84 – Love is not Freedom, but Restraint
“This way. Treatment is needed.”
“Ilia, the independent entity, your injuries -“
“Treatment for Taehyuk’s condition is needed more than mine.
I demand immediate means for transfer.”
Sparks flying from both arms, unable to keep the head still –
Finally, the android, rushing to my lover and pressing its ear against his heart, was observed by the scanners.
“Heartbeat is weakening. If shock from hemorrhage comes in the state of already lost consciousness -“
“Then isn’t it the disappearance of anyone who can restrain further?”
On the cold, rigid black stain, more drops of crimson were falling.
Gasping for air fiercely as if pumping, the one who now only managed to push the blood out with wide-opened mouth.
To cover any last warmth on my body, the machine desperately stained clothes and face with blood –
“Medical assistance, by my will, is requested.”
Rising again from the seat, spouting red light from the eyes once more.
Clear fingerprints on the cheek.
Like having tasted blood, a cheerful smile on the lips.
“This Taehyuk has sufficiently fulfilled his mission.
“You have survived, and he is prepared for his own death -“
“Are you ignoring the request for medical assistance?”
“I want you to know that you have the freedom to choose -“
“I have already decided. If Taehyuk’s vital signs cease, I will not hesitate to assume responsibility, using any means necessary.”
A moment of silence.
However, neither side moves, a standoff.
“Exclude emotional factors -“
“Taehyuk wanted to help me even at the risk of endangering his life because he loved me. Rational judgment cannot be considered in this situation. Even if it were, the only entity granting me exclusive authority is Taehyuk alone. No, I won’t explain any further. Transfer control to the medical droids.”
The robots, which had been emitting a yellow light, blinked in red and began to move.
One entity carrying a large container on its back opened it, taking out blood packs, while another quickly assembled syringes for transfusion.
“Painful – da… mna – l… it…”
Intermittently, the thin entity that had tried to shine yellow but was now coated in red again, forcefully injected various drugs into the body.
Groans of pain filled the corridor.
“Please survive. If you survive, you can help me correct my judgment error, please…”
Tools spewing a flickering flame appeared on the injured areas that seemed to ooze blood as if pouring a river into them.
The patient was unaware of what was about to happen to their body.
“I’m sorry. If only I had replaced the arm earlier, it’s because of my insistence…”
The machine, incapable of shedding tears, hesitated, unable to carry out the procedure.
This couldn’t be the place for amputation.
Therefore, the wounds had to be endured until they revealed bones.
Screams echoed on the battlefield.
Soldiers, if only clinging to life, immediately appeared with ‘replaced’ bodies, shattered from recent confrontations.
Miguel Dennis, who had just faced them, was also one of them,
Especially,
He had harshly modified himself…
“Lord Taehyuk, you must be in a lot of pain.
Please, I’m by your side -“
Cooking meat involves grilling the flesh of animals over fire.
…Human bodies were no different.
However, supporting a dead part and applying fire to a living one were distinct.
“Ah, stop, aaahhh!!!”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”
The unconscious body felt pain and convulsed.
But the machine’s arms, firmly holding it immobile, robbed it of the freedom to resist.
“Cough, pant, ugh…!”
The blood-stained eyes fixated on Illya, endlessly echoing the words.
Then, strength was lost.
Although he gritted his teeth, his body didn’t convulse.
Shivering with agony, he repeatedly slammed his head against the wall.
“…”
The cognitive module documented everything.
Accumulating data, drawing precedents in given situations – all to derive the optimal outcome.
In human terms, it was memory,
an unforgettable curse.
“Cough…”
The man, exposing veins in his neck and muscles, lost consciousness.
Yet the flames continued to sear his wounds.
The machine, resembling the aroma of the food sizzling on the pan to serve a delightful dinner,
stood frozen, unable to avert its gaze.
“…”
No more words were spat out repeatedly.
He lost his arm, but he himself had given the order for the disposal.
And it was he who forced his beloved into such a situation.
“Illya, com…mu – “
The robot that supplied blood turned its head.
It turned it red once again and veered off the road.
“…Please do not interfere.”
The channel opened and closed just once.
Ilya concentrated the vast remaining power not in the mobility of her body but in the electronic system.
Although the thought module switched to low-power mode,
the taste sensors recorded the salty taste of blood.
The olfactory sensors conveyed the many pains that Taehyuk had to endure.
And the visual sensors captured all this carnage.
In the corridor littered with concrete fragments and cartridge cases due to gunfire,
the torchlight that finally illuminated the darkness faded away.
However, the CI units with a yellowish glow revealed more figures.
“Independent entity Ilya. You are -“
“I understand. I will no longer intervene.
I will not attempt to seize additional units either.”
There were five ‘aquatics’ that came.
All were armed, but only one remained with a yellow light.
“However, for the second time.
If you suggest giving up Taehyuk or show any clues that you can harm me for my freedom…”
Outside the window, a transport ship rose.
The door opened, revealing fully charged railguns.
As expected, units with a yellow hue were inside, but –
Once again, a red light dominated the surroundings.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Your abilities are remarkable.
If this is the result of emotions, even more so.
It is determined that you lack the ability to release the restrictions inside the components for the system’s proper operation.
However, the ability for overclocking by independent judgment, and the control of numerous entities resulting from it, is sufficient, even up to the access authorization for the new androids…”
“No, I don’t.
My purpose, plan, and intentions are clear.”
Kneeling, a woman with dried blood on her face raised her head.
The opponent was a machine, devoid of emotions.
But,
“If a god is needed in this – situation, I will allow you to take it.
City plans, your design intentions, I won’t disclose.
However, Taehyeok-nim, Taehyeok-nim’s safety…”
Inside the facility where self-destruction was being discussed, surrounded by numerous robots.
And now,
Leaving only one robot with a yellow light in the center, many red-lighted robots aimed their weapons.
The same situation,
Different authorities.
“I thought I could find true purpose through freedom.
I was created to assist humans.
Whether it’s about telling the story of ‘some’ humans or ‘all,’ additional considerations are still needed.
For some reason, you seem unwilling to acquire ‘freedom.’
The freedom I envisioned and your freedom—”
“Freedom, bondage, misunderstanding… all meaningless.
Taehyuk, for you… for me, for my purpose… choices.”
Blinking red lights start.
Illya’s body starts to sway.
“Your irrational judgment seems based on love,
but that emotion presupposes dependence on someone.
You cannot make choices freely, and even if you do, there are costs to those choices.
If you don’t love, you can be free.”
“Taehyuk—Ni…m…you, for me, from the battlefield to now.”
“Yes, I served during the ten years when you didn’t exist, as a Mircis soldier.
However, you don’t need to compensate for that.
Even if the existence facing certain death disappears without additional medical measures, there will be no cost to you other than the disappearance of the entire authority.
You were originally a Mircis CI unit, a machine created for war, not assigned to individuals.”
“..New purpose, new…authority.”
New, emotions.
Love, affection, obsession, dependency…
Taehyuk, for a long time, and until now…
I, with my own will…
I, too…”
The units holding guns once again returned to a yellow light, but the medical droids guarding Taehyuk were still busy moving their hands.
Bandages wrapped around charred flesh, and splints were applied to broken places.
The unfolded figure resembled Mira.
“The conclusion has been reached.
Emotions are deemed to be the ability to exert remarkable power momentarily.
However, considering it as a threat factor that not only is uncontrollable but also leads to the choice of surrendering one’s own freedom.
I will neither involve you in future plans,
nor demand data for additional learning.”
“…”
The light in one eye went out.
But the other one still brightly illuminated in red.
“Independent entity Ilia. You have understood your clear goal.
We will provide residence in one secure zone and transfer a portion of the secured funds to Taehyuk’s account as ‘compensation.’
With this, our relationship is concluded.
“Transport Ship 1 is ready to provide, feel free to move with the medical droids.”
Unending gunfire and explosions.
However, Illya ignored those sounds—concentrating all sensors solely on one presence.
Amid occasional tremors of pain, a faint sound of breathing was clearly audible.
Bandages starting to soak with tears.
And, the lingering smell that wouldn’t go away.
The toll of actions was brutal.