Chapter 181
"Don't try anything funny. I just need you to unlock it. And even if it can't be used, with your and the researcher's privileges, you can still activate the security mode for maintaining the channel, right... just like this guy is planning to do."
As the data administrator inserted the stack of three access cards one by one into the reader, he tried to back away while crying, but Nana grabbed his hair and dragged him to the front of the control panel...
"No, no way! All modifications to the Artificial Angel system are transmitted to the section chief in real time. If I unlock it, I'll be killed... Ah! And another thing! Modifications require a blank artificial body as a baseline to complete the initial reset, and we don't have... we don't have... a basic body..."
Seeing the blue Cross-Star Halo above Nana's head, the data administrator let out a desperate groan. She probably understood that, aside from maintaining the Little Cat's personality data, she was merely a human key to the database...
Facing the prospect of cooperating would mean being relentlessly targeted and attacked by the section chief; this inescapable laboratory would likely become her grave. And if she disagreed... being watched by Target Zero, and a distorted Target Zero at Halo, refusal would probably also mean certain death. (Wu)
At this point, the woman almost completely lost control, while Nana, watching the Terminal display a 'Face Recognition Unavailable' message due to the administrator's distorted expression, watched speechlessly as the woman frantically pulled at her hands and cried.
"Ughhhh, I don't want to die!!!" (The last part is a string of characters and doesn't translate directly.)
"In that case, you should cooperate even more. Although you are also a target, this is only because you have access to the database. Ultimately, have you committed any serious illegal acts? If you are willing to cooperate and your crimes are not serious, I will, in my capacity as a senior agent, request the court to give you a lenient sentence..."
"...Eh?" (The last part is a question mark and doesn't translate directly.)
As the administrator's expression gradually calmed down, and the system successfully booted up in maintenance mode, Nana supported the administrator with one hand to maintain facial recognition while opening the system's maintenance log.
Because the administrator had just said that turning this thing on would alert the section chief, Nana immediately used her Empathy to activate the Artificial Angel's safety mode to prevent hundreds of Replicant from swarming in.
Fortunately, nearly 80% of the rank-and-file members of the Instruction Corps have now been turned by the Gray Hats, and the other side will likely be unable to effectively organize themselves for the time being. If Nana can seize this opportunity to complete the transcription of the Artificial Angel's Thought Imprint, then this mission will have dealt a decisive blow.
But while opening the system maintenance logs while Empathy was fine in itself, when combined with the administrator's personal work records hidden in encrypted files, Nana's brows began to furrow slowly.
The administrator, seeing this, turned pale and tried to run away, but Nana held her tightly, the gray mist binding her like chains, making escape impossible.
With a steady expression, the black-haired Feline mask scanned the content on the screen before her. Despite the underground laboratory's high-quality materials and perfectly balanced temperature and humidity, Nana could only perceive a bottomless abyss of blood between the lines.
'In January 1090, we found the site left behind by the Applied Division and used it as a database and backup safe house. The Saralu facility was converted to an independent facility, and now I finally don't have to see that densely packed, identical face anymore.'
'In July 1091, following the section chief's instructions, we attempted to socialize and tame the best samples using the remaining data from the Applied Division... However, due to the limitations of the database, four personality backups were the limit. And if the test subjects were entered with the same personality data, their personality software would instantly become unstable upon meeting... Damn it, almost a year and a half has been wasted like this. With the Applied Division's methods, when will the test subjects finally be able to be used in actual combat...? Also, the fishpond is full; when will the Instruction Corps come to deal with that disgusting place?'
'In August 1091, I couldn't take it anymore, so I'll handle it... Also, install a set of the Infected corpse disposal equipment... Didn't this muscleman mention magic training?!'
"In May 1092, no, the Applied Division's method is completely like raising a daughter; the time cost is too high. This time, the experimental subject Ahi suffered irreversible damage... I suggested disposal. But even though isolation was carried out during disposal, the personalities of the other three individuals became unstable again... Is it a strong Empathy between the experimental subjects?"
There's no other way but to deal with everything and reset the previous safe personality. The training progress has to start all over again, and that muscleman will probably come and yell at me again... It's not my fault anyway.
'By the way, the new ten-meter pit seems to have been filled in again... Really? It can be filled in after being burned?'
'In December 1092, at the annual meeting, the section chief mentioned the lagging progress. But knowledge, experience, and a personality that fits the job requirements aren't so easily transferred; ultimately, we don't even have a standard personality model... If we really want to push for progress, then we can only use crude methods.'
In June 1093, the Overlimit Training proved effective. Although personality models Number One through Number Four were becoming increasingly pessimistic, the excessively painful training and the retention of the memory of being killed were key to their rapid growth... As for the issue of personality breakdown, it would be fine as long as psychological counseling shifted their focus to self-reflection... After all... [If they can't even do something like this, how can they save the world?]
'Ha--Saving the world... Could it be that Section Chief actually believed his own lies?'
'In January 1094, the big guy confirmed that the training levels of subjects Number One through Number Four were sufficient for combat testing. Also, the SHD server access I requested was successfully granted... Now we don't need to call people back for remote, real-time personality modification! But the Sacred Remains is a bit scary... Let's keep a blank prototype nearby so the test subjects can activate a safe mode at any time...'
"Furthermore, it seems due to the conflict with the ICA, the budget has been very tight this year... but someone actually suggested using the mortar from the fishponds to pave roads for the city's infrastructure department. How disgusting! If you can't afford to live in the city, don't make others feel bad!"
'In June 1094, the experimental subjects began their practical work... Things are about to get busy...'
How can I describe Nana's current feelings...? Perhaps it's that she suddenly understands how Rosemary felt four years ago.
The tragedy of being elusive from oneself, the pain of being at just the right distance... Despite the mental anguish that seemed to threaten to cause shock at any moment, Nana's physical well-being kept her conscious throughout.
If Rosemary represents the confusion between the life and death of her family members, then Nana represents the inability to confirm whether 'she' is still alive. Although neither of them can clearly define the distance between themselves and the deceased, the emotions of grief and pain are the same.
Even though it wasn't herself, the Empathy made Nana experience the countless 'deaths' recorded on the server.
Shooting, explosion, crushing, suffocation, drowning, burning, electric shock, hypothermia, Originium Crystals... In order to save unnecessary equipment consumption, the 'Artificial Angel' left countless painful memories on the server.
These memories, in turn, constantly reinforce the obedience of the Artificial Angel. The final result is that the Archaeology Division, driven by life's yearning for a basic, normal life, created four absolutely obedient and absolutely controllable 'things'.
It was a 'monster' born to defeat itself.
By the time he realized what was happening, the data administrator had already snapped his neck. His contorted expression was recorded by the Terminal, which immediately triggered Isaac's data lock.
Although Nana's original plan was to have the administrator enter an incorrect password to trigger the alert, this method works just as well... the result is the same.
Objective three: Confirm elimination.
After casually discarding the body, Nana unexpectedly discovers that although her personality control system is locked, her strong Empathy is still in effect.
On the ground, hundreds of Artificial Angel were urged to take up arms, but due to the previous safe mode, the Feline children, who had been influenced by Nana's personality, were confused and constantly Empathy with themselves.
The feeling of having hundreds more gazes on her certainly caused Nana a lot of trouble, but as those gazes suddenly included the experience of being beaten and kicked, and the pain, Nana's involuntary 'anger' was also transmitted to everyone along with the Empathy.
Why should we listen to this person?
Because if you disobey, you'll be beaten, starved, forced to stand naked and have cold water poured on you... until you can't move anymore, then you'll be thrown into a fishpond... oh, now it's thrown into an incinerator and then others scattered into the fishpond...
Nana didn't really want to memorize these procedures, but her Empathy could convey a message to the other Artificial Angel: that only if they were willing to resist this unjust treatment could the days of having enough food and clothes to wear arrive as soon as possible.
Amidst those seemingly thoughtful gazes, Nana witnessed that silent yet swift and agile movement as he lunged towards the head of the Instruction Corps.
Almost instantly, all the Artificial Angel turned their gazes in this direction.
From the moment the first Little Cat used its weak spell, comparable to Nana's, to inflict the first wound on the tuft of muscle on the head of the Instruction Corps' neck... immediately all the Little Cat, whether armed or unarmed, screamed and launched an attack in that direction.
The memory wasn't complete, but the deep-seated fear within erupted.
The grudges, not recorded in the system but only in private diaries, erupted.
Unstoppable, silence broken... violence, channeling all sorrow and anger into power, erupted here!
The Little Cat rushed into the chaotic barracks shoulder to shoulder, grabbing weapons from stunned soldiers, the ground, and tables before charging towards the north of the farm. The entire camp was filled with the Little Cat' screams, tinged with magical energy. Everyone was caught off guard, dizzy, and covered their ears.
If the Leithanien who taught the Little Cat magic saw them unleashing spells, originally mediated by music, in such a crude way, they would probably cover all their ears in anguish. But perhaps this most primal, screaming cry is the best proof that the 'Artificial Angel' are human.
They began to breathe this earth as human beings.
The first Little Cat was pulled from behind by the leader of the Instruction Corps and fatally wounded by magic.
But the once invincible military leader was now terrified, as if he had seen a monster... No, he did see a monster, the monster army they had created.
Faced with the surging cat army like a tidal wave, the soldiers of the Instruction Corps trembled and silently hid in a corner with their hands raised, while the dozens of officers chaotically protected the 'BOSS' as it retreated.
Grabbing the weapon, she chased the following cats to the side of the first Little Cat who had rushed forward to fight back. At this moment, unlike any of the other personalities in her memory, she did not let her breathing weaken.
The injured Little Cat struggled to breathe, and even as she coughed up blood, she tried to keep her eyes wide open. The cats touched each other's Halo, and the subsequent cat army formed a tactical formation and continued to advance.
As the Halo of the first cat to retaliate disappeared, the first cat to arrive silently closed its eyes and led the team away... Subsequent cat teams would stop here for three seconds and then pet this cat, who was perhaps the unluckiest of all the clones.
But she taught everyone what the courage to resist injustice is... The cats swarmed the Instruction Corps before they could escape the farm, and the corps' formation was completely disrupted. The cats pinned the Instruction Corps' leaders to the ground.
Because of the close-quarters combat, using weapons becomes very inconvenient.
The cats simply left their hands empty, using only their meager magical abilities to enhance their hands or work shoes... using their fists, feet, and teeth!
Kill them with what they didn't 'teach' you, but with what truly belonged to you!
The muscular men cried out in disbelief, and several tried to say something, but they couldn't even open their mouths; even a single hair was ripped off by the swarming Little Cat.
Hair ripped off! Uniform ripped off! Facial features, flesh, and even internal organs torn off in the most barbaric way!
Sprinkle their blood on this ground, crush their flesh and throw it into the fishpond!
They will be crushed into the earth in the same way they used to treat 'themselves'... Only in this way can the Little Cat realize that they are 'humans' just like them.
There's absolutely nothing for me to be afraid of them!
However, there were just too many cats wanting to get involved... From the outside, many couldn't even see the officers of the Instruction Corps, so the cats spontaneously began guarding the soldiers and completely surrounded the wooden mansion.
As the SHD equipment in the warehouse was distributed, the cats began to use the specialized equipment to establish a standoff defense... Nana knew she didn't need to watch any further.
Ignoring the researchers who were still waiting for news, the assassin stood in front of an armored door.
Behind this door lies the 'Sacred Remains' with which she had just completed Empathy... Although it is no longer Feline, it can still Empathy, which doesn't surprise Nana.
As for the current state of the ground... those gazes that were originally gathered at the edge of the farm now seem to have dispersed.
The cats began distributing the uniforms, weapons, and ammunition that originally belonged to the officers with remarkable organization... and the former owners of those items... now only left behind a patch of reddish-brown land.
Target two has been confirmed and eliminated.
PS: Waaaaaaah!
This chapter was completely rewritten, sob sob... I changed the way the Instruction Corps officers died to something more suitable.
5th Laytonson's Ghost Assassin: 198 Diana Ivy Walter
Walking through the underground laboratory, Nana originally thought that even if she had no memories, she would at least have some sense of déjà vu.
But in fact, no.
Memories and photos don't match, and impressions don't align with records from decades ago... Although the Archaeology Division has various data on its Terminal, Nana can see the professionalism of these people when doing their archaeological work, it's simply not there.
Nana was completely fascinated by the novelty of being here for the first time; there was no sense of déjà vu or the urge to find lost memories... none of that existed for her.
However, the absence of memories does not affect Nana's work. While casually collecting those tapes and objects that symbolize her 'past', Nana still understands a lot about things that happened thirty years ago.
The earliest recorded date is 1061, which is not a good time. The following year would be the tenth Ursus - Kazimierz War, and twelve years had passed since the rise of the Bolívar National Liberation Movement, which plunged Columbia into its biggest military and diplomatic quagmire since its founding.
Amidst heightened international tensions, Victoria's political attitude towards Columbia is also shifting towards indifference... Against this backdrop of internal and external difficulties, resembling the onset of winter, the National Laboratory Applied Division, with the President's permission, disregarded the opinions of the Archaeology Division.
Led by researcher Diana Ivy Walter, who was the first to meet her gaze and bravely took on the responsibility of nurturing the 'No. 0 Prototype', the Applied Division selected the DL-13 stack, which was still sparsely populated at the time, to establish a laboratory.
The aim is to provide No. 0 Prototype with a farm-based education, while also ensuring self-sufficiency in basic food supplies by providing ample space for ambushes in the surrounding area.
This is the origin of the laboratory, which does not have a catchy name like the Artificial Angel Project, nor a meaningful code name like 'Saralu'.
The record contains only cold words like "the Seventy-Seven encounter with the Creator Angel and the experiment of research and coexistence" and a name as pure as "Applications Division No. 77 Laboratory," which even seems to convey a sense of weariness.
Only now does Nana realize what her "Number Seventy-Seven" actually refers to.
In the past... no, even now, she has never cared about the meaning of her code name.
Perhaps, as described in the written records of Diana preserved in the Archaeology Division and medical literature (Part 1), she was a carefree person who did nothing but eat and sleep.
National Laboratory, Pre-Civilization Project Group.
Applied Division Private Work Record, recorded by Diana Ivy.
March, 1062 --
'It's certain that even if they make eye contact, as long as they don't react with explicit hostility, the other person is essentially just a child who doesn't cry or make a fuss, but simply gets food and eats on their own...'
April of the same year --
"I overheard a complaint while organizing the data today. The employee in charge of observation said that No. 0 Prototype stare at them, especially when they were discussing things?"
'That's perfectly normal... Isn't it normal for beings from Previous Civilization to be able to see through one-way glass? If I had nothing better to do, I'd also be curious and look out the window at people.' Wu
In May of the same year -- Yi
"It seems everyone can approach her now, which is good, but don't try to stop her from eating and drinking. She doesn't eat people, but if you don't let her eat, then who knows what she'll eat... Please put yourself in her shoes; how would a hungry beast react if someone deliberately prevented it from getting close to its food?" (crying)
'Furthermore, based on orders from the laboratory, the seal and countermeasures facilities were reinforced, and experiments on the reflective behavior of No. 0 Prototype were initiated.' VIII
In December of the same year, the scar...
'The reflex behavior experiment yielded remarkable results. As long as no armed personnel or Laterano approach, No. 0 Prototype remains as calm as if in hibernation... Whether approached with friendliness, skepticism, or when ideas and theories are actively imparted, No. 0 Prototype clearly shows that she is listening.'
'The experiment went smoothly, and everyone was very excited. Some people wanted to start the stimulation experiment as soon as possible, arguing that this 'No. 0 Prototype' showed virtually no hostility compared to the awakening record from 960 years ago... I strongly objected, because using an attack to test whether the other party will attack is inherently foolish.'
"If you're just looking for thrills, I suggest finding a Laterano Revolver Gun. Maybe a bullet brainwashing will wash away that stupid idea." - Lu
March, 1063.
"Someone died. I initially suspected he had secretly conducted a stimulation experiment, but after investigating the videotapes, I found no actual stimulation behavior."
After repeated confirmation, we ultimately concluded that the action of placing the food tray on the No. 0 Prototype that day provoked the other party.
'After reiterating the age-old argument that any stimulation of the No. 0 Prototype would be irresponsible towards the lives of all Applied Division colleagues, we began searching for the cause. However, no matter how we reconstructed the scene, the researchers, under the observation of multiple cameras, did not appear to have done anything that could be considered offensive.'
'This matter was ultimately left unresolved, becoming a mystery...'
May, 1063.
'Although some time has passed, because someone died, everyone is still very reluctant to approach each other... Even though most people have given up, I am still investigating the cause of death of that colleague.'
"Although everyone says that those who participate in the No. 0 Prototype experiment are mentally prepared to die, this No. 0 Prototype's condition is remarkably stable. To insist that person's death, like Dark Age a century ago, is 'divine punishment' is, in my opinion, extremely disrespectful to the deceased."