Arknights story · Dissociative Recombination
15-11 Wake From a Long Dream
Friston-3 dreams, despite never having been fitted with the capability to do so by Closure. Popukar wakes up to see unfamiliar figures on the ship's portholes. Something strange is happening to Rhodes Island.
2 scenes, 357 lines
1. Before Operation
136 linesFriston does not understand why his daughter chose this as their meeting place.
......
This is no vacation spot. Too much sand in one's shoes.
I should take a break.
He sits on a dune and removes his shoes, only for the wind to send the sand he pours out into his face.
*cough* *cough*...
This is most undignified—why am I in full dress?
......
Why did she ask me to come here?
There is no answer on the radio. He wanders aimlessly on the yellow sands, calling his daughter's name.
No one answers until night has fallen.
...A party?
He follows the sound to find the camp on the dunes in the distance, filled with lights and ribbons.
He hears his daughter's familiar laughter, and runs towards her in joy.
You made it to my wedding, dad!
Friston almost cries at the sight of the golden hair.
I've been looking for you for so long, my sunshine.
Is this your wedding?
Of course. The ceremony is about to start. Let's go.
We'll walk the red carpet, arm in arm. Give me your blessings, dad.
Friston tries to take her arm, but he can not reach it.
Will you not give me your blessing?
No... no, that’s not what I meant... I—
(Unknown Language) I—
Will you not give me your blessing?
(Unknown Language) ...Sunshine?
You did not want us to see the truth of the stars?
(Unknown language) ...You're not my sunshine.
(Unknown language) Have I left home? I remember this bunker—
(Unknown language) 'The preservation room'.
You will not answer any more of my questions?
(Unknown language) Kristen. You're Kristen...
(Unknown language) I've heard of you. No, I've seen you... no. How did I know you?
(Unknown language) I've never known you—
(Unknown language) Who the devil turned off the light?!
(Unknown language) Damn it!
Why have you imprisoned me here?
Closure! Is this another one of your damned jokes?
Friston realizes that he is buried in the 'photos' that fill the room. A volume of 'A Complete Bestiary of Terra' covers his camera module.
Are they even photos? He has never visited the places in them, nor could he ever.
There are only fragmented images on the countless photos.
Sand dune, bonfire, camp, golden hair, and the preservation room where the sun does not shine.
A dream...?
Friston dreamed. Friston-3 dreamed.
He printed his own dream.
It should not be possible for me to dream. Did Closure upload a new firmware without telling me?
I don't have time to argue with you right now, Mr. Friston!
I guarantee you in the strongest possible terms that I have not uploaded any firmware that could have caused you to dream.
The PRTS anomalies are getting out of control. It will take time to deploy the backup command system.
All the work has to be assigned manually. I wish I had six or seven pairs of eyes! We've completely lost contact with some areas and we have no idea what's going on—
Relax, Closure.
I'm not trying to argue with you. I just want to make sure that all possibilities for my unusual malfunctions are accounted for.
We've eliminated firmware bugs and hardware malfunctions as possibilities. Then—
......
What is it?
Huh? Originium, of course.
Are the majority of your retrofitted operation platforms Originium-powered?
...Your tone is starting to scare me, Mr. Friston. What are you trying to say?
You're a genius, Closure.
Huh?
Excellent thinking, cutting off the link between the retrofitted operation platforms and PRTS. But that's not enough, not by a long shot.
Huh? What's going on? Why are things shaking?
Popukar was awakened by the continuous flashing. She looks out of the porthole, but sees nothing unusual outside.
Looks like a nice day. No sign of rain.
Maybe somebody was training noisily outside?
Hm... PRTS comms are still down?
Looks like today's assignment is in the isolation zone outside the ship. I should report to Orchid.
Morning—hey, where did everybody go?
It's so quiet... where is Orchid? I can't reach her...
I should check the cafeteria.
The cafeteria's... this way—
Popukar's sleepy eyes are only half-open, but she could find her way from the deck to the cafeteria even if they were completely shut.
That is how well she knows Rhodes Island—
She is tripped by a toolbox from the Engineering Department left in the corridor.
She kneels down to rub her knee, which doesn't hurt so much anymore, then puts the scattered tools and boxes away to the sides of the corridor.
That light again... what...?
Popukar stands up and looks to the porthole next to her—
She sees many strange people.
Who are they?
New visitors...?
The other side of the porthole is supposed to be the deck. Are these people lost?
She walks briskly through the corridor, but begins to slow down as she becomes increasingly confused.
Why do I see them on every porthole?
......
O-Orchid? This is Popukar.
Seems like communications are still down. I don't know if I'm getting through to you...
Are you seeing anything weird?
There is no response from the communicator.
......
(Unknown language) When true destruction... on me... powerless...
(Unknown language) Equal end...
A-Are they talking? I can't hear...
Th-The mission comes first. Maybe Orchid is already waiting for me in the isolation zone outside.
A left turn here...
Go straight, then push the door open...
Then the exit passage—
Let me get to the ground first...
Huh?
I think I'm here...
Popukar turns around to look at the exit passage that she came out of, only to find that it has disappeared.
——?!
O-Orchid... is the exit passage here?
What exit passage?
—*Bzzt* All operators... receiving this message...
Do not... trust...
Communications... blocked... Rhodes Island... awake...
—Repeat... *Bzzt* Warning—
...Closure?
(Advances hesitantly)
(Hostile posture)
I'm sorry, little fella, but I can't let you hurt anyone else.
(Spins angrily)
Why did you attack us?
I'm not sure what's going on, but something must be wrong with the ship.
You went missing for a while, and this is what became of you when you came back.
Besides, the structure of the ship seems to be changing. I could hardly find my way.
Such a strange feeling. It's like... like the ship is—
Like it's alive.
Are we being attacked?
Impossible... we had set up an isolation zone around Rhodes Island. We should have gotten a warning if any enemies had approached.
Unless... the enemy was from within.
I'm not sure... we're in the command center, but we're not getting any information about what's going on anywhere on the ship!
No response from Dr. Kal'tsit or any of the elite operators to our messages, either...
I'll go find them.
Let's get everyone together. Then we can think about how to deal with this.
Okay. I'll protect you.
(Approaches silently)
What is—?!
2. After Operation
221 lines
Is the backup power online yet?
The junction box broke. Try cutting off that damaged circuit. Maybe short-circuit protection is still kicking in.
Watch your feet.
I can see.
We're in luck.
Comms are still jammed. Even the emergency frequencies are out.
I have even worse news. For some reason, Rhodes Island is currently headed northwest at maximum speed.
At this rate, it's only a matter of time before we collide with a mobile mining platform.
We must eliminate all possible dangers along the course. Protect the ship from the outside, and prevent collateral damage.
Let's get out of here and check our vehicle inventory in the Bad Guy's cabin.
Space around here has been transformed. Existing maps are no longer reliable. Stay close to me.
(Comes to a sudden stop)
Is something wrong?
They're coming again.
Hardly had he finished when an arrow whooshed through the air.
Missed?
There is no answer.
Stormeye?
Sharp turns around to see that the door to the restaurant has turned into a metal wall crawling with Originium.
But it is not Stormeye standing behind him—
(Approaches soundlessly)
Pith gazes at the communicator silently with a furrowed brow.
The footsteps disappear into the distance.
But the fallen Originium entities rise again, moving in perfect unison, striding over the damaged communicator on the ground.
'—*Bzzt* All operators... receiving this message...'
'Do not... trust... communications blocked...'
'*Bzzt*... Rhodes Island... awake...'
'Awake'?
Ascalon points her sleeve-blade towards a wavering shadow not far away.
Silhouettes manifest from the shadows like ghosts, every step accompanied by the sound of crystal cracking.
The clothes they wear—Reunion? And Nachzehrers too... nothing can surprise me now.
Their bodies are composed entirely of Originium. We cannot rely on past experience.
Guess we'll have to improvise.
We can't just stay here. We have to find where these things came from.
The intention of these enemies is unclear, as is the situation on the Doctor's side. If...
Amiya is with the Doctor. No need to worry.
We continue with our mission—ascertaining the source of the abnormal events.
If this is what Kal'tsit was guarding against, then these things must follow the command of some unknown actor...
Communications are still out. We can't reach anyone else.
I wonder if the other elite operators—
Ascalon...
As they pass by the Originium crystals, Misery catches a glimpse of a fleeting image in the multi-faceted reflections of the crystals.
Did I just see Outcast?
Clack, clack—
A sharp claw separates itself from the surface of the Originium crystal, then curled horns, rugged silhouette, and spiked tail.
This creature is not unfamiliar to Rhodes Island's battle records, but never has it been composed solely of Originium.
As the never-before-seen form of life takes its first step, an arrow impales its throat and shatters its skull.
—Safe. For now.
Stormeye leans against the wall and pauses to catch his breath, before tending to his wounds.
At least it won't hinder me in battle.
(Static)
Sharp. Come in, Sharp. Can you hear me?
If you hear me, leave a sign somewhere, any way you can. I'll come and find you.
(Static)
...Dammit—
*Bzzt*—Stor...Stormeye—Careful—*bzzt—
Sharp?! What's your location?
*Bzzt*—Engaging—Whitesmith—Stop—
...? Wait for me!
...Assist...
More rampaging machines rush into the corridor, the light in their eyes flashing in sync.
Their simple voice units repeat a call for help, defying the limitations of their design.
Not now!
Stormeye's arrow pierces the cores of two of the machines with unerring accuracy. Then he makes a run for it, not pausing to look back.
Two virtually identical corridors extend as far as Stormeye's eye could see.
The pathways within Rhodes Island are undergoing constant, haphazard changes. No one knows to which fates the diverging corridors lead.
The rampaging machines are catching up.
(Furious howl)
Faster than expected. Rhodes Island is not ready.
If there is such a thing as being ready for her.
(Alerted growl)
However, something is clearly not right with her as well. She would not resort to such inefficient means otherwise.
This may be our last chance to gain the upper hand.
(Approaches silently)
The passage before Kal'tsit changes again, in an attempt to lead her astray.
But the warping of space does not affect Kal'tsit. She can still sense her target—the Sarcophagus of Dr. Doctor.
The information is etched into the bottommost layer of her memory.
Mon3tr. Eliminate all threats that approach the Sarcophagus. Buy me time.
(Excited howling)
Once again, she stands before the familiar Sarcophagus.
Once, she awoke the hope that slumbered within, only to find pain that could not be easily wiped away.
Now, it is their last hope.
I can't guarantee that this is going to work, Mon3tr.
But I won't just sit around and watch a fighting chance slip away.
Kal'tsit walks towards the Sarcophagus and places a white flower on top of it.
This is her legacy. Little did she know at the time that it was fire stolen from the 'gods'.
...We must all challenge those higher beings and fight for a chance to live.
(Nervous growl)
If something goes wrong, Mon3tr, act on your own discretion.
She enters the Sarcophagus.
The interference is really bad.
Not only am I not getting any signals, my Originium Arts are also being suppressed by the environment.
Think, think—
'Raidian...'
'Track me...'
Raidian tracks the faint signal to an unexpected source.
Dr. Kal'tsit?!
How? But you're—no matter how you did it, you need to—
...No, you can't stop now.
Thank you, Dr. Kal'tsit.
I know what to do now.
'This is Raidian speaking.'
'With assistance, I have been able to establish a temporary electromagnetic communications environment.'
'Intel provided by Dr. Kal'tsit indicates that the abnormal events currently occurring on Rhodes Island originated from the core area known as the Abyss.'
'You are now receiving a briefing about the Abyss. All elite operators are asked to locate the Abyss, while making every effort to ensure your own safety.'
'I repeat. Locate the Abyss, but do not approach without permission. Maintain constant communication at all times.'
'Do your duty, elite operators—'
'Dr. Kal'tsit will be your eyes.'
We lack the means to completely neutralize these hostile Originium entities. Survival is your first priority.
Any injured personnel are to immediately disengage and seek assistance from Touch.
Kal'tsit... what have you done THIS time?
Dr. Warfarin! Look out!
These things can't hurt me for now. But there are too many of them. It's not easy trying to protect everyone.
Raidian's intel indicates that these things can't be killed.
'Kill'... are these things even alive?
Have Dr. Touch and Dr. Kal'tsit run into these monsters too?
Protect yourself. We're not as weak as you think—
*Sarkaz expletive*!
What I wouldn't do for a chance to take you apart, piece by piece, to find out for sure whether you monsters can die—
Get clear, Chloe!
The Originium entities continue to rush towards Warfarin. Two successfully penetrate her defenses.
They raise their hands towards Chloe—
Then stop. Their motion is not one of aggression, more like an invitation to the patient in front of them, one who is so close to death's door—
......
——?!
(Gazes silently)
Get back! Don't touch them!
B-But I can hear him... screaming? It's like those pained voices are etched into my mind...
W-We're very... alike...
Chloe takes the hand of the Originium entity. Her eyes are filled with sorrow.
Why... why don't you hurt me?
...Are we the same?
Is it because of your infection? The symptoms we've never seen before... Originium is changing.
—That's why your condition progressed quicker than expected!
Does this mean I can help you find a way to deal with them?
I want to try. I want to help you.
I don't want to disappoint you, or let Dr. Touch or Dr. Kal'tsit get hurt...
Warfarin repels the Originium entity in front of Chloe and stands before her patient in a defensive posture.
Do you understand what it is you're offering?
(Smiles) I don't. But I'm not afraid.
Not as fast as you say, Stormeye.
I got sidetracked by the changes to the deck plan.
Luckily, Dr. Kal'tsit and Raidian were able to reestablish communications. Who knows what else I would've run into.
You mentioned Whitesmith over the radio?
......
One instant she was inviting me to drink and dance in front of her fire. The next instant she was gone, leaving only a bunch of Originium-polluted machines crawling out of the furnace to attack me.
A hallucination?
I can tell what's real and what's not, Stormeye. But what's happening here is beyond anything I can comprehend.
Not that I'm the only one who's seeing strange things.
Originium formations are growing at a visible pace. They thought they knew Originium well enough, but now the facets of the crystals threaten to draw their very minds in.
...?
Stormeye narrows his eyes. He sees Sharp's mouth moving, but his ears hear nothing.
All is quiet. Soon, he cannot even hear his own heartbeat.
The expression he sees on Sharp's face changes.
The next instant, all sound disappears from Rhodes Island, leaving only dead silence in the communications channel that Raidian established.
'Don't fall behind, Stormeye.'
He sees familiar figures, men who were once brothers to him...
——?!
He has been reunited with the brothers from his wandering days. But they died long ago...
'That beer we looted is gonna get warm if you don't drink it quick. What are you so worried about?'
(Soundless words)
'Yeah, the rocks have gotten to my throat, but I can still drink. Haven't gotten my tongue yet.'
'You really want to go with those people? Suit yourself. Won't shed any tears for you if you die on that Rhodes Island.'
'But... sit a while longer by the fire before you go. The moons are almost up. Don't you want to see them?'
He had yearned for a peaceful parting with his brothers, but right now all Stormeye feels is anger.
At the same time, on the other side of Rhodes Island...
'Where are you going?'
......
'You've already found me, Ascalon.'
'There's no need to go any further.'
Only a timely push by Misery saved Ascalon from the flying Originium shrapnel.
'We haven't settled our bet yet, Misery.'
'Don't get distracted. Look, I still have four rounds left in my gun.'
......
Originium is growing rampant, and the appearances of the mysterious Originium enemies are ever more frequent, accompanied by 'illusions' that they cannot help but be distracted by—
The very place itself is trying to drive them out.
Ascalon wants to reach Raidian, to tell her that the Abyss has been located...
But the Originium drowns out all sound.
The deathly silence is a mystery, a tomb made of lead, threatening to drag Rhodes Island into an abyss from which there is no escape—
'This is Mantra'.
'I've spoken to Dr. Kal'tsit. I will not suffer this mockery of memory and emotion.'
Every operator on Rhodes Island hears Mantra's voice in their head. It is her Originium Arts, the power and fury of which all of them can sense.
'If it tries to stop us with silence—'
'—Then I will be the voice that connects us.'
'Now, I return your voices to you.'
It's Mantra!
She's sharing the information that the others have collected.
Ascalon and Misery are close to the Abyss.
They've sent over the Abyss's signal profile to Raidian, who will be able to trace it, even if the spatial environment changes again.
They are currently holding position, helping Raidian establish an information anchor based on their own biosignals.
It's too dangerous.
They need reinforcements.
Blaze and Rosmontis are on their way. It won't take long.
I'm worried about Dr. Kal'tsit too, Doctor.
Raidian's information indicates that Dr. Kal'tsit is in a dangerous predicament...
Regroup at Ascalon and Misery's position.
Then, we'll work together to find a way through the Abyss.
We won't make Kal'tsit wait too long.
Yeah. We're able to maintain communications thanks to Raidian and Mantra's Arts, but this puts a lot of stress on both of them.
Time is of the essence, Doctor. Let's go.
You carefully lead Amiya through a forest of Originium shards. Your ability to precisely predict when and where explosions will occur is a major advantage.
Focused on the path ahead, you fail to notice a little detail on the massive crystal formation that you just passed.
It is not your figures that are reflected in the smooth surface of the Originium crystal.
A Cautus girl with her back to you, her thin, fragile hand held by another, just like you and Amiya right now.