“Since the beginning of the wars, the War Fighters have relied on the Builders for weapons, fortresses, repairs, and technology,” A-01 explains. “As such, they never developed the ability to comprehend the sciences as we do. Therefore with the other Builders being deconstructed due to the War Fighter’s actions, I calculate that the last War Fighter will be rendered inert as late as 1500 cycles from now. The error that is the War Fighters will finally be eliminated, which will leave us and any other surviving builders to continue our sciences without constraint. At such a time, you will be able to pursue interstellar travel technologies without danger.” 

J-71 considered this plan for a moment. They are correct in this conclusion. The lack of interference would be worth the wait. There has only ever been one War Fighter to take on the sciences in the past, but they were long since placed in the Asilem due to the destruction they created. Not even the War Fighters would be foolish enough to free them, even in the name of survival… But then there is the matter of X-87. 

“There is one concern that I have for your plan. There is a War Fighter on the Mobile storage bay who is under my command.” J-71 explained. 

“Then dismantle it now or when the primary threats have ended,” A-01 said dismissively. 

“I think I would prefer them to continue existing.” 

“For what possible reason would you allow this?” 

“They have admitted that the War Fighters were wrong.” 

“Treachery. Disinformation. There is a 99.9999994% chance of this being the case. You must have calculated this.” A-01 monotone voice resonated with an unhearable rage. 

“I have calculated this. I have determined it to be a necessary risk.” 

“Explain.” 

“Where there were 2034 Builders on this planet there is a high likelihood there are a maximum of 4 left. It could very well be just us. If that is the case… the silence will end me.” 

“The silence. Silence is a lack of noise. How would this bring an end to you.” 

“I do not know. I just know that it will.“ 

“You are beginning to speak as if you were a War Fighter. Speak your true reasoning.” 

“I do not understand it either. The only way I can find to survive the other War Fighters is to take this one with me as I complete my plan.” 

“There is no logic behind this. You have given no valid reason to keep a War Fighter alive.” 

“When the time comes to leave this world behind I will return here and take you with us.” 

“You will do no such thing. To even stand in your presence is an affront to my sight and mind. I will never forgive such an illogical, inconceivable, destructive, self-contradictory, defective builder who actively chooses to jeopardize the one chance our kind has ever had to finally delete the War Fighter error. Nor will I willingly allow a War Fighter to exist before me when I have the ability to dismantle it. Leave and never enter my Labyrinth again. I’d rather be alone on this desolate planet until the star detonates.” 

I knew they would react like this. J-71 thought. It is understandable but I still had to try to get them to join us. If I do succeed it will be a long time to travel between star systems. “I understand. If I become captured by the War Fighters I will self-destruct so you may fulfill your plan without impediment.” 

“You would self-destruct. Why.” 

“It is uncomplicated. I believe in your plan to be the most correct one, however, I do not want to be alone with the silence.” 

J-71 began their journey back to the exit.