NSLICE-00P’s cybernetic components linked to Ateia’s and quickly evaluated her state.
“Observation: NSLICE Ateia has undergone significant damage and is in a state of severe fatigue. Recommending standby-sentry mode until friendly unit is restored to full efficiency.”
With that, Ateia’s robotic eye flickered and then shut off.
“Wha…”
Ateia’s organic eye closed mid-sentence. NSLICE-00P then Transferred her to the Medium Monster Hangar for safety. She had not attempted to do so previously because all dungeon-related intel was classified from Imperial-affiliated individuals, including her friendlies. But at this stage, Ateia had become her full subordinate, and now had access to that intel due to integration into the NSLICE network in any case, so said restrictions no longer applied.
NSLICE-00P then took stock of the situation. Most of the hostiles in this facility had been terminated, and she had identified the corpse of the woman who forcibly relocated her when she returned to the area of operations. One hostile with a powerful mana signature had jumped into a tub of water in the room, NSLICE-00P scanned the tub now but could find no trace of the hostile besides some non-standard energy readings.
So one hostile remained at large. Additionally, she did not know the identity of the hostiles, or how to pick them out from the other Imperials. From context clues they appeared to resemble the cult Magister Vibius spoke to her about, though he was since designated untrustworthy. But regardless, she did not know who else in this city might be identified with the group. So…NSLICE-00P wasn’t sure if there were any further targets to terminate, or where they might be if so.
Likewise, she needed to confirm the safety of her other friendlies. So, ultimately, she decided to regroup with the others and determine if they had any intel on the threat.
With that, NSLICE-00P boosted out of the hole in the roof and shot into the sky once more.
B jumped as something suddenly appeared in the hangar. He slowly walked over to it, and then his organic eye widened.
It was the evil squishy thing! She had invaded his home!
Only…she wasn’t squishy or evil anymore.
The Great Mother had apparently adopted her into the family, much like she had with the wise Big Sister Lilussees and the shady Big Brother Rattingtale. And the Great Mother had also evolved the squishy thing to be not so squishy.
B pondered for a moment. But only for a moment.
She was part of the family now, and so evil no longer. And it was 00B’s job, as declared by the Great Mother, to protect the family.
So 00B crouched down by the evil…‘new family member’ to protect her as she slept.
Agedia and Magister Appius led the group as they ran after NSLICE-00P. She had flown in the direction of Consul Noxisius’s villa.
And then the sky lit up with a strategic magic circle, and big fires broke out ahead. The group came to a halt. Magister Appius and Agedia glanced at each other. The Magister Exploratores sighed.
“So…I’m guessing a diplomatic solution is no longer an option?”
Agedia’s eyes narrowed.
“It never was.”
Just then the group saw NSLICE-00P flying through the sky, directly towards them. She turned down and then landed in front of them with a crash. Agedia frowned.
“Shiny girl. Where’s Ateia?”
“Answer: This unit has NSLICE Ateia secured in a safe location.”
Agedia glared at her but then sighed, and slumped her shoulders.
“…I want to see her, but…I suppose I’ll take your word for it for now. Just tell me this, NSLICE-00P, Queen of the Dobhar, is she alright?”
“Affirmative Response: NSLICE Ateia is currently functional, though in a state of fatigue, and so undergoing rest cycles to restore organic component efficiency.”
Agedia stared at her for a second before shaking her head.
“That will have to do. So what now, shiny girl?”
NSLICE-00P’s robotic eye flickered.
“Mission Status: All confirmed hostiles in the immediate vicinity have been terminated or else retreated from the area. Request: This unit is unable to confirm if additional hostiles are present. Please present any intel regarding the current foes.”Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
Agedia frowned.
“Cult of mana, call themselves the Heralds of the New Dawn. Unfortunately, your guess is as good as mine, shiny girl, if I knew how to track them down I would have killed them a long time ago.”
Agedia then turned to face Magister Appius, who sighed and shook his head.
“They’re very slippery, that’s for sure. We thought we had driven them out of the North years ago…apparently I was deeply mistaken.”
“Acknowledged.”
NSLICE-00P again analyzed her situation, as well as the events that led to it. She had been deceived by a social offer, giving a hostile an opportunity to activate an unknown capability which NSLICE-00P did not have any countermeasures for. This resulted in NSLICE-00P being removed from the area of operations and Ateia taking severe damage. NSLICE-00P additionally calculated that Ateia could have been terminated before she would have been able to respond, if that had been the hostiles’ goal. And while the hostiles in the area had been dealt a blow, a notable member of the group had escaped, and neither she, her friendlies, nor the Imperial authorities had any means of identifying other members of the group. There was also no data on the extent to which the Empire had been infiltrated by the group, only that they had apparently evaded the Magister Exploratores, a high-ranking authority responsible for intelligence gathering.
This was a scenario NSLICE-00P could not tolerate. The hostile could return, or have additional assets in the area that could threaten her, hiding among the otherwise cordial Empire. As long as that was the case, there was an unacceptable probability of failing the major directive. There was even a significant risk of NSLICE-00P being terminated herself, and thus a risk to her primary directive as well.
“Response: Hostiles have displayed previously unknown capabilities that this unit lacks sufficient countermeasures for, and this unit is not able to terminate all known hostiles at this time. This unit and friendlies should retreat to a secure location until the threat is terminated or sufficient countermeasures have been developed.”
One of the knights stepped forward and saluted at that.
“Greetings, Queen of the Dobhar. I’m Julianus Secundius Urbicus, a knight of Consul Hiberius. I believe I can offer some assistance with that. My liege owns several villas in the outskirts and surrounding territories. We can retreat to one of those if you wish.”
“Query: Please state reasoning and end goal of offered assistance by unaffiliated unit.”
At that Taog stepped forward and tapped NSLICE-00P’s shoulder.
“Ah, Seero, these guys helped us tonight. They broke in and saved me and Estrith.”
NSLICE-00P turned to Estrith. She scowled but nodded her head. Agedia also nodded.
“The Hiberius family does owe you for saving Governor Aemilia.”
NSLICE-00P’s robotic eye flickered as she calculated. On the one hand, she had gotten into this situation because of social contact with individuals she lacked data on. If she didn’t know their full affiliation and directives, then interacting with them was a risk.
On the other hand, these particular individuals had apparently already committed hostile actions towards her foes tonight, rescuing two of her friendlies in the process. And said battle had claimed a powerful member of the hostile group due to the termination of the hostile that had relocated her. As a result, the probability that these particular individuals were associated with the hostile group was extremely low.
“Acknowledged. Warning: This unit must inform unaffiliated individuals that any suspected hostile intent will result in immediate termination.”
Knight Julianus saluted once more.
“We would not dream of it, Your Majesty. Right this way, then.”
Agedia turned to Magister Appius.
“So, looks like we’re going, Uncle. What are you going to do?”
Magister Appius frowned as Agedia narrowed her eyes at him.
“Well, as the Magister Exploratores I should probably ask Her Majesty to explain herself before the Court given that she very obviously set a Consul’s villa on fire but…under the circumstances it can’t be helped. I already know why she did it, after all.”
He looked into Agedia’s eyes and made a sad smile.
“Go. This cult has clearly gotten the drop on me. I can’t even protect an Amiciti Populi Elteni in the heart of Corvanus. I don’t know how the Court will respond if she runs but it's probably for the best that she remains at large. And I will keep it that way, for as long as I am able.”
Agedia met his gaze for a moment before looking away. The group set off into the night, leaving the Magister Exploratores behind. But as they were running away, Agedia whispered under her breath.
“Thank you, Uncle.”
The knights led the group out of Corvanus, just as the guards were reacting to the chaos. They went out a smaller entrance used exclusively by high-ranking officials, and so set off without an issue. They traveled to a remote villa on a medium-sized farm. The attendants there led the group to a small reception room.
Inside they found a middle aged man in a toga. He had sharp and narrow eyes, an angular face, and a stern expression.
“You must be NSLICE-00P, I am Consul Septimus Hiberius Conciliator.”
“Affirmative. Greeting: This unit is designated NSLICE-00P, it is nice to meet you.”
Consul Hiberius nodded.
“I am pleased to meet you as well, though I wish it were under less troubling circumstances. I understand you have had a violent disagreement with Consul Noxisius tonight?”
“Affirmative.”
Consul Hiberius took a deep breath.
“A regrettable turn of events, but I will assume you had good cause. In any case, now is the time that the Hiberius family repays its debts. Lafrenia!”
A Diminidum Pendum woman walked into the room.
“At your service, Consul.”
“See to it that Her Majesty NSLICE-00P receives any goods or services she requires, and that no one intrudes upon the privacy of our lands.”
Lafrenia saluted.
“As you command.”
Consul Hiberius then marched towards the door.
“I will see to it that the Court does not make any regrettable decisions. It is high time that they recall why the Hiberius family has ruled the Northern Court for generations.”
Just before he left, he turned his head to glance at NSLICE-00P.
“A question. Governor Aemilia Hiberna of Turannia, is she in good health?”
“Response: This unit’s last record indicates Governor Aemilia Hiberna had no outstanding physical issues, and was in fully functioning condition.”
Consul Hiberius nodded.
“…it seems that daughter of mine is trying her best, despite everything. I suppose it is time I do the same.”
With that, he left the room. Lafrenia turned to NSLICE-00P and saluted.
“I am at your command, Your Majesty. We have rooms already prepared for you and your associates; what else can we assist you with?”
NSLICE-00P glanced around, her robotic eye flickering.
“Friendly Taog appears to have been disarmed and requires additional weaponry. This unit’s friendlies appear to lack adequate supplies, a resupply is necessary before any additional actions may be taken.”
Lafrenia saluted once more.
“It shall be done, Your Majesty. If that is all, may I lead you to your rooms?”
“Affirmative.”