Escape from Judgment

Distant memories always come in hazy, indistinct shapes.

I can't remember when or where I experienced them, but they're unmistakably memories I've lived through.

You'll come for sure next time, right?

I'll be waiting.

A snowy day. A run-down building. Friends. A girl wearing a sad smile.

...A promise.

Montages that can only be defined by keywords pass before my eyes in a mangled blur.

No matter what happens, I'll be waiting for you.

An image of someone covered in dust from beyond the reaches of memory.

Fragments of a trampled past. A promise from days long gone.

You know...

...I miss you.

With that, I jolt awake from the dream as if seized by a convulsion.

The alarm clock on my bedside table cuts through the fog in my mind.

My whole body is drenched in sweat as I gasp for breath and look around.

It's my room aboard the SS Nightmare.

I try to recall the dream I just had.

Dreaming about old memories isn't all that strange for most people, but...

For Protos, it's something that simply shouldn't happen.

After all, one of the most common side effects of the Protos procedure is memory loss.

I let out a sigh and check the date displayed on the clock.

The end of the year is drawing closer.

It had been a long time since humanity was driven from its cradle, Earth, but the customs still remain.

With the end of the year approaching, the Agents aboard the SS Nightmare were each making their own preparations to see out the season.

Captain! Happy New Year!

Congratulations!

I give a wry smile and express my gratitude to the trainee Agents, who are wearing party hats and blowing on noisemakers they found somewhere.

Tell us an interesting story, Captain!

Oh, I'm curious about your stories, too, Captain.

At the Academy on the SS Edenity, they held a New Year's event every year.

It's an old memory, but I remember spending time gathered with whoever was left behind in the dormitory.

A modest celebration, filled with the relief of having made it safely through another year.

A year-end party...? What did you do?

As I was saying that...

...Captain?

An unfamiliar sensation came over me.

The feeling of having forgotten something.

It's as though some fruit of memory, clinging to the words I just spoke, is dangling in the breeze.

Someone precious. A snowy scene. A promise.

As if, somewhere beyond my consciousness, something is tangled in the remnants of a past I've lost.

The dream I had this morning tickles at the back of my mind.

Aware of the puzzled looks from the Agents around me, I force myself to keep talking.

Are you alright, Captain?

You don't look so good.

...Strange.

The dream this morning, for one thing.

Something like a "forgotten memory" should never be able to surface like that.

As I was thinking, someone's voice cut in from beside me.

...Captain, you need to get proper rest.

When there's an urgent situation like there is now, you won't have any time to rest.

Renoa, who had entered the bridge, looked me over worriedly as she said that.

Urgent situation...? What happened?

...It doesn't look like we'll be having a peaceful year-end. It's a summons from Arkhianon.

Doesn't seem like it. From what I've heard, other agencies of the Empire are joining in as well.

...

I'm not sure, but we'd better make sure we are prepared.

I have a bad feeling about this.

Captain, Vice-Captain, you're right on time.

...Who are all these people?

Renoa asked, looking around the room.

The screens inside the Arkhianon conference room displayed a variety of figures.

My eyes sweep over the masks covering the faces of several of them.

The ruling class of the Xera Empire, the dominant power of the universe.

They rarely show themselves except in the most serious of situations.

I can feel in my bones why Renoa said she had a bad feeling about this.

The head of the Marshals, displayed on the screen closest to the seat of honor, turns to us.

The cold mask conceals their face entirely.

The atmosphere is exactly as rigid as I remembered.

...

On the opposite side of the screen, I can see a child sitting cross-armed and slouched to one side.

One of the most powerful species in the entire universe.

In some ways, they are even rarer than the Xerans.

While I was taking in these unexpected faces, a figure on another screen began to speak.

Is this the Captain of the SS Nightmare?

I'd heard there was an eccentric who voluntarily took on both the roles Captain and Protos, but...

You're even more unremarkable than I'd been told.

Director Parthena's eyebrow twitches.

The Xerans look down on all other species equally, but there are those who find it difficult to accept their arrogance.

...Allow me to brief you on the situation, Captain.

Simply put, it is a mobilization order.

A holographic diagram appears on the conference room screen.

Located in the Nebula Belt, the gateway into the solar system, is the planet Nivalis.

Recently, multiple additional Chaos Blooms have occurred there.

At first, they appeared to be normal Chaos Blooms and since it was a low-priority sector, we intended to leave it alone, but...

The form of the Chaos enveloping the planet shown in the hologram begins to change.

The Chaos entities that had existed independently on the planet's surface gather and disperse in accordance with a massive flow of energy.

Before long, the repositioned Chaos entities appeared as though they had come together to form a single swarm.

A strangely familiar feeling flashes through my mind momentarily.

Centered on one large Chaos, the small and medium Chaos entities coalesced and transformed into a new form.

Compared to the concentration of Chaos energy before the event it increased more than 25-fold.

This is the first occurrence of such a phenomenon being reported to the Empire's academic community.

The Empire has designated this the <#E4E4E4>"Chaos Legion: Celestial Bulwark" and has decided to begin an investigation and purification operation.

The SS Nightmare is to assemble at the rally point immediately.

...As far as I'm aware, the area near the Nebula Belt is not far from the main garrison of the Imperial forces.

Is there a reason you are requesting Arkhianon's cooperation rather than sending a support request to them?

There are reasons why Arkhianon should not be asking such questions.

These orders come directly from the Imperial Court. I will not entertain any objections or questions regarding it.

Know your place, human.

...

The look on her face says she's about to explode.

It seemed her patience was nearly at its limit. Time to change the subject.

The Holy Crusaders, who lead the charge in purifying Chaos, being absent from a summons like this is certainly strange.

I said I would not entertain any questions...

The Holy Crusaders have been excluded from this summons.

Activity from Diallos's angels has been detected near that Chaos army.

It would have been nice if they cooperated, like all of you... How foolish of them.

Not that I was anticipating much from them anyway.

The sentiment slipped from the Sileyma's lips along with a scoff, though she had been silent until now.

...Family Head Blazebell, even as an ally of the Empire, you would do well to watch your tongue.

This is information that should be shared with those cooperating in an operation with us.

Keep your petty political squabbles to yourself.

I have no intention of getting involved in the underhanded schemes of the Empire.

Hearing the Sileyma, addressed as Blazebell, the Xeran clicks his tongue.

...Tsk.

Why would they invite someone like you...?

I exchange a look with Renoa beside me.

It was clear that the Sileyma was not on good terms with the Empire.

Still, I suppose I should ask.

Why are you curious about their movements?

It's not exactly the same, but I've seen this phenomenon before. Multiple Chaos entities influencing one another and moving as if they were a single Chaos.

The Foretold Ruin, the ultra-large-scale Chaos that appeared near Haven.

That Chaos exceeded any normal ultra-large-scale Chaos in terms of danger and scale, but...

The Chaos visible on the screen now looked far more dangerous than that.

If the energy of Diallos's creation has been detected even beyond that Chaos...

It's extremely likely that its interior is already within the range of Diallos's direct influence.

That is for us to determine.

Save the unnecessary commentary and run along to the assembly area.

That is all for now.

With a voice laced with displeasure, the light on the screen went dark.

Those people never fail to rub me the wrong way, no matter when I see them.

Don't you agree?

Do you still have business here, Family Head Blazebell?

I am curious about you, Captain of the SS Nightmare.

More than I'd heard... How do I put it?

You seem ordinary.

You should apologize for getting my hopes up. You're simply too plain.

Wha...?

As I stared blankly, Blazebell gave me a small smirk and rose to her feet.

Well, we'll be seeing each other again.

We're bound to cross paths during this expedition anyway.

I hope you're still breathing by then.

...Sigh

That's a real collection of oddballs we've got here.

On the way back after the meeting. Renoa, with a weary expression, runs her hand over her face.

Talking with the Xeran is always exhausting.

I know they look down on other species, but...

Yes, I'm not sure why, though.

The fact that they've stationed so many troops near the solar system to begin with...

...I guess.

I just hope nothing bad happens.

Just as Renoa finishes grumbling, a transmission comes in from the SS Nightmare.

Captain! An unidentified flying object is approaching at high speed!

Intercept systems...have been neutralized...!

...Toward the SS Nightmare?

...No.

It's flying in a straight trajectory, directly toward you, Captain!

Ah!

A-A person...?

...What?

W-watch out!!

Before I could even grasp what was happening...

And accompanied by a flash of bright light, something came flying like a bolt of lightning and landed in the street ahead of us.

Phew...

As the smoke cleared, a person emerged.

As if nothing had happened, she casually walked out and looked over at us.

You there, are you the Captain of the SS Nightmare?

That's what I was told, anyway.

I told you, you can't just say something like that out of nowhere. You'll startle people.

Who are you?

That's none of your concern.

I'm here because I have business with you.

I am Rossweisse, Apostle of the Goddess.

You are the Captain of the SS Nightmare, right?

I wasn't sure exactly what was going on,

But I could tell that someone dangerous, chosen by a god, had come looking for me.

So, it's you. The Chosen one.

You already know.

You, yourself know, that there's something there.

I instinctively realize what she's referring to.

Because Rossweisse was looking directly at the nape of my neck.

More precisely, at the location of the pocket watch.

She...

She knows about Zero.

We need to talk.

I have something to say.

An awkward tension hangs in the air on the bridge.

Everyone would react similarly if a person who flies through open space unassisted were sitting cross-legged right in front of them.

Sig, why won't this thing tear.

You have to grab the side and pull it apart.

Like this?

Even more so if that person is in the middle of the bridge, tearing something dripping with blood.

What do you mean?

It's strange to even ask "what."

An animal hide...? What on earth?

I never gave you permission to ask me questions.

...What?

I only talk to the Captain here. I'm not interested in anyone else.

...

Whatever expression Renoa made, Rossweisse wore a satisfied look as she folded up the hide in her hands.

It's a space creature I caught on the way here. Don't you think it could make a great outfit with a little work?

It seems you've an eye for fashion.

And of all times, right after the Empire sent us a summons.

The timing was quite the coincidence.

There will be more uninvited guests before long.

Ah, never mind.

Let's get straight to the point, shall we?

About the beings beyond the veil.

At that, I looked around.

I know there's no one here who would understand, but I instinctively grow cautious.

After all, the beings beyond the veil aren't something just anyone should know about.

I think you're making the Captain uncomfortable.

You keep a lot of things guarded.

For someone who's right up against the most dreadful thing of all.

...Captain?

Do you know what she is talking about? Beyond the veil?

Come to think of it, you said earlier you were an Apostle of the Goddess?

You just need to know the basics. That there are heralds chosen by the beings beyond the veil.

I am a human chosen by the Goddess of the Veil. A finger of Kyrken, who governs the cycle.

Is it something like the Chaos Order?

Don't compare me to them.

I'm...well. More like a subcontractor, I suppose.

No pay, lifetime term, no days off.

Rossweisse says it with a cynical tone, then gives a small smirk.

Well, it'll take some time to come to terms with it.

Has the Empire been concealing information about the beings beyond the veil?

Pathetic fools who think they can cover the sky with the palm of their hand. Eventually, the entire universe will come to know of their existence anyway.

Are they going to keep pretending to be blind when the monsters start crawling out?

I say with a sigh.

Ah yes, the point.

You...have you had any old memories resurface lately?

A chill runs up my spine.

Just recently, I had that happen.

The sensation of something that should never be remembered...somehow resurfacing.

Judging by that expression, it seems I'm right.

...Old memories?

What are you talking about?

It seems like you are starting to be affected as well.

To the point where phenomena that should never occur under normal circumstances are beginning to take place.

Rossweisse's cold gaze falls on me.

When you undergo the Protos procedure, you lose all your memories. You may or may not know this, but it's the price, and the side effect, of making contact with the beings beyond the veil.

And yet, now you have broken through that phenomenon.

She stares intently at me. At the pocket watch hanging around my neck.

Specifically, as if examining something that exists beyond it.

As I've said before, I'm amazed you carry something like that around.

The beings beyond the veil rarely make their intentions known to mortals. Or rather, should I say that even when they do, humans can't comprehend the will of gods.

But this time, my superior whispered something rather interesting to me.

The goddess's apostle says offhandedly, working on a hide of undetermined origin.

The inflection point of this universe is right around the corner.

All trajectories hinge on the choices of a single person.

There you go again with something no one can make heads or tails of...

It means the gods' game of territory control is about to begin in earnest.

To put it in terms you can more easily understand...

The things you know as "gods" are going to expand their influence further and further into the material universe.

The chilling warning settled over the bridge.

And you are the variable.

That's right, the time to fulfill the role you've been given is drawing near.

And my role is to bring you there.

Arg, why won't this tear...oh, there we go.

What do you think?

Rossweisse drapes the hide over herself and gives a spin.

...It would have been better if the fur hadn't flown out during the twirl.

It means you have a choice.

Hmm, I can't really explain it very well either.

That's just the impression I got from what I heard.

Casually, as if it were nothing...

You may die sooner rather than later.

So, make sure you're ready.

...she said something that carried such a heavy weight.

Captain...?

Are you awake? The light's still on.

We're not far from the assembly point, so I was going over the operation materials.

Captain...

Is that really why you're still up?

There's nothing else on your mind?

That guest, Rossweisse, who came by earlier said some strange things, didn't she?

Renoa seemed pretty upset about it.

...Well, not just Renoa, she's the type to rub just about anyone the wrong way.

It seems like she doesn't like the unsettling things she said.

All that talk about someone dying and whatever...

She was fuming about why you didn't just kick her out on the spot.

In the end, you're the one who makes the decisions, Captain, so I'm not going to say any more about that, but...

You need to make sure you keep yourself in good shape, okay?

No one on this ship is more important than you, Captain.

And that person, Rossweisse...

She seems to have some interesting views on Chaos. Do you think it would be alright if I had a conversation with her sometime?

If it looks like she might, I'll run.

Elaine and I both let out a small laugh at the same time.

It seems both of us share exactly the same opinion of that particular individual.

But, Captain... you seem to have taken that story pretty seriously.

Even for someone with superhuman abilities and knowledge.

The future is something no one can know, right? Is there a reason you're letting it bother you?

...Well, she seemed to know what "this" is.

I touch the pocket watch hanging around my neck.

Anything related to Zero can't be shared with anyone.

If she's the only one who holds the clue, then I can tolerate a certain degree of pushiness.

Just then, a comms signal came in through the office terminal.

...Huh? A ship docking request...?

Without any warning...?

Captain, it's a transmission from a small ship belonging to the Empire's Agent Management Bureau.

They are requesting to dock with the SS Nightmare.

The Agent Management Bureau...?

That's a golden ticket to the Empire's top brass, right up there with the Investigations Bureau.

Why would they...?

There will be more uninvited guests before long.

It seems there's a little more reason to trust what she said now.

The Empire's Agent Management Bureau is well known to everyone who has entered military service.

An organization that oversees the personnel management and administration of Agents deployed across different operations.

Naturally, it has an inseparable relationship with Chaos Operations as well.

A nightmarish presence that even the lowest-ranking personnel involved in any mission must tread carefully around.

They had the image of a ruthless, cold-blooded group. The kind where not even grass would grow where they sat, but...

...

The sight of her pulling me into a tight embrace the moment we met, then saying nothing at all, is a far cry from that impression.

An embrace full of longing, like reuniting with a friend after a long time separated.

Dahlia...?

Do you have business with the Captain...?

Before she was even finished, Dahlia pulled away with a bright smile.

Wow!

How've you been? Are you doing alright? Looking at you, it seems like you have.

Suspicious gazes, questioning what our relationship is, begin to come our way.

It's a natural reaction, given that an unfamiliar Agent Management Bureau officer is grabbing my hand and shaking it up and down, but...

How long has it been? This is the first time since academy graduation, isn't it?

I was also called up for this operation. I can't tell you how relieved I am that you're here, too.

You look like you've lost a little weight? Are you eating enough?

...Dahlia, the Captain seems flustered.

I think it would be best if you kept a bit more distance.

Oh, i-is that right? I'm sorry.

It was only after her adjutant Edelyn stepped in to hold her back, that Dahlia finally pulled away with a reluctant expression.

The look of disappointment lingering on her face made it clear she felt she still hadn't gotten nearly enough.

...You must be confused because of your lost memories. I'm sorry.

Dahlia likely doesn't know yet...

Huh? What? Lost memories? What are you talking about?

I heard there was an incident during the Chaos infiltration not long ago.

What...?! W-why didn't you tell me?!

...Because I knew you'd react exactly like this.

You've always shown such a keen interest in news from this side...

Dahlia grabbed my face firmly with both hands.

Are you okay? Did you only lose your memories? What about the rest of you? Are you hurt...?

She said while checking me over from head to toe.

...I swayed side to side with her movements.

Dahlia.

The medical check was conducted multiple times aboard the SS Nightmare. Please relax.

Ah... R-right, I guess...

But what am I supposed to do if I'm still worried...

Dahlia pouted and stepped back.

I'd heard she was a close classmate from the military academy, but I have no memories of her.

Even so, her reaction is enough to make me wonder what kind of relationship we had before I lost my memories.

Welcome aboard, Dahlia.

Even after all this time, you haven't changed a bit.

Renoa, you, too! You always look so put-together no matter when I see you.

Ahem. Thank you for always supporting the Captain!

I'm not sure why you're the one thanking me for that, but...

...Still, it's better than dealing with a stranger.

Considering how the Xerans feel about the Terrascion people, it's better for those of us from the same place to stick together.

...

...Yeah, that's right.

People from the same place should stick together.

For a brief moment, it seemed like a shadow passed over Dahlia's face.

Dahlia, we should return to our ship now.

The Empire's scheduled transmission will begin soon.

...Ah, right.

They're so annoying. But, there's nothing I can do about it.

Hehe, well it's not like you would go around repeating something like that, Captain.

Yeah, I trust you.

She answered immediately without a moment's hesitation.

I trust you, no matter what.

I wonder where her trust comes from.

As that thought crossed my mind, Dahlia smiled and poked me in the chest.

So, it's true that you lost your memories.

You're making that face like you just don't get it.

...If you still had your memories, you'd know exactly why I'm like this.

...

You know, I think about it a lot.

That it's too much, you forgetting like that.

I pause listening to Dahlia.

Something in what she just said nags at me...

No.

It's nothing.

With that, Dahlia gave me a wink and disappeared down the corridor.

Beneath a sea of stars, countless ships bearing the Empire's insignia set sail.

It is a magnificent sight, befitting the fleet of the Xera Empire, the rulers of the cosmos.

It's been a while since I've seen a fleet of this scale.

It seems the Empire is taking this situation seriously.

Rossweisse, who had been standing quietly beside me with her arms folded, added dryly.

As if that matters.

You all know just as well as I do that Chaos isn't something you can simply throw more people at to solve.

You're all underestimating the domain of Chaos.

Just because the Protos made subjugation possible, you act as though you know everything.

There are those of you, who've gained strange powers, and every now and then, connections appear with unknown entities.

...You treat it all as if it's fully subject to analysis, fully surmountable. Or am I wrong?

If you were truly taking the situation seriously, I don't think you'd be approaching it in such a simplistic way.

There are more Chaos Cores, so you throw more people at it? Laughable.

I have no obligation to help with whatever these fools decide to do.

I smiled and bowed my head, as Rossweisse smiled back with a smirk.

No.

...What a terrible personality!

Captain, there's a hyperspace jump signal ahead.

New ships. This signal is...

Those are The Holy Crusaders' ships.

Weren't they supposed to be excluded from this operation?

...Huh?

Something seems off about those ships?

The bridge screen picked up the ships that had crossed over via hyperspace jump.

Just as Renoa said, they differed in design from the usual Holy Crusaders vessels.

...What are those?

With no armaments...they don't look like battle ships.

At that moment, the pocket watch hanging around my neck radiated a burning heat.

With a sensation as if my consciousness were being sucked somewhere, a scene that shouldn't be seen flickered through my mind.

The face of someone sinking into the darkness, weeping endlessly. A sight that fills me with dread and despair just looking at it.

...Ugh.

A sound broke through the vision as my senses returned to me.

Looking at Rossweisse, who had stepped back and was frowning, I looked at the ships again.

Advancing silently toward the Chaos without any resistance, they didn't look like a fleet preparing for battle.

No, if anything...

They looked as though they had come having accepted a clear and certain end.

What?

So, there's at least one here who understands.

Those are offerings.

I suppose that's just how the minds of those who take religion seriously work, but...

They are the ones in the material world who communicate most actively with the "gods," so they must know what is about to happen.

What kind of Chaos is that?

What do you know?

C-Captain.

A transmission from the Empire. Orders to enter the Chaos together in sync with the designated signal.

...

Captain, what are we going to do?

Insubordination in wartime is treason. But...

I look at the Chaos energy churning and converging, extending out into the vastness of space.

I quietly reach for the pocket watch hanging around my neck.

I feel Zero's breath on the back of my neck. More palpable than usual.

...Something.

It felt as though something terrible was about to happen.

Yoo-hoo.

Captain, are you on the bridge?

Everyone's assembling over there now, apparently.

The Chaos Storm is going to make entry difficult for a while, so don't stray from the flight path!

Oh, and Captain.

Take care of yourself. Don't get hurt.

If you're ever in danger, I'll come rescue you. Got it?

Dahlia, who was on the other side of the screen, gave a wink and disappeared.

...Why does Dahlia like you so much, Captain?

She seems way too close to just be a military academy classmate...

That's the part I've been puzzling over.

...

That human, Dahlia. I dislike her.

No, not exactly.

It's just...even looking at her face makes me angry.

What's the difference between being annoyed and being angry...?

Do you get genuinely angry at bugs?

Disliking something and being angry are different.

...Sigh

I can't figure out why. Why does she irritate me so much?

I'll have to take a good look at her later.

With a major operation on the horizon, I'd rather not have any problems with one of our key assets.

On top of that, the assembled fleet is about to enter the Chaos's sphere of influence.

The fleet is setting entry coordinates.

Thirty seconds to coordinate confirmation.

But then...

My vision flashes red.

The pocket watch hanging around my neck leaves behind a burning pain once again.

A chilling premonition washes over me about what is about to happen.

Captain...?

I have a gut feeling that I need to stop what's about to happen.

With a comms tone, the SS Nightmare's channel opens to the entire fleet.

SS Nightmare, what's going on?

What?

I wondered what you could possibly be calling about. This kind of nonsense right before a critical operation...

I'll hold you accountable for this later.

Coordinates set. All ships, advance.

Before I can say another word, the comms channel is cut.

Pft, he's chosen the most idiotic possible move...

Has the Empire learned nothing even after the "incident?"

Diallos despises anything that interferes with its consciousness.

The moment the fleet enters the currents of Chaos energy swirling through space...

It comes.

Rossweisse murmurs.

Divine retribution.

Energy readings detected within the Chaos on the planet's surface!

Along with the operator's report, something can be seen rising from within the black currents.

With a metallic sheen and wings of light...

...An angel?

And,

I shall pass judgment.

In the void of space, a deluge of death rained.

At first, it was a simple, small spreading light.

Then, that light began to split.

Doubled, then doubled again, and again. Squaring and squaring, expanding endlessly.

It swept across all of space, closing in on the fleet.

Sig.

Yes?

Light flowing from Sig pours into Rossweisse, and that energy amplifies again, extending beyond the bridge.

Like a camera flash going off, radiance swept across the entire area.

...Urgh!

W-what...just happened?

Renoa's voice trembles.

A comms signal is received through the bridge panel.

This is the fleet commander. All Imperial ships capable of responding, report your current status.

Repeating. All Imperial ships capable of responding, report your current status immediately.

Energy readings are intensifying. Everyone, activate your energy barriers and prepare...

And beneath that steady, even voice...

<shake>Transmitting new rally point to all all all all all all #!^&^</$shake>

A fragment of madness bleeds through.

<shake>■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■</shake>

<shake>I come now. Let all souls behold, I stand at the door and knock all all allallallmustfollow</shake>

<shake>N e w r a l l y p o i n t 3242!@allsinnerslendyourearsjudgmenthascomecomecome^&@@#@#@</$shake>

<shake>■■■■■■■■■</shake>

<shake>■■■■■■■■■</shake>

<shake>■■■■■■■■■</shake>

Hearing the horribly distorted, noise-ridden voice, every face on the bridge went pale.

What in the world is that?!

Connecting!

This is the SS Nightmare! Any ships receiving, please respond!

This is the SS Nightmare! Any ships receiving...!

The voice of the operator, who had been speaking, cut off.

Through the comms link to the other Imperial ships.

A scene straight out of hell had already unfolded.

<shake>A-Ahhhhhh!</shake>

A scream rings out of the speakers as if they are being torn apart.

Human bodies twist grotesquely, engulfed in light, transforming into metal,

Then as if hatching from an egg, a mechanical angel is born from within.

<shake>Retributionhascomerepentnow!@@##@Retributionhascome@!@#!@#!</$shake>

The mechanical angels, once seen only within Chaos, begin to sweep through the ships.

Blood spatters and bodies pile up.

Humans are cut down without a moment to breathe.

The color drains from the faces of everyone gathered on the bridge. Here and there, some can be seen covering their mouths, desperately holding back the nausea.

It's no use. Diallos's Radiance isn't something you can just get lucky and avoid.

Every ship except the one I'm on will have been swept away.

While Rossweisse speaks, yet another human scream cuts through.

Captain! The ships...!

Ships that have lost control to the Chaos begin to move erratically.

They charge into neighboring ships, fire cannons in all directions, and their defensive systems are neutralized.

Beneath the silence that had reigned just moments before, a madness-filled pandemonium erupts.

One of the ships, clearly with a broken control system, charges straight at the SS Nightmare.

Maneuvering!

As the operator replies with what sounds like a scream, the SS Nightmare swings into a sharp turn.

Explosions, screams, the wreckage of shattered ships. Something spills from the ships. Mechanical beings of light drift through the void of space.

Light and death rage in all directions. It feels like being in the heart of hell.

Rossweisse, watching the scene unfold, lets out a scornful laugh.

Those Imperial bastards sure do look spectacular when they blow up.

We need to get out of here, now!

Operator! Find the fastest route out of here!

Hyperspace jump is impossible! We have to escape manually!

...Ugh!

There's no way we're getting out of here without taking damage...!

If only we had one more ship to help us break through...

I told you it was too much. Everything outside this area must have been destroyed.

Even so, we have to find a way out...

C-Captain!

Incoming transmission request!

...Huh?

A hologram materializes in front of me.

Captain! Are you alright?

There wasn't a scratch on Dahlia.

A wave of relief washed over me, followed immediately by a flicker of doubt. How...?

Get over here, quick! Let's get out of here together.

Hehe, I said I'd come save you when things got dangerous, didn't I?

There's a reason I'm a senior officer of the Agent Management Bureau.

Come on, there's no time to waste.

Let's move now. Otherwise, we're as good as dead!

The Agent Management Bureau oversees all Agents deployed into Chaos.

It goes without saying that a senior officer of a place like that would be a highly capable Agent, but...

Captain, keeping up alright?

Don't lose focus for even a second, or we're in trouble.

The flight of the ship Dahlia is piloting is beyond all rational comprehension.

She cuts through the chaos of space as if there were no obstacles at all.

As if she already knows exactly which way to go.

What's going on...?

Her performance feels oddly familiar somehow.

It's uncanny.

It's almost like she can see the future.

Just as Rossweisse said, the leading ship's course veers away from every obstacle with an unnerving naturalness.

The SS Nightmare simply follows in its wake.

...I've heard that Agents with special abilities can see glimpses of the future in limited ways.

We've seen someone with a similar ability before, haven't we?

Could Dahlia be doing something like that?

It feels a little different than that, though.

...

Rossweisse tilts her head, looking somewhat unsatisfied as well.

Captain, getting out of here without taking damage is impossible. We need to attempt a jump.

We cross over together here!

A hyperspace jump...

The Chaos energy concentration is too high. If we attempt a hyperspace jump now...!

That's right, there's no telling what might happen.

We might even get pulled through into the rift beyond the Chaos.

T-that's suicide!

Don't worry, it'll be fine.

Captain, what are you going to do?

Without Dahlia's help, there's no guarantee we can escape undamaged anyway.

Captain...!

I look over at Rossweisse, who stands in the corner with her arms crossed.

It's clear she wants something from me. Otherwise she wouldn't have protected the SS Nightmare.

Then even if the worst happens, I might be able to count on her help.

...Hmph.

Rossweisse seemed to notice me looking at her and shows her displeasure, but made no move to stop me. In that case...

Ugh...! Preparing warp stance!

The surrounding space distorts as the ship begins to be engulfed in a blinding light.

Ugh...!

We'll live...

Anomaly detected in the Aether engine.

Fortunately, it's not a critical failure. Core functions are unaffected.

...That's a relief.

The last thing we need is a system failure in a place like this.

The screen is filled with an abyss so deep it feels like just looking at it is eating away at your vision.

This place...

The rift beyond Chaos. A world of chaos that exists beyond the veil.

A place forbidden to any living creature.

You'd better move quickly.

I wouldn't recommend staying here long in a mortal body.

It certainly seems that way.

Captain! Are you alright?

I'll find new coordinates and get us out right away. Prepare for warp!

Of course not. Anything could happen here.

You could suddenly vanish somewhere, burst into flames, or go completely mad!

It's Chaos, literally. Nobody knows what might happen next!

What she said was undeniably terrifying, but her tone remained cheerful.

I agree that we need to move quickly.

Otherwise, we'll be devoured.

Devoured?

That's right. Before its gaze falls on us...we'd better get out of here.

At that moment, some kind of current begins to surge and swirl.

Hmm. So, it's already begun.

The feeling in my gut tells me that something terrible and incomprehensible is about to happen.

Captain! Get ready!

Just then, Dahlia's voice cut through over the comms.

Hurry hurry hurry hurry!!

The urgency in her voice snaps me back to my senses.

There's no time to worry about engine overload from consecutive warps.

The operator must have sensed something, too, letting out a scream.

Preparing warp staaance!!

Jump!!!

The moment light flashes before my eyes,

I felt a gaze from beyond the cosmos, the eyes of a huge existence beyond human comprehension, turning to look this way.

*panting heavily*

Is everyone, a-alright...?

Where...are we...?

What about Dahlia...?

Ah...!

The operator's scream cut Renoa off.

The front screen was showing the wreckage of a burning ship.

It was the ship that had been blazing a trail ahead of the SS Nightmare until just moments ago.

I find myself walking toward the screen without thinking.

She always acted like nothing could touch her, and now...

Yep, alive and well!

The comms channel opens, and Dahlia's bright voice comes through.

My ship's done for, but hey, I'd call that getting off cheap.

I'm in the escape pod heading your way now.

Hehe, surprised?

...Dahlia.

...Could you please not do something like that again?

One captain giving me heart attacks is more than enough.

Huh? But I learned it from you?

...She deflects the blame so effortlessly.

I had a feeling you two were cut from the same cloth...

Anyway, where are we?

Near the planet Nivalis.

If we move just a little further from here, we can enter Nivalis's orbital path.

Let's hold in that position and wait until we can settle into orbit above Nivalis.

Settle into orbit? In a situation like this, there's no need to...

Wait, didn't the SS Nightmare's engine run into some trouble?

That's...

Position scan complete. Confirmed near Nivalis. And...

Aether engine damage is more severe than before.

...

...Communications, offline. The Chaos energy interference is too strong.

The operator's voice trembles.

...This is the worst.

We're essentially stranded in the middle of space.

Racking my brain for a solution, I turn my head to one side.

Rossweisse is staring at me with a look of displeasure.

Do you have something to say?

...Sigh.

The beings beyond the veil are trying to interfere with the material universe.

This isn't a tide that any single human can change. Accept it.

The problem is that you people don't even attempt to properly understand that.

Ohh...

Sounds like someone who knows a lot about it.

...

Rossweisse turns away appearing not to want to deal with us.

Following her gaze, I look at the faint white planet visible beyond the screen.

The currents of dark energy spilling out into space, and above it all, the Radiance that swept through the imperial fleet, glowing faintly.

Humanity has never encountered this kind of Chaos before.

No matter how massive the Chaos, it was always something we could infiltrate and suppress from within...but...

The more pressing problem was, that even a catastrophe of this magnitude felt like it was only just beginning.