Cross the Science Park

Stop! The area up ahead is under a state of emergency. No one is allowed to enter! Head over to the sentry post and register your identities!

Let me see. Three individuals and a strange machine. We have a Liberi ... a Vouivre... And you're an ... Ægir?

You got it wrong! Look closely! I'm not a Vouivre! I'm a Lung.

We are from Endfield Industries. Director Qin should have synced our information with the UWST already.

Endfield Industries? Hmm... Let me check our personnel information database.

You're not in the Endfield personnel database... Identify yourself.

Endmin? I guess that explains it...

Identity verified. Supervisor Perlica and Operator Chen, we have to be extremely circumspect given the sudden nature of the attack.

And ... Endministrator, the Security Bureau knows what your presence means for our situation.

The UWST Security Bureau has no records of your information, but this Endfield file has been approved by my superiors. I have faith in your identity.

I believe you're here for that rift in the sky, right?

Yes. We're still investigating the Æther Test Site disaster and must reach the place quickly.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Accord, the UWST is obliged to lend you assistance in your operations.

But my primary task is to search and rescue local survivors. Apologies, but I'm afraid I must stay at my post.

Keep going down this road and you'll reach the Æther Test Site. However, you might encounter masses of Blight on your path.

Thank you for sharing this information. How should we address you?

Fabian Collins.

Mr. Fabian, you look troubled. Has the Science Park suffered major damage?

I don't think the show could get any better. We've already got the Aggeloi, the Blight, and breaker scum in the mix... Who knows. Perhaps another "surprise" is waiting around the corner.

But the fact that you're here proves the road to the Hub is open. That's my first good news of the day.

The Hub Base is relatively safe for now. You can evacuate to that place for shelter.

I can't leave my post just yet. We only managed to evacuate a fraction of our crew.

The Security Bureau has a list of names of everyone in the Science Park.

I've got to verify the status of their personnel, one by one. Plenty of them are still in need of help and rescue.

One more thing. There's a colleague of mine conducting SAR operations up ahead. Her name's Aleeza. You might want to talk to her if you run into trouble.

Good luck out there.

Does that mean you're from the Hongshan Academy of Sciences? Why are you here?

Alright, then. I'll leave this place in your hands. We must be off.

We're counting on you to see this through, Endministrator.

I've never seen a rift like that before... The depth readings around there must be way beyond the safety thresholds.

The Power Plateau is right underneath the rift. A few UWST site monitors are keeping the place secure. They'll definitely do something about this ... if they're still alive.

Once we wrap up our SAR operations at the Science Park, I'll be heading over to the Plateau as well.

It's those damn breakers...

I knew there was something wrong about them. We should have taken the risk and got rid of them early on!

*Sigh* Who would've thought they'd fight their way here...

Those breakers used to be active around Valley IV. They used to be cowards who wouldn't dare to step onto UWST turf.

But the appearance of the rift busted all of our gear and facilities. The radio was out... And the pipefaces took advantage of the situation. They barged in and took us all by surprise!

They ... don't look normal to me. I ran into a band of those loonies. They tanked energy cannon fire from our defense drones ... and survived without a scratch.

Nothing about this feels right. I've got to complete my SAR objectives and get in touch with HQ.

*Happy emote*

Well, Tata, do you have what it takes to fix that serious blooper in the skies?

*Displeased emote*

Wow, Tata's upset!

Are you sure the Prototype knows what you're talking about...?

*Displeased emote*

Look! It's protesting! Stop calling it the Prototype! Its name is Tata!

Sorry, Tata, I didn't mean to upset you.

*Happy emote*

*Enjoyment emote*

It looks really happy.

*Nervous emote*

Everything looks normal. I hope everything will work out for us.

*Determined emote*

This path is blocked. We might have to find another way around... I mean, do we have another way around to start with?

The Blight... Can't believe it has taken hold so quickly.

Don't get too close! They're extremely dangerous.

The rift above the Power Plateau seems to be exerting rather horrendous effects... These scars upon the land can only be inflicted by violent Æther activities. The area will be continuously exposed to Æther energy. The survival of all living beings will be jeopardized.

So ... how are we supposed to get through this place?

*Happy emote*

We almost forgot about you.

Let's hope Yvonne's designs can work...

Prepare to activate the Prototype.

WHOA! It worked! Perlica, take a look at this!

Wait, Tata's not looking good. I think it's ... heating up!

*Pained emote*

It seems to be in pain...

Endministrator, please destroy the exposed Blight Core. That should clear the way for us.

Go for it, Tata! We're all counting on you.

*Determined emote*

*Confused emote*

Nothing happened?! Maybe Big Owl told me the wrong button.

Mr. Andre is unlikely to make mistakes in technical issues like this. Perhaps the experimental frequencies failed to simulate unexpected scenarios like...

Success. That's the Blight Core!

This emergency operation might be a little too early for Tata... We must be very cautious in deploying its large area Arts Unit.

Phew... I thought I was done for. Thank you so much! And you are?

We're the Endfield Crisis Team.

Endfield? Ohhh... I guess you people got your sitch at the Hub Base under control.

Are you alright? Need any help?

Thank you but I'm totally alright. In fact, I'm planning to take our wounded to the sentry post.

By the way, I'm Aleeza Collins. UWST Security Bureau. Pleased to meet you!

Collins? We just met someone from the Security Bureau called Fabian Collins.

Ah? Fabian the Stinkface? That's my brother. He always calls me his "colleague" for some reason.

Then that's definitely him!

I'm guessing you're taking this road to reach the Æther Test Site.

That's right. We actually wanted to keep going down the road, but...

But it seems you'll need to find another way.

Let's get closer to the cliff edge and take a look.

I must thank you again for saving us, Endfielders.

Yes ... I did. It was a horrible sight that I'll never forget.

The huge explosion came from the Æther Test Site. It even shook the Science Park. The entire event was too awful for words...

And the sky itself seemed to go mad right afterwards. Blight masses started to rupture all over the place. I'd be careful if I were you.

We've completed all our SAR objectives in this area. I've got to meet up with my bro... I mean, time to rendezvous with Fabian.

Fabian and I are the only two proper combatants in this place. We've got to stay on top of things and check on everyone...

Just like my old man used to say: "Find and evac all the living, bag and tag all the bodies."

Look, Endministrator. The destruction caused by the Blight is ... truly a terrifying sight.

*Pained emote*

Tata looks quite sick. The scan we performed may have overworked its systems.

I can't diagnose an unfamiliar device. We could only make our best guesses from its emotes and sounds.

*Joyous emote*

Wow. I think it likes you, Endmin.

It seems much better now. Did you just use your powers, Endmin?

Let me do that too! I give very nice rubs.

*Rejection emote*

Wha?! Now you're being unfair!

*Cute emote*

That's more like it. Be nice!

Now that Tata is feeling better, we should start moving again.