It's an ordinary workday like any other.
Research Assistant: humming ♪♪♪
Dora hums a cheerful tune as she dusts the equipment with a handheld static duster.
Research Assistant: humming ♪♪♪
Without warning, the lab door opens.
Research Assistant: ...?
Ulrich: Dora, what are you doing?
A long-absent figure appears in the doorway.
Research Assistant: U-Ulrich?
She hastily flings the duster to the workbench beside her.
Ulrich: I thought you'd know better than to throw things onto the workbench by now.
Research Assistant: I'm just ... a little surprised.
Ulrich: Fair enough. But still, take care of the equipment. These integrated circuit machines just keep getting more expensive.
Ulrich briefly steps out before returning with a heavy piece of computing equipment.
Research Assistant: What's this?
Ulrich: A gaming console for the team. It comes preloaded with Ping Pong League, Super Spaceman, and Leviathan and the Deep Sea Maze.
Ulrich: It can also serve as a versatile development platform. You can design your own games on it.
Research Assistant: So, what's it doing here?
The image before her is almost surreal.
Ulrich: It's a gift. I bought it for the team.
Before Dora can react, Ulrich has turned and left once again.
He quickly returns, this time carrying a smaller device—the oscilloscope.
He carefully places it on the workbench.
Ulrich: I have to admit, taking such a long holiday was an irresponsible act of negligence on my part.
Research Assistant: No, Lead, I think—
Ulrich: I'd like to apologize for my absence. There's no excuse for spending so much time at the retreat center and neglecting my work here.
Research Assistant: It's ... it's fine!
Ulrich: I've already submitted a request to Madam Lucy. For the next 36 months, I will forfeit all personal salary and benefits.
Research Assistant: I knew it. Don't tell me—
Ulrich: And I'll compensate for the loss caused by my absence by doubling the work hours.
Research Assistant: NOOO!!
Ulrich seems deaf to Dora's protests, moving straight to the point.
He plugs the oscilloscope in and turns it on.
Ulrich: From now on, the cryptography team will take on a new long-term task.
Ulrich: I require each team member to independently propose a framework for classifying the waveforms from this oscilloscope without discussing it with each other.
Ulrich: This secrecy is paramount in covering any blind spots in my methods.
Research Assistant: But I haven't been briefed on anything.
Ulrich: No need. Get to work right away. I'll show you how it's done.
GAMEPLAY
Unfortunately, today's research still yields no progress.
Research Assistant: Would you like to hear my thoughts on the oscilloscope, sir?
Ulrich: Go ahead.
Research Assistant: Maybe it really is just a broken machine, like most of the equipment we've cleared out and stored in the repair room.
Ulrich: But the "Storm" noticeably impacted the readings. That's highly unusual.
Research Assistant: No, it's actually quite ordinary.
Research Assistant: The "Storm" interferes with all arcane phenomena. Clearly, arcane technology was involved in building this instrument.
Research Assistant: Of course, it's connected to the "Storm." Almost everything is.
This answer does little to satisfy Ulrich.
Ulrich: So you're saying it isn't unique?
Research Assistant: Precisely.
Ulrich: We need more evidence before we can come to that conclusion.
Research Assistant: But the uniqueness you suggest isn't supported by any current evidence.
Before any rebuttal can come, she continues.
Research Assistant: You plan to establish different array systems to correlate changes between information patterns.
Research Assistant: But this method won't eliminate all errors. We'll be forced to acknowledge the inherent chaos of this system.
Research Assistant: We could spend immense computational power exploring every possibility for half a century and still end up with nothing.
Ulrich's silence suggests he has already considered these issues.
Ulrich: We could request more resources to address the problems you mentioned.
Research Assistant: That would require submitting a dedicated research project application, including a preliminary evaluation of personnel, funding, and equipment.
Research Assistant: It won't be easy to justify the research value, and we can't just turn the whole cryptography team into an oscilloscope cryptography unit.
Research Assistant: Where would you find people with the necessary time and expertise to join the project?
Research Assistant: Wait!
Even she seems surprised by her sudden bout of inspiration.
Research Assistant: I know just the person!
Dora strides purposefully down the corridor, like a deer charging through the forest.
Ulrich jogs behind her.
Research Assistant: Huff ... huff ...
She comes to a stop in front of a closed door.
Just as she's about to ring the bell, Ulrich intercepts her.
Ulrich: A word of warning, Dora. Enigma has been a recluse for years. Any attempts to communicate with him won't end well.
Research Assistant: Come on. He deserves a chance, just like anyone else.
Research Assistant: I've dealt with worse characters, you know, those awful old math professors who take pleasure in insulting students.
Research Assistant: I've picked up a few tricks; don't you worry.
She takes a few deep breaths to slow her racing heart.
When she speaks again, her tone is entirely different—like someone trying to persuade a child to do something.
Research Assistant: What's this? *gasp* New puzzle games! Wanna give it a try, Adler?
Ulrich: This is absurd.
She coughs before switching to a more formal tone.
Research Assistant: We're facing a serious problem that requires your expertise, Mr. Adler. I trust it falls within your responsibilities to assist us with this matter.
Ulrich: He'll only laugh in the face of such a fabrication.
Her tone shifts again, this time sounding like a restaurant server.
Research Assistant: Mr. Adler, a messy room isn't doing your mental state any good! Let our Cleanup for Mental Clarity group give you a hand!
Ulrich: That one doesn't even have any work-related information.
Finally, her tone becomes exasperated.
Research Assistant: So, what's YOUR brilliant idea then?!
Ulrich: We shouldn't focus on how to communicate. No, we should focus on how to complete the task with as little communication as possible.
Ulrich: Why don't you organize the materials, open the door, drop the documents on the floor, and leave? Then you can check back later to see if there's any progress.
Research Assistant: ...
Research Assistant: What a convincing solution.
Ulrich: Then we're in agreement.
Ulrich ignores the sarcasm in her voice, steps forward, and rings the bell—
At that moment, the door swings open.
Research Assistant: ...?!
Hofmann: Huh?
An unexpected figure stands in the doorway.
Research Assistant: Good day, Madam Hofmann! I didn't expect you to be here.
Hofmann: The honor is mine, though I don't believe we've met?
Ulrich: Ms. Hofmann, long time no see. This is Dora, a research assistant in the cryptography team.
A hint of surprise colors Hofmann's face.
Hofmann: Ulrich, so your holiday is over.
Ulrich: Yes, I just returned to headquarters.
Hofmann: Were you looking for Adler?
Dora quickly takes over the conversation.
Research Assistant: Yes, the cryptography team hopes to enlist his help.
Hofmann gives a soft sigh, visibly weary.
Hofmann: I think ... now is not a good time to approach him. Adler is ... unwell.
Research Assistant: Understood.
In such a situation, no one would inquire about the specifics of his condition.
Ulrich: Ah, does he have a bacterial infection from being in a confined space for so long?
Hofmann: ...
Hofmann: It isn't a bacterial infection.
Dora takes a quick step forward, putting herself between Ulrich and Hofmann.
Research Assistant: Madam Hofmann! Is there anything we can do to help?
Hofmann: Of course, there is something I've been considering.
Hofmann: Adler's birthday is coming up.
Research Assistant: Birthday?
Hofmann: He's turning 28, but I'll be on a field mission to the Flannan Isles on the date.
Hofmann: I'd like someone to deliver a gift to him on my behalf on that day.
This seems like a good opportunity for Dora to break the ice with him.
Research Assistant: Absolutely, Madam Hofmann. Leave it to us!
Hofmann: It's appreciated. Thank you. I'll send the gift to you later.
Hofmann, satisfied with the arrangement, leaves at once.
Research Assistant: Looks like we've been handed a good opportunity.
Ulrich feels as though a rock has smashed through his tank.
He instinctively pats the glass, checking that it's still intact.
Ulrich: What exactly have you agreed to?