TN: And we're back! sorry for the week long hiatus, it was not intentional since I had to get my right leg in a cast after tripping 3 floors down a stairwell (like an idiot ://) and be unable to use my PC setup upstairs BUT I should be OK now.
Anyways, Thanks for Arcanic Madness, WeissAkumu and WolfWTF for becoming as Supporters!,
===BREAK===
The elevator descended.
Considering this was not a general floor of Sentinel Protect but a concealed research facility, the fact that Tarkov's inspection team was arriving boldly via elevator—not some hidden route—revealed exactly what kind of position they held here.
'Even if they're the parent company, sending an inspection team like this so openly… as always, shameless.'
I hadn't had many entanglements with them before, but the tyranny of the megacorps in Ark was far beyond comparison to any other corporations.
They wielded legal and justifiable lobbying as their whip, backed by strong authority and law—and if that failed to reach, they had no hesitation resorting to illicit means.
There was a reason that in Ark, whenever the elite were mentioned, the White and Red Lines were grouped together.
"They're here," Carmen said as the elevator doors opened, revealing ten men in black suits filing out.
At a glance, they looked like typical office workers who'd never seen combat, but those suit-like uniforms had defense capabilities rivaling most protective gear.
In other words, in line with their title as Tarkov's inspection team, they were also fully prepared to use force if necessary.
"Ah, just in time. This is convenient," the man at the front said, presenting a panel displaying his ID and several documents.
"I'm Bugsy Berg, team leader of Inspection Team 5 from Tarkov's Audit Division. All of you currently present here are requested to fully cooperate with our investigation into Sentinel Protect."
Bugsy Berg spoke with a gentle smile.
As expected, Tarkov's inspection team had brought not weapons, but a stack of papers.
[Request for Audit Cooperation]
[Search Warrant for Sentinel Protect]
[Delegation Order for Execution of Search]
An audit from parent to subsidiary.
A search of Sentinel Protect.
And a delegation order signed by an official investigator, authorizing Tarkov to carry out the inspection in place of Ark's formal investigative agencies.
They had come fully prepared from the start.
'If they had just shown up with guns, it would've been much easier to deal with…'
When military force is brought, the response is simple.
Crush them.
But when they show up wielding legitimacy and the law as weapons, the range of options narrows significantly.
"I see. If you don't mind, may I take a look at those?"
"Of course."
Carmen smiled brightly as she asked Bugsy Berg, who then handed over the documents without hesitation.
Surely Tarkov hadn't brought forged papers—the gesture was just to buy time.
Carmen likely knew that too. Which meant…
'Tsk.'
It was time for me to step in.
But as I'd already said, in this kind of situation, my options were also quite limited.
'Guess there's no choice.'
I lightly tapped my watch.
Communication wasn't very effective outside Ark due to Ether interference, but inside Ark, it was relatively stable.
"Even as the parent company, isn't a sudden inspection like this overstepping your authority?"
"That matter was addressed in the original contract signed between Sentinel Protect and our headquarters. Furthermore, we've received credible reports, so you needn't worry."
"I see. Then about this part…"
Carmen exchanged some comments with Bugsy Berg, seemingly probing, as they discussed the document.
Meaningless stalling, more than anything.
And just as their dialogue was about to wrap up, the elevator opened again—and several people appeared, including a balding, middle-aged man with a panicked expression.
They looked like members of Sentinel Protect's executive board who had rushed over upon hearing the news.
"Oh my! Members of Tarkov, are you? If you were going to show up like this, you could've at least given me a heads-up! I would've come out to meet you…"
"Ah, Vice President Ethan Black. I apologize for the lack of notice. I'm Bugsy Berg, team leader of Inspection Team 5, Tarkov Audit Division."
"Ha ha, a pleasure. So… what brings you to Sentinel Protect?"
"As outlined in the prior notice we sent, Sentinel Protect is currently under investigation for 18 counts including unauthorized technology leaks, contract violations, and breach of fiduciary duty. Your cooperation is appreciated."
Vice President Ethan Black spoke in an indignant tone.
"Technology leaks? Contract violations? That's outrageous! Sentinel Protect has always been a loyal partner to Tarkov—we've never once betrayed our trust!"
"I'm glad to hear that. Then may we proceed with the search?"
"There's no need for that! Our staff will organize everything and send it over to Tarkov. No need for such busy people to trouble themselves."
Ethan Black leaned in and whispered to Bugsy Berg.
His voice was soft, but my hearing—far beyond human limits—picked it up easily.
"And, we've prepared a little gift in your vehicle. Please be sure to take it with you."
"A gift, is it?"
Bugsy Berg smiled.
And Ethan Black returned the smile.
"Pathetic," I muttered.
"…Pardon?"
"With someone like you at the top, no wonder Sentinel Protect is in this state."
Though I said it like I was talking to myself, the target was clear.
"All protocols have been completed. Commence the search."
Before his words had fully settled, Tarkov's inspection staff sprang into action.
"W-wait! Team Leader Bugsy Berg!"
Ethan Black frantically tried to stop them, but the inspectors were already rushing into the lab.
"Is there a problem? This is a lawful procedure."
"Th-that's not the point! There's no need for you to go this far!"
"'Need,' you say."
Bugsy Berg glanced at me and Carmen, then smirked.
"Hmm, I just noticed—there are unauthorized individuals present in this facility. With the risk of tech leaks, allowing unregistered outsiders inside is unacceptable. Wouldn't you agree, Vice President Black?"
"T-that's…"
Ethan Black's face had already gone ghostly pale.
He knew exactly what was coming next.
"I believe that sufficiently justifies our need for a full inspection."
Things were getting urgent.
If this continued, the Machine Cult's followers and their research would be seized—handing over their technology to Tarkov.
Would a megacorp like Tarkov, with Machine Cult tech that's allegedly a century ahead of Ark, bring about the kind of mechanical revolution I envisioned?
No. And even if they could… would the Machine Cult sit quietly as their tech was stolen?
'Of course not.'
It wasn't because they lacked power that the Cult had stayed quiet.
They'd simply hoped for a cleaner, more lawful, less bloody way forward.
But if things escalated like this, they wouldn't hide their fangs any longer.
'Not that I intend to let it go that far.'
Whatever the cause, a civil war splitting Ark in two was not something I wanted.
So, I would push them back—legally, rightfully, and justifiably.
["Master, they're here."]
'Perfect timing.'
The elevator moved.
Honestly, I thought it would take longer, but the Rose Line's response had been far swifter than expected.
"…Hm?"
Sensing something, Bugsy Berg turned toward the elevator.
As the doors opened and the new arrivals stepped out, his expression stiffened.
"Effective immediately, all inspection activities within Sentinel Protect are to cease," a voice declared.
"What is the meaning of this? State your affiliation first," Bugsy Berg demanded.
"This is an official order issued under the authority of the Rose Line judiciary. See for yourself. Your current actions are considered illegal under Rose Line law. Failure to comply may result in forced intervention."
"What the hell…"
Bugsy Berg grimaced as he checked the order handed to him by the unidentified man.
"…Everyone, withdraw. Now."
True to their training, the inspectors of Team 5 followed the abrupt order without question.
Absolute obedience.
It meant the team leader's authority was absolute.
"…We'll meet again."
Leaving those words behind, Bugsy Berg stepped into the elevator with his team.
Vice President Ethan Black stared at the newcomer like he'd seen a ghost.
"Wh-who are you, exactly…?"
"Just a low-ranking bureaucrat. We've handled this matter. Please rest easy, Vice President Black."
"B-bureaucrat? What kind of bureaucrat can make Tarkov's inspection team back off like that…?"
"That's not something you need to know."
And with that, Ethan Black fell silent.
The pressure was unmistakable.
This was someone who had made even Tarkov's inspection team retreat with a single sheet of paper.
There was no room for resistance.
"R-right! Then, if you'll excuse me—I have work to attend to…"
His instincts clearly intact despite his position, Ethan Black hurried into the elevator and vanished.
The man who had watched him go now turned his eyes to me.
"You must be Mr. Carl Marcus. I was worried I'd arrived too late."
"No, you came just in time."
"Good to hear."
I didn't know the exact identity of this man—but that wasn't important.
What mattered was that he had come here under Ganesha Tripathi's orders.
"If anything like this happens again, the councilor says to contact us anytime."
"I see. Understood."
"Then I'll take my leave."
The man who had called himself a lowly bureaucrat quietly waited for the elevator and departed.
In just a few minutes, how many people had passed through this space?
It felt like a storm had come and gone.
"They backed off more easily than I expected," Carmen said, stepping closer.
"No point in making a fuss here."
This was the Rose Line.
Even for Tarkov, going against an order backed by a Tripathi councilor was impossible.
"Not that they're giving up, of course."
"…Huh? Ah."
Of course, that only applied in the legal domain.
With the enticing lure of the Machine Cult's tech, there was no way Tarkov would let this go.
And then—
BOOOOOM!────
The ceiling shook violently.
Given that this was the secure research floor of Sentinel Protect, there was no need to wonder how massive the explosion above had been.
"They finally showed their true colors."
When legality failed, Tarkov shifted immediately to more drastic measures.
And that was just what I wanted.
'Esther.'
["Yes. I've located them all."]
'Good.'
I reached into my coat and quietly retrieved the Ark-34 Automatic Conversion Rifle from [Rift Space].
I hadn't used it much since obtaining the Zeus-444 Railgun, but in this kind of scenario—it was perfect.
'Let's go.'
It was time to begin the hunt.
===BREAK===
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