Carthaki Satellite City
Now
The equipment room is permeated with the stale smell of engine oil. Li stands with arms crossed and leans against the mottled, cracked brick wall, having silently listened to Nirvatia's entire story.
So, you joined the Science Council with that man's help, and then spent all these years... biding your time.
From that day on, I haven't heard a single piece of information about "the Tower".
Pretending to be loyal to those crafty superiors was easy enough. But forcing myself to forget this place, swallowing all that hardship and resentment alone... That was never so simple.
Nirvatia sits in the leather chair, speaking while inspecting her Red Mist Blockers under the dim overhead light.
In spring, the laughter from the plaza would stifle my heart until I felt faint. In winter, artificial snow would fall from the sky, yet the coldness I felt cut deeper than any real winter ever could.
It was as if the world was covered by a thin veil, and I was forced to endure this disconnection. Year after year, even as medals filled my room and I was showered with confetti, I still couldn't feel anything real.
How did you end up becoming a Construct?
Because living like that... was just too painful to bear.
She reattaches the blocker to her waist and slowly looks up.
Back then, no one knew whether the M.I.N.D. would inherit mental illnesses, so I offered myself to the Science Council and became the first subject of my own research career.
Surgical tools stripped away my flesh, confirming that irreparable damage exists in the human soul. No patients with mental illnesses were considered for the Construct procedures after me.
People always say that technological progress can change everything, but they haven't changed jack **** when it comes to sufferings like yours.
No matter how beautiful something is, it will wither and rot when it passes through me. To this world, I remain forever a stranger, my time forever frozen on the day of the explosion.
Time passed this way until my body grew numb to the pain, and suffering became as much a part of me as my own flesh.
She grabs the last two vials of tranquilizers from the table and forcefully shoves them into the pouch at her waist.
Not long ago after the fall, the Parliment finally buckled under pressure and authorized the Science Council to restart... a certain project.
With authorization from the World Government, I unlocked the doors to the Intelligence Bureau archives and searched for everything related to the Great Akdilek Explosion.
Finally, after breaking through top-level clearances, I found the report submitted by the investigation team back then.
Nirvatia pauses briefly.
It was empty. All the information had been deleted.
She lets out a soft, almost inaudible sigh.
...Though it's also possible that they never submitted anything in the first place.
How would you know?
Li shrugs.
I've been dealing with them for 20 years, after all.
You don't seem surprised. Don't you want to know what really happened that day?
What I need to know, I've already seen with my own eyes. As for what I shouldn't know, I never cared about it anyway.
Li walks toward a shadowy corner and stops in front of a dust-covered oil painting.
It is Friedrich's "Wanderer above the Sea of Fog". It's one of the paintings he bought for his office back then, just to appear cultured.
All these years, I've only ever cared about one thing: protecting this city and everyone living in it. I have to ensure that the lives of our comrades weren't sacrificed in vain.
Even if their names will never be known to the world?
Their honor and achievements continue to live on in this city.
He slowly turns around, meeting Nirvatia's gaze.
For me, making sure thousands of people have hot meals on their tables tomorrow matters more than any truth out there.
...
In that case, I suppose you won't be coming with me.
Nirvatia stands up, flexing her fingers to confirm her condition is back to optimal.
You're planning to... return to the radiation zone?
How can I turn back now when what I've longed for is just a step away?
Without realizing it, she has already put her hand on the doorknob.
This doesn't seem like a decision you would make, Nirvatia.
Margaret... she's still waiting for me.
She pulls open the door, letting in a sudden gust of cold wind that sends papers flying and tousles her light purple curls.
This could be a trap set by the Ascendant. Aren't you afraid of throwing your life away?
I'm not worried about that. Someone already made a promise to me...
With a faint smile, she steps outside.
My story won't end here.
After several exchanges of stories, your nose finally adapts to the smell of disinfectant wafting from outside the ward.
Those collecting serum, line up over there! Keep the pathway clear!
Mist has begun seeping through doors and windows, and crimson particles swirl in the setting sun's glow. Ghostly and eerie, they threaten to corrode both body and mind.
That's how it went. Later... we ran into some complications, and the old man entrusted this job to me. I chose to work with the Forsaken.
Jagienka gently traces her fingers along the glass window, her gaze fixed on the hospital bed inside where an injured, unconscious soldier lies. He seems to be an old acquaintance of hers.
What, you know the old man?
He's quite popular. My boss mentions your name quite often as well.
Why would someone as important as you be sent to such a dangerous frontline? Did you say the wrong thing at some big event and get screwed over?
She tilts her head, her tone tinged with mockery. She seems to harbor considerable resentment toward Babylonia.
Hah! And then you got thrashed by the Ascendant and ended up trapped in the Red Mist with the rest of us, without a single reinforcement in sight.
She gives a dismissive sneer.
Don't bother believing that. If the government really had what it takes, they would have dealt with the Ascendant long ago. Instead, they got routed and had to rely on Carthaki to...
Hurk... Blargh!!
Before Jagienka can finish speaking, she hears a loud clatter beside her as a soldier drops his weapon and covers his mouth. Retching, he falters and sways unsteadily on his feet.
Hey! Are you alright?
You and Jagienka both rush to support the soldier. His entire body shakes violently, his veins bulging at his neck as his cheeks suddenly swell.
Hurk... Blargh!!
With a pungent stench, the soldier violently empties his stomach.
Hot, viscous matter splatters onto the stone tiles, mixed with traces of blood and human tissue.
A mild infection... Hold him steady while I inject the serum.
With your help, Jagienka swiftly retrieves a serum injector, locates the soldier's vein, and administers the shot with practiced precision.
Pant... Pant...
T-thank you...
Your eyes are redder than the Punishing Virus... I've seen you on the wall before.
This damn mist erodes your sanity, so don't push yourself when you're exhausted. Get back and rest immediately.
...Thank you both. We'll take him from here.
Several doctors rush over and lift the depleted soldier onto a stretcher. They push through the crowd, hurrying toward the ward at the other end of the corridor.
The corridor has barely returned to silence when several violent coughs ripple through the distant crowd waiting in line.
...
Jagienka's brow furrows deeply as she clenches her fist.
Even if the Red Mist devours us all, the World Government still won't come.
The same scene plays out every hour of every day. I've witnessed it far too many times.
She turns around, gazing at her critically wounded friend in the hospital room.
There's no reinforcement coming. I'll lead Zhang and the people of Carthaki out of here alive.
What about you? Will you come with us? We need to consolidate all our strength, and that includes Babylonia personnel.
Jagienka turns toward you.
You're going back? Has the Red Mist melted your brain?
...
Jagienka closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, offering neither approval nor objection to your decision.
I want to know... Was what Nirvatia said true? Did you really see Margaret in the radiation zone?
She twirls her hair around her finger, her eyes flickering with complex emotions.
You established a M.I.N.D. connection with Nirvatia.
Her condition...? Babylonia still hasn't cured her after all these years? Isn't she a Construct?
Jagienka's fingers grow inexplicably restless, tugging at her hair with sudden intensity.
What did you see inside her mind? Don't tell me there were memories of me in there.
She frowns.
...Then you must have seen how we parted ways. You know how that coward hid among us before finally betraying her home.
My biggest regret in life is that I didn't slap her a few more times when I had the chance.
Does it matter? She shouldn't have left in the first place.
Jagienka slowly stops fidgeting with her hands. She lowers her gaze and opens her mouth, but no words come out.
After a long silence, she slowly turns around and adjusts the weapon strap on her shoulder.
The past leaves too many regrets. I only trust the answers I've seen with my own eyes.
The operation briefing will begin soon. You have half an hour left to decide whether you're coming with us or not.
Get some rest. We'll head out when you're ready.
Forward Command Post
Carthaki Satellite City
When you enter the command post with Jagienka, the room is already filled with uniformed officers.
The air is thick with the musty smell of damp paper. Over a dozen leather chairs are arranged in a circle around a long oak table, while a holographic map flickers with blue light at the center.
...
You immediately spot Nirvatia sitting in the corner among the crowd. She's looking in your direction and pats the empty seat beside her.
...Hmph.
Jagienka rolls her eyes, pulls out the nearest chair, and sits down with her legs crossed.
Not bad, but it still hurts... right here.
She lowers her brow slightly, massaging her forearm.
Right here...
Flick! Just as you lean in closer, Nirvatia mischievously flicks you on the forehead.
Little raven, that's your punishment for "taking matters into your own hands" earlier.
Asking the opinion of a delirious patient? Next time you end up in the Star of Life, I'll bring application forms from the Science Council to your bedside for you to sign.
Just then, the toll of a bell resonates through the command post, and conversations around the room fall silent.
Commander Li rises from the central seat, his expression grim as he surveys every officer and soldier present.
...As you all know, due to the sudden expansion of the Carthaki radiation zone, the World Government's "Witch Hunt" operation against the Ascendant has resulted in defeat and bedlam.
At 13:00 standard time the day before yesterday, the military authorized the 6th Army Command of the World Government to issue the order to terminate the "Witch Hunt" operation.
The Red Mist severed our communications with the outside world, so we only received this information this morning when a massive golden tree sprouted in Carthaki and briefly restored communications.
Li swipes with his finger, and the projection switches to a view of the Golden Oak as captured from the Satellite City. It has grown to several dozen meters since you last saw it, taller than most buildings you see.
Over the past 2 days, we've taken in nearly 2000 refugees and soldiers. Our medical supplies have been almost completely depleted overnight, while around 120 critically wounded are still fighting for their lives.
The Ascendant has commanded the Corrupted to surround the Satellite City. As of now, the Punishing Virus concentration has fallen below the safety threshold, and some are already showing symptoms of mild infection.
The Red Mist is devouring Carthaki. After careful deliberation, the command has decided to abandon the Satellite City and execute an evacuation operation codenamed "Hebron" within the next six hours.
Does anyone have questions at this point?
Sir.
From within the crowd, a sergeant with bandages wrapped around his face raises his hand. Li acknowledges him with a nod.
Most of the city's vehicles were requisitioned to support Babylonia's "Witch Hunt" and are now stranded at the "Graveyard" on the outskirts.
And now, with the "Graveyard" under Corrupted control, our transportation capacity isn't sufficient to evacuate thousands of civilians.
The "Graveyard" appears to be the codename for a nearby armory. Upon hearing this name, both Nirvatia and Jagienka look up simultaneously.
The transportation officer has raised a crucial point. Our transport capacity is indeed the determining factor for Operation Hebron's success. Everyone, please open the operation brief at your station.
I must emphasize that, due to the presence of the Ascendant, we must proceed on the assumption that our enemy possesses tactical intelligence. We can't afford to approach them like the typical hordes we've faced before.
Especially for John Doe, our primary adversary. His methods are exceptionally devious and brutal, and his motives remain unclear. During the operation, we can't afford to let our guard down for a moment.
Within the first 90 minutes of the operation, each company must gather all non-combatants within their sectors and categorize them according to the criteria outlined in the brief, based on age and injury severity.
At exactly 90 minutes into the operation, the artillery company will bombard the Corrupted on the southern plains until all ammo reserves are depleted, after which all cannons that can't be transported will be destroyed.
After it concludes, Company A, which has sustained the fewest casualties, will advance through the southern plains, creating the illusion that we're planning to evacuate southward to rendezvous with the 6th Army.
In reality, we'll be forming a task force comprised of elite combatants from Companies B through F. While Company A conducts their diversionary attack, this task force will infiltrate eastward toward the "Graveyard".
This special task force will be under Jagienka's command.
Jagienka turns slightly and raises her hand toward the assembled personnel.
After capturing the "Graveyard", the task force must establish defenses using the equipment on-site and, based on field conditions, fire a colored signal flare to indicate whether we should proceed to the next phase.
If the runners observe a green signal flare, it indicates that the "Graveyard" is secure. The main forces of Companies B through F will then escort civilians there in coordinated groups.
Simultaneously, Company A, having tied down enemy forces, will immediately withdraw to the Satellite City and engage the Corrupted in urban combat, buying time for the main force's evacuation.
After replenishing supplies and securing vehicles, we'll advance along the outlined routes. Companies will take turns providing cover and guarding the rear until we have evacuated and established contact with Babylonia.
Of course, this all assumes the best-case scenario. In actual combat, Company A's diversion may fail, or the special task force may be intercepted and surrounded by Corrupted...
Should any of these exceptions occur, Operation Hebron will be immediately aborted. At that point, all units will receive only one order: launch an all-out assault on the "Graveyard", regardless of the cost.
In summary, our only chance of survival is to capture vehicles and supplies, then withdraw to secure reinforcements.
Does anyone have any objections?
The commander's piercing gaze sweeps across the assembled personnel once more.
Yes, Gray Raven Commandant.
At the mention of your title, almost everyone in the command post turns to look your way.
Allow me to elaborate on this point with some additional details.
Nirvatia stands up beside you. At the sight of her, several local officers from the Satellite City begin whispering among themselves.
To most Carthakians, Nirvatia remains the "traitor" who abandoned her homeland and friends years ago.
Nirvatia ignores these accusatory glances and continues her briefing.
According to the Science Council's observations over the years, the boundary of the Red Mist in the radiation zone is relatively stable usually. The daily expansion rate is below 0.1 meters per second in windless conditions.
Even during rare high-wind conditions, the maximum speed of its expansion has never exceeded 0.6 meters per second. This is based on our observations over the past 20 years.
Nirvatia steps forward and operates her terminal, uploading a dataset to the briefing system. A crimson line immediately appears on the central holographic display, climbing upward at an alarming rate.
I examined the CPF system before this meeting began. At 06:17 this morning, Filter Station No. 4, located about 9 kilometers east of the Satellite City, transmitted its final Punishing Virus alert before going offline.
However, at 09:01, just 2 hours and 44 minutes later, the Red Mist had already reached and engulfed Filter Station No. 6, which is located at the "Graveyard" on the eastern edge of the Satellite City.
She raises her hand and traces a direct line on the map from Filter Station No. 7 to the city, marking the timeline as she does so.
This means that the Red Mist's average advancement speed has reached an alarming rate of over 1.8 meters per second over this period.
And that's just its average speed. Considering the acceleration effect during the diffusion process, the instantaneous velocity at its leading edge can be significantly faster.
For comparison, double marches in difficult terrain typically reach speeds of 1 to 1.5 meters per second. Even vehicles struggle to exceed 3 meters per second on average in environments littered with ruins and Corrupted.
Nirvatia scans the faces of everyone present as she delivers her cold, calculated conclusion.
We are racing against death, and we've already fallen behind at the starting line.
Her words land with devastating impact. Upon learning this grim reality, the assembled personnel exchange stunned glances, lapsing into silence.
So, your little math exercise proves that we still have a chance of survival as long as we outpace that speed.
Yes, but I should point out—
That's nothing we can't handle. Carthakians can do it. We're warriors forged in the fires of battle, not some soft-bellied pencil pushers with their heads in the clouds.
I suggest we launch this operation half an hour earlier, sir. The sooner we move out, the better.
In that case, each company will need to complete combat and civilian evacuation preparations within one hour... Can you do it?
Company B is ready, sir!
Company C will complete our mission, sir!
Determined affirmations echo throughout the room. With their backs against the wall, they must now complete this mission in a literal race against death.
I'll go back too.
As the others look on in surprise, Nirvatia responds by taking her place at your side.
My mission from the Council isn't complete yet. Besides, your safety falls under my responsibilities as well.
She smiles.
...We already have our own contingency plans in place. I don't want any outsiders risking their lives for Carthaki, Gray Raven Commandant.
...I have to say, this looks like a suicide mission to me.
But if you need any supplies before you depart, don't hesitate to ask. Carthaki will do everything in our power to assist you.
If there are no other questions, I believe our "race" has already begun.
I hereby declare... Operation Hebron is now underway!
Yes, sir!
Almost in perfect unison, everyone present rises to their feet and salutes Li, the one with the highest authority in the command center.
Last but not least, I'd like to share one more piece of intelligence with you all.
Based on my analysis, whenever the Golden Oak grows, dramatic fluctuations in Punishing Virus concentration within the Red Mist happen. And the closer one gets to it, the stronger the Corrupted in the vicinity are.
From this, I hypothesize that the Golden Oak may be the actual source of the Punishing Virus within the radiation zone.
So, if we don't make it back alive...
It will be up to you to relay this information to Babylonia and to the world.
After the meeting, the crowd quickly disperses, each rushing to their assigned posts. Everyone is acutely aware that their next actions will determine the fate of 5000 lives.
The command center goes dark as the lights are switched off and quickly becomes desolate. In the empty shadows, two people have independently chosen to stay behind.
Nirvatia stands in the corner, while Jagienka remains seated with her legs crossed.
...
...
Nirvatia opens her mouth to speak, but as she looks up, she finds herself meeting an equally hesitant gaze.
Both lower their heads, letting the silence between them thicken and spread as precious time ticks away, moment by moment.
...I want you to come find Margaret with me.
After what feels like an eternity, she finally breaks the silence, revealing her true feelings.
All these years... where have you been this whole time?
Jagienka's face remains stern, her voice barely above a whisper.
That's too long a story. I made a choice, and perhaps it was the wrong one... I don't know, but I've been paying the price for it.
What choice?
Leaving you. Leaving all of you.
...
Jagienka twirls her hair again.
It took us less than a few months to get to know each other, yet it took 20 years for us to meet again.
Too much time has passed, and many things have changed. The Margaret you saw in Carthaki... as you said, she might just be a projection created by the Ascendant.
To me, Margaret is long gone. What matters more now is Zhang and the people who are still breathing in this city. I need to get them out alive.
Many things have changed, but you haven't, Jagienka.
Nirvatia steps forward, emerging from the corner's shadows.
That letter's fake, but you still took risks and came back here for Margaret, didn't you?
Because I thought you'd changed.
Jagienka looks up, her pink pupils filled with desolation and loneliness.
I thought you'd become someone who cared about Carthaki. I didn't want to lose to you again.
But now, seeing your eyes again, hearing what you say... I realize I was overthinking things.
...Are you still angry with me? I'm going back to the radiation zone to save the people here, aren't I?
Even Nirvatia herself is surprised by the unexpected agitation in her voice when she speaks.
You know what, Nirvatia? You never dare to look me in the eyes when you're lying.
Just like now.
Jagienka chuckles softly and shakes her head.
Are you really going back for the people of Carthaki, or just to mend those wounds inside you that have never healed?
Or maybe you still don't have an answer yourself, even now.
...
Silence quickly descends once more, enveloping everything around them.
Nirvatia remains speechless. Her head lowered, she slowly takes a step forward and continues walking.
As she brushes past Jagienka, she places something on the table.
It is a Red Mist Blocker.
...?
By the time Jagienka realizes it, Nirvatia has already hurried out of the command post, her footsteps growing fainter with distance.
Jagienka holds the blocker in her hands and examines the intricately designed device. As her gaze shifts, she notices a manual Nirvatia placed underneath it.
It is filled with dense notes written over a decade that meticulously document every detail, both significant and minor.
Is this what she has poured her life's work into? Jagienka suddenly feels the weight in her hands grow heavier.
...
Twirling her hair between her fingers, Jagienka realizes that Nirvatia's decision wasn't made on a whim. All these years, she has been preparing for her return to Carthaki.
Regardless of what occupies her thoughts, Nirvatia has always been gazing at the land that raised her, never truly leaving it behind.
Nirvatia, sometimes you really are...
...So damn annoying.
