Basement Level 2
Copperfield Aquarium
Copperfield Aquarium, Lower Level 2
The Punishing concentration in the air thickens gradually, disrupting communications with Babylonia. Transmissions fracture into static, making smooth contact impossible.
Along the way, your group eliminates several more "Hetero-Creatures" like those encountered near the Lower Level 2 signage, and likewise collects a few more cold, clammy metal name tags.
Delapoer... Norris...
After securing them carefully, you press forward.
The lower second level's passages twist into a labyrinth of shadows and steel. Continuing as one group would be inefficient, so after a brief discussion, you decide to split up: Wanshi and Chrome take the left path, while Lucia leads the remaining rescue team members to the right.
Gray Raven's teamwork speaks for itself. With just a glance, you and Lucia are on the same page. She slices through the mangled steel bars blocking the right passage, clearing the way to the door beyond.
The Punishing concentration is still rising... Commandant, be careful.
"Welcome to the Copperfield Aquarium—"
Suddenly, a cold, mechanical voice cuts through the air.
Over there!
Before the words finish echoing, a Purifying Force member behind you lets an arrow fly, and it sends the broadcasting device crashing to the ground.
...It's one of the aquarium's announcement robots.
Someone must have been keeping this place up all this time. But who'd bother maintaining an aquarium at a time like this?
Could it be the Ascendants?
After a thorough inspection of the announcement robot confirms no anomalies, you hand it over to the accompanying Task Force Constructs for disposal. Just as the group prepares to move forward, Lucia's voice cuts through the silence.
Commandant, over here... We've got something.
In a spot that's easy to miss, thin tendrils of Red Tide mucus intertwine with streaks of vital fluid, seeping through the concrete rubble.
The vital fluid hasn't dried up yet—these traces must have been left pretty recently.
I smell vital fluid. It's coming from... over there. They might still be alive.
He sniffs the air, catching the lingering scent that points to where the target might've gone.
Following the Purifying Force member's lead, your group barrels forward in hot pursuit until—
Squeak...
Someone's up ahead... and they're wearing a Purifying Force uniform!
He doesn't recognize the figure from behind, but the uniform is unmistakable.
Gah... Wah... Wel...
Welcome... to...
Aquarium... new... staff...
Get back!
The Corrupted is a grotesque mess of forcibly fused, viscous flesh. Fin-like structures jut out from its head, and slowly writhing Red Tide crystals cling to its twisted arms.
****! What the hell is that thing?!
Suddenly, the biohazard incineration device fires, reducing the not-yet-fully-formed abomination to a charred husk.
Dammit...
A rescue team member from the Purifying Force mutters, a frown creasing her face as she takes down the Corrupted.
A metal name tag catches the light, glinting faintly amidst the scorched wreckage. No doubt about it—this was once a Construct soldier from Babylonia.
...
Lucia's brow furrows as she uses the tip of her blade to pry the name tag from the charred remains.
They were all Constructs...
We need to quickly find the rest of the rescue team members.
According to the aquarium map, assuming there are no further cave-ins, you should be able to meet with Chrome and Wanshi in the main hall straight ahead.
Basement Level 2
Aquarium Hall
Lower Level 2, Aquarium Hall.
You briefly exchange information with Chrome and inform him that Hetero-Creatures are corrupting Constructs.
...The data's been logged. As long as we have signal coverage, my terminal will auto-sync the mission report to Babylonia.
As for our situation...
He quickly goes over what they ran into in the left passageway.
The beat-up Construct right in front of you gives a casual wave hello.
Hello there, "conservation area soldiers."
...She took out all the Hetero-Creatures in that corridor, but beyond that, she's not sharing anything with us.
Just as you're about to press for details, your terminal suddenly rings.
Lucia's combat abilities are beyond question—she's more than capable of handling herself.
After a quick exchange about the rendezvous point, you head toward the left corridor with Chrome and Wanshi.
...Something's off here.
It's way too quiet.
Ever since your team stepped into the aquarium, the rustling of Corrupted and Hetero-Creatures, the viscous sloshing of the Red Tide—these sounds had been your constant companions.
But now, the silence is deafening.
Hands on their sidearms, ready to face Ascendants at a moment's notice, the group cautiously continues their advance.
This is...
On the ground, a Hetero-Creature lies dead, its eyes—if you can even call them that—staring wide open.
Bullet marks.
These bullets aren't Babylonia standard issue... Someone else has entered the aquarium.
Ascendants wouldn't bother with conventional attacks, but if not them, who else would be here at a time like this...?
Could it be Kurono, always lurking? But there's nothing valuable to swipe here...
I hear something up ahead.
A brief burst of combat echoes from ahead—just a single gunshot—before the passage falls silent again.
...**** it, not this damn thing again.
Suddenly, a soft, feminine voice drifts to your ears.
...Dog tags? Just my luck, more Babylonians.
Damn, this place is huge... If I keep pushing like this, my leg's gonna give out...
The voice gets closer, heading right for you—
AHH! GHOSTS—!!
Don't move. Stay right there.
Jeez... You just about gave me a heart attack. For a second there, I thought you were ghosts. What in the world are you doing in this awful place?
Me? Why should I spill my guts to you? Who are you people?
She narrows her eyes, giving you a good once-over.
Oh—you guys must be the hotshots from "Babylonia", huh? Well, well, look who decided to slum it down here in this lovely sewer.
You're... a Construct. Which faction are you with?
Hah! I'm no Babylonia lapdog. I don't eat your scraps, and I don't owe you a single explanation.
Since you can't tell friends from enemies in this place, there's no need to spend time trying to identify her.
...Tch, wait.
As your group actually starts to back away, the long-haired Construct shifts her gaze and pipes up to stop you.
What are you doing here? Does the aquarium have some valuable "data" worth your while, or are you after something else?
Apparently unfazed, the long-haired Construct just grunts and goes quiet.
...Looks like she's the one who cleared out the Hetero-Creatures from this corridor.
The evidence definitely points to her, but... it seems she's not going to spill any more details.
As you press on, it's clear this Construct really did a number on the Hetero-Creatures in this corridor, wiping them all out. Surprisingly, instead of just leaving, she's now tailing you, keeping a steady distance.
Should we try to get rid of her?
If she's a defector working for the Ascendants, why would she have cleared out all the Hetero-Creatures along the way? But if she isn't... what's her game?
With that in mind, your group keeps a watchful distance from the Construct who calls herself "Lulu" as you head for the hall ahead.
According to the aquarium map, assuming there are no further cave-ins, you should be able to meet with Lucia in the main hall straight ahead.
Basement Level 2
Aquarium Hall
Lower Level 2, Aquarium Hall.
When we were in the right corridor, we saw Hetero-Creatures devouring humans.
She quickly explains what just happened.
Then we need to find Bianca and Chiko fast. We can't afford any more delays.
With the Red Tide mutating into these new forms, every Construct soldier Babylonia loses becomes another enemy gained.
Commandant, on your end...
The battered Construct keeps following at a measured distance behind your group.
You ran into a... Construct?
...She took out all the Hetero-Creatures in that corridor, but beyond that, she's not sharing anything with us.
As for the rest...
Just as he's about to say something else, your terminal suddenly rings.
Surprisingly, there's a weak signal here. Chrome quickly opens his terminal and uploads the mission report he's compiled so far.
Can you... hear me?
...
The signal should be more stable now. [player name], I'm briefing you on an urgent development. Bianca's condition has become critical.
Vesalius, the technical director from Kurono, just contacted me.
Given that they developed the Stigmata frame, they possess the necessary systems to monitor its status. She told me that Stigmata is in critical condition and might already be heavily corrupted by the Punishing Virus.
Bianca is going through severe M.I.N.D. deviation.
Right, I'll have the standby support team bring down Bianca's new frame "Crepuscule" along with the Phantom Tracer that's been modified into a CUB.
Not yet. President Hassen and Nikola went into the main conference room quite a while ago, and there's still no sign of them coming out.
But we've already received the data from Chrome, and Nikola is mobilizing every available Task Force unit to the aquarium with maximum priority.
It's been in secret development for quite some time, just never activated until now.
Stigmata's status isn't looking good, so we're rolling with Crepuscule for now.
However, keep in mind—this frame can only sustain combat operations for approximately five hours. Beyond that, its energy reserves will be depleted, and it will automatically shut down into sleep mode.
It's been in secret development for quite some time, just never activated until now.
Stigmata's status isn't looking good, so we're rolling with Crepuscule for now.
However, keep in mind—this frame can only sustain combat operations for approximately five hours. Beyond that, its energy reserves will be depleted, and it will automatically shut down into sleep mode.
Not yet. President Hassen and Nikola went into the main conference room quite a while ago, and there's still no sign of them coming out.
But we've already received the data from Chrome, and Nikola is mobilizing every available Task Force unit to the aquarium with maximum priority.
Remember, the CUB must be activated simultaneously with Bianca's new frame. It'll help keep the frame running longer.
How was the Phantom Tracer, Stigmata?
The shorter-than-benchmark runtime wasn't unexpected. You weren't our first choice, after all.
It's surprising and fascinating, but it also proves that your M.I.N.D. was deviating before your hallucinations appeared...
...I've never told you about this.
Was this something you learned from another one of your "visions"?
As early as when having your Mind Beacon examination with Selena, you had discussed these "visions" with Asimov. However, without any precedents for reference, he couldn't definitively identify their cause.
During the technical development phase, Kurono designs Constructs for specific functions, not with particular individuals in mind.
Most of them are built with "functionality" and "technology" as the main focus. Once the frames are done, they mass-screen compatible users from their database—anyone who proves compatible can use them.
This development approach is concerningly aggressive, as they're willing to employ any means to achieve their goals... However, this very approach enables them to compress new frame development cycles to an alarming degree.
Correspondingly, this type of frame doesn't have a long service life, and is more likely to cause M.I.N.D. deviation.
Bianca received her modifications at Daedalus, so her Veritas frame data is already archived in Kurono's systems. It would naturally factor into any compatibility assessment.
Before her deployment to Copperfield Aquarium, Kurono offered Bianca access to Stigmata, with one condition: she'd need to provide sufficient experimental data in return. She accepted the terms.
Asimov lets out a soft sigh.
Babylonia is super particular when it comes to specialized frames. Aside from Empyrea's unique case, every other frame goes through endless compatibility tweaks. They're always pushing the envelope technically, but never at the expense of safety.
However, this methodical approach inevitably leads to greater research challenges... and consequently, longer development cycles.
While we managed to develop an emergency coating to cover the Stigmata frame's exterior before her departure, this solution ultimately cannot solve the M.I.N.D. deviation caused by frame incompatibility.
Yeah, but swapping out the frame altogether is still the best bet.
I'll prepare Bianca's Crepuscule frame for transport and have it dispatched with the first surface support team. And I'll need you to deliver the transport pod to her.
The comms fuzz out for a bit before Asimov cuts the connection.
...Doesn't look like good news.
Let's keep pushing. No sign of them on the ground floor or the lower first level. They're probably lurking in the uncharted parts of the second level, or... the third.
After a quick gear check, the team presses on.
Surprisingly enough, the Construct who calls herself Lulu keeps trailing your team, keeping her distance.
The path ahead is treacherous. Hetero-Creatures and Corrupted constantly ambush from the sides, alongside the relentless Red Tide.
Why are there so many Hetero-Creatures...
Behind you!
Suddenly, a viscous creature, hidden within the Red Tide, lunges down from the ceiling.
Before its attack lands, a gunshot echoes through the air.
As the gunsmoke clears, the long-haired Construct casually retracts the gun from her left arm.
No matter what, she's just saved a Babylonian soldier.
Hold on a second—there's a catch.
Blowing smoke from her gun barrel, the long-haired Construct surveys the room.
I can see what you're up to. You're here to save somebody too, aren't you?
I need you to help me find someone.
Grace.
Hmph, if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't even be working with you Babylonians...
There are just too many Corrupted and weird creatures past the lower third level for me to handle on my own. If you help me find Grace, I'll tell you everything I know about the routes ahead.
I'm right here, and let's be real, my combat skills are trash compared to any Construct in your group. If my route map's fake, just kill me.
Isn't that what you Babylonians are so damn good at?
If you don't say anything, I'll take that as your silent go-ahead.
The long-haired Construct walks alongside, muttering to herself.
Hmm, as a bonus, I'll be gracious enough to tell you my name.
...? Aren't you all just dying to know who I am?
Hey! A little curiosity wouldn't kill you!
My name's Lulu—don't you forget it! I'm Lulu! The First Grand Protector of the Scarlet Revelation!
At the very least, they don't have the means to turn people into Constructs.
How would you even know? What if the Scarlet Revelation has a Grand Priest who can easily turn humans into Constructs in a flash?
Ugh, never mind, this is getting boring. I'm just a Construct rambling on the surface, and Grace took me in. I'm just tagging along to get by.
Grace is always spouting that spiritual mumbo-jumbo. Who knows what's going on in her head? Before she left, she ditched all the old, weak, and sick folks outside, then led the rest of her followers in here to "seek salvation."
With her gone, a bunch of idiots were already yelling about leaping into the Red Tide to find salvation. I had no choice but to come in here myself—
I'm not going to be responsible for those idiots' lives.
She deftly rolls her eyes.
...Commandant?
Lucia takes two steps back, her gaze fixed on you.
Can we... trust her?
This Construct's frame condition is poor. It doesn't appear to have been regularly maintained, and there are no Ascendant-like energy fluctuations emanating from her...
Right, I'll keep an eye on her.
The aquarium isn't a playground. If her goal is truly to rescue Grace, then it aligns with Babylonia's objectives.
But if she tries anything... your team has more than enough combat power to handle her.
Well, by the looks on your faces... have you two finally come to an understanding?
Let's get going. Watch yourselves—if you fall behind and walk into a trap, don't expect me to bail you out.
Basement Level 3
Copperfield Aquarium
Copperfield Aquarium, Lower Level 3.
The original plan was for Bianca's team to head back to the surface from the lower second level, but a sudden surge of the Red Tide stops them dead in their tracks.
The Red Tide is on the prowl, hunting like a starving wolf and herding the remaining lambs before it. Bianca and Sylph are barely holding their own, but they've managed to guide the Scarlet Revelation survivors to shelter near the lower third level.
The lower third level is massive. One section was designed for grand marine life performances, while the other twists and turns like a meticulously crafted maze.
...Here we go again.
She twitches her ears, immediately picking up the sounds of the approaching Red Tide.
Cough...
Devour... save... witch...
Together, come join us...
Welcome... Copperfield Aquarium welcomes you...
Why don't you... join us? Witch... suitable...
...
She fights to stay conscious, pushing away those endless, whispering voices.
Sylph, take them and go on ahead.
We can't leave. There's no way out.
There's only one path left, as if the Ascendant is deliberately herding these lambs to a predetermined spot.
So... we're stuck moving forward, aren't we?
Lady Revelationist... do we really have to press on?
It's already... it's come to this, hasn't it?
...What?
Didn't you promise to lead us to "rebirth" and a "future"?
"Rebirth"... isn't it right behind you?
He's completely fixated, staring at the Red Tide slowly rising behind Grace.
Those are monsters...
How could that be? That's Marvin!
Don't you see? He's waving at us.
Hey...
Lady Revelationist, thank you for leading us to "rebirth"...
We won't have to starve anymore...
He leaps, about to jump into the Red Tide—
W-wait!
Lady... Revelationist?
At least... not yet.
She winces, her eyes closing in pain.
If you... enter "rebirth" now, God will be displeased. God... does not wish to accept your offerings under such hasty circumstances.
...
Is... that so?
Yeah, didn't you just see them? Those... those monsters are punishment sent straight from the heavens.
Only when the time is right...
Here she goes again...
As long as those followers don't dive into the Red Tide and just become another headache for us.
She's still just dropping those useless little pebbles as markers.
...As long as they're happy.
How's the situation with the Purifying Force members?
Terrible.
Three are injured and showing symptoms of corruption. Their M.I.N.D.s are already starting to deviate. On top of that, two members got swept away by the Red Tide when we were making our escape—they just couldn't move fast enough.
A quick breather?
No, it's not safe here yet.
Let's keep moving...
Before Bianca can finish speaking, her teeth clench. She lunges forward, her blade flashing in a single, decisive strike—cleaving through the Hetero-Creature just as it lunges for Sylph from behind.
!
But the reprieve is short-lived. The Red Tide surges forth, spewing from the drainage outlet.
Sylph! Take them ahead! Get into that room and seal the door! I'll hold the rear!
...
Without a word, Sylph hoists an injured Construct onto her back and calmly directs the Scarlet Revelation members to evacuate.
Meanwhile, Bianca musters her strength, pushing back the relentless Hetero-Creatures hot on their heels.
Witch... It's the witch...
Captain... join us...
From within the Red Tide, countless projections churn, emitting sounds like ghostly chants.
Stay here, join us... we...
Bianca catches a glimpse of the door slowly closing. She delivers one final strike, then her eyes flutter shut in exhaustion.
...
Just as the Red Tide is about to swallow Bianca whole, Sylph darts out from the doorway like lightning, grabbing her. She uses a climbing rope to slide back into the room moments before the door slams shut.
The Red Tide batters the sealed door.
