<PRE @box00>[text00010]
The door slams open.

Five men burst into the lab.

I recognize them -- the Rounders.

They aim their guns at us. I freeze.

Despair seizes my heart. My worst fears have come true.


It's happening exactly the same as before.

Only this time, Suzuha isn't here to save us.



<voice name="Attacker　A" class="VID_ETC" src="voice/RNA_0012" mode="on">
"Hands in the air. Nobody move."

Even the dark-skinned man's words are the same.

Eventually, the unpleasant clack of heels echoes down the hallway.


</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00020]
<voice name="Moeka" class="VID_MOE" src="voice/MOE_0278" mode="on">
"..."

<voice name="Mayuri" class="VID_MAY" src="voice/MAY_1066" mode="on">
"Um... Moeka-san?"

<voice name="Moeka" class="VID_MOE" src="voice/MOE_0279" mode="on">
"We're taking the time machine."

I suppress my terror and grab Mayuri's arm.

<voice name="Attacker　A" class="VID_ETC" src="voice/RNA_0013" mode="on">
"Don't move!"

The crew cut man says something he hasn't before.

<voice name="Moeka" class="VID_MOE" src="voice/MOE_0280" mode="on">
"Makise Kurisu, Okabe Rintaro, Hashida Itaru. The three of you will come with us."

<voice name="Moeka" class="VID_MOE" src="voice/MOE_0281" mode="on">
"You cannot resist."

<voice name="Moeka" class="VID_MOE" src="voice/MOE_0282" mode="on">
"Come with us."

<voice name="Moeka" class="VID_MOE" src="voice/MOE_0283" mode="on">
"You have nowhere to run."

<voice name="Moeka" class="VID_MOE" src="voice/MOE_0284" mode="on">
"We have men stationed throughout Akihabara."

What do I do?

Should I use my concealed Moad Snake right now?

Use it and then time leap?

But Mayuri hasn't been killed yet.

There's a chance she might not be killed on this worldline.

</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00030]
<voice name="Attacker　A" class="VID_ETC" src="voice/RNA_0014" mode="on">
"Hey, you!"

</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00040]
The crew cut man points his gun at me.

My heartbeat jumps up. Cold sweat breaks out all over my body.

<voice name="Attacker　A" class="VID_ETC" src="voice/RNA_0015" mode="on">
"I said hands in the air."

I've only raised my left.

<voice name="Attacker　A" class="VID_ETC" src="voice/RNA_0016" mode="on">
"What are you hiding!?"

I have to use it!


<voice name="Rintaro" class="VID_OKA" src="voice/OKA_3429" mode="on">
"!!"

I swallow my fear and activate Moad Snake.

</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00050]
White smoke instantly fills the room, rendering it impossible to see.



The Rounders won't be able to aim through this.

I have to time leap while it lasts!

I grab Mayuri's hand and fumble through the smoke towards the development room.

</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00060]
<voice name="Moeka" class="VID_MOE" src="voice/MOE_0285" mode="on">
"Shoot them!"

</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00070]
I hear the sound of guns firing wildly behind me.

</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00080]
<voice name="Mayuri" class="VID_MAY" src="voice/MAY_1067" mode="on">
"Augh!"

Suddenly, Mayuri's arm gets heavy.

</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00090]
I trip forward and land on my face.


</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00100]
<voice name="Rintaro" class="VID_OKA" src="voice/OKA_3430" mode="on">
"Mayu--"

Our hands were separated in the fall.

I grope around and soon find her slender hand.



</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00110]
<voice name="Mayuri" class="VID_MAY" src="voice/MAY_1068" mode="on">
"O...kari..."

Mayuri's feeble whisper reaches my ears.

Was she hit!?

The Rounder's blind shot hit Mayuri!?

<voice name="Mayuri" class="VID_MAY" src="voice/MAY_1069" mode="on">
"It... hurts..."

Mayuri's voice quickly fades away.

Strength drains from her fingers.

<voice name="Rintaro" class="VID_OKA" src="voice/OKA_3431" mode="on">
"Mayuri! Come on! Get up!"

But Mayuri doesn't answer.


...I'm sorry, Mayuri.

Once again, I've failed to save you.

I thought I'd succeeded, but I was wrong.


I hear my teeth grinding in my head.

</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00120]
<voice name="Kurisu" class="VID_CRS" src="voice/CRS_2048" mode="on">
"Stop! Stop!"

<voice name="Itaru" class="VID_DAR" src="voice/DAR_1056" mode="on">
"Don't shoot meeeee!"

I hear Kurisu and Daru screaming as the gunfire continues.


</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00130]
<voice name="Rintaro" class="VID_OKA" src="voice/OKA_3432" mode="on">
"Guh!"

A sharp pain flares at the top of my head.

</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00140]
I press down with my hand. It comes away soaked with blood.


<voice name="Rintaro" class="VID_OKA" src="voice/OKA_3433" mode="on">
"Ah, aahhh..."

It hurts it hurts it hurts!

It feels like someone took a saw to my skull.

My ears are ringing.

I stumble. I can't stand up straight.

I need to get to the Time Leap Machine!

</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00150]
I squeeze Mayuri's limp hand one last time, then crawl to the development room, fumble for the headgear, and put it on.

I point the remote at the hole and press the power button.

The TV turns on downstairs. I can hear people laughing on the screen.

<voice name="Attacker　A" class="VID_ETC" src="voice/RNA_0017" mode="on">
"Target A, Target C secured."

<voice name="Kurisu" class="VID_CRS" src="voice/CRS_2049" mode="on">
"Run, Okabe! Run!"

Shit!

I clench my fists in frustration.

The Time Leap Machine is already activated.

</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00160]
The discharge phenomenon is starting.

The floor begins to shake.

</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00170]
Once again...

I leap to the past.

</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00180]
<voice name="Rintaro" class="VID_OKA" src="voice/OKA_3434" mode="on">
"Ah!"

The world collapses, then reforms.

Once again, I feel that odd numbness behind my eyes.

The pain at the top of my head is gone.

I wipe the sweat off my brow and look around.

I can't see Moad Snake's vapor any more. The air is clear.



Kurisu is reading a western book like usual.

Mayuri is playing a handheld game while eating a banana.

Daru isn't here. I recall he said he was going out somewhere.

<voice name="Rintaro" class="VID_OKA" src="voice/OKA_3435" mode="on">
"Mayu--"

I quickly swallow my words.

</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00190]
<voice name="Mayuri" class="VID_MAY" src="voice/MAY_1070" mode="on">
"Okarin? You want a banana too?"

When I wave my hand no, Mayuri tilts her head quizzically, then goes back to her game.

</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00200]
I sink into the sofa and close my eyes.

Somehow, I resist the urge to scream in frustration.


I have to think.

I erased our memories with Suzuha. I changed the worldline. But it wasn't enough.

The divergence meter still reads 0.4%.

How do I get that above 1%?

Wait. If I try to solve the problem alone, it'll just end the same way.

I need to consult Kurisu.

</PRE>

<PRE @box00>[text00210]
<voice name="Rintaro" class="VID_OKA" src="voice/OKA_3436" mode="on">
"Kurisu, come with me a second."

I lead her out of the lab.

</PRE>