SAKUR:A
Chapter 5: Beyond Machine
(okay, let's do some black out page reading from here until you see the '***' then flick the lights back on)
Sakura's POV
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System boot.
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UCHIHA-INTEL
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Checking operating system.
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Initiating model SAKUR:A
Version 2.1.0
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Update complete
Version 2.4.0
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Initiate restart
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'***'
How does it feel like...to be a robot?
To start up. Then shut down. And up. And down again.
The sensation of undergoing maintenance or system upgrade while being 'asleep'.
The sensation of being programmed without knowing much about it.
And had no option to accept or reject. I had no say.
Laying there with the fact I was conscious enough to understand that my whole body was attached with wires and my hands and feet bound.
Ah, my motion systems were back and I could move my fingers and toes!
Blurry from afar, I saw a white figure. It must be Sasuke.
Slowly, I adjusted my camera to the right focus and I confirmed that it was him. His coat was brilliant white, I noticed. He had it changed since he went home.
On the other hand, it reminded me of Souma. My son, I wonder if he's alright. Did his cheek swell? It must have hurt a lot. His heart even more…
Whatever happened while I was asleep? That was just a question to myself.
9.54a.m.
Realising that I've been shut down for more than a day, sleep was as if brief and the moment I awake here I was.
There wasn't a single sunlight in this tightly sealed laboratory. Far too different from the world outside; a world of steel and computers. Nowhere near lively but deep and dull...like the man in front.
He suddenly turned, I got surprised instead when I thought he wasn't aware that I had came back to my consciousness. His icy gaze were somewhat...terrifying. The gaze that could eat one alive.
The sound of his shoes as he approached was the only thing which echoed in our continuous silence and that we continued to exchange our gaze. He didn't flinch or showed any emotion and the first thing that he did was,
"Stand up."
An order.
I stared at him questionably. How could I when I am bound like this?
"How am-"
"Stand up."
Repeated. Sternly.
I understood that he wasn't joking and I understood that he asked for the impossible? These binds were made out of metal, so strong, and the told me to break free from these? I couldn't.
Could I?
He's waiting.
Silently. He waited.
And he didn't waver. The look that insisted in me and,
He was testing me. To obey orders.
My arms, hands, legs. They were totally under binds. How Sasuke? How am I supposed to get myself out? Impossible.
Ngh…! Impossible.
Nnngh! Impossible!
It was difficult. I gave it my all and it seems that I wasn't going anywhere until…
*crack*
I thought I was imagining things but…
*crack*crack*
I felt something.
*crack!*crack!*
Something suddenly gushed in my system. A rush.
The motors were spinning at high speed. A drive.
I felt myself rising…Lifted.
The more I pushed, the more I could feel the force, the more I could see Sasuke before me and I felt my hands loosened, then my feet slipped to touch the chilly floor.
I stood.
*CLANG!*BLANG!*CRASH*CLANG!*
Everything that held me a second ago fell to the ground; distorted, bent and broken.
Shocked. I was undoubtedly taken aback from what I had done. What have I done…?
There was no way...I was...I was shocked. To have such power. I was able to shatter them without a scratch. This power…was scary to begin with.
I see...
It wasn't just a test for obedience but strength.
Sasuke has given me new abilities; but why power? What has he changed? And why? I became curious. Why so much power? Was it something that he said that 'we were running out of time?'.
"You don't like it?" Sasuke asked in the midst of my thoughts.
I didn't know what to say.
"I...I'm strong…," I sounded nonsensical.
"You have to be." There he goes again. He spewed words that I could hardly decipher. "And keep it at that. For tomorrow, you'll do exactly as I say. And don't fail. I want to see your full potential. Understand?"
He ordered again.
What's with him being all serious from one moment to another? Tomorrow. What will there be for tomorrow to drive him into tension? I don't know…
Tomorrow would be tomorrow.
"You've got something to say?" Sasuke asked coldly.
"Why is it that you had parts of my database restricted?" I braved knowing I may not get an answer.
He paused.
"Now is not the time for that." He tried avoiding my eyes, I just couldn't pass this chance up,
"When?"
It seems like I tested his patience.
"I will tell you what and why when I see fit!" He growled. "Robots never question their masters."
Sasuke left with his hands shoved into his lab coat pockets. His authoritative words remained thundering in my head.
No. I don't get it.
"That's because you made me differently…"
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The next morning…
The night flew by and I arrived to the next day: Tomorrow.
Spending the night in the laboratory wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, just...quieter. Darker. With nothing much except for computers, computers and computers.
The sun must have risen, I thought. From in here there was no chance of seeing the 'giant lightbulb'. That's what I used to tell my two sons about the sun.
My sons...My Suns…
I smiled.
I missed them. I really wished to see them; them smiling...like they used to. I want to see them happy.
But what was waiting for me ahead, as an artificial being, a being for command, a robot...I had doubts. And more when I became so strong that I don't remember I was.
And I came to fear as I stood waiting. Before this door that I was brought to and behind where I could faintly heard Sasuke's voice as he spoke.
He was there since early this morning and I as well, stood patiently waiting for his call as he told me. While at it, I looked at my own reflection nearby; this tight-fit ivory suit that closely followed the curvatures of my body, making everything stood out. A little uncomfortable, yes, but flexible.
Again, Sasuke ordered me so.
All this were making me curious to what would happen to me today. And it was exactly two hours until the wait was finally over,
"Come in." Sasuke ordered through my internal transmitter.
Alright.
Lightly, I pushed opem the door I had been waiting behind all this while. It was an unexpectedly large conference room. There's the sunlight glowing from the windows that stretched all the way to the ceiling. A very large presentation screen. Most importantly, in the room, seated were people along the conference table with stern faces.
This is...the Konoha's Council.
Surprisingly, Itachi was here too.
Ah, I almost forgot to mention that he's Konoha's Head Secretary.
The man on the right, Uchiha Fugaku: Konoha's Primary Advisor and Sakura's father-in-law.
Beside him on the left was Uchiha Mikoto: Minister of Defence and Sakura's mother-in-law.
Uchiha Madara in the Chair: President of Konoha and uncle to Sasuke.
And the woman on his right, Tsunade: the Vice President.
I only managed to identify a few of these bigwigs in the room. As for the rest, they weren't as familiar but I guess they were as equally important?
For that moment when I entered, I could see their surprised expression. My face does gives the chill, eh?
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present you SAKURA."
Everyone stared at me as Sasuke continued to explain the details all about me, about what I was made of and interestingly, what I was made for.
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Simulated Artificial Kinematics of Uchiha Robotics
Model: Annihilator
In short, SAKUR:A
Built to revive Project BAIT (Bu'Lan Annihilation Intelligence Tactics) that was suspended three years ago due to mission failure. The project backfired leading to the death of their project's Elite Team leader, Haruno Sakura.
Project BAIT:
A small team of elite members of Konoha's secret defence force be despatched to Bu'Lan. To crash the enemy's defence system from the inside to enable Konoha's outer force invasion.
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"On the last Project BAIT, we all knew there were flaws. Exposed ourselves too many opportunities for the enemy to overthrow us and the base we invaded was a trap, not their headquarters," said Sasuke firmly.
"Today, I propose," he paused while he switched to the next slide of the presentation screen, "Project SOLO."
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Project SOLO
Silent One-unit Lead Operation
The project focuses on its only decoy unit:
The Annihilator robot model, SAKUR:A.
Mission one:
To lure the individuals of Bu'Lan who had invaded Konoha towards the decoy.
Mission two:
Assign decoy on building trust relationships with the potential individual to seek out Bu'Lan's headquarters.
Mission three:
To invade the enemy's mother base for destruction of their defence force.
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I watched, listened and understood:
I was made to be a decoy.
To serve the country.
Out of my will.
I shall be sent to die for the mission I couldn't agree?
My mind was blank.
I couldn't think of anything but memorise the information that was recently new at this moment. I knew nothing of this. Except I was meant to serve...in a way.
But this…
In this second, I came to fear of my nonexistence.
My wish is to see my children. Watch them happy. Mend my family, the four of us.
But again…
I don't think I would be able to do that…
For,
This story,
Was just about to truly begin.
"Bring out the captive."
Soon enough a man that was held by handcuffs was brought into the room; the enemy from Bu'Lan. Everyone were calm and composed as they watched the struggling man groaned and growled as he was forced to walk and fell below my feet.
The man was in tatters. Messy silver hair, bruises all over his light skin and green eyes.
Those. Green. eyes.
As green, as bright as mine while they stared at me widely.
"A..Ah...Ahjie," his face began to lit in joy. "Ahjie! Ni...ni mo si. Ni jin hae mo si! Hao. Hao!"
He wasn't just happy, his tears began to roll out of the sheer joy upon seeing me.
I didn't expect so. It was all too sudden when I the enemy simply broke down in happiness upon my feet uttering foreign language which I...understood.
Basically everyone in present were as confused as I was and began whispering among themselves. Sasuke frowned from the corner and exchanged glances with the rest of the Uchihas. Something tells me that this would not end favourably.
It's either me...or this Bu'Lanian.
"Robot."
One of the Council members called out loud. I gave a blunt look; wasn't too fond the way he addressed me.
"What did he say to you?" and in dull voice, the member demanded for an answer and confidently he knew I had one.
I had the urge to refuse answering despite it wasn't the best option.
"What did he say, Sakura?"
Mikoto.
Her voice was soothing to listen to and the way she mentioned my name, Sakura's name, distinguished me not whether Sakura was human or machine. I was touched by her gentleness.
"He called me sister...elder sister. And was glad I wasn't dead." I translated.
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I thought my honesty was harmless,
It never crossed me that these people were different,
If only I was reminded that these people once suffered the scars of Bu'Lan,
I might have kept my lips sealed.
This was the beginning,
Of everything,
That is about to happen,
Going,
Down the chapters.
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"Kill him."
In the midst of silence, Madara suddenly uttered.
The President of Konoha, his eyes were bright red of ominous air with no mercy to spare.
"Kill him. Robot."
His firm tone sent chills down my system. I became stunned from the moment he was able to induce fear just by his lips and eyes while he sat at the other end; calm and composed.
Everyone remained speechless. No one disagreed. Everyone was hoping to see violence...out of me!
No way. I would never!
"I-"
If I could stop this, if I had the option to object.
"Engage in battle, Sakura." Sasuke ordered me from the other end.
Not you too…
"Uncuff the man. Either he wins to live...or die trying."
Sasuke…
Do you hate Bu'Lan to the extent that you've drowned in it? Not just you, but all that were sitting here, watching?
For some reason, I….just didn't want to harm this man. Be it a foe, a friend, anybody. Sadly,
So sadly, I was just a robot to begin with.
If only I had flesh…
I could go against being manipulated, against my creator, my master. I had my own freedom to choose. But seeing as I am; born from steel and plastic. How could I had such choice?
Because the more I struggled, the more disobedient I posed to be. I might become their threat instead. And Konoha had enough of that.
I cannot stop here. Yet, I don't want to harm this Bu'Lanian.
"Give him a weapon!" Sasuke said again and one of the guards nearby threw the captive a dagger, "Ladies and gentleman, I want all of you to watch properly. What Annihilator is truly made of!"
No...I don't want to fight…
"Sasu-"
"Kill or be killed, Annihilator!"
That's not my name…
I am not...Anni...I am Sakura…Haruno Sakura…
I just want to be me.
If only I wasn't about steel!
"Annihilator. Don't make it look bad." Sasuke growled angrily, knowing that I was being disobedient.
Look at this man, Sasuke! He weak and wounded. This is unfair! Moreover, this man doesn't want to fight either.
"Ahjie...mo siong kon. Hae jin tien giea."
I stunned when the man whispered to me with a small smile, out of everyone's sight.
If only I had tears...If only I could shed some for this person who spoke kind words.
I wonder if Konoha had perceived the people of Bu'Lan wrongly all this while. If the Bu'Lanians were the bad, this man might not say such words.
It's alright. It's fate after all.
In a split moment, he armed himself with the dagger he was provided with. Unexpectedly swift, he tried to slash me but I dodged in time. I felt myself sprint away in an instant of motor reaction. My system was very fast!
Despite wounded and bruised, the people of Bu'Lan were well trained to survive in battle. I was amazed.
He was fast and I was too and the both of us ended up in a never-ending cycle of slash and dodge.
And I knew,
The enemy was just putting up a show. Waiting for me to do him the final blow because he always had the chance to stab me when I was open several moments. Part of my skin got cut but wasn't deep. It was on purpose.
I couldn't do it.
I couldn't kill!
Why must I kill!?
"What are you doing!? Finish him off!" Sasuke got impatient and began yelling.
"I don't want...I DON'T WANT TO!" I screamed.
It wasn't the wisest.
I knew it was for the worst.
I'm sorry...I'm so sorry…
If only I was made with tears…
If only I could show my agony…
Please don't force me.
Sasuke threw whatever he was holding to the floor, smashing it loudly out of irritation. He dug out something...something small, like a phone, tapped a few buttons and flicked a bit on its screen before uttering towards it,
"Voice recognition: Uchiha Sasuke. Activate system command override: Annihilator!"
No...
Voice recognition confirmed.
No, don't. Sasuke!
Command override activated.
Stop! Don't do this, Sasuke! Stop!
User command at 100%: Uchiha Sasuke.
No matter how conscious I was, I couldn't take control of my own body. I've lost every motion right to move. It was like I was thrown into the deep depths of my consciousness; sent powerless and watching through my lens while I was being taken over.
I could feel a different robot in me. Colder. Crueler. Like the Uchihas…
That second, I turned to hate myself. I was A robot!
I could feel my feet glide along the floor's surface; so fast that I appeared right in front of the escaping enemy.
I could see my eyes had turned red from the reflection of the moist surface of the eyes of my enemy: bright blood red.
I could feel the strength coursing through my arm as it stretched out to grab hold of the enemy by the neck and sent him against the floor, choking him. Pinning him hard enough to hear cracks and soon red fluid began to soak my skin. More and more….
I am totally not me.
Despite my face.
Despite my hands.
Forgive me...whoever you are that you've called me 'sister'.
I don't want to kill.
I don't wish to!
If this body was mine. I wouldn't.
Please stop.
Stop this menace...
Words of the Author:
Heeeeeellloo everyone!
It has been days since the last update and I know...this chapter is as short too. Please bear with me for my busy schedule (it would get busier) so I would do my best to update as soon as I could. And thank you all so much for reading and gave me reviews; they were such lovely comments to gear my inspiration up to keep writing.
Hope to give you guys the best thrills, chills and cheeses!
Thank you so much dearies.
Sasusakusara7:
Thank you for your review. I'm always hope that you enjoyed yourself as you read. Really would do my best to you and all readers and give you all the best emotions as you read.
Love your sweet words.
Guest: Thank you for the wonderful comment. Hope to see you around (maybe with a pen name the next time?) Love ya.