+Region 1: Knova City+
" The outcome is not bad and the functions work the way I expected them to be. Omega ver. 2, let's go. "
Omega ver. 2 who was wearing a red bee mascot in white gloves and white chef hat, sat immobile as Gemara typed on an almost transparent laptop: even the keyboard appeared in the naked eye as transparent.
Gemara wore a specialized gold-rimmed glasses with the function of vision: a device set to detect the invisible symbols on the touch-screen keyboard and transparent screen.
In Gemara's line of sight is a statistical analysis of Omega ver. 2's work performance and efficiency.
As a mascot in red and white with an unidentified gender and a woman in a red laboratory coat passed from one table to another, the other costumers peeked at them: head looking away while the eyes secretly steal some glances of the two.
A subtle ring echoed as Gemara confirmed the identity of her target before walking towards 2 college students wearing their identification cards.
One student fiddled with her phone while the other scanned the sorrounding and finally cast a suspicious look on Gemara.
Mercuria immediately recognized the other party's intention at a glance, alerting her and the others who were casually busy with their own businesses.
Gemara is amused at Mercuria's stubborn expression: the omega held her friend's hand as she stepped forward to block these weird duo.
" Subject Venus, shall we talk? "
Gemara opened the conversation with a polite gesture to the other unknowing omega who didn't seem disturbed or alarmed.
On the contrary, her eyebrows were knitted into a frown: giving Gemara a very disapproving look as if urging her to admit her mistake.
Gemara didn't know why, she suddenly felt guilty, realizing the depth of what she had done.
[ Why do I feel like I have been caught in the act? ]
[ I don't care! Hadeans are not bound by any existing ethical criteria. I did nothing but a simple trial with a bit of leading the knights away from the castle. Yes, everything is just a part of my research procedures. ]
This is Gemara's way of rationalizing her decisions. She didn't want to be hindered by trivial variables like emotions which might compromise her concentration, limiting her in the aspect humans don't want to accept, much less admit.
[ It is better to stick to one's own principles than to succumb to an irrelevant majority's high standing moral values. ]
" What do you want to do?! "
Mercuria insisted on an answer, her patience nearing the end.
Gemara ignored the other party, raising both hands to show that she is not hostile, red dots visibly marking her the target.
Gemara didn't mind, casting her eyes at several locations thinking [ this is overkill, isn't it? ].
" Relax, I have passed the basic etiquette of this country. Otherwise, how could I be here? "
Venus didn't respond much. She just stood there trying to figure out the person who initiated a conversation with her, like a guessing game and the penalty is something none can afford.
" You can talk but I'll be watching you, " Mercuria said with obvious hostility.
She thought, [ etiquette? this woman's pig brain is working, right? We are Styx Organization!! ]
As such, Gemara took this opportunity to push forward her primary objective after accomplishing the trials on her new Artificial Intelligence prototype.
Startling Mercuria who stared at Gemara and OV2 without blinking, Gemara backed away as OV2 stepped forward.
The unknown person in a red bee mascot stripped the bee head with a white, smiley face and reached for the zipper.
The people present subconsciously held their breath, curious about the appearance of the person wearing the mascot.
After all, humans are inherently attracted to the unknown, especially for things that needs to be decided lest it keeps on bothering them.
As shocking enough, a brown paw came into view, pulling the zipper down.
Everyone present didn't say anything and nobody knows what is in their mind but after the red bee mascot was removed, a kangaroo mascot was revealed.
[ ... ]
It rummaged into its pouch for a while, fishing a fluffy little kangaroo from it and let it jump away to the direction of the sea.
After that, the unknown person in the kangaroo mascot put its right palm on the location of its chest, opened the other palm freely to the side and took a slight bow before several voices of the same frequency sounded everywhere: from the car radios, smartphones, speakers and even headphones that are not connected to a device.
" The question is fairly simple and it's a multiple choice test. "
At this, Nguyen could no longer stand at the sidelines.
He quickly stood side by side with Mercuria, not allowing even a chance for this suspicious duo to act.
" Quit joking, get to the point or I'll be rude! "
[ This level of invasive technology is unpredictable. In fact, this is already categorized as a crime. I would rather make a mistake than to compromise the safety of sister-in-law! ]
Seeing that Gemara who initiated the conversation became busy typing on her transparent tablet, Nguyen is even sure that people who act leisurely are those that are sure they won't fail. If not, perhaps they don't mind failing at all since they won't suffer any loss or mental instability.
The one whose true voice was never heard continued to invade the other sound outlets, imitating Nguyen's voice as if it didn't understand the implications behind Nguyen's tone or the meaning behind his threats.
" The question is...if God gives you a choice to save between the people of your City or you. Who will you save? "
Like a perfect butler, it stood like a statue with its hands down on its side.
Nguyen was surprised after hearing the question, not knowing whether he is creeped out by the voice imitation or nervous because of what the choices imply.
Mercuria is even more furious for the fact that irrelevant people were involved because of the unfeeling perpetrator who either wanted her friend dead or wanted her friend's unique ability.
[ Don't they know how much reimbursement is needed for such a big destruction? One thing is certain. These annoying people are denizens of Cosmos. If there was a God who had asked such a thing then that God is just a false God!!! ]
" So you're the one who is responsible for all this commotion!? How daring you are. I've never thought to there would be someone as naive as you one day. "
Mercuria wanted to get some kind of reaction from these suspicious people so she did her best to taunt them but alas, Cosmos is from Cosmos: self-centered and unresponsive when their interest don't coincide.
This time it was Gemara who looked into Venus's red eyes, fixing her glasses with her middle finger before giving her the business only smile.
" You only have 15 seconds to answer, if you fail. Not only will I kill you but also every running machine will overheat in this City. By then, this place will have nothing but black charcoal on the ground and black soot in the air. "
[ Just kidding, hehe. I have already sent preliminary notes to the places that I'm planning to include in conducting trials. Whether they believe it or not is no longer my business. ]
Instead of being alarmed or pressured, Mercuria noticed Venus's puzzled expression before it suddenly turned into excitement.
[ Venus, what the heck?! ]
Nguyen who is very rational wanted to shut Gemara's confidence down. If he had glands like the rest of the humans, Nguyen would have suppressed the beta into submission.
Unfortunately, he could only make do with his coercive voice.
" You're not capable of doing that."
To prove their Bishop's statement, the pawns abandoned their disguises and circled around the 5 of which are Nguyen, Mercuria, Venus, Gemara and OV2.
To this, Gemara didn't smile, get angry nor felt amused. She can only prove through action. Otherwise, she'll only feel like talking to a stupid biological failure.
" Oh yes I can, you see? "
Gemara's black eyes gleamed with solemnity and amusement as 4 quick claps sounded in the air, followed by two relatively slow feet stomp.
At this, an explosion happened at a gas station, building a massive pole of smoke that's growing taller and taller.
Like reading notes from a music sheet, the same claps and stomps continued.
Another explosion occured at a water refil station, causing water to flow at the area where it happened.
Nguyen is not happy about Gemara's integrity with regards what she said she'd do.
Now, even Venus reached out to Mercuria's cloth, causing Mercuria to look back.
Venus gave her a frown, urging Mercuria to make Gemara stop.
Mercuria knew that Venus is a fairly simple person who doesn't have too many requirements in her life.
Anything is fine as long as nobody is harmed.
And now, this happens.
Mercuria though, [ This is obviously a terroristic behavior! Now, I wonder if all people from Cosmos act like such a mentally handicapped person. ]
Then she observed Gemara for the nth time.
The beta is very neat and looked perfectly intellectual, nothing like a person who lacked attention nor a person with unreasonable temper.
[ Nah! How can I forget that Cosmos is the land of mad scientists. If anything, it's their brains that are different from the brain of most human in record so it's not a disease. In simple terms, they're kind of the new species in the human genus. ]
Since this is the case, Nguyen didn't waste any time and gave a decisive command.
He raised three middle fingers.
" Shoot. "
If the problem can be solved today, don't wait for tomorrow: this is Nguyen's principle.
Even though the red dots were numerous, only three guns were fired: on the leg, arms and the back.
To Nguyen's displeasure, the mechanical syringe could not puncture through Gemara's flesh.
Three syringe with deformed needles fell to the warm asphalt road.
As if not feeling any pain at all, Gemara reacted too perfunctorily.
" Hey?! "
Since this is the case, Nguyen is more determined.
He raised three fingers except the thumb and the one next to it.
" Kill. "
This time real bullets were used and all who aimed at the beta fired with extreme precision.
Venus is covering her eyes with the back of her hand while Nguyen and Mercuria moved close to each other in an attempt to prevent her from what they expected to be the retaliation of OV2.
Unexpectedly, it was smoke and sparks that spread instead of blood or chunks of human meat.
A mass of metal, silicon and wire collapsed after control became impossible.
Although there are still bystanders around, they didn't panic much but they distanced themselves from the center of conflict.
Anyway, such things are not new at all.
As long as they don't go around putting their nose where it does not belong and mind their own business, they will not be affected.
Along with the unexpected outcome of their attack, it is Gemara's voice that sounded from a mechanized voice box, still zipping a little bit of electrical energy.
" How aggressive! Don't you know, that's my mechanical body?! What will I do if I had a heart attack after you destroyed such a billion worth of money? You have to compensate me. "
Nguyen who is aloof most of the time didn't catch the joking tone of the other party so he was about to give the kill command to destroy OV2 but was stopped by Gemara.
" Wait! I'm really here for serious business. My task is to escort Subject Venus from Eldram to Cosmos by the will of our Principal. "
" You dream! Even if I have to sacrifice every living people in this City, I will not leave my sister-in-law alone with you. "
" I have the letter! Please listen to me. "
" Aim fire! We will blast this guy into fine dust! Nobody can threaten my family. "
Hiding her eagerness behind a veil of concern for the innocent bystander, Venus decided to take the first gamble of her life.
" Wait, I'll go. "
[ This is my chance to travel. I can finally see the world. I just didn't expect to do it this way. ]
Nguyen didn't agree and Mercuria no longer understood what Venus is trying to do.
" Sister-in-law! You can't do this! My sister will be very mad if you are to go somewhere she is not allowed to enter without informing her. "
[ She'll kill us! ]
Venus is stubborn this time as compared to her acquiescence and compromises before.
" No, don't disturb him. "
Mercuria understood the underlying meaning behind Nguyen's sudden panic-stricken behavior.
" That's right, Venus. Sometimes, it's not good to be kind. Even if you save one today, more will die tomorrow! "
[ Even if I am your friend, Gayara will not spare me. That person has extreme obsessive compulsive disorder built on the idea of having Venus under her absolute protection. Once out of control, she'll go manic and the consequences will be dire!! ]
Venus shook her head which made even the pawns to sweat in fear.
They don't want to be the target of Gayara's anger because it's more horrible than corporal punishment.
Ready to write their last will and testament, Venus seemed to have sealed their fate.
" I have decided. Mercuria....Brother Nguyen, goodbye. And I'm sorry. I still can't accept it in my heart to abandon what can be saved. Even if I am the weakest, I can also protect my own people. "
Nguyen didn't know whether to cry or just tie people up but he's even more reluctant to treat her sister's treasured gem in that manner.
Maybe his sister will just cut of both of his arms for touching the sister-in-law.
[ That's not What we mean, sister-in-law! If sister Gayara finds out about this. Not only will a City be slaughtered, a whole continent will disappear! ]
Mercuria didn't know what to do with her friend.
She is stuck in a difficult position but she knows what's best for everyone.
[ This is trouble. The boss did not want us to show his violent side to Venus. I didn't expect it to backfire. As a friend, I can only say, ]
" Well, beat it! We know the worst choice in our hearts better than anyone. Kill!! "
[ Even if Venus will hate me in the future, I will not regret. I also have the right to protect my friend. ]
As an almost all-knowing being, Venus could only sigh because she saw the fear etched in the bones of her secret guards towards Gayara.
[ Although it's very frustrating but it makes sense. I understand. ]