Zeroth Directive

Archive II

[Personal Research Log] Date: Week 1 in Kjerag Project Status: Preparation phase Recorded by: Elena The dormitories and final check of the experiment supplies are complete, and we finally received permission to go into the field. Since most of us are unfamiliar with the local environment, Karlan Trade has arranged a guide for us, and they will help us with surveying and basic mapping within a month. Looks like they're very much on top of things. The people in town are quite friendly to us, but residents of smaller villages prefer to keep their distance. Will this have a negative impact on our surveying efforts? Perhaps I could talk to them and help them understand that we don't have any ill intentions. Date: Week 3 in Kjerag Project Status: Initial survey Recorded by: Elena The work of Energy Team Leader has been easier than I expected. The people selected for the Kjerag project are the best and brightest: everyone is smart, motivated, and efficient. Besides, the exceptional nature of the project means that there are no receptions and conferences to deal with, other than internal meetings at the station. Sometime it feels... just the same as the old days. The project goes well, and the proposal of firing high-energy particle beams at the Starpod to observe the response seems feasible, though there are still issues with energy supply that need to be resolved. Time to get back to work. Date: Week 4 in Kjerag Project Status: Initial survey Recorded by: Elena The guide's work is done, and we have maps of the surrounding area and some of the remote regions. Turns out Kjerag doesn't have a publicly available map of the nation... I'd heard from Muelsyse about the local religious institution's monopoly on knowledge, but I didn't think it went so far as to deny access to maps. I'm on the night shift with Carolin this week. She was the one who reminded me to submit my application as soon as the project started recruiting. I should thank her. Maybe I should buy her lunch? Date: Week 6 in Kjerag Project Status: Seeking supplemental energy source Recorded by: Elena I've been running scans with my team for energy sources in the nearby villages and valleys, but we haven't found any reliable local source yet. Perhaps we should cast the net wider. The children in the villages speak Kjeragi with a slight rural accent, which I have some difficulty understanding. They are very curious and ask a lot of questions, most of which I didn't really understand. I should ask the Karlan Trade liaison later. There's no doubt, however, that they loved the candies I brought. I should bring some more flavors next time. Date: Week 7 in Kjerag Project Status: Seeking supplemental energy source Recorded by: Elena A village has extended an invitation for us to enter. I was surprised because their mayor had previously opposed outsiders. After we completed our survey, she invited us to eat at her house and drew symbols on our hands with snow before muttering something in prayer. I did not hear what she said, but finally she told us that Kjeragandr had told her that we were friends of Kjerag and could be trusted. This was a happy development, though we failed to find any new energy source. However, after reviewing the recent survey data and comparing it with those from other centrum countries, I believe I've identified an unusual, subtle energy fluctuation unique to Kjerag that can be observed across its entire territory. Could it be some kind of underground vein? Date: Week 8 in Kjerag Project Status: Seeking supplemental energy source Recorded by: Elena No new discoveries from energy surveys, and analysis of the unusual energy fluctuation was inconclusive. My Kjeragi is getting better by the day, though. I'm now able to converse fluently with most of the villagers, and we've obtained permission to enter more villages. Some locals have even come over to share their homemade cheese and jerky with us. They're delicious. The mayor from my previous entry invited us to visit her village again in a few weeks for her young daughter's birthday banquet. I should get a present from the souvenir shop in town. And I still haven't invited Carolin to lunch yet... need to remember to do it after tonight's shift.

Archive IV

A new research direction requires the support of a vast repository of both theory and empirical data. It is no small task to strip away the trappings of occultism and retrieve an undeniable truth which, however, is unprovable. Right now, she had no results, no sponsorship, and no team, only a heart that yearned for the truth— And a twin sister who always has her back. The hole in the sky above Trimounts attracted many astrologists and esoteric scholars from near and far, giving Astesia more opportunities to support her sister in academia. However, while her skill as bibliography consultant is beyond doubt, in a field like astrology that places great importance on lineage and tradition, there are certain secrets and documents that are off-limits to someone of her age and limited experience. When she shared her concerns with her younger sister, Astgenne gave a surprising answer as she organized her notes with a piece of toast in her mouth: 'Let's have Mr. Urbica do his part, then.' Seeing her sister's hand freeze in mid-air, still holding a butter knife, Astgenne realized that some explanation was in order. 'I'm not saying I forgive him. There are some walls that time and family ties will never break down, even if he's my dad. 'But I also understand that there's more to him than just that stern, stubborn man I remember. 'I'd like to talk to Mr. Urbica, the scholar who's receptive to change and rebukes those clinging to obsolete ideas, not the dad who robbed me of my dreams.' Astesia said nothing, only looking at her sister with a gaze that was both understanding and deeply moved. It made Astgenne feel a little embarrassed, and she looked away. 'What do you need me to do, Genne? Set up a meeting?' 'Mm... yeah. The more people around, the better, so he won't be able to throw a fit.' 'Just like last time?' 'Just like last time.' Astgenne recalled the time she attended a meeting dressed in her sister's clothes, and added, 'But this time, I'll be going as myself—Elena Urbica.' 'Sure.' ...... Astrological Research Association, one week later Francois Urbica was reading a summary of the previous conference session in the public lounge. The hole in the sky of Trimounts was just a window to the heavens, not the heavens themselves, but everyone had their gazes fixated upon it, a fact that he found most tiresome. 'May I have a few minutes, Father?' Suppressing his irritation, he instructed Astesia to continue, in his usual calm tone. 'My 'colleague' here would like to discuss a potential partnership with you.' 'Nice to meet you, Mr. Urbica. I am Elena Urbica from Rhine Lab. To get straight to the point, I can offer you the latest star charts and star trail data observed by the Kjerag Station as part of a long-term data-sharing agreement. 'Here is a sample for your perusal, both the raw data and the adjusted based on the Trimounts gap.' This was the second time Francois had seen his rebellious younger daughter recently. Last time, she had dressed up as her sister, putting on a clumsy farce in full view of everyone. What was she up to this time? He could have tossed the documents back at Elena in a fit of anger, but his dignity as a scholar would not allow him to do so. He took the documents and began reading them. With every paragraph, every page, he could feel his irritation fade away, as thoughts began to connect themselves in his mind. And the one who brought all this was—he looked up at his younger daughter—his own flesh and blood, one who was every bit as obstinate as him, who has defied him for half of her life. Five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes. He did not even react to his assistant's reminder that his next meeting was about to start. ...... Finally, Francois Urbica made the largest concession he had ever made: 'What do you want?'

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