act32side

We've arrived at Magnethill No. 2. Repeat, we've arrived at Magnethill No. 2.

Doc, how are things over on your side?

Exterior clear.

Considering the unique properties of Magnethill No. 2, I suggest we meet up.

Agreed.

Drone recon report, Iana.

Almost no different from the way we left it. Readings are virtually the same, and there is no sign of activity from any other party.

Looks like the quarantine on Magnethill No. 2 has been pretty well enforced.

Which is to say, there's nobody here.

And that's not good news, because we're here to look for the missing Ash squad.

Keep your eyes open. We'll proceed to Levi's main lab once we rendezvous.

Here we are.

Are you sure?

This is where Levi's main lab was, according to the map.

We were only one step behind Cohen. There were tremors, then...

I don't know if it was that madman Levi, or something wrong with the equipment, but the whole lab disappeared into thin air.

Into thin air? Are you sure?

I'd say that in my expert opinion, it's the most fitting description of the events.

That just doesn't seem possible.

No explosion can wipe out all evidence that a lab ever existed. It wouldn't have left a big hole like this, sending only a few tremors through those outside.

Earthquake? Or is it like you said...

It's not an earthquake!

The tremors might well be linked to the disappearance.

Find cover and wait for the tremors to pass!

How many floors are there? My legs are starting to scream.

Keep going up, we need to reach the Reynell's penthouse.

Can't we take the elevator? Why do we have to climb these stairs floor by floor?

You think I don't want to?

Recon report on the security here indicates that the penthouse is only accessible by these stairs and his own private elevator.

There are guards posted by the elevator on every floor.

Security is weakest on the stairs, that's where we break through.

Guy's just a Kazimierzian who came to make some money, isn't he? It's not like he has anybody backing him up. Why do we have to be so careful just to get him to sign a transfer agreement?

He has money. That's all the backing he needs.

Keep moving. Quit looking around!

I'm completely spent, boss... I'd rather take the lift and fight my way through.

Shh...

Captain?

(Whisper) We've almost reached the office! Quiet down..

A letter? I told you, you can open those on your own. No need to ask me.

It says for your eyes only, Reynell.

Where is it from?

Kazimierz... looks like it's from your uncle.

Ah, the usual inheritance demand.

Also... one from the Dossoles municipal government.

A letter from the city? Probably nothing important. Should be another stupid banquet invitation.

Maybe Candela will be there. We could discuss the opening ceremony with her. It's not far off, after all, and you've spent so much time and effort on it...

It's probably going to be spectacular.

Come, stand with me, Miłosz.

The man walks up and stands by the red-haired Vulpo's side.

They admire the artwork at the end of the room, about the height of two persons.

I'm naming it 'The Fall of Order'. What do you think?

Er... sure. You want to show it at the opening?

We've always been straight with each other, haven't we?

Is that twisted curve intended to represent the 'fall'?

No, it represents the fleeting gaze of society on man.

A dogmatic gaze that considers all that does not conform to be madness. Lines that can only emerge from a post-Profound Silence Iberia.

The Iberian Inquisition. Certainly a symbol of order.

On the right... does that indescribable cone represent the spires of Leithanien?

No. Imagine Sargon and its millennia of wind and sand, the lords ameer, the Padishah, the golden city... fantasizing the exotic is also a construct of internal order.

The last gasp of imagination, once broad, now left with nothing but cliche.

Yes... Right, that makes sense.

I pulled all of that directly out of my behind.

Er...

Your artistic style has always been unique, from medium to expression.

How many golf balls did it take? A thousand? Two thousand?

That's not important. What's important is the last one. Would you do me a favor and put the finishing touch on it, by placing this one on top?

What would happen?

It will be completed, and at that moment—

He sees shadows flash past the bottom gap of the office door.

The door is kicked open before he could react. The whole room trembles, causing the teetering sculpture before him to collapse, sending golf balls flying everywhere.

...'The Fall'?

Reynell and you, secretary over there. Hands on your heads and get down. No sudden moves.

Who are you?

Doesn't matter. You and your boss are going to come quietly, if you know what's good for you.

Something is approaching rapidly from above.

Must be a particularly big fowlbeast, the officer thought. He pays no heed to it and points his crossbow at Reynell, the half-collapsed golf ball sculpture standing between them.

Then, he hears a loud noise from the ceiling, right above what remains of the sculpture.

Then another.

This time, a large hole appears in the ceiling, along with the sound of broken planks.

Several dark shadows fall through the shrapnel-mixed dust onto the floor of Reynell's office, smashing what remained of the sculpture, sending golf balls flying in all directions.

The soldier was about to let out an expletive, but it died in his throat.

The shadows began to move.

Everybody alright?

Just a little scrape.

I'm fine.

Doc?

I... I'm okay.

Iana gives Doc a hand and sees he is holding a golf ball, which left a round mark on his forehead.

I'm fine... other than a little knock from a golf ball.

Next question.

Anyone know what happened, other than that we somehow fell into a pile of golf balls?

Why didn't we go just in through the roof? We wouldn't have had to climb the stairs if we did that.

Shut up. Prepare to engage!

A crossbow?

...Prepare to engage.

I guess you aren't exactly friends.

Did you bring a weapon, Miłosz?

(Shrugs) Nope.

Well, in that case...

You'd better duke it out amongst yourselves to decide who gets to kidnap me. There's only one of me, after all.