Story Reader / Main Story / 13 Fake Ascension / Story

Request connection to root server... Request connection to root server...

It won't work. We've cut off all contact between your sub-terminals and the root server.

...Disconnection confirmed. Withdrawing connection request to the root server.

Stop your infiltration on Babylonia immediately!

You have... no authority... to issue that order.

Much like "Bianca" before, Huaxu disintegrates before your eyes.

Is it over...?

Asimov, what's the situation like outside?

...

Asimov has turned on his comms, but he does not respond to your question.

...Looks like they're too busy to answer us.

Let's find out what the status of the virtual space is.

Hm?

Liv leans over and picks something off the ground.

Liv?

This is on the ground after Huaxu disappeared...

Liv holds a peculiar fragment in her hand.

Is that... a data fragment?

Let me see...

...

It's a set of coordinates, but I can't decipher the last two data points.

How accurate are the coordinates you can retrieve?

I can narrow it down to an area of about five to ten square kilometers.

That should suffice.

...How's everything going?

What's the situation with Babylonia?

We've managed to start ascending, but we won't be able to return to low Earth orbit any time soon. At least we've stopped losing altitude.

Huaxu was the one who infiltrated Gestalt, and the sub-terminal dropped this, Asimov.

...Coordinates?

...

Prepare to disengage from the virtual space.

...

If that's the case, then let's get out of here.

...What's going on? I can't get you to disengage. Why can't I connect with you?

What?

Looks like a part of the full band lockdown procedure is still in effect.

Don't worry about the lockdown for now. Lee, go to the terminal in the virtual space to synchronize your data with me.

Lee quickly approaches the terminal and begins operating it.

I'm ready on this end, Asimov. Are you ready to start the handshake protocol?

Begin.

*Establishing handshake protocol. Integrating signal via side link.*

Tch... Since we can't use the main channel, it's going to take a bit longer.

*Warning: Unauthorized data flow detected. Emergency safeguard activated.*

...Dammit. Now that Gestalt is fully operational, it's treating us like junk data.

Asimov, think of something!

*Signal requirement: 41.03%*

We're running out of time, Asimov! Hurry up! I'm struggling to keep in sync!

Tell me something I don't know!

*Signal requirement: 61.3%*

...Looks like we have no other choice but to "offend" Gestalt a little.

You notice that the crumbling areas around you begin to halt, and some places even revert to looking like Babylonia.

*Signal requirement: 74.12%*

Asimov, we've reached the minimum requirement for the disengagement procedure!

Then begin the disengagement sequence! But I should warn you, your M.I.N.D. might experience a "slight" deviation!

Just like that, everything around you fall into darkness, just like when you first began the immersion process.

Importing memory >>> Administering tranquilizer...