Go to Herta's Office

📍 Herta Space Station Herta's Office

Talk with Screwllum

Punklorde Mentality

Screwllum

My apologies, {F#madam}{M#sir}.

Options

What happened?

What's with her?

Never expected to see that kind of expression on her face.

Screwllum

This all started with me — I was the one that brought up the request to end our academic collaboration. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Herta or the project. The Simulated Universe is a great experiment and Herta is a true genius.

Screwllum

However, we have our differences when it comes down to our long-term vision for the future. These differences will often manifest into bias, and bias will get in the way of the formulation of knowledge.

Screwllum

Deep down, I want to continue to believe in Herta... the question is whether one should end a collaboration that no longer holds true to its initial intent. From an objective standpoint, I should end it immediately.

Screwllum

Are you worried about her mental state?

Options

A little.

Not at all.

I'm more worried about the mental state of the researchers.

Screwllum

Judging by the result, I have failed to choose the most suitable time to raise this matter.

Screwllum

Then I'm glad I haven't caused you vexation on her behalf.

Screwllum

Thank you for the humor. It is good for tense moments like these.

Screwllum

The emotions of organic life are like tides — it is my fault for not noticing the trajectory of the moon. Let Herta be alone for a while so she can calm her emotions. It'll be beneficial for our negotiations later as well.

Screwllum

As for the Simulated Universe... If that's the reason you're here, maybe I can help in answering your questions.

Options

(Explain what happened)

Screwllum

Hmm. Search: Bonfire in the depths of the woods. A lone stone sword points to the stars... "Punklorde Mentality"? That is no ordinary curio, my friend.

Screwllum

That is a love letter a Galaxy Ranger has written for the universe. {F#Young madam}{M#Young sir}, how much do you know about Punklorde?

Options

I've heard of it.

Don't know much.

Nobody, and I mean nobody, knows more about Punklorde than I do.

Screwllum

It is a planet made of data and symbols. The edges of reality and illusion are blurred in Punklorde, as are its days and nights.

Screwllum

An "Aether Cartridge" is a chip that Punklordian hackers use to edit reality. The ways through which a hacker perceives and modifies the world are recorded on the chip.

Screwllum

It's a recording of the hacker's life and proof of their existence. The one on the space station belonged to someone truly legendary.

Screwllum

He became a Galaxy Ranger by accident and spent many long years traveling among the stars. He encountered countless fascinating individuals and saw wonders witnessed by few.

Screwllum

Many of the records and details recorded therein are beyond the knowledge of even the IPC and the Intelligentsia Guild. That is why it became part of the masses of calculation data for the Simulated Universe.

Screwllum

Yes. No need to worry, my friend. The cartridge has never left the space station.

Screwllum

It's as I said – it is a very important reference for the Simulated Universe — that is why its data has been extracted and added to the calculations of the universe model.

Screwllum

Herta was probably impulsive and added the cartridge into the simulation without telling anyone, resulting in the item being listed as lost.

Options

So it was a false alarm...?

I'm still a little worried...

That person could've gotten into the office...

Screwllum

I understand your concern. If the individual in question did indeed try to hack into Herta's office, then the Simulated Universe is undoubtedly her next target.

Screwllum

As such, please allow me to offer my limited abilities to assist you with your investigation, {F#madam}{M#sir}.

Screwllum

As you already know, the Simulated Universe will be shut down temporarily. It will remain shut until Herta and I come to a clear conclusion.

Screwllum

Yes, this is the last chance to investigate the cartridge data.

Screwllum

By way of apology for shutting down the Simulated Universe, I will use my abilities in the Universe to provide you with what assistance I can.

Screwllum

This is my recommendation. Please take your time to consider it.

Screwllum

It is a planet made of data and symbols. The edges of reality and illusion are blurred in Punklorde, as are its days and nights.

Screwllum

An "Aether Cartridge" is a chip that Punklordian hackers use to edit reality. The ways through which a hacker perceives and modifies the world are recorded on the chip.

Screwllum

It's a recording of the hacker's life and proof of their existence. The one on the space station belonged to someone truly legendary.

Screwllum

He became a Galaxy Ranger by accident and spent many long years traveling among the stars. He encountered countless fascinating individuals and saw wonders witnessed by few.

Screwllum

Many of the records and details recorded therein are beyond the knowledge of even the IPC and the Intelligentsia Guild. That is why it became part of the masses of calculation data for the Simulated Universe.

Screwllum

Yes. No need to worry, my friend. The cartridge has never left the space station.

Screwllum

It's as I said – it is a very important reference for the Simulated Universe — that is why its data has been extracted and added to the calculations of the universe model.

Screwllum

Herta was probably impulsive and added the cartridge into the simulation without telling anyone, resulting in the item being listed as lost.

Options

So it was a false alarm...?

I'm still a little worried...

That person could've gotten into the office...

Screwllum

Hehe, conversing with you is truly a delightful experience.

Screwllum

It is a planet made of data and symbols. The edges of reality and illusion are blurred in Punklorde, as are its days and nights.

Screwllum

An "Aether Cartridge" is a chip that Punklordian hackers use to edit reality. The ways through which a hacker perceives and modifies the world are recorded on the chip.

Screwllum

It's a recording of the hacker's life and proof of their existence. The one on the space station belonged to someone truly legendary.

Screwllum

He became a Galaxy Ranger by accident and spent many long years traveling among the stars. He encountered countless fascinating individuals and saw wonders witnessed by few.

Screwllum

Many of the records and details recorded therein are beyond the knowledge of even the IPC and the Intelligentsia Guild. That is why it became part of the masses of calculation data for the Simulated Universe.

Screwllum

Yes. No need to worry, my friend. The cartridge has never left the space station.

Screwllum

It's as I said – it is a very important reference for the Simulated Universe — that is why its data has been extracted and added to the calculations of the universe model.

Screwllum

Herta was probably impulsive and added the cartridge into the simulation without telling anyone, resulting in the item being listed as lost.

Options

So it was a false alarm...?

I'm still a little worried...

That person could've gotten into the office...

(Optional) Talk to Leonard

Punklorde Mentality

Leonard

D—Did you hear that? I was so scared I couldn't utter a single word!

Leonard

The Simulated Universe? Shut down? That's Madam Herta's biggest project. I can't imagine how mad she'd be if it fell through...

Leonard

Wait... This isn't my fault, is it? If I'd been able to stop the enemy's invasion, would Mr. Screwllum be less pessimistic?

Options

It's not your fault.

Everyone's responsible.

Let's focus on what's in front of us.

Leonard

*sigh* Thanks for trying to comfort me...

Leonard

A bit harsh, but you're right...

Leonard

You're right...

Leonard

Ugh, this is terrible. I feel like I'm incapable of doing anything...

Leonard

...still, beating myself up all the time won't help either. We're here for the cartridge. At the very least... we must try and see this thing through.

Leonard

Having heard what Mr. Screwllum said, you're entering the Simulated Universe to continue the investigation, aren't you?

Leonard

I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you — I'll be helping Mr. Screwllum monitor the system's internal data flow from the office. Ugh, I'm so nervous — this is the first time I've been involved in something so big.

Leonard

Anyway, I'll be cheering for you!

Enter the Simulated Universe with Screwllum's help

Punklorde Mentality

Screwllum

Well, {F#madam}{M#sir}, are you ready?

Options

I've got something to ask you...

Let's get going.

I'm not ready yet...

Screwllum

Please, ask away. I welcome all forms of curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge.

Options

Are you really shutting down the Simulated Universe?

Who are the Galaxy Rangers that you speak of?

Tell me more about Punklorde's hackers.

That's all the questions I have...

Screwllum

Yes. There are other concerns besides those I've mentioned.

Screwllum

I believe that the miracles inside the Simulated Universe have the right to grow and develop organically. The will of others shouldn't be imposed upon it, just like in the actual universe.

Screwllum

The more Herta tries, the further she moves away from the Universe that she had hoped for. Conclusion: The endless iterations of the Simulated Universe are wearing down her talents, day by day.

Screwllum

I hope to free my dear friend from it.

Screwllum

Nevertheless, I must also clarify that this is my opinion alone. You should form your own judgment on Herta, {F#young madam}{M#young sir}.

Screwllum

They are a group that carries a balance scale with them at all times. They believe all the justice in the universe needs to be achieved through individual deeds.

Options

Then, what's the love letter for the universe?

Screwllum

That was the most suitable way of describing the Galaxy Rangers in my interpretation.

Screwllum

They are directed by the Path of The Hunt and are always accompanied by song and the sound of horns. They pursue justice for the individuals and groups they encounter along the way, and shower them with splendid wines and poems.

Screwllum

However, all stories come to an end, just as they disappeared from the spotlight long ago.

Screwllum

There is a group of lifeforms there that know nothing of fatigue. They are attempting to touch upon the umbilical cord of the truth.

Screwllum

They are compiling the languages, thoughts, and even emotions of the entire planet into symbols that even inorganic lifeforms can understand.

Screwllum

You see, in the vast sea of data, life exists only in one form: A line of code. Whether it's a butterfly, a whale, or even you — the length of that line of code dictates the boundaries of what the entity entails.

Options

So, I'm actually a butterfly.

So, I'm actually a whale.

So, I'm actually data.

Screwllum

I've always thought of you that way.

Screwllum

Please, it's only a metaphor.

Screwllum

Maybe the emotions of organic lifeforms are an expression of data, don't you think?

Screwllum

Very well, get going we shall.

Screwllum

I will be sending you into the Simulated Universe using an alternative method. It might feel a little different than usual.

Screwllum

This will help us quickly locate the cartridge in the vast sea of data. We'll start with this data link. Now, please prepare yourself for a deep dive with your consciousness...

Screwllum

Take your time, I'll be waiting.