4 3 301 RImgBg1Shake ??? Is this some kind of a joke?!
5 4 301 A loud noise comes out of the laboratory, something other than an explosion, for once. It startles Ayla, who is returning to get more couplets.
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7 6 301 1 Ayla W-what's happening? 1
8 7 202 1
9 8 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Ayla carefully opens the door and finds quite a few people inside. Aside from Asimov and Allen, Presiden Hassen and Commander Nikola are also present.
12 11 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Ayla Chairman! And why is Commander Nikola here as well... 1
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15 14 301 1 Allen How do I put it... I messed up. Commander Nikola was there when I handed in the application to President Hassen, and he immediately came this way after knowing what we've been up to. 2
16 15 301 Ayla We're so done... 1
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18 17 301 Nikola takes a deep breath, trying to contain his anger.
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20 19 301 1 Nikola Wasting the precious resources from the Science Council to make these ridiculous things... Why would any of you think that we'll allow it?! 1
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23 22 301 1 Allen Speaking for the WGAA, hosting activities to promote human civilization and culture is what we do. I don't see what's wrong with it. 2
24 23 301 Nikola shakes his head, disappointed as if he has wasted his time.
25 24 301 Nikola You're on the Council, you should've known your priorities. This isn't time for festivities. 1
26 25 301 Allen I don't think it's an either-or situation. 2
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29 28 301 1 Hassen Alright. I'm sure that Asimov has his considerations when he accepts this job on behalf of the Science Council. 1
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31 30 301 Facing Hassen's questions, Asimov nods as he continues deciphering the couplets on the floor.
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33 32 301 1 Asimov Commander Nikola, do you remember approving the CUB project at the Council a while ago? 1
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36 35 301 1 Nikola Of course! So why are you abandoning that project to do arts and crafts with the WGAA? 2
37 36 301 Asimov These couplets are written by the AI system of the CUB used in previous tests... 1
41 40 301 Nikola does not appear to find it interesting.
42 41 301 Asimov Therefore, the Science Council has deemed it necessary to analyze and restore these couplets to better calibrate the AI system. 1
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45 44 301 1 Allen Just so happens, we also want to deliver the couplets to different squads and departments to lift their spirits during Lunar New Year. 1
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48 47 301 1 Nikola Even so, I still don't agree to waste our time on this matter. 1
49 48 202 1 1
50 49 301 As the tension mounts, a smiling young man walks out from a corner to Nikola's side.
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52 51 301 Murray Commander, I have a question for Asimov, if you don't mind? 1
53 52 301 Despite looking impatient, Nikola signals Murray to ask his question with a look.
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55 54 301 1 Murray Although I don't know how this... CUB works, but from what I understand, many Construct squads are not willing to use them currently. 1
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58 57 301 1 Asimov You're right. Celica did a survey earlier, and many Constructs were worried about the stability of their M.I.N.D.s when connecting directly to its AI system... 2
62 61 301 1 Ayla Therefore, if there's a function that let people understand the CUBs more, it'll make the squad members trust them more. 1
63 62 202 1 1
64 63 301 Nikola picks up one of the couplets and takes a look.
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66 65 301 1 Nikola ...With this? Nevermind. You'll assess how useful this activity is—but only on the basis that other R&D projects and missions won't be affected. 1
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69 68 301 1 Hassen Right, in that case, let's also put these couplets up outside the Council and the Commander's room. 2
70 69 301 Nikola Are you serious... 1
71 70 301 Hassen Haha, why not? If we set an example to embrace new things, I'm certain the other squads will follow suit. 2
72 71 301 Nikola ... 1
73 72 301 With Nikola's tacit approval, Ayla immediately takes out the couplets she prepared with a grin.
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76 75 301 1 Ayla Leave the decorating to WGAA! We're efficient, and it won't interrupt your work at all! 2
77 76 301 Nikola ...You better be. 1
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80 79 301 With their approval, Ayla leaves the room as quickly as she can, as if staying for another second would risk Nikola going back on his words.
81 80 301 Nikola What a mess... 1
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83 82 301 1 Hassen Let it go. It's the New Year—the young people should move around more... Now, the rest of us still have some things to take care of. 2
84 83 301 Nikola True. We've wasted too much time here. There is still plenty to discuss and decide for next year's battle plan. 1
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87 86 301 Hassen and Nikola leave the laboratory first, followed by Murray, who says goodbye to Asimov and Allen with a smile.
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89 88 301 1 Murray I should also go, then. Keep up with your work, gentlemen! 1
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92 91 301 1 Allen I guess I should thank you for your help. And... Happy New Year. 2
93 92 204 1
94 93 301 Murray looks a little surprised by Allen's gratitude, but he quickly composes himself.
95 94 204 1 1
96 95 301 Murray Of course. Happy New Year to you as well. 1
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99 98 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Murray gives them a slight bow before turning around and walking out of the room after Hassen and Nikola. He is smiling, albeit peculiarly.
