Crying Eyes

Here we are. Elzion, the biggest of the floating islands, broken into many districts. This is the Theta District.

Huh? Orleya?

What's wrong?! You're as pale as a ghost!

I don't like this place... I want to go home.

What?! Why? I thought you wanted to see a city in the future?

I-I did... But...

I didn't realize it would be so frightening!

Frightening? What's there to be frightened of?

We disembarked at a place higher than the tallest mountain top...

You mean the airport? Come to think of it, you were shaking back there.

Then there was that flying iron boar! It was bigger than an ogre and swallowed people whole!

The cargo bus? You were screaming the whole time...

And to top it all off, that gate started talking!

Oh, the automated voice at the entrance? Yeah, you jumped like a startled cat when that came on.

Aldo, you meanie! If you knew I was scared, you could have gone a little easier on me!

Easier? What do y...

No, you're right. I'm sorry. I thought you were making a fuss because you were enjoying yourself.

It was your first time seeing all these things, so I figured a bit of shock was to be expected. But fear isn't exactly a normal reaction, is it? What's making you so scared?

Oh, I dunno... Even I wonder why I'm such a coward. Maybe it's because of the strict way I was raised by Grandpapa.

"Grandpapa"? You mean Goliadus?

That strict, huh?

Yup. I'm still scared whenever I have to train.

"This is nothing to cry at!" he'd say. "The ogres are far more terrifying than me!"

Th-That does sound pretty scary... But surely if you had such harsh training, normal things shouldn't scare you?

Nope! It's the exact opposite, actually! Everything scares me! Whenever I encounter a new creature or the like, I assume it's dangerous and automatically try to avoid it. At times like that, I always hear this voice inside my head.

A voice?

Uh-huh. Telling me to run away. By then, my legs start moving on their own. I used to flee from Grandpapa a lot, too. I'd hide out in the mountains for days...

Days?! Count me impressed!

Weren't you scared, going into the mountains as a child, all alone? There must have been lots of dangerous creatures.

Nothing I couldn't handle. After spending more time up there, I got used to all the animals and bugs.

I see, I see. So once you get used to something, you're all right?

Well, even if I came across something, I'm VERY good at running away. You won't find faster than me!

Oh yeah, I remember you saying that.

Haha. Really?

I'm sorry, Aldo. You brought me all this way, yet here I am jumping left and right. I wish I wasn't so easily frightened.

Don't worry about it. I was shocked the first time I came here, too.

So, what do you suggest? There's no changing temperament, but we could try getting you used to city?

Hm?

What is it, Aldo?

Well, er... Right, I need you to stay calm and take a deep breath, okay?

A deep breath? Well, if you say so...

Breathe in... Aaand out...

Good. Now come this way, nice and slow.

Biological signature detected.

Hm?

Ah!

......

Huh? You're a lot calmer than I thought you'd be.

......

Orleya?

She fainted standing up?! Hey! Orleya! Are you okay?!

Mm? What's going on? I remember...taking a deep breath, then turning around and...

Orleya! Easy there... Deep breaths.

Breathe in...

Aaand I'm out of here!

I guess this was too much to take in all at once.

Sorry 'bout that. Did Civetta startle you?

"Civetta"? I take it this is your drone?

That she is. I was just making some last-minute fine-tuning before the big show.

What show?

Haven't you heard? There's a huge tournament in Elzion today.

A tournament? Like the sky race?

Really? What kind of tournament are we talking?

Well...

N-Now there's a flying, talking lump of iron? The future's terrifying... Just still your breath and keep quiet, like in the mountains...

Biological signature detected. Hidden human nearby.

Eeep?!

Orleya? I was wondering where you were.

H-How did it know I was here?

Haha! Civetta here has a particularly robust set of scanners. Y'know, judging from how quickly you ran off there, you might be a good fit.

I'll be heading off then. See you at the venue.

Uh... What was that about? I'm a good fit for what, exactly?

There's an event going on in town. It sounds pretty interesting. Since we're here, why not join in the fun?

An event? I wonder what those are like here... It won't be scary, will it?

......

Let's check it out. It's over in the Gamma District.

Hey, wait! Why didn't you answer me?!

Aldo! Wait for meee!

So this is it, huh? Looks like it hasn't started yet.

Um... Are you all right, Orleya?

No, I am not "all right"! I mean...

This place is FULL of those terrifying ...things!

Ah, right. They're called drones. They're just machines.

"Drones"? Even the name sounds scary... What if I made like a drone and flew off...

Not so fast! I think it's about to start!

All you drone-lovers, make some noise!

WOOO!!!

Eeek!

Wh-What was that?!

Eek! There's more of them?!

All right, drone heads! Brace yourselves for a drone-tastic good time! My, my, what a crowd we have this year! Thank you all so much for coming out today to DroCon!

"Dr-Drocon"?

For the uninitiated among you, allow me to explain. DroCon is the annual festival for lovers of all things drone!

Every year, the top drone heads from across the islands gather to determine whose drone is the best of them all!

The best at what, being scary?

Haha! You're quite the tease! Now then, the most sought-after qualities in a drone are speed, scanner strength, and combat ability! Today's drones will compete in these 3 categories, and the unit with the most points'll be crowned the winner!

As long as they're within industry standards, you may customize your drones to your hearts' content! You can even use custom parts! Now roll up those sleeves and get tinkering, drone heads!

This sounds like a blast!

I'm not so sure...

The winning drone will be put on the market by our partner, KMS! Soon, your drone could be flying off the shelves!

For those of you wondering who I am, allow me to introduce myself: I'm Albatro, winner of last year's DroCon! If you enjoy my hosting and live commentary today, please consider purchasing the fabulous unit I'm using!

Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for... Selected from over 100 applicants... Give it up for our 4 talented contestants and their 4 cutting-edge drones! Let's hear it, drone heads!

All right... Time to prove no one loves drones as much as me!

Heheh. They call me The Whiz Kid of the drone world. I've got this is in the bag.

This is the KMS development depart- ment's pride and joy. Our reputation is on the line here. I won't lose!

......

Looks like our contestants are all fired up! You can really feel their passion for the drone!

(Aldo looks like he wants to watch this, but maybe I can sneak off...)

Excuse me, miss!

I know you're eager, but I can't allow you to get a head start. We haven't even begun yet!

Huh? A "head start"?

That's right! Now, moving on to the judges of today's fine tournament...

The judges are... everyone in the audience!

Wait...

WHAAAT?!

That's what DroCon is all about! The showdown between drones and humans! The clash of technology vs. mankind! All you judges gathered here today, testing your might against these drones... I'm awestruck, truly!

Hold on a minute! Aldo, what's going on?!

Well, the thing is... I registered us as judges.

Excuse me?! We have to fight those things?! You know I can't do that!

Sorry for not telling you... I thought you'd run away if I did.

I mean, I definitely would have...

It'd be a shame for you to come all this way and not enjoy yourself. So I thought about how to help, and... You said that you're fine once you get used to things, right? I figured why not participate in a fun event?

You really went to all that trouble? For me?

Of course, I'm not going to force you. We can withdraw right now if you'd like.

No, that was really thoughtful of you. ...All right, I've made up my mind. As scary as it is, I'll give it my all!

That's what I like to hear! I'll be right there with you. Let's cut loose and have fun! And, for the record, I have a feeling you'll make an excellent judge.

What do you mean?

Lastly, allow me to explain the events of today's competition! There are 3 rounds at DroCon, each specially designed to measure the 3 categories I mentioned earlier!

Round one: Tag! How long will it take for the drones to catch our judges as they try to run away? Round two: Hide n' Seek! The drones will find the judges after they hide throughout town! Round three is a demonstration of combat abilities! This last one's dangerous, folks, so drones only!

See? No danger here. Plus, Tag? Hide n' Seek? Running and hiding is exactly what you do best, right?

Yeah, you're right!

By the way, no judge has ever managed to outrun or out-hide a drone in the past! Should anyone manage to do so, they will go down in DroCon history! But don't push yourselves too hard! This is a festival, after all, and the main thing is to have fun!

This is the year! The year I finally beat those drones! Listen up, historians! Today, I'm making history!

That's all on my end, drone heads! Drones, judges, once you're all set, please make your way back here!

Thank you for waiting! Is everyone ready?

Yeah! The drones'll never find me this year!

I won't lose! I've been running non-stop every day for this moment!

Pfft. No hunter could get caught by some drone.

Whew, is it just me, or is the energy in here electrifying? On that charged note, let the festivities begin!

Round one: Tag! Ready, set... GO!!!

This is a fun event. And Aldo is with me. Nothing scary about it, nothing at all...

Let's go, Orleya! We're making it till the very end!

Wait, I thought you said this would be relaxing?! Hold on, Aldo! Wait for meee!

The judges are running as fast as they can! But can they outrun these state-of-the-art drones?! Only one way to find out!

All right! Leave no judge left untagged! Go get 'em, Civetta!

Show 'em who's champ, Eternal Inferno!

Go, Prototype 8245! You can do this!

Queen Bee, after them.

Unbelievable! For all that boasting, the drones are reeling in the judges left and right!

But the game's not over just yet! Two judges are still on the loose!

Haa...haa... Drat! You got me. They really are fast. And as machines, their endurance is unmatched. I guess Orleya must've...

Wha-What was that?! A blast of wind?

And drones in quick pursuit? Wait, before...was that?

Out of the way, Aldo!

Wh-Whoa!

All I caught was a blur... It must be Orleya.

Nicely done, drone heads! That's all for round one!

Phew... I sure am beat after all that running, but what a blast!

Did you have fun, Orleya?

I dunno... I was so scared, I don't really remember it...

Seriously?! But you stood out the most!

Just thinking about it makes me want to pass out.

I-I see... I guess you did end up getting chased by all the drones in the end.

Announcing the results of round one! Clocking in at four judges, this round's win goes to... Eternal Inferno!

Heheh! You can thank my specially- designed turbo engine for that. My drone's as fast as they come.

It was a good fight from our judges!

But special praise goes to Miss Orleya, who managed to outrun the drones until the very end! A new record!

Huh?! M-Me?

Yeah, you! You were incredible out there! I've never seen anyone run that fast!

Haha. Really?

Okay, let's keep this momentum going and move onto round two!

Hide n' Seek! The judges have 5 minutes to hide throughout the district! If a drone finds you, you're out!

Wha, ?! If they find you, you're out? As in...dead?!

Round two, START! The countdown's begun! Better get hiding, judges!

Nooo...

NOOO! I don't want to dieee!

(It's been a while now... Wonder if they've found anyone yet.)

Biological signature detected.

(Agh! Shoot, I've been spotted!)

I know you're hiding there. Come out where I can see you.

......

Meeeow?

Carrying out spectrogram analysis. Human voice confirmed.

Tch... It was worth a try.

Oh, that's the drone from earlier. Civetta, was it? Its owner did say it had top-notch scanners. If it can read biological signatures, then there's no hiding from it!

(Hm? Isn't that...)

(Orleya! She was right there this whole time?!)

Initiating scan.

(Uh-oh. At this rate, she'll be caught!)

...... No biological signatures. No target in this vicinity. Changing search area.

What?

No biological signatures? A malfunction, perhaps?

Talk about a close call. You can come out now, Orleya.

......

Orleya? Hellooo?

......

She's not responding? Don't tell me...

She's not breathing?!

Orleya! Orleya, can you hear me?! Come back to me, Orleya!

Good show, drone heads! That wraps up round two!

Are you all right, Orleya?

Ugh... My head's spinning like crazy...

I mean, you DID stop breathing. You really had me worried there!

Sorry. I was so nervous about getting found that I panicked. I thought if I held my breath, they wouldn't find me, but it seems I went too far.

No kidding... Well, all that matters is that you're safe. (Your bio signature disappears when you faint? Interesting...)

Announcing the results of round two!

After finding six, yes, six!, judges, this round's win goes to...Civetta!

All right! Nice work, Civetta!

But perhaps even more astonishing is the fact...

That Miss Orleya has once again made it to the very end! What an upset!

What's with that girl? How did she beat 'em twice now, when I couldn't even win once?

How did she manage to avoid Civetta's scanners?

How does she know more about the inner workings and weaknesses of drones than I do?

How fascinating. I must ask her to share her expertise with the team...

Why is everyone looking at me again?

Because you're more of a big deal than the drones right now! Sorry, Orleya. This ended up being way crazier than I expected.

Huh? What are you apologizing for? I said I would join, didn't I?

Anyway, that's it for the judges. Our next event is best viewed from afar!

Right, the combat portion. Let's find a good viewing spot.

Well, we've certainly had some twists and turns this DroCon, but now it's time for the big finale! This last round is a battle royale! Let's see what these small but mighty machines are capable of! In case of an unlikely accident, we will be moving to the Industrial Ruins! Drone heads, out!

Okay, contestants! Are you ready?

You betcha! Civetta, show the good people your deadly aerial prowess!

Eternal Inferno has no blind spots! Sorry, but your drones never stood a chance.

Prototype 8245, avenge your fallen brethren, Prototype 8244!

......

Such enthusiasm! My circuits are getting fired up!

As are mine.

W-Wait! The match hasn't started yet!

Eee... EEEK?! Wh-What is that thing?!

Is that a Synth Human?! It disguised itself to participate in the tournament?!

It was hardly a challenge. This event seems to let just about anyone enter. All I needed was a fake civilian number.

I won't let you spoil DroCon!

H-Hey! What are you, ?!

Civetta, now! With your firepower, this should be over in no time!

......

Huh? That's odd. She's not listening to me!

Really? A system error at a time like this? Guess that means it's your turn, Eternal Inferno!

Wha, ? It's not moving!

Hehehe... Muahahahaha! Foolish humans!

Wh-What is this?! 8245 is ignoring my commands!

Eeek! What's going on?! Th-The drone thingies are all lining up!

Heheh. They're under my command now! From this moment forth, they obey Queen Bee and shall aid me in destroying all humans!

How did you gain control of them?!

Heheh. It was mere child's play. One of the rules of the contest is that participating drones must adhere to their set standard. I exploited a vulnerability in this standard, and infected the drones with a virus during the competition.

A virus?! How could you do that to our precious drones?!

It took longer than expected. But now, I shall bury you where you stand, and invade Elzion! After all, there are hundreds of drones made to this same standard, all throughout the island!

No... You don't mean...you plan to infect every drone with the virus?!

Imagine them let loose on this fair city. The sheer spectacle would certain outshine this dull affair.

I-I don't... A drone terrorist attack?! Please tell me I'm dreaming!

Hey, are you still in control of yourself?

Hm? Oh, yes. I appear to be unaffected. Perhaps because I am made to a different standard.

Good. Then take everyone back to Elzion. We'll take care of this.

But... Never mind. You seem like the only ones here who can take on those drones.

Good luck, you two! Everyone, if you would kindly follow me!

Pfft, you plan to defeat all these drones, just the two of you? Fools.

No, just the one of me.

Eh?

These drones terrify you, right Orleya? So stay back.

Aldo...

Heheh! How the coward trembles in fear. How very human of her.

Bring it!

Curses! They're too fast. They've got me surrounded!

Heh. I am nothing like those drones. I'm a highly advanced machine, the type you humans are so fond of. As much as I would love to toy with you, I can't afford a second longer. This ends now!

Guh!

Aldo! (Unless I do something, Aldo and all the civilians'll...) (But my body won't move!)

Tch! You're a stubborn one, aren't you? But I'll mow you down next time. Queen Bee! Assemble the drones!

(Of all times, why now? Why won't my body move?!) (I've always been this way. Running away in fear, always hiding from Grandpapa in the mountains...)

(Wait a second... "Mountains"?)

Okay! The time is now! Rebel against the humans! Staring with this one! Crush him like the bug he is!

(Bugs?)

Ngh!

Fire!

This can't be! You blocked every one of those attacks?!

Yeah, I'm pretty fast on my feet.

Orleya, what are you, ?!

Sorry for worrying you, Aldo. I'm good now. Let's take down this creep together!

Right! For Elzion!

You insolent...humans...

Phew... We did it!

But all those drone thingies are broken! The drone heads will be devastated...

That they will. But the Synth left us little choice. At least the city's safe now.

Aside from that, how were you able to face off against the drones? Weren't you terrified of them?

Oh, that. Well... I just thought of them as bees, and then I wasn't afraid of them anymore.

Bees?

Because the mountains were my playground, the only playmates I ever had were animals and insects. Whenever I found a beehive, I'd poke it, and the bees would chase after me. It was a lot of fun.

......

When all the drones were gathered together, they really reminded me of a swarm of bees. Though they're a lot bigger, thinking of them like that made all the difference.

Haha. Why am I not surprised? Personally, I'd take a few drones over a swarm of bees any day.

I mean, it's kind of embarrassing... I was only able to fight them because of all the time I've spent running away.

Not at all! Whatever the reason, you were willing to fight. And I couldn't have done it without you. So thank you, Orleya.

Haha. Really?

Ahaha... We should probably head back now. Report what happened before everyone starts to worry.

R-Right!

(They're going to be so angry about their drones...)

No, no more running away!

Hey, you two! You made it back! What happened with the Synth? And where are the drones?

About that...

Oh. So Civetta...

Sorry. There was no other way.

Please forgive us!

Huh? Why are you apologizing?

What do you mean?

It was our fault for not spotting this vulnerability. We didn't give our drones the love they deserved. If anything, we should be thanking you for stopping our drones before they attacked Elzion.

My thoughts exactly. I cannot thank you enough. We must be sure to strengthen security in the future.

Thanks to you, miss, I realized I'm not at the top of my game yet! But next time, I'll prove to everyone that my drone is the strongest of all!

You're not mad?

No, far from it. They're grateful.

......

You had us worried for a second there. This year's tournament may have come to an abrupt end, but you've shown us the way for future events. On behalf of today's organizer, you have my sincerest thanks!

Haha. Please, you're making me blush!

I take it you're a little more accustomed to the future now?

I am! Thanks, Aldo! And I feel like I've gotten a little bit stronger, too... Just a smidge.

Ahem. There's something we'd like to ask you...

Hm? Go ahead, ask away!

I shall take it from here.

Wha-?! A-Another Synth Human?!

No, this is an android...

You have proved yourselves to be excellent judges. As such, we would like to invite you to Android Contest...

Or AndroCon for short, as special guest judges!

AndroCon? Not as catchy as DroCon...

But it sounds like fun! We'd love to...

Hm? Orleya?

I...can't...

Take it anymooore!!!