Story Reader / Adaptation Fitting / Frost Oath / Story
Rosetta takes the CUB to the snowy forest nearby. Like most machines Rosetta is familiar with, CUBs will silently carry out the previous command unless given a new command.
—Just like how this CUB has been silently following Rosetta, unresponsive to other external interferences.
One more parameter to test. Time to collect data on its maximum speed.
Here is the route. I'll observe it from here.
After setting the route, Rosetta stands on a snow-covered bluff.
Begin!
Receiving the command, the CUB stirs its front hooves, kicking up the snow, then quickly gallops along the planned route.
Rosetta connects with the CUB to monitor the data and establishes a visual link with its visual module.
Through the connection, Rosetta watches the snow fly by at blistering speed.
As the CUB charges through the bush, snow falling from the trees is quickly swept off the frame without any chance to accumulate.
—Just like how she ran in the past.
As the CUB advances along the route, a white figure suddenly dashes by a low-lying patch of bushes off to the side.
Following it's alert protocol, the CUB slowly approaches the bushes.
Rosetta is unable to discern anything from the various tracks found in the area. As the CUB gets closer, Rosetta subconsciously holds her breath.
Right as the CUB cautiously checks the bushes, she sees a snow squirrel.
The snow squirrel dashes in front of the CUB and climbs to the top of a tree carrying some kind of nut.
Rosetta exhales quietly after confirming that everything is alright.
The CUB watches the squirrel disappear into the treetops, then raises its legs as if to jump.
After jumping once, then twice, the CUB continues galloping onward.
However, it no longer charges relentlessly through the branches and snow. Instead, it begins to prance briskly.
The visual module quickly shifts up and down as it jumps and lands.
As its speed begins to increase, the inertia extends its duration in the air with each jump.
Gallop... Jump... Land... Gallop... Jump... Land...
The CUB seems to be deliberately jumping as it makes its way forward.
A thought long buried in Rosetta's M.I.N.D. quickly resurfaces.
—The meaning behind jumping.
It is the momentary thrill of breaking free from the surface—the thrill of freedom.
Breaking free... Breaking free... Continuously breaking free from the surface's hold.
A tall snow slope appears around the bend. Rather than stopping, the CUB increases speed.
It quickly ascends the snow slope and leaps high into the sky from its summit. The frame's exterior reflects a striking display of sunlight.
Landing on the other side of the snow slope, the CUB sees a group of snow-white figures.
Creatures that share a resemblance to the CUB's equine form.
Hmm... Looks like we've accidentally stumbled into their neck of the woods.
A herd of horses is a rare sight to behold in the wilderness.
They gather together and look at the CUB.
After a few circles around the CUB, the horses slowly leave. But before they do, they turn to look back at it.
Is that... an invitation?
Right as Rosetta ponders their behavior, the CUB takes a step forward.
The system issues a warning to indicate a deviation from the planned route, but the CUB continues to follow the horses.
What starts off as a slow trot turns into an all-out gallop with the herd.
It runs with the horses.
The crisp sound of the horses' hooves crushing branches and the rushing wind through the snowy forest drowns out the CUB's warning system.
Delicate snowflakes flutter in the dazzling sunlight.
The CUB gallops with reckless abandon. Some kind of signal seems to be sprouting within it.
Phweeee—
After a long whistle, the horses surrounding the CUB gradually disappear.
Rosetta uses her familiarity with the surrounding environment to rush toward the CUB.
Her figure appears in the CUB's field of vision—the first person it saw after waking up from within the dark confines of the airdrop.
You...
I'm done with the preparations. How's your progress?
Asimov's transmission cuts her off mid-sentence. She remains quiet for a moment before slowly opening her mouth.
...There were some deviations with the preset configurations, but I've collected all of the data.
I'll look into the deviations later. Right now, let's finish calibrating your frame.
Asimov promptly terminates the comms. The CUB stands there quietly facing Rosetta across the dense flurry of snowflakes.
...
Let's get back.
Receiving the order, the CUB slowly walks up to Rosetta's side and continues back to the familiar darkness of the airdrop.
