Yuuki stood before the holographic schematics of the Chronosphere Mark IV, studying the intricate engineering diagrams floating above the laboratory's central console.
Even now, he found it difficult to believe that his Brainstorm transformation had accomplished so much in such a short period.
The original Chronosphere had already been an extraordinary piece of technology, capable of manipulating space-time to transport objects across vast distances. However, its immense energy requirements and limited operational capacity had made large-scale deployment difficult. Earlier generations had often required multiple Chronospheres working in coordination to achieve the desired results.
Brainstorm had changed that.
Not only had he integrated the Unily Formula into the Chronosphere Mark IV's calculations, but he had also accurately determined its power requirements. The resulting design was considerably more efficient, allowing a single Chronosphere Mark IV to perform tasks that would previously have demanded multiple units.
Vergil had immediately seized the opportunity to upgrade the Chronosphere Mark III installed aboard the GDSS Philadelphia to the new standard.
Yet the improvements went far beyond increased power output.
"Storing Chronosphere charges..." Yuuki murmured, examining another section of the hologram. "Now that's something I never considered."
Traditionally, a Chronosphere performed its function, expended an enormous amount of energy, and then required time to recharge before it could be used again. Brainstorm had devised a way to eliminate that limitation by incorporating dedicated charge-storage chambers beneath the main Chronosphere structure.
Rather than treating each activation as an isolated event, the system could accumulate and store multiple charges for subsequent use.
The Mark IV itself could accommodate up to ten charges through its integrated storage capacity, with the total number dependent on the number of additional storage chambers installed beneath the main structure.
And Brainstorm had gone one step further.
He had designed an entirely new power-generation system based on an old allied technology concept from one of GDI's former advanced Allied projects: the Apocalypse Mod Project.
The original concept revolved around a specialized power plant derived from the sphere of a Chronosphere. Instead of simply consuming energy to initiate a temporal displacement, the plant harnessed ions from the surrounding atmosphere and converted them into usable electrical energy.
Brainstorm had adapted that principle into a dedicated Chrono Power Plant, capable of generating power while also storing energy for future Chronosphere activations.
Each plant could hold up to six charges.
Four of these plants, connected to a single Chronosphere Mark IV, would provide a combined storage capacity of twenty-four charges.
Yuuki stared at the figures for a moment.
"One Chronosphere, four power plants, twenty-four charges..."
He leaned back slightly, impressed by the elegance of the design.
"It would be like having twenty-four Chronospheres available for use, at the cost of building just one actual Chronosphere and four supporting power plants."
Naturally, the comparison assumed that each stored charge could support the intended displacement operation. The actual range, payload capacity, and energy consumption would still depend on the specific parameters of each activation.
Even so, the implications were enormous.
A single installation could support repeated operations without requiring an entire network of Chronospheres to be constructed and coordinated. GDI could deploy the system at strategic locations, establish reliable transportation links, and maintain operational flexibility without investing in multiple massive structures.
And the power plants would continuously replenish their reserves by harvesting ions from the surrounding atmosphere, subject to the system's generation and storage limits.
Yuuki folded his arms, studying the power-flow diagram.
"Harnessing ions from the air to generate power, then storing that energy as Chronosphere charges..."
A grin gradually spread across his face.
"Generating power while preparing for the next activation. That's some serious forward thinking."
He could not help but admire the mind responsible for the design.
His Brainstorm form had not merely solved the immediate engineering problems. It had recognized the limitations of the existing technology, reconsidered its fundamental operating principles, and devised an entirely new approach that made the system far more practical.
It was the sort of solution Yuuki might have overlooked while approaching the problem from his usual perspective.
Brainstorm, on the other hand, had seen the possibilities almost immediately.
"Guess I have to admit it," Yuuki said with a quiet chuckle. "That form really is smarter than I am."
He paused, then remembered something from his younger days.
"Though I suppose I already knew that."
When he was fifteen, Yuuki had once used Brainstorm during a game of pool. Rather than relying on instinct or ordinary calculations, he had analyzed the angles, trajectories, impact forces, and probable paths of the balls with absurd mathematical precision.
The result had been a confirmed shot that left his opponent staring at the table in disbelief.
Yuuki had won the game.
He had also cheated.
Technically, he had simply used the abilities available to him. Nevertheless, exploiting an alien superintellect to win a casual game of pool against an ordinary person was hardly fair competition.
He still remembered the temptation to explain the mathematics behind the shot, followed by the realization that doing so would only make the situation more suspicious.
"Yeah..." Yuuki muttered, rubbing his chin. "I definitely shouldn't have done that."
His grin returned almost immediately.
"But it was a pretty impressive shot."
He turned his attention back to the hologram, where the Chronosphere Mark IV's schematics continued to rotate slowly.
For all the jokes he could make about his transformation, the achievement was undeniable. Brainstorm had helped GDI overcome several significant technological bottlenecks in a single session, and the Chronosphere upgrade alone could reshape how the organization transported its forces and resources.
With the Philadelphia's existing Chronosphere Mark III being upgraded, GDI would soon have access to a system capable of repeated activations and substantially greater operational flexibility.
And this was only one of the breakthroughs Brainstorm had delivered that day.
Yuuki shook his head in amused disbelief.
"One day, I'm going to have to stop underestimating just how much that brain can accomplish."
Then he glanced at the remaining schematics and smiled.
"On second thought, maybe I should let him handle the next engineering problem too."
============
Meanwhile, back on Earth, the girls were enjoying a well-deserved break aboard the Daedalus.
With Yuuki busy working on GDI's latest technological breakthroughs aboard the GDSS Philadelphia, everyone else had decided to make the most of their free time.
Some were relaxing in the hot springs, chatting happily as they soaked in the warm water. Others were trying on new clothing designs, turning the changing rooms into impromptu fashion shows. The spa was crowded with girls enjoying massages and other treatments, while the swimming pools had become a battleground of splashing, water fights, and questionable claims of swimming superiority.
In short, the Daedalus was enjoying a peaceful day.
Well, peaceful by the standards of a command carrier carrying this many shipgirls and Nikkes.
For those who preferred indoor entertainment, the Daedalus's cinema offered an extensive collection of movies. Among its selections was Yuuki's personal list of horror films, mostly from his original world.
Naturally, Enterprise and Yorktown had decided to investigate.
"Commander certainly has quite a collection," Yorktown remarked as she scrolled through the titles.
Enterprise studied the list with her usual composure. "He does. Although I'm not sure why he has so many horror movies."
"Perhaps he enjoys seeing how people react to them?"
Enterprise glanced at her sister.
"...That sounds suspiciously like something he would do."
Unfortunately, their conversation had attracted an audience.
Several shipgirls and Nikkes had gathered around them, intrigued by the prospect of watching a horror movie together. Some were genuinely interested. Others had decided that this would be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate their courage.
And then there was Neon.
"I'm not scared of ghosts!" she declared, striking a heroic pose. "I am the legendary Neon! The master of firepower! No supernatural entity can possibly frighten me!"
Anis, sitting nearby with a bag of snacks, gave her a lazy grin.
"Sure you aren't."
"That's right!"
"Then you won't mind sitting in the front row."
Neon's expression stiffened.
"...Why the front row?"
"So you can get a better look at the ghosts."
"Absolutely! I was going to suggest that!"
Anis grinned wider.
Rapi sighed. She had a bad feeling about the entire afternoon.
Ayanami sat nearby, looking perfectly calm.
"Horror movie... okay."
Nimi nodded with her usual dignified composure.
"As long as we choose something appropriate, I don't see why it should be a problem."
Laffey had already claimed a comfortable seat and hugged a pillow to her chest.
"Mmm... Laffey will watch. Wake me up if something interesting happens."
"You're going to sleep through the entire movie, aren't you?" Javelin asked.
"Mmm... maybe."
Javelin laughed nervously.
"Well, I'm sure it'll be fine! Watching a scary movie together sounds fun! We can all enjoy it as a group!"
Vesti, sitting beside her, tilted her head.
"Javelin, why are you gripping the armrest so tightly?"
"I'm not!"
"You've turned your knuckles white."
Javelin immediately released the armrest.
"I was just checking whether it was securely attached!"
Vesti blinked.
"...Oh. That's thoughtful."
She gently patted Javelin's back.
Javelin smiled.
It was the smile of someone who had already begun regretting every decision that had led her here.
A few seats away, Unicorn was hugging her unicorn plushie so tightly that its head was practically disappearing into her arms.
"G-ghosts aren't real..." she whispered to herself. "They're just people wearing costumes... and special effects... and makeup..."
She paused.
"...And sometimes they're not people at all in the movies..."
Her grip on the plushie tightened.
"No! Unicorn, don't think about that!"
Just then, four familiar figures entered the cinema.
Takao walked in first, her posture straight and dignified as always. Atago followed with a cheerful smile, while Maya looked around with casual curiosity. Choukai, carrying a small bag of snacks, trailed behind her sisters.
Atago immediately noticed the movie selection.
"Oh my! Are we watching a horror movie?"
"Apparently," Maya replied. "Looks like everyone's gathered for it."
Takao crossed her arms.
"Hmph. Ghost movies are absurd. They rely on cheap tricks, unpleasant noises, and the deliberate manipulation of an audience's emotions."
Maya glanced at her.
"Nobody asked for a review, sis."
"I am merely stating a fact."
Atago's smile widened as she slipped an arm around Takao's shoulders.
"Ufufu. Is our serious little Takao trying to convince herself that she isn't afraid?"
Takao's expression stiffened.
"I am not afraid."
"Of course not, dear sister."
Atago leaned closer and whispered sweetly.
"Then you won't mind if I sit beside you?"
"Why would I mind?"
"Because I'll be holding your hand whenever something scary happens."
"I won't need you to hold my hand!"
"How disappointing. I was looking forward to it."
Maya snickered.
Choukai grins and looked toward the screen.
"Well, the movie hasn't even started yet. There's no need to argue about it."
Takao nodded approvingly.
"Exactly. At least someone here understands reason."
Choukai paused.
"I didn't say I wanted to watch it."
Takao's expression faltered.
Maya burst out laughing.
Atago, meanwhile, had already chosen seats beside her sisters. She settled comfortably into one, patting the empty seat next to her.
"Come along, Takao-chan. You can sit right here."
Takao hesitated for the briefest moment.
Then she sat down.
"...Only because I want a clear view of the screen."
"Naturally, dear."
Takao straightened her back and folded her arms, determined to maintain her dignity.
She would not be frightened by a movie.
She was a warrior of the Sakura Empire, a skilled swordswoman who had faced genuine danger without hesitation.
A few special effects and spooky noises were nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
Atago leaned toward Maya and whispered, "She's going to scream."
"I give her fifteen minutes," Maya whispered back.
Choukai glanced at them.
"Don't tease her too much."
Atago smiled innocently.
"Who, me?"
Choukai sighed.
She knew that expression far too well.
Enterprise finally turned toward the assembled audience.
"Since everyone seems interested, we should choose something relatively simple."
"Simple?" Yorktown asked with an amused smile. "Something that won't frighten everyone too badly?"
"Something suitable for a group viewing."
Enterprise returned to the screen and scrolled through the available titles.
Then she stopped.
Insidious.
She selected it.
Anis glanced at the screen.
"Oh, I've heard of that one from the commander. He said it's not that scary."
Neon immediately puffed out her chest.
"Excellent! Let's see what this movie has to offer! I'm expecting at least three ghosts, five explosions, and a satisfying display of firepower!"
Rapi slowly turned toward her.
"Neon, it's a horror movie."
"Exactly! And ghosts are basically enemies without physical bodies. If they appear, I'll simply use my imagination to defeat them!"
Anis nearly choked on her snacks.
"Your imagination?"
"Yes!"
"Good luck with that."
Takao gave a dismissive snort.
"At least Neon understands that ghosts are nothing more than fictional constructs designed to frighten the gullible."
Atago tilted her head.
"Oh? Then perhaps you can explain why you're sitting so close to me, Takao?"
"I am not sitting close to you."
Atago looked down at the narrow gap between their shoulders.
"Of course not."
Takao immediately shifted half an inch away.
Maya covered her mouth to hide a laugh.
Choukai opened her snack bag.
"This is going to be a long afternoon."
The cinema lights dimmed.
The movie began.
For the first few minutes, everything seemed manageable. The atmosphere was unsettling, but nothing particularly terrifying had happened yet. Strange sounds echoed through the speakers, shadows moved across the screen, and the tension gradually built.
Neon sat upright with her arms folded.
"Hmph. Is this supposed to scare us? I've seen scarier things in the bathroom mirror!"
Anis snorted.
"That's because you keep putting your face right next to the toothpaste tube."
"HEY!"
Rapi shushed them.
"Quiet. The movie's starting."
Everyone turned back toward the screen.
The atmosphere grew darker.
The music became more ominous.
A figure appeared in the background.
Nobody noticed at first.
Then the camera shifted.
The figure was suddenly much closer.
And—
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Javelin practically launched herself out of her seat.
She grabbed Vesti's arm with both hands and nearly dragged the poor Nikke halfway off her chair.
"IT WAS RIGHT THERE!"
Vesti jolted.
"J-Javelin?!"
"WHY WAS IT RIGHT THERE?!"
"Because... it's in the movie?"
"THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU WARN ME?!"
"HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW?!"
Vesti was now screaming almost as loudly as Javelin.
Neon, meanwhile, had both hands clamped over her mouth.
Her eyes were enormous.
Anis slowly turned toward her.
"Hey, Firepower. You still with us?"
Neon lowered her hands.
"THAT WAS A CHEAP SHOT!"
Anis raised an eyebrow.
"A cheap shot?"
"YES! THE GHOST DIDN'T EVEN ANNOUNCE ITSELF!"
Rapi closed her eyes.
"It's a ghost, Neon. It's not going to knock on the door and ask permission before appearing."
"IT SHOULD! BASIC MANNERS!"
Yorktown pressed a hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Enterprise remained focused on the screen.
"Please continue watching."
Beside Atago, Takao hadn't moved.
Not a single muscle in her face had twitched.
She sat with her arms folded, staring at the screen as though she were inspecting a military briefing.
"Predictable," she declared quietly. "The sudden sound and abrupt appearance are crude techniques."
Maya glanced at her.
"Then why are you holding your breath?"
"I am not."
"You haven't breathed since the ghost appeared."
Takao inhaled sharply.
"That is a ridiculous observation."
Atago's smile widened.
"Oh, Takao. If you're frightened, you can always hold my hand."
"I am not frightened!"
"Then why are you holding mine?"
Takao looked down.
Somehow, her hand had found Atago's and was gripping it tightly.
Silence.
Takao immediately released her sister.
"...I was checking your reflexes."
Atago nodded solemnly.
"Of course. And how did I perform?"
"Acceptably."
"Then perhaps you should test them again during the next scene."
"Absolutely not!"
Maya nearly fell out of her seat laughing.
Choukai quietly moved her snack bag farther away from Maya before the contents could spill.
The movie continued.
Ayanami looked calm, although she had quietly moved her hand closer to the pillow beside her.
Nimi maintained her dignified posture, determined not to be intimidated by a mere cinematic production.
Laffey pulled her pillow over half her face.
"...Laffey has changed her mind. Wake her up when the ghosts are gone."
Unicorn hugged her plushie tighter.
"They're not real... they're not real... they're not real..."
Takao scoffed.
"Honestly. Everyone is overreacting. There is nothing to fear from a fictional ghost."
Then the next jump scare happened.
"AAAAAAAAAAAH!"
This time, the screams came from nearly every corner of the cinema.
Neon shot to her feet.
Javelin buried her face against Vesti's shoulder.
Vesti squeaked and clung to Javelin in return.
The two of them were now holding each other so tightly that neither could tell who was supposed to be comforting whom.
Unicorn disappeared behind her plushie.
Laffey pulled her pillow over her entire face.
Nimi recoiled so sharply that she nearly knocked over her drink.
Even Ayanami leaned back in her seat.
"...That was unexpected."
Coming from Ayanami, it was practically a public declaration of terror.
Maya jumped, then immediately pretended she hadn't.
Choukai's glasses slipped slightly down her nose as she flinched.
Atago's smile briefly faltered.
And Takao—
Takao had grabbed Atago's arm with both hands.
Her face was pale.
Her eyes were fixed on the screen.
Her entire body had gone rigid.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Maya slowly turned toward her.
"...Sis?"
Takao did not respond.
Atago looked down at the hands gripping her arm.
Then she looked back at Takao.
"Oh, my. Takao-chan. You seem to have mistaken me for a protective barrier."
Takao released her immediately.
"I did no such thing!"
"You were practically trying to merge with my arm."
"I was maintaining a defensive posture!"
"Against what?"
"The enemy!"
Maya looked toward the screen.
"The enemy is a movie screen, sis."
Takao straightened her uniform.
"...A strategically important television."
Choukai covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Atago leaned closer to Takao.
"Ufufu. If you keep this up, I might start thinking you're afraid of ghosts."
"I am not afraid of ghosts!"
"Of course not."
"Ghosts are absurd!"
"Naturally."
"They are fictional!"
"Certainly."
Takao narrowed her eyes at Atago's increasingly amused expression.
"...Stop agreeing with me like that."
Atago giggled.
"Sorry, dear."
Another eerie sequence began.
The cinema fell silent.
The camera moved slowly through a dark hallway.
A faint sound echoed through the speakers.
Something stood at the far end.
Everyone leaned forward despite themselves.
The camera moved closer.
Closer.
Closer—
The figure suddenly appeared right in front of the screen.
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
The entire cinema erupted.
Neon grabbed a cushion and held it in front of her face like a riot shield.
Javelin nearly climbed into Vesti's lap.
Vesti was now patting Javelin's back with one hand while clutching her own cushion with the other.
Unicorn let out a frightened squeak and buried herself behind her plushie.
Nimi's dignified expression had vanished completely.
Ayanami stared at the screen for several seconds.
"...I don't like this movie."
Laffey's voice emerged from beneath her pillow.
"Mmm... Laffey agrees."
Enterprise, who had remained impressively composed until now, was gripping the armrest so tightly that her knuckles had turned pale.
Yorktown noticed.
"Enty?"
"I'm fine."
"Your hand says otherwise."
Enterprise looked down.
She immediately loosened her grip.
"I was merely testing the structural integrity of the chair."
Yorktown blinked.
Then she smiled.
"Of course, sis. And how is the chair holding up?"
"Perfectly."
"Wonderful. Perhaps you should test it a little less enthusiastically."
Enterprise turned back toward the screen.
"...Please watch the movie."
Yorktown's shoulders shook with suppressed laughter.
And Takao?
Takao had drawn her legs together and was sitting so close to Atago that there was practically no space between them.
Atago glanced down at her.
"Comfortable, Takao-chan?"
"Perfectly."
"You're leaning on me."
"I am not."
"Your shoulder is touching mine."
"An unavoidable consequence of the seating arrangement."
"Your hand is holding my sleeve."
Takao looked down.
She was, in fact, clutching Atago's sleeve.
She released it as though it had suddenly caught fire.
"...The fabric caught on my fingers."
Maya leaned toward Choukai.
"How long do you think she can keep this up?"
Choukai considered her sister for a moment.
"Until the movie ends."
Maya grinned.
"I'll assume she'll ask Atago to walk her back to her room afterward."
"I am sure of it."
Takao heard them.
"I can hear both of you!"
"Then you should have no trouble hearing the next scene," Maya replied sweetly.
Takao turned toward the screen.
She immediately regretted it.
The next few minutes were a disaster.
Neon continued to insist that she wasn't scared, but she had positioned the cushion directly in front of her face. She occasionally peeked over the top whenever the movie became quiet, only to duck behind it whenever the music changed.
Javelin had stopped pretending altogether. She was practically attached to Vesti, who had accepted her fate and continued patting her back.
Nimi sat ramrod straight, attempting to restore her dignity through sheer force of will.
Laffey had curled into a ball beneath her pillow.
Ayanami had edged her seat closer to the others, although she would later insist that it had been for tactical reasons.
Unicorn was whispering a prayer that the movie would end soon.
And Rapi?
Rapi was beginning to regret not staying in her room.
Maya was doing her best to act unaffected, although she occasionally jumped at the soundtrack. Choukai had adopted the strategy of looking away whenever the music became particularly ominous.
Atago, meanwhile, seemed to be enjoying herself immensely.
Especially because Takao had quietly taken hold of her sleeve again.
Atago leaned toward her sister.
"Takao-chan?"
"...What?"
"Would you like me to hold your hand?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Completely."
"Then why are you holding my sleeve?"
Takao stared straight ahead.
"...It's a tactical sleeve."
Atago burst into laughter.
Maya nearly dropped her snacks.
Even Choukai couldn't suppress her giggle.
Takao closed her eyes.
She was never going to hear the end of this.
Anis, on the other hand, was having the time of her life.
She leaned toward Neon.
"So, how's your battle against the supernatural going?"
Neon lowered her cushion just enough to glare at her.
"Anis, I will remember this betrayal."
"What betrayal?"
"You know exactly what betrayal!"
"I'm just enjoying the movie."
"YOU'RE ENJOYING MY SUFFERING!"
"Well, you did say you weren't scared."
Neon pointed at the screen.
"THAT THING IS CHEATING!"
Anis burst out laughing.
Even Rapi's mouth twitched.
Enterprise glanced at the two of them.
"If you keep talking, you'll miss the next scene."
Neon immediately turned back toward the screen.
"Finally! Something useful!"
Anis slowly looked at Enterprise.
"...You know there's another jump scare coming, right?"
Enterprise didn't answer.
She simply continued watching.
Yorktown leaned toward her sister and whispered, "You know there is, don't you?"
Enterprise remained silent.
Yorktown smiled.
"Oh, you absolutely do."
The next scene began.
A quiet room.
A dark corner.
A long, uncomfortable pause.
Everyone stared at the screen, waiting for something to happen.
Neon clutched her cushion.
Javelin squeezed Vesti's arm.
Unicorn held her plushie over her eyes, watching through the gap between its ears.
Laffey's pillow slowly rose as she peeked over it.
Even Nimi looked as though she was mentally preparing for battle.
Takao folded her arms again, determined to recover her dignity.
"This is ridiculous. The film is simply relying on predictable pacing to—"
A sudden noise blasted through the speakers.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
The scream was so loud that the cinema's sound system automatically lowered the volume.
For one glorious moment, the entire room was chaos.
Neon threw her cushion into the air.
Javelin nearly dragged Vesti onto the floor.
Unicorn squeaked so loudly that everyone turned toward her.
Laffey vanished beneath her pillow.
Nimi grabbed the nearest armrest.
Ayanami flinched hard enough to drop the snack she had been holding.
Rapi jerked in her seat, then immediately straightened as if nothing had happened.
Maya yelped and grabbed Choukai.
Choukai yelped in return and nearly threw her snacks.
Atago jolted in her seat.
And Takao—
Takao had practically launched herself into Atago's arms.
One hand gripped her sister's shoulder. The other clutched her waist. Her face was buried against Atago's chest.
The entire cinema went silent.
Atago blinked.
Maya slowly turned around.
Choukai stared.
Enterprise looked over.
Even Anis stopped laughing.
Takao realized what she was doing.
Very, very slowly, she lifted her head.
Her face was bright red.
"..."
Atago looked down at her with the warmest, most mischievous smile imaginable.
"Ara, Takao-chan."
"Don't."
Maya collapsed against Choukai, laughing so hard that she could barely breathe.
Choukai tried to comfort her, but she was laughing too.
Takao released Atago and sat upright, desperately attempting to salvage what remained of her dignity.
"I was merely reacting to an unexpected auditory stimulus!"
Atago nodded.
"Of course."
"I was not frightened!"
"Naturally."
"I simply determined that maintaining physical contact with a trusted ally would provide a tactical advantage!"
Atago's smile widened.
"And that trusted ally happened to be your big sister?"
Takao looked away.
"...She was closest."
Maya wiped tears from her eyes.
"Takao, you were sitting next to me, too!"
Takao froze.
Then she slowly turned toward Maya.
"...You were not a suitable defensive position."
Maya lost it again.
Atago wrapped an arm around Takao's shoulders and gently pulled her close.
"Don't worry, dear. I'll protect you from all the scary ghosts."
Takao stiffened.
"I do not need protection!"
"Of course not."
Atago gave her a gentle squeeze.
"But you can hold my hand if you want."
Takao remained silent.
A few seconds passed.
Then, very reluctantly, she took Atago's hand.
"...For tactical reasons."
Atago smiled.
"Naturally, dear."
Choukai leaned toward Maya and whispered, "I believe I've lost our bet."
Maya shook her head.
"No, you haven't. The movie isn't over yet."
Another eerie sound came from the screen.
Takao immediately squeezed Atago's hand.
Maya pointed triumphantly.
"THAT COUNTS!"
"IT DOES NOT!"
Atago was laughing too hard to help.
By this point, Yorktown was enjoying herself far more than the movie itself. She had discovered that watching everyone else lose their composure was an excellent form of entertainment.
Enterprise, meanwhile, had quietly decided that she would never allow Yuuki to know what had happened.
Unfortunately, Anis had already taken out her communicator.
"What are you doing?" Rapi asked suspiciously.
"Nothing."
"Anis."
"I'm just making a little note."
Neon immediately leaned over.
"Don't you dare tell Commander!"
Anis grinned.
"Tell him what? That the legendary Neon screamed louder than the movie's sound effects?"
"I DID NOT!"
"You nearly launched your cushion into orbit!"
"IT WAS A TACTICAL COUNTERMEASURE!"
"Against what? The television?"
"AGAINST THE GHOST!"
Anis was laughing too hard to respond.
Takao narrowed her eyes at the Nikke.
"Recording the reactions of your comrades without their consent is rather unkind."
Anis turned toward her.
"Really? Coming from the woman who's still holding her sister's hand?"
Takao looked down.
She was still holding Atago's hand.
She immediately released it.
"...That is entirely unrelated."
Atago gently reached over and took her hand again.
"Don't be shy, Takao."
"I am not shy!"
"Then you won't mind."
Takao opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Then turned back toward the screen.
"...I hate this movie."
Maya and Choukai exchanged a look.
They both knew that was the closest Takao would ever come to admitting she was scared.
Yorktown wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
"Perhaps we should have chosen something gentler."
"No!" Neon protested, even as she pulled her cushion back into her lap. "We are finishing this movie!"
Javelin slowly lifted her head from Vesti's shoulder.
"Do... do we really have to?"
"Yes! We must prove that we're brave!"
Vesti patted her back.
"Neon, you're holding your cushion upside down."
Neon looked down.
She was.
"...It's a tactical adjustment."
Ayanami nodded solemnly.
"Understood. Tactical cushion."
Laffey yawned beneath her pillow.
"Mmm... Laffey thinks the ghosts are winning."
Nimi sighed.
"Can we please focus on the movie?"
Everyone turned back toward the screen.
For several seconds, the cinema was silent.
Then the music began to build again.
Neon slowly raised her cushion.
Javelin grabbed Vesti's arm.
Unicorn hugged her plushie.
Ayanami leaned back.
Nimi took a deep breath.
Enterprise tightened her grip on the armrest.
Yorktown smiled in anticipation.
Maya grabbed Choukai's sleeve.
Choukai pretended she hadn't noticed.
Atago leaned comfortably against her seat, still holding Takao's hand.
Takao stared at the screen with the grim determination of a warrior facing an enemy she refused to acknowledge.
And Anis whispered, "Here it comes."
The next jump scare hit.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
The cinema erupted for what felt like the hundredth time.
Somewhere in the middle of the chaos, Rapi stood up.
"I'm leaving."
Anis caught her sleeve.
"Wait! The movie isn't over!"
"I've had enough."
"But you haven't even screamed!"
Rapi paused.
Slowly, she turned toward Anis.
"...Would you like me to demonstrate?"
Anis immediately released her sleeve.
"No, thank you."
Rapi walked out.
The door closed behind her.
For a moment, everyone stared at it.
Then Neon pointed triumphantly.
"SEE?! EVEN RAPI CAN'T HANDLE IT!"
From the corridor came Rapi's voice.
"I CAN HEAR YOU."
Neon sat down.
"...I was complimenting your tactical retreat."
"NEON."
"Sorry!"
Yorktown laughed so hard that she had to wipe her eyes again.
Takao, meanwhile, had finally reached her limit.
She stood up abruptly.
"That's enough."
Atago looked up at her.
"Leaving already, dear?"
"I have no intention of wasting any more time on this absurd production."
"Of course."
Takao marched toward the exit.
She made it three steps before another ominous sound came from the screen.
She stopped.
Her shoulders stiffened.
Then, without turning around, she quietly asked, "...Atago-nee?"
Atago's smile became positively radiant.
"Yes, Takao-chan?"
"...Come with me."
Maya fell back into her seat.
Choukai covered her face.
Atago rose gracefully and followed her sister, still smiling.
"Of course, dear. I'd never let you face the corridor alone."
"I AM NOT AFRAID OF THE CORRIDOR!"
"Naturally."
The door closed behind them.
Maya wiped the tears from her eyes.
"I owe you ten credits, Choukai."
Choukai sighed and handed them over.
"She didn't even make it to the corridor."
By the time Insidious finally reached its conclusion, the cinema looked as though it had survived a minor natural disaster.
Cushions were scattered everywhere. Javelin was still clinging to Vesti, who looked as though she needed someone to comfort her in return. Unicorn had wrapped herself in a blanket despite the perfectly comfortable temperature.
Nimi was trying to restore order.
Ayanami had declared that she would never watch another horror movie without a proper tactical briefing.
Laffey had fallen asleep halfway through the final act.
Neon was still insisting that she had never been frightened.
Enterprise sat in silence, determined to take the truth of what had happened to her grave.
And somewhere in the corridor, Takao was undoubtedly explaining to Atago why asking her sister to accompany her had been a perfectly reasonable tactical decision.
Yorktown, however, had other plans.
She gently leaned toward her sister.
"Enty?"
"...Yes?"
"Should we watch another one?"
Enterprise turned her head so slowly that Yorktown almost burst into laughter again.
"No."
"Are you certain?"
"Absolutely."
"Not even a little one?"
"Hana."
"Yes, sis?"
Enterprise stood up.
"I'm going to find Commander."
Yorktown blinked.
"Why?"
"So I can ask him to remove this movie from the Daedalus's entertainment database."
Yorktown stared at her for a moment.
Then she laughed.
"Oh, Enterprise! You can't be serious!"
"I am entirely serious."
She marched toward the exit with all the dignity of the Eagle Union's greatest carrier.
Unfortunately, she forgot to release the cushion she had been holding against her chest.
Yorktown noticed.
Enterprise noticed Yorktown noticing.
Neither said a word.
Then Yorktown's smile widened.
Enterprise walked faster.
Behind them, Neon was already shouting that she wanted a rematch against the supernatural.
Anis was recording her declaration.
Javelin was begging everyone not to choose another horror movie.
Vesti was still patting her back.
And Laffey, barely awake, murmured from her seat.
"...Wake me up when Commander gets back. Maybe he can fight the ghosts."
Fortunately, the Daedalus's Tech Inhibitor remained active throughout the command carrier. It prevented the shipgirls from transforming into their ship modes and the Nikkes from activating their combat modes.
Which was probably for the best.
Otherwise, the first jump scare might have resulted in an accidental weapons deployment, a damaged cinema, and a very confusing incident report.
Imagine explaining to Yuuki that a ghost in a movie had caused a full combat transformation.
Neon would probably still insist that it had been a tactical response.
By the time the girls finally recovered, Yorktown was still smiling.
"Well," she said pleasantly, "that wasn't so bad."
Everyone turned toward her.
Neon stared at her as though she had just committed the greatest betrayal in history.
"NOT SO BAD?!"
Yorktown tilted her head innocently.
"It was only a movie."
"ONLY A MOVIE?! I SAW MY ENTIRE LIFE FLASH BEFORE MY EYES!"
Anis raised an eyebrow.
"You were looking at the screen through a cushion."
"I WAS GATHERING INTELLIGENCE!"
"Of course you were."
Yorktown glanced back at the movie list.
"Besides, we survived the first one. Perhaps we should try another."
The cinema went dead silent.
Enterprise, who had almost reached the exit, stopped in her tracks.
Slowly, she turned around.
"Hana?"
"Yes, Enty?"
"What do you mean, another?"
Yorktown smiled and scrolled down the list.
"Well, there's Insidious: Chapter 2, Chapter 3, The Last Key, The Red Door, and Out of the Further."
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then Neon shot to her feet.
"THERE ARE FIVE MORE?!"
"Actually, six films in total, including the one we just watched."
"It's not really that scary."
Neon's face went pale.
"WHY DOES THIS FRANCHISE HAVE SO MANY INSTALLMENTS?! HOW MANY GHOSTS DOES ONE FAMILY NEED?!"
Anis was laughing so hard she could barely breathe.
Javelin immediately shook her head.
"Nope! No! Absolutely not! One is enough! One is more than enough!"
Vesti nodded rapidly.
"I agree. I think my heart needs a break."
Nimi straightened her uniform.
"We have demonstrated sufficient courage for today."
Ayanami nodded.
"Mission complete. Enemy threat level: unreasonable."
Laffey, who had just woken up, rubbed her eyes.
"Mmm... did the ghosts lose?"
"No," Anis replied. "Apparently, they have five sequels."
Laffey slowly pulled her pillow over her head again.
"...Wake me up when the franchise ends."
Unicorn hugged her plushie.
"Please don't make us watch another one..."
Even Neon, the self-proclaimed master of firepower, had abandoned her ambitions of a rematch.
She stared at the list of sequels as though Yuuki had personally betrayed her.
"Commander has been keeping these weapons of mass destruction in his movie collection..."
Anis wiped the tears from her eyes.
"You're calling horror movies weapons of mass destruction now?"
"THEY DESTROYED MY PEACE OF MIND!"
Yorktown giggled.
"Come now. Surely the next one can't be that bad."
Enterprise walked back toward her sister, placed a hand on her shoulder, and spoke with absolute seriousness.
"Hana, I love you."
Yorktown blinked.
"...I love you too?"
"Then please, for the sake of our relationship, do not press play."
Yorktown stared at her.
Then she burst into laughter.
Enterprise sighed and took the cushion from her chest, finally realizing she was still holding it.
Anis immediately pointed.
"HEY! LOOK! ENTERPRISE STILL HAS HER TACTICAL CUSHION!"
Enterprise froze.
Yorktown laughed even harder.
Neon pointed at the screen.
"DELETE THE MOVIES! ALL OF THEM! THIS IS AN ORDER!"
"You're not in command of the entertainment system," Rapi called from the corridor.
"THEN I AM DECLARING WAR ON IT!"
And so, the girls survived their first encounter with Insidious.
The movie had ended. The cinema was a mess. Even the cleaning drones pop out of nowhere scares the living hell out of them. Several girls needed emotional recovery time, and Neon had developed a personal grudge against supernatural entities that existed exclusively on a screen.
Takao had declared that ghost movies were absurd, then spent the rest of the afternoon insisting that she had accompanied Atago into the corridor for tactical reasons.
Atago, naturally, had promised to protect her from any ghosts that might be lurking outside the cinema.
Maya and Choukai clearly enjoyed themselves.
Yet Yorktown remained convinced that the movie hadn't been particularly frightening.
After all, they had survived the first installment.
Surely, the sequels couldn't be that much worse.
She smiled as she hovered the selection over the second movie.
Everyone else stared at her in mounting horror.
"Hana," Enterprise warned.
"Just one more?"
"NO!" the entire cinema shouted in unison.
Somewhere down the corridor, Takao's voice rang out.
"AND ABSOLUTELY NO MORE GHOST MOVIES!"
Atago's cheerful reply followed immediately.
"Ufufu! Does that mean you want to watch the next one with me, Takao-chan?"
"THAT IS NOT WHAT I SAID!"
Yorktown laughed and withdrew her hand.
For now, the sequels were safe.
But somewhere aboard the Daedalus, Yuuki's horror collection had acquired a new designation in the ship's entertainment database.
WARNING: GROUP VIEWING MAY CAUSE UNPLANNED SCREAMING, TACTICAL RETREATS, CUSHION-BASED DEFENSIVE MEASURES, AND TEMPORARY DAMAGE TO PERSONAL DIGNITY.
Neon had insisted on adding one final note beneath it.
SUPERNATURAL ENEMIES DO NOT FOLLOW PROPER ENGAGEMENT PROTOCOL. APPROACH WITH EXTREME CAUTION.
Anis had added a laughing emoji.
Enterprise had requested that the entire entry be deleted.
Yorktown had bookmarked all six movies.
Takao had submitted a formal complaint against the horror genre.
Atago had saved a mental recording of every time Takao grabbed her.
Maya had spent her free time munching on snacks.
Choukai had decided that the next group activity should involve something considerably less terrifying, such as mathematics.
And Laffey?
Laffey had gone back to sleep.
=========================
Yuuki had a strange feeling that something was happening back on Earth.
He couldn't explain it. There was no alert from GDI's monitoring systems, no emergency communication from the Daedalus, and no indication of any hostile activity.
Yet something about the silence made him suspicious.
He stared into the distance for a moment.
"...Nah. Probably nothing."
With that, he dismissed the thought and returned his attention to the task at hand.
He had more important things to worry about.
Such as why Vergil had dragged him to GDI's testing track.
And why the man looked so ridiculously pleased with himself.
"Why are we here again?" Yuuki asked, rubbing his eyes.
Vergil turned toward him with an expression of utter disbelief.
"Seriously? You had two hours of beauty sleep! Now help me test this baby!"
"Beauty sleep?" Yuuki gave him a flat look. "You mean the two hours I would have spent sleeping if Yuu, Cinderella, Sandy, and Eldridge hadn't dragged me out for ice cream? Even Esche and Oberis joined them. Those fairies are fond of ice-cream."
Vergil blinked.
"...Ice cream?"
"Yes. Ice cream."
Yuuki counted on his fingers.
"Those three practically tried every flavor available. Cinderella went through ten ice cream sticks, several sundaes, and nearly every flavor the shop had. Sandy ate so much that she passed out afterward."
He paused.
"Eldridge is currently with Yuu, who is probably making sure nobody attempts to feed her another mountain of ice cream."
Vergil stared at him.
Then he shrugged.
"Details. Details."
"Details?! Sandy was practically in a sugar-induced coma, again!"
"And did she die?"
"No!"
"Then she's fine!"
Yuuki stared at his so-called brother.
"...You're a terrible person."
"I'm an excellent researcher. There's a difference. Plus, that girl survived a direct zap from a Tesla Coil and a direct shot from a Prism Tower."
"Not a very convincing one."
Vergil ignored him and reached for the equipment case beside him.
"Anyway! Forget the ice cream incident. We're here to test my latest masterpiece!"
He dramatically opened the case and lifted out a sleek, white-and-black handheld device with a distinctive barrel, two triggers, and a glowing glass tube running along its body.
Yuuki immediately recognized the design.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Wait. You actually finished it?"
Vergil grinned.
"Two hours. That's all it took."
Yuuki looked at the device, then at Vergil.
"You built a working prototype of your wonder weapon in two hours?"
"Brainstorm helped! Two years became two very productive hours."
"While I was being force-fed ice cream?"
"Precisely!"
Yuuki rubbed his forehead.
"Somehow, I feel like I lost that exchange."
Vergil held the device up proudly.
"Behold! The Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device!"
He turned it slightly, admiring the finish.
"Or ASHPD, for short. A handheld portal gun capable of generating two linked portals. Anything that enters one portal emerges from the other, regardless of the distance between them. Instantaneous transportation, no conventional travel time, and no need to build a full-sized portal installation at every destination!"
Yuuki examined the weapon with growing interest.
The device could establish two linked portals, one blue and one orange. Objects passing through either would emerge from the other, allowing movement in both directions.
However, it wasn't without limitations. The portals could only form on sufficiently large, compatible surfaces made from manufactured or refined moon rock. Moving targets and unsuitable materials could prevent a portal from forming altogether.
And there was another important restriction.
The device could maintain only two active portals at a time. Firing another portal of the same type would replace the previous one, automatically closing the old connection and establishing a new link.
"Not bad," Yuuki admitted.
"Not bad?" Vergil repeated indignantly. "This is a revolutionary breakthrough in spatial transportation since the Chronosphere network!"
"Yes, yes. Revolutionary. Groundbreaking. A wonder weapon. Can we test it before you start writing your own statue's inscription?"
Vergil's eye twitched.
"You're impossible."
"And yet you keep inviting me to things."
"Because you're the High Commander!"
"An unfortunate administrative decision."
Vergil ignored that remark, turned toward the testing track, and raised the portal gun.
"Our research team is ready to record the results. They'll document any instability, measure the energy expenditure, and identify potential improvements. Once we establish the operational limits, we can refine the design for practical deployment."
Several female researchers stood behind the observation barrier, their tablets and recording equipment ready.
One of them gave Vergil a thumbs-up.
He returned the gesture with a triumphant grin.
"All right, Yuuki. Watch closely."
Vergil aimed at a prepared test surface and squeezed the first trigger.
A burst of blue energy shot from the barrel.
It struck the surface, and a shimmering blue ring appeared. The center of the ring rippled before settling into a stable, open portal.
Vergil immediately switched to the second trigger and fired at another compatible surface behind them.
An orange burst of energy struck its target.
A second portal formed.
The two portals hummed softly, their colored rims glowing against the test track's neutral walls.
Yuuki looked through the blue portal.
On the other side, he could see the view from the orange portal behind them.
Specifically, he could see the back of his own head.
He slowly turned around.
Then he looked through the portal again.
"...Hey. I can see my own back from here."
Vergil's grin widened.
"Exactly!"
Yuuki leaned slightly to one side.
His reflection-less view of himself shifted accordingly.
He leaned the other way.
It shifted again.
For a few seconds, he simply stared.
Then he looked at Vergil.
"That's going to make checking whether someone is following me a lot easier."
"Or checking your hair."
"Why would I need a portal gun to check my hair?"
"Because you clearly need all the help you can get."
Yuuki gave him a deadpan stare.
"You're enjoying this way too much."
"Absolutely."
Vergil stepped toward his own test portals and examined the connection. Then, with the enthusiasm of a scientist who had just discovered a new way to entertain himself, he produced a baseball from his pocket.
Yuuki looked at the ball.
"...Why do you have a baseball?"
"Science."
"That explains absolutely nothing."
Vergil tossed the ball through one portal.
It emerged from the other, traveled through the air, and landed neatly in his hand.
He repeated the motion.
Throw.
Portal.
Catch.
Throw.
Portal.
Catch.
His eyes began to sparkle.
"Oh, this is brilliant!"
Yuuki watched as Vergil started throwing the baseball through the portals with increasing enthusiasm.
"Vergil."
"Watch this!"
Vergil threw the ball harder.
It emerged from the opposite portal, flew directly toward him, and he caught it with a satisfied grin.
"I can play catch all by myself!"
Yuuki stared at him.
The researchers behind the observation barrier had gone quiet.
One of them slowly lowered her tablet.
Another turned to her colleague.
"...Should we record that as a successful test?"
Her colleague thought about it.
"Technically, yes."
Yuuki pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You're supposed to be testing a wonder weapon, not inventing a new form of loneliness."
Vergil caught the ball one last time and tucked it under his arm.
"Jealous?"
"Of what? Your ability to entertain yourself with a baseball?"
"Of my genius!"
"Those are not the same thing. Plus, Brainstorm was the one completed it."
"To you, perhaps."
Yuuki shook his head and stepped closer to the portals.
Jokes aside, the possibilities were remarkable.
He could place one portal at a secure location and another at a distant destination, then travel between them almost instantaneously. Supplies could be transported without conventional vehicles. Personnel could move between facilities without spending hours or days traveling. Even emergency evacuations could become significantly easier if the system proved reliable enough.
And unlike the massive Chronosphere installations, this device was small enough to be carried by a single person.
Yuuki studied the glowing portals.
"This is convenient. Shoot one portal here, shoot the other somewhere far away, and simply walk through."
"Exactly!" Vergil said, finally putting the baseball away. "Imagine the logistics applications! No waiting for transports, no lengthy journeys, no wasting time moving between facilities. Provided the destination has a suitable surface, we can establish a direct connection."
Yuuki nodded.
"Imagine being able to step from GDI headquarters straight into the research division. Or from a forward operating base directly back to the command center."
"Or into the cafeteria!"
Yuuki glanced at him.
"That was your first thought?"
"Food is an essential component of scientific productivity."
"Of course it is."
Vergil gestured toward the portals.
"Go on, then. Give it a try."
Yuuki approached the blue portal and cautiously extended one hand through its surface.
His fingers disappeared into the shimmering field.
A moment later, his hand emerged from the orange portal behind them.
Yuuki wiggled his fingers.
Vergil watched with a grin.
"Well?"
Yuuki withdrew his hand.
"That's unsettling."
"Unsettling?"
"My hand is over there while the rest of me is over here. I know how portals work, but seeing it in person is still strange. Despite already used to the Chrono Scrin Portals we use to travel back in the main base."
"Give it a minute. You'll get used to it."
Yuuki stepped back and examined both openings again.
"All right. Let's test something more practical."
Vergil immediately became serious.
"Finally."
"Let's check whether the connection remains stable when an object passes through repeatedly. Then we'll test different entry angles, momentum, and whether the portals can be maintained under varying energy loads."
Vergil's expression brightened.
"Now you're talking!"
He turned toward the researchers.
"Record everything! Start with low-mass objects, then gradually increase the test loads. Monitor portal stability, energy consumption, and any distortion in the linked spatial fields. We need to establish safe operating limits before attempting anything more ambitious."
The researchers immediately began taking notes.
Yuuki folded his arms, watching the two portals shimmer.
For all of Vergil's ridiculous antics, the man had done something impressive. In just two hours, he had taken the theoretical foundations Brainstorm had developed and turned them into a working prototype.
It was only the beginning. The device still needed extensive testing, refinement, and safety validation before it could be deployed in the field.
But the potential was undeniable.
Yuuki glanced at Vergil.
"All right. I'll admit it. This is pretty amazing."
Vergil placed a hand over his chest.
"Please, continue. I enjoy hearing you acknowledge my greatness."
"Don't push your luck."
"Too late. I've already added your compliment to my personal research records."
Yuuki sighed.
"Delete it."
"Never."
As the researchers began their first formal tests, Yuuki glanced once more at the blue and orange portals.
A handheld device that could connect two distant locations.
A weapon that could turn an ordinary wall into a doorway to somewhere else.
If Vergil could refine the technology and overcome its limitations, GDI might have another revolutionary tool at its disposal.
Yuuki smiled.
Then he remembered something.
"Hey, Vergil?"
"Yes?"
"If you can put a portal anywhere, does that mean you could place one in front of a refrigerator and another in your room?"
Vergil stared at him.
"...Yes?"
Yuuki nodded thoughtfully.
"So you could get snacks without leaving your bed."
Vergil went completely silent.
His eyes slowly widened.
The researchers watched as their lead scientist appeared to experience a profound intellectual revelation.
"...Yuuki."
"What?"
"You may have just identified the most important civilian application of this technology."
Yuuki looked at him.
Vergil looked back.
Then both men nodded solemnly.
The researchers exchanged glances.
One of them quietly added a new item to the testing notes.
And so, GDI's newest wonder weapon began its testing phase.
Its first major breakthroughs would eventually concern transportation, logistics, and spatial engineering.
But for the moment, two of GDI's most important men were seriously considering how to use it to avoid walking to the kitchen.
Science was progressing beautifully.
======
The testing track aboard the GDSS Philadelphia had become a laboratory for one of GDI's most promising technological breakthroughs.
Two linked portals shimmered across the testing area, one blue and the other orange. Researchers monitored their stability while Vergil and Yuuki continued experimenting with his two newly completed Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device.
Yuuki stood nearby, observing the results with his own Portal Gun.
For a while, he remained quiet, watching a test object pass through one portal and emerge from the other without any measurable delay.
Then he suddenly spoke.
"You know what the worst part about inventing teleportation is?"
Vergil glanced at him. "What?"
"Suddenly, you're able to travel across the entire world, only to discover that you're the last guy to invent teleportation."
Vergil stared at him for a moment.
Then he burst out laughing.
"Oh, that's just cruel."
"I'm serious! Look at us. The Scrin can travel practically anywhere using their portal technology. The Ceph have their own advanced transportation systems. Magic can accomplish similar feats, depending on the spell. Even the Sirens and Raptures have their own forms of teleportation."
Yuuki gestured toward the glowing portals.
"And what about humanity? We needed the Tacitus, Brainstorm, and a mountain of research just to develop our own solutions."
"Hey, don't sell us short!" Vergil protested. "We might be late to the party, but at least we're learning how to throw one."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"That is your defense?"
"It's a perfectly valid defense."
"You're a terrible lawyer."
"I'm a brilliant scientist. I don't need to be a lawyer."
Yuuki shook his head, amused.
"Still, you're right. This is a breakthrough. We're not merely copying someone else's technology anymore. We're learning how to develop our own systems, adapt them to our needs, and improve upon them."
He looked toward the portal gun in Vergil's hands.
"That's how humanity evolves. We study what others have accomplished, figure out how it works, and then find a way to make it our own."
Vergil nodded thoughtfully.
"Exactly. And once we get this technology working reliably, we can start thinking about applications beyond simple transportation."
"Such as?"
"Logistics, emergency evacuation, battlefield deployment, rapid resupply, interplanetary transportation..." Vergil paused, then grinned. "And, of course, getting snacks without leaving our rooms."
Yuuki gave him a flat look.
"Why do you keep coming back to the snacks?"
"Because you keep pretending it isn't a brilliant idea."
Before Yuuki could respond, Vergil raised his handheld portal device and examined it.
"Speaking of which, what about your version? Mine relies on specially prepared surfaces. The portals need a suitable, stable surface made from manufactured or refined moon rock, and they can't form just anywhere."
He pointed toward the blue portal.
"Your design is supposed to be different, isn't it? Rather than relying on a suitable surface at the destination, you're planning to make the portal establish itself using spatial coordinates."
"That's the idea."
Yuuki pops his own console and brought up a separate holographic schematic.
His design was still a work in progress, but its underlying architecture was considerably more ambitious than Vergil's current prototype.
"Brainstorm worked out a displacement circuit that incorporates the Unily Formula. Using your portal gun as the foundation, I modified the targeting system so it can treat a set of spatial coordinates as though they were a suitable flat surface."
Vergil leaned closer to inspect the schematic.
"Wait. You're making the portal interpret a location as a valid formation point?"
"More or less. The displacement circuit calculates the destination, compensates for spatial distortions, and establishes the conditions necessary for the portal to stabilize. Instead of needing a prepared surface at the other end, the system creates a stable opening at the coordinates we select."
Vergil's eyes widened.
"That's clever."
"I thought you'd appreciate it."
"Don't get smug. I'm still the one who built the working prototype."
"And Brainstorm is the one who solved the underlying problem."
Vergil's expression soured.
"...You really know how to ruin a man's moment."
Yuuki chuckled and continued explaining.
"The next step is to combine the Chronosphere's displacement principles with the Purifier's teleporter crystal. The crystal can record locations it has previously visited and use that information to establish a portal connection. If I can integrate that function into the targeting system, we'll be able to lock onto recorded locations using both horizontal and vertical coordinates."
Vergil studied the hologram in silence for several seconds.
Then he slowly looked up.
"Hold on. Let me see if I understand this correctly."
He pointed at the first portal diagram.
"Your device would open the primary portal in front of us, then establish a second portal at a selected destination. The Chronosphere's displacement technology would provide the spatial framework, the Scrin portal formula would help create a stable Einstein–Rosen bridge, and the Purifier's crystal would act as the primary stabilizer and location-recording system."
"Correct."
"And because the portal doesn't rely on Chronosphere-style synchronization with a timeline, we wouldn't need to coordinate the destination with the same temporal displacement process."
"Exactly. We're borrowing the useful parts of each technology without inheriting every limitation."
Vergil's grin gradually returned.
"So, essentially, you're trying to build a compact, portable traveling portal gun."
Yuuki nodded.
"Something like a Chronosphere backpack, except you don't need to deploy an entire Chronosphere installation to travel. We could carry it with us and establish a portal connection to almost anywhere we've already recorded, provided we have enough power and the destination remains accessible."
Vergil whistled.
"That's ambitious."
"That's the point."
Yuuki zoomed in on the schematic, highlighting the energy distribution system.
"Unfortunately, there's a limit. Brainstorm managed to solve the theoretical integration, but the device still can't transport us beyond what its available power allows. A longer-range connection, a larger payload, or a more demanding destination would require more energy."
"So even if the coordinates are correct, the device might not have enough power to establish or maintain the connection."
"Right. We still need to determine the practical range, energy consumption, and stability limits. The theory is promising, but I won't call it field-ready until we've tested it properly."
Vergil nodded, his expression turning serious.
Then another thought occurred to him.
"Dude."
Yuuki looked at him.
"What?"
"You do realize we only have one Purifier teleporter crystal, right?"
Yuuki paused.
"...Yes?"
"And if you successfully integrate it into this device, you're probably going to be the only person who can use this particular technology without borrowing the crystal from your prototype."
Yuuki considered that for a moment.
"Is that a problem?"
"Not necessarily. But the crystal is unique, and we don't know whether we can reproduce its location-recording properties. If your prototype works, you're effectively carrying a piece of irreplaceable technology around with you."
Yuuki shrugged.
"Better to keep it in a portable device under my control than build an entire transportation network around one irreplaceable component."
Vergil opened his mouth, then closed it.
"...Annoyingly sensible."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I'll take it anyway."
Yuuki returned his attention to the hologram.
"Besides, if we ever capture another Purifier, we might be able to obtain another crystal."
Vergil slowly turned toward him.
A dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.
"...You know, that's actually an interesting idea."
Yuuki immediately recognized that expression.
"Vergil."
"What?"
"Don't."
"I haven't said anything!"
"Your face is already planning an experiment."
Vergil ignored the accusation and began pacing.
"Think about it. The Purifier's crystal can record locations and facilitate dimensional transportation. But we don't know whether every crystal has identical capabilities. Perhaps the properties vary depending on the individual unit, its energy capacity, or the complexity of its internal systems."
Yuuki sighed.
"Here we go."
"What if a more advanced sirens possesses a more sophisticated crystal? Greater storage capacity, better spatial resolution, improved stability, or even a longer operational range?"
Vergil stopped pacing and looked directly at Yuuki.
"What if a high-level siren has a better crystal?"
Yuuki rubbed his chin.
"...That's actually a good question."
Vergil's grin returned in full force.
"I know!"
"Don't sound so pleased. We don't have evidence that crystal quality scales with a Purifier's level."
"Which is why we need a sample!"
"We already have a sample."
"One sample. Science needs comparisons!"
Yuuki stared at him.
Vergil stared back.
A few seconds passed.
Then Yuuki sighed.
"You're already thinking about capturing another high level siren, aren't you?"
"Purely for research purposes."
"Of course."
"Strictly scientific."
"Naturally."
"Entirely unrelated to my personal curiosity."
"That one I don't believe."
Vergil placed a hand over his chest in mock offense.
"Your lack of faith in me is heartbreaking."
"Your research history is heartbreaking."
The researchers nearby pretended not to listen.
They were not particularly successful.
Yuuki eventually dismissed the holographic schematic and turned toward the testing area.
"Anyway, I'll leave the crystal comparison for another day. First, we need to finish testing your portal gun. Once we have reliable data on its performance, I'll have a better foundation for developing mine."
Vergil nodded, though the idea of a higher-level Purifier crystal clearly hadn't left his mind.
"Fair enough. So, when are you building your version?"
Yuuki glanced at him.
"Already started."
Vergil froze.
"...What?"
"I had JARVIS assemble the required components while we were working on the testing arrangements. The major parts should be ready for integration."
Vergil stared at him as if Yuuki had just announced that he had secretly built another wonder weapon under the laboratory floor.
"You had JARVIS assemble the parts already?"
"Yes."
"Without telling me?"
"You were busy building your own portal gun."
"THAT IS NOT THE POINT!"
Yuuki shrugged.
"I'll begin integration after we finish this experiment. You're helping me as payment for forcing me to become Brainstorm."
Vergil opened his mouth, apparently intending to complain further.
Instead, he looked at the portal gun in his hand, then at Yuuki's holographic schematic.
His expression slowly shifted from indignation to excitement.
"All right. Fine. But I'm supervising the integration."
"Naturally."
"And I want access to the test data."
"Of course."
"And if your device works, I get to examine it."
Yuuki smiled.
"Sure. Your portal gun here did help me out."
Vergil grinned.
The researchers quietly returned to their instruments, wisely deciding not to involve themselves in the conversation.
The blue and orange portals continued to shimmer, their linked openings providing a glimpse of a future in which crossing vast distances might become as simple as stepping through a doorway.
For now, Vergil's handheld device was still a prototype, and Yuuki's coordinate-based design remained unfinished.
But humanity was finally developing its own answers to technologies that had once seemed impossibly far beyond its reach.
They might have been late to the party.
That didn't mean they couldn't eventually become the ones hosting it.