Story Reader / Main Story / 29 Source Beacon / Story
After another long journey, the small group of refugees finally reaches a place that seems safe.
Bright sunlight pierces through the shadowy forest, casting a beautiful yet unrealistic haze over everything.
Phew... Let's set up the camp!
The first vehicle comes to a halt, the silence of the engine signaling the brief peace they are about to experience.
I wonder if we'll run into Moore and Garry...
Busy setting up makeshift tents, Elean feels a bit down.
Don't worry, if we don't meet them here at this intersection, there's always a next one...
...Yup!
Encouraged by her perpetually bright smile, the refugees keep moving forward.
...Lucia, how's everything around us?
Safe for now.
Phew... That's good. Some of these guys are severely injured and we can't move them any further.
They need to rest for a while...
The rest of what Liv says blurs into a soft sigh.
No one can guarantee that this camp is already a sufficiently safe haven.
I've adjusted our course. We still have some distance to cover before reaching the Clean Zone.
As long as we can hold out until we get there, we'll be fine.
...Alright, I'll go check on the injured again.
Fortunately, they have brought a large amount of supplies earlier, and even though they've lost a small portion during their escape, the rest is enough to sustain this small group until they reach the Clean Zone.
Ah... It's been so long since I basked in the sun like this.
Hey, we haven't had time to chat lately... Lucia, does Babylonia get sunshine, too?
Yes, Babylonia has a weather simulation system to maintain its operations.
A "simulation system"?
Sounds like it wouldn't feel as nice as the sun on the ground.
She stretches out her arms and gives a lazy yawn.
Well...
For a moment, Lucia almost forgot what the "sun" in Babylonia felt like.
The simulation system serves the same function as the sun on the ground, but...
Lucia can't be sure if she's being fair, but the "sun" in Babylonia doesn't seem as bright and warm as this one on the ground.
The gentle light spreads across her synthetic skin, reminding her of the times spent in her little garden at home.
It's a pity. I bet Mika misses the sunlight here.
Mika?
Yeah... she's my best friend, the very best kind!
She stretches her arms out so far that they form a circle that can encompass the entire forest.
And she...
...No, she's not dead! Don't make that face!
She went to Babylonia, but she helped a woman with some sort of experiment when she was still around.
The woman was a professor from Babylonia and thought Mika had great potential. She said she could help Mika get a special application done to continue her research in Babylonia.
The woman said she could take me along, too, except I'd have to go as a Construct... Both Mika and I took that polymer test or whatever. She passed, but I didn't.
Mika didn't want to go because she was feeling upset, so I asked her why. Babylonia has got everything she needed to do her research, and I knew that's what she'd always wanted.
Someone has always got to be there to watch over us, and someone has always got to fight for our future.
Plus, we can still contact each other through the conservation area. There was even this one time when she used a business trip as an excuse to meet me at a nearby conservation area!
Wait, you guys are allowed to do that, right? I don't want to get her into any sort of trouble...
No, it's okay.
Babylonia doesn't stop people living there from contacting people living on Earth. I mean, no one can truly detach themselves from Earth anyway.
Haha, that's great!
She flashes a big smile.
She probably can't bask in the sun like I can, which is a real shame...
This forest is really nice. We're seeing all this lush wild grass even during this time of the year, which means there has to be a rich water source nearby.
Would totally love to stay here a few more days. We used to stay here for long whenever we came, but...
She looked back at the people bustling around.
After the first vehicle comes to a stop, the refugees begin to transform this small enclosed plot into a livable space.
Simple tents are erected, and the quick-handed refugees are already laughing and chatting as they take their muddy clothes to wash.
The wounded settle in and, their souls soothed by the sunlight, sink into a deep sleep.
Time seems to have suddenly come to a peaceful halt at this moment.
Gotta love moments like this.
This is what life should be like.
The commandant has been back at Babylonia for some time now. I wonder how things are coming along there.
I've been recording tasks like this for a while now since we haven't been able to maintain daily contact because of poor reception these days.
According to the map on my terminal, we should be very close to the edge of the Clean Zone now.
I've spotted traces of the Red Tide about 100 kilometers around us, though.
Liv spent a long time calculating the movement patterns of the Red Tide but hasn't found anything so far.
The leader of this refugee group told me just a few days ago that they'd like to stay here for a while if possible...
They believe this place is suitable for setting up camp and rest and it's close to the Clean Zone. They want to take some time to recover from the heavy losses they sustained from the escape.
I'm not sure how to explain the situation to them... If the commandant were here, I'm sure there would be a way to fill the refugees in on the situation, though.
Given how close the Red Tide is to where we are, we'll have to leave either today or tomorrow... and keep moving.
As the short video recording ends, Lucia shuts off her terminal. Liv, on the other hand, dashes over this way.
Lucia, how's everything looking?
We have to get out of here either today or tomorrow. We can't predict how fast the Red Tide is rising, which honestly is making me worried...
...
Looking at the thriving little camp behind her, Liv remains silent.
"Living" and "surviving" have become all too common choices. People swept up by the Red Tide have no right to refuse.
They need to make a choice.
...We've taken in another batch of refugees that made it out of the western conservation area.
They came with two cobbled-together vehicles that barely ran, and we had enough space to carry all the wounded.
I suppose that's some good news, isn't it?
She forces a smile.
Among the refugees, there's an observer who escaped from the conservation area's observation station. He brought along some data and equipment that he claimed were crucial findings about the Hetero Zone, meant for Babylonia.
I've checked his ID, and he is indeed a registered observer...
Hey, stop fighting already!
The commotion at the camp entrance interrupts their conversation.
Careful... What's happening?
I have to take these tools and documents with me!
You people have no idea how precious these things are! Argh...
...You know what, never mind. No point trying to explain myself when you don't even have what it takes to appreciate them.
He scrutinizes the angry refugees with an arrogant look.
With all your stuff out of the way, we could fit at least three to five more bags of supplies!
Hay, compressed rations, seeds, and even untainted soil would be more valuable than your pile of junk!
Hear! Hear! If we toss out all that trash, we're gonna have so much more space!
Don't compare that garbage to these!
You people know nothing! Do you realize how valuable this is?!
Did you just call food garbage?!
A tall refugee rolls up his sleeves ready to punch him.
Stop fighting, I said!
Separating the refugee from the observer without breaking a sweat, Lucille frowns with her arms crossed as she looks at the observer still guarding his research equipment.
Didn't you all escape here together? Why are you fighting amongst yourselves?
...They're an ungrateful bunch! I fixed the vehicle from the observation station and agreed to take them with me, but now they want to dump my equipment and research records!
Why would I have bothered fixing this vehicle if it weren't for these research records and equipment?!
The refugee frowns, still upset by the observer's actions.
If you're going to save people, don't just half-ass it! Haven't you been eating all that food and seeds?
If we'd gotten rid of that junk earlier, we'd at least have had room for double the food!
Food is life! That pile of junk and your precious papers are just burdens during times like these!
...
The observer says nothing but continues to protect the research equipment and stacks of reports behind him, all the while not moving.
Well... what about you guys? And what about you? Are you planning to stay and temporarily settle in our camp, or...
Lucille...
Hmm? What is it?
At Liv's signal, Lucille pauses the conversation and moves with Liv to the back of a nearby tent.
Lucia has found traces of the Red Tide over 100 kilometers away.
...How much time do we have left?
We have to leave either today or tomorrow.
...
Alright.
After a brief pause, Lucille smiles again.
There's no time to waste. Thank Lucia for me, or else the Red Tide might eat us all up while we're sleeping! It's great to have you guys here!
She gives Lucia a distant thumbs-up.
Don't worry, I'll... I'll get them to pack up quickly. We'll aim to set off tonight.
It's a shame we need to leave this place so quickly...
She looks around longingly.
This really is a wonderful place to settle. The field is fertile and vast, and it is surrounded by water sources, making it a great location for setting up new farms.
With enough resources and time, they could have turned this into a small settlement.
During their stay, the refugees have even started building fences around the camp and transplanting edible wild grass from the surroundings.
This was once their chosen new homeland.
Upon hearing Lucille's announcement, the refugees fall silent.
Mom... I-I don't want to leave here...
I just planted my own seed, and it's just sprouted. I even gave it a name...
Didn't you say this would be our home from now on...
The child's cries carry a certain poignant resonance, and the quiet whispers within the camp gradually fade, replaced by a heavy silence from the shadows.
In a world so tough and tainted by mud and smoke, humanity retreats with no refuge, losing one "home" after another.
What else can be done?
—Stop crying!
Having picked up a battered pot lid, Lucille stands on the vehicle and bangs it loudly, the clamor of metal instantly dispelling all the gloom in the camp.
Do you want to stay here and be devoured by the Red Tide with this place, or come with me to find a new homeland? The choice is yours!
Besides, as long as we're all together...
There's always going to be home no matter where we go!
She throws away the lid, causing a loud clang. She stretches her arms out wide, forming a circle that encircles everyone standing around the vehicle.
Do we all still remember what the old leader said? Crying and standing still in sorrow does you no good!
Come on, let's move! This is a good thing! We're ahead of those enemies this time!
Yes, if it weren't for Lucia's warning, we might have been caught by the Red Tide again...
At least this time, we're all still together.
The crowd murmurs softly, anxiously gathering closer in fear.
Before they raise more questions and shed more tears, Gemira has left the group. He limps toward his camp.
Hurry up and pack your things. I don't want to feed my other leg to the Red Tide.
True, I don't want those ghostly creatures chasing me again...
Spurred by Lucille's words, the refugees turn quietly around and gather their belongings.
Even faced with a one-way choice, humans still yearn for life.
With life come miracles.
Phew... I thought people were going to lose it and stage a protest.
Jumping off the vehicle, Lucille pats her chest, still feeling a little daunted.
I thought you were fearless.
Well, no one is truly fearless.
I was feeling confident because the old leader had my back, and I was feeling confident after that because Mika was there to keep things under control.
I don't know what I would have done without you... We're getting more and more newcomers these days, and not every one of them lends me an ear like you do.
I would like to officially have you join the "For a Better Tomorrow - Sunlight Shines on All - Battlefield Trauma Emergency Rescue Team". How does that sound?
...Thanks, but no thanks.
No matter how winding the journey is, they've set off again.
They are still fearful, still uneasy, but they now know where to go at least.
Is this really going to work...
Of course! Look, this little grass I grew is just fine. You just need to transplant it into an empty serum bottle, like this...
It will definitely continue to grow and keep you going until we make it to the Clean Zone, where you will be able to shower it with more sunlight and raise it in an even bigger garden.
Uhmm... do you think it'll have those bright red fruits like in the stories?
Yup, of course.
Under the cover of night, the humans leave where they temporarily called their "home".
On Lucille's vehicle, two small transplanted grasses in serum bottles lean against each other, in the company of the humans as they venture into the darkness.
Victoria.
Do you remember the story I told you before?
I do, Grandpa.
"Remember what I told you about your life, and the toil we put in for you".
Now it's your turn to fulfill your duty. Don't forget what I asked you to do:
Tell the gods to grant us wealth.
Ask the gods to gift us with prey.
We gave you food, joy, and health.
Now...
"It's time to repay us," Victoria.
How's the research going?
The military has made new breakthroughs and is in the second phase of experiments. The first batch of "Heralds" has begun their transformations.
Ha... Are you watching us, old friend?
Like a broken bellows, the old man's chest wheezes out a peal of laughter.
...Grandfather, you don't want to overwork your body.
It's alright. This is worth celebrating. Let's toast to tomorrow's brilliance—
To Dominik.
