()||9<黑屏1>0,10BGM_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: