Operation story: AS-4

Operation

Story

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Previous AS-3	Next AS-5
Characters
Pepe/Woman Behind the Jeweled Screen Narantuya Anat Aspasia Ajani Ajazi Medjehtiqedti Mio Zubayr Noble Scholar High-status Magnate Nervous Ceremony Judge Terrified Ceremony Judge Gathering Staff Meticulous Ceremony Judge Rashad Ceremony Host
Backgrounds
1 2 3 4 5

Before operation

Summary As the Gathering approaches, Pepe gets ready for the event in her own way, aiming for her desired prize. Aspasia, too, is vying for a prize with Narantuya's help. In the museum, Anat and Medjehtiqedti have a disagreement on how to run the museum.
<Background 1>
Noble Scholar	Oh, what an honor it is for me to meet you here, Hatshepsut Hanimefendi. The slipper from the early New Calendar era you brought has certainly broadened my knowledge of history. I had no idea the people of so many centuries ago had such fine techniques in crafting footwear. To think they could make a shoe that fits the curve of the foot so well. As for the lotus ornament atop it, vivid beyond words. Not to mention this slipper was made not long after the great explosion, and it reflects the drastic shifts in the local climate. It's a pity that it's missing its twin. I fear it won't win on its own.
Pepe	That's fine, second place is enough for me. It's the participation that counts.
Noble Scholar	Of course, of course. As daughter of the Padishah, Hatshepsut Hanimefendi, you will one day take up the mantle of Padishah. I am sure such a trifling honor would not be worth fretting over.
Pepe	That's... still a bit early. There's a lot of things we can't say for sure.
High-status Magnate	I've heard your younger brother has been selected to become court historian, and that he will set out for the City of Gold in two months, Hatshepsut Hanim.
Noble Scholar	Ah, even a girl as talented as Hatshepsut Hanim was not chosen for the post, which just goes to show how gifted her brother is.
Pepe	*sigh* We're practically the same, really.
High-status Magnate	Are you trying to say, good sir, that becoming a padishah does not require talent and ability? I believe that if Hatshepsut Hanim were to take that position, her family would no doubt continue to bask in glory.
Noble Scholar	This is different. Hatshepsut Hanim's family is Sargon's most illustrious line of historians, after all.
Pepe	...
<Background 2>
Narantuya	Almost time for us to register. Have you thought of what to submit?
Aspasia	Not yet.
Narantuya	You so brazenly got into line, but you don't have a single treasure on you?
Aspasia	Is there anything about my walking posture that needs improvement?
Narantuya	Never mind, forget it. I guess you'll have to rely on me again. I'm not about to let my subordinate lose. Give me some time to think of a plan.
Aspasia	... I once won the silver medal in a sprint.
Narantuya	Are you thinking of snatching the golden cup and running? No good. These rich folk brought along some tough bodyguards. See the way their feet move as they look around? They've spent time in the ameeri armies.
Aspasia	I also earned a silver medal in an unarmored wrestling.
Narantuya	Robbery? Everyone worth targeting is already here. How would we participate with stolen goods without getting caught?
Aspasia	There is also the silver medal I got from a ceremonial dance competition.
Narantuya	That's your plan of attack? *sigh* No need to make things hard for yourself...
Aspasia	In truth, I have ten silver medals across ten different events. I keep them on my person at all times.
Narantuya	...Ten silver medals?
Aspasia	These medals are embodiments of traditional Minoan culture, and my most prized honors. Honor should not be regarded as a rarity with which to judge superiority, but in particular circumstances, I have no other choice. Besides, I hope you do not misunderstand me, Narantuya. I would never resort to anything dishonorable. It would disgrace my family.
Narantuya	... I guess I really did misunderstand you. *sigh* My competent subordinate, my great endeavor...
Aspasia	Sorry, did you say something just now?
Narantuya	Nothing important. I was just saying that considering you've never won a gold medal, it's no wonder you want that gold cup, haha. Don't worry. I have a plan.
<Background 3>
Nervous Ceremony Judge	... *cough*... May I ask... why the herald led me here? What orders am I to receive?
Woman Behind the Jeweled Screen	Eh? No, no, no orders here. Just a request. If you happen to see a single golden slipper... Do not give it too high a mark. Ah, but also not too low! We must still uphold the professionalism of our historians! Let's say... second place. Second place would be good. Please! This is really, really important!
Nervous Ceremony Judge	That exhibit has precious historical value, but if you wish to reduce its mark for subjective reasons, that would not be considered unfair to our other competitors.
Woman Behind the Jeweled Screen	... If you have deduced my identity, then please keep that a secret as well. Thank you.
Nervous Ceremony Judge	I will, resplendent Hanim.
Pepe	...Sorry. I'm definitely going to apologize to all my teachers and fellow archaeologists after this. I... I definitely, absolutely, 100% cannot lose, just this once! Why does everyone think I already lost to that little brat?
Nervous Ceremony Judge	AIIEEEEEEEE———!
Pepe	(*covers mouth*) ...Did I scare him?
<Background 2>
Narantuya	Did you get all that?
Terrified Ceremony Judge	Y-Yes! Th-The set of silver medals from M-Minos... must get a high mark... It will get th-third place...
Narantuya	That's right. Don't worry, I already had a talk with most of your fellow judges. We got along rather well. I hope you will too.
Terrified Ceremony Judge	Ah... Padishah Effendi... The corrupt must be hanged? F-Forgive me!
Narantuya	(Can't believe he's this scared already! I didn't get this big a reaction from security and the other judges earlier. What illusion did he see?) (*sigh* I'll be dragging you back to the gate, then. Maybe I overdid it with the Arts?) (Wait. I hear footsteps.)
Pepe	Oh, I don't see the judge here either. Must have been escorted back to the meeting hall by security. I better go get my own things done. The sun waits for no man, after all.
Narantuya	Oho, and who is this I happen to run into? What luck.
<Background 1>
Aspasia	Sorry, could you say that one more time?
Gathering Staff	I am honored to inform you, hanimefendi, that your entry has proceeded to the final round of judging. In other words, you are now in the top three.
Aspasia	No, not that. The other part.
Gathering Staff	I ask that you follow me to the riverside in a little while, where the prizes will be given and the treasures will be immersed into the river.
Aspasia	So... You're going to throw my ten silver medals into the river?
Gathering Staff	Perish the thought, hanimefendi. That would be rather crude, and we would never dare to offend the river god. We will place the treasures atop a small boat made of papyrus reeds, alongside gold, silver, and jewels to help weigh it down. We will sing hymns and chants as we watch the boat slowly sink into the waters.
Aspasia	This wasn't mentioned on the brochure.
Gathering Staff	I am terribly sorry. It was written in the instructions all participants had to sign. The competition's original purpose was to find treasures with the most historical value to knock upon the gate of the god. During the Flood Festival, those favored winners will witness the river god with their own eyes as He wanders the riverside.
Aspasia	... Forgive me, this was my mistake. It was close to the cutoff when I signed up, and I did not have time to read all ten pages of instructions.
Gathering Staff	Ah, that is a shame. As it is extremely rare for tourists to reach the final round of selection, you will be given a second opportunity to reaffirm your commitment. Do you wish to continue participating?
Aspasia	... Narantuya... She hasn't returned yet.
Gathering Staff	Do you wish to seek a specialist consultant? I can bring you to the chief judge to discuss—
Aspasia	No need. What I seek is not a suggestion. I will continue my participation.
<Background 1>
Pepe	Hello? Anat, listen to me! You can start preparing the victory feast now! Hm-hm, of course, I would never take for granted the generosity you’ve shown by lending me the general! I promise you that I'll stick the gem in when we get back tonight. If Zubayr goes through any changes, you'll be able to see them for yourself. ...Relax, I've been taking good care of him. No stains or damage, I promise. ...Y-You want to speak to him? No, nonono, he... he's under my protection, right? How can I just give him a communicator when everyone's staring at me? Why don't we talk about something else?! You don't know how hard I've had it! I've been talking up these old pedantic judges all morning just to guarantee second place. Listen, they're about to declare the winner at the big meeting spot. Once I get the gem, I'll head right back to the museum, where it's nice and quiet—
Narantuya	Sorry.
Pepe	Ah, it's fine... ...Weird, not like the sidewalk's narrow here.
<Background 3>
Anat	*phew* I can finally rest easy. Pepe's handled the gem issue, and Zubayr is just fine too. Should we have a drink together later?
Medjehtiqedti	...
Anat	Is there something you wanted to say?
Medjehtiqedti	You're not going to want to hear it.
Anat	I do want to hear your suggestion, Titi.
Medjehtiqedti	You might think this is ridiculous, but... I feel like we might have to start the exhibition over, and keep the accident under wraps. Just treat it as some sort of performance gone awry, then display it in a more vivid and... true-to-life manner?
Anat	So display a walking mummy and some artifacts, push up ticket prices a little while we're at it?
Medjehtiqedti	More or less, I guess...
Anat	You do know what our people use to scare crybaby children, right?
Medjehtiqedti	The exhibits being a bit odd isn't a bad thing! My old Columbian museum had an exhibit: "Has Science Gone Too Far? Creative Ideas That Would Be Scarier Successes Than Failures".
Anat	But Titi, that's the idea behind a business whose number one goal is to make money. If we tried that here, a lot of people would be mad. A lot of people. History itself is the foundation of this city!
Medjehtiqedti	Isn't the foundation that vein of gemstones that's nearly dried up?
Anat	You really shouldn't say things like that when we go to meet the nobles later. That family is as ancient as the bricks in the tomb in the museum's great hall. They can be rather conservative.
Medjehtiqedti	Meddling here and there... What's wrong with those high-ups anyway?! Can't they just fork over a sum of money every year and forget about the museum like Pepe's family?
Anat	I worked hard to become acting curator, Titi. I really don't want to cause any sort of inconvenience.
Medjehtiqedti	Inconvenience?! You're seriously calling this an "inconvenience"?!
Anat	That's not what I meant...
Medjehtiqedti	Have it your way, then. I'm leaving.
Anat	Titi, I...
<Background 1>
Meticulous Ceremony Judge	(Are you okay? You're sweating buckets...)
Nervous Ceremony Judge	(A-Am I? It's rather hot outside, haha. You're sweating too...)
Ceremony Host	Next up is a descendant of a glorious clan of historians, the one who shares ballads of kings and heroes, explorer of all Sargon, purveyor of knowledge, a respected Padishah's daughter— Hatshepsut Hanim and her rare treasure!
Nervous Ceremony Judge	(Are you, err... Are you going to announce the result?)
Meticulous Ceremony Judge	(Oh, no, this is a rather important occasion. I leave it to you.)
Nervous Ceremony Judge	(...Haha, well, I guess I can't get out of this one.) Ahem... Uh, this golden slipper is adorned with a lotus flower woven of gold thread, specially designed to accommodate the sudden changes in the Sargonian climate at the time, with distinct characteristics from the era. Not only that, but it comes from an illustrious family of imperial historians. It would be difficult to find a slipper so well-preserved in the marketplace, and it's a submission rather uncharacteristic of a family of historians, at that— For past ceremonies, such families would usually submit letters, manuscripts, and other pieces of writing. But today, this sole slipper reveals to us another side of the life of a noble past. Its value is incalculable!
Ceremony Host	Okay, thank you for the commentary. Next, I will announce the judges' decision. Disregarding the highest and the lowest marks, Hatshepsut Hanim's final tally is... —94.95 points. Ah, what a shame, resplendent Hatshepsut Hanim, off by a mere 0.05 points. You are in second place, for now...
Nervous Ceremony Judge	This result was born in the interests of fairness and our respect for history. I do hope you understand, Hatshepsut Hanim.
Pepe	Oh, don't worry about it. I expected as much, heheh.
Nervous Ceremony Judge	Menat-Ha'mait is honored to undertake your challenge... L-Let's move on to the next item, shall we?
Ceremony Host	Very well. Next, we have the last, but certainly not the least, entry into our competition... A foreign treasure, a set of silver medals from Minos. We invite our expert to give an assessment.
Meticulous Ceremony Judge	We are all aware that places far from Sargon also possess their own brilliant civilizations. The art and culture of Minos has proven to be harmonious with Sargonian social mores. This set of medals embodies not only the Minoan love of sports, but more importantly, unlike most of the other entries, its year of manufacture can be determined with precision. Indeed, our lives are well-adorned with gold, but products fashioned from silver are a rarity. In fact, some historical periods saw silver considered the more precious metal.
Ceremony Host	What a fascinating analysis! Well then, which three contestants will win the opportunity to represent the city in offering these treasures to the river? Do allow me to announce this particular treasure's score... Disregarding the highest and the lowest marks, hailing from Minos, Aspasia Hanim's final tally is... —94.60 points. This level of fierce competition is unprecedented! Your final position is third place, Aspasia Hanim. Though I regret you did not place higher, you have still secured the chance to perform the offering.
Aspasia	I thank you. This was precisely the approval I sought. However, if you so permit, I would protest your arrangement of these prizes after we conclude. I believe a golden Minoan goblet should rank higher than a third place prize.
Ceremony Host	Very well, Hanim, but please come up to the stage first with your treasure. Go with our attendant there. In third place, Aspasia Hanim. In second place, Hatshepsut Hanim. In first place, Rashad Hanim. I ask that our three winning contestants take care not to damage the treasures they are holding—
Rashad	Oh no! Terribly sorry about that. It's far too hot, and I collapsed for a moment... I couldn't hold it steady. This is quite embarrassing. *sigh* It's a pity this ancient clay pot I brought shattered to pieces. I assume that offering pottery chips would be an affront to the river god?
Ceremony Host	I... don't believe this has ever happened before...
Rashad	This is heartbreaking. I fear I will have to give up first place. Resplendent Hatshepsut Hanim, daughter of the Padishah, you hold the highest title among all attendees. To bestow first place upon you is only fitting. And so I voluntarily renounce my position and withdraw from the competition.
Pepe	...Huh?
Ceremony Host	Err... What an unexpected turn of events! But I do believe everyone is in agreement that our resplendent daughter of the Padishah should be awarded first place! And so, our second, third and fourth place contestants will become our new first, second, and third place respectively. Let's all give them our heartiest congratulations!

After operation

Summary At the announcement of the competition results, the first place winner forfeits, leaving Pepe and Aspasia without their desired prizes. Narantuya decides to use the gem Aspasia won as bait for Pepe, but unexpectedly, the gem lands in Medjehtiqedti's hands.
♪The papyrus reeds sway by the river, its waters of purest lazurite♪ ♪It wends its way by the golden dunes, fed by our gifts of gems♪ ♪May I see Him by the waterside, may I follow Him to eternity♪
<Background 1>
Amidst the ardent applause and passionate singing, the winners stiffly walk along the shining, bejeweled street. A reed boat bearing the heavy weight of history slowly sinks into the river. Golden slipper and Minoan silver medal alike become no more than a string of bubbles.
Rashad	Regret? How could I possibly have any regrets? Meeting you has been the best thing to happen to me this entire competition, Hatshepsut Hanim! What worth would a competition ranking hold compared to such privilege...? If I may be so bold, I believe a group photo of us losers with the champion would be fittingly commemorative. Would you do me the honor of having a photo with me, resplendent Hatshepsut Hanim? If you would hold the first-place prize statue as well, that would be perfect.
Pepe	Haha, of course... Thank you for your kind words...
<Background fades out and in>
Aspasia	I joined in a most absurd competition.
Narantuya	Yeah, that was absurd indeed.
Aspasia	I intended to seek history, honor the feats of heroes past, be steadfast in my pursuit of victory, and confront fate itself.
Narantuya	Yeah, confronting fate and... the other thing. Basically, your ten old silver medals are a single shiny new one. But don't worry. This is Sargon, after all, so that's no failure. "Golden sands above, gold itself below." As the lords ameer and padishahs say, sand can be as precious as gold. Don't sweat it. Maybe you'll go down some windy road, you'll find yourself recognized, and that golden cup will be handed right over.
Aspasia	Handed over?
Narantuya	Let's say, maybe you were to chat with the lucky winner of the cup, and wheedle your way into his trust...
Aspasia	—You're right!
Narantuya	Huh?
Aspasia	The treasure I put forth was recognized. This means that Minoan culture itself was also recognized. Even if the assessment of the judges was strikingly superficial, the scoring of the silver medals and my position are sufficient proof that even Sargonian historians hold a basic respect for Minos. I should have words with the collector of the goblet. If he were to understand the deep history behind it, perhaps he would be willing to sell it back to me at a price I can afford.
Narantuya	You call that recognition? Well, if it's enough to cheer you up, I guess we'll call that a victory.
Aspasia	Thank you very much, Narantuya. You are too kind. Just like the wise men debating around the white columns, you have awoken me. I will not lose the honor that those silver medals represented. In fact, I have now won even more in turn. The trick played upon me by fate is unworthy of notice, by comparison. Moreover, if immersing those medals in the water would aid the people to see what they wish to see, then I am happy to serve. If throwing this gem into the river would summon the god I've heard so much talk of, then I—
Narantuya	WAIT! I can see you're feeling a bit better, but calm down. Don't throw it away. I have a plan... Or I guess, I have a person I wish to see. If you don't really care about the gem, could I... borrow it for a while?
<Background 3>
Ajani	The traps are ready. Relax, I was real careful putting them together. The more someone knows, the less they'll suspect.
Narantuya	Good.
Ajazi	I also slipped the invitation into the girl's bag. I made sure to wear gloves for handling artifacts, no way I left any fingerprints behind.
Narantuya	Nice work. I'll handle the back end of our plan. Any questions from you two?
Ajazi	I have one! I don't understand why the Padishah's daughter would fall for our bait? This gem doesn't seem that special. It's got lots of impurities, like the stone Ajani and I pulled up from the sewer the other day...
Narantuya	Don't worry about what the rich folk think. Watch the door tonight. Keep your eyes peeled. Don't let her send anyone over to take it before the time is right.
Ajazi	Yeah, okay... We won't let you down this time.
Ajani	That's right! We won't let anyone in!
<Background fades out and in>
???	...
Mio	Meow?
Mio arrives before the table, having deftly avoided every snare in the heavily-trapped room. The glimmering gem on the table is reflected in the cloudbeast's bright eyes.
<Background 4>
Zubayr	An anonymous letter, alongside an indistinct photo of the gem. The letter specifies a time and place for you to be, alone. An incredibly obvious trap. You should not go, Pepe.
Pepe	Well, I have to go. How else am I supposed to get the gem?
Zubayr	But...
Pepe	But what?
Zubayr	You agreed to take me to the man-made lake in the city tonight.
Pepe	Did I say that? Or maybe you misremembered and it's actually tomorrow night?
Zubayr	Ever since my brain was replaced, I have not misremembered a single thing.
Pepe	If that's true, you would have remembered where all the gems were. You could ask Anat. She wrote a loooooot of official-looking documents about you lately.
Anat	I also have a few observational reports and paragraphs of a draft for a paper on this ancient general, actually.
Pepe	Maybe she can take you there.
Zubayr	...
Anat	...I might need to take a few more shifts, if so. Do you really have no idea who sent this letter?
Pepe	The tourist who got second place seemed like a nice lady. I might have been too easy to read at the Harvest Gathering. Everyone could probably tell I wanted the gem. But we need it to get more information out of Zubayr. Whether it's info on my hidden treasure or data for your thesis.
Anat	Even so, I advise you not to take the risk.
Pepe	Even if I've been across all of Sargon by now?
Anat	I do recall you nearly failing to make it back twice when we were still in school. Good thing Titi and I decided to look for you both times.
Pepe	Oh yeah. You recruited a team of adventurers on burdenbeasts to find me, all so I could judge which of the two of you translated some ancient document more accurately. If Titi was here, I might have some backing on going to the meet-up spot.
Anat	Good thing she isn't here.
Pepe	...She's not? Where is she, then?
<Background 5>
Medjehtiqedti	"Cause inconvenience"... She said that like I was out to mess things up for her. *sigh* I helped her out with all the documents before. She wouldn't faint from all the pressure at the office, right? —! Wh-What was that noise? If you're my cute little jewel construct, then come out like a good kid. No need to freak me out... I'm going to count to three. If you're not out by then, I'm going to use my Arts on you. You've been warned. One, two... three!
Mio	Meow—!!!
Medjehtiqedti	Oh, darn it! It's you again, little cloudbeast!
<Background fades out and in>
Medjehtiqedti	Sorry, buddy. Do forgive me. *sigh* Alright, here, some pats on the head, please don't get mad. I know you're a bit of a bad-tempered scratcher, but let me explain! I've got a good reason for being a bit jittery today!
Mio	Meow...
Medjehtiqedti	Do you still remember when we were all at the museum earlier? I got freaked out by a bunch of things suddenly jumping all over the place. ...And then, today, I got in another fight with Anat. Please, please, please don't be as mad at me as her, you cute little cloudbeast you.
Mio	(Purring)
Medjehtiqedti	*sigh*... I know, I know, we're always getting into fights—over academic matters, of course. I know that she really wants to publish her research for everyone to see. I also know that it's not easy to get the opportunity to hold a special exhibit like this, so she's being real cautious, and also kinda overstressed... So stressed that in the end, she didn't dare press on with her original goal. It's obvious I'm trying to make sure she doesn't give up on the special exhibit, right?
Medjehtiqedti unconsciously speeds up her cloudbeast petting. As she does, Mio purrs louder and louder. But the girl pays no heed. She is lost in her thoughts, petting and petting and petting and petting...
Medjehtiqedti	She used to be real quiet in the past. Whenever she was nervous, her arms and legs would flail about. Whenever she'd have to give a speech, everyone would be snickering at her by the end of it. But even if her voice was overpowered by the laughter, she would persevere and finish her speech. *sigh* If only I could just rub her ears to give her the courage to persevere in other things.
Medjehtiqedti cups the cloudbeast's face in her hands and rubs it vigorously as she vents her feelings, without the slightest bit of interest in why the cloudbeast is purring so loudly. Suddenly, she feels a warmth in the palm of her hand.
Medjehtiqedti	Whoa! Was that a hairball?! Don't spit it on my sleeve! —Eh? A jewel?
<Background 4>
Pepe	Maybe I could go to the meet-up spot alone, but with a monitoring device hidden on me. We could get some private security to lie in ambush nearby.
Anat	It's far too last-minute for that, Pepe. Security companies won't have the manpower on the eve of the Flood Festival, not to mention you can't negotiate with them in the middle of the night.
Pepe	Well... How about renting an aircraft to support me if needed?
Zubayr	Such a flying object would be rather suspicious.
Pepe	I could smash the door in with my hammer, give them a good fright?
Anat	That does seem like it could work...
Zubayr	...But would that not be damaging a historical building?
Pepe	*cough* I guess that would be a debatable too. Though I'm not sure any building is anywhere near as historical as you...
Zubayr	I am rather fond of what the people who came after me have left behind—
Medjehtiqedti	Good! Evening! Everyoneeeeeee! Oh? You're here too, Pepe? Perfect. Can you all guess what I just ran into on the road earlier?
Pepe	Good timing, Titi! We've been discussing something really important, and I need your support here—
Anat	Quick, help me make Pepe see sense.
Pepe	If this was an opportunity to excavate an important historical site, would you just give up because you were in a bit of danger?
Anat	You of all should know that an excavation requires patience! You're just eager to prove yourself against your brother right now! This is all just...
Pepe	Wow, you're really not pulling any punches this time around, Anat...
Medjehtiqedti	*sigh* Nobody going to take a guess?
Zubayr	Your clothes are covered in fur.
Medjehtiqedti	Thank you for indulging me, Zubayr Effendi. Correct, I ran into a little cloudbeast.
Zubayr	In my age, the people believed that cloudbeasts were bringers of good fortune.
Medjehtiqedti	It turns out that in this age, I'm a believer too. It spit out a gemstone full of luck for me.
Anat	—
Pepe	...A what?! Let me see, please!
Medjehtiqedti	Hold it. Anat says you agreed to invest in a new exhibition hall in return for her lending you a gem out of the museum collection.
Pepe	Alright, I hear you, I'll make an investment in your name.
Medjehtiqedti	No, Pepe. I hope you... No, all of you will agree with me on something else. Pepe, Anat and... Zubayr Effendi. I think this jewel can grant our wishes.