Episode 7, Chapter 3: Engine Trouble

Huh? Are we there already?

Shh. We need to board the Ortus train.

Something's definitely up. There are too many security officers.

But that train... It looks like it's completely stopped.

You're right. Something's weird. Let's go around the back for now.

No... It's blocked this way too.

Wait, I have an idea.

Cloud!

It's okay. Just trust me.

Ahem. Excuse me. Do you happen to know what the delay is?

I heard there's a problem with the turbine.

They're going to fetch some parts from the depot, so we'll have to wait a while.

Hey! I told you stand by quietly. Why are you talking?!

Yes, sir. I apologize, sir!

Huh? Who are you?!

Uh... I-I'm...

Guys, I blew it. What should we do?

Ugh, why are you asking?! Just beat them up already!

We need to stop them before they call for backup!

Phew. Well, I don't think any reinforcements are coming.

But what if we tried finding the parts they mentioned and fixed the train ourselves?

I don't even know what any of these things do. We might even break it worse.

We have Chloe.

Huh, what? Me? Y-yeah. Ahem. Th-they probably won't let us on the train without a fight anyway, though.

Hmm... Can we trust you?

Verna, Chloe's Nirvanian. She knows all about this stuff.

R-right! There has to be a manual or something! One with a lot of pictures and not a lot of words, hopefully.

Hmmm... Let's look around here first.

Guys, over here!

Oh, this is it!

High-density... power cell? High-voltage cable... Scheduled for replacement.

There's a map and even a blueprint for repairs.

Towards the storage unit... there are two ultra high-voltage power transmission devices marked. We should be able to retrieve the part from there.

It must be this way. Let's go!

-.-. .-.. --- Chloe.

Huh? Have you learned my name now?

Chloe. Chloe! .. / .-. . -- . -- -... . .-. / -.-- --- ..-

Hm... Do you want to wait here for a moment?

There's no way to know when more Ortus soldiers might show up.

--. --- / - --- --. . - .... . .-.

Hehe. There's no need to worry. I'll be back before ya know it!

Hey, if things get hairy, bail without me. Got it?

Guys, let's go.

As expected, there are a bunch of them on this side too.

We have no choice. Let's sneak past.

Be careful. If we get caught now, they might all come running.

We should keep an eye on our surroundings.

Let's move as quietly as possible.

Let's hide in here and plan out a route.

That side. I heard something.

Oh no, they're coming this way. Let's look for another path.

The transmission device should be inside here. Let's look for it.

We've got all the parts!

That must be the path that leads straight to the station.

Phew! We're finally here!

I don't think it's this way.

Ah. Ugh... This'll be too tight.

You're right. But there isn't any other way...

Get a load of this rustbucket. Who dumped this old thing here?

Think we better send it back to the Scrap Metal Barrier where it belongs.

-.. --- -. .----. - / .... ..- .-. - / -- .

Hehe. No need to send it anywhere. Just junk it!

Ugh... You guys might want to stand back.

N4! We're coming for you, friend!

Ha!

Ahhh!

S-somebody help!

There! That way!

Hey, are you okay?

.. - .----. ... / -.-- --- ..- Chloe!

Well, you sound okay, anyway.

I told you to bail. Why didn't you run?

- .... .- -. -.- / -.-- --- ..-

Well, I'm just glad you weren't badly hurt.

Let's get this train movin' again and get out of here!

Chloe. It looks exactly like the blueprint. Should we try starting it up?

Yeah, I think it's in good shape.

Okay, is everybody ready?

.-.. . - .----. ... / --. ---

Uh, no... N4, I think it'll be too dangerous for you to go any further.

You go and stay with Isabella. I'll be back soon. Okay?

.. .----. -- / ... --- / ... .- -.. Chloe!

I promise we'll be back. Don't worry about us, N4.

Alright, let's get going now!

It'll be dangerous going from here on in. Activate the jammers!

You're sure they work, right? I'm nervous...

Whew. Looks like the jammers worked!

There! That's the restricted area I couldn't get into before. Let's check it out!

Chloe. It says "rally point" in several places here.

Yeah, I think... something suspicious really is going on, just like people have been saying.

I think our best bet here is just... asking someone directly?

Hey! Uh, um... Do you happen to remember our exact orders from... Um, Ada?

Sir! I don't understand, sir. Our orders from the Commander-in-chief...?

Oh, so what I mean is... Uh, I-I can't remember exactly what our orders were.

I believe they were only communicated to those at the platoon leader rank or higher, sir.

Now that I think about it, I don't think we've met before, Lieutenant. Where are you coming from, sir?

Lieutenant? Oh, hm... I'm a lieutenant. That's right.

I just arrived from Sector One, so I haven't had the time to get orientated. What rank are you?

Yes, sir. I am Aston, 48th recruit class. I was promoted to staff sergeant just yesterday, sir.

Oh, that means I'm definitely your superior. Heeheehee... Heh. Hahaha.

Anyhoo, where is the tactical map?

Up one level from here. But... sir, you don't seem to be wearing your unit patches...

Shush! Or I'll write you up for insubordination! A- as you were! Ahem.

Yes, sir.

Good work back there, Cloud!

Haha! That was nothing. Let's go upstairs.

Verna, look! Plan A? What is this?

Manafall... Hananis, and Naksan... They're all marked.

Ada... just what are you planning to do...?

Copy. Send Plan A.

Strike team, report to the center hall!

Let's tag along. We're sure to learn something if we do.

I'm busy, you bastards! Move it!

Understood, Captain. Sir!

Okay. Now, next!

Sir!

Hmm... A sergeant? I don't recognize you. Were you transferred from an inner sector?

Huh? Uh... Yes. Th-that's right!

This is an important directive, so verify the contents of this chip now. Repeat them back to me. Understood?

What? Right... now?

Yes, now. Time is wasting. Retrieve your module!

And what... module... was that?

Ignorant little... Huh?

Wh-what the...!

Ugh, I knew this would go wrong...

Guys, run!

Intruders! Stop them!

Ahhh! The path is blocked!

C'mon, let's smash through!

Central hall. Intruders detected. Intruders detected!

All units, report to the central hall.

Report to the central hall.

Huh? Guys, the door opened!

Nya!

Wow, $CAT_NAME$! Thank you!

Guys, this way!

We have no choice. Ugh, I swore I would never do this again, but...

Are you talking about... the sewers? What if we end up outside the barrier again?!

I just chose the wrong way then!

They're still after us!

Now, hurry up and jump!

Oh please... Here I go!

Ahhhhhhhhh!

Is everyone okay?

Yeah, that wasn't as bad as I expected. It just felt like a really long slide.

But... Chloe. What about the chip?

I got it right here.

We still don't know what's on it, but...

Don't worry, Chloe. I bet it's all a misunderstanding.

Yeah. We should still hurry and check it out. Let's go see Isabella!

Isabella. Here.

This chip definitely contains orders for Ortus.

You know, the World-Famous Frost Grape Jam recipe you brought me last time was useful too.

Let me see. This time...

*Gasp* It really is protected by Ortus's security code. And KrypTiiK's dual-layer encryption too...

See, I told you. Whoo! This time I was positive.

Really... Well, I guess I have to give you credit for your... persistence.

But you... Why does it feel like something about you has changed?

Me...? Because I can finally prove Ada's innocence now.

So?

So... I'm feeling calm. Centered. This is an important moment.

Hm... Anyway, I can't break this code. If anyone could, it'd be Rue.

We'll go to The Glitch then.

I'll go with you. You've piqued my interest as to why Ortus is gathering.

Rue, could you decrypt the contents of this chip?

This is an outdated 2nd generation mega-speed chip. I recommend tech recycling.

Mm... Yeah, yeah. I'll get around to that. But I'd appreciate it if you could tell me what's on it first.

As expected, not a single person wise enough to understand my word of caution. Starting analysis.

What the...? She always sounds like she isn't going to help, but then she does.

I'm telling you, Rue is really talented. If it wasn't for her, we'd be totally cut off.

Anyway, she's the only one who can still access KrypTiiK's database.

What's KrypTiiK? And what is its database?

Ahem. KrypTiiK is the corporation that saved us from annihilation.

Code is the head of KrypTiiK. And everything here was developed by KrypTiiK.

Isabella, you worked for KrypTiiK too, and you were a really high-ranking employee... Why are talking like this has nothing to do with you?

Shh. I've put my past behind me, so why can't you?

Outputting the analyzed data.

The following orders are hereby issued to all combat units.

One. All personnel are to complete maintenance and report to the core room 168 hours from now.

Two. Once all forces have assembled, open the Hyper Portal and commence the invasion of Belana's major cities.

What? Hyper Portal?

Three. The first target is Hananis. The vanguard will consist of the Mobile Strike Team and three security platoons.

All units will adhere to and not deviate from these orders under the command of their respective unit leaders. Ortus Commander-in-Chief Ada, out. End of message.

Isabella, unfortunately, I'm the only one among present company who isn't involved in this information.

They're going to invade Hananis? No way...

No... No! Ada would never do that! This has to be some kind of conspiracy!

No wonder... I knew I felt uneasy. Anyway, thanks, Rue. I'll be back.

Can everybody gather around? I think we need to talk.

I really didn't want to get involved, but...

I can't stand idly by while they put my invention to unauthorized use.

What did you invent?

The Fixed Interdimensional Synchrotron. Also known as the Hyper Portal.

It... it wasn't made to invade places.

I made it... so that we could return... home. One day, when it's restored...

Do you really think... Ada came up with that plan?

I can't believe that.

Chloe. You can't keep choosing to see only what you want to see.

Ada was corrupted by the Void and brought to the brink of death...

How can you be sure that she's the same Ada you knew?

...Because I have to...

I promised to always be Ada's friend. And that's what friends do! Okay? If I don't, then...

Ada... she will be alone again...

I need to see her, okay? I can convince her.

We'll go with you. But if this is real...

Then I'll take Ada down with my own fists. Whether you're there or not.

*Sigh...* I had a feeling it would come to this. What are you planning to do?

The Hyper Portal was incomplete when I left. There's no chance they completed it properly without me.

Messing with it recklessly might lead to something... irreversible.

Isabella...?

Let's go. I made it, so it'll only be right to stop it with my own hands.