4 4 301 DialogEnable 1 Hassen This is an impromptu internal meeting. Everybody, please keep all the information mentioned in this meeting confidential. 1
5 5 301 After the disaster broke out at the Pulia Forest Park Ruins, the council members have already participated in countless impromptu meetings.
6 6 301 An impromptu meeting used to mean an emergency. Now, it also means a difficult dilemma to overcome.
7 7 301 Hassen As everyone knows, the situation on Earth is taking a turn for the worst. 1
8 8 301 Hassen The high Punishing concentration has caused varying degrees of evolution in Hetero-Creatures across the different regions. 1
9 9 301 Hassen They have learned to attack in groups. If they are injured, they quickly retreat and regroup in the Red Tide. 1
10 10 301 Hassen Those winged Hetero-Creatures have increased their flight speed and altitude, allowing them to attack transport crafts. 1
11 11 301 Hassen However, our forces stranded on the surface have been unable to stop the twins from advancing. For now, they can only withdraw. 1
12 12 301 Hassen The CPF has been destroyed, the greenhouse collapsed, and the blood of the dead has turned into the Red Tide, breeding new enemies. 1
13 13 301 Hassen We have made great sacrifices to resolve this disaster with little to show for it. 1
14 14 301 Hassen If this continues, everything that has been restored on the surface will be in vain. 1
15 15 301 Hassen We need something that can turn the tide in our fight against the Punishing Virus. 1
16 16 301 Hassen Preliminary research on the Omega File 【kuroname】 obtained from Atlantis is beginning to show progress. 1
17 17 301 Hassen The "Omega Prototype" produced by the Science Council has been proved to be capable of absorbing the Punishing Virus. 1
18 18 301 Hassen However, it is unable to change the overall environment at its current stage. I propose that we focus all of Babylonia's resources and research into this program. 1
19 19 301 Upon announcing the topic for this meeting, Hassen opens the floor for discussion, but no one in the dark room voices their opinion.
20 20 301 Hassen We need to put aside our differences and focus our efforts on solving this crisis immediately. 1
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22 22 301 1 Councilman A Is this really a wise use of our resources? 1
23 23 301 Councilman A Babylonia can be completely self-sufficient so long as we control our consumption and cut supplies for troops on the surface. 1
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25 25 301 1 Nikola That may be the case, but is it sustainable? 1
26 26 301 Nikola Our current crisis isn't just the high Punishing concentration on the surface, but also Ascendants infiltrating Gestalt and the Hetero-Creatures to obtain air superiority. 1
27 27 301 Nikola Not to mention the emergence of the twins. What makes you think they won't continue to evolve? 1
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29 29 301 1 Councilman C We should at least come up with a concrete method for solving this crisis before we discuss putting all of our eggs in one basket. 1
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31 31 301 1 Nikola We've already devised a method. 1
32 32 301 Nikola However, this method requires assistance from "Project Winter" to achieve the maximum effect. 1
33 33 301 Uttering these two words causes whispers to echo throughout the dimly-lit council.
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38 38 301 1 Councilman E According to my knowledge, the Science Council has also dabbled in "Project Winter".
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41 41 301 1 Nikola However, those conservatives have only been committed to enhancing the stability of specialized frames. They haven't expanded their efforts into controlling the Punishing Virus. 1
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46 46 301 1 Councilman H Controlling the Punishing Virus...?
47 47 301 The councilman looks at President Hassen sitting silently in front of him.
48 48 301 Councilman H I'm sure you are aware that based on the current progress of "Project Winter", the specialized frames designed with the "latest" data have serious defects.
49 49 301 Councilman H They're similar to an Ascendant frame by actively gathering the Punishing Virus within the frame and the user's M.I.N.D.
50 50 301 Councilman H However, since the user isn't an Ascendant, they can't resist the Punishing Virus nor can they control the frame.
51 51 301 Councilman H Anyone who switched to the "new" specialized frame was unable to persist in actual combat. They couldn't even last twenty minutes on the surface before succumbing to corruption.
52 52 301 Councilman H Even if we can somehow delay corruption, there will still be serious damage to their M.I.N.D.
53 53 301 Councilman H Commandants sacrificed their lives to stabilize their M.I.N.D.s as a result of Mind Beacon pollution.
54 54 301 Some of the councilmen who had already receded into the shadows show no intent on hiding their position. As a result, he takes the initiative to express their position and voice their concerns.
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57 57 301 1 Nikola Even if the Punishing Virus cannot be controlled for now, we can resolve issues with corruption by using the "Omega Prototype". 1
58 58 301 Nikola As for M.I.N.D. corruption, leave that to the CTO. 1
63 63 301 Asimov During the battle with Alpha and Huaxu... 13
64 64 301 Asimov Huaxu assumed direct control over Commandant 【kuroname】 of Gray Raven, forcibly connecting the commandant with nearby Corrupted. 13
65 65 301 Asimov I don't need to reiterate the effects on most commandants when they link with Corrupted, but the symptoms of 【kuroname】 weren't as serious. 13
66 66 301 Asimov The three other Constructs of Gray Raven were able to maintain a secure link with 【kuroname】 despite the corruption. 13
67 67 301 Asimov Lucia, Liv, Lee, and Chrome who has upgraded to his specialized frame. They've all achieved a level of M.I.N.D. stability capable of handling specialized frames. 13
68 68 301 Asimov However, due to the instability of this new specialized frame, Constructs that have already been affected by their specialized frame are not fit for this dangerous mission. 13
69 69 301 Asimov So... That just leaves Lee and Liv. 13
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71 71 301 Councilman H But 【kuroname】 has declined to participate in "Project Winter".
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73 73 301 1 Hilda That depends on the content of the project. 1
74 74 301 Hilda 【kuroname】 and Gray Raven defeated the Polyphage and retrieved the files from Atlantis. Heroes who've garnered such attention shouldn't be used as test subjects. 1
75 75 301 Hilda deliberately mentions the word "heroes" to remind those hiding in the shadows that, even if Earth is fraught with disaster, they can't continue to operate in secret.
76 76 301 Hilda The Control Court will supervise this collaboration to ensure the personal safety of 【kuroname】, who will not participate in any research other than that which pertains to linking with the new specialized frames. 1
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78 78 301 Councilman J Gray Raven is still performing missions on the surface while 【kuroname】 is in a coma.
79 79 301 Councilman J Based on the current situation, transport crafts are unable to safely reach the surface, let alone escort Gray Raven back to Babylonia.
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81 81 301 1 Hassen This is what we will discuss next. 1
82 82 301 Hassen There is an underground base that belongs to Kurono in City 047 where a large number of resources, transport crafts, and a spaceship are stored. 1
83 83 301 Hassen If permissible, we can retrieve 【kuroname】 and the two other Constructs from Gray Raven. 1
84 84 301 Whispers begin to circulate among the Parliament.
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86 86 301 Councilman H Have you tested the "Omega Prototype" yet?
87 87 301 Asimov We've successfully run simulations, but we haven't deployed it on the surface yet. 13
88 88 301 Councilman J If we can obtain test results regarding its effectiveness against the twins, both sides should be in more equal standing.
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90 90 301 1 Nikola Correct. However, we must take it one step at a time. 1
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92 92 301 1 Hassen Given the sacrifice required for a round-trip journey to the surface, they can't be expected to pay with their lives for a test that doesn't yield results. 1
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94 94 301 Councilman H Once they return to Babylonia, what will you do if 【kuroname】 doesn't begin to improve?
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96 96 301 1 Nikola We will wait until 【kuroname】 shows signs of improvement before proceeding. If the commandant doesn't regain consciousness, we will think of another plan. 1
97 97 301 Nikola If there is any hope of averting this disaster, we will change our plans accordingly. 1
98 98 301 The council looks at Hilda, but she remains silent and acquiesces to the other result implied by Nikola's phrasing.
99 99 301 This desolate world no longer leaves any room for tenderness.
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101 101 301 Councilman V We're going to wait until 【kuroname】 shows signs of improvement before conducting the experiment?
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103 103 301 1 Hassen The situation on Earth is taking a turn for the worst. 1
104 104 301 President Hassen reiterates his opening statement.
105 105 301 Hassen If you want to leave researchers time to start their work, this situation demands an immediate course of action. 1
106 106 202 1 1
107 107 301 Councilman V Even if we manage to mitigate corruption, without a Mind Beacon that can withstand pollution, specialized frames will be difficult to maintain.
108 108 204 13 8
109 109 301 Asimov Correct. Current data predicts that, if we cannot resolve issues with M.I.N.D. stability, the subject will die within three hours of participating in actual combat. 13
110 110 202 1 1
111 111 301 Hearing such a minuscule amount of time, everyone's whispers turn to an outcry. However, a council member hiding in the shadows gives a pleasant look of surprise.
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113 113 301 Councilman V Can't believe they lasted three hours without a commandant to maintain stability...
114 114 301 Councilman H Is that it?
115 115 301 Councilman V What do you mean, "is that it?" Last time when we used Lu... Ahem, the specialized frame developed with the new data couldn't even pass the corruption test.
116 116 301 Councilman V Even though "they" had "acquired" data from Glory, then implemented numerous barriers and restrictions...
117 117 301 Councilman V But without a commandant that can resist pollution from Mind Beacons, or someone able to maintain M.I.N.D. stability like Chrome, it was just a useless shell.
118 118 301 Councilman V Even for someone to last just one minute as a human bomb proved to be a disaster.
119 119 301 Councilman V This is just the first deployment, yet they've already managed to last 3 hours in the simulation. Imagine what we can achieve with such a project in the future with the combined effort of all departments.
120 120 301 Councilman V I can't wait to see her smile at the results.
121 121 301 Councilman V The underground base in City 047 is a major asset and property. But the higher-ups shouldn't refuse such a rare invitation from the Parliament.
122 122 301 Councilman H Hmph... Even now, they won't put down their hypocritical masks. What's wrong with making sacrifices for the sake of science?
123 123 301 Councilman J But only 3 hours... Isn't this experiment a little inhumane?
124 124 301 Councilman B To think you know what "inhumane" even means... Have you finished cleaning up the aftermath of all those deaths? Or are you being sarcastic?
125 125 301 The centrist councilman retorts sarcastically, unable to remain silent any longer.
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127 127 301 1 Nikola I will arrange for remunerations. Being concerned with personal sacrifices would be an insult to everyone who is still struggling, as well as the soldiers and civilians who died in the disaster. 1
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129 129 301 Councilman J Is there a specific plan to integrate the "Omega Prototype" with specialized frames??
130 130 301 Asimov Yes, but it is currently top-secret. 13
131 131 301 Councilman J Then how can you verify the efficacy of such a plan?
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133 133 301 1 Nikola Each party must first negotiate its conditions before verification can be made by both parties. 1
134 134 202 1 1
135 135 301 Councilman H Can the Science Council guarantee results from this collaborative effort?
136 136 301 Asimov This is just our preliminary course of action. I still haven't received the agent data and we still need to conduct more tests before making any conclusions. 13
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138 138 301 1 Hassen If we want to improve our current predicament, we have only one choice—cooperation. 1
139 139 301 Hassen In any case, this is the beginning of hope. 1
140 140 301 1 AniZhuanchangBegin ...But it is only just the beginning.
