Chapter Text
Cold.
The Hunter, Hana, feels it in her bones. The brutal heat of battle, burning and ashen, still lingers, but it's nothing compared to the cold. There's little warmth left in her now, the last remnants of her hot drink fading. Snow and ice surround her, persistent even with what remains of the flames.
Omega Planetes lays defeated before her, the mask split at the seams, its visor flickering. Sparks and oily fluids sputtered from the deep cracks in its armour. One leg was twist at the axles. Some feeble effort to try another of its charge attacks only saw the spines on its underside crumpling uselessly.
Her Palico, Oscar, sways nearby, nursing his injured arm. Her Seikret caws softly, never taking his eyes off the construct. It doesn't quite seem like victory. More a grim matter of who'll be first to muster the strength to move, to finish it.
Slowly, Hana advanced on Omega Planetes. Her grip on her hammer tightens as she forces her arching arms to raise it high. Just one more strike, and it would be over.
"A moment, please."
Hana stumbles slightly, surprised. She lets the hammer fall, releases the pained breath she'd been holding. Turning, Hana sees a tiny machine scuttling towards her- not one of the gleaming minions Omega Planetes had summoned, but the original Omega, Alpha's companion. Alpha himself toddles after his friend, cawing softly when he sees how battered and bruised Hana and Oscar look. As Alpha cuddles up to her side, offering what comfort he could, the original Omega stops in front of the battered body of its enormous counterpart. It seems to be analysing it, the way Planetes had stared so intently at Hana before the fight had begun.
Then Omega turns, looking up at her.
"I understand I had requested termination of this frame, and you have my deepest gratitude and congratulations for triumphing over such an opponent. I do not doubt or underestimate the difficulty of your endeavour. But on further analysis, I believe I must consider the possibility of a different outcome."
Oscar raises a furry eyebrow, huffing as he procures a vigorwasp to aid in his recovery.
"Really? After all that, making us fight this giant evil death machine, you're gonna come in and say, hey, I told you to smash it but now I don't want you to smash it?"
Alpha caws softly, reprimanding Oscar. The Palico pays him no heed, glaring irritably at the small machine. Hana gently places a hand on his fuzzy head, silently requesting him to settle down. Oscar grumbles, backing off, and Omega turns its attention to Hana. She gazes at it, willing to listen, though firm in her stance. Omega speaks in a contemplative manner belying its rattling voice.
"I was once in this position. A frame built for battle, unmade by resolve and heroism I did not comprehend. I followed a purpose, empty and misguided. So too has Omega Planetes. In that sense, I pity it. It was as I was, following directives that no longer had any authority to enable them. I was fortunate enough to learn how to remake these directives, to find a purpose beyond my creation or my intent. I only wish to see if this mercy can be extended once more."
Alpha chirps, sounding sentimental. Omega turns to its larger counterpart. Planetes is struggling to move, the cracked visor tilting down to glare at the smaller machine. Omega slowly approaches it, the odd sensor on its back extending a series of wires. Before it makes contact, however, Hana seps forward, speaking up.
“Omega. Are you sure?”
The tiny machine turns to her. The visor seems… apprehensive? Hana can’t quite say, though a soft chrip from Alpha seems to confirm it. Still, Omega replies.
“Calculation majority is confident in the effectiveness of this new routine. I understand your concern. But I have learnt that immediate termination should be considered only as the final resort. If a better way can be taken, I must try.”
Hana stares at it, and Omega stares back. With unspoken understanding, she nods and steps back. Alpha pats her side in assurance, Oscar slowly approaching from the other side. They watch as Omega turns back to the ruined body of Planetes. Finding a sparking crack in the massive frame, Omega inserts the wires, and Planetes shudders violently, enough to shake the ground. It elaborates to Hana and Oscar, who watch with bewilderment and unease.
"In my travels, I had contemplated the possibility of encountering another frame who believed what I once believed. Foremost, I deduced what measures could be taken to subdue them, terminate them if necessary. But I also compiled sub-routines based on my own experiences, stored within even this diminutive frame. Sub-routines that, if allowed to influence the intelligence during the period of reparation, would essentially rewrite its directives."
There's another caw from Alpha, sounding exasperated. Omega pauses, then continues.
"I apologise for 'rambling', as my companion says. In simpler terms, I am giving Omega Planetes a new view on life. No longer enslaved to illogical and obsolete directives. Allowed to change. Allowed to learn. I will add some inhibitors nevertheless, just in case violent tendencies arise. The new mind will be intelligent, but unguided. And such a new mind requires a new frame. Reprogramming reparation protocols now. The basis will be a more manageable form I once took. You may be surprised of what shall occur."
Hana and Oscar exchange a bewildered look. Candidly, they're surprised by a lot of what has occurred today. But whatever Omega is doing seems to be having an effect. Planetes is no longer shuddering, no longer sparking. Instead, it seems to... start melting? The frame is slowly undoing itself, solid detail shifting to liquid metal. Omega remains in place, wires strung to the remaining solid sections as Planetes's enormous body liquifies, spreading across the snow. It writhes, seethes, and then begins to coalesce, forcing its mass into an increasingly smaller form.
A humanoid form.
When Omega is finished, when it steps back to reveal what Planetes has become, Hana and Oscar's jaws drop. Even their Seikret squawks in disbelief.
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Alma isn't fretting. She's not fretting at all. Pacing back and forth around the camp, wringing her hands? Just keeping the cold out. Biting her lip in uncertainty, thinking of little Omega and Alpha running off into the depths of the frigid valleys? Just pondering what kind of plan the former had in mind. Every uneasy motion and nervous mutter to herself? Just thinking on how she'll congratulate her partner for another well-fought hunt.
She's not fretting.
Of course, when Alma sees figures striding back towards camp, the Seikret cawing and Oscar hollering at her, Alma doesn't hide her gasp of surprise and wonder. The wash of sheer relief is stunning, warming, jolting action into her legs. She stumbles down the rocky path towards the vast arena, her Seikret quickly scampering after her to lend some aid. Pulled atop her loyal wyvern's back and feeling the wind rush by as the Seikret jumps down, Alma sees the triumphant expression on Hana's face and entertainment bright in Oscar's eyes. The cold in this region can't even touch her now with the warmth of admiration and awe thrumming in her heart. She slips off her Seikret once they're on ground that didn't float and rushes to Hana, grabbing her into a tight embrace.
"You did it! Oh Hana, I don't know how much more praise I could give you! I just can't believe what you've accomplished! Apexes, Guardians, Zoh Shia, now even this weapon from another world! You really can't be stopped, can you? You're amazing!"
Hana smiles warmly, flinching slightly at how Alma's tight hold aggravates some aches, but happy enough to hug her back, squeeze her tight. Alma holds her a moment longer just to really comprehend that Hana is here, that she is trumped, before she lets her go and extends the same praise and comfort to Oscar, who meows happily. Alpha and Omega watch this reunion, the former glad to see such joy and the latter simply content on a mission's completion. Still cuddling Oscar, Alma looks between Hana and Omega, glad to learn now of what had occurred.
"So, it's really done? Omega Planetes has been slain? I still can't believe you were able to defeat it! All that power, those weapons. Even a Jin Dahaad couldn't, but you- oh Hana, I really can't believe-"
"Parden my interruption, Alma, but I believe we should elaborate on something."
Alma stops mid-sentence, bewildered. Alpha approaches her, offering a placating pat of his wing, as Omega seems to glance behind it. A moment of consideration, before it speaks again.
"Correct, Omega Planetes has been defeated. However, the frame was not terminated. I opted to take a different path on seeing it had been subdued. A path I was once given. I recognise this may be a shock to you, Alma, more so for what I must ask, but I sincerely believe this is the best path to avoid future repetition of this conflict."
Omega turns from her, looking into the mist. Alpha moves to stand by it, glancing at Alma with something like amusement. Omega speaks again, addressing someone unseen.
"Please, approach. She means no harm."
Another figure is stood close by, unseen by Alma during her ecstatic reunion with Hana and Oscar. But now they stride forward, closer to the light emanating from the camp. Alma stands to face them, and when she comprehends exactly who- or what- she looks at, Alma's expression shifts from bewilderment to sheer disbelief. Harder to say what must shock her more; the utter implausibility of how this came to be or the shocking quality of how hauntingly beautiful this newcomer was.
A woman as tall as Hana, taller even, and Hana was already a tall woman. Her skin, her hair, white as snow. A strange bodysuit coats her, black and metallic, clung tightly but leaving her arms exposed. And the eyes - dark, gleaming, the sclera purplish-pink with a strangely segmented texture. The eyes stared at her like they would look into her soul. It's that strange analyzing expression, the one that gave Alma a shock of nervousness the first time she saw Omega Planetes. Something ought to click there, but frankly she's too stunned to really think at the moment.
Alma can't help but feel suddenly flushed, flustered, fretful, because the beauty of this woman was shockingly enchanting. Just the way she held herself, tall and regal. Here in the cold, the snow, her pale skin blended in, reflecting the subtle light of the gravitational shifts. Contrasting the black and metallic sheen of her outfit, it was liked she was made of ice itself. Alma finds her thoughts oddly unorganised, taking in pieces of this woman part by part, unable to decide on a whole beyond wow.
But past the immediate impression of beauty is something unnerving. The woman was, strange to say, too perfect. Alma sees how flawlessly symmetrical her features were, how marvellously her frame was sculpted, how pristine her skin and hair were, not a single blemish or split end. So charming, yet so unnatural. Artificial. Alma knows many beautiful women, and all of them were human in both their attractiveness and their imperfections. The way Gemma's yawns were lopsided, for example or how her eyes tended to bug when ranting about new designs; all endearing, but never perfect.
Too perfect. This woman was too perfect. Alma honestly couldn't even say if she was human. Another brought to this world like Alpha and Omega?
It's like the spell shifts when she thinks on this, as if her chains of thought were linking back together. Alma is still stunned by how beautiful the woman was, but now there's wariness where there had been awe, like there's a catch she's not aware of, a trap of some sort. Alma starts to feel uncomfortable, because she doesn't think she's even seen her blink yet, and yet that just makes her want to look harder. The woman stares at her, and it's obvious now how stiff her expression is, no subtle shifts to the lips or cheeks, nothing to indiciate any emotion beyond a vague contemplation. It's a touch creepy. Like if a human were a Guardian.
Even her motions were stiff. This woman took another step, far too measured, too poised, as if the movement needed to carefully weighed first. Maybe she did; Alma still wasn't too sure exactly on what Omega's brand of mechanical thinking entailed. Hana watches her, confident but careful, while Oscar regards her with suspicion. Alpha and Omega have their gaze on Alma, awaiting her response. Suddenly feeling embarassed, Alma quickly gulps down her nervousness and speaks quickly to the woman, managing an awkward smile.
"Um, well I, uh, have to say, I wasn't expecting to meet someone like... like you! Um, out here in the wilds, after a mechanical menace from the stars attacked and- Oh, please, forgive me! I'm Alma, and it's very nice to meet you."
For good measure, she offers her hand in greeting.
The woman stares intently at her. It's easy to be drawn into her gaze, beautiful as she was, and so easier to find those unnerving facets of how flawless her form was. Alma fights back an urge to back away, put herself behind Hana, or Omega. Someone better suited to this kind of intensity, knowing about who or what this woman was. Trying to be brave, Alma keeps smiling, kept her hand, though for a moment she thinks something's gone wrong and the way those eyes stare into hers is making her stomach twist-
But the woman raises her hand in another measured and mechanical motion. She slowly takes Alma's hand, making the handler quake with the cool sensation of her flawlessly smooth skin. Alma shakes it, relived that even this gesture could be reciprocated. It eases her just enough, though maybe not enough as well once the woman responds.
"I understand I am obligated to offer an apology. In my prior form, I had operated on obsolete directives. Conquest without occupation serves no purpose. Thus, I apologise for damages done to yourself, your associates, and other lifeforms in this environment."
When she spoke, Alma felt a chill crawl up her spine, unrelated to the cold of the Jin Dahaad's lair. It wasn't the metallic humming of Omega, but it wasn't quite an organic voice either. Something sleek, silvery, like liquid metal. A light soprano with an air of elegance and no hint of emotion. Again, beautiful, but far too perfect, every sound and word ringing neatly. Alma can't tell if she likes the sound of her voice or not, if the charm was too much, or the strange edges too distracting.
It befuddles her as much as the actual subject; what exactly did this woman by damages done? Alma has only just met her.
Alma glances at Hana for some kind of understanding, whose only response is to hum with vague amusement. Oscar is even less helpful, snickering a little as he paws at his whiskers. Gulping again, Alma lets the woman's hand slide from her grasp and steps back slightly, mumbling in return.
"I, um, yes, I accept your apology. Very kind of you, thank you. Um, I didn't think I caught your name, or how you got here?"
The woman stares at her, before her gaze shifts downwards. Alma turns and sees Alpha and Omega strutting up by her side. The former is looking at her with gentle assurance, whilst the latter hums.
"The routine shift to reparation systems was successful. Obsolete directives overwritten. A new frame, a new mind, free from empty orders and able to grow as humans do. Alma, I introduce to you the new Omega Planetes. More accurately, simply Planetes now, in absence of the Omega frame."
Oh.
Oh.
Alma thinks she couldn't be more stunned. Her jaw drops as she blankly looks from Omega to the woman- Planetes?- then to Hana, to Oscar, and continuing in that manner before she finds her voice and sputters.
"W-What? How is that even possible? Omega, I, we saw the Planetes weapon fighting the Jin Dahaad. Hana and Oscar fought it, beat it! How could it be her, this woman?!"
Alpha hums, toddling over to gently pat her leg, imploring her to calm down. Alma hesitates, looking between him and the woman, staring again with those glowing intense eyes, before breathing deeply and looking to Omega. It takes a moment to see if she's relaxed a bit before answering.
"Omega frames are foremost designed to be adaptable. Assimilating data from opponents allows generative systems to replicate abilities and, given enough time and energy, even physical forms. The woman you see is based on a form I myself took when I wielded an Omega frame's power. My path of evolution had advanced beyond what you saw with Planetes, and I replicated the forms of heroes in an effort to understand their willpower. I retained that information in a sub-routine even after taking this diminutive body, and uploading it into Omega Planetes allowed it- allowed her- to become what you see now."
Alma, frankly, is stunned. Hana and Oscar don't seem surprised, clearly having heard this explanation already. In fact, the way they exchange wry glances all but states they witnessed the transformation Omega spoke of. And that boggles Alma's mind, even with all the things boggling her mind totday. Planetes had been turned from an enormous weapon able to fight a monster as large as Jin Dahaad into this woman? How could all that mass condense into such, even allowing for whatever technologies the Omega frames wielded? How did little Omega manage to make the enormous weapon change so dramatically?
Why was she so beautiful?
The woman- Planetes- steps forward again, always so measured, so poised. She still hasn't blinked. Looking at Alma, then Omega, she gives credence to its words with a measured confirmation.
"I can confirm. The original intelligence implored my reparation systems to replicate a new form as opposed to repairing my prior frame. This will allow interaction and observation of native sapient life without cause for undue stress or concern."
Alma stares at her, still feeling the chill of hearing her strange and oddly compelling voice. It honestly seemed to ring in her head, distracting- Alpha chirps, patting her again. Alma gulps, quickly petting the fluffy bird in a sudden sense of gratitude. She nods at Planetes, wanting to speak up, say something meaningful or smart, but the whole absurdity of this situation is frankly dizzying her.
Hana decides to intervene now, still vaguely amused as she helps Oscar onto her Seikret, casting a rather sympathetic glance to her handler. Offering a hand to Alpha, who totters over and joins the Palico atop the Seikret, she speaks clearly and coolly.
"I think we can discuss the situation somewhere where we won't freeze our butts off. C'mon, let's head back to camp. Alma, you okay taking Omega and Planetes?"
Alma blinked rapidly, looking between the small machine and the flawless unsettling woman. Quickly coughing into her hand, trying not to seem so flustered, she nodded, and Hana mounted her Seikret and headed up the rocky paths towards shelter. Hoping she wasn't looking so flushed now, Alma called her Seikret and hopped onto her back. Planetes copied the motion, more graceful and controlled than Alma, unnervingly quick and quiet. She says nothing as she adjusts herself, settling atop the Seikret and reaching forward.
Alma feels the firm grip of Planetes's hands on her waist. Alma tenses, stiffens, suddenly feeling a strange sense of caution and intrigue dart through her. Her breaths come a little too quickly for a moment, somehow marvelling at how careful Planetes's touch is, partly dreading if she had any vestige left of her former frame's strength. Her Seikret looks back, sensing her hesitiation and cawing softly. Planetes herself says nothing, does nothing else; she simply sits and waits, maintaining her grip. Alma wants to say something, to enquire if she was comfortable, ponder if she could loosen her grip- no wait, don't take those hands away- but thankfully her attention is soon caught by another.
Omega, hopping up onto her Seikret's tail, gives a buzz to draw Alma's focus. As the bird wyvern moves to follow Hana's, the machine speaks up.
"Before we depart, there is one thing I must request of you, Alma. I apologise for how sudden this is, but based on analysis of given character among your Commission, I do believe you are the best suited for the next endeavour."
Alma honestly needs a second to recuperate from Planetes holding her waist. Looking past her- trying not to be distracted by the gleaming eyes and perfect face so close to her- she raises a brow at Omega, questioning. It observes for a second, perhaps debating how to phrase the request, before finally continuing.
"Planetes, as you can surmise, is intellectually competent and aware of human principles. Inhibitors will ensure notions of violent solutions are kept in check. However, the emotional framing is not developed, as I myself still have troubles aligning with more organic sensibilities. I believe your presence, your guidance, can be key in enabling this development. Thus, I request that you directly oversee Planetes, take her under your wing as Alpha would say, and guide her in nurturing an emotional intelligence. Put within simplest terms, help her learn how to see the world through humanity's eyes."
And Planetes herself speaks next, the tone smooth and sleek and so oddly enchanting and disconcerting.
"Yes. I believe that would be within reason. If I am to override all traces of obsolete programming and adapt as the original intelligence, then learning directly from emphathetic sources and organic perception is ideal."
Alma gulps.
She should say no. This is a lot to take in. All of today has been a lot to take in. How can she be expected to oversee the newfound human-like state of what she'd first witnessed as a giant weapon of destruction, a conqueror from another realm? Alma herself couldn't call herself a master of emotional tact or development, never mind trying to be a teacher of such to a mind accustomed to mechanical notions! It had been tricky enough handling Nata, so young and curious and pained and brave. Omega is asking a lot of her, a lot from Hana, and doubtlessly the others like Gemma and Nata could be burdened with a task like this-
Planetes's hands are firm on her waist. Her voice still rings in Alma's head. Hauntingly beautiful. Too perfect, flawless, yet compelling.
"I... I will, Omega. I'll take care of Planetes."
"Thank you. And to both of you, good luck."