act25side

Still, this is the only way to better control the reaction process.

Don't worry. Once this experiment is over, the long-distance intertwining properties of this batch of Transmitter will be lost, and they won't affect the long-term health of the injected.

What experiment? You're conducting an experiment here?

Silence, did you hurt your hand?

Does it get in the way of your work?

I'm fine.

Then I won't ask any more questions. Now is the most critical moment.

That you've found your way here... might just be the help I've needed.

I was just complaining how much easier the data processing would be if you were here.

Lately, I... Actually, never mind.

Tell me, what kind of experiment are you running?

There has only ever been one area of research I've fully dedicated my energy to.

...Chimerism.

Precisely. This is the last question to be answered in chimera research.

But, this is...

Professor, what are all these documents? The text on them seems...

Quite 'evil,' right? This is an ancient Sarkaz tome that records the 'history' of a certain ethnic branch.

That Sarkaz branch not only enjoys long lifespans, but can even transcend the shackles of physical form and exist in the world in a purely spiritual state.

They have been dubbed, the 'revenants.' The pronunciation can be a bit esoteric, but I'm sure you'll be able to find some records in Victorian.

Silence, have you ever considered what chimerism does at the level of the soul?

A soul chimera?

These 'revenants,' the so-called 'soul' in ancient Originium Arts and Sarkaz witchcraft, can they be produced <i>a posteriori?</i>

You...

Are you trying to create an artificial consciousness?

You've always been my finest student.

This is something I've been working on for decades, to little avail. That is, until Ferdinand told me that he and Dorothy had jointly produced this particular 'Transmitter.'

You can't begin to imagine how excited I was, Silence!

I was absolutely sure that the properties of the 'Transmitter'... were sufficient to form the soil from which artificial consciousness could be born.

However, in this land, disturbances will always exist no matter how sophisticated the lab is. These disturbances have plagued me for the longest time...

There are so many possibilities. Perhaps the energy used to excite the Transmitter was insufficient, perhaps the laboratory was not sealed off enough, perhaps Originium interferes with the generation and aggregation of consciousness.

But, none of that matters anymore. All mysteries will finally be unraveled today.

This will be my final research project.

The most optimal research environment is about to take shape.

Professor Parvis, you were responsible for using Transmitter to solve Arc-01's accuracy control problem. This is... the new Transmitter core.

Kristen wanted to do something she saw as taking a risk. She thought her work to be meaningful... I hate to be a critic of my peer's efforts, but let's be honest: we researchers have been cowards for far too long.

Mediocrity, boredom, risk-aversion, indecisiveness... Silence, those of us with the knowledge and ability have to do more than just 'explore' or 'progress.'

We carry science upon our shoulders, are commanded by it, are driven by it. It requires us to take on responsibilities that only a strong soul can endure.

––Usher in a new era.

...'Usher in a new era'?

Silence... You deserve to be here with me to witness this crowning achievement.

Soon, very soon now... the dark ages of mediocrity will come to an end, and the pantheon of science must return.

You're shaking all over. I've rarely seen you like this.

Is that so? Perhaps the Transmitter's reaction is getting a bit too intense. Maybe I really am getting too old.

I'm sure you can relate with me, Silence.

Yes, I can.

I can see you've really been looking forward to this moment.

Of course.

Then, there's one thing I have to make clear. I will destroy this Transmitter core.

What...?

I mean, I'm putting a stop to everything that's happening here.

Whether it's Control's plan or just your personal ambitions, all of this has to be reexamined.

That's what I'm here for.

That girl shook your allegiance to science, but I've always believed that you had the makings of a researcher.

And as such, I never really blamed you.

But this time, whether or not this is some ridiculous joke, I'm not going to stand for it.

I'll have you apologize to me, Silence.

I won't take back a single word I said, Professor.

I don't think I've done anything wrong, be it back then or now. What you people are really after is wanton power.

That's absurd. You couldn't be more wrong, Silence.

That's right. Say what you will about me craving power. Because I know what kind of research is important, and what kind of research can shape the future.

What, are you going to regurgitate that old platitude about science belonging to the masses?

No!

Let me tell you, Silence, that science belongs to the Übermenschen. The supermen.

The mediocre can go elect their politicians and kiss the feet of their betters...

But only science is above their meddling.

What about you then? Are you part of the 'Übermenschen' you aspire to?

I...

...That ship has already sailed for me.

But if the consciousness I create is rational enough, grand enough, then it can––

It can't, Professor.

If you don't even have faith in humanity, what makes you think that this nascent consciousness can supersede everything?

You don't understand.

You've poured your heart and soul into the field of chimeric research, attempting time after time to craft powerful creations through bioengineering. Is that all because...

You can't run from your own weakness?

Me...?!

...Silence, I won't allow you to throw baseless speculation around like that.

This is... my last hope to break free from mediocrity.

...I didn't expect to see you here.

My former Defense colleagues.

That's right, Director Saria. 'Former colleagues.'

We are now employees of Components Control Section.

'Components Control.'

You aren't allowed past this point.

You're doing a better job than last time.

I appreciate the sentiment.

You all know what Kristen is trying to do. All this accomplishes is–

I don't know, and I don't particularly care.

You know my ID number from Rhine, Saria.

011. That was before Jara came. Kristen and I interviewed you, James.

Back then, I had offers from other companies, including Volvort Kochinski and Beachbrella. But, I didn't give them a second thought.

Because I always believed in you. You and Kristen. I believed you two were different from the rest of them.

That was just your ego speaking, James. This whole place is about to crash. I'd recommend you hurry up and grab an escape pod.

I'll wait here until the moment we crash.

But before that, want to see something spectacular, Saria?

Nasti described it to us...

Saria notices the entire corridor shifting.

Is that—

I've never seen the land from this high up before.

The H.A.M.H.R.R. has begun altitude adjustment.

Out of the way! There's no time!