Story Reader / Main Story / 29 Source Beacon / Story
...This is a valid sequence. Record the numbers. Has the re-examination report for Teddy come out?
No issues. Her adaptation rate is quite high.
When applied to the external interface model, this test module can stably increase the adaptation rate by about 0.8%...
Why is Mika still working? She's really going all out...
I heard she had a childhood friend on the ground who wasn't compatible with the Construct conversion process, and didn't want to abandon the rest of their refugee group.
She always wants to exchange her research outcome for privileges to bring them to Babylonia, or at least send them to the conservation areas within the core of the Clean Zone.
Huh, is that so? She's never mentioned it before...
Shh, she's looking this way...
...There's a problem with this function. I'll recalculate and integrate the error data.
She pretends not to hear the researchers' discussions.
The external interface module of the Inver-Device is gradually being perfected. Although it still does not fit most people, it can indeed temporarily enhance Constructs with a stable M.I.N.D.
She has never been a person without desires. She only stays at the Cosmos Technicians Union for Inver-Device research because her mentor promised that once there are results, she could bring Lucille and the others into the Clean Zone or directly into Babylonia.
Just a little longer...
She lowers her eyes and continues calculating the data.
Aside from the ongoing development of the external module of the Inver-Device, dozens of projects with a validation rate of 50% are being conducted simultaneously within the Science Council's testing ground.
...Is your brain full of coffee-flavored electrolyte? Only rookies would make such a mistake...
The pink-haired Construct girl taps the terminal screen with frustration, circling the highlighted row.
S-sorry! I just...
Rest if you're tired. You better know how much time I wasted checking this line you incorrectly replaced.
Th-thank you!
There shouldn't be any issues, or else she wouldn't be this energetic.
Hmph.
Has my ground mission application been approved, Captain Karenina?
I still need to think about it...
Teddy's gone insane. She applied to explore the Hetero Zone near Reactor 1.
I can't verify those two threshold values here. We might never get the correct data just by using the Punishing Virus samples from Babylonia.
Besides, when I submitted my application, I also saw another two identical applications...
Don't tell me—
Even though your and Lee's applications have not been approved yet, there's always a way...
You know, even if you don't approve my application, I have my own solution.
...
You are the one who always claims to be a technician! That place! Is really dangerous!
I don't like to fight, but that doesn't mean I can't fight.
I already have my Inver-Device modified. Not to mention that I also have most of the detailed data from Norman Mining Corp's past deep dive into Reactor 1.
That place is the core of this Hetero Zone disturbance. Conducting experiments there will yield the most direct and effective results.
And... you know, I have my own reasons too.
That's the tomb of the Norman family. There's no need for others to keep sacrificing their lives.
Don't worry. I won't plan a mission based on sacrifices.
What? Very good judgment. No wonder you're the Gray Raven Commandant.
...Your application has been approved. I've also requested additional protective gear for you. Make sure you're fully prepared before setting out.
Thanks, Captain Ka-re-ni-na!
How's the Gestalt breach going?
I'm working full throttle to crack the data wall there... The rest is with Asimov.
A cup of cold coffee sits ignored on the table as Asimov types rapidly on the terminal screen.
The data wall in the breach is made of very complex code. Even Asimov and I cannot understand some logical components.
Those things seem to refer to Gestalt's foundation database. They have installed multiple secure storage units within the restraints set by the Science Council, completely locking the information stored within.
Based on the protocol cracked from the breach, I've deciphered part of its application programs, but I can't fully bypass the data wall.
I can hijack them using the lower-level protocol, but... Gestalt's database might activate its protection systems and get damaged.
Without seeing Gestalt's database code, I can't determine the extent of potential damage.
I'm still not inclined to crack it with force.
The last time we did a routine check on Gestalt, I asked, but Gestalt refused to calculate the possibility of breaking the data wall.
For what reason?
"The Tower".
I asked three times, but Gestalt only gave me this one reason.
Yes, I've reviewed all related themes and concepts about "The Tower" and reached the same conclusion as you.
What, is Gestalt actually a mystic?
After what happened in Kowloong... I wouldn't recommend fully trusting Gestalt.
We still need to rely on Gestalt for calculations, but...
[player name]!
Seeing Celica's anxious expression, a wave of unease washes over you.
We've established contact with Gray Raven! Lucia and Liv have rendezvoused with the task force at the edge of the Hetero Zone!
But the Red Tide is still expanding. Based on the data and intel they've uploaded—
...The Red Tide developed its own "will"?
Asimov furrows his brow while reading the information Celica sent.
I anticipated this might happen, but I didn't expect it to be so soon...
Dammit! What the hell is that thing?!
The transmitted footage shows a girl wearing a green cloak standing in the shadowy forest.
Is it the one you mentioned before...
A chilling sense of unease explodes in your nerves.
The figure of a young girl gradually emerges above the rotting blood.
This is the third time we've met each other, [player name].
She curtsies in almost the same way as last time.
Just like in this video clip.
After the conflict between Babylonia and the Forsaken, you filed a report on this matter. However, when the task force was dispatched to the marked location, there were no traces of the Red Tide.
After a thorough investigation of the surroundings confirmed no signs of Hetero-Creatures, the report was temporarily shelved.
The direction of their transmitted data... is where the second batch of Norman Mining Corp "Heralds" was deployed.
...Isn't the second batch of "Heralds" supposed to depart in two days?!
Are you that out of the loop? They've probably already landed by now.
Your ground mission application has been approved—check your terminal.
The army has issued an emergency mission, deploying all nearby task forces for a saturated rescue.
In addition, you and Lee are to immediately descend from Babylonia to support Gray Raven's Lucia and Liv.
I'm going too.
Captain, I've just resubmitted my application. I changed the date to today.
Hey, can you stop messing around with the Engineering Force's internal application system?
Just approve it already! [player name], how about giving me a lift?
You don't seriously think I'm just a weak geek, do you?
Lee will depart from the Gray Raven lounge. You will meet directly at the spaceport.
Speaking of which, Mika, I've left the plans for both thresholds on your terminal.
When I'm back, we'll know whether it's Plan A or Plan B.
Spaceport.
It's been a long time since my last ground mission.
The last one was probably when I just joined the Engineering Force.
...What are you so worried about?
Just suddenly remembered some things in the past...
When I first left the family, when I first joined the Engineering Force, when I first argued with Karenina, when we first went on a ground mission together...
Christina!
A sharp voice breaks her rare moment of reminiscence.
Victoria? What are you doing here?
I-I want to go to Reactor 1 with you!
Leonardo... He...
Did he take your place and go down? At least he's doing what a brother should do.
But I... I never intended for this... I just wanted to...
Was I all wrong...?
...You did make a mistake, but now isn't the time to talk about it.
Christina, I can't lose you too. Father is already there, and grandfather...
Don't worry, I'm going on a ground mission with Gray Raven. They'll protect me.
Teddy secretly winks at you.
But, but...
Don't cry. Just go back... Victoria.
She takes two more steps forward, then turns around with a smile.
There's nothing to cry about. Leonardo did what Leonardo was supposed to do.
Now, it's my turn to do what I should do.
I'll drag Leonardo and the others back to Babylonia.
Whether it's "Dominik" or the "Will of the Red Tide" we're facing.
I'll do my best to fight.
This is what everyone has been doing... isn't it, Commandant?
The pink-haired Construct looks at you, her eyes shining like stars.
Even without Dominik, even after losing most of the data stored in the Gestalt.
Even if the path forward is devoid of light, its darkness seemingly unending.
People will still grit their teeth and march on, lifting the burning embers of the stars against the unpredictable future.
Go back. Children should trust their elders.
Together with Gray Raven, I will bring back more information about the Hetero Zone, bring back lives that shouldn't have been lost, as well as more hope and possibilities.
Sister...
Go back and do what you need to do.
Reclaim the authority of the Norman family and take back what's rightfully ours.
The little girl is still sobbing, but she has stopped.
Go. I want cherry-flavored electrolyte in the celebration.
...Ok!
With tears still in her eyes, Victoria breaks into a smile.
Sitting on the transport shuttle, Teddy keeps tapping on her terminal.
There can be if you know the way... Wait, I'm not breaking any rules.
She glances warily at you and Lee.
...I don't have a habit of reporting others.
I need to make some arrangements... can't really let Victoria face those old folks at the Supervisory Board alone.
Leonardo left some things with me earlier...
She focuses intently on the terminal screen, unconsciously biting her lip.
The words might be simple, but perhaps they can at least bring her a sliver of comfort.
Thanks, [player name]... and thank you for speaking up for me earlier.
Our grandfather had been using Victoria to keep Leonardo and me in check since we were young. She was always kept in the sanatorium.
I tried to get her out, but failed every time.
She's very insecure. I understand why she follows our grandfather's orders, seizing power from Leonardo and rebooting Project Herald.
Grandfather has shaped her in a way that she doesn't have a clear sense of right and wrong. She only knows what needs to be done to achieve her goals.
The bumpy shuttle hides the glimmer of tears in her eyes.
And Leonardo... He always thinks he can grow into a tree that shelters us, hoping Victoria and I could live blissfully ignorant lives.
How could that be possible? Stupid brother...
...Huh? What?
To teach a sister raised too radically, or to scold a brother who tried to hide everything.
There are too many regrets in this world, but there's still time to fix everything.
...Of course.
Teddy rubs her cheeks and smiles once more.
...Whew, it's been a while since I felt this down. Anyway, thank you, [player name].
Now that I think about it... The commandant of Gray Raven sure has a way with words. How about joining the Engineering Force as my assistant?
...
Does a vice-captain of the Engineering Force get to have an assistant now?
I can pay out of my own pocket. After all, I'm the eldest daughter of Norman Mining Corp.
...
After returning to the meeting room, Victoria's mind is still lingering on the receding figures of her sister and the other two Gray Raven members. She bites her lower lip.
She knows what she needs to do now.
When she was very young... so young she was still learning to speak, she always remembered two people coming to play with her. The butler called them "Young Master" and "Young Lady".
Even though the "Young Master" was always full of smiles and the "Young Lady" always seemed a bit impatient, she enjoyed her playtime with them every day.
Then one day, the butler suddenly took her away from the room where she used to live.
The butler told her she was sick and needed long-term care. From then on, her brother and sister could only visit her at fixed times each week.
Her brother grew more silent, and her sister's expression more grave.
The butler told her their "father" had passed away, striving for that glorious yet unattainable goal.
She couldn't understand anything the butler said, but all her crying and tantrums were to no avail. Later, her sister disappeared.
Where did sister go? She... went to work.
Her brother, wearing a floral shirt, gave this answer.
Christina betrayed our family.
You must become better, Victoria. You will become a better "Herald", a better "Dominik".
Grandfather?
Let me tell you a story.
A long time ago, there was a village where the people raised a sleuth of bears.
Every year, they would send one bear into the mountains, to the Mountain God's home.
That sounds scary, Grandpa...
It's not scary, Victoria. It's about faith and honor.
The bear they sent away carried the village's hopes and returned with the spark they prayed for.
Remember what I told you, about your life and the hardships we endured for you.
Now it's your turn to fulfill your duty. Don't forget what I want you to do:
Tell the gods to grant us wealth.
Ask the gods to gift us with prey.
We gave you food, joy, and health.
Now...
She had learned so much.
She discovered what Project Herald was, the sacrifices her father made, and why her sister left Norman.
No one wants to live as another's shadow, and nobody is born with the destiny to be a "Herald".
Originally, she intended to take everything down to hell with her, but her brother and sister still stood by her side, even as she was mired in despair.
Now...
It's time for us to settle the score, Grandfather.
