Story Reader / Collab / Untold Naraka / Story
Askr! Askr!
Embla rushes over to Askr frantically.
Askr! Askr!
...
Askr! Askr!
Embla, stop shaking it. Let me take a look...
Liv tries to stop her, but she continues to shake Askr stubbornly.
...
Askr! Askr!
I've heard others say that although the bionic machines in the past were programmed with emotions, they were ultimately an imitation.
They knew to "cry when upset," but they didn't know what really constituted "upset."
If someone by your side isn't moving, then they must be dead. If someone by your side is dead, then that is worth being upset.
...Even though it was their "choice," they were ultimately following pre-programmed orders...
Mechanoids can only act according to the logic of AI, and AI doesn't have the ability to "make its own choices."
All their actions are just optimizing predetermined solutions.
Crying when you are sad, for mechanoids, means that all you need to do is cry when you are sad.
Why be sad? Why cry? These... are the choices that a "soul" makes, not an AI.
...
Lucia quietly walks up to Embla, who is still shaking Askr.
...Embla, you have to stop.
Askr! Askr!
Embla keeps shaking Embla, completely ignoring Lucia.
Embla, please stop.
Lucia reaches out and braces Askr, stopping Embla from shaking him.
Embla, please stop. This won't solve anything.
...Won't. Solve. Anything?
Will you let us try if we say we can come up with a way to help?
...
Embla raises her upper body, turns her head, and looks at all of you silently.
"Knowledge." Has no. Answer. If Askr. Doesn't. Move...
We can't guarantee if it will work, but...
Don't know. But. Want. Askr. Move.
If. Your. "Knowledge." Can...
Embla looks up at you all again. After a short pause, she slowly stands up and takes a step back.
Why. Thank?
...That doesn't seem to be written in their program. Is it self-evolution?
Their computational abilities seem to be quite rudimentary... Can this level of AI evolve itself?
I don't know... Let Liv try to repair Askr first.
Understood. Beginning medical procedures...
...
As Liv attempts to repair Askr, Embla stands beside her and stares at Askr, motionless...
Naturally, there is no emotion in her green "eye," despite it being different from the other mechanoids.
...The look is so different from the one in her eye as she was shaking Askr moments prior.
...Commandant.
In your opinion, do we look more human? Or machine?
I know that we are the commandant's weapon. Or rather... humanity's weapon.
...
...Really? But we...
Are you alone?
...Of course I remember.
Machine...?
...By definition?
...You're right. Regardless of what I am, I am Lucia of the Gray Ravens.
Thank you, Commandant... for giving me a renewed perspective.
...Both?
...By definition?
...Understood.
?
...?
...How did you respond, Commandant?
Knowing you, Commandant, I'd wager that you gave him the same answer.
...I see. You are the commandant after all.
Right at that moment, Lee finishes up helping Liv with her repairs and walks over.
Commandant.
Lee remains quiet. Instead, he just shakes his head.
(Nods)
We decided to wait for your order.
Right.
Embla still stands there, motionless; her posture remains unchanged.
Liv finishes scanning Askr one more time, then stands up and looks over.
...There's nothing I can do to repair the mechanoid.
He was suffering from damages along the way, but the last strike has completely destroyed the internal structure...
Liv quietly shakes her head, then takes a step back from Askr.
...Why?
?
Why?
...Because Askr can't be fixed.
Askr. Is dead?
...The memory drive that stores its consciousness is still running, but we can't provide a suitable host to transfer it...
Askr. Needs. A suitable host?
Are you suggesting...
Embla...
Embla. Become a host. Okay.
Embla. Askr. Are the same.
Embla. Shaking. Shaking. Askr doesn't move.
If Embla can. Make Askr move.
Embla will do it.
Askr. Never. Let Embla get hurt.
Embla. Can also. Not let Askr get hurt.
Okay. Embla will do it.
Stuttering, Embla silently kneels before Askr.
...
Embla. Searching. Nothing found.
...
Embla. Thought of way. Make Askr. Move.
Not move. Okay. Embla wants. Askr here.
...
Embla spreads her arms to grasp Askr's head and slowly removes the spherical part.
Askr said. This part. Must not be damaged.
Is that the core?
Just. Place it. In Embla's body...
...Commandant.
After the core was completely installed into her frame, Embla maintains her posture as she kneels on the ground.
...Embla?
...
No... Her frame is normal. She's just not responding. Perhaps...
Perhaps, with two consciousnesses in a single frame... they are acclimating to the frame's control.
"Comrade." I. Have too.
Embla. Become a host. Okay.
Here. There. All is. Naraka.
The rambling Embla trembles for a moment, then raises her head and gazes into the distance.
... I want. Push everything. Past breaking point. I can. Wake "Father".
... I want. Push everything. Past breaking point. I can. Wake "Father".
Embla stands, then stumbles off into the distance.
I don't know... but it looks like she's thought of something.
She's repeating what Askr said... Is she doing what Askr originally wanted to do?
Maybe. Let's follow her.
