Encounter
Is that... the Heart of the Star?
I've seen it in storybooks illustrations, but never in real life.
It's so pretty...
Storybooks?
Huh? S-storybooks?
Haha... What are you even talking about?
I-I meant history books! Yeah, I saw it in a history book.
Save it for later and stay alert.
You never know what might jump out at us!
Shouldn't you, like... know that if you're an [oracle]?
Aw... Must be your lack of real-world experience talking.
Prophecies are supposed to be vague and confusing. That's kinda the whole point.
So where's the trace?
Over there.
Someone's over there.
What? Where...?
...Intruder detected.
As expected, the Raiders are useless.
They couldn't even complete a basic anti-sabotage mission.
Recommend lowering their evaluation grade in future assessments.
Wait... that person looks just like you, Smile.
The vibe's a little different, but... wait... is that your sister?
...No.
That's not my sister.
...Identifiable subject detected.
Confirmed as a [failed creation].
Further investigation required to determine why it's here.
...
A failed creation?
Is that what you just called us?
...
Hey, who are you, exactly?
We're here on a quest to find [Smile]'s sister.
If you know anything, could you tell us?
...I am [Ready-Made Happy No. 68].
Currently executing the [Heart of the Star Corruption] mission, under orders from [No. 1].
Mission failure risk elevated due to interference by a failed creation and intruders.
Reconfirming combat protocol.
Failed creations: Eliminate on sight.
Intruders: Eliminate on sight.
Trackers seeking information on [No. 1]: Eliminate on sight.
Commencing full extermination protocol.
Look out!
I dove to the ground with Asherah, just in time.
KA-BOOM!!
C-Captain?
What just happened?
What do you mean what happened?! That thing just tried to kill us!
I knew this would happen!
I said we should've backed off!
My sister...
...She told it to eliminate me?
Snap out of it, Smile!
...!
You said it yourself—you wanted to see your sister again, no matter what.
...Yes.
Then get up. So one day, you can ask her yourself.
We don't know what kind of connection that [No. 68] thing has to your sister, or why it's trying to kill us.
But just because we don't have all the answers doesn't mean we have to believe everything it says.
The one Smile wants to meet isn't that [No. 68], but her [sister].
If there's something she wants to know... Then one day, she can ask her sister herself.
...
Got it!