Ancient Forge - Act I

Yaaawn...

You're on the night shift now. How's it going?

Well, the migration is going according to plan. Movement speed normal. No anomalies.

This is the only Originium reaction we need to check out. Take a look.

...'Suspected Originium explosive device activation'? What is it? Somebody shooting off fireworks in the park?

Keep reading. There's a location.

Tung Fong Street, Number 122. It's a warehouse. Currently leased by Penguin... Oh, of course.

I can only hope we're in for another calm and peaceful year.

You said it. Let's just put in our hours and get home for chow.

That doesn't mean we get to relax. Chief Wei told us to stay frosty.

You know, I've lived in Lungmen my whole life, and every year people freak out...

I've never seen the 'Nian' before. What is it?

I've never seen it either. And you asked me the same thing last year.

The greenhorns are already convinced it's just an urban legend.

If there was some kind of fire-breathing giant, we'd spot it before it got within thirty klicks of Lungmen and the defensive cannons would solve that problem pretty quick.

Must be some great big beast, highly territorial, but unlikely to ever attack a city.

That's what they say. But everybody's still on alert. I mean, it's on Chief Wei's own orders.

Yeah, yeah. Save it. I've already written you clowns up for slurping down instant noodles in the control room. Not that I blame you. That's your New Year's banquet. Still waiting for your red envelopes full of money?

......

Then Chief Wei's met the Nian?

You respect the chain of command, don't you?

Of course! It's because of Chief Wei that I joined the force to begin with!

It's just... to get all hands on deck, watching out for some giant nobody's seen for decades?

Chief Wei's very thorough. She covers all her bases. You know this.

That's what they say...

S- sorry I'm late! I brought Originium test results!

Um? Where's... err... Chief Wei?

Well... Not here.

Wh- wha? But Superintendent Ch'en told me to check the control center...

We're on the roof...

Head down the stairs and make a left. That great big room with all the blinking lights? That's your control center.

Aaagh, I just ran up from there. Don't tell me I went the wrong way...

Sorry to bother you! I'll get out of your hair right away!

What was that all about? Who was she?

Must be new. Looked like a techie.

Did you see how wired up she was? It's definitely her first New Year. Takes me back to my first time...

Phew, whew, sorry. Can you point me to the control center...?

...Snowsant? What are you doing back here?

Wha? Superintendent Ch'en, you beat me here?

I think you got a little mixed up.

S- s- s- s- s- sorry! I got lost!

Ummmmmmm... do you think maybe I'll need to be r-r-r-reprimanded for not delivering this extremely important report on time...?

No, I don't think there's any need for that. You're new and I also bear some responsibility for not telling you the way.

Come with me.

Sure... err... Yes, ma'am!

It's already midnight, and there's still so many people around...

It's like this every year. Just a precaution.

...a precaution? Oh, are you talking about the legendary Nian?

Were you in Columbia so long you never saw the L.G.D. face down the Lunar New Year?

My grandma told me stories about the 'Nian' when I was little... But they were so scary I never thought they could be true...

Four-legged beasts, covered in flames from head to toe, awakened from their subterranean slumber by humans building their cities, they... No! No way they could be real!

Stories, huh?

Lots of people think they're just stories. Whatever helps them sleep at night.

Too bad all the damage to our city throughout history isn't just stories. The names carved on the headstones aren't just stories.

It's been quiet for many years. But we have to stay alert.

You've lived in Lungmen before, but you haven't been back for long. Now you need to brush up on everything you've missed.

S-s-s-sorry! Everyone's working so hard, I guess I should probably...

*Sigh*. Just calm down...

Nobody in this building has ever met the Nian before.

We've got a lot of greenhorns who don't believe. Some of them even question the L.G.D.'s mission. It happens. I'm used to it.

Wow... Poor L.G.D....

Go report to Chief Wei and then get some rest. I want another report first thing in the morning.

Ummmmmmm... Erm! Superintendent Ch'en! Could you tell me, um, what Chief Wei is like?

When you told me I would meet her today... I um...

Before I answer you, I need you to gather up some confidence.

It was Chief Wei herself who personally sent the request for you to return from Columbia. You need to believe in yourself, and believe you can handle your mission.

What I'm trying to say is: puff out that chest, girl!

S- sorry...

*Sigh*. That means you need to stop apologizing all the time.

Just like you're talking with me, you take all the information you've got, and calmly and coolly explain it to Chief Wei, in a nice, steady pace.

Don't overthink this.

Okay, I can do it, erm...

Chief Wei.

You've worked hard. Both of you.

Now, not to denigrate your efforts, but it seems this report is a bit later than anticipated.

Oh, that would be because——

Sorry. We took some extra time to straighten out the report.

And there were some individuals consuming cup noodles in Sector 22's control center. I had to reprimand them.

It was poor time management on my part. I take full responsibility, Chief Wei.

...Yes, I understand.

Why don't you introduce this lovely young lady first?

This is our senior engineer in charge of maintaining our outer perimeter installations. Codename Snowsant. I think you know her.

Th-th-th-th-th-this is our first time meeting! P-p-p-p-please call me Snowsant!

Um, but, I guess Superintendent Ch'en already introduced me...

This is not actually our first meeting, little Snowsant.

And yet I see a whole new woman before me. Your time in Columbia has done much for you.

You... you remember me?

How could I forget? Your talent and character are known far and wide.

Not to mention your impressive record before you even left Lungmen.

Chief Wei has known about me for so long...? I... did I do something wrong?

I make a point to know of our promising young people, that's all.

I-I-I-I-I'm honored! But I never thought anyone would notice me, on account of I'm not so good with words...

Unfortunately, I have no time for whitewashed plagiarism and self-serving rhetoric.

Sorry to interrupt, Chief Wei. We've received a docking request from a vessel belonging to one of our strategic partners.

——Understood.

Snowsant, I will be brief. The L.G.D. is welcoming some guests shortly.

This evening will be Lungmen's finest hour.

Ah, yes!

Wow, it's gotten so late...

We could have been earlier.

Ummm... Sorry. I'll look over the handbooks some more when I get home.

Good thinking.

Don't worry! When you see me tomorrow, Superintendent Ch'en, I'll be able to draw a map of every level from memory!

...Let's not get carried away.

The point is, from now on you'll be reporting directly to Chief Wei. Don't get psyched out.

R- right!

But, um... Are you not going home, Superintendent Ch'en?

I have other things to do. We're short handed, and I know a certain crowd that needs a direct approach.

Not to mention... It hasn't been announced to the public yet, but the L.G.D. has some... leads.

Poor Superintendent Ch'en...

Never mind. I'm used to it.

It's your first New Year since you're back in Lungmen. Enjoy it.

Right! Thanks!

Cheers.

Cheers!

To you, Madame Oni, and another great year with you!

It's all thanks to Madame Oni that the gang did so well this past year!

Madame Oni! When are we going to Temple Street?

...Hey, no rush. We got lots of time——

But I'm still waiting on a guest. I know she's coming. I had a nasty vision. My eyelid twitched all morning.

Huh? A guest? Who is it?

....Me.

You! When did you get here?!

Obstruction of justice, destruction of public property, trespassing, disturbing the peace, assault. You made a lot of noise last year, 'Madame Oni.'

They asked for it.

If you say so.

You're a busy woman, Ch'en Sir. That must be why you're getting all mixed up and only just now remembering things from last year. Here, let's raise a glass to Ch'en Sir.

Save it. Let's skip the games. I know what you're about to do.

But you're not going anywhere now.

......

That doesn't make much sense, Ch'en Sir?

We owned up to last year because we did wrong. But this time, we haven't done anything. You're still gonna lock us down?

Don't play dumb. Do I have to remind you what came of your strange little rituals last year?

The L.G.D. doesn't have the manpower to play around with you, so I'm nipping this in the bud.

You think I'm playing around?

......

*Deep sigh*. All right, for old time's sake, Ch'en Sir.

You guys have been battening down the hatches on this year's Nian prep so hard, I was thinking Ursus already fired a shot across our bow.

So we'll be good little boys and girls this time around. As long as you play by our rules.

...Fine.

I knew it would go down like this anyway.

With one condition... If I win, you have to tell me what's got the L.G.D. on edge.

'This year's special circumstances...' You know what I mean, Ch'en Sir?

Why would you want to know?

There's always someone who wants to know.

All right. Fine. I'll play along.

That's what I like to hear! Come on, let's get to drinking!

They're so rowdy over there.

They're like this every year. Don't mind them. The rowdy types have rowdy rituals.

Back when we were on the force, we wouldn't let them get away with stuff like this.

Of course not. We even beat back the Nian.

Do you mean the time with the subsonic Originium slug?

I mean the time with the underground legion.

You weren't a cop yet then. I was.

Is that right? I can't remember.

Hey... did you just touch the board?

Certainly not. Have you ever known me to take back a move?

No, you never take back moves. You just wait until I'm not looking to swap around some pieces.

Why I never! And I resent the accusation! Ahahaha——

Humm~♪ Hummm~♪

You're in a good mood.

It's New Year's! Why wouldn't I be?

I guess that's true...

But there's gotta be more to it?

Aren't you happy you passed the L.G.D. exam?

I thought you wanted to join up just because of your dad, but it turns out you're really into it?

There's that. It's always better to chase your own dreams than be at the mercy of others.

So unlike you...

This is the way.

But you're really so cheerful just for my sake?

*Sigh*... do you have to say it like that...?

Heh. Thanks.

Cards on the table. That's the way to go.

And here I thought you made a quick buck playing the forex market on Victoria's slide. I had you all wrong.

Hey.

Or did your investments in Rim Billiton pay off? It was a mining thing... I think I remember the transfer process wasn't exactly above board.

Y- you know a lot about this...

But of course. We're friends, aren't we? Be-a-trix?

I'm serious! You better not have been digging up dirt on me!

Why I never.

But maybe the L.G.D. would jump at the chance to get their hands on you. And wouldn't that be a great service?

Nooo way.

Anyway. There is one other bit of good news I won't keep from you.

Oh yeah. You're happy that we're out here having a nice stroll, that there's a party, and that all she can do is stare at L.G.D. data and maybe slip out on patrol for some fresh air.

You know all that too?!

Woman's intuition. How else do you think I passed that exam without studying?

Wha, no way! You didn't like bribe the L.G.D. or pull some other shady move...?

Ooh?

Wow, a firecracker! Now that's the sound of New Year's.

Huh? What's with you? Why'd you... Oh.

...What?

Are you still afraid of firecrackers at your age?

No. It just makes me uncomfortable that someone would use an uncontrollable explosive like that for such a frivolous purpose.

Explosive? A firecracker?

Yes. Firecrackers are an Originium explosive device, are they not?

Isn't that kind of blowing things out of proportion?

——Nonsense.

...Are you sure?

Yes.

Well, I'd like to relive my childhood for a bit, so why don't we go buy a couple bundles to play with——

Oh yes, I just remembered, there's a report on the investigation into you sitting in a certain drawer...

...W- we'd better get along to that party.

Doctor, we've arrived.

Is this your first time seeing Lungmen at New Year's?

It's easy to get distracted by the festive atmosphere. But don't forget we have a job to do.

The 'Nian' is a legend... or so they say.

But the records show that it is a real, if anomalous phenomenon.

Around the turn of each year, Lungmen, actually all of Yan, and even the parts of Ursus that wander nearby, get attacked.

The documented records of damage to each city don't match up very well, and the earlier legends are pretty murky.

Some speak of giant, man-eating monsters. Some tell of a strange army. And still others speak of a group of mysterious casters.

There's even a conspiracy theory floating around that some organized crime syndicate or other shadowy group fabricated the whole 'Nian' thing to cover up their activities...

...Speaking of, weren't you listening in the meeting, Doctor?

Welcome to Lungmen, Rhodes Island.

Chief Wei is waiting at the L.G.D. Please come with me.

The point is, we'll go see Chief Wei first. She'll explain the important details.

Say... Doctor, have you seen Lava?

H- how many bottles is this?

Madame Oni, let's not..

The number!

Seventeen!

Ugh... Since when... can you drink like this?

The L.G.D. has the occasional... get-together.

What ngaang gaau 'get-togethers' are you talking about... bullshit... ugh...

Gah, it's so hot! Hey, get some ice water, or beer or whatever!

I think you've had enough, Madame Oni...

Take care of her, and don't go anywhere.

*Sigh*, come on, Madame, have some water.

*GULP* *GULP* Ahh!

Hey, Ch'en... Next time you wanna pay a visit... *hiccup* You don't have to come up with some... crazy excuse, you know?

We live in different worlds.

Now, since you admit defeat, I'll... nnng...

Um...? Ch'en Sir, you're looking a little wobbly there.

I'm fine.

...You guys better get ready. If Chief Wei is right, then all of Lumgen is gonna hafta bland tofether...

Ch'en Sir, are you really okay?

*Deep breath* Pfft——

When she wakes up, you tell her, the L.G.D. got a lead on the 'Nian.'

A lead? Like a giant footprint or something?

Crazy huge craters, melted buildings, massive scorch marks.

Woah... I heard the Nian was actually a huge Originium slug thousands of miles long... is that true?

Who knows?

Our scouts couldn't find anything that looked like casting, but those marks definitely weren't there long.

Point is, if there's really something out there...

You guys gotta pitch in.

Why do we gotta help out the fuzz?

Because you can fight.

...Hey now, I like the sound of that. Ch'en Sir ain't all bad!

Don't you think it's really hot out today?

Early spring.

It's midnight. This is an early spring?

Whatever. Did that Lung get back to you yet?

Not yet. This isn't really what the L.G.D. messaging system is for.

Standard duty is off today, right? And it's my private channel anyway.

Heh heh. She's probably so pissed off she's moping around the alleyways cursing herself.

...Wei, is that a fire?

What are you on about?

It's just, why is it heating up even after the sun's gone down?

To tell the truth, I have a bad feeling about this.

It must be hard being apart from your beloved daughter. A man of your age, you've spoiled her rotten.

Like you would know.

Give it up. Don't change the subject. You think I'm going to let you cheat again?

...Hrm.

Shift's up.

Is your report ready?

It's been ready. If you get here first tomorrow, do me a favor and get me a coffee.

Honestly...

Oh, this is for you, to pass the time.

What is it?

...'Tales of the Nian: A Compilation of Catastrophes from Several Countries'?

Nah, what's the point. The Nian is some kind of mythological construct. How do people still believe in monsters and stuff?

What the hell is wrong with people these days? It's only been a few years and everything's totally different.

Aaahh, let's see here. Guh, I can't make sense of any of this new crap.

——Re... u... nion?

Hmm... Hmm...?

Come on? This is all we got?

Then I'll just have to use my imagination... Or not. What if they can't handle it...

Anyway, I'll figure it out.

Nnng... Mmf...

That should be good? Let's start it up and see...

——*Electrical hum*——

System activated.

Experiment log activated. Voice print recognized. Operator: Snowsant.

Current room temperature: 14℃. Analysis: room temperature abnormal.

It worked...! Whew, using all that electricity paid off... Wait, abnormal?

Hm... There was a calibration log around here somewhere... where was that?

Number of calibration logs: 1.

This one?

Room temperature analysis: significantly higher than regional average temperatures for this date. Presumed to be due to experimentation. No heat source found. No Originium reaction found. Added to log.

Hmm... The Originium detection function was a later addition. And it seems pretty sensitive...

Let's extend the range a bit.

Range extension failed. Cause: large amount of unresponsive objects in range. Presumed system failure. Troubleshooting in progress.

Let's see... The Originium reaction detector function uses feedback ripples from Originium reactions, so if an object isn't responding, that means it's undetectable to Originium Arts——

It's insulated from Originium reactions? A material totally resistant to Originium...?

...That's impossible!

Ugh... So it's actually malfunctioning... Wahh... the power bill...

And that is the scope of the task.

Rhodes Island has a history of excellence in dealing with such issues, and I look forward to our cooperation.

Thank you, Chief Wei.

(Doctor! Have you found Lava yet? Still?)

Ahem. Chief Wei, um...

Can we register the operators that will be working in Lungmen without them being physically present?

...Do you speak of Miss Lava?

Miss Lava is an expert in Catastrophes, especially those of the distant past. It is thanks to her that we put our trust in Rhodes Island.

Of course, we understand that Rhodes Island has many outstanding operators. But Miss Lava's familiarity with the Nian——

Chief Wei! Forgive the interruption! It's an emergency.

Go ahead.

There are unidentified personnel in the city center.

...They have Reunion icons.

These marks...

They show they've already entered the city.

But it should be only a few of them. And among those, only one matches the records.

...Never mind.

No matter who they are, I will put a stop to them.

Never again.