Story Reader / Main Story / 29 Source Beacon / Story
Once again, the Norman Mining Corp transport shuttle is preparing for takeoff.
Just like last time, the spaceport is bustling with the lively chatter of people.
Wow... I thought none of the last batch made it back? Why are we still seeing so many people this time?
Are they really not afraid of death?
That's why their corporation is vast and thriving, while you're still here guarding the port.
He lowers his voice mysteriously.
I've heard from friends that Norman Mining Corp got their hands on some top-secret military intel!
Rumor has it there's a new method to enhance the Inver-Device, allowing even ordinary Constructs to withstand high concentrations of the Punishing Virus...
Eek, you actually believe that? I still think it's one of Norman Mining Corp's little tricks.
No way. Do you know who's leading the team this time? It's Victoria!
She's the heiress of Norman Mining Corp, the future Chief Executive! Didn't you see the news a few days ago? I don't think Norman Mining Corp would risk their own heiress like that.
That's true...
The Norman Mining Corp vehicles slowly pull over. A pink-haired man jumps out from the first one.
Ah... What a beautiful day.
I wonder if the weather on the ground is just as nice?
According to the current landing plan, your touchdown point will be near Reactor 1.
Chances are, you won't even get to see today's weather.
Tsk, can't you think of something positive? What if I am so talented and actually bring back the "glory" flawlessly?
I wish that would happen...
Trojan looks the man up and down with disdain.
But I just hope your protective suit doesn't fall apart upon landing, so I have a chance to bring you back in one piece.
Three hours ago.
We will bring back the sparks of hope.
We will bring back the sparks of hope.
The chosen "Heralds" gather in a dim room, reciting the creeds of Norman Mining Corp that they had been taught for decades.
...Head back and prepare. The shuttle will depart in three hours.
After the brief meeting ends, Victoria stands alone in the meeting room outside.
On the wall hangs a massive portrait she recently commissioned from a World Government Association of Art painter.
When we meet again, everything will be over...
Yo, Victoria. It's been a while!
...
Why are you here?
Hey, don't underestimate me. I had to deal with those old foxes in the Parliament every day!
The little troubles you had set up couldn't slow down your big brother.
You're really not considering my feelings at all, Victoria.
I have nothing to say to you—
Before her words even fall, a tranquilizer dart pierces her neck.
You're so slow, Trojan.
For what you paid, that's the speed you get. I can go faster, but it'll cost extra.
She gently places the deeply asleep Victoria onto a chair in the meeting room.
Are you sure you want to do this now...
What else then?
Leonardo adjusts his collar with his signature chilling grin.
As a good big brother, of course, I want my little sisters to grow up happily and freely.
Do you really think I couldn't see through your little schemes, Victoria?
Grandfather's too sick to see through your tricks, but you can't fool me.
Have a good sleep. When you wake up, it'll all be over.
He turns away and walks toward the spaceport without looking back.
I'm going to apply the third version of the external interface model to my Inver-Device.
Are you crazy?! That's experimental technology! You're just a regular Construct, not a specialized one!
****—! Don't you know the risks of modifying the Inver-Device with untested tech?!
Immersing in Gestalt simulation is one thing, but actual modification is another!
Ah... Keep it down, my ears are about to be blasted by you two.
...I'm seriously asking you, Teddy. What exactly are you trying to do?
I will bring back Dominik's Legacy from Reactor 1 and save this world.
The army posted that mission ages ago. But no one has ever done it...
...TEDDY!
Hmm... Not satisfied with that answer?
Teddy turns off her terminal.
According to our experiment plan, we have already reached the stage of modifying the Inver-Device, haven't we?
...Let me emphasize again, you're just a regular frame, not a specialized version.
If you ever get infected, it cannot be reversed.
Regular frames have more value in experiments. Specialized frames are too special to be used as references.
This also poses a great opportunity to practically verify those two thresholds...
...
You know, I'm not doing this just to verify those thresholds or to improve the Inver-Device.
I also want to save myself.
...I really hate owing people favors.
Did Leonardo say something to you?
...
No.
The pink-haired Construct stares absentmindedly at the model in front.
My family once gave up everything, wanting me to become someone else's shadow.
That is correct.
"Saint", "Failure", and "Successor"—these are the roles my grandfather assigned to me, Leonardo, and Victoria.
He wanted me to become Dominik's inheritor, chasing his footsteps with all my might. He hoped the entire Norman Mining Corp would become Dominik's most loyal followers.
He saw Victoria as his most outstanding successor. From a young age, Victoria was kept by his side. Leonardo and I could only see her through... special arrangements.
Leonardo... was a failure. He couldn't pass the copolymer test. Grandfather didn't like him.
Just the way of big families.
Everything can be measured in terms of profit; anything can be a valuable commodity.
It's just that... to the old man, our values are more tangible.
It's rare to see Teddy show such a vulnerable side.
Leonardo and I teamed up to resist, thinking we had taken the most appropriate actions at the time.
But now it seems... I wouldn't be able to break away from the family without Leonardo's other arrangements.
I once thought the whole world had betrayed me, but then it suddenly seemed like that wasn't the case.
I guess I'm just trying to compensate for my youthful arrogance—
I've always been protected without knowing it, and now, I want to protect others.
If we can truly retrieve this so-called Dominik's legacy, it would also greatly aid Babylonia's current research progress.
No need. I don't want to trouble too many people for such a trivial matter.
I really don't want to owe so many favors.
...Hey, do you really not need any help?
Captain Karenina, if you keep looking at me like that, I'll hack into your terminal and post all your embarrassing photos everywhere.
And you too.
...Ahem, I didn't do anything.
The third version of the Inver-Device's external interface model is relatively stable, with a failure rate of no more than 4.28%.
Don't worry. I won't plan a mission based on sacrifices.
Five hours ago, outside the Science Council.
You'd better have something worth telling me this time.
I just want to bond with my little sister. You know, I don't often have the chance!
Teddy casts a glance at Leonardo, then turns around and starts walking back to the testing ground.
Hey, relax! This time, I have something really important that can't be discussed over the terminal...
They're sending people to Reactor 1 again. This time, the leader is... Victoria.
...How credible is your source?
It's from my most secret informant. There won't be any mistakes.
...I told you she shouldn't stay in the sanitarium for too long. The disinfectant must have messed with her head.
Sigh. My little sister has grown up and has her own thoughts now.
...Are you just going to watch them go down like that?
Of course not.
Leonardo flashes a sly and confident grin.
Don't underestimate your brother, Miss Teddy.
I've planted someone in this batch of "Heralds".
Once they reach the surface, they'll record everything and automatically send it back to a designated email at set intervals.
This whole plan has always been a lie, and it's about time it gets exposed.
Is that all?
Um... You know, I'm being watched all the time...
When do they set out?
In two days.
...There's still time.
Where did you get the data you sent me last time?
Hey, that's classified... Wait, don't go! I'll tell you! My most secret informant tricked it out of Victoria.
Which means Dominik definitely left something at Reactor 1?
Yes, but it's impossible for any human to survive there now.
I've reviewed all the previous attempts of Project Herald. There were a few celebrations and some data was indeed sent back, but in reality...
Not a single "Herald" made it back to Babylonia alive.
Based on those records, I guess... during the earliest attempts, the Punishing Virus had not spread widely.
Some of the "Heralds" must have entered deep into Reactor 1 and... successfully brought back something.
The "Herald" I planted will—
Can you really plant a person there?
I don't believe it.
Teddy stares at Leonardo suspiciously until he raises his hands in surrender.
Alright, I didn't plant anyone. My informant will help me take over Victoria's place in this mission.
Either I bring back the data to shut the old man up, or...
I'll stay on the ground and take all those senior members in favor of Project Herald with me.
I'll go.
That's not what I meant. I was only...
I'm not negotiating with you.
Unlike you, I'm a Construct. I'll also add the latest Inver-Device external module to my frame, so my chance of survival will be higher.
In two days, I'll be waiting for you at the spaceport. You figure out the rest.
Teddy turns and walks away before Leonardo could refuse.
Hff...
Even now, she's still worried about her brother...
Don't worry. In two days, everything... will be over.
Once again, the Norman Mining Corp transport shuttle in the spaceport is preparing for takeoff.
Ground surface, 340 kilometers from Reactor 1.
Signals... We can finally receive some signals from the nearby monitoring stations!
We have really come to the edge of the Hetero Forest!
The terminal emits a raspy static sound, with faint, nearly indistinguishable human voices coming intermittently through the signal channel.
Bzzz—nine o'clock—bzzz—direction—bzzz—escape!
