Author's notes: Chapter 7 proper.
Why are you running away?
Don't you see you cannot run away?
This is because I am fate.
I am time.
And I already hold you at the palm of my hand
Mother. I wonder how would you react to specific situations. Of how would you handle what I been through?
Honestly I wonder how you'd handle all of those relentless enemies of yours...
-0-
Chapter 7
A Life Abandoned and A Life Saved
-0-
-0-
The Frozen Path to the 'Factory'
~Future : 5814 NWC~
-0-
Louise suddenly felt an odd chill. It was a familiar thing. It was the feeling she had when 'that person' was stalking them in the depths of Brimir's research laboratory.
"Louise, is something wrong?" The eldest of the trio asked. She shook her head and stepped forward, and yet the eldest did not budge. "Are you worried about that observer unit?" The elder asked.
"No." She briskly answered. "It's just... no it's nothing..." The woman raised an eyebrow but nevertheless dropped the issue as the youngest of the trio were getting farther and farther. Ayla really did hate the cold protection or not.
Still there was something bothering her. According to both Louise and that floating metal eyeball, celestial rocks fell to the earth from time to time. But that incident that wreck O-BOT's body...
"I just some-… I'm just over-thinking things..."
*break*
The factory was not very far from their current position, and it only took them a few minutes to reach it. However the sight that greeted them did not made them pleased.
"A very thick metal door forced open. Not a very good sign." Francisca observed as she leaned over the fallen door that was quite far from where it should be. "The door is thrown several feet into the distance as well. Whatever did this have monstrous strength."
"Does that mean that big monster attack place?" The young girl asked as she stood beside the woman kicking the fallen door all the while.
"No. If it did, it would have leveled the whole place. But the whole building is still standing." The woman answered and stood straight. She then looked over Louise who was checking the control panel to the side of where the door should be.
"Power is still on." The young woman said as she stepped away from the control panel. "But considering the state of the door, it's possible that some of the equipment inside would be broken and some areas would be blocked by the emergency doors." The eldest nodded at the young woman's report and nudged the little one beside her to move. Getting to Loiuse's side, they nodded to each other and went in.
*break*
Like Louise said, the factory's power was still on. It was quite evident by the lights and working conveyor belts (all three of them did not know what they were though). And she was also right in that there would be broken... 'equipment'...
"I know they're just machines but..." Louise stroked the broken body of a robot who had been torn asunder. It's body was half missing and it had no more limbs. Ayla for her part was holding a severed head, it's body was nowhere to be found. And the eldest eyed a hall full of broken combat robots who suffered the same fate.
"From these guys to the walls. All of them has large gashes, as if they were cut by blade." Francisca noted as she eyed the marks on the walls. "Furthermore there a dozen of scorch marks, possibly them fighting back."
"Who?" Louise asked as she stepped into her guardian's side.
"I do not know myself frankly." The eldest admitted. "But one thing's for sure, they were beaten by a bladed weapon... and they didn't have a chance." The young woman cringed at the admittance.
"Luckily however we're not here to fight whoever or whatever did this. We're here for the terrain information that would enable us to get the nearest 'gate'." The young woman unconsciously gave a sigh of relief a that, as she did not want to meet the perpetrator of the factory's destruction. The same way she did not want to meet any of the large creatures wandering outside... "And get some 'equipment' as well. Though..."
Both pink haired females looked about. Both seeing that all the combat robots there were irreparable and the majority of them were nothing more but scrap metal now. Once more Louise cringed.
"Well, we can't anything done if we just stand here. Let's move about and see if there's anything of use. Ayla!"
*break*
The three females moved slowly. Not because they needed to, but we're forced to. Many of the pathways we're clogged with broken machinery, combat robots of even collapsed walls. At times they found that there were particular paths that they were forced to take no matter the hindrance and were forced to clear that place.
Another thing they needed to take in consideration was that they needed to find at least a repairable combat robot or mech. As of yet they found neither. All combat machines they encountered were nothing more than replacement parts and scrap metal. Their conditions were really that bad. Whoever or whatever that did that to them either really loathed machines or were completely brutal to whatever they did.
Currently, they were attributing the whole thing to a human sized monster. That probably had blades for limbs and had a carapace so thick that the machine's weapons did nothing against it...
Well whatever it was it was frightening to say the least.
And lastly, they needed to find a computer room or 'data terminal' for the information they needed. Which was hard to do with the said cramped passage ways and the closed giant and very thick metallic emergency doors that blocked many areas that they wanted to investigate.
It was easy to say what their first priority was.
"Well that's another path blocked." The eldest noted as all three stared at the emergency door blocking their way. Ayla their strongest no matter what strength she had were no match for the door. And thus they stuck.
"We have to find the control for these doors." Louise noted. "There's a way to close them so naturally there should be a way to open them right?"
"Indeed. So we're forced to move some more." Francisca said, annoyed at the whole situation.
"Ayla not open door." The young tyke said tiredly.
*break*
Again they were forced to wander. Passing through another cramped hall, clearing another clogged path...
It was a very monotonous thing.
"Hey Louise look at this." The eldest called out as they were clearing another cluttered path filled with broken combat machines. The young woman complied and went over and saw what her guardian was looking at.
"Wow. Isn't this a Cybot?" She asked as looked at the broken and tattered yet familiar yellow combat machine in front of her.
"Indeed. I'm surprised to see this thing in this age." The eldest noted as she dusted off the broken machine.
"True. But O-BOT said that Gaspar was transported into the warring eras by one of the gates. It was probably him that taught the people to construct this." The young woman noted as she sat down and marveled at the broken Zealan war mech.
"Possibly. Still what do they need these guys when they have more complicated and powerful machines." "That's true mayb-" "Umm... Louise... Francisca..." The conversation now cut off, both females looked to where their young companion was digging. "Ayla found... some... one..." She said unsure.
Curious. Both pink haired females went to the young girl's side and found what she saw. They realized why Ayla was unsure when she said that she found someone.
In that broken heap was another mangled yet sparking body. It was male in form and blue in skin, it's hair was brown and was clothed in blue. It had brown boots and gloves. And finally had a red cloth masking the lower portion of it's face and the upper portions of it's body.
It was an android. A machine made to emulate man.
"An android!" Louise exclaimed. "But I thought they were no more of these guys."
"What do you mean Louise." The eldest asked.
"Well... When the majority of the machines went to their nigh eternal slumber, the androids were the first to do so and was said to never awaken... For one to be here..." Louise's harried explanation not only inform her two allies but had another unintended side effect.
"That-is-true." The machine said, making the three step back as they now sighted the now awake machine. "Humans-yet-not-like-before."
"What! Your still functioning!" "Indeed." It said as it tried to stand but found it's broken and sparkling body could not do so. "I-am-not-functioning-properly-though."
"Who're you..." The young tyke asked. The human looking machine nodded at the question.
"I-am-Grobyc."
*break*
"Grobyc?" "Yes." The humanoid machine said, not even minding it's broken body. "I-was-awaken-to-assist-in-the-situation-that-arisen-this-facility."
"To defend against whoever attacked?" Louise guessed. But Grobyc shook his head, it wasn't that.
"No. Report-of-a-human-child-being-found. A-girl-named-Lucca..." He shook his head. "However-due-to-what-happened-I-might-as-well-be-revived-for-the-battle." He admitted.
"A girl named Lucca? So somebody did end up here. But..." Louise shook her head. "O-BOT admitted that was some time ago."
"Indeed. My-internal-processors-state-that-20-years-have-passed-since-I-was-forcibly-gone-offline. Yet-I-am-lucky-to-be-somewhat-functional." It admitted, causing all three to somewhat relieved. "Still-you-are-three-newcomers. Why-did-you-come?" All three looked at each other before Louise voluntarily stepped forward and regaled to him on what they were doing there and what they were going to do after.
"I-see. A-shame. I-would-like-to-go. But-I-am-badly-damaged-and-this-is-not-my-original-boy-anyways. I-am-not-fully-functional." It admitted.
"It's not?" Louise asked, a little surprised.
"My-awakening-was-rather-abrupt. The-facility-was-being-attacked." The two females nodded (Ayla who was getting lost at the topic was now busy playing with the broken machinery) at the information. "However-I-might-be-of-some-use. Please-lift-me. I-will-guide-you-to-the-terminal-that-will-override-the-emergency-doors-and-operate-the-repair-drones. That-way-you-may-accomplish-your-task. However-it-will-take-a-while."
The two females nodded and called for Ayla. Grobyc was not even surprised at how the young tyke was able to easily carry him. Frankly he was reminded of something deep within his memory banks but was deemed inaccessible. It was annoying really.
*break*
Thanks to Grobyc's help, it took a little less time on finding the control panel to operate most of the facilities emergency systems. It was however not that easy, as they went further into the factory the devastation and the number broken machinery increased. At the same time however many of them was a repairable and operable as Grobyc as many groaned in pain and apologized to them at being hindrances.
This made them somewhat relieved to say that the whole facility did not fall and it was quite possible that the child they took in made it into adulthood.
"Ah here it is." Louise said as she began working on its operations as more of the factories lights lit up and more machine noises began to sound. And in a few more minutes the whole area shook as all the heavily barred doors opened allowing many access and the repair and maintenance drones to do their work.
"This may take a while as the drones would fix things like the pathways and the like. Apparently it really would take us a while as many of the data terminals was damaged so we need to wait till the fix it and that any terrain data would be obsolete since it has been 20 years since they sortied." Louise reported to the eldest who nodded.
"Alright, we have enough food anyways." She said and then looked at Ayla still carrying Grobyc. "And with the facility now running this place would be safe and I doubt whoever attacked this place would return."
"Indeed. If-I-may-request." The two turned to him while Ayla layed him down as a repair drone hovered overhead. "Before-I-am-taken-by-this-drone. I-would-like-to-request-that-if-you-are-able-to-return-I-would-join-you." All three nodded at that. "Then-also-I-would-like-to-ask-for-you-to-find-out-the-fate-of-the-girl-we-harbored."
"That will do, even without your request." Francisca admitted.
"Very-well. I-will-see-you." He said while he was carted away by the repair drone. Ayla waved him away while the two others watched him being carted away.
"Alright." Louise at her two companions, then to the to the eldest. "What should we do now?" The eldest nodded, happy to know that the young woman respected her enough to defer to her judgment even in situations where she should be more knowledgeable.
"Well since the facility is automated and we can't do anything yet, we should abide by Grobyc's request and see if we can find what happened to the girl they found. Hopefully she made it into adulthood and not dead." The two young ones nodded.
"Drone." She called out causing one of said machines to come closer. "Where was the last position your last human guest located before and after the attack on this facility happened." The machine paused for a moment making small whirr and beep sounds before answering.
"-LAST LOCATION FOUND. PATHWAY TO UNDERGROUND TRANSPORT SYSTEM.-" Francisca nodded and waved the drone away that promptly did what was ordered.
"Alright girls that's where we're going."
*break*
Another round of walking was required to get to their next destination, which annoyingly enough was quite far from where they started. Thankfully all three were verse on the art of walking and did not mind the distance.
It did enable them to view and watch the work of the drones as they passed. It was something of an experience really. All three of them were familiar with machinery to a point but not all the specifics. So this sight was quite a treat.
That all came to an end as they found themselves on the most devastated part of the facility...
The place where they were headed to...
"My Queen... This is terrible even by this era's standards!" Francisca gasped out loud as they carefully walked the broken and nearly inaccessible corridor leading to the underground transport system. Something that was odd to Louise since the city they'd been to just had a rail system down there.
"Well at least we knew that the defenders left here gave it all." Louise noted as they trudged turtle slow due to the damages the pathway incurred.
Eventually they came to a dead stop seeing an upturned rail road and broken down walls. The room was no longer a room as the floor and walls prevented them access to the area. There they found.
"This is!" Louise shouted as she rushed forward to a particular robot head.
"*Buzzz* *Crackle* H-umans." It said weakly.
"Thank Zeal! You're still functioning." The young woman said as she noticed the rest of the robots body was completely devastated.
"*Beeeemmmm* Thank... you... for... the concern. Still... I... am... surprised to see... more humans." It said to them while Louise fussed over it's broken components even though she had no idea what she was truly doing.
"Indeed. Still you are lucky machine, from the damage you took you should be in the scrap heap by now." Francisca noted as she herded Ayla to help gathering the lost parts for him. "Still Louise what about this one?"
"Well... he should be R-66Y Prometheus hero of the machine war and if anything he should know about Lucca." Louise told her as she continue to fuss over the machine's broken parts.
"*crackle Crackle* Indeed... young... ... ... no... Lucca... should... be... fine... I... managed... to... transport... her... to... safety..." The machine hero said, giving the women more relief.
"Good. Then all that's left is to get you out of here. Because I doubt anymore days here and you'll truly be lost." The woman stated and began the tedious process of instructing her wards the delicate procedure of transporting him back.
*break*
It was fairly difficult to bring Prometheus back to where he could be repaired, as he was literally in pieces. Thankfully he advised the humans to disregard some of his components as they were replacement parts available from the facility above. It was still a great pain though, as the pathways were broken and frankly it wasn't said but they were bound to fall into the floor below if they weren't careful.
And that would be a pain.
Still they managed it and Prometheus was thankful for their help. Still that left them with nothing to do for the moment, as nearly everything there needed fixing. Thankfully it had human provisions they needed (they'll still use the ones they had of course, it was a waste if they didn't) and facilities they could use.
Honestly though, Louise had no idea what Ayla could be doing with a computer.
The day after however, one of the droids gave Louise news they needed to hear.
"So what was the news?" Her guardian asked. The young woman nodded and folded out a map of the facility she had one of the droids printed for her.
"According to one of the worker machines, they found the whole machine assembly untouched and was promptly reminded that they were supposed to roll out a series of new generation machines before the machine war. Since the production was not documented since this factory was the source of the war due to it housing Mother Computer at one point, they are not sure about the completeness of these fellows."
"And...? Louise, if they are not complete they might not be of use to us." Francisca said regrettably. Again the young woman nodded.
"True, but even if one of them is near completion, we can have one of the workers finish it to specifications." The young woman told causing the woman to break out into a smile.
"This is quite amusing Louise. Clearly you have many career paths to choose from. So what will it be? Knight? Researcher? Engineer?" The young woman blushed and looked away causing the woman to laugh out loud. "But in all seriousness Louise what are our odds?"
"Depends on what we'll find mostly." The young woman admitted, her face still red with embarrassment. Even though she shouldn't be. "So shall we go?"
"Indeed. Let us. But first." Francisca turned and poked her head into a room... a room where Ayla should be. "Ayla we're leaving to another side of the factory. Will you be okay with that?"
"Hmmm... Uh... hmmm..." Ayla muttered incoherently before nodding.
"Well we're going." The eldest said causing Louise to raise an eyebrow.
"We're not taking her with us?" The young woman asked.
"Well she's happy at she's doing and honestly I doubt that she'll get bored again and play with whatever is there. Though I must admit I want to know what she's doing on that computer." The woman admitted causing Louise to raise her brows.
"You don't know?" She asked, who honestly thought her guardian knew what the tyke was doing.
"Nope. Though I heard her mutter something about cats." Again the young woman raised her eyebrows.
"Cats." "Yes." "Cats..." Louise just shook her heard. Ayla seemed to be all interested in cats ever she met Alfador the royal pet cat. Must be the love for cute things catching up to the young tyke...
*break*
"Hehehehe meow... meow!"
*break*
Traversing the facility was now easier than when they first got there. It was due to drones hard work that the halls were clear and many of the broken floors and walls were now fixed. And most of the broken combat machines were now repaired and in proper working order.
Which was amusing as they passed many of them who saluted, bade them a good day and or bowed.
"Even in Zeal I never had much exposure to self sufficient golems. And I find the observer golems, floating things with colored bodies with small limbs creepy so I don't associate myself with them so much." The young woman admitted to her guardian who snorted at her remark.
"Too bad, those little buggers had the most personality." She said causing the young woman with her to shake her head.
"True. But like I said I find them creepy... And to be honest, annoying. Whenever I'm tasked to field them they are so... so... finicky that they barely they get any research samples I ask for and their voice... The shrill voice they have makes me want to just blow them up!" The young woman finished, her hands up in the air showing her exparation.
"Heck I like O-BOT better, mouthy as he is..." The woman just laughed at that.
*break*
In a few more minutes of walking the duo finally made it to the assembly that the droid pointed Louise to. And from the looks of it, it clearly was untouched.
"From the newly opened door to the clutter in the room, I say this room really was forgotten." Francisca noted as she scanned the area while Louise busied herself onto a nearby console.
"I will miss technology when I get back home. Well, according to the logs, this part of the factory was completely forgotten for several hundreds. The last date logged into the machine was 4245 NWC which was the beginning stages of the Machine War. And since the Machine War began at least several hundred years after the defeat of Lavos which was in 4024. Heck the Machine War was dated to start at 4221 and ended 4567... Avery long time. And it's already 5814 NWC, it has clearly been unused for a millenia or so and had only seen the light of day again today."
"That is indeed a very long time. So how do we know if these guys will work, or would be effective... Heck I want to know if they can be finished or already finished. " The woman asked causing the young woman at the console to nod and start typing again.
"Well... honestly this is not good. Many are mostly blueprints, designs and concepts and only two of this series we're being built." Francisca frowned at that. "But 001 Elh is practically complete but..."
"But what?" The woman asked a little bit impatient.
"Well... her power core is missing. And that part cannot be replaced since it also holds it's AI." The woman tsked, that was close but not enough.
"And the other one?" Louise paused and this. And a large frown adorned her face.
"000 Vugtis is still in pieces and proper assembly and work is needed to finish him." Louise shook her head. "A lot of parts are missing and needed fabrication too..."
"This is a bust!" Francisca lamented. "Unless we're proper engineers I doubt we can complete these guys."
"Can I try?" The young woman requested, causing the woman frown.
"You're a researcher Louise and true that you have made some innovations and breakthroughs... But they we're for magic, not technology." She reminded her, yet the young woman stared at her with resolution. Francisca sighed and gave into the inevitable. "Alright. But if you can't please give up."
*break*
A week, a week has passed since Francisca let Louise to try and finish one of the advance machines. The combat robots that would be much more advance than any of those currently in service to the facility they were in. At that point some of the robots deemed service worthy enough to do the terrain survey and the whole facility was working a hundred percent.
There were however no machine that could come with them and no mech suitable for their use.
Prometheus and Grobyc, two of the best and probably only worthy candidates were still in repairs. And according to one of the workers their repairs will take a very long time.
Louise on the other hand has been working hard, and she found her most of the time having her head buried into a console of machinery book. Or holed herself to the reactivated part of the factory where she was working on at least one of the machines.
She was getting worried.
"Francisca! Francisca!" Her thoughts halted when a very worried Ayla stormed into the room she was currently using.
"What is it child?" She asked and turned to the young tyke and saw tears.
"Louise! Louise! Hurry!" She shouted and then ran off. She did the same when she saw the tears and the urgency. And thus she ran towards the place where Louise should be and found...
The young woman flat on her side, the gem on her neck glowing like mad while she bathed in a pool of her own blood.
"LOUISE!"
*break*
Despite her appearance, the young woman was able to crack open an eye and blurt out a "Hey." only to cough out more blood.
"Louise!" Francisca shouted again, and this time noted the gem dimming slowly and finally out. Afterwards she found her ward's pallor became healthier. "Okay stupid ward of mine, what did you do Louise?"
"I-" Unfortunately the young woman coughed out blood some more, and was even forced to hold herself from falling from the severity of it.
"Louise!" Ayla rushed to her side and helped her up, making the woman smile and the young girl doing one from relief. The woman, their guardian gave another sigh of relief as Louise's hacking coughs had immediately worried her, and that was alleviated when Ayla helped her.
Giving the young woman several minutes, she and Ayla helped her onto a nearby table where they laid her there to rest. And immediately once they did, the young woman began to snore. Another wave of relief was felt by the woman as Louise seemed fine.
"VITALS NORMAL. NO INTERNAL INJURIES FOUND. SUBJECT IS ONLY FOUND EXHAUSTED." The droid who came after they did told her, making her confused. If the young woman snoring before her was not injured in any way. In fact the only thing wrong with her was she was exhausted. Then how did she-
"Ah!"
Bending over she took sight of the gem on the young woman's neck. Once more it look far from it did before. When they we're in Zeal it looked more like a polished stone. When they came here it looked like a proper necklace... And now, now shrunk in size and looked a brilliant crystal.
Louise honestly never talked about it, but always had it with her. What she knew about it was that the Loka, Ayla's tribe gave it to her. That it holds power, as evident at the times Louise used it or when it burned brightly. And finally it was Louise's prominent research subject.
She hasn't told Louise, but at times she snuck peeks at her research notes. It was the reason she knew it was the young woman's primary research target. And honestly from what she'd gathered, the stone was frighteningly powerful and it enabled Louise to do nearly impossible things.
It was why the young woman held it close to her. It was an object of power and frightening abilities that if anyone else gets their hands on it. Well... it would be bad.
But if she guessed on the real reason, then it was because it was the first proper gift she had from anyone, next to the swallow she (and in extension Sasha and the Kingdom of Zeal) gave her.
"She'd probably abused its power." She muttered as she mussed her hair in frustration. The girl was always stubborn and sure. Something she could very well see where it came from. "An admirable trait to pass on, really. But seeing it first hand is giving me second thoughts. It's not like I could choose what to pass on to my descendants." The woman said chuckling.
Taking note of the young woman again she raised an eyebrow.
"Where's her proper clothes, she couldn't be just wearing that..." Referring to the mechnic's overalls the young woman had on. Which was the only thing she had on. "Not even undergarments. I swear the engineers back home wasn't this bad... oh wait they were." She remarked humorously.
When she took note of the young woman again, she caught sight of Ayla as the young tyke climbed onto the table and made herself comfortable before grabbing one of Louise's arms and falling asleep. It was a cute sight and showed how much the young girl was attached to Louise.
It also showed one of the many reasons why Louise would risk even her health so just they could hurry back.
Shaking her head she turned to black iron knight Louise was in the middle of finishing. The style of the machine, from the body to it's overall design was in a league of it's own. It looked like an oversized knight armor with a spike in it's chest. The pauldron were large and cone shaped as well, this time pointing to the sides. It's legs were incredibly large and to all honesty it look like giant hooves to her. And the head was dome like in shape and had these sharp looking eyes...
All in all it actually looks very threatening.
"So, which is this one?" She asked to one in particular, but the droid who were there answered.
"THIS IS HSGM 000 VUGTIS. FROM SUBJECT SCANS. THIS UNIT IS 99% COMPLETE." It told her.
"The one in pieces. Was still one easier to fix than the other?" She shook her head. "Nevertheless, Louise did a good job. Droid what's needed for this unit to be complete?"
"MINOR ADJUSTMENTS. A CAPACITOR ARRAY. AND AN UNKNOWN COMPONENT." It told her, causing the woman to nod and look around. She found a thrown body mechanical component the young woman seemed to be in the middle of fabricating before she had her coughing fit.
"Is this one of the things you said?" She asked and the droid paused a moment before mounting an affirmative. "So how do install this?"
*break*
Louise had slept dead straight for two days before she regained consciousness and woke up. She a whole lot afterwards, and then got scolded by her guardian for the whole hour or so before being dragged straight into physical therapy without her getting a word in.
And thus it took three more days before she got back to work on 000. She got a nice surprise as well.
"Me and Ayla and a couple of drones finished the rest of the installation. The required the capacitor array was thankfully mass produced and the unknown component was finished by yourself before your... 'attack'. And before you finish him so we could move on as the terrain survey was done 3 days ago... Louise how did it happen?" The stern look of her guardian made her flinch. And palming the gem on her and seeing it changed again made her realize how bad a mistake she'd made.
Admitted it's not like she wanted to hide the gem from her guardian but...
"Louise. You do know you leave your notes open when you fall asleep while researching, correct?" Louise nodded, knowing full well where this is going. "You do not need to hide this from me Louise. From a few days ago you almost died over using that gem Louise! Don't... do... something that would... worry me..." The woman started crying as she hugged the young woman before her.
"Francisca-nee... I-..." Once more the young woman did something that worried other people. It was something was unfamiliar with honestly. Heck despite this happening in Zeal with regards to her fellow coworkers at the castle and the research facility (it comes with being the lead researcher's assistant), as they knew of Brimir's tendencies. This was the first time someone regarded her with this much concern...
It was sad. She was doing things like she always did but when people react differently... It truly was sad, it has been months, almost a year for her to experience people caring for her... for her wellbeing... And yet...
"I'm... sorry..." Still unused and unsure, the young woman could only mouth off and apology.
*break*
Both females didn't know how to proceed after that. Francisca's maternal instincts were just surfacing and even with the long length of time, Louise was still unsure what to do when people show her affection.
In the end they agreed upon discussing the whole thing in much more familiar or better territories, for as much hospitality and friendliness the machines showed they did not want to spend any more time on that era. The place was dangerous in more ways than one.
"So what adjustments are needed for this one to be fully functional." The woman asked as she watched the young woman work on the console for the needed programming while clad in nothing but overalls... again.
"Little things... minor things. But all of them are important." The young woman stated as she didn't stop typing, nor did she move from her seat.
"The basics are always important." Francisca said as she agreed and nodded at the young woman's statement.
Another pause and another round of silence between the two commenced as Louise continued her work. The noise of the computer's keyboard were the only sounds on that room as neither spoke for the next half hour. But by the end of that half hour...
"Done!" The young woman declared, as she proudly stood in front of the finished unit as it's eyes glowed and mechanical noises began to emanate from it as it began it's first movements. To the woman's surprise, parts of the machines began to part and move showing a sleeker design underneath. And it now look much more menacing that before as red lines formed by lights decorated the unit.
"BOOTING COMPLETE. I am 000 Vugtis at your service." It declared as it looked about the room and spotted the two humans. Then mostly looked at Louise. "We're you the one who finished my creation?" The young woman nodded. "Thank you. May I ask the name of the person that is both my engineer and master?" Louise blinked, not remembering programming something like that. "This is part of my core programming." It stated causing the young woman to nod.
"Ummm... I am Louise Francoise de la Valliere." She stated cautiously.
"DATA ADDED. MAIN ADMINISTRATOR LOGGED. Nice to meet you master." Louise was a little jarraed by the loud booming unnatural voice of Vugtis' main programming considering how polite it was despite the low imposing voice it had.
"Well Louise. Abusing that gem of to become an instant engineer paid off handsomely." Francisca noted. The machine processed this and then stared at his master.
"Gem? SCANNING... COMPLETE. Master... there is odd energy emanating from the that of yours." It told her. Louise nodded.
"I know. Perhaps when we are finished with our current task that you could help me fully analyze this." She told him. The iron knight nodded and then they were able to discuss plans now that they had a fourth member and a machine man on their team.
"So the primary objective is..." ""Escaping the future!""
*break*
The preparations were fast and brisk as the gate they were heading to were not that far. It was however somewhat close to the one where they landed but considering that the gates they (mostly Louise) encountered had no pattern to where it was headed, it was possible that would land elsewhere than several thousand stories up in the air and into a grisly death to the waters below.
"Honestly though I'm glad the path from here to there is mostly flat, as the other course was to go to where we began and climb up the mountainous area there." Louise stated as she began dressing for her winter gear.
"Ayla like climbing! But Ayla no like snow and cold. So what does make Ayla?" The young tyke all but spluttered out as she tried to contribute to the conversation.
"Ahh... Ayla. We won't be climbing anyways." The woman told her causing the tyke who had her titled head thinking pose on straighten and stared at her.
"Okay." Was the young girl's answer causing the other two humans to sweat drop.
"Observation. Young capable children are still children despite their capabilities." Again the two humans sweat dropped at their inhuman companion's observation.
"WE WILL WAIT FOR YOUR RETURN." The drones told them as they assembled by the gate.
"We... mostly maybe I will return. Definitely." The young woman told them. The droids bowed as they left, as the travelers would seek a new ear as they tried to find home. Unknown to them the enemy was already waiting at those fields of snow.
*break*
The journey to the gate was easier than the one to the factory. Vugtis, their new inhuman companion had scanners that could detect threats from a distance. Enabling them to avoid the giant monstrosities as they trudged through the cold fields of the future. However despite it's efforts they stumbled upon something distressing.
"50 ^ h43 c0mE." Halfway through the journey to the gate they encountered someone they thought they left behind. His appearance unchanged as his cloak dangled upon the wind. The hood on his head not even budging an inch. His scythe sharp and deadly ready to cut and tear them into tiny little pieces.
"Him! How!" A bewildered Francisca shouted just as the cloaked figure dashed all the way to their side. Noting his target she got her rapier out and blocked a heavy swing to head followed by swatting the large weapon away for a thrust. As agile as before the cloaked figure moved his head by an inch and let the attack pass as he spun for a powerful horizontal slash that was thwarted by Louise charging in with her swallow.
Both females then jumped back, just in for the ground beneath the figure's feet rise up as the young Ayla heaved the ground up like she did back at the jungle and threw the large piece of land the figure was on. He jumped off that of course which made him the target of Vugtis' lasers and the spells of Louise and Francisca.
Frighteningly, the unnamed assailant was able to deflect most of their spells and dodge the machine knight's beams by dodging. It was clear that their opponent could fly.
"..." Moving his scythe in a wide arc, the cloaked figure shot a volley of flames at their location. Followed by a tornado the stranger generated. And combined with his earlier attacks, combined into a giant hellish vortex of flames. They were able to dodge but not before catching a whiff of the heat generated by the flames.
"Damn! He's not pulling his punches this time!" The eldest shouted at her companions who was busy sweating at the sight of the attack their foe generated.
"Escape is the only viable option." Their inhuman companion stated. "This foe knows powerful attacks and moves at an inhuman rate. Further scans shows the power of Lavos emanating from this individual."
"What!" Was the shocked shout of the woman while Louise stared at the metallic knight with wide scared eyes.
"This unit has countermeasures for this kind of opponent. However we lack the time to prepare and use it. Escape is the only viable option." It stated, making the eldest nod.
"Alright girls! Vugtis is correct, we can only run. But we need to slow him down." She shouted to her wards who ran to her side. "Louise, tyou and I will both cast |/ IceBerg /| as it will hopefully hold him in place-"
"Warning incoming attack!" The machine man warned and all four of them scattered as several beams of drak light lanced out of the flaming vortex, dispelling it and exposing their opponent who was oddly moving his hands into angular positions.
"Those gestures! RUN AWAY! MOVE AS FAR AS YOU CAN!" The woman wailed as she grabbed Ayla who was next to her and dashed as far as she could. From a distance Louise and Vugtis did the same. Which was a good thing.
Even from a far, when the translucent black pyramid of energy convalesced in their former position. The ground cracked and broke while they could feel the energy and power radiating from it. Louise had even felt the darkness from the spell as it ate the ground, and grinded it into tiny little pieces.
Their stunned stares were pushed away when their metallic companion issued another warning forcing them to all dodged as more beams headed their way.
This was bad, as they were outclassed in many ways, making escape seem impossible.
"D13." The figure gluttered out as he began making the gestures again. Only to be halted by the most unlikeliest savior.
"GET AWAY FROM MY GUESTS FREAK!" Was the familiar booming voice of O-BOT who came from a giant metallic vehicle that from what Louise learned was a tank... If the tank was the size of a small house. In any case the shell fired from its main cannon got a direct him at their assailant causing him to buckle in the air and stagger for the moment.
"I got hold of this baby when I contacted the factory! You were already gone but considering I encountered this freak... well... Anyways I'll distract him so you guys could go!" "O-BOT..." "Don't worry, like my other bodies this thing is just remote controlled... no more words! JUST GO!" Crying tears of joy, the young woman bowed as all four turned and left.
"NOW BASTARD! IT'S REVENGE TIME! TRANSFORM!"
*break*
They didn't turn back. They couldn't. The caretaker unit had encountered their assassin and came for them in their time of need. It was stalling him so they could run, and honestly considering that he could come back all he wants as long as his city was intact, they did not need to worry.
So with Vugtis' help they got to the site of the gate quickly. Just in time for a very large explosion to erupt from a distance.
"They make large boom booms over there." Ayla said worriedly as Louise took a gander at the floating orb of blue lightning for a moment.
"Then let's not waste time! O-BOT is fighting that guy for us!" Louise shouted. "Vugtis!"
"Roger." By his mistress' command the machine man stood in front of her as a beam of light shoot from her gem to him. From there he glowed blue for a moment before his chest opened and fired a blue beam at the gate, opening it wide for them to go through.
"No hesitations! Jump! Jump! Jump!" Francisca said to her companions as they all went in. Not nowhere where it will lead. Not knowing when will it lead.
*break*
The first thing that came to Louise's mind after entering the gate was darkness. Darkness... everywhere she looked there was darkness.
"Ah! Louise! Ayla can't see the ground!" The young tyke spluttered as she grab hold on the young woman's leg. Looking down see saw that the ground was mostly darkness as well.
"Even my scanners could not scan through the darkness." The mechanical knight said as it continued to look left and right, up and down. It seemed to do what it just said but could not scan anything from the looming darkness all about them.
"Ugh. I will never get used to this." The eldest human said as she hunched over with her hand on her trying to fend of a headache. "And the area doesn't look inviting and definitely not friendly either."
"Not to mention, I can't see no road here." Louise told them, until she peered through the darkness again and this time, she finally saw something. Which made it odd because she remembered seeing nothing but darkness a few meager minutes before. Still it was something... Well it was a lamp post with a lone bench underneath it's dim light.
Heck a woman and an old gentleman was there drinking tea.
"Ummm... why didn't we spot that one before?" Louise asked with her companions having no answer.
"Maybe we're in some sort of illusion upon landing?" The eldest supplied by her theory was shot down by their inhuman friend.
"While I was created to be affected by magic, I was also created with the inability to be affected by illusions. Illusions were used during the warring eras and thus I assure you that my immunity to illusions have been tried and tested." It told them making Louise nod in agreement. She had seen that ability of his on his core programming, so she was sure.
"Ah! Ayla find stone road now!" The young tyke with her pointed out. Causing the other three to look down and saw that yes, there were stepping on a brown stone brick road now.
"What the?! Where did these come from!" The eldest exclaimed not just because of the floor but by now, they could see that they were in a square like area filled with pillars of lights and was fenced off to the rest of the 'world. There was now a road to where the single lamp post and bench was and saw that it too was just a square area with a door seemingly leading to nowhere and two buckets. Past that was another path by this one bridged like where from their point could not see if there was something beyond it. And lastly the darkness that permeated anything before became a steam of small lights as it became the starry night sky filling the void that was darkness.
"Perplexing. Perhaps that my immunity to illusion is not infallible as I thought it would be." The mechanical knight stated as it now scanned the surrounding area. "SCANNING COMPLETE. All objects in the surrounding area is real. Most of the solid objects appear to be normal, but the lights we're standing on and the seemingly the bucket over there has traces of temporal distortions. They are gates in all but form. Also the individuals over there are normal barring their huge magical capacity that I'm reading."
The machine man upon completing his report about his observations. The travelers found that the two said individuals were now looking at them and waving... Well the woman was waving, as the elder gentleman tipped his hat and then turned and walk onto the path where they could not see where it led. The woman by then was making a comet hither gesture to which they obliged.
It was not like they had anywhere else to go.
Ayla was the first there who ran in all fours, followed by the two elder females who walked with elegance and lastly were their mechanical friend who 'skidded' to the area.
"Well! This is a pleasant surprise. It's not every day you find people stumbling in here!" The woman said jovially. "Welcome to this... Well it's not that a nice place is it?" The woman admitted, stumbling a little with her words as she did.
She was jovial for sure, but for the two pink haired maidens she was familiar and suspicious. Why? Well like Francisca, the woman before them looked like an older Louise too... Though this one by outfit alone put her at odds against the two. She looked completely different in truth.
She had very long hair reaching down to the ground, which was held up onto twin tails by two 'buns'. She had what could be an open legged robe without any sleeves (it was a qioapao, but like they would know that.) with a diamond cut in the middle so one can see her generous cleavage. She also wears shorts so her nether regions wouldn't be callously exposed in some circumstances. And her legs are covered with long white leggings and boots. And finally both of her arms are bandaged thoroughly.
"Who are you and what is this place?" Was Francisca frank and forceful question. The woman before just laughed and made a waving gesture.
"No need to be forceful. I am Ellefi Dival and this is... the beginning and the end!" The woman, Ellefi said with as much fanfare. But no one of her guest could grasp her meaning.
"Excuse me. But even as a logical machine, I could not grasp your meaning." The mechanical knight told the woman who laughed at this.
"Ah! I apologize. This is... like I said, the beginning and the end... of time." The woman answered much clearly this time around.
"The beginning and end of time?" Louise asked, being skeptical of the whole thing. In truth though she believed the woman, but further proof and explanation would be good she decided. And thus the skeptical question. "While this place is... outrageous I guess. I would not instantly believe that this place is what you said it is."
"I see your point, but it is as I said. You see, there is truly no end to time. And honestly one could say that it has no beginning either. This place is a place where time collides with each other with past, present and future existing and not existing at the same time. A sea of eternal life and the final death. A nexus point of all things, all that should be and all that shall never be. But I digress I'm just winding in circles. Well the best explanation is that this is a place where all of time is connected and where all of time have stopped. A gathering and exchange point as you will."
"It's still a confusing explanation." Louise said flatly, with both the woman before her and Francisca seemingly agreeing.
"You are right. But there is no 'simple' explanation of this place. I believed you experience it firsthand right? The end and the beginning." The woman told them causing the two older females to frown.
"The darkness. It was the final death was it." Their mechanical companion however was able to discern what the woman meant. "When we first came out of the gate, there was absolutely nothing. There was only absolute darkness. But in moments we saw this place where we step on, and you yourself."
"Wait... so that means...!" The woman was shock, in those moments that were in nothing but darkness...
"That's right. In those moments you did not exist. And in an instant you exist again. Such is the way of this place." The woman said seriously with the two older females nodding, and the mechanical knight adding the information to his database.
The whole thing however went over Ayla's pretty little head, so she did what she always did during times where the adults were chatting. Playing in some corner with crayons and paper she kept with her.
"So... why did we end up in this place? Is it because of the gate?" Louise asked. The woman frowned and shook her head.
"Well yes and no. The gate led you here but not because it was connected to this place but because the stream of time could not support four people passing through." The woman said, frowning at the information.
"Inconceivable." The mechanical knight spluttered. The woman nodded.
"Yes it is inconceivable, but the that's the truth." "How?!" "How ? Well little lady did you honestly think that you're the first ones to mess with time." The woman told them surprising them greatly.
"Wait?! Really!?" The shocked young woman asked.
"Indeed. But unlike you... who seems to be stumbling around moving, these group of friends wanted to change the future." She informed then and would have continued if not for their mechanical knight raising his own objections.
"That would have been recorded. And yet I do not have the data in my database." It told her. The woman nodded and gave a knowing smile.
"Well mr. robot, that's because they succeeded." She said them happily, then sighed. "At least in a way they did."
"What do you mean?" Curious, the young woman asked. But the enigmatic Ellefi shook her head.
"I can tell you. But what would you do with that knowledge?" She told the young woman who looked perplexed.
"She's right Louise. We're not here for stories of other time travellers. We're here for..." "A way back..." Louise nodded at her guardian for reminding her that. Turning to the enigmatic woman she found her smiling. It was an odd sad smile though.
"From here where you stand, take the pillar of light to the far right center of the room you came here." The woman instructed them much to their surprise once more. "And one more thing Louise. The next time I see you here, I want you to have a similar conviction that princess Nadia showed to change the future a long time ago." Louise nodded, then realized they didn't introduced themselves only her, and yet...
"Wait why do-" But she could no longer finish as a hidden forced propelled all four of them to the pillar of light the woman directed them to. And within moments, they were gone from that place. Leaving the woman there, smiling and looking on with nostalgia.
*break*
*CRASSSSHHHH!*
The loud noise was incredibly jarring. Louise finding herself on top of Vugtis and Francisca who was in pain, found herself in a similar state as her guardian as she found an out cold Ayla on top of her. The young tyke's eyes were swirling at the jarring impact they had when they were forcibly launched into the pillar of light.
"Ugh! Louise! Quick get off!" The woman complained as she moaned in pain. Louise taking the young tyke in her arms carefully stood as she got off from her guardian. Who in turn got off from Vugtis who was the only one not in pain.
"The landing was jarring and so was our entry into the light gateway." He commented. The two conscious females just nodded, as they were still in bodily pain. Looking about Louise felt that the surroundings were somewhat familiar... and they were on the roof of some building... or mansion...
"This looks like some nobles rooftop." The young woman began as she sat from where she stood, as she could not stand the pain any longer. "We're gonna get in trouble. But I'm in pain to care now. Same as why that Ellefi woman launched us without answering me. Ugh..."
"Do not worry master. I will confront anyone that would assault us." The mechanical knight assured her.
"Good because I don't think any of us three humans could move. Ayla is out could. I'm sore thanks to me landing on you and Louise landing on me. And I believe Louise here is in a similar position thanks to the high velocity Ayla landing on her stomach... and I'm sore as hell... And did I mention that I'm sore?" The woman ranted as the pain she was experiencing right now was messing with ability to concentrate... or any other useful movement for that matter.
At that moment a very angry blonde woman had levitated herself to her residence's roof due to their disturbance.
"Who in hell are you people!" She demanded as she held a wand at them. Causing one of said intruders to...
"Big sis Eleanor!" "Lo-Lo-Louise!?"
