He started to feel suspicious when he realized he had no information about Type E models in his memory.
He had met an amnesiac android in the city ruins. She was a Type E who disguised herself as a friend to her comrades, only to spy on and eventually execute them. Unable to bear the stress, she erased her own memories.
When 9S heard that story, he was surprised to hear that a Type E, responsible for executions, even existed. He became apprehensive of himself. He certainly should have known about the existence of Type E, yet he had no information regarding the subject.
That’s when he realized that his memory was being erased. In the past he had been executed by a Type E and cleansed of memories relating to that incident. To remove any trace of the execution, it was most likely necessary to erase a large part of his memories. That’s why he had a conspicuous lack of information regarding 2E.
He knew that the executioner would at times feign a close relationship with its target.
Furthermore, Type E androids, who acted as executioners, were required by their role to have battle capabilities higher than a Type B. Fighting alongside her a countless number of times, he had realized that 2B was too strong to be a Type B.
He had all the evidence. It was inevitable that he would figure it out.
“You…probably knew, right?” asked A2.
“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!”
Be quiet. Don’t talk like you know it all, with the same face as 2B. You don’t know anything.
“What do you know about us!”
He grasped his sword. He needed to hurry. The noise was getting worse. The infection was progressing. He had to destroy her before his movement mechanisms became impaired.
Just then, Pod jumped into his already blurry vision.
“Recommendation: Cease fire. Fighting with her now is illogical and…”
“Order to Pod 153! I forbid you to interject! Follow this order until either A2 or I am confirmed to be nonfunctional!”
Pod retreated without a word. Perhaps it didn’t acknowledge the order because it was reluctant to carry it out.
He could see A2 finally drawing her sword. He made Pod cover him while he initiated hacking. She dodged it. A2’s movements were startlingly quick, as if she knew what he was going to do.
He wondered if, maybe, he had fought A2 in the past. Perhaps he didn’t know because 2B had erased his memories.
That meant A2 had memories of 2B he didn’t have. That made him jealous. Anyone other than him that knew 2B should disappear and be gone.
Memories of 2B. Encounters with 2B.
His thoughts were jumbled. Curious as to why his neck was stiff, he touched it and felt a cold, hard sensation. His hand had unknowingly started its erosion into Machine.
He needed to kill A2 soon, while he still retained his consciousness. While he still had his memories of 2B…
2B? Humans?
“Why…why…why!”
What was this feeling?! He had been focused on 2B, why was he being interrupted?!
“Why…do I yearn for humanity?!”
Even though I only yearn for 2B.
“Why do I seek out humans?!”
I only seek 2B.
He didn’t care about humanity. He knew that they had died a long time ago. But…why did they push aside his thoughts of 2B? Even though his mental functions had declined rapidly, and just thinking of 2B was exhausting enough, why did his thoughts have to turn toward humans?
“We’re made to. We androids are made to protect our creators,” said A2.
His vision was further deteriorating.
“Our foundational programming makes us feel…”
“Be quiet be quiet be qu1et!”
The noise was overwhelming. If he couldn’t think about 2B, if he wasn’t able to think only about 2B, his brain was garbage.
“Then, just destr0y 1t… everyth1ng sh0uld just d1sappear and be g0ne…”
It felt as though his arms weren’t his. His legs moved on their own. Where was this strange power coming from? Ah, he was being taken over by the logic virus…
He saw two A2s. This was bad. He wouldn’t be able to aim very well. Right as he was about to kill her, A2 stopped.
“2B…” she said.
Don’t say that name! It’s unforgivable for you to say that name.
He thrust his sword forward. He felt a dull impact through the blade. He heard A2 moan.
He strained his eyes to see. Blood-soaked sword. A2 on the ground. He’d done it. He’d killed her. He could see A2’s face as she writhed in pain. Ha ha, serves you right.
It was finally over. Everything.
He saw something move near his feet. All of a sudden, he couldn’t breathe. His whole body was burning.
He heard a scream. He didn’t understand.
Hot. Red. He couldn’t breathe.
What was happening? He saw a sword? Red. Nauseous. Ow.
Had he been stabbed? By A2? Why?
The pain abruptly faded. Not just the pain, but all his senses were fading too.
In the darkness, he saw 2B’s hair. No. The one dying in a pool of blood was A2. With the same-colored hair as 2B.
So it was a draw… he realized. His consciousness floated away. He could hear Pod’s voice.
“Emergence of a fatal error in the system. Detected memory leak. Impossible to repair.”
It’s fine. No need for repair. That’s what he wanted to say but couldn’t.
“Commencing emergency save of residual memory.”
The memories don’t have to be saved. They can all disappear.
His earliest memory was of the first time he greeted the commander, following his deployment. The next was his first descent to Earth for a data-gathering mission. The fog had been heavy that day, making things difficult. He’d walked alone in enemy territory, observing Machines, somewhat lonely. And finally, the time he was assigned his first mission with 2B… No, how many first times had they worked together before that? His first impression of her was that she seemed distant. But how many times had she killed him at that point? She probably kept her distance to avoid growing attached. Unaware of any of this, he genuinely enjoyed having company. Unaware of her struggles, he was just happy that 2B was next to him.
And also…he didn’t know. He couldn’t remember. Sounds, colors, everything seemed to wash away. His memories faded. They were escaping him.
That’s right. This is fine.