()||9<黑屏1>0,10BGM_Empty:... ()Commander||<黑屏2>221BGM_Sneak:Kalina, what's the situation? NPC-Kalin(9)Kalina||:After breaking through, the mechs are heading straight for...the base elevator. Looks like they're planning to descend into the lower levels of the base. ()Commander||:Where the Starfish is, huh... +Let Ange handle it. We can't split our forces any further. +How are things at the base entrance? NPC-Kalin(9)Kalina||:The Military's follow-up units are trying to cross the roadblocks that we blasted into place. It probably won't stop them for long. +Should we counterattack? ()Commander||:These are the last few echelons we have. We can't afford to lose any more. +Dammit, will we have to mount a fighting retreat into the base's interior? NPC-Jason(1)K||:You must not fall back. We should still be able to deal with them as long as they're exposed. ()Commander||:I'm listening. NPC-Jason(1)K||:Do you have comms equipment? ()Commander||:All our long-range comms equipment was destroyed. NPC-Jason(1)K||:Short-range will do. You know that there's a Vympel unit not far away from the base, right? ()Commander||:I know, but will they help us? NPC-Jason(1)K||:That'll depend on how negotiations go. +Give me the radio and tune it to UHF 73.975, frequency hopping at 111 times per second. Use encryption mode 12. ()Commander||:Give it to him. NPC-Kalin(9)Kalina||:Alright, the adjustments are complete. +...Are they really going to respond? NPC-Jason(1)K||:Let's just hope we can get through at all. +This is "Waterfall", do you copy? ()||AVG_whitenoise:... +The only sound that comes through the radio is white noise. NPC-Jason(1)K||:I repeat, this is "Waterfall", Please respond if you read me. ()||:... NPC-Kalin(9)Kalina||:No response, huh... ()||:K glances at Kalina, who looks extremely anxious, and his grip tightens on the radio handset. NPC-Jason(1)K||:I repeat, this is "Waterfall", requesting assistance from Squad Cobalt-13 of Vympel 4th Detachment, do you copy? Over. +My ID code is DINV-RTSA-1239. This is an emergency transmission, please respond immediately if you copy. Over. ()||AVG_tele_connect:The white noise is cut short by an electronic sound, then a male voice speaks. ()Cobalt-13||:Cobalt-13 copies. Message received. Over. NPC-Jason(1)K||:Cobalt-13, Waterfall is requesting support. Enemy units are about to break through the defense zone and enter the restricted area. This is a severe threat to the success of our mission. +Requesting fire support. Over. ()Cobalt-13||:Negative. We do not have permission to fire. Over. NPC-Jason(1)K||:Cobalt-13, verify the urgency of the situation. The enemy's main armored unit is currently stalled in the built-up area. This is your last chance to provide fire support. +If the enemy succeeds in breaking through, they will constitute a severe threat to our mission.+Please notify your superiors. Over. ()||:The radio goes silent for a brief moment. ()Cobalt-13||:Negative. I understand and sympathize with your situation, but you were already informed before the operation began that you would not receive fire support. Over. NPC-Jason(1)K||:Our team has obtained the "star". Our mission is to ensure the safety of the "star" at all costs.+The enemy armored units are severely impeding the progress of our mission. This is an emergency situation, please provide us with fire support immediately! ()Cobalt-13||:Cobalt-13 copies, but we are not authorized to open fire. Over. NPC-Jason(1)K||:God dammit! Then call your fucking superiors and ASK them, damned Ivan!+I am Major Kain Schwaben of the German Democratic Republic's Ministry for State Security; on behalf of the German Stasi, I request that the Soviets provide fire support for this operation!+Notify your superiors immediately! Over! ()||AVG_whitenoise:... +The despair-inducing white noise continues over the radio. +It only lasts a few seconds, but it feels like an eternity. ()Cobalt-13||:Cobalt-13 copies, we will relay this message to our superiors. Over. NPC-Jason(1)K||:Waterfall copies. Thank you. ()Cobalt-13||:Your request has been submitted. Please delay the enemy units for as long as possible. We are waiting for further instructions from Moscow.+We will contact you once we obtain permission to fire. Cobalt-13 out. ()||AVG_tele_disconnect:K puts down the radio handset. His eyes betray his genuine uncertainty of whether the fire support will come. ()Commander||:Stasi? NPC-Jason(1)K||:I know what you want to ask. I'll explain after it's all over. ()Commander||:I hope we'll live long enough to hear your explanation.+So we have to hold off the Military until we get a reply? NPC-Jason(1)K||:Correct. You must buy time for the bombardment.+That's your job, Commander. ()Commander||:Tsk... Kalina, how many combat-capable personnel do we have? NPC-Kalin(9)Kalina||:If we push it, we can put a few echelons together, but... ()Commander||:Understood. Put me through to everyone. NPC-Kalin(9)Kalina||BGM_Empty:Okay... ()||10258:The command display shows the surviving Dolls. Their fine features are now blackened by the soot and dust of the battlefield.+The only sound that interrupts the silence is the distant booming of the enemy's cannon fire.+The Commander doesn't have to say anything. They understand what is being asked of them, yet they still return the Commander's gaze with the same old smile.+The Commander closes their eyes and takes a deep breath. Then they open their eyes again and start assigning new missions and plotting new routes on the command tablet.+The Dolls immediately run to their designated locations. Everything is silent, save for the distant sounds of cannon fire and the howling frigid wind.+Finally, the Commander puts down the tablet. Only then do they realize that their fists are clenched so tightly that the knuckles have gone white. NPC-Jason(1)K||:... ()Commander||:They're buying you the time you want, K. +Don't let them down. NPC-Jason(1)K||<黑屏1>:...I won't.