Arknights story · Critical Phase Transition
17-15 A Person's Worth
Lada's mother, Alita, discovers that the First Army is using the Infected to supply energy to the Sarcophagus. Disillusioned, she sacrifices herself and entrusts the Sarcophagus to Rhodes Island, but the Rhodes Island discovers the Sarcophagus in a destroyed state. The Fourth Army crosses the front line and marches upon Zelgrad.
1 scenes, 327 lines
1. Before Operation
327 linesYou've been looking at these files for an entire day, director. You should get some rest, at least eat something...
Is this all of the Kushkina file, Gira?
I think... like you, though, I was recently reassigned, so I can't be sure there are no omissions.
I wasn't even given a logbook during the handover.
All research data should be filed in the logbook, whether the data is valid or not. This is a problem.
Look at this. The progress reports jump straight from 03 to 21, the missing files listed as 'data lost'. Not even the raw records remain.
What?
And these audio logs have clearly been tampered with. I took some time to listen to them, but there was nothing but useless noise.
This is not normal. When I went to the security station to obtain security footage of Lab Six from prior to the handover, I found that all footage from the last three days have been deleted.
All that they gave me were some maintenance logs. They said it provided a record of people come to and from Lab Six during these few days.
Guess what I found.
Beats me.
On the day of the Kushkina test, there was a power outage that lasted about thirty minutes. The repair team arrived eight minutes after the outage began, but they were not able to fully mitigate the overload problem.
Following up on the trail, I found that the cooling pool had dried up that day, and all backup systems were destroyed, while the temperature of that thing underground remains at high levels—
It's not going to blow up immediately, but things didn't go back to normal either.
This means there's something else that's cooling it, but we don't know what it is!
......
Even so, the conclusion in the report was that risk levels were under control.
But the test succeed. The power of Kushkina was witnessed across half of Ursus...
Is that really something worth celebrating?
My research was on how to turn the 'Prototype' into a reliable energy source, not an uncontrollable weapon.
But all we know about Kushkina is that it's powerful, and it cannot be recreated in a controlled environment.
I don't even want to think about where these experiments are going.
Director... couldn't we just focus on doing experiments? If you question the Marshal's decisions—
I'm in no position to defy my orders...
But I need to find out what's going on in this place.
HR records... six from the data team, two from the risk assessment team, seven from the assembly team.
Reassignment... promotion... none of them are in Zelgrad anymore.
I can't reach any of them...
What are you looking for at an hour like this?
Something like notes from the previous supervisor. We ran into a roadblock during the day—
Well, if it's not here, it's probably not anywhere. The whole Lab Six staff was replaced. Surely you know what that means in this industry.
What are you saying?
They must have screwed up somewhere, which means the previous supervisor would be held responsible, which means she wouldn't have left any notes behind.
We have to empty our pockets when we leave the building. If she really left, she wouldn't have been able to take anything associated with the project.
If you can't find it here, you won't find it anywhere.
......
Director?
Gira? What is it?
I thought about what you said and decided you should have this. It contains some unlogged notes that I found in a cabinet.
I didn't open them, but—I hope they can help you and the project.
Thank you, Gira...
Don't mention it, really!
Diary... blank scrap paper...
The signature of the previous supervisor? Did all this belong to her?
A notebook—
What is this?
Words of despair are scrawled over the last page.
With what sanity I have left, I believe we will never find out the truth about this machine, not in the lifetime of Ursus.
It is so complex and contains such massive energy reserves that I can only consider it a work of God, and it is not our place to use it, either as a weapon or Originium generator.
It is a complete black box with no credible theoretical basis on which to study it. Even more terrifying is that it seems to have a mind of its own, resisting our exploration of it.
This time, the explosion occurred in the wilderness. Next time, it could happen at Zelgrad, even Grypherburg.
No one knows where this instrument came from or what it is, but one thing is clear: It is not a blessing to the empire, but a curse.
There are numerous graphs and diagrams in the notebook.
Some are smooth and clean, neat and tidy, while other peak and bottom out sharply or terminate suddenly. There appears to be little rhyme or reason to the data.
'Experiment outcome is not reproducible in whole or part. The overall state of Project Zero is...'
'Out of control.'
Gosudar-batyushka...
There is no weapon. The successful test was just dumb luck.
(Hushed) All the 'energy'... they've gone into a bottomless pit.
Director Alita Valueva! The Army—the Generalik just had everyone in Lab Four arrested!
Why? What does he want?
No idea. But they haven't been taken away yet. You should hurry!
I—why should I hurry?
Isn't your husband working in Lab Four?
......
Stop.
I'm the director of Lab Six.
Doesn't matter. You can't pass.
I am Alita Valueva, director of Lab Six. I am demanding that Lab Four and its personnel be reassigned to the critical project at Lab Six.
Communicate this to your superior immediately.
Don't make me repeat myself again.
I don't want to repeat myself either—
Do as she says.
Chief?
A chief of staff who has to take orders from a child who hasn't seen a single battle? Who would believe it?
Open your eyes, soldier.
General Anatoliy Svetlanov Buterin, in his infinite wisdom, has instructed that all requests by Lab Six are top-priority, whether it's the old one or the new one.
......
......
......
Where's the watch your mother gave you?
Lost it.
Are you still taking your meds?
Not for a long time. I would be kicked out of the lab if they found out.
I'm not leaving you, Lita.
Then stop deceiving me, Klim.
I've never...
Your recklessness almost killed everyone in your lab.
Besides, I never told you about my comms channel. How did you find out?
You were still using the system we built together when we were in school. Only I know about it here...
Why didn't you ask me?
You don't—
You don't want to see me, do you?
Oh, I'm not trying to blame you—
I know.
Huh?
I know you wanted to see me, but I didn't want to see you. I don't care about anyone who comes and goes in this place, and you need to know that you're the same to me right now.
The only thing that matters to me right now is completing Kushkina.
Lita—
Don't call me that. You should not have joined a project you were unsuited to, just because of me. You should have gone to Lada and stayed with her.
Even a broken family is home.
Home. Yes, Lita! In the last communication, I heard—
No, don't say it. I don't want to know.
Stay away from the work here. Don't try to send any messages out with my channel.
......
Go get some cleaning work from Logistics. Stay away from all of this.
......
All of B3 is assigned to Lab Five.
Their work may be more aligned with your company's. Their field of research is the progression of Oripathy infection.
......
Would you like to take a look?
No, thank you... there's a question I've mean meaning to ask, Madam Alita Valueva—
Go on.
Do we really have to be accompanied by so many soldiers?
Ah, I forgot to explain.
Visitors must be accompanied by military representatives at all times. I informed them in accordance with regulations.
To prevent espionage and leaks concerning secret projects. I'm sure you understand.
...I understand.
Will they intrude on our conversations?
There is no need to worry. The security measures only come in play when necessary. Otherwise, you can treat them as though they don't exist.
If you insist, we can stop and develop trust in not having conversations interrupted.
There's no need—
For example, I'm curious about the analysis on the 'Prototype' that you provided. How did you know so much?
'Prototype'?
(Whisper) Maybe she means the Sarcophagus. Let the Doctor handle it.
A Rhodes Island member was involved in its research.
She was an outstanding scientist.
She was an experienced scholar.
How much does this researcher know about the Prototype?
No one knows the Sarcophagus better than her.
She knows everything there is to know about the Sarcophagus.
Sarcophagus... that's a name I haven't heard in a long time. I've gotten used to calling it the Prototype.
Are you familiar with her research?
I have read all the files she left behind.
...'Left behind', you say. Where did she go?
I suppose you will do. The research has encountered some obstacles, and there are quite a few things in the files that I don't fully understand, for which I could use your help.
The most pressing issue at present is that the Prototype is in a constant state of overheating and unable to be fully cooled. Certain experiments and operations are unable to be performed, causing the project to grind to a halt.
No one knows how to stop the overheating and return the Prototype's output to normal boundaries.
(Whisper) Sounds like the Sarcophagus has entered a protected state after overloading.
Did you say something?
Amiya—
It's alright. You can tell her.
It sounds like the Sarcophagus has entered a protected state after overloading. How long has it been in this state?
Since I took over Lab Six five days ago, maybe even before that.
That's not right...
If you would like to know more details, we can go directly to Lab Six.
I won't be letting you go to any other project. You have to stay.
We can talk on the way.
...That's how I was reassigned here.
I first heard about the Sarcophagus when I was a student. It seemed like an urban legend, and young people are always bold and curious—
I wrote a letter to the mayor, a youthful plea that expressed my hope to join research on the Sarcophagus when I grew up. I didn't receive a response, of course.
Who would have thought that I would be studying it here, twenty years later?
Are you from Chernobog?
Heh, yes. I was born in Chernobog, as was my daughter... I hope to be buried there when I die.
Why do you say this—
How old are you, child?
I'm not really a child anymore...
I was sent here as, um, a researcher. I'm not so little anymore.
Your generation will always be children in the eyes of mine. Perhaps one day you'll understand, when you find yourself in our shoes.
......
I left that place because of my work. I've practically forgotten what my daughter looks like.
Has she grown? What is life like for her? Has she made new friends?
All I know is that she's still alive, that she survived the disaster at Chernobog five years ago. Other than that, I know nothing about my proud little girl scout...
I know almost nothing about Lada anymore.
Isolated research project, Chernobog, girl scout, Lada.
Amiya remembers Crownslayer's conjecture in her report to the Grypherburg office.
She looks closely at the woman's golden hair, the shape of her face becoming increasingly familiar.
The conjecture grows more certain by the second, and Amiya could not help but ask.
Could you please repeat your last name?
Valueva.
I know a Lada Valueva. She's around my age, and she's from Chernobog too—
—!
She was in the Ursus Youth Scouts. She joined Rhodes Island as an operator, and is currently continuing her education in Deity Grypherburg.
......
Lada has been looking for her parents... I'm thinking you might be her mother?
I—
I don't know.
But if I am... that's the best news I've heard in ages.
Maybe you can come with us to Grypherburg, once we settle things here.
Maybe I could. Grypherburg isn't too far from Zelgrad.
Lada would be delighted to see you.
Yes. She wouldn't even yell at us.
She is kind, gentle, a much better daughter than we deserve.
I... I really want to see her again.
Stop, Alita Valueva. You are approaching a top-secret area.
Until this cold, hard reminder, Amiya did not notice that they have journeyed into the depths of the laboratory.
Indeed, the narrow, curved corridor before them seems to lead to a place that few are allowed to step foot in.
They have been sent by the council to assist. They are not ordinary visitors.
Protocol requires that I seek confirmation from my superiors.
You should not proceed any further until permission has been granted.
I am the director of Lab Six, and this is necessary for our operation. You have no idea how much could have been achieved in the time wasted waiting here.
We are simply following orders.
......
What do we do—
......
Watch your feet. The corridor leading to the observation room is not connected to the central power supply, and emergency lighting could be fickle at the best of times...
But I'll find it. Give me a moment.
(Whisper) You'll have less than ten seconds. Do not hesitate.
(Whisper) If you have any questions, you should ask them now.
Is the Sarcophagus still in a condition to supply energy to Ursus?
Now is not the time to talk about the theoretical future...
Never mind... I trust in your resolve.
......
Found it.
Amiya...
I put in your hands the fate of Lada, and of millions more.
This is—
'Emergency lighting.'
Go, Amiya, and take your friends.
What about you?!
Go—
...Valueva has mutinied.
Prepare to attack.
The emergency lighting comes back in a matter of moments. A closing blast door now separates the scientist and the Rhodes Island team.
Valueva—
Alita!
There is no time! Promise to stop the Sarcophagus! You must do it!
It is being fueled by the lives of thousands of kidnapped, dismembered Infected!
—?!
Too late... it took too long for me to find out. All the research here was designed to reinforce the profit chain of the First Army...
I was an accomplice. I can never look Lada in the eye again.
No! But you—you wanted to see her again!
The door's closing, Amiya! Get your hand clear!
...Perhaps I'm simply tired. Tired of deception, of the passions of love and hate. How could one who has lost the capacity to love go back to those whom she loved?
Fortunately, Lada is not like me. She has always been strong, always true to her word.
She'll miss me, I'm sure. There will be pain and sorrow for her in the future, but there will be even more joy and happiness.
There's no message that I need you to deliver. Let me just...
Let me believe it to the end.
A bloody palm mark is painted on the switch, like an immovable seal upon the thick door.
Alita...
Amiya...
Stand up, Amiya.
This door is thick and jams electrical signals. It's unlikely that those on the outside will be able to force it open in short order.
Alita Valueva has bought us valuable time.
......
We have no time to waste.
We can't let her down.
This is the core of the Sarcophagus... I've never seen it with my own eyes.
But something feels off about it...
The megastructure feels both familiar and alien. You still remember its faint silhouette, but what lies before you know is different.
It is not a distant memory. Several years ago, Amiya awakened you from this legacy of a previous civilization, which you sealed away together with Kal'tsit.
More memories come rushing back, mixed with memories buried even deeper.
Why insist on leaving behind such an inefficient machine, Doctor?
We have more convenient ways of retaining our consciousness... is this part of your obsession with 'life'?
Coming back to the old argument, are we?
But of course, I will not deny you such a small liberty... I will add another entry to AMa-10's mission.
Not satisfied with just touching consciousness? Would you find more comfort to hold my hand like this?
Doctor... I know that you want this, here and now, to be a memory preserved forever.
Not cast into oblivion, when the ultimate destruction comes.Doctor
——!
...Did you see that, Amiya?
I think I remember something...
I guess... I do have a bit of a headache.
Can you assess the current status of the Sarcophagus, Mon3tr?
Chief.
...Put him through.
Major Razin, it seems that your progress has fallen behind initial expectations.
You will not arrive at the satellite city in time, at this rate.
We don't have enough power, Your High Excellency. We're already diverting as much as we can from temperature controls. The men can hardly sleep with the cold...
Though I suppose none of that matters to you.
You are correct.
......
In fact, you're not doing enough.
There's no point in sending an exhausted force to try to steal the weapon for you. We would be easy targets for the First Army.
It seems you have liberated yourself from your concern for Lieutenant Sirka's safety.
You could have earned Sechin's true loyalty, if you did not hold her life and those of the others hostage.
Anyone can make promises. I only believe what I see. I am not in the habit of trusting someone who has already betrayed me once. Besides, you don't deserve it.
You people do not deserve kindness. I should have learned my lesson sooner.
We're behind by a day or two, and you act like we've already surrendered to the First Army.
Let me guess what you're planning to do.
At the next communication, you'll tell me that you've dismissed most of the soldiers from the ship to conserve energy, in order to devote full resources to my mission—
I won't, not while Sirka's still at the base—
Then, you will go rogue once the ship has left communications range.
Whether to seize the weapon and use it as leverage to negotiate with me, betray me again and go over to the First Army, or come back alone to attempt an assassination...
You'll have all the choices in front of you once the Volnov has left my control, and your comrades are safe, won't you?
......
Did you think I wouldn't know about your foolish plan?
You poor, pathetic Volnik...
Has no one told you that this name, which you use to distinguish yourselves from the rest of Ursus, comes from a promise that has never been fulfilled?
Defender Regiments are in position, sir.
Has the vanguard departed the front lines?
According to the reports, yes. There has been no alarm from the Second Army's outposts. All is quiet... is this normal?
That's not for you to think about.
Report the ships' positions to Marshal Kuznetsov, and tell him...
The Fourth Army is ready—
We will advance upon Zelgrad, satellite city of the First Army.
...That will do. One more thing. Reserve two hours before the citizen's forum starts. I would like to meet with Duchess Volkina in the palace.
Yes, sir.
And tell Witte—
—Your Imperial Majesty!
You are not on duty today, Saveliy. Who permitted you to run amok in the Amber Palace like this?
I will take him away, sir. I assure you that this will not happen again.
...Hand him to the Third Bureau. I don't want to see him in here again.
Do with me as you will, sir, but pray listen to me!
The Fourth Army has left their positions and is proceeding towards Zelgrad!
What did you say?
Insolence! Who instructed you to spread such alarmist talk, when not even the Chairman has confirmed the news?
I didn't believe it at first either, but it's the truth!
I was simply helping to keep an eye on things... I never expected such a thing would happen!
They have crossed the Second Army's lines unscathed! I never thought this would happen!
They crossed the lines without engaging in combat? Do you mean—
The Second Army...
The Second Army has gone over to the traitors, sir!
...Evgeny Andrianov.
You never meant for Sechin to take that weapon from Zelgrad, did you?
We're cannon fodder for you to determine the Second Army's cooperation. The other unit that you were talking about is your main force.
You've gambled everything on something that you hardly know anything about. You're out of your mind.
Pushing all of one's chips in is only madness when the outcome is yet uncertain. I forgive you for failing to understand.
But I'm not negotiating with you. There's no need for me to beat around the bush, now that you've finally realized what's happening.
This is the last time I tolerate your probing. Lieutenant Sirka will not be harmed before you fulfill your duties.
Make yourselves useful while you still have value as a diversion, so that I might yet deign to recycle you.
But if you continue on your leisurely pace, you can expect to be left by the roadside when my flagship catches up to the Volnov and crushes you like an ant.