84 84 301 Two figures stumble underneath the shadows between the buildings and hide in a collapsed dumpster.
85 85 401 2 1504
86 86 301 Following that, a group of mechanoids passes by the dumpster.
87 87 301 Mechanoids We! Need! War!
88 88 301 Mechanoids To the death! To the death!
89 89 301 Mechanoids To the death! To the death!
90 90 301 Mechanoids Destroy! Destroy! Only our faction! Can rule the world!
91 91 301 The scattered footsteps of the mechanoids splash dirt and gravel, some of which hit the side of the collapsed dumpster.
92 92 201 1 500276
93 93 301 1 ??? Danger. Incoming! 1
94 94 201 1 500275
95 95 301 1 ??? Be. Quiet! 1
96 96 201 1 500276
97 97 301 1 ??? D-don't. Make. Noise! 1
98 98 202 1 1
99 99 301 The two figures huddle in the dumpster and weather the storm of scattered footsteps outside. The sound of footsteps and metal scrapping make it sound like the dumpster is about to be torn open.
100 100 301 —The chaotic noise continues, showing no sign of ending.
101 101 301 But they have no choice except to wait. They know what happens to those who don't.
102 102 301 —Their parts are interspersed throughout the area outside, between buildings and the abandoned grocery store, shattered and scattered.
126 126 301 AniZhuanchangEnd You walk along a wide road. The shadows cast by the deserted buildings on both sides of the road have divided it into irregular sections of black and gray.
127 127 301 Your faces become intermittently visible and then dim.
128 128 301 Suddenly, Liv raises her right hand and motions for the squad to stop.
129 129 201 3 1011001 -600
130 130 201 2 500029 600
131 131 201 1 1031001 7
132 132 301 1 Liv —I've got a reading on multiple mechanoids! 1
133 133 301 Lee A patrol group?! 3
134 134 204 1
135 135 301 Liv No... They're just wandering around aimlessly... 1
136 136 301 Lucia ...Why? 2
137 137 302 We won't know unless we go check it out. 138
138 138 301 Lee Let's go. There's no point guessing. 3
139 139 301 Lucia Stay on alert. Proceed with caution. 2
140 140 202 1 2 3 1
141 141 301 Your footsteps slow down as you walk cautiously around the street corner, looking out for any possible enemies along the way—
142 142 301 —But there are none. There is not even any trace of the patrol guards.
143 143 201 1 1031001 -600
144 144 201 2 1011001 600
145 145 201 3 500029
146 146 301 1 Lucia (Any results from the scan?) 3
147 147 301 Liv (No signs of mechanoids. Nowhere except the group over there.) 1
148 148 301 Lee (A group...? Why? Did they spot us?) 2
149 149 301 Lucia (No, I don't think we're exposed. Maybe they're responding to the noise we made at the entrance just now?) 3
150 150 301 Lee (...Looks like we just gave ourselves a diversion.) 2
151 151 301 Lucia (...Let's keep going. We'll know what's going on once we get there.) 3
152 152 301 AniZhuanchangBegin And so, you continue onward.
156 156 301 AniZhuanchangEnd Among the deserted cityscape stands a peculiar wall built from unknown machinery and building materials.
157 157 301 At the center of the high wall is a rudimentary but heavy gate. Scattered before the gate—
158 158 301 —Stands a crowd of mechanoids arranged in smaller groups.
159 159 301 But this appears only temporary. The smaller groups of mechanoids assemble into a larger collective.
160 160 301 Two groups form a squad, three squads form a platoon, and three platoons form a company...
161 161 301 You observe the mechanoids for five minutes as they spontaneously form several companies. Each predetermined commander carves identification marks on themselves with stones.
162 162 201 1 1031001 -600
163 163 201 2 1011001 600
164 164 201 3 500029
165 165 301 1 Lucia (That was fast! Even Babylonia's most well-trained brigade couldn't organize themselves this quickly.) 3
166 166 301 Lee (We just used a small breach charge. Isn't this a bit of an overkill?) 2
167 167 301 Liv (Look, those mechanoids with the markings are standing in front of the others.) 1
176 176 301 Mechanoid Commander ASSEMBLE! TO WAR! 1
177 177 301 Mechanoids WAR! WAR!
178 178 202 1 1
179 179 301 The mechanoids raise their fists in a display of force with their commanders before forming a large battalion and marching out.
180 180 301 —Within the space of twenty minutes, you have witnessed the formation and departure of an army.
181 181 301 Except for a few stragglers left to guard the gate, there is hardly any trace of the army that has just formed.
182 182 301 —Perhaps, this is a characteristic of mechanoids. Without the need for supplies, their strength is in numbers.
183 183 201 1 1031001 -600
184 184 201 2 1011001 600
185 185 201 3 500029
186 186 301 1 Lee (They're gone... Should we follow them?) 2
187 187 301 Lucia (Our top priority is to infiltrate the facility. Let's continue our mission.) 3
188 188 302 (Agreed.)
189 189 301 Lee (Understood.) 2
190 190 301 Lucia (Scan the area, Liv.) 3
191 191 301 Liv (Scanning... The number of enemies has reduced by 92%. As long as the threat in front of the door is cleared, we should have enough room to blast open the door.) 1
199 199 301 The larger figure hides the smaller figure in an alcove, then walks in another direction.
200 200 201 1 500276
201 201 301 1 ??? Where. Are you. Going? 1
202 202 201 1 500275
203 203 301 1 ??? Check. If road. Safe. 1
204 204 202 1 1
205 205 301 The larger figure struggles to move a huge steel plate from the pile of garbage on the side of the road in an attempt to block the narrow alcove.
206 206 201 1 500277 -600
207 207 201 2 500277 600
208 208 201 3 500277
209 209 301 1 Mechanoid Not. One of us! Enemy! Enemy! 3
210 210 301 Noticing the sound, a few dark figures approach from the distance.
211 211 202 1 2 3 1
212 212 201 1 500276
213 213 301 1 ??? Hurry. Get in! 1
214 214 201 1 500275
215 215 301 1 ??? No. I will. Fight them. Off! 1
216 216 202 1 1
217 217 301 AniZhuanchangBegin The bigger figure forcefully moves the steel panel, completely covering the alcove.
