There's something moving in the sidewalk steam

"I have to stand in their way. I won't let them use you to hurt innocent people!"

KOS-MOS's voice is almost gentle, soothing, in answer. To be sure, her constancy has always been her strongest attribute, far above her destructive power or accidental (not-so-accidental) emulation of human sarcasm.

"You wish to protect me, Elly. But when you are gone, I will yet remain. You would be better served protecting those people directly, as one."

She knows KOS-MOS is right. She knows that her responsibility lies not with the weapon, no matter how human she may seem.

Even as constancy erodes...