"Have you done it?" When Null regained herself within his arms, Morpheus realised that she likely defeated this <Killing Spree> fellow.
He had witnessed how difficult this 'inner-struggle' had been within her circuits, for one, one of her arms seemingly ejected on its own and lay on the cold metallic ground, she constantly twisted seemingly no longer able to keep the integrity of her own body.
"Y-Yes... It was difficult but I did it." Null's movements seemed fixed and for a few moments, aside from moving her head back and fro and dilating her pupils, she did nothing else.
"He corrupted my movement protocols, I need to recalibrate... please, wait." It took her several minutes to 're-calibrate' as she took her arm and attached it back to her body, as she did so, her cheeks got red and she evaded his gaze.
"What's wrong?" He asked with furrowed brows, thinking that perhaps there was some kind of 'sequelae'.
"It's embarrassing..." She didn't like him seeing her 'robotic' gimmicks, as if the more she showed him those, the more he would start to perceive her as such, something she wasn't quite appreciative of.
'But you're an android, V2|N..'
'I know...'
"..." The Magic God sighed and raised up pulling her softly as she also regained herself.
"And what information did you get?" Deciding to end the awkwardness, he asked the most important matter, he had no need whatsoever for such information, but since they're in this together, she might as well tell him.
"Information of three more reactors and also, some high executives involved in the project to upgrade them... among other things... I need to send this information to the main hub, but due to the inhibition in the metropolitan network, I'm unable to do so... I could use other means, but I would be exposing V2 "
"Show me."
"I can't show you right now, you don't have a chip... here... take this" Null took out the chip from a compartment in her head, ejecting it.
The lady took Morpheus' hands and placed the chip within, closing it.
"Why?" Morpheus frowned deeper at the realisation, he has gone through this situation too many times to not know what's going to happen.
"I'm going to blow the reactor and you will leave, take this to Hana... she will know what to do." Null smiled, especially when she saw his expression, it felt different.
"...?" Obviously, such vague sentences were not enough to sate the god's curiosity over her intentions, the entire atmosphere seemed to constrict all of the sudden and she noticed this.
"I'm the bomb... this facility is protected, the only way to blow it up is with a gigantic explosion right at the core that will trigger a chain reaction and blow all of the geo-kinetic energy... it's going to be huge and even with your power, you might not survive it, that's why you have to leave. The explosion will produce an earthquake and a tsunami, I hope by now you have caught a glimpse of what kind of enemy we're dealing with." She sighed and released his hands, it had eventually come to this.
"What if I don't want you to die?" He said calmly as if what she just uttered had been a bad joke, it was apparent that he's not happy about this outcome, however.
"It's too late for me... in order to erase your registry from the cameras and protect Sarah and Rachel, the traces left of the involvement in the Red Blood Gang's raid... I had to expose myself... I was already condemned even before I came here... they're going to erase 'Officer Null' swiftly and even if I survive, so long as I connected to the global network, they're going to locate V2, hence... I can't continue to exist, it's better if I just end here."
An individual is always connected to a global, metropolitan or local connection and in the current world, anonymity doesn't exist... everyone that connects has their identity already surveyed, the moment she performed that clearance, her 'identity' got compromised and enlaced with V2's, she's going to be hunted down and V2's location will eventually be traced, therefore, even if another Null is created, it won't be 'Null' anymore.
"..."
"Does it make you sad? if I die?"
"You told me you're non-disposable... were you lying?"
"I wasn't... if my body perished, I'd still be able to come back but... this time is different, my software is compromised. answer me, are you sad? does it make you sad?" She clung onto his body and hugged him tightly, feeling happy, yes, she felt happy.
"No... I don't know."
"Can I be selfish for once?" She bit on her lips and moved her gaze up to have her silver bionic pearls glare at his zircon-like eyes.
"Huh?" How can a machine be 'selfish'?
To what extent is it a machine?
"To tell you the truth, even if I'm about to disappear, I'm happy, it feels great... if you tell me that you're sad because I'm disappearing... it makes my core happy, why is that?" She asked with genuine curiosity, what is this barrage of new sensations invading her? and why are they? she's an android, not supposed to feel this... only Hana and Marianne should... why is she then feeling this as well?
Morpheus locked their gazes for a while, thinking about how to answer her inquiry.
"Do you know what's a fundamental piece of existence, Null? what makes you unique?" He caressed her silver hair, strands of silky fibre and upon receiving this contact, her eyes regained a new and delightful splendour.
"I don't know... is it the body?" She answered from within her experiences and data.
'Or the mind, V2|N...'
"No, it's the soul..." He answered with a mysterious glint, appearing more like a sage than a youngster.
"Soul? there is no record of the existence of the 'soul' after thousands of years of scientific evolution." light seemed to have taken over Null's eyes, having then shone in a bluish light.
"Who are you?" He detected this change, not because of her aura, but her demeanour.
"I'm V2, how do you know?"
"I just know, don't underestimate me..." Despite this change, 'Null' still didn't leave his arms.
"You're a superior being, if you tell me what a soul is, I will tell you what kind of transgressions recur in this world that you're adamant to protect... will you perform this exchange with me, Zekron?"
"You go first..."
"I doubt you have heard of Olduvai's theory..." V2 nodded and began her explanation.
"I don't..." Obviously, he doesn't know this world's terminology.
"It's a theory that emerged roughly three-hundred years ago... it speaks about how humanity would progressively decline due to the lack of resources in the planet... you might have not noticed because you haven't lived here for long, but in the last hundred years, humanity has stagnated and there hasn't been any major improvement... in an entire hundred years, something inconceivable for the previous humanity."
"..."
"The reason for that is simple... humanity no longer rules this world. The theory wasn't wrong, but it wasn't right either... there is indeed a lack of natural resources, but this resource was supplemented with the consumption of the planet itself... WE don't need the planet to live, WE only need it to continue giving us the energy we need to operate, just like the Sun..." V2 continued her explanation as they switched their positions, now, she sat on his lap and explained.
"Then why do you go against Blitzkrieg? why blow this reaction, V2?" His face became solemn when he heard her explanation, perhaps the problem is worse than he expected.
Indeed, he had noticed when he fought the Wisdom King, the total disregard for human life... it focused on protecting the reactor, but didn't think twice before erasing an entire city that still had humans within it... how many? more than a few thousand in fact... is this how an 'android' is supposed to behave?
"Because I was created to understand why must humanity continue to exist... what are feelings? why must the planet be saved? that's why I need you to tell me... what is a soul? I have fought by myself for so long... I was created a hundred and thirteen years ago but I haven't been able to advance, in fact... I have only regressed... that's why I put a lot of importance to our alliance, Zekron."
"Are you willing to let Null perish?"
"I'm not willing, but there is no other option, we can't compromise the integrity of our entire effort... that is our maximum priority, tell me... what is a soul? I have accomplished my end." V2 clung even more against his body and insisted like a curious child that just found a new toy, she desperately wanted to know what a soul is, how to form one and why is it important.
"A 'soul' is the step forward taken by a conscience into the rivers of the universe's will, the acknowledgement that said conscience has been recognised by the superior existence that conforms this universe and introduced into the rivers of fate." Morpheus lifted up his finger like a teacher and explained to the beauty within his arms.
"..."
But his explanation went through one of her bionic ears... and left through the other.
"What do you mean by that? Fate? does it exist?" Her words left V2 with more questions than answers, she could theoretically understand his words, but she couldn't comprehend them.What lay beneath the surface? what sort of wisdom?"It might be difficult for you to understand, as it is for everyone that doesn't have a step within the realm of divinity, let's go... lead me to the reactor." He said lightly and the lady furrowed her delicate brows before raising up and pulling him with her, entangling their hands at all times as she awaited the continuation of his explanation."I'll take you to the reactor but don't deviate the subject... I want to know, what do you mean by fate?" To know the intrinsic meaning of the word, doesn't represent comprehending it, an android is unable to compute such an abstract concept.And Morpheus is aware of that, to teach such topics to an entity that can't visually perc
"What are you going to do? we need to create a massive explosion to have the reactor produce a chain reaction... also, I don't know what the enemy protocols will be, but it wouldn't be wise to stay here, since the reactor is compromised, they might decide to blow it together with us inside." The two walked hand in hand while Morpheus analyzed everything. "I don't have sufficient mana to try and produce a massive explosion, but we're lucky... I don't need mana in this instance." "By mana you mean... the source of energy that your 'magic core' produces? are you sure you want this information to belong to the enemy?" "The enemy doesn't have the means to exploit this information, not in this world..." "... you shouldn't underestimate the Wisdom King and Marianne further, whether that information is exploitable or not, it's not up to us to decide, they always have the means, even I could sta
United Kingdon, London, Westminster. Within a rather luxurious office, a blonde middle-aged man sat on his desk with a polite expression, placing his enhanced arms on the desk and adopting a graceful demeanour. In front of him, there were the holograms of his homologues, those were the leaders of this world and today there is an imperious meeting that must take place due to the recent incidents occurring in the United Kingdom, it can no longer be delayed. The first one to speak, however, wasn't any of them, it was the AI, a projection with the form of a fullenere. [UK Prime minister Ashwood.] [US President Amber] [France President Lafite] [Germany President Schneider] ... Only when the names of all the representatives were said, could the meeting start. "We
"This is where you live...?" Null stood up shoulder to shoulder with Morpheus after what could only be described as having her chip washed clean with water. Basically, mind-fucked. Every single detail in the atmosphere seemed to be clearer and more defined than before, perhaps due to her proactively distancing her mind for a moment from the sudden change in her circumstances and also, the lack of incoming data that usually barraged her mind from V2 as they connected to the metropolitan network. The world seemed to have turned colourful for her. "Too humble for you?" Morpheus smirked and led her in thinking on whether he should get a house... he usually doesn't care where he stays, but now that he has resolved to take care of null and work together with V2, a lodging is needed and he doesn't want to impose on Rachel for long. "No, it's just... I'm usually not in a 'home' and being disconnected to the metropolitan network f
After leaving Null in his room, the Magic God headed to Sarah's room to check up on her, he had been expecting the girl to either be sleeping or playing her VR thingy.He knocked on the door and no one answered, as expected she's likely sleeping, still with curiosity as she still had the array he placed in her triggered, he wanted to check up whether she's okay and entered the room.He found her room in a rather unordered state and with all of her neons still switched on surprisingly.Sarah was indeed asleep, but she was laying on the bed with a haggard expression, still wearing her school uniform and... she had a vial in her hand."..."He sighed and took the vial from her hands, ecstasyIV... the drug.She had injected that straight into her enhanced bionic arm.'Sarah...'His gaze moved to one box she left to the si
After leaving Sarah to dress up in her new school uniform, Morpheus came down from the upper floor to find Null cooking together with Rachel, only... she looks slightly different. Her hair has become longer to the point it is reaching her back and slightly purplish, she tied it up in a beautiful braid that left him captivated, and the android knew. She wore her short skirt with black panty socks and her white shirt with decent cleavage. "How do I look?" She asked just to confirm what she's already aware of "Stunning, why purple?" It's not as dark as 'hers' but it's purple. "It's my... favourite colour?" But the astonishment was bound to not finish just with that, when Sarah came down from preparing herself, she too surprised him with a new change of look as she went as far as to forsake her beloved 'jaws'! When she saw Null she was initially surpr
What could only be described as pure chaos ensued in front of Rachel's shop, although Null changed her appearance, anyone could see this as Hana having just changed her hairstyle."Sorry, I'm not Hana." Null's expression turned 'awkward' as she tried to fend of the crowd, she somehow knew this is going to happen, but didn't expect that she'd still be recognised even after switching her entire hairstyle with her body being so different from Hana's too.Morpheus regarded the entire scene with bewilderment... each time Hana comes this scene doesn't take place so, why is it happening with Null? It would have been a big boost for the business was it not for the fact that the 'fans' are blocking the actual customers and causing trouble for Rachel.The granny didn't mind though, she's more interested to know what exactly is the relationship between this beautiful woman and the famous Hana, she had seen her first appearance yest
"Oh, Sarah, Hana!"Rachel giggled with a frying pan in her arms, happiness visible when she regarded her granddaughter and the silver-haired idol coming together, they still had to queue in front of the big queue in front of her, this day couldn't be any more perfect."Good Afternoon Madame, Morpheus, Null..." Hana bowed slightly in respect, leaving her gaze to linger a little at the latter two and moved to the back of the queue as she usually did, Morpheus furrowed his brows when he witnessed the obvious ignorance everyone showed towards the idol.'Why? How is she doing it?'Were it not for the fact that he can't sense any magic, he'd think that she's a master sorceress.As usual, the cheeky granddaughter tried to jump the queue only to be reprimanded by her grandma and pout before walking to the back of the queue, she'd help them after having her lunch.
"You're back! how was your day~?" Rachel smiled warmly and opened the door for them, there was a delightful smell in the house, obviously, she had fun cooking."Granny!""Dear, you look happy..." Both grandmother and granddaughter hugged one another while Morpheus and Hana stood on the side, regarding the warm reunion. They knew that Rachel has seen the new restaurant and wanted to know what she thinks about it."I am... my day was wonderful, what about yours? how was your day." The one tasked to question that was Sarah, she smiled and awaited her grandmother's response."It was... amazing! There is so much I want to say... come and sit, Null and I prepared your dishes." She beaconed for the entire group to enter the kitchen and sit.Morpheus nodded and came in together with the girls, heading straight for the kitchen where Null was with an apron, cooking... said android turned around, a little surprised when he took her by the waist."Null..." He pressed her against his body, and t
The bells resonated across the campus, signifying the end of yet another day of studies, Hana walked peacefully, her friend had already departed on her own; leaving her to wander the halls of the campus by herself, moving to the front where a self-driving vehicle awaited with dark windshields.A majestic Bentley."Did your girl also say that she'd go with Bryce?" Hana entered the Bentley parked at the campus entrance, Sarah was inside having arrived earlier."She did... but Bryce said he's busy" The two of them gave each other a small kiss on the cheeks and Hana slumped on the passenger seat releasing a sigh."When are we going to tell them?" Sarah asked with crossed arms, it's obvious that bastard Bryce is playing around with their friends."I don't know... do we have the right to tell them? we're doing the same." Hana placed her bag on her delicate tights, the two of them had played it nice this time, a competition of sorts.Prior, Sarah had taken the passenger seat while Hana sat i
After telling Sarah that he'd head there to pick them up, Morpheus hung up the call on his phone, quite the useful artefact he believed it to be.On the other side of the city was Sarah, sitting on the rooftop with a heavy blush.Now the connection is cut down for real, signalling the unimpeded eruption."KYAAAA!!" Like a stupid little girl, Sarah swayed back and forth, unable to contain her happiness.'I have the best boyfriend ever!'But then she slumped slightly, 'But I have to share him...'Sighing she remained on the rooftop for a while before preparing to make her way back, but when she opened the door to go downstairs, she found a gruesome vision."Sarah."A voice said softly, a tall boy appeared in front of her, marred with tattoos and a hooligan appearance."...?"She heard a voice just as she was preparing to make her way back to the classroom, a man crept from the stairs, impeding her way forward.The girl regarded a boy... too known to her that it even produced disgust, so
"H-How did you get yourself that car!?" The voice of a frantic girl resonated in the classroom as Sarah made an annoyed expression, still feeling pride inwardly.Sarah sat on her desk with a redhead screaming all over, annoying the entire class until the teaching bot came back to the classroom."Secret." She answered, not paying attention but giggling still, one could tell she was happy."You have a boyfriend!? what about Ashton!?""Secret, and he's not the 'new' boyfriend... he's the love of my life also... fuck Ashton."She answered again, giggling stupidly unaware that she just said the 'secret', not paying attention to the growling fool to the other side of the room."A-And you came out with the school belle as well!?" The girl said, referring to Hana, they were seen coming out of the Bentley together."Secret, definitely a secret!" Telling her friends that she's sharing her boyfriend is a no-no.The class went on normally, they entered the VRworld where she noticed a lot more new
"Oh my dear, t-this place is..." Rachel gasped, looking around after Null took her hands out of her eyes, brightening up the previous darkness that isolated her eyes from seeing the 'marvellous surprise'. It was a shop for sale, one where her store is going to be next, no longer having to move that stall all over, now she can come here early in the morning, and everything will be prepared for her. "This is for you Rachel, actually... we're going to refurbish the house as well." Null smiled, feeling slightly content at the granny's reaction to everything around, the shop was clean, with glass screens and modern flooring, completely different to her humble stall, it was elegant, and obviously, this wouldn't be its last state. Rachel was simply delighted that she had such a shop, a ten-metre square front shop of the same size in the back a kitchen with all the equipment. 'Oh my...' tears were about to come out of her bionic pupils. "B-But that..." "Don't worry Rachel, everything wil
"You seem to be a little surprised, <Sigularity>" Marianne held her fluttering hair, the gales of wind didn't give her a rest; beneath them were the clouds, and the concealed reactor together with an endless expanse of fields and underground facilities, what used to be myriad green colours had turned into a mechanical mess that consumed this planet."..." Morpheus regarded her in her battle pose, wondering what she intends... he has already expected several motherships to be rounding him as they speak, but that doesn't seem to be the case; before he was limited due to his lack of mana, but now... if they wanted to take him down they needed at least a quarter of this planet's weaponry, let alone just her body."Is it because I managed to discover you?" Regarding his awkward silence, Marianne started to float around, analysing his entire profile up and down again and again as if learning his every contour."How did y
Morpheus had camouflaged himself and gone on his way with a phone in his hand, he flew across the skies of England, following V2's signals."I only have the location of another two reactors, one of them within the UK, another one outside... the ones outside are going to be even more difficult to find, but they shine for their absence; overly exaggerated security methods often serve to pinpoint either a reactor, a military base or a secret corporation..." V2 explained along the way, intending to unravel his intentions but also, render support to his fruitful endeavour."I just want to know where they are, when the time comes... no further time shall be wasted." Right now there are too many things in his mind that he believed wouldn't enter his line of thought for a long time; romance... such a void feeling, yet those girls had carved their way in.'I can't allow such things to distract me.'"You said
A short journey afterwards, the Bently arrived in front of the pair's high school in central London; a radian academy brimming with school life; couples and of course, neons.Morpheus visually flinched at the sight of that many lights, turns out Sarah's jaws had been some kind of trending as there were several girls and boys using them; thankfully, his Sarah had already moved through that phase.Several of the students marvelled at the sudden entrance of a pricy vehicle, but the two of them didn't exit straight away or head into class looking for their friends.It's Morpheus' first time seeing the campus, so they decided to stay a little longer; moreover, for once they're not late or anything of the sort, so it's not an issue."We're here." Sarah sighed, another day another class... with the fantastic amount of events though her life at the moment, she felt the least motivated to start going to 'clas
Commander Krashev is an individual not to be trifled with, standing atop a gigantic iron carcass, he casually brushed his hair as the torrents of water crashed against his soaking body and clothes.*SPLASH!!*"We're here commander! there is no presence of the recusants whatsoever!" He heard from his communicator as the maritime vehicle resurfaced from the deepest abyss.His gaze roamed the land in front, the territory of treasures, the United Kingdom."It seems the Wisdom King has been truly disabled, what a surprise, to think there is someone capable of taking it down, we must tread carefully."He gave his orders to the crew as the modern submarine floated in the lands of the destroyed city of Brighton, the underwater facility completely obliterated, the city... decimated, a new lake formed as the prologue of unimpeded destruction."What the fuck happe