Story Reader / Floating Record / ER08 The Long Goodbye / Story
The transport aircraft cruises steadily through the air.
While most people in the cabin rest with their eyes closed from exhaustion, Melvie's gaze remains fixed on a woman sitting diagonally ahead of her.
The woman has Kowloong features but straight silver-white hair. She appears young, cradling a small bundle in her arms.
Melvie had siblings of her own—though they were all lost in the Punishing disaster. She knows an infant shouldn't stay this motionless for so long.
Sleep, sleep...
The woman rocks the swaddled infant, as gently as waves cradling a small boat.
She raises her hand again to pat it gently, her movements somewhat stiff and awkward.
(It's her first time taking care of a child...?)
Melvie watches her with concern before finally deciding to step forward and help.
Hello...?
...
The woman sitting diagonally ahead cautiously tilts her head, glancing at Melvie without a word.
Would you like to take a break? I can hold the child for a while—I have younger siblings at home too.
I'm Melvie. I noticed you haven't let go of the baby since before we boarded...
Thanks, but I'm alright—ugh!
The vehicle suddenly shudders, sending passengers stumbling in all directions. The woman clutches her child tightly as her safety belt yanks her back into her seat.
The blanket comes loose, revealing the infant's face.
The child must have survived an explosion with its family—the skin bears scrapes from gravel, and what little undamaged skin remains glows an unhealthy red. It's clearly burning with fever.
The baby?!
Everyone in the transport aircraft turns to look at Melvie.
The silver-haired woman's hands tremble as she hastily wraps the blanket back around the child.
The wounds were treated before we boarded. It's just... he's very sick.
But he's still alive... He's using his father's slot too. We aren't taking up any additional space.
The woman's head hangs low, utterly exhausted.
He must go to Babylonia...
...Let me save him... please.
...
Melvie never expected to run into that mother from the transport aircraft so soon again.
Hello, I'm Melvie, the one from Kock Biological Research Institute.
Melvie places her new ID badge on the desk for the staff to verify.
Another hand, pale and thin, reaches forward to gently place down another ID badge.
Kowloong Fuxi Institute, Wanxu
...Oh, it's you? From the transport aircraft earlier. You're also working on Construct research?
The woman gives a slight nod.
Pleased to meet you.
You're from Kowloong, right? I didn't know Kowloong had research projects in this field. What's your specific focus?
The human brain... and its connection to the Construct M.I.N.D.
Melvie recognizes that familiar exhaustion on Wanxu's face. She means to leave it at that, but can't help thinking about the baby from that day.
About your child... have you found someone to take care of them?
At the mention of her child, a trace of sorrow crosses Wanxu's face.
...Thank you for asking. He's at the Star of Life. He still hasn't woken up yet.
He's so young... I don't even know if he'll make it through this.
I'm sorry...
Wanxu shakes her head with gentle detachment and walks straight into the work area.
Since the Punishing outbreak, humanity's frontlines have been pushed back repeatedly. Our flesh and blood cannot withstand the virus's corruption—we desperately need stronger soldiers on the battlefield.
The scientists carrying the lamps decide to delve deeper into a proposition from the end of the Golden Age—"Constructs".
Their modest progress is like the lamp they hold—a faint light in the dark cave, showing them the way forward.
Dr. Kalon takes the first step forward, leading a group of students to the moon, where they begin research on the Construct core "Inver-Device" at the lunar base.
M.I.N.D.-related technology is another crucial component, drawing the largest number of researchers to the project.
That year, researchers from around the world were sent to Eden, humanity's safest haven, as the Science Council launched a joint research initiative with ground-based research institutes to study Construct M.I.N.D.
Though the research was never made public, pioneers have already carved their findings into stone: human memory, memory data conversion, Construct M.I.N.D., memory duplication... and Recall.
"Stone Carving" will become a historical record, documenting the early development process of Construct Tech.
Battles take a massive toll on our Construct resources. According to the statistics, the average attrition rate for standard Constructs reaches 43% within their first month of deployment.
While Constructs possess superior combat capabilities compared to human soldiers, such a high attrition rate means our investments are going to waste. Worse still, Punishing infection and M.I.N.D. deviation can turn them into new threats.
We attempted to use remote connection pods, but their effectiveness in stabilizing the M.I.N.D. proved extremely limited. Some connection operators even developed severe memory trauma.
Enhancing the Inver-Device's resistance to Punishing, preserving Construct memory data even after frame failure, and achieving safer and more efficient Construct connection control—these technological upgrades are crucial for our ground operations.
The Councilor turns to another corner of the room, where representatives of the Science Council are seated.
Never mind the Inver-Device—how long has the Science Council been working on Construct M.I.N.D. research alone? The Council needs to disclose your current research progress and interim findings to us.
Take the Recall branch for example. As far as I know, we can barely manage M.I.N.D. extraction, and it's far from being universally applicable—let alone achieving actual Recall capabilities. What about the other projects?
Wanxu, we've hit a bottleneck, haven't we?
—Without suitable test subjects, we can only go so far with our current data.
Wanxu contemplates for a moment.
Group Three's observations of the "Special Constructs'" M.I.N.D. patterns have yielded some... interesting findings.
"Special Constructs"?
Wanxu pulls up a set of data.
You probably don't know about this... "Special Constructs" refers to Constructs that were modified during childhood. I attended the last conference and brought back the experimental details and data. You can take a look.
...Huh?
Most of them underwent modification when their brains were still developing.
Group Three conducted connection tests using the connection pods. Current results show they have lower "rejection" rates toward artificially synchronized data, resulting in more stable connections.
Their M.I.N.D.s could serve as a foundation for various research directions, such as new memory connection methods and M.I.N.D. deviation treatments... Some have already proposed theoretical frameworks.
They are currently our finest test subjects.
Melvie's expression grows serious.
No, Wanxu, don't tell me you're...
Wanxu closes the data files.
You're overthinking it. I haven't reached the point of deliberately creating test subjects... yet.
The Special Constructs currently available to our project team are all child Constructs that Babylonia has incorporated from the surface. Most of them have yet to reach mental maturity.
Even with continued education to compensate, most of them must maintain their child-like forms forever to prevent M.I.N.D. deviation. It's unlikely they'll ever develop a proper sense of self-identity.
The Science Council won't permit such inhumane modifications. They've already rejected all related research proposals.
Just a minor setback. We'll have to consider other ways to advance the experiments.
I'm afraid we're running out of time. If no miracle happens and we still can't make progress with our experiments, our entire team and all the laboratories under our supervision on the surface will be disbanded. They've already proposed cutting our funding in the last meeting.
If we do get disbanded, which team are you planning to go to?
Doesn't matter. As long as I can continue my M.I.N.D. research.
By the way, why are you so persistent about the M.I.N.D. experiments?
For Wanshi.
The words slip from Wanxu's lips without a moment's hesitation.
...Wanshi? Your son?
In all the time Melvie has known Wanxu, this is only the second time she has mentioned their child, and the first time she revealed the child's name.
A dim suspicion begins to form in her mind.
...Could it be that you're using these experiments... to find a way to wake him up?
...
But what does this have to do with Construct M.I.N.D.? Couldn't you seek help from human medical professionals instead?
Wanxu stands up and walks to the control panel at the back.
We'll leave it there for now. Let's get back to work.
Before we officially disband, we can organize all the experimental data transmitted from the ground research facilities. Even if we can't use it anymore, it might serve as reference material for future researchers.
Several months have passed since that conversation with Wanxu.
Scientific research isn't always smooth sailing—quite the contrary. In the final months, the "miraculous breakthrough" they had fantasized about never materialized. Instead, everyone only became more certain of their stagnating progress.
Calling it a "failure" would be putting it mildly.
Some, having learned of the group's imminent disbandment, have already left voluntarily to seek opportunities elsewhere.
The situation on the ground is growing dire. Despite their numerous protective measures, the ground facilities cannot escape the Punishing threat. Research facilities maintaining contact with Babylonia are disappearing one after another.
The steadily decreasing data transmissions indicate these research facilities have reached an unsustainable state.
Occasionally, a research facility would suddenly upload all their current data, followed shortly by news reaching Melvie of the entire facility's personnel perishing.
A suffocating tension spreads among those who remain.
This is Wanxu, making the final communication for today. I will proceed to collect research data from all ground-based facilities shortly.
Wanxu establishes connections with the few remaining ground facilities. With staff shortage, she now has to personally handle all communications with the research facilities.
Only static crackles through the communication channel while the staff on the ground silently process their final tasks.
Melvie approaches with a troubled look, giving Wanxu a gentle tap on the shoulder.
Wanxu, we've lost contact with a research facility on the edge of the Arctic Union Route. I'm sending you the details—take a look at this.
I haven't received any reports of Corrupted attacks at these coordinates, but all my recent communication attempts have failed.
The military might not have notified us yet. For now, retrieve all the experimental data they've transmitted this month.
I've been collecting and processing their lab data myself—they've been producing excellent results lately, the best among our remaining facilities...
Melvie pulls up several data reports. Wanxu quickly scrolls through them to the final pages, then freezes at certain lines.
...?
Wanxu's brow furrows as she studies the text, then returns to review the earlier detailed data.
Their test subjects' M.I.N.D. readings are all stable... The quality is exceptional—even meeting our requirements for new connection testing.
Yes, one of the few pieces of good news we've had lately.
Where did they get their test subjects from?
Huh? They signed consent forms—all the volunteers.
...
Wanxu?
Wanxu's mind drifts away until Melvie's voice brings her back to reality.
...Keep these data safe. We'll need them later.
No problem, I'll continue checking to make sure they're secure.
That won't be necessary, Melvie.
The internal comms channel of Babylonia comes alive—a channel that has never once delivered good news.
Ground recon has reported in. A research facility along the Arctic Union Route was attacked by the Corrupted. All test subjects inside were infected and have been eliminated. As for the researchers...
Melvie's body jolts at the words "have been eliminated".
Can we still access their internal files?
The evacuation was urgent—the recon team only brought back one person from the institute. The transport aircraft just landed at the port... Wait, what? They left the airfield already? Did they even complete decontamination?
Sorry, one moment, I need to verify something... Hey!! I've been telling you there are major security holes in your airfield's entry and exit protocols!
Melvie, end the call. Check if they've transmitted any detailed files about the test subjects.
The test subjects? Yes, I'll look for—wait, what's wrong with the test subjects?
Unless they're falsifying data to avoid disbandment, readings like these could only come from Special Constructs.
...
...What??
Not just Melvie—the researchers behind her all turn to stare at Wanxu after hearing his words.
Wanxu rises from her seat, straightens her collar with a quick movement, and prepares to leave.
I need to see the person the recon team brought back.
...I'm right here.
A disheveled middle-aged man walks in, followed by staff members hurriedly processing his authorization.
His lab coat was confiscated at the spaceport. Now he is only wearing a tattered thermal shirt, his hand clutching something tightly.
He extends his open palm, revealing an intact data storage device stained with dark red marks—whether it's blood or vital fluid remains unclear.
I am Chiron, the last survivor from the Zelenograd Laboratory.
...
Chiron's expression is a mix of sorrow and rage. After observing him for a few seconds, Wanxu decides to ask her question bluntly.
Where did those test subjects come from?
You approved this, didn't you? And now that things have gone wrong, you're trying to wash your hands of it?
Well...
Chiron glances at the speechless Melvie and lets out a scornful laugh.
What's with that look on your face? Don't tell me you're only realizing this now. You could have stepped in to fix this at any point along the way.
He lifts up the storage device.
The experiments weren't progressing, and they... we didn't want to be disbanded. The experiments needed stable M.I.N.D. samples, so we took the quickest solution available.
Based on the observation data you submitted about children Constructs' M.I.N.D., we modified children under ten years old, attempting to directly transfer human consciousness into Construct M.I.N.D...
Melvie speaks in disbelief.
"Children under ten"? Child Constructs were wrong from the very beginning! Our observations were never meant to help you deliberately create more test subjects!
Our intention was to help—
Your "good intentions" have long since become nothing but a weapon in our hands.
...
These contain evidence of our inhumane experiments. I will submit them to the Science Council. For any ambiguous details, I'll cooperate and provide additional information.
I knew dissolution was inevitable, but now that I'm the one who exposed this, what follows will likely be far worse than a simple disbandment.
Compared to some unachievable success, I can't bear what's right before my eyes... this slaughterhouse I built with my own hands.
He straightens his tattered clothes as if trying to piece together what remains of his conscience.
Let it be. None of us will come out of this with our dignity intact, and if the Science Council decides to go public, we might even become villains in the eyes of others.
The Zelenograd Laboratory under Group Four has been destroyed, and all key personnel involved in the children's modifications are dead.
I was just an assistant who wasn't deeply involved. The regular researchers might also get away with it, but as for...
Chiron looks at Wanxu, who remains expressionless.
I'll take responsibility for this. But there are other matters I need to discuss with you.
...Go ahead.
There shouldn't have been any large-scale Corrupted attacks near the Zelenograd Laboratory. I want to know if the Corrupted first appeared from within your facility.
...
...Was it you?
Hah... You want to blame me, don't you?
From the moment I realized what kind of experiment I was involved in, I became a sinner. At this point, I couldn't care less about what other crimes are added to my name.
He gives up trying to fix his appearance and leaves with the arriving military personnel.
A month later, Wanxu stands before a patient room at the end of the Star of Life's corridor, watching as Melvie approaches.
Dark circles mark Melvie's pallid face, showing her lack of proper rest.
I hear you're thinking of transferring to the Star of Life?
Yes, but it's not that simple.
Are you trying to save others to make up for your guilt? What's done is done. You need to face reality.
How am I supposed to accept this? If only I had understood more, if only I had asked you more about the data... Maybe things wouldn't have come to this.
I've seen the footage Chiron brought back. Those children were forced to transform into Constructs, only to die in the connection experiments.
All for better experimental results, they forcibly turned children into Constructs... When our research was meant to ensure humanity's survival...
How dare they talk about preserving humanity when they're killing children?
Wanxu answers Melvie with nothing but silence.
I can't sleep at night.
You, me... and everyone in the project who was involved in this—we all need to atone for what we've done.
...
In the stifling atmosphere, Melvie takes a moment to compose herself.
Let's talk about something else... I don't ever want to bring it up again. What about you? You didn't call me here just to ask how I've been doing, did you?
I'm planning to leave Babylonia. Someone wants me to continue my research at a facility on the ground.
...So I'd like to ask you to look after Wanshi for me.
Melvie lets out a long sigh.
So that's why I was called to the Star of Life... Wanshi is inside?
Wanxu pushes open the ward door.
Come in.
Artificial sunlight streams through the corridor windows into the ward. As Melvie takes a step forward, she beholds a sight that will be forever etched in her memory.
This...
The small child lies on the bed, arranged like a specimen. His skin and flesh—once lost to disease and injury—are now growing back with desperate intensity. Various machines pierce his body, maintaining his vital signs.
—A life hanging by the thinnest of threads.
An oversized respirator covers his face, while mysterious patches on his head connect to a device at the bedside—one that Melvie finds eerily familiar.
He survived, but you saw his condition on the transport aircraft... The Star of Life staff told me he might never wake up again.
Even with our advanced medical technology, there's nothing we can do...?
No. No technology today can save him. Despite my best efforts, all I managed to save was an empty shell.
I won't accept this.
Wanxu's words echo Melvie's own sentiments.
I want to save him. I came up with a solution... and I've already tried it on him.
Wanxu points to the device beside the hospital bed.
Look familiar?
Don't tell me you made all of this—this thing that looks like a remote connection pod... and all these tubes, these devices on his head?
I did.
...Are you really using M.I.N.D. research to find a solution for him? What exactly are you trying to do? Turn him into a Construct?
No... In his condition, there's no way he could survive the modification process.
A bitter smile crosses Wanxu's face.
So this is the "Recall" you were trying to achieve...?
...
Wanxu's silence leaves Melvie stunned.
Have you lost your mind? Aren't you afraid his condition will worsen—
No.
I stopped being afraid long ago, Melvie. Every single step I took with him was an all-or-nothing gamble.
...How does it work? Has it been effective?
I'm sorry, but I can't explain it yet. Everything I have right now is just speculation that still needs to be verified.
I can't access the other Project recall groups anymore, so that opportunity on the ground... I can't let it slip away.
...
If he wakes up, that means I succeeded. If he remains in his coma, and I don't come back...
Please... don't give up on him.
Why are you talking like you'll never come back...?
Because I actually don't plan on coming back. Consider this journey as a life traded for a life... I can't really explain it to you.
...
The conversation with Wanxu on the transport aircraft that day suddenly flashes through Melvie's mind.
He's still alive...
Let me save him... please.
Just like that moment, Wanxu now stands at the edge of a cliff, desperately begging for Melvie's support.
Melvie had always cherished her family. She wonders if they too had begged others—or fate itself—for another chance, just like Wanxu is doing now when the Punishing claimed their lives.
Back on the transport aircraft, hadn't she also shed tears when she held that tiny bundle, feeling a warmth in her arms she hadn't known for so long?
...Tell me what I need to do.
...
I don't know exactly what she did to you—I just maintained the equipment as she instructed... But I am the best candidate to look after you. After all, no other doctor is as familiar with these laboratory-exclusive devices as I am.
And just like that, she was gone for years, and you woke up.
Before I woke up, my memories...
Yes, I've been honest with you from the very beginning. Those events never actually happened—they were just "dreams" she crafted for you.
After you woke up, you could speak like other children your age and had common knowledge... At first, I was shocked. I couldn't tell if she had actually achieved some form of Recall, or if she had implanted memories through other means.
But soon I had no time to dwell on such thoughts. You know what happened after that.
The image of that gun pointed at himself flashes through Wanshi's mind.
The nightmares you described... I know exactly what they are—the Corrupted. So what Wanxu did must be far more complicated than it seems. She woke you up, but in doing so, she also put you in danger.
I suspect it's got to do with Project Recall. Not only were they watching you, but they also started investigating my background. When they discovered that Wanxu and I were both part of that disbanded group, they began monitoring me too. None of these are good signs.
So I made my decision.
Melvie gives a bitter smile as she looks at Wanshi, who still cannot come to terms with the truth.
I've never been a clever person. I couldn't protect my own family, couldn't make any scientific contributions, and was so careless that I caused innocent children's deaths...
I never even understood what Wanxu was thinking... All I could do was try my best to do what I believed was right.
At that time, I had only one thought in mind: to protect you and let you live a normal child's life in Babylonia.
I lied to you, saying they were just dreams. I adamantly refused to let you mention them—all because I wanted to keep you away from any whirlpool that might drag you in. Away from Wanxu, and even away from me.
...
I'm sorry.
When you were little, you followed me everywhere—you must have thought I was reliable, right? But I wasn't just some pediatrician working hard to save lives. Everything I did was for atonement. With each child I saved, the weight on my shoulders became a little lighter.
You were also part of my atonement. I've been forcing my protection on you all this time, completely disregarding your wishes... taking it upon myself to shield you.
There are no noble reasons here, Wanshi. No one is a hero.
I only wish to atone for my sins and fulfill what Wanxu entrusted to me.
Melvie takes a deep breath.
At least it's all coming to an end now.
...?
Though I've been stationed at the Star of Life and haven't been involved with the Project Recall since then, I've still heard things. The Recall system has likely been realized, and they're probably planning to implement it on a massive scale.
People have abandoned their obsession with that project. The attention you received as "potentially the first to achieve special Recall" should gradually fade away too.
I'm not here to reprimand you.
Over these years, you've sent me fifty-seven messages. I knew about each one. I also knew I was the one depriving you of your right to choose freely.
Hearing the first half of the sentence, Wanshi feels a lump forming in his throat.
This won't happen again. This is the last time, I promise... but I still hope you'll listen to me for just this final time.
Melvie looks into Wanshi's eyes earnestly, as if there are countless words she cannot bring herself to say.
You are the salvation for many.
Wanxu once said that everything she did was to keep you alive. You can accept this miracle that belongs to you alone—consider everything since your awakening at the Star of Life until now as the second life Wanxu has given you.
I'm no different. I've never wanted you to achieve great things—I only wish for you to live safely as an ordinary person.
You're becoming an adult now, ready to handle the truth... Now that you understand everything others have fought for on your behalf, please don't waste it. Don't take any risks, okay?
...You're saying this, and Shorthalt also...
I heard you submitted an appeal to the Youth Center. Withdraw it. I already asked Professor Chiron to prepare a recommendation letter for you.
...
As for the others, don't concern yourself with them, don't get involved. Just know that every step you're taking now is the right one—carefully prepared by all those who've sacrificed for you.
Melvie slides the familiar little lunchbox in front of Wanshi.
Wanshi opens the lid to find the same blackened mass that has remained the same for years.
Don't waste it.
Her cooking remains unchanged over the years, just as she stubbornly conceals the truth until she deems it safe to reveal. Melvie is the most obstinate person he has ever known.
Unlike before, Wanshi doesn't force himself to swallow it. He pushes the little lunchbox back—a refusal.
...Very well. You don't have to force yourself to eat something you don't like. Wanshi, this will be the last time—from now on, no matter what happens, you'll make your own decisions.
As if accepting the rebellion of the teen, Melvie gently notes that this will tie in with his growth.
She puts away the lunchbox, bids farewell one last time, and leaves.
