Story Reader / Extra Story / EX00 Frozen Darkness / Story
—Prepare to depart L-7 returning orbit—
—Moving through low Earth Corrupted ring—
—All systems normal—
Roger, Commander.
Seventeen hours ago, we got new eyewitness accounts on the Ascendants.
They were last seen in the western base of the Gangdise Mountains—a place called the Jijing Monastery.
During this time, there was a massive outbreak of the Punishing Virus throughout the area. Reports claim that it is highly concentrated.
Why would Ascendants appear in a place like that...?
Don't look into it too much for now. We're going to cross the Karman line and enter the atmosphere. Make sure the commandant doesn't have a bitten tongue after this.
O-of course...
—Warning! Multiple heat sources approaching—
—Warning! Multiple heat sources approaching—
What's going on?
Don't panic. Let me check the radar data first. It could just be a false alarm... wait...
What is it?
The radar shows that a barrage of long-ranged projectiles has locked onto us. They appear to be interstellar cruise missiles...
I've also got a reading on Punishing Virus reaction!
The Punishing Virus... low Earth missile attacks... Must be the space station!
No, the space station isn't capable of attacking us while we're in low Earth orbit...
We're flying through a minefield—the remains of warships infected by the Punishing Virus are activating as we pass.
Normally, they should only lock onto transport-class airships...
Dammit... I chose to go the long way to stay out of danger, but I got us stuck in low Earth orbit for too long...
—!
...The cruise missiles are getting closer!
Can we shake them off our tail?
It's too late. With our entry speed into the stratosphere, we can't outrun the missiles.
Even in the most optimistic scenario, the missiles will hit us in thirty seconds...
I got this. Activating manual flight control.
ETA... Twenty seconds!
Done...! Commandant I need to maintain operational procedures. Take the wheel.
BOOM—!
A missile explodes near the airdrop jet, throwing you into disarray.
Are you okay, Commandant?!
Relax, everyone...
Optical positioning activated—
Engines re-adjusted. Activating maximum thrust—
Autonomous rotation stabilized—
Arrgh... The centrifugal force is... too strong...
Two tow lines with counterweights ejected—
Commandant, NOW!
Have we regained control?
We have. I'm guessing our commandant graduated at the top of the class.
More... missiles... approaching fast!
Our airdrop jet should be a bit more agile, comparatively speaking... Let's change direction to widen the gap first.
Wait, what?! They're approaching from the other side too?
ETA... Fifteen seconds!
Brace for impact...
Wait... Commandant, something is approaching from the surface... It's coming in hot!
BOOM—!
Suddenly, all of the missiles explode behind your jet.
What was that?
It looked like... a lance...
But why...
Watch out! Shockwave incoming!
Commandant!
—Entering the atmosphere blackout zone. Engaging silent mode—
———
