As Kiana ascended to the control center of the Hyperion, her mind drifted to the numerous questions she still had no answers for. The Hyperion was fully functional even if it's exterior looked severely damaged. It also didn't seem like anyone was aboard the giant vessel, a fact that further aroused her suspicion about it's functional state.
«There has to be a reason this damn ship is still running, right?»
The only other thing on her mind at that moment was but a fleeting hope, that the communication device on the Hyperion would fare better than her own limited comms in reaching anyone that could help her get off this beach. The moment the elevator reached it's destination, Kiana sprinted off to the nearest terminal and booted up comms.
-HQ
-MEDICAL
and numerous other preset targets graced her screen as her choices stood before her. Upon consideration, Kiana decided that Headquarters were likely better suited to run a Search and Rescue OP for a missing Valkyrie and decided to contact them first. She'd let the girls back at St. Freya know she was okay later.
«Well, at least things are looking up for once!»
But her train of thought was redirected once again to the terminal screen, now displaying words she hoped she was imagining…
ERROR. COMMUNICATION TARGET NOT OPERATIONAL.
Dread began to take hold of Kiana as she read the words aloud. She could understand a signal error or even limited range but this… this meant Schicksal HQ was either having problems with their Comm Towers or was completely destroyed…
«There must be something wrong with this thing! I'll try , Aunt Theresa was there before I blacked out. She must know about what's happened!»
Kiana worked her way through the UI until the preset comm targets were displayed on screen once more, only this time Kiana chose her new target with newfound anticipation. What would she even ask Where to even begin? These and more questions filled her mind when finally the screen was alight once again, with Principal Theresa Apocalypse proudly displayed before her.
«Kiana?! Oh my god, are you alright? Where are you?» Theresa quickly asked the girl once the initial shock wore off.
«I'm fine Auntie, just a little sore, nothing major besides an annoying headache. As for where I am, I was kinda hoping you'd know.» Kiana replied with a grin as she sheepishly rubbed the back of her head.
«If you gimme a minute I can have people here triangulate the Hyperion's location and come get you straight away. I'm surprised to see the old thing still running after all that's happened…»
«Yeah about that…»
«Hm?» Theresa looked up with wonder.
«What did happen? The last thing I remember was that simulation that you and I entered, with the Tower of Babylon. And Mom…» Kiana said looking down with a sad look on her face.
«Oh. I see.»
«Is that it?» Kiana looked up to see Theresa with a grim expression.
«What do you mean?»
«Is that all you're gonna give me? Just a cryptic Oh, I see? There's gotta be more than that! Hell, even Schicksal HQ has probably gone to hell by now so I doubt a simple Oh is enough!»
«HQ? They didn't contact you did they?» Theresa asked worriedly.
«No they didn't. I tried to contact them but it didn't go well, as you can guess.»
«Then Tesla is probably the one that cut off HQ's comms as well as the power to the whole base… They succeeded!» Theresa exclaimed now with joy in her features.
«Tesla? Isn't she from Anti-Entropy?»
«Nevermind that right now, I'll get you caught up in person. You just sit tight! I'm coming to get you!»
«Wait a sec! Is everyone there alright? Is Mei-
But before the Young Knight could finish wording her worries, the feed was dead, as well as the terminal screen which now reflected Kiana's worried face on it's own, with silence filling the room once again as Kiana slumped to the ground.
«Please let everyone be alright, please…»
«Ich liebe dich…»