The laboratory's pendant lamps cast a dark green glow, swaying periodically with the tremors from the Fire Moth One's railgun fire.
Mobius didn't have a penchant for blinding lights; it was simply a side effect of the ship's movements.
Nuwa and Fuxi were locked out. Klein was still in a life support pod in the medical bay. Mei had been sent to keep Kevin company. The spacious lab was now empty.
Mobius traced the contours of Mikael's body with her long, unkempt nails.
"It's about time, isn't it?"
She glanced at the electronic clock on the wall.
Over twelve hours had passed since Mikael's death. It was time... any later, and the remnants of his consciousness might dissipate completely.
After double-checking the lab's locks, she dragged Mikael's body into a side chamber and placed it inside a cylindrical device that resembled a giant soda can.
She connected various tubes and prepared the Honkai energy reservoir, then returned to the main console and pressed the input button.
Honkai energy flowed into Mikael's body. Based on her experience, the revival process would take time. She sat down, resting her chin on her hand, her thoughts drifting back to two nights ago.
"You don't have to integrate Śeṣa's factor. The procedure is still experimental. Even with your Herrscher physiology, I can't guarantee a hundred percent survival rate... and there are... side effects..."
Mobius discreetly pulled down her sleeve, concealing the black markings on her arm.
"Besides, I don't think Śeṣa's factor will significantly enhance your combat abilities in the short term... unless you think tomorrow's situation will be so dangerous... that you're not even sure you'll survive?"
She glanced at the young man beside her... no, he wasn't so young anymore. He was now considerably taller than her, which irritated Mobius. She hated looking up at people—perhaps that was her only commonality with Elysia.
"I'm just considering all possibilities."
Mikael deliberately slowed his pace, much to Mobius's relief. With her shorter legs, she'd almost had to jog to keep up.
"Doctor," Mikael's formal tone made Mobius realize he was about to ask a favor.
"There are three likely scenarios tomorrow. In the first two, the 3rd Herrscher dies in Shanghai, so no problem. But if the third scenario unfolds, Dr. Mobius, I need your help."
She didn't immediately agree. She frowned, asking, "What is this 'third scenario'?"
"Although I doubt the 3rd Herrscher possesses high intelligence, it's still a possibility—what if, and I'm just speculating, what if her injuries are just a ruse, and she's always been capable of escaping as electromagnetic waves?"
Mobius took a deep breath. If that were the case...
"All of our rapid response forces are concentrated in Shanghai. If the Herrscher escapes and attacks Nagazora, or Arc City, what then?"
"Yes, only I, only someone who can utilize the 2nd Herrscher's power, can reach the battlefield quickly. But even then, I wouldn't be able to defeat her."
"...So that's why you're so eager to integrate Śeṣa's factor? As a backup plan?"
"Not entirely..." Mikael stroked his chin thoughtfully. "There are still some things I'm not sure about."
"Such as... where my consciousness resides." He lowered his voice, his hand brushing against his chest.
But he didn't elaborate, quickly shifting to other arrangements. "If this third scenario unfolds, I'll create an opportunity for the 3rd Herrscher to obtain my core."
"?" Mobius stared at him, puzzled. "What do you mean? Giving her your core would only make her stronger!"
"No, it's a trap." Mikael winced as he accidentally pulled out a whisker, and Mobius couldn't help but smirk.
"The biggest challenge in defeating the 3rd Herrscher is containing her. My core is just bait... Doctor, do you remember telling me that my core's structure is completely different from the 2nd Herrscher's core?"
"Yes? Isn't that just a difference between Herrschers?"
"I don't think so." Mobius could tell Mikael wasn't entirely sure, but he believed it was a gamble worth taking.
"My core... is recyclable. Which means, after I die, someone else, the right individual, could inherit its power. I want the 3rd Herrscher to believe that."
Mobius wasn't stupid. She just wasn't a tactical mastermind. But she understood what Mikael was suggesting.
"So, the 3rd Herrscher will see it as a way to increase her power and destroy civilization. She'll attack Fire Moth headquarters to obtain the 2nd Herrscher's core... and then we can ambush her!"
Mobius looked at Mikael's enthusiastic face, slightly dazed. So this was the 1st Herrscher, the one who fought with his mind.
"What do I need to do?"
She swatted away Mikael's hand, which had instinctively reached for her head.
"Ahem!" Mikael coughed awkwardly. "First, submit this backup plan to Phamas. Knowing him, he'll probably approve it."
Mobius had no objections to that.
"Second, at the right time, inject me with Honkai energy and wake me up."
Mobius hummed thoughtfully, then asked her final question: "Are you sure the 3rd Herrscher can't use the 2nd Herrscher's core? You can."
"I knew you'd ask that!" Mikael grinned triumphantly, as if having anticipated her question was a great accomplishment.
"I only recently discovered this. The 2nd Herrscher core I created isn't exactly the same as the original. Its structure is slightly similar to my own core, but not completely... let's just say, if the 2nd Herrscher's core is a pair of shoes that don't fit me, and my core is a pair that fits perfectly, then the core I created is a pair that pinches my feet. I subconsciously altered its structure."
Mobius smiled, then felt a pang of regret—Mikael's plan was brilliant, but she wouldn't get to see the 3rd Herrscher's despair...
A light on the console blinked, snapping Mobius back to reality. She realized very little time had actually passed. It had felt like an entire night.
But then she frowned—it was a red light.
Which meant the body hadn't absorbed the Honkai energy. She looked at the monitor displaying a flatline EKG. Her heart sank.
"Impossible! This can't be happening!"
She felt like she was suffocating—
Had his consciousness dissipated?
The reason didn't matter. What mattered was—Mikael hadn't woken up.
"He's... really dead?"
Mobius clenched her fists.
She wanted to laugh, to mock Mikael for his failed plan—that seemed more like her.
She remembered Elysia's expression. She must be looking the same way now...
No! Something wasn't right!
Think! She must have missed something!
Mobius closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to calm herself, then replayed their conversation in her mind, over and over...
"Where does my consciousness reside?"
Mobius placed her hand on her less-than-impressive chest, exhaling slowly.
"If the 1st Herrscher's power is understanding and construction, wouldn't that mean... he should be alive and kicking by now? Hmm... it can't be that simple, can it? But if it's him, he can definitely do it, right?"
"Doctor! Emergency! Doctor, open up! Emergency!"