Scene 1: East Gate[]
- Sarona
- Hey, look! It's Cross! Wait, sorry. You don't know me, do you?
- I'm a BLADE, same as you! I'm with the Prospectors, so I mostly handle jobs where folks need natural resources surveyed and raw materials collected.
- You're in Elma's team, right? I'll bet working under the colonel lets you see a lot of tough assignments. But you're still breathing, so it must be going okay.
- Cross
- Choice A — Confirm: Tell Sarona that you're doing all right.
- Sarona
- You certainly look like you could handle any task folks throw your way. I'm jealous!
- Like right now? I've got a request in to survey a mountain way up north. It's a nasty spot, and I have no idea how to tackle it.
- The mountain itself is dangerous enough, but then you add in all the weird wildlife...
- Not to mention it's been crawling with xenos lately for some reason.
- Especially those reptile-like ones. The Ma-non or whatever? I bet they're using their crazy high-tech weapons to kill everything—indigens or humans!
- Cross
- Choice B — Disagree: Scoff at Sarona's assertions about the Ma-non.
- Sarona
- No way! My buddy says they're all super dangerous. They'll kill you five times before you hit the ground!
- If they wanted, the tech on that spaceship of theirs could burn New LA to a crisp in seconds. They're just biding their time, I tell you!
- Me wandering alone on some treacherous peak full of their kind sounds like crazy talk.
- So, uh... You free today?
- Come on, it'll be fun! Mountain climbing! Who doesn't love a good hike, eh? Let's go conquer this peak together!
- I'll even split the reward fifty-fifty. All you have to do is beat up any weird xenos we come across! ...Oh, and make sure I don't get fried.
- Message
- Choice A — Accept: Accept this mission?
- Sarona
- Whew, thanks! I've been so stressed out, I even had a dream last night about being abducted by Ma-non! They...did weird things to me.
- I gotta tell you, I was this close to just bailing on the job entirely.
- Cross
- Choice B — Console: Sympathize with Sarona.
- Sarona
- You're real easy to talk to, you know that? Us BLADEs aren't robots—sometimes you get a job you just don't feel like doing.
- But I get that we don't always have the luxury of being choosy.
- I feel way better about going now that you're coming along, though.
- I mean, I know we're going for serious work reasons, but it should still be fun, right? Clean air? Nice views? Mountains are great!
- I'll go ahead and wait for you at the foot of the mountain, near the second terrane of Talon Rock. Don't keep me waiting too long!
Scene 2: Talon Rock Second Terrane[]
- Sarona
- There you are! Hey, did you remember to bring food? What about warm clothes? Climbing tools? Avalanche probe?
- Between rockslides and falls, a mountain can be more dangerous than any of the animals living on it.
- Gotta stay focused, even if you know the area well!
- Cross
- Choice A — Assure: Tell Sarona that you're all good to go.
- Sarona
- Awesome! Oh, and on my way here, I did a bit of preliminary digging just because, and I've already found some crazy stuff!
- Like, here I have some lionbone bort and foucaultium—both minerals used in making Skells and weapons. A pretty valuable find, that!
- If we can find some more samples, we'll have enough to run purity tests. Want to help me look?
- Great! Then let's meet back here once we've found a few more samples of both. Sound good?
- Just be sure to watch out for wild animals. And xenos. ...Oh, and yetis, even though I don't think they exist.
Scene 3: Talon Rock Second Terrane[]
- Sarona
- Wha?! WAAAAAAAAUGH!
- Oh, thank goodness! Look over there! It's a killer alien! Isn't that a M-M-Ma-non?!
- What do we DO?! It's gonna abduct us and perform weird experiments on our bodies and then EAT US!
- Inisae
- I have no intention of eating you, understand? Please please calm down.
- I just want to be friends with humans, okay? I'm actually so so glad we met here.
- Sarona
- Yeah, like we're gonna fall for THAT! Right? Back me up here!
- Cross
- Choice B — Disagree: Tell Sarona the Ma-non is clearly not hostile.
- Sarona
- What?! But my buddy says these Ma-non have all kinds of dangerous technology, and they can't wait to use it!
- Inisae
- Ma-non hold no hostility against humans, you know? At least, I hold none against you...
- Sarona
- Nope! Not buying it! Now stay back! Any closer and I'll shoot!
- Inisae
- Oh. I guess this means we can't be friends, doesn't it?
- If you plan to stay, be so so careful of ciniculas, okay? Many many Ma-non have been attacked here, you know?
- Sarona
- Hmm... She seemed kinda...sad at the end there.
- Nope! NOT thinking about it! She's clearly a killer alien that's gonna eat me.
- Anyway, how about those mineral samples?
- Perfect! You found them!
- Nice work, partner. Hey, I'm thinking this mountain probably has all kinds of useful stuff buried in it.
- Let's forget about that xeno and keep up the search. I'll meet you up ahead.
Scene 4: Talon Rock Third Terrane[]
- Sarona
- Shhh! You're safe now. Try to calm down, okay? If you cry, that thing might hear you.
- Inisae
- R-right. I understand. B-but are you sure? About me?
- I'm a Ma-non, you know? You called me a killer alien, but but but then you helped me anyway...
- Sarona
- Y-yeah, well... I was only kidding! It's a, uh...term of endearment.
- Cross
- Choice A — Inquire: Ask Sarona what happened.
- Sarona
- Ah, Cross! Perfect timing.
- We were near this bridge-like formation up ahead when a ferocious cinicula attacked. I just grabbed this kid and ran like the wind!
- Sorry to be a pain, but...do you think you could jog over there and take care of it for me? You know? Pop-pop, two in the hat?
- I'll look after this girl while you take care of business. I can catch you up on the details after.
Scene 5: Talon Rock Third Terrane[]
- Sarona
- Yeesh, we could hear that cinicula's screams from here. Hopefully we can get to the summit in peace now.
- You're headed to the top to gather materials too, right, Inisae? Want to come with us?
- Inisae
- Oh...really? I mean, it's been so much fun having someone to talk to...but but are you sure I won't be getting in your way?
- Sarona
- Don't be silly! Besides, I owe you one for the candy you gave me.
- Oh! Speaking of! You've gotta try this chocolate, Cross.
- This stuff is bananas! Ba! Nanas! ...By which I mean crazy. Not that it tastes like bananas. Apparently, it's all the rage with the Ma-non kids these days.
- Cross
- Choice A — Accept: Taste some of the Ma-non chocolate.
- Sarona
- It's sweet, but there's this perfect hint of bitter, right? I haven't tasted anything like it in New LA.
- Well? What do you think? I mean, am I crazy, or is it the most amazing thing in the history of things?!
- Mmm... Seriously though, how do you make this? I wanna marry it. Then I want it stuffed into my coffin when I die.
- Inisae
- Er, well, the viscera of the cinicula are dried out and condensed before being reconstituted with bile. The resulting treat is both delicious AND nutritious, no?
- Sarona
- PFFFTHRRBPPPBBBT! NO! Are you SERIOUS, Inisae?! Girl, you gotta tell me these things ahead of time!
- Inisae
- Is that a problem? I know that ciniculas are dangerous primordial creatures, but their flesh contains no poison whatsoever, you know?
- Sarona
- Almost wish it did...blech. Er, but no, there's no problem, Inisae. It was still very nice of you to share. Let's just...head for the summit.
- Hey, Cross? Inisae and me are gonna walk and talk for a bit. Meet you at the top, okay?
Scene 6: Castaway Cavern[]
- Sarona
- Rrgh...nnh...
- I-is that you...Cross? ...Ah! Inisae!
- Where's Inisae?! Is she with you?!
- Cross
- Choice A — Inform: Tell Sarona you haven't seen Inisae.
- Sarona
- No?! ...But that must mean that thing carried her off!
- I've read about a type of blatta that lives up here called the abyssal blatta. I guess we found one.
- We must have been gathering mineral samples in its territory, which is why it got mad and dive-bombed us.
- Inisae pushed me out of the way—she probably saved my life.
- Then I saw the thing fly off into that cave up ahead.
- Please! You've gotta help me find Inisae!
- I know we only just met, but she's...my friend.
Scene 7: Castaway Cavern[]
- Inisae
- ......
- Sarona
- I heard a big commotion. Was that you taking out that blatta?
- Cross
- Choice A — Confirm: Tell Sarona the blatta is dead and she can relax.
- Sarona
- Whew! And wow, you really live up to the your reputation, huh?
- So is Inisae okay?
- Huh?!
- Inisae! What's wrong?! She...she's not moving...
- How do you do CPR on a Ma-non?! Where's the heart located?! Can I even take a pulse?!
- Aaarggh! Why didn't I bother to learn anything USEFUL about xenos?
- Come on, wake up. ...Please? We only just became friends. It's way too soon for good-bye.
- Inisae
- ......
- ...Friends? We are friends?
- Sarona
- You're okay...?
- Inisae
- You'd be my friend even though I'm a Ma-non? Really? Really really?
- Cross
- Choice A — Confirm: Tell Inisae that she and Sarona have been friends for a while now.
- Inisae
- I'm so so glad. I've stared out at New LA from our ship for some time and felt...a longing, maybe?
- I wanted to get closer to the curious cyborgs that somehow still overflowed with warmth, you know?
- Sarona
- Inisae! Are you all right?!
- Inisae
- Ow. My joints ache, but I don't think anything is broken—so so so that's good, right?
- Sarona
- Thank goodness! Let's get you out of this cave and patch you up. I promise I won't let any more big slobbery monsters get anywhere near you.
- Thanks for everything, Cross.
- We gathered some great mineral samples and verified the local wildlifes. I'd say our survey's done.
- Here's the reward. I was pretty useless this time around, so you should have it all.
- Yeah, I'm sure! I made a new friend from this assignment, after all. That's more than enough of a reward for me.
- We're heading out. See you back home! ...You ready, Inisae?
- Inisae'
- Yes, Sarona. On the way down, I can point out various mineral deposits and herbs...if you like?
- Sarona
- Hey, slow down, girl! I appreciate the thought, but we've got to get you looked at first.