N1 - The City Story

N1 - The City

Story

• Before Battle
• After Battle

Your vision is blurred as you look at Vice, standing in a pitch black space. Vice: Wake up... Navigator... Carleen! Your vision briefly swims, then clears. You are able to focus on Vice. Navigator: Urgh... My head hurts... My whole body hurts... Vice: Navigator, you're finally awake! Are you hurt?! Navigator: Ouch! I'm fine, just stop smacking me... Vice: I'm sorry! I can't see very well... Are you hurt? Are your injuries serious? Navigator: Just some flesh wounds. Are you both okay? Vice: I'm fine, but Carleen... S-she got hurt while protecting you. Carleen: It's just a small wound on my leg. Don't worry about me. Navigator: What happened? Carleen: There was suddenly an earthquake, then the ground collapsed and we all fell into the crack. Carleen: There wasn't any time to think, so I did my best to protect you both when we hit the ground. Navigator: So... We're underground now? Carleen: Yeah, we fell into an underground cave. Vice: This cave is pretty big. I wonder where it leads to. Navigator: Can we get out the same way we got in? Carleen: We tried that, but the path has been completely blocked by the landslide. Carleen: We can't go back along our original path. Navigator: I'll try to call Soroz. Static flickers over the screen as you try to reach Soroz. Navigator: ... Navigator: No luck. There's no response at all. Vice: I also tried to contact Illumina and the Colossus with the communicator, but it didn't work. Vice: I'm afraid there's a special energy field here that jams the communication system. Vice: It's affecting all Illumina signals, as well as my detector. Navigator: That means... we're stuck underground now. Vice: I'm sorry, it's all my fault. Carleen: Don't blame yourself. No one expected this to happen. Navigator: It was your passion and desire to explore that brought us together in the first place. Carleen: Maybe the people who sent the signal also got trapped underground. Navigator: Shall we move forward along the cave then? Maybe we'll meet other people. Vice: Yes, that's what I was thinking too. Vice: Our chance of leaving this place grows with every person we find. Vice: There's strength in numbers after all. Vice: The terrtain around here is mostly mountainous tundras. Vice: If we're lucky, we'll be able to leave if the cave leads directly to a valley or a plain. Vice: But Carleen's wounds... We should rest for a little longer. Carleen: I told you, this is nothing. Let's make haste. Vice: I'll help you then. It's too dark here, so be careful. Navigator: My senses are sharp. I'll lead the way. Rustle, rustle. Navigator: Vice, Carleen, look! Carleen: A light? But it looks broken... Vice: It's an Illumina searchlight! Someone really has been here! Vice: Let's keep going then. Rustle, rustle. Navigator: Huff... Huff... How long have we been walking? I can barely walk now... Carleen: Is there really someone here? We haven't found signs of people other than that broken light. Vice: I don't know either... Let's take a break first. The screen briefly flickers. Navigator: Hold on, I can sense the air moving... It's coming from in front of us! Vice: I'll go take a look! Vice: Navigator, this stone wall leads upwards... There's light up there! Navigator: It must be the exit. Carleen, we have found the exit! Carleen: That's great... Vice: Carleen, I'll help you. Be careful... Let's go up. Navigator: I'll help too. The screen is black. Navigator: Looks like there's a lid up there! Vice: A lid? Then it must have been made by someone... Maybe the people we seek are up there! Vice: Navigator, I'll think of a way to open it... Creak... Crack... Then, a flash of light. You, Carleen, and Vice arrive aboveground, in the midst of a ruined city. Whoosh... Navigator: Where... Navigator: Where are we?! Carleen: Vice... Am I dreaming? Vice: C-Calm down, Carleen. Vice: It's so warm here... and the sky is so blue... Vice: There's even a gentle breeze every now and then... Vice: I think... Vice: Navigator, do you see these tall buildings? Navigator: Yeah... We're not dreaming, right...? Carleen: I've never... Heard of a place like this in Northland. Vice: I'll go explore! The backdrop changes to another outdoor setting with more dilapidated buildings and highways. Click... Click... Navigator: Hold on, Vice. There's a strange noise coming from over there. Carleen: Something strange is coming. Get ready. Click... Click... Carleen: What's this? ???: Beep... Beep... Carleen: It looks like a suspicious piece of equipment. Carleen: And it keeps making a strange beeping sound. Carleen: Let's stay away from it. Vice: It's a droid. Vice: But it isn't quite the same as the ones of Illumina... Navigator: It reminds me of the Fireflies on the Colossus. It feels kinda familiar. The droid flashes a red light over the screen. ???: Please prepare for inspection. Carleen: It makes sounds and even shoots a beam! Navigator: Don't worry, it said it wanted to inspect us. Navigator: So its movements and that scanning beam should be just a part of the inspection. Vice: I wonder how it scans us? I want to take a closer look... The screen flashes red, and the droid beeps at you. ???: Warning! Warning! Suspicious individuals who have violated the Dress Code have been discovered. ???: Taking action to neutralize and arrest them! Carleen: Vice, Navigator, stay away from that thing!

Boom! Vice: Oops, I accidentally broke it. Navigator: Why did it attack suddenly? And what does "Violated the Dress Code" mean? Carleen: Droids like this kind are very dangerous. Carleen: Regardless of this one's intention, we must be careful. ???: Warning, obstruction of enforcement, destruction of public properties... Request backup. Carleen: It's calling for backup. This is not good. Navigator: The situation is still unclear, we should avoid combat... Vice: Should we find a safe spot to hide? A new figure comes into view. ???: ... Navigator: Who's there? Come out! ???: Don't worry, we're on the same side. ???: Let's get to somewhere safe before the other droids get here. ???: I'll explain in time... Vice: And you are...? ???: Siobhan, an Illumina researcher, working under Tech Officer Gronru. Siobhan: Illumina made the very bow you're using, so I recognized you at first sight... Siobhan: Lieutenant Vice. Siobhan: As for your two companions, they must be the Caelestite and the Princess of Lumopolis. Vice: M-Miss Siobhan?! Siobhan: Ahem... It's me, so don't get too excited. Vice: I-I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you with the mask on... Vice: You look a bit different than usual...? Siobhan: It's just a new outfit. The scene changes, and Siobhan has brought you inside a ruined building. Siobhan: There are some more around... Wait here, I'll get them for you. Carleen: You knew her? What is she doing here? Vice: Miss Siobhan specializes in ancient ruins. She's probably on an investigation. Carleen: Specializing in ancient ruins... So she teaches history? Vice: Well, no. She works at the scientific exploration department, not quite the same as the history classes in Lumopolis. Vice: I learned all my exploration skills from Miss Siobhan. Vice: She even criticized my lousy drafting skills. Carleen: I see. No wonder you were on your best behaviour. Are you afraid of her? Vice: No, I respect her with all my heart. I got into ancient technology because of her. Vice: I couldn't thank her enough, much less be afraid! Vice: After her criticism, my technical drafting skills improved by bounds... Siobhan: Was I hard on you before? Vice: Oh, y-you're back... It's small stuff, you shouldn't sweat it. Siobhan: Relax, don't be so tense. Vice: Yes... Sorry, I was nervous. I didn't think you would remember me. Siobhan: I've read all your reports on the Colossus. Very impressive. Siobhan: I'm glad you chose ancient technology to explore. Vice: Thank you. I've always been very interested in anceint tech. Siobhan: I said that because you truly are a standout. Siobhan: Anyway, how did you get here? Navigator: We received an unknown signal on the Colossus. Navigator: Vice figured out the coordinate and it was very close to us. Vice: While we were searching, an earthquake made us fall through the crack into a cave... Vice: Then we walked all the way here. Siobhan: Just as I was afraid, my distress signal didn't make it out. Navigator: Then what was the signal we received? Siobhan: It wasn't from me. Siobhan: I got a set of coordinate signals in my regular patrol through Northland mountains too. Siobhan: Our search led us here as well. Siobhan: Something was stopping the distress signals from getting out, and my comm was dead. Vice: "We"? What about your companions? Siobhan: Usually I go solo. They are not my companions. Siobhan: They're just... friends from Lumopolis. Carleen: Lumopolis? Siobhan: We've been trapped for more than 20 days and still can't find a way out of here. Navigator: Over 20 days?! What kind of place is this? Siobhan: Probably an ancient city hid in Northland canyons. Siobhan: Not just droids around here, Eclipsites too. Siobhan: They sometimes interfere with our exploration, especially when we're looking for an exit. Carleen: We were attacked by droids when we first arrived. Siobhan: That's a minor problem, actually. Siobhan: Luckily, I found these outfits for you to change into. Navigator: Change into? Siobhan: Yes, it's a good way to counter the droids' inspection. Vice: I see... Got it. Option 1 Option 2 I don't get it. Mind explaining a little? Siobhan: These droids are just enforcing the local rules. Vice: It's like how the Gannon constables would arrest you for not wearing anything. Vice: The droids are following the same rule. Navigator: Must you make that comparison? Siobhan: If you violated the Dress Code, they'd see you as a target and attack you. Must we abide by this Dress Code? Navigator: The droids did give warnings before attacking. Navigator: That means we have to dress as they require, right? Siobhan: Yes. You're very smart. Siobhan: What I'm wearing and what I'm handing you now are costumes of this ancient city. Siobhan: Manufactured right here. Navigator: But this... Vice: Quit doubting. It's just a change of clothes, no big deal. Vice: It's out of necessity. Nobody's going to mock you. Navigator: But I... Vice: We ought to listen to Miss Siobhan. It's also for our own safety. Navigator: But you... Carleen: You can change in the next room over, Navigator. Vice: Go and stop wasting time. Vice: You're not a combatant. How do you expect to fight back against the droids? Navigator: Fine, I'll go change... Siobhan: Are you ready? Vice: I'm good to go! Vice and Carleen appear, now wearing what appears to be school uniforms. Carleen: This outfit is too light to offer any protection but is easy to move in. Carleen: So this is what ancient clothing feels like. Carleen: I feel it shares similarities with our regular clothing. Vice: It's the other way around. Our clothing shares similarities with these. Siobhan: Are you ready, Navigator? Navigator: Is there another choice? I don't want to wear this... Siobhan: No. These are all I found. Vice: Come out. We won't mock you, I promise. Navigator: Okay... Vice: ... Carleen: ... Navigator: Just say what's on your mind! Vice: Ahem, didn't expect your legs to be so svelte. Navigator: What's not to expect? Wasn't I in a swimsuit on the beach before? Carleen: Well, I didn't think you knew how to put on this outfit. I thought you never wore one before. Navigator: I never did! Honestly! Navigator: This one is too small and tight around the chest... It's suffocating me... Vice: Pull the zipper on the back down a bit. That should make you feel better. Navigator: Did this city only make this kind of clothing, Siobhan? Siobhan: I don't think so. These just happened to be all I could find. Navigator: Okay, understood... Navigator: Since we're safe from the droids now, let's search the city. Navigator: I'd like to find some other clothes. Vice: Ahem. I guess we all have the same goal, and that is to find a way out. Carleen: You're right, Vice. Navigator: (They totally ignored my plight... I must change out of this!) Vice: Well, let's go, shall we? Everyone moves outside, only to encounter Eclipsites. Eclipsites: Grrr... Navigator: Feels like Eclipsites, yet not quite... Well, they probably are Eclipsites. Navigator: Why are you flip-flopping? Navigator: They're pretty far away, and not the same Eclipsites I normally sense. Siobhan: How are they different? Navigator: I can't explain it. I just know. Navigator: They're coming. Siobhan: Let's go somewhere else and avoid fighting if at all possible.