[ Unknown location / September 21, 0078 08:02 ]
Ignoring Agito's reproachful gaze, Signum headed inside. Shamal and Zafira were examining something as she entered.
"Signum," Shamal turned around. "Es gab eine Nachricht von der Person. Schau mal." [1]
She edged to the side, letting Signum take a look at the image Klarwind was projecting into the air. It was a still photograph of a glass box resting on a work desk among various utensils next to a window. It must have been several stories up, giving a view of an unknown cityscape under a clear night sky. However, the important thing was in the glass box: a band of glimmering silvery metal, adorned with shapes she knew all too intimately—the triangles of Belka.
"Was ist es?" [2] Agito asked from above her shoulder.
"Die Kaiserkrone," [3] Signum answered quietly. She had an unsettling feeling that somewhere, somehow she held this headband in her hands… but that memory may have just been one that was wiped by the Book of Darkness.
"Sie wurde von den Sankt Kaisern der alten Belka getragen," Zafira explained. "Aber bald nach dem Fall der Vaterwelt ging sie verloren. The Wiege wurde zum neuen Symbol der Kaisermacht." [4]
"Das Bild muss uralt sein," [5] Signum mused.
"Doch, es wurde erst vor Kurzem genommen," Shamal replied. "Und es gab eine Nachricht dazu." [6]
Signum read the short text carefully.
"Will die Person uns damit sagen, dass die Wiege hinter der Kaiserkrone her ist und dass die Krone dort ist?" [7]
"Das vermute ich," [8] Shamal nodded.
Both fell silent.
"Das ist kein Archeologenlager mehr…" Agito gave Signum a worried look. "Sollte die Wiege angreifen, kommen tausende ums Leben." [9]
Signum contemplated. The others looked at her, awaiting her decision.
"Wir… haben uns bereits entschlossen. Die Opfer tun mir auch leid, aber sie sind notwendig. Außerdem wird das Büro sicherlich da sein, um die Menschen zu schützen. Lade das Bild hoch, Shamal." [10]
"Sobald die Wiege die Krone bekommt, verschwindet sie für immer ins Weltall," [11] Shamal warned.
"Das heißt nur, dass wir sie vor den Dronen finden und sichern sollen. Dann greifen wir die Wiege an." [12]
"Verstanden," Shamal nodded. "Was ist mit dem Text?" [13]
Signum stopped to think.
"Ich habe da eine Idee…" [14] Agito spoke up.
[1] Ger. "Signum, there was a message from that person. Look."
[2] Ger. "What is this?"
[3] Ger. "The Crown of the Emperors."
[4] Ger. "It was worn by the Saint Kings of the old Belka. It was lost soon after the fall of the Father World. The Cradle became the new symbol of the Kings' power."
[5] Ger. "The picture must be ancient."
[6] Ger. "No, it was taken recently. There was a message attached to it."
[7] Ger. "Is that person telling us the Cradle is after the Crown and that the Crown is there?"
[8] Ger. "I assume that much."
[9] Ger. "This isn't an archeologist camp anymore. If the Cradle attacks there, it will kill thousands."
[10] Ger. "We… have already decided. I feel bad about the victims but they are necessary. However, the Bureau will surely be there to protect them. Upload the picture, Shamal."
[11] Ger. "The moment the Cradle gets the Crown, it will disappear into space forever."
[12] Ger. "It only means that we have to get to it first and secure it. Then, we attack."
[13] Ger. "Agreed. What about the message?"
[14] Ger. "I have an idea…"