3 3 301 DialogEnable The representatives gave their answer in the World Government's emergency meeting, approving Karenina's decision and giving her the right to destroy the zero-point engine.
4 4 301 Still, it will inevitably cause a series of problems... The lunar base, the reactor, the ground battlefield, Kurono...
5 5 301 The biggest problem is that the comms to the lunar base are still not restored. Babylonia is unable to confirm whether Karenina and her team have successfully destroyed the engine, or whether they can safely return.
6 6 301 What if Karenina and her team are injured... Or cannot finish the mission at all...
7 7 201 1 1091001 4
8 8 301 1 Bianca Commander Nikola! Please, let me go. I can help the lunar base... and Karenina. 1
9 9 301 Nikola has actually thought about this option. When it comes to searching for lost targets in an unfamiliar environment, nobody can do the job better than the Purifying Force—although they are hunting the target most of the time.
10 10 203 1 0.25 -400
11 11 201 2 500012 400
12 12 301 1 Nikola No... This is the second time I'm saying this. 2
13 13 301 Nikola shakes his head and gives back Bianca's application.
14 14 301 Nikola As the captain of the Purifying Force, as a soldier, you should know your duty is to obey orders. 2
15 15 301 The other female Construct in the room also walks up and salutes Nikola.
16 16 202 2 1
17 17 201 1 500498
18 18 301 1 Chiko Commander Nikola... One Construct is more than enough to investigate the traitors. I can do this. Captain Bianca doesn't need to be involved. 1
19 19 301 Although respectful, the female Construct named Chiko has not backed down in the slightest. She is also a member of the Purifying Force.
20 20 203 1 0.25 400
21 21 201 2 1091001 -400
22 22 301 1 Bianca Chiko... 2
23 23 301 Bianca looks at Chiko. She has gone to Earth multiple times for this dangerous mission, but no progress is made.
24 24 301 Although the Engineering Force's new engine has made shuttles more secure, going from Babylonia to the ground is still a dangerous trip.
25 25 301 Even after a successful landing, the supplies from the Support Force are nowhere enough for combat consumption in the adverse environment. Chiko couldn't even maintain her frame properly; the color of her black long hair had faded, but she simply had no time to restore it.
26 26 202 2 1
27 27 201 1 500012
28 28 301 1 Nikola There were traces of Ascendant found during the investigation. The HQ decided to up the danger level of this mission, and we now have two locations to investigate. That's why I'm sending you both. 1
29 29 301 Nikola The mission locations are also reassigned based on their danger levels. Chiko, Bianca will take over City 006 from you. There is a new location named City 015, and I want you to take charge. 1
30 30 201 1 500498 4
31 31 301 Chiko But... 1
32 32 301 The mission instructions suggest City 006 has a higher danger potential... So it makes perfect sense to assign it to Bianca, given that she is the captain. Unable to find any excuse, Chiko can only remain silent.
33 33 201 1 500012
34 34 301 1 Nikola pauses and looks at Bianca. She seems to have something to say.
35 35 301 Nikola We are just as worried about Karenina and the lunar base as you are. That's why I have already sent the entire Mountain Vulture squad in a space fighter. 1
36 36 202 100 1 1
37 37 201 1 1091001 400
38 38 201 2 500498 -400
39 39 401 2 1543
40 40 301 1 Bianca and Chiko have no words to say. They can only salute in silence.
41 41 301 Bianca I have only one request. If there is any news about Karenina... Please let me know immediately. 1
42 42 202 2 1
43 43 201 1 500012
44 44 301 1 Nikola Hmph... You don't need to worry about that. Any news about her will be the biggest news. 1
45 45 401 2 1516
46 46 301 After the two Purifying Force Constructs left, Nikola once again picks up the mission requests to investigate the traitors. They came from many departments, but only the change of location was provided by the Control Court.
47 47 204 1 5
48 48 301 Nikola I know the Control Court manages a lot of things, but why would they pay particular attention to this one out of all missions... 1
49 49 204 1
50 50 301 Nikola Despite suffering heavy damage, Gray Raven still applied to return to the battlefield multiple times. I had to stop them with the Star of Life. But maybe I can send them to the less dangerous City 015 for an investigation mission... 1
51 51 401 300 2 1515
52 52 301 His thoughts are interrupted by an incoming comms request.
64 64 301 DialogEnable A transport shuttle is flying in space. The Moon has become quite small behind it.
65 65 201 1 500494 13 400
66 66 201 2 500495 4 -400
67 67 301 1 Teddy That monster who merged with the zero-point engine... How did it get on the Moon? 2
68 68 301 Karenina I don't know... But it probably wasn't there in the beginning. 1
69 69 301 Karenina takes out the cassette recorder she found in the zero-point reactor core—she has already learned about its content.
70 70 204 2 13
71 71 301 Teddy Hmm...? This is quite an antique audio player. Never thought you could have this taste—I guess listening to music can more or less help you change your barbarian way of thinking. 2
72 72 301 Karenina replied with a "tsk" and ignored her. She stares at the starry universe outside.
73 73 301 The root cause of the lunar base incident could be traced to the past. The consequence of the "necessary sacrifice" made back then is still posting a threat to all humans today, and it may well last into the future.
74 74 301 Fortunately, humans may finally have enough power to change that future...
75 75 301 Karenina So how did you find this spaceship...? I don't recall seeing any record of spacecraft staying in the lunar base. 1
76 76 204 2
77 77 301 Teddy No idea. This is quite an old ship. Probably served in the Post-Pandemic Age... It was made in Kurono, but is currently registered under Babylonia. 2
78 78 301 Karenina Could it be that the spaceship picking us up had departed earlier? We are pretty lucky. 1
79 79 502 400 RImgBg1Shake
80 80 505 RImgBg1Shake
81 81 401 1 205
82 82 201 2 500499 2 -300 -150
83 83 301 1 Yarha Excuse me, I hate to interrupt you, but... Karenina, your hand is on my head. 2
84 84 301 Karenina Oops... Sorry... 1
85 85 201 1 500495 5 200
86 86 301 1 Teddy Hmph... If we are lucky, we wouldn't have to face this just hours before retreat... 1
87 87 502 400 RImgBg1Shake
88 88 505 RImgBg1Shake
89 89 301 Yarha Um... Sorry again, but you are stepping on my abdomen, Teddy... 2
90 90 204 1 13
91 91 301 Teddy No wonder it feels soft... Yarha, don't you think you need some exercise? 1
92 92 301 Yarha Ahaha... P-please stop it... 2
93 93 202 2 1
94 94 201 1 500494 6
95 95 301 1 Karenina Aaargh! Why are we all cramped up in such a tiny pod! 1
96 96 201 1 500303
97 97 201 2 500059 300
98 98 201 3 500361 -300
99 99 201 4 500122 600 -150
100 100 201 5 500249 -600
101 101 301 1 The Engineering Force, Kurono scientists, along with some fainted soldiers... Tens of people are squeezed inside the little life pod like a sardine can.
102 102 202 200 1 2 3 4 5 1
103 103 201 1 500495 5
104 104 301 1 Teddy Well, we are lucky that we are still alive. We should think about how we can restore that zero-point engine after we go back. 1
105 105 203 1 0.25 -400
106 106 201 2 500494 13 400
107 107 301 1 Karenina Wouldn't that be an easy task with all the information you bring back? 2
108 108 301 Teddy It better be... We almost died for it. The entire Engineering Force won't forgive you if you screw it up. 1
109 109 204 2 4
110 110 301 Karenina Just wait and see... You can start thinking of a name for the new engine. 2
111 111 204 500 2 8
112 112 301 ??? Haha, how about "DeLorean"? It comes from an old classic movie.
113 113 204 2 12
114 114 301 A male voice comes from the ship's internal broadcast. He probably is the pilot.
115 115 301 He saved everyone after all, so Karenina couldn't blame him for the awkward conversation. Besides, he must have also heard her complaints on the limited cabin space.
116 116 301 Karenina Um... That's actually not bad... 2
117 117 204 1 4
118 118 301 Teddy Um, excuse me... 1
119 119 301 ??? Just call me Rolmo... Captain Rolmo. Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
120 120 301 Teddy Captain Rolmo... How long will it take for this ship to arrive at Babylonia? 1
121 121 301 "Rolmo" Well... I'm not so sure. Maybe it will take a day, or 8 hours, or 10 minutes.
122 122 301 His bizarre estimate makes Karenina and Teddy even more confused.
123 123 301 Karenina Hey, Teddy, why do I find his voice a little familiar...? 2
124 124 401 2 595
125 125 301 RImgBg1Shake A sudden turbulence interrupts Karenina. It does not feel like the ship has hit a meteorite or space debris...
126 126 301 Teddy Did something happen? 1
127 127 301 "Rolmo" Oops, haha. Don't worry, we are just under attack by Babylonia's space fighters.
131 131 301 "Rolmo" Didn't take long for them to find out that I jacked the ship...
132 132 204 2 5
133 133 301 Karenina What?! Did you jack the ship..? ****! Who the heck are you?! 2
134 134 301 Karenina searches her memories and finally recalls this annoying voice she heard in the past.
135 135 301 "Rolmo" Sigh, you invited yourselves to my ship and still dare to be picky. That's why I don't like humans.
136 136 301 The pilot who calls himself Rolmo lets out a sigh, but soon changes into a cheerful tone.
137 137 301 "Rolmo" Alrighty, dear passengers, our trip is coming to an end. I wish you a pleasant and safe journey. Time to say goodbye. Ciao!
138 138 301 1 RImgBg1Shake AniZhuanchangBegin After a slight shock, the safety lock of the life pod is disengaged. In Karenina's high-pitch swearing, "Captain Rolmo" ejects the life pod into space, then accelerates toward the Earth.
