act12d0

Lancet-2, I have a serious question.

Go ahead.

Isn't your battery running low?

Oh, don't worry about that. Before we left, the lovely Ms. Closure fitted me with a brand new, extra long-lasting battery.

Theoretically, I could function for a week without needing a charge.

The aircraft is also carrying spare batteries, so you don't have to worry about me.

Okay.

Now where did Kay run off to? On our way back, the kiddo suddenly hopped to her feet and jetted away.

It's true, we should be concerned about Ceobe's condition, but considering her strength and constitution, we don't need to be too concerned.

That's true.

Hah, I'm bored.

We fixed up the aircraft, patched up the wounded Gavial sent over, and now we've got nothing to do.

That we can't speak the local language is just a cherry on top. I should've gone to that ceremony with the Doctor.

The aircraft is an important Rhodes Island asset, it's our responsibility to guard it well.

I'm just saying. I mean, I'm a pilot, I know the deal with the aircraft.

You're lucky, Lancet-2, you can just switch into sleep mode when you're bored. I was out for twelve hours yesterday, so I'm wide awake.

Well, actually, I have no ability to feel 'boredom'.

Although I do understand what this feeling is, Mr. Dylan. The lovely Ms. Closure complains about these things a lot. And it causes her to behave in strange ways.

...I think about this sometimes, Lancet-2, are we totally sure you and the other bots don't have a human crammed up in there anywhere?

We don't. My interior is a precisely-designed circuitry construct. Do you want to see?

Although, since I have been programmed with a female personality, I may act out in unexpected ways when presenting my body to the opposite sex.

Err, I'll pass.

If was going to see anything, I'd definitely prefer a swimsuit at a time like this.

A swimsuit?

Yeah, it's summertime. That's when you put on a swimsuit and go play in the water.

In that case, I'll play an audio recording of various sea sounds for you.

No thanks, it'd only make me feel worse.

...Then maybe... Mr. Dylan would like to see me in a swimsuit?

Definitely not!

Oh, sorry. I am only a robot, after all.

Err, I'm the one who's sorry. I didn't mean it like that.

Don't worry about it. By the way, have you seen the sea, Mr. Dylan?

Um, I have. I'm thinking it was that time we loaned Master SilverAsh an aircraft last summer after a schedule change mixed things up. I flew him there.

It turns out, the place was a major vacation spot. Master SilverAsh made me a VIP guest.

Man, that's when I realized how us poor folks could scarcely imagine what the rich live like.

Here, I've got the pictures with me.

You long for this kind of life, Mr. Dylan?

Hm? I mean... that was a really great couple of days, but if my whole life was like that, I don't think I'd ever get used to it.

I'm more of an instant-noodles-in-the-cockpit kind of guy. With an inverted sleep schedule to boot.

Oh you can't do that. Let me formulate a healthy lifestyle plan for you.

No thanks, I'm good!

Too bad. The lovely Ms. Closure created this feature for me, but no one uses it. Not her, not the Doctor.

Haha, sounds about right.

Oh, but that reminds me, the tribes here live so much better than I thought. They really want for nothing.

Yes, life here is less convenient and comfortable than the world we know, but not to any significant degree.

According to my records, your health has improved in the past two days.

Really?

Really.

Turns out returning to nature will do that for you. Heh. I guess this is the life that everyone came from.

Oh yeah, I just remembered, Gavial said something about a gigantic waterfall in the rainforest that way. I'd love to go there when the Doctor gets back.

They may have already gone that way.

The Doctor is a good boss. And I know our friends wouldn't abandon us to go play under the waterfall!

True. Then let's wait patiently.

Is there a 'Dylan' here?

That's me!

Huh? You speak Sargonian?

Yes. And you're here with the machine. Right, it must be you.

The one called 'Doctor' asked me to give you this note.

Hm? Let's see here...

...Lancet-2, looks like we've got work to do.

Wow! I could hear the roar of the water from so far away, I never knew waterfalls even got this big!

Hah, I didn't steer you wrong, did I?

Sure enough. I guess I'll forgive you~

Haha! It really is an incredible waterfall.

Looks like Tomimi isn't here yet, so let's take a little break.

Hooray! I can finally get some use out of my swimsuit~

You got a lotta fight in you, squirt.

Kemar, well aware of the language barrier, communicates with her stance, rather than words.

Heh. Seeing as I've got nothing else to do, we might as well go a few rounds.

Blaze is really going at it hard with that girl over there.

Sure is.

I don't see what's so fun about fighting.

...I heard you singin' a whole 'nother tune last time you was fightin', Utage.

Ahahaha. I guess you're right.

Hey, Croissant, that isn't a swimsuit, is it?

Ahahaha, ya got me. It's just some outdoorsy getup I snagged. Plenty waterproof, so we'n pretend it's a swimsuit.

You're a real function over form kinda girl, huh?

But hey, it may not be a beach, but playing around a waterfall is pretty great too! It's got that real 'back to nature' vibe. Too bad I didn't bring my camera.

Ya got that right. I ain't never been out in the wilds like this before. I'm havin' a ball!

Hey...

Whassat?

Am I seeing things?

Huh?

Isn't that Kay?

How do you like the waterfall, Doctor?

It's nice.;......;Meh.

Hah, I used to love coming here to bathe.

Looks like you've got a lot on your mind, Doctor.

You're cruisin' for a bruisin', Doctor.

From here it's just a short walk to Zumama's tribe.

When I got that letter from Tomimi, I never thought things would turn out like this.

...Oh, Doctor, there's one thing that's been really gnawing at my brain these past few days. We're friends, right? I wanna ask you about it.

Do you think...?

Doooctooor!

What's happening? I'm trying to talk to the Doctor here.

Look over there!

Is that... Kay?

I found it! The Mushroom Sea!

Bath time!

Looks like she's still off in la la land.