Teddy: Spectre I
>In the golden morning light softened by sheer curtains, tiny specks of dust drift lazily, spinning themselves into stars without a care.
The rich, mellow scent of coffee feels like a warm hand. Gentle music flows between the fingers, and amid the sweet-tart notes of cherry, your mind slowly wakes to the first morning of vacation.
Wait a second...
Your drowsy mind jolts awake from the cozy warmth of vacation. Rubbing your temples, you walk over to the coffee machine, where a cup has been waiting—blending cherry's bright sweetness with the deep bitterness of alkaloids.
The coffee machine, usually reliable and no-nonsense, seems to have undergone a professional breakthrough today. Not only has it delivered a stunning cherry brew, but it's also moonlighting as a speaker playing morning music.
Judging by the loud and proud error message flashing on the screen, this little holiday surprise must be the work of someone with a fondness for pranks.
Maybe it's the thought of those clever, bright eyes behind the lines of code, but even the rigid font feels unexpectedly playful and charming.
You swallow the last of the oddly flavored coffee—a quiet ritual of accepting the invitation. The cup meets the counter with a soft tap, echoing with a cheerful little clink.
Ding—
After you arrive at the spaceport, a cheerful, clear tone rings through your comms channel. Teddy's voice follows.
Tsk... You're wearing your uniform even on vacation?
The morning at the spaceport is chilly. The wandering wind carries a cold bite, like a lone traveler drifting past. But now, with a girl's teasing laughter in your ear, the warmth and color of the world arrives—a little late, but right on time.
Since you're in uniform, I won't be holding back!
Commandant...
Teddy's voice suddenly pauses.
Thud. A heavy, distant impact echoes deep within the Construct girl's M.I.N.D. Teddy blanks out for a moment, then looks toward the human, you, waiting ahead.
A burst of static crackles through the channel before the comms cut off abruptly.
Look this way...
You turn toward the voice, but there's no sign of the pink-haired Construct. Just a surveillance camera blinking with red light—that's where Teddy's voice came from.
Now, give me a smile.
You shake your head resignedly.
The surveillance camera captures it all.
The next moment, a paintball zips past your shoulder and bursts right in front of the camera, splattering it with a riot of color.
Standing within the splash range, you get caught in the crossfire.
Oops. Looks like I got your uniform a little messy.
A light tap lands on your left shoulder. The pink-haired Construct speaks behind you, her voice cheerful and utterly unapologetic.
Teddy pulls a brand-new "uniform" out of her backpack, then calmly tucks the paintball gun back inside to erase the evidence.
Since your clothes are dirty now, it's the perfect excuse to change into the vacation outfit I picked for you.
I ordered it from Constellia, remember? We never got to go, so I went and picked it up myself.
You'd missed that beach trip with Teddy. Back then, you'd talked about picking out one of her designs from a boutique in Constellia.
So you'll only wear something if I designed it? In that case, why not wear this special "camouflage" I made for our trip?
After changing into the vacation outfit Teddy designed, you stand in front of her, ready for the designer's inspection.
Is the collar a little too tight?
The pink-haired Construct rises onto her toes, reaching out to adjust the collar.
You're not sure what she's up to, but long experience in your games of wits with Teddy kicks in. You instinctively take a step back and tilt your head, moving out of the surveillance camera's direct line of sight.
A split second later, a paintball whistles past your cheek, hitting the exact spot you'd dodged. It bursts in front of the camera, splattering it with brilliant color.
Caught me already? Why do you always have to be so clever...
A light tap lands on your left shoulder. The pink-haired Construct speaks behind you, her voice carrying more of a smile than any real frustration.
You turn around calmly, spreading your hands to show off your clean, proper outfit. Thanks to your quick step back, none of the elaborate paint splashed onto the Gray Raven uniform that Teddy was so hung up on.
Hmph. I knew you'd catch on... But even the wisest slip up sometimes, you know.
Teddy's gaze sweeps across your face.
But you, oh wise one, it looks like you slipped up too.
Now then... allow me to fix it.
The pink-haired Construct rises onto her toes and tilts her head upward, checking her angle.
Her cool fingertips touch your cheek, where a small dot of paint had landed. Using that speck of color, she draws a tiny heart on your skin with the tip of her finger.
...
...Hmm... It's a little crooked...
Teddy's eyes shimmer with a dreamy gradient of pink and purple. Maybe it's the closeness, but that soft pastel glow now seems hazy and deep, like a whirlpool pulling you in.
Her long hair isn't tied to the sides like her original frame. It now falls freely over her shoulders, just like the day you first met—a beautiful canvas for those eyes.
The moment your eyes meet, the pink-haired Construct blinks, slowly lowers her hand, and turns to head into the spaceport.
There we go. That's your music festival-exclusive face paint now.
Yup. Remember those mechanoids from Constellia? They're putting together a mini music festival, and guess who's got a VIP invite?
The "Thunder Sparks"—that mechanoid band you and Teddy helped lead to victory—have apparently grown enough to host their own music festival now.
I checked your schedule. You're on break, aren't you? Good. That means you're coming with me.
Your eyes drift casually across the color-smeared surveillance camera.
Oh? You caught that too? You're really paying close attention to me, Commandant.
Teddy notices the way you're watching her, but she has no intention of giving in.
Alright, fine. My new song's finished, and I'm debuting it at the festival. You might want to look forward to it. It's the best thing I've written so far.
The Construct girl lets out a light sigh.
Ugh, so perceptive, as always. Relax, it's just harmless paint. I'll have someone clean it up later.
You know, I really do admire how sharp you are... though sometimes I wish you'd go easier on me.
But I guess that just makes things more fun.
Teddy stops in front of a quiet docking bay, turns around, and flashes that same adorably mischievous smile.
Sorry, Commandant. I'm taking you hostage. For the next few days, you're officially mine.
You're not the least bit startled by her obvious joke, and you play along easily.
Then, my dear accomplice, shall we make our grand escape?
To keep things quiet, my dear accomplice, we won't be taking the usual direct route to Constellia this time.
So? Starting to feel like an adventure yet?
You shrug in mock resignation and fall in step beside her.
Why do you always have to be so clever...
Teddy pouts, looking adorably defeated. You can't help but laugh—it's rare to see her act this childish.
The two of you board a reserve transport ship usually used for dispatch missions.
Teddy glances at you in surprise, but quickly looks away, pressing a hand to her chest as if to steady herself under your gentle gaze.
What a weird thing to say.
Anyway, I had my reasons for all this. I was trying to...
Tap tap tap—
A special string is plucked, sending out strange, rippling waves. Crisp drumbeats echo in the pink-haired Construct's ears, and her unspoken words dissolve silently in her throat.
(Is that... what I think it is?)
Teddy frowns as her M.I.N.D. ripples with strange, unfamiliar vibrations. She feels herself being pulled by an invisible force, helpless as she spirals into free fall.
It's a soundless fall. Before she can react, Teddy finds herself standing within her own consciousness space.
It's for being found... and stopped.
Now, give me a smile.
Teddy knows her M.I.N.D. well, yet she frowns. She's certain she has never seen this strange little doll before—the one beating a military drum before her eyes.
She's also sure her earlier patchwork fix couldn't have caused this so soon.
...
Running around while your M.I.N.D. is unstable... that's not something you'd normally do, is it?
I have to say, I like the paintball idea. Even when our M.I.N.D. is in trouble, we still manage to leave such a clear trail of clues. Shows just how strong our self-defense instincts are.
It won't be long before someone comes to stop us.
At the very least... Karenina will be quick to act.
The girl who had seemed so lively just moments ago now looks calm and composed as she studies the chatty little bear, her gaze steady and mature.
Tch, don't lump me in with you.
Such arrogance, such nerve! The teddy bear in the little deer onesie stares in disbelief, as if it can't fathom that anyone could be this rude.
The doll's round, fluffy face shows a very human kind of anxiety, as if the thought of being rejected had never even occurred to it.
Hey... but we ARE a pair. You can call me Deerbear... I'm...
That timid, wavering voice makes Teddy wince, her face twisting like someone who just drank cherry electrolyte mixed with baby formula.
Stop! End process, right now. And stop using my voice for whatever that is.
Huh? You recognized your own voice already. Do I really need to explain? Come on, you know exactly what I am!
How was I supposed to know Cyber Counterpunch would trigger this fast...
Teddy mutters to herself as she flips through her memory logs, tracing back to earlier that morning.
Engineering Force Laboratory
Three hours earlier
3 hours earlier, Engineering Force laboratory.
Did Karenina head back?
As the repair pod finishes its cycle, Teddy opens her eyes.
Yes, the captain's gone. How are you feeling?
During the earlier experiment, an operational mistake by the assistant caused Teddy to get injured.
Who are you talking to?
Anyway, make sure you write up a full report on the incident. Submit it within two days. Don't worry, I patched things up fast enough. You won't get hit with a serious penalty.
I understand, but...
Teddy frowns.
What's the problem?
When the system failed just now, you shouldn't have stepped in to help me. At the very least, you shouldn't have stood in front of me. Vice-Captain, please... don't ever do that again.
Do you even hear what you're saying?
No, I mean it. You're far more important to this lab than I am. The Engineering Force would be fine without an assistant like me, but if something happened to you...
Oh, so that's it?
Relax. I know exactly how valuable I am, probably better than you do. I wouldn't have jumped in unless I was absolutely sure I'd be fine.
Before the counter-defense program could attack my M.I.N.D., I had already slipped in a virus program to mislead it. It worked as a rough makeshift firewall.
That's why I was confident enough to shield you. The rest of the project is just repetitive observation logs anyway. If you got hurt, I'd be the one stuck with all your work.
Give me some credit. I'm not that reckless.
I know... you're just saying that to make me feel better.
Stop right there. I just meant you're important for the next stage of the project. Don't get the wrong idea.
Alright... but that virus program, what exactly is it? Are you sure it's safe to have it inside your M.I.N.D.?
Just something I built for fun... I call it Cyber Counterpunch. I was planning to fine-tune it during my vacation.
Uh... about that vacation. When Captain Karenina left earlier, she said your leave's been canceled because of the accident...
You could've told me that sooner!
No way. I need to leave before the cancellation order goes through.
Then we're still going to F.O.S. as planned—
Suddenly, a special string deep within the Construct's M.I.N.D. is plucked. The program she named Cyber Counterpunch quietly activates, sending out strange, elegant ripples.
Sorry, that's not happening.
...Teddy?
The pink-haired Construct slowly turns her head, as if lost in deep confusion. For a long moment, she doesn't reply.
The once-calm M.I.N.D. begins to churn with layers of mist. Shadowy figures flicker and blur, as if different silhouettes are passing through her vision.
Are you alright? Can you hear me?
The color of her eyes seems to deepen.
Hmm? I'm fine.
The girl blinks slowly. Her usually bright pink and purple eyes now carry a hazy gleam, almost like a deep whirlpool.
Her thoughts seem to sink into a clouded, chaotic space.
I just... have something I need to do.
Suddenly, she smiles. The haze in her eyes clears, light returns, and her fingers move in a blur as she hacks into a dormitory coffee machine, setting the brew and music exactly as she wants.
Something very important.
After making sure that the intended person would see this "sudden," yet unmistakably "Teddy-style" invitation upon waking up, the Construct girl loosens her tied-up hair. She runs her fingers through it a few times, letting it fall freely from its restraints.
Realizing something is wrong, the research assistant immediately recalls the unknown virus program.
Are you sure you're okay? What even is this "Cyber Counterpunch"? Shouldn't we run a quick diagnostic on your M.I.N.D. first?
The research assistant shakes Teddy's shoulders in worry, realizing she's completely lost in her own world. Getting no response, the assistant waves a hand in front of her eyes.
Vice-Captain? What are you doing? Say something, please... You're starting to scare me...
The hand waving before her eyes finally pulls Teddy back to reality.
Seeing her snap out of it, the assistant lets go of her.
Pulling her focus back from memory to reality, Teddy gives you a gentle smile.
Hm? Was I out for long?
I'm fine. I was just thinking about your question... Leaving such a bold clue should be enough to make Karenina lose her mind.
Teddy laughs softly, then lowers her head to set the transport's route and destination. In her M.I.N.D., that strange deer-bear creature keeps chattering away.
Remember when Cyber Counterpunch turned against you? I'm a simulated consciousness born from that little incident.
Put simply, you can think of me as your alter ego.
Wait, what's with that look on your face?
This is how I look when I see something unpleasant.
After pinpointing the source of the problem, Teddy quickly locates the meddling program and prepares to completely wipe it out.
But the next moment, she hesitates.
During the morning experiment, this so-called "Cyber Counterpunch" had acted as bait to intercept the counter-defense program's attack, and now it's tightly fused with her frame.
Forcefully deleting it now would damage her M.I.N.D., and that would likely mean canceling the entire trip.
Staying in Babylonia to carefully dismantle it would cost her several days of vacation all the same, and the trip would be ruined anyway.
(Guess I'll just have to tolerate this thing for now...)
Teddy gives a dangerous look to the stuffed toy that calls itself her "alter ego."
An alter ego, huh? With a bear's head and a deer's body? Maybe try looking human first.
Huh?
A stuffed toy in an animal onesie, banging a drum... What ancient relic did you dig out from the depths of my brain?
And that outfit—what is it supposed to be, a spotted deer? A simulated consciousness? Don't tell me you're copying my taste from when I was six.
Deerbear is completely stunned by the storm of ridicule.
Cat got your tongue? Listen, I don't have time to deal with a viral personality like you right now.
This is a carefully planned two-person trip. So you'd better stay right here and behave.
Deerbear says nothing, just pouts at Teddy with its plush little mouth.
And what exactly is that supposed to mean?
Just letting you feel what's in my heart. As your alter ego, I can't hide anything from you, and the same goes for you too.
...
In that case, you should also know I meant every word I said.
I've been waiting a long time for this vacation. If you ruin it for me... Alter ego, you know what'll happen.
As Teddy's voice grows colder, Deerbear's figure fades away within the M.I.N.D. like ink dissolving in water.
The scene before her slowly comes back into focus. Teddy glances at her hand hovering over the virtual display—the transport's route and destination are already set.
She lets out a quiet breath, turns her head, and smiles softly at you beside her.
Ready, Commandant? Our journey's about to begin.
The smile makes her eyes narrow slightly. Unlike their usual appearance, they now hold a misty quality—so deep they seem ready to melt into feathery cirrus clouds at any moment.
Squad 32H's transport has been repaired. You're clear for departure.
Transport mission No. 78 has been added. Prepare medical supplies as needed and follow up on this.
The transport's landing barely stirs the rhythm of this bustling conservation area. Here, where logistics and resource transfers are handled simultaneously, everything moves in noisy yet perfect order.
The two visitors from Babylonia slip into the crowd as seamlessly as fish returning to the sea.
Hmm... Warehouse 10-43... it should be this way.
Of course. I'm not about to make us walk all the way to Constellia, so right now, we're going to find our ride.
I had Leonardo set up a vintage ride for us—the perfect embodiment of Golden Age design. It's stored here in the warehouse. Stay close, Commandant.
After winding through several aisles of storage bays, Teddy stops before a warehouse door covered in massive graffiti.
The moment the iris scan completes, a deep hum echoes from within.
The awakened door rises smoothly into the ceiling, and a conveyor lined with cold strip lights flows like a river of light. To the refined notes of Bach's cello suite, a vehicle glides forward in perfect grace.
Now that is one dramatic entrance.
Fortunately, the convertible-styled vehicle lives up to its flair. Its elegant curves and light colors clearly please the pink-haired Construct girl.
Told you. Leonardo was born for things like this.
Teddy pats the white dove graffiti on the hood with satisfaction, then vaults up with a one-handed push and drops neatly into the passenger seat.
But right after that flawless move, she reaches for the driver's door, and her arm comes up just short of the handle. A tiny, silent tragedy.
...
Go ahead, laugh. I'm not that petty.
I'll get you back for it later, twice over.
As she says it, the pink-haired Construct can't help but laugh too.
Though styled after the Golden Age, the vehicle is fitted with Norman Mining Corp's latest tech. When the manual attempt fails, the system automatically raises the driver's door, opening its arms in silent welcome.
Under Teddy's watchful gaze, you climb into the driver's seat as plainly as possible, doing your best to protect her pride. You give the steering wheel a restrained tap.
Here we go!
After a sharp squeal, the tires grip the road. Acceleration presses you back as the scenery stretches into streaks of color, the road ahead unfurling endlessly.
Teddy props her hands on the window frame and rises from her seat.
The wind's too loud, can't hear you!
Her laughter flows faster than the wind itself. Gusts sweep freely across her cheeks, and her pale pink hair flutters like a proud banner rising from the gleam in her eyes.
