Top Level, Core Laboratory
Everett Arena
Everett Arena Top Level, Core Laboratory
Cold white lights flicker to life one by one, revealing the immaculate interior of a massive laboratory. Every piece of equipment gleams with sterile brilliance.
After years of dormancy, the laboratory awakens for its first reboot. At last, its "master" can finally fulfill her long-cherished dream—that is, becoming an entirely new version of herself.
From her perch above, Dolores surveys the laboratory like a creator deity. A satisfied smile plays across her lips. She's waited far too long for this day.
Soon, she will possess everything she cravesDpower, strength, beauty, and the freedom to take whatever she desires.
And the "vessel" meant to contain all this—Veronica—now floats unconscious within a transparent chamber at the laboratory's center.
All preliminary preparations are complete. Suspended in the center, Veronica hangs motionless—pierced by countless wires and restraints like a prey caught in a spider's web, helplessly waiting to be devoured.
Our "feast" is about to begin, and we're missing one last "guest." Bring her in, won't you?
With it, the laboratory's massive door slides open quietly.
Escorted by Overseer, Serra enters in silence, her face completely devoid of emotion.
Hey, why the long face when we're about to enjoy a celebration?
Go on and wake your friend up now.
Dolores smiles at Serra, gesturing with a delicate flick of her finger.
Serra remains motionless, frozen in silent defiance. Seeing this, Overseer steps forward—menace radiating from every inch of its posture.
Do as you are told.
Serra, however, remains completely unresponsive. She looks emotionlessDso much so that one wouldn't be blamed for mistaking her for a statue.
Right when Overseer readies itself to force compliance through its authority protocols, its master puts on a slightly chiding smile.
Now, now, let's take it easy and be mindful of Serra's feelings here.
Leave it to us, please.
Yes, Master.
When Overseer leaves the two of them alone, the smile Dolores has been wearing vanishes.
I understand your resentment, Serra. But ideals... they always come with a price.
To stand again, to run once moreDI've paid my own price, too.
What about you? Do you still remember what it is that you wanted to achieve?
...
Dolores turns around. With Serra, she gazes at the sealed chamberDwhere Veronica floats suspended within.
It takes a lot to gain the freedom of a bird. Humans weren't blessed with flight. If you truly want to grow "wings," you always have to sacrifice something in return.
The moment Dolores finishes speaking, the same unsettling smile and tone return to her face.
Besides, a promise is a promise, no?
...
Serra turns her head, her eyes empty and lifeless, and fixes her gaze on Dolores. Dolores, however, appears completely oblivious.
Dolores, whose body is now connected to countless tubes, has a face as delicate and fragile as a porcelain dollDyet her eyes burn with an insatiable desire to devour everything.
...Fine.
Receiving Serra's confirmation, Dolores once again puts on the same deceptively gentle smile. When Dolores raises her hand, the floor-to-ceiling glass before her turns into a one-way mirror.
I'm gonna have a nap now. Don't let me down, yeah?
The laboratory system will take good care of you in my place, so be good, yes?
Well, I'll see you as a new version of myself when I wake up, then.
Dolores' voice fades away behind the one-way mirror, leaving the laboratory in deathly silence.
Serra approaches the transparent chamber at the center of the laboratory. Inside, Veronica remains dormant, completely unconscious.
...I'm sorry... Veronica.
Serra's palm slides across the transparent chamber wall as her eyes regain focus.
...But it's okay... Leave this to me...
Still murmuring unintelligible words under her breath, Serra reaches for the elevated control panel.
A touch-screen interface materializes on the control console. The fully automated terminal has already completed all preliminary preparations for the experiment.
Dense streams of data and diagrams update in real-time, displaying both Dolores' vital signs and the diagnostics of Veronica's frame.
Going through with the procedure would completely wipe all consciousness data from the mechanoid, replacing it with human consciousness data.
This is exactly like what the hermit crab was doing that Serra has seen—abandoning its worn-out shell for a new home.
Serra has never been more focused than in this moment. Her eyes dart across all the data points and metrics on the frame module, constantly comparing them with Veronica's specifications that she knows by heart.
She understands every detail of the powerful, precision-engineered mechanoid. Through countless maintenance routines and module upgrades, all specifications have been permanently committed to her memory.
In this moment, she knows exactly what she must do—throughout her life, "giving up" has never been part of her vocabulary.
She takes a deep breath and begins working on the control panel.
Laboratory System
Initiating target frame status analysis. Scan progress: 12%.
All module compatibility levels: Optimal. Scan progress: 97%.
Subject vital signs: Stable. Cognitive parameters: Normal. Preparing to initiate deep anesthesia protocol.
Consciousness data transfer process will commence shortly.
Just before the process begins, Serra's fingers dance across the control panel with subtle precision and punch a sequence of commands meant to bypass the laboratory system.
Then quietly, she watches Veronica.
The laboratory system methodically executes its detection protocols. Massive streams of data ebb and flow like tides, churning waves across an ocean of information.
In the most secluded corner of this vast data ocean, Serra's commands transform into binary code and dissolve seamlessly into the system without raising any security alerts.
Like a droplet that turns into ripples, the code gradually triggers powerful undercurrents deep within the system. Meanwhile, Veronica's core module begins to sense the first whisper of energy.
Wake up... Veronica.
<size=40>Loading Perception System >>>>>>></size>
<size=40>Initiating Module Self-Calibration>>>>>>></size>
<color=#47f57fff><size=40>Self-Calibration: Passed</size></color>
<size=40>Initializing Visual Module>>>>>>></size>
<color=#47f57fff><size=40>Initialization Successful</size></color>
Veronica, having so far been standing motionless in the center of the room, slowly opens her eyes. Her crimson irises meet Serra's emerald gaze.
As she recognizes who she's seeing, those crimson eyes instantly start burning again with rage.
You... liar!
This is what you meant to do all along, isn't it?!
Veronica roars with rage, thrashing wildly as she tries to smash through the layer of glass to attack Serra on the other side, but the restraint mechanisms hold her firmly in place.
Damn you! All you humans deserve a special place in hell! Every last one of you!
Warning. Abnormal energy patterns detected in the unit's power module.
Warning. Warning. The unit's power module is experiencing sustained overload. Safety threshold limits breach imminent.
The restraints mechanisms let out sharp cracking sounds as the connection cables snap one after another, sending twisted metal fragments scattering across the floor in an instant.
Veronica bursts forth with full power. She lunges herself instantly at the isolation barrier and rams against the reinforced glass with such fury that it reverberates with a thunderous crash.
Meanwhile, Serra stands perfectly still and gently places her hand against the transparent glass, as if trying to reach out to the mechanoid on the other side.
Veronica...
You bastard! Liar!
Veronica strikes the protective barrier again and again, frantically attacking the wall that stands between them, apparently channeling every ounce of her rage and hatred into each blow.
No longer able to withstand Veronica's assault, the reinforced protective barrier starts giving in as spider-web cracks start forming and spread outward in all directions.
That's it... Veronica.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry...
With a gentle smile, Serra presses her forehead against the nearly-shattered barrier as tears stream down her face, leaving icy trails across her skin.
—Because she wants to be closer to her friend, just a little bit closer.
No justifications, no pleading, not even a farewell—she simply repeats what she wishes she could tell Veronica over and over in her heart.
In this moment, she needs no words to make herself understood.
"That's it. The command sequence I used to bypass the laboratory system has taken effect and pushed Veronica's frame to its theoretical power threshold."
"She's now powerful enough to break free from all this, to shatter the prison that has confined her for so long."
"So trample over my body if you must, Veronica. This is my atonement."
"Leave this place. Go out into the vast world beyond and walk freely."
As the protective barrier shatters completely, Serra gently closes her eyes.
Goodbye... Veronica.
