Colonel. Can I come in?
Come in, son. At ease. Now, what're you here for? Hopefully not just for some shits and giggles. This had better be important.
We don't know everything that went on during the pendulum wars.
That's a given, son.
So much information was lost or classified. A lot of controversial COG experiments and the like, right?
Yeah, though I think we all know about the 'farms' by now.
Damn, sir, I just ate.
Learn to take it, Lieutenant.
You were once dispatched to Mount Kadar, right?
How did you know that?
It's in this file.
…What else is in there?
It's about the New Hope research facility.
…Never heard of it.
You probably weren't supposed to.
Why bring it to me? What does this have to do with Mount Kadar?
You're the only one I can trust with this.
What do you mean by that? What's going on here?
I know what you saw there, Sir.
Son, you can't know what I saw. I don't know what I saw. Take that thing away. It's called CLASSIFIED for a reason.
You wanted an explanation. You begged them to tell you.
…Damn.
…
… Give it to me.
Here you go, sir. I think we can solve this. We need to find out what those fucking things are, and why Prescott's been hiding this from us. If this info gets out, the COG would-
I need to know what happened, Herb. It's not just for the COG. This was… it was… I just need to know. But whatever happened… I… damn, I can't tell if everyone needs to know or if it'll make things worse.
…
Get out.
Yes, sir.
File 1
Date: Unknown
File Code: CLASSIFIED- RESTRICTED
File Designation:
*Open File*
Dr. Niles Samson, project NEW HOPE supervisor, Depatrment of Health, Coalition of Ordered Governments
* Today marks the beginning of the future. The rebirth of society, as seen, as demanded, by God.
Project NEW HOPE begins today. This is simply… invigorating. Knowing that I will be instrumental in the shaping of the world… words cannot describe this feeling. It is miraculous.
The first test subjects will be brought in approximately an hour. Preliminary calculations and calibrations are complete. Most equipment has been readied for usage, though I am told we will only require two of the laboratories and the preliminary testing chamber for the time being. Everything is ready.
It is unfortunate the military cannot know of our operation; we are not currently in a position where we can guarantee results, though that is likely to change soon. It is the funding and expertise their scientists could give us that we so desperately need, but for now we must remain secret, or we will be at risk.
This seat is far too cold; our current facility, due to its proximity to Mt. Kadar, is buffeted by cold fronts almost year-round, so that is not likely to change. If I had more funding, I would install more heating units, but the only ones we have are reserved for the testing rooms and laboratories, to maintain room temperature.
But the cold is bearable. We must all shoulder some burden or another; the potential reward will render our problems as insignificant.
It will rain soon, but hopefully it will not delay the transports from arriving.
And the krill cannot penetrate their armor, it has been tested and re-tested.
Am I forgetting anything? The back of my mind itches as if I had forgotten something…
…
I can only hope that this will succeed. Our failure will have dire consequences.*