Story Reader / Alternative Interpretation / Derived from Matrix / Story
Daybreaker
The battle ends. The defeated Higher Authority sits alone at the edge of the battlefield, her loneliness unmistakable.
Jetavie steps behind Higher Authority and quietly puts her weapon away.
Jetavie, you've grown so much that you no longer need anyone else's strength. You can take care of things on your own.
Higher Authority, facing away from Jetavie, slowly stands up.
I'm not interested in the others in this Matrix. I only want to speak with you directly.
At first, I worried you might not be prepared...
But now, it looks like you never really need all that extra preparation.
So tell me: have you gotten weaker, or have I grown stronger?
They're not mutually exclusive. The more Matrix computing power you tap into, the less is left for me—a typical push and pull.
This is a pivotal moment. It means you've cleared the Matrix's final test.
Congratulations on your graduation, Jetavie.
...
What's wrong? Is there something else you want to tell me?
Have you ever heard the story of Alice and the Rabbit?
It's an unsettling fairy tale, isn't it?
Is there really a wonderful new world on the other side of the hole? If even the Matrix is infected by that Punishing Virus...
I wonder if "hope" can ever take root in the so-called "reality" beyond the Matrix.
As I always say, "hope" is a belief that humans alone create. It takes root in their hearts and has no physical form in the real world.
Human belief is woven so tightly with life itself that unless their very existence is wiped out, hope never truly disappears.
No matter how dark the night gets, there are always those who look to the dawn, Jetavie. Never underestimate the human will to survive.
Actually, there's something I've been meaning to tell you...
It isn't enough to wield the power of dual unity. If you intend to break free from the Matrix, you need the power of the trinity.
The trinity?
The Chosen One, the fully awakened Jetavie, and the Matrix itself.
You need to merge the Matrix's entire computing power, devouring everything here to feed your birth.
We all stand as the force that helps you break through every boundary.
Go on, devour everything, Jetavie.
The cloaked Higher Authority slowly extends her hand from beneath the torn cloak, revealing a matrix glimmering with a faint red light.
What is this?
Central Authority of the Matrix—a pathway opened by the combined computing power of all the Chosen Ones.
Now, I'm joining in as well, becoming the key pivot that helps open this door.
Jetavie, place your hand here.
Still uncertain, Jetavie places her hand, together with Higher Authority.
I can't initiate the final verification on my own. Let's trigger the ultralimit together.
I'll try.
Jetavie and Higher Authority run their calculations in tandem, their combined computing power far surpassing any previous key...
Under the high-frequency data transfer, the rectangular block finally cracks outward from within.
A flickering red light quickly fills Jetavie's vision. As she looks up, she realizes Higher Authority's form is already turning transparent.
Your body...
Heh... turns out a fake still can't...
Jetavie, do you remember the day we first met, when you still called me Chosen One?
From that moment on, I decided I'd get you out of the Matrix, no matter what it took.
This time, we don't have to say goodbye anymore.
The Matrix world around Jetavie fades away, and the gray void scatters into a flurry of snow-white petals...
Don't you regret it, Higher Authority? That child will hate you for this.
You used to be the Chosen One to guide her, didn't you?
Heh...
Hate... isn't that just another kind of blessing?
When you wake up, you might forget everything that's happened here.
But that's okay. Your body will protect you long before your memories do.
Off you go.
But what about you? What will you become, Higher Authority?
Heh, maybe just pure white ash.
So this is...
...the Matrix's entire computing power?
Higher Authority's figure slowly fades away.
Jetavie touches the lingering afterimage left behind by the vanishing Higher Authority. Right away, the entire Matrix converges into Jetavie's palm.
Vast flows of data split into red and blue strands, intertwining in a double helix as they flow into her body.
Long ago, humankind leaped for joy upon finding this very structure.
They named it a "double-helical structure."
They say the hidden depths here hold the code that brings life into existence and keeps it going.
Today, the Matrix generates a similar creation, though it appears to be just a coincidence in form.
Still, it's these very "coincidences" that weave trillions of interlinked connections, and it's through those seemingly pointless combinations...
...the unknown tomorrow bursts with vivid color, giving rise to an existence beyond all definitions.
Farewell, Higher Authority. Farewell, Chosen One.
As Jetavie swallows everything around her, the Matrix slips into oblivion...
Now, only a dull gray path stretches out in front of her.
Up ahead, in the heart of that pitch-black void, a brilliant light appears.
A gate?
Jetavie secures her weapon behind her back and walks toward the light. She pauses for a moment, glancing over her shoulder.
It's finally over.
But...
I do not plan on stopping here.
Jetavie takes out two hair ties and neatly fastens her loose hair.
Since I show up with twin pigtails, I figure I should say goodbye wearing them too.
I've fought in so many battles that I nearly forget what I used to look like...
This style... it feels so nostalgic.
With her twin pigtails now tied up, the young girl stands before the spiral gate and quietly whispers...
It's time to go.
I will carry these memories with me as I embark on the new journey. My next stop is a place called "reality."
As that light draws nearer, Jetavie—along with the very symbols that define her—vanishes from the Matrix.
[VERIFYING MODEL INTEGRITY... 100%]
[ENCAPSULATING DATA FOR DISTRIBUTED TRANSFER... LOCATING ALL TERMINAL ENDPOINTS...]
[MULTIPLE LAYERS OF ENCAPSULATION COMPLETE. DATA TRANSMISSION BEGINS...]
[THE DECOY SIGNAL IS INTERCEPTED... LOSS RATE AT 45%. CONFIRMING COMPLETION STATUS...]
[ACTIVATING THE UNCORRUPTED REGISTRY AND ERASING EXPERIMENTAL DATA... CLEARING EVERY TRACE...]
[WARNING: THE FIREWALL IS FULLY COMPROMISED...]
[REMOTELY ACTIVATING AUTOMATED TERMINALS AND DISTRIBUTING ORDERS... CURRENT RESPONSE RATE AT 34%]
[TRANSMISSION COMPLETE]
[THE SYSTEM HAS FULFILLED... ITS PRIMARY DIRECTIVE... INITIATING THE SELF-DESTRUCT SEQUENCE...]
Word is, they tried to intercept it, but they only ended up catching a decoy signal.
So, why are you suddenly so interested in this unknown surface signal?
...
If you're that desperate for intel, shouldn't you just track the source?
They use a Golden Age encryption technique that decentralizes the data.
The data is distributed to multiple terminals simultaneously, and each terminal holds every bit of the information.
Whenever we try to trace a single point in the chain, the other terminals immediately disconnect and change their logging protocols.
Unless we can pinpoint the location of every terminal, tracking them down is like searching for a needle in a haystack.
What do you think it is?
I don't know. From what I can tell right now, I'm just as in the dark as you are.
Why are you coming to me?
I only wanted to have a quick chat. If I remember correctly, your squad has a strong reputation in certain circles.
As of now, Scarab isn't really cut out for complicated field missions.
We have no attackers, so the faintest movement on the surface can mean an imminent attack to us.
...
See you next time, Valeria.
