Honkai, why do you only throw me into high-level battles?

With the plan set, Cocolia wasted no time implementing it. Not only were their lives at stake, but also the fate of the device that would unlock the Sea of Quanta.

In her eyes, that legacy of the Previous Era was more valuable than all their lives combined.

Despite her ruthless, almost tyrannical leadership style, Cocolia wasn't an unintelligent brute. She wouldn't have reached her position within Anti-Entropy, a haven for brilliant minds, if she were.

While not as academically inclined as the scientists, she could at least understand Einstein's calculations.

She quickly reviewed the data, running simulations on her mech's quantum computer.

She pulled up the structural blueprints of the ruins and, with a heavy heart, designated a large section of the outer residential and support areas as a "sacrifice zone" to absorb the initial impact of the incoming water and the Honkai beasts, incorporating this into her calculations.

The results came quickly. She hesitated, then sent the data to Einstein for review and correction. This wasn't the time for petty rivalries.

"Remarkable. Though it's not the first time I've seen it, I'm still amazed that you possess such detailed blueprints, Ms. Cocolia," Einstein commented, reviewing and correcting – or rather, completely rebuilding – Cocolia's shoddy model, which wouldn't even pass muster as an intern's assignment.

She and Tesla had only received simplified schematics, lacking detailed functional information. This level of detail, down to the residential water purification systems, was astonishing. Where did she get this? she wondered.

"There are countless ruins left by the Previous Era. You and Dr. Tesla focus on North America. You rarely venture into Siberia or the Japan," Cocolia explained casually. "As the head of operations in this region, it's only natural that I would prioritize exploration. A few discoveries are hardly surprising."

"I see." Einstein nodded, accepting her explanation for now. She could address her suspicions later. Survival was the immediate priority.

"The primary device is still submerged. That's fortunate. We need to ensure the barrier's generator remains intact, minimize damage to the power systems, and add redundancy and fault tolerance…" Einstein's eyes were glued to the screen, her expression calm as her fingers flew across the keyboard, rapidly implementing the necessary changes.

"Done." She sent the revised data to Cocolia. "This should minimize the potential damage, Ms. Cocolia."

Assuming the data itself is complete… she added silently. The catastrophic consequences of missing data, which had led to this disaster in the first place, still haunted her as much as it did Tesla. She simply hid her emotions better, maintaining her composure.

"Thank you, Doctor." Cocolia examined the revised model, a flicker of suspicion crossing her face.

But she didn't hesitate. She immediately began deploying her forces according to Einstein's instructions. She might find the scientists annoying and overly cautious, but she didn't doubt their expertise or their integrity.

The mechs, previously clustered together, dispersed, carrying out their assigned tasks.

"You, protect Dr. Einstein," Cocolia ordered several mechs, positioning them around Einstein's Titan, far from the designated breach zone. Her tone was arrogant. "She is a valuable asset to Anti-Entropy. She mustn't be harmed. Understood?"

The mechs acknowledged silently.

"Fine by me. I could use a break." Einstein frowned at Cocolia's condescending tone, but she didn't argue. She leaned back, stretched, and grabbed a chilled soda from the built-in refrigerator. "Enjoying a cold drink at the bottom of the ocean… what a unique experience."

Crazy woman… Cocolia thought, but at least Einstein wasn't causing any trouble.

"Hey! I'm back!" Tesla's voice crackled through the comms, her distinctive accent cutting through the static. "Mophead! And you, Cocolia! Are you alright? Is everyone safe?"

Einstein's brief moment of relaxation vanished. The cold soda suddenly lost its appeal. "What's the status, Tesla?"

"…It's bad," Tesla sighed, recounting her failed attempts to contact Schicksal.

"Hmph, I told you Schicksal couldn't be trusted!" Cocolia scoffed, then asked, "Who is this 'Lin Wei'? Why are you comparing him to Schicksal?" The name seemed familiar.

Tesla, eager to vent her frustration, was about to unleash her fury when Einstein calmly interrupted, "Consider him another Anti-Entropy member. He prefers to keep a low profile." This wasn't the time for unnecessary drama.

"…That's… essentially correct," Tesla conceded, though she hated agreeing with Cocolia.

"Hmph." Cocolia dismissed "Lin Wei" as another one of the conservative faction's naive fools. She wasn't interested in discussing him. "Commence operation!"

"Wait! What operation?!" Tesla, now engaged in a skirmish with Honkai beasts outside the ruins, yelled, "Don't leave me out of the loop!"

"Focus on your own safety, Tesla," Einstein replied calmly, though she shared Tesla's concern.

"I know that, Mophead! No need to remind me!" Tesla retorted, slicing through several Honkai beasts. But there were too many. She was starting to feel overwhelmed. "Just tell me the plan already!" She didn't even bother acknowledging Cocolia.

"Dr. Einstein, do you have any input on the plan?" Cocolia asked, cutting Tesla off.

"I've devised a plan with Ms. Cocolia…" Einstein calmly explained the situation to Tesla, ignoring her impatience.

"Flooding the ruins? Hah! Brilliant!" Tesla exclaimed, her excitement returning. "In that case, I have a contribution to make!"

"Oh? And what is that, Dr. Tesla?" Cocolia frowned. "We don't have much time. The operation is already underway. We can't afford to make adjustments now."

"I know that! No need to remind me!" Tesla snapped back.

"What is your suggestion, Tesla?" Einstein asked.

"I'll lure the Honkai beasts towards the breach! Let the currents and the pressure differential tear them apart!"

"That's… actually a good idea. We can eliminate a large number of enemies that way," Einstein agreed before Cocolia could object. "However, the Arahato is damaged, Tesla. If you're surrounded, or caught in the currents…"

"I know the risks, Mophead!" Tesla yelled. "If we don't act aggressively, how long will it take to clean up this mess?!"

Einstein fell silent.

"I admire your dedication, Dr. Tesla," Cocolia said, checking the mech positions on her screen. "But you can still retreat."

"Shut your [CENSORED] mouth!!" Tesla's patience with Cocolia had worn thin. If not for that vixen, they wouldn't be in this mess.

"Hmph." Seeing Tesla's hostility, Cocolia didn't bother arguing. She announced, "All units, operation commences!"

The mechs braced for impact. A command was issued, and a small breach appeared in the flickering energy barrier. A thin stream of water shot inwards, slicing through a ruined building like a knife.

The breach widened, and a torrent of water roared into the ruins, a display of nature's fury, instantly demolishing a large section of the structure, tearing through the lower levels before slowing slightly, though still causing widespread devastation.

Then, its force spent, the water flowed into the lower, already flooded levels, rapidly raising the water level within the ruins.

The breach created a powerful vortex, sucking in Honkai beasts, crushing them against the barrier. One after another, they were torn apart.

As the breach widened, the influx of water increased, and more Honkai beasts were pulled in and destroyed.

Once the breach reached its calculated maximum size and stabilized, the Honkai beasts, whether caught in the currents or drawn to the energy fluctuations, poured into the ruins, only to be ripped apart by the pressure differential.

Weaker beasts were instantly obliterated. Only a few stronger ones survived, emerging from the churning water, roaring their defiance, only to be swiftly dispatched by the waiting Titan mechs.

"Excellent! Just as planned!" Cocolia laughed, reveling in the spectacle of destruction, watching the Honkai beasts being torn to shreds like meat in a grinder.

"Don't get too excited, Ms. Cocolia," Einstein cautioned. "The pressure differential is decreasing rapidly. This won't last long."

"What? Then what do we do?" Cocolia's excitement vanished, replaced by anxiety.

"Now it's Tesla's turn," Einstein replied, looking at the agitated Honkai beasts outside the barrier. "She'll make sure we make the most of this opportunity."