Lasso strolled through the bustling streets, his androgynous figure drawing the attention of many passersby. Lasso was met by a group of Machias, each one with varying levels of cybernetic enhancement. He felt a thrill of excitement run through him as he took in the sight, the thought of shedding his weak fleshy form and becoming more machine than man appealing to his depraved desires. So far, he hadn't had the money to fully change his body. He knew that many would view their beliefs as twisted and perverse, but to Lasso, there was nothing more beautiful than the merging of flesh and machine.

He noticed the intricate designs on some buildings, the way the sunlight filtered through the wooden lattices, casting intricate shadows on the ground below. He could hear the soft tinkling of wind chimes in the distance, the sound adding to the peaceful atmosphere of the city.

However, beneath the surface, Lasso could sense the tension and unease that plagued the people of Joya. The country had been ruled by the samurai for generations, and the people were tired of living under their oppressive regime. They were eager for a change, a chance to break free from the shackles of tradition and embrace a new era of progress and innovation.

However, Lasso knew that this would not be an easy task. The samurai were deeply entrenched in the country's power structure, and they would not give up their control without a fight. They had a long history of violence and aggression, and they were not afraid to use force to maintain their power. As he walked through the streets, Lasso could see the samurai soldiers patrolling the area, their armor gleaming in the sunlight. They carried long swords at their sides, a symbol of their allegiance to the Shogun of Joya. Lasso knew that they were dangerous, that they posed a threat to anyone who opposed them.

Lasso instead saw the potential in using the conversion to Machia as a tool to inspire loyalty and devotion among the people of Joya. By leaving the success of the transformation to fate, the elites could make the people feel chosen and blessed by the Shogun of Joya, creating a sense of awe and mysticism around the process. Lasso knew that the rate of success depended not only on the artificer's skill but also the unyielding spirit of the person undergoing the procedure. He was only lucky to have received a better version. It was said that those who successfully became Machias were blessed with an undying, mechanical body, but that's only if they aren't tampered with.

He knew that the potential rewards were too great to ignore, and he believed that the people of Joya would be willing to undertake the risks for the chance to become something more than human. It was a gamble, but Lasso was willing to take it, convinced that the rewards would outweigh the risks.

As he walked through the bustling streets, Lasso couldn't help but notice the commoners around him, each one with their own hopes and dreams. He knew that they were the key to the success of the Third Movement and the conversion to Machias. He needed to find a way to inspire them, to make them believe that they were the chosen ones, blessed by the Shogun of Joya.

With his charming and sensual demeanor, Lasso knew that he could convince the people to take the risks, to undergo the conversion and become Machias. He saw the potential in each person and believed that they could transcend their bodies of flesh and blood to become something more. Before approaching the Ambassador, he made his intentions known by smaller rumors.

Lasso's plan to leave the success of the conversion to fate would incite the people to feel like they were chosen by luck, creating a sense of awe and mysticism around the process. He believed that this would inspire loyalty and devotion among the people, making them willing to take the risks for the chance to become more than human. With the help of talented artificers, Lasso has a special surveillance tool that could be implanted directly into people's eyes too, allowing them to see mana and the progress on every action taken by those around them. This would give the Shogun of Joya unparalleled control over the people, allowing them to monitor their progress and keep them in check.

However, Lasso knew that giving everyone this power would be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it would give the illusion of power and control, making the people feel like they were part of something greater. But on the other hand, it would also give the Shogun of Joya the ability to keep a close eye on the people, ensuring that they never strayed too far from the path that had been set for them.

Lasso also saw the potential in converting people into Machia cyborgs in other ways. By replacing their organic tissue with artifice, they could be made stronger and more durable, able to withstand the rigors of battle and resist the most insidious of illnesses. This would make them invaluable assets to the Shogun of Joya, providing them with an army of loyal soldiers who were more machine than human.

However, Lasso also saw the potential for further deception in the Machia bodies. By purposely giving them a mix of the strongest armor and the weakest in other parts, the Shogun of Joya could control the Machias and keep them from becoming too powerful. This would allow the Shogun to maintain their grip on power and prevent any potential uprisings or revolts. He believed that the conversion to Machia cyborgs and the implantation of surveillance tools would give the Shogun of Joya the ultimate power and control over the masses, making them unstoppable in their pursuit of domination.

As he continued on his mission to win over the people of Joya, Lasso knew that the stakes were high. He needed to tread carefully, making sure that the people were willing to undertake the risks and that they understood the potential rewards. But he also knew that time was of the essence, and that the Third Movement needed to act quickly if they were to achieve their ultimate goal.

But there was another potential use for the Machia technology that Lasso saw: the ability to easily replace limbs after capital punishment. In a country such as this, prisoners are openly degraded and seen, giving Lasso the idea. In Joya, it was common practice to remove the limbs of those who had committed crimes, leaving them to die a slow and painful death. However, with the right enhancements, these individuals could be given a new controlled lease on life, becoming valuable soldiers for the Third Movement.

Lasso saw the potential for this kind of recruitment and conversion, and he knew that the Shogun of Joya would benefit greatly from having an army of loyal soldiers who had been given a second chance at life. By using the Machia technology in this way, the Shogun could gain valuable resources and ensure that their power remained unchallenged.

As Lasso walked past the prisoners who were tied up and abused on the side of the road, he couldn't help but notice the conditions they were being held in after all. They were filthy, covered in their own waste, and visibly malnourished. The sight made Lasso feel a sense of disgust and revulsion, but he knew that he couldn't let his emotions get the best of him. He had a mission to accomplish, and he needed to stay focused on his goals.

Despite the deplorable conditions of the prisoners, Lasso couldn't bring himself to care too much about their plight. He knew that they were likely being held as political prisoners by the samurai, and their fate was out of his hands. While he sympathized with their suffering, he also knew that he couldn't risk drawing too much attention to himself or the Third Movement by trying to help them.

Lasso's focus remained firmly on recruiting new members to the Third Movement, to bring about a new era of progress and innovation to Joya. He believed that the potential rewards were worth the risks, and he was willing to do whatever it took to achieve their goals.

As he continued his mission, Lasso tried to push the conditions of the prisoners to the back of his mind. He knew that dwelling on their suffering would only distract him from his goals and potentially put him in danger. He needed to stay focused and determined, to recruit as many new members to the Third Movement as possible. In the end, the horrible conditions of Joya will incite different forms of use for Machia and pressure on Meinu.

Despite his indifference to the prisoners, Lasso knew that their suffering was a stark reminder of the oppression and cruelty of the samurai regime. He believed that the Third Movement could provide a way to break free from this kind of oppression, to create a new world where technology and progress were the driving forces if need be.

Coming to a conclusion to his thoughts, Lasso watched as the Ambassador Meinu walked down the stairs, her striking appearance commanding attention from all around her. His figure stood out in the crowd, and he couldn't resist the opportunity to catch her eye. Approaching her with a sensual smile, Lasso knew that he needed to be careful with his words. Meinu was a woman who held immense power, and he needed to be convincing if he wanted to win her support for the Third Movement.

"Good day, Ambassador Meinu," Lasso greeted her with a slight bow, approaching with his hands up and with quiet whispers. "I couldn't help but notice your search for those who are worthy. It just so happens that I represent a group that I believe would be of great interest to you," he paused.

"Turning your people into Machia will keep them poor. By controlling the success rate, you will inspire them to believe they're blessed by the Shogun. With enhanced eyesight, your people will know their place better, and know to reward themselves by keeping their neighbors where they should be. By controlling the regulations for what common men can possess, you will control the flexibility of their own bodies, half-weak half-strong. With the conversion, prosthetic limbs for your prisoners can renew them to be stronger tools."

Without hesitation, Lasso reached into his pocket and pulled out a small device, most of his words unheard to others besides Meinu. "Naturally, Machias from Third Movement will allow you to control your people. Allow me to demonstrate," he said before activating it. The loaned device emitted a small flame, and Lasso's body suddenly burst into flames. Or perhaps, he had found a mage to help him.

Lasso remained calm and collected, the flames licking at his skin but not causing any lasting damage. "As you can see, Ambassador, our technology hasn't made us impervious to the dangers of fire. We can endure what others cannot, but with the right enhancements, we can become weaker. With the right enhancements, you can control the potential of your soldiers well, never to aspire to more than they should."

Lasso's body was still engulfed in flames, but he remained standing, his false skin blackening but not burning away entirely. Despite the pain, Lasso held his ground, proving his point to the Ambassador. He endured the flames, showing how the Machias could become stronger and more durable than any normal human but still had flaws to use on her people. As the flames finally dissipated, Lasso collapsed to the ground, his body badly damaged from the intense heat without having undergone further modifications yet. Guards carried Lasso away.

Later, Lasso laid in a medical bay, his body badly damaged but slowly beginning to heal. After all, he wasn't looking to have an argument, it was a win or lose spectacle to burn the minds of those watching. The flames had taken a toll on him. He had proven his point to the people of Joya in perhaps ways he wouldn't even intend, showing her the potential of their technology and the strength of the Machias, but most importantly his character.

As he lay there, Lasso thought about the future of the Third Movement and what it could mean for the Shogunate of Joya. With the Ambassador's support, they could become unstoppable in time, their technology giving them the power to control the masses and reign supreme over their enemies. But he also knew that there were risks involved, and the wrong move could result in disaster to his faction's momentum.

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