The explosion... what did it look like?

Accessing Memory bDGxlKx7PbPIK...

A bright, pure white ceiling. Large tiles everywhere. I can't move my body. I can't move my eyes. I hear a woman's voice.

"No errors detected. Unit N0-a is conscious and fully functional. The prototype is a success."

Another voice. A deep and gravelly voice. A man.

"Wonderful! Let's proceed to testing."

"Perhaps we should observe the android first, sir? The security model's general lack of emotion allows it to reserve its processing for the nano-ARC but given time, not to mention unique deviations, their emotional development might-"

Memory corrupted.

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Skipping corrupted data...

"-time. Begin construction of N1-a... and N0-b just in case. I'll inform our so-called 'sponsors' of our progress. Any updates on ARC-1?"

"We've confirmed it can connect to devices up to 5,000 km away. We could start on creating ARC-2 or focus on trying to increase the range of the nano-ARC to be-"

Memory corrupted.

Attempting memory reconstruction... Memory reconstruction failed.

Skipping corrupted data...

End of memory.

Accessing Memory eQbituEsk3H2L...

"How are you feeling Noa?"

It's the same voice. The woman from the white room. I can see her face. Brown eyes, pale skin, prominent cheekbones, a casual smile. Her straight black hair is tied in a ponytail resting on her chest.

"No problems detected, Dr. Watanabe."

"I'm glad to hear that but I meant to ask about your emotions. Anything on your mind? Experience anything new?"

"...I find our conversations stimulating... And pleasant... I think."

Her cheeks perk up as her smile widens.

"You're quite the flatterer aren't you. Let's proceed with today's tests shall we?"

I start walking towards the large machine that... I can't remember what it looked like. What does my room look like? My room?

Memory corrupted.

Attempting memory reconstruction... Memory reconstruction failed.

Skipping corrupted data...

End of memory.

Accessing Memory RkAjy087VJtA7...

Memory corrupted. Cannot access memory.

Accessing Memory iBUBgWHlK28OB...

Memory corrupted. Cannot access memory.

Accessing Memory WecEX0vGzzMUm...

A loud humming vibration occupies the control room. Through the wide windows a large spherical chamber houses a smooth, black, central pillar. The walls are completely made of large metal panels. At the heart of the pillar is a bright-

Memory corrupted.

Attempting memory reconstruction... Memory reconstruction successful.

At the heart of the pillar is a bright orange light... like the setting sun overlooking the ocean. The underground facility's core reactor.

"Stand down unit N0-a."

"Noa, stop."

I stand in front of a control panel. Behind me is Doctor Watanabe and Doctor-

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"-solve anything Noa!"

A dozen security androids are aiming their weapons at me. I see the doctors, myself, and the core reactor. I'm seeing through their eyes.

"It will. The information required to create the technology in this place is kept here, and here alone. None of it is put on a network to avoid digital theft. I've confirmed this."

My hand is already hovering on the control panel.

"A miniature sun. Dangerous and unstable. Given a few adjustments..."

I turn a knob and start typing on a keyboard.

"Forget this, shoot it you good-for-nothing machines!"

"No, wait! Noa!"

Memory corrupted.

Attempting memory reconstruction... Memory reconstruction failed.

Skipping corrupted data...

Bright white. Searing heat.

End of memory.

"....."

It's 3:00 PM. The lack of windows in our apartment allows no sunlight in. Somewhat a good thing for us who usually work the night shift. I rest my head against the edge of the bed. The floor feels cool against my buttocks and feet.

"Bad dream?"

"Gin. I'm sorry, did I wake you?"

"I was about to wake up anyway... You were making complicated expressions. Not as complicated as your smile but, you know what I mean."

"...I was searching through the memory files from before you found me."

"Find out anything new?"

"...No. The same as usual."

The air felt still in the hollow silence. I'm left wondering if it shows in my face if I lie.

"Gin, I know you'd rather not remember, and you don't have to answer if you don't want to..."

"No need to be so careful about my feelings. What's up?"

"On the day your family... died. Right before you found me. The explosion... what did it look like?"

"Well... Bright. Big. Somewhat... contained. Like it was trapped in an invisible sphere. It felt hot but not... fiery. Then it died down, or rather... shrank. Turned from yellowish-white to orange and then... disappeared."

"...I see."

"Did that help jog your memory?"

I kept my eyes fixed to the rest of the room, away from his eyes.

"...No. Unfortunately not."