glacus

At this distance, if he wants to shoot me, the system won't stop him in time!

So it was you...

Hahahahaha.

What... What are you trying to say?

I've been looking for this weapon's designer for a very long time.

Everyone, I'm former specialist mercenary Gordon Bounou of Dakfung Security. I lost the use of my hands in an accident, so I was supplied a 'Raythean Navigator Mk. I' tactical crossbow.

But I never expected that this half-baked, defective product would lead to an outcome I could never take back.

Because it wouldn't shoot properly... I had no choice but to watch my... subordinate die...

Impossible...

That account you just transferred the money into is his family's. That's what Raythean owes him! You have to take full responsibility for his death!

Raythean Industries... this black-hearted company... and you, you bastard! For letting your unreliable weapons enter the market while you watch your stock prices go up from your offices...

All of you assholes deserve to die!

Too bad for you... No way I could've dealt with all of you, but looks like fate's on my side. I caught you.

Don't be hasty! There must be some kind of misunderstanding!

That weapon cannot be defective! I tested it myself!

Shut up! I...

Try launching a bolt. Just give it a try.

What are you doing? Are you trying to get me killed?!

Stay back! This has nothing to do with you!

No, I'm saying you should try firing your crossbow.

Firing my...

Right... I've come this far. There's no turning back.

I lived half my life as a merc. I live and die by the crossbow... My life came to an end the day I lost the use of my hands.

But now I have this bastard right here in my grip. If I can at least drag him down with me...

Wait! Don't do it!

...Fire it.

Perhaps trying to look better in death, the man forces himself to smile, at least a little.

He contracts the muscles in his upper arm as he's practiced before, making no mistakes in the action.

In less than one three-hundredth of a second, the crossbow will fire, and its bolt will pierce his hostage's body.

Then, he will swallow the poison pill in his mouth, and everything will end exactly the way he envisioned.

Yet nothing happens.

What... How come...?

Help!

Quick! Don't let him get away!

He's got something in his mouth! Open it up! Don't let him kill himself!

After a brief commotion, the crisis finally comes to an end.

Get off me! Get off!

No way... Why...? Why didn't it fire again?!

What did you do? Didn't you say you fixed it?!

I didn't fix it, I modded it. To make it... suit you better.

She leans down and picks up the weapon that she modified herself.

The 'Returner.' That's the name she came up with for it.

She fastens the custom-made ringband that went ignored around her hand, and assumes a shooting stance.

Then, she pulls the trigger.

This...

Don't move!

Get off me! Let me see! Let me see her!

Relax your hold on him a little. Let him see... but don't let him go!

I was trying to tell you how to use it after I modded it, but I didn't get the chance.

After seeing your hands, I figured that as a veteran, pulling the trigger has to be the action you're most familiar with, right?

You've been on thousands of missions and come back from danger countless times, so I knew that being able to shoot accurately and instinctively has to be the one thing you can count on the most.

So when I saw that you can still move your thumb, I made a little change.

Instead of relying on the EMG sensor, I added a ringband that stands in for the trigger being pulled.

That way, you can pull the trigger yourself and fire your crossbow the way you're most familiar with.

Professor, is it alright if we let him try it?

...Keep him under control.

Here, put this on. Give it a try.

How is it? Not bad, huh?

There is no answer.

He simply lets the tears in his eyes run down his face.

Professor, the results of the investigation are in.

A mercenary called Gordon did indeed use our 'Raythean Navigator Mk. I' during a mission. It was bought wholesale by Dakfung Security for their disabled soldiers.

And the mission did turn out as he said. Six months ago, a 23 years old mercenary was killed by rioters because the man wasn't able to fire his weapon in time.

After the incident, he left Dakfung Security and used one of the fake identities he used as a mercenary to apply to become a janitor at our division.

He'd been planning this for a very long time. He was going to commit suicide during our media day, and lay all the blame on our company.

Since we outsourced janitorial work to a service company, we didn't discover his plan in time. This oversight is our security department's responsibility, and we'll make sure that they take the necessary precautions going forward.

Necessary precautions... If it weren't for that candidate modifying his weapon, I would've been killed!

I'm truly sorry!

Never mind... Did you bring the report regarding the mission he was on?

Here it is.

Did the 'Navigator Mk. I' really malfunction...?

Based on the operational logs we exported from the unit, it seems... it was working as intended.

And Dakfung Security's internal investigation report shows that the real reason behind that incident was that the mercenary subconsciously wanted to pull the trigger...

...and failed.

It's a good thing he didn't get his way. I mean, I knew there could never be a problem with your design.

No.

Announce to the public that his weapon malfunctioned and caused the accident. That we sincerely regret this and will take full responsibility.

What? Professor!

Now leave, and do as I said. I'll pay for any compensation out of my own pocket.

Understood.

Phew...

That's fine with you, right boss?

Mhm.

Is there anything else you want to say?

Of course, I also wanted to talk to you about the new candidate, Glaucus. Didn't you contact me because of her?

She may have saved my life, but my judgment is still that she's not fit to be an equipment designer.

Her design philosophy simply can't develop the sort of products that could expand our company or increase our profit margins.

I know.

But she is indeed a genius, and your headquarters can't let talents like her slip by.

I will send someone to sign a cooperation agreement with her and sign her on as a advanced weapon evaluator. She will be in charge of tuning the latest weapons, and all the company's most innovative research will be made available to her.

Good. That's a much better position for her.

'A technology company should strive to better serve the masses with technology.' I remember you saying that during your interview, years ago.

Right. I wonder how I turned out the way I am now.

When I interviewed Glaucus, I asked her the same question. How she sees the relationship between technology and people.

And her answer was...

'Technology may have forged my legs, but it's only when I run that they have meaning.'