Down the Hill

We reached the second floor. Which way should we go?

The lab is to our right, but the Blight clogged the way—

So take the path with no Blight, durh! I've sent new guide drones to your place. Just follow their lights.

Ready to go, Endmin?

Me three! I'm totally ready to take on ten Aggeloi in a single battle!

Uhm ... hello?

What about you, Tata? Fully rested?

*Happy emote*

Alright, then. Let's move out, team!

Oh, by the way, who's behind the mask, Supervisor Perlica?

This is our Endministrator. We're working as a team to resolve the most pressing issue of Valley IV.

The Endministrator...? Does that mean things are looking ultra-bad right now?

...From the stories I've heard about you, Endmin, if something needs you to step in, it must be huge.

Miss ... Yvonne? I was really expecting someone completely different. What were you doing ... just now?

Ahem. I was striking fear into those LBs — had to sound a little more intimidating! I also tried to keep the freakish breakers in the Research Center. If any of them got out, people outside would be in serious trouble.

But won't those Landbreaker housemates ... make you uncomfortable?

Well, this turf isn't theirs. I know the Park like the back of my hand. Honestly, this place might be even safer than my actual home! I can also control door locks and room access from here. They'll never get into this bunker.

My only problem is the Blight masses outside. They will be sticking around for a while. Now that my baby bot's here, I believe I have a solution!

I've just remotely acquired data from the Prototype. The core modules are still intact, but repair work will be extensive and challenging.

I've witnessed the Power Plateau incident and the rift, and they're not too different from the scenarios that Andre and I cooked up... The Prototype is indeed our only way to turn things around, but you really made a mess of it!

The Prototype is essentially a specialized automated Arts Unit. It is programmed with a special suite of Originium Arts that it can cast. Its Arts are designed to trigger an Originium energy pulse ——

The pulse would then cause small rifts in the material universe to structurally disintegrate and collapse completely. Now, do you have any idea how dangerous this process is?

Uhm... No... You used some really hard words...

Sigh... I'll translate that for you. Improper use won't solve your rift problem. In fact, you might end up damaging or even destroying the Prototype. Are you nuts or what? Seriously, who came up with this crazy idea?!

If it's the Endministrator, then ... well. I'm glad that the Prototype is alright and managed to help you out. I'll get it fixed, but don't do that again, please!

If it's Supervisor Perlica, then ... well. I'm glad that the Prototype is alright and managed to help you out. I'll get it fixed, but don't do that again, please!

Ahem... OPERATOR CHEN —! You can't solve every problem by swinging at it! Can't you at least use some finesse and brains?!

Wha...? Were you spying on my profile data from your palm terminal?

*Sigh* Forget it... I'm just glad that the Prototype is alright and managed to help you out. I'll get it fixed, but don't do that again, please.

Anyway, this lab is too cramped for carrying out the repairs. We gotta take the Prototype to the repair platform at the back gate. And since you're here anyway, I'd appreciate it if you'd be nice enough to clean up my unwanted LB housemates.

I was calibrating the power output of the replacement parts when you came in. And I'm almost done.

You seem like someone who works in organized ways. But your room looks completely different.

Looks completely different? I've carefully set up every corner of this room. It's like catching a moment of inspiration during science! It's all about intuition and instincts!

You may rest here. Just don't poke around my stuff... We'll head down once you're ready.

Oh, ah-ha. You got in. That's quick.

Blight... That stuff will eat its way through your system. Your skin will rot away! And then you'll feel real sick, puke all over the place ... and suffer some serious mud butt!

Hehehe... Feel that? Ooh, Depth readings are rising. You'll be ... that. Yeah, that... Oh, by the way, one by one your fingers will start going... Uhh...

Nm-hmm! Supervisor Perlica! You're finally here! What took you so long... Oh, just you guys? Where's Andre?

He's still at the Hub Base. Mr. Andre told us that we need to use your machine to seal the rift in the sky, and we must get there quickly.

Well, you can actually hang around and stretch your legs... But since you said that...

Endmin! I got a stack of vinyls over there. Pick a nice song for me!

Let's see if you can pick out my favorite song. If you hit the mark, you might even make my work productivity skyrocket!

I'm betting on you, Endmin!

Hmph! Andre! He still owes me for that bet. He promised to design the Arts dissemination device. If he'd pulled that off, you'd have Super-Bombtails as your armed escorts!

But he's delayed that module for SIX! FRIGGIN'! MONTHS!

Pick a vinyl for Yvonne ——

Wow! Your taste is exactly the same as Andre's! He's the one that left that vinyl here.

Andre couldn't stop talking about you, especially when he started going off on his "heroic achievements". He kept squawking about how the two of you planned out the AIC Factory blahblahblah... And it seems like he wasn't exaggerating.

This music really does fit someone your age. Did you and Andre listen to this together?

Buuut ... it's not the best music for work! Can we switch to something else?

Ooh! That one was delivered last week! I didn't even have a chance to listen to it yet.

Hmm... It's pretty nice, but also a little boring! My Tweety-Bombs would probably switch to sleep mode immediately if they listen to this!

But then again ... this might be Perlica's kind of music.

What type of music does Perlica like again?

Music that's just like her. Quiet and serene. Her playlist is just a couple of the same old songs. People say that the Endmin ——

The music is certainly something I prefer. It reminds me of the past.

See? I'm right! But this music is a little slow. Having this as the work-BGM is gonna halve my work performance! Let's switch to something else!

This is it! PURR-FECT!

Oh, this is my absolute favorite! You know me so well, Endmin! How did you even guess?!

I listened to this song while building the baby bot. It really brings back the good ol' memories.

Not exactly. Baby bot is really big. Andre helped a lot in technical verification and validation, as well as final assembly.

Nevertheless, I am completely disappointed by the colors he chose for the coating!

He's just like those woosters. Their outdated taste makes their work dull. I can't feel passion in it!

Anyway ... Tata sounds like a pretty name! I like it!

My progression is faster than expected! You helped a lot, Endmin!

Thanks for the music! And VOILA! Job done! Let's go!

Just be careful. There are still Landbreakers in the building.

Okay. I'll wait for you!

The tools are set, and the parts are ready. My baby bot is gonna get a complete makeover!

Just be careful. There are still Landbreakers in the building.

Okay. I'll wait for you!

(Hmm. Looks like something Yvonne might prefer...)

There's the control panel! Come on, let's go!

*Hopeful emote*

My baby bot! Oh, let me take a look at you... Mhm, not too serious. All within expectations.

*Happy emote*

Such a marvelous design, made by me! Andre added plenty of stuff, but the core architecture is doing its job nicely.

Overload? Minor hiccup. I got plenty of ways to boost its stability. So, my baby bot, ready to run a performance test of the new components?

*Hopeful emote*

You seem ... pretty close to Tata.

*Happy emote*

Ta-ta! All good!

Is Tata okay now?

*Overjoyed emote*

Haha, look at Tata buzzing with energy! It's totally recovered!

*Overjoyed emote*

Alright, guys. I guess it's time for you to hit the road. Now, go for it! Seal that Æther rift before it gets any bigger.

So, play it safe, okay? Don't break my baby bot again!

Take a look for yourself! Come on, baby bot. Say "hello world".

This place isn't exactly safe right now. Are you sure you won't be coming with us?

I got plenty of work on my hands. All these data are highly valuable and require immediate analysis! The first large-scale scan of my baby bot. Its effectiveness must be properly documented.

Plus, there are hardly any Landbreakers left. The Research Center is actually a lot safer now.

But you'll be here alone ——

Relax, I got it all covered! The lab calls. See you around!

Tata, how are you doing? Feeling great already?

*Cuddly emote*

Wow! You're all full of energy!

*Happy emote*

Tata probably enjoyed its reunion with Yvonne. It's really close to its maker.

Yeah, but I think Tata is the best!