act25side

I've read your file. You were extraordinary. If it wasn't for—

*cough*—*cough* *cough*—

Sorry, I'm pretty sensitive about the past.

Oh. Alright.

But I'm really curious. What is it that Kristen wants you to accomplish so badly she went to all this trouble?

She didn't tell you... *cough*... which means you have no need to know, boy.

This isn't the first time a science freak has mocked me.

Well, no biggie. My job here is to take you away. Looks like your little project has moved on to its next stage. She needs you there in person.

It's about her 'survival plan.'

...So you <i>do</i> know, you sly little punk.

All I know is Kristen has had you working on something to do with Originium and the human body.

It's not my area of expertise, but at the very least, I know one thing. Rhine Lab's Control is not a coward who fears death, and she definitely has no illnesses that need healing—

Which means there's something else going on that's making her desperate for a way to extend her life... some kind of extreme circumstances.

You're a smart one... No wonder she chose you to bring me out of this place.

But you'll have to wait a little longer. It's almost time for the Vice President's speech.

A speech? You're into politics now?

No, today is going to be an interesting day. Patience is a virtue, kid.

Now, we still have to introduce ourselves. I'm...

Loken Williams.

It's a pleasure. I'm Justin Fitzroy Jr., Business Section Director at Rhine Lab, an outsider to the world of science and technology.

I'm only here to bear witness to history, sir.

Dear Columbians of Trimounts. This is your Vice President, Conrad Jackson.

I'm sure many of us are confused by today's press conference. Before I explain anything, I'd like to have a chat with you all.

Do any of you feel that, on our Terra today, it's gotten hard to focus just on the cities or even the country in which we reside...?

There is more and more to be proven, exchanges between nations have become more frequent, and likewise conflicts and confrontations have become more intense and unavoidable.

So I want to ask all of you. Columbia has only be around for a handful of decades, but our history is already as rich as any other nation's. What is it that we have used to achieve this?

It's our thirst for knowledge that drives us to explore the boundaries and depths of science. It's the pioneering spirit that flows in the veins of every single Columbian. That's my answer. That's our answer.

And to 'maintain' these two things, we are always willing to pay the price, no matter how high it may be.

What is Jackson talking about?

The next election is right around the corner. He hasn't really done anything the last couple years, so he's probably anxious.

Paying a high price...?

He's not exactly off to a great start.

In this city of technology, Trimounts, there are over a dozen special plates—

On those plates, we're working tirelessly on countless research projects. We're developing, discovering, and guaranteeing our future ways of life...

Many of you here are participating in those projects, and I am very proud of you.

In just two weeks, we will announce an achievement that is truly the greatest among them.

It will change the landscape of international relations. It will allow us to seize the initiative, to never again to fear any storm across any lands.

It will be Columbia's first step into a new era.

First step into a new era...?

I heard Jackson was already a famous orator and activist back in college... Heh.

And now he's holding a press conference in Trimounts. You know what that means, right?

Let's cut to the chase, Colonel Blake.

You need my help, and I need yours. This is easy.

Help... yeah... sure.

A super weapon crafted specifically to keep that damned Shard of Londinium in check... Who knows how much money the military poured into that thing?

But now, Kristen and all the techs on the project have disappeared without a trace, overnight.

And that—What does the handbook call that big ring again? 'H.A.M.H.R.R.?' Dammit... How did she hide such a big thing?

The military is being pretty gentle as it is, not surrounding the city with an entire fleet of high-speed battleships.

And this is what I'm here for.

I have to admit... Kristen really took me for a ride this time, but what reason do I have to believe that a failure like you can take care of this problem?

There are lots of companies in Columbia that can rival Rhine Lab. There's nothing stopping us from taking a military approach and handing everything over to some other place—

—You're right, Colonel Blake. I failed, but I'm no fool.

If the military were really that hardy, you would have done this a long time ago. You army guys were never the meek humanitarians you're trying to play.

And I, the... <i>former</i> Director of Energy... I know Rhine Lab. With my help, whatever you end up doing will go much smoother.

Especially if you want to take care of this as quickly and as quietly as possible.

Why should I trust you again?

Is there anyone easier to keep in check than a failure with nothing to his name?

I never thought there would come a day when you called yourself a failure, Ferdinand. Why are you so fixated on this?

Always high-and-mighty, never revealing her secrets. She threw everyone's hard work and achievements under the bus, sacrificing the whole of Rhine Lab...

Kristen doesn't have the right. No one does.

Alright. That's the most convincing thing you've said today.

Hallway outside Control's office, Rhine Lab, Trimounts

I don't actually like this feeling a whole lot.

Too quiet... The air's so chilly and dry, and the light's awfully cold. No idea what's up ahead, either.

Things weren't so lively back in the day... Most of the time, everyone was just busy with research.

We rarely ever saw each other, but after meetings, we'd party and get drinks, pad the table legs with the project reports we'd just finished.

I miss that feeling... The feeling of being accepted, the feeling that we were making a difference, that our work had purpose.

You have to feel nostalgic for that too, don't you...?

...Kristen.

You can stop dragging your gross tail across the floor? Nobody's coming to clean today...

Ho'olheyak.

Oh, so you come here to cry your eyes out, huh? Guess I should've stayed hidden a little longer.

Were you waiting for me?

Mm-hm.

Then why are you standing all the way over there?

I've got to be careful. A kid who just lost her parents might have a pretty bad temper.

Besides, I thought you already had a water clone ready the moment I stepped into the room?

Since I'm found out, I might as well drown you right away and stuff you into a dead power armor.

Oh, I didn't know you were such a vengeful elf.

A Maylander agent infiltrating this place, huh? What are you up to?

Infiltrating? Think again. Would Control's office be <i>that</i> easy to infiltrate?

Are you working for Control? What kind of deal do you two have, and what's she got you doing for her?

Are you betraying the Maylander Foundation for this, K'uk'ulkan?

So many questions. Why don't you ask Kristen yourself? You're so close to her, I'm sure she'd tell you.

Right... You're at the end of your rope. Why else would you expect to find Control in her office? *sigh*.

Kristen really asked you to come?

If I told you I invited myself here, would that make your heart ache more?

She doesn't have the time to deal with you right now.

Perhaps she's already sick of all your backstabbing and all your distractions. Maybe she never had a place for you in her plans. Whatever you want to think...

That's not your place to say.

I'm just trying to remind you out of the kindness of my heart—or pity, if that's how you want to see it—that you should try to not be so tense.

Don't you think you know her better than I do, K'uk'ulkan. I've known her a lot longer than you have.

Maybe I don't understand her, but I know what it is she's trying to do.

It's hard to blame someone for grasping at straws when they're desperate, but if you get in the way...

...Next time, I'll really kill you.

The dreadful Liberi has vanished. Aside from the droplets of water on the sofa, the fight earlier might as well have never happened.

The door closes; Muelsyse doesn't try to give chase.

There's no telling how much truth there was to Ho'olheyak's words, but her presence alone already explains a lot.

She should ask Kristen directly. This is why she came here today, and she still has many other questions.

...Kristen.