Relative Timeline: Ta6Lo61100

Area: Undisclosed

Location: Undisclosed

Control: Security Institution, War Sub-Institution, Army Department, Vermilion Special Section.

Affiliation: Universal Administration [UA]

Entry 001 : Reboot

He opened his eyes and found that his vision was disturbed by multiple scrolling inscriptions.

He was starting to remember who he was, which begged the question: why didn’t he remember before?

An image of himself superimposed itself in his vision, like a vivid memory suddenly refreshed. The image spoke to him as his memories reconstructed themselves.

“Greetings Parraligne… well, myself. If you’re viewing this message, it’s because our previous body is dead. According to the , it would seem that your… our… ah, I must have been confused about this notion of me, you, us, when I recorded this re-memorization AI… . Let’s say that I’m going to address you informally… me informally… you informally… Anyway, you suffered serious damage when your previous body was destroyed. The orb housing your consciousness has probably , suffered serious damage that disrupts the reconstruction of your memory. It should return to 99% at least at the end of the re-memorization program.”

That explained everything... or almost. Who was he?

“So, let’s start again from the beginning. Your name is Parraligne, you are a Vermilion Hom of the fourth generation of the New Program. You are an immortal cyborg designed to protect and serve the Universal Administration. As such, you are a real living being and not a soulless machine. In the event of critical deterioration of your body, your consciousness is automatically transported to another orb located in another body: one of the mechanical carcasses waiting for you in the secret Vermilion bases spread across the universe. Your personal information recorded in your orb allows your biological organs to be reprinted, in accordance with your genetic data, to finalize the new body.”

“That's what happened to you recently... Unfortunately, it seems that these recent memories are inaccessible for the moment. So, let's continue with the basic explanations. The Administration is the world's only bulwark against chaos. It is the Administration that unites the divided peoples of the universe and allows them to face together the ineffable dangers that would otherwise destroy them. Recent history has shown the limits of the Old Administration. The Vermilions were designed to fight against the Hogloo threat. Immortal soldiers and competent generals, those of our race were guaranteed total loyalty. They were however activated to counter another threat, referenced as ‘The Titans’. On all fronts the Old Program Vermilions worked wonders, holding off Titans, Zcarbbs and Hogloos and subduing the traitorous rebel groups who took advantage of the chaos to Faced with the notorious incapacity of the Administration's leaders, General Vector Vermilion of the First Generation seized power legitimately, thanks to the previously passed Retroactive Laws Act. He… This dysfunctional prototype mercilessly crushed the rights of the Administration's citizens in a blind effort to continue his misguided vision of the Administration's protection directive. Such a mistake is fortunately no longer possible on the New Program models.”

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

There was something odd. Perhaps it was due to the damage suffered by his orb during its destruction? Little by little, his memory came back to him. He listened only distractedly to his virtual alter-ego recalling the conflict between the dysfunctional general and another putschist: Admiral Rêvétoile. He remembered the main points: Rêvétoile's victory, the flight of Vector, self-proclaimed emperor, to a part of the universe where his Vermilion Empire survived until the until the glorious restoration of the Administration, stronger and more upright than ever. “The Steel Administration”, as it was called to recall its solidity in the face of the Old Administration from which it had come. The new Administration had put an end to the dysfunctional laws. From now on, the production of children in laboratories was no longer reserved for the colonies and the speeches of hatred and sedition, which weakened the system, were finally stifled. The absurd ban on so-called “pseudo-conscious” AI was also abolished, allowing the legal existence of the Vermilions…

“Even if, in fact, it doesn't concern us: we are cyborgs, therefore descended from real biological embryos, not idiotic robots that are programmed to make believe that they have a conscience... Faced with the glorious resurrection of the Administration, the so-called emperor Vector Vermilion chose abdication. Many of his Vermilions had in fact joined the Steel Administration and he himself, despite his deviance in his understanding, remained attached to his original programming. Judging that it was necessary for the survival of the Administration that the Vermilions join it, he gave himself up to be imprisoned in stasis for life. Finally united, the Administration was able to stabilize. The Hogloo threat is now contained while the Titans have disappeared forever and the territory they stole has been liberated. Only the Zcarbbs remain a threat on our border but the front is stable. In this context of renewal and renewed peace, the Administration has resolutely turned towards greater democratic openness by appointing a president elected by universal suffrage to preside over the assembly of nations.”

Parraligne took a deep breath as he emerged from the stasis pod. Although he did not need oxygen to survive, his biological systems retained some reflexes. His vision still a little blurred, he stood up and took a few unsteady steps down the hallway, holding his head in his hands. A voice called out to him:

“Hey, Parraligne, are you okay?”

He looked up blankly at his interlocutor. It was another Vermilion Hom, easily recognizable by his bright red hair. He didn't think he knew him, but the analysis systems in his eyes quickly gave him all the information he could about him.

“Circula, base administrator? Vermilion! Servant of the Administration!”

He placed his hand on his stomach in greeting, Circula responding in kind.

“I'm fine. It is just likely that a percent of my memory did not survive... That must explain my difficult awakening. Apparently, I still have not recovered the memory of what happened to me. Can you enlighten me?”

“I don't know either. Follow me to the checkpoint.”

With a brisk step, the two cyborgs passed in front of long rows of stasis cases where lifeless orbs were waiting, ready to receive the vital essence of those of them who died nearby, before printing and assembling around them a body corresponding to their DNA. They passed through a series of armored doors and found themselves in a large, very sober room. The only decoration was the symbol of the Administration engraved on the walls. This place actually hid a multitude of screens that would only appear on request. On a computer thought emitted by the administrator, one of them appeared nearby, delivering the list of Parraligne's service records.

“Apparently, this information is not recorded. You had not updated for a while.”

“What do you think happened? I imagine it must have been a long mission. Did I die fighting the Zcarbbs, deep inside enemy lines?”

“I don't think so. If that were the case, you would have come back very far from here. We are in the heart of the administered territory. It is more likely that you died guarding some secret facility or protecting the life of a politician. Maybe a Hogloo agent killed you? It happens.”

“But still, why didn't I update? We have secure connections for this.”

“I don’t know. Sometimes, on secret missions, they ask you not to report on your activities. Other times… let’s just say that many people find it pointless to report if they don’t have anything interesting to report. Maybe you’re one of them?”

Parraligne shrugged. He had no idea. He wasn’t entirely sure he was himself. It was absurd, but he still felt something was wrong. Maybe he should ask for a review everything was fine: being disturbed after being killed and losing his memory was completely normal.