🔍
The cramped space is filled with black, which blocks out light, air and sound.
The mouth cannot scream.
The scorching heat of Originium blocks the windpipe, preventing even a whisper from escaping.
There is no fighting.
Cold hard steel clamps down on the limbs, preventing any attempt at movement, never mind resistance.
If only tears would flow from the eyes. Mother always said tears were powerful weapons.
But the eyes are not cooperating.
They have seen too many mountains fall and too many rivers dry up over the centuries. They have seen too many loved ones die.
They have become dry, like the land after a nomadic city has passed through.
🔍
All six power armors disabled.
Is that the last one?
Looks like it. We were delayed thirteen minutes.
Wait.
Scans show a seventh!
—
It's headed your way, Doctor!
—
I'll take care of it.
You did not see how Saria moved. All you know is that she was standing in front of you before you knew it.
You know she never carries a Rhine-made shield on the streets of Columbia.
She turns herself into a shield.
The enamel barrier growing from her crossed forearms blocks the power armor's attack.
Pest.
You hear Saria mutter under her breath.
That is how she views such rogue Columbian technology.
Her expression tells you what her next move is.
Saria wastes no time dealing with pests.
Her hand closes upon the chest of the power armor, where a dark hole would soon appear.
The power armor would be destroyed, or more aptly, die.
A thought comes to your mind.
Saria, no!
She may or may not have heard more than the first syllable, but she does, in fact, stop.
It is the result of trust that you have accumulated over the course of many battles.
Her fist only scrapes the core, but the shockwave is enough to shatter the power armor's outer shell.
You see something amongst the flying metal shards that looks different.
It looks like... strands of hair.
Doctor! Look ou—
It's...
🔍
What's happening, Myers?
I... I don't know, sir...
Let Doc Moore go.
Doc...
......
I can't.
Disobeying a direct order?
Why are you on their side, sir?
Didn't you say we needed to harden our hearts and do what we had to do? Didn't you say we were just their test subjects?
This was all your idea. I... I liked Doc Moore.
I never thought you'd be the one to turn against me first.
Sam, maybe, or somebody else... but you, Myers, you always listened to me.
To a fault, you said.
I listened to my boss at the plant and ended up with Oripathy. Then I started listening to you when I got here.
You're all smart, got an education. Figured I couldn't go wrong listening to you.
But now... we're all gonna die.
The whitecoats are gonna kill us, Sonny! They think they got it all under control!
......
Search her if you don't believe me. I'm damned sure she's got a voice recorder on her. She's here to log us, and the silver monsters.
Dr. Urbica, if you know a way out of this, it's time to get talking.
Elena...
Olivia, I may not have told you the details of the experiment...
But I'll never lie to you.
I never lied to you either, Sonny, Myers.
I... I don't know how to deal with them.
I studied them and recorded their behavior because I wanted to solve the problem we're facing... like I said, it's part of my job.
Hm...
I think Elena's telling the truth, Myers.
Would you give Joyce back to us?
Ha... haha....
The Pioneer stares at Ptilopsis. Suddenly, he raises his hand.
Silence lets out a mute cry. Her drone rams the Pioneer, sensing its master's will.
But all he did was take something from Ptilopsis's hand.
It was the treatment band that he put on her only a few hours ago.
......
What... what have I done...?
Doc Moore...
You regret it, huh? The kindness you showed me?
Someone like me doesn't deserve kindness.
The doctor returns to the side of her friends, still quiet, beautiful, pristine.
But there is no way out. This lab is a tomb, built specially for them.
There is no hope. The band is like a handcuff the company has shackled them with.
They will never find freedom, unless...
The Pioneer stuffs the medical wristband into his mouth.
Myers!
S-Sir...
What are you doing! Spit it out, now!
The band...
It contains multiple doses of painkillers.
His heart can't possibly take it. It'll kill him!
I've seen guys swallow these...
They're all dead!
The dead are the lucky ones...
Spit it out, damn you!
I'll hold his jaw. Sock him in the stomach, Sam!
*cough* *cough*
One more time! I see the treatment band!
Olivia, let's help—
...Olivia?
...Joyce.
......
—Program start.
She's awake?!
It's so dark...
Why is it so dark outside...?
Dark? But all the lights are on.
Joyce... are your eyes okay?
...Light.
Light... need light... warmth...
Forward...
Fearless...
Can you hear us?
She can't.
What's going on?
I don't know, but none of that sounds like Joyce.
Her condition...
I know her. She's never sounded like this, before or after the operation.
You're right.
You're surprised. You don't know what's happening to her.
That means the situation has long gone out of your control.
Elena... it's time to talk about these experiments.
Did Dorothy...?
I don't want to see anyone get hurt because of our work. Especially not Joyce.
Maybe you're right. We should have worked together to solve the problem.
It's ok, Elena. No need to hesitate anymore.
I invited all of you here. You have the right to know the truth, both Dr. Silence, and my Pioneer friends.
You were... spying on us?
I was concerned.
Someone needs to close the doors while you stop to talk.
You stopped the silver monsters?
Don't call them that, Sonny.
They can hear you.
......
Elena, my dear assistant, there's one more thing that I require of you.
Bring them to me.
What you don't feel comfortable explaining, I can.
And you know my lab is the safest.
🔍
No hostiles left outside.
They all followed Mr. Sonny and Dr. Silence.
Communications are still out.
Looks like jamming across all standard frequencies. Mechanist might have been able to do something about it...
Who's there?
Mr. Sonny?
Freeze.
That voice...
Miss Mary?
Looks like you've got a decent memory.
Why... why are you here?
Where is he?
He... you mean Mr. Sonny?
Tell him to show himself and stop hiding behind a child like a coward!
Er, I'm a grown man...
Just barely.
Out with it, boy. Where are they?
The Pioneers are in a building nearby...
Do you know your ears twitch when you're embarrassed?
Er... huh?
Just kidding.
But you're a little too trusting, aren't you?
This will go a lot easier if you tell me everything you know.
Otherwise, since you're the one who fixed the power supply, I can arrest you for obstruction of justice.
If I can't catch the real perp, I guess you'll have to do.
No, please... don't...
I-I don't want to cause trouble for the Doctor.
Then what are you waiting for? Start talking.
I'm not sure if you'll believe me...
We were attacked by a bunch of silver shapeshifters, the likes of which we've never seen before.
🔍
So, she's inside.
Yes. This is Dorothy's lab, and the heart of the complex.
You sure?
What's the matter, Sonny?
Nothing.
It's wicked stressful, getting so close to the truth.
Remember what I said, Sam. Be ready.
Yes, sir.
Can you open the door, Dr. Urbica?
Of course.
(Elena.)
(Huh?)
(Something feels off with the Pioneers.)
(But we've come this far.)
(You convinced me that we're all here to solve the same problem, Olivia.)
(I'm not so sure anymore...)
Clock's ticking, Doctor.
Same here.
Come in, please.
Elena's hand never touched the scanner.
But the doors of the lab open to the true master of the house.
🔍
Hello, everyone.
I'm the Director of Rhine Lab's Originium Art Section, and the overseer of Test Site 359.
Welcome, all, to my laboratory.
So we're here at last...
Sam. Get her!
