Story Reader / Main Story / 13 Fake Ascension / Story
...Something's off.
After completing the immersion process and removing the obstructive data wall, the four of you arrive at Parliament Square in the virtual space.
Have you not remembered being pushed into the frame, you would have felt as if you were "teleported" to Parliament Square directly from the bridge.
...But, for some reason, something does not feel the same.
What's wrong?
It looks like... some things have formed a wall.
Strange... I can't use my sensor to detect what the "wall" is made out of.
...It's data. It's a flowing wall of white-noise-like data.
You can understand it as a wall formed from the data stream. It's one of the anti-interference protocols.
Looks like it really has been infiltrated...
I'm afraid so. We can only find a way to close or go through it once the immersion process is complete.
Like I just said... We have to "find" a way.
A few days ago.
A young man with blonde hair stood before the doorway to the conference room. Seeing that the door was ajar, he softly took a breath, then knocked on the door.
Come in.
Commander Nikola, is there something... Oh, President Hassen. Seems like you've been quite busy recently. I haven't had a chance to speak with you.
...Have a seat.
Hassen refrained from responding to Murray. Instead, he motioned Murray to take a seat on the other side of the table.
Murray sat opposite to Hassen, with a cup of coffee placed in front of him.
Murray looked at Hassen through the steam coming from the coffee, then blinked awkwardly.
There's no need to be nervous. Celica brewed the coffee herself.
Hearing this, Murray smiled and took a sip of the coffee.
Thank you. Tastes... good.
Standing off to the side, Nikola put down his now empty cup, then turned on the holo-screen.
I told you, Hassen. He's fine.
Let's get down to business.
Following Nikola's gesture, Murray shifted his gaze to the content on the holo-screen.
This... this is the report I submitted to you. Is President Hassen here with you because there is an issue with it?
Not with the information itself. What concerns me is how you got it.
Holding the coffee cup, Murray came to a halt and stayed silent.
Still not willing to tell us how you got your hands on this information?
Well... I'd like to live a little longer.
Murray answered softly with a slightly apologetic tone. However, Hassen understood that the young man would not come clean.
In that case, why don't you transfer back? It would be better for someone in your condition.
Thank you for your concern, Mr. President. But I'm happy with my current job. I'm not considering a transfer right now.
My intelligence work is just a way for me to accumulate combat experience. After all, my physical condition... doesn't allow me to become a commandant with boots on the ground.
In some ways, I'm happy with the work you produce, and I don't intend to transfer you elsewhere. You're also the only person besides the Gray Raven Commandant who passes the test currently.
So you should understand that, even if the source of your intel violates our rules, we won't sentence you to death for this.
Murray looked down at his reflection in the coffee cup, obscuring his expression from the two men sitting opposite him.
He quickly raised his head again, then the corners of his mouth curled into a gentle, peculiar smile.
Sir, I was given a mission, and I completed it. That's all.
Just as I won't ask you how you will use this information, you won't have to inquire the details on how I obtain information.
You wouldn't have the authority to ask.
You're right.
We know that what you're doing, at least in terms of results, are still for the benefit of Babylonia.
We seek a common goal. However...
Murray, no matter how many moves you can make behind the scenes, don't you think they can remain hidden forever.
I think you can gauge where the lines are, at least for the time being.
Thank you to both of you for your trust.
You've worked under me for quite some time, but I must admit—I still haven't had you figured out.
Nikola took out a black folder from a briefcase under the table and pushed it across to Murray.
If you're unwilling to divulge the source of your intel, the least you can do is be of use.
What do you want me to do?
As always, what you do best.
Murray immediately noticed the logo on the file. He let out an apparent smile, then looked up at Nikola.
...I'm not your only bet in this game, am I?
Just make sure you get the job done.
We just want to see results that benefit Babylonia. That's all.
You can put down your cup of coffee now. You don't have to keep holding it if it isn't to your liking.
After that, Hassen and Nikola stood up and left the conference room, leaving Murray with his coffee, unsure whether or not to drink it.
...
After quite some time, he finally took a deep breath and smiled bitterly as if being relieved of a heavy burden.
That... wasn't very pleasant at all.
