The soldiers in front of the hangar received news that the warp drive had been successfully completed through a broadcast on the ship right after the warp drive was activated. They promptly opened the door and entered.
A huge rubber net for emergency landing was installed inside the hangar, and a newly developed robot, which looked like freshly caught fish hanging at a height of about 30 meters, was there.
The hangar was in such a mess that nothing seemed to be properly placed inside, and those who had just entered the hangar stared at the robot hanging in the net with a dazed expression.
“Ouch…”
Turning towards the voice from the corner, Klugger revealed himself from under the collapsed pile wearing a helmet. Soon after, he took off his helmet, shook off the dust from his clothes, untied the cord connected to the suit, and walked towards the robot hanging in the net.
“What a close call.”
Teo, who opened and closed the emergency ejection door in time for the robots piloted by Siera, A, and Ati to enter, sighed in relief after confirming their successful entry.
“There’s no avoiding punishment.”
Calculating the number of military laws he had violated in a short time, Teo smiled despite the violations because the three people had successfully returned.
“Did they make it?”
“Hey! Don’t move!”
Rushing quickly into the ship’s interior and getting caught in the net, the interior shook violently, and the three were entangled to the point where they didn’t know where their arms and legs were in the cockpit.
It wasn’t surprising if something went wrong anywhere or anytime during the test. The camera, which could check the outside, was turned off due to the strong impact spreading throughout the robot when it entered the interior.
Siera immediately reached for the control panel and turned on the camera to check the outside scenery, and only then did she feel relieved seeing her colleagues staring at the robot hanging in the net.
“Luckily, they made it back successfully.”
“Got it, just get down!”
Relieved, A released the tension in his body and opened the cockpit door wide open, and A, who was leaning against the entrance, fell out as soon as the door opened.
“Aah!”
“!”
Surprised that A would fall immediately, Siera was startled, and just before A fell, Ati stretched out his hand to grab A’s leg.
“Wow, you almost smashed your head open just by falling.”
“Why do you preach so much to me, but when your senior is in danger, what should I do?”
“…That’s true.”
Although the situation was not entirely reassuring and funny, A did not refute Ati’s comment and laughed softly while floating in the air, holding onto Ati’s hand, and began to worry about the future when he saw the armed soldiers entering the hangar.
Soon after, A, Klugger, and Teo were punished for violating military law. Although they did not receive legal penalties because they did not cause an accident, they did face certain punishments for violating some military laws.
Especially, A was punished more severely for striking Balutor, assaulting a superior; piloting Siera’s fighter jet without permission; and unauthorized departure while piloting the fighter jet.
Moreover, the fighter jet taken without being recovered was damaged, and responsibility was also questioned for the improper maintenance of Ati’s new robot.
Even though the error might have occurred on a day when A was not on duty, A, as the team leader of the first hangar, was responsible for accidents occurring within the hangar.
Regarding this, Teo, who had maintained Ati’s robot on the day, apologized to A several times. To avoid burdening Teo, who already felt heavy-hearted, A decided that both he, as the team leader, and Teo, who was responsible for the maintenance on that day, should bear the responsibility for the maintenance error.
Teo and Klugger were punished for assisting A in using equipment without permission. Fortunately, since Siera helped greatly by returning the robot that had been granted permission to launch, their punishment was relatively light compared to A’s.
A’s punishment included being dismissed from the position of team leader of the first hangar, restrictions on using Spacystro’s database, and a period of reprimand.
Despite breaking many laws, A was given a lighter sentence due to his success in bringing Ati back and his diligent work ethic, as judged by Esmeralda.
During the disciplinary committee proceedings, Esmeralda firmly stated the disciplinary matters to the three individuals, yet her eyes showed pride in them.
“That concludes the disciplinary committee for A, Klugger, and Teo.”
Upon her official announcement, the officials in the office went out, and the three sank into their chairs, exhaling deep sighs.
“Even though we received punishment, I can’t say ‘well done’…”
Approaching A, who had rushed into outer space, Esmeralda stared at him intently. Feeling her gaze fixed on him, A swallowed nervously and tensed up.
Klugger and Teo, who had been watching from the side, stood up abruptly and left the office, leaving A behind, who could only look at the closed door.
“A.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Responding loudly to the gentle call, Esmeralda stopped A from standing up by pressing on his shoulder and embraced him.
“Thank you for coming back safely.”
Esmeralda was grateful that her trusted subordinate, despite going to a dangerous place, was safe and sound in this seat. A awkwardly leaned into her embrace, feeling her shoulders trembling slightly, and cautiously spoke.
“I’m sorry.”
“…I understand.”
Still feeling Esmeralda was scary, A apologized for the unauthorized action, sensing her care for subordinates every time.
About a month later, due to the reprimand, A couldn’t go to the hangar or the combat information room and spent his time idly. Of course, during this time,
“Ai, change the channel.”
“No, you do it. Senior.”
A mostly spent time with Ai. After that day, Ai wanted to spend more time with A even more.
Gradually realizing that his return was near, or for another reason, A thought he should use this opportunity to thoroughly educate Ai. So, he made more time to be with her.
Of course, after spending a long time together, Ai no longer used polite speech with A, but it was better for A, who thought it was more comfortable to hear informal speech from fellow soldiers like Ai.
“You’re closer!”
“Your arm is longer!”
The two lay on the rug in front of the living room sofa in the same pose, thinking about changing the channel as they finished watching their drama. However, neither of them tried to reach the remote control, which was within easy reach.
“Let’s play rock-paper-scissors.”
“No, you change the channel. There’ll be ads!”
When the two didn’t even move their fingers and bickered, the door to A’s quarters opened, and Siera came in.
“Are you doing this again?!”
Siera was directly ordered by Esmeralda to pilot the test machine and rescue the two when the incident happened that day.
Though the test machine had many risk factors, Siera’s fighter jet was gone because A had taken it. Considering the effectiveness of rescuing the two people more effectively than a fighter jet, Esmeralda made the decision.
Siera successfully rescued the two and received a reward for the successful mission. While there weren’t any noticeable changes, her status as a pilot increased, and it was rumored among the team members that this might significantly influence her promotion in the future.
“Siera, come here. Could you change the channel?”
Approaching the two lying belly-down, Siera slapped their backs with her palms.
“Ah!”
“It hurts!”
Startled by the fierce smashing on their backs, the two stood up abruptly and rubbed their backs against the sofa to minimize the pain.
As time passed, A’s reprimand period ended, coinciding with Ai’s return.
In the first hangar, transport ships awaited Bioroids from the 6th fleet. After the formal event concluded, Ai bid farewell to her superiors.
A wandered around the hangar, which he hadn’t visited in a long time, giving advice to the team members, while Ai watched quietly after finishing her farewell with the superiors.
“Do you want me to call him?”
“No, it’s okay.”
The two had become much closer, finding it awkward to exchange formal farewells. Seeing A’s usual appearance after a long time, Ai recalled her first visit to this place.
Siera, who was assigned to escort duty until the transport ship activated the warp drive, stood beside Ai in her pilot suit. Seeing Ai’s gaze continually fixed on A, Siera sighed.
Feeling the gazes of both, A scratched his head and approached A and Siera hesitantly.
“Senior, can I ask one thing?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“…Why did you get angry on the day I said it wouldn’t matter if I died?”
The words A had said that day, “the only existence in this world,” remained in Ai’s heart. She understood the meaning but still couldn’t comprehend why A had said it.
“Of course, I got angry. Every day, you were following me timidly, learning various things, and suddenly saying you wouldn’t mind dying. Who wouldn’t get angry?”
“But now that I’m back, based on the data, I’ll become a monster, and my current self will disappear.”
This was the reason Ai couldn’t understand. Ultimately, her time in existence was limited. It made no sense to A why he would protect her existence at the cost of his own life.
“What do you mean by disappearing? Neither the traces of your existence nor the memories of you will vanish. So, when you become a monster and have free time, come visit me.”
Ai frowned, unsatisfied with the answer, and A smiled, stroking her head.
“As you live as a sure human, you’ll understand the meaning of my words.”
There would come a time when she would understand. Seeing A say this with confidence, Ai smiled, hoping for that moment to come.
“Senior, you’ve changed a lot since I first came.”
“You’ve changed much more than I have.”
The atmosphere between the two had changed significantly from when they first arrived. A had become less aggressive in his behavior, focusing more on educating Ai, and during the reprimand period, he enjoyed more laughter and joy than sulking.
Ai had transformed from a mechanical person absorbing information immediately upon arrival to someone with varied expressions and speech, showing a significant improvement.
“It’s time.”
Watching the two exchange greetings, Siera checked the departure time of the transport ship and exchanged final goodbyes with them.
“Senior, don’t forget me.”
“If you forget everything here, I’ll give you a beating.”
“You’ve beaten me a lot already.”
As if she wanted something, Ai couldn’t finish her last statement, and A noticed she had more to say, waiting for her to speak.
“Senior, can I take a picture?”
Knowing A didn’t like taking pictures, Ai reluctantly suggested taking a commemorative photo. Despite his initial reluctance, A stood next to her, knowing she wanted it.
“Let me warn you, a natural expression won’t come out.”
“!! Siera!”
Seeing A standing next to her with an awkward expression, Ai’s face lit up, and she called out to Siera loudly. Siera borrowed a Polaroid camera that Bioroids used to commemorate the end.
“Take the picture.”
A still had an awkward expression, making a V sign with his hand. Overjoyed that they could leave a memory with a single photograph, Ai smiled brightly.
The shutter clicked, and the photo printed immediately, showing the two standing side by side.
After completing the move, Ai headed toward the transport ship, waving to A who watched her from the entrance until the last moment.
After some time, the transport ship prepared for departure and left for outer space, activating the warp drive and disappearing from the spot.
“…Ugh! It’s over!”
Stretching her limbs energetically as if relieved from her educational duties, A headed towards her room.
Some time later, at the Bio-Roid Research Facility of the 21st Fleet’s 3rd Ship.
All personnel in the research facility were busy preparing for the final experiment on the Bio-Roids who had completed their final life training.
Bio-Roids were waiting in front of a transparent chamber for the final transformation into monsters, and Ai stood in her suit in front of it.
“Eighty-Six. Are you ready?”
“Yes, Doctor.”
The female researcher handling Ai examined various data on Ai through a holographic monitor.
“Looks like you had quite an eventful time?”
“Yes. I experienced many joyful things that cannot be compared to the experiences of previous entities.”
Seeing Ai’s much-improved expression compared to when she went for life training, the researcher smiled.
“I’ll just confirm your desired appearance one last time. Is this correct?”
She turned the holographic monitor to show Ai, who confirmed her final appearance through this experiment, smiled satisfactorily, and nodded.
“Yes. This is what I like.”
“I was surprised when you asked for this immediately, is there a reason?”
“…It resembles the appearance of someone who was called beautiful by Senior.”
Remembering the comment A made about the actress in the drama, Ai kept recalling that moment.
At the time, she thought, “Oh, I see.” But now, hoping to hear that compliment again when she sees A in a different form, she chose an appearance that blended her looks with the actress’s.
“Let’s check your name too.”
“This is correct.”
“Is your name related to Senior?”
“Senior enjoyed watching the lead actress in a drama.”
The female researcher, who had handled Ai for a long time, felt a slight jealousy towards the person Ai valued more than herself and was grateful for having changed Ai’s rigid attitude.
“Then let’s proceed.”
“Yes.”
Ai entered the large chamber, and soon, the liquid for the final experiment began to fill the chamber.
Ai knew that if she fell asleep and woke up, the time she lived as Ai would be like fragmented memories, feeling distant like someone else’s experience.
But if she ever wakes up and meets A,
If she encounters Senior again, I will surely remember Senior and have a joyful time again. Perhaps, it may not happen. In the future, I might never meet Senior again.
But while cherishing the life where Senior values me and tells me it’s precious, I will live my best, eagerly awaiting the day I might meet Senior again.
That’s what I learned from the people in Hangar 1 and Senior.
Thus, Ai closed her eyes inside the liquid-filled chamber. As she entered the final experiment, she had a smile on her lips even though her eyes were closed.
