Story Reader / Main Story / 28 Polaris Bond / Story
Hey...
Huh?
This is taking forever! What time is it?
Three minutes to 10.
Today sure felt like... a lifetime...
37 counts as a lifetime?
I would have thought you were 73 from the way you talk.
Am I living on borrowed time or what?
The old terminal in the middle of the tunnel's emergency care zone is beeping on and off.
Some people are standing while others sit. Some are leaning against the pillar with the hanging terminal, while some are watching from afar because they cannot get any closer.
The song creates gentle ripples on the dusk-colored waters...
The factory is glimmering in the distance against the setting sun.
The train flies past... The windows are ablaze with light...
What a beautiful song.
It's good, right? My wife taught me to sing it... when I was younger.
This doesn't sound like a song from Kowloong.
I have no idea... My wife told me the person who taught her this song... was already dead.
Yeah, they're better off dead... better off... In times like this, it's better to be dead! How old is your wife?
Same as you.
Nonsense! You're in your seventies and your wife is 42?
Haha...
Keep singing. It's nice...
A growing crowd silently gathers around the terminal.
Among them are soldiers in uniform, politicians in suits, weary doctors and nurses, and disheveled civilians.
And the Gray Ravens and Strike Hawks that only got back a moment ago.
Hey, tell me. If we can't make it back, is it going to hurt?
What?
When the Light Wall hits... is it gonna hurt?
No.
How do you know?
I asked Fuxi. It's gonna be super hot. We won't feel anything at all.
Hearing this, a tall, bulky Pulao Crew member limps away, refusing to listen anymore.
That's good. That's good...
Are you scared of pain?
A little. I'd rather it be quick and painless. Aren't you soldiers scared?
I... I am a bit scared.
My colleagues always say I don't look like a soldier.
You do have that nerdy look...
The terminal continues to beep on and off.
Huh...?
She was so cute as a child, with bright eyes like her mom's. She is stubborn like a mule, just like her dad.
Was your granddaughter born on the Nighter?
No, there was war in the city the year she was born, so I brought her onto the Nighter.
The Nighter must have had birth regulations back then, right? How did the kid survive?
Had to pull some strings. They agreed to keep her out of sight for a few years before letting her out.
I didn't know you had so much influence... So, where is she now?
She... well...
Bedridden in the hospital. I'm not sure if she's ever gonna wake up.
Then why are you here? You should be with her!
No... I can't. I'm sure she has someone looking after her now anyway.
I've always wanted her to live a more stable life and have a happy, carefree childhood, so she wouldn't need to worry about things that kids her age don't need to worry about...
If she can't make it, then I have no reason to live on.
Are you afraid of death?
Me? Haha... I've stared death in the face more than once.
I'm not afraid of death. I just want my children to live...
No matter when and no matter where.
Attention all units, record correction data...
Target 77, concentrated fire...
Charge 1, back sight 375, base right 115, deflection 005—
The electronic command center is down, so the artillery at the dock is relying on visual observation for targeting.
The nearly five-meter-high, Type 79, 570mm self-propelled coastal gun is aiming its dark barrel at the enemy across Kowloong Bay. Beneath this steel monster are crowds of ordinary people carrying baggage.
Wenche! Wenche!
A man covered in blood shouts from the crowd while holding up a baby.
The person being called is standing on a high platform. He immediately locates the source of the voice. He signals the man from the Bixi Crew next to him to continue directing the battle, climbs down the ladder, and slips into the crowd.
What's going on?
The child... quick. Get her up. Onto the ship.
He is holding the blood-stained swaddling cloth in his hands and lifting it up to Wenche.
Why are you alone? Where's Chi Ling? Where's your son? Where is he?!
And your wife? The people from Factory 122? Did they make it out?! Answer me!!!
Ma seems to be choking on something. He only shakes his head in silence.
Those bastards... We need to get you treated, Ma! Doctor! Doctor!
Live...
Ma passes out, apparently drained of the last bit of his strength saying those words.
He is covered in blood and mud and trampled by people in a panic.
But his hands are still protecting the child from harm and holding it up at Wenche.
Somebody! Help!
The baby lies quietly in the blood-stained swaddle, unaware of what has happened. She stares at the man in uniform in front of her without making a sound.
She survived that day.
She became one of the survivors of that day.
