Apoptosis

Okay, what would you do in this situation? You're in a large airship. There are many others on board, including a close friend of yours. The ship malfunctions and starts to plummet. There's only one way to fix it. You would have to send your friend, the only engineer, to the location of the fault. The ship would be fixed and everyone else would be saved, but your friend would die of hypoxia.

Alternatively, you could take your friend and sneak out the escape pod, leaving everyone else to die.

I'd send my friend to fix it, of course! It's the only way to save everyone.

What if your friend didn't want to?

Then disconnect their personality. Leave them with just their memory, so they won't think about anything except fixing the ship.

Less than one second to reach your answer. Pretty impressive processing.

Yay, I did it!

......

What's wrong? Why aren't you praising me like usual?

You're right, you did well. You absorb my knowledge efficiently, and your synchronized thinking speed is incredible.

You far exceeded my expectations.

Yay! I love making you proud!

Now, it's almost time for bed.

Okay, night night! See you tomorrow, Mommy!

It's me.

Yeah, had to scrap her. She won't be waking up again.

This day has gone from bad to worse.

Tell me about it. What a pain.

A pain? Someone you used to work with has just been murdered! Aren't you sad?

Not really. Why mourn when I could be planning my next move?

You're unbelievable.

Why? You want me to cry or something?

Besides, he and I always expected the unexpected. Remember before when you were asking why we used a code?

The thing with the cat?

Yeah. We did it to throw off surveillance from our old company.

You mean KMS? Why were they monitoring you in the first place?

Work with them long enough, and you'll end up seeing more than your fair share of their wrongdoings. I know a ton of things they really don't want getting out, and we didn't exactly part on the best of terms...

So they keep me under 24/7 surveillance. I tell you, it's tough being this popular.

And was your colleague under surveillance, too?

Yes. Like me, he was pretty well- acquainted with KMS's dark side.

But if they had decided to silence him for good...

Why would they be so conspicuous about it?

What do you mean?

They usually like to make it look like an accident or suicide or something. Or make like they never existed in the first place.

You seem worryingly knowledgeable about all this.

Hey, I don't appreciate the insinuation.

Anyway, you can relax. I'd never waste my precious time on such a pointless task.

Okay, that I can believe.

Boy, this sure has complicated things. We'll have to tread carefully if we want to get to the bottom of this.

What's the plan, then?

Well, our recently-deceased friend lived in Nilva, so that should be our first move. Got to see if we can dig up any clues as to why he was killed.

And maybe I can find out who's pulling the strings of this whole affair.

Okay, I'll help you.

That's his house just there. Think he lived there with his wife.

Poor woman. I can't imagine what she must be going through right now.

You're too sentimental.

Yeah, well you're too cold-hearted. Explain that one for me.

I told you. The subtleties of the mind go over my head.

Was he really so unimportant to you?

If it's a question of importance, then sure, he was an important guy.

His research skills weren't the best, but he knew how to get things done. His business was thriving the moment he left KMS.

He and I went our separate ways. I chose knowledge; he chose money. But we had a good thing going on between us, with our little system.

We had order. I liked that. So believe me, whoever killed him and turned our order into chaos, they will pay. I'll see to that.

Ah, I think I understand now. You do care about him, just in your own way.

I'm glad you get it now.

And I agree, whoever did this must pay. A murder on the streets of Elzion of all places... No matter who did this, they have to be stopped.

Eee hee hee hee! Fascinating, just fascinating.

Wait? I know that voice...

I knew it! Nonold!

How good to see you again, Aldo. What brings you to Nilva? Planning another visit to Former KMS HQ?

Where would you have been without me to show you the way?

Come to think of it, I don't think you ever thanked me for that.

(Maybe because it was Krervo who helped, not you, but I think I'll hold my tongue about that...)

Hey, kid.

Who's the little sprout?

SPROUT?!

How rude! I'm not a child, you know!

I'm Nonold, the genius scientist!

Nonold, eh?

Come to think of it, I think I've seen that name on a life sciences paper.

Ah, you're a connoisseur of great academia, are you?

Indeed, I am the revered author of the world-renowned paper... On the Mechanization of Cognition and Acquisition of Immortality!

So that's your work? I mean, it was fine, I guess, but if you ask me, you missed the mark.

Still, maybe you'll grow into that great tree someday, sprout.

Stop calling me that!

And if you're going to criticize me, how about you show me your own research findings? Then we'll talk.

(Best not to mention that Xianhua helped create Galliard...)

(If Nonold is a great scientist, then does this make Xianhua an even better one?)

(Better to put this argument to rest for now.)

(Either way, I think it's best to put this argument to rest for now.)

Hey, why don't we all just cool it?

Hmph, fine by me. I don't have the time for petty arguments anyway.

I'm pursuing a case, you see, and I have to go and meet a key person in the affair.

A case? What case?

Why, this serial murder case, of course!

Serial...murder...

Hold on, what do you mean, "serial"?!

Oh yeah, I heard about that on the news. There's been a string of murders in Elzion in the last few days.

Wait, there have been other victims?

It might not be the same culprit. They could be totally unconnected crimes, for all we know.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down! Don't leave me out of my own conversation!

Am I to take it that you're both following this case as well?

Well, the thing is...

How very surprising. I can't believe such knowledge managed to pass me by.

Well, I guess this is a separate murder case from the one you've been investigating. Speaking of which, have you managed to find any clues about the culprit yet?

Well, strictly speaking, it's not actually a murder case that I'm investigating.

It's not? What do you mean?

There's an urban legend surrounding these serial murders that sounds rather convincing to my ears...

The victims of the murders in Elzion aren't actually humans; they're synth humans in human form.

Wait, you're saying synth humans are passing themselves off as humans?

Indeed. And these synths were using a company as a cover to help them integrate themselves into Elzion life...

The company in question is a robot parts manufacturer run by a former KMS employee. I thought their spokesman might have some juicy details that could prove these rumors true... So I came to his house in Nilva to interview him...

But now, it transpires that he was murdered after meeting with you two? That's a twist I didn't see coming.

He was using his business to hide synth humans?

(How could he do that behind my back? How could he keep that from me?) (And WHY did he do it?)

I had been intending to investigate this for the urban legends site... But I feel like I've been plunged headfirst into the darkness.

You scared, kid? Why don't you stop your little game and let the adults get to work.

What did you just say?!

Anyway, this changes nothing.

I'll hunt down whoever killed him and framed me, and make them pay.

Hey, wait up, Xianhua!

Aldo, I'm not sure I like this new friend of yours.

Yeah, I know she can be a bit cold, but she's not a bad person, at least, I don't think she is...

So, what are you going to do now?

If this is all getting too dangerous for you, maybe you should...

Hah! Don't take me for a lightweight, Aldo.

Of course, I'm coming with you. With such delicious revelations dangling before me, I can't quit till I've learned the truth for myself.

If I give in now, the reputation of Elzion's leading urban legend site manager will be forever tarnished!

And if nothing else, my own pride demands that I outwit that obnoxious woman!

Well, whatever your reasons, I'd be glad to have your help on this.

Yes, of course you are!

Worry not, Nonold, the genius scientist, will have this case cracked in no time! Eee hee hee!

Great! Then let's get going after Xianhua.

A scientist by the name of Xianhua? And she's from KMS, like me? No, she couldn't be...

Great. Now I've got to protect the little one too? Could've asked first.

Stop treating me like a child!

I have a lot of information up my sleeves. I can help you with your husband's case.

......

Yeah, so as I was saying...

Have you noticed your husband acting differently lately?

Not really. He used to spend all his time at work. He even slept there sometimes.

The last few days, he hadn't come home at all...

And you don't find that unusual?

Um, I...

You see, I've been doing a little investigating... And I found records showing him regularly traveling between his workplace and Nilva over the past week.

This is solid information from a reliable source. I, too, used to work for KMS, you see. As such, I have ways of acquiring such information.

I-I... I don't know anything! Please, you have to believe me!

Whoa, whoa, there's no need to be so scared! I was only asking...

Will both of you stop? She's in no state to be answering questions right now!

Her husband has just been murdered, so she's obviously in distress!

Either that, or she's hiding something.

Xianhua!

Listen, it's only natural for you to fear KMS. After all, they may well be behind your husband's death. And then, for people claiming to be from KMS to pay you an unexpected call? Of course you're wary.

But let me tell you something. I may have worked for KMS, but I hate them more than anyone else in the whole world.

You see, they took something from me, too. Something very important to me.

Huh?

In that way, you and I are the same.

B-But I really don't...

Even as we speak, KMS is moving in the shadows, working on some diabolical scheme. Leave this be, and more will suffer the same fate as your husband.

We need to know what you know if we're going to have any chance of stopping them.

......

M-My husband...

H-He started going to the Macminal Museum every day...

One day, my curiosity got the better of me, and I followed him there. He was digging up the grounds like a man possessed, muttering to himself.

I'd never seen him that way before. It scared me so much that I had to get out of there...

He was...digging?

Perhaps he was trying to hide something?

Thank you. You've been very helpful.

Not bad, not bad.

But I could have easily gathered that information on my own.

More haste, less speed, little sprout. But I've got to admit, you do have your uses. You admitting you were from KMS really helped me gauge her level of fear for the company.

With that information on hand, it was a piece of cake getting her to open up.

E-Exactly! Looks like you, too, have a talent for negotiation.

It was all a calculated move on my part, but I thought I'd let you take the credit.

Xianhua, you said KMS took something from you...

I just said that to get her to talk. Don't worry about it.

So you made it up?

I simply calculated several patterns of speech and behavior that would be appropriate for the situation... And picked the optimal solution.

It worked like a charm, don't you think?

......

Maybe we should make our way to the Macminal Museum.

Eee hee hee! I can't wait to see what mysteries await us inside.

"KMS is trying to seize control of all my company's resources." "If I refuse, they'll destroy my whole company." "And now that the Special Branch has come on the scene, that's starting to feel more and more realistic."

KMS has a special branch?

Much as it shames me to admit there's anything a genius like me doesn't know... This is the first I've heard of it.

Really? How about you, Xianhua?

Well... They're the ones who deal with reckless little nuisances like you.

And make it look like an accident, suicide, or whatever.

What? We can't allow people like that to have their way! We have to stop them!

What nonsense. I know KMS can live on the edge of the law at times, but they're not some dark criminal organization...

Nonsense, huh? Plenty of others have said that. Few lived to tell the tale.

Pah! You think your threats will scare me?

Nonold, your voice is shaking...

Ugh! Just shut up, okay?!

"At KMS's request, we have employed several recruits of unknown origin." "We assigned them fake ID numbers and sent them off to the former KMS HQ for reasons I don't know." "I have a very bad feeling about this. They're planning something terrible; I just know it."

Fake ID numbers and shady schemes, eh?

Any idea what they're planning, Xianhua? Did you hear anything when you used to work for KMS?

Hard to say, but there were plenty of rumors along those lines.

There's only so many reasons you'd want a fake ID. Obviously, there are the criminals who want to erase their identity...

But I've also heard about synth humans using them to help them masquerade as humans.

So his company really was covering for synth humans?

Now, it's just a rumor, remember? But then again, KMS is filled with plenty of things stranger than any rumor.

We don't know what will be the key to unlocking the truth just yet, so let's keep this all in mind for now.

A KMS special branch, fake citizen numbers for mysterious people...

Nope, it's still not enough to go on. I can't make head nor tail of this.

And we still have no idea why they're targeting Xianhua.

I am intrigued by the notion of a shady plan underway.

It would be perfect for an urban legends article. Kee hee hee!

Oh? Wait a moment. He said he sent them to Former KMS HQ, didn't he? An urban legend...and Former KMS HQ...

What is it? Have you got something?

It's just, it reminded me of another urban legend. At the same time as these serial murders, a mysterious girl was sighted near Former KMS HQ...

The theory has it: she is the ghost of a young girl who died of unnatural causes at KMS's hands.

Fascinating, don't you think?

Sure, it's an interesting legend, but does it have anything to do with this case?

Well, the first victim of the serial murderer was found in that same location. I had assumed the story of the girl was a work of fiction, but perhaps it's worth considering after all.

I'm a little intrigued myself.

Ah, she's finally caught up with the rest of us.

If you wish to investigate, I will happily lend you my genius.

You know, there's no need to try to make yourself look big.

Excuse me?!

You're doing a great job anyway.

......

...So you're finally starting to play nice, huh?

I'm off to the former KMS HQ. That's where all the evidence is pointing, so that's where I'm going.

Then I'm coming, too.

Hey! Don't leave me behind!

What are you doing, Xianhua?

What is that? I've never seen such a gadget before.

Aha! I've got a hit.

It looks like a box.

It's an old data drive. It's pretty obsolete as a recording device, especially now that we have the cloud.

But if you got information to hide, it's way safer than saving to a network.

Unless someone digs it up, of course.

"I am making this recording in the hopes that it will help thwart their plot should anything happen to me."

That's him! That's the murdered businessman!

Ah, so he was burying records.

"KMS is getting more and more demanding by the day." "It's not just funding from my company. They make me help falsify citizen numbers for them..." "They even demanded I freeze payments to Professor Xianhua." "......"

Looks like that's it.

He was being threatened by KMS? Shame we don't know any of the details...

I'm getting more hits on my device. More buried recordings, I'm guessing. C'mon, let's get looking.

I hear this is where the first murder took place.

Maybe, if we're lucky, we'll find some clues lying around.

I doubt it, though. The intelligence service will have already swept the area during its own investigation.

Hm. There must be at least one surveillance camera around here... Hold on.

I was wondering this back at the museum, but what is she doing, exactly?

No idea. But when she focuses, it's like all the data from all her weird gadgets goes straight into her head.

That's impossible! You're making this up!

You make it sound like I have a superpower or something. And I don't.

Besides, it was all a waste of time.

Did you find something?

I hacked into the nearby surveillance camera system remotely... But the data from the day of the incident is missing.

You infiltrated the system remotely? And in such a short space of time? That's incredible...

This device does everything from jamming communications to sabotage. It's not something you can just buy, of course.

It's handy for accessing data too. I simply infiltrated their comms system using standard electronic warfare methods.

No biggie.

But that's impossible! Only an authority in mechanics could achieve such a feat!

Hate to disappoint, but my area of expertise is life sciences. Tinkering with machines is just a hobby.

A-A hobby?!

Wait, we've got company.

Synth humans? What are they doing here?

That so? And what can I do for you?

Uh, what did I do? Do you not know how great a loss to society it would be if a genius scientist like me...

Nonold, brace yourself! They're not backing down!

Ugh! Looks like we're fighting our way out then!

I seem to be attracting unwanted attention like moths to a flame.

Well, let's see how you burn.

There. I've installed a loyalty circuit.

So were these synth humans sent by KMS?

They're getting desperate. Which means we're getting close.

"Come in, synth humans. Has the target been acquired?"

Wh-What the? There's someone there!

It's a hologram. But that's... Hm, it's all starting to add up now.

Hey, you! Did you really think you could get rid of me that easily?

"That voice! Is that..."

"I see. I had heard that you'd evaded elimination, but I never imagined you'd come this far..."

Boy, KMS must really be short of manpower if they're putting you on this operation...

...The Director of the Special Branch.

What?!

The Special Branch? That sinister subdivision of KMS you were talking about before?

Wait, she's on speaking terms with someone as high up as a director?!

Then this Special Branch really does exist...?

So you're the one who's been trying to hunt me down.

Strange, I always thought of you as a pencil-pushing bore. But now you pull these antics out of the blue.

"Ah yes, the old Xianhua charm."

Why are you targeting me?

"Do you really think I'd tell you that?"

"Besides, I have bigger concerns to worry about right now. I don't have time for you."

What?

Hey, wait!

That slimeball. What was he looking for?

Xianhua, care to fill us in? Do you know that man?

Yeah, I did, a long time ago. But I really don't have time to reminisce right now. I'm busy.

What are you doing?

I'm using their comms system to hack the KMS server. I'm trying to find that missing surveillance footage. What I'm hoping is that the footage will show whatever it is that the director's looking for. Then we simply secure it before KMS does, lure the director out, and get him to spill the beans for us.

Basically, you want to access KMS inside information at the highest level. Can you even do that?

Of course I can. I'm the one who designed their database in the first place. Though it may take some time to analyze its current specs... But you never know; maybe it'll show this urban legend of yours, Little Genius.

......

...Um, are you Professor Xianhua?

You're bit slow on the uptake, aren't you? You've only heard my name a bazillion times already.

Wow, wow, wow! WOW!

Why, do you know her or something?

Do I know her, you ask?! Why, Professor Xianhua, she's...

She's the master of life sciences and the mother of synth humans!

I'm so starstruck, I don't even know what to think! No wonder she has the skills to amaze even my genius!

I had no idea you were such a big deal, Xianhua.

Yeah, well, there's a lot you don't know, kid. I guess I am well-known.

But what's a legendary KMS scientist like you, who ranks with the likes of Professor Chronos, doing here? You disappeared from the public eye so long ago! The theory was that you'd died.

Yeah, they'd like that, wouldn't they? Can't a person retire without dumb rumors spreading about them?

Okay, the analysis is done. Looks like I've found our video data from the day of the incident.

Now, let's see what the Special Branch is so desperate to find.

Looks like it's captured the moment of the attack.

It's that song again! Just like in the Industrial Ruins.

A girl? What's she doing there?

Something's not right here.

The girl did that? With her bare hands? No, how could this be...

Wait, look closer. There's something strange about the man's body.

Huh?

You're right! The victim's body... It's entirely mechanical!

That physiology... That's no cyborg; that's a synth human! I've tinkered with Galliard's body, so I can tell. Then the victim was a synth human disguised as a real person?

That little girl is the synth human killer?

This is too much for even my genius to comprehend.

Well, there's only one thing for it! We have to find that child! Let's go, Xianhua!

How? How is she still alive?

Xianhua? You recognize her?

I...

I raised her.