The robot's tracks drive across the metal floor, and the scraping of parts and my footsteps are the only sounds here. The passages inside the hull are winding and narrow, and the dark yellow explosion-proof lights cast swaying shadows in the passages, as if there are countless shadows lurking.
In the corner. The surrounding environment is shabby and old, and there is no atmosphere of a research institute at all. If it were not for these robots in good condition to lead the way, I would definitely think that this place is an abandoned freighter.
The moving speed of the robots is very slow, so slow that I want to kick them all to pieces and then break through the wall and go straight to the core area. But with Lilia shivering on my back, it is really not convenient for me to do such a violent move. It's really
I wonder how this ship was designed and why there is such a long internal passage? This is not an underground research institute. Don’t these people know how to cherish the space? Wait, this passage seems to be constantly using doors.
Separated? Because the lighting here was too poor and I didn’t turn on night vision, I didn’t notice this detail for a while. The other party was deliberately guiding us around the boat. This approach was obviously not normal.
"Welcome", then as a "guest", I should also express my gratitude.
"Dear Amy, why don't you leave?"
"It seems they don't welcome us. There's no point in delaying the process like this."
I stopped and rubbed a holy light ball for lighting.
"Ah~~Are you going to explode again, Amy?"
"What a great idea. Why don't we blow up the shortcut ourselves?"
"Beep~~~ Guest, please be patient. The reception room will be here soon. Please don't be impulsive."
Several robots stopped at the same time, emitting an unpleasant synthesized sound.
"It turns out there are people here who can talk. I thought these people were just scraps with no ability to communicate."
I took the opportunity to look around carefully, but I didn't find any useful information. The current location is just an old passage inside the ship. Some of the doors around are sealed, and some have been replaced with non-original styles. It is estimated that there is something inside.
This is the use area of the research institute. The steel plate floor is polished and shiny, which shows that the passage is often used. So is this dilapidated environment intentional?
"Guest, you have misunderstood. The reason for the poor environment here is the lack of maintenance funds. Please forgive me. Here, please follow me."
The robots started moving again, and this time they got into a door that had just been opened. The bright lights inside the door showed that that was the normal use area, and this passage was used to fool people. I don't believe they messed up the passage.
This happened because of lack of money, probably to confuse intruders.
Behind the door is a warehouse, and there is another door leading to other places. We followed the robot and passed through several rooms, and finally came to a relatively spacious room with simple furniture. Maybe because the space on the ship is more precious,
These rooms are not very big, and they are crowded with various equipment. And for some reason, I did not see a living person from beginning to end, only those tentacle robots dangling around in them. Could it be that this is an automated
Does the research institute rely on remote control for all its research? This is not easy to handle~ How can I threaten the other party? It seems that I can only be prepared to blow up the ship at all times, otherwise it will be really difficult to negotiate.
After entering the reception room, the robots stopped and formed a neat formation. A projection appeared on the wall, showing a person whose face was blurred and whose gender was indistinguishable.
"Hello guest, I am the manager here, you can call me researcher."
The person in the image spoke, and it was difficult to tell whether the voice was male or female. To put it simply, it was the voice of a transvestite.
It's too bad to be a shemale, and as expected, our goddess is still supporting me like this... Well, I didn't say anything, and I didn't think about anything.
"Isn't there anyone here?"
I asked.
"Of course not. This institute has a high degree of automation, so there is less demand for scientific researchers."
The image answered immediately, with a calm tone, as if it was some kind of automatic answering program.
"Then where are they?"
"Where they are needed and safe."
"..."
Mudd, is there any difference between this and no answer? This shabby place is not friendly at all, and it is far worse than the underground research institute! I am not happy, so let’s get to the point and get down to business!
"You stole... the research results of a certain institute, and I want to take it back now."
"Which research institute are you talking about specifically? We have stolen the results of many research institutes."
"..."
Damn it! Why did you admit it so readily! And you asked me so bluntly that they had stolen a lot of things, which one do I want? Such innocent bad guys are really rare these days~ Should I praise you?
For a moment? And...what's the name of that underground research institute? I can't even answer such a simple question. Let me go!
"Wait a moment."
I took out my cell phone from my pocket and dialed the middle-aged man's number.
"Miss, you..."
"I don't have time to talk nonsense. What's the name of your research institute?"
"No. 707 Super Energy Theory and Application Research Center"
"Huh? Why the number."
"Miss, because we are a formal research institution here..."
"knew."
I hung up the phone and didn't bother to bother with the military-like naming scheme.
"The 707 Research Center, the one underneath the college, contains research information on consciousness damage caused by out-of-control super energy."
"Please wait...please receive the information."
"Wow~~~Is it so refreshing~?"
Because the other party was so easy to talk to, even Lilia on my back started complaining.
Hey, I just realized that I have been carrying this damn girl on my back! Being able to carry a loli on my back and still speak majestically, my acting skills are really damn good!
"Lilia, how long do you want me to carry you?"
"For life~"
"Then I will end your life now."
"I'm kidding, dear Amy~! I'll come down after leaving this ghost place~! This place is really scary, please protect me~~~"
"knew."
This damn girl is now my sister, so I have to protect her~ There’s no one else here anyway, so just carry a lolita on your back. This girl’s legs are clamped so tightly that I don’t even have to hold her up.
Her butt won't fall off either.
"Lilia, why are you so lazy but your legs are so strong."
I couldn't help but ask.
"I often have to steal...collect rags~ It's probably because I do a lot of things like climbing walls and windows~"
"...I think this thief institute is very suitable for you. You can stay here."
"No~! I want to go to a formal research institution, and I don't want to conduct research in such a suspicious place~!"
"It's just a joke, why are you so excited?"
"Amy kissed you so cruelly~ What if you really leave me behind~?"
"...If you keep belittling me, I will show you what it means to be truly ruthless."
"Hey, I didn't belittle you~! I just expressed my inner thoughts~!"
"Don't think about me like this!"
"oh……"
"Guest, please receive the information."
That image seems to be a bit embarrassing due to our daily life. The robot that transmitted data to me raised its mechanical tentacles and shook it. It actually looked a little cute? Mad, I must have been mentally polluted.
I think the tentacles are cute!
"Um."
I handed over my phone. The robot hesitated for a moment, then clamped the phone with the clip at the end of its tentacles, and then held it above me. What is this operation, and why can’t I understand it?
"Lilia, what is it doing?"
"Probably wireless transmission~"
"oh."
So the robot took the phone over to take care of my face... This is really embarrassing.