Story Reader / Floating Record / ER06 When Day Breaks / Story
ER06-1 Fissure in the Wilderness
>Heavy-duty vehicles traverse the uneven terrain under the slanting rays of the setting sun. Roaring engines kick up thick clouds of orange sand, swirling in their wake.
In a railcar, an old radio fights its way back to life with a weak and hoarse crackle.
Families—bzzzz—of the Konstantin disaster survivors—must unite—bzzzz—
—even after the Punishing Virus outbreak—bzzzz—we cannot tolerate—
—Deserve answers—bzzzz—and compensations—
The vehicle hits a bump and the radio sputters out one last noise before falling silent forever.
Tch... Didn't we just fix this thing?
The brown-haired girl scratches her head and pounds on the radio a couple of times while driving.
Screech—
—at—bzzzz—five thirty—afternoon—gather at—
The radio miraculously jumps back to life after emitting a long hum.
You've got quite the knack for fixing things, Bridget.
It's almost the end of our shift... That broadcast... is that another protest you organized?
So... Norman Mining still hasn't released a detailed accident report?
No, and the more they try to keep things under wraps, the more I am convinced they're hiding something.
Mom and Dad were the most skilled rescue workers out there. They were only human, yet they managed to save so many lives from the wreckage...
There's no way they would "die" in a minor mining accident like that!
She slams her fist against the steering wheel. The radio protests with a hoarse crackle, and she lets out a sigh.
Oh, don't miss your stop. This is where you get off, right?
Oh... yes, thank you, Bridget.
We wouldn't be able to go there to gather food if it weren't for your heavy-duty vehicle... See you tomorrow!
Yep, see you tomorrow!
The girl peeks out from the top of the vehicle. She smiles with a hint of sadness as she watches her last passenger of the day head home.
Must be nice... Her family must be waiting for her at home with their rations by now.
In the distance, the setting sun flares as it descends over the wilderness, as if squeezing out its last bit of brilliance.
If only the accident at the Konstantin Mine had never happened... If only her parents' old friend hadn't been in danger... If only she had stopped her parents that day and locked them at home...
Then, her parents would also be waiting for her at home with their rations.
...Phew! That's enough!
There's no use dwelling on what-ifs. What's done is done.
This time, I'll make them hand over the accident report!
She rubs her face and settles back into the driver's seat. The radio crackles again and starts repeating the words she knows all too well.
Even in the chaos of the virus outbreak, we cannot accept our loved ones' deaths without recovering their remains.
The mine collapsed, miners vanished, and every rescue worker who risked their lives for others has disappeared without a trace.
Norman Mining cannot use the Punishing Virus outbreak as their excuse.
Families of the Konstantin disaster survivors must unite. We deserve answers and compensations!
...Psst.
Such naive nonsense... Don't tell me people actually believe this?
A large crowd has gathered around the corner, in front of the mine. They are holding handmade signs, with anger on their faces.
Of course people do. In dire times like these, people need something to hold onto.
A researcher waiting by the door comes up with a broad smile.
Right on time, Trojan. Not going to run away anymore?
Running away won't get us paid either. At least the Kurono Corporation paid us.
The blue-haired female Construct casually curls her lips into a smirk.
Hyde, did you really think I wouldn't notice what you did to my frame behind my back?
Oh, wow. You actually remember my name? I thought I was just "Researcher A" to you.
...
Trojan scoffs at Hyde. Her eyes narrow as she watches the protesters gathered outside the mine shaft.
How long are these people going to keep this up? You can't exactly go in through the front gate now, can you?
Hmm... it's a bit of a pain, but I think we could request to use the elevator in the monitoring room that goes straight down...
Sure! There's always more than one way to hell.
Just like herself.
Even without Kurono's deception or this Konstantin mess, she probably would've died somewhere else anyway.
Perhaps even worse than it is now.
I mean, not everyone gets to live a carefree life in this turbulent world.
While Hyde tries to request elevator access, Trojan dawdles toward the crowd still in a standoff with the admins.
The crowd is gathered behind a girl with brown hair, who is standing right before the metal gate. She must be the "troublemaker" leading this protest.
—Of course, I am the survivors' family! My parents were rescue workers who took on Norman's rescue commission for the mining accident a month ago, and they never came back!
According to the rescue team's code of conduct, if anything happens to rescue workers, the responsible party must issue an accident report!
The responsible party is a laboratory contracted by Norman, we don't know—
That's not an excuse! We want the truth!
What was the cause of the mining accident? All mining machinery should have been removed and replaced with manual labor after the Punishing Virus outbreak.
How did the virus suddenly break out in the mines? If there really was an outbreak, given how fast it spreads—
So why are most of the mining sites in Konstantin still in operation?
Um... That... that...
The administrator keeps stalling, then dodges behind the metal gate, slamming another heavy door shut before disappearing into a room.
...Every time!
She slams her fist into the gate in frustration.
...It's already been a month. What else can we do...
They're making deals behind closed doors again...
She deliberately lowers her voice.
I hear they're raising the compensation—permanent residency in a safe area plus six months' worth of supplies... It's making some people waver.
Let them take the offer if they wish.
They have the elderly and children to care for. They'll need this to survive. They should take it.
But... what about you?
I will never give up.
The brown-haired girl raises her head. Her pupils are blazing like an inferno ready to burst and burn through the massive gates before her.
We're not getting anywhere...
Babylonia will send someone here to screen for humans with good compatibility for Construct modification next month.
I've already signed up.
Construct modification? But the mortality rate is so high...
They trample on us and our loved ones without hesitation just because we're ordinary civilians on the surface who pose no threat to their empire.
What if I become a Construct of Babylonia? What if I could reach the higher-ups in Babylonia?
Dead or alive, I won't let them hide in the darkness forever.
I will bring the truth to light. No matter what it takes.
...
She glances discreetly at the brown-haired girl leading the group, without her usual derisive attitude.
Such powerful drive in life...
Trojan squints her eyes to feel a surge of vibrant energy. Her sensor modules experience an unusual warmth—a rare sensation for her.
On a moonless night.
...Forget it. It's too bright—I feel a little under the weather.
She backs away from the fervent crowd with a sigh.
You're moving at a snail's pace, Hyde.
Looks like your clearance here... isn't what it used to be.
Your benefits and salary must have taken another hit, hah!
It's just a transition period. As a newcomer, I can't expect better benefits than everyone else... but that day will come.
I mean, what would they do without my flawless work...? Wouldn't you agree?
...Well, here's hoping you can keep up that pride forever.
The comms in Hyde's pocket emits a short beep.
...Alright, the request came through. Let's go, this way.
He points to a small hill nearby and makes a dramatic "after you" gesture.
Humph, you sly fox.
Caution is simply a researcher's natural disposition.
Dismissing Hyde's remark, Trojan sluggishly strolls toward the hill.
Nearby, the brown-haired girl appears to have gotten a tip-off and starts sprinting in their direction.
Trojan finds herself slowing down again for no reason.
She passes by the brown-haired girl, nearly hitting her shoulders.
Don't tell me you're going to run away now.
Hyde's voice haunts her from behind.
If I wanted to run away, would you even be able to stop me?
Trojan speaks in a lazy voice without turning back.
The elevator hidden between the rocks races downward. It drops once again into the darkness.
