Chapter 3.8 - Federation Prison
Galaxy Federation Police Detention Center
Lactis comes to Jan and the others in their cell.
Lactis: Captain…
Jan: Lactis?
Lactis: Hurry, get ready to leave! The Federation squad’s sixth division, as well as the Archon police, are already under Yuriev’s control. If you stay here your lives may be in danger.
Jan: Our lives… The Chief! Is the Chief safe!?
Lactis: His location is still unknown. They’ve put new security on these computer terminals…
Jan: …I see. Can you remove it?
Lactis: I’ll find a way. I have a talented partner, after all.
Bugs: Erich!?
Lactis: “He” took care of the security codes for us.
Jan: …I see.
Bugs: Erich!! I’m so glad you’re safe!!
Erich: Bugs. Are you okay?
Bugs: Yeah~! I was put into standby mode in the hangar, but Lactis came and started me up. They put a level restriction on my armament, but… oh, don’t worry! We brought everything you need for real-life combat!
Erich: You did well. Thanks, Lactis.
Lactis: Of course. However, when they notice you’re not in your cell, security will be everywhere… we’ll just have to break through it. Be ready for some combat.
Jan: Even if we do manage to escape, they’ll probably send someone after us immediately… it could be a problem if we can’t stay hidden. We’ll have to conceal the fact that we’re resuming our investigation of Yuriev. …Melisse! Is it possible to get in touch with Veritas?
Melisse: I’m not sure if it’s possible or not, but I can lead us to the contact point.
Jan: …Please do. Yuriev is looking to upset the balance of power with the Immigrant Fleet. The next major incident will most likely take place at the Pilgrimage Council… The specific date hasn’t been decided yet, but we probably don’t have much time. We have to shed some light on Yuriev’s real intentions before then.
Making their way through the guards and the security system, Jan and the others come to a small room. They find McCallum inside, badly injured.
Jan: Chief!?
McCallum: I’m sorry I wasn’t able… to speak to the Director…
Jan: It’s okay, let’s just get you to a hospital!
McCallum: Just what I’d expect from Sauer’s son. So reliable… but you can’t save me now. Forget about me and escape…
Jan: Why are you giving up so easily!?
McCallum: Jan… let me see your face. You’ve become a splendid man… a true legacy of your parents. I don’t… have any regrets.
Jan: Don’t talk. Your wounds will open up…
McCallum: What’s this…? The ever-calm Jan Sauer is shaking? Think of your subordinates first. Go, get out of here!
McCallum dies in Jan’s arms.
Jan: Chief…
Melisse: It’s… hopeless…
Jan: What is?
Melisse: The real enemy here is the ever-turning wheel of politics. The Chief has been killed, and we can’t trust anyone in the police force. It’s too much, it’s impossible to continue this investigation! It’s not just Voyager anymore…
Jan: …Melisse. Stay here.
Melisse: Stay… here?
Jan: Yes. A person who’s lost sight of the right thing to do is no longer fit to be a policeman. Our mission is to find and arrest criminals. Whoever they may be, anyone that threatens the safety of the people is a criminal. Got it?
Melisse: Captain…
Jan: I’m going after Voyager. I will find him… for the Chief.
Melisse: …
Jan stands up from McCallum’s body and starts to walk away alone.
Melisse: Captain!
Jan: …
Melisse: I’m the only one that can contact Veritas. Let me guide you.
Jan: Please do so, Melisse.
Bugs is walking at the front of the group with his sensors on. Suddenly he stops.
Bugs: I have confirmed an obstacle in front of us!
Jan: An obstacle… it is a person?
Bugs: I’m not sure…? I’ll adjust my sensor settings. A person? No, it’s a battle robot! Stance is… aggressive!
Jan: Analyze it!
Bugs: Yes sir~! It is… a Murdock Industries combat support robot, model number SY-810, designation Freya!
Erich: SY-810!? That’s a support robot from the same series as Bugs!
Mikhail: What’s that mean?
Erich: Bugs is Federation-issue equipment. That they would have the same type here is extremely strange…
Bugs: Captain, get into formation! It’s coming!
Battle with Freya.
Jan: Well, we got out of the prison somehow… Melisse. Take us to the Veritas hideout!
Melisse: Understood. Please follow me!
Bugs stands before the wreckage of Freya, deep in thought.
Bugs: …
Erich: …Bugs.
Bugs: Erich. Will I be like this too someday?
Erich: You mean, dead? Bugs, are you scared of being scrapped?
Bugs: To me, the concept of fear is a mystery. But I can deduce that humans feel afraid of death.
Erich: Death is the same to us as disposal is to you. From the moment we’re born, we’re counting down to death. No one can escape it. Maybe we humans are being scrapped too… from the world.
Bugs: I suppose someone made out of artificial parts like me could live any number of years. When I think about it that way, maybe we’re luckier than humans… If you could completely control the deterioration of your bodies, maybe you could conquer death too.
Erich: Well, humans try very hard to do that. Very hard…
Bugs: Erich…
Erich: Hey, we’re lagging behind. Let’s catch up.