The Last Sip

Tch... I can't believe I said that. I haven't been able to move forward at all myself.

Don't be like me. Live an ordinary life, as a human. Don't let remorse get the better of you.

Remorse, huh...

Hey, Rovella. What're you doing here?

Just wondering if I got any right giving other people advice.

What do you mean?

Nothing. Forget I said anything.

*cough* *cough*

Whoa, are you okay?

Sometimes you gotta do things like this to cope... *cough* *hack*

Looks like it's time.

Time for what?

A stroll.

Do you mind if I join you? That look on your face has me a bit worried.

Not like you'd listen if I said no.

C'mon, then. I'm meeting someone at the tavern in Elzion.

Who's this?

Someone I worked with back in the military.

We were fellow special ops agents. Fought a lot of Synth Humans back in our day.

It was about ten years ago, wasn't it? When you left the army. Still can't believe a hero like you left it behind so easily. If you stayed, you would've had a great career.

Enough. I'm no hero.

I beg to differ. You infiltrated that facility all on your own. Even defeated that secret weapon.

Is that true?

You bet it is. A lot of researchers lost their lives to the Synth Human weapon. And he brought it down all on his own.

Hey, Rovella...

No one but us knows the real story. To everyone else, it looks like I was some hotshot hero.

Enough with the flattery. That was a long time ago. We've got more important things to discuss, don't we?

I've got the address right here. It's on the Last Island.

What's on the Last Island?

Never you mind that.

Thanks. I owe you big time.

What's a little favor between old friends?

Want a sip?

No thanks... *cough* *hack* *wheeze*

What's the matter?

This body can't stand the smell.

Oh yeah? Guess that makes sense.

Where to next?

The Xeno-Domain. There's someone I need to see there.

What does that mean?

You'll see.

What're you doing?

Calling the professor. Come out already. I know you're in here.

Where's that voice coming from?

You out, Loah?

Loah?! But Premaya said he would never see the light of day unless she summoned him.

Wha... Huh?

It means he had a hidden backup. This guy's slippery. It's not possible to get a solid hold on him.

Loah?! You mean the professor's in this time layer too?

Sounds like this isn't your first rodeo. He's responsible for turning me into the cyborg I am now.

I got a question for you. How long will this body last?

Huh?

I know that Rovella is a cyborg. But...that's about it.

So it was after what happened at the Volos Research Institute...

As if I'd let you guys control me.

So if his body doesn't last, then...does that mean he'll die?

...Yeah.

Tomorrow, huh? If that's your projection, then that's fine with me.

Would you mind waiting outside for a bit, Aldo? I need to talk to him about my treatment, alone.

Yeah, sure.

Hey, Professor.

I wanna install this in my body. That machine can do the job, can't it?

Done already?

...Yeah.

Is everything okay?

Enough with the long face. I'm all better.

Really?

Alright, I think we've strolled enough for one day. Time to get to work.

This is where I leave you. The next job is for me alone.

See ya.

Rovella...

In this line of work, you've gotta be ready to kick the bucket at any time.

Off to the Last Island.

The Last Island...

Oh, right. That's what the guy at the tavern said.

I've got the address right here. It's on the Last Island.

I don't know what Rovella's planning to do there, but I should keep an eye on him just in case.

Alright. Time to get to work.

Got a minute?

Hm... You're Rovella, yes?

That's right. Glad you remember me.

What can I help you with?

We've got a little too much company here for a private chat. Let's take this outside.

It's been about ten years, huh? Since I quit being the military and the lab's dog.

I did all sorts of dirty work as a special op, things the public could never know about, whether the mark was Synths or humans.

Then finally came the Volos Research Institute.

Ah, yes. You did well against the Synth Humans that day.

What're you talking about? I didn't do anything. I let two innocent girls die.

If you're talking about the biological weapon, the fault is entirely on the lab.

But you knew a little girl was being used for the experiments, didn't you?

And if I did? As a member of the special ops, getting an order to eliminate an out-of-control weapon is nothing out of the ordinary.

But you bastards in the military and Lab 7 are the ones who made it!

What's this all about, Rovella? What is it you want from me?

Had enough pleasantries, huh? Then let's get into it.

Were you guys the ones who set the Synth Humans on the lab that day?

And what makes you think that?

Is that...

A list of instructions from the military? Yeah, you bet it is. It contains the details of a plan from the higher-ups regarding Volos' destruction and their attempts to contact the Synth Humans.

Where did you find that?

Well...

Let me get this straight. You want me to hack into the database and find you highly classified military documents?

Yeah, I figured you could do it.

I could do it in my sleep, but I'm no charity.

I'll pay you double what Rusalka's offering. That's gotta be enough, even for you.

This must be an ex-military thing, because I really don't get it. But I don't think you'll be changing the world, no matter what you do with this.

It doesn't matter where I got it. I know you guys were planning to take over that facility.

Hoplon Gamma was already nearing her limit, so you set those Synth Humans on the place to send her into overdrive. You never intended for anyone to make it out alive.

Lab 7 and the Volos Research Institute in particular were dangerous, too dangerous.

You know about the life-forms they were using to create chimeras, don't you? If we left those creatures unchecked, they could get strong enough to destroy society as we know it.

But the military was the one who started it. They were using the lab for their own ends.

Which is precisely why it was our responsibility to shut it down too.

Of course, we were no fools. We took the data we needed before closing down the whole operation. And thanks to the body we brought back, we were able to create a successor to that biological weapon and use it in the military.

What?!

That "body" belongs to someone! Someone's family! It isn't yours to take or use as you please!

Are we done here? Or are you hoping for an apology of sorts?

If you're going to kill me, go ahead. I don't have much time left anyway with this disease eating away at me.

Grr...

What? Don't tell me you've forgotten your training.

"Get your target in your sights, take aim, and fire." "Keep your mind clear and your body under control." "You are not a human. You are a machine."

So? What's your move, Rovella?

Damn you. You think I won't?

Fine. Have it your way.

You don't look like someone who could do something so mean.

You told me to live my life as a human.

Tch.

Your life's not worth taking.

But I've recorded every last word. So you can spend the rest of your life rotting behind bars instead.

......

You don't look like someone who could do something so mean.

Your life's not worth taking.

You told me to live my life as a human.

I'm not that guy anymore.

But I've recorded every last word. So you can spend the rest of your life rotting behind bars instead.

You've gotten soft. I didn't think such a hardened professional would be capable of having a heart.

What the?!

Where'd Rovella go?

What was that noise?! It came from over there!

It sounded like there was a fight going on here. Are you okay?!

Yes... I was attacked by Synth Humans. By a kind passer-by saved me...

What're Synth Humans doing here?

Alright. I'll take of it. You get to safety!

......

Rovella!

What are you doing here?

I was worried about you.

You're wounded...

I'm just losing my touch, that's all.

I came to help...

I don't need your help. Could you deliver a message for me instead?

To who?

Premaya. And Erin...

Tell them I said "thank you"... Thanks to them, I might've been able to change...even just a little.

What's going on, Rovella?

That's something you should be telling them yourself.

I wanna thank you too, Aldo... I'm sorry for thinking you were nothing but a bleeding heart when we first met.

I might be even worse...

They couldn't have picked a worse time!

I see you still had some fight in you.

Why'd you come back? It's danger...

Wait, what'd you just say?

I didn't realize you two were acquainted.

I can't have you making a mess of things, so I came back to put an end to all this.

Grr... So you're the one who did this to Rovella!

Ungh... This is bad...

Rovella!

B-But how? I thought I had destroyed you!

I'm just as surprised as you are, but...I guess that professor really knows his stuff. If I were still the old me, I'd be down and out right now.

You mean Loah?

I'll explain later. Right now, we've got work to do.

What's this?!

A cyborg, same as me. But it seems like it's lost all sense of self.

Kill them both! Make sure there's not even a scrap left!

You ready, Aldo?

Yeah! Let's do this!

Damn it all... This can't be happening!

Are you okay, Rovella? Just what did the professor do to you?

I had him install an auxiliary device in my brain, like a booster. It rebuilds the mechanized parts of my brain to extend my lifespan, in exchange for my memories.

So you have to give up your memories?!

Using it allows my brain to withstand the stress of updating my body parts. But in exchange...

I lose all my memories.

Or at least, I was supposed to.

What is?

A major update?

I wonder what that "update" was. Could it have happened when you got your memories back at the research institute?

Yeah... It all happened because Erin heard her sister's voice. It looks like those two saved my life yet again.

Biaka of the SMU, huh. Things should be alright if you're around.

Thanks to you, we have finally found one of the army's higher-ups who breached the Administrator's trust. We should be able to expose all the people involved, starting with that man.

Think you could keep this out of the public eye? And try to keep it under wraps, even within the military.

That's my condition for handing over the evidence. I'm not in the army anymore, but at least give me that much.

Might I ask why?

There's a girl working at a certain base. And I don't wanna cause her any more trouble than she's already been through.

If the public hears about this, it'll rattle the military, and there's no telling what it'll do to her base.

That place is her home. And I don't wanna do anything that could end up taking that away from her.

Rovella...

I don't quite understand the whole situation, but since you were key in capturing this man, I'll respect your wishes.

...Thanks.

Sorry...for not saying anything.

It's alright. Everything turned out fine in the end. You really care about your friends, don't you?

Don't get sappy on me. Besides, it's still nothing compared to what you do.

Whew...

Wait. Are you okay with the smell now?

...Oh, yeah. I guess that device even fixed my...

UGH! *cough* *hack* *wheeze* *gasp*

I don't think it did, Rovella...

No, no. This is way better than it was before.

Heh...

Damn, that tastes good.

I feel more human already.