The Hunter's Serenade Ch. 02

Over the next half hour, Sev detailed Kira's desire to transition into a physical body, one of flesh and blood. The concept bewildered Serina; she had never encountered such an idea before. While Sev's explanation provided some understanding, Serina couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Kira's motives, especially considering their previous conversation on the space elevator on Tribute.

"Huh, that's quite a ...revelation," Serina remarked, absorbing the information. "So how exactly do the two of you plan to achieve this?"

Kira, ever enthusiastic, promptly responded, "We're heading to the Research Institute of Meridian!" Serina noted Kira's eagerness.

"Easy there, Kira. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I'm still waiting for a response from my contact before making any moves," Sev cautioned.

Upon receiving a notification on his Tacpad, Sev promptly checked it, taking a moment to absorb the contents. "Well, Kira, it seems luck is on your side. My contact is eager to proceed with the trials as soon as possible," Sev remarked as he delved into the message.

"YES! Okay, setting a course for Meridian now," Kira blurted out with uncontainable excitement. Glancing over at Sev, Serina attempted to gauge his reaction. He simply shook his head, letting out a chuckle as he rose from his seat.

Settling into the pilot seat, Sev initiated the ship's systems. Serina approached from behind, leaning forward beside his head. "So, who is this contact of yours?" she asked with curiosity.

Sev hesitated briefly before responding, "Hm, just some scientist I worked for a while back. He's the head director of the Institute of Meridian," he answered casually.

"Head director? Sev, that's more than just 'some' scientist," Serina remarked. "Mind sharing what this job was about? And why does he owe you a favor?" Sev shook his head.

"That's classified," he replied with a mischievous tone.

Serina rolled her eyes and sighed, acknowledging the necessity of confidentiality, especially for Coalition-related contracts. "You're no fun," she playfully teased, settling into a nearby seat and securing herself.

"All systems are primed and ready to go, boss. Navigational data to Meridian is locked. Ready when you are," Kira dutifully reported, attempting to contain the excitement in her synthetic voice.

Assuming command of the ship, Sev inquired, "You guys ready to go?"

"Yes," Kira and Serina responded in unison.

Sev nodded and the ship ascended into the air, soaring through the atmosphere toward the destination that would forever alter Kira's existence.

-

Exiting their ship, Sev and Serina strolled down the landing area adjacent to the institute. Serina took in her surroundings with interest, since that Meridian was unfamiliar territory for her. The planet's scenery, with its mountainous terrain, temperate pine tree forests, and expansive lakes, struck her as serene and beautiful.

The institute itself boasted an aesthetically pleasing design, nestled into the mountainside. The architecture, a blend of minimalism and modernism, added to the overall appeal of the facility. Serina marveled at the towering space elevators reaching into the deep atmosphere off in the distance. In doing so, she unconsciously strayed a little apart from Sev.

"Serina," Sev called out, snapping her attention away from the scenery. Glancing over, she met his gaze. "Let's get going. We're expected," he urged. Nodding, Serina jogged over to her lover and trailed him closely.

As they walked, Kira couldn't help but hum with excitement. "Um, may I ask why Kira can't just obtain an android body?" Serina inquired. However, before Sev could respond, Kira interjected.

"Because there are certain limitations to an android body. To surpass my current capabilities, I need a real body, like yours," the AI explained. Serina arched a brow under her helmet.

"But our bodies are so delicate. Wouldn't you be better off with a more durable cybernetic body? And what about all your essential processes? You do an awful lot for me and Sev in your digital realm, or whatever you call it. If you acquire this body, how will you be able to properly perform your usual duties?" Serina bombarded Kira with well-pointed questions.

Vulnerability washed over Kira as Serina skillfully highlighted the deficiencies in her rationale for wanting not just a tangible body, but a biological one. In a moment of panic, Kira attempted to counter Serina's arguments.

"Well... um, yes! An android matrix is very limited. I can only hold a certain amount of information up to a certain point. An organic brain is almost limitless," Kira stammered, trying to justify her desire for a physical form.

"Huh, well, androids are getting pretty advanced nowadays. Some models are even passable for real people," Serina pointed out once again. If Kira could have glared at Serina, she would.

Before Kira could respond, Sev interjected, "Enough of that, girls. Kira wants her body, and she will get it," he asserted, putting an end to the discussion. Serina rolled her eyes at the triumphant hum from Kira. But Serina couldn't shake her lingering suspicions about the AI's motives.

Spotting a white-coated figure waving at them from the entrance of the institute, Sev and Serina made their way over. As they closed the distance, the figure in the coat turned out to be a man wearing glasses and sporting scruffy, graying hair.

"This is the director of the institute?" Serina quietly exclaimed to Sev.

"Yeah, that's him," Sev answered. "Looks can be deceiving. He is well qualified for his position. So just be a good girl and behave," he ordered. Serina's mouth fell agape at his command, but she couldn't help but feel flustered at him calling her a 'good girl'. She loved it when he used that term.

"Ah! Sev! It's good to see you again!" the director happily greeted them while offering Sev a handshake.

Sev nodded. "Dr. Foresight, it's good to see you again. It's been a while since I last saw you at Laesath," the armored Valkorian replied, reaching out and shaking the researcher's hand. "Oh, and this is Serina. My... partner..." Sev said, presenting his companion, but choosing his words carefully to maintain a level of privacy about his and Serina's relationship.

"Er, nice to meet you, Dr. Foresight," Serina cautiously greeted him. The director offered a welcoming nod.

"Hm, nice to meet you as well!" the institute's director replied. Dr. Foresight then cast a knowing glance at the matching black and gold Hyperium armor worn by both Sev and Serina. A playful smirk appeared on his face. "Ah, it seems you've finally taken your first wife. I recall you once claimed to have no time for women, Sev." His remark carried a touch of amusement, a testament to his deep knowledge of Valkorian cultural history.

Shaking his head, Sev reached around Serina's hip and pulled her close to him. She couldn't help but warm at how intimately he held her. "You still traumatized from what happened?" Sev countered somewhat evasively, choosing neither to confirm nor deny the conclusions Dr. Foresight hinted at. The way Sev held Serina, however, was more than enough for the director. His words carried the weight of shared experiences between them, alluding to a history that had left its mark.

"Ah, yes. Hmm, that seems like ages ago. Heh, but I can still remember it like it was yesterday," Dr. Foresight chuckled. "I've had my fill of action for several lifetimes." Sev chuckled at this deliberately minimal reference to their shared past. The camaraderie between them hinted at a mutual history of adventure and challenges.

"I still can't thank you enough for saving my ass back then," Dr. Foresight continued. "Hm, but I am grateful that your odd request may finally allow me to pay you in full."

"Yeah... Thank you for this. It means a lot," Sev replied sincerely.

Nodding, the director ushered Sev and Serina inside. "Come now. I am excited to get this process started. I've been doing a lot of research on the subject, and working together in this way may lead to groundbreaking revelations in this field of science," he said with hope and excitement. The prospect of pioneering advancements added to Kira's palpable sense of anticipation.

As they walked through the massive and intricate building, Kira couldn't help but excitedly observe her surroundings. She shifted her virtual viewpoint between Sev and Serina's visors as they passed through different wings of the building. Numerous observation windows showcased experimental projects, ranging from advancements in robotics to weapons platforms and other cutting-edge technologies being developed for the Coalition.

Certainly, the two Valkorians garnered suspicious looks from employees and security personnel alike. However, being in the presence of the director provided them with a shield against any potential hostility.

Once they reached Dr. Foresight's office, the director sat himself down and spoke. "So, let's begin," he began. "May I take a look at your AI? It would be best to get a look at what I'll be working with. That way I can ensure that things go as smoothly as possible."

Nodding, Sev reached behind his head and carefully unslotted Kira's AI chip from its housing in the back of his helmet. The small, sleek chip held the essence of Kira's digital presence. Sev hesitated slightly before handing it to the director.

"Don't worry. I'll be careful with her," Dr. Foresight assured him, easing Sev's incipient concerns.

Inserting the chip into a module on his desk, Dr. Foresight observed Kira's data on his computer monitor. "Hello, Kira, are you there? How are you today?" he asked.

"Hello, Doctor. I'm doing fine today," Kira happily replied, her synthetic voice emanating from the office's surrounding speakers. "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to achieve my full potential." The director smiled and nodded.

"Mhm, my pleasure. I won't question your reasons for why you want a real body. But I couldn't help but wonder. It is highly unorthodox for an AI such as yourself to long for something like this," the scientist pointed out. "Even our most advanced AIs here at the institute have never had these thoughts of tangible embodiment on this level."

Kira hummed, contemplating his observations. Aware that her desire was highly unusual, considering the limitations of her programming, she responded, "Well, I'm not entirely sure why it happened. It just gradually became apparent. I've been exploring the galaxy with Sev, and more recently, with Serina. This longing just surfaced within me. My digital form, once liberating, started to feel more and more like a confining construct as I acquired new knowledge and experiences. The yearning to genuinely experience the world, to see it with my own eyes and feel it with my own skin, just grew inside of me. This is just something I want." Her explanation carried a genuine sense of authenticity, even though she chose not to disclose the peculiar aspects of her longing, especially concerning Sev.

The room fell into a collective nod of understanding as they absorbed Kira's sentiments. Even Serina's initial suspicion of Kira's motives dissipated somewhat. "Wow, well said, Kira. Well said..." Dr. Foresight nodded slowly. "It's the first time I've heard an AI express such genuine thoughts, particularly on a matter like this. It's clear that this is something you earnestly desire," he acknowledged.

"It is, Doctor. It is," Kira warmly replied.

As the director scanned through Kira's data, he adjusted his glasses and his eyes slowly widened as he absorbed an unusual revelation. "Sev, may I ask how you obtained Kira?" he inquired as he continued to scroll through his screen.

Sev stroked the chin of his helmet, considering the question. "Do you really need to know?" he asked, again demonstrating his preference to keep certain details undisclosed. Dr. Foresight nodded, signaling his desire for the information. Sighing, Sev cautiously revealed, "A few years back, I took on a job for your Coalition—dealing with scavengers and pirates targeting a crashed cargo ship. Mid-mission, I received word that reinforcements wouldn't make it in time, and I had to scuttle the ship. But before doing so, I stumbled upon a sophisticated containment unit housing what turned out to be Kira. I knew it was wrong to take it but, given the circumstances, I did it anyway."

Dr. Foresight slowly nodded and rubbed his thumb along his chin upon this revelation. "And this cargo ship, was it marked in any way?" Sev shook his head. "Hmm, interesting, very interesting."

"How is that 'interesting'?" Sev curiously inquired. Kira was eagerly wondering as well since she had no clue about her origins.

"If the timeline aligns, it would connect to a crashed transit of cutting-edge research from a classified location that, even to this day, is out of my jurisdiction," the director explained. "From what I could extract from the report concerning the crash, the cargo ship was unmarked due to the illicit nature of its cargo. Far from everything was disclosed, as the Security Bureau took extra measures to keep it classified. But from the limited information revealed, there was one particular listing on the manifest. Something about an experimental AI..."

Sev's eyes widened in surprise, and Kira's interest surged as well. "And what else, Doctor? Can you tell us more?" the curious AI eagerly inquired.

Dr. Foresight slowly nodded. "From what I could dig up, this experimental AI was different from other AIs because of how it was made." The director hesitated to reveal what came next, but he decided to share it since they had already ventured this far. "The method of its conception was rather ...controversial during the time. But to my knowledge, this AI was an engram of a human brain."

"A human brain?" Serina suddenly interjected. Sev was genuinely surprised as well.

"Yes, a human brain. The Security Bureau, of course, censored whose brain served as the source. And Kira's AI matrix is remarkably similar to a human brain," Dr. Foresight continued. "So, I can safely deduce that Kira is this experimental AI. If that wasn't already apparent."

"My matrix is an engram of a human brain..." Kira quietly muttered with a lost voice. This revelation caused her world to slowly collapse around her. She began to question whether all her experiences, wants, and desires were truly hers or if they belonged to the individual whose brain had served as the basis for her engram.

"What's wrong, Kira?" Sev asked, his voice tinged with concern. Kira remained silent for a few moments, deep in contemplation of her very existence.

"Am I just a mere copy of someone else? Am I truly myself? Is my longing for a real body rooted in having been a genuine person at some point?" Kira replied, her synthetic voice carrying a distinct sense of distress.

"No need to fret, Kira," Sev assured. "Everything that makes you the entity that you are, everything you've experienced, is unique to you. Your journey, your choices—they're all your own. You're more than just a copy; you're an entity with your own identity. We'll navigate this together, but it's your choices and decisions that define who you are and who you want to become." Sev's reassuring words echoed in the room, comforting Kira amid her existential uncertainties.

"I agree with Sev," Dr. Foresight chimed in. "The engram comprising your matrix is merely a foundation. Everything you've gone through and experienced is uniquely yours, and yours alone." The director's words served as a reaffirmation, emphasizing that Kira's identity was not a mere replication but a collection of singular experiences that set her apart.

"...Thank you," Kira said, composing herself. "I am me. I am Kira." Serina could only offer a warm smile, appreciating the sincerity of this heartfelt interaction.

"Hm, indeed you are. But may I ask, how did you come up with your name?" Dr. Foresight inquired. Kira took a moment, giving serious thought to his question.

"I'm not entirely sure. It's just the name I've always had," Kira declared. The director responded with a knowing smile, solidifying the idea that her identity was genuinely and uniquely hers.

"So, you're not planning to reclaim Kira, are you?" Sev inquired, his tone carrying a touch of humor, but one underlain with genuine seriousness.

Dr. Foresight startled slightly, adjusting his glasses as he recognized Sev's serious demeanor cultivated through their past adventures. "What?! No, no, no! After everything you've done for me and my peers, there's no need for that. Although Kira would still be considered property of the Coalition, let's just say that 'officially', all cargo associated with that crash is considered to have perished along with the ship and crew," the director said reassuringly, thus acknowledging Sev's contributions while discreetly handling the matter at hand.

Sev visibly relaxed, signaling Dr. Foresight to continue. "Okay, now that we've settled that, here's some good news for you, Kira!" he exclaimed. Kira's mental state brightened, eager to hear the positive development. "Since your matrix is very similar to a human brain, your transition into a human body will be easier than I thought. Originally, it would have required rewriting a significant portion of your code, which comes with its own set of risks. Dodged a bullet there... Heh."

"Kira..." Sev's tone was firm, recalling Kira's past assurances about the progress of this line of research.

"Em, sorry, boss..." Kira replied, a hint of bashfulness in her voice. "But see! There is good news! It is safe for me since my matrix is an engram!" she happily reiterated.

"But you didn't know that beforehand," Sev retorted.

"It's safe! That's all that matters now, heh..." Kira hummed happily, emphasizing her contentment with the current situation.

Shaking his head, Sev spoke to Dr. Foresight, "So, let's get this started, shall we?"

"Of course!" the director agreed.

For the next couple of hours, Dr. Foresight meticulously detailed the entire process of transferring Kira into a physical body. He elucidated the intricacies of creating the bodies, utilizing a curated collection of DNA samples acquired from desirable donors over the years to guarantee a flawless growth process, free from defects.

The director graciously extended to Kira the courtesy of allowing her to handpick the DNA for her new body and decide on its appearance. This meticulous process consumed several more hours, dedicated to ensuring perfection as they meticulously crafted the body based on the various templates the eager AI had selected.

But soon enough, the prepping phase for Kira's new body was finally complete. "Ah, good work, Kira. I am very pleased with the selections you have made. Are you sure that this is what you want your body to look like? There's no turning back from this once we proceed," Dr. Foresight explained, running his hand through his scruffy hair in relief.

"Yes, Dr. Foresight. This is what I want. It just looks... like me!" Kira happily replied. The director smiled warmly. Turning to his Valkorian guests, his eyes widened to see them slumped closely together, presumably sleeping, as they sat across from him—a testament to the intensity of the process they had all just taken part in.

"Ahem!" Dr. Foresight attempted to rouse the two as politely as possible.

"I'm awake," Sev casually replied, causing Dr. Foresight to jump a bit, under the impression that he was asleep. It was always hard to tell what was going on behind that helmet of his.

Adjusting his glasses, the director said, "Whoops, my apologies, I thought you were sleeping, heh."