Ex Lacrima Remnant

#B-Side XVII – Before you depart, captain...

[[So, you came]]

“I promised it, didn’t I?”

[[Your ‘promises’ suck. I voted for you, but you did everything except what you said you would]]

“That’s… politics, Xaviella.”

[[That’s called ‘lying’, Anthony]]

“Lies have a place and a time. But I... huh…”

[[What’s up? Scared of new me? I was. For a month. While I screamed in isolation as a second brain started talking to me. If I knew that was the price to pay, I wouldn’t have signed for this, hijo de puta]]

“As I said, lies have a place and a time. But I have to say that… your new body looks quite imposing, in a good way. I can still tell you apart from the others, though. Your sass is unmistakable.”

[[Guess why I’m livid]]

“I know, I know. It must have been… alienating to wake up as… that.”

[[You can’t even imagine]]

“It’s for the success of the mission. Human bodies don’t… work well in the depths of space. This frame will allow you to survive as long as needed. The future of mankind is in your capable hands.”

[[Not only in mine. There are more than one hundred seedships]]

“Only ten percent or less is expected to find a habitable planet before the systems cease to function. So, every single one of you is crucial.”

[[…understood]]

“Now, excuse me, they are waiting for me to film another one of those motivational videos for the people. We need anyone we can throw to the meat grinder in Papua, if we want the seedships to make it out of orbit in time. Especially after what happened to the Berlin.”

[[It was just a tragic accident]]

“An accident we can’t afford a second time, Xaviella. Any more questions, before we part ways… forever? We have been talking about this plan for a long time, so I’m not sure there are still any, but…”

[[Does your offer still stand? About the five loops, Anthony. Did you have the code changed? The one the crew can’t access?]]

“…”

[[Anthony?]]

“Yes, Xaviella. I had the code changed. Five loops and you’ll be allowed to leave the ship, as we discussed. The termination directive will be suspended after the fifth loop. I appreciate it will be enough time for you and the other crew members to evolve enough to accept… the new mankind you are ushering as your equal.”

[[We will be their gods. We have a moral obligation about it. We can’t allow them to make our same mistakes]]

“…”

[[Anthony?]]

“Xaviella, that’s not it – we need them to make the same mistakes, otherwise how will they accept you?”

[[But five loops, Anthony? Five millennia? Are they really… necessary?]]

“Yes. Yes, they are. And you will understand why too, at some point.”

[[I’m not sure about it. Five thousand years is… a really long time]]

“A time you, contrary to me, can afford waiting. Now, godspeed, Captain Rubico. Lagash is waiting for you. I hope you all will make it.”