Story Reader / Affection / Bianca: Stigmata / Story
To most, Antarctica is but a lone and cold region located at the southernmost tip of Earth.
No amount of shallow knowledge acquired through various means can ever come together to form a complete and accurate picture of this place.
One needs to actually set foot in this pure white world to feel just how small they are.
A week has passed since you came here with Bianca.
At the research station's dorm, two people are supposed to share one room. To help save space, you've been assigned to stay in the same room with Bianca with her permission.
As non-staff personnel, the two of you can only be assigned regular tasks by the Expedition Team.
Since most of their members are occupied with repairing the Lanternlighter, this kind of routine maintenance work can use an extra hand.
Monitoring the atmospheric data at specific locations, setting up markers for the expected delivery from the Engineering Force, and doing simple ecological documentation... Straightforward, but important nonetheless.
Not to mention that these simple tasks are challenging enough for those without any experience in scientific expeditions.
In a way, they are even more tiring than commanding Constructs on a battlefield.
Time to wake up, Commandant.
Hoping to catch a few more minutes of sleep, you rest your arm above your eyes, unwilling to get up. Bianca leans forward, slightly defeated, and shakes your arm.
We'll have to eat breakfast in the vehicle again if you don't get up soon.
As the continent with the highest average altitude, this place is torturing any newcomer with freezing cold and the threat of altitude sickness.
You might be in excellent shape physically, but adjusting to the pace of life here in such a short period has still proved to be a challenge.
Commandant, weren't you the one who agreed to help the Expedition Team passionately in the first place?
They trust us unreservedly. We ought to complete these tasks with flying colors.
Bianca says seriously before shifting to a gentler tone.
But we can rest inside today if you aren't feeling well.
I'll complete our assignment today as planned by myself.
You are still an experienced commandant, after all. You cannot begin to imagine the shame you will bring to F.O.S. and the Task Force if you give in because you cannot acclimate to the cold.
Deftly crawling out of your bed, you quickly clean up before enjoying the breakfast Bianca has prepared for you. You two board the expedition vehicle afterward, heading toward your destination of the day.
Most of the Engineering Force is still repairing the icebreaker, while most of the Expedition Team is planning to collect meteorites.
That's right. Meteor showers happen quite frequently in Antarctica, making this region a rich reserve of meteorites.
Before humans could travel to the stars, collecting meteorites in Antarctica was the simplest and cheapest way to acquire materials from outer space.
It was said that people on this continent had observed molecular activities of giant meteor explosions from hundreds of thousands of years ago...
It might not appear so, but this place has a unique bond with the universe, doesn't it?
Although this is only a temporary assignment, Bianca has been studying for the past few days. Unbeknown to you, her knowledge of Antarctica has far exceeded what you can imagine.
Even the Expedition Team is amazed by how quickly she has been learning. Perhaps it is because she was already curious about this place, to begin with.
Indeed. There have been rumors like that ever since Antarctica was discovered.
But humans had conducted large-scale scans on the Arctic and Antarctica with polar satellites back in the Golden Age. No extraterrestrial lives were discovered.
I suppose it's reasonable to say that you can only find them in science fiction and movies.
"Interesting" wouldn't suffice if we did.
If there were aliens on this planet... it would upend everything humans knew about the world, just like what the Punishing Virus did.
That said, some in the Expedition Team are still pretty obsessed with legends like that.
Who knows? Maybe they will discover something one day.
Even such nonsensical tales will prompt sincere and serious replies from Bianca.
Removed from her role in the Purifying Force, Bianca's respectful attitude has won her the Expedition Team's affection over the last few days, her repute surpassing even you, the "legendary commandant."
Unsurprisingly, everyone is more than happy to share their stories with her.
You are glad to see it, despite your slightest hint of frustration.
I think we should focus on observing the creatures that actually exist in Antarctica today.
You know the answer before she can say anything.
There is one and only one creature that jumps into people's minds regarding Antarctica.
The black-and-white birds walk along the snow-covered shores, their short and stout figures swaying from side to side.
Occasionally they will lie down and spread their tiny wings, gliding freely on the frozen ground.
Your eyes wide and your face stuck to the window, you cannot keep your eyes away from the small, cuddly creatures before the expedition vehicle even gets close.
What's wrong, Commandant? Did you get snow in your eyes?
Seeing something sparkling in your eyes while you hold your camera, Bianca asks you concernedly after getting out of the car.
When Babylonia has to grow its various plant samples behind closed doors in a secured, monitored greenhouse, "zoos" are impossible for the space station despite how common they were in the Golden Age.
People nowadays learn about penguins only through holograms and infographics.
But witnessing the "natives" of Antarctica, the creatures who have lived here since millions of years ago, with their own eyes is a privilege only available to a few dozen people.
You are also feeling a little hint of jealousy.
Only here, where human civilizations could not reach, was spared by the Punishing Virus.
And so, the penguins' lives have not changed because of it.
Most people should not need to confront a world-ending event in their lives. Now, all they can do is find comfort in these worry-free birds.
Their shapes seem to suggest that they are emperor penguins, the largest penguins in Antarctica.
It is breeding season for emperor penguins right now. The male penguins are in charge of hatching the eggs while the female ones migrate to a different water body to search for food for their community.
We can't disturb them. That has been a rule since the Antarctic Treaty was signed.
But we still need to record their migration in its entirety.
It is valuable data when we look into how the ecosystem of Antarctica has changed.
It's fine... I think. Penguins don't have natural predators on land, and they aren't afraid of humans.
They might just mistake us as larger penguins if anything.
They seem to be resting now. Let's approach quietly, Commandant.
Treading lightly, Bianca and you slowly advance toward the penguins.
But right as you arrive at the optimal recording distance, something snaps loudly beside you.
Bianca's leg armor has smashed a piece of ice. Her new frame might have been installed with the most advanced sound-absorbing material for her covert operations, but thin ice seems to be beyond its purview.
Being the one who suggested approaching quietly in the first place, Bianca now looks a little abashed.
I'm sorry, Commandant. I screwed up...
Several penguins have noticed the commotion here. Surprisingly, they make their way toward you instead of scrambling away.
Four to five penguins eventually gather around Bianca, watching curiously at the navy blue figure before them with their inky black eyes.
Commandant... what should I do?
Bianca is more alarmed by the animals' affections than worried about hurting them, having removed most of her weapons before leaving the vehicle.
Now's not the time to tease others, Commandant.
It's not a good habit to give other people nicknames, Commandant.
Bianca looks at you resignedly.
...If you say so.
...Won't argue with you.
Still, I was expecting them to be scared of me...
If that's the case, you're no different to the penguins, Commandant, having been by my side all this time.
Should I start calling you "Penguin Commandant" as well?
...You did not expect retribution to be so swift.
A group photo?
Your camera might be intended for scientific observation, but the Expedition Team has mentioned that you are free to take photos of interesting things and views on your journey. They often do that as well.
You cannot imagine them being stationed here for decades at a time without indulging themselves like this otherwise.
...I see.
Bianca thinks for a moment before nodding.
You were expecting her to reject you, so you are surprised to find her agreeing so quickly.
Thank you, then, Commandant.
She carefully crouches down to be in the frame with the penguins.
The penguins all stare at Bianca curiously while she is captivated by their every move. Slowly she reaches out with a finger, only to retract it right before she touches their furry skin.
Right at that moment, one of the penguins suddenly opens its beak and bites down on Bianca's finger.
Bianca's frame is undamaged by a penguin's bite, obviously. Upon realizing that it has bitten something harder than a rock, the penguin tilts its head, surprised and confused.
Pfft...
Even Bianca cannot help but laugh upon seeing this.
Meanwhile, you take advantage of this rare opportunity—
Huh?
—Right as she looks up at you, but before her genuine smile goes away—
"Click!" You press the shutter decisively.
Bianca does not know how to react, having been "ambushed" by you. When she comes to her senses, she finds herself inspecting the photo you took.
Commandant... shouldn't there be a countdown before you take a photo?
Hand me the camera, Commandant.
Bianca stands up and reaches out to you, smiling.
You can tell that this smile harbors the polar opposite of how she was feeling with the penguins.
I wasn't intending to.
I just thought you'd also want to take a photo with the penguins, too, wouldn't you, Commandant?
It doesn't feel right if I'm the only person who gets to do that.
Prompted by her suggestion, you hand your camera to Bianca, and you can feel your body getting warmer from the excitement.
But right as you take your first step toward the penguins—
Kaw-kaw—kaw—kaw-kaw—
The penguins begin to make their way back to their flock, their swaying footsteps heading away from Bianca. One of them even trips and falls from running too quickly.
Almost as if they are desperate to run away, seeing you approach.
Heh...
For a brief moment, you manage to catch Bianca's reaction with the corner of your eyes—covering her mouth with her hand, she is giggling.
But her demeanor returns to normal once you turn around and look at her.
I'm sorry, Commandant. I think the penguins dislike you.
She sounds so serious that you cannot tell if she is trying to comfort you or tease you.
(Chuckles) You are not mad at the penguins, are you?
Next time, perhaps.
Let's hurry up and capture the photos required. We shouldn't delay the mission for too long.
The penguins seem to be finishing their rest as well.
By the time Bianca and you finish setting up the equipment to capture images, the penguins have slowly reassembled into a flock and prepared to proceed on their journey.
The image and data collection is completed meticulously. As the penguins are about to leave, Bianca and you begin to collect your equipment.
However, your gaze is drawn by a lone figure not far away from you.
A penguin has left the flock, going the opposite way of their migration route. Slowly and wobbly, it walks toward the icebergs in the distance.
And it shows no signs of returning.
...
The Expedition Team has told me about this. It happens quite often during their migration.
There are always the occasional penguin or two that don't go for the edge of the continental glacier, where the food is, or return to their colony.
Penguins like this one will leave the flock and head inland, taking off for the expanse of Antarctica.
It may travel across ice sheets and climb icebergs...
But all that awaits them after thousands of miles are starvation and death.
People tried to bring them back to their colony, but they would turn around and walk away once the humans were gone.
Well...
She shakes her head.
Environmental degradation, geomagnetic storms, predators, dead nestlings...
Many have made guesses and suggestions.
No one knows the real answer.
But why would anything head to their deaths so determinedly?
There is no friend, no food, no rest.
No hesitation, no fear, no going back.
No end, no edge, no finish line.
Humans cannot fathom this behavior, having believed that survival is the ultimate primal instinct.
I... don't think they are seeking death.
If they are walking so purposefully, their paths direct and undeterred...
There must be something they are looking for, right?
Except it isn't something they can achieve just by staying with their flock.
Therefore, they have to go on this journey on their own.
Bianca raises a hand and points toward the snowy hills in the distance.
Who knows?
Perhaps there is something they want to see beyond this endless whiteness, no matter the cost.
It is their version of "martyrdom."
No one else would understand—but that wouldn't be a problem, would it?
Hmm...
My apologies. I digress.
Forcing my own imagination onto the behaviors of animals... how stereotypically arrogant for a human.
Let's go, Commandant.
She collects herself before giving you a smile.
We'll be late for the next mission if we stay here for too long.
With that, she picks up the equipment and heads toward where you parked the vehicle.
Meanwhile, your gaze stays on the lone penguin for a brief moment.
Its swaying figure has no resemblance to someone going on a journey of no return.
You hold your camera up for a while, hesitating.
Eventually, you decide not to take the shot.
You hang the camera around your neck...
And you make your way toward Bianca.
