Starting this event! Was away for a while on my first vacation in god knows how long, but will continue to work on this event until Valentines overrides it for a bit. Also, I'm gonna add a little ko-fi link to the end of posts now, but it's 100% optional and doesn't effect much atm.

In the Chaldea Control Room…

Da Vinci:
Now, how about we begin the questioning. Make sure to spill the beans quick, m’kay~?
Osakabehime:
This is all a misunderstanding, I’m un-re-lated! I really didn’t do anything!
Da Vinci:
That means I can say that thing from our data that was popular for a while, right? Yay!
Just one second…ahem.
You've got that wrong! ¹
Fou:
Fou fo fo fou!

[ (Stare) ] / [ With how confused she is, I feel like she isn’t lying]

Option 1:
Osakabehime:
Ma-chan? What’s with the look!? Why are you staring at me non-stop like Medjed!?
Option 2:
Osakabehime:
Huh, you believe me!? Aw yeah, that’s Ma-chan for you! Besties!

​

Mash:
Well…going by what we know, what could the origin for this irregularity be?
Da Vinci:
Hm. The scale of it is incredibly small, but we can’t overlook it nonetheless.
And we can say that it’s probably from the past actions of this Assassin. Let me bring out the data one more time.

She brings up the infamous Čachtice Pyramid Himeji castle on the monitor.

Mash:
I really thought that I wouldn’t have to see this sight again…

[There it is, the Čachtice Pyramid Himeji Castle…!] / [Not since last year’s Survival Casino, yeah]

Option 2 only:
Osakabehime:
When you put it like that, don’t you just feel strangely close to it~ ♪
Osakabehime:
…But no, really, why is it back again!? Shouldn’t it be gone?
Da Vinci:
It should be, but…it’s back again, for some reason.
But like I said, it’s a truly tiny Singularity in scale.
I assume it’s some backlash from the remnants of the last Singularity’s Čachtice, but what I don’t get is the timing for it to reappear.
I’m guessing it’s by some direct involvement, so…
Osakabehime:
How many times do I have to say it!? I have nada to do with this!
Da Vinci:
Be that as it may, our inquiries with Elizabeth and Cleopatra both came up with nothing.
If you really aren’t the instigator…hmmm, this is annoying.

A good old man walks by.

Munenori Yagyuu:
…There is one thing to do here. We already have a perpetrator on our hands.
Osakabehime:
You mean me, right!? Undoubtedly, me!?
Munenori Yagyuu:
Hahaha.

His job done, he leaves.

Osakabehime:
Sca-ry! I know it was a joke, but that was sca-ry!

[I’ll handle it] / [Looks like we have to investigate in the field]

Da Vinci:
Would you, please?
However, since Mash’s Ortenaus is undergoing maintenance, she’ll be staying here as support with me, ‘kay~?
Mash:
It’s just as she said. Sorry that I can’t land a direct hand, Senpai…
Osakabehime:
Fine then. I wanna go be a Hikikomori, but I’m going along too.
Since I personally dunno why it’s shown up again, it’s kinda…no, actually, it’s really creeping me out!
Like really, what’s up.
Can you think of anyone who could do this aside from me…?
Mash:
We can rest easy now that Osakabehime-san is going along too. Thanks a bunch!
Oh, by the way, should we contact Director Gordolf and Sion-san about the situation?
Da Vinci:
Hmm, we don’t really need ex-post-factor approval now, right?
Those two are in their time off, and I feel like getting them involved with something like this could make them lose out on that precious time.
Osakabehime:
Relatable!
Da Vinci:
I can affirm that the danger level of this Singularity isn’t much either. I’ll carry out your Reyshifts at once.
Now then, I’m sure something’s waiting for you, so off you go~. We’re counting on you!

With that, we Reyshift back to the ex-Halloween grounds. Once we arrive, we take a good look at the hodgepodge structure.
[Back again…] / [It’s nostalgic, somehow]

Option 2 only:
Osakabehime:
…Really? I’m surprised you remember it so well.
All sorts of things have happened with it, but it’s where me and Ma-chan first me…ehehe.

​

Da Vinci:
Looks like the Reyshift went off without a hitch.
Mash:
Osakabehime-san, is there anything irregular in the area?
Osakabehime:
Hmm? Now that you mention it, something’s off…
Bwuh, Ma-chan, over there, look! Someone’s there!

From out of the darkness comes Berserker of El Dorado, wearing some glasses.

???:
…Oh. So it’s you.

[It’s…] / [Wait…Penthesilea!?]

Fou:
Foufou!
???:
Hah.
Of course I remember the faces of customers. It’s been quite a while.
Do you remember me as well? With quick deliveries in one quick click anywhere in the Universe, and making consistent Epochs: we operate through the universe, as a Space e-commerce carrier… ²
AMZONESS.COM!!
AND I AM ITS CEO!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Osakabehime:
You’re…Amazoness’s CEO!? What’re you doing here!?
Amazoness CEO:
Ah, it’s you. I humbly thank you for your consistent patronage.
Osakabehime:
Oh, well, I don’t really use you all the time, y’know.
I’m glad that you’re here though, since I couldn’t connect to your site through our connection in Chaldea.
Amazoness CEO:
Pardon? I haven’t received any particular error report…has our web operator been negligent? I’ll have to severely punish them.
Da Vinci:
Hmm. I know about you from our logs, but I knew that actually seeing you would be a different feeling. Just like my bigger self’s notes said.
Just like the Mysterious Heroine types…you’re a Servant that we don’t need to think much on, yep.
Mash:
I remember Amazoness CEO-san from back then too.
But...um. What are you doing here now?
Osakabehime:
Yeah, because you’re an e-commerce company…are you here for an order for somebody?
Amazoness CEO:
Well, about that….
I feel obliged to explain this somewhat complex situation, and give an answer to your question.
As I intrinsically pride my company’s confidentiality, I should be moving to prepare presentation materials for said explanation.
However the present circumstances are what they are. So, I wish to explain so vocally.

[Go ahead]

Amazoness CEO:
In actuality --- my Amazoness.com is currently ensnared in a dilemma.
For lack of better words, we are on the cusp of a crisis.
Mash:
How do you mean…?
Amazoness CEO:
I’m referring to my company’s esteemed Amazoness workers!
Every single one has gone missing!

[A company-wide dilemma, huh]

Osakabehime:
That’s rough.
Mash:
U-uh. They all up and vanished…?
Amazoness CEO:
I mean just as I say. Gone. Unable to be contacted. Whereabouts unknown.

[Because they worked day and night…] / [Because they were unpaid…]

Option 1:
Amazoness CEO:
No, they neither went on strike, nor fled!
When they were bested by their physical limits, I would immediately allow them break on the spot until they woke up!
My company’s employee benefits are perfect!
Option 2:
Amazoness CEO:
No, they neither went on strike, nor fled!
Our number one compensation for labor is our Amazoness.com workers receiving a continued feeling of “Having a job worth doing”!

​

Osakabehime:
Aren’t those sweatshop conditions!?
Amazoness CEO:
No, and I implore you to reconsider.
In actuality, my deliverers are instructed to be giving Mana particles, in the form of Feelings of Gratitude from customers.
Servants function by utilizing these resources and converting them.
And I can say that by being paid with an ample reward, our working environment is stable.
Osakabehime:
Hmm, really?
Amazoness CEO:
In this way, Servants inhabiting remote planets provide a large supply of Gratitude Energy.
I thank them for their continued patronage!
Osakabehime:
Those are the rules of the Servant Universe, but how far would you go before the complexity was deemed annoying…
Amazoness CEO:
I believe this attack could have been from anyone.
Envious and bitter towards my company’s rapid growth, having an insufficient business image would be all the rival companies need to prod us.
This Morning Amazoness CEO Star would be high and dry in no time.
Mash:
I hadn’t even thought of a reason like that…
Amazoness CEO:
I plan to beat this opposing enterprise to death, and,

[Okay! I’ve heard enough, we’re good!]

Da Vinci:
So you believe that your subordinates were kidnapped by someone?
Amazoness CEO:
Yes. Each of them are hardened, enduring delivery warriors. I do not believe that they would’ve give in easily.
This left me with an explainable, strange issue.
As I was alone in my business now, so I searched for my subordinates. I kept searching.
Although I haven’t found them…a divine, innovational idea suddenly popped into my head.
Since this is a strange scenario, I shouldn’t be searching in normal places.
Strange locations for strange situations.
And so--- I thought to search the strangest building within the Galaxy.
I thought that my subordinates would perhaps be there, and I used a dependable old sale slip to come here.
Osakabehime:
I KNEW IT! I was falsely accused and not the least bit responsible!
But wait, couldn't you stay there’s a still a chance, that someone else used it too, or something…?
Amazoness CEO:
No. I already finished searching the interior. Not a single being was in there. A completely wasted effort.
Da Vinci:
She’s right. I don’t pick up any readings from in there. There isn’t anyone inside of the Čachtice Pyramid Himeji Castle right now.
Amazoness CEO:
To be blunt, I’m annoyed. When we were a startup company, there was hostility from a Galaxy Fishing Gear company…TOB? It’s been typical to receive such since then.
This Morning Amazoness CEO Star has made preparations for this double weight load, but…
Osakabehime:
Are you really a C-E-O? Are you really not just M-A-D?
Amazoness CEO:
I am completely shorthanded. Operations are limited to me alone.
Presently, my deliveries are already winding up overdue. If this keeps up, the value of my company will decline.
To prevent this, I’d need to find my subordinates in a moment’s notice, or have someone else help---
……………….. (Stare).

[W-what?]

Amazoness CEO:
I’ve been thinking. Although I’ve said that we do not outsource like other companies, the time have changed.
The needs of these times call for flexibility for a first class, economic CEO.
What I mean to say is…would you all operate under my Amazoness.com delivery service as outsourcers?
Come on…won’t you? We have a giant robot who’s ownership rights are just a little hazy.
And if a giant robot isn’t good, there’s a normal one. It’s been valuable to us as a deliver bot that can fly. Surely it’d be easy to break through the atmosphere with.
Osakabehime:
Huuuuh? Err, actually, we uh, have people with high levels of mobility.
Unsurprisingly I wanna go back to being a hikikomori, so let’s wrap up this Singularity like we came here to do---
Da Vinci:
Hey, can I talk with you all in private for a second?

Everyone and lil’ Vinci move away from the negotiating CEO for a moment.
[What’s up?]

Da Vinci:
After listening to her…I have a feeling that the crux of this micro-Singularity might be her.
I’m under the impression that it’s not “She came to this Singularity to search for them”, but, “This Singularity reappeared from its remnants because she came to search for them”.
When we put it that way, she also seems to be the type of Servant that could make such a peculiar reaction, where her character causes such a trouble to stir up.
Mash:
Um, so what do you mean, exactly?
Da Vinci:
I fear that this micro-Singularity is entangled from her sense of purpose to “Find her subordinates.”
I’d say that’s why this place showed up again.
In other words,
“The only way to eliminate this micro Singularity is to solve her problem”. That’s likely what the situation really is.
Osakabehime:
Me kidding, you are!?
Da Vinci:
Even if we were to leave her alone here, the Singularity would continue to remain.
I don’t think there’s other options, since we’re totally bee-lined for a solution here~.

The group turns around back to CEO-chan.
[Alright, we’ll help your company out] / [Alright, we’ll help search for your subordinates]

Option 1:
Amazoness CEO:
Ooh, so you’ll vouch for them. Welcome aboard. Firstly, our maximum priority will be to reopen all overdue orders.
Option 2:
Amazoness CEO:
You’ve saved me. But first, we gather our affairs and place maximum priority on tidying up.

​

Amazoness CEO:
Should the company go bankrupt, you will all be able to freely return to your former posts. So there’s no need to run away.
Osakabehime:
Wow, now that’s a good sense of responsibility for a president.
Amazoness CEO:
I am a C-E-O! Which means…well, the explanation can wait. And it will.
It would be good of us to handle the issue with my subordinates concurrently with our duties.
We may happen to run into them admits our deliveries, or perhaps pick up information of sorts about them.
Mash:
Understood. Let’s gather info while we’re out there.
Amazoness CEO:
Now then, there is one matter left to take care of before I finalize our contract.
Osakabehime:
Blurgh. I got a bad feeling about this.
You are newcomers into my Amazoness.com, the greatest enterprise in the Galaxy.
You are also the first outsourcers. I would see fit to verify your abilities as a prerequisite.
Thus --- consider this an induction course, or employee examinations!
Osakabehime:
I TOLD YOU---!
Amazoness CEO:
As I alluded to, you will experience hardships in this delivery service.
Accepting all orders and flying throughout the Galaxy; we are the Amazoness.com delivery force.
If you do not have the grit or abilities to carry out these orders---
THEN DIE.
b
FOU!?
Amazoness CEO:
The abilities you need are: 1. Stamina. 2. Stamina. And 3~5. Stamina!
If you are gifted with one of these, then allow me to verify by my own hand.
If you can’t withstand my iron balls, then how will you withstand the customers’ ludicrous complaints!
Now then! Let your induction course---staaaaaart!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You fight off CEO for 5 total turns, fighting back her high attack and hefty HP pool.

Osakabehime:
So. Tired.
Mash:
Good work out there…
Amazoness CEO:
Alright, you pass. Your bodies are splendid, and haven’t broken down entirely.
You said your company’s name was Chaldea, yes?
You will be my Amazoness.com’s first outsourcer. I will ensure you are added to our homepage’s business list.
Da Vinci:
Moving forward, just what kind of work will we be doing, specifically?
Amazoness CEO:
Fufufu…do not fret. I feel that the relationship between our two companies will be…
A win-win!
But are you wondering whether or not that’s true? That’s no problem.
As an outsourcing partner, our collective fates act as one, and sooner or later our relationship can be referred to as family, or comrades in arms.
Our work environment goes without saying: I imagine that you will be a fine addition to Amazoness.com’s esteemed high power workstyle.
Be at ease, and enjoy yourselves, as we do a job well worth doing, and produce the greatest work environment you can be prideful of. Good.
Also. For now…
As I haven’t made one yet, this place shall be Amazoness.com’s new branch office.
Osakabehime:
Alrighty……….
Wait, what!?

ČACHTICE PYRAMID HIMEJI CASTLE
IS RECONSTRUCTED
AS AMAZONESS.COM’S TEMPORARY REMOTE-PLANET BRANCH OFFICE
Despite the message, we look up and down the structure after CEO’s adjustments, but it looks the same.
[It got even stranger…] / [Looks as strange as always…]

Option 1:
Fou:
Fou…
Option 2:
Mash:
Yup.
I understand all too well why Master prays when Fall rolls around every year.
Osakabehime:
As Halloween gets closer, Ma-chan’s expression gets strangely enlightened, and this is why…

​

Amazoness CEO:
Coming? My preparations are complete.
Mash:
Um…to reconfirm, in such a short amount of time, you actually managed to restructure the inside of the building?
Amazoness CEO:
Yes, I have. Like my usual innovations nowadays, things like this become simple if use my technological prowess.
I’ve reconfirmed such, but there are no further rights issues, correct?
Of course, I am aware of the involvement of rights. We aren’t like pirates who take as they please.
Hector:
Well, it’s kinda strange to talk about who the rights of this Singularity’s building belongs to. The folks involved go like this…
Osakabehime got it from Cleopatra, who got it from Elizabeth, but since it became Master’s responsibility, ready consent was given to them.
Paris:
Ahahaha, that’s so crazy! Cool!
Please take a look, Apollo-sama! Let’s climb on up, like, whoosh!
Amazoness CEO:
Who are you two…?
Hector:
Heya, we’re just some old guy and his little brother. We’re acting attendants right now too.
Is that ok with ya’? Is my new greek styled deodorant working its magic?
Although things haven’t changed in being partnered with a CEO, I’d like to ask about the possibility of things getting worse…
This old man’s honestly kinda nervous, y’know?

[These are our fellow workers, Mr. Hector and Paris-kun]

Hector:
……….
Paris:
……….
Amazoness CEO:
Hmph. I feel like I’ve seen you, or haven’t seen you before. Yes, actually---
Hector:
……!
Amazoness CEO:
Are you two the planet Troy's…Shining Hector and Little Angel Devil…?
No, you shouldn’t have a reason to be here. A coincidental resemblance between others. Or from another Season.
Hector:
(Saaaaaaaaaafe! I thought my heart would stoooooop!)
Amazoness CEO:
Yes, these are indeed our first introductions. I am the CEO of Amazoness.com. Please, take my card so we may familiarize later on.
Hector:
Oh, thanks. I’m the kinda old guy that really isn’t about those though.
I’ve been called here under the reason that I’m a guy who can negotiate well.
I’m here since I’ve been said to be better at speaking than others, but…
Da Vinci:
Our goal isn’t to profit from separate negotiations. The Professor, Holmes, and Caesar were all unfit for the task.
To ascertain that we can properly contribute to this environment, we have to be given a Go or No Go.
So for a bit…we temporarily took people better related to the situation in a certain way, because we felt it would make talking continue smoothly.
Oh, but understand that this CEO is different from the person you know her as, ok?
Mash:
But do remember…how Chaldea’s Penthesilea can be.
Hector:
Aah, because there’s all sorts of little complexities for her. Like Achill---

The CEO burns to life with chaotic energy.

Amazoness CEO:
Achill?
Hector:
(Oh, shit! It’s the same landmine of a topic!)
Oh, nevermind that, it was nothing! It wasn’t like some coincidental slipup to curse about a kill-er jerk that I don’t like to mention, whom meeting is bad for your mental health so you don’t go outside or something.
I was gonna explain that “Right now, working out with indoor temperatures doubles your efficiency times”, so there really isn’t even much reason to leave the room at all.
So it’d be good to do some stoic sit-ups right about now, y’know?
Mash:
Yes, indeed…thank you for your consideration.
Hector:
C’mon, you don’t have to say that. It’s just something you should do.
Paris:
So, Pen…I mean, CEO-san. Can we please take a look inside now?
Amazoness CEO:
Very well. You really do resemble that boy, Little Angel Devil.
Paris:
Whether I'm an Angel or Devil, thanks.
Amazoness CEO:
Come this way. Allow me to first tour you through my company’s esteemed warehouse.

The CEO brings you inside, to reveal that palettes and packages all across warehouse walls.
[There’s so much stuff!] / [You could get crushed in all this…!]

Fou:
Fou!
Paris:
Ama-zing! Big brother, look, look! The shelves line up so far!
Hector:
Wow, this is incredible.
But don’t get too worked up, Paris. We aren’t here on a field trip to mess around on.
Paris:
You’re right. So-rry…
Amazoness CEO:
I don’t mind.
This place gives dreams to everyone, and is a critical, central part of Amazoness.com.
Children jumping up and down without thinking because of this vast array of dreams is only natural. Rather, it is unavoidable.
Mash:
Um, it seems a bit fine. Although, we’re inside the castle, but the capacity of the room is clearly strange…
Da Vinci:
It’s probably from spatial distortion-type magic, or some unknown tech.
I noticed, and I’m really interested, but there’d be no end in sight for me about it…but I’m so interested---!
Amazoness CEO:
While we do have full cooperation with you as an outsourcing partner, I hope you understand that this part must stay a company secret.
What’s it called…security…risk…management? Something like that.
To explain things a bit, this is where our received orders are gathered, packaged, and shipped.
Mash:
With how huge this place is, it has to be hard to find what goes with what order.
Amazoness CEO:
That isn’t so. We actually have crammed items into the shelves randomly.
With barcodes, we can completely control “Where something is”, causing no need to tidy the warehouse.
It is easy to fine the indicated item, because workers can move to the corresponding shelf.
This is my company’s esteemed, future oriented innovation…the Random Stow System!
Paris:
I get it, even I could do this without messing up!
Amazoness CEO:
Incidentally, because this place is under Amazoness.com’s ownership, you can use our portals to fly to the closest delivery point, so that each and every deliverer can work at max proficiency.
Going on foot, riding a car, or riding a sheep: all are provided and fine. So long as you pay mind to the Galaxy Road & Traffic laws.
If you show your Amazoness worker’s badge to the authorities, they’ll usually understand, though.
We pay a high tax for times like those.
Know that there’s something awaiting you if you complain about the justifiable need to pay taxes that healthy, outstanding companies have.
It’s these iron balls. And they hurt.
Hector:
Wow, entrusting a means of transportation to individuals is great.
I’m no rider, but I can still ride or fly on something like anyone else.
Amazoness CEO:
However, negligence is unforgivable.
Amazoness uses portals that you can go between, but you may not know what’s awaiting you on the other side.
It may be man-eating giant monsters that eat delivery persons, it may be a wide forest of death, or it may be a dangerous planet with an atmosphere thousands more than our own.
Maybe even a gas planet that is nigh-uninhabitable.
I say it during training, but death awaits you if you shirk work.
And even for the mightiest of Servants…
Gratitude Energy is a necessity, and completing a single delivery will likely lead to total exhaustion.
---So!

[So?]

Amazoness CEO:
Instead of reforming the infamous work style of yesterdays,
My company has already evolved from suggestions and pushed forward compared to all companies.
As you are all special outsourced workers, I have opened things up for you.
…Something left alone and unused by other employees.
Our employee benefits have been referred to as lukewarm, but I’ll show you what a truly blessed workplace environment is!
Come, this way.

CEO takes us somewhere else in the new office. A wide, open room with a game station, massage chairs, a cafeteria, and saunas!
[W-what is all this…!?]

Fou:
Foufo!?
Da Vinci:
Wow. This area still feels off, but I can tell it’s linked to the other. Just what is this place?
Amazoness CEO:
These are our company’s esteemed combined relaxation facilities. Employees are allowed here 24 hours a day, for all to use.
The sauna is equipped with an enormous onsen facility, there’s high class massage chairs, beds for power napping, a game center, a food court that offers the best of the best, a dining area that is suited for group usage…
This is a paradise for employees exhausted from deliveries to heal their bodies quickly, and once again depart into the battlefield of deliveries.
And it’s called, “The Great Amazoness Onsen Tale”!

[Combined relaxation facilities…] / [Looks like a Health Land …]

Mash:
It’s clearer with the data we have.
Developed in the latter half of 20th Century Japan, it’s a combination area for both potentially bathing and eating.
A place where workers exhausted from their job can rest, and business warriors can gather to socialize. That…is Health Land! ³
Amazoness CEO:
I’m very unsure of what this planet calls it, but it is indeed a place where warriors gather.
And also, stay in good health. Compulsively.
If they have a rough delivery that leaves them half dead from wounds, then they can come here and be fantastically replenished to press on for new deliveries.
Paris:
Oh, I get it. Human relaxation!
Hector:
Paris, now’s really not the time to say something like that.
Paris:
Mean!
Hector:
…Well, I think I actually want to use these facilities myself.
By just the scale of it, even our surprising and growing Chaldean Servant family can rest easy here.
Paris:
If we have big bro’s approval, we can relax!
When protecting Troy, I was a little anxious myself, but big bro said “It’s alright, we’ll manage” and he was able to keep protecting us.
You can trust big bro’s opinion more than anyone else’s!
Hector:
I can only judge things up to here though. The final decision has to come from Master.
…Whaddya’ say?

[If we have these facilities, I feel like we’re fine] / [Let’s all help the CEO!]

Fou:
Foufo-u!
Hector:
Here here, with Master’s call comes devotion.
Welp, let’s start this all-out war delivery service, shall we?
Mash:
We believe this is the smartest way to ensure the elimination of the micro-Singularity.
I’ll be making the most of what little I can do as Support for you all. This will be a good chance to show the e-commerce office worker skills I’ve gained!
Da Vinci:
OK, with [Guda]’s call, let’s prepare for the worst.
Even though it’s just a delivery service…what we’ve been doing until now hasn’t really changed, so stay alert.
Instead of strength for fighting Servants, it’d be better to consider conserving strength to move around for work assignments.
Riders will obviously be a big deal…or no, even if you’re not one, there’s a ton of vehicles here to use, so consider that too. Hmm…
Osakabehime:
It’d be fine if I stayed a hikikomori, because I’m not very self-confident in my mobility…
Paris:
Doesn’t it really feel like every Chaldean Servant will be giving it their all for this?
It’s like a festival! So much fun!
Hector:
Saying its fun is a bit of a stretch. Let’s give it our all in moderation.
We talked about how Master will accompany CEO before. In that case, Osakabehime alone should be a sufficient enough bodyguard from Chaldea.
You’ll have no choice but to walk alongside them, dragging around.
We have several Servants with independent action, so I believe their respective light footwork will be crucial.
Paris:
All of us are gonna give it our all for deliveries, right? Yay, let’s do it!
Osakabehime:
Roger, you can trust the bodyguard stuff with me.
(With CEO as a vanguard, it’ll be easy to protect Ma-chan with her. Maybe it'll even be fun!)

[Alright everyone, let’s get cracking!]
Osakabe, CEO, Paris, Hektor, Mash, and Da Vinci all cheer in unision, as the new branch of Amazoness forms!

Help! ~ Amazoness.com ~ CEO Crisis 2020

---------------------------------------------------------
1 - " ほんとにござるかぁ?" was an FGO meme in JP for a while when Kojiro said it way, way back in the Moon Dango event.
2 - CEO-chan frequently uses katakana English words midspeech, so I'll be italicizing them to make them more prominent.
3 - This place is real.
---------------------------------------------------------

Ko-fi
Delivery 10

Hi all,
Below is a short story I've been working on that has taken what we have seen in the streams (up to #4) and those posted by Sjin and AngoryTom (not including Mysteries.)
Please enjoy, or don't. Feedback welcome!
“Come to Mars,” The advert said, “Start a new life, on a new planet.” The advert showed a pond with a large tree next to it and several people relaxing on the lush grass surrounding it. “Meet new people, and enjoy the Martian landscape from the safety of a dome.” The view changed to people working a farm land, “Work for the greater good of yourself and your neighbours, by working the land to produce food,” the view changed to the inside of an infirmary, “Or assisting with medical procedures,” the view changed again to two people enjoying each other’s company and holding hands, “Or even help expand our population.” The view changed to an overview of several domes, “Sign up to the International Mars Mission today, and live a new life…on Mars.”
The day had finally come. The hatch to the Williamina Fleming, named after the discoverer of the Horsehead Nebular, closed behind us. Our last view of Earth was the summer sun, what little there was of it this far North, shining brightly across the Swedish landscape. The launch site, chosen by the International Mars Mission, a conglomerate of space agencies and private investors, had chosen the site as it had no previous connections to one nation or another, like Cape Canaveral, the Kennedy space center, or Baikonur did. The site was in North East Sweden, near Kiruna, which meant the launch windows were more limited, but the view was beautiful, and brought tears to my eyes. The site was originally built in 1972, primarily for stratosphere research balloon launches and low orbital launches. The IMM heavily invested in the site in early 2018 and it was finally ready to support interstellar launches, such as the Williamina Fleming, in mid 2020. A few test launches were completed and the site was running at 89% success rate, prior to our launch. We strapped ourselves in, the reclined seats, facing up. Like the original shuttles used by NASA, we were all looking forwards out of the window towards the sky. Launch was all remotely operated, nothing for us to do inside. This was mostly so the ships could be recalled from Mars once the ship was refuelled, so it could be reused. This was it, we would be leaving Earth and, most likely, never coming back. The IMM had picked the perfect site to launch from, the backdrop for all the publicity shots, footage and streams would be spectacular. It felt bad to leave it all behind, but I was excited to be heading to Mars. The ship began to rock and move, as the engines ignited. I was forced back into my chair, it was alarming at first, but the training we had received, and breathing exercises meant that as much as the air was being forced out of my lungs by the G forces of launch, I was able to overcome this and remain conscious during the whole thing. We passed from the blue of the Earth sky, into the black abyss of space and began our six-month journey to Mars.
The Williamina Fleming was one of four ships, owned by the IMM. Currently one was on a return trip to Earth, having delivered the drones, rovers and initial supplies to Mars. There was a second ship on Mars, delivering further supplies, the ship we were on and the fourth held in reserve on Earth. There wasn’t much to do on the ship during the six-month flight. All the ships were dual purpose, cargo or passenger ships. This meant everything that was put in just for us to endure the flight, was usually taken back out again if the ship was used for cargo. Likewise, anything put in to secure cargo and RC units could be taken out for our benefit. We passed the time by exercising, chatting, getting to know each other, and planning with Earth control who would be carrying out what jobs once we got to Mars. The things people forget is that it isn’t scientists and astronauts who make a colony, but it’s everyone else who carries out the more mundane tasks, such as the service jobs and catering. The twelve of us had a variety of skills and backgrounds. There was myself, Michael Wolf. I was a trained medical professional and lead medic, Ulrich Becker was the other medic, Sarah Bennett and James Fredrick were our botanists, Claire Woods was one of our scientific researchers, with her husband Steve; who previously owned a bar. Paul Gregory was a geologist, Daisuke was the other researcher, Fiona had been a teacher on Earth, and finally Fleur, Jenni and Cho who had all worked in service industries. They were mostly to fill catering or service area’s in the colony, or so we had been told. They seemed fine with this, being as they were still going to be amongst the first humans to walk on Mars.
It was the final week before we were due to arrive, Earth control advised us that the dome was finished and everything was ready for our arrival. All we had to do was choose who was going to be the first to set foot on Mars. Had we not spent the previous months discussing this issue, as well as many others, the process could have been more difficult. As it was we drew pieces of wire. Sarah pulled the shortest piece and would be the first person to set foot on the surface of Mars. We arrived in orbit around Mars, but our landing was to be delayed by a day, due to a dust storm rolling through the colony area. This could present a risk to us and the ship, but we suspect the delay was also to do with the view of the landing being obscured too much for any good publicity shots. The delay presented us with an opportunity to take photos of Mars from space, as well as Phobos and Deimos, Mars’ two moons, as they orbited around. We couldn’t see the colony from orbit, it was still far too small to see from here, but we could just about make out some of the nearby features that we would start getting to know more closely. The delay lasted around a Martian day, which we’d been instructed to refer to as Sols to avoid confusion as Martian days were roughly an hour longer than an Earth day. We received the command from Earth to buckle up and prepare for landing. There was a rush of excitement and anticipation as the ship began to manoeuvre into its landing pattern. The ship descended towards the surface before slowing and touching down. The compartment we were in filled with cheer as we realised we’d reached the surface. It was another hour before we’d all got ourselves geared up, putting on the specially weighted suits. The suits were weighted to compensate for the lower gravity on Mars than on Earth. This was in case we really didn’t settle on Mars at all, or the whole project was aborted and we were to return to Earth. If we didn’t have the weighted suit there was a risk that a return to Earth could kill us. Once we had those suits on, we donned the air tight suits that would enable us to get from the ship to the dome. The ship far enough away from the dome that the landing didn’t just cover it in dust, but close enough that we weren’t on the harsh Martian surface for too long. As the disembarkation ramp lowered, we were all gathered around the top of it. The view was amazing, a lot more barren than the view we’d left on Earth, but we could see across the dome from where we were. Way off, the other side of the dome, was the wind turbines and solar panel used to generate electricity. We could make out the Moxie units, for oxygen, and the moisture vaperators, which drew moisture from the atmosphere to create water. They didn’t, individually, produce much but enough of them could sustain us for a while. We could also make out an automated fuel refinery within the area and a large dust cloud, we could only assume was the concrete extractors. Martian concrete, for Martian homes. Straight ahead of us, from the ramp, was one of the airlocks to get into the dome, and one of the semiautonomous drones, which we guessed was watching us for publicity shots. The drones were about the size of a small car, with six wheels, three on each side each with independent steering and suspension, two hands at the front on arms, a small head at the front which housed sensors and most of the systems. The cameras were mounted on the head in such a way they looked like eyes. The bulbous back of the drone was for holding resources for transport to where they were needed, it was designed to open backwards on hinges enabling the hands to load objects in easily. Sarah looked back at us, the weight of what was to come clearly weighing on her as she took a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling, before she bounded down the ramp towards the red surface. She paused for a moment at the bottom of the ramp, as if deciding what to say. As she leapt off the end of the ramp, we could all hear her transmission to Earth control. “It’s taken us many years to reach beyond our moon. But together, as a community of nations, we have reached Mars.” She didn’t linger at the bottom of the ramp once she’d said this. She calmly bounded her way to the airlock. The rest of us followed her down the ramp and into the airlock. Several of the drones made their way up the ramp and reappeared with the supplies we’d brought with us, which was mostly food. After we’d taken the airtight suits off, and passed through the airlocks inner doors, we were free to explore the dome. The dome was laid out with six triangles arranged from the edge to the center, segregated by paths. Three alternating paths led to airlocks, the other three led to utility hubs, where power, water and air came into the dome. Each of these hubs had a green and red light on, presumably to let us know if they were working or not. We all had other priorities over exploring the dome. First task was to claim a room in the living quarters. The living quarters were three structures, two that were three stories tall and one, nearest the middle of the dome, which was two stories. The two taller structures had large windows on the top floor, facing out of the dome, with double beds, large TVs and a large round table. There was also a single bed in a partitioned area. The second floor had two single beds, and large sofa, with a balcony facing into the dome that had two sun loungers on. The ground floor had a kitchen and utilities area for us to shower, wash our clothes and everything else. The two-story structure had the same balcony as the three-story structures, with two single beds and a large sofa, with a large flat screen TV. Claire and Steve, naturally, took one of the double beds. Sarah and Daisuke, who had been building a relationship together, took one of the other double beds. Leaving the rest of us to take the various single beds. After the bed claiming was completed we all made our way to the bar, conveniently placed right next to the living quarters. We celebrated arriving on Mars in one piece, and the IMM seemed happy for this to happen, it was a good opportunity for them to capture some promotional shots for social media and posters.
Our first full day in the dome was spent exploring. Going clockwise from the living quarters, there was the bar, then a nursery, where Fiona would be working when Children arrived at the dome, playground, and research labs, Claire and Daisuke would be working there. Next there was the farm, which would produce food and some oxygen for us if we tended it. By we, I mean Sarah and James as they would have some idea what they were doing. Next to this there was the diner, the infirmary, where myself and Ulrich would be working, and a small garden with several trees in it, and finally the open gym, which comprised of an oval track, several pull up bars and half a basketball court. There wasn’t much to do for some of the jobs, as there were only twelve of us. The jobs where we had two people were split down to half a day each, but even then, there wasn’t much to do in the infirmary, unless someone hurt themselves or became ill. After the first couple of sols, once Sarah and James had tended the farm, prepped the land and planted the soy beans, it became apparent that boredom was going to be our biggest issue. We decided that the diner would become a communal thing, with those of us that had had an easy day taking a turn to cook for everyone. In the first week Fleur discovered that you shouldn’t try to ride the drones around. Simple reason being, if Earth control was commanding the unit, it would be at least thirty minutes before they realised you were nearby and took corrective measures, which would take another thirty minutes. If Earth wasn’t in control of it, it was running automated processes and was probably running unmonitored. When Fleur came to the infirmary with a broken leg and jaw, having been swatted and almost run over by one, we had to make a rule of no riding the drones. To help us alleviate some of the boredom, from around the second Martian week, we began to hold competitions at the track. Who could get around the fastest, which pair could relay the fastest, who could shoot the most hoops from furthest away, who could perform the most pull ups in one visit. Scoreboards were left up and it was all good humoured and honest. Hoop shooting wasn’t as easy as everyone imagines. The lower Martian gravity meant more, often than not, we put too much force behind the ball and threw it halfway across the dome. We started to create new games that took advantage of the lower gravity on Mars, the only issue being that we had to take our weighted suits off to take full advantage of it. The IMM seemed concerned that we were spending more time on recreation than on doing anything productive, but the objective was still survival so they couldn’t push us too hard. Claire and Steve spent a lot of their down time in the garden, relaxing, Daisuke spent a lot of time at the bar, drinking, usually accompanied by Sarah. James, seemed to spend a lot of time on his own, Paul was the only one who seemed disgruntled because, as a geologist, he was expecting to be made use of with rock samples and so forth, but there wasn’t any need for this in the colony, as we weren’t set up to mine anything and were still in the “proof of survivability” stage.
Somewhere around sixty sols after we had landed, after the soybeans had been harvested and potatoes planted, we were woken by the sounds of several of the drones racing through the dome, accompanied by the larger transport loader, carrying supplies. They appeared to be gathering them outside our dome, adjacent to where the ship had landed. It was a large collection of assorted supplied, presumably something was under construction. We started to bet on what it was that was being built. Idea’s ranged from a second dome, to a mine. The IMM weren’t telling us what was going on, they seemed satisfied that we were finding entertainment in guessing. Whatever kept us sane was in their interests I guess. Two weeks after the drones started to gather supplies, Claire announced that she was pregnant. This led to a huge amount of interest from the IMM, they wanted to conduct interviews with her and Steve and get some publicity photos using the drones. The extra interest brought in more funding for the IMM, which meant they could send another rocket of supplies to us. It was a welcome relief, although we weren’t knowingly low on anything, we were low on meat, and since we had no source of meat on Mars, we were reliant on Earth to send some. Meat and alcohol were the only things we asked for. The IMM advised us that the supply ship would not be landing near the dome, and that the drones would bring supplies to us when it landed. But they were impressed that a baby was on its way already. This was a huge milestone for them and would almost certainly prove that humans could survive on Mars. At least in this colony, which we had started to call Primus dome, after the first Roman numeral. As the sols went by the IMM wanted a closer eye kept on Claire, any physical abnormalities or odd blood test results, they wanted to know about. But she seemed to be a picture of health. The drones seemed to have gathered all the supplies they wanted and were beginning to build the foundations for, we were still guessing, another dome. It appeared to be much larger than our own if it was, perhaps twice the size, it was hard to tell. It was another few sols before it became obvious that this was going to be a larger dome, the IMM must have had a lot of faith in us to be building a larger dome already. From what I could remember of the briefing, we still had almost ten Earth months left of the survivability phase of the colony, and the second supply craft was at least five months away now.
The weeks passed quietly, and we became more out of sync with Earth. We watched the second dome being built, it was a spectacle to sit at the diner, look out across the Martian landscape, and see the drones construct the second habitat. It was strange to think the IMM trusted us enough that they were considering sending more humans, after such a short time frame. That being said, the word from Earth control was that we were still on the survivability phase of the colony, but they were hopeful that a birth would mean this phase would be accelerated and that they could get on and get more applicants to us, people who probably knew more about what they were doing than we did. We’d lasted this long, but we still had months of work ahead of us to keep ourselves sane and alive. The dome was the only thing keeping us from freezing or suffocating on the cold harsh surface. Every so often, one of the drones would come away from the new dome and carryout maintenance on our dome. As we watched they would peel off and disappear off towards the solar panels to clear them or realign the wind turbines. It was a marvel to watch, during the down time.
Soon the new dome was built, it dwarfed ours, but it wasn’t connected to any utilities. Earth control advised us not to enter the dome as there was no oxygen or power connected. This would mean that the heating wouldn’t be on, and the air wouldn’t be breathable, yet. It was pure speculation what was going to be built, but Sarah and Daisuke were conducting research that was going to help Earth install blueprints on the drones to build bigger living quarters, or apartment blocks. They were only allowed to discuss so much with us, as these were just research projects and were uncertain what would become of them. Fleur was the first of us to celebrate her birthday on Mars, this was according to Earth time, as oppose to Martian time, but Earth control had provided extra provisions for us all to help us to celebrate. The drones rolled in with birthday cake and alcohol, which had presumably been stored away from us for this occasion.
The drones continued to carry supplies through into the new dome, structures started to take shape and rose from the ground. Some of the structures were familiar, such as the apartment block that Sarah and Daisuke had been working on, there looked like a school was under construction, another infirmary, three tall cylindrical structures, which looked like the hydroponics we had been expecting instead of the farm. There was a large structure, on the other side of the dome, which appeared to be a casino, it looked like the new dome was going to be a mixture of everything we didn’t have, as well as some duplications of what we did have. Maybe they were planning on moving us into a new dome as oppose to bringing new colonists up. Earth control were being allusive about giving us any answers regarding the second dome. It didn’t help us to stay settled as we weren’t sure if we would be moving or not, but they had built three of the apartment blocks in a row, the three hydroponic farms, the casino, the second infirmary and another bar. It was the duplicate bar that made us feel we were going to be moved. The interior of the new dome was looking better, after a couple of months, they’d constructed a lake and another garden, along with a tall cylindrical tower with a control room at the top, I recognised this as a probable structure from our mission briefing. This was a security station, so they must have been planning to bring more colonists to join us.
Time passed further and the next piece of excitement was when the drones began to connect utilities to the new dome. I say it was excitement, but it was terrifying. The new dome was connected to the water supply without any issues, but when they connected it to the oxygen supply the utility hub on our dome switched from green to red. We were experiencing an oxygen shortage. The problem was exacerbated when the drones attached power to the new dome, before resolving the oxygen issue. When the power went live to the new dome, the lights dimmed in ours. Seemed as though the new dome was putting too much strain on the power network. It wasn’t long before we started to see frost forming on the glass of the dome, the heating system must have gone off with the power. The harsh Martian surface meant the temperature was dropping and it wasn’t much longer before we all started to feel it. Our breath was starting to hang in the air ahead of us. Before Earth control would have seen this, we gave up on the idea of work and retreated to the living quarters, huddled together in one of the rooms for warmth. This was a situation we had been briefed on in case a large cold wave came through and the power systems couldn’t keep up with demand. For the oxygen situation, we’d grabbed the oxygen tanks from the airlock and were rationing their usage along with what was in the dome. The dome probably had enough air captured in it to last through the problem, but we didn’t want to risk it. It was obvious when Earth control realised they had made a miscalculation on the second dome, when all the drones raced through towards the utilities area, taking supplies and resources with them. The issues persisted for most of the night and half of the following day, when suddenly the lights all came back on and air began to circulate again. We didn’t know at the time, but we had come close to completely failing the survivability stage. Fortunately, the ship we’d arrived on was still parked outside and had been refuelled. If the need arose, we could have evacuated there. We had no idea what impact this would have had on the results of this phase. But if it was serious enough, the IMM could recall us to Earth before there were any fatalities.
Claire came to term with her baby, we were regularly growing food now from Potatoes and soybeans to corn and wheat. Claire gave birth early one morning, as the sun peeked over the horizon. We’d convinced Earth that it would be best to leave interviews and promotional photographs for a couple of days to allow Claire to recover from the first birth on Mars. The lower gravity may have caused complications that were not apparent in the first moments. News had spread quickly that there had been a birth on Mars, which not only boosted interest and applicants to come to Mars, but also increased funding. Even though we had a couple of months left on the survivability phase, it was decided by the IMM that we could proceed with full colonisation of Mars. Within a month of Claire giving birth, another ship was launched with passengers, just as the ship launched months ago arrived with meat, alcohol and other supplies needed around the colony.
Life became easier as the sols rolled passed. The new dome had taken shape and was starting to look more like a small town. The new dome also had a structure attached, just outside on the Martian surface, which we believed was an extraction facility for pulling metals from underground, so we weren’t reliant on Earth for providing these resources to carry out repairs or new construction projects. This proved to be where Paul would be of most use. As a Geologist, he would be able to extract samples and find exactly what metals were needed, and be able to study any strange rocks brought up by the extractor. He seemed to have a spring in his step, when the IMM instructed him to commence working there. Because it was outside of the shelter of the dome, there was a limit to how long he could spend out there, and one of us would be inside the dome nearby, in case of any accidents or issues. But with Pauls mood lifted, we were all feeling more buoyant about the new arrivals, due in two months’ time, but Paul wanted to establish the extractor before they arrived. He started to work double shifts, coming in only to grab some food and swap air tanks. It was concerning, but he was happy, so no one took too much notice. The problem was, when he came to the end of these shifts on the extractor, he would head straight to the bar and drink himself to sleep. I was concerned he was developing an alcohol addiction, but again, it wasn’t impeding his work and he seemed happy enough. I asked Ulrich to keep an eye on him though, in case he was becoming an alcoholic. The new dome also meant we had new facilities. We’d spread out into it and commandeered the casino, Hydroponics were setup and running, Sarah and James were doing a good job on those and the farm. Claire and Daisuke seemed to have had a falling out, they were now working in separate buildings, but on the same projects. It was odd and couldn’t have been that efficient, but we didn’t want to ask in case it all blew up and caused us all issues.
It was two weeks before the new colonists arrived. We decided to clear the air and ensure that we were all in a good place for when the new arrivals got here. We’d all gathered in the bar in the original dome. Claire had brought her chid, Brian, with her, even though he was contently asleep. The IMM had thought of everything, even the baby’s clothing was weighted to match Earth, supposing we had to evacuate back to Earth. It would cause issues, given that Brian’s birthplace was Mars. We all hoped it wouldn’t happen, but it was nice to see the IMM had thought about it. Daisuke and Claire made up, they’d fallen out over different theories on how best to recycle water, to help with the preservation of water supplies. The discussion was heated, but led to a constructive conversation and an agreement between them to allow a cool off period, if they disagreed on anything, but take things constructively rather than as an attack on their idea. Because there were only the twelve of us, small issues could quickly snowball into catastrophic issues. Because workloads were still light, we began working on welcome packages for the new arrivals. These mostly consisted of small things that we had made ourselves. Much like the Hawaiian Lei, given to new arrivals, we handmade small crowns from the flowers that had grown in the garden. We wanted to start a tradition of peace and welcoming to the colony. Even though decades old treaties had determined that no state could claim territory on a celestial body, we wanted to form our own society on Mars, that could live in peace and not be held by “international policies or disputes”. The International Mars Mission was a great foundation for this, as by its very nature it was multi-cultural and multi-lingual.
The day came for the new arrivals to land. It was strange, mostly because we hadn’t been advised that there were two ships. This meant there were twenty-four new colonists arriving in one go. Fortunately, the IMM advised us of this with enough time for us to make more flower crowns. The first ship landed, near to the ship we had arrived on. There was enough distance between them for dust and debris to not be an issue. We watched the disembarkation process from a new angle, a single drone was hanging around taking publicity shots of the new arrivals. The first of the new twelve colonists waved at us as they made their way down the ramp. Pausing at the bottom to leap off onto the surface. It was a strange feeling to know that these were our new neighbours, these were complete strangers, who we now relied upon to keep us alive, as much as they relied on us. We’d formed a bond between the twelve of us that was built on trust and knowing each other’s skills and weaknesses. These twelve strangers would take us time to build trust with, even if they had formed a bond amongst themselves, we would all be reliant on each other to survive. As they came out of the airlock into the dome, we presented them with the flower crowns. It was a warm welcome, some of them were overwhelmed by the experience of arriving on Mars and now being welcomed to their new home. Tears were shed, hugs were shared and eventually they were released to claim their own apartments, while we walked across the dome to greet the second ship. The first day with the new arrivals was spend in the bars and the casino, no one wanted to start work straight away today. With twenty-four more people to interact with, life became more complicated. Food wasn’t a concern, as the same as when we arrived, they had brought food supplies with them, plus Sarah and James had done a really good job on keeping the farm going and getting the hydroponics online. They handed the hydroponics over to some of the new colonists, who had been recruited because they were botanists as well. Sarah and Daisuke began to work and mingle with the new researchers that had arrived. Ulrich and I took the three new medics on a quick tour of the domes and the two infirmaries. The new colonists, who had been assigned to security, seemed to keep themselves to themselves mostly. Nothing like making people feel like they’re being watched and judged to build bonds with new people.