ISOTOPE WARS - PART 0 — Transcript

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1. 0:08They say that the world of before was one of true desolation where nothing grew and few things lived.
2. 0:16A world of ice where every dying breath taken brought you closer to the cold.
3. 0:23A world moulded by deities long forgotten, in rage [over] crimes we don't even remember committing.
4. 0:31But twenty thousand years ago, we were given a second chance.
5. 1:41The cruelty of the old world was lifted away in a great inferno, bringing to us a new era.
6. 1:48An era of civilisations, culture, and technology,
7. 1:53an era where we could carve our existence into the very face of our world,
8. 1:58an era without the terror of before.
9. 2:01An "Era of Prosperity."
10. 2:05Our glistening cities came to sprawl over most of the planet, and our species flourished, coming to rule over all that lived.
11. 2:13We turned this desolate world into a home, one that would be kind to our children.
12. 2:19And for a long time it was,
13. 2:22but all times come to an end,
14. 2:25and with the ice at the poles becoming thicker and the temperature dropping further,
15. 2:31it is now without doubt that our era of prosperity is waning.
16. 2:36And with the coming of natural apocalypse as ice encroaches, something else boils under the surface.
17. 2:44For all of Nivean history there have been wars:
18. 2:47nations merging with others and great journeys of conquest.
19. 2:52And over time, what was once thousands of countries have now coalesced into two great states:
20. 2:59The southern continent of Orsus and the northern continent of Novus.
21. 3:04For most of their mutual existence, the two great states were on the verge of total war,
22. 3:09the only thing stopping them being the fear of retaliation.
23. 3:13For that reason, it was in each state's best interest to produce a weapon so powerful that the enemy would not exist to retaliate.
24. 3:22Resulting from this great arms race, many technological wonders were produced:
25. 3:26the most powerful explosives ever conceived, engines that could cross the intercontinental ocean in a matter of hours,
26. 3:33radar is able to track any target in visual range.
27. 3:37But in their eight year arms race, no nation was victorious:
28. 3:42neither could exclusively create the war-ending weapon.
29. 3:46And so, both great states had world-ending technology at their disposal.
30. 3:52They talked about it.
31. 3:54They talked about a war fought not with soldiers but with civilians, not with ground gain but with bloodshed.
32. 4:02A war without winners, only remainders.
33. 4:06And at any other time, this concept of war would be enough deterrent for any state.
34. 4:12But in desperate times, as resources become scarcer and political unrest stirs, desperate measures are called for.
35. 4:21And the two great states, fearing the ceasing of their continued existence on an ending world,
36. 4:27opted not to freeze...
37. 4:29...but to burn.
38. 6:28That night, there were no stars.
39. 6:31The sky was blotted out in inferno, as it was twenty thousand years ago.
40. 6:37Bombs raining in their millions, over airbases, harbours, farmlands, roads, and homes.
41. 6:46Nothing was safe from the wrath of the two giants whose fight brought fiery end to our era of prosperity.
42. 7:21It has been one year since the war began, one year since the Starless Night, and one year since the Era of Prosperity came to its own fiery end.
43. 7:31Since then, every night bombers make their great voyage over the intercontinental ocean, coming and going to cause more destruction.
44. 7:40Some never make it back.
45. 7:43Now almost every coastal and high-population city has been reduced to rubble.
46. 7:47Hundreds of millions have died, and anyone that didn't is now displaced.
47. 7:52And as our technology progresses, less and less of the continent is out of range and more and more cities become targets.
48. 8:00For the dwindling population of Orsus, to survive you must move down. As far down as the living body can allow into the freezing polar wastes.
49. 8:11Many of us now live in bunkers like this one. It houses sixty-eight and maintains a warm temperature all year long.
50. 8:18It has a good view of the local city. It was apparently once a small fishing town that relied on the second aeta's thawing of the lake for sustenance.
51. 8:25Now, of course, it's almost always frozen.
52. 8:28But the city's population has tripled in size since the beginning of the war; it's one of the few places out of range of the Novan missiles.
53. 8:35It may be cold and lifeless, but it is safe.
54. 8:38Safer than anywhere else.
55. 8:43T: Ensis 28, this is Tebellio 112. Do you receive?
56. 8:48E: Affirmative, Tebellio 112, we do receive.
57. 8:53T: Ensis 28, you're next in line for payload distribution.
58. 8:58E: Understood, 112, we are on standby.
59. 9:02When the world feels like it's ending, it's been a long pastime of Niveans to stargaze.
60. 9:08We wondered if the stars held something better for us. Something more, if they could help us.
61. 9:14And, to an extent for those back then, they did: they were a small thing to obsess over to keep you going from day to day,
62. 9:23even when the world we inhabited was one that we seemed no longer to be suited for.
63. 9:27I guess it [is] still like that.
64. 9:31T: You may break from your place in formation to enter firing position.
65. 9:35E: Understood, manoeuvre underway.
66. 9:43When you look to the south, you will always see the southern star of Meridionale.
67. 9:49Her everlasting light has guided all who journey on the southern hemisphere.
68. 9:54And there above, that's our moon, Russus. Her red surface reflects the light of Praeclara onto Niveus' night side.
69. 10:01Beside her is the planet Ingens: that distant speck, slowly moving in the night sky.
70. 10:07For the longest time, we thought it to be another star. But now, with the technologies of war, we know it doesn't even have a solid surface.
71. 10:14And it isn't the only one: Caerula they call it.
72. 10:18You can't see it with your eyes: the atmosphere blows it into oblivion unless you're on a tall mountain with a telescope.
73. 10:25T: Maintain a cruising altitude of one strike three procul above sea level.
74. 10:31E: Understood, manoeuvre underway.
75. 10:33And that's Annularis, the ring planet.
76. 10:37Every few years when an eclipse happens, she can become a small ring in the sky like a tiny eye looking down at us.
77. 10:45It's believed to be the home of the dead.
78. 10:48Being closer to the star than our planet, I have some hope it'll be warmer there.
79. 10:55E: 112, we are in position. Permission to open doors?
80. 11:00T: Permission granted.
81. 11:14E: Engineer, what's your payload status?
82. 11:16Eng: All systems are nominal; we are good for launch.
83. 11:20E: 112, this is Ensis 28. Our payload is good to launch.
84. 11:31T: 28, you have permission to launch.
85. 11:35E: Payload is disconnected.
86. 11:55Eng: First staging occurred successfully.
87. 12:11E: Tebellio 112, we are getting a strange height reading for our payload.
88. 12:16E: Measurements say it has climbed to 20,000 procul. Could you check if this reading is accurate?
89. 12:22T: Uh, copy Ensis. We're getting the same reading. It's probably just a local instrument malfunction.
90. 12:28T: Return to Base 28; you have fulfilled your mission.
91. 12:35r1: Four targets have splashed. We are getting some radar blips off the coast of Sector 4-8;
92. 12:39r1: all offshore friendlies confirm location. We're about to engage.
93. 12:44r2: Missiles have been spotted off the northern peninsula. Make a request for the 12th Fleet.
94. 12:49CI: 12th Fleet, move over to Sector 3-8.
95. 13:14ST: Citadel, this is Station 48. We're getting a strange reading from the southernmost Novan missile.
96. 13:19ST: Our instruments suggest that it's passed 11 ampliprocul above sea level.
97. 13:24ST: Suspected instrument error. Can you confirm?
98. 13:27CI: Yes, we are getting that value too.
99. 13:31ST: But, that's-
100. 13:43CI: They have left the atmosphere.
101. 14:59Wow.
102. 14:59That must be some kind of shooting star.
103. 15:20Radio: Fires have spread to all coastal sectors.
104. 15:24Radio: Responders are hard at work, but the severity of [the] fires means that the spread will likely continue throughout the night.
105. 15:31Radio: All within half an ampliprocul of Gelida Lacus are advised to evacuate;
106. 15:37G: Turn that off! Radio: please bring only essentials for survival...
107. 15:37Radio: please bring only essentials for survival...
108. 15:39O: Yes, sir. Radio: please bring only essentials for survival...
109. 15:39Radio: please bring only essentials for survival...
110. 15:41G: Is it really so important they needed to drag us out here?
111. 15:45O: Yes, sir; they say this meeting could change the war effort.
112. 15:49G: Well, what is it?
113. 15:52O: Only they know.
114. 16:11M: Over the past 3 aeta, some major discoveries have been made regarding both Novan technology and strategy.
115. 16:18M: Of course, most of you are aware of the 4-8 Incident.
116. 16:22M: What some of you may not know is that the incident has been replicated
117. 16:25M: by Novus at least 3 times, with intent.
118. 16:28W: So, the Novans are fully aware of their missile's capabilities?
119. 16:32M: Yes.
120. 16:34K: Do we know for certain that these are all the tests they made?
121. 16:37M: We don't; it's possible they're doing experiments on the north pole, far beyond our sphere of intelligence,
122. 16:43M: but it's unlikely,
123. 16:44M: considering the Ensis Beta missile is theorised to require warmer temperatures to operate properly.
124. 16:50M: We think they'll most likely be operated on the equator.
125. 16:53K: But their missile is the only thing capable of exiting the atmosphere, correct?
126. 16:58M: Yes.
127. 17:00M: What this means is that Novus may be capable of establishing superiority over a new domain of war:
128. 17:06M: space,
129. 17:08M: untouchable by any current weapon at our disposal.
130. 17:12M: It's for this reason we've initiated a "Programme for Exo-Atmospheric Technology Research."
131. 17:18M: They've been working for half an aeta to design a missile with similar or superior capabilities to that of the Ensis Beta missile.
132. 17:25OP: ...8,
133. 17:26OP: 7,
134. 17:27OP: 6,
135. 17:28OP: 5,
136. 17:29OP: 4,
137. 17:30OP: 3,
138. 17:31OP: 2,
139. 17:32OP: 1,
140. 17:33OP: fire!
141. 17:39M: In theoretical technologies, they've made much progress, but, of the three test launches they've made, all have failed.
142. 17:47G: And why is that?
143. 17:49M: Varying things: the first and second missile launches had stability issues; they were both unable to reach above the mesosphere.
144. 17:57M: The third was much the same, before it experienced a catastrophic fuel ignition, causing its destruction.
145. 18:21W: If Novus can do it with the same engine technology, then why are our rockets failing?
146. 18:27M: None of our aircraft can rival the operating altitude of an Ensis Alpha bomber, so we'll have to make a rocket that can pierce the thick lower atmosphere.
147. 18:36M: They want a doubled budget to do this, but, considering our funds are needed elsewhere, we can't give it to them.
148. 18:41K: What are the risks of them having space dominance?
149. 18:45M: For now, we don't really know. It may be possible to set up a permanent installation in space, one that orbits the planet as a satellite.
150. 18:53M: But considering the fact that Novus has only ever made small exo-atmospheric leaps,
151. 18:59M: to our knowledge,
152. 19:00M: it's unlikely they will be capable of achieving this for at least a year.
153. 19:06M: Yes, Air Commander?
154. 19:09G: So, does space dominance really pose much threat to national security, or is it all just theory?
155. 19:16M: For now, it's all theory.
156. 19:19K: Should we not keep on top of this so we'll have the upper hand once it becomes a domain?
157. 19:24M: That's why we have the new programme; they're hard at work as we speak.
158. 19:28K: But they don't have enough resources.
159. 19:31M: They're some of the best minds at Orsus; no doubt they'll make up for it.
160. 19:36M: Anyways, on to more pressing subjects.
161. 19:40M: A submarine off the Great Channel picked up signals from an Ensis bomber en route to a raid.
162. 19:45M: They were being contacted by a Tebellio correspondent, who gave them some orders and then played this strange recording:
163. 20:12M: This message played three times, likely to remove error.
164. 20:16M: We think it's some kind of code, and our intelligence division theorises it may be two separate coordinates.
165. 20:22M: Currently, we have a few models for the signal's actual value.
166. 20:26K: What would these coordinates be for?
167. 20:29M: It seems pretty evident that, if these are coordinates, Tebellios are telling Ensis bombers the exact locations their missiles must target.
168. 20:38M: We checked the aftermath of missile hits the morning after we intercepted that Ensis signal and found two craters in Section 8-4.
169. 20:46G: So if we can intercept these signals, we can find out where strikes are going to happen before they do.
170. 20:52M: That's the theory. Now, we just need to prove it.
171. 20:56K: And how do you plan to do that?
172. 20:59Announcer on radio: Scout group Tau 3-12 [is] to move into standby positions on Runway 4.
173. 21:06Announcer on radio: Scout group Tau 3-12 [is] to move into standby positions on Runway 4.
174. 21:16Announcer on radio: All Second Air Division pilots are to group up on Track 2 for an operational debriefing.
175. 21:23Announcer on radio: All Second Air Division pilots are to group up on Track 2 for an operational debriefing.
176. 21:28C: A few hours ago, we lost a submarine along the fifth longitudinal.
177. 21:32C: They had visual of an Ensis fleet and were relaying their radio chatter to our intel net before their feed went dark,
178. 21:37C: and with it, their sonar beacon.
179. 21:40C: This is likely the result of hostile action,
180. 21:43C: which means that your aircraft is the only asset in the Fifth Sector with equipment capable of intercepting the new Novan radio frequencies.
181. 21:51C: We need you to get as close to them as possible, record their transmissions, and relay them to Oceanic Station 0-5.
182. 21:58C: Understood?
183. 21:59E: Yes, sir. P: Yes, sir.
184. 22:00C: A representative of the intelligence division will be coming with you under these... unusual circumstances.
185. 22:08C: He is the only one authorised to operate the PSI-12 radio equipment on this mission.
186. 22:13C: He technically outranks you while you're in the air, so follow his directives and do not ask questions.
187. 22:19C: Dismissed.
188. 22:20R: Pleasure to work with you.
189. 22:22E: Likewise.
190. 22:38C: Tau-Actual to Tau 3-12, report the status of your radio receiver.
191. 22:44E: Affirmative, Actual. Equipment's performance reads nominal.
192. 22:49C: Estimated position of the Ensis fleet is 1-43 ampliprocul north of your position.
193. 22:55C: Continue on your vector, adjusting positive 18 pars north once you reach the coast.
194. 23:00C: Close to within visual range of the target, then manoeuvre as necessary to keep the target within nine pars of the visual horizon.
195. 23:07E: Affirmative.
196. 23:16C: Douse and go cold, 3-12. You're about 48 ampliprocul from the target's predicted position.
197. 23:23E: Copy, Actual, going dark and cold.
198. 23:32P: Yeah, I see them. Banking now, I'm going to try and run parallel to their flight path.
199. 23:56E: Are we getting a signal, operator?
200. 23:58R: Just keep quiet; I'm getting something faint.
201. 24:02T: ...And check that all fuel cells are above 54% capacity.
202. 24:02R: Wait... T: ...And check that all fuel cells are above 54% capacity.
203. 24:02T: ...And check that all fuel cells are above 54% capacity.
204. 24:03R: ...there we go. T: ...And check that all fuel cells are above 54% capacity.
205. 24:04T: ...And check that all fuel cells are above 54% capacity.
206. 24:06T: If you are below that, report it immediately, as...
207. 24:11Es1: Aircraft are at nominal fuel capacity, maintaining a position above the argonosphere.
208. 24:17T: Solid copy. All craft on this frequency cease communications, beginning transmission of...
209. 24:26R: Why is this damn thing getting interference? Pilot, can you not fly straight?
210. 24:31P: Sorry, sir. It's the turbulence; I can't fly over the currents. I don't want to risk us getting spotted.
211. 24:36R: There's no point in us being out here if I can't hear anything,
212. 24:39R: so stay as level as possible and keep them in visual range.
213. 24:43P: I'm trying, sir. It's just not safe to keep going.
214. 24:45E: Start gaining altitude. I'm authorising you to go up to 7-32 procul above sea level.
215. 24:50E: The mission hinges on getting this signal.
216. 24:52P: All right, all right! I'll do it.
217. 24:58T: Ensis 8-3, stand by; your codes are the following:
218. 25:15T: Ensis 8-4, stand by; your codes are as follows:
219. 25:24P: Is two transmissions enough? We really can't be up here this long. They'll spot us for sure.
220. 25:29E: Maintain your position until ordered otherwise.
221. 25:34T: Ensis 8-5, stand by; your codes are as follows:
222. 25:52Es1: Tebellio? This is Ensis 8-2. We just spotted an aircraft negative 81 Pars south.
223. 25:57Es1: It's within visual. R: Go down. Go down now!
224. 25:59E: What is it? Sir!?
225. 26:01R: We've been spotted!
226. 26:02Es2: We see it too. It's not on our frequencies, must be enemy.
227. 26:06Es2: Tebellio, do we have permission to engage?
228. 26:09T: Granted; engage at will.
229. 26:15R: What was that? Did you see that? Was that a missile?!
230. 26:18E: We've been spiked; begin evasive manoeuvres. Prepping counter measures.
231. 26:22P: Got it; going evasive.
232. 26:24E: Strike the altitude restrictions. They've already seen us; no point trying to hide anymore. Our priority is relaying the recordings.
233. 26:31P: I'm on it, sir.
234. 26:35E: Tracking missile.
235. 26:38E: Stand by. Deploying counter measures.
236. 26:48P: It went for the flares; aircraft is undamaged.
237. 26:52E: Get us on the return line. We need distance or we may not be so lucky with the next one.
238. 26:57P: Understood, sir.
239. 27:00R: I've got a link with the station, beginning the transmission.
240. 27:03P: We're not out of it yet, sir. Visual contact on another missile off the tail left side.
241. 27:10E: Shed auxiliaries: if we lighten our load, we can outrun it.
242. 27:13P: If you say so, sir, dropping tanks.
243. 27:16E: Don't worry, son. I've done this a time or two.
244. 27:20E: What's the status of the transfer? We can't stay up here forever. We're out of flares. We need to get low and cold.
245. 27:26R: It isn't finished. We- We- We have to-
246. 27:28E: Stay this course. Whatever happens, we must complete our mission.
247. 27:32P: Yes, sir.
248. 27:35E: You let me know the instant that transfer completes. And then-
249. 27:37P: Contact! Incoming from overhead. I think it's another missile.
250. 27:43P: What is that thing?
251. 27:45E: Pilot, focus!
252. 27:47P: It's strangely... beautiful.
253. 27:49R: It's probably a Novan rocket. Exo-atmospheric. That's supposed to be classified, but I guess that doesn't matter now.
254. 27:56P: Exo-atmos... what? Like into space? That's possible?
255. 28:32E: Status, sir!
256. 28:33R: It's almost done. Just another... there! It's finished!
257. 28:37E: Okay. Nose down. Dive as hard as you can.
258. 28:58Tau: Tau-actual to Speculor 4-0, do you receive?
259. 29:02Spec: Copy, Tau-actual, we do receive.
260. 29:06Tau: 4-0, we were tracking missiles incoming to your grid that have now gone off radar.
261. 29:11Tau: Can you confirm hostile splashes and relay positions where they hit?
262. 29:16Spec: We've had three hits just now: one at 2-11-3 [in] Sector 2-9,
263. 29:23Spec: one at 3-9-2, also Sector 2-9, and one at 8-8-12, Sector 3-9.
264. 29:33Tau: Thank you, 4-0. Have a good night.