REVERSE: 1999 STORY LOGS

0-01 | Rock 'n' Roll Radio

Vertin, voiceover: It’s raining. No, it is not. It’s the “Storm”. The “Storm” is coming.

[Newton Street]

Regulus: Aha … Are you feeling seasick? Open your eyes, followers! It’s 12 at noon and the rocking APPLe is welcoming the most unwelcome visitors … I’ll hold of you a public hearing! You stalkers, stalking me “the Pirate” for days. Get ready to be shocked away by the rock’n’rolling coasters night and day! Now, listen to Radio APPLe, come with me! Let’s count down to ecstasy! Three! Two! One! Say your names, you British government stooges! Say your names, you Manus Vindictae robbers! You banned music? You robbed traders? Our lips are sealed and we wandered but nothing gonna change our love for freedom ever!

Regulus: What’s wrong?! What happened?

APPLe: There is a huge black ship behind us. We’re under attack!

Regulus: Bloody hell! Turn off the microphone! A bridge … cannon with veins … What the hell is that?! You gotta be kidding! I just played a song?!

APPLe: Captain, it’s the icon of the Manus Vindictae!

The wind is wuthering.

Regulus: Manus Vindicate? Those terrorists? Is it because of my “little thing”? Or … I get it … Your accomplices are here! Remember, you are still captives of this Pirate! Get them to hold the fire immediately, otherwise …

Another bomb hits the ship. The smell of gunpowder and sparks soon fill the air.

Regulus: *coughs*

APPLe: We’re sinking. Please be ready to abandon the ship, my captain.

Regulus: Whoa …

She scrambles to dispel the mute incantation on the captives.

Regulus: Hey! Hey hey! I can hand you over … but please don’t break my ship! My records are my treasures … No violence! Say something if you can hear me. Hey!

Male Investigator: …

Female Investigator: … *coughs* … We don’t know them. We’ve tried to tell you.

Male Investigator: We’re the investigators from the Foundation.

Female Investigator: You got the wrong people.

Regulus: Ahh … Protect the records!!

0-02 | King's Trail

Sonetto: Regulus’s ship was sunk. Landed … Good. They landed safely. Caspita! The rioters are still after them! If it goes on like this … My apologies, Timekeeper. Are you feeling better now?

Vertin: Go ahead please.

Sonetto: The day before yesterday, we were resisted when registering Regulus in. Our teammates were also taken by her. The bad news is that Manus Vindictae is onto her now. We must rescue our teammates, complete the mission before the “Storm,” and return to the research center.

Sonetto: No, it’s fine! … You don’t have to fight, Ms. Vertin! Please just guide me by my side … You are the most perceptive person I have ever seen in terms of arcanum! And what’s more, I heard that … Within 24 hours before the “Storm,” we could ask you for help if we have any problems … Is that right, Timekeeper? This is what it says on the Field Mission Evacuation Instructions.

Vertin: … You ARE a careful reader. I’ll help you out. Don’t worry. 50 minutes left. Come on, let’s move.

Sonetto: Please use this. It will send us directly to the other side!

Vertin: This is …?

Sonetto: A portable floppy disk for the arcane skill “Teleport”. I used it just now to send you … Ahem … It is still under experiment, so it is not stable. Madam Z only gave me three. But if everything goes well, it will save us much time! Think of the destination. Name it in the vision. Then the ritual of “Teleport” will start.

[Riverside Street]

Female Investigator: There are too many of them! I can’t hang on anymore! What’s your status!

Male Investigator: The way back is blocked! I-I’m still trying to break it through!

Female Investigator: Can we go back … before the “Storm” …?

The Manus Disciple: *roars*

Regulus: Sugar! Sugar! I saved money for five years! My beloved APPLe … And the tape scan driver I just bought yesterday … all sank to the bottom! If I weren’t protecting the records, I would have been able to beat you all! Don’t be smug!

The Manus Disciple: Give … stone …

Regulus: Ah!! What are you doing you bastard! My records! My Pete Windmill! My John Thunderfingers liveshow!!! I’m gonna kill you!!

APPLe: Captain, watch your six!

The Manus Disciple: *roars*

Vertin: Found them. Enemy at your one. Now!

Sonetto: Ascolta. Capire. Pregare. Perdonare. Edesubutosera!

As the light shines, the enemies disappear in a blink of an eye.

Regulus: Ha? Who’s there?

Female Investigator: Incantation … Is it …?

Male Investigator: It’s the captain! Yes! Our captain’s here!

After the light of “Teleport” disappears, two figures can be seen on the shore.

Male Investigator: Captain! How did you do that! You stopped the enemy just in time!

Sonetto: Nothing special. All thanks to Timekeeper’s help … Predict enemy’s move while teleporting … Timekeeper, you seem to be more perceptive than before!

Female Investigator: You are … our Timekeeper? Now we meet you, which means … the “Storm” is coming soon!

Vertin: Indeed. You still have 45 minutes. I’ll do my best to help before the “Storm”. Now everyone, get ready to break through! Regulus, you’re doing this too.

Regulus: Huh? *sighs* …Since you saved the pirate. I’ll do this!

She carefully hides her records behind a stone, joining the team unwillingly.

Vertin: Sonetto, assist me please. The breach is behind us—the alley towards King’s Road!

[BATTLE COMMENCE]

0-03 | Teleport

Sonetto: We are distanced from them for now …

Female Investigator: Captain, are there any “Teleport” floppy disks left? We have to go now!

Sonetto: This is the last one. Let’s take Regulus back.

Regulus: … Huh? Where are we going?

Sonetto: Please do not get me wrong. We will not do anything against you. We are investigators from St. Pavlov Foundation. As far as I know, you have not registered for the arcanum license. Unauthorized use of arcanum is a violation of the Public Security Law. Please cooperate with our investigation and registration. Just come back with us to the research center. And …

Sonetto looks at the sky, where thunder is bursting constantly.

Sonetto: As quickly as possible.

Regulus: Huh? Am I … recruited? Fine fine! It’s ok to go with you. But could you show me the floppy disk first?

Sonetto: Sure. No problem.

Regulus: Wow … so the incantation can really be recorded and read! A floppy disk to store advanced arcane skills. So cool! If only I can take it apart … This is where you start the ritual … Looks like just a signature will work …

Sonetto: That’s right. I heard that you are also a fan of technolog- …

Female Investigator: Oh no! Everyone get down!

Sonetto: Ambush!

Vertin: *coughs* … Anyone hurt?

The Manus Believer: Give me …!

Vertin: Careful! These are different rioters! The way ahead of us is blocked.

Sonetto: Manus Vindicatae had disappeared for a long time. Why are there so many of them …

Vertin: Take them down first. Sonetto, keep assisting me please!

[BATTLE COMMENCE]

…

Sonetto: Oh, that was close. Finally got rid of them. Let’s hurry up now. We can’t waste our time anymore. Please pass me the floppy disk, Regulus. I will start the ritual … Hm? Regulus … Where is she?

Male Investigator: Seems that she … started the ritual and disappeared in chaos.

Sonetto: …

A beam of dim light flashes behind the rock in the distance.

Male Investigator: We can only walk back now … Captain, just give up the Regulus mission.

Female Investigator: If we stay for too long, we can’t be back in time. Staying outside during the “Storm” … Means you’ll be disqualified as the investigator. You should know that, Captain!

Sonetto: You go first. We’ll split up the team. You’ll go back to the Foundation to report; while I, as Captain, will stay till the last moment.

Vertin: What are you going to do after Regulus’s registration? The “Storm” is about to come.

Sonetto: “Express gratitude, salute, and see their leaving. Never disturb the lives of the registrants.”

Vertin: You haven’t seen the “Storm” yet, right?

Sonetto: I-I am not qualified … So far, you are the only one who can move freely during the “Storm.”

Vertin: … Have you found out where she usually shows up and who knows her?

Male Investigator: Yes. She often shows at the West End, hanging around Carnaby Street and King’s Road. She used to buy records in Kingly Court, and she may return there.

Female Investigator: Oh, and her arcane skill can also change the light! Please be careful of that!

Vertin: I see. Let’s go, Sonetto.

Sonetto: Are you coming with me? Ahh, thank you! I thought you would leave after breaking through …

Vertin: It’s okay …I have my own mission. Also in Kingly Court.

0-04 | Invisible Pirate

When did it start to rain? The block in the puddle looks so fashionable and optimistic that its dance in the tide and time seems to never end.

Newsboy: EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! The Hero Pickles’s story will be brought to the big screen! Victory blessed England!

Sonetto: The Hero Pickles … this is …

Rockin’ Girl: Hey, coming through! Tommy, she’s not here again today! I’ll take this motorbike if she doesn’t show up!

Newsboy: Shh, don’t be such a bugger! Did you listen to the radio this morning? Her ship has been sunk!

Vertin: Are you talking about Regulus of the APPLe?

Newsboy: Who are you?

Vertin: I’m her friend. She left something here.

Newsboy: Huh! These are …!

Looking at the records, the newsboy lets down his guard.

Newsboy: Be quiet, don’t get caught! Take your chances around that cafe!

Vertin: Thank you very much for your assistance.

Newsboy: … You are very serious. If you really want to thank me, just take a copy of The Times? See, it’s all good news on the first two pages. Only comes along every once in a thousand years, eh?

Sonetto: Pl-please give me a copy.

Sonetto puts away the newspaper carefully and runs towards the cafe while forcing herself to calm down.

…

Vertin: Do you like the world outside, Sonetto?

Sonetto: …! No … I am just … I am just curious. I will throw it away when I finish it. Please don’t take it to heart.

???: *chewing sound*

Sonetto: Hmm? That voice … Timekeeper, look at that table!

A piece of bread is floating in the air above a table of the cafe’s, disappearing little by little.

Regulus: Hum hum! Yummy! Hmmm, so yummy! One more Earl Grey with brown sugar please! ♪

Sonetto: Oh! The optical arcane skill to be invisible … Now I understand.

Sonetto takes out her pen quickly and points it at the cup held by “the invisible one”.

Sonetto: Am himmel wechselt mandie bhnenbilder.

Regulus: Whoa …! Wh-what?! Who spilt my tea!

Sonetto: Regulus, will you cooperate or not? Please answer me.

Regulus: … Your Foundation is just an authority working with government. If I register in, my location will be exposed anywhere, anytime … I am not doing it!

Sonetto sighs, looks at the sky. It seems to be her habit before a battle.

Sonetto: … May the peace be with us.

[BATTLE COMMENCE]

0-05 | The Storm Overture

Regulus: Ouch! Hurts … really hurts …

Regulus suddenly jumps back and falls to the ground, as if she is seriously injured.

Sonetto: Huh! I … I have not taken my best shot. Please stand up and continue to fight with me.

Regulus: Arm’s broken …! Hurts …

Vertin: She doesn’t look right. She’s pale. I’ll go check.

Vertin squats next to Regulus and blocks Sonetto’s eyesight.

Regulus: Wh-wha-what are you doing?

Vertin: It’s the Misty Bubble Ball. You know how to use it, right?

Regulus: Huh …?

Vertin: I need your help. Before that, I’ll help you out. I’ll see you in the bookstore in Oxford Street. Now, push me.

Shocked for half a second, Regulus pushes Vertin away with great strength.

“Bang!”

Sonetto: Huh! Timekeeper …!

Vertin: *cough* … Protect your eyes …

…

Sonetto: It’s my mistake. But … it should be fine. The time of Misty Bubble Ball is limited. She must still be in this block!

Vertin: Sonetto … are you still searching? The “Storm” is coming. If you don’t go back now, it’ll be too late.

Sonetto: At least … let me search these stores again.

It’s the same determined face. She put it on before every exam. Sonetto strides over the rising puddles on the ground and runs into the department store.

…

Where to go now? The bookstore in Oxford Street? No, of course not.

…

But to the place which she never agreed to meet at.

Regulus: Whoa! You freaked me out?! Did we say the bookstore …?

Vertin: Exactly. Isn’t it the bookstore? The unimproved Misty Bubble Ball has a special scent. Sonetto will be here any minute.

Regulus: So … so what do you want from me? Whoo … Poor me …

Vertin: Relax. I’m not going to take you to the Foundation. I ask you to go somewhere safe with me. Regulus, I need you to brave the “Storm” with me.

Regulus: Brave the “Storm”?

Vertin: Shh! She’s here.

Fluctuation of arcane skills coming from outside. Vertin takes a moustache from the table and sticks it to Regulus’ face immediately.

Sonetto: Timekeeper! Any progress … on your end!

Vertin: I’m sorry …

Sonetto: You shook your head … that means … My mission … failed? …

…

The thunder has brought her back to reality. She looks down at her leather boots which are already soaked by the “rain”. Pink rain, yellow rain and blue rain are spreading like paints in water. The buildings’ outlines start to liquidize, becoming as weird as the lines in comic books.

Sonetto: Ti-Timekeeper …

Her face is pale.

Sonetto: When will the “Storm” begin?

Vertin: In 10 minutes.

The collage of Richard Hamilton falls from the sky, splashing rain all over her. But she just nods in a hasty manner, her eyes seemingly frozen.

Sonetto: I should go. I have to go back. … Thank you very much for your support, Timekeeper.

Sonetto turns around and runs the way back.

Regulus: The rain … is it falling upside down?

It seems Regulus was going to run away, but now she is just standing at the door in a daze. She reaches out for the raindrops and watches them flying towards the sky through her fingers, feeling confused.

Regulus: Why does everyone … act as if nothing happens? Are my eyes playing tricks on me? … These things are really weird …

Vertin: You can see something’s weird … which proves you are the one I’m looking for.

She draws back in haste until falling down in a puddle behind her.

Regulus: Looking for me? No. No way … Are these … potions! Did you use potions on me?! Why! The “little thing” is no longer with me …!

Vertin: Enough! Stop running! The “Storm” is here.

At the last moment, Vertin finally manages to open the suitcase and push Regulus inside.

Vertin: Look at the world … with your own eyes!

…

Regulus: What… What?

Vertin: I am not them. I am here to protect you.

1929

0-06 | The Living Past

Regulus: I … this is … I … I don’t get it …

Vertin: It’s alright. It’s just … the end of an era. And you survived. … You’ve braved the “Storm”. My experiment succeeded … Thanks for your help.

Regulus: What experiment? The end of an era … What does it mean …? I-I can’t understand what you’re talking about!

Vertin: … Relax, Regulus. I will tell you, but not here. Say this with me … Neirü milde en tiün bonan nokton. Take my hand. Let me take you into the suitcase.

Regulus: Suitcase?

Vertin: Close your eyes.

…

Vertin: Follow me, all the way down the road to the depths of the suitcase.

Regulus: It’s dark. I … I can’t see anything … Where … where … are you taking me …?

…

Vertin: A safe place. An “ark” … sailing in the “Storm”.

Regulus: …!

Vertin: No tracers here. A good place for talking.

Regulus: These are … giant stone statues, huge electronic machines, a whole wall of photos …

Vertin: Please allow me to re-introduce myself. I’m from St. Pavlov Foundation—same place as where the investigators you have met. That’s where we grew up. My position is the Timekeeper, people who record the time of the outside world.

…

Vertin: … That is, people who record the beginnings and ends of eras.

Regulus: …! You’re saying that … the photos here are … … Huh? It’s Lewis. I know him!

Vertin: Yes. I took this photo several days ago. He was selling the Hoover Upright Vacuum Cleaners in the West End, and thought photos would help his business, so he gladly took this.

Regulus: Why did you take a photo of him? How’s he …

Vertin: … This is Marion Smith, a single mother. She was worried if she could afford that lunch for the weekend, but still cannot give up her dream of being a writer. I met her in a snack bar at 2 a.m. Her one-act play about the trans-antarctica expedition was a real masterpiece. This is Julie, who once invited me to her house. Her bedroom’s wall was full of Rivaldo posters … the FIFA World Player of the Year, who then became the mass idol.

Regulus: Trans-Antarctica expedition … Rivaldo … I’ve never heard of them.

…

Vertin: That’s the story for a long, long time to come. These photos, dating back as far as 1999–That is our time.

Regulus: …

…

Vertin: Our time seems to be going backwards, Regulus. From the countdown to the millennium, the explosion of a supernova in the 80s, to the unveiling of VHS … And after these … I met you, in the 1960s.

Regulus: So time is going backwards … So the people in the photo, people like me … Where are they now? Are they … all “reversed”? Like in the “Storm”, just now …

Vertin: Maybe. Never met them again. Before you, I’ve done so many experiments. In an accident, I realised that my suitcase seemed to be able to cut the “Storm” out. It can preserve the traces of the last era, like these photos. So I tried to put newspapers, mushrooms, Wapaloosies into the case … they all succeeded. However, when it comes to the friends I made in the last era … I failed. It doesn’t work on ordinary people. Maybe I should just record the time and spend no feelings on what I see, as the Foundation asked me to do.

Regulus: But why are we …

APPLe: Because we can see the mutation of the world? The weird things before the “Storm” … had left deep impressions on this APPLe.

Vertin: I think so. When you were sailing out at sea, on the radio, Regulus had cried out, “Shout it to the full moon!” It was the beginning of the month, so it’s impossible to have a full moon in the sky. The real moon is to the west of you … There were two moons that night. There is someone … that can see what I see in this world. So … I decided to try it again. For the last time.

Regulus: … Ah, umm …?! Whoa, what’s up? Is that … an earthquake?

Vertin: Not good. Seems our suitcase has been found. By critters maybe, or just someone passing by … Sorry, I need to leave for a while. Need to hide it somewhere safe.

Regulus: Hey. Wait. … The things you’re doing … Does your boss know?

Vertin: … This is my own will. I don’t want to stand aside and watch you be carried away by Sonetto, leaving no sign of you after the “Storm”. On top of that, there is something I want to find out myself. … The truth.

Regulus: Solid. Mr. APPLe, could you please give Vertin a hand … I … need to really think about it … About all the things you said.