act25side

Rosmontis, relax...;Rosmontis, slow down.;Rosmontis, why don't we take a little nap?

If it hurts, we can go back to Rhodes Island, right now.;Sometimes, you can turn down invitations.

I think I should stay.

Control your power. Don't force yourself to think. Okay?

I'm here.

Me too!

Do you have the data I need?

We have little time to spare, but these should help.

The Energy Section's project and construction plans and reports from the past ten years, Energy and Originium Art Sections' experiment records...

The Scientific Investigation Section's expedition reports and data archives.

It's a lot thicker than I imagined.

Their position within Rhine Lab is rather unique.

From the corporative perspectives of cost performance and efficiency, their contributions to the company are negligible. They shouldn't even be one of Rhine's ten sections.

And even though it doesn't rival what the core laboratories like Energy and Structural get, the budget that Rhine Lab allocates to polar field research and surveying technologies every year is no small amount...

In fact, you could say they're throwing huge amounts of money at them.

They collect and analyze seismic data from the Kazimierzian highlands surrounded by mountains in regular intervals, and have built close to ten scientific research stations in the endless icefields of Sami.

They frequently travel to Columbia's great lakes, as well as the lowland deserts in the south, for their investigations, and even seek to thoroughly explore the ruins of the abandoned cities in the Bleached Wasteland...

Only a few know that the dust kicked up by pioneering young Columbia is much older than the sands of Sargon.

These scientists have not been measuring the boundaries of this world in the spirit of exploration. Rather, they are looking for something.

These last few pages are all about Trimounts.

Trimounts? Why would Scientific Investigation need to factor in the location of Headquarters...?

Every project I've checked so far has an immediate sign-off from Rhine Control.

Kristen...

And so, did this farce just happen to take place in Trimounts? Or maybe... it could only happen here...?

I would prefer to see some evidence rather than hear more of your roundabout explanations.

I have some rough conjectures, but the clues are all a mess, and our present information is inadequate to serve as actual evidence.

Let's take a short break.

You should go have another chat with Ifrit.

(Angry howling)

Get down, Kal'tsit!

How is it? Does it fit?

It's a new suit the Originium Art Section developed. I made a few adjustments, and it should fit you okay now.

And I'm sure you know how to test out the new drone equipment.

Yes.

Come here. Let me help you put the contacts in.

Okay.

That'll do it. Stand up and take a look around.

Great. You're like a completely different person.

How are the contacts?

I'm not quite used to them yet.

But it's nice to go without weight on my nose.

I have to say, you look sharper without your glasses.

I'm sure your friends will be shocked as soon as they see you.

I'd rather surprise them another way.

Such as...?

Say... my personality.

You seize the day and work toward that. Don't underestimate what a little makeover can accomplish.

I'll try my best.

Besides, the lockdown isn't going to end anytime soon. The soldiers stopped you once, and it won't be easy to get around now that they've seen you.

Get a makeover, and upgrade your equipment while you are at it. Two fowls with one stone.

Thank you.

It doesn't look like anyone's been here the last couple days... You came to District 13 for a reason today.

I actually bought this as a vacation home, but with how busy my workers have been lately, I haven't had much time for rest. HR Director and all.

I just located a Transmitter from Site 359 near the scene. Are you here to recover it? What does Transmitter have to do with the Triton Factory explosion?

No, Dorothy wouldn't need a low-level researcher like me if you were already on the case.

Ferdinand is out of the picture, but maybe there are other Sections who want Transmitter for their experiments?

I also saw Saria there... Just how many Rhine Lab personnel are involved in this?

You're asking too many questions in one go, Silence.

And unfortunately, I can't answer them.

You should be well aware of Rhine Lab's organizational structure. The departments under General Affairs are only responsible for providing support to the Scientific Research Sections.

Originium Art, Energy, or whatever, Human Resource Investigation has never interfered in any of their research projects... I've never been a researcher myself, after all.

My mentor told me some stories about you and Control.

Before joining Rhine Lab, you were the most eccentric and yet, the most successful investor in Trimounts.

You've never attended a single meeting, read a proposal, or listened to a project briefing, but the projects you endorse always miraculously succeed.

There's no need for you to be attached to a company. On the contrary, he said you might even become a tech pioneer to steer the course of the nation.

But after Control had one meeting with you, you announced you were joining Rhine Lab the very next day.

The business world is always brimming with delicately packaged myths and legends.

The outside world is full of speculation, but at my age, I don't Kristen to promise me anything. I only wanted to stay and watch her patch up a few regrets.

Some her own, and some mine.

And well, that girl... I'm not sure where exactly she is now.

You performed very well at Site 359. You cleaned up after Dorothy, and followed the trail all the way here to recover the Transmitter. Honestly, that's remarkable.

But the Site 359 Incident ends here, and whatever follows is already beyond the scope of both your responsibilities and abilities. You're done here.

What if I disagree, Director Jara?

Oh, let's not be rash now, I have no intention of getting in your way.

I don't understand... You won't tell me the truth, so why are you still helping me?

Do you remember your first day at work?

You're so reserved, but you still managed to talk non-stop for half an hour.

I was only responsible for checking your background and qualifications, you know. While I handled that, Parvis had already scored your employment exam. With high numbers.

Then why didn't you interrupt me...?

Because you're such an earnest woman, Silence.

I have a lot of respect for serious scientists, same as Rhine Lab.

No matter how far Kristen and the go, no matter what Rhine Lab may become... we'll always need young people like you to take over the reins someday. You are Rhine's future.

As HR Director, my job is to protect our employees as best I can, so I advise you to leave now.

But if you have to see it all happen with your own eyes to make your preparations and choices, then I won't hold you back either.

That's all.

Then, I'll earnestly inform you... that I'm going to continue my investigation.

*cough*... Rosmontis!

The very moment the impact force reaches you, you instinctively take the Feline girl's hand.

Evidently, she mistakes it for you being agitated about something. She relaxes her tightly clenched fists, carries you in her arms, and starts running away.

At the same time, the fiery Savra girl dashes in the other direction, her flames howling.

Leave this to me!

Rosmontis, you protect the Doctor.

I'll melt all these big metal things with my flames.

Out of the way, Ifrit.

A shadow steps in front of Ifrit.

A thick wall of calcium crystals unfolds before her in an instant, blocking the power armor's onslaught. A burst of intense clashing fills the room, leaving a low, lingering hum in the air.

Saria!

We don't know what's going on. Let it go.

Doctor, are you hurt?

I'm fine.