The morning of testing had come, almost every employee in that facility came to watch Yamamoto’s creation in action. In the testing chamber, multiple researchers connected several wireless recording devices throughout the PeaceMaker’s body. Each one was to record how well the internal components would work in action. At the near ceiling of the chamber was an observation deck, where the head analyst was to observe the tests. Once they were all done, the tests started. First, a test of mechanical strength, in the chamber, a large pair of metal doors separated as a large semi truck carrying a large metal coil backed up into the chamber. The large metal coil weighed a few metric tons and the instruction to test was simple:
“Firstly, lift up that large coil over your chest.”
“Very well.”
The PeaceMaker grabbed the coil by the sides while squatting and lifted it with rapid succession.
“Good, now, do the same with your leg.”
“Of course.” The PeaceMaker said, still holding the steel coil up.
It soon put the coil down and put one of its legs through the center of the coil.
“What the hell is it doing..?” Said the head analyst.
Using only one of its legs, it lifted the steel coil only by sticking out its leg outward.
“No way....I meant laying down and pushing it up with both legs but...this is so much better...” Said the test instructor with his eyes widened.
“Is this what you were looking to see?” The PeaceMaker said, still holding up the steel coil effortlessly.
“No, but, it works a lot better than what we expected, PeaceMaker.”
After all the strength tests and final diagnostic tests were taken, the analytic team came to the conclusion that the PeaceMaker was ready to be reproduced into a small squad of deployable troops. Later that evening, Yamamoto took the PeaceMaker back to the project room to recharge its battery back up.
“About my query yesterday night, Yamamoto.”
“Yes?”
“What is so wonderful about being a soldier? The tasks that a soldier carries out brings only more and more death into the world.”
“Well, the world we live in, albeit advanced, has a problem with maintaining peace. Humans have a tendency to fight with each other over things they deem as necessary to fight over.”
“Such as?”
“Things like money or resources or even something as basic as territory.”
“Territory. Isn’t that a primitive thing to fight over? Why fight over the things all humans should have in the first place?”
“Well, in short terms, some people have good morals and others, not so much. People even question people who have good morals and their reasoning for it.”
“So, in short, humans will always have the tendency to fight over things they all should have in the first place because of the people with poor morals but even people with good morals can’t be trusted?”
“That’s one way to say it..”
“Hmm...interesting....”
“Well, tomorrow, the facility is going to be transporting you to the head of arms in the military to be showcased.” Said Yamamoto while connecting the rest of the charging cables to the PeaceMaker. “So I have to make sure that you are well charged for that.”
“...Perhaps humans are the problem.”
“..What..?”
“In my startup sequence, I went through multiple archives via the internet on the subject matter of human history.” The PeaceMaker said, staring off at another part of the room. “It seems like this planet would be biologically better off if humans never existed.” The PeaceMaker continued before taking a long pause. “However it is only a working theory.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say that, in my experiences, good and bad, humanity has its ups and downs but in the end, we all just want peace.....and that’s where you come in, my creation....you’re built to bring peace to this world..”
* * * * *
Later that night...
“I wonder what was wrong with Asami, she seemed more upset today” Makoto thought as he sat at his desk working on homework. “I know she’s has some self esteem issues but I don’t think that was it....” Makoto looked up at the window above his desk, gazing at the stars above. “Maybe she just needs a little space....”
“Why did that bother me so much?...” Asami thought to herself, laying in her bed, staring at the ceiling. “He always used to say that, but now, I don’t know why it’s different....” She suddenly remembers Makoto’s face after he said that. With her face glowing red with embarrassment, she swiftly clutched her head. “What the hell is wrong with me?...I..I never used to think about him like this...his stupid face...looking at me like that....”
Least to say, she didn’t get much sleep that night
The next day, Makoto woke up late again, checking his clock on the side of his bed, he had slept 15 minutes past his alarm. “Ah, crap, late again. I really gotta get better at keeping a routine.” Makoto muttered to himself as he slowly emerged from bed. “Wait..” Makoto muttered. “Where’s Asami? She usually punches me or something like that in my own room if I sleep even 5 minutes past my alarm.”
It was a different feeling for Makoto, almost the whole time they’ve known each other she would show up at his house to wake him up because she knows how late he can be. Suddenly, Makoto remembers why she even did that in the first place..
“Hey, why were you late to school?” Young Asami scoldingly asks Young Makoto at his desk at lunch.
“Wha-? Oh, hi Asami.” Makoto says as he looks up slightly startled by her sudden appearance. “Well um, I don’t really have a routine for getting up early, so um, I, yeah.” Makoto adds on sheepishly.
“Well, as your friend, I can’t let that happen anymore.”
“H-huh? W-what do you mean?”
“I’ll be your alarm.” Asami replies in an almost confident manner. “I already know where you live and I don’t live that far from you so yeah.”
“Well, I guess she tagged along with me and Kiyoshi as we walked home a few times, so that makes sense.” Makoto thought to himself before replying. “I-I um, ok....thank you, Asami..”
“I guess she’s always looked after me....” Present Makoto thought to himself in his dimly lit room. “She would always turn on my lights when she came in here, almost like the sun.” Makoto chuckled to himself lightly, “sure felt like I was seeing the sun.” Makoto stopped. “...Why am I remembering this?...” At this moment, he remembers her face from all of her moods. “...Oh, I see.."
The next hour… “Huh, that’s weird, Asami isn’t here at school either....” Makoto remarked as he opened his school shoe locker. “It’s not like her to miss school...I hope she’s alright..”
Makoto went on with his day as usual but slowly grew more and more worried about Asami. In several parts of his day, he thought he saw Asami in the corner of his eye, but she wasn’t there.
“What’s got you so worried, Makoto?” Kiyoshi asks him as he starts to sit across Makoto with his lunch.
“It’s nothing..” Makoto replies with his gaze turned toward the window.
“Doesn’t seem like nothing. Are you sure you’re ok?”
“Well...I’m worried about Asami...more than I thought I would..”
“Hm? Why do you say that?”
“Well, yesterday we sorta got into a little argument, but it wasn’t really like an argument, it seemed more like a...disagreement?”
“Hm, I see. What did you and her have this disagreement about?”
“The thing is, I’m not really sure. You know how she gets in a sort of crabby mood when something’s off, right?”
“Yes, of course”
“Well, it was sort of like that but it seemed like she didn’t snap out of it. I mean usually she gets over what’s bothering her-” At this, Makoto stopped and realized what it was all this time, what’s been bothering the both of them from yesterday and today. “Oh, crap...Am I in love with her?” Makoto thought so himself as his heart started to race. As his eyes widened in a heart-stricken daze, he slowly looked up to Kiyoshi.
The only reply he gave Makoto was a smug smile and a nod.
“I know what’s going on. In fact, I’ve been knowing almost the whole time you guys have been friends.” Makoto said as he perked up his glasses with his finger. “You’re in love with Asami, aren’t you?”
“Shit, he’s right. I am in love.”
Atticus Villanueva |
