Story Reader / Affection / Ishmael: Parhelion / Story
Commandant, we're here.
The transport craft makes a slow descent, touching down at a plaza.
The plaza is nestled between two mountains, with a highway stretching out from it.
This place looks really hidden from a distance.
The plaza was clearly built for Golden Age fighter jets, suggesting that this "Dark Room" was designed with combat in mind.
Lucia starts scanning the area's Punishing Virus concentration after getting off the transport craft.
Commandant, the Punishing density is higher than the data Lee sent back a few days ago.
I should look around first.
The comms loss is worrying—this looks serious. [player name], do you need backup?
The transport craft pilot opens the cockpit window and leans out, asking a question.
Alright, be careful and keep us posted.
The transport craft takes off slowly, leaving the area.
The entrance looks to be over there.
Ishmael points to a huge door at the base of the mountain ahead of the plaza.
The door is built into the mountainside as if a giant spoon scooped out a chunk of rock. The main "Dark Room" structure is underneath the mountain.
The massive door is firmly closed, separating the inside from the outside.
Doesn't look like anyone's broken in from outside.
While you wait, Ishmael asks you a question.
Lee's lost comms, and it's clearly more dangerous than the briefing said...
Why are we turning down the pilot's help?
She sounds curious. Not a loaded question, just a casual, friendly chat—like friends catching up.
Strangely, she starts to feel familiar to you, as if you have known each other for a long time.
Not uncommon...
She repeats the last part softly.
Is this your daily routine now?
I'm really interested in your story.
Unprompted, she says it before getting quiet.
Just as you start to get confused, Lucia comes back from scouting.
No signs of anyone breaking in around here. Punishing Virus levels are normal, too.
Internal intrusion...
Other entrances...
You're right, [player name], there'd be other ways in. But those records are gone.
The Control Court only got some of the records. We don't know where the other entrances are.
Hutu probably held back some info to keep himself safe.
After searching the area, you find a hidden small door on a far mountainside.
You cannot force the door open, but you find a control panel hidden behind the rocks next to the door after a while.
Since Liv is out and Lee is not here, you have brought a decryption device just in case.
Lucia looks at you after checking the panel.
The decryption device needs about 20 minutes...
Do you need my help?
Of course.
It would be quicker to have a Construct handle the decryption directly.
Ishmael walks up to the panel and skillfully initiates the decryption process.
It'll take about... two minutes.
Hmm... Looks like someone from the base tweaked the system.
Cutting the decryption time by almost ten times—few in the Task Force have that level of power.
Ishmael does not seem worried about revealing some of her cards.
Two minutes later, the door cracks open.
Let's go, [player name].
Inside, you find a large, open warehouse area with various vehicles.
It's weapons and gear... Looks like they're ready to go.
Based on Hutu's data, the underground base has 20 floors total, with B7 to B14 as living areas. They were on B12 at the time.
So, we're going to B12 first?
Investigating where they spent the most time is the easiest way.
Going through the warehouse, you see the elevator bay ahead of you.
Commandant, Hetero-Creatures spotted.
Two medium-sized Hetero-Creatures are wandering near the elevator bay.
Roger!
The Hetero-Creatures turn to the three of you, roaring. They have definitely picked up your traces.
BANG—BANG—BANG—
As the fight starts, Lucia immediately speeds up, charging the Hetero-Creature on the right like a fast, low-flying gray raven.
The frost fades as Lucia takes down the Hetero-Creature quickly and cleanly.
At the same time, your bullets hit the left one perfectly, exploding when they hit the Hetero-Creature's torso.
I'm seeing something here...
Ishmael stops at the elevator bay.
One elevator stands out from the others.
The elevator door is ripped open, with a big pool of blood in front. Three bodies lie on the ground, laid out from the elevator.
This elevator got trashed, looks like from the inside.
Hmm... They came up in the elevator, and then Hetero-Creatures chased them up the shaft?
This happened... less than an hour ago.
After a quick look at the markings on the floor, Ishmael concludes.
Perhaps?
That smile of hers... For a second there, you get the feeling that Ishmael knows exactly what is coming.
Commandant, I found this thing on one of them.
What Lucia has found is a Babylonia-made storage device.
Lee must've dropped it.
You plug the device into your terminal, and a video starts playing.
Commandant, I'll give you the situation report from here.
I left this video on a bunch of different paths, making sure you'd find it.
Following the mission intel, I came to this base to talk to Hutu, their leader, and we had a good exchange.
But something unexpected happened earlier—a group of Hetero-Creatures showed up inside the base, mainly between B5 and B9.
Communications are totally down here too.
We've got way too many evacuees, so I'm helping them pull back to deeper levels, away from the Hetero-Creatures, so...
He pauses for a moment.
That's why I can't break free alone. I could only leave you a message this way.
Even though he looks worried in the video, Lee keeps his cool and gives a quick rundown of what is happening.
Right now, we're at B12. Given our speed, we should hit B17 to B19 in about an hour or two, for temporary shelter.
Then, the stronghold leader's going to leave you a message with some info about the place.
Lee steps to the side, moving out of the frame as a man wearing Kowloong-style clothing walks into view.
I'm Hutu, this base's leader. I've been in touch with Babylonia before.
He looks a little anxious.
Let's cut to the chase. I'm sending our best team to break out of here and get this video to you guys.
If you get this message, I hope you can bring more folks down here with you.
This base has its own defense system, which we've tweaked. If things get bad, we can use it to evacuate.
But now, something unexpected happened. The defense system kicked in on its own, and we've lost control.
The area between B6 and B7 is locked down tight. Nobody's getting out.
I'll get my people to go through the ventilation shafts to break through.
I hope you see this video... I can't let thousands of people die here.
The video cuts off there.
As expected.
The "Dark Room" itself has a security system in case of emergencies.
It's meant to keep people or... something from getting out, I think. Basically, it seals everything off.
The people in this base made use of the Dark Room's defensive system.
They tried to rewrite the system, but they did it poorly. They were trying to use it to defend against the Corrupted, but clearly...
They failed.
What should we do next, Commandant?
Lee's comms are down. There is probably electromagnetic interference blocking the signals down here.
Hutu said floors B6 and B7 are locked, and Hetero-Creatures are all over B5 through B9, but the vents are pretty safe.
According to Lee's intel, they are supposed to be taking shelter on B19.
The three of you enter the elevator and head to B4.
You try to select floors below B7 on your way down, but they are indeed locked.
Emergency Stairwell
Between B9 and B10
You have not seen many Hetero-Creatures on your way, but you have encountered protective barriers in the stairwell on each floor.
Lucia has been tearing down these barriers, so you are able to descend steadily.
You keep going until you see a large "B10" written on the wall, where Ishmael stops.
It seems we'll have to part ways here for now, Gray Raven Commandant.
Correct. My data says the Dark Room's control room is on B10.
Ishmael says nothing, just giving you that enigmatic smile of hers.
You remember that line in your mission briefing—you are "not responsible for the safety of the accompanying Control Court member".
Don't worry... I can handle myself in a fight.
Right as you are talking, a Hetero-Creature sneaks up from behind Ishmael.
Ishmael does not look back—she just takes a step to the left, dodging the Hetero-Creature's claws.
In one move, she pulls out a pistol, turns, and fires—the bullet heading straight toward the Hetero-Creature's head.
Ishmael's smile has not shifted a bit.
I'm a Construct, after all—my computing power can help me dodge a few attacks.
Hmm... Just like that.
The Hetero-Creature hits the ground with a thud.
Also, I can try to take back control of the "Dark Room's" defense system from the control room.
Maybe I can even crack the sealed defense system... Who knows?
