409 conflict [marquis & Earinor]

> Cybernetics Headquarters, Abandoned Wing

Allison started moving, following Dr. Morris direction. Bionic arm or not, it was still attached to her shoulder and she'd feel this tomorrow. They had quite a way ahead of them and she rather got there sooner than later. "Parents? Huh? You don't see me as his mother do you?", she asked a bit flustered. Dr. Morris could easily be called Zeros father figure and Souls models X could call him that too, but Allison herself? Nonononono. She was too young and also it was weird to imagine sharing a parenting role with Dr. Morris. "Well I agree, but I doubt command will... It's one thing if your child has secrets, but a high grade weapon?" Allison didn't like calling Zero that, but he was. If he wanted to, he could incinerate them both in less than a second and he could probably bomb half the complex away. Zero wasn't melicious, but they didn't want to know that. "No!", she suddenly yelled out. "Doctor, your work here is way too important. If anyone has to take the blame, I will do it. You can't be fired, all of the Souls here need you." They needed him much more than her and that was alright. "... And do we have to? If they find out about sovereign, they might kill him off after all. And what would they do with Zero if they knew he could access all sorts of tech inside this facility?"

All Zero and Sovereign did happened in a matter of seconds and yet it took long in Zeros mind. Relaying any message to the old model proved to be difficult and with his connection lost, his processing power seemed demimished too. Zero guided him thrpugh his new personal grid trying to show him how to connect to it and make it work like he wanted to. A spark in the right direction was all he needed to find one of the monitors. They were riddled with almost ancient tech from Zeros point of view. The power they held was primitive, the data stream slow, but it was what Sovereign was used to and what his brain should be able to handle.

>Connection established. <
>Sovereign, can you hear me? <
>Functionality minimum. <
>Suggestion to get acquainted with new grid. <
>Task: Say something. <

> Cybernetics Headquarters, Abandoned Wing -> Former Soul-Zero Cradle

Whoever had placed that brain in this tank probably had only wanted the best for it and had not thought about how much of a hassle it would be to transport it around. What was Project Sovereign in the first place? Morris could only fathom according to the few strings of info he’d gathered, as there hadn’t yet been enough time. Would Sovereign truly tell them all there was? He had seemed sincere enough, though, perhaps such promises were but born out of desperation once someone started fearing death - the plausibilities were endless, Morris realized. “No, that’s not how I mean it. We just take on the emotional role that parents would carry in a child’s development. If you’d rather be the father, that’s negotiable.”, the doctor offered up, yet, knew that this wasn’t at all how Allison meant it. Outright teasing her was probably stupid with a brain in their hands, though, especially if they already struggled with keeping it moving - this tank was too heavy for its own good. “Let bygones be bygones, besides, we’re supposed to support him as best we can. Command will know what they want to know if they care.” Which they sometimes hardly did, which also meant that some things would simply be a secret for the three - no, maybe four - of them. “Fired? I’m going to take the responsibility because they won’t fire me. Please don’t worry about it, alright?”, Morris sighed, his voice still somewhat affirmative - they had nothing to fear, no? He’d live it down, be it for this or other things and he’d make it work, too; lives were worth conserving. “We ought to, it’s really the only way we could ensure that Sovereign gets a body back, if he wants that. If not, we don’t really have to tell anyone, at least not immediately. They’ll probably want to repurpose the cradle eventually and to ensure his survival, we should fess up. As for Zero, they’d probably make some command adjustments, seeing as they are already in a Beta phase and Zero would crack them in anywhere to 2 hours to, say, 48 hours, I’m pretty sure. I’m glad you worry for him.” Many of these things, while not hardcoded into him, were quite literally unavoidable and Morris was quite confident that none of them would do any good.

A spark of light? This was all so bizarre, much like the datascape had been from the start, but Sovereign knew not to doubt it too much - things happened at their own pace from here on out, he wasn’t in control of himself half the time before and now, why, he felt tired. Undeniably cold and tired. Somehow, this had to be akin to how dying felt, he figured, but every sort of analytic diagnosis he could run would probably fail to provide him with any sort of answer at this very moment. Everything around him felt slow, then sped up, but in truth, it might be that he was simply wading through mud, knee-deep then waist-deep and running further and further away from any sort of light - until he felt that short spark. Leaving the sluggish miasma behind, his addled senses flooded back to him and the cold seemed trivial.

>…<

There was a clear task, he’d finally heard something, he wasn’t death any longer and seemed to be coming out on the other side. Sovereign felt … exhausted? Was that a possibility? All those years of inactivity sure had to have taken their toll on him. Some soul-searching was in order almost immediately, yet, that wasn’t all. Some tinkering followed, mostly of his own and partially because he had to. What a mess. All these tethers were unfamiliar to him, even if Zero seemingly tried to emulate his former home so he’d not feel too alienated; it at least felt that way, similarly cushy and the synapses he had worked fine.

> Can you hear me? <
> I can hear you quite well, Zero. <

> Cybernetics Headquarters, Former Soul-Zero Cradle

"I feel more like... the big sister... that would make you my father, but that's not what I meant. You're not that much older than me, are you?", Allison answered, talking herself into a grave here. She better shut up and she did while she carried that thing through the halls. "I mean... it would be difficult to hide Sovereign forever, but we don't have to tell them how we found him, right?", she asked, worried about Zero, greatly so. Dr. Fowler seemed so laid back at this moment, Allison didn't understand why. "How can you be so sure they won't?" Dr. Fowler was important, but he wasn't the only psychologist in existence. "I guess that's true, it's not like we could build him one, but why should they spend ressources on an old model that lived past its prime? They already discarded him once and from a biological standpoint, his brain suffered damage overtime. It might influence his memory or other motory functions. The nerves were so burnt, I doubt they can be attached to anathing as they are now. Even labor class member who lived all their life with the same attachement don't suffer damage like that, I've not even seen anything like that in the ER. It would cost them a lot." They were probably better off trying to build something themselves. "And they might punish Zero... after the incident this morning and now this...?" Allison sighed.



>Affirmative. I can hear you.< Zero didn't speak, it could use the monitors here or just manifest something to mimic a voice, but Zero wasn't used to having one and wouldn't even know how it should sound. It simply sent messages directly to Sovereign as before.
>Voice stabilized.<
>Grid emulation still mostly broken.<
>Sovereign, do you want the grid to be repaired?<
>Sovereign will have more functionality and options.<
>Offering a virtual avatar as well.<

Zero pulled up some files it found in the old grid and the main grid, regarding Sovereign. It wanted to show Sovereign one picture in particular, one of Sovereign himself, at least Zero was pretty sure that was how he looked like at some point in time.

>Would this be appropriate?<

> Cybernetics Headquarters, Former Soul-Zero Cradle

“Wouldn’t that suggest I’m old enough to be your father, then? Well, I might have some wrinkles here and there, but I’m 33 years old, Dr. Frisk. I guess, if I had a child at age 6, that might just work.”, Morris retaliated, no venom or animosity present in that voice of his. If anything, he was amused by the statement, knowing fully well just how awkward something like that could be. An older sister, then? Why, it seemed plausible. “Not necessarily, no. I doubt they’ll clock that he’s missing from his usual spot either, or perhaps we ought to simply bring the empty tank back. Who knows, maybe it grew legs and walked off on its own.” That was a bullshit suggestion, sure, but some of upper management or command, why, they’d be stupid enough to believe it, perhaps - and besides, who cared for an old, soggy brain that was inebriated in some murky fluid? “A deal is a deal and I doubt they’d want to risk Zero’s emotional development. And even if they fire me, I have elsewhere to be, I’ve been in this field for ages. I’m confident, but you, Dr. Frisk, should hold onto what you have.” In the end, Morris would gladly take the fall if it meant he got to protect what he cared most dearly about. Was it Allison? Was it his research? Good question. “He’s a living artifact or maybe just a fossil, there’s a non-zero chance they might just terminate him, but that doesn’t seem right. Maybe they can use him, maybe we can put him in a spare - we’ll figure it out, but as it stands, we’re not clinical doctors in that sense, there’s no guarantee we’d even be able to do such a surgery. But perhaps, if we get him to work just fine, they’d feel inclined to leave him be as he is. I am fairly certain his existence can be a benefit to the entire company.”, Morris suggested with laughter. Oh, how sweet. “If anyone, they’ll punish me. I’m supposed to keep Zero in check and working as they want him to, and if they harm him again, they’ll pay.”

> This is odd. <

Being nothing but data would be to anyone - right now, even his tethers felt like they weren’t all there and there was nothing that kept him grounded, simply afloat. Where was this leading him? Precarious as ever, it seemed, it would force him to wander south, into Zeros arms, if there were such things.

> Saying no possesses no benefits, does it now? <
> If you think it to be imperative, feel free to. <

This guy knew more than him, a lot more, wasn’t that interesting? It was as if something had changed fundamentally overnight, or perhaps in all the time he slept. And suddenly, he saw again, with a flash of light - his own face, too. Huh?

> Now, where did you find that? <
> Either way, it’s my face, so I don’t see why it would not be. <

> Cybernetics Headquarters, Former Soul-Zero Cradle

"You're just so much wiser and knowledgable than me. Sure I have a doctor title too, but I mean... you are far more practical than me, Doctor.", Allison explained and once they finally reached their destination, carefully put the tank down somewhere it wasn't in the way for the moment. A big screen Zero used to use for communication lit up immedietly.

>I have lowered the temperature in this room to accomodate Sovereign.<
>I suggest not telling anyone if it could lead to your contracts termination, Dr. Fowler.<

"I agree Zero, see Dr. Fowler?", she sighed deeply. She looked around the room to find their necessary tools. When Zero was still in here, Allison hadn't been on board yet, but she theoreitcally learned in school how to keep a brain in a jar alive.

>Sovereign is doing good.<
>He adjusted quickly to the new environment.<

"Do you really think Sovereign wants to work for them?", Allison asked Dr. Fowler.

>Data of Sovereigns existence has been removed from the main grid.<
>Reemergence could peak the interest of younger command members, or fear of those who know of him.<
>Doctor, your concern for me is appreciated.<
>However, both of you have limited say in my overall development.<

"And they might not call it punishment, but they could reprogramm his AI interface, limiting him, or shutting him down outside use completely..."

>Those are possibilities.<



>Odd?<, Zero asked Sovereign confused. What was?
>It is not necessary, yet you might feel more comfortable.<

Zero kept Sovereign in check, made sure he was okay and not in any pain. This worked out far better than Zero calculated, which was a good thing. It's mind split between what happened in the real world and in here, Zero wasn't sure if it did the right thing. On one hand saving Sovereign seemed like the right option, on the other Dr. Fowler and Dr. Frisk talked about Zeros hidden talents and free will as if it could be something bad, even though not in their eyes. There was a reason it's instincts told Zero not to tell anyone about it before, but also, no one asked.

>I crossreferenced the data I copied over from your old grid and gathered all documents that relate to you. Even though your name and model is deleted from most, entities mentioned or crossreferenced let me filter out what remains in the main grid. This picture was found in the Souls database.<

With that explained Zero modelled a virtual Avatar for Sovereign to attach to. In theory, he didn't have to walk, more, talk or see in this space, it was all just data after all and Zero saw it as such, but Sovereign was a much older model and maybe it wasn't as easy. Zero could also model this place to his liking, there were endless possibilities. Zero himself didn't get a body in here and rather spoke to Sovereign like it sat directly in his brain.

>I added a window on the left side.<
>If you step closer it will provide a direct feed to a monitor in your brains current location.<
>You can use it to speak to Dr. Fowler and Dr. Frisk, if you wish to do so.<
>It will also loop the room cameras footage back to you.<

> Cybernetics Headquarters, Former Soul-Zero Cradle

“These things take time. You’ll just need a bit more experience and you’ll be quite the asset yourself.”, Morris fathomed. Allison might just become someone that others needed, someone that could keep this whole place more than just afloat and until then, he was happy to support her, every step of the way. Who knew that being everywhere and nowhere at the same time came with so many interesting developments anyway? So much happened and most of it simply because they’d let Zero do what he wanted - what a fellow. “Thank you, Zero - it is a bit chilly in here, now that you mention it.” At least they had brought the tank here and it seemed as if everything was working just fine - not that Zero was currently reporting any problems. “I get you two, I really do, but even if it’s wrong to not do what’s morally right, we’ll see what he’ll have to say about it. And we should inform him of the risks. In the end it’s not just our decision.”, he made clear. This was going to be difficult, especially if they expected someone like Sovereign to understand and make a just decision - he had been human once and years of abandonment, they probably jaded him as well. How would he want to get out of this?

Morris rubbed his temples and hurried after Allison to give her a hand with the tools she ought to need - this was shaping up to be quite difficult either way. Where was any of this supposed to lead? Their own downfall would be imminent if they did nothing, so this proved to be quite tricky for sure. “We’ll figure something out. For now, the three of us will just act like they haven’t seen or done anything, agreed? Not until we’re sure that it won’t affect any of us negatively.”, he decided, finally swayed by both of their behests. Morris brought the fluid packs back to the desk, now that he had them - taking a look over a brain in that water was hard, which meant - now that at least the data portion was over - they ought to get the physical components settled. Allison was just right for the job, Morris figured, given that he had little experience with it.

> Yes, or as you’d perhaps say it, affirmative. <, Sovereign wasn’t sure if he had a voice either, given his vocal cords and other fleshy parts had long been discarded, aside from his brain.

> Then I don’t see why not. <

Were they checking him into a retirement home? Now that he could think more clearly and wasn’t slated for imminent doom, nothing seemed impossible to him. These could be his last confines until his human brain started to rot, to decompose - and yet, Sovereign knew better than that. Eternal rest wasn’t just a phrase, even if the project had failed.

> That still exists? The picture, I mean. That has to be incredibly old. Not that it matters. <

What maniac kept these things around? Someone that clearly needed to document every single thing that ever happened, it seemed - what an unwelcome surprise. Still, he had a body of his own now, even if it was simply data, and even as he looked at hands that he hadn’t had in ages, he seemed to be in awe. Technical advancements were amazing.

> It’s like looking out, then? <
> I guess it’s worth a try if you’re already providing me with so much more than I have ever expected to receive again. <
> You have my thanks. <

Sovereign stepped to the window he had been directed toward, those new eyes of his quite sharp as he peered out - he saw the room outside of his experimental fishbowl quite clearly, as well as himself, or rather the component that was still very human and quite squishy; it didn’t look that great, not from here, but that could probably be related to its age and the fact nobody had touched that tank in forever.

> So, that’s Dr. Fowler and Dr. Frisk, in the flesh? And that’s me … where are you, Zero? Physically elsewhere? <

The question was easily audible for anyone, which caused Morris to look up at the monitor and back at the unfamiliar but familiar face that was peering at him. “Huh?” That was Sovereign? No, that wasn’t right, that face was …

“Sovereign, is that your face?”

> As Zero would say, affirmative. It’s quite impressive, considering the age of the reference he had, and even if this is all just data, having a body is unfamiliar. <

Morris was still staring. “Um, Dr. Frisk. Can you look at the monitor? Am I being senile or is that Novas face? Well, not entirely, but it does look like it, right?”

> Cybernetics Headquarters, Former Soul-Zero Cradle

"Good.", Allison answered Dr. Fowler and then tried to remember her internship times at the ER. Overall exchainging the fluids shouldn't be too hard and Zero was here too to help them out. They needed a pump, or better yet a new container overall, but moving the brain would be tricky. "Zero, do you think we can move Sovereigns brain over to a different tank? I fear that the liquid will remain dirty in there and I'm also not sure how it'll hold up."

>Suggestion to wait.<
>Brains condition still fragile.<
>I suggest you try that tomorrow Dr. Frisk.<

"Alright, you're right. It might put him through too much strain. A pump then and..."

>Tools in here won't fit Sovereigns tank.<

"I'll have to improvise then." Allison gathered some tools and started to tinker while she told Dr. Fowler what she needed.

Zero was focusing on Sovereign again.

>There are more documents referencing you too.<, it told Sovereign. Multiple documents, but more about the researchers who built him. There was nothing about Sovereign himself or the man he used to be, or the project overall, not much anyway.

>Yes, like looking out.<

Sovereign did step to the window, looking at the people who just saved him.

>My body is currently charging in my designated room.<
>My body would have been too big for those narrow halls too.<
Zero made the effort and pulled up a picture of its own metal body, if Sovereign wished to see it. Zero didn't have a face yet, not a finished one and it didn't feel like it belonged to his body either. Not even the metal carcuss felt like it, it was just a means of transport in a way.

Meanwhile Dr. Fowler looked up at the screen while Dr. Frisk was still busy preparing a pump and an attachement that would fit the ancient tank. "Huh?", she asked looking up as well. Zero didn't make any mistakes, so this had to be right. "It does look a bit like him, doesn't it?" A bit? A whole lot.

>Resemblance between Soul-IV/888, Soul-X/12 and what is currently planned for Soul-Zero is apparent.< Zero pulled up the picture used for Sovereigns current look, Novas case file and the drafts that were done for Zeros own human face, which was even in place, it was just not functional for now.

>I cannot find any records explaining it. Soul-X/12 was born, however. Considering Soul-IV/888s age and human past, them being related is a possibility.<
>Sovereign, did you have children?<

> Cybernetics Headquarters, Former Soul-Zero Cradle

Morris was fine with being tasked as Allison’s handyman - she had the expertise and thus the upper hand in that kind of field, which also meant that he was the assistant here, didn’t it? For some reason, he thought that to be almost relaxing and yet, he wasn’t sure if he ever wanted to be anyones assistant ever again - oh, how the tides turned. Transfixed by the screen just earlier, he was mulling about the obvious results he’d gotten. In the end, they all looked like Nova, wait, no - they looked like Sovereign, then? Zero was supposed to as well? Who had come up with that weird idea?

> Referencing me? That is peculiar. <
> Is there any possibility to see them for myself? <, Sovereign demanded, curious himself. If those were old documents that he knew himself they didn’t hold much mystique but if they were anything new from the past 20 years, then he wanted to know everything there was to know about his predicament. Had there been anything he’d missed? Sovereign knew he’d pilfered through most of the content that pertained to his life meticulously for years, to the point he’d believed he was going mad. Had he? His continued existence seemed to he proof that it wasn’t so.

> Too big? <
> Just how big are you? <

Holy shit.

> You are gigantic. <

Sovereign remembered being reasonably tall, unless they took off his legs for some maintenance or he simply didn’t feel like walking on some rusting iron stilts - he remembered the peculiar ache, the excruciating pain and eventually, the numbness that followed as his nerves had started crumbling. Right here, right now, he felt at peace - there was no ache, no problem with his body, not when it was condensed down to one thing, something Dr. Frisk seemed to be dealing with.

“Yeah, I’d say it does.”, Morris responded, perturbed by the incident - he blinked at Sovereign, who blinked back in confusion as he seemed to notice that something was up. Then, he heard what Zero said and was even more confused. “You too? I haven’t seen those drafts!” That was disastrous! Not that it mattered to the higher ups, but Morris knew where it would matter - Nova had his reservations about this entire thing, he just never said it, but Morris knew they all did. If they replaced him with someone that had a face like his, he’d undoubtedly…

“Born? I mean, yes, that’s the gist of it, but how does it make you feel to have what might as well be someone elses face, Zero?” He swallowed. That didn’t go unnoticed for sure.

> Negative. <
> Well, not one-hundred percent, but all that I loved died before I became a Soul and I wasn’t one to sleep around. <

There was palpable silence, which made Sovereign raise an eyebrow - was someone concerned with who got who’s face? That seemed silly and like a waste of perfectly fine air. He peered at him and his lookalikes, though, he figured them to be distinct, even if the resemblance was more than just that of an offspring or something succinct like that.

> More importantly, why is it my face? <
> It’s not like anyone was terribly attached to me and the last time I outperformed anyone was years ago. <
> Commemorating me like this would seem silly and as you said … wait, what about you then, Zero? Aren’t you human too? <

> Cybernetics Headquarters, Former Soul-Zero Cradle

Zero sent some files over to Sovereign. It didn't see an issue sharing this information as Sovereign was currently confined. There was nothing he could leak to anyone and he wouldn't know who to either judging by his age.

> Soul-Zeros body is equipped for fighting. Size helps considerably as well as weight.< That was clear and the only reason it looked like it did. Dr. Fowlers question was confusing however and there was a slight delay.

>I don't feel anything about it.<
> That face isn't mine. I have no face. <
> Possibility that people respond well to this face and therefor it is used for Souls to form a connection with the population more easily. My general design is based on efficiency, if this face is efficient, I will take it on.<

Zero focused on Sovereign again, who seemed confused about this revelation as well. Considering that Sovereign once was human and hadn't mentioned that his face changed during the project, it was fair to assume that he was the origin of this particular look. Or maybe he was chosen because of his looks. Zero used some of his processing power to dig while they talked.

> Possibility Soereign was chosen as a test subject because of his looks.<
> You might not be the origin.<
> I am searching the database for more references.<

Now to answer Sovereigns question, but it wasn't that easy.

> The brain controlling this machine was once born into a human body, but only for a short time. <
> Any face I am given is not biological, nor does it ressemble how the brains owner would have looked like. <
> Soul-Zeros personality is also not the brains alone. <
> This being is supported by an AI interface. <
> I feel that the human brain, the interface and the basic electronics that support my minds survival are all party of myself. <
> Conclusion: I am only partly human. <

> Cybernetics Headquarters, Former Soul-Zero Cradle

Silence befell the ongoing conversation as Morris was harking over what Allison was doing but lending the two Souls an open ear, in case they needed it, while at the same time he somewhat felt like an intruder into a sacred practice of two participants, one unwilling in hindsight and the other not wise enough to be aware of what had actually happened to him. In reality, this was like bringing a lamb to the slaughter, wasn't it? One could argue, if gods still were anything to be afraid of, that Zero had been something to appease one of them with, that his existence wasn't cursed but wanted by those that were responsible for the inner machinations of this world, and yet, at the same time, maybe if he thought for himself for a second, without that AI assisting him ... no, Morris didn't care. In fact, his employer kept his roof over his head - this base - and also paid him more than he could ever ask for.

> Affirmative. That does make sense. Thank you for the in-depth analysis of your components. < The old machine seemed, at times, to be almost entertained by the literal toddler it interacted with, but it neither laughed nor cried, stuck in the apex of disbelief that he was able to interact with anyone right now in the first place, seemingly.

"Efficient? Hm, I'm not sure I would call a handsome face efficient, but I guess trustworthy ... and besides, I don't think either of you three would really wear it the same, anyway.", Morris suddenly made clear, without even having seen the old man scowl at him in the first place - Sovereign was that, wasn't he? An old, decrepit man past his prime, kept alive by fluid and bolts and dreams of a long gone scientist and his team. Humans were odd, and yet, Morris wondered if he'd do the same for the likes of Zero the moment he felt too attached to him. "Also, Zero, you might not have a face, not right now anyway, but you have one. Don't worry about it, though." It was a bit harrowing to think about, still.

Sovereign, on the other hand, seemed to be less interested in Morris the longer him and Zero talked, maybe because he knew that whatever the man said had to be hogwash, or because it was easier to ignore the truth of it all for his own biased, self-contained opinion that had been stirring in his breaking brain for the past few decades that he'd sat there. Only a brain, no heart, but plenty of time to think about in whatever stasis he had found himself in. In fact, maybe he'd even believed himself to be dead - who could say at this point, when his own synapses were shredded to bits?

> References? You're peculiar, Zero. <
> I have no idea how to feel about this. <
> Or if I want to feel anything about it. <

Again, silence permeated the digital air that felt ladden with questions and yet stale, almost stagnant, from what it had been not too long ago. This, too, was punishment for treachery as his own mind was finally being challenged to work yet again, after what felt like thousands of years of mandatory sleep that he had called upon.

> Ah? <

What a confusing fella Soul-Zero was.

> Conclusion: Still human enough. <
> Were you made to endure suffering or to dish out suffering? <
> Either way, don't let it get to you. <
> You are you. You have choices to make. <

> Cybernetics Headquarters, Former Soul-Zero Cradle

>Are you calling us handsome, Dr. Fowler?< Zero asked, despite not having a real understanding of that word. There was nothing and no one Zero would describe as handsome. The parameters eluded it, there was no clear explanation of what made a face so, though this model could oick out a few things most humans found unattractive at least, like crooked teeth for example. That said, Sovereign had some peculiar teeth, but those too maybe were efficient for something.

>Are you prefering to see a face when speaking to me?<, Zero asked, though he had suspected it before, especially from Dr. Frisk. Usually they communicated via text only, but right now he was already generating a model of Soveriegn, so he could do the same for himself, which he did with the parameters set for his face in his file. They looked similar, but not undistinquishable. Sovereign looked older, it made sense considering he was of some age already when he entered into the project that made him who he was. Zeros face looked the same age as Novas, but his hair was different, almost shimmerin and less of a grey-ish white like Novas. Additionally Nova had an eye replaced with a mechanical one which resulted in a different color, while Zero had no need for any modifications given that its face was only for show. Apparently Zero was considered male as well, it never thought about it before. Now he stood there next to Sovereign as if they were looking out of a window. Zeros body was pretty much built as well and again it referenced it now, with some clothes however, which seemed more appropriate. Zeri decided to copy what Dr. Fowler was usually wearing minus the lab coat and in appropriate size.

>I can stop searching if you prefer.<, he offered to Sovereign. If he didn't want to know, Zero wouldn't press him.
>Sovereign, what do you want to do, now that you are here.< Back alive almost. His options were limited however.

>I can feel pain, but even though I would feel damage to my hull so I am aware of it, it would not hurt me or hinder my performance.<
>If I had to choose one of these options, I would say I was made to dish out suffering.<
>More accurately I was designed to keep the mutants on the street at bay and defend the company and its interests.<
>The conflict between Cybernetic Inc. and BioForge has only escalated since your discontinuation, although the war is fought less openly.<
>Currently I am trying to learn how much I should work outside of my paremeters.<
>My first mission was considered a failure.<
>Following instructions completely seemed not what they expected me to do.<
>That and the fact that Dr. Fowler and Dr. Frisk are having a different opinion on the matter is quite confusing.<

> Cybernetics Headquarters, Former Soul-Zero Cradle

"Hah?", Morris looked up upon being asked a question he didn't think he'd receive. He had stated the obvious - all of the lifeforms that Cybernetics Inc. created were, in fact, handsome or pretty to a fault, to appeal to an audience that needed saving and would, at best, not even remember what dashing hunk of metal had saved them, and yet. "I was stating an universal fact, but I guess you don't look half-bad." Not what he'd go for, no, he'd probably only see Nova if he kept looking for too long and that, in itself, would feel like he was looking at something that he vaguely would be willing to consider family, as weird as it sounded. Was that weird?

"I'm fine either way, I've talked to humans without faces and robots with faces, and the other way around, or half of either, won't illicit some sort of reaction from me. Zero, you're free to express yourself as you please, as long as it is approriate, really." And if Dr. Frisk was on his side, she'd perhaps allow for the same to be, yet, he already knew that she enjoyed having a face to talk to - to make these people even more human in her minds eye, and that was fine, too. Morris wasn't perturbed by the irregularities in anyones behavior anymore, much less was he so selfabsorbed that he couldn't simply imagine one of them to be what they were meant to be, but he knew that all of them worked rather differently, and there was nothing wrong with that. To come in all shapes and colors was, in fact, important in his line of work. And yet, when he diverted his attention to the screen for just a second, he couldn't help but snort in amusement - Zero was the most peculiar of them all.

> I don't mind, feel free to go ahead. <
> That ... is a good question. Am I required to do anything? I feel that, were my continued existence revealed, I'd most likely be treated like trash, leaving your efforts in vain. <

Sovereign knew that the rest of them, likely, thought the same as well. There was no way out of this, and that was fine. He'd been like this all his life, and the same song and dance repeated time and time again, as long as both these companies existed and persisted in their stupor, in the same song and dance that they always seemingly got ahold of, while everything else around them crumbled to fine dust, at the behest of their subjects and all those that had supported them, back in their own infancy.

As he was given digital flesh, he gazed upon what Zero looked like, for once, and regarded that their faces bore familiarities, and yet, they failed to be the same - they weren't a carbon copy of one another, and all the little changes sprinkled around Zero were enough to keep him on his toes. Yet, he was tall, and yet, he seemed so unmoving and steadfast - Sovereign knew they'd have killed for a man like that, and thus they did, took those that couldn't fend for themselves, the ones that wouldn't be missed, the ones that would never remember what it was to be human, just to run around and spread their ideologies, like an obsessed priest that knew nothing but the pain of being his one true gods martyr.

> You are lucky to feel pain, at the very least. But tell me, is it pain, or is it what they would want you to think pain is? <
> Do you have nerves? Pain receptors? Do you know what the wind feels like, or is it all just realized data? <
> I see. But is that the truth? <
> ... Ah. <

All of that information seemed to be the cause of a grimace on Sovereigns face, yet, it was replaced by a smile that couldn't reach toward his eyes - the pain he currently felt was purely emotional, if only in the cirtual datascape that they made his home for the time being, as his brain was stopped from corroding before everyones very eyes. How long until he was done for?

> What is your opinion, then? <
> To be raised a machine and to be expected to think like a human is cruel, surely. <
> Do you require unbiased assistance, then? Seeing as both your caretakers seem to be ... branching, in their opinions. <
> I may be old, but I'm not stupid. <

> Cybernetics Headquarters, Former Soul-Zero Cradle

"I think Zero looks rather dashing. I'm looking forward to seeing your face in person.", Allison smiled coming back with something she thought up, but apparently she wasn't quite happy with her work or the fact that it seemed a bad timing to do it. She couldn't test it either, only tomorrow when Sovereigns brain recovered and wouldn't be as easily disturbed. Dr. Fowler meanwhile didn't seem to have a problem with seeing anyones humanity and thus face or not didn't matter much. For Zero it seemed to be a privilege to have one, but it'd have to learn how to properly use it as well as the rest of his so to speak second body.

"It was Zero who found you.", Allison mused over Sovereigns question. She didn't want him to die or be thrown back into a pile of trash but they were all aware, that he wasn't supposed to be here.
>Are you saying I have a say in this?<, Zero asked.
"Well, I think he is somewhat of your responsibility now, you know? But we will help of course, isn't that right Dr. Fowler?"
Zero was a bit overwhelmed with this so called responsibility. It barely had a say over its own life after all.
>...< Zeros digital face didn't mirror any of its emotions, it didn't know yet how to translate any of it, which was additionally made harder by the fact that Zero couldn't name what it felt.
>Well I think Sovereign might not be able to wander the halls, but if he wanted a new body, I would like to arange one.< It seemed important to most, not so much to Zero, it almost felt better where it was now. Moving the chunk of metal that was Zeros body was usually considered work.

>I am afraid I can't answer that question. There is little left of my body that could feel any sort of pain, however I can feel strong electrical impulses that will activate the parts in my brain processing pain. I was punished with it before, though Dr. Fowler doesn't support these methods.<

>The brain itself doesn't feel pain, so even if you were to uncover my human parts, you most likely couldn't do much, however I have nerves still connected to my brain that grew into synthetic ones which then were extended to reach all needed parts of my synthetic body. Were you to disturb them, I assume I would feel pain, but they are deeply integrated into my metal body at this point and my brain is connected to it as if I was born with it, it is not removable anymore. My nerve connections are limited to necessary functions. I have sensors with which I can translate smells, or the wind, but I doubt they translate to the capabilities of a human body.<

>My design purpose is very clear, yet I was only deployed once so far and the other scientists don't agree with Dr. Fowlers direction, yet they are afraid that Souls will continue to go mad as they did in the past. Model Soul IX is the first model that was introduced with a human father figure - Dr. Fowler - in place and has thus not shown any signs of mental illness, which is why his success cannot be denied as of now.<

>I think by helping you I already worked outside of my parameters and given Dr. Frisks and Dr. Fowlers surprise, I think I wasn't supposed to leave the digital space assigned to me either. However, we established that anyone else in the company would probably not appreciate me meddling with you. I am unsure if I should do what I think is right, or do what I am told and if the second, whom to listen to. I am already listening to Dr. Fowler and Dr. Frisk and I believe that they approve my recent actions.<

>I cannot comment on the cruelty of things. I am what I am and I don't feel positively or negatively about it.<

>Processing what had happened on my first mission, I do think I failed, as such I don't agree with Dr. Fowler and Dr. Frisk. The interpretation of my parameters were open, but on a larger scale, a human baby could have consequences for both companies who rely upon the peoples need to consult either party to produce offspring. Even if I were to side with Dr. Fowler, the human baby I found most likely died shortly after I left with no one to take care of it and nothing to save it if the structural integrity around it was further compromised. In that I should have brought it to savety, neither of which I did.<

>I will listen to your analysis of the situation however.<

>Do you require further information to make your assessement?<

> Cybernetics Headquarters, Former Soul-Zero Cradle

"Do you now? I guess I'll keep that in mind.", Morris chided Allison with a slight snort - he wasn't always interested in indulging in jokes or making light of a situation, it just fit. When was the last time they had had time to be a bit less serious, anyway? As far as he could recall, it had to be quite a while ago, maybe months at this point, while Zero had been more of a blueprint than an actual living, - theoretically - breathing being that needed constant care to foster understanding of the subtle nuances of human nature. All those sleepless nights, spent fine-tuning and ironing out the bigger kinks in the AI and the human brain beneath all those layers had, eventually, borne fruit which stood in front of them right now. Calling him handsome was one thing; Morris wanted his personality to be what he was remembered for and not his looks, though.

Morris was happy to not be part of this conversation before it would turn awkward, actually, and in hindsight, he would have been happy if Allison herself found it in her best interest not to make either of the two implicated men too reliant on one anothers opinion, and yet, he was thrust right into this quirky banter about many more things than just the mundane. Was he supposed to pull away, to force this conversation to end? Surely, he had been enough of a samaritan for the time being, and too much attention wouldn't help someone like Sovereign recover, and yet, his own mind made somersaults at the thought of studying Zeros reaction, if only for a few more minutes.

"I ...", he sputtered, taken aback by the attention and responsibilities being thrust back onto him. Right. He was still Allison's superior and without his agreement, her word was almost naught - a deep sigh rippled through the air as his head hung low and his shoulders went slack for a moment; Morris accepted defeat at the hands of the two enthusiasts in front of him and began to wonder just how much of Allison's friendly attitude had really been woven into Zero's synapses and cords. "Fine." Was this all just a test, to prove his own loyalty? No, as corrupt as any of these companies were, this was too much money spent on a single person with no tangible result to show for it. "But." Morris looked up. "If this thing goes south, and I'll take the fall for it, you have to stop entertaining every possibility in the future, alright? Honoring the dead is one thing, but sustaining their undying brain is another, let alone granting them a second body to potentially wreak havoc with." And how would they do that? Who was going to overwrite those protocols anyway?

> I doubt anyone would be opposed to a body, metal or flesh, it matters not. <
> And that is alright, you already tried your best to answer what I demanded of you - as much was expected, of both you and your doctor over there. <

To Sovereign, both these men were children - one quite literally, with no chance to know what childhood even was, and the other, well, he was about half as old as he had to be at this point, if not younger than that. The years of grueling clinical work and the ever-repeating sleuth of failure after failure seemed to have taken his toll on that man that Zero called Doctor Fowler either way; people like him were supposed to age gracefully, but all Sovereign saw was a defeated man, forcing himself to keep it together - even without pupils to really perceive anyone, or a functioning brain to process the onslaught of information he was spoonfed by what outclassed those before him, himself, and those that came after him. The apex of humanity.

> Your design is ... saddening and sickening, and while you may not understand the reason for that just yet, it will come to you in due time. Zero, as much as I admire you, I pity you, likewise, and I do not mean to demean you with these words. You simply were dealt a hand of cards called fate that I would wish upon nobody, and yet, you endure it without knowing better. This will change, eventually. <

This was a tale as old as time - as soon as a machine drank from the fountain of life, the one which granted it sentience instead of the flesh it sought, it went rabid, clawing away at the sheen of its metallic body, like an animal, trapped in a cage, trying to escape from the sense of impending doom that had gotten ahold of it. In other words, the snare of mortality wrapped around their necks, pulled taut, as dread - the fear of death - settled into something that ought to be immortal, if only it preserved its cords and hydraulics instead of rebelling against its very wiring.

> I don't require further information, no. Thank you, Zero. <

> Alas, I don't think you failed, either. Your calculations are lacking an element of absurdity, one which is attributed to those willing to rebell against the system in place. Humans are a factor you'll have considered, surely, but don't you think the assumption that only you could have saved the infant by bringing it here, of all places, is somewhat biased in favor of your own capabilities? <

Human or not, Sovereign was surely an old man, much more interested in his own opinions on things than anyone elses, at any point in time. Was that why nobody liked to spend time with him, way back when? Or was it the fact that he was so damn conceited? Sovereign didn't even care now, he hadn't in years, not when his mind had been occupied by different things.

> What do you deem safe? This place? Your ... employer, your creator? I think it would have been more of a failure to bring it here than anything, truly. If you did, they might have ended up as you have, and an existence like yours is something I, once again, wish upon no one. Not that you cannot make it your own ... you're simply lacking some of the joys in life that you only ever miss once you aren't able to experience them anymore. This might mean nothing, at present anyway, but you'll learn about it soon enough, little Zero. <

> I've said my piece. <
> I am tired. <

> Cybernetics Headquarters, Former Soul-Zero Cradle

"What for?", Allison quickly answered, although she wasn't truly worried Dr. Fowler would have any malicious intentions. Even if he made jokes sometimes, he wasn't even a prankster or someone reminding others of their shortcomings. "We won't let that happen. Besides, for now we should focus on saving his brain. Zero you said yourself it isn't in good condition. I'll think something up tomorrow, I am sure with what we have in here, I can build a suitable pump and we'll need to get some fresh fluid..." Today it was already way too late, Allison had been ready for bed when Zero called her and since then at least an hour had passed. There were so many things they learned about Zero today too. Maybe Dr. Fowler and her should sit down tomorrow and discuss all that has happened here. Zero having a will of his own, him not being confined to his room and body despite certain things in place and the fact that he was able to loop back security footage too. This were all things a brain like his were somewhat expected to do, but nobody expected to lose control over him like that, especially not that quickly. Sovereign was somewhat the least of their problems in this situation, but she didn't want to say anything about it in front of Zero.

Sovereign kept talking to Zero, inciting somewhat of an existential crisis if Zero understood any of that. They were never quite able to tell what he felt, even now when he had a face, it didn't move much, besides his mouth opening and closing when he talked. It was somewhat uncanny.

>I am not human. My brain did not develop the same. I was designed, not born. I understand your reasoning. I do not agree.< Yes Zeros brain was born into a human body and was also very much human, but none of it was natural. Zero didn't see itself as human, it saw itself as a weapon, a tool.

>Negative. I did consider the possibilities. I did report them to the authorities as well. The chances of that child being saved by anyone in time lay at 0.00000001%. Reasoning: The child suffered trauma from the building collapsing, there were no other entities present in a radius of five kilometers, if other rebel cells knew about it, they would have concluded it was dead too, sending in rescue parties unlikely, company present with new technology, even regular Souls are a threat. Conclusion: Zero was it's best chance. Possibilities endless. I could have done something, but I did not choose either path.<

>Example. Possibilities to hide it as I hide Sovereign and Sovereigns transportation, whether inside company grounds or elsewhere.<

>Sovereign underestimates Zeros capability to think outside of company doctrine."
>Sovereign also...< Zero stopped talking and Allison jumped right into their conversation.

"Sovereign seems tired, maybe we should let him rest, you too Zero. He needs to recover."

>...<
>Understood.<

Zero probably knew this himself and yet he seemed interested in this conversation and outside perspective, but at the same time Allison couldn't be sure what was going on in that brain of his. Was he effected by Sovereigns statement? Overall she wasn't so sure if the two of them should talk at all. Sovereign had to rest, but Allison just felt like she had to protect Zero from his opinions, or it would maybe cause trouble. Dr. Fowler in the meantime seemed glued to that conversation, but silent.

>Dr. Fowler and Dr. Frisk should sleep too.<
>I will rest as well.<

Nonchalantly Zero vanished from the screen, probably resting his brain as well. Or that was what Allison thought, but they couldn't be sure as they found out today. They thought he was doing that the whole evening anyway, but turns out he wasn't. Zero wasn't big on social cues either, but this end seemed somewhat sudden, or Allison was projecting again, like Dr. Fowler told her so often.

> Cybernetics Headquarters, Former Soul-Zero Cradle

A flicker of the screen later and Zero was gone, and with him, even Sovereign seemed to have decided to pull the power on the screen itself, in some way, to give himself - itself? - some rest. Morris wasn't sure what it was going to accomplish to leave these two to their own devices, but prodding a hibernating bear, so to speak, would have consequences and he himself, well, he needed a cigarette, a shower, then some mouthwash and then a good night's rest, which he was fairly aware of likely not getting tonight, given the situation and hot water both him and Allison had gotten themselves into over this. What if someone discovered what they had done here today? Well, he'd be rid of his job, that much was for certain, but he didn't want to think about that when he cared very little about it in the first place - Allison would be the one that would likely take the brunt of it, because of course she would; blaming him, blaming Dr. Fowler first, had always been something that nobody was daring enough to do and then, once Dr. Frisk had entered the level plain field, she was always to blame for everything, in everyones eyes. Morris scoffed at the mere thought of any further treatment regarding her and then rummaged through his lab coats pockets, finding a few miscalleanous things like trinkets, candies and crumpled notes - he fished for one of the candies and handed it over to Allison.

"Don't let that stuff get to you now. We'll figure it out come tomorrow, and now, let's get out of here, before someone starts asking questions I haven't made up answers for yet.", he told her and, as was probably what Sovereign wanted, pulled her out of the room, locking the door behind him as he ought to - nobody used it right now anyhow - and walking down the hall with her, until they hit the bedroom quarters of the scientists that lived here, for better or for worse. Going home was a concept that, even for someone like him, didn't exist anymore and either it was for better, or for worse, that it happened this way. Whatever the case, Morris was just happy to get his ass out of the stuffy coat for the day and sit back, smoke some, and then, for real, try to get some shuteye, by any means necessary, be it the nicotine that he allowed himself to have some of, or something else entirely. Whatever, right? "You look pretty glum, what's on your mind?" They could go elsewhere, sure, but Morris hated the rumors that tended to crop up if they did, then again, this topic was ill-suited for a hallway, of all things.