Sergey, the fighting outside hasn't let up, has it?
That's what the field reports say. Want me to send a scout to get eyes on it...?
It can wait. Rosetta's ice river has effectively split the battlefield. Both sides are pinned down on opposite banks. Right now, it's a ranged stalemate with minimal risk of a breakthrough.
And after "right now"? We've only got one regiment here. You really think that's enough?
Given the situation, it's all we could pull together. After what happened, our units are spread thin. This regiment is what we could muster on short notice.
That's not a good enough reason to pull Lillian from Dark Aries. And Simon, what's your plan for sustained operations without a support-type Construct?
Uh...
Captain Palma, maybe ease up on Simon for a moment. You'll make him nauseous again.
And you, stop wearing that smile all the damn time. Doesn't anything ever get under your skin?
I save the frustration for when it's useful. Besides, it's not like Gray Raven's in better shape. Lee's the only one here. Right, Lee?
...Did you put surveillance cameras outside or something?
We've returned with the commandant, everyone.
After withdrawing from the frontline, you and Rosetta finally reach the base. Inside the command tent, several familiar figures greet you: two middle-aged men in heavy thermal wear and a weakened Simon, surrounded by the Constructs on his squad.
Ah, it really has been too long. So much has happened since we last met...
Let's save the reminiscing for later. Right now, we're just glad you're here.
Alright. First, we win this battle, then we'll find time to talk properly.
It's... a bit embarrassing to always depend on outside help. But given the situation, we have no choice. We're counting on you, [player name].
Ugh... Chief... I'm sorry, I need a moment...
I figured as much. Allow me, then. Good to see you here, [player name].
Is this how you always treat your commandant?
Well... Captain Palma can be... intense. But she's also the most capable person on the field.
Need my permission to gossip?
...My apologies. I was only stating a fact. If the wording was inappropriate, I'll gladly rephrase it.
Forget it... At least it's good to know we're not the only squad with breakthrough capabilities. Gray Raven Commandant, I'll be watching your performance.
This is somewhat rushed, but let's begin the tactical briefing here.
Following the brief exchanges, Rosetta takes her position in the center of the tent to start the meeting.
Her voice cuts through the low murmur of conversation, bringing an immediate silence. All attention shifts to her. Nearby, Simon pushes himself up from where he has been slumped against a chair.
I need three things: the current battlefield situation, the identity of our enemy, and our planned course of action.
I'll cover the first. Dark Aries deployed ahead of other units and has accessed satellite intel recovered by Babylonia. Our intelligence should be fairly comprehensive.
Thanks. Please proceed.
Let's start with the "thing" uncovered in the glacier. Cross-referencing satellite imagery with historical records confirms it's debris from the old Sophiasburgh.
That's what we need to confirm. Antonov, Sergey, what truly happened to the old city?
Sophiasburgh was destroyed by the Punishing Virus. I remember that day clearly: a pillar of fire erupted from its direction, and all communications went dead. We assumed the city's energy reactor was compromised by the virus, causing a catastrophic explosion.
With the capital gone, the front collapsed. The World Government abandoned the defensive line... and we were left to seek refuge elsewhere in the region. The rest, you already know.
So you never visually confirmed Sophiasburgh's destruction?
We sent drones afterward... but all they saw was ice and sea.
Could the city have sunk instead?
Very likely. The fissure from Rosetta's earlier intervention made me realize that the explosion didn't vaporize the city. It caused sections to collapse into the frozen sea, becoming trapped within the glacier over time.
What's worse is that across the ARU's territory, there's more than one Corrupted herd frozen like this.
They thawed alongside Sophiasburgh. The Corrupted emerging from there have already attacked several ports. I've deployed most of the Forest Guards to hold those positions.
Which brings us to the second point: our main force here is critically understrength.
It's hard to say. We lack the means to accurately assess enemy numbers, which is why I dispatched Diana with a support team.
So you're telling me another captain-level officer is tied up elsewhere too?
Gray Raven and Dark Aries will provide some reinforcement, but given the scale of the battlefield, it likely won't be enough.
That's exactly why I said you should've requested two more regiments.
No additional forces can be spared from other fronts. Everyone here represents the operation's elite strength. Now, the second point. Who are we fighting?
At this moment, Rosetta turns her gaze toward the two members from the Commune.
The younger generation wouldn't know. After Sophiasburgh fell, the title "Frostheart Emperor" faded from memory long ago.
So this Zack really is the Frostheart Emperor?
Sounds like a villain from a pulp comic...
No. The Frostheart Emperor during Sophiasburgh's fall was the previous one. But the Zack we knew...
He was a hawkish commander back then. Many said it was only a matter of time before he joined the Warlords.
The full name is "Frostheart Warlords", the three strongest commanders of the ARU. Since its founding, they've always been chosen from the most talented... Wait. Is that goat-man Fyodor?
That's him! A butcher. I'll never forget that face.
So that leaves this "Amberia" and the dragon-man... are they the other two Warlords?
The dragon-man... I'm not sure. But...
Aside from Zack, the most terrifying presence is likely Amberia. That dark, looming figure is the Union's collective nightmare.
But she can't be Amberia. We eliminated her. Isn't that right, Commandant?
And a dedicated investigation team confirmed it afterward. So this "Amberia" must be someone else.
Does she have the same ability? I remember the dossier said she could "amalgamate" other Arctic mechanoids.
Amalgamator Amberia: that name alone is the source of the frame's infamy. The ARU leadership envisioned a war machine to secure their dominance in the chaotic wake of the Punishing Virus.
What resulted was a haywire tragedy. The Arctic mechanoids under her control descended into madness, plunging the Union into a living hell.
Most likely. Our sensors detected no corruption in Zack's group. Not Ascendants yet able to control the Corrupted... "Amalgamation" is the only explanation.
I have a feeling it's not just "Amberia". The other three probably have it, too... Though I hope I'm wrong.
Simon's theory brings a heavy silence, particularly over the two Border Commune leaders. Their faces tighten with the weight of a shared, painful history. After all, the subject of amalgamation is an old wound—one the Arctic people have never wished to reopen.
The situation is dire, but we cannot yield.
Rosetta is the first to break the silence. She strides toward another exit of the camp and takes up the weapon waiting there.
We can lose other places, but not New Sophiasburgh. Everyone worked too hard to build it... I will not retreat without a fight.
That reminds me... The battle line lies right in front of New Sophiasburgh... Unlucky.
We can call it bad luck, but it's not without advantage. A battle line with our base at our backs should mean solid reinforcement. However, I should add...
We have no reinforcements. And no retreat. New Sophiasburgh stands right behind us.
With newfound resolve, Rosetta sweeps her gaze across the tent, meeting the eyes of those assembled.
Before another word can be spoken, a series of explosions rips through the distant silence.
Oh no, fire! There's a fire!
An Ursa in a lab coat rushes over.
