()||9<黑屏1>0,10黑屏1>BGM_Empty:
()||%%code=AllSeeingEye02%%:...
()||9<黑屏2>:On the border of the Neo-Soviet Union, several days after the Fireworks Incident.
()||<黑屏1>:
()||412<黑屏2>GF_21winter_avg_pathfinder:Inside a safe house in St. Petersburg, Neo-Soviet Union.
()||Rope:A middle-aged man with a thin face leans back into his chair. His fingers are interlaced in front of him as he quietly regards the other man standing before him. +That man is the secret agent assigned to keep an eye on the St. Petersburg Military Sector HQ and also a special dispatch from Statesec's Second Main Directorate.
NPC-Bodyguard2(0)HQ Secret Operative||AVG_20Winter_Book:These are the personnel files for all the members of the St. Petersburg Military Sector HQ. +I've already highlighted their border entry and exit status.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:We are very grateful for HQ's support.
()||ClothingUp:The lean man nods slightly, but as he reaches out to accept the offered files, the officer before him places a hand on them. +The man looks at him and exerts a bit more force, but the other man does not let go.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:We will handle this in an appropriate manner and expedite the authentication and sharing process.
NPC-Bodyguard2(0)HQ Secret Operative||:...Mr. Dupieux.
()||:The hand pressing down on the documents does not slacken off in any way. The officer looks unflinchingly at Dupieux.
NPC-Bodyguard2(0)HQ Secret Operative||:When does your department intend to release the Military Sector personnel who were detained?
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:...I fear you have misunderstood something, Mister.
()||ClothingUp:Dupieux looks at the man with a slight frown before finally pulling his hand back and leaning back into his chair. He interlaces his fingers and twiddles his thumbs thoughtfully.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:It is not Statesec which will be performing a thorough investigation on the personnel involved in the Fireworks Incident, but Central. +I trust I don't need to remind you of your Sector's disappointing performance during such a momentous event.
NPC-Bodyguard2(0)HQ Secret Operative;NPC-Dupieux(0)||:...We have reflected deeply upon our negligence, which is why we need more manpower to reorganize ourselves now.
NPC-Bodyguard2(0);NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:I believe that everyone in the Sector understands exactly how gravely the central authority views the mismanagement.
NPC-Bodyguard2(0)HQ Secret Operative;NPC-Dupieux(0)||:I understand Central's decision and I am willing to cooperate fully with whatever they intend. +But that doesn't mean Statesec can just interfere with the Military's personnel arrangements, Mr. Dupieux. +We need to function normally first.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:We are here to ensure that all arrangements make sense. We are certainly not here to cause difficulty for our comrades... +However, this process will take time.
()||:Dupieux raises his chin slightly to interrupt the other man's reply. His voice is filled with unshakeable conviction.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:The earlier chaos in your Sector was a major setback for Central during a critical moment.
NPC-Bodyguard2(0)HQ Secret Operative;NPC-Dupieux(0)||:It was only a few PMCs, Central should think about their comrades. +We have a few opportunists among us, but we can take care of them.
NPC-Bodyguard2(0);NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:I'm afraid you cannot, Mister.
NPC-Bodyguard2(0)HQ Secret Operative;NPC-Dupieux(0)||:What do you mean?
NPC-Bodyguard2(0);NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:That is because three members of the investigation team you arranged were culprits behind the disturbance. +If you don't even know who can be trusted, how do you expect to solve this problem?
NPC-Bodyguard2(0)HQ Secret Operative;NPC-Dupieux(0)||:...
NPC-Bodyguard2(0);NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:I sincerely hope that the various members of your Sector can have faith in the organization.
NPC-Bodyguard2(0)HQ Secret Operative||:...Understood.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:I will update you on the situation once we make some progress. +Right now, we do not know exactly how many of the loopholes in our system have been exploited by the enemy. +That is why I have been asked by the central authority to establish a new insider network within the Sector. +After extensive research and debate that lasted through the night, our professionals have proposed a new system.
()||ClothingUp:Dupieux spreads his arms and leans forward a little before taking the documents. This time, he is not impeded.
()||AVG_20Winter_Book:At the same time, the assistant standing beside him offers another set of documents.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:We hope to see the new system up and running within 48 hours. +In addition, we hope that it will substitute the old, broken system... I trust you understand my meaning when I say there is no need to repair a broken net.
NPC-Bodyguard2(0)HQ Secret Operative||:...
()||AVG_Door_Open_Close:After a brief moment of silence, the man nods and accepts the documents from Dupieux's assistant before turning to leave the room. +Dupieux turns to the side and regards his assistant with a half-smile.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:We're more like mediators than counterintelligence agents.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Assistant<同时置暗>||:They're too afraid to doubt Central. +So they're taking their anger out on us.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:...What a joke. Do they think that they can say anything to us that won't make it to Central's ears? +Never mind that. How's our investigation going?
NPC-Dupieux(0)Assistant<同时置暗>||:Very well, but we still need more time.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:I hear the people on the border are acting up.
()Assistant||:Moscow is trying to resolve these issues right now.
()||:Dupieux rubs his chin, and his fingers start drumming the table.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:I have absolute faith in Central's abilities. +As for the foolish actions of these people in attempting to shake the Motherland... All I can say is that it's a shame.
()Assistant||:...The great will of the Motherland is beyond question.
()||AVG_tele_connectBGM_Empty:Click. +Just as Dupieux is making a great show of his regret, the communicator by his hand suddenly rings.
()||AVG_Door_Open_Close:His fingers freezes mid-motion. The assistant immediately understands his cue. With a quick bow, he takes the documents and vacates the office.
()||:After ensuring that he is alone in the office, Dupieux adjusts his collar before finally putting the call through.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||10254:This is Dupieux of the First Main Directorate.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Secretary<同时置暗>||:This is Zelinsky's office. I am Andrea, the secretary. Salutations, Colonel Dupieux.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:Many thanks, Madam Andrea. I will now report on my progress. +The matter is proceeding very well. We have removed at least 70% of the reactionaries within the Military Sectors, and this figure is constantly rising. +There are no impediments to the implementation of the new system and we will reach completion within 72 hours.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Secretary<同时置暗>||:Congratulations, Colonel Dupieux. Central will not forget your efforts. +In truth, that is why this office has chosen to contact you at this time.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:Oh?
()||ClothingUp:Dupieux unconsciously straightens up in his seat.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:...May I inquire as to the meaning of that?
()||:His tone is formal and all his prior smugness is gone. Even alone, he acts as though he is hanging on to every word to come.
()Secretary||:Central wishes to acknowledge your outstanding contributions over the past year of work. +After careful consideration, you have been appointed as the vice-chairman of the Committee's Bureau. +Your appointment takes effect immediately. Please return to Moscow within three days to present yourself for duty.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:...I am deeply grateful for Central's approval. I will move without delay.
()Secretary||:We look forward to hearing from you.
()||AVG_tele_disconnect:The transmission ends.
NPC-Dupieux(1)Dupieux||:...
()||:Dupieux cracks his finger joints. He is not delighted or excited as one might expect. +His eyes narrow as he contemplates in silence.
NPC-Dupieux(1)Dupieux||:Zelinsky... What are you up to?
()||:His long years of espionage and counterintelligence work allow him to remain calm in such a situation. He knows very well that this is entirely unprecedented.
NPC-Dupieux(1)Dupieux||:All of Moscow is in upheaval after the Fireworks Incident, and they're transferring me at a time like this? +...They're promoting me at this juncture, without the need to hand over my work. +Are they trying to get me out of St. Petersburg? +Or do they want me back in Moscow? +Is this a future prospect... or a trap...?
()||ClothingUp:Dupieux rises from his desk and grabs his coat. After typing up a quick reply to Zelinsky's office on his computer, he leaves in a rush.
()||<黑屏1>:
()||9<黑屏2>BGM_Empty:...
()||<黑屏1>:
()||<黑点2>BGM_stage10418:Dupieux's footsteps are hurried. He is now only one street away from his apartment.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:...Hm?
()||:He narrows his eyes and keeps his gaze pointed forward, but he glances at the security in front of his apartment out of the corner of his vision. +He clearly remembers that the camera was facing the road; it was a perfectly ordinary traffic camera. +But the camera lens has been turned 90 degrees, and is now directly pointed at the entrance of his apartment block.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:...
()||:Still feigning ignorance, Dupieux looks both ways before crossing the road, making a show of checking for oncoming traffic.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:Shifting the angle of the security camera... These methods are very familiar.
()||<黑点1>:His face is the picture of calm as he crosses the road without ever making direct eye contact with the camera.
()||AVG_footsteps_woodfloor<黑点2>46:After entering the apartment building, he pretends he didn't notice the cleaner who's been replaced and warmly greets the concierge before taking the elevator to his floor and arriving before the door to his apartment.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||Stop_AVG_loop:...
()||AVG_20Winter_Door_Open:He inserts his key into the keyhole, and the lock's mechanism clicks in response. +No matter how advanced technology gets, Dupieux insists on using the most traditional mechanical locks. +The reason for that is simple—once they've been used, they leave signs behind.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||:The lock is fine... but that's the biggest problem. +They've done something to the lock...+...My cover's been blown...
()||<黑点1>:
()||<黑点2>129AVG_Door_Open_Close:Dupieux enters the room with calm nonchalance and dumps his coat on the bed.
()||ClothingUpAVG_Zipper:He packs a change of clothing, then pulls out his communicator and contacts his assistant. +While sitting on the bed, he goes through a list of essential items like passport, visas and so on, looking perfectly relaxed as he does so.
NPC-Dupieux(0)Dupieux||AVG_tele_connect:Hello? Miss Rita? Yes, it's me. +Help me schedule a flight heading back to Moscow for tomorrow... No, make that in an hour. +I need to return to Central on urgent business. I'll be taking a shower, so send a car over to pick me up in 20 minutes.
()||AVG_va_addingredient:He leisurely stuffs an unfinished book into his suitcase and even makes time to put on the kettle.
()||<黑屏1>BGM_Empty:
()???||9<黑屏2>:The target will be repositioning in 20 minutes. ETA Moscow Airport in four hours.
()???||:Things are going well. No abnormalities detected in the target. +Stick to the plan and don't alarm him.
()???||:Continue in accordance with Ordinance 13.
()||<黑点1>10213:
()||<黑点2>129AVG_20Winter_Drink_Tea:Dupieux puts down the glass of hot tea he's holding and enters the bathroom.
()||:There are still 20 more minutes... He needs to get out of here immediately, by tonight. There isn't a moment to delay.
()||<黑屏1>:
()||9<黑屏2>AVG_tele_connect:A transmission makes its way out through a certain encrypted channel—
()||:I need to leave the Soviet Union immediately. Requesting assistance and political asylum from the "Evangelist".
()||<黑点1>: