Story Reader / Main Story / 12 Kowloong Metropolis / Story
Commandant...
Mr. President, Lucia is awake.
A long, long nightmare. A nightmare where Commandant is nowhere to be found.
An attempt to sit up—only to find the operating system for the limbs disconnected.
Aa...
Mouth... opening to call out for a certain someone.
You're awake, Lucia?
"President Hassen, are we in Babylonia, or somewhere else?" Words. Lips. Mouth moving, or not? Sound does not come out.
I know you have a lot of questions, but right now, you need to rest.
The president's words jog my memories. It was a loss against Alpha, again.
—Losing to myself.
It wasn't enough. It ended in failure. I wanted to show Commandant. I wanted Commandant to be proud. But, I lost again.
In the end, when I was lying in Commandant's arms, I tried to smile, so that Commandant wouldn't be as worried about me.
Where's... C-Commandant?
I sent Gray Raven to join the resistance against Gabriel. I had Ayla bring a comms device with them, but then at some point we lost connection.
That doesn't sound good. I need to get to Commandant as soon as possible.
Agh... Argh!
I need to be there for everyone... be there for Commandant. Something tells me that I'll regret it if I don't. I mobilize every working part of my body and crawl out of the bed.
Hold on, what are you doing?
Send me to battle...
You're too damaged. Let the others do the fighting.
But...
If she wants to fight, let her. We brought a spare frame, remember?
That frame is still being configured. And you know full well what letting Lucia use that frame would mean.
A frame containing Alpha's data can never be fully configured. Initialization is required before it can be used, no matter the case.
I don't understand what they're talking about, but the word "frame" stands out for me.
Whatever works. Let me use it.
You...
Lucia, we developed a new frame for you. Built on all the data Gray Raven has gained so far.
As in what we've been through...?
You can say that, but your experiences alone aren't enough. If you've realized that you are a replica, then you know how powerful the original Lucia is.
I know. That's why I don't want to lose.
That's why I tuned up this frame with data from Alpha. Unedited. The entire set.
That's... what the initialization is for?
Yes. The frame is data-overloaded. So if you want to use it, your thought model will have to be reconfigured through initialization.
We don't know what will become of you after the initialization. More Lucia, more Alpha, or someone completely different? No one can tell.
Even if it all works out and you're back in operation, you will longer be yourself.
Constructs can acquire memories by loading themselves with data. But you will only be reading these memories, not living them. They will always be someone else's.
Asimov, this is too much... And even if we activate that frame, there's still no way of getting her back in battle, right?
We do have a decommissioned single-person aircraft left. Still functional enough to take her to Kowloong.
I just caught a signal from Gray Raven... They might be in danger.
Your frame, Lucia. Your call.
Using this frame is tantamount to suicide—it will kill Lucia, this current Lucia. That's what Asimov is implying.
That's a small price to pay, much smaller than I expected. Everyone has a grim look on their face, and yet I can't help smiling.
Wait for me, Commandant.
