4 4 301 DialogEnable 1 Norman A long, long time ago... 1
5 5 301 Norman There was a bunch of happy rabbits. Every day they enjoyed a meal of carrots that grew from the earth. Their lives were blissful, free from worry. 1
6 6 301 Norman One day, they discovered that carrots bathed in the moonlight would become even sweeter and tastier. The gears in their little brains started turning... 1
7 7 301 Norman "Wouldn't it be great if we could eat these extra sweet carrots all the time?" "Why don't we just keep the Moon with us, then?" 1
8 8 301 Norman "How would we do that?" "Hold her back! Hold her back!" "Grab a rope! Let's pull the Moon back!" 1
9 9 301 Norman Eager to taste the sweetest carrots ever, the rabbits worked together, twisting and weaving the carrot leaves until they made a long, long rope. 1
10 10 301 Norman "Hi-yah! Hi-yah!" They finally grabbed ahold of the Moon. Using their combined might, the rabbits tried their hardest to tie down the Moon in the sky. 1
11 11 301 Norman "We'll soon get our bellies full!" "We'll soon get our bellies full!" The rabbits cheered and chanted... 1
12 12 301 Norman Did they... actually get what they hoped for in the end? 1
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14 14 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Norman Hmph... well... 1
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17 17 102 A New Divide Chapter 19 Assets/Product/Texture/Atlas/CommonLogo/BgLogo1.png
21 21 301 DialogEnable It has been a while since Gray Raven returned to Babylonia with the survivors. The doctor from Star of Life said you started sleeping since Liv reverted to the Eclipse frame, so you have no idea how much time has passed.
22 22 301 You were seemingly heavily infected when you retrieved Liv's M.I.N.D. shards... so much so that despite getting her back, you fell unconscious while she changed her frame.
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24 24 301 1 Hippocrates You suffered a deadly concussion... I know you've miraculously awakened, but the truth is I wasn't expecting you to wake up at all. 1
25 25 301 Making comprehensive notes on your report, the Star of Life doctor frowns as she goes over the thorough records.
26 26 301 Hippocrates Your Mind Beacon is still slightly corrupted, and your body is still covered in old injuries, so you're not leaving until I say otherwise... Stay in the rehabilitation room instead of going on missions if possible. 1
27 27 302 Alright. 28 If possible... 28
28 28 204 1 14
29 29 301 Hippocrates Also... don't walk around on your own just because you're feeling a bit better. You hear me? 1
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32 32 301 You feel a surge of embarrassment as the doctor departs with a distrustful gaze. A familiar voice speaks beside you.
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34 34 301 1 Simon You heard the doc... Get some rest, Chief. Just ask me if you need something. 1
35 35 301 Simon closes the book he is reading and turns to look at you with kindness. He is similarly covered in injuries, but he looks well.
37 37 301 Simon Yeah. They're probably discharging me tomorrow after the inspection today... HQ told me that they'd assign Dark Aries with new members after I'm ready. 1
38 38 302 ...Are you staying in the army? 39
39 39 204 1
40 40 301 Simon is not as adamant as other soldiers, and there does not seem to be a reason he must stay in the army. After that excruciating battle, no one would bet an eye if he applied for early retirement.
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42 42 301 Simon Haha... I suppose someone like me, who always got last place, doesn't make the most reliable commandant, does it... 1
43 43 302 I didn't mean that... 44
44 44 301 Smiling with a hint of embarrassment, Simon fiddles with his book before revealing a resolute gaze you have never seen.
45 45 204 1
46 46 301 Simon This is a textbook from F.O.S. College. I never really read through it back in school, which would explain my grade... 1
47 47 301 Simon But if I can start learning new tactics and considering new perspectives... perhaps I will save a lot more lives in the future—just like you guys did, Chief. 1
48 48 302 You will, Simon. 49
49 49 204 1 1
50 50 301 Simon ...Yeah. Thank you. 1
51 51 302 Right, didn't you say I could ask you if I need something? 52
52 52 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Simon Of course! What do you need? 1
56 56 301 DialogEnable 1 Simon ...A-are you sure this is fine? The doctor told you not to walk around... 1
57 57 301 You wrap your arm around Simon's shoulder, walking along a corridor in the Star of Life medical center while your whole body is in pain.
58 58 302 She said not to walk around "on my own." 59
59 59 301 Simon T-that's why you're the Chief... You've clearly twisted her words, but I'm still convinced. 1
60 60 301 Lucia's and Lee's frames were heavily damaged after the battle, their M.I.N.D.s showing signs of infection. Still, repaired and examined, they have since recovered and started going on missions with other squads.
61 61 301 AniZhuanchangBegin You worry most about Liv... She switched to the specialized frame without a commandant to stabilize her M.I.N.D., and now the damage has put her in a coma, her treatment marred by the unknown qualities of her new frame.
66 66 301 DialogEnable 1 Simon We're here, Chief. 1
67 67 401 1 36
68 68 301 Stopping before an ICU ward, you look through its thick glass window and see Liv surrounded by a lot of medical devices.
69 69 401 1 79
70 70 301 Simon Liv... saved everyone back there. I'm sure she will be fine. 1
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72 72 301 Without her risking her life, no one would have survived that encounter—not Lucia, Lee, or even the entire human race. Not to mention this moment of respite she has given you all.
73 73 301 But the girl who saved the world is now slumbering here, and the only thing anyone can do is pray.
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75 75 301 1 Liv ... 1
76 76 302 Liv... 77
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78 78 301 1 Simon We probably felt the same when you were in a coma, Chief. 1
79 79 301 Her condition will not get any better with you staying by her side and doing nothing. Those who can still contribute should act.
80 80 302 Let's go back. 81
81 81 301 Simon Alright. You still have physical therapy this afternoon. The doctors are going to be mad if you miss it again... 1
82 82 301 Simon suddenly stops, recalling something.
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84 84 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Simon By the way, Chief, do you know a Construct from the Engineering Force... named "Karenina"? 1
98 98 301 1 Nikola I'm sorry, Mr. Representative from Norman Mining Corp... 2
99 99 301 Norman Leonardo Norman, but Norman will do. That's the name people know, after all. 1
100 100 301 Norman Mining Corp controlled almost every mining operation on the surface back in the Golden Age. After Babylonia retreated to space, it gave up its operations on Earth and turned its gaze toward the Moon.
101 101 301 The rich Helium-3 reserve on the Moon is what powers Babylonia every day. It is even used to trade for essentials with earthbound organizations like the ACA.
102 102 301 On the other hand, Norman Mining Corp's comprehensive knowledge of the surface also makes it an important partner of the WGAA.
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104 104 301 Nikola Councilman Norman, this is a very important meeting... We don't need you telling us a bedtime story here. 2
105 105 301 Norman C'mon, everyone's so serious right now. I thought I'd lighten the mood, no? 1
106 106 301 The other council members sigh and sneer, not worrying that Norman can hear them—but Norman does not react. He seems to be familiar with this kind of response.
107 107 301 Norman Mining Corp has never been interested in politics, but they have sent the infamously perverse eldest son of the family to this council meeting for some reason.
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109 108 301 Nikola sighs while Hassen nods, crossing his arms, intrigued.
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112 111 301 1 Hassen So... did the rabbits pull the Moon back in the end? 2
113 112 301 Norman Oh. Well, they were rabbits, weren't they... Of course they couldn't pull off a stunt like that. That would be ridiculous. 1
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116 115 301 1 Nikola Unlike the part where they grabbed ahold of the Moon with a rope... 2
117 116 301 Norman ignores Nikola's interruption and continues, chuckling.
118 117 301 Norman But the sweet, sweet carrots were all the rabbits could think about, so they wouldn't let go of their rope. Eventually, the Moon pulled them away, and the rabbits ended up on the surface of the Moon, never to return. 1
119 118 301 Norman So what? The rabbits wouldn't worry about that, obviously. They honestly thought the Moon was theirs! They cheered triumphantly—after all... they were just a bunch of happy rabbits. 1
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122 121 301 1 Hilda Are you suggesting that humans are those dumb rabbits...? 1
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125 124 301 1 Norman No, no, no. This is just a popular fairy tale where I came from—and I didn't think the rabbits were stupid, either. 1
126 125 301 Norman bows elegantly, his etiquette clashing with his flamboyant outfit.
130 129 301 Norman Yeah, y'know, my sisters always call me a good storyteller. 1
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133 132 301 Hassen politely smiles before turning back to the spacious Parliament Hall and nodding, and the annoyed council members gradually quiet down.
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135 134 301 Hassen This has been a very intense meeting, so thank you, Councilman Norman, for the brief amusement. But I'm afraid we must return to the matter at hand... how we are going to save humanity from our biggest threat yet. 2
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137 136 301 The holo-screen in the hall displays the destruction caused by the global mutation of the Hetero-Creatures.
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140 139 301 1 Nikola Although we've finally found ourselves possessing a weapon that can counter the twins and large-scale Punishing Virus infections with the new specialized frame deployed, earning us a difficult victory... 1
141 140 301 Nikola But the development of specialized frames continues to be riddled with problems. The research on how to stabilize them, in particular, will be our key to reclaiming the earth in the future. 1
142 141 301 Nikola and Hassen exchange a look, and Hassen continues.
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145 144 301 1 Hassen This catastrophe has greatly impaired the Task Force members deployed to the surface... Some teams never returned. 1
146 145 301 Hassen Confronting an unexpected calamity, they chose to stand and fight on the frontline for humanity... buying us the time to plan and strategize right now. 1
147 146 301 All the council members remain silent. Some look upset, probably suffering from loss, while some look terrified, fearing that the coming war will cost them everything they have...
148 147 301 Amidst all of them, one person raises his hand and stands up.
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151 150 301 1 Nikola (He's... a member of the Diplomatic Court. Kurono. One of Collins'.) 2
152 151 301 Hassen and Nikola exchange a look. Frowning slightly, Hassen gestures to the man.
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155 154 301 Hassen Councilman Liszt from the Diplomatic Court. The floor is yours. 1
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158 157 301 1 Liszt nods before entering some data on the screen next to him, projecting them onto the holo-screen.
159 158 301 Liszt According to the information the military has published, our Task Force—when compared with the data of previous battles—is spent way beyond what is acceptable. 1
160 159 301 Liszt Given their current strength, dare I say that the Task Force can't even guard Babylonia against the evolving Hetero-Creatures. Destroying them on a meaningful scale and reclaiming the conservation areas is a pipe dream. 1
161 160 301 Liszt pauses, his gaze sweeping across the hall, and he lets the deafening silence flood the room.
162 161 301 Liszt I have no intention to blame the military command or our Task Force... but even with their exceptional service, our fight against the Punishing Virus is still resulting in heavy loss. 1
163 162 204 1 8
164 163 301 Liszt Indeed. The battles are much crueler than these numbers. Constructs and commandants were performing their duties to reclaim the earth when they met their ill-fated ends, combating enemies beyond our understanding. 1
165 164 301 Liszt They are glorious worries, are they not? The children of Earth, just like us, are they not? They have every right to share in humanity's future... 1
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169 168 301 1 Nikola Are you suggesting giving up on reclaiming Earth? Are you going to let their sacrifices be in vain? 2
170 169 301 Looking into Liszt's eyes intently, Nikola has a feeling that this man must have a card up his sleeve. He would not have incited the council members otherwise.
171 170 301 Liszt I don't object to reclaiming the earth. It is our past—our future, even! But we must ask ourselves: is it time for us to consider another path? 1
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174 173 301 1 Hilda If we stop fighting and let the Punishing Virus spread, the people will suffer, and Babylonia won't remain unscathed. We can't be sure that the fully evolved Hetero-Creatures and Corrupted wouldn't destroy this ark. 1
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177 176 301 1 Liszt Don't forget that Babylonia was created as a superluminal colony ship. It's a ship that's meant to sail toward the stars, not an ark to survive a flood. 1
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180 179 301 1 Nikola chuckles. If that is Liszt's card, he might be a little too naive.
181 181 301 Nikola Since you didn't forget, I'm sure you'll also recall that Babylonia can only run on regular fuel right now. The zero-point engine designed to power Babylonia originally was the reason this apocalypse started. 2
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185 185 301 Liszt What if... 1
186 186 301 Liszt's dreadful noise follows Nikola's words like a cobra catching its prey.
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189 189 301 Liszt What if I tell you that the utilization of zero-point energy is no longer a dream? 1
190 190 301 After a brief silence, the room explodes with questions. All the council members are stunned by Liszt's words, eager to know more about the thing he said—zero-point energy.
191 191 401 1 201
192 192 301 Liszt As you all know, during a not-so-secret military operation, the Gray Raven Commandant retrieved a file from Atlantis, the zero-point research city. 1
193 193 301 Liszt changes the displayed content on the holo-screen into the Omega File, the data with which the Atlantis researchers trade their lives.
194 194 301 Liszt This is an incredibly valuable file. It shows us that, under specific conditions, a running zero-point reactor can create a field that "absorbs" the Punishing Virus. 1
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197 197 301 1 Nikola That was how we managed to create the specialized frame with the Omega Weapon that defeated the twins. 2
198 198 301 The new specialized frame was what caused the military to work with Kurono.
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201 201 301 Liszt Exactly. However... those noble researchers have perhaps left us with an even more significant insight. 1
202 202 301 Nodding, Liszt turns to the next page of his presentation.
203 203 301 Liszt During their research, they tried to recreate the process of how the zero-point reactor created the Punishing Virus. They documented their experiments, hoping to leave behind valuable data. 1
204 204 301 Liszt While they never saw the virus manifest, those researchers still preserved the Omega File alongside all the data from running their zero-point reactor. 1
205 205 301 Hilda also realizes what Liszt is suggesting.
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208 208 301 1 Hilda Which means that, in a way, they discovered how to generate zero-point energy without causing a Punishing Virus outbreak... 2
209 209 301 Liszt Indeed. This will be our basis for restarting the zero-point reactor... The last torch of humanity's future is burning 363,300 kilometers from the earth now—right there on the Moon. 1
210 210 202 1 2
211 212 301 All the council members gasp, almost all of them turning toward the Moon that is seemingly just outside their grasp.
212 214 301 To test how zero-point energy would perform under low gravity in space, Babylonia's zero-point reactor and the manufacture of its engine were sent to the propulsion lab on the Moon during Babylonia's production.
213 215 301 Upon discovering the connection between zero-point reactors and the Punishing Virus, the reactor and the lunar base that housed it have been discarded, now managed by Norman Mining Corp, the lunar mining company.
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215 217 301 1 Nikola (Hmph... Is that why Norman's eldest has been invited to this meeting?) 1
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218 220 301 1 Noticing Nikola's piercing gaze, Norman, who is playing with the switch of the monitor before him, waves and smiles at Nikola.
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221 223 301 1 Liszt With Norman Mining Corp's generous assistance, we had a chance to test our theory—and our tests have shown the most promising results. 1
222 224 301 The projected graphs shift once again, displaying a list of data and a photo of a dazzling blue light—the signature optical effect when zero-point energy is generated.
223 225 301 Liszt Our test finds the lunar reactor running only at 45.37% of its theoretical capacity when replicating the data from the Atlantis reactor. 1
224 226 301 Liszt But that is enough to sustain Babylonia's current operation and future voyage—the most important thing is there has been no sign of the Punishing Virus at our test site, which means... 1
225 227 301 Liszt We can attach the zero-point engine to Babylonia and use its almost-limitless energy to turn Babylonia back into a colony ship as we set sail for the stars away from Earth. 1
226 228 301 This will mean the Punishing Virues-infected planet and its myriad of dangers will no longer concern Babylonia. Humanity would begin anew—which is undoubtedly a very tempting proposition given the current situation.
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229 231 301 1 Nikola Hmph... Only if your data is reliable. Even the Norman Mining Corp doesn't possess researchers experienced with zero-point reactors and colony ships. I have every right to doubt the legitimacy of this report. 2
230 232 301 Nikola might have called them Norman Mining Corp's researchers, but he knows very well that it must be Kurono scientists on the lunar surface right now.
231 233 301 Liszt Our researchers aren't the only ones... We only managed to restart this project because we received assistance from an expert on Babylonia and zero-point energy. Commander Nikola must know our expert very well. 1
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233 234 301 Only now does Nikola realize. He always thought that he was the one using Kurono, but he was never aware that Kuono was using him as well.
234 236 301 Nikola Karenina... 2
235 237 301 Liszt Indeed. Karenina from the Engineering Force might be the most knowledgeable person on Babylonia's design. And despite the study on zero-point energy having stopped for years, she remains one of its leading researchers. 1
236 238 301 More importantly, Karenina is a member of Babylonia. Her position is above reproach...
237 239 301 Liszt Well, I believe the idea to relaunch Babylonia's voyage is convincing enough for a proposal then, President Hassen? 1
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240 242 301 1 Hassen nods as he looks around the Parliament.
241 243 301 Hassen We'll begin our vote on Councilman Liszt's proposal. 1
242 244 301 Without much discussion, an overwhelming majority has voted to restart the zero-point reactor and leave the ever-growing threats of the surface, turning humanity's gaze toward the unknown stars.
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245 247 301 1 Hilda I'll also vote yes... but as the head of the Control Court, I should remind you that you have overstepped your role as a member of the Diplomatic Court by plotting this secret scheme of yours. There will be consequences. 1
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248 250 301 1 Liszt nods, his gaze moving past Hilda onto Hassen, showing no signs of fear.
249 251 301 Liszt Of course. I accept any punishment. 1
250 252 202 1
251 253 301 Gestalt 98.5% are in favor of Councilman Liszt's proposal, 0% have opposed, and 1.5% have abstained. The supporting rate is higher than the minimum requirements. This proposal has passed.
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254 256 301 1 Hassen In that case, I hereby announce that... 1
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256 259 301 At that moment, the Parliament suddenly receives an emergency comms request from Celica. Hassen hesitates for a few seconds before deciding to answer the call.
261 264 301 Celica President Hassen! We just received an urgent message from the lunar base. Our initial assessment believes it requires an immediate response! 2
262 265 301 Hassen Who sent it? 1
263 266 301 Celica Karenina! 2
264 267 301 Frowning, Hassen looks at Liszt, but he cannot derive anything from Liszt's expressionless face.
273 276 301 DialogEnable 1 Celica switches the feed, and the projected screen in the Parliament reveals a blurred figure whose voice is unmistakably Karenina's.
