49

Twenty minutes later, the fight has ended and you're now standing unsuited at the mouth of the cave, giving your report to an unsuited Captain Altug. She nods as you finish your report and pats your shoulder in a congratulatory manner. "You did good, First Private," she says. "More than what anyone would expect from you."

Well, you weren't able to apprehend any of the workers as they fled the scene while you were dealing with the Beasts, you point out. Altug waves her hand dismissively at this. "Nonsense. Balogh's report indicates that you took command of a desperate situation and handled it admirably without any loss to our side. I'd say that's a good thing and should at least earn you some sort of medal," she says warmly and places her hand on your shoulder. "So let me repeat myself: You did good, First Private. You did good." You take a deep breath and nod. Maybe she's right about this, who knows?

A loud buzz reaches your ears and you glance at Captain Altug; it appears to be her personal radio. She activates it and walks away, talking quietly for a brief moment before she returns to you. "Looks like we finally know what those people were after here in this cove," she says to you with a grim look on her face. Curious, you ask her what she has discovered.

She points further into the cave. "There's an artifact down there, it seems. One that looks like a giant, ancient Magitek engine, and these people were trying to excavate it behind our backs," she shakes her head in disgust. Then she steps forward, turning her head slightly to you. "Do you want to come along and take a look at this artifact?"

You think for a moment and decide to…