"Based on the current frequency of the subspace energy surges striking the Beta device and the Genesis energy reserves at R-9 Base, if we do nothing, this suppression device will fail in ten years. Then the rift that has been held back for over a thousand years will erupt again.
From the center of this base, its influence reaches a radius of at least a thousand kilometers.
Even using the 'mildest' contamination model, if this thing goes out of control, it could create a fallen kingdom in the Dark Mountains, with subspace vanguards gathering there, in a matter of minutes."
At the edge of a stone bridge near the subspace rift on the fourth underground level, the amnesiac Sentinel Monica fiddled with a somewhat complicated Creator reconnaissance device. After gathering enough data, she turned to Murphy beside her and said:
"Of course, my pessimistic conclusion assumes that the Age of Chaos a millennium from now can survive the next ten years. Judging by your description of the continent's current state, I don't think the so-called forces of civilization could last ten years without collapsing under the attacks of subspace servants known as 'Dusk.'
"The cultists are hiding in the shadows, but there's no doubt they hold the initiative. You can only react to their moves."
"Mm. We've started to fight back, but we haven't even figured out Dusk's exact structure yet, let alone how much of what should have belonged to me they've stolen from the Creator. So I have to admit, just as pessimistically, that without me as a 'variable,' your grim forecast will most likely come true."
Murphy didn't argue.
He stared at the dangerous rift before him, held in check.
There was something captivating about the danger of standing beside a nuclear bomb that could explode at