Illegal Work

A Synth Human search bit?

Wait. This Bit is from a friend of mine.

A friend?

I see. Understood.

...?

I'd take a step back if I were you. You'll get hurt.

What do you mean?

*cough cough* It exploded!

It explodes to prevent any leaks. It's a job request from a frequent client. So, did you get what it said?

Huh? Oh, um... No, it was too long.

Is that some kind of puzzle?

I have a request for you. Meet me at the Industrial Ruins.

Correct. Sorry, but I must go.

I won't let you go alone. I'm coming along too, Rovella.

Alright then. We're heading to the Industrial Ruins.

You came.

Wait, what?!

Relax, Aldo. This is my client Jill.

This here is my friend Aldo. Best you remember him.

N-Nice to meet you.

It's unusual to have others with you, Rovella. You're usually a lone wolf.

What is it, Aldo? Stop spacing out and focus. Are you blind from her beauty?

But... Your client is a Synth Human?

That's right. As long as they pay, I don't care who it is. Work is work.

......

So what do you have for me this time?

Right. I want you to take him for me.

Okay. And where am I taking him to?

To Elzion Gamma District.

We can take Route 99 to get there.

Follow us. I'll send you a signal when we've determined the coast is clear. Got it?

Understood.

Get a move on it, Aldo. You wanna get left behind?

Who'd imagine we'd be escorting a Synth Human.

What? Feel like backing out now?

No. I said I'd help you. C'mon, let's get a move on.

This should be far enough.

What does a Synth Human need escorts for? Can't they defend themselves on their own?

They can if it comes down to it. But that would just direct attention.

Hey, Rovella. Didn't you say you'd send out a signal when the coast is clear?

I did. I sent our location as well as the route.

Huh?! When did you...?

Synth Humans have a transmission system installed that allows communication between them fairly easy. Let's go, Aldo.

...Nh!

Meooow.

It's just a cat.

In any case, this area seems safe.

Hey, Rovella...you don't actually plan on sneaking that Synth Human into Elzion, do you?

I do. I plan to carry out my job until the end.

Fine, but if that Synth Human harms any of the citizens...

I won't hesitate to stop it!

Stop your worrying. Nothing's gonna happen.

How can you be so sure?

Inside that thing is a program that restrains it from harming people. It's illegal of course, but I'll leave it at that. Let's move.

Things are going according to plan.

We're almost there. I really appreciate all your help.

Stay alert. You never know when, Ngh!

...Meow.

It's just that cat again.

Wait... Don't tell me...!

Search complete. Target found!

Tsk! It's a dummy!

Move it! Get out of here before...

Traitor! You won't escape!

What's with these things? And why are they calling us traitors?

They're talking about me. They're chasing me because I escaped from the Synth Human encampment.

Then why do you want to go to Elzion?

My wish is to live amongst humans. I once had a wonderful master who gave me nothing but happiness. Because of him, I have no interest in fighting humans. I wish to uninstall my combat system and live in peace.

Just like Jill, there are other Synth Humans who feel this way. That's why she helps them make their escape.

Now I get it. But why didn't you say so earlier?

It was a test. I wanted to see if you were really cut out for this kind of dirty work. But as expected, you aren't there yet.

(However, I do know I can trust you to have my back. That's one thing money can't buy.)

But you're still here, so guess I had nothing to worry about all along. Enough chatting. We still got work to do.

Hey, the gate won't open.

Personal records not found. Please state your citizen ID number.

This is just like the time when I first arrived!

ID entry failed. Initializing body scan.

Hey, Rovella! Now what?

I'll handle this.

Hey, you, Interceptor! This ain't no Synth Human. She's a respectable citizen of Elzion. I've got her ID here to prove it!

...Validating. Please wait.

Citizen ID confirmed. You may proceed.

Keep this ID on you at all times. You should be able to move about freely with it.

Thank you.

Where did you get your hands on an ID?

Don't worry about that. It's just a fake ID. Fake, yet the real thing.

I don't get it...

Other than the data inside, there's nothing fake about it. It was issued at the Central Processing Hall.

How is that even possible?

Simple. All I had to do was bribe someone who works there.

Again with money...

It's less complicated that way. Synth Humans are hunted around here. That's just the reality of it. That's why people like me are needed to carry out this kind of work.

......

You might fool a machine, but that won't fool the citizens inside!

You're concerned about its appearance? That's also a simple fix.

Here, try this.

Understood.

Wha?! What just happened?

It's an optical camouflage system. This should be enough to fool people. But don't let anyone touch you or else you'll be discovered instantly.

Thank you so much for everything! Now I can finally meet my master!

Looks like our work here is done. Now to go get our reward from Jill.

We carried out your request.

I have also confimed it. Thank you again for your help.

It's my job. You can thank me by paying up.

Of course. I'll deposit it into the secret account.

I never knew there were Synth Humans who would go so far to coexist with humans.

The majority of Synth Humans are programed to fight. However, not all of them fight because they enjoy it.

I've confimed the deposit. Let's go, Aldo.

Thank you again, Rovella.

...Hold up.

*cough cough* Nothing like an extra boost of energy after a hard day's work.

It doesn't go down very well with these enhanced parts of mine, though.

Wait! Is that an energy drink?!

It doesn't go down very well with these enhanced parts of mine, though.

Back in the days, I'd spend the night drinking a pack of these with the troop after we finished for the day.

Say, Rovella... Why do you work like this?

This is the only way I know to live. I can't trust anything anymore. I can't tell what's good or bad...or even what justice is anymore.

That's why I only trust money and do the work I'm paid for. Makes things plain and simple.

I think you're anything but simple.

That's exactly what being an adult is, Aldo.

*cough cough*