Scenario:Home Sweet Moon - Processing... Overclocked - Chapter 1: Searching in the Dark - Episode 1

Home Sweet Moon - Processing... Overclocked - Chapter 1: Searching in the Dark - Episode 1

With three days until Diaspora's arrival in the skies, Mahira suggests the idea of seal weapon release. She takes a look at the contractors' weapons, but isn't quite sure how to proceed.

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Vyrn: Looks like Cassius and Four-Eyes took off from the moon without a hitch!

Vaseraga: Now to just pray that Isaac's calculations aren't off the mark...

Ilsa: We have more important things to do than sit around and pray for their safety.

Eustace: Like dealing with Diaspora...

Zeta: How long's it gonna take for that thing to reach the skies anyway?

Beatrix: Hey, that reminds me!

Beatrix: Didn't that pod carrying Cassius's clone take days to get here from the moon?

Gwynne: Then how many days for Diaspora? Hm... I'm not too sure myself...

Gwynne turns to Vaseraga and (Captain), who traveled to the moon with her when the trio had their consciousnesses carried by automagods.

Vaseraga: I don't have a clue either. It's not in my wheelhouse to begin with.

1. Mahira...
2. Ilsa...

Choose: Mahira...

Mahira: Hm, let me try doing some calculations.

Go to "Continue 1"

Choose: Ilsa...

Ilsa: I'm not sure if it's safe to assume that monstrosity is traveling under the same conditions as the Cassius clone's pod did.

Mahira: I can try doing some calculations, if that'd help.

Ilsa: Please, thank you.

Continue 1

Mahira: So by putting together what we know...

Mahira: Namely its point of departure, trajectory, and size relative to the distance you guys saw it from...

Mahira: Hrm... Yeah, it looks like it'd take a few days for it to get here.

Ilsa: Days, huh... I might be asking the impossible here, but can you narrow it down any more?

Mahira: Well, I can't exactly make any new measurements from the info we have...

Mahira: Without accurate data on its mass and propulsion, I can only give a very rough estimate.

Mahira: Five days, I'd say... Three days at the quickest.

Ilsa: Three days... I don't know if I should consider that long or short.

Eustace: That depends on us.

Ilsa: Either way, we'll need to be ready within the next three days to counter Diaspora.

Beatrix: I know Diaspora is a serious threat, but are Cassius and Isaac gonna be okay?

Mahira: Comms are unstable... I can't get in touch with them at the moment.

Beatrix: I sure hope those two are all right...

Zeta: I know you're worried, Bea, just as the rest of us are, but we have to focus on what we can do for now.

Vaseraga: Their safe arrival will mean nothing if they end up returning to an empty wasteland.

Beatrix: You're right. Coming home to find everything burned down would be the worst.

Beatrix: Okay, you guys! So what's the plan then? How are we gonna send Diaspora packing?

Eustace: Sigh...

Ilsa: That's exactly why we're here—to come up with a plan. Any brilliant ideas you'd like to share?

Beatrix: Erm... Ideas? Well, um...

Ilsa: If not, I suggest you simmer down, Hellcat.

Beatrix: Sorry!

Ilsa: Anyhow, we could really use more info on the enemy if we hope to come up with an effective strategy.

Mahira: I should be able to predict where it'll land when it gets closer.

Ilsa: Great. I'll leave that to you.

Mahira: Of course, I'll do what I can.

Zeta: Anyone wanna take a guess on Diaspora's capabilities? Because I don't have a clue.

Beatrix: Cassius said everyone in the skies would be obliterated... But what kind of power is that exactly?

Gwynne: I don't know the exact science behind it either, but...

Gwynne: Diaspora is a giant mass of machines so small that each individual one is nearly invisible to the naked eye—a conglomeration of nanomachines, if you will.

Beatrix: Tiny machines merged together into a larger one?

Gwynne: More like blended together, since Diaspora can take on various shapes.

Beatrix: Gah, why does this have to be so complicated!

Eustace: Hmm, I wonder if... Could Diaspora possibly be the thirteenth automagod?

Lyria: Didn't Heisenberg mention something about that?

Heisenberg: There were only thirteen automagods ever made. Do you know why they stopped at thirteen?

Heisenberg: I can't say for certain either, but I have a hunch. They didn't build past thirteen because of—

Eustace: ...

Heisenberg: It's trying to activate, and regardless of how you feel, you're going to need—

Beatrix: Well, even if Diaspora is the thirteenth one...

Beatrix: All that tells me is we're up against something major.

Ilsa: Heisenberg, you conniver. What were you trying to say?

Eustace: Wish I could tell you...

Eustace: But if the Foe has been planning for a battle with the moon from the outset...

Eustace: Heisenberg having more info on Central Axis's weapons doesn't come as much of a surprise.

Ilsa: Think he might also know how to counter those weapons?

Eustace: It's possible.

Beatrix: Yeah, but this is the Foe we're talking about.

Beatrix: Can we really rely on anything made by them?

Ilsa: Believe me—the thought of calling for their assistance gets my stomach churning too. But it's not like we have many options.

Vaseraga: Not to mention our seal weapons and automagods can all be traced back to the moon. What matters is how you use the assets.

Beatrix: That's true, but...

Eustace: Besides, we're taking shots in the dark.

Zeta: This whole situation blows... Don't we at least have a lead on Heisenberg?

Eustace: Ronan would let us know if he knew anything of his whereabouts.

Ilsa: Then Heisenberg has to stay on the back burner until we hear from Ronan.

Vaseraga: Surely we can't just wait here like sitting ducks though.

Ilsa: Of course we can't. We have too little time left to simply squander it away.

Gwynne: What can we even do with the weapons we have...

Beatrix: We're up against an automagod, right? Pyet-A's not exactly functional anymore...

Mahira: Mm-hm, it's out of fuel. And we have no other way to retrieve it from the moon.

Gwynne: Even if we did, Pyet-A is so damaged that it's hardly fit for battle.

Zeta: It's down to us then.

Gwynne: You mean...

Zeta: I mean as contractors for the seal weapons.

Ilsa: Considering seal weapons and automagods share the same origin, it's certainly possible we stand a chance.

Ilsa: Rather, seal weapons appear to be our only option at the moment.

Zeta: It's not like I know everything about Arvess...

Zeta: But I do know that if I unleash its full power, I can go up against an automagod. And I doubt there'll be a better time to release it.

Beatrix: You can count on me and Embrasque too!

Ilsa: No, Embrasque is still incomplete. And it hasn't been showing much recovery past its dagger form.

Ilsa: I can't have you on the front lines against Diaspora with inadequate equipment.

Beatrix: Nooo! My poor Embrasque...

Beatrix's shoulders droop as she grips what remains of her blade.

Vaseraga: That leaves Nybeth and Flamek.

Ilsa: Nybeth isn't exactly tuned for combat to begin with. It serves a different role.

Ilsa: Moreover, even Arvess and Grynoth in their released states wouldn't be all that effective in binding an automagod compared to Nybeth.

Ilsa: And we're talking about what could be the thirteenth automagod here...

Ilsa: It'd be different, of course, if I could also get Nybeth to transform into an automagod...

Vaseraga: Wouldn't recommend it, Ilsa.

Ilsa: I know. I saw with my own eyes what happened to you and Grynoth.

Ilsa: I wouldn't choose such a high-risk option on a whim. Not like I could pull it off anyway.

Gwynne: Um... Embrasque is one thing, but can't Flamek in its current state put up a decent fight?

Eustace: ...

Eustace: We're past the point where simply pelting it with bullets will solve anything.

Zeta: Awakening the seal weapons is our only recourse, huh...

Vaseraga: Hm...

Vaseraga: Are you ready to pay the price for that awakening?

Zeta: You of all people are asking that question?

Vaseraga: I ask because I know what it takes.

Vaseraga: The more you draw out power from the seal weapon, the more it consumes your body.

Zeta: I've already come to terms with that, Vaseraga. How many times are you gonna make me say it?

Vaseraga: It's not a matter of toughing it out. What I'm saying is death is a possibility.

Zeta: Good grief, what in the world do you expect me to do then!

Zeta: Cause no way in hell am I gonna just sit back and watch as everyone in our world's reduced to dust!

Zeta: If we're all gonna drop dead anyway, I'd rather have the comfort of knowing that I at least tried to do something!

Vyrn: Whoa! Red, Spiky, you two need to chill out!

Lyria: Please calm down! This isn't the time for us to be arguing with each other!

Zeta: Sorry... I lost my cool.

Vaseraga: My apologies...

Vaseraga: It's just that we'll be going up against an enemy unlike anything we've fought before.

Vaseraga: And I want us to go into this with our minds as clear as possible.

Mahira: Um... If you guys don't mind, could you show me your seal weapons?

Mahira: I may not have as much experience as Isaac, but I've come to know the automagods a bit better.

Mahira: And I may know a little more about seal weapons now... Maybe I can help.

Ilsa: It'd certainly give us an edge if you could figure out anything. Please take a look.

Following Ilsa's lead, the weapon contractors each show their weapon to Mahira.

Surrounded by seal weapons, Mahira is about to reach out to one but stops midway.

Mahira: Um, just one question. Is it okay for me to touch these weapons?

Ilsa: Should be fine... Why do you ask?

Mahira: It was okay when I touched one the other day, but it made me uneasy...

Mahira: Because I heard that someone once caught on fire for touching Arvess.

Zeta: Yeah, that did happen, didn't it. But you have nothing to worry about.

Zeta: I don't know the particulars, but Arvess responds kindly to others when I allow it.

Zeta: I had Isaac check out Arvess before, and he didn't suffer a single burn.

Mahira: Okay, good to know I won't be turned into fried chicken.

Mahira: Here goes nothing.

A relieved Mahira begins inspecting the seal weapons.

Mahira: Hrm...

Beatrix: How's it look? Can Embrasque be repaired?

Zeta: Back off, Bea! Give the poor girl some space to work.

Mahira: It's the same basic structure and technology as an automagod... I can see how they all share the same lunar roots.

Eustace: It's said seal weapons change shape to adapt to their wielder.

Mahira: Yes, I can see that being the case.

Mahira: I see the similarities with automagods, but they're ultimately something else entirely.

Beatrix: And that means what exactly?

Mahira: I can't say much more than that based on my current knowledge.

Mahira: Isaac probably could have told you more... Sorry, I'm still learning the ropes here.

Beatrix: Oh, no, no, it's fine! I was just curious!

Zeta: Actually, Isaac didn't really go past the surface level either.

Zeta: He said something about Arvess reading my emotions, and how that'd be the key to unlocking its power...

Mahira: That's the trigger, huh... Zeta, you've awakened Arvess many times before, right?

Zeta: Yeah... Except it never goes the way I want it to.

Mahira: And there's also the kickback on the wielder for awakening a seal weapon to consider...

Mahira: Hm, this is not easy...

Mahira: If only I had more knowledge and experience... I'll have to make do with what little time we have.

???: Pardon the interruption! Is Ilsa here?