Eternal Freeze Aftermath

Eternal Freeze Aftermath is an Exploratory Excursion sub-mission of the Companion Mission Only A Child. It is part of the Slices of Life Before the Furnace chapter that takes place on Jarilo-VI.
==Acquisition==
Automatically acquired during the Companion Mission Only A Child.
==Steps==
#Talk with Gepard about the state of the battlefield
#Move deeper into the battlefield and help the refugees on the way
#Look for the little girl and other miners
#Keep moving forward and look for miners who have been separated from the others
#Keep pushing deeper into the battlefield
==Dialogue==
===Talk with Gepard about the state of the battlefield===
:Gepard: Put all artillery units on standby. Wait for my command to bombard enemy positions and cover our infantry advance.
:Gepard: We have a choke point here. Tell all infantry units to switch to double-line formation — close-quarters in front, gunners behind. Remember, get the wounded out as soon as possible, and always secure your flanks before advancing.
:Silvermane Lieutenant: Yes, sir!
:Gepard: Ah, you're here. Get ready, we need to help the infantry lines drive deep into the mine.
: How's the situation?
::Gepard: The back of the mine has been secured, which gives us a forward base to send in supplies. The Silvermane-Wildfire combined regiment is conducting rescue missions as they advance.
::Gepard: The battle is fierce, I need to get to the front line. I'll leave the command post to my officers.
: Do you have to go there in person?
::Gepard: The battle is reaching a pivotal point. I have to get to the front line. I'll leave the command post to my officers.
::Gepard: We have clear objectives and the terrain is relatively easy to read. My officers are well-trained — the command system will be in good hands.
:Serval: I... I don't know much about warfare, but I don't see why a commander needs to lead the charge. The situation here is totally different from the Restricted Zone.
:Serval: Gepard, let me and (Trailblazer) clear the way for you. You should stay in your command post.
:Gepard: Thanks, Serval, but please trust my judgment on this.
:Gepard: I made a promise to Mr. Oleg to save as many people as possible. I have to see to it myself.
:Serval: ...There's no stopping you once you've made up your mind. Fine, we'll do it your way.
:Gepard: Let's move out. We need to clear a way for Wildfire and the Guards.
===Move deeper into the battlefield and help the refugees on the way===
;(After walking off the lift)
:Gepard: All civilians please go to the bridge immediately! The Silvermane Guards have set up a defensive perimeter — you‘ll be safe there!
----
;(Approach man being confronted by )
:Serval: There's a monster heading this way... What should we do, Gepard?
:Gepard: Bring it down. We need to cover the retreat.
;(Begin battle against , )
----
;(Immediately after winning battle)
:Gepard: It made it easy for us... but we can't let our guards down.
:Gepard: It's safe here. Let's move on.
;(Approach designated location)
:Serval: Gepard, look! The miners have put up a makeshift defensive line!
;(Talk to the miners)
:Panicked Miner: A—Are you... a Silvermane Guard?
:Gepard: That's right. We're evacuating the miners together with Wildfire. Are there any other civilians up ahead?
:Panicked Miner: Silvermane G—Guard and Wildfire are working together now...?
:Panicked Miner: Oh, Civilians... Ah! I saw a girl run out from our defensive position just now!
:Panicked Miner: My brother went after her, but they haven't come back...
:Gepard: Understood, I'll bring them back. The Guards and Wildfire have set up defenses do the bridge. You should head over.
:Panicked Miner: Thank you! Please bring them back to safety!
:Sentry Miner: On no! Monsters are coming this way!
:Gepard: Leave the battle to us, you need to fall back!
:Panicked Miner: O—Okay! Thank you for saving us!
;(Begin battle against , )
===Look for the little girl and other miners===
;(Immediately after winning battle)
:Gepard: Let's keep searching for the missing girl and the miner.
:Serval: Is it me or is it... cold here?
----
;(Approach confronting the boy and girl)
:Trapped Boy: Oh... *sob*
:Gepard: They're in danger, let's go!
;(Begin battle against , )
----
;(After winning battle)
:Gepard: You two! It's too dangerous here. Find the Silvermane Guards and Wildfire at the bridge — they'll protect you.
:Monster-Confronting Girl: O-Okay...! Thank you, thank you!
:Monster-Confronting Girl: Zino, take my hand! Let's get out of here!
:Trapped Boy: *sob* It's so cold here... I'm scared...
----
:Gepard: ...The monsters have gotten stronger somehow. I don't remember them being this difficult...
:Serval: Thank goodness we got here in time. If we'd arrived any later...
:Gepard: That's one brave little girl... You were like that at her age too.
:Serval: Huh? I wouldn't go that far — I only had Dad to deal with. He could be fierce, but nothing like the monsters here.
:Serval: Besides, my problem with him wasn't that he was a strict father...
:Serval: I just couldn't believe that he never lifted a finger to oppose Cocolia's order to seal the passageway...
:Serval: Vowing to protect the Underworlders in one breath and then deciding they deserved to be abandoned in the next... "Family code of conduct" — what a joke.
:Gepard: Father was a soldier. He wasn't supposed to question the orders from his superiors...
:Gepard: ...Never mind. I know I sound like I'm defending him, and I don't want to make you angry. At least now we've got the chance to right the wrongs.
:Serval: Hmph, I'm angry just thinking about it. Looking back, I'm glad I left home early.
:Gepard: Running away doesn't solve the problem. It's been ages since you two had those fights, but you still can't let it go... You need to walk out of his shadow.
:Serval: ...
:Gepard: I'm not trying to change your mind. I just want to know that your choice to leave this planet is a result of having thought things through, not because you're trying to run away from something.
:Serval: My choice...
:Gepard: ...Sorry, I sound like Dad.
:Serval: *sigh* Don't worry about it. I get what you're trying to say, I do! It's just... I need some time.
:Serval: Let's focus on the business at hand. That miner we met said his brother came this way — we should look around.
:Gepard: Okay. Be careful though, I sense a drop in temperature. Something's not right.
:Gepard: It could mean something we haven't encountered before is waiting for us. Stay on your toes.
===Keep moving forward and look for miners who have been separated from the others===
;(Talk to the miner)
:Strong Miner: Phew... These monsters are tough. I need to find those kids.
:Serval: Hey... Did you just scare off a Fragmentum monster?
:Strong Miner: Uhh, kind of... There was one on its own — I managed to chase it away.
:Strong Miner: Speaking of which, you came from that direction, right? Did you see two little kids? A girl and her brother...?
: They've retreated to the safe zone.
::Strong Miner: Ah, thank goodness... I chased the monster too far and lost them.
: They were surrounded by monsters.
::Strong Miner: What!? Quick! I knew I shouldn't have—
::Gepard: Easy, they went back to safety.
:Gepard: They'll be okay now. You should head back to the bridge too — the Guards and Wildfire have set up a safe zone there.
:Strong Miner: Thank you — all of you. I'm just glad they're okay... I can finally retreat as well.
:Strong Miner: I heard there's a powerful monster down the road — Some kind of leader of the pack... I'd take caution!
:Gepard: Thanks for the intel. We'll be careful.
===Keep pushing deeper into the battlefield===
;(Immediately after dialogue ends)
:Gepard: I think he was right about the monster... Serval, (Trailblazer), no sudden moves.
;(After getting a little closer)
:Gepard: I've seen this type of monster a few times near the restricted zone.
:Gepard: Ready? Here we go.
----
;(Approach )
:Gepard: Wait, don't get too close! something's not right...
:Serval: Huh? What is It?
:Gepard: These monsters are usually eager to fight — you're guaranteed a fierce battle if you see one in the Fragmentum...
:Gepard: But this one doesn't seem concerned about us... This could be a trap.
: A trap laid by a Fragmentum monster? Are they that smart?
::Gepard: ...I'm not sure either. I just have a feeling that something's different.
: Enough talking, let's get it!
::Gepard: Careful, (Trailblazer). Special circumstances require a special approach.
:Serval: The air... it's so cold...
:Guardian Shadow: Stellaron promises Serval ...
:(Trailblazer): (Did it just... talk?)
:Gepard: ...Steady, get ready to counter its attack...
:(Trailblazer): (...Can Gepard not hear that?)
:Guardian Shadow: Gepard Serval Landau ...
:(Trailblazer): (Did it just say "Gepard" and "Serval"?)
:Serval: ...Ugh, that noise! Do Fragmentum monsters usually sound like this?
: The monster... it's talking!
: ...It's talking to us. Can you not hear it?
:Gepard: ...Talking? I just hear white noise...
:Gepard: Wait... You understand it?
: ...It's repeating your names.
: Gepard, Serval...
:Serval: Our names? What's happening here...
:Gepard: I heard rumors about this kind of monster... "Shadows in the Fragmentum that assume human forms are echoes of the will of past guardians."
:Gepard: If the rumors are true... could it be...
:Serval: ...
:Serval: Cocolia...
----
:Serval: You... You just won't stop haunting me.
:Serval: I try everything to put the past behind me... and yet you always manage to creep up again...
:Serval: Cocolia, you... you witch! You terminated my research and ruined my life... What else do you want to take away from me!?
:Gepard: Calm down, Serval! It's just a Fragmentum Illusion!
:Serval: All that time we spent together... was any of it real?
:Serval: It was so easy for you to just leave this world behind... Don't you at least owe me an explanation!?
:Gepard: Serval!
:Guardian Shadow: ... Landau stand down!
: Serval, watch out!
:Guardian Shadow: There is no place for you the promised new world!
:Gepard: Sister! I know you want Madam Cocolia to respond...
:Gepard: But this... thing in front of us is our enemy! It was born out of the evil gathered in the Fragmentum! You won't get answers from it!
:Serval: ...
:Gepard: Fight with us, sister. Let's dispel the shadow of the past once and for all!
:Gepard: Of course, if you're not yet able to confront the past...
:Gepard: Then (Trailblazer) and I will fight for you... until your heart is ready.
: Are you coming with us? Let's take it down!
: You need some space. I understand.
:Serval: Ha, you two...
:Serval: I'm sorry, brother. I always make you worry when things get serious.
:Serval: But I see what you're doing... Reverse psychology, huh?
:Serval: Well, seeing as we've come this far...
:Serval: Cocolia, let's settle this bad blood right here, right now!
;(Begin battle against , )
----
;(After winning battle)
:Guardian Shadow: ServalServal Ser v al ...
:Guardian Shadow: Why do you always...
:Guardian Shadow: have tostand in my way ...!
:Gepard: The temperature is returning to normal... the monsters are retreating.
:Gepard: ...I think it's safe to say that the shadow of Madam Cocolia was the reason for this invasion. The other anomalies we experienced were probably also a direct result...
:Gepard: Whatever the case, we've managed to avert a crisis. Are you okay, (Trailblazer)?
: That was a hard-won battle.
::Gepard: Indeed it was. We're lucky to have an experienced fight like you who can adapt to different enemies.
: That's it? That barely scratched the itch!
::Gepard: Sounds like something the Hero of Belobog would say alright.
:Gepard: It would have taken us much longer to fight off the shadow without you. Serval... how are you feeling?
:Serval: I...
:Serval: I feel like something heavy has finally been lifted.
:Serval: All that noise before it perished... (Trailblazer), did you catch what it said?
: It said, "Why do you always have to stand in my way?"
::Serval: I see... You really made no effort to correct your mistakes, Cocolia...
::Serval: Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore... From here on out, I'm over that woman.
: It said, "Thank you, Serval."
::Serval: ...Ha, really?
::Serval: *sigh* I guess it doesn't matter. From here on out, I'm over that woman.
: I didn't quite catch it...
::Serval: Oh... shame.
::Serval: *sigh* I guess it doesn't matter. From here on out, I'm over that woman.
:Gepard: ...I can tell you mean it this time.
:Gepard: I'm happy for you, Serval... It's not easy to truly put the past behind you.
:Gepard: Looks like we accomplished our mission. I need to get back to the Guards and Wildfire to wrap things up.
:Gepard: You two should head over to Natasha‘s place and check in on the wounded.
:Serval: Sure. come find us later at the clinic. (Trailblazer), let's leave Gepard to his business and head back to town.
;(Challenge complete)
==Other Languages==
==Change History==