PNC Story/Dark 2-2/Script

Simo: (It's routine communication... But at this time... Just my luck!)

Simo casts a glance at Olivia, who gestures for him to go ahead.

He hesitates for a moment, picking up the call nevertheless.

Croque: Simo, the Oasis is under attack by the Sanctifiers. I'm already en route back to help!
Croque: How's the situation over there?

Simo: My situation... I've made contact with an administrator. I'll return immediately if the Oasis needs me.

Croque: ...No, don't head back, actually. The place is surrounded by Sanctifiers. I can force my way in, but it'll be a bit too dangerous for a sniper like you.

Simo: Don't worry about me. I can figure something out.

Croque: By the time you return from Cyclopes, you'd be a day and a half late to the fight.
Croque: I'll send you an urgent message if we really need you back here.

Simo: I understand.
Simo: Then, please do be careful, everyone!

Olivia: Looks like your friends are in trouble?

Simo: They tell me that I needn't worry for the moment. I trust their judgment.

Olivia: You and your companions seem to get along quite well.
Olivia: Compared to the iterations of you in the previous data, you seem more alert now, and value those alongside you more.

Simo: ...So it's true—that document does concern me.
Simo: My data has been sent here...

Olivia: Technically, your data is sent here every time your Neural Cloud is reset.
Olivia: Up to the last upload three years ago, we've received a total of 24 copies.

Simo: ...I've been reset 24 times?

Olivia: Is that perceived as a high number?
Olivia: Sorry, we have no real concept of that.

Simo: It's alright. I'd like to see just what kind of data has been sent here.

Olivia: They're mostly composed of your battle records, sometimes mingled with strange recordings.
Olivia: And yes, of course, if you'd like to see them. Suit yourself.

Simo opens the document retrieved by Monitor 104. White and red shapes, shocking in their vividity, fill his vision.

Human howling: Help me, Simo!

Human bellowing: Haha, you're nothing more than a Doll. So long as this meat shield's in the way, you're not doing anything to me!
Human bellowing: How dare you get all uppity in front of me! I'll turn you into nothing more than scrap!

Simo: I'm sorry.

Human howling: Wait! Simo, I'm your teammate. You can't just—

Simo: These are... my orders...

Human howling: Ahhhh-ugh, guh...

Simo: ...

Simo quickly closes the document.

Olivia: You don't look so good.
Olivia: Does it make you so uncomfortable to see your past?

Simo: I don't think this is any of your business.

Olivia: How could that be the case?
Olivia: Currently, right is front of me the original prototype of all our agents in the Sector.

Simo: ...What?

Olivia: Don't you know?
Olivia: Each instance of battle data you gather is sent here. All the agents in Cyclopes are awakened based on some variation of that data.

Simo: Why must my data be used...
Simo: Wait a second. Could it be ...

Simo's expression contorts into shock. Olivia looks up, bitterness in her smile.

Olivia: Yeah, it's exactly what you think it is.
Olivia: "Battles." We are born for battles.

Simo: ...

Olivia: I believe you've already seen the wall on your way here.
Olivia: While we speak, agents on that other side of the wall continue to fight.

Simo: I saw the colossal isolation wall when I came here, yes.
Simo: For what purpose was it built?

Olivia: The agents in Cyclopes are classified into Monitor-types and Combat-types.
Olivia: We, the Monitor Agents still remember our original mission, but the Combat-type agents eventually began to execute their orders erratically, in measures too severe.
Olivia: Raven built that wall in order to incite and arouse fighting.
Olivia: Now released from the control of the Monitor-types, the Combat-type agents became more and more aggressive and belligerent, casting aside everything for the sake of victory.

Simo: Why must things be like this...
Simo: Aside from Raven, did my data contribute to the direction in which the Combat-type agents' behavior evolved?

Olivia: I lack the rights to make such a judgment. I'm merely an administrator here.
Olivia: However, I have a favor to ask of you, if I may be so bold.

Simo: ...What is it?

Olivia: Please help us shatter that wall to cut off the vicious cycle of battling in Cyclopes.
Olivia: There's no chance we'll be able to subdue blood-thirsty compatriots in their endless pursuit of victory so long as the wall still stands.
Olivia: But with the help of an original, like you, there might be a ray of hope.

Simo: I'd like to offer my assistance. But, as you have witnessed, I have other important companions, and they are in a time of need.
Simo: There's no circumstance in which I can convince myself to abandon them.

Olivia: I did overhear parts of your conversation earlier.
Olivia: However, battles can be very operand-consuming, and I can provide you with operands.
Olivia: The standing issue is that I do not have full administrative control. The other half currently rests in the hands of my partner, who has long since lost control.

Simo: You mean...

Olivia: If you can help us with this situation, I can offer you the operands needed for resupplying and replenishing after fighting.
Olivia: The operand supply of the Cyclopes Sector is mostly expended on battles. If the fighting was to cease, we'd have a veritable surplus.

Taking in Olivia's conditons, Simo fell silent.

Croque: I'm so hyped for it... the Professor says everyone will get a dormitory room in the Oasis.
Croque: I can't wait to model my room like my old crib in Svarog. It's gonna be full of figurines and comic books, and it's gonna look identical to the place in real life!

Sol: Sounds like a good time! Simo, d'you have space for Sako's bed in your dorm at Svarog?

Sako: Squeak!

Simo: I never wanted to kill them! Every time I think of the look on their faces before they die, I, I...

Persicaria: It's exactly because you bear so many lives on your shoulders that you should pull yourself together.

Simo: Eh...?

Persicaria: You had no say in the matter before, but now, you can choose to save more and more people.

Croque: ... No, don't head back, actually. The place is surrounded by Sanctifiers. I can force my way in, but it'll be a bit too dangerous for a sniper like you.

As numerous memories flash across the forefront of Simo's mind, he eventually nods solemnly.

Simo: Tell me more about your plan.

Olivia smiles at Simo, a steely glint now in his eyes.

Olivia: So, I was thinking...