Place: an orbiting station
-----Federation Home Planet 5th Jerusalem, Orbiting Tower-----
We see a room with 7 seats arranged in a circle. With the chairman of the sub-committee at the center seat (Man #1), here is the description of the members from left to right:
Man #2 (man with green hair)
Man #4 (smoking man)
Man #5 (old man)
Man #1 (chairman)
Woman #1 (woman w/ black hair)
Man #3 (man with plate)
Woman #2 (woman w/ brown hair)
MAN #1
By the way, what sort of character is this man?
MAN #2
He was a member of a special unit belonging to the old Federation police force. He specialized in counter-terrorism. However, this was more than 100 years ago, and now, as a dedicated cyborg, he performs various jobs.
MAN #1
Cyborgs are old style.
WOMAN #1
He is a relic of a time when we resurrected dead people and re-used them. Back then, we didn't have the disposable Realiens that we have now.
MAN #3
(holding a green plate)
Isn't that quite a enormous personal history?-----
MAN #2
Rumor says he's a man who always hopes for jobs with low probabilities of success.
MAN #4
Is he an eccentric? Or, is he a battle maniac?
MAN #2
Psychiatrically speaking, he is normal, and it seems that he doesn't like killing people.
MAN #5
Hum. Along with scientific developments, many medical institutions are like drug store shelves for several centuries now. The only ones that exert any influence now are psychiatrists. I can't trust them to just quibble for the sake of this survivor.
MAN #5
His mission accomplishment rate is extremely high. I can give my nod to his recommendation.
A message arrives on a video panel.
MESSAGE
I've brought him.
MAN #1
Enter.
A door opens in the middle of the floor. The elevator brings a man and the visual image of the secretary.
MAN #1
That's all.
IMAGE OF SECRETARY
Yes. Excuse me.
MAN #3
You're Ziggurat 8. After dying on T. C. 4667, on your dying wish, you dedicated your body to Ziggurat Industry.
ZIGGURAT 8
That's correct.
MAN #1
Were you listening to this talk?
ZIGGURAT 8
No.
MAN #4
Recently, we received information that says there are signs of a resurrection of a armed organization. It's the organization that caused that incident from 14 years ago.
ZIGGURAT 8
The U-TIC organization.
MAN #5
Yes. From the information we personally gathered, we have determined where the U-TIC organization is hiding.
All the seats turn to face the large monitor behind Ziggurat 8. On the screen, a large object is shown.
MAN #3
It seems to function as a church for an ancient religion from the old century. After it was abandoned, it was unoccupied for several centuries until now.
ZIGGURAT 8
Then you're asking me to infiltrate there and collect information-----
MAN #3
It's better to leave that sort of work to the intelligence department.
MAN #1
The truth is----- To say it simply----- We want you to rescue someone and swiftly deliver her to a suitable place. Um, if I say it accurately, it's a THING, not a person-----
ZIGGURAT 8
Please be concise.
Woman with black hair snickers. Man #1 urges her on. She pushes a few buttons, and the screen displays who he's suppose to rescue.
ZIGGURAT
A child----- Is she a civilian?
MAN #3
She's a Realien. A All-purpose Realien. Do you know it?
ZIGGURAT 8
All-purpose----- I have heard a rumor that they're observational Realiens that were especially manufactured for the Gnosis. However, I never thought that they had a child's disguise.
MAN #3
Is this your first time seeing the real thing?
ZIGGURAT 8
Yes. However, I suppose they're already in the mass production phase at Vector.
MAN #3
This is the prototype.
MAN #5
She is the original model that became the mold for all the All-purpose's.
ZIGGURAT 8
In short, that' why the protection of this girl takes priority over the entire matter.
MAN #5
So, you understand and will help.
MAN #1
Yes, can you take this mission?
ZIGGURAT 8
There are no human rights for dedicated cyborgs. I don't have the right to refuse. As for the necessary weapons and resources, after I have analyzed the circumstances-----
(pauses for a second)
I will tell you my fee, but would it be all right for me to make one request?
MAN #5
Tell us.
ZIGGURAT 8
After my return, I want to remove the fragments of memory from my past life, the ones that remain in my living brain.
MAN #5
It doesn't matter to me, but if you're old-styled, a complete purge may be difficult.
ZIGGURAT 8
Replacing it (the brain) with an artificial part will do.
MAN #1
It's a strange demand. Today, we have Realiens insisting on human rights and people becoming machines. I've decided. Let's make the arrangements.
ZIGGURAT 8
Thank you.
MAN #1, who appears to be the sub-committee's chairman, points to the woman to his left.
WOMAN #1
Later, for more details, refer them to her
(pointing to the woman #2, one sitting in the last seat on Ziggy's right)
Professor Yuri Mizrahi.
Ziggy nods for Professor Yuri Mizrahi. The elevator descends, and the door closes behind it.
YURI MIZRAHI
Indeed----- He is not one to die at his post. The cause of his death seems to be suicide. One shot to his head with his favorite handgun.
MAN #5
Suicide? Is it good to entrust the All-purpose to such a man? What would we do if his suicidal tendency surfaced?
YURI MIZRAHI
Don't worry. He is prohibited from self-destructive behavior and mission abandonment. A safety is installed.
Yuri Mizrahi turns her seat around and gets up. She walks to a window and places her right hand on the rail.
YURI MIZRAHI
He was revived against his will. He will completely become a machine if his remaining biological brain is replaced by an artificial part. Then, for the first time, he will be legally "dead".
(SCENE CHANGE)
We're back to U-TIC's headquarter. We see Margulis entering a prison cell. Inside, there's a little girl with red hair and ponytails.
MARGULIS
How are you doing, All-purpose Realien?
(turning to his left and looks at some food on a tray, which is still untouched)
Are you unsatisfied with the food here? Realions need supplies too. Can you be so well-mannered that you can't reply, Federation's All-purpose Realien?
GIRL
I hate that name-----
MARGULIS
Indeed. My apologies. What do you want to be called, All-purpose Realien girl?
GIRL
I don't want to be called by someone I don't know well. Where do you plan on taking me?
MARGULIS
(leaning against the table and crossing his arms)
It's not a place you know.
GIRL
What's going to happen to me?
MARGULIS
You'll become helpful to us. The life of a machine is designed to serve. As your fate after that, it may be at a place that only God knows. Though, a conversation about the existence of God with you Realiens-----
GIRL
I cannot find anything other than Gnosis. So, I'm no help to you.
MARGULIS
May be so.
(pointing to his head)
However, you're different up "here". We have some use for your "man up here".
(Girl stands to attention)
What is it? While we can put you to use, we'll keep you alive. Soon, "the fellow" will arrive.
He turns and walks out of the cell. The girl sits down and contemplates.
GIRL
Mama----- I want to return to the research lab-----
(CHANGE SCENE)
A spaceship approaches the U-TIC headquarter and enters undetected.
It's 46 hours later. Two soldiers walks out of the ship after docking. Just as the ship is about to take off again, the silhouette of Ziggy jumps out from the ship and lands.
ZIGGURAT 8
Now...... This time, the mission is the rescue of a All-purpose Realien. The question is where she is kept...... Until I discover my target, I don't want to cause any commotion. It's probably better to avoid careless battles.
Translation Copyrighted 2002 by Henry H. Jerng.
Xenosaga, Episode I is copyrighted by Namco.
Reproduction and distribution of this material without my consent is strictly prohibited.
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