Story Reader / Affection / Lucia: Crimson Weave / Story
Alpha sees an enormous frozen lake on the other side of the hill she just climbed.
They traversed the frozen lake, apparently so that their tracks would be covered by snow. Little did they know, however, that Alpha would catch up so quickly.
Having ascertained the rioters' escape route, Alpha gives her motorcycle's throttle a hard twist. With a blaring vroom, the red motorcycle skids through the air, leaving a staggering trail before stopping squarely by the lake.
Over on the other side of this lake is where this hide-and-seek comes to an end.
The motorcycle has left a white tire mark in its wake over the frozen lake. Right when Alpha is ready the press ahead, however, the thick smoke spreading across the sky captures her attention.
What in the world is that...
Alpha's squint quickly turns into a frown.
That's... where the next conservation area is.
And if she's correct... [player name] is headed over that way with a group of people from the last conservation area.
Did something happen to them?
Alpha, however, wouldn't be surprised even if that's the case—with resources difficult to come by in this land of snow, anyone who decides to travel around makes themselves an easy target to all of the rioters and Scavengers around.
[player name] is definitely no stranger to when it comes to dealing with such incidents—and Alpha hopes they won't let it stall them for far too long.
Knowing [player name], however, Alpha can almost be sure that they'll probably just tough it out, no matter what happens.
...
Once again, Alpha connects herself to the channel.
Caught up in the middle of an argument, however, [player name] doesn't even have a moment to react to the sudden Mind Beacon overload.
It sounds like a heated argument—one where someone accuses [player name] of abusing the rights as a commandant, while another accuses someone else of stealing resources.
Commandant [player name] was already slightly infected on our way here! And Commandant [player name] got the serums directly from Babylonia!
And don't even get me started with the food...
The Construct that came down with [player name] is apparently trying to reason with the crowd—except they aren't buying it, stating that the resources were rightfully theirs to begin with.
Save for the occasional whispers, the crowd has fallen completely silent. Alpha can almost picture the apathetic looks on their faces.
Before she knows it, the people on the other side of the channel start quarreling again. Hearing the quarrel coming through the channel, Alpha turns her face away in disgust.
No amount of arguing and explaining is going to do anyone any good...
Because it's only with power that one can earn the right to talk.
As the fight on the other side of the channel continues, Alpha gazes off into the distance, her eyes cold.
C'mon, guys, we're almost there...
Don't "c'mon" me! I don't care who you people are, but if you're going to take our food and medicines, you'll have to do it over our dead bodies!
Tsk.
"The resources we have remaining," huh? Let's just wait and see how long they're going to last these people.
Pathetic, like I thought.
Throwing your own life away like it doesn't matter now, huh?
So the next conservation area holds what you came to look for, huh?
Playing it safe, huh?
And playing it safe is all you ever do. Pathetic, absolutely pathetic...
...What do you mean?
You pick up a pack of food and hand it over to one of the citizens.
Of course! It's even got our conservation area's logo printed on it, except we found it in your tent!
You whip out your portable infrared scanner and train it straight at the pack of food.
What are you...
In the infrared light, the packet—which until moments ago had nothing on it—now carries a green line of letters.
Why, you...
With it, the guy falls silent, his face having paled. He turns around to look at the other guy—who, despite his absolute attitude just moments ago, is now hiding behind the crowd.
You...
...Tsk. Whatchu all lookin' at? Bounce already!
Says the man as he elbows his way through the crowd.
Taking a step forward, Crowe stands in the man's way.
Yes?
Of course.
With the commotion dying down, Alpha hears a sigh of relief from the other side of the channel.
Done ordering their team to look into the theft, [player name] proceeds to give away part of their food and immunity serums to "those in need."
Crowe said [player name] was slightly infected—which Alpha believes is why she had no difficulty connecting to [player name].
Hearing the question, Alpha comes back to her senses.
Gotta say you did a wonderful job threatening those people back there.
Quick and efficient, huh? I totally thought you'd bombard them with a tear-jerker of a speech, though.
And I thought you'd end the speech by saying something like, "See, they did what they did because they felt insecure, but I'm sure they won't do it again now with secure access to resources."
Do you need help?
You heard me.
You should be more than what you are now, and I can make that happen for you.
So become an Ascendant and walk the path less traveled with me.
Where you won't have to muddle with those clowns over those petty little things.
Having seen the rejection coming, Alpha tightens her grip and turns the throttle, causing the engine to vroom idly.
...What's the point of it, though?
Whatever you do, it's not going to curb their greed.
Humanity is but paper-thin when doomsday stares one in the face.
People just need shelter and food to keep their heads above water.
There is no fast way to go about saving all these people. It's just going to take time.
...Tsk.
Hearing what [player name] has just said, Alpha is awash with calmness.
Bright as it is, this fire deserves to be at a place—one from which it can burn brighter still and bless the world with its light and warmth.
Alpha wonders if she would have been able to convert [player name] had they crossed each other's paths even earlier...
Which she understands is a question she'll never be able to figure out.
Because there is no going back in time, and she and [player name] are bound to go their separate ways.
And that's why you gave your own resources away, huh?
Changing the topic, Alpha lets out a cold chuckle as she recalls what [player name] has done.
If Alpha's memory serves her right, [player name] keeps less than a day's worth of food—on top of giving away all the serum, that is.
Uh-huh, one without a plan B, right?
Well, you'd better hope you don't starve to death before you get there—or else you'll see me before you die.
Take a guess.
With the iffy remark, Alpha gives the throttle another twist.
In a loud vroom, the motorcycle blasts up snowflakes and white dust into the air, erasing Alpha's voice.
Show me whatchu got, then...
Alpha, for one, wants to see what comes out of whatever [player name] is trying to do.
Alpha decides to keep the channel alive.
