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A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 98 - Deep into the Abyss (part 26)
And so, the three of us stand in front of the trigger in front of the camera 34 - 22. - This currently has no basis, but we both trust that there must be a pattern of shuffling whenever somebody steps on this trigger. This may take a while, but it is better than nothing since we are at a dead end. So, if everyone is ready... - Yes, I am. - Same. - Well then, I would step on this. This is redundant, but please hold onto something during the restructuring. Maric places her left foot on the button and slowly leans forward to apply pressure. As we discreetly stare at her leg doing the job, a faint but very defined click finally reverberates throughout the silent corridor after the trigger button is on the same level as the ground. The segregation walls collapse as soon as Maric lifts her foot, making a series of continuous slamming noises like a domino effect. In the small T-shaped, two-by-two metres compartment of camera 34 - 22, we lie fla
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 99 - Deep into the Abyss (part 27)
The centre of the building is a cubical entity consisting of four static blocks and four spaces to fit in another four compartments. Each static block contains sensors that would detect whether the correct compartment out of the staggering six thousand compartments fits into the space, visually represented by the entire compartment shining. Theoretically, if you consider each camera code a two-dimensional vector, you only need two linearly independent vectors to span the entire two-dimensional space. In particular, two triggers should be enough to create every possible permutation, albeit taking some time. However... - Two triggers are not enough. 80 and 125 are factors of 6000, but their lowest common multiple is not 6000. If this pattern continues, we will need a third trigger, particularly one that would group the compartments in groups of a multiple of 3. Mirai immediately spots the last link of the game. The camera permutation is not strictly a two-dimensional s
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 100 - Deep into the Abyss (part 28, final)
- Cannons on your left! Charging until launch! Try to neutralise them! - Roger! Claws underneath, our retaliation rockets are locked on them! - EMP! Where is EMP? - You two! I am swarmed by exploding spider mechs down here. Do something! The last three hours are the most daunting. Protruding from the six surfaces of the cuboidal room are six nodes containing the key to unlocking the box. Maric is unable to fight for a prolonged period, so she is tasked with solving the nodes, while Mirai and I help her fight off the traps to buy her time. Everything in the portable subspace and my backpack is pushed to the limit. I have consumed the tenth photon shotgun ammunition tube to neutralise countless waves of mechs and traps. With the correct settings, each shot is a multitude of photons with various frequencies that jam electronic devices on impact. I manoeuvre around the emerging obstacles to gather the endlessly spawning autonomous bots and d
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Interlude 5 - Mileva
To leave everything behind. For the greater cause. Ever since then, the words echoed in her head, like an enclosed chamber with a perfect reflection. The words were stuck there, and it made her unable to think properly. What did they mean? - What is on your mind, darling? - Nothing. Just weird, personal stuff. After getting close to a science major graduate from the University of New South Wales, the two decided to come together and live under the same roof. They had a lovely child, and their road ahead was paved with rose petals. Of course, no happiness is eternal. On that fateful day, she heard the words. _____________________________________ - Huh, Egypt? Of all places? - Come on, you are a sociology bachelor. Why so sceptical? Just consider it a cultural appreciation trip. Her group of colleagues were planning to visit another country during their precious holidays. Unlike everyone, who seemed to be very ecstatic about the tr
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Interlude 6 - Pursuit
Humans immerse themselves in illusions, but who dares to break through such sweet dreams and pursue reality? - Wow, look at this artefact, guys. - Let me see, let me see. - So cool! The next day, Maric's group visited the cluster of pyramids in Giza. To avoid the tour buses flocking in and causing an influx of tourists to roam around. Thus, the poor soul who returned to the hotel late after the stand-up comedy show was sleep-deprived, against her gang whose energy and enthusiasm were over the roof. Waking up as soon as six in the morning to have an indulgent breakfast and catch the earliest bus, they reached the foot of the most colossal one, the Great Pyramid of Giza at eight-thirty. They shared money to book a guide for the entire visit, and the man in summer clothing and a hat was already there, waving at them. The pyramid visit was expected to last half an hour. Because there were few people in the tunnels, the occasional breeze that traver
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Interlude 7 - Rendezvous
And then, the two hands of the clock of fate met. What happens is bound to happen, and humanity is none the wiser. After being separated from the tomb's lid, the mysterious device's defensive mechanism went off, resulting in vibrations across the entire pyramid. The team immediately fled from the chamber, with Wilhelm leading and Ernst in the back. Gottlob and Arthur kept close to Maric, the only person without any firearm or combat experience. - Mileva, you stick to us at all times. We will handle this. - As if I have another choice. - Watch out! A stone fragment cracked from the ceiling and fell down. Ernst charged forward, pushing both Maric and Arthur forward, right before it hit the ground and shattered. - I told you, stay vigilant! - Sorry, sir. The only things Maric could hear were the chaotic rustling and the humming from the vibrations. Never would she think that a life-and-death situation occurred to her simply due to
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 101 - The Future that Bet Life to Believe
Counter-Extraterrestrial Association, Egypt branch, 2060, From the outside, it looks like a small stand-up comedy house within the bustling tourist area of Cairo. However, in the basement, its true form is revealed. More than half of the basement area is for equipment and vehicle storage, and in the corner, a hydraulic lift is responsible for carrying them to the first floor. Deeper into the basement is the meeting room. Around the table, Mirai and Wilhelm sit next to each other, on the largest seat designated for high-ranking officials of the CEA or important people. Then, Ernst, Gottlob, Arthur, Maric, and I sit on the remaining seats. At the centre of the table, a hologram depicts the images of the current situation. Under the table, each seat will have a mouse which resembles a ball, so anyone can freely rotate or zoom in on the hologram projection for better observation. - Thank you everyone for being here. Before we start the impromptu meeting, two more people wo
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 102 - Project Tomorrow (part 1)
2060, Sahara desert... Project Ashita... After the brief exchange with the Colonel-ranked Intruder named Lamabula, Mirai and I spent countless hours after the construction observation duty hours to devise a plan. After careful consideration, the seeds of Project Ashita are sown. Before introducing the project to the CEA survivors, Mirai initially hesitated, but she ultimately discussed it with Lamabula. Without a doubt, he burst into his signature, explosive laughter and rejoiced the moment Mirai mentioned the scale of the project, and willingly lent a portion of the base's space for the construction of the colossal battleship. So long as he deemed us subpar compared to the Intruders, he would continue lending assistance. However, the dangerous part of this rigged contract is that we do not know until when he would deem us sufficiently dangerous and suddenly cut all support. However, that has never been Mirai's concern, who can fight head-on with Lamabula, and whose distrust a
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