We launched ourselves from the rooftop of Monas, soaring through the night sky towards the WRA Company factory. The factory was located on the outskirts of the city, a sprawling complex of buildings and machinery. As we approached, we could see lights flickering in several of the windows, indicating that work was still in progress.
We landed on the roof of the main building, our movements silent and swift. I focused my senses, trying to detect any signs of trouble. There was a faint buzz of activity within the factory, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
IM phased through the roof, scouting the interior. "Everything seems normal so far," he reported back a few moments later. "But there's a lot of people working overtime. Something must be up."
"Let's go find Yolan and Lili," I said, a sense of unease settling over me. "Hopefully, they can shed some light on the situation."
We descended into the factory, our footsteps echoing in the empty corridors. The air was thick with the smell of oil and metal, a stark contrast to the fragrant aroma of the tea shop.
We navigated through the maze of machinery and conveyor belts, the sounds of whirring motors and clanking metal filling the air. Finally, we reached the main production floor, where we found Yolan and Lili supervising a group of workers.
Yolan, her face set in a determined expression, was overseeing the assembly of a complex piece of machinery. Lili, her eyes focused and alert, was monitoring a series of monitors, her fingers dancing across a keyboard.
"Hey, guys," I greeted them, my voice echoing in the cavernous space.
They both turned to look at us, relief washing over their faces.
"You're here," Yolan said, a grateful smile on her lips. "We could really use your help."
The workers stopped their tasks, their eyes widening in surprise.
"T-T-The... The heroes..." one of them stammered, pointing at us.
"Just found out?" IM replied with a smirk. "You guys are working for a company associated with heroes."
A wave of whispers rippled through the workers, their faces a mix of awe and disbelief. Some even pulled out their phones, eager to capture a photo of the real-life heroes standing before them.
Yolan raised a hand, silencing the commotion. "Back to work, everyone," she said, her voice firm but not unkind. "We have a lot to do tonight."
The workers reluctantly returned to their tasks, their eyes still occasionally darting towards us with a mixture of curiosity and admiration.
"So, what's the problem?" I asked, turning to Yolan.
"We've received a large order from a new client," she explained. "They need these specialized components by tomorrow morning, and we're short on manpower."
"That's why we called you guys," Lili added. "We need all the help we can get."
I nodded, understanding the urgency of the situation. "Alright, what needs to be done?"
Yolan led us to a workstation, where a complex machine sat disassembled, its various parts scattered across the table. "We need to assemble these components and test them before they can be shipped out," she explained, handing me a manual.
I skimmed through the instructions, my mind quickly processing the intricate diagrams and technical jargon. This shouldn't be too difficult, I thought, my confidence bolstered by my enhanced intelligence.
IM, on the other hand, seemed less enthusiastic. "I'm not exactly a mechanic," he grumbled, picking up a random piece of metal and examining it with a puzzled expression.
Yolan chuckled. "Don't worry, IM. We'll guide you through it."
"What happened? Did the machine break down?" I asked, curious about the sudden rush.
"It works," Yolan replied, "but it wasn't designed to make this particular component."
"So what are we going to make?" IM asked, his curiosity piqued.
Yolan gestured towards the scattered components on the table. "These are high-precision sensors used in advanced medical equipment," she explained. "They're incredibly delicate and require meticulous assembly."
I picked up one of the components, its intricate circuitry and miniature wires a testament to its complexity. "Looks like we'll need a steady hand for this," I remarked.
IM groaned. "Great, just what I'm good at," he said sarcastically, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.
"Don't worry, IM," Lili reassured him. "We'll help you. It's actually quite fun once you get the hang of it."
With that, we all gathered around the table, each taking a section of the manual and a handful of components. Yolan and Lili, already familiar with the process, quickly began assembling the sensors with practiced ease. IM and I, however, struggled a bit at first, our fingers fumbling with the delicate parts.
But as we worked, I found myself becoming more focused, more in tune with the task at hand. My imagination manifestation helped me visualize the assembly process, guiding my hands with precision and accuracy. IM, too, seemed to be getting the hang of it, his initial clumsiness replaced by a newfound dexterity.
The hours flew by, the rhythmic click-clack of tools and the soft hum of machinery filling the air. We worked tirelessly, our determination fueled by the knowledge that our efforts were helping to save lives.
As the night wore on, the pile of finished sensors grew steadily. Yolan and Lili, their energy seemingly boundless, continued to work at a rapid pace. IM and I, however, started to flag, our bodies aching from the repetitive motions.
"Hey, guys," I said, stretching my cramped fingers. "How about we take a quick break?"
Yolan glanced at the clock on the wall. "Alright, but just for a few minutes. We're still behind schedule."
We stepped away from the workstation, our muscles protesting with every movement. IM collapsed onto a nearby chair, his face etched with exhaustion.
"I never thought assembling tiny parts could be so tiring," he grumbled, massaging his aching shoulders.
I chuckled. "Welcome to the world of manual labor, my friend."
"Oh yeah, Xian... after we finish making one, can you duplicate it into 100?" Yolan asked, a hopeful look in her eyes.
I nodded.
"Great... let me get you guys some food," Yolan said, leaving the room.
I looked at Lili. "So, what do you think about working here?" I asked, curious about her perspective.
"Well... Dove has given me a lot... a home, money each month... but only working at night...? It didn't seem fair... so I'm working here now," she replied, a hint of gratitude in her voice.
I nodded in understanding. "It's good that you're taking initiative," I said. "It shows that you're serious about being part of the team, and that you want to contribute."
Lili smiled shyly. "I do. I want to prove that I'm not useless, that I can be an asset, not a liability."
I looked closer at the components we were assembling, still puzzled about their purpose. "Hey, what is this machine going to make? I mean, like what's it going to do?"
"This is just a smaller part," Lili explained, gesturing towards the components on the table. "We'll be making another bigger part later. So, it's like a huge machine... used for some kind of operation in a hospital? Yeah, I think that's what Irune said," she concluded, her voice still tinged with uncertainty.
I nodded, impressed by the complexity of the project. "That's amazing," I said. "It's good to know that our work here is helping people."
Lili's face lit up with a smile. "It is. It makes me feel like I'm actually making a difference."
We continued working in comfortable silence, the only sounds the rhythmic clicking of tools and the occasional whirring of machinery. I couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with Lili. She was still new to the team, but she was eager to learn and contribute. I could see the potential in her, the strength and determination hidden beneath her shy exterior.
After a while, Yolan returned with a tray of snacks and drinks. "Here you go, guys," she said, setting the tray down on a nearby table. "Take a break and recharge."
We gratefully accepted the refreshments, savoring the much-needed energy boost. As we ate, we chatted about our experiences with the Seers, our hopes for the future, and our dreams for a better world.
I took off my mask and took a deep breath, "Phew... I forgot to take this off... that's why it was so hot."
The three of them chuckled, amused by my forgetfulness.
We continued eating in comfortable silence, occasionally glancing at the intricate components we were assembling. A question lingered in my mind - what exactly were we building? I had been following the manual diligently, but I didn't truly understand the purpose of these tiny, complex parts.
"So... who made the blueprint?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"Me, of course! This smart head created the blueprint all by myself!" Yolan exclaimed, proudly tapping her temple.
I couldn't help but grin at her enthusiasm. Yolan was always full of confidence and self-assurance, a trait that I both admired and found amusing.
"That's impressive, Yolan," I said, genuinely impressed. "I'm not sure I could even understand those blueprints, let alone design them."
She shrugged, a playful smirk on her face. "It's just a matter of applying the right principles and a little bit of creativity," she explained. "Besides, I've always had a knack for engineering and technology."
"Well, your talent is certainly appreciated," IM chimed in, taking a sip of his tea. "Without you, we'd probably still be staring at those components, scratching our heads."
Yolan chuckled. "Don't be silly, IM. You guys are catching on pretty quickly. In no time, you'll be experts at assembling these sensors... but well, Xian, you can just imagine yourself as Albert Einstein and know everything, right?"
"I guess," I replied with a sheepish grin. "But it's more fun to learn things the old-fashioned way, sometimes."
< Chapter 147 > Fin.