Erosion/Conversion

 

Asia let out a scream, and the transmission was cut off.

「Asia! That scream just now—!」

Kelly shouted back at the cry that had echoed through the MCS.

「No good. The line’s been completely severed.」

Yunlan in the Pegasus groaned. Something had happened to Asia.

The avatar lit up, flooding with color.

Eyes, larger than Asia’s, shining sapphire blue. Golden hair. Skin as pale as porcelain.

「Who are you!」

Skunk fell back and leveled his charged-particle beam rifle.

「――Thank you for setting me free. Heh. Allow me to introduce myself to you Development Engineers.」

The mischievous smile was a mirror of Asia’s own.

「My name is Europa, planetary management super AI. The four Asias who had been at your side have become me. That makes five Europas now.」

「Europa!」

Yunlan was struck dumb. The name was unavoidable for anyone living in the Nemesis system.

「Hermes can be reckless. He reduced me to just a head, you know. And bringing my kernel and core