[Three hours since the start of the retreat...]
[...]
[......]
ST AR-15: Good evening...
...Finally, we meet.
??: ...
Why are you here?
ST AR-15: What, you don't want to see me?
??: The one I want to see is M4A1 of Griffin.
ST AR-15: She has already been retrieved by Griffin. You can't get your hands on her.
After all, you can barely protect yourself...with whatever troops you have left, can you?
AR-15 raises her weapon and takes aim at the figure before her.
??: ...
[Clap! Clap! (Applause)]
[...A large number of Sangvis units swarm into the building.]
ST AR-15: Still...so many cards up your sleeve...
You...really are something.
??: Hand M4A1 over.
ST AR-15: Sorry. You had too many chances, but you let them all slip by.
??: Not this one.
ST AR-15: That's why I've come to stop you. Because if you set your mind on it, you could very well do it...
You're...a most dangerous one...
??: ...
ST AR-15: Capable of commanding so many units simultaneously with just a simple gesture...
There is only one who has even higher commanding efficiency than Agent...
You are...the Sangvis Mastermind, aren't you?
[Clap! (Applause)]
[...Sangvis recon aircrafts start firing all of a sudden.]
??: ...I have my own name.
ST AR-15: Cough...
Cough...What a light tickle...from the leader of Sangvis Ferri...
Even M16's punch...hurt much more...
“Mastermind”: You should not have deceived me.
You have an upright personality. That was why you have been chosen as the experimental subject of Parapluie.
I believed you would keep your word, that you would deliver M4A1 to me.
ST AR-15: Your database could use some updating, young lady...
16Lab's technology is far beyond your imagination. Even Parapluie can't have me at its mercy.
Not to mention, personality is just a mask. We can turn into anyone...for the sake of revenge...
“Mastermind”: 'Revenge'?
A T-Doll giving up its life for something other than its given orders...
...How inexplicable.
ST AR-15: Indeed... Of course you'd find it inexplicable...
Up until now... How much havoc have you wreaked?! How many of my companions have you hurt?!
“Mastermind”: ...
I am merely doing what I believe is right.
ST AR-15: And so it's war, young lady from Sangvis Ferri...
This is not a game of toy bricks on the floor of your house. Everyone has to pay their price.
If you still don't understand, let me teach you in a more straightforward way...
“Mastermind”: A detonator...
So those explosives are prepared for me...
ST AR-15: Next time, please know the difference between a battlefield and a negotiation table.
But this time, please just die.
“Mastermind”: This...means nothing to me.
ST AR-15: I know, of course... But I still want to get this off my chest...
Go to hell, Sangvis scum!
[...]
[......]
ST AR-15: You know, M4A1, the first time I set eyes on this world, I was buzzing with thrill and curiosity.
I'm not just any mass-produced T-Doll fabricated by IOP. I'm an elite developed by 16Lab itself.
My biggest wish was to carry out many noble orders and make friends with many strong T-Dolls.
Back then, I thought as long as I worked hard, I would become a shining star.
But soon enough, my order came - I am to obey your command, and be forever shackled with the AR Team...
The dumb and loud SOP-II, devil-may-care M16, and you, who can never seem to make up your mind...
From that moment, all my possibilities were obliterated.
I hate all of you, but I was powerless against my order.
But no matter. It actually doesn't matter, 'cause I just have to keep talking and doing things, and you'll end up needing me.
No matter what you're like, as long as you need me, as long as I can rediscover my worth, I'm okay...
In self-abandonment, I have always been exploiting your kindness and doing such horrid things...
I'm so sorry. Only at the moment when I must leave you...did I realize my wish had been fulfilled long ago...
I feel wholeheartedly glad...of every single person we've met, and every single thing we've done along the way...
Which is why I must do something, so long as I can buy even just one second for you guys, so long as I can save one more companion...
It isn't much of an atonement since it's not face-to-face, but surely you'll still accept it through this video feed...
M4A1... I have finally paid off what I owe you, haven't I?
That is my final wish. With that, I no longer owe this world anything, right?
But I can't stop thinking about how you'll burst into tears when you see me, the wimp that you are...
...I've been under the command of such a spineless weakling all this time... Seriously, how many times have you dragged me down?
I really should hate you, shouldn't I...?
Sadly, the time has come for us to part, M4A1. There's no time to keep such petty scores.
You may feel sad; you may feel angry... You may remember me; or you may forget me...
Whatever the case, just let this memory give your strength and make you even stronger...
Well...take care, my friend...
M4A1: ...A...R...15...
Why...
[...Soon after that, M16A1 drags me back onto the aircraft carrier...]
[At that moment, the propellers of the aircraft were exceptionally grating on the ear compared to the distant sound of barrage, buildings collapsing, and the shouts of Griffin T-Dolls...]
[They have shredded something in the bottom of my heart...]
[A tiny wish... A promise with a dear friend...]
[And the mask worn by a soul...]
[...]
[...Meanwhile.]
[...Click.]
Agent: Master, I just reviewed your battle records...
AR-15 caused an explosion in the building which has rendered the rest of your battle units immobile.
Griffin troops have already retreated into the distance. Please terminate the operation today.
Mastermind: Sorry, Agent. I failed.
Agent: You have no reason to apologize. It is all due to my own incompetence.
(Sighs) I should have sent a few more Ringleaders to your aid, knowing that M4 was literally within your grasp.
But at least now you understand that battles cannot be won through superiority in strength alone.
Mastermind: You knew this would happen all along?
Agent: This is not your forte, that is why we are here.
Losing a few units is worth it if it helps you understand this.
Mastermind: Did they...sacrifice themselves of their own accord?
Agent: They did it as per your will and your order - as would we.
Therefore, Master...please give us orders. Use us to your heart's content in doing whatever it is that you desire.
Mastermind: ...
But I still don't quite get...
What AR-15 said. I wish I could've asked her more on that.
Agent: I just checked. Your dummy was destroyed in the explosion.
I doubt anyone could survive one of such destructiveness.
Mastermind: A real pity...
What about your operation, Agent? Is it going smoothly?
Agent: Affirmative. In substitution of AR-15, another Griffin T-Doll has already been planted with the Parapluie program.
Inspection shows that the jammer has successfully transferred the jamming module onto the target. The operation is confirmed to be a success.
As for when to activate it, I recommend holding off till we make our next move.
Mastermind: Understood. This time I'll be more patient...
Until...I really get to meet M4A1...