3 3 301 DialogEnable Hassen straightens his back. He is standing in front of the huge porthole on the command bridge.
4 4 301 The pale blue planet before him takes up most of the porthole view, slowly rotating. He observes in silence.
5 5 301 A peculiar atmosphere filled the bridge; the crew rarely saw Hassen's quiet side.
6 6 301 Hassen was one to always make his presence known, whether it was issuing orders, formulating tactics, or even if it is just to keep others in high spirits.
7 7 301 This is not the usual Hassen. The only thing the crew could see, are the thin outline of his neck and the gray tufts of hair.
8 8 301 Flustered, Celica begins to hear whispers around her as icons and documents pass before her eyes. The voices begin to fill her head with a cacophonous roar.
9 9 301 Supply lists, troop mobilizations, power negotiations... Reports, maps sent by reconnaissance, grey market transactions with the Forsaken, and intel mandates for Akdilek...
10 10 301 Celica scans the various technical documents with her eyepiece, selecting key intel to be reduced into 200-word reports. Hassen has no time for the details, so she must ensure that everything is complete and correct.
11 11 301 Never had Celica's work been as exhausting as today's.
12 12 201 1 500001 4
13 13 301 1 Celica (...I still have a long day ahead of me. How am I already tired...)
14 14 301 Celica (Damnit... Just how many summary reports are there to file...)
15 15 301 Intel Officer A Miss Celica, this is the detailed supply request and defense enhancement plan submitted by personnel from the ARU's core logistics team...
16 16 301 Intel Officer B Oh... Apologies. I have a high priority HUMIT intel report to file.
17 17 301 Celica (...Now's not the time to lose your cool.)
18 18 204 1 5
19 19 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Celica Understood. Submit it to the database through the compliance link according to Omega confidentiality protocols. 1
20 20 201 1 500011
21 21 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Hassen ... 1
22 22 301 Comms ...
23 23 301 Hassen ... 1
24 24 301 Comms ...It's either now or never...
25 25 301 Comms ...This is the only choice according to your plan.
26 26 301 Hassen ... 1
27 27 301 Comms ...There's no time to waste...
28 28 301 Hassen I know. 1
29 29 301 Comms ...
30 30 202 1 1
31 31 301 Communications relay terminated.
32 32 201 1 500001 4 -400
33 33 201 2 500011 400
34 34 301 1 Celica President. 1
35 35 301 Hassen What is it? 2
36 36 301 Hassen turns to face Celica, but his face reveals an expression she had never seen from him before.
37 37 301 Vacant, hesitant, perhaps even a hint of fear—if Celica had to describe his expression, it would be like if someone killed for the first time.
38 38 301 The expression fades from Hassen's face in the blink of an eye. He returns to normal, as if nothing had ever happened.
39 39 301 Celica As of ten minutes ago, a total of 76 decision reports have been sent to your encrypted terminal. Please be sure to process them at your earliest convenience. 1
40 40 301 Hassen Got it. 2
41 41 301 Celica However, I've already given them a once-over. There aren't any urgent documents that require an immediate response from you today. 1
42 42 301 Celica If there is anything that requires your attention today... or if you'd like a day off, I don't think Babylonia will go up in smoke. 1
43 43 301 Hassen I see... 2
44 44 301 Hassen shows a noncommittal expression. He raises his head slightly, as if trying to persuade himself to Celica's proposal.
45 45 301 Celica I'm serious, President. How much sleep did you get last night? 1
46 46 301 Hassen ...I didn't get any. 2
47 47 204 1 5
48 48 301 Celica ...Please, go get some sleep. 1
49 49 301 Hassen That's not necessary. 2
50 50 301 Hassen says as he reaches for his encrypted terminal, but Celica grabs it first.
51 51 301 Celica Please, go get some sleep. 1
52 52 301 Hassen But I still have 76 decision reports to process. Right? 2
53 53 301 Celica None of which require a response from you today. 1
54 54 301 Hassen ...Alright, if you insist. 2
55 55 301 With that, Hassen snatches the encrypted terminal from Celica's hand and stuffs it into his pocket.
56 56 301 Hassen I'll process these lying down. That'll count as rest. 2
57 57 202 1 2 1
58 58 301 Hassen leaves. He hobbles slightly away the command bridge. He descends the stairs a bit slower than usual, perhaps due to exhaustion.
59 59 301 —This caused him to bump into someone on the stairs.
60 60 201 1 500012 -400
61 61 201 2 500011 400
62 62 301 1 Nikola What's wrong? It's not like you to leave the command bridge so early. 1
63 63 301 Hassen It's not like you to come to the command bridge at this time as well. 2
64 64 301 Nikola I brought something that you need to look at immediately. 1
65 65 301 Nikola raises the hard drive in his hand. A bright red "Top Secret" seal is visible on it.
66 66 301 Hassen ...Let's go to the conference room. 2
67 67 202 1 2 1
68 68 301 Celica cannot help but sigh at the sight of Hassen and Nikola turning to enter the conference room.
69 69 201 1 500001 4
70 70 301 AniZhuanchangBegin 1 Celica ...Forget it. 1
83 83 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Palex Testing, testing. This is Palex of the Babylonia Task Force. 1
84 84 301 Palex Ouroboros HQ, this is the Ouroboros Team. We have entered the mission site according to plan and have begun the surveillance mission on New Murmansk. 1
85 85 301 As the Construct by the name of Palex finishes speaking, he rotates the camera away from himself and points it at a cluster of mountains.
86 86 301 Palex I will oversee on-site command. Sergeant Norwell is accompanying me. 1
87 87 301 Palex Hey Norwell! Are you in position? 1
88 88 301 With Palex's shout, a response comes over from where the camera is pointing at in the distance.
89 89 301 Norwell I was in place ages ago! I'm already filling out the artillery range table!
90 90 301 Palex Copy! Now entering monitoring position! 1
91 91 301 Following Palex's motion, the camera jumps to a well-camouflaged surveillance bunker up front.
92 92 301 Palex I'm in position. Finished with the pre-calibration? If so, send it on over. 1
93 93 301 Norwell Seven pre-calibrated locations and two hot zones transmitted to your terminal. I just have one problem...
94 94 301 Palex Well, spit it out. 1
95 95 301 Norwell Why send two Babylonia task forces on independent missions to New Murmansk?
96 97 301 Palex You should know when to keep your mouth shut... Don't you know who we take orders from? 1
97 98 301 Norwell Commander Nikola, no?
98 99 301 Palex Alright then. There's your answer. 1
99 100 301 Norwell You mean...
100 101 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Palex Learn to keep your mouth shut. 1
104 104 301 AniZhuanchangEnd At the same time in the Arctic Route Union Captain's office in New Murmansk Airport ruins. Once an air traffic control tower, the place was refitted into an office.
105 105 301 Second Mate Captain, this is the fleet service report.
106 106 201 1 500199
107 107 301 1 Staessen Well... Looks like it's over. Fortunately, we finished up everything before spring. 1
108 108 301 A stranger in a white coat walks out of the shadows.
109 109 203 1 0.25 -400
110 110 201 2 500138 400
111 111 301 1 Research Director Indeed. Now, we just need to "dispose" of Amberia's remains in the research institute, then clear up any loose ends with those involved. 2
112 112 301 Staessen I'll handle the research institute, and I'll leave you to... clear up the loose ends. I don't want to deal with this kind of **** anymore. 1
113 113 301 Staessen Take care of it ASAP... If this affects our first trip out to sea, there won't be enough food to sustain us. 1
114 114 301 Research Director Relax. This cover up will be easy now that Babylonia is getting involved. 2
115 115 301 Research Director As long as no one connects us with this bit of history... we should be able to continue on peacefully with those hypocritical Babylonians and Forsaken. 2
116 116 301 Research Director And of course... I'll leave you to placate the Forest Guards as well, "Captain." 2
117 117 202 2 1
118 118 203 1 0.25
119 119 301 The man pats Staessen on the shoulder and turns to leave.
120 120 301 Second Mate What's going on, Captain?
121 121 301 Staessen That's Kaplan... The research director... of the former research institute. 1
122 122 301 Staessen From the buildings in the settlement to servicing our ships—we couldn't have done it without the support from the former research institute... I'm just returning the favor. 1
123 123 301 Second Mate In other words... You've been cooperating with these sinners... Haven't you?
124 124 301 Staessen ...How do you think I have maintained the ARU for so long? 1
125 125 301 Second Mate ...
126 126 301 Staessen Enough. Next up, take what you can from the research institute and distribute them accordingly, then destroy the institute. And with that... we will erase our debt. 1
127 127 301 Staessen This will just barely pull the wool over Babylonia's eyes. As for the Forest Guard, sin will no longer coax them into serving the ARU. We must treat them with kindness. 1
128 128 301 Staessen After all, I did "absolve the Forest Guard of sin." I'm sure they will give us the respect we deserve. 1
129 129 301 Second Mate ...I can't criticize your behavior as a member of the ARU, but...
130 130 301 Staessen What could go wrong? We weren't the ones that sent them to the institute. 1
131 131 301 Staessen I just did everything within my power. 1
132 132 301 Second Mate ...
133 133 301 Staessen Alright, this matter is over and done with. No more further complications. You don't want past ghosts coming back to haunt the ARU, do you? 1
134 134 301 Second Mate ...Understood.
135 135 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Staessen ...It's almost spring. Our top priority is to ensure that we have a stable food supply. 1
140 140 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Fisher A Oi, let me tag along when ya be going out to sea this spring. I need me some sardines to make salted fish! 1
141 141 301 Fisher B Salted fish? Where'd you get the salt? 2
142 142 301 Fisher A Someone over by the capt. said there's two or three warehouses full o' daily goods in the ruins of the old research thingy. If we're lucky... there'd be salt, whole lotta salt. 1
143 143 301 Fisher A An' that's why... I decided that I'd pick up my old man's business of sellin' salted fish. 1
144 144 301 Fisher B I haven't had your old man's salted fish in ages. Save some of the first batch fer me! 2
148 146 301 As the two men are talking, a white light suddenly appears.
149 147 301 Starting as a white glow in the sky, it expands rapidly in front of the two fishermen, burning their eyes in a flash.
150 148 301 The two men hide behind cover to escape the blinding inferno, trying desperately not to look directly at it.
151 402 201 1 500086 -400
152 403 201 2 500087 400
153 149 301 1 Fisher A Wazzat... Sunrise? 1
154 150 301 1 Fisher B It's already noon, dumbo! Whatever that is, it ain't the sun! 2
155 404 202 1 2
156 405 401 2 1544
157 151 301 The port beside becomes submerged in the increasing intensity of the light. Under the gazes of the two fishermen, the steel buildings turn to dust in blistering heat rivaling that of the sun.
158 406 502 RImgBg1Shake
159 407 401 2 10007502
160 152 301 Stunned at the sight of complete annihilation, the two did not notice the warning given to them.
161 153 301 But, to the warning giver, what was said had already been said.
162 154 301 ??? Leave.
163 408 201 1 500086 -400
164 409 201 2 500087 400
165 155 301 1 Fisher A ... 1
166 156 301 1 Fisher B ... 2
167 157 301 ??? ...Hmph.
168 410 202 1 2
169 411 401 2 1509
170 158 301 The white figure summons what appears to be a railgun from the void around her. It begins charging energy.
171 159 301 The heat from the railgun brings the fishermen back to reality. They finally notice the white figure before them.
182 166 301 ??? It's been a while since I've tapped into the power of the Ascnet. I might be a little rusty with controlling it... 1
183 167 301 ??? But, no matter. Let this be a warning. 1
184 168 301 ??? Not to mention... 1
185 169 301 The white figure finishes charging the railgun-like object and fires a pillar of light in the other direction.
186 170 301 Neither hostility, nor an act of oppression. To the white figure, moving without haste, it would be too much to even call this a fight. Rather, this must be punishment for previous wrongdoings.
187 171 301 AniZhuanchangBegin 1000 Ignoring all the actions of those punished, she proceeds forward as she continues her onslaught.
192 176 301 Palex Compare visual features! Hurry! The captured image have been sent to your terminal! 1
193 177 301 Norwell It's... "Luna"!
194 178 301 Palex ...Damn it. Why is she here? What strategic value does this serve to the Ascendants? 1
195 179 301 Palex No, it doesn't matter either way. It's not like we can access this intel... We'll just have to do what we can for now. 1
196 180 301 Norwell ...Connection request sent to Babylonia. However, it'll take some time to establish a handshake protocol.
197 181 301 Palex I won't hold my breath. 1
198 182 301 Palex Let's use a server in the nearby conservation area to set up the data transfer. That way, even if we can't establish a connection, we'll still have a copy of the data in the conservation area. 1
199 183 301 Palex Then we'll release the two drones we brought to capture imagery and energy readings on "Luna" from as many angles as possible. 1
200 184 301 Norwell ...Then what?
201 185 301 Palex What else is there? All we can do is wait on Babylonia. 1
202 186 301 Norwell But...
203 187 301 Palex Don't think that you can be a hero just because you have special equipment. 1
204 188 301 Palex We need to send the correct data to Babylonia instead of getting killed here. 1
208 192 301 AniZhuanchangEnd Even though Luna has already destroyed most of the port area with her display of power, this also gives the people in the settlement enough of a warning to assemble their forces.
209 193 301 Though Luna is nowhere to be seen for the Arctic dwellers, with the havoc she has wreaked, it is more than enough to throw the settlement into chaos.
210 194 401 2 10007502
211 195 301 RImgBg1Shake Guard What's going on! Where are the attacks coming from?!
212 196 301 Fisher No! My house!
213 197 201 1 500199 5
214 198 301 1 Staessen Who can tell me what's going on here?! 1
215 199 204 1
216 200 301 Second Mate A railgun! Someone is shooting at us with what appears to be a railgun!
217 201 301 Staessen ...! 1
218 202 204 1 5
219 203 301 Staessen Hurry! Dispatch all messengers! New Sophiasburgh, the Border Commune, and the Forsaken must all be notified! Do whatever it takes to call reinforcements! 1
220 204 204 1
221 205 301 Fisher There's no time for that!
222 206 301 Sailor Captain, we still have a ship! How about...
223 207 301 Guard Scouts report that the enemy is five kilometers away and closing! There's no time to embark...
224 208 301 Sailor Damn it! I guess all we can do is...
225 209 301 Staessen Stay calm. If we all work together, nothing will... 1
226 210 301 While Staessen tries to ease the sailors, he suddenly notices the research director leaving the settlement accompanied by several people in white coats.
227 211 204 1 5
228 212 301 Staessen Halt! Kaplan! Where do you think you're going? 1
229 213 203 1 0.25 -400
230 214 201 2 500138 400
231 215 301 1 Research Director Are you joking? Who'd want to die in this pathetic excuse of a settlement? 2
232 216 301 Research Director I'm going to the research institute for a while, and then I'm going south in search of Akdilek. 2
233 217 301 Staessen Are you joking?! 1
234 218 301 Research Director What makes you think I'm joking?! I don't know what you're up against, but it has nothing to do with me. 2
235 219 301 Staessen ...Damn you! Kaplan! 1
236 220 301 Research Director Staessen, since when did you think... we were equals? 2
237 221 204 1
238 222 301 Staessen ... 1
239 223 301 Research Director ...Hmph. Do as you please. I'm leaving. 2
240 224 301 Staessen ...Coward. 1
241 225 202 2 1
242 226 203 1 0.25
243 227 204 1
244 228 301 Hearing Staessen's response, the research director gives him a menacing glare, then turns to leave.
245 229 301 Sailor Captain...
246 230 301 Staessen ...I'm sorry you had to see that. Anyways, let's do all we can. 1
247 231 301 Staessen And he reminded me... The walls of the institute are interlayed with armor for defense purposes. He has a key to open the armored door, but so do I. 1
248 232 301 Staessen If he doesn't care, neither do I... If we can't maintain the defensive line, then we will retreat into the research institute as well. 1
249 233 301 Sailor ...Understood. What about the elderly and children who have difficulty moving?
250 234 301 Staessen Evacuate them to the refugee shelters beneath the old theater. The three rooms should be able to comfortably hold over a hundred people. 1
251 235 301 Staessen If we win, we'll let them out. If we lose... Someone will let them out, eventually. 1
252 236 301 Sailor ...That's the best we can do.
253 237 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Staessen Damn it, why do I still gotta foot the bill for this mess... 1
254 238 202 1 1
255 239 301 AniZhuanchangEnd (30 minutes later.)
256 240 301 The battle has ended before it even begins, leaving Staessen stupefied over their current situation.
257 241 301 All they can see are melted buildings, punctured steel, exploded ammunition, and bodies evaporated by light.
258 242 301 They do not even know how the barricades and bunkers disintegrated, or how that devastating white light melted half of the air control tower like butter.
259 243 301 Staessen and all of those still standing could do nothing but retreat to the safety of the research institute.
260 244 301 The white figure maintains pursuit, never too far, never too close. Why is she here? What for? Staessen no longer cares anymore. He has long since lost the strength to do so.
261 245 301 Living—that is the only concern in his mind right now.
262 246 201 1 500199 5
263 247 301 1 Staessen Let's go! 1
264 248 202 1 1
265 249 301 Second Mate Retreat into the bunker!
266 250 202 1 1
267 251 401 2 10007502
268 252 301 RImgBg1Shake Amid flames and explosions, the group moves along the ruins for cover all the way to the nearby research institute.
269 253 301 Second Mate Captain... What are we going to do when we get there? We don't stand a chance against her.
272 256 301 Staessen As soon as danger approaches, he'll play the ace up his sleeve. 1
273 257 202 1 1
274 258 301 Then, just like Staessen foretold, several turrets and missile launchers protrude from the wall of the institute and begin firing at Luna. Explosions and smoke envelop her in an instant.
275 259 401 2 10001004
276 260 401 2 10007502
277 261 301 ...
278 262 301 RImgBg1Shake The turrets continue to bombard the area in an unending stream of explosions.
279 263 201 1 500199
280 264 301 1 Second Mate Captain? What do we do now?
281 265 301 Staessen What else is there to do? While they're busy fighting, we run. 1
282 266 301 AniZhuanchangBegin As the bombardment continues, Staessen and the others make their way to the research institute entrance. Staessen inputs the key code, then everyone enters the elevator and proceeds underground.
293 277 301 Staessen This is the safest place in the entire research institute and where the armor plating is thickest. This place isn't on the map. 1
294 278 301 Staessen ...It's where the institute conducted preliminary screenings for test subjects. In other words, it's an... execution chamber. 1
295 279 301 Second Mate ...What did you say?
296 280 301 Staessen See these pillars? Kaplan and the others tell them that this is the "Reception Hall of Peace". When the time comes, test subjects were taken into the sealed observation room and then... injected with experimental drugs. 1
297 281 301 Staessen Just like that, they would filter out the most suitable test subjects from over 200 people to proceed onto the next phase. 1
298 282 301 Staessen That Kaplan must be in the observation room as we speak. 1
299 283 301 Second Mate Captain, how do you know this place so well? Did you...
300 284 301 The second mate begins to raise his voice, but Staessen rushes over to cover his mouth.
301 285 301 Staessen Shhh...! Quiet! He's busy dealing with that monster right now. He won't have the time to check what's going on behind the observation room... So, we can sneak in once the battle subsides. Got it? 1
302 286 301 Second Mate Mm! Mm...
303 287 301 Staessen Keep quiet, and I'll let go. 1
304 288 301 Second Mate ...How much do you really know?
305 289 301 Staessen Well, I... I didn't help them kill anyone. 1
306 290 301 Second Mate ...When this is all over, Captain, you have a lot to confess.
307 291 301 Staessen ... 1
308 292 401 2 10007502
309 293 301 RImgBg1Shake Second Mate What's that?!
310 294 301 Staessen This can't be... 1
311 295 301 Staessen There... There are six floors of armored plating disguised as steel structures... Even railguns shouldn't be able to... 1
312 296 401 2 10007502
313 297 301 RImgBg1Shake Staessen ...What on Earth are we up against... 1
314 298 301 Second Mate It's coming from the wall in the direction of the observation room!
315 299 301 Staessen Hurry! Hide behind the pillars! 1
316 300 202 1 1
317 301 301 Just as Staessen and the others hide behind the pillars, the wall in the direction of the observation room begins to glow red and blister right before their eyes.
318 302 401 2 10007502
319 303 301 RImgBg1Shake Then an explosion shoots fragments throughout the hall like a shotgun blast. The three pillars take the brunt of the damage.
320 304 301 A black mass is thrown into the hall as the terrifying and familiar white figure floats in.
321 305 201 1 500199
322 306 301 1 Staessen (...It's Kaplan!) 1
323 307 202 1
324 308 301 The remaining half of the man thrown onto the ground is wrapped in a white coat, lying amid the wreckage of concrete and steel.
325 309 201 1 500138
326 310 301 1 Research Director Huff, puff... 1
327 311 301 Research Director What... What is it you want?! I'll give you anything! 1
328 312 201 1 500238 8
329 313 301 1 Luna That won't be necessary. How lucky I must be... You telling me about this place... is more than enough. 1
330 314 301 Luna I have already found what I am looking for. 1
331 315 202 1 1
332 316 301 Luna shifts her gaze from the languishing body on the ground to the remnants of the three pillars.
333 317 201 1 500138
334 318 301 1 Research Director ...? 1
335 319 201 1 500238 8
336 320 301 1 Luna You are of no use to me now. 1
337 321 301 Luna waves her hand to summon the railgun. The frightened man drags the remnants of his body toward the pillars.
338 322 201 1 500138
339 323 301 1 Research Director No! Please! No! 1
340 324 201 1 500238 8
341 325 301 1 Luna Why are you running? You know it is meaningless. 1
342 326 301 Having said that, Luna makes no attempt at stopping the desperately crawling man. Nor does she even aim the railgun at him. It seems as if she is waiting for something.
343 327 201 1 500138
344 328 301 1 The research director finally climbs to a half collapsed pillar, but just as he is about to seek cover behind it, he sees Staessen hiding behind one of the pillars.
345 329 301 Research Director ...You... 1
346 330 202 1
347 331 301 But right at that moment, a white beam of destruction devours him.
348 332 201 1 500238 8
349 333 301 1 Luna Come out. Don't think you can hide from me. 1
