[Hanako] Chapter 15: The Garden

[Asta]

"Well, I guess let's get on that" Hanako replied. "We'll get these seeds planted, as well as the one from the lobby and then I guess use the liquid we gathered from the one in the cave earlier as well as some of my mana to get the dome going. Hopefully it won't take too long to get some amount of self sustaining power going."

Hanako and co. will go plant the seeds as well as the already grown flower and then use the liquid gathered earlier plus enough mana to remain conscious to get the dome started.

[Asta]

Requested roll:

Rolled 20d2 : 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, total 28

[Asta]

Rolled 20d2 : 1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, total 29

Rolled 20d2 : 2, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, total 27

Rolled 7d2 : 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, total 7

[Throndir]

Mining Site #2 - 5th Level - Section 10 - The Garden - Control
Day 17 - 10 AM

"One at a time then~" TLS-1 said as she presented the DAPEC. Using your status menu, you were able to drain your MP all the way to 1. Leaving you sleepy. Trudy followed after, though TLS-1 was quick to push her out of the way before she fell asleep on the orb.

"Be careful~ If you fall asleep on the orb and no one is around, you'll literally fall asleep on it... forever."

"Oh... hahaha..." Trudy mumbled, her eyes looking quite sunken and tired.

As for Kari, she placed her hand on the orb as well, though she gave plenty of mana, you could tell that she didn't tire herself out completely.

That done as you retrieved the vials of liquid, TLS-1 motioned for you to pour the contents down what looked to be a hole at the base of the station of the orb.

"The liquid from a Etherius suffruticosa isn't as optimal as ether liquid, but it does fairly decently." TLS-1 explained as you poured the contents in. Soon enough, TLS-1 brought up a display near a console. Although the symbols and letters themselves were foreign to you, you were able to understand what was written.

ENERGY: 6.24%

"Alright, that looks like it's enough~ Here are the options." TLS-1 said as she moved over the console to you.

Activity	MP Cost	Description
Dome: Growth Control (10 fold) (1 hour)	1	Increase or decrease growth rate of any plant or plant creature by 10 for an hour.
Dome: Growth Control (100 fold) (1 hour)	12	Increase or decrease growth rate of any plant or plant creature by 100 for an hour.
Dome: Growth Control (1,000 fold) (1 hour)	144	Increase or decrease growth rate of any plant or plant creature by 1,000 for an hour.
Dome: Growth Control (10,000 fold) (1 hour)	1728	Increase or decrease growth rate of any plant or plant creature by 10,000 for an hour.
Dome: Growth Control Time Increase (8 hours)	x4	Increase growth control time to 8 hours
Dome: Growth Control Time Increase (24 hours)	x8	Increase growth control time to 24 hours

"And we should probably activate at least one drone to tend to the seeds you have."

Activity	MP Cost	Description
Garden Drone (1 day)	4	Activates a single garden drone.
Garden Drone (1 week)	20	Activates a single garden drone.
Garden Drone (1 month)	60	Activates a single garden drone.

"It takes about 504 days, or 12,096 hours, on average for an Etherius suffruticosa to reach maturity. After which, it will produce an ounce of its liquid per day. They have a long lifespan, and can live indefinitely as long as there's ample nutrition or mana around. Since we have an existing plant, we can immediately start harvesting the liquid produced... Though, the seeds will take longer."

[Asta]

"Ok, seems like we have enough power to get some good returns if we set it to 1000 times speed and use a drone for the day. If my math is right... We can hit a minimum of at least ten percent fuel with just one mature plant. If we spend an entire 24 hours here, we'll be able to collect even more from the other plants. How much fuel do you think it would cost to power up the ship and blast our way out of here?"

[Throndir]

Mining Site #2 - 5th Level - Section 10 - The Garden - Control
Day 17 - 10 AM

"Let's see... With the firepower we have onboard the Garden, and our depth to the surface, it could take 6 to 12 months depending on how deep we are, and the composition of the layers above. We don't have the weapon arrays the Ramparts have, unfortunately, otherwise this would go faster."

[Asta]

"Well. That's less than optimal." Hanako sagged visibly for a moment, then straightened back up. "Whatever, I'll figure something else out. Lets get these seeds planted and figure out whats going on from there. Probably should find some food or something."

Requested roll for seeds:

Rolled 20d2 : 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, total 31

Rolled 10d2 : 1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, total 17

Survival to forage for food:

Rolled 1d20+11 : 11 + 11, total 22

[Throndir]

Mining Site #2 - 5th Level - Section 10 - The Garden - Control
Day 17 - 10 AM

48 seedlings added to Items sheet

"Okay master~ It shouldn't take long to get the basics set up and one drone activated to do the job. After that, maybe we can take a long naaap together!~ ♥"

As TLS-1 spoke, she inputted commands on the console, and soon enough a view of one of the domes came online, along with another marker denoting the number of active drones. TLS-1 mentioned taking a short leave as well to deposit the seedlings. Before she left, you realized that your two golems seemed to stare at her and more so than the others. The one carrying the Mage's Gift plant, or the Etherius suffruticosa, as TLS-1 called it, seemed to gesture towards the plant it was holding.

"Hmm~ Interesting~ You're like me but created with a heavier focus on magical theory and alterations to Formula rather than self-sustained technology." She frowned though, and she turned towards you. "Master, for how advanced these two are, I'm surprised they look so... archaic." She turned back towards the golem. "Anyways, if master wills it, follow me with the Etherius suffruticosa and we'll get that planted too."

The golem looked towards at you expectantly.

Mining Site #2 - 5th Level - Section 10 - The Garden
After Planting

Once the seedlings were planted, TLS also came back with a rather thick booklet.

"Master. Doctor Alcina had this prepared specifically for you. A hero of a future generation that is. There are system documents of course, but this one helps sum everything up."

The book itself was well-made. Though with everything being digital interfaces that you've seen so far, it was surprising to see an actual physical book being handed to you. There was a forward in the book, it was written out by hand, rather than printed like the rest of the book. Strangely enough, it was addressed to you directly.

Hero Hanako Okita,

You've probably just met one of my assistants: Thamylon Legend Subunit 1, or TLS-1. She was one of the first gynoids I created. You also probably have many questions, and unfortunately, the gynoids I created don't necessarily have all the answers. But perhaps you can read through this instead, I know you have time right now, being stuck down here after all.

First; introductions. I am Alcina Thamylon. You are Hanako Okita of Japan, from a world called Earth, summoned to our world Velothia, by orders from Helmut Klein, who himself was from another world. I am considered one of the most skilled technicist in my time. This Garden, along with the Thamylon Legend, and gynoids, are my creations. The Thamylon Legend itself was commissioned by the Feltheno Empire as a defense against the metallum and potential ark for humanity 8,132 years prior before you first arrive at the Garden. However, even as I write this, I know for a fact that these efforts in my time period are in vain. Of course, this I don't tell my employers; gotta have that money to build the Thamylon Legend, after all.

The metallum. Metallic creatures that break through the skies themselves from their world point of origin. They are ruthless, devoid of emotion, and simply destroy whatever they come across. They are attracted to large concentrations of human life, and in my time period, have leveled most of our major cities in the first week alone.

Though their origins are unknown, we consider them a catastrophe from a higher plane of existence. Perhaps even at the same level of existence as the pantheon that governs our world of Velothia judging by the fact that even those gods and goddesses have had multiple interventions just in my time period alone. Other-worlders with highly specialized sets of magic, divine weapons being 'found', along with the Phasing that cuts entire areas and places them at seemingly random locations throughout the world. In your time period, these interventions should be happening as well in alarming frequency. Your very summoning into this world is just one of those interventions, chosen by a specific divine being to try to achieve some purpose known only to them. The demons that now inhabit most of Velothia in your time period too are simply casualties of the same process. The pantheon and their whims aren't reliable, however, even I do admit that their aid, limited as it may be, is a boon. However, ever do I feel sorry for the heroes of my time period who were brought here just to end up dying along with the rest of our civilization.

It is in respect to this, that I offer to you The Garden. I cannot augur the precise time of when the next large scale metallum incursion would begin in your time. But I've begun the seeds of that research, and technology to fight them once the Thamylon Legend is combined. I cannot say whether or not your time period will be successful where our Empire had failed. But perhaps, the Pantheon willing, success will be in your grasp.

Arch-Technicist Alcina Thamylon

Mining Site #2 - 5th Level - Section 10 - The Garden
24 hours later

If you plan to do any training let me know. The Garden Manual can be studied/learned as well. Also keep in mind you have higher MP regeneration while asleep, so if you plan to do that instead to earn back MP, lemme know for how long. We can handle dumping any number of Energy units into the Garden once you give me those numbers. Assume your companions will do the same as you, unless you tell them otherwise.

Total Energy Cost (at discounted rate for 24 hours)
4 = Garden Drone (1 day)
64 = x1000 speed
x4 = 24 hour duration
4 + 64 x 4 = 260 MP

Progress
48 Mages Gift Seedlings: 24,000/12,000 hours => Complete

Output
1 Mages Gift Mature Plant (24 hours): 1,000 ounces of liquid
48 Mages Gift Mature Plants (12 hours): 24,000 ounces of liquid

Note, using the discounted rate for the first 24 hours, it'll be increased for the next time just for a semblance of balance for future projects.

The next 24 hours the seedlings began to grow at an alarming rate. Extraction lines were placed for each of the plants in the first 12 hours, while the single drone handled extraction of the liquid from the lone adult plant. 12 hours in once the rest of the seedlings were mature, those too began to output the fluid in a constant stream, forcing the drone to consistently be on the move handling the array of plants.

[Asta]

Hanako shrugged. "I don't know much about it. I just put them together. If I blow a lot of mana and get really lucky I can make humans though. Err.. Homunculi actually, I guess, to be correct. Back at the mansion there's a double of myself that I made from earth and stuff. She's uhh, less independent than these guys." She thumbed towards her current golem guards. She tried not to think too much about the way the golems seemed to have personalities now, but she did briefly wonder the moral implications of creating "life" with the sole purpose of being dispensable foot soldiers and a shiver ran up her spine.

When TLS-1 asked the golem carrying the plant to follow along Hanako nodded her approval.



After reading over the foreword, the sense of unease she had earlier regarding her golems magnified. Ah fuck. This might be starting to get above my pay grade. Demons were one thing, she saw Kari cut one's head off, so she knew they could be killed with effort but extra-dimensional metal monsters was an entirely new ball game. A game where she wasn't quite familiar with the rules. Hanako closed the book and pinched the bridge of her nose. I'm going to assume that's whatever was destroying earth just before I got ran over... I should... Keep this to myself for now.

"I guess for now all we can do is wait, and think of a way to get out of here. I'm guessing the weapons array on the Garden isn't strong enough to blast us out so something else is going to have to help." She paused a moment and continued, "We have essentially an infinite supply of mana in the form of magical plant juice, so I guess I could just... Make a giant golem and start digging... Maybe. Thoughts?"

[Throndir]

Mining Site #2 - 5th Level - Section 10
Day 17 - 10 AM

The golem seemed to be excited once you gave it the approval.

"Alright~ Come along now." TLS-1 said as she made her way out. The golem followed excitedly, it's gait and movement looking livelier than before as if it was pleased to be of help to the gynoid.

Mining Site #2 - 5th Level - Section 10 - The Garden
After Planting

"Wilst thou need to imbibe the liquid as thou casts? Mayhaps instead withdrawing the stored mana instead?" Kari asked. "Tis may indeed be possible... Thy blessing of creating golems, it's not something I am familiar with. Does thy mana become drained upon the end of thy casting, or throughout thy casting? If thou can drink enough at once as thy mana is being used... Tis might be possible. Unless a way to cast it as a ritual exists. However, thy magic in the form of a blessing... Mayhaps it follows a different set of rules."

"We'll need to have the mana first, hopefully by tomorrow we'll have enough. I'll probably be napping, but I want to see you make a giant golem. Make sure to wake me up?"

Mining Site #2 - 5th Level - Section 10 - The Garden
24 hours later

I'll keep repasting this section so it's not lost, until we get to it, or if things change.

If you plan to do any training let me know. The Garden Manual can be studied/learned as well. Also keep in mind you have higher MP regeneration while asleep, so if you plan to do that instead to earn back MP, lemme know for how long. We can handle dumping any number of Energy units into the Garden once you give me those numbers. Assume your companions will do the same as you, unless you tell them otherwise.

Total Energy Cost (at discounted rate for 24 hours)
4 = Garden Drone (1 day)
64 = x1000 speed
x4 = 24 hour duration
4 + 64 x 4 = 260 MP

Progress
48 Mages Gift Seedlings: 24,000/12,000 hours => Complete

Output
1 Mages Gift Mature Plant (24 hours): 1,000 ounces of liquid
48 Mages Gift Mature Plants (12 hours): 24,000 ounces of liquid

Note, using the discounted rate for the first 24 hours, it'll be increased for the next time just for a semblance of balance for future projects.

The next 24 hours the seedlings began to grow at an alarming rate. Extraction lines were placed for each of the plants in the first 12 hours, while the single drone handled extraction of the liquid from the lone adult plant. 12 hours in once the rest of the seedlings were mature, those too began to output the fluid in a constant stream, forcing the drone to consistently be on the move handling the array of plants.

[Asta]

"It uhh, happens once I've finished making it I think. Or at the very least it happens very quickly after it starts. Also there's an upkeep cost as long as a golem is active, pretend for a moment that you could visualize your mana as a number. When I've got one running, it makes it so that number never reaches its maximum. Ones about our size don't drain me as much, but if I'm going to do what I think I need to... It could be... costly to keep going for an extended period."

Hanako rubbed her eyes. She was getting tired after dumping all but the very last of her mana into the Garden. "I don't have a way to drain mana from other objects so I guess the only real solution is to get some buckets and a rubber hose and just drink as fast as I can while I make the golem, then hope the upkeep isn't too high that I can't keep it bashing our way out of here."

She turned to TSL-1. "I'm going to assume you have buckets in the garden? Two twenty liter ones should be more than enough I assume."

[Throndir]

Mining Site #2 - 5th Level - Section 10 - The Garden
After Planting

TLS-1 nodded as she watched you rub your eyes from the lack of mana.

"We have everything we need, plus more, to grow any plant. Our manufacturing capabilities are limited without the Workshop though, but we should have everything in storage. I can set the functions of the dome too right now. As long as I'm in the vicinity, you can think of the Garden and me as one."

"Anyways, Master~ You're tired too, right? Take a long nap with me? The doctor Alcina, told me I should tell you that I make a good 'dakimakura pillow'."

When TLS-1 brought up taking a nap together, Trudy strode over closer to you, and held your arm. She looked at you rather bashfully with a slight tint of red on her cheeks. She eventually took to staring at the gynoid with a particular glare.

"H-Hanako is s-sleeping with me!" She announced.

"We all can nap together!" TLS-1 countered. "Actually, you both can use me! I have all sorts of functions. I can be warm, I can be cool, produce white noise, blow cool air, vibrate, and even play music!"

"Well, how about it? We have comfy beds here in The Garden!"

Mining Site #2 - 5th Level - Section 10 - The Garden
24 hours later

I'll keep repasting this section so it's not lost until we get to it, or if things change.

If you plan to do any training let me know. The Garden Manual can be studied/learned as well. Also, keep in mind you have higher MP regeneration while asleep, so if you plan to do that instead to earn back MP, lemme know for how long. We can handle dumping any number of Energy units into the Garden once you give me those numbers. Assume your companions will do the same as you unless you tell them otherwise.

Total Energy Cost (at discounted rate for 24 hours)
4 = Garden Drone (1 day)
64 = x1000 speed
x4 = 24 hour duration
4 + 64 x 4 = 260 MP

Progress
48 Mages Gift Seedlings: 24,000/12,000 hours => Complete

Output
1 Mages Gift Mature Plant (24 hours): 1,000 ounces of liquid
48 Mages Gift Mature Plants (12 hours): 24,000 ounces of liquid

Note, using the discounted rate for the first 24 hours, it'll be increased for the next time just for a semblance of balance for future projects.

The next 24 hours the seedlings began to grow at an alarming rate. Extraction lines were placed for each of the plants in the first 12 hours, while the single drone handled the extraction of the liquid from the lone adult plant. 12 hours in once the rest of the seedlings were mature, those too began to output the fluid in a constant stream, forcing the drone to consistently be on the move handling the array of plants.

[Asta]

"..."

Hanako stared at TLS-1 for a moment trying to process why this mysterious Dr. Alcina would even know what a dakimakura was. "How...?" she started, but then thought better that she didn't ask. "Never mind. Let's just uhh, get some sleep."

She needed it badly, Trudy and Kari likely did as well. Hanako gave Trudy's arm a little squeeze as if to say "It's ok, I'm not going anywhere", then gestured for TLS-1 to lead the way.

"Long day ahead, should probably rest while we can."

[Throndir]

Mining Site #2 - 5th Level - Section 10 - The Garden
Day 17 - After Planting - 11 AM

The gynoid lead you through the ship again, there was a low amount of energy due to the mana you had siphoned into the DAPEC, but you could tell that the ship was still functioning in a low-power state. As each new blast door opened up, cold biting air greeted you.

"It takes a bit for heat to transfer." TLS-1 commented. "With how little energy we have right now, I'm having it redirect to just one room. When we're up later this evening, we should have gathered enough mana from the existing plants to continue the heat though."

The room she eventually leads the group to was rather spacious compared to the rest of the ship. It didn't take long to realize these were living quarters.

The only problem was that there was only a single bed. This didn't stop TLS-1 however, as she promptly climbed on top of the bed, and then suddenly collapsed asleep. Her form immediately started to rhythmically breathe in and out. Even though she was some sort of mechanical being, she seemed to mimic sleeping quite well.

"She isn't asleep already, is she?"

As for Kari, she had dismissed her summons when she realized the room was safe, though she only glanced briefly at the three of you.

"This shalt do. I hath no need of as much sleep as thyselves. Carry on..." She said dismissively as she pulled out what looked to be a tea cup, a kettle, water, and some tea bags. You noted that it was the Elven Las tea that Amarille favored so much.

"Ah, mine old friend." You overheard Kari say quietly to herself as she began prepping her tea.

Mining Site #2 - 5th Level - Section 10 - The Garden
Day 18 - 24 hours later

I'll keep repasting this section so it's not lost until we get to it, or if things change.

If you plan to do any training let me know. The Garden Manual can be studied/learned as well. Also, keep in mind you have higher MP regeneration while asleep, so if you plan to do that instead to earn back MP, lemme know for how long. We can handle dumping any number of Energy units into the Garden once you give me those numbers. Assume your companions will do the same as you unless you tell them otherwise.

Total Energy Cost (at discounted rate for 24 hours)
4 = Garden Drone (1 day)
64 = x1000 speed
x4 = 24 hour duration
4 + 64 x 4 = 260 MP

Progress
48 Mages Gift Seedlings: 24,000/12,000 hours => Complete

Output
1 Mages Gift Mature Plant (24 hours): 1,000 ounces of liquid
48 Mages Gift Mature Plants (12 hours): 24,000 ounces of liquid

Note, using the discounted rate for the first 24 hours, it'll be increased for the next time just for a semblance of balance for future projects.

The next 24 hours the seedlings began to grow at an alarming rate. Extraction lines were placed for each of the plants in the first 12 hours, while the single drone handled the extraction of the liquid from the lone adult plant. 12 hours in once the rest of the seedlings were mature, those too began to output the fluid in a constant stream, forcing the drone to consistently be on the move handling the array of plants.

[Asta]

Hanako ran her hand over her face. Every time. My life has become a trope.

"Let's just... try to get some rest." she said, patting Trudy gently on the back. "While we can."

Sleeping for 8 hours, Kari can do whatever it is she's inclined to do.