Fourth Trial

[bathymetric]

[ After the evidence (and what a large batch of evidence it is, this time) has been gathered up, after actually patiently waiting a longer time than usual to make sure everything's been grabbed, the speakers over New Rapture crackle to life. ]

Time's up, everyone. You know where to go.

[ The lower number of bathyspheres, as you descend, is starting to become really notable, isn't it? The descent is the same as ever, lower and lower into the sea. The bioluminescence of those slugs on the ocean floor is almost brighter today, somehow, and some of them have even crawled up the cliff face around you as you pass them.

The dome approaches, slowly as ever, gleaming red in the darkness. The bathyspheres land in a row, doors opening one by one to reveal the familiar sight of the trial room, three more podiums now darkened. ]

Take your places, ladies and gentlemen. You've got a doozy of a situation to discuss. Ass Man and Silver Fox are dead. You know what happens if you can't figure out whodunnit.

[ Welcome to your fourth trial. ]

Comments

[onemillion]

[It's difficult to hear it put out there like that, but there's no time to consider that.]

Thank you for confessing. I'm guessing it was for the motive?

[If you want to explain that, please go ahead...]

AI: Somnium Files Spoilers

[pairtner]

...yes.

[Aiba nods]

It's...complicated.

[Aiba displays Kaname Date]

My partner. Kaname Date. I'm his eye, and companion. However that's not the only role I have. I...

...I medicate him. Date's brain can't release oxytocin. Oxytocin is an hormone that, among its many functions, allows one to form healthy relationships. He doesn't know this is something I do, as I was asked to not tell him, and so far I had no reason to. [And she wouldn't tell him, unless there's no other choice. Orders are like that] With me medicating him, Date can function healthily.

However, if...I'm not there... [Aiba frowns]

...

I'm privy to his body chemistry. I can tell what happens, and when. That's how I discovered that, when he's involved in violent situations -- and logically speaking, if he were to kill -- his body would release hormones that would bring him a feeling of...fulfillment. He would feel like he did something right.

The human brain is a very logical machine sometimes. If something brings you fulfillment, you want more of it. More, and more...

[Aiba nods]

I saw the worst case scenario. I saw Kaname Date as someone who would harm and kill for the sake of his own pleasure. I saw the very, very few people who know about it unable to help him. I saw in that isolation room other AI-Balls, destroyed, meaning no version of me could fulfill that role. And since he himself doesn't know about this flaw in his body, he can't self-medicate.

I could not tolerate the Kaname Date I knew to become that. Even if it was some faraway timeline, or even if I would never meet that Date...

I could not bear such a destiny for him. I was specifically created to be Date's assistant. As such it's my duty to ensure he doesn't go into such paths. Even if it meant killing one person myself.

[One person, as she didn't intend to get away with it]

AI: Somnium Files Spoilers

[onemillion]

[One person. One person...]

You... didn't intend to get away with it. You only intended to fulfill the requirements so that the motive would not come to pass. So Date would be safe.

[That's... Honestly, he's not sure he has words for that, because it did result in the Undertaker's death.]

I am sorry that it came to this, Aiba. That he would threaten someone so dear to you again, and that you felt you had no other choice.

[...]

When this is over, I intend to find a way to reach Vholran's world, to check on it and ensure that it hasn't been destroyed. Would you like me to make sure that Date is doing well?

[He's not sure exactly how that will go without Aiba there, but he offers it anyway.]

[pairtner]

You would?

[Aiba seems surprised!]

[onemillion]

Of course I would. He's very important to you, and this is something I can do.

[We're friends, Aiba, and friends help each other out even if one commits a murder!! Wait, no, that's not quite right—]

[pairtner]

.....

[Aiba nods]

Please do.

[By the way...]

After everything is over please go to the jukebox in the ice cream parlor. Track 1921. It's...I doubt it's the time or place for me to say such a personal message from me to whoever concerns, so I won't.

[Yeah, for after the trial, yup. A last word from her, apparently]

[onemillion]

Of course. I won't forget.

[He'll do that during the afterparty then, for those who want to hear it.]

Again, thank you for telling us, Aiba.

[Even though it required some work to get here, Aiba did guide us to it! Assisting us even in her own demise.............]

[howveryglib]

…

I see. I… suppose I understand. It is a difficult thing to witness, and I imagine it would be even more difficult for you, given your design.

[He imagines it’s…

No. It’s not easy. But there’s nothing compelling him to go back and fix anything beyond guilt.]

[pairtner]

Perhaps I should have questioned why the secrets. I have been with him for five years. At some point I should have asked questions instead of following orders, especially when it was about Date.

[She regrets just obeying, that's for sure]

[howveryglib]

I understand the impulse to simply obey, at least. Surely there must be some reason for it.