Targeted Partner

Well then, it's time to get back to work!

Is this "work" another one of those shady jobs?

Again, ya look at me so disapprovingly. This time I guarantee it's on the up and up.

Really?

Why of course, Aldo. It's just a game of cards with someone who has a fat wallet, that's all.

Sounds like a fun job. So, what do ya think? Wanna come along?

Can you really make that much money from cards?

Hold up, you're not gonna cheat like last time are you? If you are, then I don't want any part of this.

Ya know that really hurts me, partner.

I've got no intention of helping you cheat... What'll you do if you get chased out like last time.

It's fine. This time I've got Gray and a strong bodyguard with me!

I don't have to worry about a repeat of last time! Isn't that right, Gray?

......

Whoa!

What just happened?!

Hahaha... Ya never change, do ya, Gray?

What does that mean?

For some reason, when I say I'm goin' gamblin', he pounces at me. It's strange cause his AI wasn't programed this way, but he doesn't like me gamblin'.

I'm sure he's just trying to keep you from losing your shirt.

Hey! That's a terrible joke! Isn't that right, Gray? I'm a great gambler.

......

Really, nothin'? No reaction at all? Not exactly what I expected.

Of course, Gray can't speak... But if he could, he'd probably tell you to quit gambling.

Ya don't believe that, do ya, Gray?

......

No answer, again.

It's not that...

He's back to normal...

So that's the problem.

Aldo. I'm sorry, but he didn't mean to ignore ya like that.

Huh?

It looks like Gray's system has a problem. Gettin' him fixed will take too long.

Which means we need to find a way to speed things up, right?

Hmm... You're right. I'll have to put off my game for a bit. Come on, Aldo. Let's go to Ishar's. That's where I always get Gray repaired.

Oh, so you use Ishar's. I figured you'd go to some back alley repair shop.

These kind of repairs require a special touch. Let's hurry up. Seein' Gray like this makes me feel a little down.

I found you, Hardy. Wait till I get much hands on you...

Well isn't that Aldo. You're lookin' fine as ever. What brings ya here today? Wanna buy a new sword?

Not this time. We've got something else for you.

Long time no see, Master Za'ol!

What?! Is that you, Hardy?!

Hey, Aldo... Does this guy have something on you?

Is that how ya treat all your customers?

I'll treat you like a customer when you start paying like a customer!

Hardy...

Now, now, Aldo! I don't need ya to pity me.

I fully intend to pay back Master Za'ol in the very near future!

Actions speak louder than words, you know. Otherwise, I'll have to track you down.

Don't worry, don't worry. I'm a man of my word.

A man of his word would've already paid the bills...

Anyway, what've you got for me this time?

Same as always, my friend. Gray needs a once over.

This is a weapons shop, not a system repair shop.

Hey kid, get started on the diagnostic!

Hardy, has Gray always had these problems? You make it sound like he often has these problems.

I don't remember how many times he's needed repairs.

Really? That many times?

You see, Hardy's robot dog is a very old model. The parts and the internal systems are about as old as they get.

He's been with me since I was little.

That long?!

If he keep this up much longer, Gray's gonna reach its absolute limit.

I understand the feeling... That's what worries you about Gray, right?

He's really the only family I have left now.

Ya know... I didn't want to say anythin', but...

I believe he's nearin' his limit. There's only so many times we can fix him.

And what happens if you can't fix him?

We'll have to replace most of the parts with new ones.

......

Transferring the data could be a problem, so you need to think of a good time to make the attempt.

I'll think about it, Master Za'ol. But as long as ya can transfer the data, then we're okay, right?

Mr. Za'ol! I finished the maintenance.

......

Oh, Gray! Ya look as good as new.

I'll put the bill on your tab, like always.

But don't put this off too much longer, okay? If he gets damaged, it'll be too late.

Yeah, yeah, I got it. Come on, Aldo. Let's go.

Right behind you.

Hey, Aldo. What's with the long face? Did Gray's story get ya worried?

Not so much worried as just thinking about something we can do.

Hah, what a softy. You're so sweet I'm gettin' a toothache. Well, don't worry about it. Just remember that Gray is very...

......

Huh? What's wrong, Gray?

Aldo!

Huh?

......

Whoa!

Are ya okay, Aldo?!

Yeah, I'm fine...

......

Looks like Gray's fine, too. Good thing...

Its attack was targetin' ya, Aldo.

Why would we get attacked here in city?

I don't know why, but maybe it assumed ya were part of my crew. I'm used to these kind of things, but I didn't think they'd target ya.

I'm sorry, Aldo. I got ya caught up in my business.

Now's not the time to say sorry. Right now, we've got to find who sent that attack. Because the next one could involve innocent bystanders.

Hah! You're more worried about others than yourself.

But I'm definitely down with findin' out whoever's behind this. I've got a score to settle with anyone who messes with my friends.

...!

It looks like Gray's on board. I think I've got a lead on the origin of the attack. Let's go track it down!

We came this far but...

Are those the ones that attacked us? The airport's so big and there are many of these guys floating around. This isn't gonna be easy...

Should we just take them all out?

That's not such a good idea!

Haha! Just jokin'!

Sometimes I don't know when you're joking...

Well, destroyin' them would be the fastest way to solve this.

But this time it's no good. The drone that targeted us would just run away.

We'll just have to keep searching for it.

Have ya already forgotten? This is a job that my brilliant partner can take care of.

That's right! Gray can find it for us!

But hold on a second. Are you sure Gray's alright? He just finished his maintenance.

...!

Looks like he's tellin' ya not to worry. Just leave this to Gray.

...!

Okay, Gray. Perfect.

Aldo, we got a hit on the target's location.

Gray's something else, isn't he? He can do so much in such a short time.

That goes without sayin'. He's the best partner I've ever had.

You're definitely his biggest fan, that's for sure.

It's not just Gray actually. I like dogs a lot. Their loyalty's second to none and they never betray their masters.

And of course Gray is the best!

Haha, Gray looks happy to hear that!

Well, it's about we come face to face with our target.

Ya should be careful, Aldo. There's a good chance it assumes you're on my side. We don't know what these guys are capable of.

Got it.

Come on, let's go.

And so here ya are, our little assailant.

I'll give ya some credit for not runnin' away.

Running away was not the intention. I was waiting for you, Hardy.

Eh? That voice...

He an acquaintance of yours?

Not just of mine, but ya know him too, Aldo. Though he was hidin' his face. It was that guy. The one whose deal we busted up.

The deal we blew up? Are you talking about the jerk with the kids from the slums?!

Call me whatever you like! That data you sent out about me broke up a number of transactions I had planned!

You brought that on yourself!

Like he said. Ya had a chance to come clean and take a normal job.

Hardy! I'm gonna make sure that you delete everything you had on me!

Hah... So ya went after Aldo in order to lure me out.

Okay, I'll bite. I don't see the results bein' any different though.

You seem so confident right now...

Come out and show yourself!

What now?!

Hahaha! I bought this model custom-made from KMS! I won't repeat the same mistake as last time!

Well... I still don't think your huge robot-dog compares to Gray here.

Come on then, let's beat him down, Aldo.

Let's do it!

Sic 'em!

You're kidding me! This isn't possible!

Checkmate. Go get him Gray!

...!

......

Gray?!

Did he break down again?!

Muahahaha! Looks like lady luck smiles on me today! If you're gonna blame anyone for this, then blame yourself for using a piece of junk like that!

And... I always keep an ace up my sleeve!

What the?! He's got another one?!

Argh...

Darn it!

Now, finish them off!

......

...!

Huh? Gray!

He protected Hardy...!

Hahaha! Such loyalty! Well, it's just programed that way.

......

But it just saved me the trouble of disposing that dog anyways. The data is gone, so now I've just got to eliminate you two!

Grrr...!

Thank ya Gray. We read ya loud and clear.

What?

Huh?! The security hound!

Just like ya said... Always keep an ace up your sleeve.

You mean, the moment he protected you?!

Uh oh!

Aldo, can ya take Gray back to Ishar's? He looks fine right now, but I don't wanna push our luck.

Hardy...

I got it. But take too long out here, okay?

Wouldn't dream of it.

Now where were we?

P-Please wait! Don't leave me here with him! I promise I'll be good! If it's money you want, then you can have as much as you want! Just spare me my life!

Ya can't buy your way outta this.

...!

Aldo doesn't need to know about this.

It's 'bout time I caught up with Aldo at Ishar's.

I don' wanna ask for details, but ya did it didn't ya?

Best not to know, Master Za'ol. Things happen.

Could ya fix him?

This time, there's nothing I can do.

That right...?

But ya said there was another way, right? Ya could replace all his parts with new ones.

Oh, in that case, I'll get right to it.

Then all's good, right?

Hardy, are you sure 'bout this?

Wait, what does that mean?

Replacing the parts means that I've gotta redesign the system. In particular the system parts he's been using for awhile.

None of this makes sense to me, but isn't it a bad thing to redesign his system?

It's what's best for Gray... That's what's important.

But if we go ahead with this, Gray's AI will have to be reset. Umm... To compare it to humans, it'd be like deleting your memories up 'til now.

What?!

Technically, the data doesn't disappear but...

I don't think that's the problem at hand.

......

Hardy...

Do it, Master Za'ol. I can't imagine havin' any partner other than Gray.

Hardy, you really wanna go through with this?

Don't ask me to repeat myself again. I don't want Gray to become just scrap metal in the future.

Understood. Wait here while I take care of everythin'.

It's done, Hardy. Go on, Gray.

He looks as clean as a whistle. Almost didn't recognize ya, Gray.

...!

I'm glad everything turned out fine.

Didn't I say so?

Well, yeah...

Thank ya, Master Za'ol. I won't forget this.

I was only doin' my job.

Aldo and Gray, let's get a move on.

Master Za'ol! I'll be back with more work for ya!

I'll be back again, too. Next time I'm bringing Amy with me!

Anytime!

......

And there Hardy goes again without payin' the bill.

Haha, oh well, I'll just add it to his tab.

Now that Gray's good to go, let's go find somethin' to do.

You're not thinking about hitting the tavern again, are you?

You're darn right I am! It's critical to my work, get it?

...!

Woah! Gray?! What's the deal?

Huh? Could that mean...?

You might be right...

Hahaha... Ya never change, do ya, Gray?

What does that mean?

For some reason, when I say I'm goin' gamblin', he pounces at me. It's strange cause his AI wasn't programed this way, but he doesn't like me gamblin'.

I can't believe it myself either.

I got it, I got it. I won't go today. Sometimes ya gotta take a break.

I think that's a good idea.

Ya think so, too. Ain't that right, Gray?

...!