Story Reader / Main Story / 29 Source Beacon / Story
The vast testing ground lies silent. Only the hum of machinery can be heard. Everyone is eagerly waiting for the report that is about to be deciphered.
It's a schematic of the Inver-Device.
Just as I thought! It's the Inver-Device!
He is nearly shouting out.
This part... is the unfinished concept for modifying the Inver-Device.
She quickly skims through the encrypted data uploaded to the terminal.
A more powerful processor... Yes, this concept aligns with our current experiment.
Look at this...
While others are still celebrating the discovery, Mika and Asimov have already begun discussing the next phase of the experiment.
But for some reason, this discovery feels too coincidental.
...Hey, are you still not back to normal?
I hope that space doesn't have any extra harmful effects on the human brain...
...Maybe we should take you to the Star of Life for a brain scan.
Whether it is the "information that shouldn't exist" sent by Gestalt, or the data on Inver-Device modifications found in the breach.
All of them are arriving continuously like dishes in a grand feast from a mysterious menu according to someone's plan.
Could it be Gestalt, or someone else guiding all this?
You turn around to look at Gestalt. It is emitting a faint blue light, silent as ever.
Are you suggesting someone is orchestrating the leak of this information?
She ponders for a moment.
While it's not impossible... it would be too difficult to achieve this through an external connection.
For this to happen, at the very least, they would need to disable the computing power restraint and bypass Asimov's surveillance...
Unless...
"Dominik"?
It's not impossible.
But is "Dominik" really the only one inside Gestalt?
Huaxu, "The Emperor", Gestalt, "Dominik"...
Gestalt has existed since the Golden Age. It preserves almost all human knowledge and civilizations.
No one knows for sure what might be behind the computing power restraint.
...Wait.
The terminal has blinked twice, showing a special message notification.
...The Norman family has begun pushing forward a new round of Project Herald...
Lounging lazily in the armchair, Leonardo looks at the visibly displeased Teddy on the other side of the screen.
...So all you can do is notify me five minutes in advance that this batch of "Heralds" is about to land?
Is this what you mentioned that day about continuing to dig into Norman Mining Corp's classified information?
Is this the "plan" you assured me of so confidently?
...
He knows that his sister is already fuming on the other end without having to look at her.
C'mon, Victoria's been keeping a tight lid on the information...
She even dismissed my security guards. Now I only have a few undercover informants to rely on...
Leonardo pleads, but shows no sign of remorse.
Even if I tell you three days earlier, what can you possibly do about it...?
How do you know I don't have a way?
Ha, like hacking into Norman Mining Corp's database to alter their announcements? Or... simply taking over the shuttle's system?
It's pointless. Don't tell me you really think that's enough to stop them...
Beep—
She has hung up.
I may have missed part of your growth, but given your current status... there's nothing more you can do.
Facing the terminal's bleak screen, he slumps into the chair, somewhat exhausted.
Just leave it to me... I won't let you get your hands dirty.
Children should trust their elders. It's my failure as an adult to have you face such a dark and terrifying world so early...
