Varakiel was in the deputy chief office.
Andersen: You did well.
ingrid: the heretic fragment has been safely secured. We will transport it inside a high-density 12-layered security strongbox we call an atlas case. The component analysis is currently in progress. we'll have the results soon enough.
Varakiel: Have you discovered anything about those tentacles?
Ingrid: not yet, but with them we indeed should be able to find a solution to corruption besides vapaus.
Varakiel: Mhm, anything else?
Ingrid: we already tested vapaus and everything you said is true. i would apologize for doubting you but I haven't forgotten about our communication 8 hours ago.
Varakiel: oh yeah, sorry about that,
Rapi: communication?
Varakiel: I'll ask Shifty to give you a copy later…
Ingrid: Now my only doubt left is how rapi was exposed to the vapaus which shut off the NIMPH in the brain. Any thoughts on how this happened?
Rapi: no.
rapi wouldn't reveal the secret ingredient for vapaus, not without varakiel approval, not even to ingrid.
Varakiel: (kyaaaa rapi you're so cool!)
Ingrid:...very well then. we'll take our time and look into this.
Varakiel: Have you found anything else about vapaus?
Ingrid: no i haven't there is information in the central government database but it only pertains to the nanomachines being erased. That means the information you have is all that remains. there is no record of its origin or what it is made of. but as i mentioned, we'll find out soon enough. the bullets you have are still there. rapi has a history of being exposed to vapaus. This means the vapaus isn't singular. Since we have all this information, the rest is only a matter of time.
Varakiel: What about the basement facility? found something?
Andersen: We are not certain yet. We still have to correlate the results of the investigation with the circumstances before and after, then I can get a rough picture of what the results will be. I'll be convinced once the composition of the heretic fragments is analyzed.
Varakiel: What about the boxes?
Andersen:...236 nikkes. no doubt about it.
Anis:.......
Neon:...
Andersen: We are investigating that as well. you must have patience.
Varakiel: very well.
Andersen: return to the outpost and get some rest. I'll let you know if I get any updates.
Ingrid: If you're going straight to the outpost, I'll come along.
Varakiel: Sure, so shall we go my lady.
Ingrid: hmph…
...
Syuen was already in the outpost….
Varakiel: And I was thinking you wanted a tour here.
Syuen: shut up and sit.
Ingrid: I have to admit this place looks much better than I anticipated, I guess we can do that later.
Neon:....
Rapi:...
Anis:....
Mihara: It's good that all of you are okay.
Yuni: yeah.
Mihara and Yuni were called by varakiel…just in case a brat starts to go overboard again.
Ingrid: I prefer standing, i bet this won't take long, will it?
Syuen: What are you doing here?
Ingrid: I was invited, unlike other people.
Mihara: commander should i?
Varakiel: is okay, there won't be a need to do so.
Syuen: have you chit-chatted enough? Can we get down to business?
Varakiel: What do you want?
Syuen: How much do you need?
Varakiel: It depends, do you want apples? bananas?
Ingrid: Wait, you found sprouts for those?
Varakiel: yeah it was hard but we were lucky, interested?
Ingrid:....we can talk about that later.
Syuen: *COF* I am not talking about those…yet.
Varakiel: Then what are you talking about, get to the point.
Syuen: your method to create vapaus bullets. How much are you willing to sell it for? name your price.
Ingrid: where did you hear about this? what in the hell do you mean for a method to create a vapaus bullet.
Varakiel: *sigh* Syuen this is your fault you explain to her later.
Syuen: Hey, I'm a CEO too, you know. You didn't think you and Andersen could hide this from me forever, did you?....wait you didn't tell her!?
Varakiel: of course i didn't you fucking dumbass *sigh* ingrid, i can create vapaus bullets, but they are not as effective as the ones that Snow white gave me, so i didn't see a point in doing so.
Ingrid: you better talk about this later, you two can continue.
Syuen:.....damn it! *inhale* *exhale* fine i admit this was my mistake, i didn't knew you were this loyal….
Varakiel: I was going to propose to ingrid later so thank you for ruining my cards you idiot.
Syuen:....*inhale* *exhale* your price, say it. i'm willing to pay, so hand it over.
Varakiel: Sorry can't do, let me guess, you reached a bottleneck and you don't know how to make them or perhaps you want them because you found something.
Syuen:...fine yes, i found chatterbox again.
Varakiel: I see, but sorry that won't do.
Syuen:...why?
Varakiel: Because I will destroy that son of bitch.
Varakiel indifference to raptures as turned to complete hatred after he saw the 236 nikkes in those boxes…
Syuen: *shiver*....I see.
Varakiel: hey c'mon where is that great CEO of missilis, forget about those raptures for now will you? How much are you willing to pay for sprouts of fruit trees?
Syuen:....*sigh* fine.
Ingrid: (impressive this guy has tamed this bitch attitude)
....
Syuen then leaves with a satisfied smile on her face, she couldn't get the vapaus she got something worth the time.
Ingrid: turns out it was worth tagging along.
Varakiel: *sigh* how much for keeping silent about the creation method?
Ingrid: nothing much, just some sprouts and…..the composition of vapaus.
Varakiel: Just that?
Ingrid: Unlike an entitled bitch I am confident of creating vapaus bullets.
Varakiel: very well, also i want the mission for chatterbox hunt, he's mine.
Ingrid: That was the idea from the start.
......
Later, in an underground laboratory…ingrid and counters are there.
Mana: oh, hi there. We've just finished cleaning up.
Ingrid: It's a bit chaotic in here.
Mana: there was an accident.
Ingrid: report.
Mana: roger. the heretic fragment will be referred to as material H.
Anis: Heretic…H…makes sense.-_-
Mana: after confirming that material H is composed of various nanomachines, we examined its response to electrical stimulation. upon electrical stimulation. a tentacle shaped appendage extended and immediately attacked all 18 nikkes in the nearby vicinity. After the nikkes were neutralized, they proceeded to be absorbed by the material.
Varakiel:...(everyone makes mistakes….*inhale* relax *exhale*)
Ingrid:...absorbed?
Mana: yes. material H does not respond to humans or machines, but only to nikkes. After absorbing all of the nikkes, its weight increased by 378 grams.
Ingrid: That's all?
Mana: nikkes are completely disintegrated during the absorption process, after which it is assumed that only substances deemed necessary are absorbed. Since the accident, it is now being stored in an atlas case.
Ingrid: what is the heretic fra…i mean, what is material H's current weight?
Mana: approximately 12 kg to date, it appears it has absorbed 450 nikkes.
Neon: then all those boxes piled up in the underground facility were…
Mana: we've concluded our investigation into the underground facility. Would you care to hear our findings?
Ingrid: You do that.
Mana: the underground facility is what the intelligence department refers to as an ant colony. The section that you were in is just a small portion of the structure. there are many more similar facilities spread throughout the area. We haven't figured out the exact size, but it is estimated to be close to 1300 square kilometers.
Rapi:....
Mana: and all routes head towards one area, which is the center where material H was situated. fluctuating routes are used to induce panic or inflict corruption. if their prey perishes close to material H, they are used as food. if they are far from the center, they are put in "storage" rooms scattered throughout the colony. The purpose of this underground facility is to produce material H using Nikkes. Our conclusion is that they are attempting to resurrect the heretic.
Ingrid: it's not an ant colony. It's a breeding facility.
Mana: we estimate there are approximately 200 nikkes who are "stored" in the underground facility. it is believed they are nikkes who became lost during a patrol or other mission. this figure aligns with how many nikkes have been reported M.I.A in that area.
Rapi: ludmilla said it's gotten more difficult to find nikkes who have gone missing.
Anis: it appears the ant colony is to blame for all those lost nikkes.
Ingrid: how many raptures are in the underground facility?
Mana: comparatively speaking, not that many according to the size of the facility, nothing we couldn't overpower. however…because the heretic modernia has joined the war, all squads have retreated.
Rapi: She was repaired again?
Varakiel: that seems the case.
Mana: that concludes our report. ah, yes. this is just something i noticed.
Ingrid: what?
Mana: the underground facility that the raptures created has a very similar structure to the ark. you could even call it a miniature version.
Ingrid:....i see. good job, mana.
Mana: roger.
Varakiel: ( i see…..i guess i collected enough information of this world, time to dig up your dark secrets central government.).....
...
Later in a meeting room andersen, ingrid, Syuen, varakiel and mustang are reunited.
Andersen: we're preparing for an all-out war. Our objectives are two-fold. One is to destroy the underground facility. The other is to apprehend the heretic modernia. if that's not possible, then we kill her. If we succeed, humanity will be one step closer to reclaiming the surface.
ingrid: what is the plan?
Andersen: We are going to plant explosives on the walls of the underground facility. phase 1 is detonating the explosives and making the facility collapse upon itself. The passageways are all very narrow and full of raptures as well as the heretic, so we'll be selecting only the most battle-hardened squads with good mobility.
Ingrid: sounds perfect for absolute.
Mustang: I will send cafe sweety. go get'em mademoiselles!
Syuen:...fine i'll send Matis.
Andersen: very well. After the facility collapses, modernia will come up to the surface. of course, there will be quite a few raptures above ground at that time. chatterbox is sure to make an appearance as well. phase 2 will be defeating all the raptures and clearing a path to modernia. Once we do that, we move on to the final phase. For the final phase, apprehending modernia is our top priority.
Syuen: not destroying her?
Andersen: That's right.
Syuen: What are you going to do?
Andersen: counters. we are going to have the commando unit come into contact with the heretic. after all they managed to destroy her in the past, so it should be easy for them to capture them with vapaus.
Varakiel:...while that might be Marian's body she doesn't remember anything about being her, she's just modernia the heretic, but i have do have some ways to capture her.
Ingrid: So you tried to make her remember back then in the north?
Varakiel: Mhm, but it didn't work, she doesn't remember anything, so I can't assure you that I will capture her at a 100% rate.
Ingrid: at least you're honest with your capabilities.
Andersen: Good, the moment you realize that she cannot be reasoned with, shooting her with the vapaus becomes your top priority.
Varakiel: very well.
Andersen: we still don't understand what might happen if you hit them with the vapaus, she might die, or it might not do anything….maybe a miracle will happen and she will remember who she is *sigh* All I can say is that I personally hope there's a happy ending to this story.
Varakiel: mhm ( Lily is Marian ready to come back?)
Lily: ( she says she is ready, promy and ilias strengthen her soul a lot as well, so she will be able to take this body back easily after all is a copy of her, so you just need to strike modernia with vapaus so she can't get controlled by whatever this queen is…)
Varakiel: ( very well.) that makes two of us.
Andersen: the operation commences tomorrow at 05:00. get a good night's sleep. i'll discuss the rest with you in detail.
....
later at night in varakiel room…
Varakiel: mhm, everything is ready, invisibility spell, check, sound proof spell, check, thermic camouflage, check, static camouflage, check….i don't know how many measures there are in there but i can't risk it, i am getting those dark secrets no matter what….
???: hey.
Varakiel: uh? Snow white?
Snow white: oh, it seems you are getting ready for something, may i know what it is?
Varakiel: I am infiltrating the central government database.
Snow white: did you find out something bad in the ark?
Varakiel: is a conjecture….but….the ark might be a giant rapture itself.
Snow white: !!? a-a r-rapture!?
Varakiel: mhm, is just a conjecture, i hope i am wrong, but if i am not then….i will know why the central government always sends nikkes to their dead, what they do with their dead bodies, pretty much anything that isn't completely deleted….
Snow white:....if you find something like that….can you promise me that….you will not abandon humanity?
Varakiel: i don't generalize, if i found something bad is the fault of the higher ups of the central government and the leaders of the ark that are aware of this, down there in the ark, there's still people that deserve to be trusted, and people that i care for, if it's a giant rapture like i think then ill take control of it.
Snow white: have you found such a way to control raptures?
Varakiel: I am not 100% sure but I should be able to copy my brain into it, if that's the case, then it will become a huge help for the final battle in the future.
Snow white:....don't lose yourself in that power.
Varakiel: don't worry, that kind of power is just but a scratch of the true power that exists out there in other worlds.
Snow white: so everything in your messages is true? is there really a fantasy world away from the raptures?
Varakiel: Yes, interested?
Snow white: a bit…but until all raptures are gone from this world i will not leave it.
Varakiel: Mhm, I was thinking the same thing. then i'll go, it is almost time for my chance to get inside.
Snow white:....be safe, varakiel…..you might be seeing me tomorrow.
Varakiel: ah yes about that, don't destroy modernia help us incapacitate her, the soul of the owner of that body is coming back.
Snow white: really? just what kind of world you live in?
Varakiel: a fantasy one hehe, see ya.
Varakiel then jumps out of his window.
Snow white:....fantasy does exist…..awesome.
snow white says with shining eyes. and then leaves.
.....
The next day in the surface at exactly 5:00
Shifty: we are commencing our mission. First, absolute and cafe sweety will engage the raptures on the surface until the underground facility is destroyed. The goal is to leave as few raptures as possible by the time of the engagement with modernia. raptures have been gathering in that location for some time, so it should be a heated battle. The ark is sending their best and brightest for this mission. I don't believe there is any way we will lose.
Varakiel: That's a huge red flag shifty.
Anis: I admire the enthusiasm tho.
Shifty: of course. I believe in the strength of the ark.
Neon: Yeah, I believe in the strength of our squad and our commander.
Shifty: yes. I believe in all of you.
Varakiel: Hehe, stop, you'll make me blush.
Anis: I am not going to lie, having someone like the commander does make me feel safe even here.
Rapi: I agree.
Shifty: yeah, let's get this done everyone. we must.
Anis: leave it to us.
Rapi: commander. Is everything ready?
Varakiel: Yes, Marian is ready, you remember the plan everyone?
Anis: of course!
Neon: yeah!
Rapi: Yes, step by step.
Shifty: me as well!
Varakiel: Then we are ready, Operation Lazarus is on the roll. counters, GO!
Rapi: Yes, commander.
Anis: lazarus? What is that?
....
Rapi: shifty, what is the mission status?
Shifty: the explosives have been set up, absolute and cafe sweety are searching for modernia.
Anis: can't we just blow it up then?
Shifty: when they get a visual on her, we need an approximate location so that we can ascertain where she'll come up to on the surface. if we set off the explosives before that, she could end up catching you all by surprise.
Anis:hmmm…that's true.
Neon: anyways, it doesn't seem like the number of raptures is decreasing.
Rapi: it's about quality, not quantity.
Neon: What do you mean?
Rapi: We are all waiting, conserving our firepower.
Neon: conserve firepower!? Blasphemy!
Rapi: when modernia rises to the surface, that's when we'll focus our fire.
Shifty: exactly. This is all to make a pathway for you guys.
Rapi: what happens if we fail?
Shifty:...
Varakiel: Everyone will retreat and wait for the next chance.
Anis: how is that possible? no one's gonna give up a golden opportunity to send the heretic packing. When the time comes, you best bet I'm going in guns blazing.
Shifty: failure is not an option.
Varakiel: failure is always an option, those who think that should burn in hell.
Anis: well said commander, haha. and i don't buy that shifty, i bet you agree with the commander as well.
Shifty:...you got me.
Anis: Wait, this isn't Syuen, is it?
Shifty: for the last time, no!
.....
Shifty: Are you all ready for some good news?
Rapi: Did we do it?
Shifty: yep.
*Koogoogoogoo..!*
the ground shakes so much that anis, rapi and neon almost lose balance.
Varakiel: Those were some powerful explosives right there.
Varakiel easily maintains balance thanks to gnome power.
Shifty: no, it's modernia! She's surfacing!
....
Modernia: Ah…our new home is…
Eunhwa: our? Did you say our? snap out of it, numbnuts. you don't belong anywhere. not with the nikkes, nor the raptures. Nobody wants you.
Modernia: such acerbic words.
Emma: you…you speak more fluently than i imagined. ever considered coming back on our side?
Eunhwa: you think you're varakiel? save your jokes for another time!
Modernia: I concur with this individual's statement. I am a being who lives for the queen. It is why I was created. you will cease telling these nasty jokes.
Emma:...fine, whatever.
Vesti: Eunhwa, emma. I don't mean to be rude, but….can we just kill her now?
Eunhwa: Yes, there's no time for talking.
Emma: shall we then?
Vesti: Let's kill this thing.
Eunhwa: encounter.
Modernia: haha. That's good. I need an outlet for my frustration at the loss of my home. and you also remind me of someone with those jokes, so i'll enjoy this a lot.
…..
Shifty: confirmed appearance of modernia in the northeast! absolute! engage with modernia! cafe sweety! retreat and rejoin from the rear! all nearby raptures are heading towards modernia! from now we will head into phase 2! emergency broadcast! emergency broadcast! attention to all squads from the central government! deploy all firepower and clear the way for the commando unit!
Anis: Now it's our turn!
Neon: master, let's go!
Rapi: commander.
Varakiel: Let's welcome back Marian, everyone.
Anis: you got it!
Neon: yep!
Rapi: Yes, commander.
....
Shifty: raptures up ahead!
Anis: damn, there are too many of them! They said they would clear the way. What's going on?
Neon: I'll clear the way! stand ba…
Shifty: incoming!
*Bammmmmm-!!*
Varakiel: (this sound…a train!?)
*CRASH-!!*
…A train rushes in out of nowhere and plows through the raptures.
Anis:...huh?
Neon: is that…
Anis: a train!
Neon: what's a train doing here all of a sudden?
Anis: who knows?
Rapi: infinity rail!
Diesel: yee-ha! this is diesel, commando squad, do you read? Infinity rail will take you where you need to go, Soline open the door.
Soline: get on! quick!
Brid: this is Brid, we will depart immediately after you aboard, commando unit. Please hurry on board.
Varakiel: You hear them everyone, let's get on that train.
Anis: yes.
Neon: It will be my first time boarding a train.
Rapi: roger!
...…
counters were aboard the train.
Anis: where the hell did you get this thing?
Diesel: this is the AZX, a maglev train specially made for the surface. it was completed a while ago but we haven't had a chance to test it. considering the circumstances, what with the all-out war and all, we kept nagging upper management to let us take this baby for a spin.
Soline: this thing really zips, doesn't it? i think we should make more of them.
Varakiel: i agree, so tell me how fast this baby can go?
Diesel: we haven't really tested it yet, but it seems it can go over 500km.
Varakiel: fast indeed.
Anis: but it shakes too much.
Diesel: about that….
Brid: everyone hold on tight!
*Bang*
the impact shakes the whole cabin…
Anis: ugh!
Varakiel: Did we just went through a building or something?
Diesel: We sure did.
Varakiel: awesome.
Neon: yeah, awesome indeed!
Rapi: commander, are you all right?
Varakiel: I am okay, I can handle this easily.
Soline: Brid! eyes on the road!
Brid: we just hit a lord! it's okay, just a little speed bump!
Varakiel: Wait, so it was a rapture not a building, even more awesome!
Diesel: a steel carriage piercing through the enemy lines! isn't this awesome?
Varakiel: yeah!
Neon: super awesome!
Diesel: woo, thank you.
anis: if this thing stalls midway, we'll be surrounded.
Diesel: that will never happen. AZX is made of Goddesium! A whopping 30%!
Brid: Diesel!
Diesel: what is it?
Brid: we've got a weirdo on our tail!
Diesel: uh-oh, what could it be?
Varakiel: a weirdo?
*Pow-!!*
Anis: another train?
Shifty: rapture reaction! judging by the energy response, most likely tyrant class!
Diesel: wow. raptures even know how to make a train?
*Smash!*
Brid: we're under fire! cylinder 12 on the left is broken!
Diesel: you bastards! I'll never forgive you for hurting AZX!
Soline: yeah, how can they do that to our beloved AZX!?
Brid: those big meanies!
Varakiel: yeah! c'mon counters we have a train to take down.
...
the wind is blowing, on the other side a rapture train is pursuing AZX.
Varakiel: Counters, infinity rail, prepare for combat.
as varakiel says that he grabs the Assault Rifle on his back.
Diesel: c-commander!?
Varakiel: no time to explain!
Rapi: engaging!
Varakiel: Anis, aim for that giant cannon, don't let it shoot!
Anis: roger!
Suddenly the Train shoots missiles at AZX.
Varakiel: Neon, Diesel, Soline, take those down, if those strike on AZX we are going down!
Neon: Okay, master!
Diesel: got it!
Soline: yes!
Varakiel: leave the turrets to me!
*click*
Varakiel: Brid, on my signal pull away from the train, we can't let it smash on us anymore.
Brid: roger!.
*Rat-tat-tat-tat*
the turrets on the rapture train shoot..
Varakiel: take cover!
*Boom-boom-boom*
Varakiel: status report.
Rapi: Everyone is fine commander.
Varakiel: continu-
*Hmmmmmmmm*
The giant cannon in the train was charging and aiming directly at the AZX.
Varakiel: damn! Everyone focuses on fire!
*BOOM RAT-TAT BANG*
*BOooomm*
the segment connected to the locomotive falls down, but the locomotive keeps moving.
Anis: This guy is really persistent!
Varakiel: Yeah, shoot it down! Brid reduce our speed.
Brid: roger!
The locomotive makes a weird move and turns to the right facing the AZX.
Varakiel: brid! everyone hold on tight!
Brid: roger!
Suddenly the AZX comes to a stop!
*BROOM*
the rapture train misses and prepares to move back.
Varakiel: Brid full power take down that bastard!
Brid: yeah!!!
*BANNNG*
with a thunderous sound the AZX smashes the train rapture in front of him! and takes it down.
Varakiel: Is everyone okay? Status report?
Rapi: some bruises here and there.
Anis: same here!
Neon: I am fine!
Varakiel: good, diesel, soline, brid, are you okay?
Diesel: commander…that….was…AWESOME!
diesel suddenly throws herself to varakiel.
rapi body shakes a little.
Soline: yeah! It was such a bold move to make AZX fully stop but it was worth it in the end!
Brid: I am fine commander.
Varakiel: good! rapi any changes on that train rapture?
Rapi: confirming….enemy neutralized.
*shakes*
Diesel: brid, it feels we're shaking a lot. how're we doing?
Brid: the main stabilizer is damaged! no directional control!
Soline: what?
Brid: if we continue in this direction, we'll only get further off target.
Diesel:, look like this is your stop. i wish we could have taken you all the way there, but it looks like that will be difficult.
Varakiel: I am not leaving you in an unstoppable train like that….Brid what about the brakes?
Brid: they are gone too.
Varakiel: Dammit, there's only way left…Siesel, Soline, Brid what are you about to see is top secret information alright?
Diesel: top secret?
Varakiel hands then shine with brown light.
Varakiel: Brid, turn off the engine!
Brid: r-roger!
Brid then turns off the train!
suddenly a huge earth ramp is lifted up On the road!
Varakiel: diesel, soline, how much is the weight of AZX?
Diesel: a-about 18000 tons.
Varakiel: 18000 tons at this speed if we suddenly stop we will turn into a pulp of meat….unless.
Varakiel hands then point behind the train.
suddenly a massive rock is behind them.
Diesel:....may i ask what the hell is going on?
Rapi: top secret information.
Soline: this is not in that category this should be Redacted information…
Anis: yeah.
Varakiel: prepare for impact.
*BOOM*
Then the massive rock collided with the train that was going uphill on the ramp…
Varakiel: Brid have we fully stopped?
Brid: yes commander.
Varakiel: *exhale* good, then….
Varakiel slowly pushes the rock down while making sure the train follows it too.
and then they are in the ground fully stopped and safe….
Varakiel: I can explain after the operation is complete, fix the train for now.
Diesel: …alright, then hurry!
Varakiel: haha, thanks for the ride!
Anis: yeah it was fun!
Diesel: haha. don't mention it. we're just sorry we have to let you off here. I wish you well.
Varakiel: mhm, take care diesel, soline and brid request back up if you notice too many raptures in the vicinity, they wouldn't like to lose their precious AZX now, haha.
Soline: yeah, but don't worry commander the weapons are still operative.
Brid: yeah we will be fine, now go.
then counters get off the train.
.....