Esper Story: Bardon

Thanks for coming, Lucas.

Not at all. I've wanted to see this film for a while.

Right! It's been pretty hyped, hasn't it? I've been interested since the trailer.

An action-packed movie with an all-star cast!

Shhh. It's starting!

What's that?! Got it. I'll head there right now! Sorry. Gotta go.

You're going to miss all the best parts! Is it a mission? Is it urgent? Should I go too?

There might be Miramon in the city limits. They want me to check.

That's alright. You just finished a mission. You've earned your break. Enjoy!

Shhhhh!

Sorry, sorry! Gotta go, Lucas!

Bardon! Remember that movie you didn't get to finish?

Yeah. Shame I didn't get to finish it...

I can tell you what happens if you'd like. There's a big twist when...

Hey, no spoilers! I still want to watch it sometime.

I honestly don't mind seeing it again.

I checked and there are no tickets for the next two days.

I have tickets.

You... do?! Wow. These are great seats!

For today. I grabbed your mission schedule off Discboom.

This is... I mean, do you seriously want to watch it again with me?

It's not every day I get to see a film with my buddy Bardon.

Awesome! Let's go!

...Uh-oh.

You're joking...

I'm so sorry, Lucas! Another emergency, this time with a rescue team. I gotta go.

I'll come! Good to have extra help.

Great! And... sorry about the tickets.

Don't be! Search and rescue is way more important.

I'll pass them on to Q and David. They won't be wasted.

Then let's go! Can't keep the rescue team waiting.

Bardon, over here!

Long time no see. Were you... waiting for me?

Yeah. You're a busy man! Haven't seen you around the Union lately.

Well, not with all these Miramon coming out of the woodwork.

Anyway. Did you get to watch that movie we were going to see?

No... I still want to watch it. I've just been really busy.

I'm free just in time for the movie to no longer be playing in cinemas. It's okay. I'll just wait for the next smash hit...

Awesome!

...What?

I was worried you might have seen it already. Come with me!

Why are we going here?

You'll see inside!

What on earth, you're all here!

You're late! I almost fell asleep.

Mona? Guys?

We're staying up late for movie night with a busy man. I contributed my favorite lollipops.

Thanks... I thought you'd only stay up late for video games.

Apparently it's really good, so I'll make an exception.

Thank you so, so much.

All at Lucas' insistence. He's the one you should thank.

Lucas, I...

Alright! Alright! Thank me later. Let's watch it!

I've seen it, you know. Wouldn't want to spoil it by accident.

Haha. I'll do my best not to hear anything!

Movies are meant to be enjoyed with friends!

Round eight's a draw! Do you want to stop?

I got plenty left in the tank. I'm bringing that robot arm of yours down today!

That's the spirit!

Just give up already.

You have no idea what's gonna hit you.

...Wait! Wait a minute.

Throwing in the towel already?

Never... Hold on a sec. I think there's something wrong with my arm. I'll have it checked with Chalmers.

You think Chalmers'll give you an edge so you can beat me?!

Low, Bardon! Very low.

...Who do you take me for? I'd never cheat.

It's becoming sort of sluggish and unresponsive. It's a serious issue. I need to deal with it.

Alright. As long as you're not bailing on me!

No way! We'll see who wins later after I fix it.

Afternoon, Chalmers.

Good afternoon, Bardon. Let me guess: your robotic arm again?

Exactly. It's been real buggy recently. I could use your expertise.

Let me help you take it off first... So what's the problem?

Not a big deal this time. It's just when I want to move my fingers, the neural connection lags a bit.

Ooof! That hurts!

Chalmers, please detach my arm gently next time.

Okay, okay. A laggy arm is still better than no arm at all.

There's still plenty of Esper juice there. I'll run some diagnostics. Should be fine.

Done. Try it out.

The lag's gone, but the left arm feels a lot lighter than my right. It's unbalanced.

Is that a problem? Let me have a look...

Interesting... congrats, Bardon. Your myoglobin cells are very active. Your muscle mass has significantly increased.

What's that? English please. Am I getting stronger?

Exactly. Muscle mass and muscle strength have both increased.

Awesome! Then can I switch to another stronger, better robot arm?

Not only that, but we have some new materials this time we can put to good use.

When can I swap it out? I can't wait to try it!

Slow down! It won't be for a little while at least.

I can adjust the weight on your old arm for now to at least rebalance it.

Alright, thanks... I look forward to that new arm. Soon.

In a little while. I'm sure you'll be thrilled with it.

But before that be sure to treat your current arm well too.

Yeah, yeah. Lewis is still waiting on our match. I gotta go!

Let's continue, Lewis! Got my arm fixed.

It's okay now?

Problem solved. Chalmers even boosted it.

...You said it was to fix lag. You're cheating!

I'm not! It's just a normal rebalancing. Because of my other arm.

How about I use one less finger. No, how about two?

Come on, man! You can't beat me even with your reinforced arm.

Or you use your Esper powers? It's only fair.

Alright, sure! Let's go!

Go!

Weird. Is something burning? Do you guys smell that?

There... is... a weird smell, but it can wait till I... win this!

Stop... bragging, I've... got this!

Bardon, do you not realize your hand is next to an open flame?! It's burning!

What? Oh, crap! Another trip to Chalmers then.

Sorry 'bout that, dude. I didn't think...

Not your fault. I just hope Chalmers doesn't ban me from his lab...

So, Lewis. First day filling in at the consultation center. Nervous?

Why would I be nervous? Talking to randos off the street is my bread and butter.

Looks like you'll do a great job today then!

Good thing you're here. Or I'd have to field all their questions alone.

My time to shine, you mean.

Hey Bardon... why doesn't anyone else want to take this shift with you?

I dunno. I know Mona and the others didn't want to.

Maybe I'm just too good at it. Feels like the half the city turns out here sometimes! Too intense.

Yeah, well, I don't mean to rain on your parade, but I've been doing this kind of stuff for years, back in my gang.

That's the spirit. Hold on to that attitude. Let's open the doors.

Excuse me, do you all get things like standard vacations when you become an Ops Chief?

Not anything to worry about. So when you join the Union...

All weapons are provided free of charge by the Weapons Research Laboratory!

......

When you become an Ops Chief, you can have...

The Union offers fantastic benefits! For example, lots of events and holidays around the Solstice Festival!

I'm sorry, it's a bit noisy in here, could you repeat that?

...Right, about the festival...

We operate on a shift system, meaning there are no long-term field ops barring special circumstances. You get leave which accrues based on Union policies.

...Exactly. What he said.

Bardon! You're kind of drowning everyone out. Can you lower your voice?

What did you say? Didn't get that...

Oof. That megaphone packs a punch!

Okay then. You go Lewis! Let's answer the heck out of these questions!

Ugh. Alright then. Two can play at that game...

Our medical team is truly one of a kind. In addition to serving Union members, they also do a lot of disaster relief!

The Scavengers... Ahem, only arrest Espers who've done something majorly wrong. They're nothing to fear!

Parents should rest assured that the Esper Academy offers a holistic and all-inclusive education model!

*Cough* It's in the... *Cough* Training department...

The instructors in the training department give lots of professional guidance. So you'll end up a top Ops Chief, like me!

These Union Ops Chiefs are so committed. I guess the Union must really welcome newcomers.

Yeah. Especially the one without the megaphone. You could hear him from a mile away!

Other than weapons, what else does the research department work on?

We have, Bzzz...

Ahem, please give me a second, I think it's broken.

Uh, come again?

Lewis, they're waiting!

Let me answer!

We can't disclose specific projects. But we also look at other fields like Esper gear and materials!

...Thanks.

......

Let's say your house was damaged in a battle, you could apply for free repairs with the Union construction crew!

Hmm? Why isn't the other representative saying anything?

I think his megaphone gave out. He's put it away.

Ahem. Bardon, how's your voice?

Fine. Why? You sound a bit hoarse. Somehow broke the Megaphone, too.

You know, you didn't have to go that hard. We did great!

...Fine. You get all the attention, I'll admit. This time, anyway.

Beg your pardon?

Mm. I have a tendency to hog the limelight. They just keep coming to me, what can I say?

......

Now I understand why nobody wants to take your shifts at the consultation center.

All that talking... It's bad for your voice box. And you can handle it all yourself, anyway.