All done. Don't worry, not everything leaves a paper trail, and not everything should leave one. Besides, files that you see fit to give a Maylander detective access to aren't worth tampering with.

Rhodes Island and Maylander have signed a memorandum of cooperation. A specialist will take over from here. On my part, I'm more concerned about how my old friends are doing on this ship: the K'uk'ulkan, the robot by the name of Friston-3, and you, Doctor.

May I take a smoke? I don't have to exhale, if you want. I picked up the habit when staying near a volcano in Bolívar. Can't get lung cancer if you don't have a lung, after all.

Are those kids still following me? Well, let's just consider it a Columbian fairy tale come true... this exoskeleton is indeed a little too conspicuous, and requires regular maintenance. I just can't be bothered to change it, though. Habit is a powerful thing.

I've got here social reports from a few periodicals. I read them to follow the latest inventions and trends. Of course it's necessary. It keeps my mental age young. That's why I don't look like I'm thousands of years old.

Be it W, Nasti, the sweeping reforms, or the city in the clouds, the dreams that today's Sarkaz have for the future are most encouraging. Me? I work for the foundation, of course, and it's my job to invest in the young.

I like Rhodes Island's top deck. It's a great view up there. I wish I had a ship like this during my scavenging days, and companions like you... my encounter with Maylander Selene was a long time later.

Keep your distance if you don't want to get burned. This tin can of a body sometimes gives me a burning sensation when the sun is bright. Regret? Perhaps. I would gladly go into the furnace if becoming firewood solves the Sarkaz's problems, but reality is not that simple.

I have talked to Dame Kal'tsit about you. Don't worry, Maylander isn't going to dig up the past. Time flies for people like us, doesn't it? Would you like a smoke? The sun should be setting by the time you're done with it.

Let me get the newspapers, and some hot dogs and tortilla chips... fast food is a wonderful invention, isn't it? Thanks to it, the pace of expansion never stops.

It's been a while since Trimounts, hasn't it, Doctor? Tin Man, representative of the Maylander Foundation, at your service. It's our pleasure to enter into cooperation with Rhodes Island, to pool our resources... and secrets.

I see that Rhodes Island's business extends to more than just Oripathy treatment. It seems we have more room for cooperation than I originally thought.

The last time I was at such an occasion was when Maylander Selene tossed me a map and a bottle of spirits, and invited me to join his team. That was before the nation of Columbia was a thing... brings back the old days.

Thank you. Trust is not something given lightly for people like you and I.

Some of the team members could give the foundation's agents a run of their money. You're piquing my interest in this operation.

You may call me Tin Man. I ask no more or less than absolutely adherence to my orders.

I will prepare a contingency plan.

You should take a detour.

Let me stretch a little... my joints are rusty.

Take it easy. Let me have a smoke.

Sound is the best vehicle for Arts. Be on your guard.

Danger can lurk in the most familiar environment.

Do not be flippant about history.

Don't be narrow-minded about the future.

Found your files... no more files.

Remember the feeling of having your soul imprisoned. It is the most valuable lesson you will ever learn.

I heard rumors about the Kazdel Civil War a few years back. Looks like time has not diminished your talents in this regard, Doctor.

Despite having seen it before in Trimounts, your tactical and strategic prowess continues to surprise... do you mind if I reported back to the foundation that Rhodes Island has an outstanding tactician?

They may have escaped this battle, but they will not escape the battlefield.

No problem. The Maylander Foundation will clean up in accordance with the memorandum of cooperation. Leave it to me.

Nice room. Maybe it could become a new body once I get used to it... just kidding.

What do you reckon would happen if a man suddenly touched scorching hot metal?

Did you see me suck the smoke rings back into my body through the cracks?

Arknights.

There are no New Year events in Kazdel. In Columbia, I join the young folks for the New Year's countdown and bell. As an operator of Rhodes Island, I suppose I'll have to satisfy the children's curiosity about me...

Got a light, Doctor?

The one thing that Columbia, future Kazdel and Rhodes Island have in common is youth. Youth is everything. You and I are people of the past, but we are both protecting the future. The cooperation of Rhodes Island and Maylander will continue.