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Charlie: Sam, we’re getting close. Australia is almost fully connected. You ready? You next and final destination is in sight. Terminal Fort Knot. However, we’ve run into unforeseen difficulties. Connecting the final node to the network is not going to be as simple as we had hoped. Fortunately, Heartman has a device at his lab that should allow us to resolve this problem… But the DHV Magellan must remain stationed at the Southern Environmental Observatory to defend it from potential threats—meaning we cannot provide you with transport. You’ve helped us come this far. Too far to give up when we’re so close. Sam. You’re the only one who can handle this job. Take as long as you need, but whenever you’re ready, access the terminal at Heartman’s lab and review the brief for this main order.
Dollman: I sincerely hope you understand, Sam. Fragile never stopped thinking about how all of this was affecting you. Whenever you weren’t around or were asleep, Fragile approached me to see how you were holding up under the strain. She wanted to know how often you talked to Lou in the pod. How much everything weighed on your mind, if you ever thought about what happened. She had faith that you would one day come to accept the reality of your situation. It wasn’t just for your sake—Fragile needed you, too. There are people out there who need help, Sam. Whenever you’re ready to face what’s next… Summon your strength and get to it.
Tarman: Sam, Tarman, here. I want you to take a good look at the DHV Magellan. Her main cannons are operational, and it’s all thanks to you. Contact us whenever you require fire support and we’ll be sure to oblige.
Dollman: Did you take a look at that post from the Southern Environmental Observatory on the SSS? It seems ghost mechs are active in their local region… And the tar currents there are still in a rather chaotic state. This is Higg’s’ doing, all in service to a greater plan… We shouldn’t underestimate him either, Sam. Let’s take care on our way to Heartman’s lab. Hm, getting to Heartman’s lab will require us to cover considerable distance, Sam. But there are all kinds of things that can help us get there faster. Highways, zip-lines, you name it. This journey is a major undertaking, so let’s plan carefully and take advantage of everything that’s available. You know… It might be prudent to lay the groundwork for future travel. If you were to build structures and roads between Heartman’s lab and the F7 North Distribution Center, it would make life easier for your future self.
Tarman: Ah, I see you came here by way of the transponder, Sam. That’s good thinking. It’s a rather quick and efficient way to get from point A to point B, isn’t it? For my part, I’ll have a crack at assessing several potential routes for your next main order. We can discuss them when we take a look at the map later on. As for the cargo, I’ll let Charlie tell you all about it.
Charlie: Sam, this is Charlie. Network infrastructure between the Southern Environmental Observatory and Terminal Fort Knot has been disabled for reasons unknown—though we strongly suspect ghost mech sabotage is to blame. To address this, we’ve decided to reroute network traffic through the F7 North Distribution Center. However, the distance is too great for us to establish a direct connection at this time. That being the case, we’ll need to utilize the waystations situated between the two sites. The device required to activate them is stored at this facility. Collect it before embarking on your journey to the distribution center. You know what to do, Sam. We’ll rendezvous on site later.
Tarman: Listen up, Sam. The F7 North Distribution center is a long ways away, and by my reckoning there’s a number of different viable routes. The shortest, most direct path would involve you cutting through the snowy mountains. A dangerous proposition to say the least. You might find zip-lines, ladders, and other structures en route to make your life a little easier… But without those conveniences, you’ll need to make that deadly trek the hard way. If you’re still keen, make sure you pack all the mountain climbing essentials and then some. Alternatively, you could forego the mountain route and circle around to take advantage of the roads to the east. Though if they’re still in disrepair, or there aren’t any bridges or other structures available, you’ll need to come prepared to put in some work. Finally, heading west around the mountains would mean retracing your steps and going back the way you came. A fair few porters have already made use of that route since you paved the way. I imagine you’ll find it easier going than the first time through. That route will also bring you close to the monorail. Get it up and running and you can catch a ride, too. Ultimately, though, the route you take and the methods you utilize are entirely up to you. So take a moment to weigh your options and prepare as you deem fit.
Bianca North: I’m guessing you’re Sam, right? You’ve come a very long way just to make this delivery. I should only need a moment to inspect the cargo. I feel flattered to receive something that’s clearly been handled with so much care. Where’d you find this lost cargo? I was convinced it was gone for good. I’ve been looking forward to seeing you. Hopefully this won’t be the last time? Okay, use your Q-pid to put us online!
Bianca North: Well, looks like we’re finally on the chiral network! I really respect what you Drawbridge folks have been doing. Being a part of it all is such a great honor. The situation here was pretty dire. But deep down I just knew that, with your help, we’d get through it. It broke my heart when the earth opened up and swallowed Cardinal Fort Knot. Ever since that day, the tar currents and chiral fields have only grown more unstable. I doubt these anomalies will get any better until you finish linking up the continent. But only a bit further to go, right? I’m sure we can finish strong. I just hope all the ghost mechs sighted in this region lately won’t slow you down. They’re with Higgs, right? He has everyone worried. So, to better prepare you for whatever he has planned, I’ve shared data for a quadruple rocket launcher. Don’t hesitate to use it to keep yourself safe.
Sam: You think pretty highly of Drawbridge, huh?
Bianca North: Once upon a time, I had aspirations of joining Fragile Express. Wanted to work alongside the living legend herself. Help her to reconnect the world, one delivery at a time. But circumstances often dictate the course of our lives, you know? So, I ended up joining an APAC distribution team instead. Regardless of who I work for, I’d like to try and support Fragile’s mission. Do what I can to unite the people in the same way she has.
Sam: Cardinal Fort Knot got swallowed up?
Bianca North: Yeah. The ground beneath it became incredibly unstable—possibly due to the craziness with the tar currents. With the city gone, an alternate route for chiral network expansion had to be devised. The plan was to extend the network from the Southern Environmental Observatory to Terminal Fort Knot—though that’s no longer an option, either. But I’m confident that the network stabilizer you’ve brought is just the thing we need to deal with this latest complication. We’ll do what we can to provide support. Looking forward to working with you.
Sam: Tell me about this quadruple rocket launcher.
Bianca North: Well, as the name suggests, it launches powerful rockets. We developed it here using old data we dug up. The rockets fly in a straight line, and are capable of inflicting far more damage than most conventional munitions. They’re not only highly effective against ghost mechs, but BTs as well. I’ve heard that Higgs has already made his way as far as the Southern Environmental Observatory. So, you’ll need powerful armaments to deal with him. That said, this launcher is absolutely devastating… a little too devastating perhaps. Under no circumstances must you use it on another human being.
Sam: I’d best be off.
Bianca North: Thank you again for stopping by. So you know, we intend to continue research and development of powerful technologies. We’ll give it everything we’ve got, but with our limited number of staff, it… it might take a while. And we’d appreciate any help you can provide as well. I wish you and all the Drawbridge folks the very best of luck.
Tarman: Sam, the tar currents are behaving strangely again. We’re unable to rendezvous with you just yet. The conditions are similar to when we observed that tarfall phenomenon before. I strongly urge you to proceed with caution.
Dollman: This is Neil’s doing, Sam. I’m sure we’ll find him waiting for you beyond the tarfall. You need to confront him—one last time. There’s still so much we don’t know about what happened eleven years ago. The nature of his relationship with Lucy. The baby that she was carrying at the time. And Lou, who was apparently born back then too. We need to see how all these pieces fit together if we’re ever going to find the whole truth. So meet with Neil Vana and settle things once and for all! Is it coming?
Sam: The hell is that?