Midnight had passed by and the hours leading to sunrise began to count down. The ever perched cameras of the surface continued to function. Although only a few were still active, all others being manually shut off. And all human beings were slumbering once again, with the addition of four out of five Monokubs. The half red and half pink bears specifically, them sharing the same bed.
The Intervener stayed ever 'awake'. No need for sleep daunting It's vision or body. Proceeding to go about assigned directives, just after putting a halt to observing the Killing Game. Of course, It lingered back to catch a chance encounter and conversation. Taking in the context, who was involved, and how it'll possibly affect the future. Though such a process was a normality built in, the reasons going past giving the machine the ability to theorize. And the encounter that went underway, now just minutes before, involved the winnable key from the cashino.
Moving Its mind on, or else more irritations were to come around, It went on to complete a few short tasks. Firstly, checking the time, and finding it to be one hour and thirty minutes. Secondly, recovering the round camera from underneath the 'game' room couch. Thirdly, place said camera onto the wall next to Akamatsu's room door, before assisting it in finding a near-perfect vantage point to attach it to. And then the fourth, fifth, and sixth upon many more tasks. Until the last three remained.
Current objective: Head back to the room containing the 'gifts' without visual exposure, and finish the acquainted work that had been started previously.
Yes, the Intervener needed to go down the hallways blind. For any average human, if not for all, the task would prove some difficulty. This requirement however, would not spike up any trouble. Considering programmed training, on top of many other functions, was embedded into the machine's brain.
Despite the lacking of stumbles and wasted curse words, more irritations were brought to fruition. With It knowing why, and how to deconstruct the birth of what was approximated as an dozen onslaught. The detailing objective must be followed. No matter how little or how large interior resistance was formed. No matter how frequent and demanding interior needs were presented. Objectives, Directives, and all else must be followed, no exception or seeable deception.
The trail leading, nor the time taken to reach the destination, were barely long in length. Such was the physical presence, upon passing through the door, of gathered dust not bothered to be removed since Its first entry. As step by step was taken on heading over to the middle of the room, dust mixed with small bits of dirt, were what was recalled to cover below half of the floor. While the walls, also from recalled memory, were barren from any dents or lights. Opposite of those in the dimmed hallways.
Allowing the recalling of eyesight to illustrate the physical limitations of the height, width, and length, the Intervener walked until It's clothed knee met cool steel. Tilting Its head downwards at a specific angle, It started blind. Tapping fingers moving onto the object in front, while mentally reviewing specifics. Cautiously, It eye was allowed to open. And with the adjustment of shined brightness, a metal work area was seen.
Many tools, all lined up along the edges of a rectangular surface, hard straps holding them in place. Fourteen matching Monopad looking devices residing in the center. Their backs all facing upward, with a their covers exposed by just a few pieces worth. All the while just beside them, was a built in laptop. Having wires dug deep into the ground below, leading all the way towards a square shaped opening. That only having a hatch that lead to someplace upward.
Turning Its head left and right to confirm the now defined, table's length, the Intervener got to work standing. Forcefully pulling out various of the present tools, before opening up some drawers attached to the table. Pulling out hard plastic, hard metal pieces for each Monopad. Adding on half of what was needed for each with one hand, while the other powered on the laptop. Breezing through the device's startup procedure. And once the laptop was on and operable, commands not allowed to be seen were typed in.
With each half of covering done, a sound alluded either right after or before. Fourteen objects were summoned in response to the fourteen Monopads. Each one landing down onto the space below, before rolling off and into a prepared bin. As memory suggests, since looking up and away from work would cause consequences. And such things were not at all required.
Like heavily adjusted puzzle pieces in a way, the individual metal and plastic bits came together well. Now each back of each Monopad just had circle shaped holes. Giving any peeking eyes, if any were to be allowed, a chance to glance into the inner workings of these devices. Though all that would be found would be wires upon wires, surrounded by protective walls. Along with a slot, waiting for one particular item.
Without letting Its eye look past or around the work area, the Intervener retrieved the fourteen objects and brought them onto the table. Identifying them finally as thin but strong felt memory cards. Having small ports lining the sides, along with tiny initials located on the bottom right corners. Their contents intended for one of the fourteen students. In which, consisted of only a video. A video that contained information of importance, though how much it would mean to the watcher is yet to be determined.
Each card was inserted into the circle holes, the short length of the cards being able to slip them in easily. Once that was done, the Intervener stuck two long but extremely thin tools into the hole. Their down faced ends looking similar to that of a miniature wrench. And while a wrench's natural top could just be placed on any large screw, and you'd just need to turn and turn, this particular instrument had a miniature level that opened and closed the wrench head. Using the method installed, the Intervener connected some loose wires to the inserted card's side holes. Then It pushed the card down onto a awaitting port. Waiting until a click was heard, before the wrench like tools were pulled out and set aside.
After piecing together the rest of the bits related to Monopad's back, the Intervener got out some multi-colored, silicone cases. Placing the tablet devices into one case each. Giving Its eye a good look at the matching designs. All colors spread out like a hastily drawn piece of art. After that was noted, the front of the cases were opened and the screens of the Monopad were allowed to be seen. To finish up the projects, long black strips of tape were pulled out from the drawer. And they were planted on each cases' back at random, containing the full names of the killing game students.
New Current Objective: Bring the cases over to the copied room, and ensure that they reach their intended drop off destination.
Swiftly putting the tools back from whence they came, The Intervener took back steps towards a nearby cart. Using that, the case covered Monopads were loaded onto it. Then after shutting Its eye again, It left the room pushing the cart out. Not forgetting to seal the entryway behind It. And then after reaching the hallway, headed in the direction of the room housing the piano. The one that Akamatsu believes she hasn't laid her sight upon yet.
Pushing open the door with ease upon arrival, The Intervener lowered the brightness of Its eye. Then strolled right on in. Eying a particular set up that matched one from the upper surface. And instead of looking away, It took in the similar details.
A wall of CD cases that held records of many pianists and other musicians. The prepared CD player intended for the said CDS. The blackboard on the far wall, having musical notes neatly scribbled. The set of windows that showed the appearance of a city, when it actually just had a amazingly drawn image of one in place. Then there is the piano, placed on top of a red circle, surrounded by small stools. An almost exact recreation of the Ultimate Pianist's Lab.
The differences that were present, were the lights that hanged above. Shaped in squares and placed in patterns, them being flipped on upon entry, while currently withering away the last of their energy. There was also a hidden lever and a hidden button, one located on the far wall while the other was located on the left. Their exact location obviously, weren't going to be described by the Intervener at any time. And then there was the largest difference, that contrasted the two rooms more than significantly.
Near the right wall by inches, was a giant, solid, round metal cage. Held up by a metal, crescent shaped arch. With the entrance leading into the contraption almost glowing, as if awaiting the Intervener's passing presence. Along with the task that was needed to be completed within. And a number pad needing its code.
The Intervener wasted no time staring as It went on. Shutting the piano's lid so the flat surface could be placed, It set the fourteen silicone cases onto it. Adding some different, strong but basic tape to keep each Monopad attached. Then after that was done, It finally headed over to the cage. Taking off Its coat before briskly stepping inside, and typing in a memorized series of numbers. And brought Itself to the center, eye looking ahead at the monitor located in front.
The sliding door shut downward behind It, and two handles propped down from the side. Currently residing just a half inch away from their pop out points. And then the monitor came on, along with two round sets of lights. The Intervener readied Its metallic limbs, whilst reading the message displayed on the monitor. Reaching out, It pressed a finger down on one of two option. Then watched as the screen flickered and displayed a camera, this one installed inside the piano's lid, it facing upward.
Without a countdown, the Intervener proceeded to start jogging in place. Keeping gaze forward and centered, watching as a little bar showed up on the screen. Staring as said bar began to fill up. Along with hearing a faint sound of a platform beginning to move.
Then jogging quickly turned into light sprinting. The time being just ten blinks of a human eye. Light sprinting then switched to full on sprinting. The bar increasing with color, as each foot connected with the bottom of the round cage. Fists and arms raising and lowering at rapid pace.
Suddenly, as the bar reached one third of the way being full, two metal straps raised up from the ground. Sealing Its feet in place and making them barely able to move. At the same time, the two handles that stuck out from the sides, shot out until they were poking at the Intervener's shirt. Getting hands to immediately grab onto them, and to begin pushing and pulling. Up and around, as if a boat was being rowed. The pacing that was needed was at first slow, before It gradually shifted to rapid.
The speed that the Intervener was going about this task, was something that only characters of fiction could achieve. If a human were to attempt this, they would probably give up halfway. Even if they were extremely athletic, the near fast as a bullet requirement would summon brick walls of defeat. And cause any human to surrender.
This was not designed for beings of flesh and bone, oh no. This was designed for the Intervener and the Intervener alone. Generate the required speed needed, to rise the piano upward and back to the second floor Ultimate Lab. And in turn, would cause the machine to gain a mental taste. A taste of human struggle faced with stressful scenarios involving strength, as if It did not experience such experiences already. But It knew that was the one reason, It was clear to see. Along with the fact that, every time that the piano needed to go back and forth, between the surface and the under surface, this method was to be used. For the future, there was no way Akamatsu would be put through this. For it'll cause near death, if not death itself.
After the whole bar was full, the process ended and the handles pulled back into the cage. The lights went out, and the metal straps retreated into the ground. The entrance opened up, and the Intervener gave the monitor one long look. Seeing paws stretch out in the camera's view, pulling out the Monopads one by one. The Monokubs being the ones to deliver them to the participants.
Seeing this, It proceeded to slowly exit. Mind not being able to calculate an accurate time, so It instead took a random guess on how long the process took. Before leaning itself against the wall, and allowed a 'recovery' to undergo. Giving the now raised platform a glance, up and down. Knowing fully that the circle was indeed the said platform, and that the ceiling had opened up circular hole to match the length.
New Current Objective: Head to the Second execution warehouse and train. Time limit required: A hour.
No complaints being able to formulate vocally or mentally, the Intervener wasted no more time 'resting'. Grabbing Its coat from the floor, It left the room. Making sure to lock the door behind It.
The hour eve of sunrise had arrived after 4 hours pasted. And breakfast was being prepared once again. This time, the contents were Akamatsu's written order, and a random selection that took place within the Intervener's brain. For her, a bowl of rice and miso accompanied with salad. For It, a plate of chicken and waffles. Of course, Monokid was present as well, but 'he' could stomach fluids. Most unlike 'his' father. So for 'him', 'he' was given a water bottle, and a chewable ball of not entirely sticky gum. Along with a clear warning that swallowing would not be wise, which got a scoff in turn from the bear.
Concerning the blonde seated in front of It, the advice given had been taken. Despite tensions of quick dislike and flickers of pre-hatred, she had emptied her mind of negativity the previous night. Evidence her demeanor, and the lost of majority stress shown by her facial features. Calmness attuned with recovered politeness was in place, in contrast to the frowns straining her lips and ever bent clenching fists, where nails almost dug into skin. Her view of It was still present behind those violet orbs however, and as expected resorted to holding such exposure as just that. A image of truth reflected from her eyes. Certainly, there will come a time when that felt emotion would be unleashed.
Not allowing Itself to meet the many eyes with flowers wallpaper, the Intervener set Its sight on Akamatsu. Her staring and breakage from eating her meal coming as no surprise. As there were a few recent scars. They trailed down from Its concealed eye socket. Having stitches placed in with no remains of blood in sight.
"Do they interest you?" It asked, causing her stare to break and her eye to meet Its. "They are simply small scars, nothing of true import. This It would suggest you don't give any more amount of focus, or let intrigue cause any questions. You'll need that focus for the task ahead." The look she gave showed she wanted to go against that suggestion. But she silenced herself and complied.
"Right." Was all she uttered, before she went back to eating.
The Intervener turned to Monokid, and saw that 'he' was just gazing at the fist worth of gum. Poking at it with one paw, while the other let it rest on a palm. Seeing that it was far from becoming molded. If the bear could even tell such a thing, obviously.
"If that isn't something tuned to your tastes, then hand it over. You'll just be having a natural fluid for digestion." Monokid Gah'd and under handly tossed it over to the Intervener. With It setting the artistic creation aside. Landing it on a napkin, sealing off any intended uses that Intervener had in mind.
Monokid just scoffed and leaned back. Looking up while 'he' began to chug down the bottle's contents down. Squeezing 'his' paws around it to speed up the process.
Finding Itself to finish breakfast first, It decided to go into detail regarding Monokid's and Akamatsu's task. "Regarding today and what your first assignment shall be. The answer, along with the objective, are simple. You two will be exploring and scavenging. A part of this under surface, that was concealed from your eyes. Along with it being locked down, to prevent the discovery of lied beyond before the required time." It reached down into one of Its coat's pockets, and pulled out a red stripe themed keycard. The Intervener set it down onto the table, before pushing it over towards Akamatsu. "This will unlock the way, once you two a marking in correspondence to the color. As for where you'll have to go…" It tilted Its head over to Monokid. Who still had bits and pieces of rotten food sticking to 'his' chest hair. "Head to where this smell originated from. A smell that your suffered from, before it quickly got used to it."
Sniffing, Akamatsu's eyes widened. And she let her fork containing salad fall into her soup. Slight disgust forming as her expression. "You mean we both need to go to the trash room? Were all of the garbage is gathered, and-"
"-And where this Monokub tried to escape, over and over. With the result being 'him' crashing onto the ground a few times, and defeat to crush 'his' hopes and dreams? Yes, you both need to head over there and use the keycard. Don't bother with any excuse, you faced that place's smell before. And besides, you already fell into and slid down garbage before." It drummed Its fingers along the top of the ball of gum.
"Yeah I...did." She reluctantly agreed. "But how are going to be able to tell where this 'red marking' is? I mean, if we...have to go through all of those piles, we won't have enough light."
"Really now? Pull out your Monopad, as it seems like you didn't get the notification this hours ago." As her face turned into one of puzzlement, she did as It instructed. "Go into system options, and tap on brightness twice. You will find that there is a certain option available..." It trailed off as a bright, small and round light emerged from the tablet device's back.
"A flashlight huh?"
"Not one containing memories within the light." It pointed at the Monopad. "Normal logic would assume that the screen's own light, would offer the assistance you ask for. However, the illumination provided wouldn't be enough. So This It decided to finally update your Monopad with access, since the stable flash function was already installed."
Akamatsu set the device down, and turned off the flashlight. Then she met the everstone set gaze of the Intervener. Contrast to hers, spiked with some anxiety. "Wait, are you saying that we'll have to actually dig through the piles of garbage?"
"This It will neither confirm nor deny that."
"Gaaaah!" Monokid tossed the now empty and twisted around bottle at the Intervener. Causing a hand to shoot up and snatch it. With a dead stare directed to the Monokub.
"Did you forget what This It told you the previous day? You'll receive another beatdown, with a restriction on some aspect of your movable body to boot. Consider that those things, won't be what you'll gain after completing your task."
"Hang on." Akamatsu looked between them both, before resetting her vision on the Intervener. "You still haven't told us what we have to scavenge for. I think that's what he's asking."
"This It was about to go into that." Bringing Its drumming fingers to rest against Its temple, the Intervener proceeded in explaining. "For what you will be seeking and retrieving, it will be a dozen or so pieces of hardened scrap metal. Before you ask anything-" It held a palm out. "-you must know that this It does not know fully, what is to be planned regarding the scrap. Nor does this It know the exact reasons on why scrap lies behind the red marked entrance. All that can be said: Is that the Mastermind wishes for you and the bear here, to do your tasks. And answers on specifics, may be revealed in due time. Days at the second least, weeks at the first most." It glanced over at the clock. And what time was shown, prompted It to rise from Its seat. Carrying both the ball of gum, and the Intervener's empty plate.
As It turned around and made Its way over to the sink, Akamatsu gave her tone a slight raise. "So simple labor? Why couldn't the Mastermind get you to get this scrap metal instead? You know where to go and how to get there, why do we have to do this?"
"Reasonable of you to jump to those questions." It set the plate down in the sink, and turned the left knob to release the hot water. Then It placed the ball of gum within a wrapping of paper towels on paper towels. "This It could easily do what your assigned with ease. But there is one thing that you Akamatsu, need more than this It."
"Are you going to tell me? Or is there another order you have to follow from the Mastermind?" Tinges of cold chills, shrouded her words as they left her mouth. Despite her current, above normal speaking volume tone.
"Was that an attempt of a insult born from agitation?" It shook Its head as the ball of gum was put within the refrigerator. Then faced the pianist persona girl, softly shutting the fridge behind It. "Wasting your breath like that is pointless. And very unlike you. As this It recalls, you let calmarity take hold when Iruma Miu swirled insults. They weren't numbered many, but it took more then two days for you to lose your composure." It headed back over to the table. Watching as the blonde firmly gripped one of her backpack straps, and she stood up. One hand closed, the other open but hanging at her side. "You've done many pointless actions already. Only for each one to crumble down, and make you meet failure. Don't try such an action again, or you'll go back to the state you were in, a mere 18 hours and so ago. And unless you wish to experience the full force of that again, this It suggests you hold in your worthless insults."
Bits of her rising, anger fumes cracked through her returned frown expression. Her whole body shaking somewhat as her eye stared into Its. One could tell that with her shown condition, that she was holding in that aggression. An aggression turned from the Mastermind, and now onto the human looking machine before her. A feeling she may have only felt once before, in near fruition. After they stared into each other's colored irises for some minutes, she did the most logical and worthwhile thing. She took a breath, and did not lash out uncharacteristically. She crossed her arms and gave her unfinished breakfast a glance. Then she looked back up, sucking in her bottom lip.
"You...you got a point." She admitted. Instead of falling silent and crying a few tears. "I bet fighting you would just make the Mastermind happy, wouldn't it?"
"In some way, yes." It blinked thrice in succession. "Do you want to try asking that earlier question again?"
Taking in another breath, she asked away. "Are you going to tell me...why won't you go and get the scrap? Is there a reason or are you just not allowed"
"Both. You see, for the latter, this It must monitor the cameras for the killing game. For the former, this It said that there was something you needed. That something, was something this It had already seen, somewhat."
She let her arms fall to her sides. "There's something I have to see?"
"Yes, you and the Monokub here. Whom had been wishing that we'd fight each other for 'his' personal entertainment." It and Akamatsu both looked at the still seatec Monokid. And 'his' frozen, anticipated expression said all that was needed.
Monokid looked at Akamatsu, then at the Intervener. Going back and forth, back and forth. When 'he' realized that a fight wasn't going to happen, 'he' Gah'd. Then slumped down in 'his' seat. Letting a disappointed, recorded groan leave 'his' wide mouth.
"Sit back up Monokub, your fantasy of violence between us is gone now."
"Gaaaah!"
"Then fine, live in a fantasy and become lonely. You'll eventually lose hope again, just like how your will to find and beat Monodam-"
"MONODAM SHIT!" Monokid flushed red with rage and through 'his' paws upward. Swinging at the area before merely shaking said paws. If 'his' voice was functionally, 'he' would be swearing vengeance on the green half Monokub. As if that wasn't done already.
"And there you go." The Intervener met Akamatsu's eyes again. "Your partner will help you with the task, all while dreaming of some showdown with the most robot looking of thee Monokubs."
"You just made him angry."
"Give 'him' time. 'He'll' be just like you and any other human, giving yourself some moments to regain calmness." With that 'settled', the Intervener took a step back. Directing sight to gaze at Akamatsu's food. "Are you going to finish your meal?"
"I'm almost done so, yes. Give me a minute and I'll be done."
As she sat down, she pulled her fork out of the soup. Then she removed the soaked salad piece from said fork. Putting it aside before arming herself with her spoon, and went back to the meal. Not showing much mind to how cold it became.
After taking care of Monokid's trash, and then Akamatsu's bowl, the Intervener gave the clock one more look. Seeing the time was thirty minutes to 8, It nodded to Itself. Following that up with reminding Akamatsu to take the keycard from the table. In which she did. And then they both, with a still vengeful-of-'his'-brother Monokid, headed to the Trash room.
When the three of them reached the double doors leading inward, Akamatsu was stopped while Monokid went on. The blonde had a small breather mask, and a written note pressed against her chest.
"The first is for you, if the smell from in there gets to much to handle. Despite time spend in familiarity via Monokid. And the second is also for you. A more in depth explanation concerning what scrap you'll be looking for." The Intervener then pointed to her sleeves as Akamatsu took hold of the items. "If you wish, you can roll those up so any spoiled foods don't on your shirt."
"I was just about to do that." She did as It suggested, holding the mask and note in place with her chin meanwhile. Then she stashed the note in a pocket, and brought out her Monopad. "I...have another question." She gestured to both her and Monokid. "What am I- what are we supposed to expect, once we find and open up the passage?"
"Darkness for one. And for two, abandoned rooms and abandoned spaces. What you see will explain some things."
Though her eyes narrowed at that last bit, she nodded and accepted Its answer.
She was about to slap the mask on and head in, light active. But she stayed in place, uncertain. So another reminder was needed.
"If you don't care out this task, you'll face definite consequences. You won't be able to watch and see your 'friends' again. You won't know what the Mastermind might have in store for them. And you'll have to face a penalty for disobedience. Nothing as severe as what the Monokub will receive, but it'll still be a punishment." It tilted Its head and leaned forward. "Unless you want to face the consequences, go on. Bring back what is desired, by self carry or by usage of an object. And avoid failure."
Slowly, Akamatsu pushed aside that creeping uncertainty. And proceeded to go about entering the room of garbage. Mask on and her Monopad's flashlight shining brightly. Probably feeling the sole eye of the Intervener follow her for some seconds.
When she stopped inside and glanced about the piles of filth, a lone purple light slowly emerged from her backpack. Slightly peeking out, staring straight at the Intervener. And the It stared right back. Before the light belonging to the round camera disappeared, and went back into the backpack of the blonde haired female.
As It lingered there watching the human and Monokub search for the red marking, a thought came to mind. The recent conclusion to The Intervener's and Akamatsu starting 'fight', was pointless. Considering all the things the killing game can bring about, and how Akamatsu let her temper grow beyond a frown and argumentative words, the calmness achieved would not last. Like everything in the world, it would find a way to break or definitely shatter. Because of many factors that could and might just go into effect, in the future.
Like how a sun must rise, it must fall. And this found stability, was going to fall. One day, and it will never recover. Such is the essence of building hatred for a Mastermind. Before it's fully directed at their ever watching, able to kill machine.
With that to think, the Intervener turned on Its heel. And slowly went back to Its monitoring abode.
