act19side

When facing an intruder, hesitating only gives a chance for your enemy to strike.

Do you need me to teach you this all over again?

Shields up!

Prepare to stun! Target the intruder—Saria!

You pass, just barely.

Have the latest data been recorded?

Yes, they have.

Note the drones' positions.

Do not let the test subject's actions influence firsthand data collection.

Don't worry, Boss.

The firsthand data you want are right here in front of you.

Elena.

I'm glad you're safe.

I've worked under you for so many years now. Reading the slightest change in your expression has become part of my job—

Your left eyebrow twitched ever so slightly. You're surprised.

Well, you are full of surprises.

It's a relief to have you back—Those stupid new hires really need a fine researcher like you to discipline them.

You want me to be a team leader?

No, not a team leader.

You see that key on the desk? Take it.

You've more than proven your abilities. You don't need to be anyone's assistant anymore—Not mine, and not Dorothy's.

I want you to handle the next project as overseer.

This key is a present I prepared for you. It's an all new... spacious laboratory. Your laboratory.

No matter what kind of experiments you want to run, both Rhine Lab and I will fully support you.

Wonderful.

Have you considered letting me take over as Energy Director?

That is not out of the question.

You don't seem... particularly happy about my surprise.

That's because no matter what kind of future you had in mind for me... my answer was always going to be 'no.'

Set your staff down.

What are you afraid of? That I'm going to betray you and ruin the moment you see your bright future manifesting, right before your final victory?

I might just consider doing that.

I don't understand. I've given you so much...

I saw talent, diligence, and ambition in you.

All three are necessary to achieve success. All three qualities that also define me.

Of course you wouldn't understand.

If you actually thought so highly of me as you say—You'd have told me the truth behind the experiments.

You'd tell me how you disregard the safety of your test subjects, how you used me to keep tabs on Dorothy, and how when you finally have no more use for me, you'll wipe me out along with all the evidence of your crimes.

You think I'm some stupid little girl who listens to everything you say?

Even with Olivia's nudging, it took me till the moment you make your move for me to finally open my eyes!

You aren't ready, Elena. I was afraid you would be shaken, and here you are.

You've never trusted me.

You don't trust anyone, only yourself.

So why should I trust you again... Why should I trust your promises now?

I've never given anyone more chances than I've given you.

You know what? You're more like me than my own children.

I've poured much blood and sweat into you. Even now, if it's what you want, I would still welcome you at my side—

This is the last thing I'll ever ask of you—

Please shut up, Boss.

Take your 'present' and your fake sincerity and stay far away from me.

Starting today, I, Elena Urbica, am no longer your stupid little assistant or your pawn.

Ferdinand Clooney, you're fired.

Director Clooney!

Grab her! Get the rioter!

Hngh...

Director, are you alright?

I'm fine.

Elena...

Stop... Stop looking at me... like you care about me at all.

It... disgusts me.

You say I don't understand you... but you've never truly understood me either.

Perhaps... I actually hesitated, worried in that brief moment just now.

I wasn't worried about the ruckus you were causing. I was worried about you.

I really... didn't want to see things come to this.

Those words...

*cough*... Right back at you.

*pant*...*pant*... What do we do? The Defense guys just keep coming and coming.

Ferdinand's got all the sites covered. It doesn't matter how much of a fight Saria can put up. There's no way she can take on so many at once.

We're counting on you, Director Muelsyse.

Me...? No way! I don't know how to fight.

All the running around to dodge their attacks is exhausting already...

Don't you hear all my panting, Doctor?

Didn't you quite ingeniously cover for Saria just now?;As long as you stop deliberately wasting time...

You... You know?

Saria hasn't been to Rhine HQ in a while. How'd she remember which areas are monitored?;You've been blocking Saria's line of sight, intentionally or otherwise.

You've been pretty calm ever since you heard me guess this is where Control is.

I... Ahh!

They almost got me...

Doctor... You pulled me back? You... You'd still do that for me?

Even though you've figured out that I might have other ideas?

You're free to have other ideas.;And I don't care where you stand.

I want you to help Saria.

This is for the benefit of both Rhodes Island and Rhine Lab.;This is for the safety of Columbia and all lands.;And this is for you, too.

That's the second time you've saved me now, Dr. {@nickname}.

Alright.

Let's call this my way of repaying the favor, then. I'll stand with you guys at least this once and help Saria get where she wants to go.

You hear me, water molecules?

Step up and give these nice people a little kissy, and wash away all the dust under our feet!

The elf wavered.

What a poor soul... She's always looking for some kind of promise of the future.

Who would willingly admit she and her race belong only to the past?

Can this Dr. {@nickname} really give her what Kristen can't?

Ma'am, Saria has broken through the blockade.

Let her meet her old friend, then.

I still have other work to finish... Looks like this mechanist and I will just have to catch up next time.

—That is, if he survives the power armor.

How long has it been since I was here?

One thousand four hundred and ninety-seven days.

Perhaps we were already enemies when we said our goodbyes.

Will we still be friends when we meet again?