Vol. F Ch. 3 Ep. 15: The Ark of Atrahasis Conquest

Enemy eliminated! The defense was successful!

Good job, Sensei.

I'm not detecting anymore suspicious...

Wh-Whoa?! Wh-What?! An explosion?!

Where did that come from?!

!

Ack! How did she get inside so easily?!

"Shiroko...?!"

I see... In the end, the future is predetermined.

Did I not warn you? Why do you insist on forging onward?

Only death awaits you here.

Shiroko!!!

Stop right there!

Shiroko...?!

Sh-Shiroko?! Is that you?

No! W-Wait, Shiroko?!

Wait, Shiroko!!!

A grenade?!

"Hoshino...!"

*cough cough*

Are you okay, Sensei?

*cough* Where did she go?!

She ran off.

We were right. Shiroko's aboard the Ark.

But...why did she...?

...

The ship's condition went from bad to worse after that explosion.

Engineering Department, can you hear me? Can you check Utnapishtim's status?

*sigh* My heart... I'm glad you're all safe.

Checking the ship...

Ugh. Messed up is an understatement.

Various operating systems and programs were damaged in both the collision and the explosion.

We're beginning a system diagnosis to see the extent of the damage. It'll be okay though.

Fundamental repairs might be impossible from all the way up here, but we'll restart its systems somehow! No matter what!

Exactly as she said. We'll restore it and get you all safely back on ground. I stake it on my pride as an engineer.

It'll be much harder if it's just us working remotely, so we'll need assistance from some of the operators.

Is anyone available to assist?

I've got it. Just lemme know what to do.

Oh, yes! Thank you!

Thank you. Please get the ship back into shape to the best of your abilities.

...Himari.

The spatial movement Shiroko escaped through just now seems to have utilized the calculation abilities of this ark.

Hm. You may be right. It's definitely possible.

The Ark of Atrahasis is basically a computational device that calculates dimensional phases. If you know how, you can use it to move through spaces as she did.

Shiroko seems well-versed in using the Ark.

What are you implying, Rio?

If we can utilize the Ark's computational abilities as she does, we can probably create physical space-leap sequences similar to hers.

Space-leap sequences...?

I do mean it when I say I know the technology of Nameless Gods better than anyone else in Kivotos. Though my foresight is limited, it's been right before.

If we can calculate it correctly, we should be able to move everyone back down to the ground. We'll have just one chance at it.

Hmm... I see.

Rio... You don't believe the Engineering Department can repair this ship?

...Don't do that. I'm not trying to say I don't trust them.

Right, of course. But you're Big Sister.

You know everything, so you operate off anxiety and distrust.

Like the king who believes in prophecies.

...?

Your anxiety and compulsions have caused more problems than solved them.

You don't trust your colleagues, and you fall into self-righteousness, always believing you're the only one that's right.

...Yes, that's how I am, Himari.

That'll probably never change. You can hate me for it if you want.

But right now, this ship is the only hope for saving your life, Sensei's life, and the lives of everyone else here.

We need to prepare for the possibility of the current plan to fail, no matter how small those odds may be.

In these kinds of situations, I...

You know, Rio... I've never hated you. I simply dislike you.

There is a rather important distinction between the two.

Thank you for your concern, Rio.

Do you mean...?

The Engineering Department will surely be thankful as well.

Because they have something to fall back upon in the event something goes wrong.

...I see.

If there's a way for us to return safely without Utnapishtim, it'll be beneficial for us all.

I'll trust in you, Rio.

...Thank you. Just give me some time, and I'll make the needed preparations as you carry out your mission.

Now then.

...

We've entered the Ark of Atrahasis, if only by the skin of our teeth.

But now we're in the middle of the enemy stronghold... Stay alert for enemy attacks.

We don't know when they'll strike again.

Defending Utnapishtim's Ship is of utmost priority as well.

While the Engineering Department works on restoring the ship...

I'd like the Game Development Department, Foreclosure Task Force, and Gourmet Research Society to defend it from any enemy attacks.

Meanwhile, the rest of the operators along with Schale need to move on to the next stage.

The next stage...

We're only just getting started...

From this point onward...

We will infiltrate and take control of the Ark of Atrahasis!