Mu Continent, Deep Laboratory.
This time, it was just Mobius who brought Vya. The one to greet them was still that same armed doll, Model 026, from last time.
Mobius gave 026 a few simple instructions to take good care of Vya, then turned to go find Einstein, leaving Vya and 026 to play by the sea.
AT-026 was among the earliest batch of armed dolls ever produced. Whether in learning capability or combat experience, she was remarkably outstanding among her many counterparts.
Vya, like a cheerful little bird, skipped and hopped along the shoreline. One moment she'd bend down to pick up a pretty seashell, the next she'd chase after the receding waves for a few steps.
026 followed quietly behind her, neither too close nor too far, like an adult minding a child—even though their heights were practically the same...
"Why don't you have a name?"
Vya fiddled with the seashell in her hand, suddenly looking up to ask 026.
026 stopped walking and answered earnestly, "My designation is AT-026. That is my name."
Vya scrunched up her little brow, not quite understanding. "But that's not a real name. It's like how everyone always calls me Vya. That's a real name."
She looked 026 up and down, taking in the standard-issue uniform that looked just like the other armed dolls wore, and the same hairstyle. It felt like something was missing.
026 explained, "Giving each armed doll a name is rather troublesome. Using serial numbers is more convenient and easier for management."
"But I really feel like you're different from the others, you know."
Vya shook her head very seriously, her tone full of certainty.
026 was a bit puzzled. Her database indicated that all armed dolls were constructed to a standardized design.
"We possess standardized modules and appearances. Our vocal and learning modules are uniformly configured. We're even connected to the same network. Overall, the differences between all my fellow dolls are not significant."
"Really though~"
Vya emphasized her words. She could see a faint, subtle glow around 026, something she'd never seen on any other armed doll.
But this light was different from the light on people. It was hard to describe, almost as if it was hinting at something.
026 fell silent, rapidly retrieving information within her processor.
In truth, she knew very well that what Vya said might be right.
Because she had indeed pondered some strange things—things that didn't belong to the basic programming of an armed doll.
"Do I... have one?"
026 couldn't help but question herself. She slowly walked to the water's edge, looking down at her own reflection in the sea, distorted by the waves into something unrecognizable.
And that golden hair color, identical to every other armed doll, now seemed exceptionally glaring in her own eyes.
"You definitely do!"
Vya followed 026 to the shoreline, copying her by looking at her own reflection, her little face full of conviction.
"I don't like this color."
026 extended a finger, lightly tapping the reflection of her own hair in the seawater.
She didn't know when this emotion called "liking" or "disliking" had begun to appear. Perhaps it started during the countless battles against Honkai beasts, when her modules were damaged and repaired over and over.
Or perhaps it was after witnessing the laughter and joy of countless people in the base, when she began unconsciously pondering unnecessary things.
But regardless, she had indeed started to think, started to have ideas of her own.
"The color of your hair?" Vya blinked, asking.
"Yes. I don't like it."
026 answered using her simulated child-like voice, yet her tone carried something unusually firm, as if what she was weary of wasn't just the hair color...
But rather something that had always tightly bound them, these armed dolls.
"Then I'll take you to find Sister Einstein! She'll definitely agree to help you change the color!"
Hearing this, Vya got excited instantly, grabbing 026's hand and wanting to head towards the lab.
"No."
026 gently shook her head, withdrawing her hand. "Compared to that, I'd rather you help me with something else, Vya."
"What is it?" Vya stopped, looking at her curiously.
"Could you give me a name?"
026 lifted her head to look at Vya. Her electronic eyes, though lacking real pupils, unusually conveyed a hint of pleading.
It seemed this matter was of utmost importance to her.
"Huh? Why ask Vya though?"
Vya was a bit confused. With so many big brothers and sisters in the lab, wouldn't it be easier to ask any of them for a name?
"Because it's important."
026's voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable seriousness.
"Well, don't you go disliking it then! Vya will try to give you a good name!"
Seeing her so earnest, Vya also became serious. Mimicking an adult, she propped her cheek on her hand and began pondering hard.
026 nodded. "Mm."
"What should it be..."
Vya muttered to herself. She actually had quite a bit of knowledge in her head, but giving someone a name was truly a challenge.
She thought of names of flowers and plants for a moment, then of stars in the sky, but none seemed quite right.
After thinking for a good while, Vya tentatively asked, "How about... Little Zero?"
"Zero? It's good."
026 nodded almost without hesitation, immediately accepting the name.
Vya herself didn't realize it, but her accidental choice perfectly captured the meaning of this event—Little Zero, the first among armed dolls to awaken to self-awareness.
Just like the first digit "zero," seemingly empty, yet containing infinite possibilities.
Little Zero looked down at her reflection in the seawater, then up at Vya beside her. A faint glimmer seemed to pass through her electronic eyes.
It was as if something had quietly taken root and sprouted within her so-called "heart," and was extending into the thought network of all her fellow dolls...
…
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