Story Reader / Extra Story / EX01 Grand Blue / Story
The hurried pace, the footprints without a care for direction, the beach decorations that the person must have ran into...
These are all signs that the Construct under pursuit knows nothing about counter-tracking.
For someone to run in so flustered a fashion, they must, at the very least, be worth chasing.
Here.
Ready anytime. Strike Hawk will fully cooperate.
Got it.
The vital fluid footprints branch left and right curtly, but then eventually regroup. The regrouped trail tumbles toward the gate of the theme park in the distance.
You do not find any signs of a battle, or rather, this person seems completely incapable of fighting.
Humanoid, male, Easterner-looking. He's stopped at the entrance of the theme park.
We're still just monitoring. Should we subdue the target now?
As imagined.
Looks like this Construct is not only completely oblivious to counter-tracking techniques, but is also heavily wounded.
Before prying any information out of his mouth, he will at least require emergency repairs.
Roger!
The person being restrained by Lee is a man wearing a black trench coat.
He is restrained, but only so Liv can perform emergency treatment on him.
The Construct does not seem to be equipped with a functional Inver-Device. Even the frame design seems to be dated, harking back to the designs of Operation Acadia.
...Could this be Daedalus technology? But the Purifying Force is out on a mission right now, so it is impossible to confirm with Bianca.
...
...
There is no response.
Which is expected.
Seems like external help might be required to identify this person.
Since this Construct's frame screams Operation Acadia period from up to down, someone in Babylonia might know his background.
It is still a crapshoot, but it should not hurt to ask.
...Someone might be able to help on Babylonia's public channel.
Oh? Aren't you folks on a vacation... Never mind.
What is it?
Sec.
...
What the—How did this frame withstand Corrupted attacks?
You've piqued my curiosity. Is Liv doing emergency repairs on him?
I'll need Liv's Inver-Device for a short while to run a more comprehensive scan... Aaand, got it.
...It's the Ascension-Network.
That would have been a solid "yes" in the past, but after that Qu in Kowloong, I can't say for sure that he's the sort of Ascendant we know about.
I'm going to need the speaker on your terminal.
...
Heh. I know you're listening.
I've already found definite traces of Ascension-Network signals on you. But what is that hidden unknown function installed in your frame?
...Just kill me. The contents within will self-destruct when I die.
Then that "Miss Luna" will never get it.
After all, you're all just expendable underlings like me, yes? I'm not saying a thing.
This is related to that "Miss Luna"?
...Cut the act.
The people in front of you are the task force of Babylonia, not sent by that "Miss Luna" you mentioned.
[player name], prove it.
...Why is Babylonia here?
The mysterious man eyes you strangely, then doubtfully surveys the Constructs around him.
You people have nothing to do with the Ascendants?
...If you are indeed unaffiliated with the Ascendants, then perhaps...
Right at that moment, a black figure plummets from above your heads and lands, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Commandant!
Lucia grabs the handle on the back of your exoskeleton armor, then activates the jetpack behind her to carry you out of the billowing dust.
The others scatter as the dust clears, and the figure in the center of the dust cloud reveals himself.
It is a familiar face—Roland, the Ascendant. He lands between you and the mysterious man, who took the blunt of the impact and is knocked down onto the gravel once again.
Roland lifts the man handily, then flings him to two Corrupted who followed his landing. They immediately pin the man to the ground.
Then he turns. He surveys your group on the beach with his usual bemused expression.
Hola amigos.
Nothing makes me happier than seeing you all alive and kicking.
After all, t'would be a shame if you died before I got to destroy you one by one... Wouldn't it?
Indeed. It's a me.
Why are you the one surprised? Try being me, seeing you here for some reason.
Ah-ah-ah. No, no, that's not how it goes. No explanations for you. Because we, the Ascendants, are the masters, the host, here today.
And the master need not explain to the guest their presence. 'Tis the other way round, the guests are the ones to explain their reason of visit.
Cut the crap. Now that you're here, you're never getting away.
Oh, you animal! Bad! What a bad houseguest you make!
How fortunate you are though—I just have a thing for bad guests.
So. Let's play a game.
