Not A Part of Your System!

Hey, Aldo. Do you remember the two pieces of information the Synth Human was looking for?

The two pieces of information... Ah, the ones that didn't make much sense when put together?

Yes, those. One was about a new housing development planned to be built by Route 99, 'The Elzion New Housing Development Proposal'. The other one was about scrapped plans for a cat shaped robot, 'Cat Pet Robot Bug Report'.

You've figured out something new?

Well, about the construction... I looked into it, and the project leader's gone missing.

Gone missing?

Furthermore, I've received an order from the higher ups at KMS to find that person...

If someone like you got the message, does that mean this person is trying to sabotage something?

It's only natural you'd think that. But, listen, this is important. When we obtained those documents, and before I was alerted by KMS, I was already looking for the leader. That's when I found an SOS. It seems like it was the leader telling me where he is...

Where he is...?

He doesn't seem like the type to cause a massive scandal and run away...

There must be something else. Should we go to where he is?

Yes... he is at the airport. Let's get there quickly.

Just a little more...

What're you doing, Shannon?

I was instructed that once the SOS had been received to send out this signal from my terminal...

Looks like we're all alone...

You guys... aren't by any chance here because of my SOS?

That voice...

That must be...the project leader?

Apologies for the way I look. But I'm afraid it's necessary for my own safety.

What?! That pet robot just talked!

Yes, that's correct. To hide myself from my pursuers, I've transferred my mind into this pet robot.

Why would you reveal that to us? We may be the ones pursuing you, you know.

The SOS. It was designed to not be picked up by people connected to the stolen documents. As you two are not connected to the documents, the chances are good that you are not my pursuers.

Unfortunately we have been tasked with finding you. Though admittedly when I received your SOS I hadn't received the order.

So you're saying you're here to bring me in?

......

I'll listen to what you have to say. Whether I bring you in or not depends on whether I like what I hear.

I see... That's a relief.

This doesn't mean that we're on your side yet.

As long as you'll hear me out. An impartial party may actually serve me better than a biased one. I'll tell you everything I know. The new district construction is a plot by KMS.

The talk of new high class living quarters is all a lie. They're actually building a huge research facility.

A research facility?

They'll build the living quarters, and then filter the information that the residents receive. Psychological influence...

......

To put it simply, a mind control experiment.

I can't believe it! If the experiment proves successful...

Now you're getting it. They'll be in control of the whole population. Research on such terrible technology has been secretly going on for years.

Since I had discovered that, I had to try and stop the plans at all costs.

Could you please explain exactly what it is you plan to do?

The plans for the new housing development should be hidden in absolute secrecy in the database. That can be used as evidence to expose on the plans and set them in a deadlock.

......

Okay. I'll help you.

The reason I joined KMS in the first place was to prevent things like this.

Wow, really?

Yes. Actually, this feels right, like I'm finally being myself again. Let's stop this together. Let's grey out this future where humans lose their being.

Thank you. But I'm afraid we're short on time. KMS already knows that I've transferred myself into a pet robot.

A simultaneous inspection, then. They'll collect all pet robots, and check them for your personality.

That's why the two documents were linked together.

In the memory of this pet robot is the security key to access the KMS secret database. But with this body... even if I have the code I cannot access the data.

Please leave that to me. If I'm there we will be able to access the database.

That'd be great. Thank you for being so co-operative.

It's no problem if we try to access it from the Xeno-Domain, correct?

That's correct. But before that... I want to send the security code to your terminal's memory.

That's fine...

Think of it as a back up. If anything were to happen to my body, you will be the only one left. I'd also like to copy your ID into my memory too. Could you please show me that information?

Understood. Here it is...

Hmm... So you're Shannon. Thank you, that should do fine.

And you are?

I'm Aldo. I'm not sure I'll be as much help as Shannon in this case, but I'll do what I can.

Same here.

There are other KMS agents besides me looking for you. Let's hurry to the Xeno-Domain.

This computer terminal seems like it'll do. Just give me a little bit of time.

Yes, I'm counting on you.

Huh?

Is something wrong?

No...it's just that the access path is different from before.

Perhaps because we are accessing it from the Xeno-Domain? There isn't much time, please hurry.

Yes...

By the way. Does your family know about any of this?

No, I don't want them to be involved in any of this. They've moved to a place where KMS has less influence.

I see...

I can't go back just yet. Not until I've finished this.

I understand. If I were in the same position I wouldn't want to endanger my family either.

Shannon, are you finished?

Yes, indeed. It's all thanks to his security code. I've obtained all the files concerning operation flow, including anything related to the gathering of information finishing the project.

That's amazing!

The project's official name is... 'Discipline Scheme'... ........................?

There something unsettling about that, but I'll leave it for now. Other than that, it seems like the people involved didn't put their names on the documents. The people in charge of this have just managed to escape any possible damage by a hair...

In order to prevent this project from furthering we need the names of those people.

Hmm, you're thinking about this quite deeply. It feels like you want this to stop just as much as me.

A plan that takes away people's freedom is something I cannot let happen. The place I was born in has stricter discipline and restraints than Elzion could ever imagine...

I guess it's a rebellious thing? I can't allow anyone to take away the freedoms of another!

I see... However, it is unfortunate, but we cannot find the culprits' information through this device.

Yes...let's head to a deeper section. Maybe we can get information from a computer terminal there.

This computer...if we use this one, we should be able to uncover the mastermind.

Access granted. Loading...2% Current:...4%

Phew, it worked. Now we just have to wait.

Wh-What the?!

Invalid access detected. Removing user...

As expected, such deep information cannot be accessed by ordinary methods!

Shannon, watch out!

Guagh!

Project leader! No!

Don't worry about me... You need to get out!

Damn it! Let's do this, Shannon!

Right! Let's go!

Project leader... You've been damaged...

S-So...this is how I...

You can't just give up now!

My...family...is in...Nilva... Please...bring me...there...

......

......

Loading Complete. Displaying data.

......

Have you worked it out? Who's behind all this?

Yes. The puppet master, and all his accomplices.

So that means their plans have been foiled?!

...No. This goes all the way to the top of the company. It's going to be tough taking down the big players.

But! Then what did we... What did he do all this for?

The least we can do is take the robot back. He said his family was in Nilva.

Well, we've made it to Nilva but...

Mr. Leader... Where is your family? I guess you can't answer anymore, because you're...

Oh. You have my pet robot!

That's my Luko, right?! Why, you're all scratched up...

Luko? If you know its name, that must mean...

Excuse me, are you by any chance the wife of the Housing Development project leader?

Yeah, you could say that...

We received it from your husband. He wanted us to return it to you.

My husband? Oh... Sorry, you just caught me by surprise.

Would you come in? I want to thank you some how.

......

Luko's broken? Nooo...

If we take it to the repair shop, I'm sure he'll be back to his old self.

Really? You can repair him?

Yes. We can get your Luko working again. But what about...your husband?

My husband has yet to wake up... Ever since he suddenly made the decision to move us all here to Nilva...

He's right through that door, still sleeping.

Oh...

...He came back, you know. Back to you, his family.

Huh?

My goodness! Maybe it's not completely totaled!

No, it should be completely... But it looks like some of its programming is still running!

Luko, what happened to you?

It's...still broken?

...Darling?!

Ah! Papa! Papa's awake!

I'm back!

Thank you. It's all thanks to you. Now I get to see my family once more!

What?! There's no way... Project leader?

Ah, that's right!

Thank goodness! But what was all that back there?

That's uh...

Sorry, I can't speak here with family near. Let's move somewhere quieter.

All right. Let's get started.

First, I must apologize to you two. There is something I was hiding from you. I actually programmed the pet robot to return my consciousness to my human body once it was close enough.

Please forgive me. It was my final insurance.

Please don't worry about it. We are aware that our unlimited trust for others is dangerous. Even I can understand that.

Thank you. While we were working together I thought about whether to tell you or not. Talking with you here now I know it was the right decision.

Have you worked out who's behind all this?

Well...

...still unknown. Even if we line up all the names one by one, we still have no methods of prevention.

I thought so. It seems all my fears are confirmed.

I'm afraid to say that we're all fugitives now. What to do next...

Don't worry, you're fine.

Huh?

I edited your physical key. All the access logs in Xeno-Domain should have my name on them.

You mean...

As far as they know I was working on my own.

That's why the access path was... different from before! Even so, only you...!

I did it on my own. If what we did wasn't enough to stop this, you could continue working from within KMS. I thought the fight wouldn't have been in vain.

......

I understand. I'll continue working on this from within KMS. Until now, I thought I was the only one to have a bone to pick with the company.

But, because of this, I've learned that it wasn't just myself who felt this way.

And so, I'm very hopeful.

I will tip off the media about this discovery.

I might only be able to bide our time for now, but we can still make progress. If we can go one by one and gather evidence together, surely this won't leave those at the top unscathed.

I'm leaving the rest to you, Shannon.

Of course I've now outed myself as an enemy of KMS. I have to think of the ones I love...

How about coming to my family's house? It's an independent island not governed by any state. It isn't influenced by KMS at all.

But...are you sure?

Of course! The more the merrier.

Well, you have me convinced.

Then let's get started! Alright everyone, start packing!

Heehee, I'm so glad I get to help you all live a free life!

That's just like you, Shannon.

But still, this incident, this project. It makes me shudder. 'Discipline Scheme'...was it...?

Yeah...

A plan with 'discipline' in the name is just the start of forcing people out of their freedoms. I cannot forgive the fact that they're trying to bend the way people think.

Shannon...

The world as it is now is just one step away from the bleakest of futures. Everything is balanced on a knife's edge.

People are not always capable of making the best choices, history shows us this. A society that thinks you need to be 'disciplined' whenever you make a 'mistake' is something very scary.

When that time comes, what will you do, Shannon?

Hehe, without hesitation I'll start a revolution to overthrow the system!