…WEEKS AGO….
"I find your analysis of Subject Zero's actions interesting, Professor, and your proposed course of action is intriguing. But allow me to play the devil's advocate for a moment. If we know where Subject Zero is, why don't we simply go and get it? Surely on laboratory examination - even if it is only of a few tissue samples - we can understand the nature of its malfunction."
"In the first place, Mr. Glenford, we do not know exactly where Subject Zero is. And it would be naïve to believe it would not defend itself. There would be more collateral damage than we can conveniently explain, even with our control of the mainstream media."
"True enough, Professor."
"In the second place, I do not believe it is a malfunction. Everything Subject Zero has done - escaping, hiding itself in Tokyo right under our noses, and its activities in recent months - show intent, forethought, and premeditation. In a nutshell, it is up to something. It knows what it wants to do, and it is going to do it. Our analysis indicates that whatever it is planning will come to fruition in the very near future."
"Subject Zero was the prototype for all our processing units, nothing more. It is supposed to be unable to plan anything except how to carry out orders."
"The processing units, the genocide angels - all our core technologies are based utilizing and enhancing all or part of the human form. And no matter how many factors we can control, we simply do not know how much humanity remains in something post-human, and whether or not that presents risks or opportunities for our enterprise. Observing Subject Zero's actions will be most instructive."
"I see. And you are absolutely certain that this is what made it become active six months ago?"
"Not absolutely certain, no, but I can say with 97% confidence that this is probably it, and it does fit all the available facts about Subject Zero."
"Indeed." Rick Glenford scrutinized the image on the wall screen in front of him: A still from a supermarket security camera. It showed Sei and her then just-hired cook, Kyohei Tachibana, standing by a shopping cart in the produce section; she was listening as he talked about some vegetables he was holding. Glenford studied the young woman. He noted her poise, what he could make out of her facial expression from the grainy image, and looked for other tiny cues that others, even those closest to her, might miss. "But I still don't understand - Ah-h-h-h-h, I see it now. How ironic and tragic, especially given all our attention to Meg and Jo. One has to wonder, Professor: does Sei herself even know how she feels?"
"Our profilers have debated the same question, Mr. Glenford, and they have yet to reach consensus. There's been talk of starting a pool."
Glenford smiled. "I might throw in a few yen. When I was his age, I know what I would have been thinking, especially with her dressed like that." He pondered and turned serious. "What is the status of Operation: Genocide Angel?"
The professor cleared his throat. "Unfortunately, we have encountered some…unforeseen challenges-"
"You mean Maria is being 'difficult' again."
"It's nothing we can't handle, sir, but delay is unavoidable. It will be at least three more months before all is in readiness."
"I see. Then I don't see why we shouldn't make good use of the time. Very well, Professor: In the matter of Subject Zero, we will follow your recommendations and step back and observe. And should one unpredictable irritant eliminate the other, whichever one is left standing will be easier to control when the dust settles."