Bronya: In here
Bronya uses the bio-chip again to gain access to one of the rooms in the apartment building.
Once they open the door, what they are met with is something none of them would've expected.
In the center of the room, a small girl sat slumped on the floor, appearing unconscious. A tangled mess of cables and wires extended from the back of the girl's head, connecting to the piles of computers behind her.
Theresa: What in the...?
Suddenly, the girl seems to have woken up as she raises her head and locks her gaze on them.
Girl: Intruder alert...
Theresa: W-Wait! We're not the bad guys!
Girl: Not the bad guys? You dismantled all security drones that were assigned to one's security
Mei: We're his business partners. S-See? He even gave us a bio-chip
She points towards the small device Bronya is holding and the girl stares at it for a moment.
Girl: I see. Welcome, guests
Miraculously, the girl accepts Mei's quickly put-together lie and appears to have dropped any suspicions as they released a silent sigh of relief.
Theresa: Let's start looking for the intel
Bronya: Harasho
Bronya then went to one of the computers and started work on it.
Girl: That is not allowed for anyone but master
The girl warns, but Bronya only ignores her and starts to tap into the database. A holographic screen pops up in front of her, displaying lines upon lines of codes.
As she went through the contents of the database, it dawned on her that there was a serious problem.
Bronya: This is quite peculiar...
Theresa: Is there a problem?
Bronya: The vastness of this data archive... Uncategorized, unlabeled, unindexed... The Gray Serpent saved only raw data
Mei: And that means...?
Bronya: Imagine a massive library filled with books, but none of them are labelled, and all of them are scattered around the floor in a mess
Akiri: Then the intel regarding Kiana...
Bronya: Maybe it exists, but the Bronya would require several days for data mining
Mei: Is there anything else we can do?
Bronya: This intel dealer did not filter or organise his data. This is abnormal. Perhaps he intended this as a security measure?
Akiri: He must have a way to sort out all of the data. Otherwise, all of this would be useless to him
Bronya: It would require massive amounts of computing power to filter out this much data... What could have such capability here?
As she said that, all of them then turned towards the small girl, who was still looking at them.
Bronya then started to scan the girl.
Bronya: My suspicions have been confirmed. Her cybernetic enhancements are insane. Her brain is fused with a quantum computer to give her immense computing powers
Everyone looked shocked at the revelation.
Bronya: The Gray Serpent did not need to categorise the data, because this girl can do it in mere seconds whenever he wants to extract information from the database
Theresa: Then let's ask her
She walks in front of the girl.
Theresa: We're for intel about our friend
The girl looks at Theresa, her gaze going from top to bottom.
Girl: Sorry, but underaged individuals are not permitted for the query
Theresa: Underaged? What a rude little girl! I'm-
Mei: Principal Theresa, we can't afford to get angry now
Mei said as she then brushed Theresa aside and kneeled in front of the girl with a gentle smile.
Mei: Hi, I'm Mei. What's your name?
Girl: Name? I do not have one. But master calls me Ningyo
Mei: Well, we're looking for intel about our friend, Kiana Kaslana
Ningyo: Searching...
There was a brief moment of silence before the girl continued.
Ningyo: File located. Standard payment schemes shall apply. Cryptocurrency is preferred
Akiri: Whatever she'll charge us, I don't think we can afford it
Theresa: Yeah...
Mei: Maybe we can try using the bio-chip?
Bronya went closer to the girl and presented her with the bio-chip which was taken from the Gray Serpent. However, it seems like there was no reaction from the girl.
Bronya: Looks like the bio-chip itself is not enough to gain access
Theresa: Then we'll take the girl with us. We can figure out what to do with her later
The others nodded and they started to prepare to leave the hideout.
Bronya materialises Project Bunny and lifts the girl up.
Ningyo: Alert! Unauthorised handling is not allowed
She struggles, waving her arms and legs around to try and break free of the mechanoid's hold while Theresa only lets out a sigh.
Theresa: I can already tell that this girl is going to give me headaches...
Meanwhile, Mei noticed that Akiri looked restless, his eyes looking around the room and occasionally glancing out the window warily.
Mei: Akiri? What's wrong?
Akiri: I have a bad feeling... We need to get out of here as soon as possible
Theresa: I agree. Bronya, call for extraction at our location. We'll wait at the rooftop
Bronya: Affirmative
And so, the team went all the way up to the rooftop of the building and they waited for the transport craft to arrive.
Bronya: The transport ship will arrive in five minutes
Theresa: Right. Once we're back, maybe Dr. Einstein would know how to bypass her security. It's unfortunate that all of her master's prosthetics were removed...
???: I believe you're looking for this?
A female voice interrupts and they look to the source to see that it is Rita, sitting on top of a water tank with her legs crossed and a grin on her face.
In her hand, she is showing them a small spherical object, which they recognize to be a robotic eye.
Theresa: Rita!
With a smile, she dropped down in front of them, landing gracefully as they all went into a defensive stance.
However, Rita then held out the eye, showing it to the Ningyo.
Rita: Grant master access to Rita Rossweisse. I hereby order you to upload all data to me, then initiate self-destruct sequence
Theresa: No, stop!
Ningyo: Orders received. Processing...
It was already too late. After uploading all of her data to Rita's terminal, the Ningyo's body started to spark with electricity before dropping to the ground.
Akiri: You...!
Akiri aimed Kiana's pistols and started firing at Rita, but she deflected all of his shots with her scythe as she started to retreat.
Rita: Well then. I still have business to attend to. So I'll bid you farewell
Rita turned around and swiftly jumped off the edge of the rooftop. Akiri quickly follows and he looks down only to see that she has completely disappeared.
Akiri: We need to go after her
Theresa: No. We have no way to track her down. And even if we did, there's no way we could fight her in battle
Akiri gritted his teeth in frustration as he knew that Theresa was right. With a sigh, he then went back to the others, who were now checking up on the girl.
Theresa: How is she?
Bronya: The Bronya can still sense a pulse
Mei: She's still alive. Thank goodness
Theresa: It seems that Rita isn't entirely as heartless as I thought... Let's get her to the Hyperion immediately
Just as she said that, they suddenly felt a strong wind from above and they saw that it was the transport ship coming right on time and it took them up to the Hyperion.
(Timeskip)
After a short trip, the team returned to the Hyperion, which was hovering a few thousand meters above the open sea off Arc City's coast.
Theresa: And that's everything that happened...
On the bridge, Theresa had just finished debriefing Dr. Einstein and Tesla about what happened during the last operation.
Theresa: I can't believe that we fell into Rita's trap. That woman is just as dangerous as before
Tesla: Rita, that evil woman...
Tesla grits her teeth in frustration, remembering when she was captured and detained by Rita when they were attacking Schicksal HQ. Recalling the event made her blood boil.
Tesla: I swear, someday, I'll tie her up, stuff her into a cannon and fire it!
Einstein: I know it's hard for you, but please keep your voice down, Dr. Tesla. We need to go back to the main topic
Theresa: So, do you think you can do something about her?
They turn their attention to the small girl whom they've brought with them, who is sitting quietly on the ground.
Einstein: Well, looks like hope is not yet lost. If this Ningyo has the intel, we can take our time to figure out how to extract it...
Einstein then walked closer to the girl and started inspecting her.
Meanwhile, just nearby Akiri is being tended to by Mei, who is covering his injuries with bandages.
It was hidden underneath his clothes, but the boy had actually sustained quite a few injuries, accumulated over the time he was out on his own.
Akiri: Mei, you really don't have to. I can do-
Mei: Do it yourself? Like how you ran away and disappeared?
She cuts him off with a sharp tone.
Mei: We should be working together. We're a team, remember?
Akiri: I'm sorry, Mei...
The boy lowered his head in a mix of shame and guilt before taking a breath.
Akiri: But there are some things that should only be done alone...
Mei opens her mouth to argue against him, but no words come out. She stopped herself from saying anything as she thought twice about what he just said.
And so, she fell silent as she pushed aside her thoughts and continued to wrap his arm with bandages.
Theresa: What do you think?
Einstein: Well, she seems to be fine. Her human part is, anyway. Her machine part, however, is severely damaged. However, I believe it is still possible to recover the data inside
Theresa: But how?
Einstein: The self-destruct erased all of the data on her quantum drive but fortunately, part of her brain structure is still human. I shall attempt to access the information from her human brain
She explained, however, most of what she said flew over everyone's heads as most of them still looked confused.
Einstein: ...Nevermind. Let's just begin the recovery process. For that, we'll need to connect her to the Hyperion's main computer
Theresa: Alright
Einstein then fastened a thick cable to an access port under the main bridge terminal and connected it to the back of the Ningyo's head. The lights on her visor glow orange.
Ai-chan: Admin password is required
Theresa: Huh? Isn't my voice signature enough?
Ai-chan: To access the Hyperion's main computer, the admin password is needed
Theresa: Ugh... Who's the idiot who set it up like that?
Ai-chan: You did, ma'am
Theresa was staggered at the revelation before letting out a sigh. It seems like she was reluctant to give the password.
Theresa: ...The password is TeriTeri #1 Cutie
Everyone turns their gaze at her with silent, judging looks.
Theresa: What? I needed something easy to remember
Having gained access, Einstein then started working on the Hyperion's computer terminal.
Meanwhile, Mei had just finished tending to Akiri's injuries and the boy covered himself up properly with his clothes.
Akiri: Thanks, Mei. I appreciate it
Flashing a genuine smile at her, he caused the girl to blush. She looked away, her fingers timidly brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Mei: N-No problem...
The boy noticed the sudden behaviour change, but decided not to bring it up as he promptly went closer to the others.
Tesla: You're all patched up?
Tesla was the first to notice the boy approaching them.
Akiri: Yeah
Tesla: Good
She then suddenly punches his side with a good amount of strength.
Akiri: Ow...!
Tesla: That's for disappearing without telling us. You inconsiderate idiot...
Akiri: I'm sorry...
Einstein: Let it go, Tesla. You two had this conversation a lot of times before
Tesla: Yeah, but he still wouldn't listen
Einstein: Quiet. I need to focus
Tesla huffs and crosses her arms with a furrowed brow. Meanwhile, Einstein is still busy at the computer terminal.
Einstein: Her quantum computer has powers that outstrips Schicksal and AE's tech...
She comments, her hands still busy on the keys.
Einstein: Is this the World Serpent's work?
Akiri: World Serpent?
Theresa: Schicksal Archives describe it as a secret sect specialising in making Honkai weapons. Other than that, we don't know too much about them apart from rumours
Einstein: They seldom operate in the open, so seeing one of their techs here is quite fascinating
Tesla: Rumours say that the World Serpent is implementing various cybernetic testing. Could this girl be one of them?
As Einstein kept working on the terminal, Ai-chan's hologram then suddenly appeared.
Ai-chan: Madam Theresa. There's an incoming encrypted signal. It's requesting contact
Theresa: Request granted
Ai-chan disappears and a holographic screen pops up, displaying a familiar face.
Cocolia: It's been a while, Theresa, professors
Einstein: Cocolia...?
Through the screen, something then seemed to attract her attention.
Cocolia: Bronya, my sweet darling. I'm glad to see you're alright. You really had me worried after that stunt you pulled
Bronya: ...
Bronya only stayed silent and she lowered her gaze.
Einstein: What do you want, Cocolia?
Cocolia: I know you've been searching for the Herrscher girl all over the world. But try as you might, Schicksal will always be one step ahead of you. It will be difficult to keep up with them
Theresa: Are you saying that we should give up looking for Kiana?
Cocolia: I'm merely proposing that we should band together and pick a fight where we have a fighting chance instead
Tesla: And how do we do that?
Cocolia: I believe capturing the Herrscher is only part of their plans. My troops are currently being attacked by Schicksal. Other than the Herrscher, Otto wants something else. The Gem of Desire that is still in our hands
At the mention of the gem, Akiri recalls what happened to the gem's previous host, Wendy, and how she met her demise at the hands of the woman in front of them.
Cocolia: I believe Otto intends to gather all four cores to fully restore the Herrscher's powers. That guy is a true maniac
Akiri: Takes one to know one, huh...?
The boy muttered quietly.
Cocolia: Instead of blindly searching for the Herrscher girl, I suggest that we join forces and try to relocate the Gem of Desire to somewhere more secure. That way, we will get to keep the final piece of the puzzle away from Otto's hands
Einstein: So you're asking us for help, Madam Cocolia?
Cocolia: I prefer to call it mutual assistance. I believe Otto is our common enemy. And as the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Let us set our differences aside and fight against Schicksal together
Einstein: Where are you right now?
Cocolia: In the Western Pacific. 11°20.9'N, 142°11.5'E
Einstein: You're stationed in the Deep?
Theresa: The Deep?
Einstein: A secret underwater base of ours. I can't believe that Schicksal managed to locate it
She then turns back to Cocolia.
Einstein: We will need some time to think about it
Cocolia: Of course, but I suggest you make haste. My forces won't be able to hold off Schicksal's assault for much longer. Otto has deployed-
Suddenly, her voice is cut off, replaced by static and to everyone's confusion, the screen starts to flicker and glitch.
Einstein: What's happening? Signal interference?
Ai-chan: An unidentified signal has forced a connection. The firewall has been breached
Theresa: What?
Suddenly, the screen displays a vaguely familiar face. One that was believed to be dead. The Gray Serpent's masked face fills the holographic screen.
Gray Serpent: Pardon me for the intrusion...
His low and distorted voice commanded the attention of everyone in the room.
Gray Serpent: Let's finish our business we left hanging at Arc City
Theresa: No way... But you're dead
Gray Serpent: Death is life lived. Life is a death that comes. The Serpent does not submit to death
The singular red eye stared at them from within the screen.
Gray Serpent: Contracts must be honoured no matter what circumstances
Theresa: Contracts? We didn't agree to any deal with you
Gray Serpent: But there was. I've already given away the intel have I not?
His eye briefly glances at the Ningyo.
Theresa: But the Ningyo's memory has been wiped
Gray Serpent: That matters not to me. In my eye, I've fulfilled my end of the bargain. You have already taken something from me. Now, I will help myself with my payment...
The screen turns to static again.
Soon after, Einstein noticed the screen on the computer terminal flickering.
Einstein: Impossible... The Ningyo's quantum drive has been activated. The Gray Serpent is using her to hack the Hyperion's computer
Theresa: Sever the connection!
Einstein: It's too late... He has already breached the firewall and installed his malware
Alarms start to blare all throughout the Hyperion.
Ai-chan: Defensive systems down. All systems have been compromised. I'm locked out of the core system and I can't regain control!
Tesla: Damn...! This ship is basically his now
Mei: Everyone, look outside!
Mei shouted from afar, and everyone looked outside the window and was shocked to see a fleet of transport aircraft heading their way.
Bronya: The Bronya detects unregistered mech units inside those ships
Einstein: What would World Serpent want from us?
Theresa: I don't care what he wants, he won't get it. Professor, I'll leave it to you and Bronya to take back the Hyperion. Everyone else, prepare to fend off the attackers!
Bronya: Wait. The Bronya requests that subject Akiri stays here with us
Theresa: Alright. Looks like it'll just be the three of us
Tesla: That'll be more than enough
With that, Theresa then leaves the bridge with Mei and Dr.Tesla, taking the main elevator.
Meanwhile, Bronya and Einstein immediately got to work, looking for a solution to regain access to the Hyperion's network.
Akiri: What do you need me to do?
Bronya: You will accompany the Bronya inside virtual space to drive away the Gray Serpent from the Hyperion's network. It will be similar to when we dove into Schicksal's central archive a few years back
Akiri: Alright. Ready when you are
Einstein: This is bad... Looks like the Gray Serpent has disabled the pain and feedback inhibitors in the Hyperion's virtual space
Akiri: And that means?
Einstein: You'll need to be extra careful. Because if you are attacked in there, it will be painful. And if you're killed, your brain will be tricked into thinking that your body is dead
Akiri: Right... That's not good
Einstein: Not good at all. If that happens, you'll end up paralysed, and that's if you're lucky
She explains while not diverting her gaze from the computer screen.
Einstein: Considering that the Serpent had gotten access to admin privileges, the risk is even higher. I'm not sure if you will have the means to defend yourselves in there
Bronya: Once inside the virtual space, the Bronya will try to gain admin access as quickly as possible
Einstein nodded in agreement.
Einstein: That is the best course of action
Akiri: Alright... Then let's get to work
After finishing her preparations, Einstein then hands Akiri a proper VR headset that is used to enter the virtual space, while Bronya insists that she uses her Homu VR headset.
The two of them each sat on a chair and placed on their headgear as Einstein promptly worked on the computer some more and started a countdown.
Einstein: Initiating dive... 3... 2... 1...