Dr. Saotome: "Kira is about to sortie to Depth 2. You will be sortieing too at the same time. There's considerable distance between where you and Kira are even on the same level, but eventually all routes lead down to the same place.

Shinn: "Sigh. There's so many routes on this map. To think I once complained about all the subway tunnels in Orb."

Dr. Saotome: "A veritable megalopolis underground for sure. Given the PCA maintained it before they retreated, you might even find useful supplies from basic necessities to various technology left behind by the Institute. After all, that is what Watchpoint Alpha really is. Entrance to the heart of the Rubicon Research Institute."

Shinn: "Tell me only when you're ready, doc. Though I'd prefer it if you tell me before the shit hits the fan."

Dr. Saotome: "Once again I have underestimated you, my boy. You're right. I am still hiding a lot of secrets. It's not that I can't tell you right here and now. It's just...the anger...no the shame I feel is...Another time, then."

Shinn: "Well then, I'm guessing this should be the best route to Depth 3 for us. That should close the distance to Kira, assuming this point here is where he would be when he reaches Depth 3."

Dr. Saotome: "If I wasn't afraid of accidentally finding small pockets of Coral, I'd have said once you reach Depth 3, you could drill through the cave walls and try to rendezvous with Kira."

Shinn: "No way, doc. That's still roughly thirteenhundred metres give or take. I think we can stay calm for a bit. Yeah, he can take of himself too. I know he will be fine."

* * * *

Dr. Saotome: "Commence mission. Like I said, J, the PCA defenses won't be the only thing you have to be on the lookout for. Balam have sent their own MT forces down. I've lost track of a few of them early on. But I don't think that's because they met misfortune or anything."

Shinn: "Heh. Those idiots."

Dr. Saotome: "AM09: DENOISER. This time equipped with linear guns and plasma missiles. And you've already met the melee variants. Expect this pairing of ranged and melee variants and larger groups from now on."

Shinn: "Roger...oh. I think I found your lost Balam MTs."

Balam MT 1: "Why are we here instead of going after Raven?"

Balam MT 2: "Michigan believes that J could be coming around here. There are definitely signs a battle happened here not more than a day ago."

Balam MT 3: "Atleast he destroyed the weapon systems in the earlier area. The wreckage of that weapons platform really gives me the shivers."

Shinn: "Yeah man, it really was scary."

Balam MT 1: "What!?"

Balam MT 3: "You Arquebus loving...!"

* * * *

Dr. Saotome: "There's no one here? But I did track a large contingent of Balam MTs go through here."

Shinn: "Hold that thought, doc. Someone's following me."

Dr. Saotome: "What? Wait... AC signature... No, it's a NEXT! You mean you sensed him!?"

Shinn: "He who strikes first...!"

Zanni: "Ugh. I felt that! Berlioz was right about you. Name's Zanni."

Dr. Saotome: "I have a library match. NEXT Roughcut. Its armaments are slightly different from recorded."

Shinn: "Nice to meet you. How is that guy, Berlioz?"

Zanni: "Far from Rubicon by now. He was pissed that his Supplice was totaled and he doesn't have the cash to repair it. But strangely he doesn't seem to be pissed at you. Told me to tell you to look him up once you leave Rubicon. Assuming you survive me!"

Shinn: "This some sort of revenge match?"

Zanni: "Not really. I just got curious about the guy that beat up Berlioz twice and put the real J, the Reaper six feet under."

Shinn: "Oh, is that all?"

* * * *

Shinn: "Oi. Still alive in there?"

Zanni: "Regrettably. Fine, you win. Guess I'll hightail it off Rubicon too. Maybe join up with that 'D' fellow. Form a new group with Berlioz. Until that time, don't you dare die....J"

Shinn: "Another crazy to my list."

Dr. Saotome: "I don't mean to ruin the moment, but it seems the last of Balam's MTs are fighting something. Something BEEG! It looks like you're going to be meeting the PCA's trump card in the next passage."

* * * *

Shinn: "Such a pain chasing that thing about. Closing doors even..."

Dr. Saotome: "I just got word from Walter. Kira has destroyed another one of those things."

Shinn: "OI !! Too fast! Wait for me!!"

Dr. Saotome: "AAP03: ENFORCER according to Kira. Wait, how does he know?"

Shinn: "What is it, doc?"

Dr. Saotome: "Might be nothing but...Walter said lately Kira has been...a little too good. Like he knows things before anyone tells him. Walter didn't even know about the ENFORCER. He got the details from Kira. And Kira explored Depth 2 in record time without any help."

Shinn: "Is it that strange?"

Dr. Saotome: "...Are Coordinators that formidable?... The next area is the entrance to Depth 3. That PCA weapon should be waiting for you."

Shinn: "No running away this time."