238: An unexpected meeting

Special Support Section, first-floor living room, early morning.

Morning light streamed into the office through the blinds. Lloyd sat in front of the Orbal Terminal, carefully reviewing today's request list.

Ellie stood beside him, her finger gently swiping across the screen, sorting the tasks by priority.

"There aren't many jobs today," Lloyd sighed in relief. "Mainly monster extermination in the Old Town and routine patrol of Central Square."

Noel walked over with a steaming cup of coffee: "That's good, at least we don't have to run around everywhere like yesterday."

Wazy lay lazily on the sofa: "Ah, if only every day could be this easy~"

Just then, the terminal suddenly emitted a 'beep-beep' notification sound. A new email popped up.

"Hmm?" Lloyd clicked on the email. "A request from the Epstein Foundation?"

Ellie leaned closer to the screen: "Director Roberts sent it, asking us to help test a new communication module?"

"Communication module?" Noel curiously poked her head in. "What exactly is it?"

Lloyd quickly scanned the email content: "It says it's a small, new type of communication device that needs stability testing in a real environment."

Wazy raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Could it be that he only thought of asking us after he learned about our new car?"

"It's very possible," Ellie nodded. "But since our car was a special favor from Mayor Dieter, Director Roberts probably heard about it from Mayor Dieter."

Lloyd stood up: "Then let's go complete the patrol and extermination missions first, and then go to the IBC building to find Director Roberts this afternoon."

Crossbell Old Town, the sun shone directly on the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, and the air was filled with a damp smell.

Lloyd and the others easily dealt with the few monsters entrenched there; the entire process didn't even take ten minutes.

"Phew..." Noel put away her submachine gun. "It went much smoother than I expected."

Wazy rubbed his wrists, which weren't sore at all: "Oh, these little guys are too weak~"

Ellie checked the mission log: "The patrol of Central Square is also complete. We can go to the IBC building now."

Lloyd nodded: "Okay, let's get in the car."

Crossbell Northeast Highlands, IBC building.

The silver Orbal Car slowly drove into the IBC building's parking lot. This continent's top financial center glittered in the sunlight, its glass curtain walls reflecting dazzling light.

"Every time I come here, it feels so magnificent..." Noel looked up at the building, which was filled with the scent of money, and murmured, "IBC is really rich."

Lloyd locked the car door: "Let's go, Director Roberts should be waiting for us."

As soon as everyone entered the lobby, they ran into two familiar figures.

"Mayor Dieter?" Ellie stopped in surprise. "And Mariabell?"

Dieter Crois and his daughter, Mariabell, were just coming out of the elevator, seemingly having just finished a meeting.

Dieter was wearing a sharp red suit, with a gentle smile on his face, while Mariabell was in a smart office lady uniform, with two golden spiral curls of hair falling naturally behind her head.

"Ellie!" Mariabell's eyes lit up, and she quickly walked forward, hugging Ellie. "Long time no see!"

Ellie was caught off guard by the sudden hug: "Ma-Mariabell, long time no see..."

Mariabell let go of Ellie, cupping her face with both hands and examining her carefully: "Hmm, still so beautiful. The elasticity during the hug is still ample, and you've kept your figure so well~"

"Ah~ You're truly irresistible~"

Ellie's face instantly turned red, followed by stuttering: "H-how annoying! Don't use such strange words to describe me!"

Mariabell's gaze suddenly turned to Lloyd, her eyes instantly becoming sharp: "By the way, Officer Lloyd... you haven't secretly made a move on Ellie without my permission, have you?"

Lloyd was both helpless and nervous at this sudden scrutiny: "Ah, uh, why ask that right when we meet? Is it really necessary...?"

"Because Officer Lloyd is a 'dangerous person,' so regular checks are necessary," Mariabell narrowed her eyes and leaned closer to Lloyd: "If I find out you've done anything improper, you understand the consequences, right?"

"Uh..." Lloyd's back started to sweat.

"Mariabell!" Ellie pulled her, blushing. "Don't be like that..."

Mayor Dieter walked forward, smiling: "Oh dear, that's enough, Mariabell, don't make it difficult for him. It's rare to see them, so please be more discreet."

He nodded to the Special Support Section members and extended his hand to Lloyd, a warm smile on his face: "Everyone, long time no see. Congratulations on the Special Support Section resuming operations. Crossbell's public order has improved quite a bit these past few days. Thank you all for your hard work."

Lloyd quickly shook his hand: "You're too kind, Mayor Dieter. It's our duty."

Noel stepped forward and saluted cleanly: "Thank you so much for the Orbal Car you provided us! I never imagined I'd get to drive such a cool Orbal Car, it's like a dream!"

"Hahaha, I'm very happy to be able to help everyone," Dieter let out a confident and hearty laugh. "This way, I, as the new mayor, feel like I'm doing some good!"

"Ah, but I have to say, being both mayor and IBC president is really difficult; there's just too much to do."

Mariabell, however, showed no deference to her father and directly retorted: "You're so busy entirely because you brought it upon yourself."

"Always taking on too much, couldn't you at least consider your daughter who's doing unpaid work to help you with your affairs?"

"Oh, well," Dieter was somewhat embarrassed by this 'family shame being aired,' "When I think that every matter is for Crossbell, I really can't ignore it."

Ellie smiled and nodded: "That's why Grandpa also admires energetic people like you, Uncle Dieter."

Dieter's gaze turned to Ellie: "How is Speaker McDowell's health lately?"

Ellie smiled and nodded: "Grandpa is very well, he often mentions you."

"Oh?" Dieter was a little surprised. "What did he say?"

Ellie cleared her throat, imitating old Speaker McDowell's tone: "'Crossbell needs young politicians like Dieter to see hope and a future.'"

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Dieter's face: "This, you're giving me too much credit. As a political newcomer, I still have much to learn."

"To be praised like this by an old veteran, I'm truly flattered."

Mariabell checked her watch and suddenly exclaimed: "Ah! Are we going to miss the City Hall meeting?"

Dieter then realized: "Oh no, it is time."

He looked apologetically at everyone: "Sorry, we have to go. Special Support Section, please keep up the good work."

Mariabell winked at Ellie: "Talk to you next time~"

She then gave Lloyd a meaningful look: "Remember what I said."

Lloyd could only give a dry laugh and nod.

After watching Dieter and his daughter hurry away, Noel quietly asked: "Ellie, what did Miss Mariabell mean just now?"

Ellie's face turned even redder: "D-don't mind her, she's always like that..."

Wazy smirked from the side: "Oh my, it seems our Lloyd-kun is getting 'special attention'~"

Lloyd sighed helplessly: "Alright, let's go find Director Roberts."

Not long after Lloyd and the others watched Dieter and his daughter leave, the elevator doors opened again. A middle-aged man with round glasses and slightly disheveled hair walked out quickly, carrying a metal box.

His gaze swept through the crowd and quickly locked onto the Special Support Section members.

"Ah! You're finally here!" Director Roberts jogged closer, his face showing unconcealed excitement. "I was worried you'd be late!"

Lloyd stepped forward: "Director Roberts, hello. We just finished our morning tasks and came right over."

Roberts pushed up his slipping glasses, his gaze sweeping over everyone: "Excellent, excellent..." His voice was a little hurried. "Follow me, I'll take you to the testing room."

The testing room was spacious and bright, with various Orbal displays covering the walls, and a central laboratory bench holding various precision instruments. Roberts carefully placed the metal box on the table, and after entering a password, the lid slowly opened.

"Behold!" His voice was filled with unconcealed pride. "This is the device to be tested—a personal terminal!"

Everyone gathered around, curiously looking into the box.

It was a rectangular device slightly larger than an Orbal Device, entirely silver-white, with a smooth touchscreen on the front and the Epstein Foundation logo engraved on the back. Most notably, it had no slot for Septium Crystals and no interface for a core circuit.

"This is..." Noel blinked. "A communicator?"

"Exactly!" Roberts nodded excitedly. "But it's completely different from traditional Orbal Communicators!"

He carefully took out the terminal, and with a gentle swipe of his finger on the screen, it immediately lit up, displaying a simple operating interface.

"This is a portable communication terminal manufactured with completely new technology," Roberts explained. "It doesn't need to rely on Orbal base stations and can maintain communication in any environment."

Wazy raised an eyebrow: "Any environment?"

"Yes!" Roberts' eyes sparkled. "Inside mines, underground passages, even near Septium Veins—theoretically, it won't affect signal transmission!"

Lloyd looked at this small device in surprise: "That amazing? What's its working principle then...?"

Roberts smiled mysteriously: "Trade secret."

He paused, then added: "But what I can tell you is that this technology was only recently acquired by the Foundation, and Tio Plato was consequently transferred to assist in its research and development, delaying her return to the team."

Ellie mused: "I see... No wonder Tio hasn't returned yet."

Noel curiously reached out to touch the terminal: "Can I try it?"

"Of course!" Roberts handed her the terminal. "But be careful, this is the only test sample."

Noel took the terminal, her finger sliding across the screen. The interface was responsive, and various functions were clear at a glance—contacts, messages, maps, and even a simple Orbal Net browser.

"How amazing..." she murmured. "It's much more advanced than the Garrison's communicators."

Roberts smiled proudly: "Of course! This is a groundbreaking product!"

He turned to Lloyd: "So, let's talk about the specific test content now."

Testing room, central conference table

Roberts unfolded a map of Crossbell, with five red dots marked on it.

"We need you to take this terminal and go to these locations for communication tests," he explained, pointing at the map. "First, the Harbor District, then the Old Town, then the Residential District, and finally the Entertainment District."

Wazy leaned lazily against the back of his chair: "Oh, so we have to run all over Crossbell, huh?"

Roberts nodded: "Exactly. I heard about your new car from Mayor Dieter, hehe. Ahem, three tests need to be conducted at each location: voice communication, data transmission, and positioning function."

He pointed to a blue dot on the edge of the map: "Finally, you need to go inside the old mine to test the terminal's performance under Septium Veins interference."

Lloyd carefully noted down each test point: "Understood. We will complete the tests in order."

Everyone returned to the Orbal Car, and Noel carefully placed the metal box in the back seat.

"I have a feeling this test isn't that simple," Lloyd whispered.

Wazy opened the car door and lazily sat down: "Oh, why think so much~ We'll know once the test is over anyway."

Noel started the engine: "To the Harbor District first?"

"Mm," Lloyd fastened his seatbelt. "According to Director Roberts' plan."

The Orbal Car slowly drove out of the IBC building, heading towards the Harbor District. Sunlight streamed through the car window onto the metal box, reflecting a cold gleam.

Lloyd looked at the rapidly receding scenery outside the window, his unease growing stronger.