Chapter 3 - Stage 1

Opening

Marie, who returned after a great struggle, told me the details so far.

Marie: I think its better to explain it from the beginning.
       That day... our headquarters were hit by a large air raid.
       We knew it was impossible to defend the base.
       Our goal was not fight but to retreat as safely as possible.
       The unit I commanded, The Steel Line, was in charge of the rearguard,
       Attract as many iron-bugs as possible to the opposite direction of the retreating units.
       Then, I encountered that monster.
       It was when I was scouting alone.
       Around the direction we retreated there were huge buildings in a deep valley.
       From its appearance I think they were laboratories and experimental sites.

Laboratories? Were they made by humans?

Marie: Probably... Also, because there was another huge facility a little further,
       I knew that this wasnt a normal place.
       Strangely enough, there were countless of iron-bugs in such a remote place.
       And whats even more bizarre...
       The iron-bugs were heading back and forth.
       IT felt like a siege.
       At that time, I managed to lose my chasers and hid to watch the scene.
       As soon as I heard a loud noise that monster, The Predator, appeared.
       The predator started to eat some of the iron-bugs.
       And everytime it did it, it became a bit bigger.

So you were the one that saw it first?

Marie: Yes, also I decided to rejoin my squad after that.
       Around that time they were fighting an enemy so I took the command.
       That monster right there.
       The rest of the story has already been reported by Coco.
Constantia: Unbelievable...
            Does that mean that monster born in that laboratory?
            No way... Maybe it has a relation with the humans of the past...
Fortune: Your onee-chan was thinking the same.
         It came out of a laboratory and started to eat iron-bugs.
         I wonder if it was made by humans.

There is a good chance it is a human-made weapon.

Fortune: Still, it looks like them but and attacked us without mercy.
         But it also eats iron-bugs...
         Anyways its nothing but an iron-bug, its impossible to talk with it.
         Captain Marie, do you have more information?
Marie: Unfortunately thats all the information I have.
       What is certain is that the Predator came out from that laboratory, so It means we have some traces.
       There is a chance that a Predator can be created and controlled...
       That knowledge could lead us to a final victory.
       From now on we will not be afraid of the iron-bugs.
       They will fear us.
Constantia: As Captain Marie said.
            Being an iron-bug natural enemy... Im sure it will work in our favour.

Thats what I thought too.

Constantia: Master, I think its necessary to investigate this laboratory and the surroundings.
            What about sending a group to do it?
            If you leave the commanding of the group to Captain Marie Im sure they will be able to win.

Ending

Marie: Your Excellency, we have arrived to the point.
       We can see the laboratory building that I reported before.
       It should be noted that the number of iron-bugs in the surroundings has increased since last time I was here.
       And their direction now is the outside.

Its probably like that because the Predator is gone.

Constantia: This could be a sign that the iron-bugs are planning something inside.
            So maybe thats why they are protecting the outside?

That could be the case...

Griffon: The Predator came from inside?
         So, unlike before, they are trying to prevent intrusion from the outside?
Marie: Wait, we havent figured it out yet.
       First we need to reach that place.
       Griffon, scout the surrounding areas for the time being.
       There may be some iron-bugs that we havent destroyed yet.
Griffon: Understood captain.
Marie: Now... whats next?
Fallen: Stop the attack, stop the attack... This is a friendly robot. I wont attack.
Marie: Fallen? Whats wrong? What AGS group do you belong?
Fallen: AGS NE036129
        I came to mediate the communications with the AGSs commander Aeda.
Marie: Aeda? Also... Communications?
       Is Orbital Aeda the AGSs commander?
Fallen: Yes. Aeda is the commander of the bioloid resistance army.
        She wants to communicate with the human. Once established the messages will be sent through this unit.
Marie: Whats the meaning of this?
Constantia: This is weird. Aeda who couldnt be found after many searchings suddenly appeared...
            She even requests communications.
Marie: Just after we searched for this facility.
       It seems like a well planned operation.
       What should I do Your Excellency?
       They are requesting communications, I think its a good idea, but...

I agree, communications are needed.

Constantia: I think so too, Master.
            I dont think Aeda will harm you at least.

Lets establish communications first.

Marie: Wise decision.
       Lets send back this Fallen for the time being and return to the Orca.
       We have important things to discuss.