Story Reader / Floating Record / ER06 When Day Breaks / Story
You've been in more dangerous situations, but Bridget's vivid recounts of how "Trojan fell off the cliff" and how she "barely managed to hang onto the edge" still make your heart race.
Yes, of course.
When I regained consciousness, I was already back with Support Force.
Support Force was also ambushed by these unknown assailants. When the squad detected life signals and approached for rescue, the tunnel collapsed. The Punishing concentration spiked, and a pack of Corrupted appeared.
Yes, it spiked.
She enunciates each word with emphasis.
The Punishing Virus suddenly appeared at the bottom of a shaft that had never seen an outbreak before. Now that I think about it, that mission was full of baffling information gaps.
Why was Support Force suddenly deployed? Was it really just for "rescue and scouting"?
Or could there be something else... something they were trying to cover up?
The mission report said...
...A tantalum mining laboratory contracted by Norman Mining Corp conducted illegal experiments using tantalum ore, leading to the infection of some Constructs and staff and an explosion, causing the mine to collapse...
And that's the conclusion?!
The young Construct storms into Support Force office, clutching a stack of reports in her hands.
...
What really happened to Trojan? What does "memory loss due to M.I.N.D. damage" mean? And what about that researcher?
Trojan... It's complicated. She's been transferred to another department. We no longer have the authority to inquire about her case.
That researcher fell down the shaft. We didn't have the resources for a rescue operation, and from that height...
They did a basic depth survey of the mining shaft. The conclusion was that not even a Construct could survive a fall like that.
If Bridget hadn't thrown Trojan onto the safety platform at that moment, Trojan wouldn't have survived either.
And what about Ruolin! Why was she transferred to Task Force before I even got to see her?
Oh, Ruolin... She actually requested the transfer herself. It's what she wanted, you know.
She's been trying to join Jeffrey's team for a long time. Jeffrey is the commandant of Silkworm...
I! Checked! The rules! Don't try to fool me!
To transfer from Support Force to a Task Force squad, you need at least three—three months of screening, or more! Plus a joint investigation!
I was the captain of Ruolin's squad during her training—why wasn't I sent any investigation reports on this?
...Hey, don't overthink it, Bridget.
With a helpless sigh, the captain walks out from behind the desk and pats Bridget's shoulder.
Not every story needs to end with "THE END".
But this isn't some story!
She watched helplessly as they plummeted into the bottomless mine shaft.
...In any case, don't bring this matter up again, Bridget.
Some things are beyond what I... what we can do.
That's all.
Later...
Later...
Though Support Force's casualty rate is slightly lower than Task Force's, the numbers are still horrifyingly high.
During a rescue mission, the captain never returned from the ruins after saving two children.
Bridget gradually rose through the ranks with her outstanding performance and became the captain of Support Force.
After taking over the team, I tried to reopen the investigation into that incident.
But most of the documents about the Konstantin Mine were confidential, and even the detailed mission records and investigation reports were lost in an "accident".
Yeah, it's just that "convenient".
And you probably know what happened after that.
After Trojan's M.I.N.D. was damaged, she was in recovery for a long time before being reassigned to a new squad—only to vanish without a trace.
Ruolin... you know her, too.
She follows Jeffrey's silhouette and vanishes into the dark expanse of the Red Tide.
Maybe this is a kind of liberation for her.
Everything just seems a little... too... "convenient".
Every Support Force member involved in the Konstantin Mine mission has either been reassigned or lost their lives in action—everyone except me.
There has to be more to this than what I know.
The brown-haired Construct gazes out the window, where brilliant sunlight paints a pristine, cloudless sky.
I've always believed...
As long as the truth is still out there, one day, darkness will be dispelled by the light.
Haha, they all say I sound like a fool when I say this, but I know this is true.
...Yeah, I knew this day would come eventually.
Her terminal emits a short beep.
Must be the mission details... I also got mine.
Perfect timing, I've pretty much gotten used to this new frame...
Bridget does a long, lazy stretch.
This feels great. The power system's been enhanced, and the overall controls are much better...
The door creaks loudly as someone intentionally pushes it really hard instead of ringing the doorbell.
Gray Raven Commandant? I was told to look for you here...
!
The blue-haired Construct appears before Bridget with an air of casual nonchalance after so many years.
She seems so different now, yet still the same in many ways.
Oh, and you must be...
...You're not going to introduce yourself? I really don't know you very well...
Ah... um, hello, Bridget. I'm Trojan.
The blue-haired Construct puts on a practiced, fake smile that Bridget knows all too well.
...Hi.
By the way... do you have absolutely no memory of me?
Uh... Do I know you?
Trojan turns around and gives Bridget a rather impolite once-over.
Hmm... I don't believe I've ever met you.
The blue-haired Construct does a little shrug.
Sorry, I had some issues with my M.I.N.D. and lost a lot of my memories.
Anyway, since I'm representing Norman Mining Corp for this... mission...
Whatever happened in the past, I am not your enemy.
...
Bridget lets out a quiet sigh.
Anyway, I'm here to let you know it's time for assembly. We should get going.
Everyone's already standing by at the departure point. Apparently, we'll have another briefing...
...Ugh, why do we need so many meetings?
Despite Trojan's reluctance, the pre-mission briefing must go ahead as planned.
A 3D hologram of the mine shaft hovers in the middle of the conference room. It looks more like an inverted tower than a typical building.
The operation's participants gather around one side of the hologram as Celica briefs everyone on the mission.
—During the brief window when the data wall was breached, the Science Council managed to intercept a portion of the information.
While most of the data is still being processed, this particular section specifically mentions "tantalum copolymers".
The basic concept involves using an alternative material chain as a medium for connection, with tantalum serving as the skeletal structure. By linking it to another branch to form a copolymer, they aim to expand the compatibility range of tantalum-193.
The primary objective of this mission is to enter the Konstantin Mine and retrieve as much of the experimental data as possible.
Babylonia has dug out records of resource flow from that time. While there's no definitive evidence, we can reasonably deduce that a laboratory might have been conducting tantalum research in this area.
And the most likely location is the Konstantin Mining Site.
Combined with the information voluntarily provided by Norman Mining Corp, we are now confident in our deduction.
...So, is their technology mature enough?
That's impossible to determine at this point.
Only a handful of encrypted documents mention that they achieved some experimental results, but none of them clearly specify the nature of these achievements.
Therefore, your other objective is to investigate and clear out any abnormalities in the mining site.
Until the Science Council figures out how to conjure tantalum ore out of thin air, we need raw tantalum for copolymer synthesis.
Yes.
Babylonia's tantalum reserves are limited, and no large deposits have been discovered in any of our current conservation areas.
Instead of risking exploration elsewhere, we should focus on reclaiming the Konstantin mining site.
Norman Mining Corp will provide the structural data for the Konstantin Mining Site, and we'll also send some of our researchers to assist you.
What about the data from the underground laboratory?
...That data was lost during the transfer process.
Humph, oh, really?
I have no reason to deceive you. Norman Mining Corp also wishes to reclaim this site.
I will offer all the files, including investigation records of all the mine collapses, as well as Butler Skych's final video recording before his death in the mine shaft.
Norman Mining Corp had decided to withdraw their investment since the research facility hadn't submitted any new findings for a long time. Given the gravity of the situation, my grandfather sent his most trusted butler to handle the negotiation.
Everything was going smoothly until Skych sent an unexpected message, claiming they had achieved new research breakthroughs and requesting additional funds.
Before the corporation could dispatch a new investigation team, the mine collapsed. Skych perished and left no remains behind.
As for the rest... including your parents, Miss Bridget, we initiated a follow-up rescue and investigation.
However, more sites collapsed, and Norman Mining Corp lacked the capability at the time to deal with the vast numbers of Corrupted and to properly address the situation.
I offer you my deepest apologies.
Victoria steps out from behind her desk and bows deeply to Bridget.
...
This sudden, frank apology from Norman Mining Corp's head leaves Bridget dumbfounded.
Skych... raised me, and he was loyal to Norman Mining Corp even in his death. If you find... his remains... during your mission, please bring him back.
Norman Mining Corp will offer a handsome reward for your work.
That's... all the information I have access to regarding the Konstantin Mine at my current clearance level.
