Story Reader / Floating Record / ER07 Soaring Beyond / Story
After an electronic voice announces, "Access Granted," the control room's door slowly opens, revealing a familiar figure in dark crimson standing at the entrance.
Phew... Good thing it's you and not Hanying.
I told you she's not a threat.
She pauses, seemingly noticing something.
You've... modified yourself again?
The young man before her has replaced his arm and lower leg with mechanical parts, making him look increasingly like a mechanoid.
Sigh... I had no choice but to do this after being gravely wounded in that attack by the human rebels.
As you know, I've always admired mechanoids. It's not against that aspiration to increase the number of mechanized parts in me.
After pacing around the central console, Aleksei turns to look at Veronica.
I'll make them pay for this.
But... that's not what concerns me. I'm worried that those humans will only escalate things further, eventually threatening our "dream."
They didn't just attack me—they brought reinforcements from Babylonia, and even turned your own kin against you...
As his tone grows more intense, the female mechanoid gets visibly more angry.
Hanying, SDC-39... Are all Hanged Men this blindly devoted to humanity?
Obviously... Humans always have such an irresistible pull on mechanoids.
...Incomprehensible.
After pointlessly sacrificing so much for humans, he died at the hands of those he showed kindness to.
SDC-39... He was so naive, believing that the bridge would lead to heaven, and he even wanted to go with the humans...!
Sharp red light coils around her spear as she slams the weapon down beside her.
Ah... Careful now. It's very hard to repair the equipment here if it gets damaged...
Keeping clear of Veronica's spear, he approaches the central console from the other side.
Yes... SDC-39, our friend... What a pity.
But there's still time, Veronica. We can still stop Hanying... and all the other mechanoids.
If we successfully drag humanity into the abyss, these tragedies will never happen again.
This is the bridge's final charge, Veronica. Babylonia is within our grasp now.
He steps aside, revealing the charge button on the screen.
Press it... that's all it takes. Once it finishes charging, we'll be one step closer to our new world.
But Veronica does not press the button right away.
Aleksei, you've been acting strange lately.
Weren't you always friendly to humans? Improving their conditions, speaking up for them...
She turns a suspicious gaze toward Aleksei.
I must have told you before—no matter how much you mechanize yourself, you can never become a mechanoid. You don't have a mechanoid's core.
Why is a human so eager to destroy his own kind?
...
Perhaps... I've been hurt by humans one too many times.
He shows his bullet-riddled mechanical arm and lets out a soft sigh.
I trusted them. Like you said, I tried to improve their conditions and fight for something better for them, but... what did I get in return?
I'm tired, Veronica. Besides... isn't building a new world for mechanoids our shared dream?
A flicker of madness crosses his purple eyes.
In this new world, there will be no more capricious humans, no more sanctimonious virus—only a perfect world forged from an ocean of steel!
Mechanoids possess stronger bodies, superior computing power, and an unshakeable order. Meanwhile, humans barely survive the torment of the Punishing Virus. Mechanoids should rightfully take their place!
Above all, there will be no more lies in that world.
As his madness subsides, an inexplicable glint returns to his eyes.
Veronica, I've witnessed the rise and fall of the mechanoids in Aerospace City as a machinist. Today, you may finally lead them toward a future that truly belongs to your kind...
I just want to make sure that I always witness the final scene.
He looks up, his expression heavy with sorrow, yet not a single tear falls from his eyes.
I still can't understand your kind, after all.
She frowns slightly before relaxing her face in resignation.
Even if the final charging phase has begun, Bifrost can't be activated immediately. I'll remain in the control room and ensure no one interferes with it.
But the situation in the city remains tense. The resistance won't take a day off just because of this—you understand what I mean?
Of course. I'll return to command the mechanoids to suppress the resistance.
...
Despite what he has said, Aleksei remains rooted to the spot.
...Are you that eager to see me press the button right in front of you?
Ah, I just... remembered something else.
Not wanting to arouse further suspicion from Veronica, Aleksei hastily excuses himself and hurries out of the control room.
