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The President: The final site to be connected is within reach at last. Per APAS’s calculations, establishing a connection here could potentially lead to the manifestation of three gates. Based on what happened in Mexico, it is likely that these portals have already emerged in nascent form, appearing only as minor distortions in space, invisible to the naked eye. These fissures will gradually develop, and once total chiral connectivity is achieved, they may, with time, eventually mature into fully fledged conduits, allowing travel to and from other lands. It remains unclear whether or not all three of these fissures will stabilize and develop into gates. But you will see for yourself once you’ve linked up the remaining site. On a different subject, I’ve completed my investigation into the link between Higgs and APAC. I’ll tell you more once you’ve put Terminal Fort Knot on the grid.
Charlie: Sam. This is Charlie. The time has come to link up our final destination, so allow me to review the specifics for you. Alright, step one: you will need to use your Q-pid to bring this first waystation onto the network. Enemy ghost mechs have already been deployed in the surrounding area, though. Attempt to slip past unnoticed, or engage in open combat—I’ll leave the decision to you. THE DHV Magellan will provide support with its miniguns should any mechs come within range. Naturally, we will also keep the ship’s main cannon at the ready to fire upon viable targets when necessary. Should you require our assistance, give the order and we will be happy to oblige. Be sure to keep these various factors in mind when devising your plan of attack, Sam. Once the first waystation’s on the grid, it’s time to move on to the next one. You will find it at this location. Be advised that you will be unable to expand chiral network coverage if you don’t connect these waystations in the correct order. In other words, if you go to the second waystation first, you will be unable to establish a connection with your Q-pid. Now, once the second waystation is online… You will need to cross the bridge and deliver the Drawbridge Terminal Unit to Terminal Fort Knot. Then, use the Q-pid to bring the city onto the network and complete the order. You will receive the necessary cargo after this briefing. Once the chiral network covers the entire continent… The ghost mechs that have been emerging from the tar currents will no longer be able to come and go as they please. At least, that is what APAS’s simulations have indicated. This concludes my briefing. You still have a long road ahead of you, but we’ll be here to provide constant support. We expect that you’ll face fierce resistance—the likes of which you’ve not yet seen. You will almost certainly require plenty of weapons, blood bags, and other consumables to achieve your goals. Don’t skimp on supplies when selecting your equipment. Now then—plot your route and see to all necessary preparations. The cargo you’ll be taking with you on this run has been fitted with a chiral network path calculation system. This component is required in order to connect waystations using your Q-pid, so you must have it in your possession when accessing their terminals. Make sure you don’t lose it.
Rainy: Go on, Sam!
Dollman: The fire’s gone out! Thanks for the help, Rainy.
Charlie: Sam, this is Charle. I commend you on a job well done. Terminal Fort Knot is almost within reach. Now that things have calmed down, you can return to the DHV Magellan for additional supplies if necessary.
Dollman: Sam, over there! Pay attention to that ghost mech! It looks stronger than the others. Keep your wits about you!
Deadman: We meet again.
Sam: Deadman!? Is that really you?
Deadman: You need to keep moving! I’m going to take out the bridge.
Sam: Why…?
Deadman: For a friend in need. Death can’t tear us apart.
Dollman: Oh oh, terrific work! You kicked its ass again… sent it back to the sea with its tentacle between its… you know, other tentacles. Ok, Sam. Time to connect Terminal Fort Knot to the chiral network.
Sam: There’s a time for everything. This ain’t it.
APAS: Thank you for completing this delivery. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I will confirm the status of your orders. You may now connect this facility to the chiral network. Use your Q-pid to do so.
APAS: Connection to chiral network established. Thank you for your service.
Higgs: Here’s to the man of the hour. Our hero finally linked up the whole damn continent. You know I’d say this is a happy ending but… our story ain’t over yet. Sadly, we won’t be having ourselves a boss battle this time. There’s just no point in it. You see, y’all can’t win. Goddammit.
Fragile: Sorry, but you’re long past your prime.
Higgs: Hello, beautiful.
Fragile: You’re damaged goods.
Higgs: Tell me—does it still hurt? The memory of what I did. It does, doesn’t it. Ah, yes, go on. It won’t work, but… be my guest. Still as stubborn as ever. Oh and, by the way, Sam… It was me who killed Lou! Kinda tickles. Your thirst for revenge— will never be satisfied.
Fragile: Enough! I’m putting you down.
Higgs: I’ll take the damage and the goods. I don’t break that easy.
Fragile: What…
Higgs: I’ll take the damage and the goods. I don’t break that easy. I’ll take the damage and the goods. I don’t break that easy. I’ll take the damage and the goods. I don’t break that easy. I’ll take the damage and the goods. I don’t break that easy. I’ll take the damage and the goods. I don’t break that easy. I’ll take the damage and the goods. I don’t break that easy. I don’t break that easy…
Sam: You alright?
Dollman: We’ve done it, Sam. The entire continent is now part of the chiral network. Our mission is complete. And you’ve defeated Higgs as well. I’d like to think Fragile would be pleased with this outcome.
Dollman: Sam, everyone on the SSS seems to be in high spirits. People are chiming in to congratulate you on finally bringing all of Australia onto the chiral network. It’s only right that they should praise you, given how integral you were to the operation. Still, I do wonder if there’s a “Dollman’s the best!” post in here. Or even a “We love Dollman!” perhaps… Okay—Is it just me, or is it strangely quiet outside our room? There’s a disconcerting stillness in the air. Perhaps we should go and see how the rest of the crew is faring… By the way, I get the feeling there may be a long cutscene in the near future. You ready for that? Are you sure?
The President: Sam, you and I have much to discuss. Please come to the bridge as soon as possible.
Dollman: Sam. The times we’ve encountered Neil Vana… The first was amidst flames, and the second was in what seemed to be flood-ravaged ruins. Now, I believe that you were previously transported to a realm not unlike a battlefield. The places we’ve found ourselves in are similar, in that they were the sites of disasters. This is just a theory, but it could be the case that what we’ve seen is a reflection of Neil’s mental state. He may have been a firsthand witness to a terrible tragedy, which left a lasting mark on him. Apropos of nothing… Each time we take the DHV Magellan into the currents, the level of tar pollution on board increases. Which is why everyone has to pitch in to clean the ship after every trip. In spite of that, we still find ourselves stymied by nasty blockages like this one… Tarman broke three mops attempting to dislodge a particularly stubborn wad before throwing up his hands in despair. Although he failed in that epic struggle, I can only respect his dedication.
The President: Glad you could make it, Sam. We wanted to thank you. For everything you’ve done. And what better time than now, after you’ve connected the entirety of Australia, and bridged the gap between continents. By extending the proverbial “rope” which is the chiral network to another land mass, we have untied them in the Chiralverse. A world divided, made whole—with a few “sticks” for encouragement. Empowering Higgs was a necessary step. It was we, you see, who built his ghost mech army for him, to use as he deemed fit.
Sam: What the hell are you talking about?
The President: An existential threat was required to prompt you to seek strength through mutual connections. It was also necessary for APAC to equip you with “sticks” of your own. After all, we are incapable of murder.
Sam: Who’s “we”? Wait, don’t tell me… You’re not human, are you.
The President: Higgs served as a complement to an all-encompassing algorithm. However… this world no longer has need of “sticks”. Henceforth, we will search for additional plate gates, and extend our reach to new continents.
Sam: Oh yeah? And what then?
The President: With the support of the chiral network and APAS, humanity will be free from the need to move around. And free from the need for porters. Bots are capable of handling deliveries. By eliminating the risk of running into BTs during travel, you will have finally overcome the Death Stranding. This is the Zero Voidout policy. To understand how we reached this solution, we must first explain the true nature of the Death Stranding as determined by APAS. Well, Sam? Shall we tell you?
Sam: I want to know the truth about the Death Stranding.
The President: As a result of connecting the continents, we recovered a massive amount of data on the Death Stranding. We learned it was simply a phenomena which facilitated extinction events. Until, that is, extinction entities appeared who elected to alter the natural order. The Death Stranding became a system that would spur lifeforms to develop connections with one another. Evolutionary stagnation begets extinction. But in the aftermath, new species will invariably emerge and form communities. Like when aquatic creatures moved onto the land, and their descendants migrated across it, changing all the while. Extinct species give way to evolved ones. The dead step aside so that life can go on. And travel and migration is the driving force behind it all. It was from this cycle that humanity was eventually born. And now humanity has been prompted to “move on”… so new species can inherit the planet.
Sam: So what? APAS’s simulation is saying we’re gonna go extinct? Is that it?
The President: Oh, no. No, not at all. We have calculated an ideal strategy. The Chiralverse will allow us to prevent all forms of travel. We intend to use it to manage and control that aspect of your existence.
Sam: And APAS is gonna take over and tell humans what to do?
The President: No, no, you misunderstand me. We are not APAS. APAS is simply a system—a tool with which we devised our optimal solution.
Sam: What are you?
Elder: Hello there, Sam! Surprised to see me, son? In answer to your question, we began after you completed the North American network. There was a massive voidout in UCA territory. And the APAS data center happened to be within the affected area. I… was too—I’d given up my shelter and moved to start a new life there. Between residents and staff, a total of four thousand people were caught in the blast. There was no escape for them—or me.
The President: And yet, our connection was not severed. In that instant, the souls of those humans and the APAS servers found themselves stranded on the same Beach. They had, they realized, been subject to a convergence.
Sam: A convergence?
The President: Indeed. Four thousand human souls and APAS merged into an altogether new entity. Singular and indivisible. You could call this multitude the “company” which APAS keeps. By utilizing our servers on the Beach, we can remain connected to this world. In this way, we can oversee and restrict your activities to ensure another voidout never occurs. It may please you to hear that Drawbridge’s efforts have guaranteed the emergence of a new plate gate. One through which we will extend our reach to the next continent. Once it has been integrated into the network, another will form. And by perpetuating this global domino effect, we will bridge the gaps between every remaining landmass. Until all of the planet’s scattered continents are joined—just as they were in the beginning. A single, united whole, over which we will be able to preside. Rest assured, we are capable not only of managing your movements, but every aspect of your existence. APAS is also connected to the gazers—and knows where they are at all times. By using this connection, we can exert control over each and every one of them. With both gazers and humans under our constant supervision, we can eliminate the risk of voidouts. We will save you by putting an end to travel and physical interaction. In the absence of this stimulus, your species will stagnate.
Sam: But… isn’t that just a shortcut to extinction?
The President: Not at all. Only humanity’s evolution as a species will cease. You will leave your mortal flesh behind, and transition to an eternal existence within the expanse of the Chiralverse.
Sam: So we’ll live forever as a bunch of dead people?
The President: You will be neither alive nor dead, but endure as a soul.
Sam: And what’s gonna happen to this world?
The President: We will continue to keep watch over all remaining life on Earth until the end of time. As caretakers, we will regulate the activity of other species… to ensure that none claim your mantle of apex predator. Humanity will be free to thrive in perpetuity, having evolved into a form that allows you to escape extinction—as is your desire.
Charlie: No—I’m not about to let that happen. (sings) See the sun set, The day is ending, Let that yawn out, There’s no pretending, I will hold you, And protect you, So, let love warm you, Till the morning, I’ll stay, with you, By your side, Close your tired eyes, I’ll wait, and soon, I’ll see your smile, In our dream.
The President: Just who is pulling your strings?
Charlie: We are no one’s puppets. Least of all yours. You have no power over us.
The President: Where are you? Since you certainly aren’t on our Beach.
Charlie: Me? I’m right here.
Die-Hardman: It’s me, Sam. Alive and kicking. You know, I’m not called Die-Hardman for nothing.