Do You Have Any Opinion on Mechanical Cat Ears? (CAT EARS)
Inside the spacecraft, the cat-ball spheres who had been sleeping for who knows how long began cracking open one after another to yawn.
Even without perception, yawning seemed contagious as system 2333 also let out a yawn. Midway through, a thud signaled the spacecraft landing and stabilizing. Backlit by the light, a robot pulled open the cabin door.
The cat-ball spheres were finally allowed to remove their shielding devices, and the robot undid each one's shield one by one. Though heavy workloads loomed ahead, the cat-ball spheres actually felt more relaxed here. They whispered among themselves in small groups, stretching lazily or shifting positions.
Working outside was far more comfortable than staying in the Main System's space. The overseer robots didn’t care much about the cat-ball spheres' minor antics—only about energy ore output and discipline compliance—so they could unwind a little.
The spacecraft's hatch had already opened. The cat-ball spheres lined up by the door to collect their specially customized miner helmets, complete with headlamps, dust suppression devices, and even grooves for their mechanical cat ears—a level of thoughtful design that clearly wasn’t the Main System’s doing. They also picked up small pickaxes or shovels.
Outside the hatch, the spacecraft slowly extended a staircase downward.
The overseer robots spread their metal wings and flew down to stand on either side, supervising and double-checking each cat-ball sphere’s number as they hopped down the steps one by one.
2222 felt a sudden urge—who knew why the spacecraft had such adorable stairs? Flanking the straight steps were small slides, looking incredibly fun to glide down. But with the robots watching like hawks, such a bold move would definitely count as a serious violation.
The next second, 2222 watched helplessly as System 2333 went "whoosh!" down the slide. The nearby robot hesitated but took no action.
At the bottom, System 2333 waved his tail at the remaining cat-ball spheres still aboard. 1001 shook his head beside him in resignation.
"Did 4399 give you something? Don’t push your luck—if you get caught, it’ll be trouble."
Though 4399 had once suggested sabotaging the robots in critical moments and had provided some equipment (a motherly concern, truly), this time, System 2333 had managed it on his own.
He couldn’t interfere with the robots too much, or the Main System might notice. But slightly blurring their judgment? That was doable.
The remaining cat-ball spheres still on the spacecraft were overjoyed.
Donning their miner helmets, they gleefully slid down the slides. Once all of them had disembarked with their tools, the spacecraft lowered some supplies and equipment before sealing its hatch. It wouldn’t open again until mining time was over to take them back.
This mining trip was staffed entirely by veteran systems—cat-ball spheres who had survived long enough to be smart and cautious.
Mining wasn’t something to rush into blindly. The state of the mine had changed significantly from before and needed fresh scouting.
The cat-ball spheres murmured and mewed among themselves before eventually dividing tasks. Some went to set up rest shelters—under the Main System’s orders, the overseer robots wouldn’t care about their well-being. Past experience had taught them to prioritize building a comfortable rest area first.
They assigned some of the cat balls to receive tasks from the supervisor robots, keeping the robots occupied to buy time for their companions to build the shed.
The supervisor robots distributed tasks, assigning roughly equal workloads to each cat ball. Following their programming, the robots handed out small baskets to the cat balls.
The cat balls donned miner's helmets, picked up tiny pickaxes, and slung the baskets over their backs… What a hardworking bunch!
The first few cat balls smoothly accepted baskets larger than themselves from the robots and struggled to carry them on their backs. 1001, 1818, and 2222, who had already received their baskets, waited nearby.
When it was System 2333’s turn, the robot first scanned and verified his information. System 2333 initially grinned cheerfully—until he noticed a shadow looming over his head.
System 2333: “…?”
A giant basket descended from above. He barely had time to blink his vertical-line eyes before being completely buried under it!
After a few seconds of stillness, the giant basket began scuttling wildly across the ground.
He had been so happy about mining with his friends that he’d completely forgotten—the Main System had doubled his workload!
But Three-Three was a brave cat ball! He wasn’t afraid!
With great effort and his friends’ help, System 2333 finally managed to poke his head out before spitting defiantly.
“Hmph! So this is double the workload? Not so tough!”
No sooner had he spoken than another shadow loomed—the robot pulled out a second basket. Both were part of System 2333’s assigned quota.
System 2333: “……”
Another pause, and then all the robots and cat balls watched as a second overturned giant basket began panicking and darting around in chaos.
1001 helped System 2333 sort out the baskets. By now, System 2333’s screen displayed two big X’s—he was devastated.
This wasn’t just the boss making things difficult for him; this was outright trying to turn his feet into compass needles!
Since the giant baskets were too cumbersome to carry around, System 2333 had no choice but to lug a smaller one first, filling it up before transferring the contents bit by bit into the larger ones.
Not far away, the other cat balls were working together to build the shed. Those who had already accepted tasks now had a new assignment: each had to mark out a designated area and begin preliminary exploration of their assigned zone.
This time, 1314 wasn’t with them, so 1001 calmly explained,
“1314 is still technically 1234’s underling. Since 1234 is here too, it makes sense he wouldn’t stick with us.”
System 2333 nodded—then suddenly turned his head and caught 1234 sneaking glances at him. The moment 1234 realized he’d been spotted, his cat ears shot straight up in alarm, and he immediately whipped his head away.
He wasn’t looking! He didn’t want to! He didn’t care!
When 1234 didn’t turn back for a long time, System 2333 also turned away. Still, he found it odd—1234’s back was empty, with no workload basket in sight.
“Seems like the Main System didn’t assign him any tasks at all,” 2222 whispered nearby. “The others suspect the Main System probably ordered him to help the robots supervise the cat balls’ work… Isn’t that just being a snitch?”
"After the previous incidents, none of the other cat balls want to play with him anymore."
System 2333 scanned the surroundings and indeed, the other cat balls all seemed somewhat afraid of 1234 and his two companion balls. Even though 1234 had always swaggered around with his underlings before, putting on airs and acting tough, he'd never been feared like this.
Because everyone knew cat balls were good—they were close-knit family and friends to each other. But now...
1234 had turned dark!
Just look at that dark makeup!
He might start shouting edgy lines like "Six wings, bloodstained lands" or "Curse me all you want—if you dare" any moment now!
What a terrifying ball!
And 1234 wasn't stupid. While they were still on the spaceship, the other cat balls had started keeping their distance, too afraid to get close. This situation made 1234 visibly dejected.
1234 knew this was the Main System's warning—and punishment.
He'd reported two incorrect locations recently with no achievements to show, earning a warning from the Main System to do better. This time, not assigning him any tasks was deliberate—forcing him to spend all his time monitoring 2333 and other suspicious cat balls. The Main System couldn't possibly be unaware this arrangement would isolate him completely.
—So it was punishment.
He could never return to the cat ball community now. That wish of becoming close friends with someone had already faded like smoke.
Still, 1234 was touched that he still had his two loyal underlings, 1314 and 1414, by his side. At least he wasn't completely alone.
1414 remained somewhat naive. Though he sensed his boss was heading down a dark path, after all this time, he still blindly believed in his boss's capabilities. The boss would be fine—he must have his own plans. Unless the boss personally told him otherwise, 1414 wouldn't believe a word of outside gossip.
He even voiced his admiration:
"As expected of the boss!"
Getting to skip work!
1314 was more perceptive. He could roughly analyze the Main System's intentions.
Truly the Main System—determined to keep its trusted agents firmly under control. While the cat balls feared the boss now, most still instinctively didn't guard against him. By withholding assignments, the Main System both isolated the boss from the others while still allowing him to spy on their secrets.
What a cunning old fox!
For a moment, apart from the more imaginative System 2333, 1314 couldn't think of any counterplay against the Main System.
With each harboring their own thoughts, the three balls appeared somewhat lonely together from afar.
System 2333 also noticed the trio, observing how the other cat balls avoided and feared them. 1234 looked so dejected his cat ears were practically dragging on the ground. He'd heard the Main System hadn't assigned 1234 any tasks...
No tasks at all...
After brief consideration, System 2333 suddenly realized something. His screen flashed brilliantly—if they'd been in the mines already, he would have outshone every searchlight.
He excitedly lifted a large basket with his two tails, hoisting it overhead, and charged wildly toward System 1234 with the three balls, terrified of being even a second late!
"Three-Three? What are you trying to do?"
System 2222 blinked its vertical-line eyes while calling out several times to no avail, the screen filled with question marks.
"What's Three-Three up to? Could it be taking pity and trying to help out?"
Dust swirled as System 2333 could now see nothing except the task-free System 1234!
System 1234—completely task-free!
But he—had loads and loads of tasks!
System 1234's mechanical cat ears were no longer drooping. As he watched System 2333 charging toward him, his ears flattened back in alarm with each approaching step.
"System 1234!"
System 2333 called out with unprecedented enthusiasm.
"I heard you have no tasks."
"How about I sell you half of mine?"
Author's Note:
Main System: Engages in twisted distribution.
Three-Three: Engages in fair redistribution!
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