GFL2 Story/3-4/Script

Groza: Our supplies in the storeroom are being inventoried. Estimated time of completion in 18 minutes.

Commander: Confirm our distance from the purification zone.

Groza: Our straight-line distance from Purification Zone W_2069_0781 is 10.39 km.

Commander: Stop the vehicle.

Groza: Vector engines on standby. Security system activated. According to Mayling's inventory report, we have a healthy reserve for most basic supplies, but we are still running low on SST-model bodies.

Commander: We've already used up our funds for the month, so I'm afraid you'll just have to be a bit more careful with your bodies in combat.

Groza: We have always tried our best to make our bodies last.

Commander: That's just you.

Commander: Other than the emergency a few days ago, you really haven't changed to a different body in all these years. I can only hope that Krolik can be as gentle on her body as you.

Groza: Krolik takes practically no ineffectual actions in combat, so she isn't doing unnecessary damage to her body.

Commander: But that's not what the combat report reflects. From what I can tell, the one who's been taking the lightest damage is actually Colphne?

Commander: Even if a complete replacement isn't necessary, as long as you take any damage, you'll require repairs and maintenance. Parts and Mayling's time are also very valuable.

Groza: Krolik just sent a message asking for further directives for her and Nemesis.

Commander: Go on guard duty once they're done helping Mayling with the stock-taking. Also, tell Colphne to bring Helena to the ops room after Helena calms down.

Groza: Understood.

Commander: Contact B.R.I.E.F. and report our progress on the assignment. Make up some excuse to get the client to give us a call.

Commander: Oh... and Groza.

Groza: Commander?

Commander: ...About the problem with Colphne, do you need me to—

Groza: Incoming call from the client.

(Groza does not react to what I say, as if she has not heard me.)

(I hesitate for a moment. In the end, I smooth out my clothing, put on my business face, and walk up to the projection screen.)

Commander: Order number TASK-3115, warmest greetings from your faithful B.R.I.E.F. bounty hunter.

Client: Faithful?

Commander: Indeed.

Client: I'm not so sure about that. It's way past the deadline, and the cargo still hasn't been delivered. You call that "faithful", bounty hunter?

Commander: Please accept my deepest apologies. The mission is currently underway, though we've gone slightly off-course due to some unforeseen circumstances.

Client: Unforeseen circumstances?

Commander: That is correct.

Commander: We... We encountered the Varjagers, but luckily, no harm has come to the cargo.

Client: ...

Client: ...Humph, you're actually using the Varjagers as an excuse?

Commander: It isn't an excuse, sir. If you could just give us a few more days as a grace period, I can guarantee that the cargo will be delivered to you in perfect shape.

(To the side behind me, the sliding door opens, and Colphne comes into the ops room with Helena.)

(The client's face is displayed on the screen. She drags Helena quietly into the corner of the room.)

Colphne: Hush~ Stay quiet and don't let the comms camera see you, okay?

Helena: Hm, game?

Colphne: Sure, it's a game~

Client: I need to confirm that the cargo is in perfect shape—immediately.

Commander: Unfortunately, sir... We've only just managed to retake the cargo from the Varjagers. We are currently in the process of removing Collapse radiation from its surface.

Commander: I'm sure you'd agree that it's best to prevent Collapse radiation from endangering the rest of the cargo's journey?

Client: ...

(The comms interface disappears from the screen temporarily.)

(Maintaining the same posture, I point discreetly at the door through which Helena has just entered.)

(Catching my meaning, Groza slips quietly towards Helena.)

Client: How far away are you from ZJKK32E-U8PB4Q?

Commander: At our current speed, it may take us around 12 days to get there.

Client: ...I wouldn't call that "slightly off-course".

Commander: Sir, anything can happen in contamination zones.

Commander: If you would like to receive the cargo sooner, perhaps you could choose a location closer to Purification Zone W_2069_0781?

Client: SIIUW1W-YV9822. You have five days.

Commander: As you wish.

Commander: ...

Helena: Don't know!

Commander: Are you sure? Did you get a good look at his face from where you were standing?

Helena: Never seen before. Who?

Commander: If it's someone you don't know, then it doesn't really matter.

Helena: Doesn't matter. Oh, pretty!

(Helena shakes her head and suddenly catches sight of the sunset outside the window.)

(Colphne and Groza do not stop Helena as she darts towards the full height window.)

Helena: Red. Red—pretty!

Commander: ...Groza, bring the vector engines online.

Colphne: Commander, everything about this mission smells suuuuuper fishy, especially the client~

Commander: Yes, very fishy indeed.

Commander: Poludnitsa mentioned that the Varjagers used to receive calls from "outside the URNC". And these coordinates just so happen to belong to an area undergoing purification in Odesa in the Neo-Soviet Region, which is just outside of the URNC's sphere of influence.

Groza: The fact that they've chosen this location means they've prepared it beforehand.

Colphne: It's most probably a trap~ Are you going to carry on with the assignment, Commander?

Commander: ...

Commander: ...Groza, set a course for SIIUW1W-YV9822. Patch into long-distance comms and hail sensor ping 21 in encrypted partition 9.

Groza: Establishing comms channel.

Colphne: Encrypted comms code inputted~ Who are you calling, Commander?

Commander: An old friend that I haven't talked to in a while.

Colphne: Hm... An old friend of the Commander's~ But what do they have to do with the assignment?

Commander: She may be operating within Odesa. ...I sure hope this assignment has nothing to do with her.

Groza: Connection failed. The person you're calling cannot take the call.

Commander: ...What?

Commander: Groza, send a message instead.

Groza: What's the message?

Commander: Just say...

Commander: ..."It's me."

Groza: Understood.

Commander: ...Keep an eye on the comms.

Groza: Sure.

Helena: Pretty, Commander! Want to... Go look!

(Utterly obsessed with the sunset outside the window, Helena runs over and points toward the sliding door.)

Commander: You mustn't head out on your own, Helena.

Colphne: In that case~

Colphne: Why don't you head up to the roof with Helena, Commander~?

Helena: Commander, together!

Commander: ...I'm waiting for the reply.

Colphne: We can notify you aaaaanytime if there's a problem~ Isn't that right, Leader Groza?

Groza: ...

Groza: ...Leave it to me, Commander.

Colphne: That's right, don't you worry, Commander~ With me and Leader Groza here, what could go wrong~? You've been working soooo hard for sooooo long, you should also take some time to relax, Commander~

Commander: ...

Commander: ...Alright.

Helena: Woohoo! Go!

(Helena and I walk towards the exit together.)

(Just before the door closes, I can hear Colphne mutter softly.)

Colphne: Though... It made me veeeery happy to hear the Commander's plan.