Temporary Command Center
Riverbank Central, Carthaki
16-Mar-62
The howls of the Corrupted echo through the burning city as Major Li drives the two girls to the temporary outpost by the riverbank, arranging for medical personnel to care for them.
The crossing is packed with panicked refugees. With how disorderly the place is, it takes him half a day just to push through the crowds to reach the cordoned-off command post, where he takes over the coordination efforts.
Based on our rough estimates, about 30000 civilians have reached the riverbank just beyond the security perimeter, but...
The naval officers just informed me that our last cruiser, the Spartacus...
...It can only accommodate 1200 people.
Good god...
...
Colonel Pavlov exhales wearily, breathing out a ring of smoke. Listening to the arguments between refugees and soldiers outside, he rubs his forehead as beads of sweat fall one by one onto the weathered wooden table.
He faces the most important decision of his life.
Colonel, we're out of time...!
Time...
Mine ran out long ago.
Hot ash falls onto his finger as he reaches for something at his waist.
Babylonia finally got through on comms just now. You know what they said?
They... spent 5 minutes explaining to me that beneath Carthaki Reactor No. 4 lies a "bomb" more terrifying than any nuclear weapon.
...A bomb? Is it connected to the explosion?
I asked the same question. Their only response was...
"Sorry, you don't have the ****ing clearance for that information."
Pavlov speaks with increasing urgency as he violently crushes his cigarette butt against the table.
Remember those "rumors" about the reactor construction when Akdilek approved it? The ones that the scientists and the media circulated everywhere before they were labeled as misinformation?
Turns out every ****ing bit of those "rumors" was true.
He enunciates each word deliberately, his fingernails tapping against the cigarette ash on the table until they turn white.
Reactor No. 4 works just like the Zero-point Engine, so the Punishing Virus mist will keep pouring from its base. If it isn't shut down, the virus will spread... and the whole ****ing Earth will bathe in red in less than 2 months.
A fuse that will destroy the entire planet is ****ing burning right beneath our feet at this very moment. Do you understand what that ****ing means?
...Comrade Pavlov, do we have a contingency plan?
Pavlov lets out a laugh, his right hand still hovering at the edge of his belt.
Alyosha, what do they call Carthaki on the Akdilek's ceremonial banners?
The City of Workers and Steel, Comrade Pavlov.
That's the "contingency plan." The World Government demands that this city fulfill its promise.
He shakes his head, weakly forcing out a hollow, bitter laugh.
What? I don't understand...
There must be another way. I'll call for reinforcements again...!
Li, you'll be Commander after this. Don't let the Punishing Virus tarnish my name.
Click.
Without warning, Pavlov draws his silver service pistol from his belt and presses it against his temple.
I'm sorry, comrades...
I've brought disgrace upon you all.
That is the day Li understands that power is capable of leaving one utterly lost.
He surveys the devastated riverbank below. Freshly bombarded and filled with bloodied water, it is shrouded in a low-hanging mist. The wailing of the wounded mingles with distant reverberations, rising and falling in waves.
He suppresses the anxious fluttering in his chest, takes a deep breath, straightens his military cap, and steps forward with trembling legs to join the ranks of 30000 survivors.
The major raises his megaphone.
...My comrades.
Pairs of blood-stained eyes turn to face the immaculately uniformed major behind them.
I've just been informed that beneath Carthaki Reactor No. 4 is a substance that's continuously producing this Punishing Virus mist. It will spread ceaselessly, endangering the whole world.
Now, we need someone to cross the city and shut it down.
The crowd shifts like a slow-churning tide of ashen gray, instinctively making space for him.
Behind the major, the distant horizon blazes crimson, as if the entire sky is trembling in flames.
The Punishing Virus? I've watched that reactor operate for decades with my own eyes. How is this possible?
A voice of doubt rises from somewhere in the crowd.
They didn't tell me, because my rank wasn't high enough to know the truth.
The same applies to all of you.
The 3rd Battalion's defense has been breached. Isn't going back... a suicide mission?
...
The major briefly lowers his gaze, presses his lips together, then quickly looks up again to face the crowd directly.
There are 30000 people at this crossing, and our last ship can only evacuate 1200.
The riverbank falls silent abruptly.
The cold air hangs heavy as some stand speechless, others tighten their grip on their children's hands, and many more simply look around in confusion, exchanging bewildered glances.
Silence—Major Li's greatest fear has finally materialized.
The issue now isn't who lives or dies, but that if no one steps up... all of humanity will perish alongside us.
He surveys the silent crowd, realizing that all those lifeless yet terribly alive eyes are fixed unblinkingly on him. His Adam's apple bobs as his voice unconsciously lowers.
Still, no one responds.
Humans are fundamentally creatures that seek benefit and avoid harm. Li has learned this truth well during his years in the trenches. Of course he knows what is going through the people's minds at this moment.
How can people who have basked in the twilight of the Golden Age not cherish their own lives?
I can promise you this! Every participant will receive a reward of 100000 credits!
He raises a silver-inlaid military saber, its gold-trimmed insignia, the symbol of his command, dulled by a layer of dust, gleaming faintly in the murky air.
Every participant and their families may choose to relocate to either Asslam or Babylonia, where they will live a more prosperous and secure life!
He is lying.
Just go! And survive! And all this wealth and glory will be yours!
Of course he has not been authorized by Babylonia, but he can't think of any other way to order thousands of living souls to turn back toward certain death.
To encourage the bewildered masses, he has pulled out all the stops and tried everything in his power.
...
But why are they still silent?
This is the command saber of the army, and these medals of mine... The first person to step forward can take them all! These are worth...
Major, do you know how to shut that thing down?
A familiar voice rings out from the back of the crowd.
The crowd parts, and a thin figure slowly emerges from their midst.
I... don't have the clearance to know.
...
I understand.
He straightens his safety helmet.
We're workers. If we can build such magnificent machinery, we can shut it down too.
I'll go.
...!
Li's eyes widen with desperate hope, as if he has found salvation. He hurriedly removes the colorful medals from his chest, ready to fulfill his promise to the crowd.
Wait, take these... and this too! Take it all!
Keep them for the children, Major.
Gregory ignores Li's desperate offerings and walks past him.
No one will die for trinkets like these.
But some can risk everything to save the world.
Comrades, I'm heading out.
He smiles and walks toward the burning city without looking back.
The howling wind subsides as Gregory's figure grows distant, until he becomes a tiny speck amid the ruins.
Yet this faint, flickering light, in an instant, sparks a brilliant flame.
...Old Gregory's trying to take all the glory!
Auto repair crew! I'll take however many I get! Say, when have we ever lost to the assembly team?!
I'm Viktor Proletari! I'll go!
He stops in front of Li, pats him on the shoulder, then strides forward.
I'm Anatoli, senior technician! I fought the Punishing Virus in Kowloong! I'll go!
I'm Gennadiy, a janitor from the research institute!
Their voices resound across the horizon, each response rippling through the sky as tiny acts of courage begin to shake the desolate earth.
I'm Yuri Ivanovich! I'll go!
Daddy, where are you going?
To work. I'll be back when Mom finishes making dinner.
He smiles softly, gently removing his safety helmet and placing it on his daughter's head.
More and more figures step forward, gathering momentum until they form a powerful current that cuts through the dim landscape and surges toward the enemy that dares to challenge humanity.
You all...
Li stands frozen in place, watching in disbelief as the scene unfolds before him.
Carthaki Garrison Regiment! Fall in!
The hoarse command rings out, and countless figures in dark green step sideways in unison, moving into a perfect formation in the blink of an eye.
Our comrades from the 2nd and 3rd Battalions have already performed their duty and fought to their last breath! We're all that's left of the entire garrison!
The people of Carthaki have made their choice! The moment of our trial has finally come!
The whole world is counting on us! Carthaki Garrison Regiment! Can we let them down?!
NO!!!
When the sun rises tomorrow, the entire world will remember Carthaki! The city where not a single soul cowered in fear!
Attention! This is the final order from the Carthaki Garrison Command:
Follow the path of Carthaki's people—
ADVANCE!
The emotions suppressed in thousands of hearts erupt like a broken dam, transforming into a roaring tempest as the soldiers march unflinchingly toward what they believe is right.
All of you...?
Li stands motionless in the center of a river flowing against him. Countless faces, both familiar and foreign, brush past him.
Each passing gaze cuts him like a knife, every fleeting glance slicing a piece of his heart and leaving him drenched in sweat. He struggles to breathe.
No... Don't look at me like that.
The shining medals slip from his hand onto the ground. Immediately they are trampled underfoot by countless military boots and embedded into the muddy earth, their gleam and luster forever lost.
A profound sense of purpose floods Li's soul as he breathes heavily. Strange thoughts rush into his mind, and suddenly, he too imagines joining his comrades' ranks and marching toward death like some "hero."
But just as he decides to move, memories of his mother waiting back home...
And the excruciating pain from when his rifle exploded during military school surface.
I can't...
He can't let go. He can't bear it.
Don't force yourself, Li.
Someone stops beside the major and places a hand on his shoulder.
You always complained about my ramblings before, but indulge me one last time today.
He smiles, gently patting the young face before him.
We were born in a brilliant era. Back then, people didn't detest cowardice in that golden world, much less question how others chose to live.
Perhaps even the heavens found that too naive, insisting on drenching us in cold, cruel calamities and making the world favor power and wealth above all else.
But I believe time always marches forward. This era too will eventually become nothing but a footnote in history.
Carthaki's frozen soil was once barren wilderness, yet we eventually built railways and rockets. The Punishing Virus destroyed civilizations, but hasn't humanity still persevered through gritted teeth?
I can't envision what tomorrow will look like, but I'm certain of one thing: it will be created by those of you who stay alive.
So, live on. Live to tell the children about today, to tell the whole world everything that happened here.
Live on. For a better tomorrow.
"On March 16, 2162, following the Punishing Virus contamination leak at Carthaki Reactor No. 4,
28812 workers and soldiers voluntarily marched into the deadly radiation zone to prevent the Red Mist from spreading further.
None of them returned, and no one knows what truly happened within the contaminated area to this day.
What is certain is that 3 hours and 14 minutes after the leak began, Carthaki Reactor No. 4 ceased operations, and the Red Mist finally stopped expanding.
Protected by their sacrifices, 1413 survivors were successfully evacuated to the Satellite City across the river.
We stand on shores forged by the blood and flesh of fallen heroes, and every morning since has carried the weight of their sacrifice.
They have passed their embers to us... Life shall be Carthaki's never-extinguishing flame."
—Excerpt from the Carthaki Nameless Heroes Monument
Nameless Heroes Monument
Carthaki Satellite City
The moment of silence has concluded. Please exit in an orderly fashion...
The officiant speaks slowly, his voice deep and weathered, calling those immersed in grief back to the world of the living.
...
...
A somber air hangs over the crowd, heavy with the scent of damp soil and flowers. It presses down on everyone's shoulders like a weight, so that even time seems to struggle to breathe, rendering every movement slow and laborious.
Throughout the stark memorial grounds, the somber figures form a gray, misty mountain range. Cold winds howl through the trees, sprinkling damp, chilling air against every reluctant face that can't bear to leave.
Several stone monuments stand tall at the center of this colorless world. Looking toward them, one can see the ruins of Carthaki just across the river.
The once-proud "City of Workers and Steel" now lies shrouded in a thick, blood-red mist.
Major, the refugee camp expansion isn't going well... Those locals are causing trouble again. They've even injured someone this time.
At the outer edge of the crowd, a military officer in a long coat slowly raises his head and opens his eyes.
Get the excavators. Level all the old buildings. You're authorized to open fire if necessary.
...Major?
The shadow of the stone monument perfectly obscures his body, leaving only half of his flame-scarred, disfigured face exposed to the light.
We're doing it so more people can survive. Go now. I'll take full responsibility for the consequences.
...Yes, sir!
As the soldier hurries away, another enters the memorial grounds, running directly toward the major from the opposite direction.
Sir, the Babylonia incident investigation team is departing in an hour.
Did they find anything?
...Same as before, sir. They told us to wait for further notice.
Understood. I'll head over shortly.
The mourning crowd finally begins to disperse after a while. Li brushes the dust from his shoulders and sets off, slowly making his way against the flow of departing people.
Finally, he finds the two small figures standing by the monument.
...
They stand in silence, their eyes fixed on the names engraved at the base of the monument.
Li follows their gaze and finds a familiar name that stands out starkly among thousands of others.
...Sir?
How did it go? Did you show them our letters?
...I did. Your third letter, along with the petition signed by over a thousand people from the Satellite City... I submitted everything in person.
Did they say anything? What really happened in that explosion?
Major Li shakes his head solemnly.
...Why?
The government has its considerations. It's not my place to question them.
"Considerations"? What do you mean?!
Jagienka clenches her fists and shouts.
You've seen what they're saying on the news, right? They're claiming that the Punishing Virus invaded Carthaki... That's b******t! The virus didn't come from outside!
That investigation team of theirs is here to hide everything. Nobody in the world cares about what really happened here!
Doesn't that mean Margaret... and everyone else... died for nothing?!
Is telling us the truth that difficult?!
Seething with rage, she grabs Li's collar with her trembling hands, her bitter words echoing throughout the memorial grounds.
That's precisely why, Jagienka, I need you to understand—
He applies slight pressure, easily freeing himself from Jagienka's grasp.
The Carthaki Satellite City was built on countless deaths. Every one of us now carries the weight of that blood debt.
To honor their sacrifice, I must ensure every one of you survives. Right now, the Satellite City lacks all kinds of basic necessities, and the World Government is our only lifeline.
...Lifeline? Where were they during the explosion? And where are they now when we need answers?!
Calm down, Jagienka!
Nirvatia steps forward and grabs Jagienka, stopping her from lunging at the major.
...From space, Carthaki is nothing but an insignificant dot. In this vast universe, no one will hear our cries.
Somewhere out there, someone wants to silence us, to erase everything that happened here... and we have no choice but to remain quiet.
I'll do my best to seek justice for the fallen, but until then...
I must prioritize the future of the Satellite City and everyone still alive.
To hell with you! You lapdog! Ptui!
Li maintains his stern expression. That pride which once seemed permanently etched on his face has quietly faded with time.
...There's something else I need to tell you.
The World Government's Youth Center is expanding their recruitment. They're allocating one spot to each small conservation area.
There will be an exam in a few days. Whoever places first will earn the chance to go to Babylonia.
...Go to Babylonia?
As per tradition in recent years, students from the surface usually receive special privileges, even opportunities to be honored during global broadcasts.
Hah, what is this? Charity? Who wants their handouts?!
The Satellite City has been classified as a priority combat zone. Population movement in the future will be strictly limited. I've accepted that I'll likely remain here permanently.
But you two are different, Jagienka, Nirvatia. You deserve to go somewhere more hopeful.
I hope you'll... consider it carefully.
He glances at the tombstone and releases an almost imperceptible sigh, before turning around coldly and walking toward the desolate streets in the distance, his figure gradually fading from view.
Tch, what kind of exam is that supposed to be? One person per place? Do they seriously think they're living in some kind of paradise?
We need to mobilize all our classmates to boycott this exam! We'll turn in blank papers! Let's show those World Government bastards that Carthakian people can't be bought!
...
Hey, Nirvatia? What's wrong? Why are you so distracted?
Huh...? Oh, right.
Nirvatia unconsciously touches the bracelet on her left wrist, a flash of hesitation crossing her eyes.
Did you hear what I just said...
We'll notify everyone right now. We must stand united and boycott this exam.
She suddenly grips Jagienka's hand tightly.
If the World Government thinks they're so superior, let's show them that no one in Carthaki gives a damn about their precious ticket to space.
We'll send the truth about Carthaki to Kowloong, Transatlantic... every channel we can reach, and force the World Government to release their investigation reports.
Hearing this, Jagienka squeezes Nirvatia's hand in return, her eyes rekindling with newfound determination.
Exactly! Starting with this exam, we'll pry open the World Government's secrets bit by bit, until everyone sees what really happened here!
...Yeah, starting with this exam.
Facing her jubilant friend, Nirvatia forces out a smile of agreement.
But almost immediately, her smile falters, her fingertips tremble slightly, and her gaze involuntarily drops to the floor.
Fortunately, Jagienka is too engrossed in planning their revenge to notice her friend's strange behavior.
Discreetly, Nirvatia reaches out her hand one last time to touch the bracelet that Margaret left for Jagienka.
...
Meanwhile, Nirvatia and Jagienka visit the monument together almost every evening at dusk to tell Margaret, now a world apart, about everything they have done that day.
It's the "exam" tomorrow, Margaret. We'll show the world the pride and resilience of Carthaki! I promise!
...So this is all I can do now. I'm sorry, Margaret...
Under the dying sun, Jagienka pushes through the murmuring crowd and bolts into the rust-colored alleyways, running like an untamed beast toward her destination.
She kicks open the gates to the cemetery and screams hysterically.
—NIRVATIA!
—!
She practically lunges forward and grabs Nirvatia by the collar, slapping her face hard with her right palm.
SLAP! The crisp sound echoes across the horizon. Nirvatia's left cheek is crimson red, as if blood might burst through her skin.
WHY?!
Another slap flies toward her face. Nirvatia could have dodged it easily, but she chooses to stand still instead, taking the blow squarely in the face—
Hurk!!
By now, the crowd that has been following behind has arrived outside the cemetery, watching and gossiping about the scene unfolding before them.
Jagienka yanks Nirvatia up by her collar. Her reddened palm hovers in midair, ready to strike again before suddenly freezing, as if something is holding her back.
Say something! Why?!
...I'm going to Babylonia.
Why?! Why would you go to a place like that?!
She roars, her nostrils flaring, her clenched right fist trembling in the air as her nails dig into her palm hard enough to draw blood.
Tens of thousands of people vanished overnight, and they won't tell us a single word of truth! Is Margaret supposed to die without even an explanation?!
...
Nirvatia closes her eyes and offers no response.
So that's it... I should have known all along...!
You never cared about Carthaki! You never cared about Margaret!
Not only did you fail to save her... you stopped me from trying! You left her there all alone to die!!
Why? Because you were afraid to die?!
That's not it...
Facing the barrage of accusations, Nirvatia sniffles, her lips trembling as if she wants to say something, but then she stops herself.
I've been wrong about you from the very beginning! You'll never be Carthakian!
She seizes Nirvatia's wrist and violently yanks at the bracelet—
No, don't touch that...!
The delicate white cord snaps instantly, sending purple beads scattering across the floor.
—!!
Time seems to stand still as Nirvatia falls heavily to her knees, staring in shock at the luminous pearls scattered across the ground before her.
With trembling hands, she carefully gathers them up, cradling them in her palms as if they are irreplaceable treasures.
Jagienka watches with nothing but contempt as Nirvatia crawls on her knees across the floor.
...
After a moment, Nirvatia slowly rises to her feet, breathing heavily as she turns a hollow gaze toward the crowd behind.
Several soldiers are already rushing toward her, having responded to the commotion, while further back, she can see officials representing the World Government approaching.
Nirvatia bites her lip hard and turns to face Jagienka.
A storm of emotions swirls in the depths of her eyes, so complex that even she herself cannot tell whether it is anger or some ineffable sorrow.
Nirvatia clutches the pearls tightly in her hand and draws a deep breath.
...You're right, Jagienka.
I was never one of you.
She wipes away the tears welling in her eyes.
I never had any interest in your little make-believe family. I'm sick of your tedious, grand narratives and your empty, bureaucratic rhetoric.
What did you just say...?!
Jagienka's eyes widen as she lunges forward again, only to be caught and restrained by the soldiers who have arrived just in time.
I've never had a single happy day in Carthaki. I hate everything about this place because none of you could ever cure me!
She screams until her voice grows hoarse, making sure everyone can hear every word.
I deserve a better life! I should be living somewhere more advanced and more hopeful!
She slowly lifts her gaze toward a man in a suit standing among the crowd.
...
I want to live in Babylonia.
Hah.
The man adjusts his glasses and slowly steps out from the crowd, regarding the girl standing beneath the monument with evident interest.
So you're the one who came in first?
I always have, and I always will.
She replies coldly.
Hmm... I like your gumption.
The man's lips curl into a satisfied smile.
Your transport craft will arrive tonight.
Pack your belongings quickly and prepare for a new life.
You traitor! Nirvatia—!!!
Jagienka struggles against the iron grip that is holding her back, screaming herself hoarse as Nirvatia departs.
...
Nirvatia stops in her tracks, silently absorbing the curses coming from behind.
She turns her head slightly, opening her mouth as if about to say something.
But then she presses her lips together, turning back to face the countless shocked and contemptuous stares before her.
Once she steps out of this memorial garden inscribed with names from the past, she can race toward the "new life" she has always dreamed of.
But from this day forward, she will forever bear the title of Carthaki's first "traitor," subjected to her people's condemnation and scorn.
...Goodbye.
She takes her first, momentous step toward that unknown world.
