zumama

The thicker the better. Needs to bear a lot of weight.

And don't tell anyone. Especially not the Durins.

Why?

Ehm... they might not be happy about it. Better that I tell them myself.

I knew it. She's building a nomadic city.

But why does she want wood that can bear a lot of weight? Is she trying to build a nomadic city out of wood? That's crazy.

And what does it have to do with the Durins? They're not trying to build a nomadic city.

Wait... didn't Inam say she wanted the design to compete with the Durins'?

A nomadic city is more impressive than buildings fixed to the ground, of course, but what the Tiacauh build won't look anywhere near as spectacular as Stitch's design...

She's not trying to recreate that model by the lake on a mobile platform, is she? That's crazy, not even she would do that...

But if she did...

I got to stop her! She doesn't know what she's getting herself into!

(Yawn) I must be hallucinating after spending too much time with the blueprints...

Who are you calling a hallucination, kid?!

I thought you went back to Acahualla.

You'll lose all your hair if you keep minding things that aren't your business.

A nomadic city? In the jungle?

Let me see her plans.

Here.

(Mumbles) Don't blame me for borrowing your old homework, girl. This is for the good of everyone.

Pretty standard stuff. When did she learn all this?

...Huh?

Do you know what these thick pipes are?

And are these fists that I see on the diagram?

Gun barrels and robotic arms. There are also missile pods here.

What about residential? Where are people going to live?

Underneath the guns, storage room, cockpit. Mostly under the guns, because there are plenty of those.

...That wasn't really intended as a question.

I figured as much.

I'm almost touched that she gave serious thought to commercial infrastructure and transportation...

Never mind that. I came to ask you for permission, Stitch, because this is serious.

Won't you let the girl copy your design?

You mean, build the exact settlement that I designed, except on a mobile platform?

I know it might be hard to accept, but—

Sure.

Huh?

My design incorporates a lot of Acahuallan elements, and the Durins and Tiacauh living together was one of the things I considered.

If Eunectes is okay with it, it's fine by me. I'm curious to see how she puts my design onto a mobile platform.

(Mumbles) You'll probably faint when you see it.

But I have to ask, if Eunectes wants to build a nomadic city, why is the design basically a mobile fortress?

Let's go shopping, Zumama.

...I'm going back.

It's your first time setting foot on a nomadic city. Aren't you happy about it?

I was happy. I thought it would bring me one step closer to my dream.

But I was wrong.

The picture etched into my memory... what I really want, is a massive construct of steel moving slowly before my eyes.

Steel walls the height of a waterfall, gleaming metal brighter than the sun, treading trees that have stood for thousands of years into dust...

Absolute strength. Absolute power. Nothing so... mundane.

I see. It's not beauty she's looking for; it's power.

Exactly.

But that's not what she's like at Rhodes Island.

Hm? She spends all day chatting with the robots at Rhodes Island. They're like sisters. It's pretty cute.

I don't think it's arbitrary—

Time for your checkup, Stitch! Are you coming out yourself, or do I have to come in and get you?

G-Gavial?!

I-I'm coming out! Don't come in!

A few days later...

Anyway, the girl wants to replicate a Durin settlement and move it onto a mobile platform.

Well, the Durin problem was coming to a head sooner or later. Fast-tracking it isn't such a bad thing, just that it's maybe a little too conspicuous.

Maybe give it a bit of polish. Make the padishah dependent on us, rather than fearful of us...

I have to say, Inam, as far as being a lord ameer is concerned, you're better than Gavial.

I'll take that as a compliment.

How did you know all this? Couldn't resist talking to her?

Of course not. All the results of a painstaking investigation.

Anyway, now that we know what Zumama wants to do, we should help her deal with the aftermath. You can go, if there's nothing else you need.

Did you think I came to ask for help? No, I came to help you.

Follow me.

Ore vein? How did you find a place like this?

I used to live here. It turned into a mine after some geological changes.

No wonder Zumama has a knack for finding all sorts of metals that I've never seen before.

This is where The Big Ugly was built. It was abandoned after the girl decided to leave Acahualla.

Why did you bring me here?

Find a way to 'accidentally' discover this ore vein and offer it to the padishah. Should be enough to buy a nomadic city permit.

That would be a bad deal, for you. The padishah would be the first to offer his support if we billed the nomadic city as a Durin brewing platform.

Deep breath, deep breath.

I appreciate it, though. It may not be useful right now, but it could come in handy in the future.

I have a question though.

Please, ask.

I've seen my fair share of eccentrics, but your mysteries might top them all.

Why did you suddenly show up with Zumama? How did you end up living with her, and even doing all this to help her?

Why?

The High Priest is used to this question from Zumama, but not from others.

Is it because Zumama was the first in the jungle to hold nuts and bolts in her hands?

Because, at heart, he is a lover of machines?

Because he was lonely for so long, and wanted someone interesting to talk to?

When developing The Big Ugly, she said to me...

'We'll make this machine together, and then you'll drive it, High Priest!'

That's a good story.

I like it too.

Then shouldn't you be helping her with the design?

Can't go back on my word. Besides, it's high time she stood on her own two feet.

Was that anger all an act?

Burdenbeast dung—

Yes or no?

Of course—

You have quite the mean streak in you. That's why you make a good lord ameer.

Alright, enough joking around. I really do think you should give Zumama a hand. I think they're almost ready to start.

Well... if you insist, I'll go back on my word, this once.

She's not in?

Not in her room, at least.