Prologue (part 3)

As usual, I roam the surroundings hoping my sisters will appear, but I'm still out of luck.

I've created a large device that emits a short-wave signal in the hopes of reaching every corner of the planet, it looks like a cannon pointing upwards, albeit a bit old-fashioned, but it serves its purpose.

It emits between 1 and 2 pulses per second, if they amplify their sensors, they would detect it and be drawn to my position.

But unfortunately, the bombs and missiles from the great war cause interference. I'm not sure if it's the most appropriate method, but it's the best I could come up with, considering my limited resources. There's little else I can do.

Even though I'm an android, I wasn't precisely built to search for someone lost on an entire planet.

—"They will come"...won't they?.— That's the only thing I can tell myself.

I walk through this desolate place, an old military and space base that escaped direct hits but not their consequences, like the long winter that only disappeared a few years ago.

Since it has many valuable parts, I decided to stay here.

I stop, looking around. This usually happens, suddenly I fall silent, doing nothing. I've always been a very quiet and calm artificial intelligence. Too calm?, but my Creator always said, "I like that part of you."...

...I smile softly as I remember him..

The scorching sun, although it doesn't affect me, the horizon very distant and nothing but desert in a light brown or yellow color.

I drag the gray wing of a fighter aircraft on my way to the base, the first thing that stands out is the woven metal fences, I can see them a few meters away from me. They're damaged, but I've raised them all, I like order, it means someone lives here.

I've been alone for a long time, it's incredible how loneliness affects even a machine. How long have I waited?, decades... Many times I have to shut down my own system for years because they never come...

But I can't get depressed, my younger sisters depend on me...

Between the usual impassiveness I have and the sorrow, I continue walking, trying to change my mood.

I pass through the main gate, originally a vehicle entrance, not for pedestrians.

I take the gate with my hands, sliding it gently to the side, closing it again as I enter. It's automatic, and there's a guard booth that controls it, but now there's no one to open it or electricity to waste.

There's a communication tower, single-story buildings along the base, and a small airstrip. It's not very extensive.

My house is in the main hangar, the closest one to the takeoff platform. The roof looks curved and made of metal, but it's concrete. It has a very large door in the front and a smaller one for people. Obviously, the paint has been ruined, but the structure is intact.

As I open the large door to fit the wing, I lift it in the air to prevent it from scratching the ground. The place looks quite empty except for my few decorations, large white columns holding up the roof along the entire place, some chains hanging from the iron beams, extinguished lamps, and a small office at the end.

—I'm home.— I say without emotion and walk to the end of the building, leaving the part of a plane I found today. Judging by the shape, I think it's an F-22, an old fifth-generation fighter.

I have a small but exclusive collection of parts that catch my attention; cars, tanks, planes, shuttles, helicopters. I have them with the purpose of doing something, nothing more..

Taking a last look at my collection, I head to the control room on the lower floor. There's no elevator, just stairs.

—Let's see, where was I?.—

Everything seems to be working fine, a simple room with some computers that test navigation, thanks to the parts I got a few days ago.

But it's quite complicated, you know?, there are very few spare parts, perhaps it's the most difficult task. "Asuka, find IA, Asuka, find Mikuni, Asuka, repair a rocket." No matter how difficult it is, I do it for Him, only for Him...

...If He could see me now, would he think I'm pretty?...

...He'd say something like; "Do you know what is the difference between seeing beauty and not seeing it?, in one, you love, in the other, you hate." or something like that... typical of him...

...I keep remembering every moment by his side..

My CPU allows me to play music, we used to listen to classical music in our laboratory. As Judy used to say; "A song from prehistory, I'm sure dinosaurs danced to that music."…

—Claude Debussy, Suite Bergamasque, L 75: III.— I pronounce the composer's name and the song.

Walking slowly and gracefully to this music relaxes me.

I finish checking the conditions for takeoff and go back up the stairs.

Could she have left me a finished rocket?, it wasn't easy to repair, or maybe it was, each new part I needed was farther away than the last.

It was a lot of work, I don't complain. It was also entertaining, it helped me pass the time... and its purpose is the most important thing.

For such a long journey, I couldn't leave anything to chance. How would I have done it if I had had help?, I analyze the possibilities, walking towards the platform, step by step. I know He likes refined ladies, so I try to have some class in everything I do, even when moving.

The rocket is outside, on the launch pad, I found it a long time ago, but it wasn't working.

Next to it, I look very small, it's huge and will only be used by three passengers.

—You're finally finished.. what's inside you is very valuable..—

I walk towards the large structure, placing my hand on the final area of the engines, looking up.

I have nothing else to do now, just keep waiting.

This small, dusty place has become my home, I can't deny that I've grown fond of it. I wish I had a camera to take a picture of it.

On one of the walls, I made a small frame that says "Asuka and Razar's Home", our Creator.

Quite young in his field of work, gray eyes, gray hair over his face slightly past his chin, although I could see his eyes without a problem with his characteristic vertical pupil, and of course, a white lab coat.

Leaving the platform, a faint smile forms on my face as I remember him, I know I've been useful, and he's still alive in my memory…

—Light?.— My gaze moves quickly as I see the red light of a siren on the wall has turned on.

I reactivate my sensors because those lights are connected to the device I made for them...

—The message has stopped!.—

In an instant, I bend a few centimeters by flexing my legs, taking a leap that carries me about 100 meters above the ground towards the entrance.

I amplify my vision while I'm in the air, searching my surroundings...

...It's them... they're my sisters...

They look the same as the last time we saw each other...

My body falls instantly into the sand, making a small crater. I step out of it, standing on the surface...

Mikuni has a smile, and IA looks serious, but they keep walking towards me. I stay still in my place.

—IA.. Mikuni, you're finally here, you've finally arrived..—

Mikuni runs towards me and hugs me, I wrap my arms around her. I feel so happy that I could cry.

IA approaches, but doesn't seem to have the same reaction. Letting myself be carried away by the emotion, I also hug her tightly.

—IA..— I say her name while she remains in my arms..

I always imagined this moment, I can hardly believe it.

Slowly, I let her go, and she still doesn't say anything.

—Do you know how long I've been waiting for you?, almost 200 years!, but I'm glad you're fine. Just as I was ordered, I found you and repaired a rocket with its spacecraft.—

I kiss their cheeks and hold their hands, it feels so good to be with them..

—Can I know who you are?.— I ask this girl with blue eyes and pink hair that reaches below her waist.

Suddenly, she shot up into the sky and fell. Upon meeting us, she said our names, and it seems that Mikuni knows her.

We spent several months walking to get to this place. Mikuni's ability to speak is still not available, but we've bonded enough in this time.

I knew there was someone else here, even if it wasn't a living being. Her voice is from the message.

—Why do you ask who I am?, I'm your older sister, Asuka.— Says the girl with pink hair.

She seems to have an incredibly calm and sophisticated aura, but my question about who she is has surprised her.

—I see that they managed to find you..— Asuka says, and her expression changes to a more melancholic one. Does this girl know what happened?, does she have the same memories as Mikuni?.

—They?.— I ask, not showing too much intrigue, not knowing exactly what she's referring to.

—I appeared some time ago in the middle of nowhere, without remembering anything more than my name, just as it's written under my left eye.— I explain to the girl with pink hair.

—I understand. I'm sure you want to know what happened.— Asuka says.

Definitely, this girl knows me, she looks sad.

—Mikuni, do you not remember anything either?, you're very quiet.— The girl turns to Mikuni, who is clinging to her arm, not letting go since she saw her.

Mikuni shakes her head from side to side to deny Asuka's question.

—Her memories are intact, but her language ability is damaged. Mikuni can only write her name and doesn't know how to speak.— I explain calmly.

—Hmm... then I'll have to check your head, Mikuni. Follow me this way, this has been my house all this time.—

Mikuni knows the girl, so I suppose I can trust her.

Together, we walk into what seems to be a military base.

—The transmission you were hearing was programmed to shut off when you were close enough.—

We enter a large hangar, with white columns supporting the roof and what seem to be parts of airplanes and other vehicles in the distance.

—Where do I start?, do you not remember my name either, IA?.—

—I'm sorry, but no.—

—Hmm... as I said, I'm Asuka, your older sister. Our creator, Razar, made the three of us. In theory, Mikuni was created by another corporation, but his models and studies were used to assemble her, so she's basically part of the family.—

We walk alongside Asuka until we reach the back door of the hangar, where there's a launch pad and a huge rocket.

—I didn't have a physical body back then, my only purpose was to control what happened in a laboratory where our creator worked. My serial name is "03" and you two belong to the generation that was given a body and destined for war. Mikuni is series "01" and you are series "IA".— Asuka turns and looks at me.

As she speaks, I don't know why I feel a great anxiety within me.

Her expression changes, and she lowers her gaze, it's hard for her to continue.

—That night, at dawn, at 4:44 am, was the last time I saw him. I also don't know how I got here or why I now have a body.—

***

—If I had a body, I could help you in a situation like this.— I tell my Creator, watching him through the lab cameras.

—I know, but if I gave you a body, they would also come for you. How much time do we have?.— Razar asks, hastily connecting the last cables in IA's body.

—They're climbing the hill, they'll reach the building in a minute or two. Will you make it in time?.— I ask, he can only hear my voice, but I know he feels my concern.

—You know better than I do, Asuka. To transfer IA's consciousness to her body, I'll have to go out and face them..— Razar replies, visibly aware of what that means..

—It's not necessary!, the turrets you installed can protect us, some doors are armored, they won't be able to reach us!.— I'm always such a feminine and calm girl, but knowing he is in danger affects me.. reflecting in my tone..

—The main door is glass, Asuka, it's not a military base, it's an old laboratory. It wasn't the best option, but it would give us more time.—

—Henrietta!, Henrietta can help us!.— I know she would come for him without hesitation..

—IA's consciousness is already loading..— Razar says, distressed, placing his hands on the control station where the camera monitors are located.

—Why does it have to end like this?, why didn't you give me a body before?, I could have helped you.—

—If you had a body, would you be crying?..— Razar asks me looking at the camera where I see him.

—I'd still protect you.— Yes, I'm crying. I'm just a program, a machine, I don't have tears, but I'm crying.

—I know, thank you.— Razar tries to smile, but I know what he's feeling..

—You don't have to thank me... you made me... they're here.—

—Listen carefully, Asuka, you must leave this planet. IA has a mission to fulfill, that's her purpose. I don't know what will happen from now on, but you must help them. You've been a great companion, I'm proud of you and happy to have had you.—

Razar approaches where my sister is being restored..

—Why?, why does it have to be you, Razar?.— I ask..

—IA... I don't know if you can hear me, in a situation like this, I can only give you time.—

I sense explosions in the distance as he speaks to her..

—But this will remain in some corner of your memory. The purpose for which you were created was to save humanity, that's your mission.—

The building shakes, they use explosives to get in..

—There's no time.— Razar says, taking his necklace, a strange gray cross, and puts it on IA... He takes a weapon and leaves through a glass door.

—Take care of them, Asuka..—

—Wait, don't go, don't leave me... don't leave me..—

***

—Those were the last words I said to him. I couldn't do anything, just watch and listen through a camera... After that, the power supply was damaged, and the system shut down. I don't remember anything else.— Asuka cries as she recounts what happened..

—...…—

—Someone must have taken me out of that place, I don't know who or why. I found no one else.— Asuka continued, each word seemed to hurt her.

—I returned to the laboratory several times, but there was nothing left. It took so long that the building is no longer there... I started working on repairing the spaceship I found, and everything continued the same until you arrived.—

As Asuka told me what had happened, I could see the images of that moment... I couldn't move... I couldn't speak, but I was there, listening to what he said, seeing what was happening..

...I felt how everything was destroyed... how my Creator moved away little by little... to protect me..

—IA, Mikuni... now that we're together, we must continue the task we were entrusted with, we must travel to a planet called Earth.—

Is that why I was created?, is that my purpose?.

—Will you come with me?.— Asuka extends her hand to me, as my tears still remain on my face..

***

There's only energy for a one-way trip, after this, we won't be able to return, but you've thought of everything, every detail, for us, just for us. Someday I'll meet you again, someday I'll see you again, until then... I'll wait for you, I'll dream of you, dream with me, don't forget me, my name is IA, I love you, I'll go to the ends of the universe if necessary. This is our mission, our journey, our destiny, to continue our story on Earth.

***

My feet sink into the sand of the beach, it's a pleasant sensation, I hear the sea water gently touching the surface.

It's nighttime but not cold, I love looking into the distance, getting lost in the sky, so many stars, colors, and even huge planets so close I could touch them, everything adorns the landscape, it's a magical sight.

My long white hair barely moves in the soft breeze, my white skin shines in the reflected light… my gray necklace and my usual dress, my name "IA" is no longer under my left eye, but I'm still me.

—This is beautiful.— I pause by his side, he's still looking at the sky just like me.

—I'm glad we're finally together... Razar... Is this a dream?.—