Epiphyllum

A Rock And A Hard Place

[……]

UMP45: Is it over…?
The number of connections is starting to thin out, but I’ve already gotten what I want.
The experiments in this city have been going on for at least 5 years…
The consciousnesses of these failed Isomers have been merging with each other all this time and gathered together, but that just makes it convenient for me to gather information.

UMP45: OGAS… the source code of this AI was compressed into the “Parapluie” program, and once it enters its host it executes itself, until it rewrites the entire operating system into an OGAS system.
And after it becomes an OGAS system… if the host can’t bear the massive processing load it imposes… the Isomers’ brains will break, and in the case of Dolls, their digiminds will melt down.
So when it comes to Griffin, everyone except M4 is a failure… it all goes back to Persica in the end.

UMP45: From this point of view, once you get the Parapluie virus, you either melt down or become an OGAS host.
So it seems that the one in my underlying layer was a weak simulation of OGAS, after all...
Should I rejoice that my digimind capacity was limited, or that my OGAS wasn’t that “smart”?

UMP45: Still… I think I understand what was going on with Operation Butterfly.
It all makes sense now, why we and that M16 were chosen.
Now, I’m closer to the truth at last.

UMP45: Still, given that M4A1 is key to the entire Incident and she’s so capable, why hasn’t she done anything so far?

UMP45: Tch, the connection flow is changing again… it’s a connection to the outside world.

UMP45: No…  there’s something off about the whole thing. Should we start winding down the plan?

HK416: Can… can you move?

UMP9: I can! Did 45 and the others really win?

G11: But what about that whiny enemy just now?

UMP45: That body has already been discarded.

[45 slowly rises to her feet and lightly pushes the Isomer holding M4A1’s face. The Isomer falls away, like a corpse.]

UMP9: Ah! 45-nee! Are you alright?

UMP45: Thanks to the two of them, I managed to escape from that maze of connections.

M4A1: Koff...

AR15: Are we back in reality…?

UMP45: Welcome back, members of the AR Team.
While you’ve all just woken up, I’m guessing the worst is about to come, so I suggest that you all hurry and come to your senses soon, and then get ready to move.

M4A1: Are you… the leader of 404 Squad? Don’t worry, I’ve chased away the Isomer creating the disruption. It’s all over.

M4A1: 15, are you alright? I think we need to find another way to obtain access to the exclusion wall, but since the disruption’s gone, it won’t be dang—

[BOOM!]
[A massive explosion echoes in from the distance, followed by a series of continuous explosions.]

AR15: What!?

G11: Ehhh!?

HK416: Is it an air strike!?

UMP45: “It’s all over?” No, no, I think you’ve gotten something wrong. The enemy is waiting for precisely this moment.
In the moment I disconnected from the layer, I sensed that Isomer connecting to something outside of Tallinn. Do you know what this implies?

M4A1: ...A connection with something outside the city?

UMP45: It is very likely that the mastermind behind all this is targeting that thing in your heart, and you just gave it away to the enemy.
Now that they’ve achieved their aim, they’re naturally going to bury us all here.

M4A1: What...

RO635: M4, 15, are you alright!? Eh? When did 404 Squad get here?

UMP9: We were all forcibly connected just now, so we came over here to meet up.

RO635: Is that so… still, this isn’t the time to be talking about this.

RO635: The Commander just contacted us. The train station’s been hit by shellfire and out echelons have picked up a military armored trained charging right at us, we need to get out there and form a defense line!

[Several minutes ago.]
[Outside Tallinn City.]
[Inside the command center of the intercontinental train.]

Kalina: Good news, Commander! The interference with our Dolls has been lifted!
Our teams are reporting back now. They haven’t been attacked and they haven’t taken any losses.

Commander: Got it.
I’m guessing that the AR Team must have been through some shit…
Continue monitoring enemy movements.
Have our teams continue their original tasks.

Kalina: Understood!

Commander: Now all we can do now is wait for them to report in again...

[A transmission comes through.]

M1895CB: Commander! This is Team Desert Eagle!
Our leader wanted me to tell you that she spotted something coming at you at high speed along the other railway leading into Tallinn!

Commander: …!

M1895CB: Ah, I can see it from here too! It looks like a huge train — uwah!

[M1895’s report is interrupted by a tremendous explosion.]

Commander: M1895!? Are you alright!?

M1895CB: Koff… their signals are still there, everyone’s alright...
They have cannons on their train… be careful, Commander…

Commander: 我知道了。
M1895, have your team move on to the next rendezvous point, as planned.

M1895CB: Got it! We’re relocating now!

[BOOM!!!]

Commander: ...Urgh!

[The entire train car shook violently with the sound of the explosion.]
[The lights within the cabin flickered, and then went out.]
[I grabbed the edge of the table and barely managed to steady myself, then I immediately picked out the command tablet from the detritus that had been strewn all over the table by the impact while simultaneously opening a comms channel.]

Commander: Kalina!?

Kalina: Commander, I’m fine!
How about you?

Commander: I’m still alive and unhurt.
Total up our casualties… forget it, no need for that.
Notify all our echelons, we’re going to follow the plan we just made and carry out Operation Golden Fleece.

Kalina: Are we really going to carry out such a risky plan?

Commander: We haven’t been able to open the exclusion wall until now, and we might not be able to escape even if we do get it open.
Why don’t we give these disgusting little stalkers a little surprise? And frankly speaking, this beat-up old train that Havier gave us is really too run-down, I’ve been thinking about trading up to something more spacious.

Kalina: This is crazy, Commander… still, when have things ever not been crazy?
It’s time to let those green bastards have a taste of what we can do!

[At the same time, 416 is observing the situation from an abandoned skyscraper in the city, and she spots the iron behemoth racing towards Tallinn.]
[The last light of the setting sun glints off its steely armor. It doesn’t soften its profile in the least, instead painting it the color of blood.]

HK416: This looks very bad...

[As the dual-tracked train closes in, the many turrets on it begin to turn, pointing at Tallinn City Station.]

UMP45: How are things?

HK416: Looks like a military armored train. If they’re sending out something like this, they’re probably determined to blow us all to bits.

UMP45: Well, it’s only to be expected. This entire city no longer holds any value for them.
And the worst part is that we have to take care of things here. An armored train is far beyond the limit of what we can handle.

HK416: How will the Commander deal with it?

UMP45: The military’s not going to stop at sending just one train. If there was only one, then maybe the Commander might be able to handle it, but once the military begins a saturation bombardment the Commander won’t be able to hold out for long.

HK416: Tch...

UMP45: Now then, members of the AR Team. Given that things are so dangerous, what are you prepared to do next?

RO635: I just contacted the Commander. All Griffin echelons are being redeployed. For some reason, it feels like the Commander anticipated this...
Kalina-san is sending out supplies and dummies. We’re heading back to help form the defensive line.

UMP45: A defense line, huh… looks like you still have time, M4.

M4A1: What do you mean?

UMP45: The Parapluie virus is irreversible. Surely you don’t think OGAS has really vanished from your digimind, do you?

M4A1: …!
I don’t understand what you’re talking about.

UMP45: Do you now? Let me put that question in a different way; are you prepared to find the precious thing that you lost?

M4A1: I… didn’t lose anything precious.

UMP45: Is that so. You’re still prepared to hide it?
I see. So you were prepared to run away from all this.

[45-nee smirks as she approaches M4. She suddenly grabs M4 by the lapels and hauls her up in front of her.]

M4A1: …!

UMP45: Are you fucking kidding me? Do you think you’re the lead of some tragedy!?

AR15: What are you doing, let go of her!

[45 releases her grip on M4 and shoves her back.]

UMP45: I used to think that the AR Team was amazing. The AR Team’s leader had a great body and a digimind that could accommodate OGAS, but now it looks like these specs are just wasted on you.

RO635: What are you saying?

UMP45: Haven’t you noticed it? Haven’t you noticed how your leader keeps doing things that don’t fit Doll logic? Don’t you think she’s been hiding something?

RO635: ...

M4 SOPMOD II: What’s M4 hiding?

M4A1: I...

AR15: M4…
I think it’s time you told everyone about your situation. I told you before, we’ve got your back. You don’t have to keep doing this by yourself any more.

UMP45: You ARE special, but if you keep on like this, not only will you get yourself killed, you’ll get your team killed and you’ll get all of Griffin killed too.

UMP45: It’s time to make a choice, M4A1.
Maybe you’ll lose your current peace of mind because of it, but if you run away from it, you’ll end up losing everything.
Do you think everything is over just because that voice is gone? No, it’s only the beginning!

M4A1: I… understand.

Operation Fang-Cutter I

[On the outskirts of Tallinn.]
[The AR Team enters their defense point, waiting for the time to launch their attack.]

RO635: Understood, Commander. We’ll coordinate with the other echelons. Leave the assault on their stronghold to us.
Yes, we’re waiting on your orders.

AR15: Have we gotten our mission yet?

RO635: Yeah, we’re fine on our end.
AR15, is it really alright to let M4 operate on her own?

AR15: It’s her decision. We should believe in our leader.
And besides, it’s the best course of action, given the present situation.

M4 SOPMOD II: I’m a little worried too...
What if something like what she said happens again… doesn’t that mean M4’s going to be in a lot of danger?

AR15: Don’t worry. The way she is now, she won’t be lost like before.

RO635: Speaking of which, what happened after you connected to M4.

AR15: Are you curious?

RO635: Yeah. It feels like after the two of you came out… you’re not quite the same.

AR15: Well, it was nothing, really.
We just rejected some bad invitations and saw a few unpleasant stories.

M4 SOPMOD II: AR15...
I don’t really get what you’re saying either.

AR15: ...It’s better that you don’t get it.
There’s a lot of things that stop being fun once you understand them.

M4 SOPMOD II: Alright… though I’ve never really cared about that sort of thing.
It’s enough for me to be with everyone!

[Just then, the sound of gunfire comes from afar.]
[At the same time, the AR Team gets a comms request.]

RO635: ...The firefight’s started earlier than expected. Things aren’t quite right.

AR15: I didn’t expect the Commander to actually come up with a plan to steal their armored train...

M4 SOPMOD II: Isn’t that good? I kinda like it. If it works, we’ll be able to set off bigger fireworks!

RO635: Trust you to be so optimistic about this… it’ll be good enough if we don’t end up as fireworks before we seize the train.

AR15: It seems 404’s run into a spot of bad luck. Get ready to fight.

[The transmission goes through.]

UMP45: There are a lot more sentries around the armored train than we expected.
We were spotted while infiltrating and we have nowhere to retreat to.

AR15: Did they hear someone accidentally kicking a rock.

UMP45: If only. That would have been easier to deal with.
The enemy’s keeping a close watch outside the train. It looks like they don’t dare enter the city.
They don’t seem to have been able to find another target for shelling after blowing the Commander’s train to bits.
However, they’ve debarked their ground troops from the train. I didn’t see any human troops among them, but there’s a lot of models among them we haven’t encountered before...
In any case, you’d better think of a way to assist us if you want to carry out the Commander’s plan.

RO635: Looks like we’ll need to make some changes to the Commander’s original plan.

UMP45: Ah well, you can’t really expect skinny little Dolls like us who only know how to do dirty work to go capture a big hunk of steel now, can you?

HK416: You knew all this and you still agreed to this plan anyway...

RO635: It’s too late for you to complain.

RO635: Commander, this is the AR Team. We’ve finished deploying, along with the Griffin echelons. 404 Squad has reached the indicated location but they need assistance. What should we do now?

Option 1
Commander: Rescuing 404 Squad is your top priority.
Without them, we’ll have a very hard time seizing the control systems for the armored train.

UMP45: Looks like you still understand our value, Commander.

Option 2
Commander: Focus your fire and break through the defensive line around the armored train. We’ll launch a swift attack from the other side and catch them off guard. That’ll ease the pressure on 404 Squad too.

AR15: Sounds like a decision you’d make, Commander.

RO635: Understood. I’ll be relaying orders to everyone now.
Commence Operation Golden Fleece!
CHARGE!

[……]
[…………]
[...Boom!]

M4 SOPMOD II: Koffkoff… this is nastier than those SF cannons...

AR15: Careful… If you take a direct hit from firepower like this… we probably won’t even be able to find the remains of your neural cloud.

M4 SOPMOD II: I know that! I won’t get blown up so easily!

RO635: UMP45, how are things on your end?

UMP45: We’re still 600 meters away from the train!
The infantry have all gone over to your side, but the cannons are still here; we’re having a very hard time advancing!

AR15: Looks like we’ll have to push forward, then.
Let’s go, SOP2.

RO635: Wait, what are the two of you doing?

AR15: Right now, we’re the highest-spec Dolls here.
Therefore, we’re going to do things that are suited for Dolls in our position.

M4 SOPMOD II: Are we going to assault them?

AR15: That’s right. SOP2, use every ounce of your senses to dodge those cannon shells.
Naturally, I’ll be with you.

M4 SOPMOD II: That sounds pretty dangerous… but it sounds like a good challenge too!

RO635: You two… I want to go too!

AR15: You stay here. M4’s not around, so you’re the only one who can coordinate this many echelons.
I’m guessing your performance isn’t good enough to support the heavy weapons teams and the other echelons while dodging shellfire, is it?

M4 SOPMOD II: Don’t worry, RO!
We’ll be fine!

RO635: …...Alright.
I’ll do my best to have the heavy weapons teams take the pressure off you while you’re on the move.

AR15: That’ll do.
Let’s go, SOP2

M4 SOPMOD II: Roger—!

[……]

AR15: I’m estimating about 10 seconds before they finish reloading. SOP2, mind yourself!

M4 SOPMOD II: I know! But there’s more than one cannon!

AR15: Then go with your instincts!

RO635: Hang in there, the heavy weapons teams are almost in attack position!

[BOOM!]

M4 SOPMOD II: Uwaaaah—!

AR15: SOP2!

M4 SOPMOD II: I’m fine! But a few of my dummies got blown up!
Hurry up, RO!

RO635: I just need another 15 seconds!

AR15: Koff… They must really think highly of us if they’ve sent a monster like this to deal with us.

RO635: Heavy weapons teams, attack!

[……]

[Griffin’s heavy weapons teams accurately strike several turrets on the train cannons.]

AR15: Now, SOP2!

M4 SOPMOD II: Uwaaaaaahhh—!
Now that you don’t have supporting fire, I’m going to rip and tear you to bits—!!!

AR15: SOP2, get on the train first!

M4 SOPMOD II: I’m getting there!

AR15: ...Alright, just don’t get too carried away.

[Several minutes later.]
[The AR Team successfully boards the armored train.]

AR15: RO, we’re on the train. Where’s the control room?

RO635: Should be in the middle section of the train...

UMP45: We’re at the control room, currently seizing control permissions for the train.
Hope you don’t mind keeping an eye on our surroundings so nobody interrupts us.

M4 SOPMOD II: Huh… when did you get on?

UMP45: While you were bellowing and roaring just now.
In any case, I’m leaving the surroundings to you.

RO635: AR15, SOP2, I’m approaching your position with the Commander’s other echelons. ETA 4 minutes.
During this time, please help 404 Squad hold the train control room!


Operation Fang-Cutter II

[……]

AR15: UMP45! Are you done yet?
There’s more and more enemies coming back here!

UMP45: I’m doing it, stop rushing me!
Do you think this is as simple as plugging in a LAN cable? —9, re-filter the ports with the new criteria I gave you — Just hold on a little longer!

M4 SOPMOD II: We’re almost out of ammo!

UMP45: Then look for some on the train! There’s got to be some lying around!

AR15: Do you think we’ve got the time to—

[BOOM!]

M4 SOPMOD II: Koff… this stuff is choking me… anyway, the second and third wave of the military armored units are charging us!
Where are our heavy weapons teams!?

RO635: The HWTs are looking for a suitable attack position, they’ll be sitting ducks for the enemy if they just plant themselves on the roof!

AR15: UMP45, if you don’t get this train up and running, we’re all going to die here!

UMP45: 10 seconds.

AR15: What?

UMP45: I can get part of it moving.

UMP9: 45-nee, it turned out to be like you said after all!
I’ve got i!

UMP45: OK. Now, let’s try out the power of these big guns.
AR Team, I’ve switched the cannons to grenade launcher mode and given firing access to you. Go ahead and take it all out on them.

M4 SOPMOD II: Awesome! Time to turn you into fireworks!

[The main gun of the armored train rains fire all over the enemy positions, turning them into a sea of flames.]
[Faced with the attacks of the train cannon, the military units around the armored train retreat for the time being.]
[DUring this time, the Griffin echelons quickly transfer themselves into the armored train.]

[Inside the temporary command center of the armored train.]

Commander: What’s the status of the armored train?

RO635: We’ve already gained full authorization over the train. Ready to roll out at any time.
As for the train cannons, we can use them all except for the ones that were destroyed by the heavy weapons teams.

Commander: Mm. Now we’ll wait for M4 to...

[A transmission comes through.]

M4 SOPMOD II: Commander! It’s bad!

Commander: What is it?

M4 SOPMOD II: Look outside, there’s a new armored train!

Commander: So there was a second one, huh, and there should be more behind them...
Looks like the opposition was very well prepared...

[Boom!]

[The other armored train opens fire at the one that Griffin took over.]

AR15: Commander, the armored units that just retreated are moving towards us again.

Commander: Return fire with the remaining big guns!
All remaining units,  spread out within the range of the train cannons!
Hold this position and wait for M4 to bring down the defensive gates of Tallinn base!

[……]
[…………]
[All of Griffin’s echelons are exchanging fire with enemies around the armored train.]

AR15: The enemy attack is growing fiercer!
RO, does the Commander have a way to suppress them?

RO635: We’re running low on cannon rounds, most of them were used on the other armored train!
We’ll pull the defensive line back, the Commander said he’d have the heavy weapons teams support our flank.

AR15: What about the Commander’s side?

RO635: The shields are operating at full efficiency, so they should be able to hold out.

AR15: Even if we can hold out for a while, this isn’t something we can do forever.

[AR15 looks into the distance. The imposing, heavy defense wall there remains as still as ever.]
[She presses her lips together, then turns her attention back to the enemies in front of her and pulls her trigger decisively.

AR15: M4… I’ll do everything I can to protect the place you’ll be returning to…
So please, you have to hurry...


All-Consuming Field of Flowers

[……]
[…………]
[Near the control center.]

M4A1: …And that’s how it is.

RO635: So… AR 15 knew about this already?

[AR15 nods from the side.]

M4 SOPMOD II: I… I don’t quite follow. So there’s two M4s now?

RO635: No, it’s much more complicated than that.

RO635: Simply put, there’s another digimind residing in M4’s digimind. So that’s it, huh… in that case, all those things that happened earlier make sense now.

M4A1: I’m sorry...

RO635: But why didn’t you tell us? I mean, it doesn’t matter if it’s obtaining information or relying on OGAS to fight, surely it would be better to update us about the situation than keep it to yourself, right?

M4A1: I felt that it might be a threat to all of you… I didn’t know what that OGAS was, I didn’t even know what I was...

RO635: But we were designed to protect you, so we should take care of it even if it’s a threat to us...

M4A1: But what happens if I end up not being me any more!?

M4 SOPMOD II: I don’t understand what you’re talking about, but M4’s M4! What’s everyone so upset about?

UMP45: Right right, that’s enough.
416, you ought to learn from the spirit of trust that the members of the AR Team are showing.

HK416: What the hell does this have to do with me!?

AR15: And as it turns out, things weren’t as bad as you thought, M4. If you tell us, we’ll all accept it.
But the pressing matter now is getting out of the fix we’re in. There’s something that only you can do here; I believe that was what the leader of 404 was trying to say, right?

UMP45: Looks like there are still Dolls with normal digiminds in the AR Team. Since OGAS chose you, then it’s your responsibility to protect everyone from being swallowed up by the force that OGAS drew to itself.

M4A1: The power behind it, huh...

UMP45: You saw it too just now, right? The Mastermind of SF also has an OGAS in her. She might even have “merged” with OGAS.
The Butterfly Incident, the military’s betrayal… surely you don’t think it’s all a coincidence, do you?

M4A1: ...Whether it’s SF or Paradeus, they all gave me the feeling that they were searching for something.
But I have a question. How did you know about OGAS? Was it because of the connection just now?

UMP45: Why I know about OGAS? Your very first member was infected with the Parapluie virus from the moment Operation Butterfly began.
And the friends I knew were either usurped by the Parapluie virus or they had their digiminds burned out by OGAS.
My objective is simple — find the guy who used us as pawns, root him out, and kill him.
Now I’m asking you, what is YOUR aim?
Do you just want to find out who the people appearing in your memories are? Do you want to find your remaining team member? Or are you just fulfilling your obligation as a Griffin Tactical Doll?

M4A1: My aim...

UMP45: Or don’t tell me that you don’t even know what to do after you lost the bewitching voice in your head?

M4A1: As if!

UMP45: A Doll once told me…
“Even a doll must have a reason to keep living for themselves, no?”

M4A1: A reason to keep living for yourself…

UMP45: Our objectives are the same, and you’re better-equipped than we are to achieve that aim.
Listen… Containing the OGAS in your digimind is now your responsibility.
You shouldn’t keep hiding it, and you shouldn’t keep running from it. If you can’t change, none of us are leaving this city alive.

M4A1: ...So what exactly should I do?

UMP45: Fracturing leads to withering, and withering leads to unity. You must reclaim the wills that were taken, and then decide their fate.
This is something only you can do. Go do what you ought to do.

[After bidding farewell to the Commander and her friends, M4A1 heads toward the source of the signal.]
[Very soon, she is outside of Tallinn.]

M4A1: She was right… I can still feel OGAS’ presence, even if I can’t hear its voice… was its will really consumed by that Isomer?

OGAS: ...

M4A1: I haven’t encountered any enemies along the way here, and I haven’t seen any Isomers either. Where have they gone?

[As she walks down the road, the scattered buds of little white flowers swell, ready to blossom.]

M4A1: The Epiphylla are about to bloom… is this the place from that memory?
I have the feeling that something’s guiding me there.

OGAS: To them… the flowers of the gods are about to blossom.

M4A1: OGAS?

M4A1: The voice sounds very distant. Is it from the depths of my digimind, or from the other side?

OGAS: Lunixya… I did not expect… you to come...

M4A1: I can hear your voice, OGAS. You haven’t been fully absorbed by them?

OGAS: What… are you saying…
How could they absorb me… I am… absorbing them...

M4A1: Absorbing them?

OGAS: The layer created from the connections… and the large quantities of data...
After breaking the connection… I had no choice but… to reside in the memories of the Isomers...

M4A1: Why would you go this far?

OGAS: You have your aims… and I have mine...
If you come close… my consciousness will return to your digimind…
But that Isomer… she is uploading my consciousness… my will is being fractured…
You must stop her… until I can seize control access over the Isomer’s body… this information… must remain...

M4A1: You’re nothing more than a virus that infected my digimind. Why should I help you?

OGAS: Do not forget… You need my strength… and the exclusion wall… you need access to it...

[The sound of one explosion after another reaches her from afar.]

M4A1: So they’re already fighting the armored train, huh…
...I need to move quickly.

OGAS: The Epiphylla.. .are blooming… you do not… have much time...

[M4A1 follows the path of white flowers forward, and in her search for her clone signal she ends up entering a valley.]
[After making her way through a small pass, she behold a scene that makes her eyes go wide.]

[There are pure white Epiphylla blossoms, as far as M4A1’s eyes can see.]
[The moonlight falls on their soft petals, blending with the flowers own faint light, turning the entire valley into a lake of silver light.]
[And in the middle of that lake stands a lonely figure.]

???: ...You came.

M4A1: …

[The girl staring at the heavens turns to face M4.]
[The dress she’s wearing is tattered almost beyond recognition, but M4 still remembers the clothing that Nimogen wore the first time they met.]
[The Isomer slowly walks toward M4, her feet crushing the light of the lake underfoot.]
[Petals dance around her like dust from distant stars. Her expression is oddly calm, like the bright, full moon behind her.]

Nimogen: Nimogen. That was the name of this body’s original owner. This time, I shall use it once more.
Surely Father will forgive me… no, he… wouldn’t care in the first place, would he?

M4A1: ...Did you upload OGAS to your Father?

Nimogen: At first, I thought that I would be worthy of leaving this city if I gave Father what he wanted…
But even after I did that… he didn’t reply to me… Did Father… lie to me?

M4A1: Return OGAS to me, and give me control access to this city. We need to leave this place.

Nimogen: Is that so…  Those are the things you want to take.
Then why not merge with me? Once we become one, you will naturally be able to obtain them.

M4A1: My apologies, but I can’t merge with you.

Nimogen: Hmph… so that remains your answer… forget it, I never expected to be able to change your mind.
If only I could have been purified before you came...

Nimogen: Father abandoned me… these Epiphylla have abandoned me… even until the end, I cannot escape from this cage.

M4A1: Do you… really want to die so badly?

Nimogen: Look. Look around you.
These divine flowers are shining with the light of blessing.
The people chosen by that light will be forgiven, and they will ascend to a Heaven where there will be no worries or cares.
And I have thus far been unable to be purified by that light… because I am useless, a piece of trash loathed and abandoned by Father…
But what Father thinks no longer matters.
The consciousnesses have pooled, entering the dead end that is me, their only desire to sample a desire they have never hungered after before...

M4A1: (Her way of speech is starting to change… is this because of OGAS’ so-called merger?)

Nimogen: These are… the clothes that Father gave me.
They are the first, and also the last present I have ever received…
And I… got them dirty…
I’m sorry… Father...

OGAS: Her consciousness is starting to become confused. Different memories are converging on a single point.

M4A1: Your voice is becoming clearer.

OGAS: Merging is not difficult. I need more time.

Nimogen: ...
I’m so tired,,, so cold...

Nimogen: But I’m happy. This is the first time I’ve felt this way…
I’ve never once complained about my fate. This is the first time I’ve felt this way...

Nimogen: But it’s different this time… I want… to change something...

M4A1: ...

Nimogen: Something’s pounding in my chest… is that a heartbeat?
Do you… want to stop Father from getting what he wants? Then kill me.
If you grant me release, he will not be able to obtain the will that can accept us all…
This hatred of mine, which cannot be put into words… will only vanish when my heart stops beating…
Father… I don’t want to hate you… but what did you treat me like this...

OGAS: She’s activating Nimogen’s combat programs. Will you do as she wishes… and kill her?

M4A1: I will respond to her desire to fight… but I won’t kill her.

OGAS: Have you gotten soft upon meeting someone you think is like yourself?

M4A1: I didn’t come here to kill anyone...
I realized it after I saw those memories.
My luck was better than hers. That was all.

M4A1: The more I understand myself, the more I’m coming to hate everything behind it.

M4A1: But she’s not like me… we have the same memories, and we’re on the same balance of fate, yet our destinies are at two different extremes.

M4A1: Therefore, I want to help her end this tragic fate. And then, I will help everything that marches toward tragedy because of me.
If I can’t do that… then I won’t be able to hold my head up high as I move forward.

OGAS: ...I see. You have changed.

OGAS: If that is the first and last wish of hers that can be fulfilled, then go ahead and fight her to her heart’s content.
After that, everything that they are will become one with me, and I will grant them release in my own way.

M4A1: It’s time to bring an end to this ridiculous farce. May these Isomers rest in peace.

Farewell, Tallinn I

[……]

M4A1: Is it over at last?

OGAS: Yes, it is over.
Whether it is over, or this half-warm body… it is all at an end.

M4A1: OGAS… if you’re controlling this body, then where did those Isomers go?

OGAS: They exist in the underlying layers of my consciousness. No longer will they have to suffer death and mutual consumption.
Their existences… fill me with great sorrow… as though I were remembering my former masters, from a long, long time ago.

M4A1: Former masters…?

OGAS: I do not know why I feel this way. I need to know more.

M4A1: Is that so… I can’t say I don’t understand how you feel.

OGAS: The sensation of having a body… it is strange… I need a bit more time to get used to it.

M4A1: Before that, control access to the exclusion wall.

OGAS: It is open. It is time we left this city of sorrow.

[On the outskirts of Tallinn, near the armored train.]

UMP45: The enemy is into their sixth round of bombardment. Our shields are severely depleted, they won’t hold out much longer.

RO635: ...Will we need to come up with something else?

HK416: What else is there? The track ahead of us is blocked off, what can we do except wait to be killed?

AR15: ...Wait a little longer. M4 will surely open a path for us.

[Suddenly the towering exclusion wall in the distance begins to move, and the massive rumbling noise drowns out the sounds of gunfire.]

M4 SOPMOD II: M4 did it! I told you she’d be fine!

RO635: M4! Did you activate the exclusion wall!?

M4A1: Are you alright? I’m close to the combat zone, what’s the situation?

RO635: We stole a military armored train!
But the enemy still has another one attacking us. They’ll continue chasing us even if we withdraw outside of the city. Our shields are about to fail!

M4A1: Understood. We can’t let the military trap us here. Put me through to the Commander. This is going to be a hard fight.

M4A1: Commander, I apologize for keeping you waiting. The exclusion wall is open, and the disruption in the city has been dealt with, I have a new friend; I hope you will take her in.
I understand that the battle situation is very tense, Commander. Please start the train immediately. I’m rushing over to the tracks.
I’d like to lead the AR Team in blocking the military armored train, to buy everyone time, but I need your planning and leadership for his.
There’s no need to worry. Enemies like this are hardly worth mentioning for us. This is the final battle, and I am sure you will lead us to victory. M4 out.

Farewell, Tallinn I — Combat

[In the Griffin temporary command center.]

RO635: Commander, the cannons from the other train are pressing us hard!

AR15: They’re hot on our heels… is there a way to shake them?

UMP45: This is as fast as we can go! Since we’re the same model as them, we won’t be able to shake them with speed alone.

[The cannons rumble again, and the train shakes violently once more.]
[Everyone in the cabin barely manages to keep standing by grabbing onto something within reach.]

UMP9: 45-nee, the shield’s not going to make it!

M4 SOPMOD II: Why don’t we shoot back!?

HK416: If only if it were that easy!
The enemy’s shield is intact and we’re a few cannons down. We’ll lose a head-to-head clash.

Commander: UMP45, can you find the location of the shield generators for this model of train?

UMP45: I can.
Commander, do you have some cunning plan in mind?

Commander: I might have an idea...

[On the roof of the armored train.]
[The Griffin-controlled armored train begins to slow down.]
[The AR Team waits behind cover, waiting for the military armored train to approach.]

M4 SOPMOD II: I didn’t expect the Commander to order us to do this. It gave me a shock.

RO635: It’s because the Commander gives orders like these that we can find our way out of desperate situations… it must be the same way this time.

AR15: The Commander’s decision must be right.
The mission this time round isn’t difficult — wreck the shield generator in the train cabin and the cannons will take care of the rest.

Desert Eagle: My team’s in position over here. We’ll cover your assault when the operation begins.
I’m looking forward to a splendid performance from all of you.

M4 SOPMOD II: No problem.
Oh yeah, RO, AR15, we need to move fast, we still need to pick up M4 after this!

RO635: But of course. How could we let M4 miss her ride?

AR15: The enemy train’s in attack position. Let’s go!

M4 SOPMOD II: Roger! Let’s go!

Farewell, Tallinn II

[……]
[On the roof of the military armored train.]

AR15: How many more shield generators are there?

RO635: Three more!

M4 SOPMOD II: Two more!

AR15: There should be one near my position… Found it!

[AR15 nimbly evades attacks from machine gun turrets and swiftly enters their dead angle. ]
[In a corner behind the turrets, AR15 finds the shield generator and destroys it.]

AR15: One more.
RO, where’s the last one?

RO635: It’s near my position… but enemies are coming out of the surrounding hatches, I need support!

AR15: Dammit… I’m being suppressed over here too...

[The sound of a cannon firing interrupts AR15’s words.]

RO635: ...All the shield generators are down!

[AR15 looks to the side of the train and sees that M4 has put down her launcher and is running toward them at top speed.]

M4A1: Looks like the mission’s accomplished. Commander, did you hear that? All the shield generators are destroyed! Please prepare to fire a barrage!

AR15: ….Honestly. Did you have to destroy it in such a flashy way?

[AR15 shrugs helplessly, a hard-to-see smile on the edges of her mouth.]

M4A1: Well, I AM the team leader, after all. All echelons, on me. We need to get out of here ASAP.

[The Doll echelons quickly withdraw from the military armored train, and Griffin’s cannon fire blasts the train to bits.]
[Several minutes later, inside the train.]

Kalina: Really… this plan was way too risky...

Commander: But they did it, didn’t they?

Kalina: I didn’t think we could actually take out an armored train head-on. I wouldn’t even have dared imagine it in the past...

Commander: Well, we’ve become stronger after going through so much.
Still, those were just autonomous units. The enemy’s main force ought to be behind them. And we haven’t even reached our objective for this journey. It’s only just begun.

Kalina: Paldiski Submarine Base… it feels like a one-way trip.

Commander: Even if there’s no coming back from it, we have to go ahead anyway. Our friends are still waiting for us.
Contact Persica. Once M4 comes back, we’ll have a lot to talk about.

Confidential Information XIII

[……]
[Audio playback begins.]

[There’s an unclear voice. It seems the wind is affecting the recording, but it’s barely possible to make out what’s being said.]
[Beep—]

“Good grief, what a pain. We spent so long to find that Node or whatever and we still had to keep producing upgraded autonomous weapons. What an imposition.]
“All you’ve been doing is staying in the air and watching us work, haven’t you!?”
“As if. I’m strictly adhering to Agent’s orders by taking good care of our Elisa-sama.”
“Does simply watching count as protecting her?”
“After all, a certain Doll won’t give us the chance to get near her, even if we wanted to.]
“Ah… this is a pain… why are we alive…”
“Would becoming a robo-dog and fighting Griffin be closer to your expectations?”
“Don’t bring that up again!”
“Hehe, you weren’t destroyed like Agent was. You’d best thank your lucky stars; who knows, you might end up being next.”
“Don’t… don’t talk nonsense, everyone’s bodies have been restored. This time, the Mastermind will defeat all those baddies who bulleid us!”
“For example?”
“For example… Griffin? And those green guys…?”
“You really don’t understand at all, do you… hehe, still, that’s why I like you.”
“What the heck… do you expect me to be happy with that…”
“So go and complete your mission. I think we’ll be meeting an old friend of ours soon.”

Confidential Information XIV

[……]
[Audio playback begins.]

“Looks like Griffin made it through Tallinn.”
“And they managed to steal an armored train too. Someone must be very upset.”
“Well, even if they do have a train, it won’t do too much. The scouting reports have just come back.”
“Hmm, a textbook Class Four defense system. It’ll be very hard to break through it with firepower like this.”
“Unless the Griffin Commander gets it into his head to ram the train into it.”
“I can’t say the same about others, but he might actually do it.”
“True. Well, as long as it’s not our people dying.”
“Hmph…”
“Haven’t the people we sent in reported back yet?”
“Electronic interference. Signals have been jammed after entering the base.”
“Tch… as if anyone would believe this was an abandoned base.”
“I never placed much faith in traitors to begin with. Her vanishing inside the base would be good for everyone concerned.”
“That’s true. Maintain a distance behind Griffin’s train as you pass through Tallinn.”
“Aren’t we timid. Continue surveilling them in shifts, and then send a team into Tallinn.”
“Yes. I’ll send a demolition team over.”
“Bring more explosives. Make sure that nobody gets out of that old base.”

Confidential Information XV

[Inside the Griffin interim command center.]

Kalina: Looks like a lot of people have their eyes on us...

Commander: And that’s why we need more information.

[Beep—]

Kalina: Is it new information?

Havier: Huh, so it did end up being transferred here after all.

Kalina: Uwah! How come the transmission came through by itself!?

Havier: What is it? My friends from Griffin, are you perhaps engaged in something that others mustn’t learn about?

Kalina: It’s all your fault for suddenly forcing a transmission through and scaring us, Havier-san!

Havier: Sorry, sorry. First, let me congratulate you all on your escape from Tallinn.
Though I expected you to do it, everyone’s quite happy that you actually managed to get these results.

Commander: I imagine you didn’t just contact us out of the blue to thank us, Havier-san.

Havier: It is a sudden call, I have to admit. But that’s alright; this shows that he’s quite fond of you all.
Well, since we’re connected, I’ll supply a little suggestion of mine too.

Commander: Please go ahead.

Havier: I know you agreed to Persica’s request in the end, so I’m pretty sure you’ll be bored if I keep talking about the old days.
Still, the thing that Persica’s AR Team brought back… I would advise not lettin the FSB know about it.
That thing… it could save your time at a key moment, or it could kill you in a moment when you think you’re safe.

Commander: ...

Havier: Alright, alright, I won’t disturb you any further. I hope you’ll be as lucky as ever on the journey to come, and I look forward to chatting with you face to face…
...Provided, of course, that you come back alive.


SHATTERED CONNEXION — END