Swearing on the Scales of Justice

You're happy to pair with this device, even though it will be easier to control the mass-produced units?

Sure, I don't see a problem with it.

This year's interns sure are unusual, choosing a prototype over the finished article. Well, whatever, it still needs to be tested. Just let me know if you want to switch units.

There, it's registered. Leave it on the default settings until the test run.

Thank you. See you later.

What are you up to, Isuka?

It looked like COA business...

We're carrying out a test run of one of our systems. It's such a large-scale operation that even interns like me have been drafted in.

So what are you testing?

It's citizen protection system for peace- keeping and public order... It's known as the Shield of Themis for short.

A what-now?

Heheh, it's probably faster to just show you. Wait a minute, I'll start it up.

Whoa?! What is that? A drone?

This is the Shield of Themis.

Themis? The goddess of justice, as legend has it. So what does the system do?

As the name suggests, it's a system to shield citizens. They will patrol Elzion and monitor everyone's movement history and bio data. It detects any harmful movements that disrupt public order, crimes in other words, and rushes over to protect the citizens.

R-Right...

Simply put, if someone pointed a gun at someone else, this would be able to shield them before the trigger was even pulled.

Oh, I get it!

Is that really possible?

Theoretically, yes. Provided their AI predictions are fully functioning, their initial response is faster than human police.

And they can detect signs of a crime from brain waves or weak bio signatures. So, in the example I gave you before... The second the criminal laid a finger on their gun, the drone would've finished its calculations and be rushing to the scene.

It's basically seeing the future!

Heheh, I guess you could say that.

But it doesn't look like this unit is just here to protect.

Is that a laser it's got there? From what you've been saying, it sounds like it operates autonomously. Is it allowed to fire?

Yes, in an emergency. But I'm told it's rare for them to actually use force. The Shield of Themis was designed to prioritize protecting citizens above all else. Since aggression comes with an increased risk of counterattack, it should only use this in the rarest of circumstances.

I see. So it is mostly a shield.

But there will obviously be exceptions. For example, if up against a violent criminal, defense alone won't stop the violence. It could actually do more harm than good... In such a case, it might fire its laser in order to suppress the criminal.

I see. How interesting. So the system itself judges whether or not to use force.

Yes. Actually... Testing this ability in today's test run is going to have huge implications. A "violent criminal" that the Shield would attack is a person highly likely to do considerable damage to public order. However, it's not easy to define what this actually means in any concrete sense.

I suppose you have a point... Criminal tendencies don't always stay the same, neither does our concept of social order.

Right. Which is why KMS, the designers, gave the units the ability to learn these things. In other words... What is right? What is wrong? Which actions are tied to the collapse of law and order? What must they stop to keep the peace? To do this, they installed a circuit into the Shields of Themis that is always thinking, and always updating.

What does AI consider to be "right," I wonder? What results will this test yield? I am incredibly intrigued.

You can join me if you like?

I'd be happy to. But would I be allowed?

This test involves releasing the Shields of Themis into the city and simulating how public order would actually change. It's not limited to COA officers like myself. Regular citizens are welcome to help.

In which case, I would love to join in.

You coming too, Aldo?

To be honest, I didn't understand a lot of that...

But Curio seems to be excited about it, so I may as well tag along.

Then let's head to the Gamma District. They must be ready for us by now.

So this is the district they're using for the test? This really is a huge experiment.

Everyone has a Shield of Themis like you.

Yes, the units for this experiment are all paired to an officer. It's best that an actual person checks to see whether the machines are collecting data correctly.

But yours looks a little different from everyone else's.

Mine is a prototype.

A prototype? I think I've heard that word before...

It's basically the original design. A crude, unrefined predecessor to the mass- produced units you see around you. I feel somewhat of an affinity for this unit.

Are there any differences in abilities between the prototype and mass- produced models?

Just the one. The mass-produced models can use their own judgment to open fire on a violent criminal.

However, this prototype requires final approval from a human first. You have to enter a complicated command, which slows down the response time... So, as necessary as I personally feel it to be, this function was scrapped for the mass-produced models.

So you didn't want to trust AI with that final decision to dispense justice on others.

No... Justice is a responsibility. It should be enforced by someone prepared to agonize over whether or not they made the right call.

Even if it brings you regret, or pain... Our freedom depends on not leaving that question of what is right to someone, or something, else.

That's what I like about you, Isuka.

So, what do you think about this test, where justice is left to the AI? Do you think it's going to go well?

I'm not sure. It depends on what they end up learning...

Are these the collaborators you requested?

Yes, more or less. I just need to tell them about the AR space we'll be using in the simulation.

Thank you.

Scope? What's that? It looks a bit like an earring.

AR means augmented reality, doesn't it? So is this a wearable device?

Great. Even more words I don't know.

Haha, sorry.

If you put on this earpiece, images will be projected onto the world around you. Right, Isuka?

Right. Why don't you try it on?

Whoa! What the?!

It looks like the Gamma District, but not the Gamma District I know.

This is a virtual Gamma District, for use in our simulation. It projects real citizen data onto the streets so that we can test in conditions as close as possible to the actual environment.

Ah, so they're testing out whether it works here before using it in the real Gamma District. But...

I can't tell them apart from real people at all. It's a really weird feeling.

They reproduced citizens' behavioral patterns using a huge amount of data linked to street scans and citizen numbers. Even their thoughts and speech should be almost the same as the real person.

You can do all that?! That's some incredible technology...

Hm? What's with that light?

I've got a message. Looks like the test's starting.

The Shields of Themis...

They've switched to surveillance mode. Come on, let's follow them.

AAAH!

Was that a scream?! I think it came from over there!

How could you steal my boyfriend?!

Stop! Don't shoot!

Oh no, this doesn't look good!

It's okay, it's just a simulation. It's showing an incident that occurred in this district in the past. Just watch.

I can't take this anymore! Just die already!

Aaahhh!

Huh?

Wh-What's that? Whatever, I'll just try again!

Argh...

That's amazing! The machines really did sort out the incident on their own.

The units seem to be cooperating with each other.

What are they doing?

They're synchronizing data. They share information about each incident in order to increase their collective wisdom.

Thank you. If you hadn't protected me, I'd be full of holes by now.

You saved my granddaughter. How can I ever thank you enough?

It looks like it's working. Does this make the test a success?

There don't seem to be any behavioral issues, at least. Which means, it's about time for the next stage of the test.

And what exactly does this next stage involve?

Heheh, just watch. It will start soon.

Huh?! There's two Shields of Themis?

That one's a virtual unit. It was made from data alone, just like the residents projected throughout the town.

So, using the virtual reproduction of Gamma District and the data the Shield of Themis has collected so far... What do you think will happen next?

An AI that can learn justice, created to maintain public order in Elzion... And a test created in this environment in order measure its real worth...

I would want to know what awaits us in the future, once the AI has learned its concept of justice.

Can this virtual space move time forward?

Bingo.

What?! But it's not a Riftbreaker! How can it travel through time?

This is all just data-based. The system performs a special analysis on the information acquired by the Shields of Themis... And then makes a mid-to-long term prediction of the effect this will have on society. Once the quantum computer calculations are done, our earpieces will show its prediction of the city a few years from now.

How fascinating. We've never used quantum computers for anything like this in my time layer. When one time layer has been through war and the other hasn't, I guess we'll use the same technology in different ways...

Curio...

I pray that world civilization develops only toward peace in the future. No, I don't pray. I consider it our personal responsibility to create such a world...

I have no doubt you can do it.

It looks like the video's coming through.

Oh? The simulation is showing five years into the future. They were meant to predict a little further than that...

The projection's changing!

Wh-What is this?

This wasn't quite how I imagined the future...

What caused all this devastation? We'd best look into this.

AAAHHH! Help me!

I can hear someone! Over there!

A-Aldo!

Looks like the Shields of Themis are still operating. I wonder what kind of justice they learned...

It looks like the city is being attacked by the Shields of Themis themselves. But they were only meant to use force against violent criminals. I wonder where these criminals are hiding?

No, I don't have enough evidence for such a judgment. I should try talking to someone...

What is going on?

Excuse me, what happened here?

I don't know either. I used to work here, but I was transferred out, four years after the Shields of Themis were introduced. I heard from an old friend that there was a huge disaster in the Gamma District, so I came here to help.

So when you left the town a year ago, there was nothing particularly out of the ordinary going on?

Far from it. Up until recently, this area was said to be the safest in all of Elzion. Arrests dwindled year by year, and this year there weren't any crimes at all.

Does that include today?

Yes. The Shields of Themis don't recognize this disaster as being criminal in origin.

If a crime is taking place in town, the unit's alarm should go off. But look, no alert whatsoever. So why...

Whoa!

Darn it! If I'd known it was going to be like this, I would have come more prepared!

I understand the situation, thank you. I'll leave you to protect the residents.

It doesn't look like the Shields of Themis are chasing after a criminal. So why...

Be pure...be innocent...be good... Don't activate their sensors...

Excuse me...

Eeep?! I-I'm not doing anything wrong! L-Look! See...

Calm down. I didn't come here to keep tabs on you.

Thank goodness.

What are you so scared of? You don't look like a bad person...

A bad person? How much of you is good? And how much of you is bad?

Huh?

It's so hard to live without ever hurting anyone, without ever causing the slightest inconvenience. But if you don't, those machines will come, to pass their judgment.

The Shields of Themis? The system shouldn't be that intolerant...

Oh, you're not from the city, are you? No wonder you don't know. At first, those machines only passed judgment on the bad people.

Thanks to that, all crime went from the town, and there were no more bad people. That was great, but... The machines have started to act really weird recently.

What do you mean by that?

They started to crack down on harmless mischief or the slightest breach of manners. Things that used to just get a warning. And they're acting much more extreme than before. They rarely ever used to fire their weapons, but now...

This is terrible...

I was so scared that I stopped leaving the house altogether. And now the town is like this... And my house is up in flames. I just don't know what to do.

Okay, thank you for telling me. There's an EGPD officer not far from here who's looking after residents. He'll take care of you.

Really? Thank you so much!

Looks like I've got some investigating to do.

Hey, miss! Is that the COA uniform I see?

Please do something! They started attacking us...

I'll be right with you to check it out!

Check it out, my foot! They've gone crazy! I've been in danger before the city ended up like this. But all I did this time... Was try to work out if I wanted a sandwich or bagel for lunch! I went for bagel and they rushed over and started attacking!

Some folks get hounded by them for simply taking a different route home. I can't live here anymore! And this is all COA's fault, for bringing them into our town!

I'm sorry. You should find somewhere safe to shelter.

Well obviously! What did you think I was gonna do?!

How admirable.

You're talking to a data projection, not a real human. You don't have to be so nice.

Oh, you're doing the test too?

Heheh, you might be right. They may not exist in real life. But...

If someone asks for help, I won't leave them to suffer, even if I know they are nothing more than a virtual data projection. It's just not in my nature.

Really? It's a bit of a personality flaw, but each to their own.

Did you find anything out yet?

Yes, it doesn't appear that the Shields of Themis are attacking any particular criminal. They have very recently changed their behavior and started to intensify their crackdowns.

So what do you think?

I think some data irregularity has caused their definitions of "public order" and "violent criminal" to be rewritten incorrectly.

But I still need to find out whether there is an actual error in their definitions.

No, you can skip that step.

Huh?

I made the same assumption, so tried synchronizing data from the AR Shields of Themis to my own unit. But my inspection didn't find anything questionable about the updates to their definitions over the five year period.

Interesting. But if it's not an issue with their definitions...

Could I borrow the device you used to carry out the data synch?

I'm afraid not... As soon as I synchronized the data, it flipped out and started to attack. I had to shut it down.

I see...

Have you come up with a new theory?

Yes. This is mere speculation, but what if...

Okay. I'll investigate this further.

What if the cause behind these events...

The AI was created in order to predict crimes, learn justice, and protect people, yet it started to attack them. If there are no errors to be found in their learning itself, then...

They started to crack down on harmless mischief or the slightest breach of manners. Things that used to just get a warning. And they're acting much more extreme than before. They rarely ever used to fire their weapons, but now...

All I did was try to work out if I wanted a sandwich or bagel for lunch! I went for bagel and they rushed over and started attacking! Some folks get hounded by them for simply taking a different route home.

Perhaps the thing that's glitching is that function. As for how I check this...

Huh?

It's my paired data unit. It doesn't look like it's going to attack me.

It needs human approval in order to attack, which must be why it's not going berserk. Good boy. Now I can examine your data.

I see. I thought as much...

Isuka!

There you are! Did you find anything out?

Yes, I think I have a general idea of what's going on. Why don't we compare notes?

I see. So that's what happened? We gathered a fair bit of information too, but it's all on the same lines as yours.

The Shields of Themis suddenly started to attack people, yet there are no violent crimes being committed. There was nothing wrong with their learned definitions of justice or public order. Yet they're more aggressive, even punishing the innocent. There must be something wrong with one if its functions.

So in terms of Shield of Themis functions... There's predicting crimes and rushing to the scene, there's attacking violent criminals, and there's also learning what justice means.

There are no violent crimes and there was nothing wrong with their learned content. Which means...

What's this, Aldo? Did you think of something?

Yeah. What if... The problem is in its prediction function?

Good guess, Aldo. Are you thinking the same thing, Curio?

Yes. Ever since I heard about how the Shields of Themis were overreacting, I figured that had to be it.

I actually found the data to back that up, just before we met up.

What?

As you've both guessed, the cause of these events is an issue with the Shield of Themis' crime prediction function. It originally sensed signs of a crime using brain waves and bio signatures, to help it get to the scene more quickly.

However, the more it learned, the more complicated its calculation algorithm became... It's meant to see one step ahead of its opponent, but by some error, it's predicting multiple steps ahead instead.

That must be why they're overreacting.

I don't know if this is the right word to use for AI, but it's almost like it's paranoid.

So that's why they started to attack people for deciding what to have for lunch, or taking the long way home. I'm glad this is a virtual space. It would be terrifying if this was real life.

It certainly would be. However...

It seems somewhat arbitrary for an AI malfunction.

Don't you think?

Great minds think alike. The AI's thoughts are going beyond the realm of crime prediction. Why wasn't this defect in the algorithm detected before? It seems to me that someone is behind this series of event. Someone intended for this to happen.

So someone wanted this experiment to fail? Who would...

Huh?

The virtual space is destabilizing. Almost like someone's trying to shut it down in a hurry...

We're back in the original Gamma District!

Something must have happened. Why else would they abort the test without any warning?

We're in real trouble!

What's wrong?

A load of Shields of Themis have been taken from the KMS warehouse!

What?!

According to their GPS data, they're heading to the Theta District! We've got to hurry!

I have a bad feeling about this... We should head to the Theta District as well.

What's with these drones?

Why are there so many? It's creeping me out.

Oh no! What's going on?

This is not good...

What do you mean?

These Shields of Themis are from the same batch as the ones we used in the test. And...

They're starting to synch the learned data from that experiment at high speed!

Does that mean what I think it does?

The tragedy that befell the virtual Gamma District will repeat itself now, without the five year wait.

How much time do we have left?

Let's see now... About an hour.

Can't we just turn them off?

Unfortunately, unlike during the test run, these ones aren't paired with an officer. We can't control them manually. The only one who'll know how to stop them is whoever modified them.

Oh no...

What a bind. If we use force, one wrong move and they'll update their learning, turning this whole area into a sea of flames.

So our only option is to find whoever's responsible?

Honestly, this is quite a mess.

Officer Renri...

I've already been filled in. Apparently the Shields of Themis had been programmed to head to the Theta District at this particular time.

Clearly they wanted to time it for after the experiment.

You don't have any suspects, Renri?

Standard hacking technology cannot break through the security system at KMS's warehouse. Not a single alert went off, which makes it highly likely that this was an inside job.

So, someone from KMS or COA who took part in today's test run?

But there were so many people. How do we narrow it down?

That should be enough to go on. I think I have an idea.

You do?

If we send a message to everyone who took part in the test, we might be able to use that as bait to lure the culprit out.

I see... But what would the message say?

Anything that would trigger some kind of emotion in the culprit. Anger, or impatience, for example. But without first knowing the culprit, we have no way of knowing what kind of message would work.

So it's a dead-end? We don't even know what they look like.

Don't give up so easily.

It's all about the profiling, Aldo. If we study their actions so far, we can get an idea of their character.

There have been a few characteristic points to their behavior so far. If we can unravel them, they could help us understand the culprit's temperament.

Their behavior? Where do we start?

Good question. Why don't we first look at their detours?

Detours?

If we determine the end point of this case, we can deduce the shortest route to get there. Then we can compare the route our culprit took with this shortest route.

This will show any inefficient behavior that diverges from the shortest route. These little differences will tell us about the culprit's personality and any hangups they may have.

I see...

The end point in question must be the destruction of this district by the Shields of Themis. But if that was their only aim, there would be many other quicker and easier ways to accomplish this.

Right. You could simply manipulate the attack rates. You wouldn't have to rewrite the whole algorithm.

There must be something of the culprit's thought process in this M.O. Which means...the timing of the crime itself could be important to them.

What do you mean?

They chose to act at this particular time, during a large-scale test involving people from both COA and KMS. They can access the KMS warehouse, so if all they wanted was the test data, they could have acted when it was closed. And yet, they chose to carry out their crime right after the test. Which means...

There was a significance in them releasing the Shields of Themis into the city after we'd seen the devastation they caused.

Yes, that's certainly a possibility.

Someone obsessed with preventative justice, to the point where they will enforce it... And yet also someone who wants to make a message to either COA or KMS...

So how about we send something worded like this?

That could work. I'll arrange for it to be sent to the relevant parties.

So the message has been sent. I hope something happens...

I've got a message!

It looks like some people who match our culprit profile have accessed the database related to the message. We'll need a little time to trace their phones, but we seem to have narrowed down our contenders to a few spots...

We should split up and investigate.

Let's split into two groups led by me and Isuka, since we both have investigatory powers here. I'm fine on my own, so why don't the rest of you back up Isuka?

Got it!

So where should we go?

Let's see... There is one contender in the Former KMS HQ. But this is quite possibly due to the security update, so the analysis team has lowered their priority.

Still, it doesn't sit right with me, given the timing.

Okay. We'll investigate.

Thanks so much!

That's settled then. Let's head to the Former KMS HQ!

So this is the Former KMS HQ? I heard that it had been shut down...

But it still seems to have minimal security. Best to be careful here.

But...

For standard security, there's something not quite right about how they're acting.

Yeah, it feels like we've been watched ever since we got here.

It looks like they're sending the surveillance data of us somewhere.

I'll see if we can intercept.

Isuka, are you okay?!

I'm fine. I guess it was protected after all. However... If our guy is up ahead, they won't be able to ignore us now.

Speak of the devil. They must be here to get rid of us.

Not if I have anything to do with it!

This would be enough to finish off the average pursuer. But they should have known who they were messing with.

You'd need some pretty decent equipment to command all these. There aren't so many places like that in the building...so I think I know whereabouts they'll be.

So he'll be waiting for us once we're done here!

Will you two help me clear the way?

Of course!

How can this be? How could just three win against of all them?

That's enough!

I presume you're a researcher involved in the development of the Shield of Themis? There's nowhere to run now.

Darn it! So you're the ones who sent that message? What an impudent approach...

Sorry if we hurt your feelings there. But we didn't have much of a choice. We had to protect the citizens.

A part of me knew it was a trap, but I lost my cool. "Suspect in Shield of Themis case has barricaded himself in the Theta District." "He demands a huge ransom in exchange for the lives of all Theta District residents..." There was even video. You really had me.

We crudely edited together footage from previous cases. There certainly was a risk that you'd see through it... But what you feared wasn't failing to destroy the Theta District.

Even if it had been successfully destroyed, what you feared was your intentions being misconstrued. Am I wrong?

You're not. I couldn't bear the thought of it being handled like some vulgar, money-grabbing crime. Even if the town was destroyed, my ideals would be dirtied. Knowing that, I simply couldn't contain myself.

So why did you do it?

It was a terrible thing, seeing the virtual Gamma District reduced to ashes by the Shields of Themis. What did you gain from making that experiment fail?

Fail? Hahahahaha!

What are you talking about? It was a raging success!

Huh?

Everything went according to plan. If the AI reasoned that "there is nobody here to protect," then that is justice. If any mistakes were made, they were made by the humans who couldn't adapt to the new public order.

That's absurd! That wasn't public order! Not by any definition!

That is my ideal society. With AI keeping the order, and humans there to BE judged, but not TO judge, people will actually obey. It's the best way of life for the human race, who always errs and disturbs the peace, no matter how developed the civilization.

I have to disagree with you. Humans make mistakes. Which is why we have to keep on asking ourselves what is right. If we pass the scales of justice onto others, then what dignity do we have as a human race?

Dignity?

I lost my girlfriend for that worthless concept!

What?!

My girlfriend was killed by COA. By their flawed justice. By their incompetence.

Could you tell us what happened?

You're COA, right? So you must know about the incident in the Theta District three years ago.

Three years ago? The Theta District... A COA officer's fault...

By any chance... Was your girlfriend the victim during that robbery?

She was. That day, she was meant to go with me to buy a ring. But while she was waiting for me, she was taken hostage by the robber as he made his escape.

......

Cornered by COA, he was driven to a frenzy. He shot her. They caught the robber but they couldn't save her! She was the only one to lose her life, sweet and innocent as she was.

......

What is the point of justice if not to protect the innocent?

Why couldn't they protect her? If COA hadn't messed up their initial response... If the robber hadn't run off to that district... If this world didn't permit evil to exist...

However much I mourned, however much I prayed for time to rewind, she never returned to me. Which is why I...

I see...

You prayed for a society free of evil, ruled by AI. Or, failing that, for the destruction of society itself.

That's right! Nothing can ever make up for what I lost. His punishment wasn't in proportion to the value of her life. And so...

I decided to rectify this, to make it proportionate. And pass judgment on the evils of this world, on society, on humans!

I thought he'd still have a trick to play...

It's clearly not in the same league as the others we've seen.

Isuka?!

Are you wanting to receive the first punishment?

Not in the slightest. I just wanted to ask you... Who do you want to punish most in this world?

How dare you?! You don't know me! Don't act like you do!

Looks like further dialogue is going to be difficult. But...

I have no intention of backing down either. I'll give you all I've got.

Ngh!

Looks like he's played his hand.

So justice is on your side, is it?

But, I still...

Ah...!

Isuka!

Are you okay?!

Yes, I think so...

You certainly have quick reflexes. To detect that there was a tiny bomb about to head your way and to throw yourself onto it like that... You would have had quite the early retirement if you hadn't sent the bomb flying. Were you prepared for that?

I would have liked a little more time to work that out for myself. But I'm glad you're safe.

Me?

What are you talking about? My bomb was for you!

No it wasn't. It was there to obliterate you yourself, no?

I...

I realized...who it was that you most wanted to punish.

......

The excessive crime prediction function you programmed into the Shields of Themis... This design wasn't rooted in worship of the machines, nor was it rooted in despair for humanity. It was wholehearted regret that fueled your design.

......

You didn't originally take part in this project out of ill will. But this thing that you had created in the pursuit of your ideals was too much to bear, wasn't it?

I'm surprised you were able to work all that out. After she died, I kept on finding myself thinking... Where did I make the wrong choice?

......

If that robber hadn't appeared in that district, and if COA hadn't messed up their initial response... If I hadn't made plans with her that day, if I'd never met her... If evil had never existed in this world...

......

I decided that, as atonement for not being able to save her, I should erase all evil from the world. That was why I joined the project. I eliminated just about every cause of crime, but I still couldn't create a world free of it.

Before I knew it... I was hallucinating, seeing her in the virtual space. She was waiting for me in the Theta District, shot by those bullets again and again, staring at me, her eyes filled with regret...

So that's why you made the Shield of Themis as you did.

Yes. I thought a society that would forever harbor evil...

Should be condemned to disappear. Me along with it.

Is that why you had the bomb? So that you could take your life once you'd seen the destruction for yourself?

Your regret was more than you could bear. And so...

Why don't you let us take some of it?

What?

I won't pretend to understand, and I won't show you cheap sympathy. Your pain is yours alone. But... At least let us share some of the burden of that regret you harbor.

......

Justice has to mean taking responsibility for everything. When it comes to our greatest regret, something which might be our fault, someone we couldn't reach in time... All we can do is doubt and agonize over how we can ever make up for it, and choose which path to go down next.

But... So that you aren't crushed by the weight of your regret... So that you no longer curse this world... We can walk beside you.

So that's what justice means to you? Perhaps if I'd just been able to ask for help a little sooner, I would have been able to change something.

It's not too late.

No, it is too late.

Huh?

Forgive me. The Shields of Themis that I unleashed in the Theta District... Well, I no longer have the technology to stop them.

What?!

There's a control key that can force them to stop. But I gave it to some man.

No...

He turned up at my research lab when my Shield of Themis work came to a standstill. And he whispered to me... "Is it really worth existing in a world without ideals?"...

...!

Those words sounded so sweet to me. Destroying everything always seemed easier to me than realizing my ideals. But as the time to install the program in the Shield of Themis grew closer, I started to get scared.

He said it was revolution I feared. If I was scared I'd lose my resolve, I could give the means to stop it... To someone else. I was so tired of thinking. And so...

You gave the control key to Curio.

How did you know his name?

I'll explain later.

A young man...?

He turned up at my research lab when my Shield of Themis work came to a standstill. And he whispered to me... "Is it really worth existing in a world without ideals?"...

No...

Those words sounded so sweet to me. Destroying everything always seemed easier to me than realizing my ideals. But as the time to install the program in the Shield of Themis grew closer, I started to get scared.

He said it was revolution I feared. If I was scared I'd lose my resolve, I could give the means to stop it... To someone else. I was so tired of thinking. And so...

...I understand. Do you remember his name?

His name... It was Curio, if I recall right.

...!

(Wait, Curio? Is this another clone situation like back in the Volos Research Institute?)

You met Curio?! Then he must still be alive.

We watched him die. If that's true, then... Some of the things that happened after his death don't make sense.

No. We watched him die. But if that's true, then... Some of the things that happened after his death don't make sense.

Do you know him?

I'll explain later.

A young man...?

He turned up at my research lab when my Shield of Themis work came to a standstill. And he whispered to me... "Is it really worth existing in a world without ideals?"...

Those words sounded so sweet to me. Destroying everything always seemed easier to me than realizing my ideals. But as the time to install the program in the Shield of Themis grew closer, I started to get scared.

He said it was revolution I feared. If I was scared I'd lose my resolve, I could give the means to stop it... To someone else. I was so tired of thinking. And so...

......

Hey, Isuka. I've never known you to rile people up quite this much.

I was thinking the same thing. I know it's impossible, but somehow, I can't discount the chance. I saw him die with my own eyes, and yet...

...I understand. Do you remember the name of the young man you gave the key to?

His name... It was Curio, if I recall right.

...!

(Wait, Curio? Is this another clone situation like back in the Volos Research Institute?)

Curio?! But he's dead.

It can't be... We can't be sure whether this is really him or not yet. But with that name involved, we can't let this matter lie.

Yes. We can't be sure whether this is really him or not yet. But with that name involved, we can't let this matter lie.

We only have this one Shield of Themis that has been paired with me. As its developer, you must be able to use this unit to trace the whereabouts of the control key, right?

...!

So there is still something I can do! I'll start right away.

Thank you. And also...

So? Do you think you can find the control key?

Yes. Not long now...

Found it! But this location...

...... I thought this might happen.

Isuka! Where's Curio?

Above us. He must have been watching us this whole time.

...Above us. It feels like someone's been watching us from the very start. I'm finding it very hard to believe this isn't related, anymore.

You were a little faster than I anticipated. You've grown the slightest amount more than I'd thought.

What's your aim here, Curio?

Actually, that doesn't matter right now. Just hand over the control key.

You're...

No way. Are you really Curio? But we saw you die!

I'm the real thing, the genuine article. If you don't believe me, ask Isuka.

Isuka...

There's no doubt in my mind. That voice, that face, those mannerisms... I know them better than anyone. As much as I want to deny it.

Then all this really was your doing.

I would very much like to know what you're doing here... But this is no time to prioritize my personal feelings. Give me the control key.

You're...

No way...it just can't be! How could Curio be alive?

I'm the real thing, the genuine article. If you don't believe me, ask Isuka.

Isuka...

There's no doubt in my mind. That voice, that face, those mannerisms... I know them better than anyone. As much as I want to deny it.

Then, wait... So you didn't really die back then?

No. That's impossible. I saw him die with my own eyes.

......

I would very much like to know what you're doing here... But this is no time to prioritize my personal feelings. Give me the control key.

You're...

I'm the real thing, the genuine article.

Yes, there's no doubt in my mind. That voice, that face, those mannerisms... I know them better than anyone. As much as I want to deny it.

Then all this really was your doing. (So does that mean this Curio is...?)

I would very much like to know what you're doing here... But this is no time to prioritize my personal feelings. Give me the control key.

The control key? This, you mean?

Fine. I've done what I wanted to. I'll give it to you.

Huh?

Wha?!

I appreciate you getting to the point. Though I suppose it all hinges on what exactly you were doing with this...

You really don't trust me, do you? I didn't do much. I just modified the control key to my own specifications. Just a few little changes.

Specifications?

Oh...

Have you figured something out, Isuka?

Yes. The shutdown conditions have been overwritten. In order to stop the Shields of Themis running amok in the Theta District...

......

Isuka?

We don't have all day, Isuka. If you don't want to say it, I will. The Shield of Themis control key is linked to my bio data. To put it simply...

My death is the only thing that will stop them.

The only way to stop them now is to kill me a second time.

What?!

It's strange. You take the same form as me, yet I cannot read your thoughts at all. Surely neither choice is advantageous for you?

Ah, but you can't see the full picture.

When we met in Xeno-Domain, you were using an android...

If you're trying to mess with us using another remote-controlled fake, it's not funny.

How could you think I'd use the same trick twice? I'm hurt.

I'm the real thing, the genuine article. If you don't believe me, ask Isuka.

Isuka...

There's no doubt in my mind. That voice, that face, those mannerisms... I know them better than anyone. As much as I want to deny it.

Oh, then why...

But I really want to know. ...Whether what I saw in my final moments was a vision of despair, or one of hope.

Final moments...

From your phrasing, I assume that you actually did die there, back then. But if that's the case, then just who are you, really? We can't be expected to make a deal with a total stranger, now can we?

Fine. My time here is limited, so I'll tell you, as a special bonus. I'm...what you might call an artificial backup.

...!

Sometime in my original's life... He took his genes and memories and made a clone out of them.

(I knew it.)

Sure sounds like something I would think of doing, doesn't it? When my original died, I awoke. I was given only one mission.

A mission?

To see what would become of the world after his death. That's all I've been up to. That's why I can balance the lives of the planet on these scales.

Then why are you doing all this to Isuka, then? What's the point?!

You see, I want to free Isuka. Sister, do you remember when I said you were closed-minded?

Because I was wrong. You're not closed- minded at all, you're just being held back.

......

The things you value: responsibility, justice, virtuousness... They are all corrupting your thoughts. Each time your burden increases, your feet sink deeper into the mud, your wings getting further from the sky.

It's because you feel the weight of life that you can never let go of the scales of justice. You need to change your thinking.

......

You can fly higher. You have such beautiful wings, how can you be satisfied with a life walking the ground with these no-haves? You and I are a pair of wings. I can create scenes in this world that only you can see.

If you kill me, you're basically shutting off that possibility forever. Choosing the lives of those worthless citizens...

Is the same as saying you have no wings. And there will never be another like you, who can talk to me as an equal.

Which is why I can't comprehend why you don't care whether you die or not.

I don't need you to understand it. I just think... That a life spent staring at the empty chair across from the chessboard will feel a lot bleaker than you're willing to imagine.

......

...You're saying you have no wings. And there will never be another like you, who can talk to me as an equal.

Will you really throw away your one and only life, for this? Just for this?

It's a little bit of consideration, from me to you. Even if I don't exist anymore, I want Isuka to keep living a life worthy of her true being. It's not such a rare thing for the dead to wish for the ones they've left behind to be happy, is it?

......

So, Isuka. It's time for your answer. You can't postpone the destruction of the Theta District anymore. Which will you choose? The citizens' lives or mine?

......

Isuka...

I've long since thought of my answer. It's obvious which choice I should make. It's just... The words won't come out. They keep getting stuck in my throat. I just can't stop myself from thinking... That if I let him die, he'll never have the chance to make right his wrongs.

I've long since thought of my answer. It's obvious which choice I should make. It's just... The words won't come out. They keep getting stuck in my throat. I just can't stop myself thinking... That if I let him die, he'll never have the chance to make right his wrongs.

It's funny to think that I prided myself on my sense of justice, yet it ended up so easy to sway.

......

No one's laughing at you, Isuka. This has nothing to do with how many crimes he's committed, or whether they can be forgiven. Even if the world turns against you, I won't let you go. Because of course you're going to think that way. After all...

He's your brother. He's the only family you've got.

......

If you can't make a choice, I'll go to destroy the Shields of Themis. Even if I can only destroy one unit, or only save one person. Everyone from COA is there, I'm sure they'll work something out.

So...

Thank you. I appreciate the sentiment. But I won't mince words. Your plan isn't very realistic. However...

It was kind of you to try to think of an option that wouldn't bring me pain.

Isuka...

You've helped me make up my mind. No matter how painful this choice is, I won't ignore the thoughts going around my head. You taught me that.

And so... No matter how you struggle, I will do my best to guide you into the light.

...... So you finally decided to answer.

You'd better get a move on.

The Shields of Themis will be ready to attack now. They're going to fire in...

3...

2...

1...

Wh-What happened?!

Now, that was unexpected. All the Shields of Themis under my control have shutdown. However...

My heart doesn't appear to have stopped. Mind telling me how you did that?

I took a chance... On whether we could stop the Shields of Themis without the control key.

A chance?

When the countdown began, the Shields of Themis started to learn at a significantly faster rate. They will have reasoned that there were no humans to protect in the town, just one step before.

But how did that help you stop them?

I didn't stop them. I just sped them up.

Huh?!

At that rate, their destruction wouldn't have stopped until the Theta District was in a sea of flames. So, I made the Shields simulate the world after that, when they had long since burned everything to the ground.

That world had no more people, and no more public order to protect. At which point, they predicted the crimes they themselves would eventually commit.

So the Shields of Themis shut themselves down? But how did you speed them up?

Do you remember when I asked the developer to search for the control key before? Well, at the same time, I asked him to infect this prototype with a simple virus.

A virus?!

Yes. To put it simply, one to make the Shields of Themis continually debate with each other. The Shields of Themis have three functions: crime prediction, use of force, and synch- ronizing data to form collective wisdom. Normally, the Shields know when to use which function... But the virus interferes with their ability to separate them.

In other words, it made them prioritize informational exchange with the other Shields above crime prediction and attack?

Exactly. Because we can't completely shut off the other functions, it was just there to stall for time. But when we couldn't get the control key, I figured it could at least work as a quick fix.

Okay, so you used a virus, but what's that got to do with speeding them up?

I hadn't got to that yet. It was only when the countdown was starting that I realized the virus could be used for anything other than buying time. I infected all the Shields of Themis in the Theta District using my paired unit, this prototype.

Then, once the foundation for parallel processing by hundreds of Shields had been laid, I inserted mass amounts of data.

What data?

All the crime data that COA has ever recorded.

Ah, if a large number of Shields parallel process the vast quantities of crime data, their learning will speed up dramatically.

And that meant they were able to predict all the way up to the day the world ends?

Precisely. I didn't know if it would actually work or not, but there weren't really any better options. Still...

I'm sorry. This was the only path I could choose.

This is a decision you agonized over. There's no need to apologize to anyone.

You really are kind, Aldo.

Curio, I can't let you die before you've known the weight of your crimes. Someday, you'll regret what you've done. Until that day, I will fight all the evil that spews from you. I won't let you lay a finger on this world.

Curio. You don't yet grasp the extent of the sins you've committed. But I believe that you don't have to follow the same path your original did. You can become something different.

You are my brother, the only family I have. And this is the only thing I can do for you.

Shut up. You're coming with us. You're finally going to make up for all the things you've done.

I see. So that was your decision. Never in my estimations did I think you'd make such an naive decision, or have such an innocent outlook.

Your wings may be weighed down by mud, but you were able to fly here, Isukacherry.

Huh?

There he is! Let's go!

Looks like our little talk's been cut short. Fine. I'm in an unusually good mood today, so I'll do as you say.

What's wrong? If you have any worries, you're free to restrain me.

What was all that about? Why didn't he resist?

He must have some plan. Stay alert.

......

Isuka?

Did I make the right choice? Maybe now, there'll never be another moment when I have the power over Curio's life or death. If this was my last chance to stop him, then I...

No, Isuka. You get to decide whether or not this was your last chance.

Did I make the right choice, I wonder. I let him live, hoping he would manage to make something different of himself. Something better. If this was the wrong choice...

We can't know for sure, Isuka. Nothing about anyone's future is set in stone.

And you said it yourself. It is the responsibility of whoever hands out justice to agonize over their decisions.

Curio...

So, if you're agonizing over this, that only proves that you were right. I believe that it's only by questioning the choices we make that we are able to hold onto our sense of right and wrong.

And Isuka, didn't you also say...

That the path you choose will be one to make up for all the people you couldn't save, and all the things you regret? The reason you didn't abandon Curio, even though you couldn't save him, is because of your sense of justice.

Justice...

Thanks. You're right. I will take full responsibility for my decision. Anything else would be pure sophistry.

And we're always here to help you out.

......

I was just wondering... What game to play next...

You were saying?

Isuka really is the only one worth going against. I hope you're ready, Sister.

You really are the only one I've found who can entertain me, Isuka. I can't believe you'd shake things up and take a third option so naturally.

Hey...my original. She's not as weak as you feared. Even mired in mud, her wings beat so fiercely and...so beautifully. Surely...

Ah, would you look at the time. This body was nothing more than a temporary solution, after all. Just right to say goodbye with. ...She's watched me die once already. I guess I'll have to make her go through it a second time.

Still...a different path from my original, is that what she said? This probably isn't quite what she had in mind... But this isn't a bad way to go. I bet my original felt the same way. Yes...it sure was fun.

If we meet again someday, somewhere... Let's play again...Isukacherry.