Story Reader / Main Story / 30 Stars Ensnared / Story
By the time you reach the location Lamia marked on the terminal, it's well past midnight.
With no clouds to obscure it, the forest is bright enough at night to clearly see the Ascendants standing ahead, even without using any artificial lights.
...
You stop at what could be considered a safe distance, then take a small step forward to face Luna directly.
Eek... p-please... please h-help... help me.
Right as you speak, Lee, Lucia, Liv, and Roland across from you all raise their weapons together.
Huh... eh? Wait! W-why?! Aren't you here to save me?!
...You gave yourself away the moment you spoke.
Lower your weapon, Roland. [player name] isn't going to kill anyone.
True enough, but we have to go through the motions. It'd be pretty disrespectful to the Gray Raven Commandant otherwise, right?
Roland shrugs with a friendly smile, then holsters his weapon and puts his hands in his pockets, appearing completely defenseless.
Lamia, somewhat bewildered, drops her disguise and stands stiffly behind Luna.
Commandant?
Given our relationship, I'll share some intel first as a sign of good faith.
With that, Luna pinpoints the exact second when the Ascension-Network experienced the anomaly.
...It matches the time when the "dark star" appeared in Gestalt, within an acceptable margin of error.
Most importantly, this timestamp can't be deduced from the data of the fallen spaceport.
That's when I felt Selene leave. Something must have gone down in Babylonia then, right?
That will cost you extra.
...If only it were that simple.
I want you, [player name].
Snap—Shing—Buzz—
Bullets loaded, a blade unsheathed, and a cannon charged. Lucia, Lee, and Liv snap into alert mode.
In response, Roland raises his dual guns at the same moment.
Beside him, Lamia keeps nodding absentmindedly until she finally catches on to the tense atmosphere and hesitantly raises her Halberd Blade.
I believed that providing immediate information would help alleviate the tension between us. Your reaction appears a little exaggerated.
What I want is a M.I.N.D. connection, [player name]. I need your help to stabilize my M.I.N.D.
Information about the Ascension-Network, including the key players in this incident, and other related intelligence.
At least my intel can point you and Babylonia in the right direction instead of groping around in the dark like you are now.
Are you questioning whether what I said is true?
I need Gray Raven to help me find and confront Cradle. For specific reasons, I have to engage with Red Tide—that's why I need the M.I.N.D. connection. Also...
I need information on the Inver-Hetero Tower.
I don't need to hide it from you. By now, Babylonia can't do anything about the Inver-Hetero Tower, right?
My plan to enter the tower is to resolve the troubles brought by "Selene". Nothing more.
If you need to discuss this with your companions, feel free to do so.
The Ascendant team withdraws partially into the shadows, allowing the Gray Raven members plenty of room to talk.
Commandant, this is dangerous.
I agree. Any discussion now would be mere speculation. Let's focus on finding Cradle with them first, then we can plan our next move based on the situation.
With this thought, you instinctively reach for the external storage compartment of your powered armor, swallowing the rest of your words. After all, there's no way to be sure if they're truly polite enough to refrain from eavesdropping.
With the decision made, the Ascendants approach once again.
We can travel together for now, but we'll decide whether to cooperate or not.
Very well. Let's move out now. We can share intel on the way—neither of us has time to waste.
What else?
...If you're fine with it, then go ahead.
A M.I.N.D. connection is established with Luna, lasting only for the briefest moment before disconnecting.
Unlike the last M.I.N.D. connection with her, there's no corruption seeping in from the Ascension-Network—something has definitely changed between Luna and the Network.
Any other questions?
Me? Of course I'm fine.
Get ready. We're heading out now.
Luna turns around, apparently about to speak with her fellow Ascendants.
Though it is only for a moment, you clearly see Luna crossing her arms, her hands tightly gripping them, her fingers digging in with tension.
After reporting in and completing all preparations, Gray Raven sets out with the Ascendants, following Roland's directions.
The group makes its way through the deep night until dawn, stopping and starting, until you finally reach the vicinity of Cradle's hideout.
This Hetero Forest is pretty much where Cradle is, but I can't give you the exact coordinates because of my frame's limitations.
Of course, the area we're looking at isn't too large—we might just need to search around in there for a little while.
Miss Luna, please hold on for a moment. Lamia, Gray Raven, and I will soon pinpoint Cradle's exact location.
Eh? Me?
Lamia steals a nervous glance at Luna.
M-Miss Luna, you can count on me! I'll do my very best!
I'll stay here with Luna. Once you've located Cradle, we'll make our move.
...Alright.
Making decisions for us without asking isn't a good habit.
Ah, of course, if you Gray Ravens are okay with the Ascendants moving around unseen, then by all means, stay here with Miss Luna.
After all, I have complete trust in your integrity.
Roland chuckles and spreads his hands, as if to show he's never taken away anyone's right to choose.
...
Dancing to someone else's tune puts us at a disadvantage, but this time they've shown their hand openly. We can't let the Ascendants act alone.
Commandant, I'll stay with you. Liv and Lee are going with Roland and the rest into the Hetero Forest to find Cradle.
No need. I can handle this alone. Liv and Lucia would serve better by staying with you.
That's right. Facing an Ascendant alone is too dangerous. Let me come with you—I should be able to help in tracking down Cradle.
But then, you...
...Alright.
Lucia, we're leaving Commandant in your care.
Rest assured, I will ensure Commandant's safety at all costs.
Lee and Liv head over to Roland and Lamia.
From now on, we'll be the advance team, heading into the Hetero Forest to pinpoint Cradle's exact location... And I'll be calling the shots for all operations.
Of course, you're the boss.
Let's go.
