Vapaus

...

The squad then arrives at the munitions factory entrance.

Exia: entering the munitions factory.

Shifty: it's larger than i expected.

Exia: once we started fighting the raptures, our weapons systems underwent an upgrade. This factory ran all the way until the end of the first invasion. This is common knowledge. shifty was apparently either asleep during class or simply isn't up to the task mentally.

Shifty:...i-i'm sorry.

Exia: well what are you waiting for, look for the scanning device so we can find information about that. shifty, initiate purification sequence.

Shifty: right away.

Exia: after that, start searching areas with higher magnetic field densities and work your way towards the center.

Shifty: y-yes, will do.

Exia: Then, I want you to….

Neon: She's really riding her hard.

Anis: Well, following protocol is important in situations like this. even the central government intelligence department forgets that sometimes.

Rapi: This is a good learning experience for us. It's a rare opportunity to learn from a nikke who has extensive experience in the field.

Neon: At least Exia is nice about it. She explains everything in such detail.

Anis: hmm…maybe she just wants someone else to do her work for her.

Varakiel: like a good gamer does.

Rapi: I don't think that could fit in the term "good" commander…well, it benefits us either way.

Anis: Anyway, this must be tough for you rapi.

Rapi: A little, I'm trying not to focus on it too much. It wasn't too bad because I was away from the north most of the time. But now, the situation has changed, so I have to be careful.

Anis: it's a little difficult because some know and some don't.

Neon: what if we tell shifty?

Anis: that could be dangerous. she's too closely tied to the central government.

Neon: anis the skeptic…i figured as much.

Anis: Am I that predictable?

Shifty: location of scanning device confirmed. I will mark it on the map.

Anis: That was fast.

Exia: it would have been much faster had i done it, but i figured it would be a learning experience for shifty.

Shifty:...i'll try harder next time.

Varakiel: hey exia…

varakiel points at his mouth.

Exia: oh, so embarrassing.

Exia cleans her mouth that was dirty with treats…

Anis: *chuckle*

....

Eventually the squad arrives at the designated location..

Neon: Wow, it's massive.

Exia: big firearms, big scanning device. What's so surprising about that?

Neon:....

Exia: you can put anything onto this scanning device and it will give you a detailed breakdown down all of its components. Where's the "that" you wanted to scan?

Varakiel then puts the vapaus bullet he created with the system on top of the scanning device.

Exia: now connect the combilink.

Varakiel then pulls off the cord from his phone. and connect it to the device.

Exia: shifty, configure please.

Shifty: uh, yes. J-just a moment…

Exia:....let me do it. you just focus on locating the mines.

Shifty:...

Varakiel: don't worry shifty, I know you could do it, but you need more confidence in yourself.

Shifty: c-confidence you say? Do you think so?

Varakiel: Of course, you're max level in final quest. I know you can do anything.

Shifty:...yeah….thanks commander….hey how do you know about my level in….

Exia: it will take some time before the scanning is complete.

Varakiel: And while we wait, counters prepare to engage. We have company.

Shifty: yeah, raptures incoming!

Exia: how come you noticed before shifty….suspicious…forget it, protect the scanning device.

Varakiel: mhm, anis, rapi, neon engage!

....

Rapi: enemy neutralized.

Exia: scan complete. component materials analyzed. Now, let's see….a normal rifle bullet, nothing out of the ordinary. however….there does seem to be a strange component mixed in with it…vapaus.

Anis:...

Rapi:.....

Neon:....

They are aware that the only person who can create vapaus is varakiel so how come there's information about vapaus here, in a facility way older than varakiel.

Shifty: vapaus?

Exia: ever heard of it?

Shifty: umm…no.

Exia: me neither. vapaus…i'll check all the databases in the ark. As for everyone else, you can make your way back.

Anis: so….we're done? 

Exia: all finished.

Rapi: commander.

Varakiel:...mhm, let's head back. (so vapaus did exist before)

...

on their way back.

Exia: ah, yes. what a pain…i can't turn up anything about vapaus. If it has a name, the system should turn up at least a few results. there is, however, a possibility that the record was erased after-the-fact. shifty, can you access the database of the central government?

Shifty: no, I don't have authorization.

Exia:hm…

Varakiel: Alright Exia that's enough.

Varakiel says with a serious expression to Exia.

Exia: what do you mean?

Varakiel: I know what you want to do, but it isn't worth it.

Exia: what do you mean, of course it is.

Varakiel: *sigh* I already know what vapaus is, an anti nikke and heretic ammunition. I will tell you everything else when we are back, but if you hack the central government system I will not tell you anything capiche?

Exia:....then why come here if you knew already?

Varakiel: to confirm if vapaus was something old or new, right now i am the only one who can create vapaus…or i think so.

Exia:.....you promise you will tell me?

Varakiel: As long as you don't put yourself in danger, yes.

exia:....

Exia keeps looking at varakiel serious expression.

Varakiel:.....*smile* please?

Exia slightly blushes.

Exia: f-fine i won't do it.

Neon: master smile is super effective.

Shifty: I'll pretend I didn't hear anything…

Anis: good idea.

…..

Exia: so…what is it?

Varakiel: relax would you, i will tell you in the outpost, using comms is no good when using that word.

exia:....fine.

Varakiel: You know, you shouldn't underestimate the central government, yeah they are a bunch of lies, but they worked hard to build them up, and they would do ANYTHING to keep it that way, and their defenses are no joke either.

Exia: then how come you know about it already?

Varakiel: I already told you, I'll tell you everything on the outpost…..you are with us in this from now on. think of it like a party.

Exia: a party?....fine, I'll wait.

Shifty: Alright, I'll establish the shortest route to the ark.

....

Rapi: It's a minefield.

Exia: I'll do it. shifty help me.

Shifty: okay?

Exia with an unexpected motivation offers to help….

Varakiel: Are you really that desperate?

Exia: yes.

Varakiel: jeez….

Exia: scan complete, they are marked already.

Rapi: alright let's move out. be careful everyone.

Varakiel: mhm.

…..

Rapi: enemy neutralized.

Shifty: well done, everyone. Let's keep moving. keep heading in your current direction. you're nearly there.

Rapi: How far are we? 

Shifty: About….10 minutes out, I'd say.

Varakiel: Let's continue then.

Rapi: Yes, commander.

...…..

Rapi: There's a lord up ahead.

Anis:...so what are we doing?

Varakiel: Take him out, we can use his core to create more vapaus, we don't know how many heretics like marian could be out there.

Anis: That's…true.

Rapi: very well, counters engaging….

Varakiel then stays behind talking to Exia and shifty.

Exia: So you create vapaus with a rapture core?

Varakiel: Mhm,with a lord core I can create a vapaus bullet that can disable a function from NIMPH, but there's also a rarer material than a rapture core, I will only say that.

Shifty: a material rarer than a rapture core? What is that?

Varakiel: I will tell you in the outpost.

Exia: ugh, you're so annoying!

Varakiel: tee hee….alright, you should put out the farce Syuen.

Exia: what!?

Shifty:...you're awfully perceptive..

then the image in the video feed changes to that of Syuen.

Varakiel: I had my doubts at first, but seeing those mistakes, only someone that is dumb enough would make those mistakes, or someone with ill intent.

Syuen: I see so that gave me up...wait you're saying I am dumb enough to make those mistakes!?

Rapi:....

Anis: what…

Neon: !!

rapi anis and neon who already took care of the lord rapture are surprised that Syuen is in the video feed.

Exia: I can't believe I was fooled.