Medicine for a Fool

...I knew it. They've restricted my access.

Are you looking for something?

I am indeed. Remember our last assignment involving those drones? Something that boy we caught said got my attention.

You mean his story about when the dome fell?

Right, the Frontier Dome case.

...You know, even though you've been taken off the case, I'm really relieved you haven't actually given up.

Hehe, well of course. I was just looking for relevant info in the records about the boy, actually.

It's so frustrating. COA's database has so much intel, but they've taken away my authorization to view it.

So that means...

Yeah. They knew I'd keep trying to investigate by myself.

So you're out of leads now?

As if! Trust me, I'm more tenacious than anyone I know. In a situation like this, we just have to raid the evidence room at the main office, and...

No need for that.

Did my warning not even leave a dent in that thick skull of yours?

Chief! What are you planning to do now? Going to put me in solitary confinement until I learn my lesson?

Not a bad idea...but no. I don't have the heart to go that far.

What's this? A message?

There. I've sent you all the intel you need.

These files! They're the notes from the drone incident, and the records from the Frontier Dome case... And even a list of the persons of interest!

Study them all you like. Just destroy them when you're done.

But my access was restricted! Why would you share these with me?

Why would I what now? No idea what you're talking about.

Plausible deniability, huh? Well, I'm not complaining. If you've given me this list, it means you won't stop me from reaching out to the people on it, right?

Do what you want with it. Solitary confinement might not teach you a lesson, but this might.

......

The first name on the list belongs to a man I know very well. I've already sent word that you'll be meeting him at Laula Dome. Since there's no cure for foolishness, you'll have to learn the hard way.

I have a bad feeling about this... Do you really want to go through with this, Renri?

...I have to go, even if it is a trap. I can't just give up.

Okay, if you're sure. It's the first name on the list, right? Who is it?

Let's see. Um...

Is this what I think it is?

Wait, who is it?

...We need to get to Laula Dome right away. It looks like the truth behind this case might go deeper than I first thought.

Oh, you must be the two I'm waiting for. He said he'd be sending you.

I'm Renri, a COA officer. And you are...

Well, hello there! If I'd known I'd be meeting with a nice young lady such as yourself, I would've picked a nicer meeting place.

Huh. I guess you expected someone a little... older?

Don't be fooled. He's a former employee of KMS.

And that means?

It means he had a lot of power at one point. And since KMS has more than its fair share of shady rumors... we can't let our guard down around him. Okay?

And what can I do for you today? Heard you had some questions for me.

Yes, sir. We wanted to ask you about the Frontier Dome incident.

Oh, that. Well go ahead, ask away. You've been vouched for so I'll help in whatever way I can.

Well then, first... May I ask what your relationship with the Chief was?

COA has been assigning case officers to oversee KMS for some time. Since it's Elzion's largest company, it's easy to lose track of what goes on there.

And the case officer you knew was the Chief?

That's right. He headed the Frontier Dome investigation. In fact, it was his first case.

It was such a tragic accident, caused by the residents who abused the use of their Xeno Prismas. We never saw it coming.

Actually, we wanted to confirm if that really was what happened. We happened to find a witness who states that it was actually the fault of KMS.

Well... In all honesty, that may very well be true.

Wh-What? So you admit it?!

Monitoring the structural integrity and power of the Frontier Dome's Xeno Prisma was KMS's responsibility.

Then you have to come with us! We can get the finer details at the office...

What for? KMS already atoned for what happened.

It did...?

Here's a record of the trial from back then. You haven't read it?

I went through all the materials I was sent, but this is...

Oh, I get it now. He would do something like this. All right. Since you've come this far and I don't need it anymore, here. Consider it a gift.

Now, if that's all, I'll be taking my leave. It was good talking with you, little lady.

He said that KMS had "already atoned for what happened." Could that really be true?

...So, KMS did indeed lose their court case. And so they were ordered to...make financial reparations...?

Hold on... That's all they paid? That can't be right! They barely paid anything! So many people died because of them. That can't be all the punishment they received...

Renri...

Now you know.

Chief...

Once the court makes its verdict it's far too difficult to overturn. And too much time has passed. So don't even bother trying to find some evidence that'll magically bring about the justice the case really deserved.

Do you get it now? The case is closed. Time to wake up to the kind of justice that exists in this world of ours, all right?

I want you to accept it, that's all...

......

Hey, Chief? You said I reminded you of someone you knew, and you called them an idiot... Could that idiot be, ?

......

Ahem. Ah, a transmission?

It's from the Inquisitor. Looks like our drone-loving friend finally coughed up the whole story. Hm... Seems his plan to send out the drones went as he'd hoped. Now he states that his real motive is to bring down the whole of Elzion with the help of his accomplice? I don't care who he's got with him, that's both stupid and impossible...

...Hm?

A request for backup?!

What?! All channels are reporting that all of Elzion's major Xeno Prismas have been surrounded by explosives!

I'm receiving the same transmission too!

I don't know who this accomplice is, but I'd say we don't have time to find out now. ...Officer Renri?

There's a lot I still wish to discuss, but I'll save it for later.

Good. Secure the Xeno Prisma in the Gamma District. I'll be issuing commands from the Control Room. Go!

I'm not liking the sound of this at all!

Agreed. We've got to hurry. To the Gamma District!

You there! What are you doing?!

......

Is this the guy who planted the bombs?

If you have nothing to hide, come over here with your hands up! A full body search will be performed and we will conduct an investigation of the area surrounding the Prisma!

This is your final warning: Stop! Do not run! Lower your hood and turn this way immediately!

......

An android?!

Aaaah!

Renri!

Please do not attempt to obstruct me.

No, wait!

Never mind that, what about the Prisma?!

...Looks like it hasn't suffered any real damage.

Thank goodness.

But who knows what might've happened had it been a larger explosion. What if a stronger explosive is set up next time?

It's a scary thought... But why would an android be doing this in the first place?

Was he bluffing when he said he had an accomplice? Or maybe he programmed the android in advance to carry out the attack? Either way, our priority is securing it. We'll iron out the details later.

Speaking of which, where did it go?

I'll check now.

Chief, an android is currently making its way out of the Gamma District. I need to know where it's headed. ...The Theta District. Understood. I'll begin following it immediately.

Let's take the elevator. We should get there in no time.

Right. Let's go.

It's not here. Where could it be hiding?

Could it have already finished setting up the next bomb? It could be risky, but let's split up to look for it.

Unexpected obstacle discovered. Misson success rate 67 percent.

Recalculating... Target must be eliminated. Executing assault plan.

There's no way you're eliminating us without a fight!

It's now or never, Aldo! We can't let the Elzion Plate fall!

Looks like we managed to stop it.

Mission success rate: 55 percent...

Shutting down signal to all other explosives. Success rate diminishing. 36 percent... 19 percent...

...0 percent.

Why...do you interfere? I must carry out the mission...

Who programmed you to do this?

Purpose of inquiry not understood. No programs have been installed.

Then why are you trying to bomb the city?!

My behavioral program determined it as appropriate. Because of KMS, my family was destroyed along with the Frontier Dome. The sole survivors of the dome's destruction are my companion, the boy in your custody, and me.

So this was all for the sake of avenging your family...

No, that can't be right. A regular android isn't capable of that kind of emotion.

To "avenge"... In other words, this is what you would define as "vengeance"?

I do not understand "vengeance," although my companion uses that word often.

Then why would you do this?!

It is the only thing I can do now for my family. You see, it was declared that my owner and family were the ones who destroyed the dome. But that is false. It was KMS who serviced the structure only periodically.

And how do you know that?

Because I was also assigned to maintain the dome. And yet the courts chose to ignore my testimony.

So KMS pulled some strings and prevented that fact from being admitted as evidence, right? So that's how the courts were only able to fine them such a tiny amount.

My family is dead. The only thing I wish to do now is restore their reputation.

But... That doesn't justify sacrificing the lives of others. It's just wrong!

I...do not understand. Was the sacrifice of my family not wrong as well?

......

If enough lives are lost then my detained companion's case will be given the attention it deserves. That is why it is necessary for the Elzion Plate to fall.

...Renri. Maybe try considering that he's not acting based on someone else's plan for revenge. Maybe he's actually driven by his own thoughts and feelings.

Yes... I think you might be right.

What are you going to do?

As an officer of the COA, there's only one thing I can do.

You're under arrest. You will be detained for interrogation indefinitely.

Come on, Aldo. Let's go back to the Administrator's Office floor.

Excellent work, Officer. So this is the android in question. It will be a vital piece of evidence for our investigation. Your efforts deserve commendation.

......

He's not a piece of evidence.

What do you mean?

This android did what he did for the sake of his owner and family. What he did was wrong, but KMS is really the one to blame!

KMS had a penalty exacted a long time ago. The real concern here is this android. If it was able to carry out this crime of its own free will, we have no choice but to shut it down.

What for? Just listen to what he has to say!

I see no point in doing so. The law doesn't account for the rights of robots.

......

...No, Aldo's right!

Officer Renri, do you hear yourself right now? Surely you're not taking what this man is saying seriously?

Chief, this Android is a key witness to a major case.

It's evidence, not a witness. You can't prove that this criminal wasn't involved with other attacks like...

You're wrong. This android, it, HE is the only one who can help us understand what really happened at the Frontier Dome.

What did you say?

My family and owner were officially declared to be the ones who destroyed the dome. But that is false. It was KMS that serviced the structure only periodically.

And how do you know that?

Because I was also assigned to maintain the Dome.

If we treat him as evidence we'll have to extract the data from his memory. And data can be tampered with. This means we wouldn't be able to request a retrial.

And why does that mean we should treat it as a witness?

Because...

Because androids never lie. They are incapable of responding to a human's questions with falsehoods. He's the most reliable a witness we can get!

But an android on the witness stand... Such a thing has never happened before!

I know. The law wasn't made with androids in mind. But we can turn that all around...

And use that to our advantage.

Right! And since you worked with KMS for so long, Chief, you must have some idea of how we can arrange all this?

Er... Well, I can't say I don't. A few options do spring to mind.

Next, I have a suggestion for you, Mr. Android.

You are referring to me?

Yes. Firstly, you have committed a crime. Attempted destruction of a number of Xeno Prisma with dangerous explosives. This is a felony that the COA cannot ignore. However, if you and I arrange a plea bargain, and then you tell your story in court, they may consider reducing your sentence.

A plea bargain for an android? Don't make me laugh! Just when I thought this couldn't get more ridiculous!

Think about it. If we're treating him as a witness, we should treat him as a defendant as well.

Because...

Under the law, everyone is judged equally. That's what I believe. Whether the subject is human or android, that shouldn't change.

......

That's just the kind of thing you'd say, Renri.

...What will become of my companion?

If we can overturn the verdict for the Frontier Dome case, the circumstances behind his actions will be considered appropriately. I promise that I will give everything to ensure that. I can't do much more to make you believe me, so now it's up to you.

You are ordering me to testify, yes?

It wouldn't be right if we forced you to do it. You can decide for yourself insofar as your behavioral program allows.

......

Analysis concluded. I will testify in court.

Great! Leave the rest to me.

Chief. I need you to request a retrial right away.

*sigh* What have I gotten myself into?

...It's me. The situation's changed. Report to the Administrator's Office immediately.

Thank you, Chief. Finally, we can uncover the truth behind the Frontier Dome case.

I imagine the retrial request will be approved.

...No, I'll make sure it's approved. A retrial would give us a much higher chance of getting that verdict overturned.

Indeed. It's all thanks to you and Aldo.

Hey, I didn't do all that much. It's because you didn't give up that we've managed to get this far.

Heh, you're a humble one, aren't you?

Officer Renri. Regardless of how this goes, the fallout from this retrial will be huge. You'll be under pressure from all sides, no avoiding it. It'll be unlike anything you've faced before.

I know you probably understand this, but I want to emphasize: this isn't something to be undertaken lightly. Nor is it a path you should walk alone.

I wouldn't say that I'm alone. You see, there's this one idiot who's similar to me in a lot of ways. We thought he was dead, but it seems he's come back to life...or at least, that's what I'd like to believe.

...Seriously?

The future I wish for and the future he wished for, I'm positive they're not so different.

...Tch, there's no sense in counting on a dead man, you know. Even if he somehow did come back, there's no guarantee that he'd be of any help to you. Things don't work out like they do in movies.

And yet it's also said that truth is stranger than fiction.

Let's not get too philosophical now! Don't need it complicating any situation you might face as an officer.

Now, wait a second.

What is it, Aldo?

If you were always this hesitant, I bet Renri would've given up on the COA a long time ago. But Renri always gives it everything she's got, no matter the odds. You know that, right?

......

Yeah, you're right.

Fine, you win. But you'll have to excuse me if I don't let you make too much use of that old idiot. He's supposed to be dead, after all. Though, if I were to go down now, maybe it would be better to go down a fool. Heh.

Chief...!

Don't get me wrong. I'm still not fully on board with this idea, all right?

Honestly? That's enough for me. Thanks to my travels with Aldo and the others, I've come to learn the importance of having someone to share your goals with.

...Answer me one thing. You said you still have faith in that idiot I mentioned before. Why would you put your faith in a man who's already been beaten by the system once before?

Well, you said it yourself earlier, didn't you?

I did?

Forgotten already?

"There's no cure for foolishness," is there not?