In the hollow Anby and Billy are running from ethereals.
Billy complains, "Damn, another fight?! At the rate my anmo's depleting, I can say goodbye to my efficiency bonus…"
"Incoming. Get ready." In contrast Anby is completely business like as she raises her sword.
Luckily they don't have to fight as three tiny spheres roll by their feet, a tiny beeping noise emitting from them…before they explode with dust.
Waving a hand before her face Anby looks to Billy.
"Wait. Wait, wait, wait." Billy shakes his hands, "That wasn't me!"
From behind them Eous pokes out, waving a hand. Belle's voice emerges, "Hey guys! Over here!"
"So are you actually inside the bangboo?" Caesar looks back at the siblings to ask.
"Well I can feel what Eous would feel if that's what you mean." Belle replies.
"But it's not like you two swapped bodies? Like in that horror film?"
Belle shakes her head, "It's more like I can see what Eous can, hear what Eous can and feel what Eous can but not vice versa."
Once Anby and Billy duck behind the train they find the bangboo standing with hands crossed on its hips. "Good work all!"
"It's a scarf wearing talking bangboo." Anby whispers to Billy.
"Ohhh!" Billy pumps his fist before dramatically pointing at Eous, "You're Phaethon!"
The camera zooms through Eous to Belle sitting before the HDD, chin casually perched on a hand and eyes shut before they blink open. Once again displaying their shocking electric color.
"You're actually Phaethon." Seth says from above.
"Yes." Wise replies.
"I thought we established this already." Belle continues. "We had Nicole to back us up and everything."
"Well now we've actually seen your skills in the hollows." Lycaon picks up. "You're quite qualified."
"That's Lord Phaethon!" Vivian exclaims, "The best proxy in all of New Eridu!" She blushes as every head in the room turns to her, ducking just slightly into Hugo's side. "Um…"
"You know…" Belle helps her out, drawing some of the attention, "I never actually learnt why we're called Lord Phaethon."
"Because Phaethon is the son of Helios." Vivian replies, followed by a quiet yet still audible exclamation, "I just spoke to Lord Phaethon!"
"Um…" Belle looks to Wise whose head is very conveniently turned away - no help there. "…It's nice to meet you too?" The other girl just squeals in response.
"I propose now is a good time to take a break." Anby says. "Is that acceptable proxy?"
Belle agrees.
"Phew." Billy sits down, "That was dangerous. It's crazy what a powerful monster that red fang dude mutated into. It's all thanks to you manager. You got us out of there in the nick of time. As expected of Phaethon! Reliable as always!"
"A few more compliments like that and I might just give you a discount."
"Really?" Anby asks.
Billy shakes his head, Nicole does too.
"Well," Belle says, "it's not like Nicole was gonna pay up anyway."
The conversation shifts to the HDD. "Speaking of which, I've always wanted to ask about that device in your store, you know, the one that lets you sync with Bangboo and communicate real-time within a hollow!" Billy says, "That's some serious tech! Even public security and the Hollow Investigative Association can't do it! With a trump card like that, why didn't you just join the association?"
"Why didn't you join?" Yanagi asks the siblings in the cinema. "You'd have received an offer easily."
They shrugs evasively, "We have our reasons." Is all Wise answers.
"I'm curious how you got the tech." Qingni says, "After all if Phaethon started seven years ago you two must have been teenagers back then. It's not likely you invented and perfected the kind of tech that lets you communicate in the hollows all by yourself."
"It's a…trade secret?" Belle replies.
"Interesting." That one word accurately describes the feelings of the PubSec members and Section 6, not to mention quite a few of the other factions too.
In the distance an ethereal roars.
"That sounds like an ethereal." Anby observes.
"So soon?" Billy moans, "I only just sat down!"
"We have to get out of here. Unless Billy, you'd like to stay here forever? That new starlight knight belt you wanted? I guess I'll place it at your grave next year."
Billy frowns, complaining, "When you say things like that I can't tell if you're joking or not." His words match directly with what is onscreen double says.
"When you say things like that with that poker face of yours I can't tell if you're joking or not!"
"Working with you two is like watching a never ending sitcom!" Belle says brightly.
"Is that why you keep letting Nicole hire you on credit?" Anby turns her poker face on Belle.
"Ugh…I don't know if I should be happy about that or not." Billy says, "But now's not the time we should get out of here before those ethereals catch up."
They run while they can and occasionally fight when they can't but with Phaethon's expert guidance Anby and Billy make it safely out of the hollow…by running into a wall.
"That's a new one." Nicole observes.
"They're not all that bad." Belle protests, "Most of the exits are normal."
"Well yes," Nicole admits, "But it's easier to remember the unique ones."
Wise points out, "That's cause more often than not they come at the end of a difficult commission."
Anby nods her agreement, "I noticed a correlation as well."
"You realize that it doesn't bode well for this commission then." Billy says.
"We got dragged in here to watch it. At the very least it should be exciting." Belle counters then tags on, "And should also have a happy ending."
"I'm glad you added that." Her brother tells her.
Outside they meet up with Nicole who murmurs to herself, "Phaethon got the time and location spot on…Hey you two! Get in the car!"
Driving back to the store they find Belle and Wise waiting for them.
"You think Nicole will pay?" Belle murmurs as an aside to Wise.
A small pause….then both siblings shake their heads as one.
Nicole doesn't pay up. As expected.
This time its with the excuse of the commission not yet being finished; she pushes for the proxies to continue helping her recover the strongbox of her commission, producing a red tooth-shaped necklace - a damaged storage device connected with the strong box.
The proxies and the cunning hares go their separate ways the scene cutting to a few days later in the parking lot of Random play.
"Here you are." Nicole says, "We figured out where the strongbox is. What about the task I gave you?"
Wise replies, "You mean the flash drive? The data has been recovered. Just like you guessed it contains the password to the strongbox."
"Okay everyone! Thanks to the proxies's help preparations are complete. It's time for the next step!" Nicole orders, "Anby, explain the plan!"
"Okay, everyone please look at this map of New Eridu." Anby says, "Our plan is: Enter the cretan hollow and defeat the superior ethereal Dullahan, then recover the strongbox."
…
Belle can't help asking, "That's it?"
"Yes." Anby answers, "What's wrong?"
"Yes, it's a good plan. I like it." Miyabi says, "What's wrong with it?"
Yanagi shakes her head, "It's basically your plan Chief. Most people need a bit more of a thought process before undertaking such a mission."
"But plans will go wrong." Miyabi replies simply, "So the thinking has no use."
"So…what's with the map?" Wise questions.
Anby answers directly, "Nicole says we have to show some professionalism. We can't let our partners look down on us. Otherwise it'll be hard to bargain with th-"
Nicole covers her mouth, cutting in. "Saying too much again? Billy why weren't you paying attention?"
"It's not my fault!" Billy protests, "How was I supposed to know this was Andy's idea of a "professional" meeting…Oh! That's why she watched all those crime investigation movies before the meeting!"
"Um…We can hear you guys…" Belle on screen interjects.
"Ahem." Nicole leads them away from this topic, "Anyway as Anby said, the goal is simple: Find and retrieve the strongbox! Since there's no way to monitor the real-time situation from the outside, we'll need your support and guidance inside the hollow!"
"How likely is it that something will go wrong?" Belle asks rhetorically.
"I think they will." Koleda answers her anyway.
"Oh definitely." Caesar puts in.
Yanagi adds, "100%."
"Almost certainly." "I wouldn't bet against it." Lycaon and Hugo speak up at the same time from opposite ends of the room, then very decidedly do not glare at each other.
"If this was a movie," Astra begins, "That line would be when rain starts to fall and you get struck by lightning. Maybe twice for good measure."
Belle says, "That's a bit dramatic isn't it?"
"Proxy," Nicole's voice is more serious than usual, "Let's just hope we all make it out alive."
The scene shifts to when they're within the hollow.
"Alright, we made it into the hollow! Now let's find my strongbox." Nicole says.
"Speaking of which boss - who told you abut the location of the strongbox?" Billy questions.
"Hah!" Nicole waves him off, "That's a trade secret! You thought I'd just spill the beans like that? But since we're on the same side I guess I can let you in on a little secret."
"This is staged." Both siblings say.
"What?" Nicole looks to them aghast, "I would never."
"This is subtle advertising 101, Nicole." Belle tells her. "But like, not subtle."
Wise adds, "You have a routine like this for every commission."
The siblings on screen are also wise to Nicole's tricks. Belle directly asks, "Nicole, you just want to show off right?"
"Please don't put her on the spot like that." Anby interjects, "Nicole gets super sensitive in times like this."
"Hey!" Nicole turns away but can't hide a blush, "I told you to stop blabbing so much Anby! Ahem!" When she turns back she's all business again, "Actually it was really easy! I have a few contacts at the association who just so happened to have the records of routine observation missions and ether resources for this hollow. I gave them an offer they couldn't refuse and asked them to help compare data from the last two mutations. Locating the strongbox was as simple as circling up the difference!"
"Sheesh Nicole!" Billy exclaims. "You're good!"
"…data from the last two mutations. Locating the strongbox was as simple as circling up the difference!" Nicole's voice repeats.
"Sheesh Nicole!" Billy exclaims again. "…good!"
Belle and Wise frown, this shouldn't happen.
"You think…" Belle whispers.
Wise shakes his head in answer but his expression is troubled.
On screen Belle and Wise have similarly noticed the abnormality.
"Hang on." Belle says, "Didn't you just say that?"
"Proxy?" Nicole frowns, "Are you daydreaming? Isn't it time to go? I may know the approximate location of the strongbox inside the hollow but it's up to you to get us there!"
It's with some apprehension that Belle begins guiding them.
"I expect that now is when things go very wrong," Anby says.
No one is able to contradict her.
Not long and a few fights later they've reached the territory of Dullahan.
"Hmm…" Anby pauses, "The air around here seems to have grown thicker."
"Yeah. The resolution of my video sensors just dropped too."
"That means we've…" Nicole's voice trails off before she turns to Belle, "Right proxy?"
"Sorry Nicole!" Belle says after a moment, "I couldn't hear you. What was that?"
"Don't drift off while guiding us! I paid top dollar to hire the best proxy around Phaethon! Watch out or you might just get a negative rating on inter-knot!" Nicole threatens.
"Watch out or you might just get a negative rating on inter-knot!" Her voice repeats again.
Belle's frowning. "Do you think it's just a connection issue?"
"The hollow shouldn't affect the HDD like that though." Wise counters.
"You're right." Belle thinks hard, "But what else could it be?"
"I don't know."
"Well you better figure it out." Nicole interjects, "Or I'm really going to give you a negative rating!"
The siblings seem to have similar concerns as Belle turns back, "Wise can you hear me? The HDD connection is unstable."
"I hear you." Wise says, "Let me see…Strange. The HDD's backend is reporting an error. Wait a sec, I'll sync and try a debug."
"Manager? Do we wanna keep going?" Billy asks.
"Listen up guys, the ether activity has impacted our HDD signal. Hold tight!" Wise says before he begins debugging the connection. "Just let me adjust…Alright, switching to the back up display. Resizing and…that'll do. Nicole how are you doing?" They don't get a reply. "Nicole? Anby? Billy?"
"That's not good." Ellen observes in her monotone.
Abruptly the scene zooms out and Belle's eyes flicker back to their usual aquamarine color as she sits back in her chair.
Wise quickly comes over. "Huh? Belle? Why did you disconnect?"
"I didn't disconnect, I got kicked off." Belle shakes her head briefly, "The connection between the HDD and the hollow was severed!"
"Start a debug." Wise says urgently, "Now!"
"Right." Belle tries but the screen flickers.
'Access denied' it displays.
"I'm assuming that's not normal." Yanagi states.
"No it's not." Wise has a seriously worried look on his face. "It's never happened before. At least…"
Belle meets his eyes a spark of shared rememberance within them - with the HDD system the only person with a higher clearance than theirs is….
"At least?" Zhu Yuan prompts.
"Oh." Wise shakes his head slightly in answer to his sister first then replies vaguely. "At least not since we started Phaethon."
"Uh, it's no use." Belle pushes her chair away from the table before standing up. "I've tried everything, I can't restore the connection."
"Strange." Wise rests his chin on a hand, thinking aloud. "The hollow…shouldn't so easily affect the HDD." He sighs, "The real issue is Nicole and the others. Without the HDD, we have no way of contacting them inside the hollow."
"No carrot, no proxy…even with a good aptitude for ether, they'll be corrupted if they stay in the hollow for too long." Belle bites her lip worriedly, "Well…there's one more thing we can try." She dramatically reaches out and presses the off switch. "Reset it!"
Looking back at Wise who's shaking his head looking unimpressed Belle gestures animatedly, "Haven't you heard the saying? Turning it off and back on again can fix anything..."
Wise's gaze drifts to the screen and instantly becomes alarmed. "Belle didn't you shut it down? Why is the screen still on?"
Belle realizes the same as he continues, "So the connection problems…"
"…Aren't on our side." She sucks in a breath. Now they're very worried.
"Hmph. I thought you'd never figure it out..." The screen flickers and an angry icon appears on the display, "…Phaethon."
"We got hacked?!" Belle exclaims, her voice shocked.
"Apparently so." Wise is similarly surprised.
And the hack job is apparently why the connection was cut.
Oh.
Not good.
What do you mean you got hacked?" Nicole asks.
Seth scratches the back of his neck, "I thought a legendary proxy like Phaethon would also be a master hacker."
"We're not masters." Belle says, "But we're…" Abruptly remembering that she's talking to a PubSec officer and that hacking is technically a crime she switches track midway, "…we could maybe be called…passable."
"I think the real question is why we got hacked." Wise cuts in at a look from Belle, "And why the hacker chose to reveal themselves."
"Well they couldn't exactly hide anymore could they?" Lucy points out. "It was obvious that something's wrong."
"That's a good point." Jane hums to herself, thinking it over. "Their first plan was probably to stay undercover and collect data but with the foreign tech-"
"-They weren't able to restore normalcy." Zhu Yuan completes. "So they fell back on intimidation tactics instead."
Yanagi nods her agreement, turning to the proxy siblings, "As for the why…well why do you think?"
"I honestly have no clue." Belle admits, leaning back into her seat. "While the HDD's tech is special the data is fairly standard."Most of it is now at least - ten years ago it was considered ground breaking - and it's also coded for the HDD and would be a pain to replace. "Anyone hacking us I would think wants to target our account which is pretty much like any other inter-knot account - if you discount the reputation of a legendary proxy. Not exactly valuable and not something you can sell for money."
"Actually," Hugo interjects, "I can imagine someone - one of your fans - paying quite a bit for your account." His words are spoken in a cool tone but make Vivian beside him flush red hot.
"Of course you would think of the profit." Lycaon interjects from the other side of the room.
Hugo counters, "Well if someone went to the lengths of hacking their proxy account you can be sure they want something out of it."
"It won't be money though." Lycaon shakes his head, "Not in this case."
"And I'm not saying it is. Just that it could be a motivation."
Burnice frowns at them, "Are you two fighting or flirting? Cause this sounds kinda like foreplay."
"Most certainly not." Lycaon bites at the last word.
Hugo crosses his arms. "Not in a million years."
"And that kinda sounds like denial."
Luckily for Lycaon and Hugo, Piper manages to redirect Burnice's attention to the screen.
"Oh, so this is all the famous proxy Phaethon can do?" The faceless hacker mocks, "As you can see the system is mine now."
"What do you want?" Belle asks them.
"What do I want? Hehe, my request is simple - I want the code to the strongbox."
"The strongbox?" Belle repeats looking to the cunning hares, "Nicole what kind of commission did you accept?"
"It paid well!" Nicole defends, "And it didn't appear to be too difficult. It wasn't even in a hollow to begin with!"
"Well do you know who posted it?" Wise asks.
Nicole shakes her head, "It's anonymous."
While Belle keeps the hacker talking Wise is shown to be attempting to take back control of the HDD.
"Hey, if you think being subtle will keep me from detecting an attempt to take back control you're sorely mistaken. Don't waster your energy. I'm getting impatient - give me the code."
"Repeat yourself all you want," Wise says, "But if we don't know what it is we can't give it to you."
"Wrong answer." The hacker intones, "Hmph, so you're playing dumb. Okay, I'll have to refresh your memory. This device I've taken control of seems to be important to you."
"Wait what are you doing?" Belle exclaims.
The hacker chuckles, "Your punishment for lying."
Red words flash on screen.
"This isn't good." Wise mutters, "There's no way to save the alpha database…"
"Get it now? A few taps on the keyboard and I can turn everything you're so proud of into meaningless ones and zeroes." The hacker threatens, "I'll only delete some of it this time. But remember, your fate is in my hands now. Your clients are messing with the wrong person. They've got after something they shouldn't - the strongbox. I know you got the password from Silver's drive. Think carefully before you reply."
"Dammit." Wise curses as Belle fidgets worriedly even as her hand slips to take out her phone, "This guy…"
"Speaking of your clients, that unlucky crew is wandering around aimlessly in the hollow right now. I happened to have recorded something interesting maybe this video will change your mind."
"Oh yay." Billy says, "Back to us now."
Anby nods, "There's a 97% chance that we're fighting."
"And the other 3%?" Burnice looks back at her to ask.
"That we are already dead."
They get the video running on the TV.
It portrays Nicole, Anby and billy fighting off ethereals in the hollow before taking shelter behind a train.
Eous's red eyes are a shock to see as Nicole threatens, "If you don't get in contact soon, you can forget about me paying my bill!"
The bangboo remains lifeless. No reaction even as Anby hisses "Hide" drawing attention to the approaching hollow investigation squad and PubSec officers.
"Boss we're saved!" Billy exclaims, "They're from the investigative association. They have a carrot! We can ask them for help and follow them out of the hollow!"
"Don't be stupid." Nicole shuts him down. "Don't you see those public security guys with them? We're hollow raiders. Even if they help us, they'll arrest us right afterwards."
"That might be true if it was just us. But with that…" Billy points to Eous.
"Billy," Belle points a threatening finger at him, "If you suggest outing us I am going to pound you so hard in the next few rounds of arcade games."
"And I'm vetoing your right to suggest a restaurant effective immediately." Wise adds.
Billy immediately puts his hands up in surrender, "It's only a suggestion. And I might not even…"
"Don't you remember? Public Security's policy? If you report a proxy, they may expunge your record…"
"…Yeah, fine."
"As things stand," Anby adds, "Billy's proposal is quite feasible. Trade the proxy's identity for our safety or continue pacing around waiting for the bangboo to return to normal."
…
"…How come you don't threaten Anby?" Billy complains.
"We don't have a death wish." The siblings say as one.
The video focuses on Nicole who shuts her eyes and gives a great sigh before setting Eous down. "Enough chatter…" She whacks Billy on the head, "We can't stay here any longer. Let's go."
"Aw." Belle turns to Nicole, "We love you too Nicole."
The girl in questions flushes bright red, spluttering. "I- I never said that."
"It was implied." Belle seamlessly replies, "But… if you prefer we can absolve half your debt to us."
"Yes! Ah..." Nicole clears her throat, tagging on sheepishly. "I mean, let's go with that."
The hacker chuckles. "I have to say, I'm touched. Proxies and hollow raiders are wolves stealing profit from hollows behind the investigative association's back. All constantly ruining each other in the name of greed. But to protect your secret identity they actually gave up the chance to escape. Unfortunately the ones being rescued don't seem to plan on returning the favor."
Evelyn frowns.
"Hm," Astra looks to her, "What is it Eve?"
"I…I'm wondering who the hacker is."
"You have an idea?"
Evelyn shakes her head, "It's just something they said…"
"What?" Astra prompts her.
"'Proxies and hollow raiders'." Evelyn quotes, "If proxies and hollow raiders are against the association a typical hacker should be on the same side as them but this guy sounds like he's on the side of the association."
Astra tilts her head, "You mean they're not a criminal?"
"At the very least they think they're not." Evelyn says.
"Enough hacker." Belle exclaims, "I get it now. I'll give you the code."
"Huh, wait." Wise turns to her from where he's fiddling with the HDD, "What are you…"
"But I can't just give it to you." Belle continues, silently eyeing her brother, "It's an electronic code and it was saved to the database you just deleted."
"What?! Are you joking?"
"Ahem…Don't panic." Wise says, "The password was recovered using inter-knot's computing power and there's a backup on the network. We can get the password if you give us back system control…"
"No way! Proxies, hollow raiders, none of you can be trusted. Including Phaethon. I know you've been secretly trying to take back control." The hacker denies them then pauses. "Huh? Wait, there's 'a backup on inter-knot'? Hand over your inter-knot account. I'll retrieve the strongbox password myself."
The sound of Belle typing on her phone in the background pauses only for a moment - just long enough to meet eyes with Wise and nod - before continuing.
"Ah, I almost forgot. Inter-knot is the foundation of a proxy business. Losing the account is losing any proof Phaethon ever existed."
"No it's not!" Vivian can't help but exclaim flushing as all eyes turn to her. She continues quieter, "Lord Phaethon is more than just an account."
"She's right." Nicole adds. "We won't stop working with you just because you changed account."
"You don't work with us at all unless we change accounts." Wise corrects - they make a new account every time they work with Nicole to give her a discount. "But I guess you have a point. This time."
"Hey! What does that mean?!"
"But to save those in the hollow you'll have to think quickly. They'll become monsters if they stay there too long." The hacker taunts them.
"If we give you the inter-knot account then what?" Wise questions, "You ruined our system so who'll save them?"
"I promise I'll save them." The hacker says, "How's that? You have no choice but to trust me."
"Okay." Wise sighs, "I'll give you our proxy account. But if you go back on your word I'll make you pay!"
The words 'Confidential data transfer' flash on screen.
Belle sighs softly. Wise glances at her and she shakes her head gently. "Nothing. It's just… I thought we'd be using that account till the end."
Wise sighs too now. "I know. But it's alright."
"We're only starting over." They chorus together - the words familiar from days spent in the lab with their teacher, likely a phrase they've heard her say dozens if not hundreds of times.
"Even the source authentication code page was transferred. Good, looks like you've given up completely." The hacker sounds satisfied.
"We'd like to ask a question." Belle says.
"Since you're cooperating, I'm in a good mood. Ask me."
"What's in the strongbox that's so important?"
"It's something someone like you will never get your hands on, but I guess I can reveal a little. As you now the hollows are changing all the time. The carrots used to get out function by calculating a huge amount of hollow data."
"However, hollow observation equipment accumulates errors. So to ensure data remains valid, it must be re-calibrated using the hollow master data every few days - the single copy of 'Rosetta data' that's in the hands of the city's rulers."
"Inside the strongbox is something comparable to that Rosetta data. With it you can enter and exit the hollows freely."
Just about everyone's eyes bug open at that information - that's how monumental this technology is.
"Again," Belle says, "What kind of commission did you accept Nicole?"
"It looked normal!"The leader of the cunning hares defends. "All perfectly standard for a retrieval commission."
Meanwhile other conversations also take place.
"So what's in the box anyway?" Caesar asks.
"'Something comparable to Rosetta data'" Lucy quotes, "Weren't you listening?"
"Well yeah!" Caesar defends herself, before adding, "But…what is it?"
"I don't know!" Lucy exclaims, "They never said! But it must be really powerful."
"You think it's some kind of tech in that box Sweet Pea?" Grace's eyes are shining and her words are more said to herself than to Koleda beside her.
"Probably." Koleda replies, "But not the kind you'd like."
"Why not?"
"The box is tiny."
"Oh." Grace deflates slightly at the reminder, "Right."
"We haven't heard anything about this." Yanagi whispers to Miyabi. "Not a hint from anyone."
The fox thiren's ears twitch, her face composed but eyes troubled. "I haven't either. And I doubt my father has too."
They leave the main question unspoken - just who created this technology?
And what do they plan to do with it?
"I see." Belle says, "So it really is valuable."
"For proxies and hollow raiders it must be a dream find. But it has nothing to do with you. Okay enough talk." The hacker commands, "Tell me where the code is."
"Have you activated your proxy certification yet?" Wise asks.
"Yes."
Wise nods. "With that said, we have one final question. For real this time."
"Whoa now, don't misunderstand. We aren't 'friends' so don't push your luck."
"You guys are totally playing for time." Billy says, "Can he not see that?"
"Apparently not." Belle replies.
"Do you have a plan proxy?" Anby asks.
Belle and Wise share a look - what would they do in these circumstances? - then nod.
"We always do."
"My question is," Wise ignores him, "Since you're such a master hacker why not just steal the password from our system? After learning the password is backed up on inter-knot why not just hack the network and steal it?"
"What? I'm warning you, don't make me forget my promise."
"Now that I think about it, other than taking control of our system you haven't implemented anything else a hacker would." Wise crosses his hands, "Instead you just blackmailed us with Nicole and the others' safety like some kind of kidnapper."
Belle joins in. "Well it looks like that's the best you've got. You're just not as good as you claim to be."
"Shut up!!!" The hacker yells at them. "Just tell me where the backup is."
"Don't worry mystery hacker. We're helping you." Wise says, only a hint of a smirk around his lips, "Listen carefully, can you hear sirens nearby?"
"W-What did you do?"
"We're just fulfilling our duty as model citizens of New Eridu. As the election approaches the city administration is calling for citizens to actively report dangerous individuals such as hollow raiders and proxies. They even opened a hotline!" Now Wise is smirking fully and Belle too.
"Answer my question! What did you do?"
"To be precise, I just called public security and gave them information about a certain inter-knot account."
"So that's your plan." Jane hums, "Making use of PubSec I see."
Zhu Yuan beside her is frowning.
"Oh don't be like that." Qingni nudges her, "It's a good plan. Making use of all their resources and everything."
"PubSec as a resource for criminals though?" Zhu Yuan points out.
Qingni shrugs, "It'll only work against other criminals though." Oh I get it." The hacker says, "So that's it! It was planned! You'd even abandon your identity as Phaethon to trick me!"
"No, you're wrong." Belle denies swiftly, "We aren't giving up our identity - just our account."
The hacker is silent for a moment. "This isn't over!" He exclaims finally, "You'll pay!" Then the screen flickers and their icon disappears.
"We did it!" Belle celebrates as the screen returns to normal.
Wise smiles satisfactorily, "We've regained full control of the HDD now."
"Well done bro." Belle takes her seat once more.
"You too."
"You know, that was some pretty good acting right there." Belle nods to him as she begins the process of reconnecting.
"You're one to talk!" Wise retorts, "You offered to give them the password out of nowhere. Weren't you afraid I wouldn't understand?"
Belle shrugs, "What can I say? We are Phaethon after all." Turning back to the screen, "Great connection restored. Let's get Nicole and the others out of there!"
"Finally!" Nicole cheers, "Our troubles are over!"
Um… Belle and Wise look to each other, reading the troubled understanding in the other's gaze - a remembrance of the data that was deleted.
Let's hope that they're all over.