Staying Behind (1)
It was already a week since the AO Guild unlawfully occupied Logria. During this period, Sy had yet to make any meaningful progress, but it also allowed him to simultaneously plot for the future with nothing to occupy him.
At the same time, he became productive with senseless things out of boredom.
Eventually, the three girls were the ones who experienced the physical manifestation of his boredom.
Currently, they were watching a combat simulation on their tablets - something Sy created just for a good laugh. It featured an unrealistic combat method similar to that of a pro wrestling where the combatants could perform improbable and impractical things at each other.
They could hack and slash with swords without cleaving their opponents apart, who would, in turn, sustain some kind of damage - mostly becoming unconscious for a few seconds that could be exploited by the attacker in doing bizarre joint-locks or strangleholds.
Laser rifles were present too. Sadly, they unrealistically don't penetrate the body of the combatants.
Somehow, the ultimate move was spitting. A saliva on the face would disorient them for a long period of time.
The process was to determine the number of combatants, play the simulation, watch them make friends and create enemies out of nowhere while they explore the open world.
The annoying part was that the girls could not interact with the simulation once played. Being a helpless audience was torturous.
Nasena had an amused look on her face, Vii still wore her neutral face and Jinae.. well, the silver haired girl was the one being visibly affected.
She watched a combatant called Blackman who wore a black mask, a black body suit, and a black cape - growing attached to him, witnessing him barely defeating three opponents while he made his away across a vast wilderness. He was trying to find some sustenance.
Out of nowhere, a figure flew down and crash landed on Blackman, making him unconscious for some time. The figure then pulled Blackman into a strange stranglehold which should have been easy to escape from. Nonetheless, he was being mercilessly choked.
After a few minutes of being manhandled, a scream escaped Blackman's mouth indicating that he submitted and was now out of the competition.
Jinae looked up from her tablet with a strange expression on her face. She directed an irritated glare at Sy, before spouting, "This is nonsense."
The three girls continued to watch, searching for a combatant to cheer. It had become one of their daily routine. The simulation tickled their obervations and also gave them a good few giggles from the silly conversations the combatants threw at each other.
However, there were some other things that Sy noticed from the girls. Vii had been leading the other two when studying the xeno artifact. Well, the trio had the same attributes and skills, except the specialty. They distinct in that category.
Jinae had the Living Metal while Nasena specialized in Archaic Particles, such as the Origin energy in gamma welding, and the Miracle Engine of replicators and fabricators. Lastly, there was Vii whose specialty was Xeno-tech.
All three were designed to uncover the mystery of the xeno artifact. Most of their attributes were halved at the moment while their skills were almost nonexistent. After all, they will reach their peak performance when they were finally adults. Sy was relieved to find that they retained their specialties and regretted that he had not assigned more. He brought up their statuses.
[Status:
Name: Jinae
Age: 12
Profession: N/A
(Attributes)
Strength: 15
Dexterity: 15
Agility: 15
Vitality: 100
Intelligence: 50
Wisdom: 3
Innovativeness: 5
Focus: 7
Neural Affinity: 10(max)
(Martial Skills)
Weapons Mastery = Level 1
Hand to hand = Level 1
(Technology Skills)
(Specialty)
Living Metal = Level 0
]
[Status:
Name: Nasena
Age: 12
Profession: N/A
(Attributes)
Strength: 15
Dexterity: 15
Agility: 15
Vitality: 100
Intelligence: 50
Wisdom: 3
Innovativeness: 5
Focus: 7
Neural Affinity: 10(max)
(Martial Skills)
Weapons Mastery = Level 1
Hand to hand = Level 1
(Technology Skills)
(Specialty)
Archaic Particles = Level 0
]
[Status:
Name: Vii
Age: 12
Profession: N/A
(Attributes)
Strength: 15
Dexterity: 15
Agility: 15
Vitality: 100
Intelligence: 50
Wisdom: 3
Innovativeness: 5
Focus: 7
Neural Affinity: 10(max)
(Martial Skills)
Weapons Mastery = Level 1
Hand to hand = Level 1
(Technology Skills)
(Specialty)
Xeno-tech = Level 0
]
All in all, the girls were making a small progress in compiling a comprehensive data of the black stone. Still, he felt a bit inferior with the fact that even without a Molecular Data Imaging Simulator, the three were still able to study the Xeno Artifact with their microscopic eyes.
'I guess it's time that I give them my own subatomic analysis of the material. Although, they might not understand most of it, it will still give them an insight to what they are looking at.'
With that, he motioned the three to come closer. He took their tablets and grimaced.
'This might take some time.'
---
Within the vicinity of the Starport, a dozen of hulking carriers were lifted up into the sky. Even though the withdrawal came out of nowhere and in a complete haste, the mercenaries still managed to buy souvenirs from the desert city; miniature dolls of flying mech, preserved red sands, Union's emblem.. anything they could get their hands on.
Others bought their own stock of food from the already bulging supply of the city, since there was no interplanetary trade for a week.
On a landing pad, Lieutenant Campbell made her way toward a grey shuttle with its wings retracted. She was skimming through the Starport's log she had recently acquired.
On the entrance of the shuttle, two augmented mercenaries were stationed. They were both armed to the teeth, wearing similar army visors and energy vests capable of discharging a distortion field.
One glanced at an orbital drop pod in the distance. Shaking his head, he uttered in a laid-back voice, "There goes ten billion worth of credits."
"50 billion." His companion corrected, pointing at the other giant spheres.
Before the bridge connecting to the vessel, Campbell suddenly halted, a frown surfacing on her face.
"Strange.."
A month ago, over a dozen of 1st Grade Mech Specialists arrived in this desert planet, and there was no record that they left. A week later, another two, and then two weeks later, another one.
They IDed several key personnel but found that they could not provide vital informations. She even personally interviewed the technicians in charge of the mechs of the PDF and the Auxiliary Division. They could only spout a few details about the Union's mechs with their limited knowledge.
When she studied the names of the specialists, her eyes widened in an instant. They were employees in the industrial factories which she inspected a day ago! Their names were listed in the office logs.
Where did these specialists went? They were not among the workers when she visited. She stomped her foot in frustration.
'I need to find them. They could very well provide crucial informations to accomplish my mission.'
She switched to the Starport events.
'So that's why they're here! There was a tournament.'
Campbell stared at the two mercenaries patiently waiting for her to enter the shuttle. Letting out a sigh, she stated, "Tell the commander that I'm staying behind. I will catch up in five days."
The mercenaries glanced at each other. Knowing that they won't be able to persuade the stalwart woman, one of them spoke.
"Then we're staying with you, lieutenant. We will guard the shuttle until you're done."
Campbell decided for a moment before removing her protective vest and helmet, tossing them to the mercenaries.
"I'll be back in two days."
She turned and left the landing pad, heading inside the Starport.
With the mercenaries leaving, people began to return inside the titanic facility to continue their normal lives.
The lieutenant picked a corner that provided a good view from which she could watch in silence. After a while observing the people strutting about, she ascended to the second floor where she encountered a luminous wall, reflecting her image.
At least, she looked like a civilian now, barring the dark-orange military pants. She swiftly intercepted a young woman with blonde hair coming up the stairs.
"Excuse me." Campbell managed a pleasant smile. "Do you perhaps have a footage on the tournament that happened here two weeks ago?"
The blonde studied her for a moment before responding, "Yes. But it's in my gaming center. You can come if you want. It's only a few meters away."
"Well, thank you." The lieutenant's face brightened. What were the odds of her finding someone who had a record of the tournament? She introduced herself while walking side by side, "I'm Clori Campbell. You can call me CC."
"Tiffany Dufax. Everyone calls me Tiff." The blonde smiled, gesturing to the entrance of the gaming center, "We're here."
Campbell or CC was directed to a hover chair while Tiff procured her tablet in the counter.
After marvelling at the numerous gaming pods, Campbell asked, "You own this place?"
"Yes. It's part of my father's inheritance." Tiff responded, "Most people come here to play Steel Arena."
"Steel Arena?" Campbell chuckled, remembering her days while still a student in the Royal Mech Academy. She narrated, "They say that a Pioneer created it after the request of a child. At least, that's what they say in my area. The Pioneer certainly overdid it by creating the best mech simulator in the galaxy."
"Never heard that one before." The blonde's eyes shone from the new revelation. "Pioneers are legendary people. I'm certain that if they build something, it would be a wonder!"
Hearing the words, Campbell smiled. Indeed. Pioneers were the elites of the elites. The best of what humanity can offer.
Tiff walked toward the other woman and offered her tablet, but not before asking, "So, you're not from around here?"