Tarmac

The main road was sealed off an hour ago, the support platform's emergency jump pads are all shut, and the cable car routes were all diverted to only go in one direction last night, so no one's been able to get in.

Better play it safe...

Ropeway station needs backup. That Rhine research assistant is blocking the access hub with a group of testers, and it's hard to get around them...

Gah, go back them up. It's crucial we time this right, every preparatory step has to be complete before the broadcast begins.

What was that...?

Look, over here.

A soda bottle cap?

Probably rolled off the table from the floating pod shaking. It's probably nothing, let's go.

Phew... M-Mr. Aspen...

What on earth is your obsession with that balloon?! The couch is small enough without you hanging onto that, I almost got squished flat!

I'm sorry, Miss Barn... but I begged you to take me here just for this balloon...

You have no idea how much effort it took slipping right out from under their noses and then getting you here!

Really sorry about that... could you hand me the toolbox from the closet? The evacuation announcement came so suddenly, I didn't have the time to make sure the floating pods would be alright during the stream...

You want the Lucky Cystybeast on display at the expo that badly?

Ignoring a public hearing, signing a temp contract with a tour guide with multiple charges under her belt, and helping her escape park security just so you can have her bring you back to a sealed-off levitation layer...

You guys! All nuts for the sky!

I'm drowning in debt here. The only way to clear it is to have the Lucky Cystybeast at the show and draw in investors.

Yeah, yeah. 'The sky will answer every future seeker', and all that jazz. Propeller Paradise's slogan is plastered all over the place, trashcan lids in the slums included.

Even if it's blind faith, I'm not going to give up now after coming this far.

Phew... nothing wrong with the components. They'll last till the show ends. Let's go.

Why's the door locked?

Wait, did you hear that?

I did... don't tell me something's really up with my product?

No, I don't mean the exhibit. From—

Under our feet?

Grr, why isn't the line moving? Drag this out any longer and the broadcast is gonna start!

Calm down, Maylander guys are on their way to handle it... they've got someone surrounded. Seems like a Rhine Lab researcher, judging by the uniform?

Let me through! The tree's hard drive and motherboard haven't been removed yet—

Don't push your luck!

Allowing the Rhine tree at the expo has been our biggest concession to Rhine Lab, and we've even been so generous as to let you copy the data for future research. What more do you want?

I just need five minutes! I promise I won't pull any tricks either! Hasn't the ATAO's Science Consultant issued a report on the tree? It's completely harmless!

No. All levitation layer personnel are to return to the ground to ensure the exhibits are finalized, and only return after the opening speech.

Besides, the uplink cable cars aren't operating now, so there's no way you can reach the Rhine tree. It's at the highest point in the park.

......

I didn't realize how much effort Director Lunorey put into this experiment until I saw the core code, and now I remember, how she never abandoned her dreams for the sky...

Even if it only saves a little backtracking time later, I want to help her somehow... you have to let me through!

Mr. Jagger, one more move and we'll have to resort to more special methods.

Wait... the tree looks strange.

You used the same excuse ten minutes ago.

No, no! It really looks weird! Look for yourself!

Organic materials don't photosynthesize...

The park handbook states clearly it is common for exhibits to transform in high-altitude environments.

Rhine stuff doesn't do that.

And it doesn't give you an excuse to go back up there.

Going up there won't solve the problem, I have no idea what exactly's going on...

But I know who does.

Huh? He just left, that easily?

...Levitation layer, eleven main platforms, and twenty support platforms have been inspected...

...Jammers and backup detonators have been installed in nine smaller levitation pods, which will crash one-by-one when activated...

...Personnel evacuation is complete. Scouts have done multiple calculations of the fallout curve based on current wind direction and force, and have confirmed falling debris will not reach the square serving as the evacuation spot...

All areas progressing well. Gustave sends word from the Cloud restaurant's cockpit that Propeller Paradise will be within D.C. intercity net range in five minutes.

Your orders, sir?

Anyone seen those two newbies from Bravo?

The ones responsible for that Banshee? Positioning shows they're still on Platform 3. That's not in the plan's operation range. Should we send someone to check it out?

Seems like their mission's been 'taken over'.

Platform 3 is far from the detonation target, so don't worry about that. I'll handle it later.

All teams, sync chronos. Phase two begins now.

Who's that?

Director Lunorey, you have to follow me to the tree platform!

You're supposed to be keeping the device data and core code safe. What are you doing here?

But the 'tree' is growing now!

...'Growing'? That's impossible.

So that's not supposed to happen... If it affects the levitation module, it'll definitely be dangerous to anyone on the ground.

The levitation module runs independently, with a backup power supply that can last for five days. But the abnormality you mentioned... the only way to find out why it's happening is to go inside the 'tree'.

Come with me, Director.

The security cams have been rigged with a delayed feed that should buy us at least twenty minutes, and I'm not sure why, but the cell's smart locks are unlocked, so now's—

That's because the chief executive of 'Propeller Paradise' opened them for you.

Gordon?

What's... all that on you? A DIY high-altitude face shield, modified propellers, and a second-hand insulated spacesuit?

Did you loot them from the park's scrap and recycle plant?

......

Your distorted testimony at the hearing is still up on the park's bulletin board, but now you're helping us escape...? Don't tell me you've had a sudden attack of conscience?

Nasti, I got your bone pen and devices here. Sorry about the hearing.

I'd rather stand in the defendant's dock with you than recite that prepared speech—after all, the confiscated devices were my goods anyways, so I'll take the blame for that.

...Who are you and what have you done with Gordon Tannen?

What happened?

My dear citizens of D.C., and those watching this live broadcast, it is my honor to introduce Propeller Paradise, an experimental park that is sure to leave its mark on Columbian history!

We don't have much time.

Nasti, you've done deals with Gustave. I'm sure you won't doubt the intel I'm about to hand over.

Your old boss is planning something with Maylander, correct?

You're even sharper than I thought.

Seeing the park's chief executive here when he's supposed to be making a speech in half an hour is proof enough.

Friends, look out your windows, up at the sky. No amount of marketing bluster can compare to what you'll see with your own eyes, where the future among the clouds is waiting for you!

They want to can the expo with an accident that'll kill the future of Propeller Paradise, though I've no idea exactly what their plan is.

If Maylander's involved, they'll move fast.

What was that?

God, am I seeing things? Something's falling from the levitation layer—Is that the Lucky Cystybeast's floating pod?!

No, there's more! Three... four... Is this part of the opening ceremony? They didn't mention this in the script! If they really come crashing down—

Wait! The pods stopped falling? As if something's gripping them firmly...

Huh? What was that? Oh, oh! It seems the tech companies have prepared a surprise that even got me!

We have just witnessed Propeller Paradise's breakthrough in the field of levitation, with no need for papers or data, and this is only just the beginning!

No way, there's no emergency stop module—even in ongoing projects—that could've done that...

Sky, your field measurements are more precise. Where were the falling pods supposed to land?

From visual estimates, they would have probably crashed into Platform 2, blocking the connecting lower layer tunnel—

That's the only path we can take to the tree.

......

Gordon, I accept your apology, but I have no time for your plans.

That miracle was no stroke of luck. Might have something to do with you and your invention?

Is that a threat?

Just my intuitive judgment on all rule-breaking.

I don't need your help with Gustave, but I do need a bargaining chip to make sure Propeller Paradise stays afloat when everything's done and dusted.

So my tree...

Letting you handle something only you know how to handle is part of my plan.

Got it. Rhine Lab staff will cooperate with you.

However. Whatever it is you're planning to do, go to the tree at the first sign of danger and I'll come get you.

......

Everything ready, Five-Four?

Preparations complete.

Let's go. I have an opening speech to make.