Trades46 here,

I just want a great thanks to Pixiv artist 砂雲 for allowing me to use his "Good-bye My Earth" for my cover page. Be sure to check out his other works too.

Here's the next chapter:

Enjoy!


Chapter 5:

On the 6th day, the testing session was cut decisively short when the DIA facility has a sudden power outage. The commanding officer however, didn't let any of our prototype-testing team to leave due to the DDA's pressure in getting the prototypes into mass production stage ASAP and the pressure of the Belser invasion only escalated the situation. Grinnell along the rest of the Next's and Legend's crew had to work with the base's emergency generators. Enough power for computers, not enough for the simulators to work.

By the time power was restored, it was already nightfall. Grinnell originally told me to go home and start again tomorrow, but the CO wouldn't let us have another day slip by. Needless to say that night we have to test in darkness.

Then after an hour later, the base has gone completely dark once again. Given the time on the clock, I decide to spend the night at the base as a drive home and back simply didn't make sense. Luckily that DIA has temporary shelters that are for air-raids are normally open to crewmen.


I retire to the resting quarters after a shower with a can of pop. Then I notice that Ti2 is also in the room near the emergency outage lamp reading a book. I didn't question why an android would read a book, but that didn't cross my mind at the moment.

She didn't turn around, but I could tell she knew I was watching her. Like always, her face was devoid of any expression, but even so my sharp pilot senses quickly told me that she turned ever so slightly away from me.

I wasn't surprised as I did refer her as a 'damned robot'. Remembering that again felt like gutting myself in the stomach.

Regardless of the disastrous results, it was our first joint operation together as a full team, and probably even Ti2's first group assault mission with actual people. I expected her to have some earlier group battle experience given her Lieutenant rank, but then again her 'experience' would've been easily made of batches of 0s and 1s.

To try and understand what and how she thinks, I did try to pay a visit to the DDA's team specializing in AI development, known by its simple designation as AI section, to inquire about Ti2 to her development team a few days ago. Alas even my rank seems to not be high enough to access what was considered "classified information".

What I did eventually conclude, in all respect, that I was a bit blunt and slightly brutal with her…OK, quite brutal.

I scoot myself closer to Ti2 quietly trying to close our distance. Unfortunately, she appears to have 'sensed' my intentions and then quickly scoots over to the other side of the room.

I try again, but after I get close, she once again moved away.

I set down my drink to repeat my action this time putting my effort into it. Before she repeated her action, I spoke first.

"I'll stay at whatever distance you feel comfortable. Please just listing to what I have to say."

Ti2 continued to read her book without looking at me, but I knew I gotten her attention.

'I apologize about the joint assault simulation; that I got out-of-hand with my words. Even as a superior officer, I have no excuse for publicly shouting at you like that' politely ask for her forgiveness."

Silence followed for the next 30 seconds.

I was beginning to wonder if she even understood what I was saying before a surprisingly quiet and timid voice leaked out.

"…you really mean it?" She looked away from her book and straight at me, her expression actually softening up.

'Yes, please forgive me.' I said with a nod, honestly feeling a little guilty about the entire debacle.

I can swear I saw a faint smile form from her lips, which I was taken aback to what I can only call a very...human response.

For the next couple of minutes, I continued to enjoy my drink and Ti2 returned to read her book while both of us were savoring the quiet night atmosphere.

I took this time to study the girl's finer features. I noticed that Ti2 was also changed into a simple one piece white dress, akin to those used in hospital wards. Unlike Grinnell's claim of being nothing more than a machine, the little android looked no more different from any other 14 year-old girl. Her long flowing blonde hair, porcelain skin and ruby colored eyes don't look at all artificial. Her only telltale sign that she was different is the black headpiece that appears to be part of her design, only that I noticed now her trademark "cat ears" can move as they now appeared to have folded down flat on her hair.

After I finish my coffee, I start to wonder what the girl was reading that was so captivating that she continues to even read in this darkness. I took a peek at the cover: "The Legend of the Phoenix". It was a very simple short novel about the immortal bird of folklore. Despite its simple text, Ti2 seems pretty engrossed into it.

'Do you find this book interesting?' I ask her casually. She shook her head and placed the book down.

"The lab data has said everything that can be seen can always be broken; buildings, nature, even the stars. But Phoenix, it says here that it cannot be destroyed. No matter what you do to the Phoenix, it won't die. This is a contradiction..."

She trailed off as if she was trying to search for a response.

"This "Phoenix" object does no compute since I cannot find an answer to this contradiction...it bothers me."

Once again I had wished that the DDA's AI development team actually gave some answers about Ti2's breadth of knowledge on literature or folklore, but I wanted to see how she would react in this sort of situation.

"So, what do you think is the truth?" I ask in an open-ended manner. By now I know this is probably something that goes beyond how the AI section had meant for her to process, but alas whether it be to learn more about her or just for my own curiosity, I pressed on.

"..."

Ti2 put down her book and appeared to think about an answer. As I wait, I could feel like she couldn't come to an answer, expression of frustration slowly but surely build on her face. I try to help her out.

"Let's rephrase the question; which of the following you want to believe is closer to the truth?"

It took a little while longer but she eventually came back with an answer.

"My current accessible database is limited, so I cannot come to a suitable conclusion..."

Of course that would be the response from an android. It might as well be asking an internet search engine about their feelings in the same regard. I'm just about to brush off the whole ordeal before I heard a murmur.

"...but I hope I cannot be terminated after I..."

I quickly turned back to Ti2 hearing the sudden confession. What was that about?

Ti2 glanced at my questionably in return, then she must have realized I heard the last bit and quickly covered her mouth.

"...Ah...no, I..." she slowly stammered, in an oddly flustered tone. "I have acted in error...sir, please do not tell Hilda or the lab! Please!" Ti2 grabbed my arm in an almost frightened tone.

Hilda...or Sheryl Hilda. That was the lady in the lab-coat I saw on the testing facility, and also the head of the AI section of the DDA. I don't know much about her, but her frightening glare and Ti2's almost fearful response to her name is rather telling where the android girl and the scientist stood. I slowly pat her shoulder and give a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, to err is to be human, and that everyone can make a mistake, even for both of us". She seemed to have calmed down a little with this remark. "Also...", I added, "when we're off duty like this, you can call me Riga. You are my partner after all, right?"

Ti2 responds with a quiet nod, but a heartfelt one.

It was nice to know that despite everything that happened thus far, she appears to be far more than just meets the eye.

"Sir...Riga, it is getting rather late. I must return to my room before the lab realizes me absence." Ti2's voice interrupts my thoughts. I glance at the clock and come to the same conclusion.

"I agree, it is nice to talk to you. Take care of yourself."

She stands up and put the book back on the shelves of the common area, gives me a polite bow before exiting the room.

Shortly after I decide to do the same, musing about the dual personalty that she seems to possess. At first I wasn't too fond of the idea of having to work together with a cold machine, but now I must say I'm more than curious as to her true character.

I hear footsteps coming back to the common area, only to see Ti2 again with a greeting.

"I almost forgot. Have a good night, Riga."


Yes, I think I might have made Lt. Colonel Riga Pratica a softie compared to what I dug up in the Japanese websites later after writing this part. Oh well, at least I felt warm and fuzzy on the inside after writing this.

That's it for now, see you next update!

-Trades46