In the early dawn, the fluorescent light flickered. A beat late, as always. In the Underground 2nd Research Institute, a bulb goes out about once a month, and no one comes to fix it. There is no manpower or material to spare for repairs. Furthermore, the treatment of non-combatant personnel was more miserable than that of officers on the battlefield. This was because most of the high-ranking officials were connected to the officers. As evident from that fact, the meaning of this system is a high-performance idea-squeezer that can be easily used and discarded after grinding geniuses like crazy in a harsh environment to quickly extract good results. It is a typical byproduct of military politics.

Footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway. Heavy and rhythmic, the characteristic stride of a soldier.

Morning roll call begins. Line up in the hallway.

Most of the researchers stand in a line in front of their respective dormitory doors, dark circles deep under their eyes, beneath the pale flickering fluorescent lights and in air thick with the suffocating smell of chemicals. However, the atmosphere is even more serious than usual today.

I have special news today. We have a guest in this insignificant outpost.

As soon as the thick, firm voice stops, the hallway stirs. Could it be another low-level officer coming to give a lecture? Or to demand results? Before long, Keller continues speaking.

I know you don't welcome guests. But... this guest, you see, arrived quite a long time ago.

A moment of silence lingers. Keller announces with an even stiffer expression.

A Ratch has blended in among us.

'Ratch,' a derogatory term for Chernikans. It generally refers to infiltrators or spies. This time, the hallway falls deathly silent.

Why are secrets from our lab mixed into the Chernikan communications? Answer me, comrades.

...Can't answer? Is it because you're Ratch bastards who swore loyalty to Chernika?

He looks into each person's eyes one by one. He clenches his teeth as if suppressing rage and takes a deep breath.

To think you'd even sneak into a research lab in this remote area... your intelligence capabilities are quite impressive. From today, not a single telegram can be sent outside. You will also have to undergo daily interrogations.

Even now, you're probably standing here shamelessly pretending to be our comrade. Do you think you won't get caught? You goddamn Ratch.*