"Is something up, Fulgore?" Setsuna asked.
"Hm? Oh! I was just thinking about those Steam Golems we saw." Fulgore said. "It kind of got me thinking… If I recall correctly, many works in this universe are powered by steam, right? Like decades back our time?"
"Supposedly, yes." Bassam said.
"So, I've been curious about something. Could these golems be early versions of robots?" Fulgore asked.
"It's quite possible. I mean, even in worlds that aren't all that technologically advanced, golems and automatons still exist. They could possibly serve as early stages of fully robotic beings." Jude said.
"You could be right there, Jude." Hope said. "They look pretty advanced, and they seem to have programmable orders."
"They're kinda similar to Eurynomos." Ginseng said.
"Actually, they're pretty easy to make." Miles said. "I studied the blueprints for them on the ship. You create the parts depending on their function, program a brain and then install a steam engine. That's how these things are made."
"That's interesting…" Entrapta said, zipping over to Alkal, looking him over. "You know… I'm starting to wonder if you were really once like those other automatons in here, Akal, my large fisted robot friend."
"Entrapta, stop! It's a sensitive topic for him." Fulgore said.
"I can't help it!" Entrapta said. "Although, I'm kinda sorry if I'm tripping on personal territory."
"Look, if Alkal doesn't want us prying into his origins, we shouldn't. Even though he looks like all those golems, we can't jump to conclusions." Hope said.
"Honestly, I wouldn't mind telling you guys about my origins, if I could actually remember it." Alkal said. "I feel like I should, but for whatever reason, I can't remember anything before meeting CP."
"What? CP, you gotta know where he came from. You've known him longer." Pit said.
"Is it possible that someone wiped those memory files from his programming?" Jade C asked.
"I mean, it's certainly possible, but I can't be sure." Alkal said.
"As for your question, Pit, I'm afraid I'm not quite sure myself." CP said. "You see, I met Alkal back in Cross-World's version of Las Vegas, where he was broken down in the nearby desert. After getting him repaired by a mechanic in the city, we joined forces to form Team Go-Go."
"Yeah, and I joined them later." Emo added.
"Hmm...well...if he did get built here, possibly, there should be logs here that detail each of the golems built here." Miles said.
"Well, it's a slim chance we'll find anything, but it's worth a shot." Hope said. "I want to see if we can help Alkal get his memories back. If we have a lead to uncovering his past and how he was built with sentience… this could be the place to find it."
"But where in here?" ZS asked. "It's not like we can just stroll around and ask questions."
"There should be some files laying around about early developments. If we can find those files, we might get some answers." Cheetah said.
"Well, we already read all the files down here… so they must be upstairs." Ultra said. "Guess that means it's time for a stealth mission."
"I'll go." Ethox volunteered. "I have something that'll make it harder to be spotted. Anyone else want to join?"
"I shall accompany you." Phantom said.
"No...bad idea." Miles said. "If these golems see a robot wandering around, they're gonna take offensive action. I think I better go. I've worked more with models and mechs to know what we're looking for."
"I'll join in too." Mayumi said. "I'm pretty interested in what these files contain."
"If no one else wants to join in, then the crew is assembled." Cheetah said.
"Let's move out then." Miles said as they entered the main floor. They looked on as the golems were hard at work assembling the products. "All right. We're on the main floor. See that?" Miles said, pointing to some stairs. "Those lead to the higher levels. There should be an office there. If there's any record of Alkal's existence...it'll be there."
"We shouldn't have any problems getting in. The hard part is going to be getting there." Mayumi said.
"Leave that to me." Ethox said as he held his Keyblade horizontally. "I slither in the darkness, unseen by the eyes of man. Lend me your stealth, scaled strikers of the deep grass. Snake in the Grass."
Ethox and the rest of the group started to fluctuate, as light refracted around them, disappearing from visible sight.
"There. Now we can't be seen." Ethox whispered. "We're also intangible, so we won't even leave any evidence behind. Still, we'd better be quick."
The group slinked across the floor, the golems unable to notice their presence, as they made their way to and up the stairs, walking up to the upper levels.
They enter the office nearby only to see a desk and a few filing cabinets.
"Good. Looks like the boss isn't in." Miles said as he approached one of the filing cabinets and began to look through the files.
"This place looks pretty rustic. Almost old-fashioned." Cheetah said. "Then again, almost everything here is powered by steam, so it's not too surprising."
"Even so, knowing that the concept of robots were born from places like this kind of puts into perspective as to all the machines and mechs we see now." Mayumi said.
"The birthplace of a concept…" Ethox said. "Wow, it's really cool when you put it into that perspective."
Miles then pulled out three files: 'Atlas', 'Prometheus', and 'Mission Statement'.
"These files seem to be the most informative." Miles noted as he opened the file marked as Atlas and began reading.
Atlas: Auto-Kobu #001. The first official Auto-Kobu created by the partnership between the Steam and Future Universes. This unit possessed 5 times the strength of the latest 'Fenics' models of Koubu, but strangely, declined the addition of other weaponry. The AI implanted into the suit developed the qualities of a leader and a strong desire to protect humanity at any cost. As such, it was given command of the Auto-Kobu force above Prototype Prometheus.
Prometheus: Auto-Kobu #000. The Prototype of Auto-Kobu, the first to be created. The model was given limited weaponry, only physical strength and the ability to expel excess steam as a form of projectile, due to concerns that it may affect the AI's growth. The AI placed into the Kobu developed a personality in three weeks, becoming friendly and supportive of others, to the point that many of the scientists considered him a form of new life, rather than an artificially created construct. Was the original leader of the Auto-Kobu force until Auto-Kobu Atlas developed it's leadership personality type.
Mission Statement:
Four years we were trapped on the other side, battling the endless waves of Kouma that came for us. Whether by a miracle or luck, we were able to escape. Prototype Prometheus is still missing, possibly destroyed, but his death will not be in vain.
By our conclusions, even if the Combat Revus of Tokyo, Paris, and New York came together, they would be unable to push back the Kouma army without trapping themselves on the other side as we did. This goes against our directive to protect all humans. As such, our new goal is clear: we must 'exterminate' the pilots they are now and revert them to civilians, under our protection. Their heroism shall be remembered, and fuel our upcoming war against the Kouma. They will object, but we have decided that it is for their own good. Hopefully, they will understand in time.
"Project Prometheus… Guys, you don't think they could be referring to…" Mayumi started.
"The files do seem to paint that picture." Miles said. "Though...this mission statement…" he said. "It doesn't feel like it was written by a factory owner. More like a…" he said before realizing. "We need to get out of here."
"Guys, this is Mayumi. We have to evacuate, now!" Mayumi said to the others on the comm.
"Why are you guys getting worked up? What's going on? What did you find?" David asked.
"It's only a hunch but going over these files. I think I know who is the boss of this place. It's…" Miles said as the office door was kicked open.
"Me." a voice said. Standing there was a fully sentient steam golem as he stood there.
"Project Atlas, I assume." Miles said.
"You are correct." Project Atlas answered. "You have read the mission statement file, so I can conclude that you are aware of our mission to rescue the Combat Revues."
"By forcing them to give up the fight?" Ethox asked.
"By taking their place." Project Atlas said. "It is the only way to protect them. The Combat Revues are an outdated concept. It's better that they are replaced."
"Yeah...I can think of four people who would deny that." Miles said.
"Their refusal is noble, but misguided." Project Atlas said. "They cannot defeat the Kouma forces. I witnessed their power once before, and it far surpasses the threats the Combat Revues have previously defeated. As it stands now, they stand no chance in stopping the demons."
"You're wrong." Ethox said. "Maybe they're not the most powerful heroes. Maybe not the most qualified. But the Combat Revues of Tokyo, Paris, and New York… are the best heroes in the Steam Universe!"
"Our calculations do not lie." Project Atlas said. "They will be lost to the Kouma's attack. We are attempting to prevent this. Is this not a noble endeavor?"
"Noble? Your ideal is subjugation! You cannot simply prevent losses by excluding them from battle. Even as civilians, they are still at risk." Mayumi said.
"Less risk than fighting on the front lines." Project Atlas countered. "We will carry that burden. It is what we were created for."
"You're not listening. She's saying that even as civilians, the Kouma can still kill them. They do not discriminate." Cheetah said. "As Ishihara and Yukimura told Barl, what you're hoping for is nothing but a dream."
"Wait a minute…" Ethox said, before he grabbed the Atlas file and skimmed it again. "No, it's not just a dream; it's a downside to his AI. His personality includes the desire to protect humans at all costs. Atlas, you can't bring yourself to consider the possibility of fighting with the Combat Revues, can you?"
"...Correct." Project Atlas said. "We cannot let the pilots fight. It goes against our directive to protect humans."
"Well, what if you were given proof that working with humans can work?" Ethox asked. "Would that change your perspective?"
"...This hypothesis could be considered, if this proof exists." Atlas stated.
"Let me ask you something. What was your relationship with Project Prometheus?" Cheetah asked.
"Project Prometheus was the original prototype of the Auto-Kubo." Atlas recounted. "As I was the leader of the Auto-Kubo force, I led him. He was considered a lesser version of me, but no less devoted to protecting humans. Our relationship could be considered a sibling-like relationship. However, Project Prometheus was lost when we were trapped in the Kouma's world."
"He disappeared, just like it said in the file…" Mayumi said. "She was asking because...it's possible that he's still alive."
"...You have encountered evidence of Project Prometheus's survival?" Project Atlas asked.
"In a way. What if we said the actual Project Prometheus...was in this very building?" Miles asked.
"And what if you two fought, and what if Al- I mean, Project Prometheus managed to beat you, due to having the support of humans?" Ethox asked.
"If this scenario were to occur, it would result in a 100% reversal of our current mission and the establishment of a new mission to support the Combat Revus." Project Atlas stated.
"...You guys get all that?" Ethox asked in the comm.
"Yep. We heard it all. The...comm was still on the whole time, you know." David said.
"Wait, so you guys were all listening on that whole conversation just now?" Cheetah asked.
"Yeah… We were. Sorry. Wanted to jump in, but…" David started.
"Don't blame him, Barbara. It was on me." Mayumi said.
"Project Atlas!" a voice that startled the steam golem spoke out from the comm. "I'm Alkaline, or Project Prometheus if you prefer, and I want to challenge you alongside the Combat Revue members!"
"... Fighting humans would go against my programming, however… if Project Prometheus wishes to prove our directive incorrect, then I shall look past my programming for this occasion." Project Atlas said. "Very well. I accept this challenge!"
"You sure about this, Alkal? This is your former comrade, after all." Sectonia said.
"I know, and I know he cares about humanity. But he's going about his mission all wrong." Alkaline said. "If fighting him is going to prove that humans and golems are stronger together than apart, then that's what I'll do! I'm gonna stop him, and make him stronger!"
"That's the spirit, Aka-er… should we call you Prometheus now?" Gemini asked.
"... I'll answer to both for now." Alkal said.
"I have a better solution." Ichiro said. "Embrace both names as part of you. Your past, and your future."
"Yes!" Captain Parkour declared. "My friend, you shall take both names with you in pride. From this day forth, you shall be known as… Alkaline Prometheus!"
"...Alkal-P…" Alkaline Prometheus said before he slammed his fists together. "Sounds good to me!"
"Now… let's go show Atlas the combined spirit of Machinery and Humanity!" Ichiro said.
"Yeah!" All five said.