Insatiable Minds

......

Hm? Did you need something?

I sense a hot glare as if we are being scanned...!

Well, the Nazrik people observe the world by investigating the things that flow through the Zero Point, right? I guess they think we're one of those things.

And who might you be...?

Who? Me?

No... The person next to you.

Are you referring to me?

I am quite fascinated by someone such as yourself. Neither human, nor someone like us... While composed of inorganic substances, free will dwells within you. We should deepen our knowledge... Of your ecology, that is.

I see...

My deepest apologies. But I am not interested in courtship!

That's not the case at all!

However, if you would like to know my specs, they can be referenced at any time. I am a KMS all-purpose android. My manufacture date is...

K...M...S...?

Yeah. What about it?

It is the same... The same letters that were engraved in that unidentified lifeform...

An unidentified lifeform?!

Indeed. It flowed into the Zero Point. We attempted to examine it to determine what it was, but were unable to find any conclusion in the slightest. But just like this person, it was inorganic, possessed clear will, and made sounds.

Sounds...?

It is difficult to replicate, and although hard to describe, it was a strange but memorable voice.

Hard to pinpoint anything just based on that. But you're sure it had the letters KMS on it?

Yes. It might be the same species as your friend here. I shall accompany you to the Zero Point. We have a need to solve this mystery.

Hey, I wasn't suggesting we should go though...

Oh well. Let's go, Riica!

All right. So where did the unidentified lifeform drift to?

Let's have you take a look at this.

Isn't this...a container from the future? What's it doing here?

In the Underworld Zero Point, all sorts of things journey across time and are cast ashore. This is just one of them.

Did you already check the inside?

It seems to be a combination of a metallic pieces and circuits. The letters KMS are engraved as well...

Then it's a high possibility it's a robot. Should we open up the container and check it out?

Hm... It looks like a robot, but it's too broken to know the origin. Was this thing really making sounds though?

Yes. Without a doubt.

I do not detect any device that produces sound, such as speaker. To determine the source of the sounds, the damaged parts must be repaired and rescanned.

But the fact that it can make any noise at all in this state is a real head scratcher. Do you think you can fix it, Riica?

Part defect rate...40%. But the key components appear to be secure! It can be repaired if replacement parts are available!

Replacement parts, you say...

If we were to take you apart, could those parts be used?

Hey! What are you talking about?! That's not happening!

In addition, the standard parts needed are entirely different!

Then how do you suggest we acquire the parts?

It may be possible to identify the model by sampling the current parts.

I see what you're saying. If we know what sort of robot it is, then we'll know what parts are needed.

But these look pretty banged up. Do you think you can figure it out?

Of course! Initiating analysis...

I was wrong though. You folks aren't just observing what drifts here. I'm surprised you're so eager to go so far to fix a robot you haven't a clue about.

We interacting with the objects, we can survey the culture of that era. However, if its original utility is impaired, it will not be possible to infer a correct conclusion.

Additionally...

Additionally...what?

The voice of that machine... It's hard to describe it, and so our desire to study it only heightened. We must know what it is. It is an obligation, in fact.

So it's your desire to study it hat drives you, huh? And to you guys, understanding the world is pretty important. By the way, what kind of sound was it making?

*Meoowwwwww...*

Hm? Did you just hear something?

Yes. It was the sound. And it was coming from that silent machine.

But that's not just any sound...

Analysis complete.

Great! Find anything useful?

Unfortunately, I was unable to identify the model due to damage. However, from the serial number of the remaining parts, it can be identified as a product of KMS Eastern Division.

The Eastern Division?! That means Eeza...

It may be possible to repair it by collecting parts with the same number. Also, I was able to analyze some of the functions of this machine. One function is the ability to travel to the owner when its name is called. In fact, many of these can be found installed in pet robots and the like!

Pet robots, huh? Makes sense... Then that cry we heard just now...

A cry?

Oh, I guess you missed it during your analysis. We heard a cry that sounded like a cat's meow.

I see... In that case, the pet robot theory has merit.

It feels wrong to just leave it like this. So how about we look for parts in Eeza?

You can just wait here.

Understood. I look forward to getting further clarity on the situation!

Welcome! What can I help you with today?

I'm not here for weapons or armor, but is that okay? I'm looking for parts to repair a robot.

We deal in materials like that here, so we might have what you're looking for.

Would you have parts with these serial numbers?

Hm... I believe we have suitable materials for these numbers. Let me go and check the scrap container really quick. Be right back!

Scrap container? Does that mean the parts were thrown away?

Sorry for the wait, folks. Is this what you're looking for?

The numbers are a confirmed match! This is what we are looking for!

Glad to hear it. I'm relieved to have found a taker for these!

You were going to throw them away?

I bought it as junk, but they're too rare to fit anywhere else. It seems the serial numbers belong to a machine that's not even in the database, so I had no idea how I could use it. So I gave up and decided to pay the fee to have them disposed of.

Sounds like you went through some trouble. In that case, we'll pay you and take all you've got for these.

No, no! I couldn't sell an item that'd come out of a disposal container! If you'll take it off my hands, I'll give it to you for free.

Are you sure? Thanks!

No problem at all. Just think of it as thanks for your regular patronage.

Here you go then! This is all that I had been keeping at the shop.

Wow. We've got a real stash here. I didn't think pet robots could get so complicated.

Huh...?

But this machine did not have a database entry... It may have been secretly manufactured for personal use! I am looking forward to find out what it will look like! Let us hurry back to begin repairs!

H-Hey! Wait up, Riica!

A pet robot...? I don't remember seeing anything particularly adorable about those parts though...

You have returned! Hurry and get this to move.

Okay, just hold your horses there. We have to repair it first. You got this, Riica?

Calculating reconstruction pattern based on the cross-section data of the parts...

Pattern calculation 1 was a success. I will now initialize repair according to the design data!

All right! Looks like we're off to a good start! Do your thing, Riica!

Incredible... The parts are coming together in a snap! Hm...? Where have I seen this design before...?

Part check complete. No abnormalities detected! Restoration will be complete after software update!

Oh! So this is a pet robot? It really packs a punch!

...Hold on! This is a Delamair's Gail Carrigo!

Oh no! I did not realize! My chest core was working excessively in anticipation of an unknown pet robot...

Yeah, you did seem like you were in the zone while repairing it. You were that excited, huh?

But why this thing?

It would seem that after we destroyed it, it was stored in a disposal container and just happened to drift into this era.

Makes sense to me. So, the debris from the battle was picked up by someone and brought to the weapon shop?

Wait a second! Why would you put pet robot functions in such a dangerous thing anyway?!

The ability to travel to the owner when its name is called is a function found in many pet robots. And Delamair's case, it could be used as a voice processing system to quickly call for protection!

Get out here, Gail Carrigo!

Huh? What's with the giant goldfish monsters?!

I'll tell you what! These are my beloved pet fish and personal bodyguards, the adorable Gail Carrigo 1 and 2!

Now that you mention it, that sort of thing did happen...

...Hm?

If it's moving like that, then...

Heat has greatly increased! It is shifting into attack mode!

Ugh! I knew it!

I see. It was a combat-purpose machine. This is a worrying situation.

You're worried about us?

An engagement between human and combat machine. I'm unsure whether this battle can be surveyed by my eyes... We should have invited more observers.

I had a feeling that's what you meant!

Riica, sorry to ask you this after doing all those repairs. But will you help me take this thing down?!

It is a shame really. But unavoidable!

*huff* *huff* We managed to beat it... For a pet robot though, that had some extraordinary combat power.

......

Riica? Something wrong?

There are still some issues unresolved. Such as the mysterious sound that you heard... It was not detected from this Gail Carrigo.

You have a point. So what was that cat meow anyway?

*meoowwwwww*

Hm...? It's the same cry from before!

It is coming from the direction of Nazrik. Let us hurry, Aldo!

The sound was coming from this way... ...Oh!

*meoowwwwww*

I've never seen this one in this city before. Could it be...

The oil on the fur matches that of Gail Carrigo. It must have gotten mixed up in that container!

*meoowwwwww*

Oh? Well that explains it!

It likely slipped out while I was repairing Gail Carrigo and found its way here. The fact that it did not come out even when the container was opened may be because it was tangled up in the parts.

I thought having to fight Gail Carrigo again was all for nothing, but we were helping the poor thing without knowing it. And in that case, it was worth the effort.

*meoowwwwww*

There, there! Everything'll be just fine.

Looks like we solved the mystery for you. How does that feel?

No... I am afraid that there are still mysteries left.

Something left still?

Why did the voice of this lifeform instill in us such a desire to act?

...What is the purpose of this movement? Does this behavior have any meaning?

Is this rumbling voice also coming from its throat? And what does it mean? There are no end to these questions. This lifeform forever teases our desire to study!

You're that curious about a little old cat? Are you trying to say you think it's cute?

It is difficult for us to understand human emotions. However, another survey will be necessary to examine this lifeform.

Seems to me that kitty is going to get all the attention it wants.

No matter what world you are in, a cat's charm is constant!

What an shrewd life form! To fool us for so long! We must surely discover it. This lifeform's secret...