Story Reader / Main Story / 23 Wintry Shackles / Story
23-17 Snowstorm's Pause
Three hours passed after Gray Raven received the mission to support and rescue Lucia.
Asking too many questions is not going to do you any good. You should stay out of this.
...
Keep speaking.
What do you think about that perspective?
Why?
...Wells was right. You are just a magnet for trouble.
The Science Council believes Lucia was affected by Alpha's M.I.N.D. activity signals. They are using this connection to search for this signal source.
I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want you to get involved again.
Now, give me a reason why you must step into this mess.
I'll take that as a reason, but not good enough. Gray Raven is not in the best shape now that Lucia is out of combat.
The power armor is meant to provide commandants with bonus protection so they don't get killed in battles, especially for some younger ones who are always reckless.
Don't ever think that you can make up for the missing Constructs, let alone that she is a specialized frame.
Hmph. Good that you know it.
...Alright, since you are already prepared to become a bait, I won't say no.
You arrived at the destination in a shuttle. After discussing with Liv and Lee, you decided to split up for the best rescue efficiency.
The snowstorm hinders your vision and slows you down, as you have to constantly watch out for the landscape under your feet.
You continue to walk through the storm, trying to find a place with good visibility to look for shuttle debris.
Biosignal approaching.
You look at the direction pointed out by the AI.
A vague figure appears in the storm, giving you a familiar feel. A word slips out of your lips.
The figure halts slightly, then walks over.
You're finally here. If you come a little later, I'll have to send her somewhere else.
The black-haired girl quietly lies in Alpha's arms. There are not many marks on her frame, but her face rarely looks so exhausted.
Keeping a close eye on Alpha, you press the button to call for assistance while checking Lucia's condition through M.I.N.D. Connection.
Alpha remains silent, with no intention to stop you.
She doesn't need it anymore.
Ask her when she wakes up. You'll trust her words better.
It's up to you.
[player name]...
Alpha looks over. You notice that she is no longer covering her left eye.
You know what happened to her, don't you?
Can't believe they didn't hide it from you this time... No, someone must have leaked the information to you.
They surely "trusted" you a lot.
What would you do if they were to seal her up?
Are you so sure that you can survive till that day?
Is that so?
Her fierce gaze pierces through the storm and your exoskeleton armor, as if she will see through your heart.
Do you know that... To some people, protecting a Corrupted Construct can be seen as a sign of defecting?
What's the future world like in your vision? Will it regain the glory of the Golden Age?
A little better...
After a brief moment of silence, Alpha passes Lucia to you.
Take her.
You hold Lucia firmly and find out she has a storage unit in her hand.
It contains the records of Project Winter. Haven't you been investigating it?
I already have what I want and don't care about the rest.
And since you are taking action to bring another possibility into practice, it would be a shame if you keep repeating the past mistakes.
You can't stay ignorant if you want to uphold your beliefs.
But knowing the truth also means peering into the abyss. Are you truly ready?
Is that so?
Then struggle with all your might. Even if only one can reach the finishing line...
I'd also like to see how far you can go.
...
Your members are here. Go.
Alpha looks into the distance beyond the snowstorm.
We have our own paths to walk. It's not the time for them to cross yet.
Before that, I suggest you focus on things beyond the reach of the other agent and the Tower.
Alpha seems to have lost interest in explaining. She turns away and disappears in the storm alone.
You hear rushed footsteps from behind.
Commandant! Lucia!
You turn around and see your members quickly running to you, along with some Purifying Force members who seem to be heavily wounded.
Lucia finds herself in an empty hall. There are no people nearby, not even a sound. Only pale light shines on gray metal walls to reflect her shadow.
The vast emptiness brings her a level of anxiety that she has never felt before. She cannot help but retreat to the corner.
The white light feels heavy and suffocating.
The light seems to have its own will. The more she tries to move back into the shadow, the more closely it follows, mercilessly exposing her.
"Sample for observation", "the key to capturing the Punishing Virus", "key subject"...
Ever since learning the truth, she has become used to these comments.
At least...
She touches her palm as if she can feel the familiar warmth... When she held that hand, it pulled her out of the void.
That person gave meaning to her life. For the first time, she felt connected to the world... It all started with their encounter.
Have you arranged a commandant for ■■■? Better get it done before the activation program.
She suddenly hears a discordant voice in her memory. Her palm begins to feel cold.
Already done.
Wait...
Yeah, the surveillance on her takes top priority. Get her a smart commandant.
Don't worry. We picked a great graduate after many rounds of selection.
Her precious memories begin to crack like a mirror. She grasps her own hand, her metal joints squeaking in terror. Is this what she has always been fearing?
If meeting each other was also a carefully arranged coincidence, what else would be left in her?
...
No. After she had learned that person's way of thinking and doing things, she realized that person had never lied to her.
She desired to get closer to that person. Her feelings were genuine. These bonds were not fake.
So, even if...
Someone took it first?
Um... My bad. I thought nobody would pick an incomplete squad.
But don't worry, I had already put ■■■ into hibernation in the name of frame maintenance. We can transfer her to the care of one of our people later.
Who took the squad?
Here's the information.
Tch, not again.
Commander?
Nothing. Just a graduate who refused the transfer order.
Let it be.
What?
I say just let this one be the new commandant of Gray Raven.
Hah. I wonder what the Chief of F.O.S. will bring for us.
Turns out... There was never any carefully arranged coincidence...
The light no longer feels cold, but warm.
Instead, that person has probably saved her from another emptiness.
The new Chief of F.O.S... Oh, I remember.
The name is...
[player name]...
Calibrating the vision module took Lucia some time. She finds the ceiling somewhat familiar.
Commandant... Where are we?
Star of Life... Oh! How's your injury, Commandant?
Thank goodness... And sorry.
Lucia tries to sit up, but fails to do so due to the fatigue in the frame and a sharp pain in her mind.
She tries to feel her frame. This time, the fatigue is slightly different from the past injuries.
Frame damage is probably not the sole reason for my fatigue...
Seeing the human's serious face, Lucia smiles. She is about to say something when the ward's door is suddenly opened.
[player name], the visiting time is over. You need to go.
She's still under observation. There is no room for negotiation. Your understanding is appreciated.
...
Commandant, can you help me say "I'm back" to Liv and Lee?
Lucia waves goodbye to the human and watches the ward door close again.
We have finished the inspection of this thing. You can have it back now.
Apart from one new message, there is nothing special. A decision has been made to return it to her commandant.
Once again, I would like to thank Gray Raven on behalf of my squad.
I will.
Among the crowd, a girl Construct has come to the front desk of a hospital.
Hi there. What can I do for you? Are you looking for the Construct department?
No.
The girl shakes her head. Her presence is so weak that it feels like she will disappear into the crowd in the next instant.
Could you please tell me... Where is Mr. Kugawa Kurono?
Someone is gazing upon her from not far behind, but she has not noticed it.
...
That was it. She didn't seem to be interested in joining us. In fact, she was strongly against it.
Did you also see this coming, Mr. Vonnegut?
He did not answer.
Why did you set a test that I wouldn't be able to pass? That was harsh.
Not really. I now have a basic understanding of their purpose and abilities. More importantly, I needed to confirm whether she would interfere with our upcoming plan.
Besides, that would make you work even harder to complete the other task, don't you think?
Lilith opens her palm. A storage unit lies on it.
I wouldn't be able to catch it from the endless sea of data if my dear auntie didn't generously share the key with me.
Vonnegut takes the storage unit from Lilith. He puts it in front of his eyes, admiring it like a piece of treasure.
Pardon my rudeness, but there is a small question I'd like to ask. What do you plan to do with this sample?
There's a promise from long ago that I need to honor.
You did well in the test. We are almost ready to awaken Cthylla.
What about the Forsakens? Shall we keep going?
Their leader is quite sharp. He has already begun investigating.
No need to worry. They won't have time for us.
Are you talking about those deserters from Babylonia?
Not only them... Well, to a certain extent, all the events and conflicts can be attributed to one thing to begin with.
Watanabe looks at the newly piled-up mound in front. He puts a paper flower on it.
We wouldn't be able to stop the kidnapping without the intelligence you sent us, Watt, Walker.
Your sacrifice will not be in vain. One day, the original orders will be restored on this land.
Watanabe looks up. Old and new burial mounds line up in the cemetery, with paper flowers on each of them.
The ashes of the sacrificed merge with the sand under the mounds, returning to this land.
He remembers everybody's name here. Nothing is forgotten.
I'll see you later. Next time, I will bring some good news.
Watanabe rises to his feet and leaves the small cemetery.
Boss, we have more newcomers.
Help them settle down first. Don't forget to verify the identities.
Got it... But I'm afraid we don't have enough people to train them. I mean, we aren't much better than new recruits ourselves. It would be quite a challenge for us to take care of so many newcomers.
I'll go to the training camp myself. Another senior of mine will also come to help them train.
Your senior? I thought you were senior enough, Leader.
Of course.
I respect him a lot.
Watanabe said with a complex look, but he did not reveal that person's name.
Is there anything else I need to know?
Um... It's about the Clean Zone. Babylonia has sent someone here again.
It's only a matter of time before they come again. I just didn't expect them to be so impatient.
Where are they now? Take me to them.
The closed doors of the Science Council are now open.
Oh, hello, [player name].
This isn't your appointment time.
Lucia's situation was the Science Council's responsibility. I just did what I should.
...
Hearing your words, Asimov could not help but stop.
Rosa.
Yes?!
Go to the archives room. I want a copy of all the records related to M.I.N.D. overload in the experiments of Hyperreal.
Huh?!
I-I see.
Slightly anxious, Rosa rushed out immediately. "When will I get to finish going through so many records?" She mumbled.
When did you guess that?
...Right. I was the one who added the encrypted comms address.
So, why are you here?
You put a storage unit in Asimov's hand.
What's this...
Asimov's pupils contract slightly. He has obviously guessed something.
You should submit it to Commander Nikola.
Why did you do that?
...I'll take it for now.
Bring it on.
...Whether it's the army or Kurono, they always withhold some information when sharing it with the Science Council.
Not to mention their real purpose is to use the information to advance their plans. In a way, it makes the Science Council their accomplice.
Perhaps President wants to stop Project Winter through politics, but as long as someone still hopes to exploit this project for their own good, it will only be a matter of time before it is restarted.
Right, but in a scientific way.
The only way to completely crush their hope is to prove it is wrong from the roots.
Which is why this complete information comes at just the right time.
What about you? What is your goal?
This is Lucia from Gray Raven. The following recording is not subject to any form of coercion or interference. It is entirely of my own volition.
My frame has developed unprecedented abnormal symptoms, which even caused me to hurt my commandant.
Based on the message left by the escort team and my own evaluation, I cannot guarantee when I will go completely out of control before the problem is resolved.
In order to avoid irreversible consequences and prevent innocent people from being hurt, before I can fix this issue of myself...
I, Lucia, would like to step down as the Captain of Gray Raven.
I know this terminal will probably be discovered by the Purifying Force team who escorted me. If you can, please pass my words to Lee, Liv and my commandant.
I will safely return... No matter how long it will take me.
That's all.
You tightly grip the terminal, which is already getting warm in your pocket.
You reach out to Asimov.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Asimov's hand grasps yours. It feels a little cold.
