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A most remarkable speech, Mr. Vice President.

People were moved to tears, even in the Rhine lounge.

I didn't think I would move the most eccentric, most maverick scientists of Columbia.

But I've received enough flowers, banners, strongly worded letters of support, and soldier figures painted in my likeness over the last few hours.

Not from Rhine.

...For the better, I suppose. Let's get back to the topic at hand.

How should we define that 'tree' floating in the sky, from a scientific perspective?

If you really want to know the scientific principles behind it, I could spend the whole afternoon explaining how its roots will spread across the land, and its branches and leaves across the sky.

From a scientific perspective, however, all you need to know is that when it is fully grown, it will be able to collect energy and information from across Columbia and process it centrally.

You mean... an energy well like the S.H.A.F.T., but on a national scale?

And a server, too. Bidirectional, to boot.

The roots and branches go both ways—not only from the ground to the sky, but also from the sky to the ground.

Haha.

No need to force yourself to understand these things. You can zone out the way you did when you visited our Trimounts headquarters.

It was your words that saved the tree when dozens of guns from the Department of Defense and hundreds of cameras from Maylander media were pointed at it.

Miss Wilson's words truly tugged at the heartstrings. Even an old man like me couldn't help but think back to the wild days of youth.

I see.

And there I was, thinking that it was because you didn't want to give away the chance to define this tree to Maylander or the Department of Defense.

An exhibition, a speech, Sky Fever and patriotism have made you the overwhelming darling of public opinion over the other candidates, in the span of just a few hours.

But have you thought about the future you would need to paint, in order to not let your supporters down?

Or was it always your plan to improvise your speech?

You know about the understanding between Kristen and the Department of Defense. Kristen would build Arc-01, and it was none of Rhine's business who the DOD used it against.

Since I already have the authority to define this tree, I don't suppose it would have broken through the Starpod before everyone's eyes, if I didn't discuss with Rhine when defining it?

Of course you don't have to discuss with anyone, be it Nasti, myself, the generals, the lawmakers, or that plushie on your shoulder.

...Hehe.

I take back what I said about you when I was chatting with my secretary.

What do you mean?

You're easier to deal with than Kristen.

State your demands.

Lift the lockdown on Propeller Paradise and allow the escaped plate to return to the capital's route for repairs. As to those involved in the incident...

'Escaped'? That's not how D.C. will define what has happened.

Researchers who stand on the front lines of Columbian science would never flee in the face of foreign sabotage, would they?

What else?

Lift the lockdown on Rhine Lab... you know what I'm talking about.

You and I should hold an official meeting as soon as possible. You can't ask the government to undo something we haven't done. We've only ever been curious...

What can Rhine Lab do?

Seriously, is no one sleeping tonight? I should have held some night wilderness tours.

Heh. You just wouldn't stay still, would you, even when the plate's broken down.

I could say the same about you. You look like a clerk gazing blankly at the sky outside after coming back from vacation.

Well... I was scared, but also excited, when we started fighting the Maylander people.

You almost scared ME when you tried to bite that agent's finger off.

I'm not really an emotional guy. The last time I was so excited was when I got approved for that Sky Loan.

The loan shark was showing off levitating devices at the entrance to the local bar. There were so many people watching that they broke the fence.

In the end, it wasn't education or economic circumstances that decided who got the loan, but who could fly a drone the highest and furthest.

Which was how you ended up being the sucker who got scammed into it.

That night, I stupidly bragged to my wife, showing off the finger I used to move the control stick and win a chance for the future...

It was only a few days later that you realized there was no battery in the controller at all.

Yeah, I should never trust myself when blood gets into my head.

But you still charged the blockade with us without a second thought, didn't you?

Yeah. Now we're like cystybeasts to the slaughter in the wilderness, waiting for the government to decide our future...

I feel like an onion thrown into a washing machine, getting layers after layers peeled off in these tides of fevers...

Do you want to escape the washing machine, or do you want to be more than a powerless onion?

Hm...

A few years ago, I had an idea while going into the Bleached Wasteland for the third time.

If I sneaked inside with a truckload of pure gold ore, and took it through the border checkpoint in broad daylight...

Columbians would forget all the terrifying legends in the blink of an eye and begin another Great Expansion, and it wouldn't be much different from what we're going through.

Even if it began with a bored tour guide rather than a scientist who split the sky; even if it was a hoax rather than a milestone.

We always try to see new possibilities inside the door marked 'impossible', to escape the laws of common sense that seem to have no end, to go somewhere else and live a different life.

You, me, the hundreds of Propeller Paradise testers, even that Rhine researcher assistant, Sky... we're all the same.

The onion can't get out of the washing machine...

But we can remember why we chose to go inside.

If the government doesn't hang us all for treason tonight, I want to stay on Propeller Paradise, run Lucky Cystybeast, and pay my debts.

Can you deliver a letter to my wife? I don't really trust regular Messengers.

Would you like to join Ferne's Tours? I could deliver YOU.

I don't believe it. There can't be a single scientist on Terra like you.

(Sound of hammering)

How did you meet Gustave? Did you know about his and Maylander's plan?

(Sound of metal being polished)

Shame I never actually got to teach him a lesson. The old fox ran off with Maylander's people after the levitation layer fell.

He was taken away in handcuffs.

Handcuffs? Ha! He wanted me to take the fall for Propeller Paradise, but he's the one who ends up going down!

(Sound of metal clanging)

Good.

You've been sitting here the whole day with those pliers and hammers... what are you studying?

I'm preparing for a journey.

The Kuranta gestures to the bottom of his 'shoes'. Only then does Gordon realize that the sound that the Kuranta makes when walking does not come from shoes.

A piece of crescent-shaped metal... nailed to your feet? Doesn't it hurt?

No. Feet are more trustworthy than shoes in treacherous terrain, such as the swamps of Sargon, the icefields of Sami, and the barrenlands of Columbia.

So you don't plan on hiding your identity from me.

My role is insignificant in this entire event.

I simply came to help a friend, and made a new friend along the way.

I do so hate free spirits.

You have enough experience to be my travel companion. But you won't do it.

ATAO's gonna be purged after this accident. Why should I not go back when the old fox no longer has any influence?

Besides, you recognized everything in my collection room. I'll always be inferior to you if I traveled with you.

I'll make good use of all ATAO resources available to me. You won't recognize Five-Four the next time you see it.

I look forward to it.

Is there any place you haven't been? Like beyond the Starpod, I guess?

There are many paths that no one has trodden before.

If there indeed comes a day when humanity stands among the clouds, I will continue to cast my gaze to the land.

I saw you coming this time, Mercia.

It's rare to see you not burying your head in work. Are you waiting for someone?

What about you? Your colleagues already pulled out of Propeller Paradise, before the sun had set.

Another rule of secretaries? You have to be the last one to leave?

Just ran into a bit of trouble when packing.

(Speaks in Sarkaz) Hover.

Oh, thank you. I was wondering how I would get them down there.

Yet you chose the most scenic route, one that would take you around the tree.

I wanted to see the final resting place of Væla... your mother.

Her epitaph is the leaves that grow upon it.

Look up on your way out. She might have the wind carry one to you, if she still remembers you.

You're not angry that I used Væla to complete Maylander's mission?

You also defied Maylander's orders in order to help her.

If it's to prison that you go from here, I would not consider it a shining example of Columbian justice.

No need to worry about that.

The Tin Man once decorated himself with drone parts that Mr. Selene discarded. Usefulness is not the only standard that he uses to judge.

And this little rebellion won't be, either.

Mm.

Ah... I think that's the one you were waiting for?

I'll take my leave, then.

Give me the parameters, Sky.

Transmission complete. Nothing out of the ordinary. The tree is in great shape.

But you already know that, don't you?

Just making sure the battle didn't wreck your brain.

The first thing I learned on the streets of Trimounts was how to fight. I wouldn't be here at Rhine if a fight or two could wreck my brain.

Until I come back, you're in charge of the tree's regular maintenance, any derivative projects, and all our staff, workers and testers in Propeller Paradise.

I need you on top of your game.

I got the projects, but the workers and testers... they have been asking what you liked. They wanted to give you a token of their appreciation before you leave.

They stayed because of you, Director Lunorey.

What did you tell them?

Uh... I don't know. I have no idea what you like... other than our work.

Take a <i>Starpod Wars</i> stamp to Pitt tomorrow. He'll tell you everyone's personality and interests.

Director...

The first thing I learned on the barrenlands was how to deal with people.

What do you like, then?

It's not hard to find out.

It's time to go. I'll leave the tree in your hands.

Huh? What about the one you were waiting for?

He's used to traveling alone. He's probably already left.

Left? But we're in the barrenlands!

He'll find a way.

Hey, stop. This is Rhine Lab HQ. Visitors need to register over there.

I noticed you the moment you walked in. Hard not to, given the clatter you make when walking. Did you just come back from the barrenlands or something? At least change your clothes, if you want to steal company secrets.

What the... director-level access? Who are you?

I-I'm sorry. I'll take you upstairs now. The others are waiting for you in the conference room.

Thank you.

...That's the gist of it. The rest of the details are on the slide.

Propeller Paradise has docked with Max, D.C.. The District will now proceed to perform repairs and take inventory.

Hundreds of tech firms, more than a thousand research projects on the sky and flight, and some twenty to thirty-thousand people... it could take months to complete.

Fortunately, Saria's negotiation with Jackson was a success, and the Rhine Engineering Section will be able to focus on their work at Propeller Paradise.

Sky Jagger is in charge until I get back. He's matured a lot.

Wow, you're actually developing the new guys.

Good work, Nasti.

Thanks for your help... I would thank you even more if you deleted the photos where you make faces with my appearance.

Nah, don't think so.

Say, aren't you gonna tell me about your mom?

No.

Something's different about you... not sure what, exactly, but in a good way.

Nasti...

Alright. I cried, I came to terms with a few things, and strengthened my resolve with a few things. That's all.

Ahem. I didn't leave my lab to watch your little tête-à-tête.

You've been a little too committed to science lately, Ferdinand. I'm almost starting to miss the days when you were scheming left and right to take over the company.

And why do you think I'm not doing that?

I'll ask you to recall that it was MY breakthroughs in high-energy physics that have kept all our sections afloat these past two years, ladies!

Yes, sure, thank you for your help.

I'm guessing Dorothy didn't come to the meeting because she didn't want to hear you gloat.

Hmph. She went back to Site 359 right after the inquiry. She said she had a few dreams... girl never looks forward.

Saria. Nasti's already sent the experiment results concerning the 'tree' to my mailbox. We're not here only to discuss the Propeller Paradise matter, are we?

Of course not.

Then who are we waiting for?

Perhaps you might be interested in seeing data from the Infy Icefield?

You're back, Maryam. Finally.

Sorry, it's been a long time since I've been in Columbia. Took me some time to fit my hoof-irons. Broke them in on the walk from D.C. to Trimounts.

I'm glad I didn't wait for you on Propeller Paradise. I had a car that could have taken both of us back to Rhine together.

...You know, I never considered that at all.

Someone obsessed with searching for death in every corner of Terra would be used to working alone. I figured.

It takes two people with director-level access to activate the core unit of that tree. I had wondered who Saria sent to help Nasti...

The legend is already a pile of bones in the wilderness. The media questions if the director of Rhine's Scientific Investigation Section even exists. There's definitely no better choice, but—

You want to know who arranged it? Justin Jr.

He had some investments in Čappat, and no sooner had I left the Infy Icefield than he got in touch.

He told me to go to Columbia, and straight to D.C.. I got Gustave's invitation soon after... Justin Jr. had obviously, let's just say, pulled a few strings.

Then why did you—

Why did I come back to Rhine? I found a fragment of that spherical superstructure in the depths of the Infy Icefield, where the rootless flowers bloomed the brightest.

You guessed it? Yes, it's the structure that Kristen's files mentioned. She said people in the old times called it the Stargate.

I'm sure Saria will share the information with you soon. Any more questions, Ferdinand? I thought not.

Haha. Nothing's changed about how you ask and answer your own questions, Maryam. You've left Ferdinand with nothing left to say.

Alright, looks like everyone's here.

This meeting is rather overdue. For the past two years, all of mainstream Columbian media and the tech tabloids have made the same judgment...

'The gap where Galleria Stellaria disappeared is a scar upon the Starpod, and a scar upon Rhine.' They've even come up with a whole narrative on the cancellation of Rhine's end-of-year cocktail party.

We were all busy, that's all.

Yes, but now we finally have some time.

The joint project between Engineering and Ecological had some unexpected twists and turns, but the final result was a smashing success. Nasti, you're now holding the key to a brand new domain.

...If we can keep it in our hands.

Maryam's discovery in the Infy Icefield has proven beyond all doubt that those strange tales that Kristen collected are, indeed, based on actual fact.

Perhaps it will help us rebuild dialogue with the old era.

And Muelsyse has brought back data from our observation station in Kjerag...

Data that's very interesting... or very dangerous.

I'm sure you've heard about the events in Bolívar. Twenty science teams have gone missing in the Black Flow.

Explorers and schemers will be excited if there are any developments with that swamp. Rhine should act too, Saria.

Magallan is already on her way.

The events and phenomena that have unfolded since Kristen's incident indicate that the most well-hidden secrets of Terra all lead to the same answer.

It will tell us the reason for Terra's existence, and whether it is a disaster or a brave new 'world' waiting for us in the future.

Rhine Lab has already made preparations, but that alone is not enough. We must respond to the fear of the unknown, and go boldly where no one has gone before...

What you said was absolutely correct, Nasti.

However, Rhine Lab must be the one to turn that key.

(Mutters) Whoa...

Of course, we'll have a make-up cocktail party.

What's this, Justin Jr.?

A newspaper sample. I would like you to think of a title for this article here before it goes to print. Are these scientists gathered to 'Mourn the End of Sky Fever'...?

Or preparing to 'Usher in a Tide of New Changes?'

You sent a screenshot of your communications with your colleagues to the <i>The Savior?</i>

More appropriate to put it as a DOD-aligned newspaper getting its hands on certain documents that could not be obtained by official means.

But I heard your Control has already reached an understanding with Jackson concerning Propeller Paradise.

None too thrilled about it, are you? But it won't stop me from making another deal with you.

You understand that, in the aftermath of the Horizon Arc Project, Rhine Lab's credibility with the Department of Defense has become roughly the equivalent of Mama John's scratch-off lottery tickets—garbage.

Which is why I only came to you after Saria reached an understanding with Jackson.

In the aftermath of the setback in Bolívar, the failure of the Horizon Arc Project, and the Propeller Paradise incident, the Department of Defense's credibility with President Mark Max has become...

Well, I suppose I should spare you the proverbs.

I don't know what exactly our scientists are planning, but I know the value they can create. In this, I'm sure we're in agreement.

I'm a businessman, and my priority is Rhine's business interests.

Sounds like I have no reason to refuse.

It's a pleasure doing business with you.

To be frank with you, I didn't think much of you when Blake recommended you...

Hah. I'm sure you remember my life story that I just shared, which is a fairly interesting one, if I do say so myself...

All you need to do is think something of fate. As for your attitude toward the one who controls its pulse—

That's rarely in your hands.