"One of the machines used to infuse the medicinal water into the products malfunctioned," Yolan explained, a hint of frustration in her voice. "It's been acting up for a while, but it finally gave out completely."
As Yolan drove, the scenery shifted from bustling city streets to quiet countryside roads. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows and painting the clouds in hues of orange and pink.
"Here we are," Yolan announced, pulling into the parking lot of a large factory complex. The building loomed in the twilight, its imposing silhouette a stark contrast to the peaceful surroundings.
We got out of the car, a wave of cool evening air washing over us. The factory was massive, its metal siding reflecting the last rays of sunlight.
"Wow," I breathed, impressed by the sheer scale of the operation.
"Come on, I'll show you around," Yolan said, leading us towards the main entrance.
IM and I followed, our footsteps echoing in the empty parking lot. Yolan unlocked the door, and we stepped inside, the noise of machinery and the smell of oil and metal assaulting our senses.
"Ah, Ms. Yolan!" a worker called out, his face etched with worry. "You're here!"
"Don't worry," Yolan reassured him, her voice calm and confident. "We're going to fix that machine. For today, you can all go home."
The workers looked at each other, confusion evident on their faces.
"Now," Yolan said, her voice firmer this time.
The workers nodded gratefully and hurried towards the locker rooms.
"This way, Xian," Yolan beckoned, leading us deeper into the factory.
We followed Yolan through the labyrinthine corridors of the factory, the air heavy with the scent of oil and machine grease. We reached a vast, open space where a massive machine stood silent and imposing, its intricate network of pipes and valves a testament to its complexity.
The machine was a marvel of engineering, its polished metal surface gleaming under the industrial lights. It dwarfed us, its sheer size and intricate design both awe-inspiring and intimidating.
"This is our Infusion Engine," Yolan explained, a hint of sadness in her voice. "It's the heart of our operation, responsible for imbuing our products with the unique properties of our powers. But it's been malfunctioning lately, and we haven't been able to pinpoint the problem."
I stepped closer, examining the machine with a critical eye. The Infusion Engine consisted of a large cylindrical chamber, connected to a network of pipes that snaked throughout the factory. The chamber was filled with a swirling, iridescent liquid, pulsating with an energy that I could feel tingling in my fingertips.
"What exactly does it do?" I asked, intrigued.
"It takes the raw materials we gather," Yolan explained, "and infuses them with the energy of our powers. This is what gives our products their unique qualities—their healing properties, their durability, their... magic."
I nodded, beginning to understand the significance of this machine. It was the lifeblood of their business, the engine that powered their entire operation.
"But what's wrong with it?" I asked, noticing several warning lights blinking on the control panel.
Yolan sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "We don't know," she admitted. "It started acting up a few weeks ago, and it's only gotten worse since then. The infusion process is becoming less efficient, and the quality of our products is suffering as a result."
"Is there anything I can imagine to fix it?" I asked, eager to help.
"Can't you just imagine it working perfectly?" Yolan asked, her eyes hopeful.
I shook my head. "It's not that simple," I explained. "I need to understand the problem first. I need to know how the machine is supposed to work before I can imagine it functioning properly."
Yolan frowned, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "I have the blueprints," she said, "but can you read them?"
"I think so," I replied, my confidence bolstered by my newfound ability to learn quickly.
She nodded, then turned and disappeared into a nearby office. IM and I waited in silence, the hum of the factory machinery providing a constant backdrop.
After a few minutes, IM suddenly spoke up, his voice filled with wonder. "This machine is massive," he observed, reaching out to touch it. His hand passed right through the metal casing, as if it were nothing more than a mirage.
"Huh?" I asked, confused.
"What?" IM looked at me, his brow furrowed.
"Your hand..." I pointed towards the spot where his hand had just vanished into the machine.
"Oh, yeah," IM said nonchalantly. "It seems I've regained some of my previous abilities. I can pass through walls again, just like before I evolved."
"Can you stick your head in there and tell me what's wrong?" I asked, hoping he could use his spectral abilities to diagnose the problem.
He nodded. "I can try."
IM approached the machine again, this time lowering his head and phasing it through the metal casing. He remained like that for a few moments, his eyes closed in concentration.
When he emerged, his expression was grave. "It's the core," he said, his voice low and serious. "It's malfunctioning. The energy flow is erratic, and the infusion process is being disrupted."
I frowned. "The core? Is it fixable?"
IM shook his head. "Not easily," he admitted. "It's a complex piece of machinery, and it'll require specialized tools and knowledge to repair it."
Just then, Yolan returned, a large roll of blueprints tucked under her arm. "I found them!" she announced, unfurling the schematics on a nearby table. "Let's see if we can figure out what's wrong with this thing."
The three of us huddled around the blueprints, our eyes scanning the intricate diagrams and technical specifications. The task seemed daunting, but I was determined to help Yolan fix the machine, no matter how long it took.
IM leaned over the blueprints, his eyes scanning the schematics with a newfound intensity. "I think I see the problem," he announced, his voice low and focused.
Yolan looked up, a hopeful glint in her eyes. "Really? What is it?"
"It seems the core is... well, it's deteriorating," IM explained. "The energy flow is disrupted because the core is not functioning properly. It's like a heart that's losing its rhythm."
Yolan's face fell. "Deteriorating?" she repeated, a note of despair in her voice. "But how is that possible? We've only had this machine for a few years."
IM shrugged. "It's possible that the materials used to create the core were not as durable as we thought," he suggested. "Or perhaps the constant exposure to high levels of energy has accelerated its degradation."
Yolan sighed, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "So, what do we do? Can we replace the core?"
IM shook his head. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "The core is a complex and delicate component. Replacing it would require specialized knowledge and equipment that we don't have."
A heavy silence fell over the room as the three of us contemplated the problem. The future of the WRA Company, and the Unveiled mission, seemed to hang in the balance.
I looked at Yolan and IM, their faces etched with worry and frustration. I knew I had to do something, but I wasn't sure what.
Then, an idea sparked in my mind. "Maybe... I could try something," I said hesitantly.
< Chapter 089 > Fin.