5 5 301 DialogEnable Rapid footsteps approach from beyond the door, the retinal scanner outside announcing the name of the visitor. The door opens, and Hilda enters the bridge, standing before Hassen and Nikola.
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8 8 301 1 Hassen How did it go? Did we find it? 1
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11 11 301 1 Hilda All the data suggests that the Hetero-Hive Mother is located inside CPF 040 at the center of the Pulia Forest Park Ruins. Or what used to be CPF 040. 1
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15 15 301 1 Nikola What used to be...? 2
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18 18 301 1 Hilda That's right... It's better to see it yourselves. 1
19 19 202 1 1
20 20 301 With that, Hilda sends a report across the desk, and the "Warning" on the cover has Hassen frowning.
21 21 301 The last report with a "Warning" tag was the report related to Luna.
22 22 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Hassen opens the file, and visuals of the Pulia Forest Park Ruins are projected before him.
26 26 301 AniZhuanchangEnd The first thing that enters the vision is a large field that connects the horizon.
27 27 301 Beyond the field is a dense forest. Although the existence of such a large area of lush woods is miraculous in its own right, it is not the cause of shock.
28 28 301 Everyone's gaze turns toward the towering tree in the center of the ruins. Natural greenery interweaves with the scarlet Punishing Virus along the tree, its twisted branches dancing and braiding. It has replaced the CPF.
33 33 301 1 Hilda The Control Court immediately sent the video to the Science Council for analysis after seeing this. 1
34 34 301 Hilda Their findings suggest that those things enveloping CPF 040 are made of Hetero-Creatures mimicking the plants in the Forest Park. They have recently invaded there. 1
35 35 301 Hilda Since there was interference inside the forest, the following video was recorded by the Woodcock Commandant Harley Jo offline, uploaded after they escaped the park. 1
39 39 301 Woodcock slowly approaches CPF 040 after submitting the visuals on it.
40 40 301 Their initial investigation has not run into too many obstacles. But as they go further into the forest, strange things begin to happen.
41 41 301 Teams that enter the forest from different entry points have reported the discoveries of campfires, human footprints, and Scavenger clothing.
46 46 301 1 Hassen That's... Why would Scavengers appear near a CPF that's not reclaimed? 2
47 47 301 Hilda We don't know yet. We've found human activities inside the Forest Park, some of which are fairly new, meaning there was a group of Scavengers who entered the park recently before it was invaded by the Hetero-Hive Mother. 1
52 52 301 Following the tracks of human activities, several figures covered in Scavenger capes appear before the squad.
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54 54 301 1 Woodcock Commandant This area is dangerous! Please stay where you are. We're coming to get you out of here! 1
55 55 202 1 1
56 56 301 The Woodcock Commandant shouts at the figures, but they do not respond.
57 57 301 The Constructs next to him take a look at each other, then raise their weapons and cautiously approach the figures.
58 58 301 Only when the Constructs arrive before the figures that they realize the truth—those are not humans that they have discovered, but humanoid monsters.
59 59 301 Rather than being worn, their capes are just loosely hung on the humanoids' withered bodies.
60 60 301 The humanoids slowly turn around, their strangely-shaped feet crushing the bones on the ground, making an eerie, squeaking noise.
61 61 301 The red orbs in their chests are like their hearts, pulsing intensely. The thin bones enveloping them, however, are not strong enough to withstand the strong pulsations.
62 62 301 Pieces of bones shatter from the vibration, falling off their bodies onto the ground, crushed by their feet. New bone structures immediately grow from the orbs, covering them once more, before breaking and regrowing.
63 63 301 Behind all of them hung a smooth, translucent "string," within which lines intricate veins and nerves like an umbilical cord.
64 64 301 These figures attached to the cords are like newborn babies, moving about stiffly with their deafening cries.
68 68 301 1 Hilda No doubt they are Hetero-Creatures. The Science Council are calling them "Hetero-Sapiens" for now. 1
69 69 301 Hilda The arrival of Hetero-Sapiens signals a grave danger. Hetero-Creatures' evolution mimicking Earth's ecosystem has reached the stage of Homo sapiens. 1
70 70 301 Hilda Evidence shows that they are evolving much faster than we imagined. 1
71 71 301 Hilda It took millions of years for apes and humans to evolve into separate species. Comparatively speaking, the Hetero-Creatures have spent less than a blink of an eye. 1
72 72 301 Hilda Our enemies have turned from beasts to humanoids in a flash. 1
73 73 301 Hilda What will they become next? 1
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77 77 301 1 Hassen & Nikola ... 1 2
78 78 301 That is a horrifying but honest question. With how fast they are evolving, no one can predict how the enemies will present themselves next time.
79 79 301 AniZhuanchangBegin As the three turn silent, the chilling video continues to play.
83 83 301 AniZhuanchangEnd The Hetero-Sapiens extend their rotten fingers from under the capes and point toward the Constructs before them.
84 84 301 Their mouths open and close cumbersomely, making strange, twisted noises.
85 85 401 2 1545
86 86 301 Twisted Voice ...This area is dangerous... Please stay where you are... We're coming to get you out of here...
87 87 401 2 1545
88 88 301 Twisted Voice ...This area is dangerous... Please stay where you are... We're coming to get you out of here...
89 89 301 Despite their distorted tones, the Hetero-Sapiens have easily mastered the language skills that human toddlers would take years to learn.
90 90 301 Scarlet particles emit from beneath their capes. The Constructs' Inver-Devices blare out piercing alarms.
91 91 301 Several of the soldiers cannot withstand the shock of what happened in front of their eyes, as they stumble back and almost drop their weapons.
92 92 301 But their training quickly kicks in, and they immediately retain their composure. Regardless of how strangely the enemy act, it does not change the fact that they are hostile to humanity.
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95 95 301 1 Woodcock Commandant Attack! 1
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99 99 301 The commandant orders the team to attack, and they immediately open fire. Bullets lodge into the Hetero-Sapiens' bodies, but they remain undeterred, charging into the firing line, unfazed by their shattered bones as if taking a stroll in the storm.
100 100 301 Like a flood, Hetero-Sapiens rush in from every direction of the Forest Park, rushing the Woodcock defensive line. Wounds begin to appear on the soldiers' frames, and the muzzle flashes begin to decrease in numbers.
101 101 301 Confronting the massive number of enemies, Woodcock has no option but to retreat.
106 106 301 The video ends with a frozen frame of the hurried retreat of Woodcock. Hassen closes the report, rubbing his temples with his fingers.
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108 108 301 1 Hilda Luckily, it's not too late. Hetero-Sapiens have only appeared around CPF 040. 1
109 109 301 Hilda Intel on them has been synchronized to all ground forces. The Science Council is further analyzing the footage, hoping to understand the Hetero-Sapiens more.
110 110 301 Hilda What's important is what we decide next. 1
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112 112 301 1 Nikola We still have to face the Hetero-Hive Mother after defeating the Hetero-Sapiens. To get a sample of the advanced subject, we will pay a hefty price. 1
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114 114 301 1 Hilda Which is why the Control Court believes we can make use of the Longinus Arsenal during this operation. 1
115 115 301 Hilda But doing so also means we will give up on retrieving a sample from the advanced subject. Without the sample, progress on Omega File will fall behind by at least 40%. 1
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117 117 301 1 Nikola That is too long when the situation on the surface can shift at a moment's notice. 1
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119 119 301 1 Hassen That's right. The Longinus Arsenal can only be used in the worst-case scenario. 1
120 120 301 Hassen Omega File is an important turning point of this war. It is worth the risk. 1
121 121 301 Hassen Send out the Task Force. Defeat the Hetero-Hive Mother and retrieve our samples. 1
122 122 301 Hassen As Gray Raven has expected, they will be instrumental in this mission. 1
123 123 301 Hassen Now, we need other participants. Who do you have in mind? 1
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125 125 301 Hassen looks at Nikola, who pauses for a second before speaking a name.
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128 128 301 1 Nikola Hans. 1
129 129 301 Nikola His strength is crucial to this operation. 1
130 130 301 Nikola If Gray Raven, with their specialized frame, is our assault breacher vehicle for the Hetero-Hive Mother, Hans is our best choice to safeguard the vehicle and deliver it before the enemy. 1
131 131 301 Nikola Since comms with Babylonia are jammed in the Forest Park, we can't issue commands to the ground troops there directly. They will require someone with the ability to observe the battlefield and make judgment calls. 1
132 132 301 Nikola Whether to use the Longinus Arsenal to destroy the Hetero-Hive Mother or to order a full-force assault on it to retrieve samples; to save the surviving Scavengers or to extend the hope Gray Raven brings— 1
133 133 301 Nikola Each decision is critical, every choice burdened with immense pressure. Hans is one of the only commanders who can shoulder that on the field. 1
134 134 301 Nikola He's been in more wars than any of us since the Golden Age. His experience makes him the best option to guide this mission on the surface. 1
135 135 301 Hassen But his health has been getting worse. I don't know if he will walk out of the Pulia Forest Park Ruins alive. 2
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138 138 301 1 Hilda You just said that Omega File is worth the risk. 1
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142 142 301 1 Hassen ... 2
143 143 301 Hassen Fine. But I have to talk to him first. 2
144 144 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Hassen Celica. Send Hans to the bridge. 2
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147 147 301 AniZhuanchangEnd Hans appears on the bridge, standing straight and tall.
148 148 301 His conversation with Hassen lasts mere minutes, but it feels like ages have passed.
149 149 301 As their conversation comes to an end, everyone in the room falls quiet.
150 150 301 Hans salutes and breaks the silence.
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153 154 301 1 Hans Whatever it takes. 2
154 155 301 Hassen ...Even your life? 1
155 156 301 Hans A soldier's life is humanity's leverage. To be utilized to my fullest is my ultimate wish. 2
156 157 301 Hans' gaze is resolute, undaunted by Hassen's questions.
157 158 301 Hassen Alright, Babylonia's forces are at your disposal. I'll give you some time to come up with a list. You can confirm it with Nikola and Hilda later. 1
158 159 301 Hans What is Gray Raven doing as the critical team of this operation? 2
159 160 301 Hassen Lee and Liv are helping the Science Council to analyze the Hetero-Sapien footage from Woodcock. Lucia and 【kuroname】 are going over their equipment. We have prepared some special weapons to increase the odds of success. 1
160 161 301 Hans I see. 2
161 162 301 Hans In that case, I'll need the following three teams from those standing by. 2
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164 165 301 1 Hilda Already? Do you need to think it over? 1
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168 169 301 1 Hans That's not necessary. Understanding the strength of each soldier is the basic requirement for a commander. 2
169 170 301 Hans First, Woodcock led by Harley Jo. He was the first on the scene and thus understands the park the most. He's also applied to return to the Forest Park. 2
170 171 301 Hans And Harley Jo's achievement in communications means he might be able to solve the interference inside the park. Considering his team was hurt, I want to assign Constructs from other squads to him as a temporary team. 2
171 172 301 Hans The second squad is Egret, led by Vanessa. Her efficiency can buy us valuable time. 2
172 173 301 Hans Given the lack of data on Hetero-Sapiens, we can also rely on Egret's heavy firepower to take down the enemies. 2
173 174 301 Hans The third is the team led by Simon... 2
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176 177 301 1 Nikola Simon's capability is not that great. It'll be hard for him in high-octane fights with the Hetero-Sapiens. 1
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180 181 301 1 Hans His physical prowess is concerning, but the strength of his Mind Beacon is second only to 【kuroname】 in his year. Someone like that will be able to share the strain with 【kuroname】 when stabilizing the Constructs near the Hetero-Hive Mother. 2
181 182 301 Hassen I see. The mobilization order has been issued to their teams. 1
182 183 301 Hassen ...Safe journey. 1
183 184 301 1 AniZhuanchangBegin Hans Yes, sir. It will be. 2
