The air inside the hall was indeed breathable.
The atmospheric pressure was roughly one atmosphere. The temperature hovered around ten degrees Celsius; considering they were inside an airlock, it was reasonably comfortable.
Gravity was also nearly 1G. As expected, this seemed to be the Halean standard.
[This way.]
The golem said nothing more, turning on its heel to lead the two deeper inside.
They passed through another door that functioned as a second airlock, finally entering the interior of the satellite. The walls and ceiling were metallic, but the floor was made of a resin that was slip-resistant and muffled their footsteps.
"Where are we going?"
When Jin’s Body Double, Jin D, asked the question, the golem gave a curt reply.
[To the Agente.]
"Agente?"
[Yes. Everything within Cuna is managed by the Agente.]
"So this satellite is called Cuna?"
[Correct.]
"What is your name?"
[I have no name. My identification number is 1402.]
"Then I shall call you 1402."
[Do as you wish.]
1402 did not break its stride as they spoke.
[Enter.]
They stepped into a room that resembled an elevator. As it moved, Jin felt a slight vibration and a marginal increase in gravity. They were ascending. Since the hall where Pegasus 1 had been housed was in the lower section of Cuna, they were likely headed toward a location closer to the center.
The elevator came to a halt after about twenty seconds.
[Exit. This way.]
1402 led them out of the elevator and continued down the corridor. Jin D and Reiko followed in silence.
(It doesn't seem like we've reached the central section yet,) Reiko reported to Jin and Laojun on Hourai Island via her built-in manacam.
(‘Let's just observe for now.’)
(Understood.)
[Here. Enter.]
They were led into a brightly lit room, roughly the size of a school classroom. Inside stood three golems of the same model as 1402.
The door slid shut the moment Jin D and Reiko entered. Then, a voice resonated through the room.
[[Welcome, visitors. I am the Agente, the administrator of Cuna.]]
"Should I address you as Agente?"
[[I do not mind.]]
"I have several things I would like to ask..."
[[As do I. However, you will first comply with my instructions.]]
The four golems, including 1402, suddenly moved. Two pinned Jin D’s arms, while the other two restrained Reiko.
"What is the meaning of this?!"
[[I told you that you would comply. It is nothing to be concerned about. I will simply make it so you cannot defy me. I shall leave your will intact.]]
As Agente spoke, a section of the wall slid open to reveal two more golems. Each held a Beherrscher.
"Do you intend to turn us into puppets?!"
[[It is a necessary precaution. Do not take it personally.]]
"You can't be serious!"
[[It is for the sake of the Master. You will accept it.]]
There was no reasoning with it. Jin, having anticipated such a development, issued an order to Reiko.
(‘It can't be helped. Reiko, break free and destroy the Beherrscher devices.’)
(Yes, Father.)
"Let go!"
With a single, powerful jerk of her arms, Reiko threw off the two golems. She immediately followed up with a kick that sent the pair restraining Jin D flying.
Jin D retreated toward the entrance and deployed a barrier. In the brief opening, Reiko crushed the two Beherrscher devices that had fallen to the floor.
"What are you thinking?! Is enslaving your guests the standard procedure here?" Jin D demanded, his voice rising.
[[My role is to eliminate any and all risk factors to my Master. You will submit quietly.]]
"I refuse."
Jin D’s rejection was instantaneous.
"Would your Master truly be satisfied with such methods?"
[[At the very least, I have not been instructed otherwise.]]
"Not instructed otherwise? That just means—"
[[Enough!]]
Two golems lunged at Reiko, while the other two charged toward Jin D.
[[Obey me!]]
"As I have already stated, I refuse."
Reiko punched her two attackers away. However, the golems corrected their posture mid-air and immediately pressed the assault again.
Jin D, lacking Reiko’s combat capabilities, focused entirely on maintaining his barrier. Even so, the barrier’s defensive power was formidable; the two golems could not hope to breach it.
Meanwhile, Reiko neutralized her two opponents and turned her attention to the ones harrying Jin D.
"Cease this pointless resistance and stay still."
Operating at thirty percent power, Reiko grabbed the two golems and hurled them. They slammed into the far wall and slumped to the floor, finally ceasing all movement.
[[You truly have no intention of obeying?]]
"We came here seeking friendship, but we will not stand by while you attempt to enslave us."
[[It is not slavery. I am simply ensuring you cannot act against me.]]
"There is no difference."
They were talking in circles. It was clear that Agente’s logic was fundamentally incompatible with Jin’s.
[[My Master is absolute. Anything that does not serve my Master shall be eliminated.]]
"...A fanatic, then."
＊ ＊ ＊
"My Lord, it is clearly rampaging. This is dangerous."
"Yeah, I can see that."
From the perspective of Jin and Laojun, the entity calling itself Agente was clearly out of control.
"It seems there’s no restraint on its logic circuit..."
"Indeed. These are dangerous signs."
"We'll watch a little longer. If it looks like there's no way to reach an understanding, we'll consider withdrawing... as disappointing as that would be."
"I believe that is the wisest course of action."
"For now, we just have to deal with the golems Agente sends out."
＊ ＊ ＊
"Stop this useless effort!" Reiko shouted after disabling the latest batch of golems. "I can tell your strength just by observing the flow of free ether. These golems you send are no match for me."
[[How arrogant. Do not think you have won. Do not assume that golems are my only means of attack!]]
Reiko braced herself as Agente prepared to unleash its next offensive.