Liberi Reader

I feel like I'm a kid in a classroom, having a science lesson for the first time. It's no hyperbole at all to say that 'science is the future of Columbia.'

I regret not being able to stay longer and hear about your other projects.

You are always welcome at Rhine Lab, Mr. Jackson.

Thank you, Director Jara. I hope my visit didn't cause too much inconvenience.

Kind of you to say so. It was a pleasure to be your tour guide today.

Having the famous Marianne Blake as a tour guide alone makes this trip to Trimounts worthwhile.

Between the two of us, I'm a pretty big fan of yours.

I have an autographed poster of your debut film on the office wall.

Really?

A present from my wife when I was elected.

Kindly make a note to follow up with the special district government about Rhine Lab's application for a new research facility.

Will do, sir.

I guess that will be it for today, Miss Jara.

I wish you a pleasant stay at Trimounts.

......

Thank you.

May the sun shine on the next day, as it has today.

Come on, mash that photo button!

Mr. Vice President! What did you think about your trip to Rhine today?

Ask your questions in order, please! We have ten minutes, there's no rush.

......

You heard me right. I'm clapping.

'Vice President's Visit Bolsters Rhine Lab’s Claim as Industry Leader'... the headlines write themselves.

The tour concluded without incident. The Vice President will leave Rhine Lab in ten minutes.

...Doctor.

I got the map you sent, Doctor.

So there's a secret passage that leads right to the underground structure, but it's not in the plans that Muelsyse gave you?

Leave it to me!

I've been sitting here twiddling my thumbs while you and Rosmontis have fun with the power armor up there. Didn't even see a shadow.

Saria is coming for me?

Then I have to go to the underground structure too. The Vice President is leaving in a few minutes, right? We can't take any risks.

(Whisper) Ifrit moving out, Doctor.

I'm back.

How are things up there?

Not sure. I didn't quite make it up to the surface, but there was no commotion.

I'm guessing the attack failed.

What about us?

We activated the jammers and aren't supporting any other units... I don't think anyone is coming here. Ferdinand's route was very well-concealed.

Let's carry out the plan. It's almost time.

The explosives?

Set up while you were scouting... two tubes of advanced plastic explosives, enough to breach the containment structure.

You know, I thought Ferdinand wanted to come back to Rhine Lab. But this is the liquified Originium pipeline used by his Energy Section.

The Colonel says he's stuck in the same boat as us. He has no choice.

Don't really see the point of blowing this up now, though...

The Vice President should have left Rhine Lab by now. What good will blowing up the Originium pipes in the underground structure do?

The Colonel has his plans. All we need to do is follow orders.

Who goes there?

A... kid?

Looks like the Doctor's intel was good.

Hey, you, I don't know why you're hiding here, but I think you oughta surrender now.

We lost contact with all units?

Yes, sir. Sudden comms failure.

The Vice President and his retinue, the press... no sign that anything is amiss. Looks like our guys were neutralized before they could move.

Reports indicate that our operations within Rhine are also being disrupted by the sudden appearance of some power armor.

Hmph.

We're also losing signal from the cameras on the streets.

We're losing control of the scene, sir.

......

So, our best laid plans are like a sieve to the intelligence network of the Maylander Foundation.

It's not surprising that they're able to respond, given how hastily this assassination plan was hatched.

Should we pull out, sir?

They're bound to trace the trail back here, sooner or later.

No hurry...

Mr. Vice President said he would like to 'have a nice chat with top researchers.' I intend to oblige him.

Situation at C1 and C2?

Still in position. Signal stable.

Activate the remote control on the top-right of the panel, Riker.

Yes, sir.

What is this, sir?

Remote control for the explosives that will blow up the containment around the liquified Originium pipes.

......!

Look at the screen. According to the routes that Ferdinand provided, the Energy Section has several liquified Originium pipelines running through the west wing of Rhine Lab.

Rhine Lab Engineering does a thorough job.

In addition to standard safety measures, there are also underground containment structures that prevent chain reactions in the event of a leak.

The original plan was to cause a leak with an explosion, creating a chance for operatives on the ground to approach Jackson.

By chance, however, Jackson's convoy will cross over one of these pipelines on the way back.

You're Rhine Lab staff?

I heard the Defense Section has a lot of bad-tempered people, but I'm surprised they would hire a kid so young.

......

I told you to surrender. I didn't say you could talk.

I'll try to short stop of turning you to ashes. The Doctor and Saria may want to question you, after all.

Wait, is that a flamethrower?

Stop! There are liquified Originium pipes all around us!

......

So that's what's going on...

......

Grgh...

I think my nose is broken...

Run, kid...

What?

What's that sound?

Damn, he started the countdown...

Less than one minute left—

Can C1 and C2 make it back?

Their contributions will be remembered, as well all others who give their lives this day.

But Colonel... it's an entire convoy. Five cars, a dozen people in the retinue, possibly even Rhine staff members and reporters, and other passersby...

You have your orders, Riker.

But I...

I'll hit the switch myself. That's my job. Your job is to report as soon as you get a signal from C1 and C2.

I won't defend myself if I stand trial for this someday.

So I'm not going to waste my time explaining myself to my soldiers now.

Yes, sir.

We have the signal!

The Vice President's convoy is reaching the target area on the west side of Rhine Lab.

Colonel?

......

(Whisper) Damn it all to hell!

—

The surface should be close, but I can't see the path with all these stone slabs in the way...

Hey, are you two okay?

Oh no, a chain explosion.

Ifrit?!

Saria? I'm here!

I hear you... hang in there!

I have a lock!

Don't move.

I'm fine, just a little dusty.

Your face... were you crying?

I-I wasn't crying! Just a little anxious, that's all.

Alright.

Your hands are dusty too, Saria. You're making my face even dirtier.

Oh, sorry.

And these two?

They were the ones who planted the bomb that blew up the liquified Originium pipelines, so I brought them out.

But I couldn't stop the explosion...

You did well.

You really did.

......

What is it, Ifrit?

Silence? What are you doing here?

...Silence.

Why are you here?

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Pavard, it's safe to go now.

The convoy?

Just a couple of mechs blown up. No need to worry.

......

This car has been modified by the Engineering Section. It may not look much, but you can trust it.

I hope you brought your driver's license, Mr. Pavard. We'll take a special passage on the east side. We've planned a new route for you.

The rest of your retinue will return in small groups once the dust has settled.

Was the explosion expected?

No, we wouldn't have allowed an explosion of this size to occur if we knew about it in advance.

But Rhine Lab and the Maylander Foundation's work isn't done until you're back safely at your residence... the enemy has more than one plan, and we have more than one contingency.

Very good.

I just don't want to see 'Another Triton?' in the headlines tomorrow.

There's no need to worry, we already have a plan in place for the press.

Once again, I wish you a pleasant stay in Trimounts.

Thank you.