Глава 15

Is the backup power online yet?

The junction box broke. Try cutting off that damaged circuit. Maybe short-circuit protection is still kicking in.

Watch your feet.

I can see.

We're in luck.

The Originium crystals all appeared in an instant.

Still no word from anyone else?

Comms are still jammed. Even the emergency frequencies are out.

I have even worse news. For some reason, Rhodes Island is currently headed northwest at maximum speed.

At this rate, it's only a matter of time before we collide with a mobile mining platform.

We must eliminate all possible dangers along the course. Protect the ship from the outside, and prevent collateral damage.

Let's get out of here and check our vehicle inventory in the <i>Bad Guy's</i> cabin.

Space around here has been transformed. Existing maps are no longer reliable. Stay close to me.

(Comes to a sudden stop)

Is something wrong?

They're coming again.

Hardly had he finished when an arrow whooshed through the air.

Missed?

There is no answer.

Stormeye?

Sharp turns around to see that the door to the restaurant has turned into a metal wall crawling with Originium.

But it is not Stormeye standing behind him—

(Approaches soundlessly)

Is that it?

Communications are still out.

I wonder how the others are doing.

Pith gazes at the communicator silently with a furrowed brow.

The footsteps disappear into the distance.

But the fallen Originium entities rise again, moving in perfect unison, striding over the damaged communicator on the ground.

'—*Bzzt* All operators... receiving this message...'

'Do not... trust... communications blocked...'

'*Bzzt*... Rhodes Island... awake...'

'Awake'?

Watch the sides.

Very strange. These things won't die.

Ascalon points her sleeve-blade towards a wavering shadow not far away.

Silhouettes manifest from the shadows like ghosts, every step accompanied by the sound of crystal cracking.

The clothes they wear—Reunion? And Nachzehrers too... nothing can surprise me now.

Their bodies are composed entirely of Originium. We cannot rely on past experience.

Guess we'll have to improvise.

We can't just stay here. We have to find where these things came from.

The intention of these enemies is unclear, as is the situation on the Doctor's side. If...

Amiya is with the Doctor. No need to worry.

We continue with our mission—ascertaining the source of the abnormal events.

If this is what Kal'tsit was guarding against, then these things must follow the command of some unknown actor...

Communications are still out. We can't reach anyone else.

I wonder if the other elite operators—

Ascalon...

As they pass by the Originium crystals, Misery catches a glimpse of a fleeting image in the multi-faceted reflections of the crystals.

Did I just see Outcast?

Clack, clack—

A sharp claw separates itself from the surface of the Originium crystal, then curled horns, rugged silhouette, and spiked tail.

This creature is not unfamiliar to Rhodes Island's battle records, but never has it been composed solely of Originium.

As the never-before-seen form of life takes its first step, an arrow impales its throat and shatters its skull.

—Safe. For now.

Stormeye leans against the wall and pauses to catch his breath, before tending to his wounds.

At least it won't hinder me in battle.

(Static)

Sharp. Come in, Sharp. Can you hear me?

If you hear me, leave a sign somewhere, any way you can. I'll come and find you.

(Static)

...Dammit—

*Bzzt*—Stor...Stormeye—Careful—*bzzt—

Sharp?! What's your location?

*Bzzt*—Engaging—Whitesmith—Stop—

...? Wait for me!

...Assist...

More rampaging machines rush into the corridor, the light in their eyes flashing in sync.

Their simple voice units repeat a call for help, defying the limitations of their design.

Not now!

Stormeye's arrow pierces the cores of two of the machines with unerring accuracy. Then he makes a run for it, not pausing to look back.

At least... thirty.

A fork...

Two virtually identical corridors extend as far as Stormeye's eye could see.

The pathways within Rhodes Island are undergoing constant, haphazard changes. No one knows to which fates the diverging corridors lead.

The rampaging machines are catching up.

(Furious howl)

Faster than expected. Rhodes Island is not ready.

If there is such a thing as being ready for her.

(Alerted growl)

However, something is clearly not right with her as well. She would not resort to such inefficient means otherwise.

This may be our last chance to gain the upper hand.

(Approaches silently)

Clear a way, Mon3tr. Don't get stuck in a fight.

Time is of the essence.

The passage before Kal'tsit changes again, in an attempt to lead her astray.

But the warping of space does not affect Kal'tsit. She can still sense her target—the Sarcophagus of Dr. {@nickname}.

The information is etched into the bottommost layer of her memory.

Mon3tr. Eliminate all threats that approach the Sarcophagus. Buy me time.

(Excited howling)

Once again, she stands before the familiar Sarcophagus.

Once, she awoke the hope that slumbered within, only to find pain that could not be easily wiped away.

Now, it is their last hope.

I can't guarantee that this is going to work, Mon3tr.

But I won't just sit around and watch a fighting chance slip away.

Kal'tsit walks towards the Sarcophagus and places a white flower on top of it.

This is her legacy. Little did she know at the time that it was fire stolen from the 'gods'.

...We must all challenge those higher beings and fight for a chance to live.

(Nervous growl)

If something goes wrong, Mon3tr, act on your own discretion.