Operation story: AS-1

Operation

Story

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Previous AS-ST-1	Next AS-2
Characters
Pepe Anat Narantuya Slumbering Citizen Mysterious Animal (Mio) Medjehtiqedti Aspasia Wandering Staff Nameless Mummy Lamplighter Museum Security Picky Visitor Angry Woman Right Earphone Left Earphone MC Man in Pain Voice in the Crowd Panicking Visitor Frightened Visitor Lost Tourist Bewildered Tourist
Backgrounds
1 2 3 4 5

Before operation

Summary When she isn't allowed to borrow an exhibit, Pepe sneaks into the museum at night, placing her gem into the item, only to find it strangely disappears. She is forced to leave when a security guard shows up. The next day, the Nameless General wakes up in the middle of the exhibit.
<Background 1>
Lamplighter	♪Night blankets the riverbanks♪ ♪Twin moons rise in loving embrace♪ ♪In the dark they kiss♪ ♪Then the stars illuminate♪ ♪And they blush in their glow♪
<Background fades out and in>
Lamplighter	Whoa! You gave me a fright, girl! What are you doing here in the middle of the night?
Pepe	Scared I'm gonna rob you?
Lamplighter	Of course not. It's only rich folks around here. Shouldn't a girl your age be on a date down at Riverside Avenue at this hour? What are you doing in front of the museum?
Pepe	I'm on the night shift.
Lamplighter	Ugh, the youth these days! My lamps used to shine on young couples in the throes of passion, but now you're all doing overtime at ungodly hours. Go on, I've lit your path. Have a safe trip home when you get off.
Pepe	Thanks for that!
<Background 2>
Pepe	There really is no one here... guess Titi wasn't messing with me. Let's see if they've picked up anything new. Gem workshop artifacts from the Age of Shadow. Hmm... The Originium circuits on this one is really something... assembled from multiple pieces? No, it was crafted out of a single piece of Originium. Amazing work. Really have to look close to see it. Wow, ritual instruments from the Age of Flow, found in the jungles. Are those blood spots from ritual sacrifices? And all these weapons... A ceremony from the Battle of Turbah Al-Sawda? ... Well, I'll get to know you later. I have an appointment to keep.
<Background 3>
Pepe	It's here... Nice to meet you, old man! Sorry for disturbing your peace and quiet tonight, but I have questions that only you can answer. Please don't get mad at me. Wow, amazing!
<Background fades out and in>
Pepe	Feline, approximately two meters tall. Most of the body has been replaced with mechanical parts, integrated with the remaining biological tissue. Skin color is purple, likely from the preservative fluids used, and it remains supple to the touch. A golden mask and a suit of golden armor. All internal organs have been removed.
<Background fades out and in>
Pepe	Strange. Neither the mummy nor the funerary objects give any clue to the location of the trove. But everything from the site is here. Perhaps it's the gem itself that offers a hint... "First, the heart. At its first beat, we come to be." "Second, the lungs. At their first breath, we come to feel." "Third, the bowels. We fill them with food, cultivate our tongues, and develop our own likings." "Fourth, the liver. We go into the night, awake and alert, for duty and obligation." Now how do I use this gem? ...
Pepe ponders for a while, then reaches into the mummy's chest cavity, placing the gem where the heart should be. She holds her breath, waiting for something to happen.
Pepe	... ... Nothing? No change at all...
No images or text appear. Pepe frowns and tries to retrieve the gem. Perhaps she simply placed it wrong.
<Background fades out>
But as soon as she reaches into the chest cavity, she senses that something is off. There should be an empty space, but it feels like she's put her hand into water. The gem is right there before her eyes, but she feels like she's groping in a bottomless pond.
<Background 3>
Pepe	Huh...
???	Who goes there? Have you any idea what time it is?
Pepe	Oh no, it's security. ...
Pepe closes the glass display case lightly, and sneaks into the darkness, holding her breath.
Museum Security	Who's there? I thought I heard something. Was it over here?
<Background fades out and in>
Pepe	(Don't come this way, no!)
Museum Security	Hey, is someone there?
Pepe	(Yikes! He's right behind me...)
Museum Security	Who is it?!
Pepe	(There's someone else?)
Mysterious Animal	Meow?
Museum Security	Oh, just a little critter. How did you get in here, cutie?
Mysterious Animal	Meow!
Museum Security	Hey, don't run! Look, I have a can of fins in oil!
Pepe	(I need to get the gem...)
Museum Security	Where did it go? I just turned a corner and it's gone?
Pepe	(Why are you coming back?!)
Museum Security	Did the last shift forget to shut the windows? Hot air's blowing in. I guess that explains the critter. Can't let it run around the museum.
<Background 4>
Mysterious Animal	Mroaw—! Mroaaaw—!
Angry Woman	I don't care whose pet you are, one more sound from you and I'll have you castrated tomorrow!
Mysterious Animal	(Softly) Meow...?
Slumbering Citizen	*yawn* Sorry, Mio, I was fast asleep and didn't hear you outside.
Mio	(Shakes tail irritably)
Slumbering Citizen	Did you see that one?
Mio	(Nods)
Slumbering Citizen	Good work, Mio. We've waited for so long. Bring him to me as soon as you can.
Mio	(Nods)
Slumbering Citizen	Come, I have some jerky for you.
Mio	(Nudges with affection)
<Background Black>
???	Pepe... What were you doing last night? Come now... You have to tell me...
Pepe	I-It wasn't me! I didn't do it! I stayed in the whole night! Whatever it is, I didn't do it!
<Background 2>
Anat	Pepe...?
Pepe	Anat...?
Anat	Pepe, did you... sleep last night?
Pepe	Why do you ask? I feel fine.
Anat	You fell asleep in the middle of a conversation...
Pepe	...
???	*yawn*... Morning, ladies.
Anat	You reek of alcohol, Titi. Where were you last night?
Medjehtiqedti	I took Pepe out on the town. Not like she's in town every day, after all. How did you even wake up after drinking so much yesterday? And not one whiff of booze on you? Did you shower?
Pepe	Oh... yeah! My brain was all foggy, so I took a cold shower.
Anat	The opening ceremony is today, Titi. And you took Pepe out drinking??? Don't I have enough to worry about already?!
Medjehtiqedti	Hey, I came first thing in the morning. I've looked at all the details of the exhibition. Your arrangements are perfect, except...
Anat	Is something not good enough? Just tell me, while we still have a chance to make changes.
Medjehtiqedti	You're too high strung today. Settle down. Just focus on your speech. Leave this to me, and I guarantee your exhibition will go smoothly.
Anat	*sigh* Get changed before you make any promise to me. The guests will complain if they smell all that liquor on you.
Medjehtiqedti	(Whisper) That look on your face. What trouble did you get yourself into? Explain.
Pepe	(Whisper) I tried putting that gem into the mummy's chest cavity last night. I was about to retrieve it when a security guard showed up. (Whisper) Get me a bit of time alone with the mummy once the exhibition is over. I'll take the gem back.
Medjehtiqedti	(Whisper) Thankfully, no one has noticed anything wrong. You'll have an hour, at most. If you still can't get it out, I'll have to report that my pass got stolen.
Pepe	(Whisper) Don't worry, if I can't get it out, I'll apologize to Anat my self. (Whisper) How did you get that smell onto you anyway?
Medjehtiqedti	(Whisper) I poured a bottle of wine on myself before I came in.
Pepe	Explains why you're all sticky.
<Background 3>
Narantuya	How are preparations going over there, Ajani?
Right Earphone	No problem, Narantuya. The smoke emitter is set, and we'll have our commotion on your signal.
Narantuya	Your status, Ajazi?
Left Earphone	I'm in position.
Narantuya	Good. She's a Padishah's daughter, and there will be big trouble if we don't make this a clean kidnapping.
Left Earphone	I don't understand why you insist on doing it here with all these visitors around.
Narantuya	The more people, the better. When the commotion happens, no one will bat an eye at a few compassionate souls carrying a poor fainted girl out of the room. They'll be too busy worrying about themselves.
Right Earphone	I marked the camera blind spots on your map. Pick the right time to knock her out.
Narantuya	Right, I'll leave early to set an ambush. Hopefully this needle will give her a good dream. I don't want to have to go into the jungle to make this serum again.
<Background 2>
Aspasia	I can't read the hieroglyphs on the sign... excuse me. Do you know how to get to the "Northeastern Tributary" exhibit?
Picky Visitor	The Northeastern Tributary exhibit, huh...? I'm not sure. I've never been there. We could look for it together, if you don't mind. I find the lines of your muscles more beautiful than anything on display here.
Aspasia	Please don't say that. Everything exhibited here is a piece of history. All these artifacts are worth stopping to admire.
Picky Visitor	You could have just said you weren't interested and spared me the excuses.
Aspasia	... Excuse me. Do you know where the Northeastern Tributary exhibit is?
Wandering Staff	Let's see... take a right there, walk five hundred meters, then take a left.
Aspasia	Thank you. I've asked quite a few people, but none of them knew where it was.
Wandering Staff	I understand. The citizens here are proud of Sargon's long history, but they don't care much about faraway places. You should have seen when the Columbian history exhibit was running. So quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Aspasia	Yes... I can sense the arrogance. Thank you for showing me the way.
Wandering Staff	Respect... that's what modern people lack. Wait, how did I end up in this hall again? I should try the right side this time.
<Background 3>
Medjehtiqedti	There are more visitors than I expected.
Pepe	I'm a little worried about Anat. She's fidgeting so much she's going to tear her speech to shreds.
Medjehtiqedti	Can't be any worse than her first presentation. It took hours for her to come back to her senses that time.
Pepe	Hey, where are you going?
Medjehtiqedti	Just to have a little chat with her, get her to relax.
<Background fades out and in>
Anat	Phew...
Medjehtiqedti	How are the preparations going, Anat?
Anat	I can already recite this speech backwards from memory, but the moment I think about all those eyes fixed on me, listening to every word I say... What will they think if I stutter, or make a mistake?
Medjehtiqedti	They'll all forget by dinner. The Flood Festival is right around the corner. Who has room to remember one girl's embarrassment during all those festivities?
Anat	But I'm nervo—hey, why are you rubbing my ears?
Medjehtiqedti	Feel better now?
Anat	Yes...
Medjehtiqedti	Works every time. I still remember how Pepe and I rubbed your ears like this for an entire day to get you to relax before an interview.
Anat	...Thank you, Titi. Very thoughtful.
MC	Bayanlar ve Baylar, take your seats, and welcome Curator Anat El-Aydin onto the stage with a round of warm applause!
Medjehtiqedti	Go. It's alright if you make a mistake, just keep going. If you're so stiff, I'll sneak around behind your back and rub your ears. Better to be embarrassed together than alone, right?
Anat	Oh, Titi...
Anat	Welcome to the Varjavandabad Museum's special exhibit, commemorating the Flood Festival. The highlight of the exhibit is an unnamed man, discovered in the Fourth Necropolis Complex on the outskirts of the city, meeting the public for the first time. Both the body, the armor and the funerary objects buried with him are remarkably well-preserved. The extraordinary details on his clothing is clear indication of high status. It has been dated to the early days of the New Calendar according to the Aslan dating method, making him a contemporary of Lugalszargus, the "Shah of Past and Future". He has not been identified in any extant Sargonian historical records. Based on the artifacts recovered from his tomb, we theorize that he may have been...
Aspasia	Excuse me, is this the Northeastern Tributary exhibit?
Anat	What...?
Aspasia	Did I take a wrong turn?
Anat	Yes... the Northeastern Tributary exhibit is on the other side of the museum, near the entrance.
Aspasia	Sorry to interrupt.
Anat	...It's fine. Ahem... in any case... Continuing where we left off... We have theorized that the mummy is...
Man in Pain	Ouch!
Narantuya	Excuse me, sir! Sorry!
Man in Pain	Are you blind?!
<Background fades out and in>
Anat	Honored guests...
Narantuya	My fault! Sorry, sir!
Anat	Excuse me, hanimefendi... where are you going?
Narantuya	Urgent business! Please carry on speaking!
Anat	But I'm just reaching...
Narantuya	Alright, yes! I know, I'm getting out right now.
Anat	...the most important part of the presentation. Er... where was I...? Sorry... let me find my place... Oh, yes... the exhibit behind me... I-It's...
Voice in the Crowd	*yawn* What is she talking about? I'm getting sleepy...
Anat	It's...
Anat spent a long time preparing for this speech. She prepared for bored audience members to leave, or heckle her for her mistakes. But she never imagined she would lose her train of thought because an interruption, leaving her speechless. She tries to collect herself, taking a few deep breaths, forcing a smile toward the crowd. She attempts to continue. Then she feels a hand on her ear, pressing it gently. Anat blinks, feeling a sense of warmth rise in her heart.
Anat	Thanks, Titi. I'm fine, don't wor—
Anat does not finish the sentence. She sees Titi looking up at her from the crowd in terror. Pepe's jaw has dropped open so wide that it could fit a whole apple. If Titi is not behind her, then whose hand is on her ear? Anat gulps. She dares not turn around.

After operation

Summary The frightened crowd flees and Anat faints in shock. Medjehtiqedti helps organize the evacuation, while Pepe, knowing the reason for the Nameless General's resurrection, comes up with an idea to move the mummy and the unconscious Anat to the curator's office.
Panicking Visitor	Eek!
Frightened Visitor	Th-The mummy is moving! I'm getting out of here! This place is haunted! It's looking at me!
Panicking Visitor	I knew it! This is what happens when a city grows too old!
<Background 3>
Medjehtiqedti	Everyone! Stay calm! Don't panic!
Pepe	The exit's over here! Stay in line, don't push!
Medjehtiqedti	Make way, make way! Sorry, excuse me. *Sargon expletive* Anat! Anat!
Medjehtiqedti squeezes through the crowd to find a pale Anat lying limp on the ground, her lips parting weakly as though trying to speak. But the sight of the mummy cocking its head behind Anat strikes her with such terror that she cannot move her feet.
Pepe	Titi, go handle the evacuation. I'll try to take Anat and the mummy somewhere else.
Medjehtiqedti	Aren't you scared? It's moving!
Pepe	I'm... alright. Ahem. I've been on two Old Calendar tomb excavations this year and met with their residents personally. This one looks like a nice old man by comparison.
Medjehtiqedti	It really takes guts to do archaeology, huh? Are you going to be okay by yourself?
Pepe	Don't worry, it takes plenty of strength to do archaeology too.
Anat	Titi...
Medjehtiqedti	Anat?
Pepe	She's fine... just muttering in her sleep.
Medjehtiqedti	The curator's office isn't far. Go out the side door and avoid the crowds. I'll come find you once the evacuation is complete.
<Background 2>
Narantuya	What's going on? I'm not in my ambush position yet! Did you turn on the smoke early?
Left Earphone	We didn't do anything.
Narantuya	What's happening?
Right Earphone	Seems like someone else is causing a commotion.
Narantuya	Drat... I didn't see the target in the crowd. Where did she go? Alright, change of plans. We're starting early. Find her, keep an eye on her, and keep me posted.
Right Earphone	Roger.
Narantuya	Hurry. We need to blend into the crowd once we're done. It'll be too late once the evacuation is finished.
<Background 3>
Pepe	Good... everyone is gone...
Pepe approaches the mummy and sees a blue light glowing in its chest. The gem has vanished into the light and is nowhere to be seen.
Pepe	Hrmph. So it was the gem... It's not easy to carry you like this...
After observing the mummy for a few seconds, Pepe decides to push the mummy's raised left arm back down.
Pepe	(Pushes the left arm down)
Nameless Mummy	(Raises right arm)
Pepe	Huh? (Pushes the right arm down)
Nameless Mummy	(Raises left arm)
Pepe	What's going on with you?
Nameless Mummy	...
Pepe cocks her head and ponders how to get the mummy to cooperate. To her surprise, she finds that the mummy also cocks its head, as if in thought.
Pepe	Wait... are you copying me?
Pepe takes a step to the left, and the mummy does the same.
Pepe	Hm?
Pepe jumps backwards, and the mummy does the same, making a loud noise as it hits the wall behind it.
Pepe	Pfft. Looks like you can move your arms and legs, but not your brains. Hey, if we can move in unison...
An idea comes to Pepe as she looks at Anat, who still lies passed out on the ground.
<Background 2>
Pepe	Almost to the curator's office. Alright, follow my movements and make a turn here.
Nameless Mummy	(Turns right)
Pepe	Gotta get it to hold Anat's shoulder tighter. She almost fell just now. Let's see... (Moves right hand)
Nameless Mummy	(Grabs Anat's shoulder)
Anat	(Frowns unconsciously)
Pepe	Alright. Now follow me...
Anat	(Moans unconsciously)
Pepe	Maybe we should take smaller steps...
Nameless Mummy	...
Pepe	I'll consider that a yes. Very good... Wait, no, no, no—!
<Background fades out and in>
The mummy steps on the hem of its own robe and falls forward, right on top of Anat's tiny frame.
Anat	(Groans unconsciously)
Pepe	That red mark on her face isn't going away for a while...
Nameless Mummy	...
Pepe	Oh, you genius. Come on, hold her tightly this time.
Anat	(Frowns unconsciously)
Pepe	Walk with me. Not too fast, not too slow. Good... one-two... one-two...
Nameless Mummy	...
Pepe	Take it slow and easy. We're almost there. ...
Nameless Mummy	...
Pepe turns her head to find her pass lying on the floor. It must have fallen out of her pocket. She looks at her own raised arms, then at the mummy's holding Anat. If the mummy let go, it would drop Anat on her head...
Pepe	How do I get into the office like this? I can't use my hands... I have to use my foot... (Reaches out one foot)
Nameless Mummy	(Reaches out one foot)
Pepe	Good, keep your balance. Still can't reach it. I wish I didn't skip gym class... Come on, you can do it! Argh—
<Background fades out and in>
Despite trying her best, the pass still lies just beyond Pepe's reach. She stretches a little too far and loses her balance. Following her lead, the mummy lets go of Anat and falls in the same way. Pepe can only watch as Anat's skull hits the floor, making a dull sound on impact.
Anat	(Unconscious cry)
Nameless Mummy	...
Pepe	... Sorry, Anat, I'll give you my full support on your next research project.
Wandering Staff	Hanimefendi, do you need help?
Pepe	Oh, I'm so glad you're here. Your curator isn't feeling well. Can you help me carry her into the office?
Wandering Staff	Alright. I set Curator Anat on the sofa. Your posture is... interesting. Are you sure you don't need help getting up?
Pepe	No, it's a special exercise I do.
Wandering Staff	Er, okay. What about the exhibit? Should I carry it inside too?
Pepe	No, I can handle it on my own.
Wandering Staff	Alright... let me know if you need anything else.
Pepe	I can finally move... that was close.
Nameless Mummy	...
Pepe	Stop staring and come in.
<Background 3>
Wandering Staff	Good news, Narantuya, I found the target. Yeah, near Hall Four. I helped her carry the unconscious curator into the office. I'm certain she's in the office. There's no one else, other than the curator who's still out cold. I also have her pass. No problem, I'll wait here for you.
Medjehtiqedti	Izaja?
Wandering Staff	Oh, Medjehtiqedti Hanimefendi, I...
Medjehtiqedti	What are you doing here, with the whole museum in chaos? We're shutting things down for the day. Help lead these lost guests out.
Lost Tourist	What's going on? Where are we going? Are we in danger?
Medjehtiqedti	Don't worry, just follow our staff here and she'll take you to a safe place.
Wandering Staff	B-But I have other things to do...
Medjehtiqedti	Alright, I will— Look out!
Lost Tourist	Wh-What happened?!
Medjehtiqedti	Who brought a cloudbeast in here? Pets aren't allowed in the museum!
Wandering Staff	I-I didn't see any cloudbeasts...
Medjehtiqedti	We'll talk about your negligence later. I've got to catch it before someone steps on it.
Wandering Staff	...I guess I'm guiding the tourists outside. (Mutter) Well, I think I can still make it. Follow me, everyone. The exit is this way, to the right.
Lost Tourist	Isn't that the left? She's staff here, I'm sure she knows what she's doing... hey, wait for us!
A heavy exhibition hall door is pushed open, then closed again. No one remembers that it should be open, no one cares that it was opened, and no one has cleaned the dusty sign that reads "Northeastern Tributary Exhibit" in ages. The hall is silent. Aspasia's heart thumps against her chest, almost loud enough to drown out her whispering footsteps. She passes by the black monuments of lost tribes and colorful Kjerag rugs, casting her gaze towards the dark depths of the hall.
<Background 5>
Aspasia	...Finally. Our history awaits me in silence. I must admit that one should look upon history with such solemnity. From which lost temple's relief was the scroll before me drawn? From which Minoan peak was such immaculately white marble hewn? And such imagination, piecing together a corner of an ancient Minoan family with ancient artifacts. But— It's all wrong! I recognize you, the golden goblet that once sat in the center of the temple. My grandfather came to visit you, many years ago, as did my mother after him. Much has my family suffered for your loss. Why has this museum put it among the clay bowls for fermented milk? They share no common material or style! And where is the other half of the pair? The Sargonians took them all, yet they do not keep them safe! Even the exhibit description is—
She takes a long look at the exhibit label, then pulls the metal plate off the wall and looks to the other side. Both sides are perfectly smooth, with only her own reflection upon them.
Aspasia	Signómi, this one was just left empty. —But the biggest mistake is that these artifacts are here at all. A century ago, Minos suffered the shame of Sargonian armies violating her soil, trampling on our civilization and history. It should not have been so... I must take them.
<Background fades out and in>
Wandering Staff	Follow this flight of stairs down, and you'll find the exit. Now then, I have other business to attend to.
Lost Tourist	Something still doesn't feel right.
Bewildered Tourist	I don't think this is how we came in.
Lost Tourist	She's staff here. She knows what she's doing... right? Will this way really take us home?
<Background fades out and in>
Aspasia	I must take you home. I must bring you to the priests of Minos, that they may study and preserve you.
Aspasia walks solemnly towards the exhibition pedestal and lifts the goblet.
Aspasia	Minoan artifacts must not be allowed to lie forgotten in this forsaken, sunless hall.
<Background fades out and in>
Lost Tourist	Don't push! I can't see where I'm going. Shouldn't they put an underground light or something in the emergency exit? Hey, there's a lady there setting up the exhibit. She looks more reliable than the other one. Let's ask her!
Aspasia	Have you come to see—
Lost Tourist	—Is this the way out of the museum?
Aspasia	... Is there something I can help you with?