"That's your standard security?"
I stared, dumbfounded, at the middle-aged man before me.
His striking blue hair marked him as Jonathan Kazahara, director of Tesla Labs, a leading authority in robotics, and the developer of the Grungust.
Minutes after Echidna and Lamia reported securing Tesla Labs, I was in the director's office, grilling Jonathan. According to him, the six mass-produced Gespenst Mk-IIs we'd crushed were the entirety of the Federation's defense force here.
A facility developing cutting-edge mecha with that security? I recalled the original story—when Inspectors attacked Tesla Labs, no Federation defenders showed up either. Maybe Jonathan's claim wasn't so far-fetched.
"Even so, thanks to the war you started, we were on higher alert than usual," Jonathan said, noticing my expression and offering a wry smile.
"That was high alert?" I shot back.
"Normally, Tesla Labs has no Federation garrison at all."
Fair point. Tesla Labs was technically a civilian research institute, not a military base. The presence of even six units spoke to its importance.
"Still, it's been a while, Axel," Jonathan said. "I didn't expect such a… forceful visit. I'd have preferred a gentlemanly approach, like visiting a lady's bedroom."
Yeah, that's his personality, alright. I'd visited Tesla Labs multiple times for Lemon's errands, so Jonathan and I were acquainted. I remembered him hitting on Lemon during our first meeting, only to get shut down hard.
Looking at Echidna and Lamia, my escorts, he added, "Your subordinates are quite the beauties. Not worried about Lemon's jealousy?"
What would he think if he knew they were W-series androids? Probably wouldn't faze him. Telling him their real age—single digits—might get a reaction, though.
"Let's cut to it, Director," I said. "We've occupied Tesla Labs. Cooperate, and I guarantee no harm comes to your staff."
"What's the guarantee?" Jonathan asked.
"We planned to avoid excessive force from the start. W16, any casualties among the researchers?"
Jonathan's eyebrow twitched at "W16," but Echidna reported calmly, "A few resisted and sustained minor injuries like bruises, but otherwise, no issues."
"Will that do?" I asked.
"…Fine. You and Lemon have friends here. I'll trust you," Jonathan said.
"Then let's start with Aguieus and Rykeios."
I demanded the two key objectives, but Jonathan shook his head apologetically—though with him, it could be an act.
"They're sealed. Unlocking them takes about a day. That alright?"
A day. With the counteroffensive in Europe starting tomorrow, if Vindel's plan fails, they'd reach Tesla Labs in Colorado just as Aguieus and Rykeios are ready.
"Fine, but we're short on time. Make it quick."
"They're material transfer devices only used by Inspectors so far. Even post-development, we can't just leave them lying around, you understand."
Fair, but the original story showed Tesla Labs hiding Dygenguar and Aussenseiter from Inspectors even after being occupied. Trusting him fully was risky.
"No choice, then. Do it. But if they're not ready by this time tomorrow, we'll take harsher measures. Since we've got time, we'll seize the units under development here. Any objections?"
"Plenty, but you won't listen, will you?"
"Exactly. From Lemon's intel and a quick computer search, we've got the EG-series Soulgain, VR-series Vysaga, and SRG-series Grungust Type-3."
I paused, then continued.
"And I know about the two DGG-series units designed by Dr. Bian in the underground hangar. We're taking those too."
"Impossible! That's top-secret—no data on those units should be in surface computers! How do you know!?" Jonathan's usual composure cracked into shock.
Dygenguar, formally Dynamic General Guardian, was too long, so I stuck with the original's shorthand.
"Secrets don't stay secret," I said.
No leak here—just my original story knowledge. Even Lemon, somewhat trusted here, was an outsider and unaware of the DGG units, Tesla Labs' greatest secret.
"Someone leaked it? No, only a few know about those units, and they'd never—" Jonathan muttered.
"Sorry to interrupt your theorizing, but we know they're underground. Hand them over, or we'll destroy the facility to access the hangar."
Jonathan sighed in resignation, pulling a card from his desk drawer and handing it to me.
"Use that in the elevator slot to reach the underground hangar. But both DGG units are tailored for specific pilots. You won't have anyone who can operate them."
As in the original, Dygenguar was built for Zengar, Aussenseiter for Elzam, designed for Cradle defense. But in this world, Elzam died in the Elpis Incident. Was Aussenseiter for his brother, Raidiese, then?
"We've got Lemon, a genius scientist. She'll figure it out."
Some might call it dumping the problem on her, but she'd deliver.
Aussenseiter's ranged weaponry might even be adaptable for the Grow Savior, though its size—two to three times larger—meant compatibility was up to Lemon.
"The units are barely assembled, just scattered parts," Jonathan said.
"Both?"
"Yes."
So, moving parts to the surface would take time. But in the original, completed units launched from the underground hangar, so there must be an elevator.
"Unfinished units are a shame, but we'll take the parts. There's an elevator for unit transport, right?"
"Without one, we couldn't get completed units to the surface."
"Then use it to bring the parts up. Start unsealing Aguieus and Rykeios now. We'll begin seizing the other units."
I left the director's office, turning to Lamia.
"W17, you're the advance team for Plan EF's transfer, right?"
"Yes, that's the plan."
"Then you're in charge of unit seizure. Take the mass-produced Ws and start with the DGG units in the underground hangar, then move to SRG, EG, and VR series. Don't forget spare parts, repair components, and consumables. Tesla Labs' units are high-performance but use rare parts. Miss those, and they're useless in a pinch. W16, you're on perimeter guard duty. Only six Gespenst Mk-IIs were here, but now that we've occupied the place, a recapture force might show. Stay vigilant."
"Understood," Echidna and Lamia replied.
So far, things were roughly following the original story's flow, despite my interventions tweaking smaller details. The big picture aligned.
The other key factors at Tesla Labs: the Excellence Team and Duminas.
"W17, one more task before the seizure. My intel says the Excellence Team will show up soon. Find out when."
"Understood," Lamia said, heading off. As Lemon's prized W-series, hacking data should be child's play for her.
"W16, alternate guard duty with Barison. Even as a W-series, fatigue could dull you in a critical moment."
"Understood."
Tomorrow, we'd likely bid this world farewell.
Character Stats: Axel Almer
Level: 24
PP: 60
Melee: 202
Ranged: 220
Skill: 212
Defense: 209
Evasion: 237
Accuracy: 259
SP: 334
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consumes SP to enhance Slime performance)
Growth Type: All-Rounder/Special
Terrain Adaptability:
Air: S
Land: S
Sea: B
Space: A
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate (SP 4)
Effort (SP 8)
Focus (SP 16)
Direct Hit (SP 20)
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Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9 & SP Recovery & Focus)
Psychokinesis Lv.10
Attacker
Gunfight Lv.9
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Kill Count: 87