Renegade Dreams and Forgotten Gleams

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Susie, Executive Assistant

(Uploaded on June 11, 2022)


Summary: The first of four major encounters, introducing a secretary who's not afraid to do the dirty work herself.


Notes: This chapter is set at the end of Area 3: Overload Ocean.

kaialone's Planet Robobot translations on Tumblr (post/654538820264607744) were used as reference for this and future chapters.


"Do you see the stars out there, Susie?"

At the sound of her father's voice, Susie touched her hand against the glass.

"Yes, Papa. I do."

Little lights glimmered down from all across the night sky.

There were no clouds blotting out the sight—the realm above was as clear as clear could be. For all that it was a common occurrence, one that could be witnessed from just about anywhere in the galaxy… it never stopped being absolutely, indescribably beautiful.

"They say that each star is made up of the lights from people's hearts. They spread out across the galaxy, taking some of that light to fill worlds with life and kindness."

"Really?" Susie's eyes were wide. "They must have to carry a lot, then! Space is a very, very big place!"

Even just looking at a map made her head spin. There were so many names and so many dots, and she hadn't even seen a complete chart yet—just a fraction of it.

A fraction so small, it might as well have been… infinitesimal.

(That was a new word she learnt recently!)

"Indeed it is," Haltmann said, "and indeed they do. But sometimes, that isn't enough. Sometimes, fate leads them astray, and… they're too lost to find a way back."

He shook his head. "Even the brightest light cannot stay lit forever."

"But that's why we're here, right?" the pink-haired girl piped up. "We're gonna be their savior! We're gonna give them our stuff and develop their e-co-nom-ies and show them how to be the best planets ever!"

Haltmann chuckled.

"Yes, that is our goal. One day, every planet in this universe will know the name 'Haltmann Works Company'—and they will be grateful for it."

This would be his legacy, the culmination of his entire life. Founded from scratch, he had worked tirelessly to elevate a simple startup business into a planet-spanning enterprise, all thanks to his peerless passion and ingenious inventions.

None of it had been easy, of course; managing his company's finances and technological innovations at the same time was a task he wouldn't suffer upon most others.

But for his daughter…

it was worth it to create a reality she'd be able to flourish in.

He rubbed her hair affectionately.

"Someday, it'll all be yours to lead, my little one," he told her. "I hope that, when that time comes, you'll be able to extend our reach to even greater heights, beyond what I can do alone."

"Don't worry, Papa!" she cheerfully replied. "I'm gonna make you proud, just you see!"

Haltmann chuckled.

"Oh, Susie… that's what I'm counting on."


[Kirby]

Overload Ocean
Underwater Station – Interior

With a band of poison literally swirling on top of my head, I walked into an open, circular room.

I was expecting one of many things going in.

Another hulking, mechanical monstrosity—

One more familiar face twisted beyond recognition—

Either of those wouldn't have surprised me.

(I mean, it's not like I had to confront Magolor or Taranza before previous journeys' end.

Heck, I never actually fought Taranza; all he did was use Dedede as his puppet.)

Instead, though…

…I was met with something else.

"Heehee… I'm surprised to see a native inhabitant make it out this far."

With a mellow, confident tone, the awaiting boss(?) turned around.

She had a slender figure and two disconnected hands, similar to many other people I've run into; those hands sported yellow gloves with long, conical cuffs. She wore a white business suit seemingly made of metal, one with a collar stretching around her head like a hood. Her hair was pink and long, partially held up by a gold clip; her eyes were bright and blue, reminding me somewhat of an insect—Sectonia's Antlers pop to mind.

I curled my lip.

This is… new.

Definitely not a friend; she wouldn't be waiting here otherwise.

Is she… working with them?

"Who are you?" I asked, warily.

"Oh, excuse my manners," she spoke. "Let me introduce myself."

She held her hands together and bowed.

"My name is Susie, executive assistant of the Haltmann Works Company—or secretary, if that's what you'd prefer. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

so, I've got a name for our invaders now.

"I'm Kirby, if you need to know," I said, "and I can't say the same back. 'Executive assistant'—that means you're part of this attack, right? Call it off!"

She bobbed her skull to one side.

"And why, exactly, should we do that?" she asked. "Just look at this planet."

Her hands spread out from her body, gaze rolling to the windows featuring fish swimming about the ocean.

"A clean atmosphere; an abundance of fresh water… there is a wealth of natural resources to be found here—far more than a world this underdeveloped should sport."

She shook her head. "But all of you who live here take that wealth for granted."

"That's what this is about? Our resources?" I repeated incredulously. "Lady, lives are being torn apart here! We're just trying to live in peace—and you don't even care! We're not background decorations for you to forget about!"

"What does that matter to me?" she retorted. "I have quotas and records to see fulfilled. If you would prefer security in stagnation, then all that means is that I have free reign to decide what play to make. And this is the one that benefits us most."

I felt my above vortex of poison bubble and steam alongside my emotions.

"How altruistic of you," I sarcastically stated. "I'd surely trust you with the fate of my friends."

"It isn't as bad as you think," she said. "Everyone here is being lifted into a new, civilized age. Our technology will be at the forefront, including all the privileges that come with our advancements—I wouldn't take that generous gift lightly. Really, it's not just our prosperity at stake here—

"—it's yours, as well.

"Isn't that of concern to you? Don't you want this land to flourish? Many a planet have already seen the light of our efforts—our work would be made so much easier if you just accepted the inevitable."

She's talking like she hasn't actually seen what's going on out there.

Like I'm simply a commoner who doesn't understand anything about this.

I—

I can't say I've ever met someone so… condescending before.

Even Taranza was just putting on an act, in the end.

It made my response easy to compose, though.

I'd never give away our freedom for anything.

"That's only what you choose to believe," I replied. "You let all these atrocities pass unabated; there's no way I'd ever side with you!"

"…I see," Susie sighed, clasping her hands together. "So this is your final answer. Regrettable, but at any rate…"

She levied a finger in my direction.

"Our Mechanizing Occupation Project will continue on, with or without your intrusion—and unfortunately, from this point on, that means you and your people will be identified as obstacles. You could have avoided a lot of bloodshed by submitting here and now—but I suppose if I want to curtail their rebellion, I'll have to snuff out their symbol first."

She sniffed unpleasantly.

"It's a shame… you're as every bit as stubborn as he implied."

"…he?" I repeated, cautiously. "What 'he'? Who are you talking about!?"

Which of my friends is in their grasp—?

"Our most sincere condolences, and I'm sorry you had to come all this way," she continued, ignoring my question—"but I'm afraid…"

She pulled out a remote from her dress, pressing one of its assorted buttons.

"…you must be destroyed!"

With a thud, a suit of armor came down from the ceiling—colored pink and white, carrying two floating arms, and noticeably featuring a screwdriver head at the bottom in place of regular legs. I stepped back a little as she hopped into it, her helmet appendages coming down to allow a yellow visor to cover her face.

She took one last good look at me.

I glared back, limbs tensing into a battle stance.

Sinister Secretary
Susie

"Fat chance of that!" I declared. "If you want Pop Star, you're gonna have to pry it from my cold, dead hands!"

I summoned a wave of noxious liquid around me, ready to send it rushing at its target.

This wicked company of yours…

I'll corrode it all down to the ground!


VS Susie

Executive assistant to the president of the Haltmann Works Company. While her official job title is 'secretary', she also leads the ongoing invasion project. She fights operating her Business Suit—a personalized Invader Armor, reserved only for high-ranked employees.


[Susie]

"HUAAAAAAH!"

I grit my teeth as I spun my Business Suit through the cavity in the center platform, landing down with a shockwave radiating out.

Naturally, Pinky dodged without a second thought.

I let out a frustrated grunt as he flung another lob of poison at me, splashing and steaming up against my armor. Hopping away a fair distance, I covered my cockpit with my mech's arms and readied another spiral dive—

—only to the shockwave to miss him once more, with me narrowly pulling myself free in time to watch a dark puddle appear on the floor.

I banged my control panel with one fist.

"Stay still, you interloper!" I hissed.

"That's my line, lady!" he countered.

…it was safe to say this battle had gone swiftly off the rails.

Pinky was a threat. A definite one.

His poison alone was potent enough to melt through metal; his combat expertise ensured that it could be utilized very, very effectively. The Drillbits and functions at my disposal, the shifting environment I had prepared—he adapted to it all far more quickly than I was hoping for.

As much as I hate to say it, I had been placed on the backfoot here.

(And I absolutely detest it.)

I leapt away to the opposite side, summoning Drillbits from the back of my armor to fire at the pink menace. I shot two pairs, each curving through the pillar's holes and arcing toward him—but he just shot up a geyser from his hat and blew them up.

Running out of options, I decided on one last hail mary: I set up the center tower to start generating orbs of electricity, sparkling wild and violet. Protecting my cockpit, I aimed my Business Suit right toward the middle.

"Let's see you handle this!" I cried.

I shot myself through the platform, letting the gathered voltage fly out via the open holes. I did this three times in a row, allowing my mech's sensors to track my target and guide me where I needed to go.

On the last dive, though, Pinky came in for the kill. As I slammed down once more, he drew in close and swiped at my armor, infusing his hits with various toxins—

—and with one final jump and splash, my durability finally hit zero.

I sent my fingers flying across the control panel, desperately trying to keep everything together.

"No, no!" I cried, ignoring the smoke bursting from my cockpit. "This can't be happening! Work with me, suit! Work with me!"

I lost control of the arms, summarily sending them collapsing and inert. Warning messages flashed on my visor:

Critical error!

Armor integrity at zero!

System internals badly damaged!

Destruction imminent!

"Star damn—!"

BOOM!

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"

I flew headlong into the air and crashed face-first onto the floor, soreness aching through my body. Letting my visor recede back into my helmet, I brought my head and stared at Pinky's barely-winded visage.

So, this is the strength of a hero.

not bad.

"It seems that I have to concede here," I said. "Our hold over the Overload Ocean is lost. You win this round, native."

His expression didn't change one iota.

"It'll take more than that, though, to put an end to our operation. We still have two more arms active on this planet, and more resources than you could ever dream of. You're but a Bronto Burt on our windshield—in time, you'll learn to regret passing up the opportunity I so graciously offered you."

"I don't care," he replied. "I'm not ever gonna stop fighting for what I believe in. That's not something you can just buy. One way or another, I'm getting you and your company off our planet—and then you'll see how imaginary your prosperity really is."

I hummed.

"In other words, we're mutual adversaries."

A nod. "There's nothing else to it."

We stared into each other's eyes for a few moments longer.

I couldn't say what exactly was going through his mind. An individual with such a spirit—and the strength to back it up—is quite the rare find; however large this galaxy may be, there's still a lot left that we haven't personally documented.

Pinky is… interesting. Very interesting.

I look forward to seeing what else he has up his nonexistent sleeve.

"Well, as much as I'd love to stay and talk philosophy with you, I have more important things I need to take care of. A charming secretary like me can't simply rest on her laurels, after all."

I brought out my remote and pressed a few buttons. My trusty Transporter flew in onto the scene, and I latched onto its handle as it came by, letting it carry me away to a secret escape route above.

"We'll meet again some other time, little nuisance. Buh-bye~!"

Even as the distance between us increased, I could catch the narrowing of his eyes, clear as day.

And that was the end of our first meeting, wreathed in hard combat and lit up by the azure sea.

From here on out, I can't afford to slack in my duties.

The complication posed by Pinky will be difficult to resolve—but not impossible.

All I have to do is start sending our stronger products against him.

And I know just which one to put at the front of the line.

"It's a worse stress test than most get, but honestly, a knight should be prepared to deal with any complication," I mused. "If anything can stop the threat posed by that nuisance… it's as good a choice as any."

It's only a matter of time, now.

The next time Pinky bypasses our physical firewalls…

…he'll more than meet his match.


Okay, we've got nine cutscenes to go through, six of which are essentially new content. Here's the first!

I like Susie's introduction in Planet Robobot, primarily due to how much of a contrast it is from Triple Deluxe. In the latter, Taranza doesn't get dialogue until Kirby finally confronts him at the end of the game; until then, he's just silently dragging Dedede around while our hero chases him.

Susie, meanwhile, shows up around the halfway point to confront you, and makes repeat appearances for every subsequent boss, building up something of a connection with the player in the same way that Magolor did. She makes a stunning first impression, too, what with her cool demeanor and willingness to get her hands dirty.

Oh, and having dialogue in an in-game cutscene. A wonderful surprise after all the Super Star Ultra-esque CGI in Triple Deluxe, though those weren't bad themselves.

Anyway… since this fic was already very Susie-centric, if I was going to expand it, this moment might as well be included. I also went and added some parting word between Kirby and Susie, since in canon, she leaves immediately after you blow up her Business Suit. That always felt odd to me; she should have a little more reaction to being defeated for the first time, in my opinion.

One more thing: to add some more depth to what's going to occur, you're getting flashbacks to Susie's past and present with each chapter. A lot of the more intricate details of the Haltmann family backstory was only revealed in post, so I figured this would be the best way to integrate it all into the story. It'll complicate things a bit, sure, but I really think it'll help enhance the narrative.

Well, that's all for now – tune in next time for the get-together at Gigabyte Grounds!