Story Reader / Festival Event Story / Farewell to the Past Year / Story
Mission Alone
>The research laboratory is as deserted as ever, save for the cold, uncaring glow of a small display, where digits skip and change in the corner of the room.
In front of the display is Asimov, his head in his arms on the table. Next to him is a cup of cold coffee and a sandwich untouched for way too long.
"New Year" is approaching, according to the traditional lunar calendar.
The room would have been fittingly lonely if not for Asimov's slow, heavy breaths.
Asimov?
Asimov, sir... Please wake up.
What did I... Huh, I fell asleep.
Sorry to disturb your rest. I'm here to deliver Gray Raven's data on our session in the battle simulation.
The four of you stare as Asimov gulps down his cold coffee with furrowed brows, and he does not look at you until he has settled himself.
...How many times have you run the sim? Have you gotten the hang of the "Combat Unit Booster", or are you still...
47 times. We've more or less grasped how to make use of this mechanoid.
Overall speaking, there doesn't seem to be any issues, functionality-wise. But given the differences between our frames, you should probably focus on the battle data of Lucia and me.
Although... "Combat Unit Booster" is quite a mouthful, isn't it?
Just call it a CUB.
...CUB? That does seem pretty fitting, and it sounds... it sounds cute...
I've been asleep for...
Asimov takes a look at the digits on the display.
75 minutes. Based on your past data and my projections, you should have been able to complete 4 to 5 runs during this timespan.
I hope you didn't slow down just to give me a more diverse set of data. You know how deeply I care about your test results.
Don't worry, Asimov. Commandant has also participated in the simulation...
I didn't realize you're here as well, [player name]... and I don't remember asking for your involvement if I'm being honest.
Asimov turns his chair toward you, his fingers crossed under his chin.
Save it.
Mind your own business!
Forget it. Now that you're here, I'll save myself the legwork and explain the project to you altogether.
He sighs, trying to figure out how to phrase his explanation in layman's terms.
First, just to clarify, I wasn't stealing your team behind your back... It's just that the drones we're developing this time are not your conventional mechanoids.
They can connect to the M.I.N.D. and behave according to a Construct's thoughts.
But they're not controlled by the Constructs. They function with their own AI systems—they're designed to be combat "partners" of a Construct squad.
..."Partners"? Aren't they just armed drones?
Compared to their combat capability, we wanted to focus more on CUBs' abilities to stabilize the M.I.N.D., which is why we designed them in the form of animal companions.
Would that actually work...?
Theoretically, it would. Pets are human companions, after all! With them by our side, we would naturally feel calmer...
Are they "pets," though? They look more like the monsters in the ancient texts found in Kowloong.
We commissioned Leonie from the WGAA to design their appearances, so their looks are heavily influenced by her artistic sensibilities. If you have complaints, she's the one you're looking for.
It's fine. I'm not that obsessed with appearances...
Anyway, these CUBs are created to help Constructs maintain their human cognitions—a sense of security, belonging, protective instincts... These can all stabilize your M.I.N.D.
True, but not every squad comes with a commandant as reliable as you are, do they? Given how much it takes to develop a commandant and the rate we're losing them... We have to find a suitable alternative.
And that is why the data with a commandant's involvement would be inaccurate.
If you're hoping to test a team-support model, you'd need to make sure it's compatible with different types of Constructs. You can't do that only with simulations on Babylonia.
Therefore, I've also requested other... "tests." Speaking of which, it should be time—
An animated firework pops up on Asimov's comms interface with the word "Happy New Year!", seemingly anticipating his responses. But Asimov simply ignores it and enters the comms channel straight away.
Incoming transmission—
Sorry for the interruption—
Sorry to interrupt your conversation, but Asimov asked, so here I am after proper working hours.
I assume our heartless researcher hasn't even raised a brow when I criticized him in his face, has he?
I'll say it again—I personally do not believe that holidays should be allowed in the field of scientific research.
Of course—I'm sorry we have to ask Gray Raven to crunch again. And Asimov, I know you meant it, but I'm still hoping that you'll pay attention to your work-life balance.
Is it my turn, Celica? Hello, Gray Raven, thank you for your work.
Based on what we discussed with Asimov earlier and his applications, [player name], we have to ask you to leave on your own.
Nothing! We literally need you to leave for a one-person journey.
Simply put—Asimov, maybe you should do the briefing instead. It's your request, after all. You'll probably explain the mission details better.
To support the development of CUBs, I require as many sets of data as possible. Among them is a group that requires my extra attention, but whose data is fairly inaccessible—the older models of Constructs.
Older models? From what I know, they've all been decommissioned...
Commandant, I assume you also have an inkling of the people who would fit all Asimov's strict criteria—
That's right! I'm glad the Gray Ravens didn't antagonize the Forsaken in your previous encounters.
...You didn't, did you?
That's alright. We'll stick with the accounts on your reports.
Very wise of you. As long as you know where you stand.
I understand, I do. As one of the decision-makers in Babylonia, I wouldn't have sent my best soldier to work with a third party unless it's absolutely necessary—
"Unless." Asimov should probably be the one to elaborate.
It's simple—let the Forsaken participate in the trial and send their data back. I need as many sets as possible, including but not limited to the two teams we sent earlier and... the others on the surface.
As to how you actually get the data...
The good news is that the Forsaken has agreed to work with us. We're providing them with supplies and a recycling arrangement, both of which they find very agreeable during the winter—or so it seems.
The bad news is that we can only send one person to the surface. On your own, literally, and no Constructs allowed.
That's right. We can only send in one person for the transfer with the Forsaken and handle the data retrieval, and our best candidate is none other than you, [player name].
It's nearing the end of the year, so the Forsaken campsite is going to look a little strange. But, they have guaranteed to protect you at all costs.
...Hold on, are you saying that Commandant has to carry out this mission alone?
The three of you still have to stay and carry out more tests. As to Hassen, you should know the way he does things better than I do.
We've arranged for you a specific vehicle and real-time tracking. According to the plan, you'll be transferring the supplies at the outposts along the way.
The correspondence team and the extraction team have already landed. You will be assigned to the supply convoy in the corresponding areas so we can coordinate more easily.
Well, that's all for the small talk.
[player name], you have two hours to prepare. See you on the bridge.
Alright, the meeting's over. Go get ready, Commandant. Gray Raven, you're staying for more tests.
Commandant, please stay safe!
Asimov fixes his messy hair from his earlier nap, looking fidgety due to lack of sleep.
And [player name]... Safe travels.
