act8mini

Maybe it's some kind of safe?;...Not sure.;Do you reckon it can fly?

A safe this big and conspicuously colored? Maybe if you really wanted to attract thieves, I guess?

Welp, even the Doctor doesn't know what it is.

...Doctor, are you okay? All that work finally rotting your brain?

You observe the enigmatic device carefully. There are no buttons and no gaps under its worn-out metal casing.

You haven't seen anything like it before. At least in your existing memory, you have no impression of it.

You lightly knock on the casing of the device, out of curiosity.

Huh?

D-Doctor! Watch out!

D-Did anything happen?

Don't worry about that right now, just stand back!

After a violent rattling noise, the device lets out a small 'ding.'

The complete, box-like structure suddenly opens, the once seamlessly-shut outer shell sliding up and down like a cabin door.

Inside the box-like structure, you see an artifact with a metallic luster.

Unlike the wear and tear that the outside of the box had been subjected to, everything inside is as smooth as ever, with no trace of the passage of time.

However, the manmade object within fills everyone with a sense of familiarity.

This is...

A bottle... of beer... right?

No matter how you look at it, it's just a bottle of beer?

What the heck! I thought there'd be something super high-tech in it! Something a bit more constructive!

After all that time, it turns out it's just a vending machine? What's the point of making something this tough anyway? You need it to withstand an originium bomb?!

Ugh... But, isn't that kind of a weird color for beer? I'll have to look into it some more...

Doctor, do you know what this is?

Nothing. Just a heap of scrap metal.

What really matters is we got ourselves an extra bottle of beer.

But Closure, this beer...

Just put it in the room, next to Ace's shield.

Wasn't that the bet?

'Dr. {@nickname}?'

You're saying that... the two of you have known each other for a long, long time?

Don't worry, I'm just a bit nervous. After all, you've known the Doctor for longer than you've known me, and I would like to leave a good first impression.

There's just one thing though. Kal'tsit, you have some concerns about the kind of person the 'Doctor' is now, right? It's written all over your face.

Let me find out as well, Kal'tsit. I'm really curious, what sort of person is that 'Doctor' who is so closely connected to your past?

How should I go about it...? Meeting this Doctor, exchanging pleasantries, connecting the Doctor to myself and the Sarkaz... These are all questions I have to answer for myself.

My opinion... can influence you as well, yes?

So, Kal'tsit, take me to see the Doctor, won't you?

Good work, Scout.

It was just a recon mission, part of my job.

Hmm... Where are Kal'tsit and the Doctor?

The conference room... Is something wrong?

Our spy in the Military Council has returned our intelligence. They don't intend to give us any breathing room...

Unfortunately.

A spy... Are you talking about that Vampire noble? Your Majesty, I believe she only answers to the Prince of Blood, and is untrustworthy.

Most of them are nothing more than speculators looking out after their own interest. Unless forced by the situation, I doubt she would even enter the war...

Of course. I understand your concerns, Scout.

But at least for now, she won't lie to me. She hasn't worked up the courage for that yet.

Kal'tsit? Doctor? Are you two busy?

Your Majesty. Is your meeting over?

Yes, but the results aren't exactly a cause for celebration.

Am I interrupting your work? By the way, since I rarely get out of my meetings before noon, would you like to have lunch with me, Kal'tsit?

It's too early.

Huh? Oh... I suppose it is.

No, I meant to say, you're a lot earlier than usual.

It's hard to imagine that the people in the Chairman's office would just let you go that easily, unless the result is so bad that there's nothing to talk about.

Even if that is the case, you... still did come a bit too early.

I guess so... but we anticipated this current situation... a long time ago, didn't we?

So, the discussions didn't go smoothly. I guess the situation is worse now, to the point where talks are about to break down.

What happened?

The Military Council has gained support, and our information channels throughout Kazdel are shrinking.

Babel will likely come under siege in the fall.

Some of the Sarkaz betrayed us, which is to be expected.

But Babel is not fully prepared yet...

Sorry, Kal'tsit. By the looks of things, we won't keep it together that long.

The King of the Nachzehrer and the rest of the royal court...

They've only put forth a more demanding request. Don't worry, Kal'tsit, they're just targeting me.

But... we no longer have the leeway to deal with more mistrust.

Theresa.

What is it, Doctor? Ah... Right, I haven't formally solicited your advice yet, and it would be unbecoming of me to start giving orders rashly.

Doctor, it seems we'll need to get a bit further away from Kazdel. This calls for a full relocation, or in other words, a retreat.

Do you have a second opinion?

This might be the only option.

If possible... I would have liked to give everyone more options. But we're out of time.

The Military Council's ideas are both too heavy-handed and direct, and I stood firmly opposed to their ideology. But to prevent Kazdel from making unnecessary sacrifices, we'll have to leave, temporarily.

I believe— I truly believe, that we share the same heart, and the same blood flows through us. But even blood can be separated and transfused, and I don't know when we'll be able to merge again.

At least for now, separating is the least damaging option.

Every Sarkaz has a desire to follow her beliefs. I can feel your convictions, and there will be many Sarkaz following you.

But I will not help you make a decision. I can only bear witness.

Yes. That's the best arrangement in front of us so far, Dr. {@nickname}.

Alright then, without further ado, the two of you should pack up and get ready to set out!

How much can we take with us?

Unfortunately, not much. We may have to abandon a large number of our facilities. Ascalon will buy us time.

That's more than enough, Theresa. You don't need to dispatch any more hands to help us. I'll bring the Doctor back to rendezvous with you safely.

Then we'll follow the pre-arranged plan, Kal'tsit. The person-in-charge will arrive later.

But, Doctor, Kal'tsit, I'm sorry to make you evacuate in such a hurry.

We'll have to put the research on hold for the time being... How I hoped to see the fruits that they would bear.

I'll work hard to create a space where we can continue our research. Finally...

I believe things will take a turn for the better.

13 days later

Kazdel Border, Babel Encampment, 'Dr. {@nickname}'s Camp'

Who are you?

Don't move.

I'm not like those idiots getting themselves killed for no reason. I caught you alone.

You shouldn't be doing this, Sarkaz.

Hah... Is that what someone in your shoes should be saying?

I lost my patience a long time ago. Her Majesty... She even put you on a pedestal, letting you talk down to us.

But you've done nothing for us at all! You don't understand us at all!

You and that Feline aren't even Sarkaz. You don't belong in Kazdel.

Now you swarm around Her Majesty, using that intimate position of yours to push the 'Babel' she dreams about.

Don't make me laugh... Her Royal Majesty, Theresa, the great hero, thriving for a hundred years, she needs foreigners to direct her every move?

I don't trust your ilk...! Outsiders who have nothing to do with us!