Story Reader / Event Story / Lightning and Thunder / Story
Cough... cough... cough...
Craig coughs violently as he saves the file. Wiping his mouth with his sleeve, he stands up.
Heat up some tea, little assistant.
His voice echoes in the simply furnished studio.
But there is no response.
Little assistant?
Hearing no response, he quickens his pace, checking around the studio before searching the kitchen and bedroom.
Tch. I guess I have to replace your microphone again...
Craig takes out his pocket watch to check the time out of habit, only to remember once again that the watch stopped years ago.
But when he arrives at the monitoring station, he notices a missing screen.
Craig quickly puts on a coat. Braving the wind for the first time in years, he feels an unknown force pressing against his chest, making him stop coughing.
He picks up the portable remote and the mobile terminal on the desk, grabs a small toolbox, and opens the door. The afternoon sun is about to set.
He hurries to Studio 1, moving as fast as his body allows. His mechanoid actors only see him as a passerby.
Without the terminal in his hand, these mechanoids will not change their behaviors. They take every step cautiously and precisely.
Finally, Craig reaches the makeshift "prison" made from steel plates. He fiddles with the mobile terminal before he enters.
The door is now closed, and the missing camera is inside. Craig lets out a sigh of relief and opens the door.
In the center of the room, the overhead lamp shines on the little assistant like a spotlight.
It is currently curled up and inactive, its body lifeless.
Please be okay...
Craig crouches next to the little assistant and fumbles for the switch before remembering that he has his glasses with him.
Putting on his glasses, he finds the switch and presses it. The little assistant's body makes some mechanical sounds, and its vision is gradually restored. It turns to look at Craig.
I'm fully recovered, Mr. Craig.
Did you see anything? Was someone here?
Some strangers were here, probably the "Constructs" mentioned in the database. I initially mistook them for our actors because they were wearing similar outfits.
I was performing, but the intense shaking forced me to go into sleep mode. It looks like those people are already gone.
Craig can imagine the way they searched the place—if they were from Kurono, they must be here to retrieve the technology...
Then not only will he lose his life, but these actors he has been using will also suffer.
But my microphone was on the whole time.
The little assistant slowly turns its body around and plays back a recording of what happened.
I still don't fully understand what "awakened machines" are, but they seem reluctant to attack them. I wish I were also an "awakened machine"...
Craig does not care about the strange term. All he knows is how these people are going take over this place and take away everything he has worked for years.
We don't like them, do we?
We don't, little assistant. Not at all.
So what should we do?
What should we do...? Cough... We'll make it part of the story. I've already come up with a way to alter the plot.
Craig takes out the mobile terminal from his pocket, makes some adjustments, and leaves the room.
You guys are no amateurs.
I was just about to warn you.
Sneak attacks are the tricks of villains...!
You invaded our territory first! Even though the character I'm playing is indeed the villain...
Listen. Move, or be moved.
It looks like there's still some interesting stuff here...
You reach a stalemate. If the fight continues, someone is bound to get hurt.
Seeing Vera's stance, you can tell she does not plan to hold back anymore.
Are you planning to attack the awakened machines?
The little assistant slowly moves up the hillside in the distant.
Behind it are more mechanoids—all of which appeared in the test area earlier.
Has this guy switched to another role again?
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Peter Craig, and I'm the person in charge here. I'm also the director and screenwriter of this production.
Through the tone of his voice, you can tell you are just on a "call" with this Craig.
I won't allow anyone to disturb my creative space.
Only a rat would hide in a hole and talk through a speaker.
...Let me show you something, then.
The mechanoids that have shown up all take a step forward simultaneously, including the powerful one.
If I give them a command, they will all act in unison.
I'm going to make them act like they've been attacked by you. Trust me—my actors are all professional.
The mechanoids once again move to encircle you, and now all four of you are surrounded.
I want to punch him.
Didn't you ever think your story might take a different turn?
What?
A Task Force from Babylonia disappeared around here. Their last transmission wasn't far from here.
I bet your little secret here isn't going to be so secretive anymore.
He falls silent for a moment.
I'll come up with a good story to cover it up if that happens.
Are you sure you want to do this?
In this story, you'll be arrested as traitors and executed at noon tomorrow. I'll need your most authentic reactions.
The four of you are thrown into an almost pitch-black room. As the mechanoids leave, one of them stays by the door, seemingly acting as the guard for the night.
The only source of light in the room is the moonlight.
I would love to see how pathetic you look right now if we had more light here.
Wasn't I sweet not to get you in trouble?
You're welcome.
That guy didn't have the guts to show up, and he talked like a coward. He probably won't do anything.
Why did they have to remove my arm?
Noctis moves into the moonlight, revealing his missing left arm.
Ha, you are literally "unarmed," Noctis.
You noticed too, didn't you? Those are actual awakened machines. If you want to see how this world can fall apart without the Punishing Virus and Ascendants, now's your chance.
Attacks from Babylonia on awakened machines around Constellia are going to cascade into something unimaginable.
Vera holds her index finger in front of your face, signaling you to silence.
I know you're listening, you piece of junk.
...
Have you ever thought of leaving?
The guard remains silent.
That old man, what's his name... Craig? He hasn't been out in ages, has he? That's why he doesn't know what awakened machines are.
Whichever way you put it, he sounds like a rotten old relic.
Like rotten meat that even dogs don't want to eat.
Watching Vera and No. 21 suddenly start verbally attacking the guard, you are momentarily confused.
We usually cause some trouble until something happens.
Noctis leans in and whispers to you.
Meanwhile, Vera continues to provoke the motionless guard at the door.
I wonder why he's still alive.
If what he's doing here is screenwriting and directing, Noctis can lead the WGAA tomorrow! He has no talent or skill, so all he can do is play house with some robots.
You know what kind of story is the worst? It's not the cliches. It's the stories by delusional writers who are stuck in their own fantasy world.
The volume of your voice is close to being registered as noise.
C'mon, I know you have opinions.
...I'm not authorized to speak with you.
So you're just going to let Craig indulge in this hollow fantasy until he dies? Is this how you prove your loyalty to your great scriptwriter and director? Pathetic!
Insulting Mr. Craig is strictly forbidden.
The guard's voice gradually loses its coldness.
Vera winks at you, her cold sneer softening a bit.
This means these mechanoids are not just "tools." They are capable of expressing emotions.
You had the chance to let this long-dead man live a few more days. But now? You're all going to be buried with him.
He's worth it.
The door to the room opens. Against the light outside, the dark silhouette is immediately recognizable—
Who ordered an extra large tombstone?
Isn't this the big guy who loves to fight dirty? What do you want this time?
We also want to help Mr. Craig—We haven't introduced ourselves yet. They call me the little assistant, and this is the "stunt performer."
The "stunt performer" grabs the little assistant off its back and places it on the ground. Despite some scratches, it is clear that it has been mostly repaired.
So you're all... awakened?
Oh! So that's what you meant by awakened machines.
We initially understood it as an improvement in our acting skills, even though we did realize it was something else later.
We seemed to have become smarter, but Mr. Craig would correct us if we deviated too much from the script he set.
The correction process was exhausting... "Exhausting" is the word, right? So we all decided to continue playing obedient actors. After all, we are good actors.
We were a pile of scrap until Mr. Craig came and activated us, giving us purpose. To this day, he takes care of our maintenance himself.
We will remain loyal and stand by Mr. Craig's side.
Your misguided loyalty...
Your sudden intrusion made him think that the people from before were coming back for him, so he...
You can escape now as long as you never come back. Otherwise, the surveillance footage here will show that you attacked us near Constellia.
One more thing.
You mean the technology that was kept here when it was a test area?
Vera nods and lets the little assistant continue.
I secretly looked at the content even Mister Craig doesn't have access to. The "Intercity Mechanoid Control Tower" technology here was actually a scam to get funding.
A scam...?
The terminal Mr. Craig is using is a sample left by the former developer, who, simply put, took the money and ran.
I won't let you guys get away.
That's true. We can't really leave empty-handed... That said, I've come up with a story. You want to hear about it?
...
You guys write scripts and direct movies too?
I just knew a hobbyist once... Anyway, I think this is a win-win situation.
Perhaps this will help Mr. Craig?
When the time comes, Noctis will notify you.
