act25side

Science is neutral, pure, and free. Practical value, especially in terms of weaponization, can only be a burden for science.

I did not want to contribute my research for them, but they knew what my weakness was.

Knowledge is expensive. Instruments, equipment, materials, down to the bricks that make up the laboratory—it all takes money.

Building the lab of my dreams costs more than building a skyscraper in the middle of Trimounts.

I had to admit my weakness and prostrate myself before their power.

How pathetic.

Is this nation any less so? They have allowed barbaric power to control the lifeline of science!

There is no one more short-sighted than the soldier. They are at the helm of science, yet they know not how to use such precious knowledge except to kill their own kind.

Folly.

Yes, folly. The most unforgiveable crime that a scientist can commit.

The foolish soldiers are easy to deceive. Getting subcutaneous Arts units, the result of billions in investment, was enough to satisfy them.

But I was too busy, too obsessed with my research, to realize the weakness and ambition of those around me.

A foolish student of mine handed part of my experiment data to the Department of Defense.

They learned what Loken Watertank was really researching, and were eager to see results, even threatening to take direct control.

How could I allow them to steal my dream, when I was so close to finishing my masterpiece?!

You took a risk. You failed.

You lost everything.

Narcissa destroyed your lab. That wasn't so bad, but then Maylander came again. They took Narcissa, robbed you of your dream again.

You were like a walking corpse. The Department of Defense confiscated the scraps, then wanted you to repay the billions of investment. You could not repay it, and you refused to work with them anymore.

So you were thrown into prison, like a piece of rotting meat that no one paid any further attention too.

That was my greatest crime—failure!

Now, my final and greatest failure stands before me.

Narcissa!

The only flower in my garden that has not been trampled into the mud. Broken, but still beautiful.

Look at me. Look at the Loken Williams who raised you, educated you, oppressed you, tormented you.

You witnessed me, inches away from the summit, and witnessed my fall from grace into the abyss.

Now I invite you, child, to be the stick that measures my pain, my regrets, my crimes.

You are the only one fit to do so.

Push forward!

Area suppressed!

Gamma and Delta?

No more reinforcing power armors!

Excellent. Continue the attack and prepare to breach the building.

Argh—!

Not so fast.

Colonel!

Should I start with you?

Will killing you buy more time?

You... traitor!

Traitor? We have always been enemies. Who have I betrayed?

Argh—*cough*—

How fragile.

Should I have done this a long time ago? You almost killed our beloved Vice President. Maybe I can exchange your head for a pardon.

All units...

Attack...!

You want to be a martyr.

Perhaps I should oblige.

Oh, there you are, hero.

The military and Maylander have this building surrounded. You can't win.

Win?

It's not victory that I'm looking for. It's a chance.

Same for Kristen.

No chance is worth so many lives, including your own.

You think so?

Compared to my knowledge, my own life has always been insignificant.

I've seen so much history, but to time, I'm hardly even a passing breeze.

That's my life. My poor, boring life.

A tiny little bit of time, for the chance to touch eternal knowledge, even for an instant—how can it not be worth it?

You're even fascinated by death.

Don't get me wrong. I'm just... curious.

I know thousands of ways to die, over hundreds, thousands of years of history. But I only get to die once.

Period. Full-stop, standing between accumulated memories, and the possibilities of the future. How does it feel?

You'll find out.

Pure, unadorned power.

There was no enamel blade growth. Saria simply focused all her strength on her hand.

There was no Originium Arts involved. That is why the fist was able to penetrate the distorted air.

Oh dear, looks like I've lost.

I guess that's it, Saria. Kill me here, and make it quick. Or maybe not so quick. I should savor the moment. I only get one chance, after all.

You... madwoman.

What about you? Did you think yourself a creature of reason in all that you do?

You wanted to prevent disaster in the most efficient manner. You're standing at the door. Why don't you work with the military?

They tend to make things worse.

What about Maylander?

They have been your firm allies for the past five years. They made the decision to work with the military.

Oh, and the adorable little Liberi.

The little brown bird, so full of morality and empathy. I saw her in one of the military aircraft.

I didn't know you had that expression in you.

Your hands are growing weaker. Everything is going out of control, even your own heart. Is that not a strange feeling to a woman like you?

Your taunts are meaningless.

Poor Saria. That's not what your eyes, your hands, every inch of your body is saying.

Are you sure you don't want to run over to the lab there right this instant?

It may already be too late.

You—

In an instant, Ho'olheyak is standing on top of a half-collapsed wall.

A few more leaps, and she is gone from the battlefield.

The door to the lab is broken... how could it be?

Loken...!

Well, time is almost up anyway.

Might as well call it a day.

You're Loken.

You came to the orphanage every Friday evening.

You brought different flowers each time.

Your clothes always had a strong smell to them. The smell of swimming pools and freshly painted fences.

I didn't really mind that smell. I wanted to tell you that you didn't need to hide it with flowers.

But I didn't say anything because I liked your flowers. I liked the stories of plants that you told. It reminded me of Dad.

Good, good! Your memories are coming back!

Yes, I'm remembering.

You used to be very nice to me. Then you became very mean.

I'm sorry, child, I'm sorry.

I promised you... I wanted to give you a happy future.