A brief silence filled the room.
No one spoke, as if everyone was using the pause to process the shocking revelations from the conversation thus far. Why had I ended up like this? What exactly was “worldline synchronization”? What truly was the Dark Zone? These questions had led to startling answers that were almost too much to digest.
By this point, I could have left, satisfied with the answers I’d received. The conversation had already resolved more than half of the questions that had weighed on my mind for so long.
So answers were difficult to accept, but others made sense.
Still, I couldn’t fully relax. There were still a few more truths I needed to uncover, and I wasn’t sure what kind of shocking answers I might hear next. It wasn’t ti to divert the conversation just yet.
"Let’s continue from where we left off."
I had learned a lot: what the Dark Zone was, how I had ended up like this, and how worldline synchronization connected two worlds, affecting them both in different ways. The first significant impact was the reawakening of mories connected to the Oga Virus incident and people like who had lived through it.
The second, yet-to-be-confird impact would occur when I completed the Indian Point mission and synchronization ended. The mission would sohow influence the world beyond, just as they had promised.
But a new question ford in my mind.
If all of this was true—
"Why are these events happening in the first place? What is this ga ultimately trying to achieve?"
The fact that the ga even existed suggested it had the power to interfere with another worldline. And since we already knew the reverse was possible—mories synchronizing through worldlines—the potential for more people like , victims of such interference, was real. I had to know the underlying purpose.
After a mont, the cara focused on , signaling a response.
-[ : To answer that question, we must explain why the Dark Zone and Icarus International were created. This was sothing we planned to discuss eventually, and now seems like the perfect ti.]
-[ : According to the information we’ve gathered, the Dark Zone and Icarus International function as a sort of immune system, created to recover from the damage caused by worldline collisions. In short, the ga’s ultimate goal is the complete restoration of both worlds and their separation.]
I nodded, understanding what they ant.
It was reassuring to know that this massive, world-spanning ga had a legitimate purpose. But there was one part I couldn’t ignore.
"It sounds like you’re not as involved in this as I originally thought."
-[ : That’s a reasonable assumption. But to clarify, while we’re connected to this, our departnt is not directly related to the Dark Zone or Icarus International.]
"So you’re involved... but not really?"
-[ : If you’re asking whether we’ve influenced the ga’s thods of achieving its goal, then yes, we’ve played a role. If we hadn’t intervened, things could have gone very wrong during the second worldline synchronization.]
They continued, explaining further.
-[ : Without our intervention, the ga might have sent its players, the people participating in the Incursion scenarios, to the other world to stabilize it. Victims like you could have beco far more common.]
-[ : The system prioritizes achieving its objective, and the legality of its thods is irrelevant.
"That’s…"
So I wasn’t wrong.
The worry I’d had earlier wasn’t baseless; it had been a legitimate concern about a ticking ti bomb. But since they had directly intervened, I no longer had to fear a repeat of my own disaster.
Going forward, the task was simple.
They would prepare the scenarios, and I would clear them.
I didn’t fully understand the chanisms behind it, but the scenarios after the second worldline synchronization would follow events that took place after my MIA status at Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant.
Until the other world was completely stable.
In other words, I was about to personally finish the job I’d never imagined I’d get to complete—the one I’d thought was impossible.
"So, when you said there were still unresolved matters… this is what you ant."
It was a straightforward and clear solution.
But to get here, I’d needed help from so many people, including those who had saved and brought back to this place—these very people I was now speaking to.
There was sothing I needed to say.
"…Thank you. Truly."
For saving .
For giving the chance to co back.
I had so many things I wanted to express, but this simple phrase was all I could muster with my limited words.
Since coming to Arica, there had been so many monts that brought tears to my eyes.
I had been helped by so many people; how could I not feel moved? Even though I felt the sting of emotion now, thankfully, I didn’t break down in front of them as I had when I received my dal a few days ago.
The dal of Honor had rewarded my past efforts, and this conversation had given answers to questions I hadn’t even known to ask. It had promised to fulfill a desire I hadn’t been aware I harbored.
I still didn’t fully trust the Dark Zone, but I knew that without this ga, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t have been ready to hear all of this, and perhaps, I wouldn’t have co at all.
Their voice echoed softly in the chamber, pulling from my thoughts.
-[ : That’s the reason our departnt was founded. In a way, we’ve also been rewarded.
A brief silence followed.
Then, they spoke again.
-[ : When everything is finally over, co back and see us. Perhaps we’ll be able to share a al together.
"You’re remarkable people."
Of course, I couldn’t refuse their offer.
I also realized that I needed to change my approach.
"Originally, I was planning to ask all my questions today, but since we’ll et again, I guess I don’t need to."
-[ : You can still ask now if you want.
"Hmm."
I smiled and added with a lighthearted tone.
"I’ll save at least one question for next ti. That way, I’ll be curious enough to return, and you’ll have sothing to answer."
In other words, I was simply expressing my hope for a warm reunion in the future.
They seed to catch on quickly, replying with amusent.
-[ : You’re right. I hope our next eting will be as relaxed as this one. Though, I suspect you’re not quite ready to leave yet, are you?
"No."
There was still plenty of ti, and far more to discuss.
The chair creaked as I shifted, and their voice echoed through the speakers.
-[ : Then perhaps we can sit back and chat about what’s happened in the anti. Should I bring so popcorn?
"You’ll need a lot."
-[ : Sounds like fun.
It seed we were in for an enjoyable conversation.
"Phew."
It was cold outside, but the sky hadn’t darkened yet.
Though I’d entered the building around noon, it was already 4 p.m. when I stepped outside. The Icarus Gear had been turned off during our conversation, so my sense of ti had been skewed. I hadn’t expected four hours to pass so quickly.
As expected, there was no one waiting for when I left. But that didn’t worry . All I had to decide was whether to take the subway back or hail a taxi.
It was too late for lunch and too early for dinner. After wandering the city for so long, even the hotel might feel unfamiliar. Since I had so ti, I thought about exploring Manhattan for a bit.
My last mory of the area was when the storm had hit Lower Manhattan. But now, seeing it intact brought a strange sense of cognitive dissonance.
"I know my way around, but I have no idea what’s here…"
Cafes, places to visit—I didn’t know what was what. My only mories were of gunfights in eerily similar streets. I had spent four years in New York, yet I barely knew my way around. It was sothing that would make for a good joke in a cody routine.
Well, at least I had so money. I spoke English like a second native language, and as long as I avoided dangerous areas, I’d be fine.
Just as I was about to take a random step forward—
"And where do you think you’re sneaking off to, rookie?"
"…I told you to go back and rest if I didn’t show up after two hours."
"What’s so hard about waiting for four hours? Get in, I’ll take you to Central Park."
And just like that, my escape plan crumbled as the infamous Miss DevGru, Loren Tina, appeared out of nowhere and grabbed by the neck. I was shoved into Logan’s waiting van, my body slumping into the cushioned seat designed for my tail.
I barely had ti to settle in before the questions started flying—What is the Dark Zone? What happened? Naturally, I couldn’t say a word, but instead of pressing further, these perceptive comrades began to piece things together on their own.
These special forces veterans were nothing if not sharp.
"Looks like you’re under orders not to spill anything."
"There must be a good reason for it. Our rookie wouldn’t keep quiet for no reason."
"…Please don’t call a rookie. I’m an adult, you know."
But my protest was imdiately squashed.
As I beca Loren Tina’s makeshift pillow, enduring her playful pinches, Logan drove us through the heart of Manhattan.
Ti passed, and I started to grasp what was happening. They were interested in the Dark Zone, but they weren’t taking it too seriously. It was clear they trusted not to withhold information unless it was necessary. If it were sothing critical, I would have told them.
So, the conversation drifted to lighter topics.
"By the way, where are you all staying?"
"Upper East Side, in a mansion one of my friends owns. It’s more than enough space for the three of us."
"…Upper East Side? Isn’t that where the super-rich live?"
"My friend works for a pretty decent PMC."
That made sense.
They weren’t the type to book a hotel for weeks, and even if they had the money, it wasn’t their style. It was all about connections.
Thinking about it, I realized I had made quite a few connections myself during my ti with Icarus. There was Serkins, the secretary to the defense minister, and Chester, a Hopkins graduate and elite field dic…
Well, now that I was a dal of Honor recipient, maybe I didn’t need to feel out of place among such people anymore.
Still, I couldn’t ignore the fact that our ti together was coming to an end.
The car stopped, and the vast expanse of Central Park ca into view.
-Screech!
"Well, it’s been an eventful three days, short but long. Thank you, really."
"I’ll be back to visit, so no need to look so sad. Who knows? Maybe we’ll bump into each other tomorrow morning at the hotel’s breakfast buffet."
"I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen."
"Should I bring an elephant tranquilizer?"
"Haha, seriously…"
What could I say? They were truly a constant in my life.
Perhaps their lightheartedness was the reason they were still standing after all they’d been through. Maybe it was also why I was still sane.
I smiled as I added:
"Co visit anyti. I’ll be happy to see you."
With a final exchange of smiles, I got out near the entrance to Central Park, gently closing the car door. Logan, the senior officer, and Loren Tina drove away, disappearing into the depths of New York, leaving alone in the quiet, chilly air.
It was a ten-minute walk back to the hotel.
With a small piece of tal hidden under my clothes and countless secrets locked in my heart, it was ti to return to where I needed to be.
Despite the biting cold, New York felt warr than I rembered.
"Mr. Eugene, what were you doing at Pennsylvania University?"
"…What?"
"You really don’t know, do you?"
Dice projected a hologram into the air.
Unfortunately, my enhanced eyesight quickly caught the headline of an article trending online.
A headline that needed no further explanation.
-[Breaking News // Unusual figures spotted at Pennsylvania University… (Click to read more)]
And I could only say one thing.
"Good grief."
Thus, my short yet eventful trip ca to an end.
What an absurd ending it was.
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