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Lone Walker - 2 Blazing Trails
>Attention. Attention. Ground-to-air attack detected. Generating defense.
Attention. Attention. Ground-to-air attack detected. Generating...
Blow that defensive barrier generator! Ain't nothing we can do when the barrier is up and running!
Fire!
Every single bullet fired by the Peacekeeping Force is a product of fine refining and production—with a micro-power detonator, a single bullet can rip a human-sized hole through a concrete object upon collision.
The sniper has sent a line of such bullets flying straight at the generator, in hopes of stopping the barrier from forming—to no avail. Gradually turning spherical, the barrier eventually enshrouds the entire city.
Damn it, didn't make it. Mission failed. Requesting support.
Don't sweat it. The "thing" is here now and is going to take care of everything.
Time to shine, Trailblazer!
Mission confirmed.
Neural Circuit Status: Operating.
Mobile Module, Arm Module, Firepower Enhancement Module: Confirmed.
Commencing Battle Circuit...
A red shaft of light is fired at the barrier from across the distance, leaving a loud bam and everyone temporarily blinded when it lands on its target.
With that, the barrier, previously thought indestructible, now has a gaping hole torn through it.
Perforation in barrier confirmed. Switching to melee mode and continuing to attack.
A walking giant can now be seen by the hole, his robotic voice rocking the air. Against the enormous body, his arms look almost disproportionately thin.
With a seemingly casual swing, however, those arms slit through the barrier in the process of recovering, leaving in it an even bigger hole.
Barrier neutralized. Reconfirming mission objective: Destruction of military infrastructure while leaving civilian infrastructure intact.
Kicking into gear as soon as the towering robot steps into the barrier, the cannons over his back are now burning red-hot, distorting the robot.
BANG!! A split second later, a mushroom cloud blooms over the military base in the distance.
Command Center destroyed. Searching for armory.
The most recent weapon to have come out of the Peacekeeping Force's research center. Trailblazer lives up to the hopes that went into his naming—"Every step taken illuminates the path, leaving behind a trail devoid of anything but dirt and debris."
One shaft of light. Then another. With every step it takes, Trailblazer looks for his next target as he readjusts his cannons. No longer having to heed the conditions of damage of his targets, it's now flattening facilities all over the place by the second.
Then, he stops—having noticed a civilian being trapped under a destroyed building ahead.
Just run already, John! The thing is here! Just run...!
No, I can't lose you! How can I just go without you? There is no way...
Digging through the pile of debris, the man by the name of John pays Trailblazer no heed. With every ounce of his being, he's trying his best to help the person trapped underneath.
Trailblazer lifts his muzzle.
Target locked.
From it, an energy blast is fired, shattering a chunk of debris in mid-air.
...
As pieces of debris rain down, the trapped man, having been freed, is now embracing a trembling John. With his mouth wide open, John seems at a loss for words.
...Thank you.
These are the only words that come out of him. Unable to recall the last time he heard the phrase, Trailblazer fails to understand its meaning.
Confirming destruction of the logistics building.
To Trailblazer, he was merely trying to destroy the logistics building behind him.
Confirming destruction of the majority of military infrastructure.
Trailblazer, you can return now.
Copy.
Blasting fires from the soles of his feet, Trailblazer soars into the sky and exits the scene before the two citizens can catch another glimpse of it.
...
Through decades of relentless efforts, the World Government has finally united all previously conflicting human forces, and those who prayed for peace are now relishing the fruits of a new life.
That is, however, not to say that we're completely out of the woods; there still exist dissenting factions that not only continue to retain their views, but also maintain their practical interpretations of the World Government's policies and act in accordance with such interpretations.
And today, we're most honored to have Dr. Victor Jackson with us to share his insights with us. Dr. Jackson is a Principal Investigator with the Peacekeeping Force and World Peace Ambassador, whose contribution was indispensable in the battle that just ended.
The honor is all mine, sir.
As we all know, our hard-earned peace is being sabotaged by certain factions of dissenters as we speak, and the Peacekeeping Force is currently doing everything within our power to fight this alien force in the most peaceful fashion possible.
Now, the term "alien force" itself might seem alien to some in this age and time, since Earth is now a unified entity under the leadership of the World Government. The term "alien," therefore, hardly deserves a place in our current society unless we need to refer to something from outer space.
It is, however, within this unified entity in which we live that we're seeing factors that are less than harmonious; with their own sets of doctrine and rationales, some of us have decided to lead a nonconformist life away from the majority.
Such doctrine and rationales are obviously nearsighted and fail to consider the bigger picture and, to help those of us who subscribe to such beliefs see that their beliefs stand to be rectified, small-scaled armed deterrence is deemed necessary.
Now, some critics might be quick to object to the idea of fighting poison with poison—but I say these critics themselves, too, have failed to see the bigger picture, because, down the road, inaction is precisely what's going to encourage further chaos and play right into the hands of the dissenters.
Which is why, for the greater good, the World Government has made the decision to neutralize and assimilate the dissenters. To that end, your trust in and support for the World Government will be its most valuable assets that propel us into a brighter universe.
And now, I'd just like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the admirable men and women behind these efforts. They're all researchers at the Peacekeeping Force's armory and my wonderful colleagues.
To start with, we have Gita here, who's Chief Engineer...
Thank you, Dr. Jackson, for your kind words just now!
Back at his lab in the World Government's armory, Victor smiles at an excited Gita.
No, Gita. If there is anyone you need to thank, it'd be yourself—you've earned your place here and up on the stage with your own talent.
I... really don't know if I deserve that praise, Dr. Jackson. You see, I actually came to the Peacekeeping Force hoping to fight as a soldier...
Remember this, Gita: Cowards are survivors.
There is nothing to be ashamed of for being scared. If anything, you should be glad that you've made yourself an indispensable part of our cause by joining us here at the armory.
See Trailblazer here? Down to his very last electrical circuit, you are part of the team that made Trailblazer the shining gem that it is. You are part of us, and you are every bit as entitled to this shared honor as we all are.
...Can you hear this, Trailblazer?
We are all thanking you here, Trailblazer—and you, too, are entitled to this shared honor of ours.
Seeing Gita off, Victor walks up to the platform to be at eye level with Trailblazer.
Looking at Trailblazer, his eyes show a mixture of excitement and expectation... with a tinge of affection.
Still on charge, Trailblazer looks quietly back at Victor.
I can't even begin to tell you how important you are to us. Ever since you were just an idea on the blueprint, I've been watching you grow every step of the way. I've been part of every battle you've fought, and you've been part of every honor people attached my name to.
You might not be human, but everything you and I have been through together makes us friends all the same.
And, of course, all the mechanoids here are your friends, too. They might not be where you are intelligence-wise, but I'm sure that you'll eventually come to see them as your friends, too.
...Definition confirmed.
Phew...
Having been waxing lyrical, Victor stops in his tracks all of a sudden. He turns around and runs his fingers along Trailblazer's long barrel before continuing with his soliloquy.
And look at this weapon you're carrying here—one single unit of it is more than enough to set the tone for a battle, but here you are, carrying a few dozen with you, all just so you can keep the world a peaceful place.
Peace is a choice—and nothing more than a choice, but your power will allow you to shine through and remain the time-honored solution to battles and wars of any scale for decades to come.
Now, humans have been hurting one another to take what's not theirs ever since the beginning of time.
The slightest of disunity or conflict of interest can be the trigger that sets clashes and bloodshed in motion.
And all through the clashes and bloodshed, humans have been too hectic trying to kill off one another to ever once look up to see the starry sky.
Zero-point energy is the long-awaited solution to such atrocity—and also a promising opportunity to take us to the stars. We can't let anyone stand in our way.
Victor sizes up Trailblazer with the same kind of fondness a parent would a successful child.
Which is why I created you. You're here to keep the world peaceful... and you have the entire world and mankind on your shoulders.
My family doesn't understand why I am doing all this and my siblings have left me, but I don't have the least bit of regret.
So I want you to aspire to it and remember that we're both in this together.
...Mission confirmed.
I never set this as a mission for you, but... I suppose this is what makes me proud of you.
With a smile on his face, Victor walks out of the armory. All the lights go out when he closes the door, leaving the entire armory in static mode.
Being on static mode, however, doesn't mean the machines have gone to sleep. When humans are comfortably tucked in bed, the machines here continue learning with battle data.
>>>Trailblazer Log, Entry Number 4077. Mission complete. Battle Status: Victory.
New Mission Accepted: Peacekeeping. Term Confirmed: Peace, a state in which there is no confrontation or hostile behavior.
Contradiction Proposed: Extreme violence in battle zones. found in battle zones. Rationale for Contradiction: Violence is to prevent more violence.
Conclusion: Combatants in battle zones should cease resistance at once.
Contradiction Proposed: Combatants in the battle zones have staged violent resistance, causing economic collapse and building destruction.
Economic and political sanctions more rational are available to contain violence... Contradiction is inexplicable.
Contradiction Proposed: Survival activities are unviable in said region even in the event that battle in said region is won.
Whether victory and independence are gained, peace is unlikely.
Why is war necessary? Why must regional resistance persist? Waiting for response... Failed.
...Log entry deleted.
...
>>>Trailblazer Log, Entry Number 5790. Battle Status: Victory. Commencing reconstruction of battle. Waiting for response... Failed.
>>>Trailblazer Log, Entry Number 6680. Battle Status: Victory. Commencing reconstruction of battle. Awaiting response... Failed.
>>>Trailblazer Log, Entry Number 7743. Battle Status: Victory. Commencing reconstruction of battle. Awaiting response... Rejected.
Checking Power... Unconfirmed. Checking for Abnormalities... Source: Headquarters Invasion.
Invasion detected. Activating counterattack... Non-intervention order confirmed. Ceasing counterattack.
Camera and radio activated. Monitoring invader. Reporting to security drones.
Let me say this again: You might think the world of this stuff, but they're going to come and get us with the virus around, and you know exactly that's what's going to happen!
No, wait, just listen to me. This armory is around a Central Purification Filter, not to mention that it's underground. We're all safe against the virus. T-there is no risk whatsoever...
No risk? And we're supposed to take your word for it? We'll all be screwed when this area is infected!
Wait, wait! You need to follow the standard procedure at least, and I happen to know how to...
The standard procedure? To hell with that! Ain't nobody got time for that now!
We're seriously running out of time here, and we're just going to blow them up now!
Hey, hey!
Let me tell you this: I've got all the bombs planted and can set them off at a moment's notice. Now, are you going to stay with those things or leave with us? Dear Dr. Jackson?
Wait, I...
You think I didn't know what was happening?! Just shut up and leave me alone!
CLANK! There is a sound of someone pushing their way through, followed by footsteps.
Damn it, that hurts! Geez, did he just run back in? Dude is a nutjob!
He can die with all those machines for all I care. Just leave him be and set off the bombs already!
...Damn it! I'm going to drag him out! I'll be right back!
Wait, Suma, what in the...
Following the footsteps, the broadcasting system in the armory is turned on, from which noises and shouts can be heard coming through with the occasional pants.
Through his camera, Trailblazer sees Victor—sweaty and out of breath. Victor is clearly out of shape, and he's never had to run like this.
Ha... Ha... My children. My [Bzzzz—]. My machines...
This is probably the last time I'll see all of you...
If you're fortunate enough to survive the energy shortage or escape the horrendous virus, [Bzzzz—] then please... please go to St. Soraya Cathedral... Wait, no. This probably makes no sense to you...
Please... go to Section A in Zone Four of Area Five! There is a cathedral there! [Bzzzz—]When you're there, you'll find my precious...[Bzzzz—]. Please take it and...
And... [Bzzzz—] take it to Section D of Zone Three. That's where they'll most likely take me...
Whoever can hear me, whoever can survive the infection! Just please help me, help me keep my dream...
For God's sake, you and your goddamn toys! Are you seriously out of your mind?!
Thud!
...Oops, looks like I whacked him a little too hard there... Guess I'll just have to carry him on my back now.
With leaving footsteps, the broadcasting room gradually quiets down.
Fire in the hole!
With it, bangs and eruptions tear down every last pillar in the armory, sending rocks and debris falling—exactly as every machine of war has seen in the battles they've been through.
As dust and debris rain down, so, too, does dead silence...
Until the clear voice of a robot sounds through the armory.
Mission confirmed.
...
...
...Time-activated Program in operation.
...Data Reactivation... Failed.
Activating Self-repair Program... Source of Power Unconfirmed. Suspended.
Activating Environmental Monitoring... 1%... 3% Complete...
>>>Trailblazer Log, Entry Number 7744. New mission accepted...
...Activating Body Probing Arm. Scanning Section One... Unconfirmed. Scanning Section Two...
Scanning Section 78. Connecting Arm. Restoring Power.
Estimated Time Needed for Phase One of Power Restoration... 47075577 Seconds
Estimated Time Needed for Phase Two... 9887964 Seconds
Estimated Time Needed for Phase Three...
...
...
...
Buried under, Trailblazer is shrouded in darkness.
Still immersed in darkness when he opens his eyes again, Trailblazer finds himself craving light.
Establishing Connection With Illumination System... Failed. Activating Infrared Scanning.
The abandoned laboratory manifests itself under Trailblazer's infrared light, reminding him of every battle he's been a peacekeeper for.
There are dust, rebars, iron plates, cables, and piles of fallen objects. And bodies of mechanoids found all over the place—that provided the power and components that Trailblazer took just moments ago to repair himself.
And it was a generosity that Trailblazer had to take advantage of—in order to accomplish his mission.
Clomp, clomp. Trailblazer takes a step forward from the gigantic cobweb of cables.
With it, dirt and debris start falling off Trailblazer, allowing his luster to shine through.
Finally, the cobweb snaps, no longer able to hold Trailblazer in place.
Before fleeing for dear life, the one who created Trailblazer left him with a mission—with no specifics nor a clear objective whatsoever. Trailblazer, however, is determined to bring it to fruition nonetheless...
Because Trailblazer sees it as his duty to finish all assigned missions gloriously.
Scanning his surroundings for a second time and detecting no other signs of power, Trailblazer sees that he's the only machine repairing himself around here.
Breaking the rebars, crushing the iron plates, and moving the bodies of his fellow mechanoids out of the way, Trailblazer makes clear a path forward.
Having lost all his means with which to blow a path through, Trailblazer has to do it the old-fashioned way.
Trailblazer presses ahead, having lost his sense of time. He knows all the routes in this base, except most of them have been made inaccessible with fallen rocks.
In search of a slither of light that might be seeping through from the outside, however, Trailblazer soldiers on, not letting anything stand in his way.
On he goes, in pursuit of light.
