Interlude - Ixion´s Recording

In Rudel's room was Ixion.

It was the last day of spring break so they were returning students early so they wouldn't have problems with being late on the first day.

It was already evening and he was reviewing some recordings about what happened that day.

He was researching about something related to his master.

Suddenly a recording file from his own processor opened.

Ever since he met Rudel he was always trying to remember fragments.

Today was one of those days of remembering his past.

◇◇◇

"It is zero eight hundred hours on the Halkeginia calendar. Today I will start as the automaton in charge of this airship."

"Understood, the change of administration was done correctly, from today the airship, code [black sword] will be your responsibility."

"Understood."

Ixion was on a dock, daylight was obscured due to hundreds of airships over two thousand or a thousand meters long darkening the skies.

The airships taking to the skies were futuristic like Brunhilde.

Ixion was talking to an automaton just like him. The difference was that this one was hexagonal with four arms and three eyes.

Ixion had been assigned to this ship. One four hundred meters long, black in color and with a front that looked like a sword.

Ixion was saying goodbye to the former administrator when before entering he saw something entering the anchored ship.

"That's the famous melee warrior they're developing at the weapons factory."

There was a strange illegible name on the crate where they were transporting the mysterious warrior.

When they took it out, a large machine similar to a mobile knight. It was pure white, its chest had an intense red light that emanated even when it was turned off. It was fifteen meters tall and had several black joints that stood around it.

Ixion pronounced the name written on the box that only someone who knows his language could understand.

"Airframe prototype without thrusters. Battler."

Ixion floated in as the human staff and automatons worked.

◇◇◇

"Nice to meet you, I'm the new manager of this aircraft, serial number *blurred recording* it's a pleasure to meet you captain."

Ixion was in the cockpit talking to a man in a white blue uniform.

His face was blurred, his body was tall and toned, he had a beard, but you couldn't see the color.

The captain with the blurred face spoke something unexpected to Ixion.

"You're the most serious guy I've ever met. Relax a little."

Ixion didn't know what to reply from what he heard.

"Sorry, but my settings say I should be serious. The old admin got hacked by the enemy and that's why he had to be sent back to maintenance."

"...I know, I feel sorry for what happened, but a mistake is a mistake. You can't condemn anyone for that."

"..."

Ixion was confused about what he heard.

The captain spoke calmly.

"Alright boys, let's go scour the Germania Federation border."

"Let's watch those bastards don't attack the grain transport cruisers."

The subordinates and automatons went to work. The ship took flight from the dock and was slowly moving away.

Ixion in the distance surveyed the harbor, beyond were overhead roads, wheelless automobiles and floating buildings.

It was undoubtedly a highly advanced civilization.

◇◇◇

"Good morning captain."

It had been months since Ixion had been appointed steward of a black ship.

His captain was just waking up. It was still very early and the automatons were running the ship and preparing breakfast.

The captain was very sleepy, but his duties as the ship's highest authority urged him to get up early.

"Munyahh~ it's early yet for you to be awake before me."

With an odd yawn he conversed with his steward as he made his way to the mess hall.

"I never sleep, it's normal for me to always be ready."

"Rest is important for everyone, be they human or automaton." -Said the captain.

"Yesterday a report came from our country, it said that besides the Federation of Germania the United Republic of Gallia is making strange movements, among them there are rumors of experimentation with a strange mineral found underground."

"I understand... but it's too early for that! Take a break will you!"

Ixion didn't know what to answer to his captain.

◇◇◇

It's been four years.

"Damn!!!"

Slammed the captain on the seat because he was furious.

"Those old good-for-nothings!"

Ixion was intrigued beside him.

"What happened captain?" asked Ixion.

The captain looked at him to calm him down a bit.

"Sorry, it's just..."

He sighed because of what he was about to say.

"The geezers in high command want to accept the peace treaty proposed by the Unified Government of Romalia."

His hand squeezed the table tightly.

"Romalia is a bitch to go to the highest bidder! I'm worried about that strange black gelatinous substance they found at the bottom of the Atlantic Sea!"

His hand began to bleed and Ixion proceeded to heal it.

"Germania and Gallia were enemies and now they are allies, it's very strange all this. At this rate, our beautiful country of Tristain will be involved in danger..."

"Don't worry captain." -Said Ixion to reassure him.

"I will protect our country, the ship's crew and most of all you my captain."

The captain listened to Ixion and smiled as he touched his injured hand.

"You are a very strange boy you know, I never saw someone like you."

"...Hey, how about I give you a name?"

"I already have one and it's-"

"No. Did he talk about a short name that would serve to communicate better you know? Over there where you were they like to give them names as codes, it's very weird indeed."

The captain fell to Ixion and Ixion stood there thinking for a bit.

"If it's short, there won't be any problems with the user ID."

"Sounds good to me, what do you have in mind?" -said Ixion longingly.

The captain rubbed his beard for a while and then seeming to come up with an idea said.

"It's short and I think it's an excellent name, what do you think-"

"Ixion!"

Suddenly someone interrupted Ixion.

Turning around he noticed a person he knew very well.

It was Rudel, his new owner and master.

"What are you doing here alone?"

Rudel had returned to his room and found a thoughtful Ixion.

Ixion looked at him and just said "wasting time".

He floated at moderate speed to get away from Rudel.

"Hey, where are you going?" -Rudel asked him as Ixion floated away and in the distance away from his master said.

"I will definitely undo our contact and destroy the new humanity for being unworthy of their ancestors."

As he floated down the corridor in full view of the students, Ixion once again planned to destroy everyone including Rudel.