Quite so. That thing has been attempting to convert him for a long while now, but Hien has a strong will. He still has a strong tie to persisting as himself, after all.
[ He doesn't just mean Hien's individual will, but his desire to find Matoba and bring him back. He doesn't paint himself as an optimistic, yet he is finding himself thinking if that other battle goes well too, with Magus, they will have double the ammunition needed to get Hien back to normal. :) ]
That's true. There were others who were quick to accept Lily's paradise, but Admin Hien didn't seem to be cooperating with Lily even as his condition progressed.
[ He'd kept his red texting to a minimum, at least around Haru. ]
I don't think he can hold on forever though. Losing his memories may make it easier for Lily to influence him, and his appearance has changed to take on the eye patterns we've been seeing on the Waves.
I do wonder...if there is a way to engage a Wave before they have completed transformation, and even if you defeat them completely in 'battle', if they would still survive.
[ Albedo supposes no one has attempted to for the reason that there's just too much unknown data surrounding such a course of action. But he does consider it without hesitation since, maybe, there could be a way to uproot the program still then.
Though at that time if someone is Data Drained, would they be still able to survive even that, like how Phases do when they become 'complete'? ]
Even a strong will like that has limits. Still, all the same...there is something lingering, tethering his persona to this world. It may be even after the 'transformation' is complete for him, it is not necessarily the end.
[ He says this with a bit more certainty that it's 50-50 now because the battle results of the future have not happened, but it's fine. ]
It's crossed my mind, but I think unless we coordinated ourselves to strike as a group, it'd be too dangerous to provoke a Phase. I've noticed the Phases themselves don't seem interested in taking us out beforehand, though that may just be because they need us as data.
[ Not giving them data isn't an option, either. She remembers how strong the compulsion had been. ]
With Admin Hien's privileges, he could probably easily block us from attacking him before it's time.
[ There's a pause on the blond's end as he absorbs this response. Then, after that, he provides what he believes to be an adequate reply in return. ]
Hmm...I suppose your conclusion has merit.
[ Albedo will have to reevaluate the possibility. He supposes he himself can go ahead and make the attempt. But, he has a feeling that maybe...
Well, waiting is perhaps the best. He will not pursue this avenue. ]
In the meanwhile, we should continue to prepare ourselves best as we can for Skeith's battle, and our efforts in ensuring Hien's subsequent retrieval from the program. Ideally, we'll be able to figure out more of Skeith's abilities beforehand, but it isn't really a guarantee.
Vogel used to train with Admin Hien, but he wasn't Skeith then. It'll be hard to catch him using his new abilities unless...well, he used to be quite aggressive, so if we we were to anger him...
[ But that goes back to her original point of it being dangerous. ]
...The only problem with my proposition is that we don't know the consequences should we have defeated him prior to a complete transformation. In the end, while there is still a risk to him dying post that completion, we know that there is a chance for survival when those infected by Cubia's 'curse' get to that stage.
While we could always still chance it, given the consequences, the risks outweigh the benefits.
[ Given that the intention to preserve here, instead of otherwise, well... ]
I think so too. We know a transformed Phase can be brought back. Admin Hien still has a body to return to, and he has a roommate who would look after him. If it follows the pattern we know, we're not too late.
[ Or so she believes in the brief hours before Mithrun's report on Makoto throws a wrench in things. ]
I think it's a good thing that you bring it up though, so we're considering all options.
[ That way they can be sure they don't miss a possible course of action. Calx is always logical and analytical, and she appreciates his perspective. ]
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[ She looks hopeful to hear it. ]
He's been a Phase longer than anyone, but if we're able to draw out his emotions, it means Lily hasn't been able to turn him into a program.
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[ Hope is a funny thing right now, huh. ]
Quite so. That thing has been attempting to convert him for a long while now, but Hien has a strong will. He still has a strong tie to persisting as himself, after all.
[ He doesn't just mean Hien's individual will, but his desire to find Matoba and bring him back. He doesn't paint himself as an optimistic, yet he is finding himself thinking if that other battle goes well too, with Magus, they will have double the ammunition needed to get Hien back to normal. :) ]
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That's true. There were others who were quick to accept Lily's paradise, but Admin Hien didn't seem to be cooperating with Lily even as his condition progressed.
[ He'd kept his red texting to a minimum, at least around Haru. ]
I don't think he can hold on forever though. Losing his memories may make it easier for Lily to influence him, and his appearance has changed to take on the eye patterns we've been seeing on the Waves.
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[ Albedo supposes no one has attempted to for the reason that there's just too much unknown data surrounding such a course of action. But he does consider it without hesitation since, maybe, there could be a way to uproot the program still then.
Though at that time if someone is Data Drained, would they be still able to survive even that, like how Phases do when they become 'complete'? ]
Even a strong will like that has limits. Still, all the same...there is something lingering, tethering his persona to this world. It may be even after the 'transformation' is complete for him, it is not necessarily the end.
[ He says this with a bit more certainty that it's 50-50 now because the battle results of the future have not happened, but it's fine. ]
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[ Not giving them data isn't an option, either. She remembers how strong the compulsion had been. ]
With Admin Hien's privileges, he could probably easily block us from attacking him before it's time.
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Hmm...I suppose your conclusion has merit.
[ Albedo will have to reevaluate the possibility. He supposes he himself can go ahead and make the attempt. But, he has a feeling that maybe...
Well, waiting is perhaps the best. He will not pursue this avenue. ]
In the meanwhile, we should continue to prepare ourselves best as we can for Skeith's battle, and our efforts in ensuring Hien's subsequent retrieval from the program. Ideally, we'll be able to figure out more of Skeith's abilities beforehand, but it isn't really a guarantee.
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[ But that goes back to her original point of it being dangerous. ]
Ah, was that why you suggested we strike first?
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While we could always still chance it, given the consequences, the risks outweigh the benefits.
[ Given that the intention to preserve here, instead of otherwise, well... ]
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[ Or so she believes in the brief hours before Mithrun's report on Makoto throws a wrench in things. ]
I think it's a good thing that you bring it up though, so we're considering all options.
[ That way they can be sure they don't miss a possible course of action. Calx is always logical and analytical, and she appreciates his perspective. ]