6 6 301 DialogEnable 1 Asimov Go to this address tomorrow. 1
7 7 301 Asimov I'll do a simple test on you first to determine the coordination and synchronization rate between your M.I.N.D. and the specialized frame. 1
8 8 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Asimov Any request you have on the frame, you can tell me then. 1
14 14 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Chrome arrives at the address Asimov sent him, reaching the classified laboratory of the Science Council.
15 15 301 This is the first time Chrome is here. Constructs rarely have the chance to step inside the Science Council unless specifically requested by a mission.
16 16 301 Opening the door, Chrome finds someone he has not expected.
17 17 301 ??? Chrome?
18 18 301 Chrome You are... 1
19 19 301 ??? Have you forgotten already? I was in charge of the operation that turned you into a Construct.
20 20 301 Chrome Yes... Of course I remember. I'm just surprised that you remember me. 1
21 21 301 ??? I remember the name of everyone I've turned into Construct.
22 22 301 ??? Not to mention that you were one of my proudest works.
23 23 301 ??? You're here for Asimov, aren't you? I remember him mentioning a visitor. I'm afraid he's still buried in work with the other technicians of the council.
24 24 301 ??? An urgent R&D project on something called "bit domain."
25 25 301 ??? So I'm doing his meet-and-greet for him until he's done with that.
26 26 301 Chrome I'm here to submit this. 1
27 27 301 Chrome hands him the digital document he has been holding on to since the moment he left John's office.
28 28 301 ??? This... is about the specialized frame.
29 29 301 ??? A very detailed proposal... and very ambitious.
30 30 301 ??? Is this your father's request?
31 31 301 Chrome No, it is mine. 1
32 32 301 ??? Oh? Is that so...
33 33 301 The researcher raises his brows, astonished, before flipping through the proposal.
34 34 301 ??? Hmm... Still a Tank-type Construct, but with a focus on advances instead of defenses, unlike your current one.
35 35 301 ??? Removing the artificial skin on the legs... Improving the cooling system, focusing on short burst capabilities, and maintaining high-speed movement... Is that really a good idea?
36 36 301 ??? I seem to remember that the first request for this frame is "to resemble a human as much as possible."
37 37 301 Chrome I have explained to my father that the abilities and direction of the new frame, as well as everything related, will be determined by me. 1
38 38 301 Chrome Compared to non-essential aesthetics, we should focus more on optimization that benefits me on the battlefield. 1
39 39 301 ??? You might have guessed it, but I still have to explain to you what is so special about this specialized frame.
40 40 301 ??? It's difficult just to adapt to it. The specialized frame will be a stressful burden to your M.I.N.D.
41 41 301 ??? Even if the adaptation works, it will still take a long time of adjustment before you can properly use the frame.
42 42 301 ??? It'll take a long time, and the process is extremely painful... No less than the operation that turned you into a Construct.
43 43 301 ??? There is barely any research on this frame. With nothing to reference, we have no idea what problem will surface in the future.
44 44 301 Chrome I will work with you on the adjustment. 1
45 45 301 Chrome I won't be as impulsive as I was. 1
46 46 301 ??? Your eyes, they're different.
47 47 301 Chrome Sorry? 1
48 48 301 ??? They're different from how they were when you were first operated.
49 49 301 ??? Back then, you were like a child abandoned by his parents, desperate to prove his worth.
50 50 301 ??? You were only accepting what was happening to you, even when they were consequences of your choice.
51 51 301 ??? You even accepted the specialized Inver-Device right out of the gate without inquiring what it does.
52 52 301 Chrome Is... is that so? 1
53 53 301 Chrome is about to say something else when the door to the laboratory opens with a bang.
54 54 301 ??? Oh, it's over? Here's the person you've been waiting for.
55 55 301 Asimov enters with a serious expression. His hair looks even messier than usual as if it has been ravaged in a fit of frustration.
56 56 301 Finding Chrome next to the researcher, Asimov pauses for a second before reverting to his usual calmness.
57 57 203 1 0.25 -400
58 58 201 2 500004 400
59 59 301 1 Asimov Made up your mind? 2
60 60 301 Chrome I did. 1
61 61 301 Asimov takes over the file from the researcher, reading through it with furrowed brows.
62 62 301 Asimov ...Pretty much what I expected. 2
63 63 301 Chrome Will it work? 1
64 64 301 Asimov The optimizations will work. The problem is still the specialized part of the specialized frame. 2
65 65 301 Asimov You already know the theories and the risks of the project. 2
66 66 301 Chrome I do. 1
67 67 301 Chrome I'm here, which means I'm ready for the price. 1
68 68 301 Asimov I'm afraid it isn't that simple... There will be many unexpected complications. 2
69 69 301 Asimov Anyway, let's start with a virtual connection. The frame is still a prototype, but we'll see how much your M.I.N.D. deviates for now. 2
70 70 301 Asimov I'll get the equipment ready. Wait here. 2
71 71 202 2 1
72 72 203 1 0.25
73 73 301 With that, Asimov goes back through the door, mumbling to himself.
74 74 301 ??? I'll leave you to it, then.
75 75 301 ??? The adaptation and the adjustment of the new frame will be done by Asimov in the future. Remember to cooperate, yeah?
76 76 301 Chrome ... 1
77 77 301 ??? What? Do you want me to do it?
78 78 301 ??? Unfortunately for you, I'm sick of this life here already. I'm turning into a Construct tomorrow! You'll soon find my name on the list of deployment.
79 79 301 ??? ...I'm kidding. I can't do it because the only person who knows the ins and outs of the specialized frame is the Chief Technician.
80 80 301 ??? Plus... I did my test long ago. I'll never become a Construct.
81 81 301 ??? So I'm staying right where I am until the end of the war or the end of my life.
82 82 301 ??? Don't think that it's made my job easier. I'm still plenty busy right now.
83 83 301 ??? After all, we're getting volunteer applications outside of the usual Construct program sometimes.
84 84 301 ??? Perhaps... something is changing.
85 85 301 ??? Regardless, I believe that you are the planet's future.
86 86 202 1 1
87 87 301 Looking at the blue planet outside the window, the researcher subtly smiles.
88 88 301 If there are sparks, then there are those who light them.
89 89 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Even today, someone still believes that Constructs, born from bloodshed and sacrifices, are humanity's future.
101 101 301 AniZhuanchangEnd His M.I.N.D. stability hovers around the threshold in the virtual connection. Any fluctuation will result in deviation.
102 102 301 Chrome keeps his eyes closed until the impact and dizziness from the first connection pass before slowly opening his eyes.
103 103 301 He is standing in a space constructed from erroneous data. Alarms glowing in red float in the air all over the place.
104 104 301 This is what happens to his M.I.N.D. after connecting with the specialized frame, a situation that can only be described as "tricky."
105 105 301 Just like puzzle pieces trying to randomly match with one another or a yarn ball all tangled up, all kinds of information jumble together here.
106 106 301 There are disorderly memories, echoing raves, and nightmares yet to show up.
107 107 301 "What a waste of time."
108 108 301 "I'm disappointed in you."
109 109 301 "What can good grades and being a Chief do if he fails the connection test? He'll never be a commandant."
110 110 301 "They're no longer deployable."
111 111 301 "Capt—"
112 112 301 For a moment, the massive amount of information overwhelms Chrome's senses. Like opening Pandora's box, unignorable emotions from his fragmented memories flood over him.
113 113 301 The pain starts to eat away at his brain and takes over his mind.
114 114 301 Asimov The adaptation rate is too low—your M.I.N.D. is overloading! You're showing signs of deviation already. I'm disconnecting you in five seconds!
115 115 301 Holding his trembling hand, Chrome gives a wry smile.
116 116 301 If this is what happens on a virtual connection, it is quite possible that he will immediately deviate before he can adapt to the new frame at this state.
117 117 301 Chrome ...This doesn't look good.
118 118 301 Chrome frowns, trying to stabilize and sort the chaotic data in his M.I.N.D. to no effect.
119 119 301 Chrome ...Is this the problem that a specialized frame faces?
120 120 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Chrome This will be a difficult battle.
