October 27
At Griffin & Kryuger base, Persica was in front of monitors in a room watching OTs-14 in a prison with energy bars, the girl's legs were chained to the wall and was sitting on her bed, with a submissive look. Persica's heart was aching to see a T-Doll treated like that. Berezovich Kryuger came in with the cigar in his mouth.
" Are you okay, Persicaria? "
" Sorry I ... I can't stand the sight of OTs-14. I don't like seeing T-Dolls being treated that way. Is it really necessary, Berezovich? "
" She attacked AA-12 during the mission and I want to know why. I know you don't like it ... I don't really like all this either but it has to be done however I promise you everything will work out and I won't hurt OTs-14. "
" Berezovich ... do you think OTs-14 wants to betray us? " Persica asked, worried.
" I don't know. "
" Be honest with me, I'm not a child. "
" All right. " Kryuger locked the door, turned to Persica and said. " From the report that AA-12 gave me it's quite evident that OTs-14 was influenced by Sangvis Ferri with a little too much ease, she gave up the main objective, which was the destruction of Alchemist, only for personal reasons. This is insubordination, it's undeniable. Maybe OTs-14 wants to betray us? I don't know. But I can't afford to trust too much, especially if I consider AA-12's testimony. "
" I see. Thanks. But ... you look tense ... " Persica noted.
" I'm just a little disappointed that the first mission of Team EXPIATIO was a fiasco. "
" I don't think so. As far as I know, the T-Dolls have performed quite well on the battlefield and have shown that they are up to the mission. You shouldn't be so strict with them. " Persica commented approaching Kryuger and taking the cigar from his mouth. " Don't smoke in my office, I've told you a thousand times. "
" Tch! I never understood you, Persicaria, sometimes you treat Dolls as if they were your daughters. "
" Do you find it strange? "
" Just a little. They're soldiers. They have to fight and die for the cause, they're not girls who need mom. "
" Ah! Said by you! " Persica exclaimed laughing.
" What's so funny? "
" You do this too, have you ever noticed? You too worry about the Dolls in your own way, you're strict but it's easy to understand that you care about them. It could be said that if I'm the mother you're the father. "
" I'm afraid of being a little old ... "
" Not so much. You have your charm with that beard. "
" Ahem! " Kryuger cleared his throat and turned so not to show that he was blushing.
" So ... uh ... do you want some coffee? "
" No, no ... I'm okay. Luckily I'm not addicted to caffeine like you. "
" Boor. "
" I say it for your sake. " Kryuger looked at the screen where OTs-14 was seen. " Now I'm going to talk to her. "
" Be careful. "
Berezovich Kryuger was accompanied by Helianthus to the prison where OTs-14 was held. The man ordered that the bars be deactivated and despite the reticence of his secretary the order was executed; Kryuger took a chair and sat twenty steps from OTs-14, took out a cigar and lit it, the girl was silent, ignoring the presence of Helianthus and Kryuger.
" Action and reaction. " Kryuger began. " These are principles that are impossible to circumvent. In everything we do we must expect a consequence because no action is without an effect. The curious thing is that it's easier to accept this reality than to accept the fact that we're masters of our choices and therefore we're the only ones responsible for our destiny. Homo faber ipsius fortunae. It's Latin. It means: The man is the architect of his own fate. But can you take responsibility for this? That's another matter. It's easy to make a mistake, make a wrong choice, and blame someone else, but it's difficult to blame yourself for the mistakes you made. Only with responsibility does the principle of action and reaction come understood at three hundred and sixty degrees and one can always be prepared to face the consequences of one's choices, right or wrong. So ... let's talk about you. OTs-14, are you aware of what you've done? "
" I attacked AA-12 because she got in my way. She was behaving in an unprofessional way and I reacted accordingly. " Replied OTs-14.
" And is it professional to fail a mission? "
" I didn't ... "
" Yes. Yes you did. You failed. You ignored Dreamer and Alchemist, you let them escape. "
" I couldn't have hurt them anyway. They were protected by a force shield. Continuing an unnecessary offensive wouldn't have produced any results. So I acted logically. "
" But do you understand the mistake you made? "
" I haven't made any mistakes. "
" So you weren't manipulated by Sangvis Ferri? "
" No. That's stupid. "
" However AA-12 wrote in the report that you wanted to talk to me. I'm here. What do you want to talk about, OTs-14? "
" That bitch ... " She murmured.
" Do you want to talk to me yes or no? "
" Well since we're here, Berezovich Kryuger, how about starting from the beginning? " Asked OTs-14 with a provocative smile.
" So it's true that you know about the Azrael Implant. I would've liked to avoid such a trauma, but apparently it was all in vain. So, OTs-14, what do you want to know? "
" I already know what I need to know. Griffin & Kryuger built that implant to use human soldiers as tools. It was your way of fighting Sangvis Ferri even before using T-Dolls, was it? "
" No. If that's what you've been told then it's a lie. The Azrael Implant wasn't designed by us but by the Zeitgeist organization. It's true, in the past, we didn't use T-Dolls to fight Sangvis Ferri and the problem of the number of soldiers available was a serious one, after all we were fighting against enemies capable of producing two thousand soldiers in two hours. Zeitgeist proposed to create a special graft capable of bringing a soldier back to life after death, the aim was to create an immortal army capable of facing Sangvis Ferri. However, Zeitgeist failed because the scientists assumed that the Azrael Implant was unassailable but Sangvis Ferri was able to hack several people and use them against us. So the experiments ended and Zeitgeist was closed after two years of experiments. This is the truth. "
" Humans use other humans as machines. " OTs-14 reasoned. " But are you really better than Sangvis Ferri? "
" Everyone does what they can to win a war. " Replied Helianthus.
" So the answer is no. "
" We're an army. When you fight a war, you're not a moralist. I leave the ethics speeches to philosophers, I do what I can to win a war. " Kryuger said, rising from his chair. " But know that I have never made use of such implants. I respect my soldiers. "
Kryuger and Helianthus left the cage, the energy bars were reactivated and OTs-14 asked, curious:
" Why don't you kill me? "
" Should I do it in your opinion? "
" I'm a traitor. "
" No, you're not yet and you're not the only one who knew Lucy Manning, despite her mistakes I intend to respect her will and I'll try to help you as much as I can. But don't play with me. "
Kryuger and Helianthus left the room, the door closed and OTs-14 remained in a blameful silence. A fool. Here's what she thought of herself. She had been a fool to trust Sangvis Ferri, probably her craving to condemn Griffin & Kryuger had clouded her vision and hindered her judgment. The girl, sitting on the bed, thought of Kryuger's words regretting not having acted differently during the mission and then, in an instant, a light bulb came on, a moment of light in that darkness of self-pity, a brief gleam in the memory. Kryuger's last words about Lucy were "despite her mistakes". OTs-14 thought for a moment that she was wrong, maybe she remembered badly, maybe she hadn't listened carefully, but the more she thought about it, the more she was convinced that Kryuger had said those words.
" Despite her mistakes? What does that mean? What was he talking about? "
While OTs-14 was in prison, AA-12 had taken refuge in her room to reflect on the incident. She didn't blame herself for attacking OTs-14 and for giving her to Griffin & Kryuger but at the same time she couldn't forget what she had learned from Dreamer. Trusting a Sangvis Ferri was unthinkable for her, it meant betraying, but if Dreamer were right this would've had very serious implications.
AA-12, licking her lollipop, thought about the look of OTs-14 and the story of Lucy, pitying the girl, understood her pain, and those eyes of hers so nostalgic that overflowed with darkness were familiar to her and in that ocean of thoughts, AA-12, realized that in the past they belonged to her, it was a look that she had worn too and then she cried, consoled to have solved her personal enigma but regretted not having been able to talk about it with OTs- 14.
But what was the use of talking? Would it really help OTs-14? Would it really solve anything? Everyone chooses their fate, AA-12 was aware of this, everyone is master of their own destiny and a humandroid is no exception to this rule. Maybe OTs-14 had chosen to follow that path while knowing that this would have made her fall into an abyss, perhaps it was inevitable. She turned and turned on the same questions, like a dog chasing its tail, AA-12 was unable to reach a solution to her new dilemma.
She heard a knock on the door. It was PA-15.
" Is everything okay, AA-12? " Asserted PA-15 with a friendly smile.
" I was just ... thinking about my things. Nothing important. What do you want? "
" Makarov wanted to know if you were okay. After what happened during the mission it's understandable that you have some doubts. "
" I'm fine thanks. But couldn't Makarov come in person? "
" She's afraid of you. " She went over to the girl and murmured: " But don't tell her I told you. "
" I see. Well, you've been very kind. See you. " AA-12 closed the door. After a few seconds she heard a knock again. She opened the door.
" It's me again. Listen, AA-12 ... I know that I'm not the best for these things but if I don't help you Makarov could get angry and even if the idea entices me, I still want to be your friend and give you support. "
" I ... "
PA-15 wasn't lying, AA-12 understood it from her gaze, she was genuinely interested in helping her, AA-12 didn't want to hurt her feelings by making her feel useless and so she left the room and went with her to the cafeteria so as to to be able to talk to her in a more suitable place. The two girls made themselves comfortable at the table and ordered a coffee.
" So ... er ... what's ... you know ... what's happening? "
" Well ... I stopped OTs-14 ... I defeated her but I don't feel well. It's a strange feeling. I don't feel guilty for what I did, I did what I had to do but ... I'm a bit sorry. I understand the feelings of OTs-14, I know what it means to lose someone you love, even if in my case the person is still alive. "
" And do you think that that pain caused OTs-14 to do what she did? "
" I think so. Yes. But I don't understand why I feel this way. "
" You're a little obsessed with her, you have to admit it. "
" Am I? "
" Yes. Sometimes it almost seems that you feel something for her ... "
" But I don't. That's stupid. I ... hate her. "
" Love and hate are similar. They both require a lot of energy and a lot of passion ... and the same determination. "
" Forget it. Let's change subject. What do you think about her? "
" I don't like to blame people, especially because I myself have made stupid mistakes, the consequences of which I'm still paying. " PA-15 replied with a dejected look.
" So you understand OTs-14? "
" No, but I don't condemn her for her mistakes. " Springfield served the two girls coffee. PA-15 only put two teaspoons of sugar while AA-12 put five. " So I'm not so foolish as to think I've any moral superiority over OTs-14. "
" What have you done? " Asked AA-12, curious.
" Do you really want to know? "
" Yes. "
" You may despise me after hearing my story. "
" I want to know. "
" See ... " PA-15 was handling the cup with shaking hands. " I love the risk. I love the challenge. I love danger. I love when things get difficult and I'm on the corner, I like to feel the adrenaline that flows in my veins that gives me that feeling of invincibility, it excites me to feel my body vibrate with the passage of that frenetic energy that makes me run on the edge of death. It's like a drug. But ... "
" But? "
" Do you really want to know? " Asked PA-15 again in a worried voice.
" Tell me. "
" Do you know the mission in Warsaw? The one in the communications center? "
" Yes. So what? "
" I knew it. I knew about the trap. "
" Sorry, what? "
" I knew it. That's it. I knew about the trap in the communications center. "
" Care to explain? "
" I realized that there was something strange in the columns of that base and I knew what would happen because I had already seen it happen during another operation. But I didn't say anything. I was silent. I knew it would kill some T-Dolls but I was silent because I wanted to experience the thrill of the challenge. I wanted to be in trouble, I wanted to see the danger, I was excited at the idea of ending up in that trap. But then ... when I learned that 9A-91 had been killed by Alchemist ... I regretted it. "
" So that's the way it is. "
" I can't judge OTs-14 because I too would be to blame. I'm also guilty. "
" Yes. " AA-12 said standing up. " Yes, you are. But I'm not the one you have to make amends with. If you really want to change you have to be honest with who you hurt. "
" And you? What do you think about me? "
" I don't know. But I noticed a similarity between you and OTs-14: you both feel alive near death. I personally pity you. There's nothing sadder than to depend on death. "
That night OTs-14 was sleeping in the prison bed, the chains on her legs prevented her from taking a few moments and getting into a comfortable position and therefore she had a lot of difficulty falling asleep. She was about to scream with nervousness but suddenly she heard a music approaching, the volume wasn't very high but it could be heard clearly. The door opened and she saw AA-12 enter: the girl wore only a white T-shirt that covered her underwear, with her hair tied, she carried the shotgun and also a sort of rather bulky black pillow together with a radio turned on . AA-12, with the lollipop in her mouth, closed the door, put the pillow on the ground and sat on it, then loaded the shotgun and started listening to the radio.
" What's this? Is it your way to make me angry? " Asked OTs-14, annoyed.
" They're afraid you might try to escape and so Kryuger sent me here to stand guard. Lucky you, I almost never sleep, so you won't get away so easily. " She replied with a mocking grin.
" Do you want to stand guard? All right. But why do you have to listen to this garbage? "
" It's a terrific song. One of my favorites. It's called Geist by Dioxyde. "
" I prefer Wagner. "
" Yes, yes ... now shut up and go to sleep, okay? "
" Tch! Whatever ... I've nothing to say to you. " OTs-14 lay down on the bed again.
AA-12 didn't want to guard OTs-14, she was forced by Berezovich Kryuger and she couldn't discuss that order and there was a reason for her aversion to that task: she didn't want to see OTs-14. AA-12 was sorry, yes, but didn't feel ready to speak with OTs-14, she needed to clear her mind and understand what to do. She watched her. She was sleeping. She sneaked up to check if she was really sleeping but when she realized that her eyes were still open she jumped backwards but fell to the ground.
" What do you want now? " Asked OTs-14 getting up.
" I ... uh ... just wanted to see if you were sleeping ... that's all. "
" It's not funny. If you're making fun of me, it's not working, AA-12. " Said OTs-14 in a cold tone.
" I'm not making fun of you. I'm just ... here ... er ... forget it. " AA-12 started listening to the radio again.
" Well. However, you will be pleased to know that I was wrong. "
" What do you mean? " Asked AA-12 confused.
" The information Dreamer gave me was false. All false. I was a fool to trust her, I let myself be guided too much by my instinct ... no ... I was blinded by my obsession and I attacked you for no reason. It's my fault that the mission has failed. I'm sorry. " OTs-14 lay down on the bed leaving AA-12 speechless.
AA-12 would never have expected an apology from OTs-14, that humility from her opponent almost made her dizzy, it was absurd but at the same time sad. AA-12 knew in her heart that OTs-14 was suffering. It wasn't fair. OTs-14 had to serve her sentence but it wasn't fair. She had sacrificed time and energy for one goal, one truth, and had fallen into the abyss, with no possibility of climbing. Her hopes had turned to ash in her hands. Life seemed to have closed before her eyes.
AA-12 knew that feeling. AA-12 had worn the dress of that suffering. As much as the rebellion of OTs-14 was detested by the girl, even if her actions were condemned, however they didn't lack that heroic charm; everything is silent before the beauty of human daring. Only a madman would dare to clash with superior forces, only a fool like OTs-14 would follow her path, the path of her will, even if she knew she was going to meet the abyss. Everything is silent before that brave fire called OTs-14. AA-12 couldn't stand the sight of that defeated rebel flame. As much as she detested her, however, she couldn't avoid identifying with her and wanting to free her in order to face her again. Prometheus in chains. A pathetic and fascinating sight. AA-12 succumbed to that charm. Nachtmahr's song Tanzdiktator was heard on the radio. AA-12 got up. The door was locked. The energy bars went out. OTs-14 was still in bed and didn't notice that AA-12 had entered the cage.
AA-12 crawled onto the bed, OTs-14 turned in amazement but said nothing, didn't feel the need, those beautiful blue eyes were saying everything. The two girls looked each other intensely. The room disappeared and the music was silent, there were only the two of them, the whole universe had been reduced to those two souls, the fire and the ice, which were watching each other slowly approaching. The lips gently touched. They left. AA-12 was trying to resist temptation but had been captured by that fire, like a moth seduced by light.
The lips touched again. A moment of hesitation that ended in an instant of passion. The moth made the light its own. AA-12 jumped on OTs-14 and started kissing her passionately. Their tongues danced in a sea of saliva while AA-12 took OTs-14 by the hair and OTs touched AA-12's breasts. No thoughts. No second thoughts. Their bodies were hot and the more they warmed up the more they floundered in a sweat bath. AA-12 grabbed the hands of OTs-14 and stretched them out, squeezing them, she couldn't stop kissing her.
" Wai- "
OTs-14 couldn't finish. AA-12 was wriggling on her and she was enjoying it but at the same time she was aware that what they were doing was wrong. AA-12 had been assigned to guard, if they found her, she would get into trouble.
" Please ... wait. "
AA-12 was ready to start again but OTs-14 put her hand in front of her mouth.
" Wait. "
" What's the problem? You want it too, don't you? " The sweaty face of AA-12 was red, the girl was panting excitedly.
" Why are you doing this? "
" Because I like you. I like the way you act. I don't know why ... but I'm attracted to your way of doing ... you're like a magnet. You feel the same, don't you? "
" I ... "
OTs-14 didn't know what to answer, that question was really complicated, she didn't know what she felt for AA-12.
" Oh ... " That hesitation. That hesitation in OTs-14's eyes. AA-12 felt silly. She thought she understood the girl's feelings but it really wasn't like that. She left the bed. " I see ... I got it all wrong . Again. "
" No, wait! You didn't understand! " Exclaimed OTs-14.
" No. It's all right. It happens to be wrong. Right? " AA-12 left prison and activated the energy bars.
" Stop, please! " OTs-14 tried to follow AA-12 but fell due to the chains.
" I'm sorry. Forget everything. " The last words of AA-12 before she left the room in tears.