Глава 15

'Life'. A concept so vague, yet so fascinating.

We've gotten used to treating any individual that thinks like us as life, for no other reason than the fact that they're like us.

For no other reason than that we all fight death to the bitter end for our own survival.

But this is hubris, {@nickname}.

Target eliminated.

Stormeye. Four o'clock. Two-round burst fire.

At the wall supports?

Stormeye is confused, but fires two arrows in rapid succession without hesitation.

The environment changed the instant I fired! The obstacle disappeared, and the rounds hit the enemy...

How did you do that?

It wasn't me. It was ZOOT who did the calculations.

Now, jump down at your six o'clock. Don't worry about the Originium shards in the hole.

Hah.

He jumps, and his surroundings change again, causing him to fall endlessly, until his fall is arrested by a rope of incantations.

Closure's calculations were spot-on.

I've been waiting here.

What now?

Follow instructions and go in with eyes shut.

We praise the courage of struggle and celebrate the virtue of defiance.

And so the lives that follow the same way of thinking join the procession of slim hope.

Before a true god, however...

Our struggle must seem utterly insignificant to It.

Perhaps It never even took notice.

All hostiles in sight have been eliminated.

Quarantine zone line of defense established.

Good job, kitten!

Shame you didn't leave a few for me.

What's next, Closure?

Thirty seconds.

The next wave of enemies will appear at twelve o'clock. Eliminate with extreme prejudice.

It will open a path to the route that the Doctor must take.

Good! More pain for the culprit.

How about I get first dibs this time, kitten?

You don't agree with me, do you, {@nickname}?

There is no certainty that this is the key to the truth. But, after ascertaining that the foreseen despair will destroy all that we worked for—

We must grasp what hope we can reach in our hands.

I have poured too much love into the miracle of life, that I see ever more clearly the weakness and flaws that we cannot cast aside.

How do I trust everyone whom I love? How do I trust... you?

Closure! It's not working!

The surrounding structures are beginning to contract! They're trying to crush me!

The drones I sent out aren't finding any viable routes. The reinforced supports won't last long.

I'm working on it!

ZOOT is trying to process a LOT of data simultaneously. Give her some time!

Six, five, four, three, two... one!

Mechanist! Look up!

In the shadow, the ceiling begins to warp, then a cold blade cuts open a path leading to the unknown.

A hand emerges from the gap.

Someone said you needed a hand?

As they say, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.

Hang on tight, Mechanist!

Everyone's waiting for you.

I cannot accurately predict when we will meet again—

But I am certain that when that time comes, we will have lost all that we have now.

No life can defy death forever, and those who have passed do not meet again at the end of time.

But I hope that I will see you again there... {@nickname}.

(Angry roar)

(Howls)

(Charges energy)

(Fires an energy beam)

The beam burns a massive hole through the blockade of Originium entities, raking its way into the distance, cutting the entities down in swathes—

Then, it is stopped by some kind of force.

Good hit, good hit!

Just be careful you don't hit the Doctor, Mon3tr.

We're in position.

You lead the team out of the darkness.

Kal'tsit is here.

(Shakes body in joy)

Support Mon3tr.;Neutralize all enemies around the Sarcophagus.

Coordinate with me.

No problem.

Incantations with you.

Is that the Sarcophagus? It was hidden inside the ship all along?

Where I first woke up...

Kal'tsit's signal is weakening!

We have to get inside.

Is Kal'tsit in there?

It's not looking good for her, based on what Raidian said.

We need to get her out of there ASAP, Dr. {@nickname}.

I'm worried for her safety, if we delay any longer.

We can't act rashly. We don't know what the situation is with Kal'tsit and the Sarcophagus.

Combat logs indicate that someone came into contact with the Sarcophagus in Chernobog, causing a reaction that nobody expected.

Kal'tsit's different.

Leave it to me.;Cover me.

You walk towards the Sarcophagus without hesitation.

You touch the cold Sarcophagus... it answers.

No, Kal'tsit answers.

We must press onwards together.

Dr. Kal'tsit—

You've come at a good time.

What's the situation... of Rhodes Island...?

You extend your hand to the one in the Sarcophagus.

Everyone's safe.;Thanks to you.

Welcome back, Kal'tsit.

She takes your hand. You have never felt such weakness from her.

You don't look so good.;What happened?

Don't worry about me...

It wasn't easy, trying to access PRTS through the Sarcophagus. But I did find a surprising gift.

I'll share more information about PRTS and Priestess with you.

(Anxious howl)

Don't worry, Mon3tr. I'm still standing before you.