"So where is this dungeon supposed to be?" Theo asked.
"Steam City...capital of the Steam Universe." Miles said.
"I think I see it." Lucy said as they came down to a massive city where almost everything was running on steam power and the streets were filled with a number of people dressed in steampunk style.
"Gotta say, I like the outfits." Lei said.
"Steam City is pretty popular 'cause of its number of factories as well as skilled mechanics." Jet said.
"It reminds me of the Iron Kingdom in a way." Qadira said.
"In a place like this, the dungeon must be a sort of factory." CP said. "Everyone, look for a large, run-down building. It may be what we're looking for."
"Uh, Cap? That's a lot of the buildings here." Nesma said.
"Hmm… I think it would be better to look for a building that seems remotely out of place." Rosalie said.
"Then let's look around. And while we're at it, take in the sights." Hope said.
The group explored Steam City as they toured its landmarks and saw the sights, while also looking for the Dungeon. They didn't find any leads, but then they ran into a group.
"Oh! Sorry, we didn't see…" Gemini said before seeing three familiar faces. "Wha… you three?!"
Standing before them were Blood, Sweat and Tears, Team Steam Machine.
"Quite a coincidence that we'd run into each other here." Cheetah said.
"Yo. It's been a while since the IG-3." Captain Cold said.
"Oh yeah, I think I remember seeing them when we arrived." Ace said.
"We didn't expect to see any of you at all either." Blood said. "Don't think we've forgotten everything that happened at the IG-3 either."
"You're still hung up over that? Talk about holding a grudge." Mayumi said.
"How long ago was that again? I swear I don't even remember what happened." David said.
"Also, some of us weren't there, so can I ask what happened?" Ethox asked.
"A bunch of us competed in the IG-3 for a little fun. But let's just say we went through an ordeal afterwards." Hope said.
"And now, the top teams from that event are heading to the IG-2 circuit." Sweat said. "Ergo, the teams from this alliance here."
"Weren't you guys at the bottom, though? I don't think you managed to pull any wins that time." Cheetah said.
"Mock us all you want, cat. But you'll regret your confidence when you all officially compete in the IG-2." Tears said.
"Why do I highly doubt that?" Revali asked, sweatdropping.
"Okay, I think that's enough trash talk." Hope said. "Listen, we're looking for a dungeon that popped up in the city. Any chance you guys know anything about a location that looks suspicious or out of place?"
"Well, I don't know about out of place, but… there is this weird rumor we've heard about recently." Sweat said. "Any of you guys heard of the Hazy Garden?"
"Can't say we have." Grantz said.
"Well, it used to be this big factory that produced a variety of items: toys, silverware, all that. But that ended when the factory was closed down because of the unsafe work conditions. The place has been sitting unused for at least 50 years." Sweat explained.
"Unsafe working conditions?" Leia asked.
"Oh yeah, there were a lot of injuries during the factory's run." Sweat said. "It wasn't until one of the workers died that the factory was closed down, though. It was terrible, really. Anyway, the Hazy Gardens hasn't been open for years… but there's been strange things happening there recently."
"What do you mean?" Ethox asked.
"Well, people have been saying that noises have been coming from inside." Sweat said. "The sounds of machines working again. A few folks tried looking through the windows, and they saw the strangest thing: the machines were being handled by steam golems."
"Steam Golems?" Gemini asked.
"You know, like regular golems only made of machine parts and run on steam engines." Tears said.
"Like me." Alkal spoke up.
"Yeah, like that." Sweat said. "Now, that would be strange enough, but it's what the machines were making that really got people talking: nobody's confirmed this, but they apparently look like weapons. Pretty dangerous ones, too, if the sightings are correct."
"Sounds like something we need to get a look at." Hope said. "Thanks for the information, you three."
"Think nothing of it. You got that information for free." Blood said. "Still, watch yourself when you all enter the IG-2."
"We'll… try to be careful." Hope said as they left the trio.
They headed to the location the brothers had listed as they happened across the factory known as the Hazy Garden.
"This is definitely the place." Jexi said. "Doesn't feel like anyone is inside, but it's definitely being operated."
"Hmm...this warrants further investigation." Erica said.
They got closer to the building as they stacked up to peek through a window.
"Okay...I can see inside." Subaru said seeing a number of steam golems marching about and working on the assembly lines.
"Looks like the rumors are true. There really are Steam Golems working in there." Cheetah said.
"Yeah, and those drills they have as right arms are big." Mari said before seeing something small flying around inside.
"Hey, Akal… did you start out like these guys?" Zephyr asked.
"..." Alkal was silent as he observed the golems at work. "...familiar…"
"Alkal, something up?" Emo asked.
"They're...familiar, but I don't know why." Alkal said. "It's like… well, they're supposed to be in my memory banks, but they just… aren't."
"Hm, interesting." CP mused. "Perhaps we'll find some answers inside."
"Right, so we should just walk on in and get swarmed by steam golems." Eddy deadpanned.
"It's a factory. So there should be other ways to get inside." Aelita said.
"Yes. There might be a secret passageway somewhere." Cheetah said. "Maybe if there is a ventilation system somewhere."
"I think we can do better." Aelita said.
After a few moments, the group waited around until Aelita returned.
"Okay...they were willing to give us the blueprints to the factory. It looks like there's a tunnel underneath that leads to the factory basement." Aelita said. "We may have to work our way up, but we're less likely to be discovered."
"Looks like Cheetah was right about one thing. There really is a secret passageway." Rayleigh said.
"Well, what're we waiting for? Let's go!" ZS said.
The group soon found the entrance to the tunnel and began to climb down, soon finding themselves in a dimly lit tunnel that stretched for quite a ways.
"This tunnel is quite long. Are you sure this is the right way?" Magnamon asked.
"No doubt. This is the path shown on the map." Nesna said.
"Alright, we trust you guys for this." David said to the cat-like members. "Because it's kind of dark in here."
"You don't need to worry about that...we're here." Aelita said as they arrived at the door as they opened it and walked into the basement.
"Alright. It looks like we're in." Belladonna said.
"Great! Now, let's see what's in here..." Eddy said, walking into the room before he spotted a table which had some files laying on top of it. "Hm, important looking files… someone take a look at these."
"Let me handle that, Eddy." Double D said as he picked up one of the files and opened it. "Hmm… these appear to be schematics for weapons. Looks like the reports were correct. They're designed to… shred through heavy armor, lock onto moving targets, and… wait, this doesn't make sense…"
"What is it, Double D?" Mark asked.
"It says that the main purpose of the most common weapon types is, and I quote, 'extract enemy pilots without damaging potential bodies'." Double D read. "Everything else is meant for destruction, so why are these weapons so specialized?"
"Wait, are you serious?" Mayumi asked.
"Extract enemy pilots?" Emo asked. "Pilots of what?"
"Hmm…" CP said, picking up another file and opening it up. "Project Salvation. In order to avert a potential future event, a partnership between the Steam and Future universes attempted to create the next generation of anti-Kouma weapons: ones that would not require pilots, in order to decrease potential loss of life. Project cancelled after all units were lost during an assault on the base of a suspected Kouma supporter. Location of units unknown."
"Hang on, this is starting to sound familiar." SE said.
Ultra then picked up the third file on the table and read it aloud. "Operation S.T.A.R. Phase 1: Create weapons to combat enemy controlled units. Phase 2: Return to origin world. Phase 3: Wage war on all Combat Revues. Exterminate enemy pilots and use Kobus to house other consciousnesses."
"Wait a second… Combat Revues? Isn't that from the world some of Hope's team is from?" Ultra asked.
"Yeah, that's our world." Gemini said.
"This is some troubling information." Ichiro said. "These Steam Golems want to forcefully advance our means of fighting threats to our world by getting rid of us."
"I know that death is a constant threat on the battlefield…" Mayumi started.
"Just ask us. We're pretty much been in both Bloody Valentine wars." Belladonna said.
"But this is not a surefire way of reducing mortality rates." Mayumi said. "As a skilled mech pilot myself, I know for a fact that collateral damage is always a huge factor, as some of these battles were fought in city landscapes."
"We have to shut down this operation." Ichiro said. "I can understand advancing our tech to defend the world… but we can't let these machines replace us by killing us. As Combat Revue members, we have to keep the peace, not die for progress!"
"You're right Ogami, this can't stand!" Sakura said.
"Let's show these metalheads what happens when ya mess with the Combat Revues!" Gemini said.
"I'll follow you anywhere, Ogami!" Erica said.
"I appreciate the enthusiasm, but could you all please keep it down?" David asked. "We're supposed to be stealthy, remember?"
"Sorry, David. This project the Golems are working on is a little personal to us." Gemini said.
"It doesn't look like your shouting alerted anyone. We're good." Hope said.
"Let's try to keep it that way. We don't want to risk ourselves being swarmed by these golems." Cheetah said.
"I agree. So please keep the cheers to a minimum." Jexi said.
"Okay." the combat revue members said.