Story Reader / Affection / Qu: Pavo / Story
That's all for this week's routine report. Dismissed.
Gray Raven Commandant? You're a bit worse for wear. Is your stomach okay?
Haha, you're just overthinking. The Gray Ravens are just performing routine equipment tests. What could possibly go wrong?
Go back to your room and rest up. Just don't forget to meet at the mission dispatch area later.
Returning to your room to rest, you find a Construct waiting inside, gracefully sipping a cup of tea.
Pine needle tea... Not as good as black tea, but it sure tastes like the wilderness.
What's all the fuss about? All I did was use your "collar" as a springboard into Babylonia.
I'm just borrowing it for the time being. As I said before, only you can see the real me. Others just see me as some obsolete Construct.
Aren't you a paranoid one... I don't have anything planned. I just want to learn more about Babylonia—learn more about your everyday life.
You basically know all about my past, but I don't know anything about you. That's not exactly fair as your partner.
Well, what about you?
I will go with you. It doesn't look like the Gray Ravens are around, so I don't think you have any reason to refuse.
Is this where missions are dispatched...? What mission did you choose?
Patrolling a Low Viral Intensity Region... Isn't sending a star commandant such as yourself a bit overboard?
What's there to hide? No matter how dangerous the task is, I won't be surprised... Let me see.
Low Viral Intensity Region guard duty...? That's it?
Hmph... Got that right. Our Big Boss is stealing missions from us average joes. Must have a hell of a grudge against us or something.
Don't put it like that. Our Big Boss, being all high and mighty, shouldn't have to risk life and limb completing missions. They should just stay back and guard the rear.
Insensate buffoons... If you have time for envy, consider taking a good look at yourself!
Oh, I heard that Gray Ravens weren't here today... Are you one of our good Boss's temporary squad members? What can a walking pile of scrap metal like you do? Hahaha!
No wonder you didn't choose a harder mission, Boss. Taking her with us would just be our death sentence!
You...
Seething with anger, Qu shuts her mouth and follows you, ignoring the arrogant laughter from the other commandants.
Soon, Qu and the commandants arrive at the location designated for the mission. To your surprise, you are joined by the previous two commandants.
You actually came, Boss. I didn't think you'd seriously accept the mission after everything we said...
No matter, just don't slow us down.
The same goes for you, too.
I am the leader of this operation. Everyone must obey my orders. Got it, Boss?
Boss, you take the west. We'll stay here.
Hmph, seems "reasonable"...
Why do we have to listen to orders from dimwits? Is that how Babylonia works?
Still unable to understand, Qu follows you to take up garrison in the western region.
And very quickly, Qu's concerns come true...
Mmph...
Qu tears out the Corrupted appendage stabbed into her leg. Vital fluid begins to pour out from her wound.
Don't worry. It's nothing serious... But we can't leave the cave now.
Horrifying screams echo throughout the cave... You can tell that the Corrupted already have you surrounded.
This can't just be a coincidence... The Corrupted already have us surrounded before we could establish a communication channel.
Obviously, Qu meant that the other two commandants set you up.
Boy, aren't you naive... Those in the limelight always attract those that want a share.
You can't trust anyone on your way to the top... The Path to Glory is that of solitude.
Unfortunately, sometimes you don't have any other choice. Just like now.
Enough with the comrade spiel... Even family members will stab you in the back!
You hand a signal flare to Qu.
This is stupid... Even if there's only a 1% chance of success, I still won't lose hope...
Qu smiles. She picks up the flare and fires it into the sky—exposing your position to your comrades, but also the enemy.
Rargh—!!! Argh!!
As expected, you hear a flurry of footsteps as Corrupted approach the cave.
You sling Qu's hand over your shoulder to support her injured leg, then help her to her feet.
I take back what I said earlier. Maybe you aren't a star commandant, you're just a fool. Simple as that.
But I'm the star of Kowloong in my own right. I won't let my partner die so easily.
Corrupted swarm the cave. Both of you manage to help each other fight through the waves of enemies, but you are nearing your limit.
There's no stopping them...!
Qu kicks away an approaching Corrupted, causing her remaining leg to ignite with sparks as it is destroyed.
Commandant! It's okay, leave me! Run!
Three flickering lights fly through the air, then fall around you and explode, turning most of the Corrupted into scrap iron.
Have they... really come to save us?
Hey, Boss! Are you guys okay?!
To your surprise, the two commandants from before arrive with the Support Force from Babylonia.
Thank goodness! We wouldn't have found you had it not been for the signal flare.
Great work, Boss... That sure took a lot of courage to fire that off at a time like this.
The female commandant and support Construct begin work on repairing Qu's injured legs.
You too. I didn't think an obsolete Construct could last so long against so many Corrupted...
I think we underestimated the combat capabilities of older models. I think we should take this to the Science Council for reevaluation.
Qu couldn't help but laugh seeing you try to desperately explain yourself.
Maybe I underestimated "humans"—whether that be [player name] or the two other commandants.
Ugliness and beauty; malice and goodwill; cowardice and courage; vulnerability and strength—all are intertwined. Humanity is defined by contradiction and irrationality.
Qu looks off into the distance at the people celebrating the victory. Her gaze finally falls upon the person in the center of it all.
[player name], I believe I now have a better understanding of what you believe in.
