Upload Date: 9/30/2023
KIA, Heavy Guy, and Smoke continue their trek through the server backbone, with the two veteran Stand-Users learning more about Smoke's personal history. During their fights with the Distorted, a few close calls lead to Heavy Guy awakening some innate powers. Meanwhile, Fixer and Jumpsuit get to know some of their coworkers a little more during a lunch break.
- Being Watched: During a lunch break, Terge recounts his time working in the Badlands as a construction worker to Fixer. He does not look back on that time fondly; despite the building site having a comprehensive security system, Terge's gut kept telling him he was being watched. He knew ahead of time that the Badlands is home to a gang of bandits, who hate the kinds of rich folk who commissioned him and his team to build their resort in their home. Knowing he'd be fired if there genuinely was a security breach, he quit his job and hurried home. This decision saved his life; some time after he left, the resort was destroyed, and though news outlets assumed a gas leak was to blame, Terge knows in his heart that it was the bandits' doing.
- Callback: Episode 6 Part 2 ends with KIA, Heavy Guy, and Smoke all leaving the desolate train station via car, just as KIA had done in Episode 1 from the compromised Lazytropia server. The drive is even set to the same soundtrack, too: Half-Life's "Diabolical Adrenaline Guitar." The one key difference between the two scenes is that this time, KIA isn't alone.
- Heroic Second Wind: The Omen's timely intervention narrowly saves Heavy Guy from becoming a Distorted at the hands of a Walker. Their spiritual conversation lasts all of a few seconds in real time, which allows Heavy to summon Crush at the last second and block the Walker's flash. It also gives Heavy time to, per the Omen's urging, tap into his inherited strength; he begins emitting a powerful aura, signifying his significantly increased strength. Outraged, he punches the Walker so hard that he disables its energy shield, and he effortlessly kills the Stage 1 Distorted that had been giving him and his team grief a few moments prior. Sadly, the Walker is able to escape; its metallic body is still plenty reinforced against KIA and Smoke's ranged attacks as it takes flight and teleports away.
- Inner Monologue: As Heavy Guy initiates his finishing blow on the Bulwark, he recounts some words he lives by in his head, as said by someone close to him. They outline his philosophy succinctly, how his love of fighting is his greatest strength in the face of the Aliens and their Distortion."On my first week in this world, someone close to me said something I would never forget. 'You can learn, you can train, you can make the effort until you drop. However, know this. Someone who works hard can never beat someone who enjoys himself. THIS... is what I live for!"
- Wham Line: The Distorted V.A.C. Engineer tricks Heavy Guy into charging into the line of sight of a Walker, and it seems Heavy's fate is sealed. With a flash from the Walker, he's now a Distorted... But suddenly, a demonic voice speaks up, interrupting the imagined worst case scenario. It's the Omen, an ancestral spirit attached to Heavy Guy, cryptically urging him to use his bloodline's powers to overcome the Distortion and continue fighting... which is exactly what Heavy does, with newfound strength to spare.The Omen: AN OMEN AWAITS YOU...
[The Omen makes himself known to Heavy Guy, appearing directly in front of him. Time seems to have frozen around them.]
The Omen: Descendant.... Dream. The Strongest Mann. Awaken the warrior spirit. [The Omen appears behind KIA.]' Grow stronger together.' A dying flame. The Omen appears behind Smoke.] 'Believe in yourself, Smoke.' Twisted innocence. [The Omen appears behind the Walker.] Avenge the innocent. 'A noble effort.' [The Omen finally returns beside Heavy.] Our blood. Your blood. A gift. Use it... or DIE.
