Transporter Side: H

Yo, my man.

Gimme somethin' with a little kick. I got an important date in a bit.

Hah, ya read me like a book. Come on, my man. Don't hold out on me.

*sigh*... Fine, I'll let this slide just this once. But I expect ya to be nicer next time, got it?

Young fella... Oh, ya mean Aldo. Come on man, does it look like I need him around 24/7?

Then again, I guess it depends on the job. Today's job might be a bit overwhelmin' for him.

And thanks to that, we're short-handed. He might've been an idiot, but he did his job. Findin' a new guy ain't easy. Meanwhile, I find myself with a new sparklin' reputation for my loyalty. I can't even take off my boots before the higher-ups are callin' on me. It's hard bein' so popular.

Aight, I'd get goin'.

Hm? Is that the same as before?

Hahaha... Just hope nothin' happens on the job. Wouldn't want anyone payin' ya a visit.

Now that I'm in ship-shape, I'd better make my way to the Auction House.

Today, it's just ya and me, Gray.

The auction has finished for the day. Please come a...

Ya wound me... How could've ya forgotten these perfect features?

*sigh* Well isn't it, Hardy.

You're here on security duty for the auction items, right? Allow me to get the key to the VIP Room for you, Sir.

What's the deal with the formality? Playin' hard to get are we?

You've got the looks, but are you going to take care of that sandpaper you call a beard?

A 5 o'clock shadow is a sign of a man's pride in his work... Now, don't give me that look...

The item we're dealing with today is not on the standard ranking system. Only select customers know about it. One of your assignments is to guard the item. And if a customers should be upset for any...

Yeah, I got it. Not a kid no more, gray hairs and all.

Glad you did.

I came dressed casually today cause we wouldn't want ya fallin' for me on the job.

Here's the key to the VIP Room.

But if ya insist, I could change clothes right here so ya could see my...

TAKE...THE...KEY!

My new clothes! No need to get scary... Anyway, as fun as it's been, it's time for work. Come on, Gray!

*sigh* I hate his jokes. Hardy's reliable and brilliant at what he does, but he's not up to this role. The item today is a bit different...

Long long ago, there was a fair princess held in the tallest tower in a fiendish villain's castle. One day, a thief appears in the castle, claiming to be in search of treasures.

The treasure that he was seeking was the princess herself. He released her from the castle and they lived happily ever after.

...Nothing like that happens in real life. All I can do is wait here for my fate...

Just leave me alone. I do not wish to talk to anyone.

I'm afraid I can't do that. I've got a job to do after all. You best brace yourself because my devilishly good looks might shock you.

Don't try to make a fool out of me...

Good evening, hot-headed lady.

Huh?!

Boo!

Eek!

I thought I warned ya to brace yourself.

Wh-When did you get in here?

I'm afraid that's top secret. Care for a cake or somethin'?

No thank you!

Too bad... I've got to say that this is pretty sad. Ya bein' up for auction like an item.

......

Unfortunately, My Lady, I am no thief. It's just my job to keep ya safe until it's all over.

In the meantime, I'd like to be your friend. Tell me more about yourself.

Don't bother me. You think I'm just an item like the others, don't you?

Now, now, stop thinkin' all gloom and doom. See, Gray wants to talk to ya, too.

Gray? Is that his name?

But how can a mechanical doggy want to talk to me?

Aaahhh!

Haha... Seems he really likes ya.

It t-tickles! Stop... Haha!

Gray and I have been partners for a very long time. I've never thought of him as an object before. Not that that proves anythin'...

Okay, I give up. I guess a quick chat won't hurt. But don't get me wrong. I'm just doing it for him.

I was forced to live in a certain facility before I was brought here.

There were a lot of children in the facility, and they were being experimented every day. No one knew what the experiments were for.

But one day, for just a moment, a strange green light appeared on my chest... And since then I've been able to use special powers. Without these bindings, I could easily crush this building like a castle made of paper.

How scary... And what would ya do after crushin' this building?

I'd go home...to my mom and dad... Now all I can remember are of dark and hazy streets filled with danger...

Despite that I'd still go back to my parents even if it means drinking muddy water to stay alive...

Wait... Dangerous streets? Muddy water? Lady, by any chance, are ya from...

Yes, I was born in the slums.

It can't be! This has got to be some kind of joke. Coincidences like this just don't happen...

What's up with you?

Ya caught me off guard, ya see. We're from the same place, ya and I. I grew up in the slums as well.

Please... You don't have to lie just to make me feel better.

No, I'm not lyin'. And this isn't just a coincidence, either. Which means, there's one thing I'm supposed to do...

My Prince!

P-Prince?!

Oh, I knew you were the princely thief from the story! Please take me away! Take me away from this villain's tower!

...... Yeah... I'll grant your wish, Lady. So...

It's time, Miss. Please come to the auction hall.

Oh... Is it already going to start?!

It's time. Sorry, but we can't continue our little chat.

Seems like it. But I'm no longer scared. Now that you're here for me, My Prince, I know you'll come for me.

If that's what ya truly desire...

Oh, thank you, My Prince!

Allow me to escort ya to the stage, My Lady. That cool enough for ya?

Once the paper's crumpled up, it can't be perfect again. However, crumpling up someone else's paper at least'll make me feel better.

You hear that, Hardy?! I'm not the only one going down!

Welcome ladies and gentleman. Thank you for your patience. Today, we're holding a special auction which goes against the very Elzion constitution.

Let's not waste any more time and get straight to the main event.

Take a look at this girl here... How many of you are familiar with the Lost Laboratory?

There was a group of unethical scientists that experimented with pushing humans to their physical limits... And this girl here is one of the products of these secret experiments.

She is a psychic with remarkable powers that exceed that of an agateram.

But worry not, ladies and gentlemen. Her bindings are custom-made by KMS. By scattering her brain waves, her psychokinetic power is restrained. She is no more powerful than you or I.

(That's right. I am currently powerless... But I'm sure My Prince can help me.)

The winning bidder will take home this unique prize.

We are ready to begin the bidding. Our starting bid is 1,000,000 ROC. The minimum raise is 100,000 ROC...

It's already started. I'm sure if he came he'd say somethin' like...

"Are these people really all from the Elzion underworld? They look like regular Jack and Janes to me."

...Or somethin' like that. Maybe he'd jump up on the stage and boldly announce that he's shuttin' the whole thing down... Good thing I didn't bring him.

All right. I'd better get to work.

Raise. 6.2 million ROC.

Raise. 6.3 million ROC.

This is going to cost us more than we anticipated... Understood. I shall continue...

Excuse me, Sir. I'm certain you're aware that no communication with anyone outside the hall is allowed.

Oh geeze...!

This is your first warnin'. Ya'll be asked to leave if I have to warn ya again.

Yes... And I'm very sorry. It won't happen again.

Raise. 7.3 million ROC.

I hear 7.3 million... Will anyone else raise the bid?

Very well. Sold for 7.3 million ROC.

Huh? (Is it...already over? But wasn't My Prince going to do something about this?)

For security reasons, the item will be given to the buyer in the VIP Room.

(I've got to have faith in him...) (He must save me before I'm handed over and not in front of these people...)

Thank you one and all for joining us in today's auction. We ask all guests except for the winner to leave the hall.

My Prince... I believe in you. You'll take me away from this...

Ya really believe in me, huh? Then leave fairy tails where they are...

Wh-What do you mean by that?

Listen lady... Do ya know what my job was? I was ordered here to keep things in control and make sure the sale goes as planned.

But...then that promise in the waiting room was...

I said what I had to to ensure the success of the job. Lyin', deceivin', and backstabbin'... It's what we do for a livin'.

We are obliged to one person and one person only: our boss.

So...it was all a lie?

Not everythin'. It's true that I come from the slums.

Makin' it in this world is about mixin' truth with the lies... Ya see this over and over again in movies and TV dramas.

I haven't even watched a drama in my life!

How could you... You said you'd help me...

First things first, I didn't promise that I'd help ya.

Huh?

Think back carefully, I just told ya I'd grant your wish.

Yeah... I'll grant your wish, Lady. So...

If that's what ya truly desire...

M-My wish was...to get out of this place!

Are ya sure about that? Because if that was your true wish, then ya could've escaped without anyone's help.

But all ya were doin' is tellin' yourself a fairy tale. Ya wanted to rely on me rather than takin' care of yourself.

Ya were sold to the laboratory as a test subject from the slums, right? This is just my guess... Ya might've not had freedom, but compared to the slums, the laboratory was...

Stop it!

Much better, wasn't it?

......

Us children of the slums take care of ourselves. We don't depend on others who demand our freedom. Only a domesticated dog would depend on others for their safety and comfort.

What I mean is that I can't help those who have lost their will to resist and just submit to others.

But...there's nothing I can do.

......

This way, My Lady!

Huh?

Damnit! The hell happened to the guards outside?!

Hate to break it to you, but my partner has taken care of them. Now the girl's coming with me. Safe travels, Mr. Tuxedo Dude.

*cough* *cough* A smoke bomb? How cliche...

Gray! Track them with your infrared tracking system. They're not gettin' away!

They're movin' fast, but Gray's still able to track them.

Looks like they're movin' to...the airport! Better catch up before it's too late.

Forgot to fill up the tank before the mission? That's pretty convenient for me.

My Prince...

It's a classic road-bike. Unlike those Xeno Prisma gravity lifters, it needs a special fuel that's hard to come by.

I'm no criminal. I'll leave the money here for the owner.

Is that right? How kind of ya.

Now then, mind handin' over the lady to me?

If I refuse?

It makes no difference to me. In fact, it makes things nice and simple.

But don't worry, I'll go easy on ya. I've got a weakness for ladies, ya see.

Is that so? I'd hate to disappoint you.

Not bad. Not bad at all...

I'm glad I don't have to take ya on as ya normally are.

What?! How did you know...

You're not familiar with the distancin'. Judgin' from your movements, I'd say you're normally usin' a short sword or twin daggers...

......

My client is waiting for me. Mind letting me go?

I'd consider it if ya let me in on who your client is...

I can't reveal my client's identity.

Hmm, you're not just playin' hard-ball...

But I think I've got an idea as to whom your client is, and I'm fine lettin' ya go... But are ya fine with that lady?

I won't tell you.

What did I do to make ya hate me, Little Lady? Ya even hugged me before.

That's just because you played me and I got excited for nothing!

Well, I have good news for ya, Lady. I wasn't finished talkin' before.

A moment ago?

The part about ya losin' your hunger for freedom after leavin' the slums.

I do not want to hear about it!

I wasn't tellin' ya that because I wanted to lecture ya.

Then why...

Remember when the auctioneer mentioned your remarkable power? That was not just to push up the bidding. The truth is that no one knows who decides what is remarkable or not...

It's still not known widely yet, but there are more and more kids just like ya. They each have unique powers and if they are free to do as they please, it might affect business.

Hence why the leaders of Elzion's underworld have agreed to certain grading standards. Those connected with the darker side of KMS commissioned the creation of those bindings.

But all that resulted in was a standardization of production. You, on the other hand, were remarkable... And ya had the potential to take revenge on that red-headed jerk that sold ya.

Huh?! How did you know he had red hair?

So I guess my intuition was right.

You tricked her again... I should've sworn her to secrecy.

This is what I think happened. The lady was to be sold at the auction while another was hired to kidnap her.

But what purpose would that serve?

You're right. There's no benefit in kidnappin' the girl you're plannin' to sell. But it would be enough to ruin the reputation of our organization. This plan required a lot of cash and he knew I'd be assigned to the auction.

It sounds like you know exactly how this red-headed guy thinks.

He and I have a long history. I guess I kind of brought this on myself.

So I want ya to go. It's what's best for me too.

Are you sure about this? Even if I take the girl to him?

That's your job, isn't it?

Got it... I can't thank you or tell you where we're going...

It doesn't matter to me. Battlin' such a beautiful fighter was enough for me.

My Prince...

Before ya go, those bindings are too tight on ya, My Lady. So go and show that red-headed jerk exactly what you're capable of and earn your freedom.

Oh I will!

Take care of yourself, My Prince!

And off they go...

......

What is it, Gray? Hey, I hope you're not tryin' to cheer me up. There's nothin' to worry about. Seriously...

Ya see, huggin' a bad guy like me is practically beggin' for me to put a locator on them.

And there they go...of to Route 99. And the locator I put on that man is headin' there as well.

Understood. In that case...

Excuse me, Sir. I'm certain you're aware that no communication with anyone outside the hall is allowed.

Oh geeze...!

His plan was to buy her back himself, which means he's personally tryin' to piss me off, nothin' else.

Let's go get prepared for the final step in this job. Come on, Gray. We're off to Route 99!

Yo, Gord. What are the odds runnin' into ya in the place like this? Sure brings back memories.

Hardy! What the hell are you doing here?

I don't see the ladies around. I thought they'd already be here.

It was that woman! I dropped a fortune on her and she still betrayed me for the girl!

That right? The biker girl never ceases to impress me.

You are nothing but trash that gets in my way! Go back to the Boss like the good doggy you are.

Hey now, ya might be right, but at least I'm a dog with a shred of pride left...

Ya could've minded your own business, but ya just had to butt your way into mine.

Gord, it's time I took ya to have a face-to-face talk with the Boss.

Ugh!

Then again, that'd be pretty borin'. Too simple.

Wh-What?

And so, Gord...I'd like to propose a deal.

A deal?

You're a clever guy, Gord. That's why ya came back. It's just you're too stubborn with the higher-ups. Whoever you're workin' for now must be loaded since they got ya connected to that girl.

But ya went too far, and the Boss doesn't give second chances.

Do what you will to me, I'm ready. I'm ready to drag you down to hell with me if I have to.

That's one option. Now listen to my offer.

You're lucky that I have a bit of influence over the client since I'm the Boss' loyal dog. That means if I keep my mouth shut, then things'll stay peaceful between us. And if ya were to give me a little more, then I'll promise not to tell the higher-ups about all this. Accept the offer and ya'll live today. Help me and I promise ya'll get plenty of opportunities to betray me in the future.

Not a bad deal, right?

......

Not bad at all...

Too bad it comes from a piece of scum like you!

I think my message wasn't clear. That was not a request... The .89 here is not your ordinary gun. If a pistol were a water gun, this thing would be a fire hose.

So...

Hm?

So about that deal...

Yes, Boss, I've taken care of everythin'. We've decided to push back the auction due to the coup interferin' with the other organization. I'll be sure to teach them a lesson and recover our losses. Oh, and one more thing...

When things settle down a bit, I'd like to take some time off. Yes... Yes, somethin' like that. Got it, Boss. Please take care of yourself, too.

It's been a long time since I took a vacation... I wonder how the East is this time of year.

Yeah, the East, that's got to be it... They've got the stadium and other famous sightseein' spots. And it has nothin' to do with the signal from the locator headin' there.

......

What'dya say, Gray? Ya think I can peak in on where this is all goin'?