<p=1>Lab Six, Zelgrad Sealed District Laboratory</>Lab Six, Zelgrad Sealed District Laboratory
<p=2>Jan 18, 1102, 23:07</>Jan 18, 1102, 23:07
Worried Researcher
You've been looking at these files for an entire day, director. You should get some rest, at least eat something...
Alita
Is this all of the Kushkina file, Gira?
Gira
I think... like you, though, I was recently reassigned, so I can't be sure there are no omissions.
Gira
I wasn't even given a logbook during the handover.
Alita
All research data should be filed in the logbook, whether the data is valid or not. This is a problem.
Alita
Look at this. The progress reports jump straight from 03 to 21, the missing files listed as 'data lost'. Not even the raw records remain.
Gira
What?
Alita
And these audio logs have clearly been tampered with. I took some time to listen to them, but there was nothing but useless noise.
Alita
This is not normal. When I went to the security station to obtain security footage of Lab Six from prior to the handover, I found that all footage from the last three days have been deleted.
Alita
All that they gave me were some maintenance logs. They said it provided a record of people come to and from Lab Six during these few days.
Alita
Guess what I found.
Gira
Beats me.
Alita
On the day of the Kushkina test, there was a power outage that lasted about thirty minutes. The repair team arrived eight minutes after the outage began, but they were not able to fully mitigate the overload problem.
Alita
Following up on the trail, I found that the cooling pool had dried up that day, and all backup systems were destroyed, while the temperature of that thing underground remains at high levels—
Alita
It's not going to blow up immediately, but things didn't go back to normal either.
Alita
This means there's something else that's cooling it, but we don't know what it is!
Gira
......
Alita
Even so, the conclusion in the report was that risk levels were under control.
Gira
But the test succeed. The power of Kushkina was witnessed across half of Ursus...
Alita
Is that really something worth celebrating?
Alita
My research was on how to turn the 'Prototype' into a reliable energy source, not an uncontrollable weapon.
Alita
But all we know about Kushkina is that it's powerful, and it cannot be recreated in a controlled environment.
Alita
I don't even want to think about where these experiments are going.
Gira
Director... couldn't we just focus on doing experiments? If you question the Marshal's decisions—
Alita
I'm in no position to defy my orders...
Alita
But I need to find out what's going on in this place.
HR records... six from the data team, two from the risk assessment team, seven from the assembly team.
Alita
Reassignment... promotion... none of them are in Zelgrad anymore.
Alita
I can't reach any of them...
Curious Researcher
What are you looking for at an hour like this?
Alita
Something like notes from the previous supervisor. We ran into a roadblock during the day—
Curious Researcher
Well, if it's not here, it's probably not anywhere. The whole Lab Six staff was replaced. Surely you know what that means in this industry.
Alita
What are you saying?
Curious Researcher
They must have screwed up somewhere, which means the previous supervisor would be held responsible, which means she wouldn't have left any notes behind.
Curious Researcher
We have to empty our pockets when we leave the building. If she really left, she wouldn't have been able to take anything associated with the project.
Curious Researcher
If you can't find it here, you won't find it anywhere.
I thought about what you said and decided you should have this. It contains some unlogged notes that I found in a cabinet.
Gira
I didn't open them, but—I hope they can help you and the project.
Alita
Thank you, Gira...
Gira
Don't mention it, really!
Alita
Diary... blank scrap paper...
Alita
The signature of the previous supervisor? Did all this belong to her?
Alita
A notebook—
Alita
What is this?
Words of despair are scrawled over the last page.
With what sanity I have left, I believe we will never find out the truth about this machine, not in the lifetime of Ursus.
It is so complex and contains such massive energy reserves that I can only consider it a work of God, and it is not our place to use it, either as a weapon or Originium generator.
It is a complete black box with no credible theoretical basis on which to study it. Even more terrifying is that it seems to have a mind of its own, resisting our exploration of it.
This time, the explosion occurred in the wilderness. Next time, it could happen at Zelgrad, even Grypherburg.
No one knows where this instrument came from or what it is, but one thing is clear: It is not a blessing to the empire, but a curse.
There are numerous graphs and diagrams in the notebook.
Some are smooth and clean, neat and tidy, while other peak and bottom out sharply or terminate suddenly. There appears to be little rhyme or reason to the data.
Alita
'Experiment outcome is not reproducible in whole or part. The overall state of Project Zero is...'
'Out of control.'
Alita
Gosudar-batyushka...
Alita
There is no weapon. The successful test was just dumb luck.
Alita
(Hushed) All the 'energy'... they've gone into a bottomless pit.
Researcher
Director Alita Valueva! The Army—the Generalik just had everyone in Lab Four arrested!
Alita
Why? What does he want?
Researcher
No idea. But they haven't been taken away yet. You should hurry!
I am Alita Valueva, director of Lab Six. I am demanding that Lab Four and its personnel be reassigned to the critical project at Lab Six.
Alita
Communicate this to your superior immediately.
Soldier
Don't make me repeat myself again.
Alita
I don't want to repeat myself either—
Officer
Do as she says.
Soldier
Chief?
Officer
A chief of staff who has to take orders from a child who hasn't seen a single battle? Who would believe it?
Officer
Open your eyes, soldier.
Officer
General Anatoliy Svetlanov Buterin, in his infinite wisdom, has instructed that all requests by Lab Six are top-priority, whether it's the old one or the new one.
Not for a long time. I would be kicked out of the lab if they found out.
Haggard Man
I'm not leaving you, Lita.
Alita
Then stop deceiving me, Klim.
Klim
I've never...
Alita
Your recklessness almost killed everyone in your lab.
Alita
Besides, I never told you about my comms channel. How did you find out?
Klim
You were still using the system we built together when we were in school. Only I know about it here...
Alita
Why didn't you ask me?
Klim
You don't—
Klim
You don't want to see me, do you?
Klim
Oh, I'm not trying to blame you—
Alita
I know.
Klim
Huh?
Alita
I know you wanted to see me, but I didn't want to see you. I don't care about anyone who comes and goes in this place, and you need to know that you're the same to me right now.
Alita
The only thing that matters to me right now is completing Kushkina.
Klim
Lita—
Alita
Don't call me that. You should not have joined a project you were unsuited to, just because of me. You should have gone to Lada and stayed with her.
Alita
Even a broken family is home.
Klim
Home. Yes, Lita! In the last communication, I heard—
Alita
No, don't say it. I don't want to know.
Alita
Stay away from the work here. Don't try to send any messages out with my channel.
Alita
......
Alita
Go get some cleaning work from Logistics. Stay away from all of this.
<p=1>3F Corridor, Zelgrad Sealed District Laboratory</>3F Corridor, Zelgrad Sealed District Laboratory
<p=2> Jan 22, 1102, 07:20</> Jan 22, 1102, 07:20
Silent Soldier
......
Alita
All of B3 is assigned to Lab Five.
Alita
Their work may be more aligned with your company's. Their field of research is the progression of Oripathy infection.
Amiya
......
Alita
Would you like to take a look?
Amiya
No, thank you... there's a question I've mean meaning to ask, Madam Alita Valueva—
Alita
Go on.
Amiya
Do we really have to be accompanied by so many soldiers?
Alita
Ah, I forgot to explain.
Alita
Visitors must be accompanied by military representatives at all times. I informed them in accordance with regulations.
Alita
To prevent espionage and leaks concerning secret projects. I'm sure you understand.
Amiya
...I understand.
Will they intrude on our conversations?
Alita
There is no need to worry. The security measures only come in play when necessary. Otherwise, you can treat them as though they don't exist.
Alita
If you insist, we can stop and develop trust in not having conversations interrupted.
Amiya
There's no need—
Alita
For example, I'm curious about the analysis on the 'Prototype' that you provided. How did you know so much?
Mon3tr
'Prototype'?
Raidian
(Whisper) Maybe she means the Sarcophagus. Let the Doctor handle it.
A Rhodes Island member was involved in its research.
She was an outstanding scientist.She was an experienced scholar.
Alita
How much does this researcher know about the Prototype?
No one knows the Sarcophagus better than her.She knows everything there is to know about the Sarcophagus.
Alita
Sarcophagus... that's a name I haven't heard in a long time. I've gotten used to calling it the Prototype.
Alita
Are you familiar with her research?
I have read all the files she left behind.
Alita
...'Left behind', you say. Where did she go?
Amiya
She...
Amiya
She is temporarily absent from Rhodes Island. That's why she's not with us today.
Alita
I suppose you will do. The research has encountered some obstacles, and there are quite a few things in the files that I don't fully understand, for which I could use your help.
Alita
The most pressing issue at present is that the Prototype is in a constant state of overheating and unable to be fully cooled. Certain experiments and operations are unable to be performed, causing the project to grind to a halt.
Alita
No one knows how to stop the overheating and return the Prototype's output to normal boundaries.
Mon3tr
(Whisper) Sounds like the Sarcophagus has entered a protected state after overloading.
Alita
Did you say something?
Mon3tr
Amiya—
Amiya
It's alright. You can tell her.
Mon3tr
It sounds like the Sarcophagus has entered a protected state after overloading. How long has it been in this state?
Alita
Since I took over Lab Six five days ago, maybe even before that.
Mon3tr
That's not right...
Alita
If you would like to know more details, we can go directly to Lab Six.
Alita
I won't be letting you go to any other project. You have to stay.
I first heard about the Sarcophagus when I was a student. It seemed like an urban legend, and young people are always bold and curious—
Alita
I wrote a letter to the mayor, a youthful plea that expressed my hope to join research on the Sarcophagus when I grew up. I didn't receive a response, of course.
Alita
Who would have thought that I would be studying it here, twenty years later?
Amiya
Are you from Chernobog?
Alita
Heh, yes. I was born in Chernobog, as was my daughter... I hope to be buried there when I die.
Amiya
Why do you say this—
Alita
How old are you, child?
Amiya
I'm not really a child anymore...
Amiya
I was sent here as, um, a researcher. I'm not so little anymore.
Alita
Your generation will always be children in the eyes of mine. Perhaps one day you'll understand, when you find yourself in our shoes.
Alita
......
Alita
I left that place because of my work. I've practically forgotten what my daughter looks like.
Alita
Has she grown? What is life like for her? Has she made new friends?
Alita
All I know is that she's still alive, that she survived the disaster at Chernobog five years ago. Other than that, I know nothing about my proud little girl scout...
Alita
I know almost nothing about Lada anymore.
Isolated research project, Chernobog, girl scout, Lada.
Amiya remembers Crownslayer's conjecture in her report to the Grypherburg office.
She looks closely at the woman's golden hair, the shape of her face becoming increasingly familiar.
The conjecture grows more certain by the second, and Amiya could not help but ask.
Amiya
Could you please repeat your last name?
Alita
Valueva.
Amiya
I know a Lada Valueva. She's around my age, and she's from Chernobog too—
Alita
—!
Amiya
She was in the Ursus Youth Scouts. She joined Rhodes Island as an operator, and is currently continuing her education in Deity Grypherburg.
Alita
......
Amiya
Lada has been looking for her parents... I'm thinking you might be her mother?
Alita
I—
Alita
I don't know.
Alita
But if I am... that's the best news I've heard in ages.
Amiya
Maybe you can come with us to Grypherburg, once we settle things here.
Alita
Maybe I could. Grypherburg isn't too far from Zelgrad.
Amiya
Lada would be delighted to see you.
Alita
Yes. She wouldn't even yell at us.
Alita
She is kind, gentle, a much better daughter than we deserve.
Alita
I... I really want to see her again.
Silent Soldier
Stop, Alita Valueva. You are approaching a top-secret area.
Until this cold, hard reminder, Amiya did not notice that they have journeyed into the depths of the laboratory.
Indeed, the narrow, curved corridor before them seems to lead to a place that few are allowed to step foot in.
Alita
They have been sent by the council to assist. They are not ordinary visitors.
Silent Soldier
Protocol requires that I seek confirmation from my superiors.
Silent Soldier
You should not proceed any further until permission has been granted.
Alita
I am the director of Lab Six, and this is necessary for our operation. You have no idea how much could have been achieved in the time wasted waiting here.
Silent Soldier
We are simply following orders.
Alita
......
Amiya
What do we do—
Alita
......
Alita
Watch your feet. The corridor leading to the observation room is not connected to the central power supply, and emergency lighting could be fickle at the best of times...
Alita
But I'll find it. Give me a moment.
Alita
(Whisper) You'll have less than ten seconds. Do not hesitate.
Alita
(Whisper) If you have any questions, you should ask them now.
Amiya
Is the Sarcophagus still in a condition to supply energy to Ursus?
Alita
Now is not the time to talk about the theoretical future...
Alita
Never mind... I trust in your resolve.
Alita
......
Alita
Found it.
Alita
Amiya...
Alita
I put in your hands the fate of Lada, and of millions more.
...Perhaps I'm simply tired. Tired of deception, of the passions of love and hate. How could one who has lost the capacity to love go back to those whom she loved?
Fortunately, Lada is not like me. She has always been strong, always true to her word.
She'll miss me, I'm sure. There will be pain and sorrow for her in the future, but there will be even more joy and happiness.
Indistinct Voice
There's no message that I need you to deliver. Let me just...
Indistinct Voice
Let me believe it to the end.
A bloody palm mark is painted on the switch, like an immovable seal upon the thick door.
This door is thick and jams electrical signals. It's unlikely that those on the outside will be able to force it open in short order.
Raidian
Alita Valueva has bought us valuable time.
Amiya
......
We have no time to waste.We can't let her down.
Amiya
Then...
Amiya
......
Amiya
Let's begin.
Mon3tr
This is the core of the Sarcophagus... I've never seen it with my own eyes.
Mon3tr
But something feels off about it...
The megastructure feels both familiar and alien. You still remember its faint silhouette, but what lies before you know is different.
It is not a distant memory. Several years ago, Amiya awakened you from this legacy of a previous civilization, which you sealed away together with Kal'tsit.
More memories come rushing back, mixed with memories buried even deeper.
Major Razin, it seems that your progress has fallen behind initial expectations.
Evgeny
You will not arrive at the satellite city in time, at this rate.
Scioppa
We don't have enough power, Your High Excellency. We're already diverting as much as we can from temperature controls. The men can hardly sleep with the cold...
Scioppa
Though I suppose none of that matters to you.
Evgeny
You are correct.
Scioppa
......
Evgeny
In fact, you're not doing enough.
Scioppa
There's no point in sending an exhausted force to try to steal the weapon for you. We would be easy targets for the First Army.
Evgeny
It seems you have liberated yourself from your concern for Lieutenant Sirka's safety.
Scioppa
You could have earned Sechin's true loyalty, if you did not hold her life and those of the others hostage.
Evgeny
Anyone can make promises. I only believe what I see. I am not in the habit of trusting someone who has already betrayed me once. Besides, you don't deserve it.
Evgeny
You people do not deserve kindness. I should have learned my lesson sooner.
Scioppa
We're behind by a day or two, and you act like we've already surrendered to the First Army.
Evgeny
Let me guess what you're planning to do.
Evgeny
At the next communication, you'll tell me that you've dismissed most of the soldiers from the ship to conserve energy, in order to devote full resources to my mission—
Scioppa
I won't, not while Sirka's still at the base—
Evgeny
Then, you will go rogue once the ship has left communications range.
Evgeny
Whether to seize the weapon and use it as leverage to negotiate with me, betray me again and go over to the First Army, or come back alone to attempt an assassination...
Evgeny
You'll have all the choices in front of you once the Volnov has left my control, and your comrades are safe, won't you?
Scioppa
......
Evgeny
Did you think I wouldn't know about your foolish plan?
Evgeny
You poor, pathetic Volnik...
Evgeny
Has no one told you that this name, which you use to distinguish yourselves from the rest of Ursus, comes from a promise that has never been fulfilled?
You never meant for Sechin to take that weapon from Zelgrad, did you?
Scioppa
We're cannon fodder for you to determine the Second Army's cooperation. The other unit that you were talking about is your main force.
Scioppa
You've gambled everything on something that you hardly know anything about. You're out of your mind.
Evgeny
Pushing all of one's chips in is only madness when the outcome is yet uncertain. I forgive you for failing to understand.
Evgeny
But I'm not negotiating with you. There's no need for me to beat around the bush, now that you've finally realized what's happening.
Evgeny
This is the last time I tolerate your probing. Lieutenant Sirka will not be harmed before you fulfill your duties.
Evgeny
Make yourselves useful while you still have value as a diversion, so that I might yet deign to recycle you.
Evgeny
But if you continue on your leisurely pace, you can expect to be left by the roadside when my flagship catches up to the Volnov and crushes you like an ant.
