She didn't think she did much to be trusted like this. She wasn't the best companion, compared to Ariadne she was probably a bad one. If prior to her betrayal she was truly like Lily, then Ariadne must be quite caring unlike her who…
No, stop. Don't go there. It mattered not. She won't let such a thing hinder her to help him.
"Just for your information, I did this because-"
"Because you care for him, yes, not to agree with whatever plans we concocted." Devola finished with an annoying grin. "Yeah, yeah, we-OOF!"
She cut her by jabbing her stomach, prompting the red haired android to keel over while holding her gut.
Fucking red haired harpy.
"You deserve that." Popola deadpanned at her sister's painful state.
"Worth… it." She rasped out.
She found him standing not far from the camp, hands in the air and seemed to be working on a holographic computer.
Judging from how the screen is blinking and flickering at a rapid pace, he is definitely busy. She was tempted to leave and let him do his things but…
He looked so lonely from here.
She sighed internally and banished her hesitation. She owed him that much and she always repaid her debt.
"You going to stand there for the whole day, A2?"
And of fucking course he knows. Seriously, it's always like this. This guy seemed to have a detector or something on his brain. Given what he built, such a thing is…
"You don't happen to have something inside your brain that acts like a metal detector, don't you?" She asked seriously.
He snapped his neck at her at an abrupt speed. "Excuse me?" He asked back in shock.
"You heard me." She deadpanned.
"A2, I never tampered with my brain." He said exasperatedly. "Tempted I was, but I am not going to do that."
"Good." She said flatly as she walked to his side. "Here, eat."
"I am not hungry."
"I don't care, you just wake up, you have to eat."
They both traded a glare for a moment before Li relented with a sigh. He picked the plate with a small grumble. "Thank you." He said. A goo raise from his side and morphed into a table after a few seconds. He placed it in there and picked it up. "A spring roll, heh, been a while since I ate dim-sum. The twins really know their stuff, let's see…" He eats the sliced food in one chomp. "Hmmm, yeah, as expected of them. And they used vegetables as the main fill, heh, they are really good at it. Come try it A2."
"I am good, those are for you."
"I can't eat this much after just waking up." He gestured to the piling foods. "Let's just enjoy it together."
Now she noticed it, the food indeed quite a lot. Her right eyebrow twitched, once. That red harpy, she planned this much?!
She relented and picked the offered food, making him smile. Eating it, she must agree that it indeed tastes good. The twins know what they made for sure.
She still preferred his cooking though.
While munching his food, he returned back to his work. His eyes narrowed to one screen after another, scanning the code and numbers that were displayed.
"So how is it?" She asked.
"Asari is fine, I already set some of the equipment from here but I have to go there and prepare them personally. I am the only one who knows how to work them after all." He answered. "The lab is located underground, 35 minutes from our location by foot, probably 5 minutes or less using Optimus Prime."
"Only you, huh. Can't risk someone else figuring them out."
"Exactly, the Independist that is currently in my other lab probably having a hard time trying to understand them." He sighed heavily. "I am more worried they messed with the Honkai than them figuring out my techs frankly."
"You worried a lot."
"I have to. This is my responsibility. My mistake."
They both stand in silence, the only noises between them are the beeping of machines that occasionally came from Li's holographic computer.
"Did you regret it? Back then, during your fight with them."
"... if you asked, did I regret killing them then… no. Although part of me wished that we could find another way but when I saw them... When I heard what they said and spew, when I saw how hypocritical and presumptuous they are… I found myself not caring anymore."
"It's not healthy to keep that kind of mindset."
He stopped his work and let out a harsh and bitter laugh.
"Healthy? Look who's talking. This coming from you of all people?" He asked with a tint of venom in his voice. "You don't get to say that to me, A2. Don't think I didn't notice it. This whole time, I am not humoring you by being nice, I did that because I know how fucked up you are in the head. So you don't get to say that to me."
Face curled into a snarl, eyes sneering with contempt, and body expressing hostility. A2 meets the entire gesture head on, her face unlike his, she is calm and stoic. For once, there was no aggression in her stance, and she wasn't the one that sparked the hostility in their conversation.
'So this is the real you.' Bitter, angry, tired, and cold. Even if he always smiles and looked happy but there's always something lurking behind that mask of his and it finally came out.
"I said that because as someone who is not right in the head, it doesn't end well for me." She said slowly.
It took a direct slap to her face for her to wake up from her blindness – even now she still is, she is aware – and it wasn't pleasant. She was lucky back then Chloe isn't a real android or companion because if she did…
"Good for you." Li replied uncaringly. "But I am beyond caring about such a thing."
And that's where the problem lies. Where the entire thing needs to be settled. The source of where things can go horribly wrong.
"Well too bad for you, Nerd. I do care."
He makes a jeering expression at her. "Really? Don't lie. I saw your fear back then when I killed those mongrels like cattle at the slaughterhouse. I know how disgusted you are." He spat venomously, his eyes daring her to say no, challenging her to rebuke that statement.
And she cannot.
After all, she did feel fear when she saw he created that monstrosity out of his nightmarish moment, and she felt disgusted when he used Hazel's corpse to not just kill Heather but torture him as well.
So she remained silent, not even denying his accusation for he is right.
Her message was apparently taken quite well by him as he chortled while throwing his head back. "And you say you care after all of that?" He asked mockingly. "That programming of yours really messes up your head if you do."
And there the big fish. One of the biggest problems of all this thing. The programming in her head.
"I am not gonna fucking lie. That thing probably did something to me. Yearning for acceptance, missing the touches you gave to us, and the warm feeling I get just by near you." She said softly. "And while I agree it will change us but in the end, it depends on ourselves. We make our own decisions. You agree with this, aren't you?"
"A statement without basic, your argument-"
"Then explain why she betrayed you." She cut him instantly.
He recoiled. Jaw clenching, eyes tighten, his face contorted into a pained expression, and his right palm clenched so tightly while his prosthetic left spasmed uncontrollably as if to ensure it was there. As if to ensure that his left hand never sliced off and that what happened back then was only a nightmare.
Too bad for him, it's indeed gone, and that wasn't a nightmare but reality.
She didn't know Ariadne nor she cared about her but even if she betrayed him out of Love, it was still a betrayal. It was still her decision. She was the one who took that path, not Li. She was the one who coaxed Li to come with her to Independist.
"You know. From the beginning. You, of all people, know better than us." It makes sense. Everything. All his distrust, all his paranoia. "Why hide your identity as a human? Because you are afraid not only will we blindly serve you but afraid you will disappoint us and end up betraying you, like her."
She can see it. Behind that mask of his nanosuit. The pain. The fear. The self loathing. The anguish. The struggle he went through so far. The doubt. The lingering thought that haunts his very being. The despair that tainted his mind as he wondered and wondered.
Did I do something wrong? Why did you leave me? Why did you betray me? Why did you do this? Why? Why? WHY?! PLEASE!
It is almost like looking at the mirror. Though they dealt with their pain differently, in a way, Li is like her. They were betrayed. She by the Command that she devoted to and he by the woman he loved.
And they lost everything as a result. Her comrades and purpose. His partner and very hope.
"You loved her." She uttered. "You hate her yet you also hate yourself because of this."
"I… I…"
He tried to speak. Mouth flapping open and close yet no sentence came out from there. Only a choked sob and disgruntled noise. His chest heaved unrhythmically yet never once his dilating pupil left her face.
And that is good, because he needs this. Before it is too late. Before he was beyond salvation.
She looked up to the sky, to the sun that shines for millenniums above them and never once stopped.
"This World is ugly, isn't it? I mean, forests and trees were everywhere in certain parts making it uncoordinated and like trash stacking each other, deserts spread across most of the land, seas polluted by scrap and junk, and the air was barely breathable on some continents due to that big shining ball burning the atmosphere."
Give it another thousand years and half of this planet truly would turn into nothing but dry and husky land, barren of all life. Frankly, she knows not what kind of miracle caused this planet to still have life on the sunny side but it is like just prolonging suffering that would never end.
"And yet, we are still alive." She made a gesture to both of them, and she watched as he seemed to have lost, wondering where she was going with this. "You are still alive. And not just alive, but you are still trying." She placed a hand over her chest and stared him in the eye. "I know not Li the Human," She spoke tenderly. "But I know Li the Doctor. The guy who tries to bring hope to others despite he, himself lacked one, to make sure the World becomes a better place,"
"But I will make it a reality, I will fix this planet, so everyone will know." He whispered as he also extended his right hand to the sky, palm opened. "That this ugly and damned World is not a World. The World is supposed to be beautiful, and it is ours, it belongs to everyone, every single android on this planet and space."
"Sharing what you like with others, talking about fun stuff and teasing them, telling stories while playing." He told her. "And it also makes others happy, knowing more about human culture can instill hope inside them."
"The guy who keeps trying to make things cheerful and happy when things come down even if he is suffering himself."
"To be honest, I know not the depth of your mistake, and I cannot fathom the suffering you two have gone through, the struggle you both experienced while carrying this burden."
His sole hand reached up for them once again and pulled the despairing twins back to his warm embrace.
"However, I know you have been through a lot, for thousands of years, and for that, I forgive you. Thank you, thank you, for still remembering us even until now, for even thinking about us in your mind."
"The guy who humored me when I was being a bitch and always being nothing but helpful,"
"Not really, I mean, at the same time I am also checking on you to make sure you are fine. I know you are capable of defending yourself but a man still can worry, you know?"
"I am… I am, really, really, happy." He continued, his voice somehow becoming shakier. "Thank God, thank God you are alive."
"A2, you are fine the way you are." He said. "You don't owe me anything. You don't need to push yourself. I like you just the way you are."
She smiled at those beautiful memories, the beautiful moment that shows a glimpse of how the World is supposed to be. Of how big this World truly is. Of how peaceful and kind this damned planet could be.
It is amazing. The World that he wished to see once more.
She tilted her head, her eyes focused on his left eye, his remaining eye and he stepped back.
"And Li the Doctor is a part of Li the Human."
He took another step back, passing through the holographic computer, fizzling it out from existence. He shook his head in denial, his lone eye staring at her shakily.
"Y-You were wrong." He rasped out, voice trembling. "I… I am not that kind of guy. All the things I do… helping other androids, trying to make them laugh, everything. All is to remind myself of how the World is supposed to be, I don't want to live in a World cursed like this, that's why I did this. All of them are to sate my own selfishness, my denial that I am in here instead of-"
She took a step forward, eloquently cutting his words. "Does that matter to the androids who you helped? They were saved." Her eyes locked to his, never leaving it. "They are alive now. So what if you did it out of selfishness? You helped people. You are not a saint but so what? Nobody expects you to be perfect, I certainly am not, I never was, ever since I met you as the Doctor and knowing you are a human. You are still a Nerd to me."
He gritted his teeth, his head shook rapidly, his face showing dubiety. "Why? There must be an error. Something is wrong with you. You are A2, you can't possibly-"
She doesn't know what he means by that. What's so special about her in his eyes but she doesn't give a shit at this moment.
"Because I care for you, dipshit. That's why."
He takes another step back, and disbelief changes to shock. "B-But how?" He asked confusedly, trying to make a distance between them.
You ain't gonna step back from this.
She bristled and took another step forward, he backpedaled again, but she didn't let him this time. Her hand went forward, faster than he could react, her fingers grasped his collar shirt like an iron grip, not letting him go. She pulled her to him, forcing him to face her, to look at her.
"Fuck you!" She roared loudly. She put her anger, her frustration, and her emotions in there to make sure this dimwit gets it. "Do I need a reason to care for someone who has done so much to me?!" She asked emotionally. "Debt. Guilt. Programming. So fucking what?! You helped me! Ain't no way I am not returning that! No way I am not gonna care for you when you and your noisy ass keep poking my life and caring for me!" She narrowed her eyes sharply, teeth clenching. Their faces are close now, nose almost touching nose. "Isn't that just the right thing? In a World that you envisioned, isn't it just right when you were cared for, you should care back?! Huh?!" She demanded. "Tell me I am wrong you wimp, say it to my face. I dare you! Say it!"
Of course he can't. Because that is what he longed for. That is why he wants to change this World. Because he can't stand it. He pushed others to change because he wanted this barren World changes as well. That is why he joined the Independist partly, not just because of Ariadne but because he wished for it. To get a glimpse of a beautiful World where people can work together in harmony.
Love. Debt. Guilt. In the end, to her, all of them are secondary. She cares for him because he cares for her. Helped her. Brought her out from that hole. Opened her eyes to her real goal. Giving warmth to this cold and bleak World once more. Reminding her that this planet is beautiful and worth fighting for. That it is still alive, alive and fighting, it hasn't let out its last breath yet.
"You are stuck with me now." She intoned seriously. "Like it or not. You pulled me into this mess, I ain't going away until you're done."
He saves her from herself. Even if it is unintentional and born out of selfishness.
So she will save him from himself as well in return. Because it is just right to be kind when someone has been kind to you. Because that is how the World is supposed to be.
Tears dripped from his left eye as he looked down at her fierce expression. He doesn't need to speak, doesn't need to say a single word. She knew what was in his mind just by looking at his face. Through that mask of his, she could see his scar wrinkling even if it is not possible, could see his disdain and loathing yet… and yet…
"Where did it all go wrong?" He asked painfully. "Why? Why did this… we were just doing fine. We were… we were happy, we actually did something that we thought…"
That was the question that haunted his very being. Where did it start to go wrong? How come he didn't realize it sooner? Why does it have to be this way? Why can't he stop it? For all his so-called genius and intellect, he was utterly powerless to save the one who he cared for.
She knew. He didn't need to explain them. She knew. It was all written in his expression.
Why? Why? Please. Someone tell me why? What did I do wrong? Why did you leave me? Why did you do this? Please. Please.
But unfortunately for him, she cannot give him what he wants.
"... I don't know." She answered honestly as she released her hold on him. His face fell into further despair when heard that but it couldn't be helped. She cannot give any other answers. Truth is all she can give. "I wasn't there with you so I can't answer that."
He is the only one who survives that island. The only one that is alive. He is the only one that actually could know where things start spiraling down, but he cannot find the answer and she knows he will never find it.
As long as he is still trapped in that nightmare and guilt that burdens his very being, he will never be free.
I can't pull you out from there. This is something that you need to do on your own. It is all up to you…
"But if there's something I learned recently when I am with you is that memories shouldn't be used as shackles to keep you in an endless loop of pain but as a torch for you to pave your life." She opened her hand to him, palm extended. "I'm not gonna lie. It will be hard, it won't be easy, but I can guarantee this," Her lips moved upward, making a smile. "If you end up falling in the future, I will pick you up. I ain't gonna let you down, you are important for me and the future I want to see."
A myriad of emotions flashed over his face in a few seconds: shock, fear, disbelief, denial yet there unmistakably hope laid in his eye. Hope behind that smoldering fire instead of despair. The tears that poured down from his face fell harder. His right hand trembled and shaky yet it rose, slow and hesitate but it did move.
It was him who always initiated their contact first, but now? It is her turn.
Wordlessly, she stepped forward, her extended hand grasping his hesitant hand, and pulled him into a hug. The gap between their height wasn't much, it was enough for her to place his face on her chest, her hand embraced the back of his head, fingers gently buried in his hair.
"And in a chance, if you fail then do know that I will fail with you." She whispered to his ears kindly. "This time, you won't be alone anymore."
I can't pull you from that darkness, but I can be your torch. A source of light that would illuminate your path in the darkness. A single spark that shines so you can get up and get out from that damned nightmare. I will always glow for you until the end, flickering in your eyes and keep pestering you until you stand again if you fall.
He felt his hands trembling, a choked noise reaching her ears. Then those hands wrapped around her figure at blinding speed, engulfed her in a tight hug, in a strong grip, as if fearing she would disappear anytime.
And she makes sure he knows she is real, she won't go anywhere, by pressing her own body to his as well.
Sobs wrecked out from his lips as he buried his face deeper into her, hiccup noises surged out occasionally, each time it did, she could feel the pain and stress also coming out from there.
"I will hold you to that! I swear!" He sobbed aloud to her. "I will hold you to that! No taking back! You heard me?! No fucking taking back!"
"Ha, as if I will. You know me better than that."
"I am serious! If you do… if you do… I will… I will! I will!"
"What? You will sink an island for me as well? Ha, flattery will get you nowhere you know that?" She laughed lightheartedly. "There, there. You can cry as much as you want now." She crooned kindly, all while rubbing his back in a soothing manner. "I will allow it, just don't make this into a habit, okay?"
It only causes him to choke harder and clutch her tighter.
Even though her chest is now getting wet, even though her system notified her water had entered her body, she barely cares. For her, the man that is now crying like a kid, wailing desperately in his heart and weeping about his fate, is more important than anything in the World.
For he is a Hope so the World could become a better place.
A fire that would burn brightly for everyone to see. A miracle that came forth to this bleak World to turn the tide. A lone star that was stranded and lost its path but still a star nonetheless.
"He was in denial as well, so we can say he possibly didn't intend to torture Heather psychologically like that."
"But it could change."
Popola closed her eyes, seeming to imagine that particular scenario. "If it keeps going? Yes."
That is all she needs to know.
And she is not going to let that star tainted any further and end up burning this World to ashes. Not just for him, but for everyone.
I noticed a few of you having difficulty accessing the story in QQ and it is also because I locked my post somewhat, I already unlock them but if you are still unable to then you just need to search for Nier Automata in the QQ search engine, this fic will appear after a brief look, mainly because there isn't much Nier Automata fanfic in there.
Same note I gave to QQ:
I feel like I could do better. Mayhaps it has to do with how I am using only A2's pov instead of Li's. I frankly think it could be a good opportunity for people to look at the Present Li's head but after considering it a few times I decided not to because of too much angst and drama.
You don't want to read traumatized people's POVs, trust me.
So I tried my best to show how A2 reads his behavior. All the digging and observations she did since Book II started finally gave fruits, allowing her to get a slightly good look at how Li perceived things and what was inside his head. Feels a bit rushed but hey, I don't want to drag this too long like in Book I.
Ariadne told him he is supposed to be a Hope, yet he failed epically and unleashed what amounted to a nightmare to the dead World but let's be honest if things went differently, would that nightmare be spawned?
Oh, bloody hell it still will, that is bound to happen somehow (and that's all I am gonna say about it for now) but at least it will be more manageable. It won't end up traumatizing the guy so much, and things perhaps could be better.
But it didn't and that's all that mattered.
You might notice it (or not) but there are differences in how Ariadne and A2 treated Li despite both regarding him as a "Hope" of the World, how they viewed him was different as well, and that difference was the key to turning the whole thing around.
Also, want to inform the next chapter might come out a bit later, I have a paper I should make and the deadline is next week soo... yeah. Worry not, I will post some of DoD3 Omake as compensation since I have done 50% of them.
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[Unconscious Geas Severe Revealed: This World is wrong. Change it. Escape from it. Destroy it. Pick your choice, it mattered not because this World is wrong and you don't belong here.]
"Well, I will be damned, she is natural," Devola muttered in awe. "And she wasn't trying, she just… goes with the flow."
"You can't ask A2 to be nice or to attract people. She will fail, fantastically." She commented in her usual blank voice. "However, if she didn't realize it, she would succeed."
"I have heard some people actually do that but to see it personally? Amazing." Popola said in a tone similar to her sister. "Is this what they call "They grow on you"?" She pondered.
"... missed the opportunity to go for the kiss though or do a confession." Devola clicked her tongue. "But I guess, just hearing someone still care for him even after seeing the worst side of him so passionately is better than romance now."
Indeed, given how bad his relationship went in the past, it is unlikely Father would respond well to a romance attempt for now. This though? This will do. This is what he actually needs, all this time.
Objective completed.
She noted mentally as she watched how Father hugged A2 back. Now he finally has a proper anchor, he will be ready.
The main key would be A2 from now on, and given how emotional and kindhearted she is despite not showing it, it won't be so hard for her to steer the whole thing.
The next on the list would be the twins.
Her eyes fell on the twins who were giggling and looking at Father with a wistful and happy gaze. Unlike A2, these two would be harder. Even just by spending a short time with them, she already could tell they are on different levels than the YoRHa's deserter.
Alas, that doesn't mean they don't have a flaw.
Father is everything to them. Everything. She has no doubt that if he decided to burn this World they would follow his act. Complaining and protesting but they still will abide by his desire if he truly wished for it.
Trickier but not impossible.
'And this Charlie...' Just by thinking of that name and AI somehow brought shudder and utter revolt to her core. She needs to investigate this matter in the future after dealing with the twins and-
She was broken out from her pondering when the secret bug she and Father installed in the satellites above Earth behaved erratically.
The bug specifically focused on the Machine's activities, it is what warned them of those things' movement. Through that bug, she and Father could make them do a hula hoop in space if they so wished. Not ending there, the bug would also allow them to infiltrate or alter the program inside the entire thing.
And now that bug pinged her system, repeatedly.
The Machine being active and constantly making a big move is something part of daily life. They resided in 80% of the entire Earth after all, so there will always be a ping or warning from the satellites everyday.
Except now, that ping blaring repeatedly from various directions. Said directions are actually not so far away from their current location. And said their numbers weren't small as well.
She wasted no time leaving her vessel and giving full attention to the satellites. Her mind slipped through Cyberspace smoothly, diving into foreign worlds of machinery and programs.
Her multitasking and multi presence – limited and restricted they are – allowed her to be on all the satellites simultaneously and she observed the entire activities of those Machine factories working through space.
She probed them all, focusing their scanners subtly, altering some programs into a higher caliber so she can get a better view and pierce through the factories' defensive system, allowing her to get more detail directly.
It didn't take long. Only a minute and she is done. She is now getting a cleaner view of those Machine factories. 'They are definitely working their productions far more aggressively than normal alright and they started to move on…'
Onto their direction, the area where they currently are.
This is definitely not a coincidence.
She wasted no time splitting herself again, sending part of her to go back to the Earth hastily via cyberspace and-
"Who's there?"
Two pairs of blue eyes meet hers in the World of numbers and algorithms.
The first thing that went into Chloe's mind when she stared at them was old. This entity is old, ancient even. The second thing was a disgust, unbridled and ugly emotion coursing through her very program, much more when she observed the centipede Machine's lifeform they met in the desert. The third was… familiarity.
I know you, you worthless and pathetic worm.
"You…" Twin girly voices resonated in the World of codes and programs. "Who are-"
Chloe responded by sending attack programs that annihilate those eyes on the spot, bursting them into nothing but scraps of junk data that scattered everywhere.
How dare you… you… YOU! INFERIOR LIFEFORM!
No. Don't go there. Don't dwell. Focus. Focus!
She continued her journey, ensuring that she wasn't followed by those damned disgusting things and soon she is back. Back on Earth. Back on Optimus Prime. She immediately made a speaker and shouted aloud to everyone, regardless of the situation and atmosphere they are currently in.
Because they are in a condition that would make "urgent" like a second rate word.
"Father! The Machine has found us!"
One of you said that it is better to have the drama solved first before the action started during Aurora's battle. Well, you got what you wished for. We will have a battle in the next two or three chapters.