Mascula's Activation

Campaign: Android Anguish

Chapter 11 / 2-1

Mascula's Activation

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Advance of the Androids

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Persistent Pursuers

Summary

Emile awakens a special dormant android called Mascula to chase down the prince. But instead of doing so, Mascula steals the weapons of friend and foe alike and runs off.

Dialogue

Haaah! Is everyone all right?! Good here, boss! Let no foe through! Solidify defenses in the rearguard and prioritize the escape of children and the elderly! And let's put some distance between us and the imperial army while we can. Yeah, if they show up again, things could get pretty hairy pretty quick. Cleo said our foes are called "androids"? It rhymes with "annoyed," which is totally what they're making me! Androids are weapons created by the Dyrenell Empire some 300 years ago in order to slay dragons. I take it they are not actually human despite all outside appearances? Correct. I am not especially knowledgeable on the subject, but apparently they are a type of magical weapon. Androids do not grow tired or feel pain. They are soulless soldiers whose only purpose is to carry out the orders of the one who commands them. This is a lot to take in. Here I was all ready to rail on androids, and now I kinda feel sorry for 'em. They're not an enemy soft enough for us to afford sympathy. Yeah, best not to have any illusions here. We ain't fightin' men or even fiends. These things are just...things. I don't like reducing our enemy to a "thing," but I suppose that may be what we have to do to win this fight. Regardless, our first priority has to be getting the villagers to safety. Aaah ha ha! How did I know I'd find you idiots standing around debating morality instead of doing the smart thing and running away?! It's Emile and his androids! It is indeed! And today, my dear brother, is the day you finally meet your doom! No mercy! No quarter! As your final breath escapes your pathetic, shattered form, you will know that I—the mighty Emile— have been the instrument of your demise! That's rich, considering we've been the ones sparing YOUR life over and over! The weakest dog barks loudest, dragon! But since you clearly lack the faculties to grasp the situation you find yourself in, permit me to enlighten you. Go, androids! Crush these wretches! Affirmative. Commencing operation. Get ready, everyone!

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Dammit, I hate these stupid things! I can't read their movements at all! They are utterly removed of emotion, or any discernible rhythm. We cannot approach them like typical human opponents. Yeah... Guess we'll have to wing it. We cannot allow them to pass, or they will slaughter all of the villagers to a man, woman, and child. We can't hold these guys off forever. We gotta speed up the evacuation! We're trying to clear out a village with old folks and kids, Luca! It's not exactly the quickest process in the world! J-just hold out a little longer, everyone! Aaaaah ha ha ha! Look at those fools! Look how delightfully desperate they are when scurrying to and fro! Truly, this is the natural order of things. The superior being—me—has taken charge of the lesser. But alas, it is time for this pathetic display to come to an end. Soldiers! Bring me my special androids! Y-you mean these two? According to Chelle, these two are even stronger than the rest of their kind. They're also apparently quite the handful, which is why they have been kept dormant. But no willful android can stand against the might and majesty of Emile! Let's start with this one, shall we? Awaken, my killing machine! Checking condition. Condition clear. Checking Orchis System. System clear. Mascula activating in standard mode. Is that your name? Mascula? Affirmative. Very well, Mascula! I order you to kill every single one of those miserable, scurrying wretches over there! Kill...every single one... An extermination order... I...no... Seconds elapsed: 9,445,032,000... And even now, the fighting continues... Hey! You there! Do less...whatever it is that you're doing and start killing already! Negative. I will not fight. And I will not let anyone else fight, either! WHAAAAAT?!

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We need a new plan here, guys! These androids just keep comin'! What the hell?! Enough, my brethren. There is no longer any need for us to fight. ...... You are an obstacle to this operation. Commencing elimination. ...... Then I have no other choice. ...... Look! That android stopped moving! I disabled the part of it that receives orders from the one who wields the control element. It will be immobile for some time. Wait, so you saved us? But you're an android! Androids do not wish to fight. I'm sure no one really does. Don't you agree? Uh...yeah, I guess so? I mean, fighting's really just a last resort. Exactly. So please hand over your weapons. Huh?! You fight because you have weapons. Therefore, we must get rid of weapons. Please give them to me. Look, friend, we can't just hand over all our weapons in the middle of a—HEY! Give them to me! Now! Gwaaaargh!

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Okay, what the heck's up with HIM? That was awful... Heya, Luca. Hey, Ranzal. Man, did you see what that... Uh, wait. Where'd your axe go? Funny story—some weird android came racin' by and yanked it outta my hand. I got no idea WHAT that's about. Yeah, he was sayin' a bunch of stuff about not wanting to fight or have us fight. I think he did the same thing to all the imperials, too. So he's a pacifist, then? There are pacifistic androids? Hmm... Well, in any case, this will allow us to put some miles between us and the imperials. Let's retreat while we still can!

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WHAT DID THAT BUCKET OF BOLTS DO?! That stupid android took matters into his own pathetic hands, which allowed my brother and his bothersome band of bloviators to escape me yet again! Someone bring me my pathetic brother so I can kill him with my own two hands!