("Quite a bit of exposition this chapter, but hope you enjoy it all the same!" - An author not writing any short stories.)

"Affimojas! Steamax! You guys alright?"

Adult Neptune was the first to react, calling out the names of the two robotic individuals held in captivity within this storage space, formerly guarded by the robot invaders. While Neptune rushed over to check on them, Thomas was also in a bit of shock. The last time he met them was when the firewall dropped, and he was on their airship.

Although Thomas wasn't familiar with all the details of Uzume's revival, he was aware of the crisis. He knew that those two were involved in some underhanded things, and at the time, he wasn't sure if he was to trust them. Still, people of the Azure Coast were interested in the airship, and he admittedly was curious. Therefore, he was sent as a representative to take a look around, check out the airship, see if they could make a deal out of it so they could maybe make more of these in the future. That was the idea. The two seemed friendly enough when they greeted him then.

Thomas didn't even have time to think about why Neptune quickly recognized them. There were a few whirring sounds indicating the two were still active, though it was hard to tell given their mech-like bodies not showing a lot of emotion. It was barely audible at first, but slowly grew before, finally, one of them spoke.

"Am... am I hallucinating?" A quiet, confused voice came out of the smaller, more nimble figure. "Miss Neptune? Is that you?"

There was some mumbling from the other, much larger figure, but it seemed like he was just waking up. Neptune nodded, "Hold still, Steamax. I'll get you out of these binds quick." She hummed herself a little ditty as she went over, bending her knees and began to figure out how to remove the restraints.

Steamax seemed to tense a little as Neptune got closer, even as he was waking up. "M-M-Miss Neptune! Y-y-you d-d-don't have to be-"

"I said hold still!" Neptune exclaimed, "I get that you get a little nervous around some girls, but can ya not squirm?" Steamax simply let out a small whine, but tried to remain calm.

"Steamax...?" The other voice stirred awake, "Miss Neptune?" The figure stirred a little as he came to, turning his head as best he could to check around him.

"You guys holding up alright? They didn't fry your circuits or anything?" Adult Neptune casually asked, slowly figuring out how to remove the restraints. Thomas viewed this curiously so that he could help out with Affimojas, the much larger figure.

"Great maker's ghost!" Affimojas blurted out, sitting up straight and much more awake now, "How in the world are you even alive?"

For Adult Neptune, it was hard to tell what he was referring to, but made the assumption, "Ah, well, I had a bit of luck, some help, and a healthy diet that doesn't include a block of cement."

"I was not referring to you, Neptune," Affimojas corrected her, "I was referring to him."

"Wh-what is it, General?" Steamax questioned, turning his head about before noticing the other figure in the room, "S-Sir Thomas?"

"Hello again, gentlemen," Thomas said with a small wave to greet, "Odd to be meeting under such circumstance."

"How is this possible?" Steamax asked in shock, "The airship was hit during the firewall drop. We saw you fall off."

Adult Neptune blinked repeatedly, "Uhh, come again?"

"Long story," Thomas said, to all three, moving over towards Affimojas to help remove his bindings, "Divine intervention, to answer your question, sir Affimojas. Hold still, I'll help you out."

"I see," Affimojas said, keeping still while pondering this, "It is a relief to see the both of you."

"Indeed," Steamax agreed, "To answer your question, Neptune, we've been holed up in this prison since we crashed. Those robots haven't really done much with us. They just kept us in here like we were disposable spares."

"A flagrant insult," Affimojas stated, growing irritated, "To be lumped in by those old contraptions with something akin to a spare tire! I am not some spare parts! I am Affimojas, general of peerless intellect, mighty wielder of information, and rare item collector!"

Thomas winced, "Uh, sir Affimojas? Your moving nearly crushed my foot."

"Oh, my apologies," Affimojas relented, "Do what you can to get rid of these binds."

"There you go, Steamax!" Neptune smiled, moving back to give the newly-freed robot some space, "I got rid of the restraints. Can you move now?"

"Y-y-yes, thank you, Miss Neptune," Steamax said, slowly moving his legs before himself up to stand, "Unfortunately, the invaders have taken what was in our inventory."

Neptune shook her head, "We won't have too much time before those robots come back here. Our little distraction bought time, but we gotta move out soon."

"I hope you have a plan for that, Neptune," Thomas said as he worked on the last restraint for Affimojas, "Somehow, I don't think we can sneak around effectively with the big guy over here."

Affimojas took some offense, "I'll have you know that I am quite capable of sneaking around! Though, not having my weapon is rather... inconvenient."

One last click, and Thomas finished removing the restraints. Steamax, meanwhile, looked at Neptune, "I'm assuming you know of the location?"

Neptune nodded, "Yep! It's not too far away. In fact, we passed it on the way here."

Thomas gave Affimojas space to get up. Actually, quite a bit, given that the robot's size. Steamax was a tall but slender robot, who had the uncanny ability to blend into his surroundings. Either that or people in Gamindustri thought a robot ninja was too unremarkable to notice. Affimojas, on the other hand, was huge. To make a comparison, take Vert, a fairly tall CPU. She would barely be able to meet just below the chest. To say that his size was intimidating for someone like Thomas would be understating it.

"You think the General will be able to fit in there?" Steamax asked of Neptune, as the two watched Affimojas get to his feet.

Adult Neptune grinned, seeming quite sure, "I think so! If not, we're gonna have to remove a few parts to shrink him down."

"No disassemble!" Affimojas exclaimed in a small panic, before recomposing himself, "Ahem. I mean, please do not take me apart. That will not be necessary."

Thomas quirked his eyebrows, looking over to Neptune, "What are you talking about? Do you know these guys?"

"Just need to do a bit of backtracking," Neptune said while answering the first question, "We should probably hurry over there. You two good to go?"

"Of course," Steamax said with a quick nod.

"Lead the way, Neptune," Affimojas said as he realized that he'll have to crouch and shrink himself a little just to get out the formerly locked door.

Thomas' other question was yet to be answered, much to his confusion.

Back into the main corridor, the group hurried down, following Neptune through a few of the empty passageways. They could hear the siren in the distance, as the robots were dealing with the rioting at the other side of the prison. That said, Neptune wasn't sure how much longer it would be before the robots turned back to look for them.

It also didn't help that Affimojas stuck out, jogging noisily behind, his feet clanking on the floor. Adult Neptune was probably relieved that she didn't have to go too far to find what she was looking for. After passing a few cells, Neptune slowed down between two cells, with what looked like a plain wall. In the midst of this section, however, was an old bust, presumably made in ancient times.

Thomas, keeping closer to Neptune, as he didn't want to get in the way of the large, jogging robot, grew more confused once they stopped by the old bust. The bust appeared to be one of an old man, though with age had decayed so much that it was hard to recognize precisely who. Thomas pondered a moment before asking, dryly, "Seriously? This thing opens up a secret passage?"

"First guess, right on the nose!" Neptune said happily, tapping her nose briefly, before going over to tease Thomas with a "Boop!" on the nose. Thomas looked incredulously at the amused Nep, who then went over to "Boop!" where the nose on the bust would be, holding it a little until she heard a click before the floor beneath them shook. Eventually, a small gap opened in the middle of the corridor, widening into an large opening.

The mechanism stopped, and Adult Neptune casually walked over to the edge, "Ladies first!" Immediately, Neptune jumped down with seemingly little regard for what was down below. Thomas rushed over towards the edge, looking down to see a platform not too far down where Neptune jumped. She moved to one side of the platform and looked up, "It's not a long drop. You'll be fine!"

Steamax gestured to Thomas, "You go ahead. We'll go in after."

Thomas blinked, "Uhhh, okay?" He glanced down, muttering, "Who came up with this crazy passageway?" Taking a deep breath, he lightly dropped down, not even bothering to jump, and landed on the platform down below.

The fall wasn't too bad, though the landing was a bit hard on the soles of his feet. Regardless, Neptune then waved him over, moving ahead. Realizing this was to give the two robots some space, Thomas walked towards Neptune, soon realizing where the platform was leading down into. Another sewer level? Greaaaaaaat.

Neptune clapped her hands, recalling something, "So yeah, this little secret passage was made by people who resisted the reign of the mad king wayyy back! They built this secretly under the king's nose and sometimes snuck out prisoners this way. Pretty nifty convenience, doncha think?"

Thomas sighed quietly, losing some of his patience with the chipper Neptune, "I... I guess?"

"I know, right?" Neptune grinned, "Now, many years in the future, we'll use this passage on our great quest to save the world! We'll be the best protags ever!"

"Slow down, Neptune," Thomas couldn't handle how quickly things were going.

Neptune actually looked surprised, or at least acted shocked, "Really, Speedy? Now you wanna slow down?" As they were talking, Steamax was talking to Affimojas in the background, encouraging him to jump down. Affimojas, for his part, seemed fine with jumping down, but wasn't sure if his body would fit in, even with Steamax telling him it was alright.

"I just want to know how you found this secret out? Oh, also, how do you know those two?" He gestured a thumb back in the direction of the two robots, "Did that voice on that communicator tell you the details?"

"Hmm? Oh, Steamax knew about this passage before," Neptune answered the first question, pausing as though she was done, before getting a glare from Thomas.

"Eheh, not gonna budge, huh?" Neptune said sheepishly, before answering the second question, "I used to be in their little club for a while."

Thomas paused briefly, his eyes glancing back as though he was reaching into his mind. "Little club?" He repeated what she said, not quite getting it, "You played board games with them on the weekends or something?"

Adult Neptune snorted, amused by the image she got from that, "Pfft! Naw. I mean their group, Affimax. I was an honorary member, or something like that."

"Affimax... ghk~!" Thomas flinched, recoiling at the realization, "You were one of the bad guys?"

"That's right!" Neptune said with a small wink and holding up a 'V' sign up to her head. It took her a moment to see Thomas' reaction before she, too, flinched, tapping her head, "Uh, well, not quite! See, I was kinda doing the double agent role, but I was with the good guys too! The plot had some complications!"

Thomas was not sure how to feel about that, at least initially. Neptune saw the conflicted look Thomas had and asked, curiously, "Didn't you know about all this? I mean, you said you were with Uzume, so I thought you would know a little bit more. Surprised she didn't even mention me."

"My knowledge on the last crisis was limited," Thomas admitted, taking a glance back to wonder idly what the two robots were doing. By now, Steamax had hopped down, nodding to the group as he moved closer to them, presumably now waiting for Affimojas to jump down. Was the big robot nervous? If so, his blustering about being "above going around some smelly sewers" didn't sound like he was. Could be wrong on that.

While that was happening, Thomas continued, "Honestly, during my time adventuring with the goddesses, I didn't really delve into what happened then. I didn't even know Uzume was a CPU when I first met her."

Neptune blinked, "Really? You don't know much at all? You know the two guys, though."

"It was a business opportunity for the cities of the Azure Coast," Thomas explained, "I actually wasn't going to do much beyond that. In fact, if not for there being pressured a little and hearing about an airship, I would not have gone at all." Thomas sighed softly, saying in a quieter tone, "I was pretty much done with everything. I wanted to be left alone."

Neptune was about to react to this quiet admission when, finally, after all this time, Affimojas jumped down, landing with a loud clang, and causing a tiny tremor, shaking the other three for a moment.

"See? The platform didn't break," Steamax said as he went over to a panel on the side, pressing a button to start up the mechanism closing the hole above. "You were concerned over nothing, General," Steamax continued.

Affimojas remained composed, "I was not concerned with my weight at all, Steamax. I am quite light for someone of my build. I was just... not too thrilled about going into a sewer."

Thomas muttered quietly. It was incomprehensible, but it sounded like he was in agreement.

"Oh, don't be like that," Neptune tried to cheer both of the grumpy people up, "Since this is a super secret, we should be able to get to where we need to go next and not face waves of robots."

"We still have to keep our guard up," Steamax added, "We may have to deal with monsters."

"Monsters?" Thomas frowned. Of course, it wouldn't be a sewer without some.

"Indeed," Steamax answered, "I apologize, but I won't be as effective without my weapons."

Affimojas crossed his arms, "I guess I will have to use my fists, if it comes down to it."

Neptune perked up, holding up her fists, "Don't you two worry! Leave the fighting to me and Tommy over here!"

Thomas blinked, "Wat."

"Very well," Affimojas said with a small 'nod', though it looked more like he just tilted down, "I shall rely on you two to provide protection. Do not disappoint."

"Alrighty!" Neptune said happily, "Keep your eyes on me and we'll get through this with very little effort!"

Thomas sweatdropped, as Neptune hopped down to the sewer proper, leading the other three through the long tunnels in what looked to be a labyrinthian area, with many entrances and exits along the way. He knew he was signing up for danger when he came along, but that didn't make him feel any better about it.

Thomas was also feeling a little conflicted by the new information, hanging around the back while Neptune took the vanguard. This Neptune was involved with the bad guys during Uzume's revival? What could have happened during that time? Thomas grimaced, looking downcast before shaking his head of it. It didn't matter right now.

Yet, it bothered him, to think that Neptune would have done so. No, this was not the Neptune he knew. The one that he grew to respect despite her lazy tendencies wouldn't have aligned with Affimax... would she? This Neptune said she was a double agent. All it did was confuse him further.

His thoughts were interrupted by Steamax, who slowed down a bit in his pace to walk beside him. "Sir Thomas, may I speak with you for a moment?"

Thomas looked at the tall robot, tilting his head, "Uh, sure. Something on your mind?"

"I... I couldn't help but overhearing your conversation with Miss Neptune," Steamax noted.

Thomas hummed softly, "Oh? You heard us while you were talking to the big guy?"

"As a ninja, it is natural for me to eavesdrop on conversations even while doing other tasks," Steamax remarked, before realizing what he just said, "Not that I was planning to eavesdrop or anything!"

Thomas quirked his eyebrow at this, "It's alright. So, what piqued your interest?"

Steamax thought a moment, before saying, "You mentioned divine intervention. I assume the CPUs were involved in rescuing you?"

Thomas nodded, though he wasn't sure exactly how he was saved. Plus, he didn't want to delve too much right now into which goddess actually saved him. Explaining that a CPU's spirit went out of its way to save him would be a bit much presently.

"I, I am relieved to see that you are alive," Steamax said. He then asked, "Speaking of the CPUs, did I hear right that you were with them?"

"I was," Thomas answered, "Another long story, but suffice to say, all the other CPUs outside of Leanbox have united against these enemies. We even found a way to break the barriers. I was recently captured, though, so I can't be sure how they are now."

"That's good to hear, about the CPUs I mean," Steamax seemed even more relieved, "I was worried about how the others were doing, even as the General and I were thrown into captivity. Tell me, from what you did see, how were the CPUs? And the Candidates?"

"We had everyone except for Lady Green Heart," Thomas said, all while quietly pondering about Vert's whereabouts. Continuing, he spoke, "That included the Candidates as well. They were all very helpful during the journey."

Another voice piped in, that of Affimojas, "Go on and ask him already."

"G-General, were you listening in?" Steamax's voice turned a little nervous.

"You weren't exactly quiet back there," Neptune said, glancing back before leading the three through a new tunnel.

Affimojas chuckled briefly, "Hmm, pardon me for interjecting, Sir Thomas. I was simply encouraging Steamax over here."

"Is that so?" Thomas raised his eyebrows, interest growing in what this was all about. His didn't pick up on Steamax being a little nervous just now.

"Th-that was not needed, General! I am perfectly capable of asking simple questions!" Steamax complained.

Affimojas seemed to take amusement in this, "Of course. I was merely offering my support."

"Tee hee~!" Adult Neptune said lightly, apparently in on the teasing.

"You too, Miss Neptune?" Steamax said, clearly agitated by now.

Thomas smiled wryly, unsure but nonetheless willing to push ahead, "Go on, Steamax. Ask your question. Whatever it is, I promise I won't laugh."

"V-very well," Steamax relented, though there was a definite pause between then and when he would speak up next. Although robots didn't need to breathe, he certainly acted like he was breathing in and out, attempting to calm himself. "I-It's about Lady Uni, the Candidate from Lastation. H-how is she?"

Thomas waited, before eventually speaking, "That's it? That's the question?"

Steamax made a small noise. You could just hear that ellipsis, as he was speechless.

Thomas shrugged, "No matter. If you must know, she seemed to be in good spirits. She's pleased to have a new firing range made, and she was vital in our efforts to save Lastation. She came up with the strategy to take out a giant Land Carrier, and even brought out a prototype tank she designed for the battle."

"She did all that?" Steamax sounded surprised at what Thomas did sum up, "Remarkable, as one would expect out of Lady Uni."

Thomas smiled, seeming happy to tell someone about it, "Exactly. The goddesses are truly remarkable to be able to do things like that! That tank prototype in particularly looked pretty impressive, at least from the little bit I did see. Taking on an entire robot armada, even with that, takes a lot of courage."

Steamax grew more impressed by what he heard, "Really? I am sort of jealous that I wasn't there to see it."

Thomas nodded, before stopping to rub the back of his neck, "Sooo, yeah, that's how she has been doing. Any particular reason you wanted to know?"

"N-n-no big reason!" Steamax said hesitantly, even as he heard snickering from the others, "I... I was fairly acquainted with Lady Uni during the last crisis. I was simply curious!"

Thomas hummed softly, though as he continued to hear the snickering from up front, he was a little suspicious.

"'Fairly acquainted', hehehe," Neptune tittered. Affimojas was a bit more subdued, but was clearly amused.

Thomas blinked, looking between the two, before looking again at the nervous robot ninja. His smile widened a little, and he said quietly, "I understand. We all have people we greatly admire." He wasn't going to think too much into what Steamax's actual feelings were, but he could surmise that Steamax held Uni in such high regard.

Steamax whined slightly, feeling a little embarrassed, "Th-th-thank you, sir."

Affimojas, though amused, remembered something, "Miss Neptune, speaking of the goddesses, I must ask, have you heard anything about Leanbox's own CPU?"

Neptune's smile faded after Affimojas' question, recalling, "Ah... yes. Miss B-... Vert. I was captured pretty early on, jumped suddenly. Anyway, Vert busted me out with help from the underground resistance. But, on the way out, we were attacked by a pretty big wave of robo-baddies. Our group of escapees were going to be overwhelmed, but Vert stood her ground, urging us to go into the underground tunnel to escape. I went with the group, but Vert, she collapsed the tunnels behind us. I haven't heard from her since."

Affimojas sounded solemn, "I am sorry to hear that. Lady Vert, she... do you think she's still alive?"

Adult Neptune took offense, "Of course she is! If anything bad did happen, she was probably captured. I owe her a rescuing, after all!"

"Maybe if you hurried up and get me out of here, you would find out where she is."

Although the voice was muffled, the group could hear the voice on the communicator in Neptune's deep pockets. She pullet it out, responding, "Oh, hey, welcome back. How long have you been listening?"

"I've always been listening," the communicator answered, "I was kinda bored, being stuck here and all. Wasn't in the mood for chatting."

"Does that mean you know where Lady Green Heart is?" Thomas quickly asked, sounding somewhat hopeful.

"Nope, haven't found her yet," the voice said casually, "Been using my literal connections to look all over Leanbox. Haven't seen sign of her. For a big girl, she's awfully good at hiding. Are you sure she's alive?"

"Don't joke like that!" Neptune exclaimed, "I refuse to believe she sacrificed herself!" It was clear she was upset by the possibility.

"Alright, alright, don't get your d-pads all twisted," the voice relented, "I'll keep looking. Speaking of which, the robots seem to have lost track of you and your allies. Good. Now, as for that rescue..."

Steamax spoke up, turning his head about, "I recognize that we're not taking a route away from the prison. In fact, we're getting closer to the Basilicom?"

"Close, but not quite," Neptune stated, "I'm sorry to drag you two into this, but I'm gonna need your help in the next part of this mission."

Affimojas hummed, "I would have preferred to leave, but if there is any way I can repay you for this, I suppose I shall assist."

"Since the General is offering, than count me in as well," Steamax stated, "As his loyal ninja and friend, I will do what I can."

"Aww, how sweet of you two. Please stop before the sugar overwhelms me," the voice said with a sigh.

"Is that how you would act towards those who come to rescue you?" Affimojas snarled, "You must be a weak and pitiful creature."

"Whatever, sunshine, I haven't been saved yet," the voice said dismissively, "Anyway, I don't feel like chatting anymore, so I'll leave you now. Talk to you later!" With that, just as quickly as he interrupted, the voice left the conversation with an audible click.

Affimojas scoffed, "Of all the impudence! Miss Neptune, is it really necessary to go out of our way for this ungrateful boob?"

"It's alright," Neptune shook her head, "Besides, we kinda owe the guy. If not for his help, the underground resistance wouldn't know where any of us were when we were captured."

"Yeah, his manners aside, he's helped out so far," Thomas added, "I do hope you have a plan for this, Neptune."

"Oh yeah, don't you worry about that, Tommy," Neptune smiled at him to reassure, though the tone suggested she may be fibbing, "Just leave it to Nep!"

Steamax quietly muttered, "General?"

"I know, Steamax. I know," Affimojas slumped his shoulders as the two sighed. Thomas, meanwhile, was just puzzled. Was this Neptune truly trustworthy?

It wasn't all clear down in the sewers, as Neptune and Thomas found themselves in battle a few times during their trek, usually against a few rats here and there. The two robots did help out on occasion, as Steamax tried a couple of kicks and punches he learned from reading manga. Or during his ninja training. Whichever. He also surprised Thomas when he used his own magic skills, or 'ninja arts', which included a windy cyclone he used at one point to toss some of the enemies.

Affimojas, for his part, stayed behind, grumbling about the icky sewer water he was stepping in. Being a pretty big target, however, there were a couple of times when the rats would try and jump him with a little mob, biting along his metal ankles and back.

"Cursed mobs, attacking all at once! I am not a fulfilling dinner or snack! Augh! Out with you pests!" Affimojas shouted, wriggling about, trying to shake off the clingy rats.

Thomas couldn't get close, given he was concerned Affimojas' flailing would hit him instead. Seeing that Thomas was struggling, Steamax held out an arm across his path, "Leave this to me."

Thomas stopped, watching Steamax move ahead and trying to calm his friend down. "General! You need to stay composed so I can help you get rid of these ankle-biters."

"Easy for you to say, Steamax!" Affimojas growled in his complaining, shaking all about and doing the hokey-pokey, "You get to blend in and be ignored. These critters prefer to take me on! Not to mention their stench is putrid and their nibbling feels gross!"

Steamax still tried to calm Affimojas down, as Thomas looked on with bemusement. The rats were not too much of a problem to deal with, in spite of their stench, at least.

As most of the rats in the last battle scurried away, Steamax tried to get rid of the last few bugging Affimojas, swatting at them in between avoiding the General's flailing arms. Meanwhile, Adult Neptune casually walked beside Thomas. Once she stopped to watch, Thomas turned his head towards her, and jutted a thumb at the two robots, "You said you worked with these two?"

"It was a weird plot, honestly," Adult Neptune answered.

And so, we end this chapter with a very important message: Always check your robots for rats. Those things are quite sneaky. Anyway, tune in next time when, hopefully, something more exciting happens. Like maybe a game of checkers.