The Yuan Family (袁家) - A Yu Jing Story

Thank you! If I had a painted CSU she could have a very different story indeed... I appreciate your constant feedback and hope to hear from other readers as well. It helps me see if this approach in story works for a game world like Infinity.

 

12 - The Toymaker

The rays were getting weaker each passing day as the seasons started shifting in Dawn. The winds were gradually ramping up whilst the temperature was getting colder.

Yan was dressed in the set of Yue Minerals overalls given to her by Unit 3-8. Digging both hands into the deep pockets flanking the bright yellow jacket she wore over her jade green sweater, she found warmth and comfort from the cold that had crept into the apartment.

Her attention shifted from the immediate discomfort to a thought more distant, going beyond the reaches of Dawn.

Should I call the girls? It's been a while since we talked. I wonder if Ling would… Yan closed her eyes tight before heaving a huge sigh.

She felt a weighty but warm sensation near her neck. Turning her head, she saw three digits resting on her shoulder. "With the weather like this, the heat I produce actually turns me into an effective radiator." Unit 3-8 looked at her and sparkled his sensors. "Does this feel better?"

"This is really nice, thanks." Yan smiled at Unit 3-8.

"Now that you are nice and warm, tell me what's up, hmm? You seem distant, a lot," Unit 3-8 said.

"To be honest… I'm really bored." Yan yawned. "Is there anything to do at all in Yaochi City?" she asked, hiding her initial thoughts with another equally important question. It lit up Unit 3-8, who was worried about her mood earlier. "Suddenly, I feel like exploring…"

"Have you finished your lessons for the day?" Unit 3-8 tried defying her wishes with a question.

"Yes…" Yan dragged her reply. "You're killing me here, can't you put more focus on the 'care' as a 'care-taker' please?" Yan pleaded, with a remotely sarcastic tone in her voice.

Unit 3-8 stared at his ward for a few seconds and walked towards the door.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"What are you waiting for?" the remote gestured to her as he walked out of the apartment. "Let me show you something that should cheer you up."


***


Soft, tinkling sounds erupted from the chimes as the door creaked open, revealing an empty reception lobby. A lone Yaozao remote stood perfectly still at the end of the hallway. Alerted to the foreign presence at the door, the little robot sprang to life. Its joints creaked as they actuated, breaking into a slow jog once the motor went into full swing. It stopped before Yan and started scanning her like a curious goblin, then turned to Unit 3-8. The Yaozao made some rapid-fire exchanges with him before scurrying down the hallway.

Yan looked around as she followed the Yaozao, observing rows upon rows of remote parts, batteries, unfamiliar thingamajigs, all stacked away in dusty boxes. Each piece of hardware looked as if it was carelessly tossed in at random, but together they looked almost categorically relevant. As she reached the end, Yan thought she had stepped into a heaven made of toys. Clicks and grinds could be heard throughout the room as little remotes mulled about, bumping into each other, communicating in a language too mechanical and too complex for her to comprehend. None of the remotes looked stock. Every piece was a conglomeration of different parts from the Human Sphere, singing together in harmony, clearly the hallmark achievement of whoever was their creator.

Behind a glass counter in the centre of it all sat an elderly man, hunched over his station. Smoke rose from the light in front of his wrinkled face as he applied pressure with his soldering tool. He stirred and broke his concentration on his work, focusing his eyes on his unexpected guests.

"Ah, Unit 3-8, what's this, a surprise?" the old man asked, folding his dusty goggles.

"Mao Cong, this is Yan. Yan, Mao Cong. He is our resident… Toymaker," Unit 3-8 said.

"Ooh, do I see parts from at least three different places? Haqqislam, Pan Oc-no, Yu Jing, and Nomad? How does it all come together?" Yan asked, her gaze struggling to match the movements of a nimble remote that caught her attention.

"A kid! Interested in robotics no less… Well that's pretty rare around here these days," Mao Cong said.

"Yan's here because home school is boring." Unit 3-8 looked at her as the annoyed girl punched his arm, sounding off with a light bang.

"You know, I don't get a lot of customers at all… Not as if I needed any of course – but say, young lady, which one of these toys tickles your fancy?" Mao Cong giggled.

"All of them! They are so unique and wonderful, if I could, I want them all!" Yan couldn't contain the excitement in her voice.

"Haha… but that's not possible. Take one, as a gift from me! So, what do you say?" Mao Cong asked.

Yan took a moment and started walking around, window shopping with her eyes. Mao Cong let her indulge in his creations, continuing the work on the electronic mess that sat on his bench. His concentration overlooked the faint breathing he felt on his face. As he looked up, he saw Yan staring at him. "Whoa! Were you waiting?" Mao Cong gasped. "So how…?"

"Yeah," Yan replied. "I have decided…not to take any."

"Oh? Why not? Everything here, you won't find anywhere else in the Human Sphere!" Mao Cong laughed.

"I want… to build one!" Yan replied. "Can you teach me?"

"Oh…oh really?" Mao Cong turned off his work light and focused his attention on the young girl whose answer greatly intrigued him.

"I wish to create something that I can call my own," Yan replied. "I used to ask Ma for toys, but most of the time she said no. I don't want to take something from anyone without her permission."

"You mean something like a custom… Geist-in-a-shell? Oh Yan, you're speaking my language here." Mao Cong grinned.

"Well…" Yan dragged her voice. "I will need your help, Mr. Mao. I have nothing to work with except my energy!"

"Just call me Mao Cong!" the Toymaker laughed, giving in to Yan's puppy eyes. "I like your enthusiasm. Come by whenever and we'll see what we can do, yeah?" Mao Cong said.


***


Unit 3-8 quietly observed Yan as they walked. Just moments ago, she was so cheerful and excited in front of Mao Cong. Now, it was as if the liveliness had drained from her completely.

Maybe this is her true self, which she didn't hide from me when we first met. Something isn't right…

Unit 3-8 also noticed the temperature and the time; it was getting cold quickly, and the sun had already dipped below the horizon. He moved a little closer to Yan and adjusted his micro heat-vents to keep his ward warm, and chose to break the ice.

"So Yan, why do you really want to make your own remote? You said you didn't want to 'take something without permission.' What was that about?"

Yan wanted to remain silent, but she knew this conversation wouldn't end with her staying that way. She took a deep breath and turned to Unit 3-8.

"Don't tell this to anyone else, okay?!" Yan demanded with a raised voice. Unit 3-8 sparkled his sensors in agreement.

"Back home in Shentang… I took a baby Fenghuang from its mother… That was the worst decision I've ever made in my life. My best friend ended up getting hurt, and I forced Ma to —" Yan started sobbing, her voice choked.

Unit 3-8 moved closer to Yan. "It's alright, you don't have to continue." She grabbed his arm and matched her pace to his.

"Sometimes I do truly feel alone," Yan said. "Ma has been gone for quite a while and… I do miss her."

"I understand. I'm sure your mother misses you too."

"That is why I want to build my very own. It will become part of my family," Yan said. "But I'll need help, of course."

"Well, Mao Cong said you could visit any time you wanted —" Unit 3-8 was about to finish, but Yan was too excited and had to cut in.

"Yeah! I can't wait to go back tomorrow!"

"AFTER you are done with your lessons!" Unit 3-8 finished what he wanted to say.

"Gah, that is putting way too much focus on the 'care' as a 'care-taker'," Yan pouted.


***


Yue stared at the comlog as it continued trying to reach Yan, but to no avail. "I guess she isn't ready to talk to me yet," Yue spoke to herself before giving up.

Hitting the simulators again tomorrow. I wonder if I'll get the chance to call again…

 

13 - The Beast Hunter

Gases and thick mist billowed from the pod as its chamber door slowly lifted with an audible hiss, which was the only sound to emanate from the room. The windows outside reflected no light, and there was naught a soul in this massive room save for Yue, looking into the chamber with a slight expression of dread on her face.

These extra ventures at night are exhausting, but there is not much time left. I have to finish this.

She let her body sink into the form-hugging gel that absorbed her physical and soon mental form. Its texture and temperature helped soothe her thoughts and ease her into a deeper meditative state. As the simulator began performing billions of micro-adjustments to initiate the session, Yue closed her eyes, racing her mind back towards the first time she hit the pod, and the many milestones that followed thereafter…


***


The first day was a rude awakening. A life-like simulation followed by a life-threatening encounter. Never before had I been tested so hard.

Yue hesitated. She raised a hand to her face, then ran her fingers slowly along her neck, confirming the sensation was truly there. The simulated breeze rustled her hair and the air tasted sweet. Her hand drifted to her forearm, where she pinched herself lightly.

"Incredible…" she whispered. Yue looked down and pressed a palm against her chest, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat beneath the simulation. Every sensation felt very convincing, but she was tempted to check one more thing. Her hands ran down her hips and she cupped her butt –

"Hey rookie, you done playing with yourself?" a voice came from behind.

Yue spun around. A woman dressed in a fine cream and orange robe stood before her, her arms folded. Worn on her waist was a belt plate with the "月" symbol, proudly displaying the colours of Yue Minerals. At this point, Yue had gotten used to the fact that her name was the same as the corporation she was working for.

"Hello, you are…?" Yue asked.

"Suwanna. Welcome to your first day of training! I will be your teacher for the next six months. Exciting times, isn't it? I will spare you the technical details, but this simulation is as real as it gets. I mean, whatever you were trying to do just now – "

"Wait, I have seen you before! In the commercials for Yue Minerals." Yue interrupted in an embarrassed tone masquerading as a feeble attempt to change the topic Suwanna was about to tease her on.

"Actually, I am curious," Yue said. "Why did you become a teacher? Weren't you the darling Beast Hunter of Yue Minerals?"

"Before all of this, I used to be a mercenary who worked all kinds of jobs. When the Beast Hunter gig landed on me, I took it up, and boy was I in for a rude awakening. It was not one, but many trials by fire. Through sheer grit, I got to where I was. Unfortunately, at the highest point of my career, my thirst for battle caused me to be reckless, and I suffered a serious injury to this ankle as a result," Suwanna said as she rotated her right foot. "It came back to haunt me when I tried hunting again, a clear sign from the heavens that I should retire from the actual sport. When Yue Minerals initiated this program, they offered me a second chance as a trainer and I signed up immediately."

"The nice thing is, I'm fit as a fiddle in this virtual space," Suwanna said as she did a slight hop and landed on her right foot without any visible discomfort. "So… Yeah. Listen, rookie, you're one of my first students, so don't screw up! I have a reputation to protect," Suwanna warned.

"You said I am one of your students, so where are the others? I remembered at least ten different faces during orientation," Yue asked.

"Well, let's just say this… virtual simulation technology is so advanced, I am running three concurrent lessons right now. Cool, huh?" Suwanna said. "Anyway, let's get started. Here, put on this power harness."

Yue materialised a contraption which instantly interfaced with her spine, sending a sharp sensation down her back. She looked at her arms and legs and watched the simulation at work, covering them with jet-black synthetic fibres almost instantaneously. The layer breathed through her skin, as if it were a natural extension of herself. Yue furrowed her brows, tightened her muscles, and performed a jump. She was surprised by the amount of lift achieved with the slightest effort.

"Now, I understand you were trained in the ways of the sword." Suwanna lifted her arm and opened her palm. A sleek, lengthy blade materialised into her hand. She swivelled the pommel and threw the blade at Yue, who caught it mid-air. Yue was surprised by the additional effort she needed to ensure a secure grip. This was a much larger blade than the ones she typically used. Despite its size, it felt balanced in weight and lethality. She observed the blade had an almost mono-molecular edge in design.

"Are you ready, Yue?"

"For what?"

A thunderous roar rang through Yue's eardrums. Turning to the source of the sound, she saw a massive four-legged beast with two pairs of sharp, yellow eyes. It trained them on Yue and started galloping into a monstrous charge. Yue side-stepped quickly and clipped the monster ramming past with her blade, but it bounced off its hide with a violent spark. Yue inspected her weapon and noticed the sharp edge on her blade had already dulled from that single impact.

Yue quickly brought up her blade and leapt as the creature attempted a side tackle. The blade snapped like a toy as the bulk of the creature slammed into it, sending Yue into the air and crashing onto the ground. As soon as she felt the vibrations on the ground grow larger, she instinctively rolled hard to her left as something massive crashed into where she was just a second ago. The creature's stomp missed, but it picked up its right forelimb and swung outwards, sending Yue flying. Yue twisted her body mid-air and let the harness do its work, allowing her to fall into a controlled tumble before planting her feet firmly on the ground to come to a complete halt. By the time she looked up, her face was greeted by the maw of the beast, and then everything blacked out.

Yue awoke with a deep gasp of breath and found herself back on the ground with Suwanna.

"Welcome to the world of hunting MegaBeasts," Suwanna smirked, looking at a bewildered Yue. "You were eaten alive."

Yue summoned her weapon and took her stance. "Again!"

My gut told me this wasn't going to end well. But I did have a few ideas…


***


I forgot how much time had passed as I tried to best that MegaBeast. It was no Fenghuang for sure.

As the digital sun fell once more, Yue awoke with a deep gasp of breath.

"Well, that attempt ended pretty harshly," Yue commented as she touched herself to ensure she was in one piece. "Really didn't expect that move."

"Actually, I am surprised. You lasted longer than most of them." Suwanna laughed.

"You sounded as if you knew this'd be futile," Yue said, sounding almost sarcastic. "Why didn't you stop me?"

"When you stop is up to you. What I observed is your drive to learn," Suwanna said. "You are very dedicated."

"I have to, for my daughter…" Yue whispered. "To be honest, what am I missing here? Should I change my approach?"

"Here in this virtual simulation, you get to experiment without wasting real ammunition or hurting your real self. This creature is bulky and protected with a thick chitinous armour. You have to get around it somehow."

"Maybe I need a new weapon…" Yue said. Suwanna smiled and sent her a link.

Yue's GEIST displayed a weapons selection screen. Dozens of options flashed before her eyes. "Interesting," Yue said, browsing the array of weapons available. She hovered her eyes over one choice in particular; then her decision materialised, planting into the ground with a thunderous crash, as if it were a pillar sent from heaven. It was a massive, single-edged blade. She grabbed the pommel with both hands and yanked it out of the ground. It was weighty, but not unbearably so thanks to the harness offsetting the weapon's weight.

"This weapon… looks powerful and solid, as if I can attack and defend with it," Yue said as she felt the bulky but carefully balanced blade in her hands.

"Yup. There is nothing more satisfying than ending the life of a MegaBeast with your own hands wielding the weapon that you mastered in glorious close combat," Suwanna said, licking her lips. "If everything was to be resolved with shooting, just call the Invincible Army! Let's take that dedication of yours and put it to good use."

Sometimes all it took was a change in perspective. It still took me a while, but eventually I managed to beat back the creature with my new weapon of choice after a few more attempts. Didn't kill it, but I believe my chance will come…


***


My first social contact ever since training for weeks! An interesting session for sure. Never had I ever met someone so… interesting.

"Congratulations on reaching the mid-milestone of your training! Today marks the first of many socialising sessions with your potential Prospector, which Yue Minerals has carefully selected based on your current progress. It is mandatory that you build a reasonable rapport with your designated co-worker in order to ensure a smooth transition from simulation training to on-the-job learning. This session will be recorded for training purposes. Please wait while I connect you via video feed." The Administrator's GEIST bowed out as soon as the feed came live.

"Hi, you are… Yin Fei?" Yue was trying to confirm visual, but saw a Digger Remote on the screen.

"Oh wow, I'm with you? You definitely deserve your spot on the leaderboard!"

"What leaderboard?" Yue believed she heard about that somewhere before.

"Oh! Err, please pardon me, Ms. Yuan!" Yin Fei exclaimed. "Anyways, sorry for appearing like this. As you can see, I operate a Digger Remote as a Prospector."

"It's alright, Yin Fei," Yue said. "You worked here for a long time?"

"One of the pioneers, mind you! I came here with…" Yin Fei paused.

"Yin Fei?"

"Oh uh, what about you, Yue? Came to Dawn alone?"

"With my daughter."

"Ah. What about your husband?"

Yue looked away. "Um… can we…"

"Ah… I'm sorry! Right, just so you know, we dig for Teseum underground. Trust me, it's much safer down here than up there. Despite that, we must still be careful. Just yesterday we lost another to a Stoorworm. Gotta watch out for those if you ask me."

"You encounter these often? Looks like I need to add this to my study list," Yue said, and communicated with her GEIST.

Yin Fei transferred more data to her screen. "Here, add these other critters to your list too." Yue's face turned pale when she saw a wall of text.

"That… is a long list," she sighed.

Welcome to Dawn, I guess.


***


Teamwork? Trainees in this program were so bloodthirsty for glory they tended to forget they were in a team!

"Come on, only a few weeks left! If you don't pass this test by then, that's it for you lot!" Suwanna shouted.

Yue and her team rushed the target that appeared from below the ground, training their weapons on its exposed belly. Its massive maws proved faster than expected, severing the upper half of a trainee who went too far ahead. The latter half of the body evaporated in a dazzle of pixels.

The three remaining trainees distanced themselves from the creature. Given the cavernous conditions they were in, being cornered was a surefire way to get caught and devoured.

Yue observed her two teammates from behind. They were younger than her – both too enthusiastic and needlessly reckless.

"Pay close attention to its movements," Suwanna broadcasted to every member of the team. "When it burrows into the ground, you must get ready for its ambush attack!"

The Stoorworm was an impressive manifestation of an artificial intelligence, presenting its movements and patterns as if it were alive and real. It burrowed into the ground again, leaving a cloud trail of dust too thick to see through. Yue's teammates leapt towards the rockier parts of the cavern, using their power harnesses to reach sanctuary with a few strides, hoping the rocks they stood on were solid ground that the worm could not bust through.

Yue saw the rustling of the creature beneath the soft ground, but it ignored her despite her standing on that same soft ground. Yue already knew where it was going, and hastily deployed an armour piercing mine.

The giant worm erupted where Yue's teammates were with a massive boom, bursting through the rocks and sending stony shrapnel everywhere. One of the trainees was struck down when the chipped rocks collided with her body, shearing flesh and shattering bones. The other trainee disappeared, probably catapulted away from the creature when it attacked.

Come on, big guy, I have a surprise for you… Yue stared down at the beast, which slinked towards her slowly. She moved into a position where her armour-piercing mine was between herself and the beast. She raised her flamethrower and aimed. A mixture of fuel and fire raced through the air as Yue ignited the weapon, causing the creature to roar in agony as the flame scorched its flesh. In a bid to put out the flames, the Stoorworm attempted to burrow by slamming its head onto the ground. The shockwave triggered the mine, which exploded outward, creating a gaping hole in the worm's head. It remained motionless, as if dead.

Yue moved cautiously towards the monster to confirm her kill, but a shadow ran past her. She realised it was the trainee who disappeared a few seconds ago. With a rising shout, the trainee drew his sword and sank the blade deep into the opening. The monster let out a loud scream as it shrivelled and writhed, before its head rolled to the side. It was truly dead.

"Yeah! I got him! I killed the Stoorworm!" he shouted. "You're too slow, uh… lady!" The young man was trying to remember Yue's name, but wasn't able to muster it for his egotistical stab after he had just stolen her coup de grace.

After the test, Suwanna approached Yue with a hint of sadness on her face. "Yue, I'm afraid you failed."

"I eliminated the threat before he got the kill, didn't I? Did that not count?" Yue asked with a raised voice, clenching her fist.

"The objective is, if you eliminate the threat, you pass," Suwanna said. "We could not confirm whether the threat was eliminated at that point. But when he drove the sword into the target, the simulation system confirmed the threat was eliminated… So I'm afraid he passed, not you. I'm sorry, Yue, but I didn't set the criteria for this test, Yue Minerals did."

Yue sighed quietly and released her fist.

"Fine. I am happy that he passed. He was struggling in the team and was desperate for an out. Looks like this outcome was to his favour." Yue managed a weak smile.

"Yue, to be honest, I believe you could have easily passed ages ago. What's holding you up?" Suwanna was curious to hear her student's response.

"Remember the first lesson you threw me into? I realised at that point that there is much to learn about beast hunting. Simply getting ahead and moving on due to some sheer good luck means you miss out on other important lessons that may get you killed had you not experienced them earlier. I'd rather learn these hard lessons in a simulation where I don't ever get killed, than out there where my life is truly on the line."

"Here you are, training hard to learn everything you can before facing the dangers of real life. And here I am, having lived the dangers of real life, now teaching you everything I can before your time with me runs out." Suwanna laughed.

"Suwanna, I am honoured to have you as my teacher. We are running out of time, but I believe I can still learn more from you." Yue bowed before Suwanna, showing respect and gratefulness.

"Yue, you are a true survivor and a patient learner. It was my honour to have you as my student." Suwanna returned the courtesy.

I knew I was in good hands. It was my destiny to have you as my teacher, Suwanna.


***


Yue opened her eyes.

She spoke to her GEIST and it proceeded to acknowledge her request and summoned a piece of gear from her Weapons Selection History – the giant blade fell back into her hands.

"Welcome back." Suwanna appeared from the shadows. "This is meant to be a team assignment. You know the odds are stacked against you," she added.

"I am the only trainee left that hasn't passed or quit, and you know the latter is impossible. Looks like I am doing this alone," Yue said.

"Not quite. As per company protocol, I am required to join students in such situations," Suwanna said, surprising Yue. "Of course, you must deal the killing blow to pass. Are you ready?"

"There's only one way to find out…" Yue raised her weapon with a serious look on her face.

"Let's find out together." Suwanna smiled as the Stoorworm materialised before them.


***


Yan rested her chin on her pillow as she stared at her mother's contact on her comlog.

Unit 3-8 crept up from behind and asked, "Still wondering if you should call? It has been a while, hasn't it?"

"How are you so stealthy? Mind your own business!" Yan snapped. "I'm tired, going to bed now…"

"By the way, Mao Cong told me it is time to show you something… special."

"Wait, really?" Yan's eyes glowed as she pulled herself up to face him.

"I thought someone's tired?" Unit 3-8 laughed through his speaker as Yan smacked him with the pillow.