Into Winter

What's this place?

This is my memory. As for the time, it was two days ago.

At this point in time, Teslovik spotted several Rasparta Scouts on the Bifrost border, including the figure of Horus, the leader of the Nebu Alliance.

The relationship between the Nebu Alliance and Rasparta is very complex. I'll tell you about it when we have a chance. For now, all you need to know is that we absolutely cannot allow Horus to cooperate with Rasparta.

In order to gather more intelligence, we dispatched the Nova Squad... Ah, they're right in this room.

Are you ready? From now on, you won't just be an observer. You'll become Sova and experience everything firsthand.

I'm ready.

...Doc?

S-Save...

Doctor!

Doc, are you feeling better?

I'm much better, thank you... But now's not a good time to discuss that.

I need you to hurry to the Bifrost border...

Raspartans have appeared!

Six hours ago, Rasparta quietly invaded Bifrost borders. They swiftly captured six ruined cities as their base, and are conducting extensive searches across the territory.

For this operation, Rasparta has exposed at least 20 of their spies. They must be planning something big.

Our objective is to find out what Rasparta is up to. And the priority is to steal intel. Understood?

Understood!

Yes!

Good.

The Bifrost army will launch a counterattack on Rasparta tomorrow. We have a limited amount of time. Let's start the operation.

We're pretty lucky. The Raspartans are still not used to the snowy battlefield.

Captain. Scout spotted ahead.

Scout? Where? Why don't I see them?

Keep it down. It's a sentry post that's deliberately hidden in a blind spot. Look in the shadow of that building on the left. The snow has been cleared.

There are hidden sentry posts, and there should be Raspartan safe houses close by too. Get ready to move. Capture them alive.

Mmh!

Take her. We'll move to another location and deal with it.

Hang on, Captain, you are wounded!

Just a scratch. Should be caused by the sentinel just now.

First things first. Let's get that sentinel dealt with.

It's best to treat your wound first.

Eriri is right, Captain.

Leave it to me, Captain. I'll make it quick.

Okay then. Let's treat the wound first.

This is far enough. She won't be able to raise the alarm because we're out of the signal range. Let her go.

...

Do you have interrogation experience?

I can try.

Snezhana's smile is scary.

Nope, I've tried my best. She's a dead end. She won't talk no matter what I do.

Looks like it's more serious than we thought. We must find out what Rasparta is up to.

You guys, come with me now.

I hacked into her Comms Device. We have a new discovery.

This is Rasparta's makeshift safe house. Looks like they haven't found out that they've been exposed.

Is there any way to get intel?

Their intel can only be obtained through physical contact. I've broken the code and we need one more person in the safe zone to take the intercom out.

I'll go.

We failed to stop them... Requesting support!

They've called for support. There's no time, let's decipher the intel here.

You guys retreat first, I'll get the intel and go.

Yes!

I got it.

There's too much movement. The guards discovered us.

I got the intel. Eriri, check it.

Okay.

This is Raspartan's mission profile, but the objective is not written here.

Wait, there's also a secondary part of the file that's encrypted. It's fine, it's not hard to break as long as it's not physically encrypted.

...Done!

This is...?

Why are there so many Echo Crystal Abnormal Growth Observation Reports? What's going on?

I don't know either. But I just ran a simulation of the operations route, and Rasparta is targeting the locations on these reports.

Does that mean Rasparta's plan is related to Echo Crystals' abnormal growth?

Yes. I think we're close to the truth.

Good job, Eriri.

A Supplies. What luck.

We have them sent to all mission locations. They can only be opened by members of Teslovik.

While in the Consciousness Conversion state, you are by default a member of Teslovik, regardless of which faction the Case belongs to.

So whenever you see a Supplies, don't hesitate to open it.

This mission... Eriri?

Hm? Ah!

Sorry, I just received a distress call from the Bifrost army.

The Bifrost army distress signal? At this time?

Will anyone really fall for this trap?

Let's change our route and have a look.

Captain?!

Even if it's one chance in a thousand, we can't abandon our comrade.

And even if it's a trap, it's not entirely without gain.

It's the Bifrost army Comms Device. Looks like the person has already...

This is a good trap. Aren't you Bifrost people too gullible?

Bifrost Industries is different from you guys. We won't abandon our comrades, even if there is a slim chance!

Only these few people?

Looks like the Raspartans also thought that no one would fall for it, so they didn't set many ambushes.

I've checked, and the Comms Device storage is still working. We might find some information.

Can it be fixed?

I'll do my best.

Fixed!

Captain hit the nail on the head.

Let's see what's inside.

It's all videos. They look like a work log? Let me see.

...Nothing unusual. Three more days, and I can go home. I haven't seen my daughter in a long while. I miss her. Ah! Don't record this!

...Nothing unusual. End. Oh yeah, I heard that kids nowadays love comics. I think my daughter will... Why are you still holding up the Comms Device?

...Found... What's that sound? Hey! Hey!

...This is the work log up until the attack.

...

...

Put it away. We should be carrying out our mission.

No matter what Rasparta's goal is, they will surely fail.

This is Rasparta's makeshift safe house. Looks like they haven't found out that they've been exposed.

Is there any way to get intel?

Their intel can only be obtained through physical contact. I've broken the code and we need one more person in the safe zone to take the intercom out.

I'll go.

I got it.

There's too much movement. The guards discovered us.