()||9<黑屏1>0,10黑屏1>BGM_Empty:
()||<黑屏2>1m_avg_casual:On the outskirts of Berlin.
()||:By a road lined with verdant trees stands a small and rather decrepit house.
M4 SOPMOD IIMod(3)M4 SOPMOD II||:(Wheezes) What's with this rickety house?! This can't be the place that J guy is sending us to, right?
RO635Mod(0)RO635||:Stop complaining and get to work, SOP-II.
M4 SOPMOD IIMod(3)M4 SOPMOD II||:Alright, alright! +This place looks so beat-up. Can it even be used?
RO635Mod(0)RO635||:It does look a bit old, but it's actually quite well-equipped. There's even a vehicle for us.
M4 SOPMOD IIMod(3)M4 SOPMOD II||:Oh! Hold on, why are we the only ones doing the cleaning?!
RO635Mod(0)RO635||:We'd already be done by now if you hadn't wasted so much time jabbering.
()||AVG_Door_Open_Close:RO635 picks up their cleaning equipment and pushes SOP-II into the house. +The others remain outside, organizing their ammo and firearm reserves. Everyone looks solemn and exhausted.
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:I can see from your face that you've already come up with thousands of ways of dealing with Morridow.
AR15Mod(4)ST AR-15||:...
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:If you can't hold it in, do share them with me. I'm sure your ideas will be way more hair-raising than Gr G11's horror flicks.
()Commander||:I know how you feel, 15, but Morridow may still be of use to us.
AR15Mod(4)ST AR-15||:I understand, Commander.
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:It won't be easy getting information out of her.
AR15Mod(0)ST AR-15||:How hard can it be? I can get her to talk as long as she has a mouth.
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:I also know how to conduct an interrogation, but the main problem is we're only safe for the time being. +Even with the temporary safe house, with Morridow's skills, it's only a matter of time for her to break through the signal barrier and get a message out. +If we don't solve this issue, we'll have to keep switching locations.
()Commander||:If Paradeus takes her away, all our efforts will have been for nothing...
AR15Mod(0)ST AR-15||:Can't you break her comms module?
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:It won't do any good. Only an electronic lock would work on her. +Unfortunately, the only person who can create one... is still in dreamland.
AR15Mod(0)ST AR-15||:Then when will she be able to do that? +Break through the signal barrier, I mean.
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:Hard to say. After all, a Nyto's neural cloud... or virtual cognition image? +Well, it may look like our neural space, but it's actually a completely different system. +I can try hacking it, but my method would be rather crude.
()Commander||:In that case—
()||AVG_whitenoiseBGM_Empty:Screeeeeee—
()||BGM_Truth:At that moment, an extraordinary noise suddenly comes through the Commander's communicator. +The shrill shriek pierces the Commander's human eardrums. The two Dolls are also displaying reactions of intense pain.
AR15Mod(5)ST AR-150.1||:Argh...!!
UMP45Mod(0)UMP450.1||:It's... a neural attack...!!
()||:ST AR-15 collapses onto the ground, her limbs spasming out of control. +UMP45 is faring a lot better in comparison, but even she is struggling to move.
()Commander||:15?!
()||AVG_tele_disconnect:The Commander hurriedly turns off the communicator and stares at the collapsed ST AR-15 in alarm.
()Commander||:Dammit! We're already under attack?!
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:G-Get out of here... Commander...!
()||:The Commander, the only one unaffected, is caught in a dilemma. +They can't just leave the Dolls behind!
()||AVG_whitenoiseBGM_Empty:Screeeeee!!
UMP45Mod(0)UMP450.1||:Oof!
()||:The sharp noise rings out again, and UMP45, who was frozen to the spot just a second ago, is released from her invisible binds.
AR15Mod(5)ST AR-15||:Ugh...!
()||:The spasming ST AR-15 also returns to normal, but she is still sprawled on the ground from the exertion.
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:I have never come across EM interference of such intensity...
()||:Still shaken, UMP45 grips her gun warily.
AR15Mod(5)ST AR-15||Select:We must...Prepare for a counterattack... Where is the enemy?
()||:Leaning against a wall, ST AR-15 gets to her feet feebly as she scans the surroundings cautiously.
()Commander||:...
()||:However, throughout the initial neural attack, the safe house has been utterly still and quiet. +The enemies everyone is expecting have not shown up. UMP45 and ST AR-15 exchange bemused glances. +What on earth just happened?
()Commander||:...Are both of you alright?
AR15Mod(5)ST AR-15||:...I'm okay now.
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:I took a hit, but it only lasted a second.
()||:Still feeling very tense and uneasy, UMP45 gets in touch with UMP9.
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:9? Respond if you copy.
UMP9Mod(4)UMP9<通讯框>||:45? What is it?
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:Did you feel anything just now?
UMP9Mod(4)UMP9<通讯框>||:No?
()||:UMP9 is her usual self. Nothing seems to have happened to her whatsoever.
AR15Mod(5)ST AR-15||:Did they not notice anything?
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||AVG_tele_disconnect:Looks like it. I suppose the phenomenon was localized to where we are?
AR15Mod(2)ST AR-15||:Localized...
()||:Suddenly struck by a thought, ST AR-15 turns to look at the entrance of the safe house.
AR15Mod(5)ST AR-15||:Crap! RO and SOP-II!
()M4 SOPMOD II||<震屏3>:WAAAAH!!!
()||:As if to confirm ST AR-15's suspicions, SOP-II's scream comes from within the safe house.
()||<黑屏1>:
()||<黑屏2>1BGM_Brain:On a shaded boulevard, an oblivious moth lands lightly on Gray. She pinches its wings delicately. +Then she brings her hands gently together...And slowly pushes them against each other... She spreads her hands... +And the moth is now lifeless.
NytoWhite(0)White Nyto||:...
Nyto(1)Black Nyto||:W-We... couldn't lock onto their latest position... +We have already deployed all our scouts, but Morridow's signal was very weak... +T-Then we lost it altogether several minutes ago. We can't trace it...
NPC-MrsGray(0)Mrs. Gray||:Save the explanation. +What about you?
()||:The Nyto being addressed shudders and answers carefully.
NytoWhite(0)White Nyto||:We cracked the data from the previous transmission. They seem to point towards these locations.
NPC-MrsGray(0)Mrs. Gray||:Right. Send me the floor plans of all three factories.
NytoWhite(0)White Nyto||AVG_keyboardtype_sci:They have been sent to you... +But these factories are all abandoned... W-What do we do next?
NPC-MrsGray(0)Mrs. Gray||:Find something from the factories and put them in there. Make sure they're less than 50% complete.
NytoWhite(0)White Nyto||:...Understood.
NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:You.
()||:Gray raises her chin.
Nyto(1)Black Nyto||:A-awaiting orders!
NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Go and set up a surveillance system. Don't leave any blind spots.
Nyto(1)Black Nyto||:Yes, ma'am! +But...
NPC-MrsGray(0)Mrs. Gray||:Go on.
Nyto(1)Black Nyto||:The place has been abandoned for too long, I'm afraid the power supply will not be able to support the surveillance equipment...
NPC-MrsGray(0)Mrs. Gray||:That's fine. We still have time.
NytoWhite(0)White Nyto||:Should I... send sentries over there?
NPC-MrsGray(0)Mrs. Gray||:No need. I'm going in person.
NytoWhite(0)White Nyto||:Yes, ma'am.
()||:After a pause, Gray tosses the corpse of the moth away. +The Nytos look at each other... uncertain whether they should leave. Gray glances at them.
NPC-MrsGray(3)Mrs. Gray||:Get to work.
NytoWhite(0)White Nyto||:Yes, Ma'am.
()||:The Nytos take their leave, and Gray lets out a long sigh. +She dials someone's number on her communicator.
NPC-grig(1)???<通讯框>||AVG_tele_connect:...You look dog tired.
NPC-MrsGray(3)Mrs. Gray;NPC-grig(1)||:I am. I just hope it will go smoothly this time. +It's just been trouble after trouble. Tell those at Galatea to take better care.
NPC-MrsGray(3);NPC-grig(2)???||:Thank goodness we have you.
NPC-MrsGray(4)Mrs. Gray;NPC-grig(2)||:...If only she'd think so as well.
NPC-MrsGray(4);NPC-grig(1)???||:She'll probably be able to tell...
NPC-MrsGray(0)Mrs. Gray;NPC-grig(1)||:But who cares about her? She'll have to ask for my help eventually. +The "goods" are still with me, after all.
NPC-MrsGray(0);NPC-grig(2)???||:True. +I'm almost done on my end.
NPC-MrsGray(1)Mrs. Gray||:Good. I'll see you later.
()||<黑屏1>AVG_tele_disconnect:
()||<黑屏2>9BGM_Empty:In the house on the outskirts of Berlin.
AR15Mod(0)ST AR-15||356<震屏3>AVG_Door_Hit:SOP-II!!!
()||BGM_Room:ST-AR 15 kicks open the door and calls out to her friend anxiously.
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:Oh boy.
()||:The two Dolls are immediately greeted by the sight of SOP-II and RO635 sprawled on the ground as they enter the house. Unlike themselves, these two have clearly crashed right away when they came under attack. +UMP45 rushes up to them and starts running diagnostics, while ST AR-15 runs over to Dandelion, who has been laid down on the sofa. +Seemingly oblivious to all the commotion, she is just lying there silently. ST AR-15 leans in to inspect her carefully—if anyone is launching an attack, the one they must protect is...
()Commander||:Hold on, 15!
AR15Mod(5)ST AR-15||:What?
()||:Just as ST AR-15 freezes in confusion, her hand is suddenly caught in a grip. +She turns her head in surprise and finds herself staring into a pair of familiar eyes. Dandelion is gazing at her with her eyes wide open.
NytoIsomer(10)???||:...
AR15Mod(8)ST AR-15||:...?! +Wha—
NytoIsomer(10)???||:...What is it, 15? +Is something wrong with your language module?
()||:UMP45 and the Commander stand rooted to the spot, utterly shocked by the sudden development.
AR15Mod(8)ST AR-15||:Dande... No... Who exactly are...
NytoIsomer(13)"Dandelion"||:...Don't be alarmed, 15.
()||:Is this another one of Dandelion's stupid jokes? +No, this isn't Dandelion.
AR15Mod(8)ST AR-15||:You're...M4...
()||ClothingUp:M4 pats ST AR-15 on the head and peers at the gobsmacked Commander.
NytoIsomer(13)M4A1||:Aren't you going to say hello, Commander?
NytoIsomer(13)Commander||:Uh... Yeah. Oh, uh... +You...
()||:Being addressed directly all of a sudden leaves the Commander completely flustered. +But M4 seems content to just gaze affectionately at an old friend whom she hasn't seen in a long time. +Looking deep into her eyes, the baffled Commander slowly regains their composure.
()Commander||:...Welcome back, M4.
()||:By now, no one can doubt her identity.
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:...So that neural attack was your doing?
()||:While the others are all caught in the emotional moment, UMP45 is hanging on the sideline, the very image of annoyance.
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:And here we thought Paradeus was onto us.
NytoIsomer(10)M4A1||:Sorry, I didn't know my awakening would have that side effect.
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:...That's alright, I'm not fishing for an apology from you. +However, could you revive those two first?
NytoIsomer(10)M4A1||:Oh, of course...
()||ClothingUp:M4 sits up on the sofa and puts her feet down on the floor. She stares at Dandelion's legs, seemingly struck by the curious feeling of using an unfamiliar body. +Both the Commander and ST AR-15 are visibly concerned as they watch her uncertain movements, causing M4 to chuckle.
NytoIsomer(13)M4A1||:I'm not a patient in rehab. +You don't have to fret so much, 15, Commander.
AR15Mod(5)ST AR-15||:But you...
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:C'mon, she looks a lot better than you did just now. +I may just be an outsider, but even I can tell you're making her uncomfortable.
NytoIsomer(13)M4A1||:You are not an outsider, 45. +There isn't a single outsider here. You are our cherished companion.
()Commander||:...That's right, 45. Stop saying such things.
UMP45Mod(0)UMP45||:Humph.
()||:UMP45 shrugs and does not bother to argue. But her face looks visibly more relaxed.
()||AVG_keyboardtype_sci:M4 walks slowly up to RO635 and SOP-II, who are lying on the floor.
RO635Mod(3)RO635||ClothingUp:...Huh?!
M4 SOPMOD IIMod(3)M4 SOPMOD II0.1||:What?!
()||:The crashed Dolls leap up instantly.
RO635Mod(3)RO635||:W-What just happened?!
M4 SOPMOD IIMod(3)M4 SOPMOD II||:Huh?! M4! M4 is awake!!
RO635Mod(3)RO635||:Dandelion?!
NytoIsomer(13)M4A1||:15...
()||:M4 smiles apologetically.
NytoIsomer(13)M4A1||:Could you get everyone outside for now? +I need to have a word with the Commander in private.
M4 SOPMOD IIMod(3)M4 SOPMOD II||:Huh?! But why?! I also wanna have a word with you!
RO635Mod(3)RO635||:Hold on... W-what? What exactly is going on?
()||:RO635 stares at ST AR-15 with confusion, but the latter merely gives her head a shake. +M4 strokes SOP-II's face and pats her on the head.
NytoIsomer(10)M4A1||:Be good, SOP-II. We'll talk later, okay? +Just give us a minute, then we can talk for as long as you want.
M4 SOPMOD IIMod(2)M4 SOPMOD II||:(Grumbles)
()||:SOP-II still looks a bit indignant, but she is much better behaved in front of M4.
AR15Mod(0)ST AR-15||:...Let's head outside. I'll explain.
()||AVG_Door_Open_Close:After double-checking that M4 truly seems fine, she leads everyone else out of the room... +Leaving the Commander alone with the newly awakened M4.
()Commander||:... +You girls could've talked a bit more.
NytoIsomer(10)M4A1||:I'd love that, but you must have a lot of questions.
NytoIsomer(10)Commander||:...Indeed.
NytoIsomer(10)M4A1||:I'm sure you can tell that I'm in a very peculiar state at the moment. +There are certain things that I want to keep from them so as not to cause unnecessary worry.
NytoIsomer(10)Commander||:Hm... I am quite curious about your current state. +But more importantly... Where have you been all this time?
NytoIsomer(10)M4A1||:...
()||:When confronted with this question, M4 pauses and frowns, then she shakes her head.
NytoIsomer(11)M4A1||:I'm sorry, but I can't answer that.
NytoIsomer(11)Commander||:...You can't answer that?
NytoIsomer(11)M4A1||:That's right.
NytoIsomer(11)Commander||:What's the meaning of this?
NytoIsomer(11)M4A1||:I hate to keep things from you, but for your sake as well as mine, I really cannot divulge that information. +I can't tell you everything right now...But please believe me—I'll never do anything that will cause you and my friends harm.
NytoIsomer(11)Commander||:...Alright, I believe you. +Tell me only when you can. +Also, I still haven't had the chance to thank you. If it hadn't been for you, we would all have died there.
NytoIsomer(13)M4A1||:It was the least I could do, and it was also the primary reason for my return. +Of course I had to save my friends. I never expected to be thanked for such a thing.
NytoIsomer(13)Commander||:Regardless, you still have my gratitude. +Speaking of which, how did you make it back? And where is Dandelion?
NytoIsomer(10)M4A1||:My body isn't here. Right now I'm merely a string of neural cloud data. I'm borrowing Dandelion's body for the moment, while she is asleep. There's no need to worry. +However, sustaining the presence of two neural clouds is very taxing for this body. I will have to leave when the load becomes too much for the body to bear.
NytoIsomer(10)Commander||:I see... Wait, you have to go again?
NytoIsomer(13)M4A1||:Only after my mission is complete. +Don't worry... It won't be too long until our proper reunion.
()||ClothingUp:With a smile, M4 walks up to the Commander and caresses their face.
NytoIsomer(13)M4A1||:...It must have been very hard on you, Commander.
NytoIsomer(13)Commander||:Not at all... +Uh, by the way, we've taken the Nytos from the underground base as prisoners. +Their EW capability is too much for us to manage... Can you handle them?
NytoIsomer(10)M4A1||:No problem, leave them to me.
NytoIsomer(10)Commander||:But your body...
NytoIsomer(10)M4A1||:I'm fine.
NytoIsomer(10)Commander||:...Alright, then I leave the matter in your hands. +But...Please don't push yourself.
NytoIsomer(10)M4A1||:Of course. Don't worry, I'm not the way I used to be. +Not to mention... Saving her is also one of the reasons I've returned.
()||<黑屏1>:
()||<黑屏2>414BGM_Empty:In the pitch-dark and silent room, all she can hear is her own breathing. +A beam of light shines through the darkness, blinding her. A cold voice snaps ruthlessly.
AR15Mod(0)ST AR-15||BGM_Brain:Wake up.
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:You swing by once every two hours, like clockwork.
AR15Mod(4)ST AR-15||:...
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:Are we going through the same routine again? Electrocution, waterboarding, sleep deprivation... Tsk, can't you change things up a bit?
()||<震屏3>AVG_Punch_Hit:Thunk! +ST AR-15 punches Morridow on the temple. +Blood streams down from her forehead, leaving a trail down her nose.
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:(Wheezes) ...Is that all? I haven't had enough...
()||:ST AR-15 gladly accepts the invitation. A knife made of alloy glints faintly in the dark as it slices through skin effortlessly. +The human body that gives Morridow such a perfect disguise comes at a price that she is paying now. +The human body feels pain.
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,900.1||:(Coughs) Aaaargh... It hurts~! I beg you, please kill me... This is unbearable... +Ohhhh~! I want to cry! Am I allowed to cry? Will you hit me again for crying?
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:...Seriously, aren't you bored with this?
()||:Morridow's exaggerated expressions vanish in an instant.
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:Was that good enough for you? Did you get a kick out of that? Ugh... What a drag. +Don't you know I can switch off my pain receptors? What's the point of doing this? +I'm falling asleep here.
RO635Mod(0)RO635||:She's deliberately trying to make you angry.
AR15Mod(4)ST AR-15||:I know.
()||<震屏3>AVG_Punch_Hit:With no hesitation, ST AR-15 delivers another punch.
AR15Mod(4)ST AR-15||:If she likes this game, we can humor her.
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:(Coughs) What, couldn't find anything you want after rummaging in my memory?
AR15Mod(0)ST AR-15||:That's okay, we have plenty of time.
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:Ha, sure~! Heh, if it weren't for Nimogen, who would be the one being tortured now? +You? Pfft, you're not even worth the effort. A Doll core like yours is just junk to me. +It'd probably be your dear Commander... (Wheezes)
()||AVG_Door_Hit<震屏3>:ST AR-15 kicks over Morridow's chair and steps on her face so hard it contorts.
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:(Coughs)
RO635Mod(0)RO635||:15! There's no need to waste our time on her.
AR15Mod(0)ST AR-15||Rope:Tell us the details concerning Operation Cocoon and the identity of the man known as "Father".
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:What answers would you like to these questions? +Let me think. Hmm... The aim of Operation Cocoon is to destroy Berlin, and Father is Kryuger! That's the name, right? Of your PMC boss...
()||<震屏3>AVG_Punch_Hit:Smack! +ST AR-15's buttstock bashes Morridow's skull. More blood flows down her cheeks.
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:Now it's really starting to feel like an interrogation. +But you're still too gentle.
RO635Mod(4)RO635||:You should get a good grip on reality—you're not going back to Paradeus.
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:Hahaha, you seem to have some kind of misunderstanding about Paradeus. +Oh, I forgot. You're just regular T-Dolls.
()||414AVG_21Winter_Open_Light:Snap! All the lights go on inside the house. +The person previously obscured by the dark now opens their eyes and watches Morridow closely.
()Commander||:That's it for the appetizers. +You should know that there is no meaning to your struggles.
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:Of course there is, but that's not for me to decide. +It all depends on you, Commander.
NPC-Morridow(13)Commander||:Go on.
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:We aren't actually opposites, you know. +In fact, I admire you a great deal. +Robin.
AR15Mod(5)ST AR-15||:Shut up!!! +Commander, she isn't Machlian—
()Commander||:I am aware.
()||:Morridow is all bloodied and beaten black and blue, but she looks utterly unperturbed, and even quirks a smile. +She slowly wriggles into a sitting position on the floor.
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:No, Commander, there are many things that you aren't aware of. +She wasn't my sister. To be exact, she is me, and I am her.
NPC-Morridow(13)Commander||:So?
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:She never told you what's the deal with us, did you? +Actually, we share memories—and emotions, even—of the same soul.
NPC-Morridow(13)Commander||:Then will you tell me what Paradeus is plotting? +When will the fireworks go off? On Unity Day?
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:...I'll tell you someday, but not now.
NPC-Morridow(13)Commander||:...
()||:Commander stares at Morridow and lapses into silence. +ST AR-15's eyebrow twitches in rage. She lifts her rifle and is just about to beat Morridow with it again.
NytoIsomer(10)M4A1||:Hold it, 15.
()||:M4 puts a stop to her outburst.
NytoIsomer(10)M4A1||:This is pointless. She is too resistant to pain.
AR15Mod(4)ST AR-15||:...Tsk.
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:At least someone's got a brain here, isn't that right, Nimogen?
NytoIsomer(10)M4A1||:...
()||:M4 brushes past the Commander and ST AR-15 and comes to a stop before Morridow.
NytoIsomer(11)M4A1||:You think you're playing us for fools. +But that isn't the case. The truth is... your loyalty means nothing.
NPC-Morridow(13)Morridow0,90||:I don't know what you're talking abou—
()||AVG_whitenoise:... +M4 places a hand on Morridow's head. The next moment...
()||<黑点1>10: