Story Reader / Event Story / Lightning and Thunder / Story
Adjusting vocal module. What's your name?
My official designation is ST-100 Conversational Mechanoid. The nickname you gave me was...
Stop.
Understood, Mr. Craig.
After a long sigh, the old and hunched human takes off his gloves and places them aside.
He adjusts his glasses and tries to shift the mechanoid on the workbench. Noticing this, the mechanoid turns its waist, positioning its battery compartment toward Craig.
I can adjust the angle for you if you want to close my battery compartment.
Thank you. Just keep it this way.
ST-100 stops moving and quietly watches as Craig slowly rummages for a data cable.
After about a minute of silence, Craig finally finds the cable and connects it to ST-100.
ST-100 begins to adjust its position automatically after receiving the data from the operation. Its head, having been swirling around and observing the room, returns to its original position.
I have read the latest part of your Tales of the Babylonia Heroes.
I will translate it with the pre-configured "Kowloong Storytelling" program and transmit it to all mechanoids in the test area.
Alright. Also notify the actors outside, please.
Craig presses the red button to turn off the workbench. ST-100 moves its limbs after its parts are pieced back into a humanoid shape, and it inspects itself after the repairs.
I like carriages, Mr. Craig. May I drive the carriage from before?
As long as you know how to drive it. I don't remember if I installed the driving module on you.
I believe so.
Craig does not respond. Probably irritated by his deteriorating memory and health, he almost forgets to unplug the data cable.
But ST-100 has already removed it for him. It walks toward the door before turning back.
You should rest more. The other models will help you with the props and sets.
Craig does not answer it.
Have you considered changing the subject matter? The theater has been performing Kowloong stories for many years.
Craig finds a chair to sit on. Without turning toward ST-100, he returns to his work.
Someday, perhaps. Why?
It's a module I have in my factory setting. I believe it's called "curiosity."
Your tea, Mr. Craig. Oh, hello, Radio.
Hello, little assistant.
A tracked small mechanoid rolls in from another room, carrying a cup of tea with its mechanical arm and heading for Craig.
Are you working on something? I'll just leave the tea here, then.
Just hand it to me. Go get familiar with your character before the sun sets.
ST-100 hesitates briefly before walking through the automatic door of the repair room and heading toward the sun. At this moment, all the data ST-100 is reading in its mind is about the carriage.
The path into the mountains becomes increasingly difficult, likely due to the long absence of travelers.
This also indicates that there are probably not many mechanoids coming in and out of this area.
After a zigzag slope, you finally manage to see the view ahead through the trees.
Buildings resembling traditional Kowloong architecture appear before you. At first glance, it seems like a hidden Kowloong village.
Everything seems normal until you four step into the village and see various types of mechanoids trying to put on Kowloong attire, and things feel out of place again.
Fortunately, there are many humanoid mechanoids among them.
These mechanoids don't seem to be related to the awakened machines at all. Every move they make is precise, like pieces being moved on a chessboard.
Cure-all! Cure-all!
It's not time to cure all yet, 21.
Shut up.
Get shouting, Noctis.
The commandant has arrived—
Where is it?
Noctis whispers to you after shouting dramatically.
Noctis' shout finally draws the attention of the mechanoids on the street. They slowly turn their heads toward the four of you, who have just entered the city.
Recalling the script you read, you brace yourself and speak.
Com—man—dant—
A small mechanoid on all-terrain tracks moves toward you with great effort. Vera, who has been drawn by the mechanoid's voice, does not even bother to draw her weapon.
Unlike other humanoid mechanoids, this one seems to be moving more "freely" despite its non-humanoid shape.
Apologies for the lack of welcome! I will accept your punishment—
The mechanoid nods up and down. Its movements are clearly restricted, but its voice and motions bring a term to your mind.
Groveling.
I didn't say you can come this close.
Vera gives the slowly approaching mechanoid a light kick in a rare show of restraint.
I am so sorry!
The mechanoid backs up a little bit.
Your name. Now.
The mechanoid pauses as if hesitating. Without a waist, it rotates its mechanical arm once and moves back a little more, bowing its head to show its regret.
Of course a commandant as busy as you would have forgotten my name. I am Qing Lian!
A few years ago, we were both—
Knock it off. You're the magistrate of Xun City, right?
Indeed.
Why was there no one to greet us when we arrived?
We... weren't informed of your arrival, Commandant.
How do you plan to make up for it, then?
You should at least offer something, right? Like—
Vera kicks Noctis, clearly not wanting to stir up more trouble.
Shut up.
Uh... um... Why don't I take you to your mansion first...
It's for emergencies...
The kind citizens of our county helped, of course...
That better be true.
I'm afraid my residence is currently unavailable... Perhaps, Commandant, we can—
I'm staying at your place.
M-my place?
Your place should be pretty big, right?
I don't think you have seen it yet...
So? Can't we have heard about it?
What's wrong, Magistrate? I wasn't expecting you to be so stingy.
Never!
Qing Lian spins his lower half around while his upper half remains still. He looks like a tank drifting in place.
What are you waiting for, then? My three subordinates are starving.
Your t-three subordinates?
Qing Lian stares at you.
Ah! My bad!
Qing Lian taps his monitor with his mechanical arm. You know exactly who Vera was referring to as her third subordinate, but Vera still winks at you.
Lead the way!
Qing Lian nods and adjusts his posture before leading Cerberus and you forward.
Although this place looks similar to parts of Kowloong, you can see that those are just Kowloong-style decorations that have been added to the original structures.
You have seen something like this on WGAA film sets that have been designed for easy modification.
We've arrived, my esteemed guests.
Compared to the clearly modified rooms you have passed, this county office seems to have been built from the ground up. It is not large, but it resembles Kowloong-style architecture at a glance.
The stone lions flanking the gate look finely carved, and the paint on the wooden door looks weathered.
However, the characters on the plaque above you do not look like calligraphy or woodcarving. Instead, they seem to be in a preset font from a regular computer system.
The guards are mostly humanoid, unlike "Qing Lian", wielding melee weapons in their hands. If you do not look closely, you would think they are as stationary as the stone lions.
You must be tired. Let me prepare some food...
That's not necessary. We ran into an old lady on our way here who told us that her son had been taken unjustly. Do you know anything about this?
Qing Lian seems to be processing some data, only snapping back after a moment.
I-I don't know what you're talking about!
Qing Lian slaps a chair with his arm as if realizing something.
Really!
Our county has been quite peaceful the past few days! I haven't heard of anyone being taken!
I'll just check if you've arrested anyone, then.
Bring us your... What's it called...
You quickly glance at your terminal and recall the name.
P-please calm down! Someone was indeed taken a few days ago... because the eldest daughter-in-law of the Xie family was robbed...
Why didn't you say so earlier?
I-I was scared! You have to help me, Commandant!
The Xie family has controlled the nearby supply of federal batteries and gasoline for generations. Everyone has to buy from them to recharge.
The young master from the Xie family always sends his men to take people from the county whenever something happens and demands us to convict them...
Even I don't receive batteries if I don't comply!
So there really is an unjust case here?
He made me do this, Commandant...
Hearing this, No. 21 and Noctis, who have been observing the room, immediately turn to you, their eyes filled with excitement.
What do you mean? 0=0
This isn't the same as typing someone up. Give me a second.
Noctis takes out a rope and ties "Qing Lian's" arms together.
I feel dizzy—
Being lifted, "Qing Lian" spins his tracks and his head in the air.
Noctis finally ties up "Qian Lian" eventually, wrapping him up like packing a piece of luggage or wrapping a gift.
You four more or less drag "Qing Lian" to the gate of the county office.
Various mechanoids are gathered here. Although you cannot tell their emotions from their eyes, you believe they are part of the cast, if things are unfolding according to the script.
Right then, Vera leans close to your ear.
Quite the sense of justice you have, don't you, "my liege"?
You are a little startled, but you turn to face "Qing Lian" with a straight face.
Noctis lifts "Qing Lian" up, looking around for the right direction.
I'm going to throw up all my gasoline...
Shut up.
No. 21 smacks "Qing Lian" on the head. He trembles for a second before slumping lifelessly.
That way. I checked the layout here earlier.
Following No. 21's guidance, you arrive at a small building with a large "Prison" sign. "Qing Lian" has already passed out.
From the outside, the so-called prison is just an old shack. Its sealed windows are the only nod to its function as a "prison."
Other mechanoids are indifferent to your action. Those guarding the door are still standing there, and the onlookers remain dutifully in their place.
It is impossible to tell if they are confused or being professional.
Vera pushes open the iron door of the "prison" and walks in. Whatever light from the sunset is swallowed by the almost pitch-black room, save for a faint red light from an operating camera in the corner.
No. 21 manages to find the light switch in the dark, but it only turns on a struggling lamp overhead.
Spotting the camera, No. 21 leaps up and smashes it into pieces.
I don't like being watched.
Noctis places "Qing Lian" inside the room.
Why is there no one here?
Based on what we saw earlier, shouldn't there be a bunch of beaten-up... mechanoids?
According to the Kowloong martial arts novels I've read, there's usually a kung fu master locked up here.
Noctis walks around the room while you glance at the walls, but neither of you can find anything except for confirmation that the place is untouched.
Looks like they haven't read those novels.
Find out what's wrong with this mechanoid. It shouldn't have stopped moving after a little knock on the head.
No. 21 courches next to "Qing Lian" and prepares to open his back cover when the standing yet unconscious mechanoid suddenly emits a low rumble.
She immediately jumps back, and Vera and Noctis prepare for battle while you reach for your sidearm.
Qing Lian's body begins to shake as if energy is about to surge and explode—until it fizzles out with a muffled sound.
Noctis is about to punch him when gray smoke starts seeping out "Qing Lian's" base.
Who are you...?
You are surprised to find an auto-cooling system inside such an old mechanoid. The smoke gradually turns into mist, and "Qing Lian" lifts his head again before slumping to the side.
We broke him.
Just take him apart and find out. Get the wrench, Noctis.
A-aaargh... Please don't do this...
Quiet.
Vera gestures to No. 21 and Noctis, and they relax and stand down.
No. 21 is ready to tinker with his battery compartment when "Qing Lian" starts to shake violently.
I-I'll confess everything... Just don't take me apart—
Fine. Go ahead.
I saw her that night. The Xie family was already looking for her then—eh?
Before the mechanoid can react, No. 21 has already plugged a data cable into him, her small terminal accessing his data.
Are you talking to my brain? >o<
He also has the same script as the mechanoid earlier, but there's something I don't understand.
Vera squats next to No. 21 and takes the terminal from her.
The mechanoid's protective mechanism was probably triggered, sending it into sleep mode before No. 21 could transfer all the data.
Interesting. The character this mechanoid is currently accessing is in another name.
The mechanoid is playing two roles?
It's not like this hasn't happened before. Budget cuts, stuff like that.
But I doubt there's any budget in a place like this. What do you think, Commandant?
Yeah. After all, all the cameras here were set up by someone.
Even if these actors have no audience, there's gotta be a director—albeit not a very skilled one.
Haven't you seen their nonsensical graffiti all over Constellia?
There's still a long way to go before they can write proper stories, especially for these ancient models.
This looks like a modified version of an old medic bot.
Anyway, there's no need to preserve this place.
Blowing it up is the neatest solution. As for cleaning up the mess... that's your job, right, Commandant?
Hell yeah... Let me show you the result of my latest research, Commandant!
Just say it's destroyed by the "true measure of a Chief."
Sounds good to me.
If you had not come along, Cerberus would have probably blown this place to bits.
Alright, Noctis. Find the best spot where you can blow this up with the least amount of explosives.
Already did. I don't think we'll save much with these metal structures being here, but we've got plenty of bombs, so don't worry.
It's time for my favorite part already? I'm not done performing yet.
You weren't performing earlier.
I have conviction. You wouldn't understand, Noctis.
The conversation is not slowing down Noctis. He pulls out a few sticks of dynamites and a remote detonator.
We won't be able to detonate them remotely if there's no signal. We need to find the signal disruptor first.
Vera pulls out her terminal and points at the Cerberus emblem on it.
Is this your first day with us? Or do Chiefs have a special way of doing things?
Noctis looks at you, holding the explosives in both hands.
You look at "Qing Lian" instead.
Are you... talking about the one controlling them?
But it's not the Cerberus' style to sit around.
By the way... If this is the test area, why did we run into those mechanoids out there? Did they escape from here?
That was the only place a disruptor could cover such a large area... and Kurono loves their stuff hidden.
This place isn't even on the map.
So the crash wasn't our fault.
We should at least let the conservation area and Constellia know about this place. It won't end well if the awakened machines hear that Babylonia is attacking mechanoids around them.
As for this little guy... No. 21, can you track it later?
I can do it the old-fashioned way.
No. 21 takes out a bag of spices from her pack and rubs it on "Qing Lian's" head.
Connecting to the M.I.N.D.s of the three Cerberus members, you cannot help but get excited.
