Temporary Peace

That terrible rift in the sky is finally gone.

How's your body holding up, Endmin?

You're pushing yourself too hard.

You've been fighting ever since your awakening. It's not just your memories. Your body's struggling too...

Every time you wake, you would lead us as a true hero. But most people fail to realize *why* you would always return to hibernation.

...How could I not worry?

You're the only one who knows the entirety of the Zeroth Directive, but right now ... we have no choice but to execute the parts we grasp to the best of our abilities.

I kept questioning myself if my decisions would disrupt your plans ... or how I should explain the complexities of the situation to you... Everything happened so fast and so suddenly.

The Aggeloi, the Landbreakers, and the Blight... The scars they left on Valley IV will take quite a while to heal.

If we hadn't deployed the Protocol Automation-Core, this crisis would have dealt us a far more terrible blow... Fortunately, we insisted on pushing the project forward.

You once mentioned that victory with devastating costs is not what you seek.

We shall restore what was damaged in battle, and rebuild what was lost in disaster. The Protocol Automation-Core shall provide the foundation we can build upon. We shall build bridges to each other and unite our strengths.

Valley IV is just the first step of the PAC deployment program. Endfield shall bring it along as we traverse the Civilization Band and explore every corner of Talos-II.

This peace might not last... But for now, let's just gaze upon this burgeoning land.

Tata..? Where did it go?

It's ... gone. Gone with the rift.

......

If ... if I were a little stronger ... Tata wouldn't——

Tata... It came here to help us carry out our mission.

Chen, I think that when Crowe, Yvonne, and Andre built Tata, they sincerely believe it could help the people of Talos-II.

Tata lived up to everyone's expectations and sealed the rift. It protected us ... and Valley IV.

Right now, it is our turn to step up and save more people.

...I understand.

Endministrator ... what Nefarith said before she left... Judging by the content, we can only assume she knows you pretty well.

You have yet to recover your memories, and the enemy is still in the shadows. We must be more cautious.

Endministrator! Supervisor Perlica! Do you copy?

The depth readings at the Power Plateau are dropping fast... Have we stabilized the rift?

It's over. However, we failed to apprehend Nefarith.

Your safety is far more important than anything else. Help should be arriving soon from the Hub. Time to head back to base and get some well-deserved R&R.

I'm just...

No, I'm not blaming you, Endmin!

Everyone! Oh, it's so nice to see you back! Our friends from the Power Plateau just arrived too! Victory is finally ours!

Now that we've reclaimed the Power Plateau, the threat to Valley IV has been temporarily lifted.

Back then, I promised you a welcome party, but never found the time to arrange it ... and now we've got even more to celebrate.

After all these years, Endmin, you are still diving straight into the thickest of dangers. Just like before.

Your burden is way too much. Now let us take care of the remaining work. It will be a major undertaking, given the amount of Blight we need to clean up.

Major undertaking indeed, Andre. Ahem. You'll be attending that presentation meeting with me shortly.

Oooo?!

Heheh... But for now, let's set aside some time for a little break.

Endmin! I'm so happy to see you return safe and sound!

Facility deployments exceeded our design thresholds... Fortunately, the system accommodated the additional load.

But Blight interference put a major strain on Protocol capacity. If we have to constantly deal with similar environments, we need to figure out how to solve this problem...

No worries! I'm on top of it! There's always a way!

You have my word!

Things are finally settling down, Endministrator.

And the Hub Base looks busy again, Director Qin.

Yeah. The worst of the crisis is now behind us. There's a lot of work we need to sort out with our friends at the UWST.

I read all the reports before you arrived. Feel free to talk to me if you have any questions, Endmin.

According to scouting reports in various areas, many Bonekrushers have left Valley IV.

But there are still pockets of enemies near the Æther Test Site and the Research Center. We Endfielders will work with the UWST to strengthen local security measures.

The UWST is a massive organization that sustains the Civilization Band. Once the Industrial Mothership hears about Valley IV, the place will quickly receive all sorts of aid and support.

However ... now that we know the Landbreakers got themselves involved with the Æther ... I'm afraid both the UWST and TGCC will start looking into this.

The rebuilding of Valley IV is a major undertaking. Endfield can't do this alone. We should wait for the UWST to catch their breath before talking to their lead monitors.

I agree. Thanks to the AIC Factory built by our Endmin, production and scientific research throughputs have been restored at the Hub Base. Our major undertaking shall begin at this very site.

Here. Take a look at this. It's Andre's Rebuilding Management Plan for the Hub Base and the surrounding areas.

His analysis is very optimistic. With AIC support, restoring the Hub Base will be fast. A single season will get us back to pre-disaster capacities.

Endministrator, Supervisor Perlica, I recommend taking a short break for now. It's true we have many problems, but we shouldn't exhaust ourselves, right?

Endmin, do you have a minute?

Maybe we can take a breath together ... just us.

Ugh. I thought I could fight alongside the Endmin...

End... ENDMIN?!

ARGH — I knew it!

They are withdrawing from Valley IV ... but they're moving out fast and efficiently. I do not believe that they've been routed.

It doesn't matter. The wolves shall grip them by their necks. I will keep in touch with Endfield.

Hmm. You can count on me.

I didn't really say I want it ... but ... if it's possible ... can I really be part of the Crisis Team?

Endmin! Thanks to you, we held on and defended the Power Plateau with great success!

Things have changed. Plenty of little brats got themselves hurt. We even had to resort to the Utjug Order. HQ is definitely going to keep complaining about this.

But ... they can gripe all they want! We made it! And it's not just at the Power Plateau! Everyone performed well at the Science Park and the Origin Lodespring too!

A crisis can ignite our true potential, but it may lead us to hit back with excessive force. The worst is already behind us. It is time to ease off some of our emergency measures.

No matter what, Valley IV owes you a big one, Endmin.

...I'm still thinking about what happened back then.

Yeah.

When Perlica called me to rendezvous at Valley IV, I never expected to run into so many things. The Bonekrushers ... that giant Aggelos ... and Tata.

I'm only starting to realize the reality of what we've been through. It seems that we did save Valley IV.

All thanks to Tata ... as well as Perlica and you, Endmin. Am I right to say that?

Tata is a friend and companion, and so are you, Endmin.

Alright...

Endmin! You turn out to be more than just a hero from the legends.

We grew up listening to stories about you. Our history textbooks devote plenty of pages to the Aggeloi War.

Fabian decided to join the Security Bureau because he wanted to be someone like you! A hero who can turn things around!

Aleeza, when is our next patrol scheduled?

Ah? Oh... We can start any time.

I'm afraid we'll have to take our leave, Endmin.

...Thank you.