《Modded Magic》Chapter 40 Mothers
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The next parts of the recordings were history of Talos. From planning the architecture to the philosophy. Somehow it reminded of the first time people had the idea of Polarity. All the good in the world was supposed to be placed in that great nation but the corrupt ideals of the masses and powerful ruined it. I wished I could have witnessed it in hay days. Yet, a city built by two had been so successful. Or at least to a certain extent. Most of the recordings were mostly just us meeting Able. It felt a bit strange because it was the first few instances when I saw everyone together. Seeing everyone just being one team made me feel a bit complicated inside. The four of us were much different. I could feel my insides longing for the days when we were on rotations of different classes. Now things went a different direction. It all just happened quickly that I didn't realize how our time together was so short. Though they would never understand what I was feeling. I would be the only one that would remember all the bad times but mist importantly all the good times. Listening to our conversations threw me off on a loop. A part of me just wanted to go back to that. When things didn't seem so complex as they are now. Soon enough it was finally a part of the recordings that we hadn't seen. This time it was just Able and Eliza inside the room. Eliza was on her desk mumbling a few things to herself. From what we could see, she was clearly distressed about it. Able had walked towards Eliza surprising her for a bit. She always felt like someone people could scare easily. Her warm nature had finally come out as soon as she noticed Able.
Eliza: Oh Able, welcome back. It's been so long. I mean could've just re programmed a new robot but it didn't feel right knowing you were still out there. I didn't want to replace you so easily. It was so lonely without you here.
Able: Why didn't you tell them?
Eliza: About Peter? Well I have my reasons… I don't think it's something that they should know. Besides, they said it themselves that they basically do their own thing. But what's more important is that you're back with some recordings for me to watch. Let me take a look real quick…
Eliza's face was on the screen for some time. We had to obviously skip these moments. But the moments passed and we witnessed her expressions changed. She must have seen the recordings of Peter now. However, after a while, she didn't look scared anymore. Her eyes gave a dynamic look. It was as if she finally figured out what she wanted to do.
Able: What are you doing now creator?
Eliza: A backup plan. Something that I should've done a long time ago. I was just so busy creating the settlement. This is my life's work and it still feels nowhere near incomplete. I haven't even come close to starting up sanitation and filtration yet. Now, I think I might even have to abandon it. Annoys me a bit too but I guess that's what happens when you have to butt heads with Peter.
Able: What's the plan?
Eliza: A failsafe Able. I want to make sure that my legacy continues on. This has been experimental the entire time but you're living proof that it's possible. I just need time and lots of it. This one is going to take everything in me and even then I won't be one hundred percent sure it'll work. But I have to try. Those kids out there are doing much more than I'll ever do in this lifetime. It only makes sense that I transcend something for them in the event that I perish or have to come across Peter.
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Able: Please don't die creator. We just met a ton of friends!
Eliza: Well your friends are going to love me even more if I succeed in this project. It'll be hard without some test subjects. It's quite the risk isn't it? Being the first and only test subject in something so experimental. Though I wished that I had more time with those kids. They seem so promising.
Able: Sounds dangerous! Be careful, creator!
Eliza: You're too sweet Able, but I need to do this for them. Peter won't stop in doing the things he believes in. Once he plants his foot into something, he doesn't turn back. Maybe that's why I admired him so much. Someone that strong willed cannot possibly be bad. Guess I was wrong. Now, if he gets a hold on one of these children. It will basically be over. He'll try to make that perfect creature of his. I wished someday he'd realize that concept of perfect doesn't exist.
Able: We can fight this! I'll do whatever I can to help, creator!
Eliza: I appreciate the help Able. I'll need a lot of materials and some of those resources I've seen in your memory banks. They seem to have a stronger source than the ones we have. It's only a matter of time when he'll try to take whatever I made.
Able: Roger that boss!
Able ran off into the depths of the library leaving Eliza to think once more. The next recording is them building that coffin device. It was still in its early stages of construction. Eliza was already determined in trying to do what she wanted. Her usual warm nature turned complete ferocity. These humans are just completely different from us. All we could do was witness the strength of these people coming into fruition.
Eliza: We're still behind schedule but I think we'll somehow get back on it somehow. Now if only we had an idea on when they'll try to attack Talos.
Suddenly, the screen shifted towards the door that opened! Someone else had arrived in the room. The intruder walked through the room as if it was the most natural thing they've ever done. Not even Able tried to hold a weapon against them. It was just Peter approaching. His face never shifted an inch or showed emotion. All the more defining because he was wearing a gas filter too.
Peter: Eliza.
Eliza: What the hell?! Why are you even here?
Peter: I've come to recruit you once more. You're the only person that I know has extensive knowledge in terra forming, neural pathing, and sentient studies. You would be perfect for this next job.
Eliza: You're talking as if I don't know a damn thing of what you're doing. You're a monster. What the hell happened to you.
Peter: Is it so wrong to follow your dreams?
Eliza: Those aren't dreams anymore. You're a monster.
Peter: Monster is relative to the person perceiving it. To me, you're the monster for not wanting to achieve the greater things in life. Don't tell me you're afraid of the power and responsibility that you wish to stay down in here.
Eliza: Yes, if that's what it takes to retain my humanity.
Peter: Tsk, you were always the stubborn one.
Eliza: I'm the stubborn one!? When you wanted to leave and never come back, I didn't stop you did I? I let you do the things you wanted to do because I love you. When in fact, I should've watched over you. The things you did to those people in that city. It's unforgivable.
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Peter: They weren't people. They were just test subjects. They weren't human anyway. To me, they were just animals. Even that silly monarch. If only his vision didn't align with mine, I would've strapped him to my neural scrambler and took his brain.
Eliza: No! I won't go with you!
Peter: Then what's with that? It looks like you're building a neural machine yourself.
Eliza: I would never tell you what I'm going to do.
Peter: Now you have me curious. Judging from its construction alone. It is not something you've tinkered with before. An alpha. Quite dangerous if you don't have any test subjects.
Eliza: Take another step and I'll make sure Able kills you where you stand.
Peter: Fine. You are the neural pathing expert. But I am curious as to why you would even consider creating one. When Earth asked you to share your research, you repeatedly rejected them.
Eliza: That's because I know humans. From the amounts of case studies and theories they sent me, most of them were selfish. Nothing was worth considering.
Peter: Something changed your mind? Here of all places?
Eliza: Don't play dumb. You saw them too.
Peter: Ah, yes. The so-called Adamians. Interesting lot aren't they.
Eliza: It's within your field of knowledge.
Peter: It is. To think that after so many years, we finally found them. I guess the laws of chaos were finally right. The numbers don't lie.
Eliza: They break everything we know about the past and the present.
Peter: Extraordinary find. That's why I want you with us. We have them collaborating with us! I want to pick their brains! See what they know. Understand how their powers work! If us humans have it, we'll go beyond the stars without even having to build machines that take years! Think about the explorations, discoveries, and power. They're well trained soldiers that take orders without questions. However, they achieved that is amazing! What more there's more of them!
Eliza: And that's why I won't help you. You think just like the people who want to take my research on Earth. I'll say to you what I said to them. I reject any notion of using my research for anything but the good of the human kind.
Peter: But they're not exactly human are they.
Eliza: They are 100% human. I've checked their structures down to their DNA. The only thing that's different is that they have the inert power to control these things called the magic particle.
Peter: Their discovery of how to harness the M-particle intrigues me.
Eliza: They are children. To me, they look like they're just sixteen to their early twenties. Child soldiers? Did that even run through your head.
Peter: The only explanation I could think of to why they don't have any adults is that their government is scared that they might think of themselves. Eliminate the questions and produce the loyal breeds. From my findings, that's what they've been doing. Only making sure that the children are the soldiers because they are more receptive to orders at a young age.
Eliza: It's horrible.
Peter: It's the work of survival. They've survived this long and know so much more than us.
Eliza: But they're primitive. They don't know some things that we do. They relied on their so-called magic to get this far.
Peter: And we've relied on technology.
Eliza: I'm helping them my way.
Peter: I will too.
Eliza: You're unrecognizable.
Peter: Maybe, but this feeling of discovery is amazing. I won't stop. I want to reach even bigger heights. Someday, I'll take that research of yours. When that day happens, I'll kill you for getting in my way.
Peter walked out of the library dome. Eliza didn't flinch the entire time. Despite everything that he said, she still had that face of determination. So this is what she did during the time that I was captured. She was preparing for that day. Eliza, despite not being Adamian, she's probably the strongest willed person I've met. The recording ended. A second later, this time it showed everyone a transport vehicle. Nex, Olley, and Vanta were sitting on the seats of the sides of the vehicle. This was the attack on the laboratory. Everyone had their game face on.
Nex: You guys know the drill. Vanta, do your main directive. Leave the secondary objectives to us.
Volv: Roger. Adam be with us.
Nex: Adam be with us all.
Nex: Able you stay here with me until the time comes. We'll wait for the perfect timing when there's a commotion.
Nex opened the door to the vehicle and extreme winds gushed out creating a bunch of noise. That was the signal, the Vanta team and Olley had vanished in the darkness leaving Able and Nex. Nex stood by the entrance looking at the teams falling into place. The wind blowing hard, Nex closed the door then went to the pilot's seat with Able.
Nex: You know the plan Able. Once you drop me down to the extraction. Pilot the ship and capture any of the stray scientists. We need to know if they have a thing about Adamians. We can't let the Platform down.
Able: Why?
Nex: We have to kill them all. Orders from above. Not a single trace to be seen. We can't let them have the information of our kind leaked to any other planet in the universe. Nex had a cold look to him which was nothing I've ever seen. This Nex seemed completely different to the one that I knew. The recording ends and the next one plays. My stomach started to feel a bit anxious, there were people lined up in the video. Able was watching from above in the vehicle. The people were the scientists that managed to be captured. They were all begging for their lives to whoever was below. It looked like they were all going to be executed. Volv was the one below, he was holding some kind of explosive charge.
Nex: Don't look Able. It'll only get harder. I know you're just a golem but… this is what we do.
Olley looked away as the explosion happened. Guts, gray matter, and blood were splattered all over the ground. Red blood flooded the small creator that was made from the quick explosive. Body parts were in different places while some random flesh parts were falling to the ground. They must've killed so many people. No witnesses, this was part of the job that was something everyone had to get used to. It wasn't a surprise that this is what they did. At least they had used an explosive to kill them rather than other painful methods. Olley took another peak and ended up vomiting on the side. I tried to calm her down by patting her back. Her skin started to turn a bit pale. She must've been pretty squeamish when it comes to these things. The next recording started to play. This was one of the last few recordings. Eliza was on her machine, from the looks of it, it appeared to be almost done. She was sweating from the amount of work she had done to finally get this done just with one partner.
Eliza: It's almost done. This is probably one of the biggest projects I've ever made, Able. If I made this on Earth, people would flock all over it just to get a chance to see it.
Able: What is it, creator?
Eliza: It's based on the same programming as your sentient core black box but it's different. It's supposed to reprint the neural pathing of the brain into some kind of hardware. However, I still have a lot more simulations to get it to work the way I want it. SImilar to how your sentie black box works. You learn. When you print a brain, one of the main problems is that it has to constantly learn. If you print a brain, it only goes to a certain extent if you don't have constant learning and memory. Thus it's not actually a brain but rather just a computer. But, now I'm so close to cracking it. If I just rearrange a few things on this chip, I can make the brain forget things to create its own space based on it's own judgment and combine information into one form of data just to save memory. Then I'll be done. I'll have created the first prototype artificial brain! Albeit just a chip.
Able: Amazing! What does it actually do?
Eliza: I figured that was a bit too much for you to understand. In short, I can pass on everything that I know. As long as my brain doesn't die and I somehow make it to the machine. I'll live. So this is basically my message to you whoever gets it.
Eliza walked over towards the screen. She seemed pretty happy and accomplished besides the amount of eye bags, rough hairs, and stains all over her lab coat. She adjusted Able to stand in a certain way to capture everything. The machine was now in the background.
Eliza: This is the first ever neural printer. Upon my death, I'll be leaving everything that I know behind. Hopefully it works the way I want it to work. I've even made sure the blueprints to this thing are up here too hahaha. So on my death and somehow I managed to make it to the machine, a chip will come out. Take that chip and implant it right on the nape of a person and just let it do it's magic. Everything that I know, and everything that I am will be there. And hopefully you'll still retain everything about you. I don't know, I haven't tested it but I'm positive it'll work. But enough of work, I know that I won't be long in this world. It'll only be a matter of time when Peter will arrive and probably kill me. He always keeps his promises after all. This is to ensure that hopefully those kids take it. In a way, it's my will. I was sure that I had one on Earth but I didn't know that I'd have another here. Nex, I hope you grow up to be someone that you'll like. I know it's hard to grow up with a bunch of problems with identity but keep at it. I know you'll love yourself enough to choose what you believe is who you are. You chose someone good to be as your role model. Although he might be a bit intense and takes things too seriously. That's you by the way Arc hahaha. In the small time we spent together, I think I have an idea on what's bothering you. And running away by just doing things isn't the way. You're going to have to tackle these things like the way you do in your work. You're not just a soldier Arc. On Earth, humans have choices. I'm not sure what your world looks like but I can tell it's trouble. So please, take care of yourself. People like me care about you. You're not alone anymore. I guess this is just what happens when people grow up huh. So much weird stuff. Anyways, good luck on what you're doing. I'm glad that I found y'all.
The feed switched off. There were a couple more videos but I can tell what those were and I didn't want to relive those just yet. I put the phone away and Olley patted me on the back. I felt a bit better knowing that she was prepared for the worst. She was always so smart. I shouldn't have been surprised that she would do this kind of thing. Again, these humans are certainly quite frail but they're much smarter and stronger than any of us.
Olley: That was… quite the revelation.
Arc: Yep. Though it did give me a bit of closure. Though it still feels like shit knowing that they're not with us anymore. But it helps.
Olley: She seemed like a really cool person.
Arc: I barely knew a thing. Yet, it felt like I've known her for a long time.
Olley: Something like a mother?
Arc: Maybe, if that was the closest that I've ever had to mother then it isn't so bad. Thank you. Eliza. Adam be with you in the after life.
Olley: Rest in peace…
I got back up to my feet, I think I feel a lot better now. Sometimes, people just need to process and have some closure. Though there was still a black pit inside of me knowing that I'll never see them again. I just have to try and move on from this. Except, something else is chewing at me. If what Eliza said was true then the solution was simple.
Arc: Olley, do you want to go up on the Platform?
Olley: Huh!?
Arc: Didn't you just hear what Eliza said. If I give you this chip then that means you can potentially become a Platform Asset. You'll be saved from the cleanse.
Olley: Are you sure you want to give that to me? It's a big responsibility! I thought for sure that you would've given it to your teammates by now.
Arc: I did consider giving it to them but…
Olley: But what?
Arc: I made a promise. And I have never been good at keeping them to be frank but this is the one that I want to uphold. Your mom told me if there was a chance to keep you away from the cleanse then I would take it.
Olley: Arc…
Arc: But if I give this asset to you. Then you'll effectively be part of my world. This world is beyond anything these walls. You're going to have to experience everything that I experience. Fight the universe that I fight. You're going to be completely involved with me and my pains.
Olley: I don't know what to say.
Arc: Think it over. This is a big decision. Stay with your kind and have your last moments with your family or come with me.
Olley: That's a bit of a hard decision…
Arc: Once you leave. There's no turning back. You're all in. You're going to be exposed to this feeling of loss and the most you can do is try to move on.
Olley took a step back because of the news. I held onto the blue chip on my hand. This was going to be one of the biggest decisions of Olley's life. Once she chooses something, she'll lose the other. Choosing her life would mean that she would abandon her family and choosing her family means choosing to lose her life. Her eyes were filled with mixed colors. It was simply indeterminable to figure out what color dominated those eyes.
Olley: This is a bit hard...
Arc: I'm sorry to spring that up to you but those are the choices you have. You can't just wait either. You need to choose.
Olley: I know! It's just that my family… Mom…
We went back inside her house this time, it was even more gloomier. Olley was scared for her life, this was tearing her up from the inside. Her mother tried to look a bit hopeful but we knew that we could only save Olley. Olley's face was in clear pain.
Olley: Mom, I have to ask you for some advice. You already know what's going to happen right? We can be adults about it.
Mom: Yes, I know…
Olley: Then, tell me what to pick. Inside, I want to pick Arc and join their world. I could only imagine the adventures I could find out into the depths of space. But that would mean that I would never see you again. And when this thing drops, you'll be alone. It hurts! I can't bear thinking about it.
Mom: Olley…
Olley: What should I do!? I still want to be with you!
Olley's mother lovingly touched her daughters face. They were both in tears. Olley gave her a deep hug that looked like she was never going to let go.
Mom: Olley, be strong… It'll be fine… If anything, I want to make sure you stay alive. You'll be the hope of this planet. Keep everything you know alive. Okay? There's no greater joy to me than knowing that somewhere you're still alive.
Olley: Choose… Please…
Mom: Olley, you never followed whatever I said… I don't think you'll follow it now. So whatever your choice will be. I'll be happy with it. Though I'd very much would love you to go with Arc of course.
Olley: I will this time…
Mom: Go with him. I'll be fine…
Olley: I love you mom. I should've stayed home much more. I always thought we would be together longer.
Mom: I love you too my dear Olley. Live without regrets okay?
Olley: I will mom. I promise!
Mom: Arc, take care of her okay?
Arc: I'll do my best.
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