10 10 301 Hassen As expected, General Wells' proposal is the one with the highest chance of success. 1
11 11 201 1 500137 1
12 12 401 2 1512
13 13 301 RImgBg1Shake 1 Councilman A Are you kidding me?! 1
14 14 301 The councilman slams his fist on the desk, and the loud discussions in the hall immediately quiet down as everyone turns to look at him.
15 15 301 Councilman A If the minimum casualty rate of the Task Force is 87.1%, what's even the point of the plan, General Wells? 1
16 16 301 General Wells This is the best I can do, given that you are not willing to deploy all of the Omega Weapons. If you have better suggestions, I'm all ears.
17 17 301 Councilman A You have to lower the casualty rate to at most 20%. Babylonia does not have that many soldiers to waste! 1
18 18 202 1 1
19 19 301 General Wells Then deploy all the Omega Weapons. I can guarantee you that the casualty rate will be even lower than that.
20 20 301 Councilman C Ahem...
21 21 301 Councilman C We've already discussed that. To prioritize securing the lunar base, we must reserve half of the Omega Weapons before we are certain what the infection rate of the moon is.
22 22 301 General Wells But no reconnaissance report has shown any sign of the Punishing Virus on the moon...
23 23 201 1 500340
24 24 301 1 Councilman B For now. The reconnaissance reports also show that less than 50% of the moon has been explored. 1
25 25 301 Councilman B If there is a sizable concentration of the Punishing Virus in the remaining areas and we don't have enough Omega Weapons, humanity can wave goodbye to the lunar base. 1
26 26 301 General Wells That is just a guess...
27 27 301 Councilman B We can't afford even a 1% chance! That is the lunar base! It is where we produce Omega Weapons! Are you going to gamble with humanity's future, General Wells?! 1
28 28 301 With that, the Parliament turns silent.
29 29 202 1 1
30 30 301 AniZhuanchangBegin No one dares to answer that question recklessly. Even the centrists have to phrase their words carefully.
35 35 301 General Wells You too, President. It's up to you now.
36 36 301 General Wells salutes Hassen before leaving. Watching Wells go, Nikola crosses his arms and sighs resignedly.
37 37 204 1 9
38 38 203 1 0.25 -400
39 39 201 2 500012 400
40 40 301 1 Nikola Not the result we were hoping for... We couldn't sway the centrists even when we brought in General Wells. 2
41 41 301 Hassen They are having second thoughts, at the very least. As long as we can get their support, the vote will likely pass no matter what Kurono does. 1
42 42 301 Nikola Send in the next person, then. 2
43 43 204 2 5
44 44 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Nikola Soldiers are fighting for their lives on the frontline. We can't hold back either. 2
49 49 301 DialogEnable The ocean waves hitting the cliffside are red. The sound they make used to delight you, but now it unsettles you like a reflection of the things to come.
50 50 301 You reported to the Parliament about how the Red Tide entered the ocean and what you expected the agent was planning half an hour ago. You suspected this was only their first step.
51 51 301 But as the refugees were sent away, you were told to retreat instead of stopping the tide.
52 52 402 903
53 53 306
54 54 301 After talking to President Hassen through other channels, the best they can offer you is an order to stand by instead of retreat.
57 57 301 1 Celica Kurono has disclosed the details of the battle to the Parliament. The situation is now out of the military's hands. 1
58 58 302 How's the meeting going? 59
59 59 204 1 4
60 60 301 Celica We're still fighting. It's a simultaneous display now. The Chief Commander needs to wait for the right time to call for another vote. 1
61 61 301 Celica Hah... It's the old gentleman himself... I'm sorry, I've got to go. I'll let you know as soon as there's an update. 1
89 89 301 DialogEnable 1 Councilman B Where does this intel come from? 1
90 90 201 1 500011 5
91 91 301 1 Hassen It's classified. 1
92 92 202 1 2 1
93 93 301 Councilman C This lifeform that will be born out of the Red Tide and devours all until nothing's left... What do you mean by "nothing's left" exactly?
94 94 201 1 500012 5
95 95 301 1 Nikola Is this the time to discuss that? All you need to know is that it is extremely dangerous for the Red Tide to enter the ocean! 1
96 96 202 1 1
97 97 401 2 2625
98 98 301 The quieter voices in the Parliament start to get louder.
99 99 402 2625
100 100 301 Councilman D In that case, we need to deploy all the Omega Weapons immediately to eliminate this threat!
101 101 201 1 500011 5 -400 1
102 102 201 2 500012 400 1 1
103 103 301 1 Hassen and Nikola exchange a look as more councilmembers voice their support, but before they can even smile...
104 104 202 2 1
105 105 201 1 500340
106 106 301 1 Councilman B Calm down. 1
107 107 301 The councilman stands up again, his arms stretched, trying to sway the others.
108 108 301 Councilman B As immediate as this threat may be, it's just another product of the Punishing Virus. 1 1
109 109 301 Councilman B Once we secure the lunar base, we can produce an endless supply of Omega Weapons. Certainly, that will happen before this creature can destroy the world... 1
110 110 301 Councilman A Is there something wrong with your terminal? President Hassen's intel has clearly shown how pressing the situation is...
111 111 301 Councilman B We can destroy this threat inside its cradle! 1
112 112 301 His sudden shout startles those who were planning to refute him.
113 113 301 Councilman B Just a little bit longer. Just a little bit. 1
114 114 301 Councilman B The production line on the lunar base will restart soon. Please, I beg you. Don't gamble with humanity's future before that, please. 1
115 115 202 1 1
116 116 301 AniZhuanchangBegin With that, the councilman sits down, and the Parliament reverts to the shouting match that it was.
122 122 301 1 Celica In short, those councilmembers are not willing to deploy all the Omega Weapons. 1
123 123 302 They're just going to let the situation here develop? 124
124 124 302 Can we really deal with the Red Tide when it has fully entered the ocean? 125
125 125 204 1 4
126 126 301 Celica ... 1
127 127 301 Celica If we can mass produce the Omega Weapon, it is theoretically possible. But it means that the surface will experience the most cataclysmic destruction before help arrives. 1
128 128 301 Celica We will lose everything we have built and achieved in one fell swoop. The people living on the surface will also face the most devasting threat they have ever seen... 1
129 129 204 1 5
130 130 301 Celica I won't stop fighting. At least for me, I cannot accept this ending. 1
133 133 301 The call terminates again. At the same time, a member of the Purifying Force approaches you, seemingly needing your help.
134 134 201 1 500028
135 135 301 1 Purifying Force Member We need a commandant's clearance to unlock this supply crate, Gray Raven Commandant. 1
136 136 302 (Authorize to open) 137
137 137 301 Purifying Force Member Thanks. I can take care of the rest. 1
138 138 202 1
139 139 301 The Construct takes the parts from the crate and rushes toward the eastern shore. You can briefly hear him mumbling to himself.
140 140 301 Purifying Force Member We're busted if they attack from the east. Gotta reinforce that side.
141 141 301 Another Purifying Force member just opens a bottle of purified water and pours it down his head.
142 142 201 1 500019 400
143 143 201 2 500019 -400
144 144 301 1 Purifying Force Member A Hey, don't waste it. We'll need it when we set up the defense later. 1
145 145 301 Purifying Force Member B It doesn't matter... We are about to retreat anyway. 2
146 146 301 Purifying Force Member A What do you mean? 1
147 147 301 Purifying Force Member B What do I mean? A friend in Babylonia just sent me a text saying the Parliament had no plan to stop the Red Tide from entering the sea. What can we possibly do other than retreating? 2
148 148 301 Both of them turn to you, seeking an answer.
149 149 302 (Nod) 150
150 150 301 Purifying Force Member A ...Gray Raven Commandant... Are we really just going to leave like this? 1
151 151 302 I'll say that's highly possible... 152
152 152 301 Purifying Force Member A So many comrades lost their lives here. The agents are about to get what they want. Yet we are just going to leave like this? 1
153 153 301 Purifying Force Member A Our comrades' bodies are still here! Are we just going to leave Captain Bianca alone, watch the Punishing Virus enter the sea and devour the entire world, while we hide in Babylonia like cowards? 1
154 154 301 Purifying Force Member B Calm down. 2
155 155 301 Purifying Force Member A Calm down my ***! 1
156 156 302 Do you want to keep fighting? 157
157 157 301 Purifying Force Member A Of course! 1
158 158 302 What about you? 159
159 159 301 The Construct tosses the empty bottle away and looks at you with firm determination.
160 160 301 Purifying Force Member B If not for this bottle of water, I would already be cursing to the terminal. 2
161 161 301 Lucia seems to have noticed the quarrel. She is heading this way.
162 162 302 I need to know what everybody thinks. Each and every one of you has the right to choose. 163
163 163 301 If I may...
164 164 301 AniZhuanchangBegin I'd like to borrow your strength.
167 167 301 DialogEnable The meeting continues. A scout team has sent a report from the lunar base.
168 168 301 Gestalt Lunar base investigation progress 51%. No signs of the Punishing Virus have been detected so far.
169 169 201 1 500340
170 170 301 1 Councilman B Nice! Keep doing what you are doing. Once the lunar base is clear, we can try to resume the production of Omega Weapon. 1
171 171 202 1 1
172 172 306 1
173 173 301 Quite a few Councilmen have started cheering quietly. They sound as if victory is imminent, and all they have to do is to keep waiting.
174 174 301 But is that all?
175 175 306 200
176 176 201 1 500012
177 177 301 1 Nikola Do we have a loss estimate yet? 1
178 178 301 Gestalt A detailed loss prediction has been calculated. Estimated ground surface personnel casualty rates are... Shoreline and nearby area, 99%; coastal area, 98%...
179 179 301 The data causes a deadly silence, turning the entire meeting hall into a muted graveyard.
180 180 301 Nikola As we all know, the production of Omega Weapon takes time. During this time window, numerous people will die. In other words, almost all humans living on the surface will be wiped out. 1
181 181 301 Nikola We can still make it if we throw all the available resources in now. The proposal jointly developed by our advisors and the Science Council has taken into account the time required for the transport, handover, deployment and activation of Omega Weapons. 1
182 182 301 Nikola But if we keep wasting our time here, this last chance would be lost. Once the Red Tide has developed to a certain extent, the available Omega Weapons we have cannot do anything to it. 1
183 183 301 This the final attempt... All previous efforts were unable to make the situation any better. If the death count still does not work...
184 184 202 1 1
185 185 301 Councilman C Excuse me, President Hassen... What is the chance of success of this proposal you mentioned...?
186 186 201 1 500011 5
187 187 301 1 Hassen Close to 90%, with a low estimated casualty rate for the Task Force. 1
188 188 202 1 1
189 189 301 Councilman C I see... It doesn't sound too bad.
190 190 201 1 500340
191 191 301 1 Councilman B Objection! 1
192 192 301 The deafening shout shakes many attendees awake from the overwhelming casualty count.
193 193 301 Councilman B President Hassen, this is nothing but a risky bet! You are betting the lunar base and the fate of mankind on your proposal! 1
194 194 301 The Councilman rises up and points at Hassen. He looks very emotional.
195 195 301 Councilman B Omega Weapon is mankind's future hope! How are we going to fight against the Punishing Virus if anything goes wrong in the lunar base?! Are we going to sacrifice another two eras to find another solution? 1
196 196 201 1 500012 5
197 197 301 1 Nikola What about the humans on the surface? Are you just going to let the Hetero-Creatures devour them? 1
198 198 201 1 500340
199 199 301 1 Councilman B Nobody wants that to happen! 1
200 200 301 He slams on the desk, interrupting Nikola's question.
201 201 301 Councilman B But I'm sure every single person who turns down that proposal only does so for mankind's future hope! 1
202 202 301 The Councilman gazes around into every person's eyes. He ends up staring at Hassen.
203 203 301 Councilman B This is the will of everybody here. 1
204 204 401 1 36
205 205 301 After his speech, there is no other sound in the meeting hall. Everyone is unconsciously holding their breath.
206 206 301 The air feels heavy and dense. One after another, the burden of responsibility and future makes other Councilmen lower their heads.
207 207 202 1
208 208 301 The Councilman finally returns to his seat.
209 209 301 The silence has turned into an unspoken approval.
210 210 401 2 966
211 211 301 Bzz—
212 212 301 The projector in the center of the Parliament suddenly begins to make a coarse hissing sound.
213 213 201 1 500340
214 214 301 1 Councilman B What's going on? 1
215 215 201 1 500011 5
216 216 301 1 Hassen It should be a message from the surface force. Now that the Parliament has taken over the decision-making of the surface operations, the military has forwarded all related correspondence to this meeting. 1
217 217 201 1 500340
218 218 301 1 Councilman B The surface force? Commander Nikola, haven't you ordered them to fall back yet? 1
219 219 201 1 500012
220 220 301 Nikola I don't recall that order in the decisions we agreed on earlier. 1
221 221 201 1 500340
222 222 301 Councilman B Tsk. You're just dragging it on... How pointless. 1
223 223 202 1 1
224 224 401 1 147
225 225 301 "This is the Gray Raven Commandant, sending a timed communication to Babylonia."
252 252 301 1 "We cannot abandon the innocent survivors on the surface. Many are yet to be evacuated."
253 253 301 The video continues to play, as if the recorders had already seen this coming.
254 254 301 "Following a path opened by those who had fallen, we were able to reclaim our homeland. That is why I cannot easily tell others to retreat."
255 255 301 "If we allow the Red Tide to continue entering the sea, the damage will be irreversible. Even Omega Weapons cannot help."
268 268 301 To his surprise, the human just clenches the right fist and knocks it a few times on the chest, right where the heart is beating.
269 269 301 Indeed, the sea can be purified. Once the Omega Weapons enter mass production, the clean, blue sea will return one day.
270 270 301 Buildings can be repaired. When the disaster is over, new buildings will rise again. People will build one after another along the ruins.
271 271 301 But something can never be brought back again once they are damaged.
272 272 301 The pride of mankind, the faiths that people once believed in.
273 273 301 If we give up all of them for a false dawn, what can mankind possibly remember years later under the shelter of new buildings?
274 274 201 1 500405 600
275 275 201 2 500296 -600
276 276 301 1 Task Force Member A "HQ, it's okay if there are no reinforcements. We just need ammunition and energy." 1
277 277 301 Task Force Member B "With the equipment and manpower available, we can hold the tide for approximately 5 days." 2
278 278 201 1 500019 600
279 279 201 2 500028 -600
280 280 301 1 Purifying Force Member B "Hey, you there! Help me ask the chief commander. Do they want us to run away like cowards and abandon everyone else?! ****!" 1
281 281 301 Purifying Force Member A "Hey, calm down! No vulgarities. We agreed on this." 2
282 282 203 2 0.25
283 283 301 Purifying Force Member B "Just let me finish..." 1
284 284 202 1 2
285 285 301 One Construct seems to be pulled away by another. Still, everyone else on the screen does not seem to be distracted. They are still standing tall and firm, like an indestructible wall.
286 286 301 "We are not forcing Babylonia to make a decision. This is just a declaration. Whatever the final decision is, someone needs to sacrifice here for the sake of something more important."
287 287 301 "For the victory of mankind, to reclaim the Earth, we have made this choice."
288 288 301 "This declaration has been jointly signed by all the Task Force and Purifying Force members here."
289 289 301 "【kuroname】, the Gray Raven Commandant."
290 290 201 3 500166 5
291 291 301 1 After finishing the speech, the commandant moves aside. Another Construct with red and black colors on her frame steps up to face the camera.
292 292 301 Lucia "Captain of Gray Raven, Lucia." 3
293 293 202 3 1
294 294 301 Followed by a Construct with a poker face...
295 295 201 1 500028
296 296 301 1 Purifying Force Member A "Purifying Force, Arthur." 1
297 297 202 1 1
298 298 201 1 500296
299 299 301 1 Another Construct, covered in mud...
300 300 301 Task Force Member "Task Force, Rick." 1
301 301 202 1 1
302 302 201 1 500019
303 303 301 1 Purifying Force Member B "Purifying Force..." 1
304 304 202 DialogDisable 600 1 1
305 305 201 1000 1 500394
306 306 202 500 1
307 307 201 1000 1 500028
308 308 202 500 1
309 309 201 1000 1 500405
310 310 202 500 1
311 311 301 DialogEnable 1 ...One by one, all the frontline members have left their footage and names in the projected video.
327 327 301 1 Scout Team Member This is an emergency communication from the lunar base scout team. What's the percentage...? 1
328 328 202 1 1
329 329 203 2 0.25
330 330 301 Engineering Force Crew Tch, just give it to me. You keep going... This is an emergency communication from the lunar base scout team. We have investigated 90.5% of the lunar base. The remaining section will be completed within the next few hours. 2
331 331 301 The Councilmen who are aware of the related information are all shocked.
332 332 301 The speed is incredible, way faster than the previous estimate. No matter how hard they work, such efficiency should not even be attainable.
333 333 301 Soon, a Councilman has realized something. He immediately stands up and shouts.
334 334 301 Councilman from the Engineering Department Hold on! Why aren't you driving an engineering machine?! And you! You're not even a Construct! Go back to the safe area now!
335 335 301 The Engineering Force crew scratches his head...
336 336 204 2 1
337 337 301 Engineering Force Crew Well, those big things are just too slow, and we have to waste time preparing the road for them. We discussed in our team, and all of us felt it would be faster just going in by ourselves... 2
338 338 301 Councilman from the Engineering Department Are you out of your mind? The lunar base is a total mess. Even if you don't run into the Punishing Virus, you could have easily been killed by a gas leak or gravity distortion without an engineering machine.
339 339 301 Engineering Force Crew Well... The frontline forces are risking their lives. We can't just sit back and stay safe. 2
340 340 301 Leaving no chance for the Councilman to interfere, he just smiles at the camera and salutes in the low-gravity environment.
341 341 301 Instead of the Councilman, he is looking at Chief Wales in the back row.
342 342 301 Engineering Force Crew This is our decision, made from our own free will. 2
343 343 301 Councilman from the Engineering Department Who?! Who told them the information?!
349 349 301 Nobody answers him. The communication from the scout team has also been cut off.
350 350 301 The Councilman can only collapse back to his seat, gazing blankly at the front. He seems lost in thought.
351 351 301 The projected video disappears. Chief Wales reaches into his pocket and grabs a badge so hard that the sharp silver hawk has pierced into his palm.
352 352 201 1 500012
353 353 301 1 Nikola If our weapons are lost, we can make more. If our base is gone, we can build another one. 1
354 354 301 Nikola We have come a long way even when all the old technologies were lost. 1
355 355 301 Nikola raises his arm and points at the screen where the video was playing.
356 356 301 Nikola But some things will never come back: the willpower that makes them fight until the last moment, the faiths that make them never falter. Once the pride of mankind shatters, it can never be reclaimed! 1
357 357 301 1 AniZhuanchangBegin Nikola As the Chief Commander, I hereby propose a revote of the previous decision! 1
