24. Solutions

Yes. What you call the Relic Component was in my possession back then.

...!

Answer me this then. What is Dyatlov's connection to you?

He's my father.

What's he doing now?

He passed away... four years ago.

Who's Dyatlov?

One of the founders of Teslovik.

Everything we know about the Great Relic and Rasparta stems from his research.

He vanished thirteen years ago, while carrying out research into the Relic Component.

I still recall his final message. He said ''got it,'' and was never heard from again.

Didn't you try to find him?

Of course we did! But the guy was a total enigma. We all figured he had died.

You see, I didn't even know he had a daughter! Judging from her age, he must have been married without my knowledge.

Actually, I'm not his biological daughter. He saved me from a crystal storm when I was small. My parents...

Haha! That sounds just like something he would do!

Let's try to stay focused.

Is it possible to bring back people who are under the thrall of the Great Relic?

Is it possible to bring back people who are under the thrall of the Great Relic?

It is, but you need the operator to reverse the command.

Right... So all we have to do is find Yulia, point a gun at her head, and Snezhana will be saved.

''Easy'', right?

What's the story with your bell? How did it stop the mob from attacking us?

My father made it for me.

He was conducting research on the Relic Component, experimenting on animals in the forest.

When I ring the bell, the modified sound cancels out some of the Relic's effects, lowering dopamine secretions in the animal.

A bit like being interrupted by your little sister when reading your favorite comic.

A bit like being smacked in the back of the head when reading your favorite book.

That's a bit dramatic, Eriri.

When someone is interrupted mid-flow, they can often feel confused.

But that can quickly turn to... anger. Rage even.

That's right... That's why you can only use the bell for so long.

If you were to use the bell's complete power on a single person, could it bring them back?

If you used it on one person, it could cause brain damage and memory loss.

Do you want your friend to suffer memory loss...?

If necessary.

But there's another way to get the same result.

What?

Break the link.

All people are links in a chain of emotional influence. I guess breaking the link means isolating a person from their influence?

Exactly. Yulia directs the flow of emotions and the people are fertile soil.

Uh... so the plan is to put 15000 brainwashed people all in isolation chambers? I'd rather put a gun to Yulia's head.

But it could save Snezhana...

One last question. What is Nanook to you? Do you like her?

That's a bit direct, isn't it, Lieutenant?

(Coughs)

Awkward.

Yes, I like her. She is my friend.

...

Whatever...

Lieutenant Fenriru.

General! What are your instructions?

See that monitor next to you? Turn it on and you'll see.

Monitor?

Hey! Guys! Come check this out!

Deena? Shouldn't you be asleep in the other room? What are you doing out here?

It's not bedtime yet! Go on, turn it on!

I'll do it!

Everyone locked and loaded?

Yes, Lieutenant.

Sorry to send you straight out again, without a proper rest.

But you've seen for yourselves the depths to which Yulia has sunk. Her sheer inhumanity.

Yes, we have.

Okay. For your next mission, you'll need to pass through Vologda to reach the city of Stoker.

There you'll link up with Mori's Special Forces and proceed to the power plant on the outskirts of town.

Then you terminate Yulia's plans, with extreme prejudice. Got it?

Extreme prejudice, Lieutenant?

You can figure it out. Be thorough. Show no mercy.

HEY!!! Aren't you taking me to rescue Old Big Tits?

And I wanna beat up that lady with dog ears!

Deena!

...

What we are about to do is not fit for children's ears. How could we even contemplate taking you?

You've seen what I can do!

We have. But you are too young to die in battle.

No doubt you will be stronger than any of us, when you grow up.