Entangled Fate (before battle)

I think it's this way.

Hmm. This is the only area with lights on... It says "Broadcast Sector."

Can someone tell me... coming here was the right decision?

All the other routes were blocked off save for the one leading to this sector.

Looks like we'd have ended up here... one way or the other.

<It's hard to see anything when it's this dark...>

With most of the power down, the door shouldn't be locked.

Stop.

Take another step closer... and you'll be forcing our hand!

A familiar voice boomed from a loudspeaker, delivering a sharp warning.

This entire area is laden with security landmines. Even if you somehow manage to get past the minefield, you'll have to face the rest of us. I'm warning you - every one of us in here's combat-ready!

And if you think you're stronger than us, we have self-destruct devices. Bombs filled with... super-mini sawteeth... shrapnel...

Hold on a sec - what's this supposed to say? "Th... bo..."? The heck? And I thought my handwriting was bad!

Oh. Here... "Throwing this bomb will result in an explosion that covers a 100-meter radius zone from the detonation point..."

Hey! That's a Taboo violation, you know? At least try to come up with something actually convincing!

A-anyways! Turn around and walk away right now or we're gonna bury all of you with us under this facility!

We can hear everything, you know...

It is highly probable that the bomb is a bluff. Any bomb that falls under the category of explosives... must be "planted" on an object or surface per the rules set by the Head.

Mm. And that boast of the blast beggars belief. Such a wide radius... is sure to break a bounty of bans and bounds.

.... Sure, but I wasn't bluffing about the landmines. Take one more step forward... and bolts of overcharged electricity will make barbecue out of you.

As the voice behind the microphone began to grow increasingly irritated, it also became even more familiar. I was pretty sure I'd heard it somewhere before...

According to Alyssa, Hohenheim should be around here somewhere.

Wait. Did you just say "Alyssa?"

That voice... It seems we are not mistaken.

Now, I certainly recognized this voice.

That voice I would rather not welcome tells me...

That these individuals are good to be let through.

That voice Faust would rather not welcome tells Faust that these individuals are good to be approached.

A heavy thunk, and then...

The doors of the Broadcast Sector inched open, but before we could even take a proper look at the people holed up within...

Wha...?! You guys! You should've told us sooner!

Remember me?

Oh! It's Miss Ezra!

We came face-to-face with Ezra, who'd video-called us with a plethora of information on Bloodfiends prior to our mission in La Manchaland.

Heard you saved the day in La Manchaland!

And all thanks to yours truly, I bet. So, care to tell me which one's the Bloodfiend Extraordinaire on your team?

Huh? What? Oh... Well, that's...

Why don't we skip the pleasantries for now, Ezra.

The next person to show up was Moses.

I saw her in the video call, too... Team Leader at LCD, if memory serves right.

... Were you the one who threatened us with that nonsense about bombs, Ezra?

I mean, what other choice did I have? We were starting to believe that we were the only survivors out here, and then... bam! A dozen or so footsteps rushing into this sector outta nowhere... We couldn't even check who you guys were because the screens are all busted.

Ezra gestured toward the blank surveillance screens in the Broadcast Sector with her chin.

For your information, Mister Genius over there is trying to fix the security cameras. He said it's gonna take a while with the power outage, though...

I didn't expect our paths to cross again for anything good, but I certainly never pictured it happening like this.

Underneath the array of monitors Ezra pointed at, we found Hohenheim - looking even more haggard than we remembered - who gave us a faint, unwelcoming nod as he fiddled with a tangle of power circuits.

Hello. I'm relieved to see that there aren't any injured among you.

Marton stepped forth and offered us the greeting Hohenheim chose to skip.

In any case, you say it was Alyssa who let you know of our location? Hmm. If she's not with you, she must be either gravely wounded or already dead.

Uh... She's badly hurt, yeah. But we're searching for ways to help her.

Ishmael gave Hohenheim a blanched look as though she was taken aback by his cold certainty regarding his own subordinate's fate.

"Searching," hmm? You talk as if you're playing a game of scavenger hunt.

It might have been better to end her misery then and there.

Wha...? Haven't you seen how we handle things? She's still got a shot. Don't be so quick to throw in the towel.

Please don't misunderstand. Some of these assailants... They seem to enjoy torturing their victims. That's what's keeping our boss on edge...

Boss and I were near the laboratory when the attack started. There weren't many employees around, and the Broadcast Sector happened to be close by.

Probably the only reason we were able to find cover here in one piece.

... Verily, young Alyssa shall persevere steadfastly.

We have vowed to return and deliver her from death.

... Thank you. I'm sure Alyssa is... hanging onto your promise.

Um, sorry to break up this touching moment... but if you're here, that Color Fixer should be on his way too, right?!

Where the heck is he now? I wonder if he's already off to find the attackers...

... Ezra.

Moses, who had been staring at Outis since we came in, turned her gaze toward Ezra.

Team Leader! If we can regroup with the Red Gaze, I think we'll have more than enough fighting chance even without our baby bee!

Yes. But... it would seem that the Red Gaze is not here with them.

Just the look on their faces is enough to confirm that.

Whaaat?! What the heck are you peeps doing here without him?!

Ezra's face immediately soured the moment she realized that Vergilius wasn't with us; her voice crashed over us like that of a host shrieking at uninvited guests barging into her home.

It's not like... It's not like we came here on our own because we wanted to...

Guide bud's held up by an assailant... Ryōshū says she's called the "Thumb Nursefather"... from the House of Spiders...

And probably a tough adversary too... just like those who are assaulting the facility.

... Her combat prowess is not to be underestimated.

How is she compared to Euryalos of the Argos Unit?

Hmm... Around the same level, I would say...

Wait. You... If you know those names, that means...

Moses didn't grace Outis with a reply. Instead, she closed her eyes, seemingly lost in a brief reverie...

... and soon, returned to the subject at hand as if she were done sorting out her thoughts.

... Charon - is she taken hostage?

Huh? How did you know that...?

You mentioned the attacker in the singular. Perhaps just a slip of the tongue, but I suspect it was a single enemy if not a small number.

Furthermore... Despite coming here without the bus driver, none of you seem particularly convinced that the Red Gaze would be able to quickly dispatch the assailant and join you.

…….

Give it to our Team Leader! Just one look is enough for her to figure it all out.

Anyhoo, did you happen to encounter anyone on your way here?

Just some peccatula and manikins... Wait a minute. Why don't we get to ask the questions?

Ishmael barely managed to wrest control of the conversation amid the barrage of questions.

You're both from LCD. What are you doing here in the HQ where the LCE is?

Well, about that...

The LCE was supposed to make an important progress report today.

Apparently, it's a reeeally important presentation too! We've been receiving bazillions of reminders about how it's a mandatory attendance event and everything... Right, Team Leader? Feels like everyone's overlooking just how reeeally busy our department is!

Sorry to borrow your wording, but it is indeed a reeeally important presentation.

Yeah, for you maybe. But my department is also reeeally reeeally...

<Hang on... I don't think that's the crux of the matter right now...>

The presentation did not happen. As such, we are unable to assess its importance at the moment.

Whatever is the case, the event was what required us LCD members to be present here at the LCE Department.

And there's one more thing... Allow me to introduce the newest addition to the LCD.

Yeah, our team has grown in size! Take that!

I was told you'd met before.

A familiar silhouette stepped forward from the opposite side - someone we did not expect to encounter here of all places.

I regret that we must always meet in the midst of plights such as this. I trust you have been well?

Miss Aeng-du! It's been too long.

Is Mister Bamboo-hatted Kim... still in recovery?

Mm. My mentor's flesh... has long since healed, but it will take some time until his mind regains its former tranquility. However long the wait, endure it I must.

I have faith that he will recover in due time. Until then, in silence shall I atone for the transgression I have committed...

... Aeng-du appeared to be referring to how she ran Bamboo-hatted Kim through with her sword under the Monolith's Distorting influence.

Still, I'm glad you seem to be adjusting well to life at LCD.

Sinclair caught the shadow flickering across Aeng-du's face and swiftly stepped up to lighten the mood.

I would say I was taken in, but I am deeply grateful regardless. My mentor and I have nowhere left to call home...

But someday... we will...

... return to S Corp. together.

Looks like she's trying her best to fit in too.

It's always hard to get settled in no matter where you start from.

Now that we've all grown acquainted with one another...

Let us move on to the issue at hand.