The Underground City

20:06

N04H does seem as he follows his advice though, going in the city and meeting up with his old friends. There seems to be a larger group though, as some kind of reunion of that school year students or something, and it does seem as if he was invited to this event from one of his pals, as a guy waves at him when he noticed him. It appears to be M1LO, one of his old roommates.

[M1LO]-N04H! Over here, N04H!

[N04H]-Hey... M1LO?

[M1LO]-Yeah?

[N04H]-Why are there so many people? I thought we will go out in our old group. I mean, that's what you wrote me on the device you gave me when we met last time, right?

[M1LO]-I know, but, well... some of the people here are my colleagues from the Central Base and most of them wanted to create a bit of a reunion. Again! They spoke to each other at the base and invited those who got the similar devices made by our base last time we did the actual reunion. So... here we are.

[N04H]-Okay... Where are ANDR3 and K4NE then? Do you know anything about them?

[M1LO]-I've talked to K4NE some minutes ago and he told me that he will be late, but I don't know anything about ANDR3 yet. He probably sleeps the whole day again. You know... their usual!

[N04H]-Right! Hahah!

[M1LO]-Though it does seem as we are early since a lot of people are missing... We are going to wait until the others come anyway.

[N04H]-Doesn't matter that... Anyway, what are we going to do?

[M1LO]-I'm not so sure myself. The organiser didn't say anything and it is a bit too early for a huge group to go in the bars now. Probably we will wander the roads and talk about how we've progressed? Like the last time? I mean, if anything, those from the military will talk about future missions of the bases.

[N04H]-So I guess that you guys already got into action at your base, huh?

[M1LO]-Hm? You still didn't or what? It's been some months already though. What are your colleagues waiting for? Do they really not want you to participate?

[N04H]-Well... I got admitted as one of the hardest roles from that base and I have a two years practice before I actually join the missions. But someone does try to take me to learn a few things.

[M1LO]-Oh, that sucks... I mean, we don't do many things either, but at least we are allowed to be a part of the missions to learn as well.

[N04H]-Yeah... but I guess they have their good intentions behind anyway. From what I understood, it is the hardest role because it is put in the most dangerous situations.

[M1LO]-Damn, N04H, what the hell did you choose?? I'm just helping out with the sketches of the equipment and make sure the transportations are being done right!

[N04H]-I guess danger loves me from what I see, heheh...

[M1LO]-Oh, gods... Anyway... I'm actually pretty curious of what we would do around the city this time to be honest.

[N04H]-Right... Maybe we should go and ask then?

[M1LO]-Nahh, not now. Let's wait for the others to come too first, so we won't have to wait for every single person to get the information after.

[N04H]-If you say so then...

And they wait. It did take some time for other people to come in the end, but doesn't seem as they are all now either. Their old roommates do make their appearances too.

[K4NE]-...We are here, M1LO!

[M1LO]-What took you guys so long!??

[K4NE]-Oh, don't you even dare to put the blame on me! ANDR3 was the one who overslept again, and since I wanted to walk together with him, guess who had to wake him up! AGAIN!

[ANDR3]-...It's not like you couldn't just... let me sleep for... *yawn* one more hour...

[K4NE]-You can't just sleep for your whole damn life, dude!

[ANDR3]-Yes, I can... It's not like I'm working like M1LO or N04H here.

[K4NE]-Well, you sure are a waste of oxygen!

[ANDR3]-...But you are not working either!

[K4NE]-I AM! I got a job from one of the merchants! Just because I didn't want to join the military, doesn't mean I don't have to work to get myself some money, you idiot!

[ANDR3]-You are always late wherever you go! I'm even surprised you didn't get fired!

[K4NE]-So what!? Is that suppose to be an excuse of yours to get more of your dream time?

[N04H]-Alright, I think it's enough.

[M1LO]-God dammit... The reunions are always ruined by our old conflicts from the past, why can't we have a normal reunion one goddamn time??

[K4NE]-YOU tell HIM!

[M1LO]-Oh, shut up!

They do argue for a while, but then one of the former students stands in the middle of the whole group and starts talking.

[C3LINE]-Alright! Seems like almost everyone here!

[Student1]-That's not true! There are still people that need to come, C3LINE!

[C3LINE]-I said almost. But, to respond to that answer of yours, if you are waiting for someone, just inform them about what's happening when they show up. Understood?

[Student2]-Yeah, yeah! Whatever! Just get to your point, C3LINE!

[C3LINE]-Alright then! As you can see, we did manage to organise a reunion of our generation from the Central School, but I'm afraid that we won't be able to go to the bars. Again... Other than that, I had a better idea. What do you guys think of paying a visit to our school? To see our professors again and the classes in which we were formed? Hm?

The group does seem pleased with this idea, though they are a bit disappointed as they can't do more than that. They talk about this subject to each other though, whispering.

[C3LINE]-Then I will take that as a yes! Good! Now... would you guys want for all of us to go together at the same time or should we split? It's okay no matter what you guys want. We can do bigger groups, smaller groups or even let you go alone. Though I personally think it was better if we were all together when greeting our professors. What do you guys think?

But this time, the group doesn't seem that hyped on the advice.

[Student3]-...I don't really think it's the best for us all to go together since we are such a big group, C3LINE. Wouldn't it cause some chaos since there are still students that have classes now? We will kind of occupy a lot of space for nothing.

[Student4]-Yeah, I have to agree with him this time. Probably it's the best for us to make some smaller groups now and split up.

[C3LINE]-Alright! No problem! Then I guess we've solved this subject. Next... would you want to go somewhere after this is done too, or should we just visit the school? We can prepare something for later this day, but you will have to wait.

The group seems to approve, but the four friends don't listen to the conversation anymore. Seems like they plan to go together somewhere already.

[N04H]-So I guess the group is already made for us, huh?

[M1LO]-Yep! But now we kind of need to decide what should we do, and in which order...

[K4NE]-How about we pay a visit to Mr. 3DMUND first?

[ANDR3]-Nahh... I don't want him this soon! He was always shouting at me for sleeping during classes!

[K4NE]-Well, wasn't he right in what he was doing!?

[ANDR3]-How about Miss YU1? She was my favourite!

[K4NE]-Yeah!! Because she was always believing your lies, god dammit!

[M1LO]-Or... I'm just saying... Maybe we could visit Mr. EK0N first!?? He was our Class Master, you idiots!

[N04H]-Mr. EK0N will be! We decide later on about the others.

And so, as they decided what to do, the group finally moves towards their old school.

Central School "M1NERV4"

20:57

We do not focus on the other small groups that wander around the hallways of the school for now. Rather, we are focusing on N04H's group, which seem to go towards a man, possibly the one they mentioned that they want to see first.

[M1LO]-Mr. EK0N! Greetings!

[EK0N]-Oh? Well, wouldn't that be a surprise! M1LO, K4NE, N04H and ANDR3! Greetings! What are you guys doing at the school?

[N04H]-Well... We aren't the only ones actually... Our whole generation has come to visit the school today.

[M1LO]-Yeah! And we thought of visiting you first since we spent the most time here with you. And, you know... because you were our Class Master!

[EK0N]-I see, I see... But I'm afraid I don't have that much time to talk. I'm the Class Master of a new generation now since you guys left and began your journeys outside the school.

[K4NE]-Well, that's a shame...

[M1LO]-So you replaced us, huh?

[EK0N]-Hahah... Oh, don't worry! I won't forget you all that easily! So? What have you guys been doing in these past months?

[K4NE]-Oh, I got myself some decent money from my job recently and managed to buy an apartment a few days ago!

[ANDR3]-Well, that doesn't matter that much anyway.

[K4NE]-Shut your ass now!

[EK0N]-Heh... Okay, calm down. No need to fight here as well.

[M1LO]-...And N04H and I got into the military life in the end, as we said we will do when we told you about our future plans.

[EK0N]-So you managed to join together the Central Base after all?

[N04H]-Well, not really...

[M1LO]-Yeah... N04H changed his mind in the last minute and joined a different base. I'm not sure why though...

[N04H]-I mean, we are still colleagues, even though M1LO and I barely get to see each other that often.

[M1LO]-Right...

[EK0N]-Do you both get along with your new colleagues by the way?

[M1LO]-I don't, that's for sure! They are a bit of assholes! Most of them just decide to laze around and don't do anything at all most of the time.

[EK0N]-Are they that bad?

[M1LO]-Yep! What about you, N04H? Were you any luckier?

[N04H]-I guess I was a bit on this subject. They are fine, but I'm still trying to get used to them.

[EK0N]-What do you mean "get used to them"?

[N04H]-Let's just say they are... interesting. I'm kind of trying to understand their desires and everything that's in their minds, but it feels like it's a never-ending loop every day. Whenever I think I understood them even a tiny bit, something happens and makes me more confused than before.

[EK0N]-I see... And the Leaders there? How are they?

[N04H]-Well--

[M1LO]- --Actually, even if we wanted to tell you, I'm afraid none of us has the permission to tell anybody anything about the Leaders and their identities, nor about what we are working there. We only have permission to talk to those who work in the military like us. It's one of the rules we are told to follow the moment we join the bases.

[N04H]-Heh... Yeah...

[EK0N]-It's okay. I understand... Alright then! It was a nice meeting, but I think I should be going now.

[K4NE]-Eh? This soon? We've barely talked!

[EK0N]-I know, I know... But I still have to see my class. If it wasn't for the work now, we could've had time for talking.

[K4NE]-Aw, man...

[M1LO]-Then I guess we will go and visit the next person, eh? How about Mr. EL1K4I? Or K4NE's suggestion, Mr. 3DMUND? Or maybe Mr. OSW4LD?

[EK0N]-Oh, sorry if I interrupt your plans but I'm afraid Mr. OSW4LD isn't free now. I got to talk with him some minutes ago during the break and he said that he has something to do for the next... two or three hours? He asked me if I could talk to another professor to take his position. I think he only had a class in this time, next hour, so I could take his position myself. Maybe you can try and talk with him a bit later?

[N04H]-Oh? Why is he busy?

[EK0N]-I'm not sure... But don't worry! It's nothing that you should worry about, that's for sure! From what I know, Mr. OSW4LD has got a lot of work to do in the past months. If I'm not mistaking... I believe he will also have to retire in a few years as well since he gets to the age of 180 years soon. Even if he would love to stay more, he will be obligated to get his retirement by the law since at this age he is near to his weaker times.

[M1LO]-Alright. We understand. Thanks for the information, Mr. EK0N!

[EK0N]-No problem! I hope I will see you all soon again!

They say their goodbyes to their old Class Master and start arguing on what to do next again. They sure don't agree on everything, but that's just how friendships work at some subjects, right?