Story Reader / Floating Record / ER06 When Day Breaks / Story
The second incident strikes sooner than anyone has expected. Shortly after the rested scouts disperse, a violent tremor rocks through the mine shaft.
Deep rumbling and the sound of falling rocks echo from the path behind, spreading through every corner of the mine.
Upon returning to the hall with the rest of the group, Bridget immediately stands out in the center of a gathered crowd. Her face is grim as she grips An Jie, whose face bears fresh scratches.
The mine collapsed. We lost some members from the tunnel reinforcement team. Our way back is completely blocked, and we've lost all communication with the outside.
An Jie and her deputy here would have met their doom if I hadn't acted fast enough.
Bridget's news sends ripples of shock through the crowd, leading to hushed conversations and whispered exchanges.
The crowd's murmurs gradually fade, but Bridget remains quiet.
Her eyes remain locked onto An Jie, her grip on An Jie's hand still firm and unyielding.
Bridget?
It never even occurred to me that I should keep an eye on you until [player name] told me to...
Bridget opens her mouth, and then pauses to collect her thoughts.
An Jie, why did you and your deputy just stand there when the cave-in started?
You clearly had enough time to make it back to us.
Bridget.
Lucia steps between them and pats Bridget's shoulder. An Jie seizes this chance to break free from Bridget's grip.
She lowers her head, hiding her face, while gently rubbing the spot where she was grabbed.
I'm sorry. Everything happened so fast, and we've never dealt with anything like this before. We panicked and froze up... we were too scared to move.
I know why you came down here to the mine, but that doesn't mean you need to be suspicious of everything.
I...
...I'm sorry. I lost my squad members who were trying to save these two. I'm just... a bit...
Bridget takes a deep breath and steps back. After a long moment, she finally regains her composure.
Yes, there are things I want down here, and I have other motives besides the mission. But that will never cloud my judgment of what takes priority.
If I've wronged you, rest assured that you'll get an apology. But An Jie... if you're hiding something... fine, just don't try anything sneaky again.
I want you to understand—uncovering the truth about the past, or even completing this mission from Babylonia—none of it matters more than getting everyone back safely.
After composing herself in those few sentences, Bridget signals for the rest of the group to escort An Jie and her deputy away.
After briefing everyone on a few matters, Bridget dismisses the crowd.
Sorry you had to see that, [player name].
I know. It just never occurred to me that they'd be so drastic.
We don't have definitive proof, but it's hard not to get suspicious when we've seen the Corrupted we saw and all the cave-ins we've experienced.
We should plan for the worst-case scenario. The real problem is that we've completely lost contact with the outside. We need to be prepared to set up camp here—possibly for an extended period.
I'll take care of that. Learning how to manage the mental state of rescue subjects is part of our basic training.
And there is some good news—Cheryl found the mine's internal communication system. Both the transmitter and receiver still work.
Once we've secured stable communications in the lower mine, I plan to have our technical specialists work with Norman's research team to modify the communication equipment. We'll see if we can restore contact with Babylonia.
Copy that.
Thud—
After the muffled sound, a hammer leaves a dent in the conference room table. Celica flinches instinctively, unsure whether she's feeling more overwhelmed by the slam itself or the compensation form she'll have to fill out later.
Stay composed in times of crisis, Karenina. You need to keep your cool.
Keep my cool? We're already on our third rescue proposal and you want me to keep my cool? When exactly is Babylonia planning to let Engineering Force step in?
Trust me, we won't do anything rash. Engineering Force will advance carefully from the outside, based on the mine's condition. Safety guaranteed!
I trust you, but that's not the issue here. I know you're anxious, but please be patient—an hour will pass before you know it.
It's been five hours since we last heard from [player name]. Do we really have to wait the full six hours of radio silence before we're cleared to move?
I understand how you feel, but applications take time, and so do arrangements.
Time is exactly what we don't have during times like this! Why do we...
We can't confirm if this is just a communication issue or an actual accident. The mine itself is already a complicated environment, which is why it takes time.
Rushing in might only complicate things further. I mean, [player name] might have only moved out of the service area temporarily, right?
Huh? Out of service area? Come on, Teddy, you've got to be kidding...
Teddy ignores Karenina's irritation, her fingers dancing across her keyboard. After pressing the final key, she swivels her chair to face Celica.
Engineering Force needs prep time anyway. If it turns out to be a false alarm, we can either clock out early or get a day off in return. What do you think?
...
Celica hesitates at the payment notification on her terminal. The amount shown could cover 20 desk replacements and then some. But that's not the issue—this account isn't on the publicly disclosed list.
Celica looks over at Wells.
Sir...
He removes his glasses and rubs the bridge of his nose, speaking with a resigned tone.
Go ahead, but be discreet.
Did you hear that? Be discreet. I haven't gotten the official approval yet, but I've already had the spaceport start its preparations.
The same old place. The inspection of Engineering Force's exclusive transport ship should be done soon. Make it quick, alright?
I knew I could count on you, Teddy...
The thud of Karenina's hammer hitting the ground drowns out the rest of her words. She dashes out the door like a gust of wind, leaving behind two broken tiles and no trace of where she's gone.
Looks like transferring those extra funds was pretty smart of me. So... I don't have to pay for the damaged floor now, right?
Hah...
Wells waves Celica away as she tries to step forward, then leisurely bends down to pick up the hammer and floor fragments that Karenina dropped.
I have a feeling you've seen far into the future. You knew the mind would collapse before it happened, didn't you?
I'm a hacker, not a politician. I don't deal with conspiracies and speculation.
Teddy shrugs and closes her operating system and steals a glance at a familiar portrait in her contact list just before the screen goes dark.
I just figured that anything Norman's involved in is bound to go wrong somehow. It's practically a given.
While the others busy themselves with setting up camp, Bridget leads Trojan to a secluded corner.
So, pulling me aside when something goes wrong... Am I on the suspect list now? Heh... an alcohol-flavor electrolyte... that tastes like beer...
Trojan takes the bottle of electrolytes from Bridget, weighs it in her palm, and examines the packaging before handing it back.
Forget it. We don't know how long we'll be stuck in this forsaken place. Better save supplies where we can.
...
Bridget takes back the electrolytes with a conflicted expression. Seeing Trojan's completely normal demeanor, even she, usually straightforward, finds herself at a loss for words.
Ah... Did we use to drink this together before?
Huh? How did you know...
Trojan shrugs, casually sits down on a rock, and taps his head.
You're easy to read... Or rather, you weren't trying to hide it.
You asked to meet me alone not just because I belong to Norman, but also because of the memories I've lost to the M.I.N.D. trauma, no?
Yup.
Upon hearing this, Bridget lets her guard down and takes a seat next to Trojan.
We were here back then, too. Not in this tunnel, but in this same mine.
Bridget's words send Trojan into a momentary daze, causing their visual and audio systems to fall slightly out of sync.
Bridget?
Yes.
Ruolin?
Here.
Trojan?
...
Trojan?
Trojan?
...Present.
Bridget has to call Trojan's name several times before Trojan, lost in thought, finally responds.
What's gotten into you? You were totally out of it just now.
No, I... guess I'm just a little exhausted.
Face to face with those worried eyes, Trojan can't help but want to look away.
Even though their words carry hidden intentions, the person before her still radiates warmth and friendliness.
Knowing herself, Trojan can't seem to remember why she decided to take this job in the first place. YOLO is the new black, and she's been living by it.
...It's too bright. Bet I will get uncomfortable.
What did you say?
...Well, considering you gave me that drink earlier, I'll be honest with you.
Trojan suddenly stands up, dusts herself off, and steps away from Bridget.
Norman did assign me to assist An Jie and report back with intel when possible.
But it wasn't mandatory. They only brought it up as a formality, and they explicitly told me I could take it or leave it.
So...
There's no "so". One drink's worth exactly this much info. I've told you all I'm willing to share—if you want to know more, you've got to sit down for a talk with An Jie yourself.
If I were on her side, I can tell you now that you wouldn't be able to bring An Jie back—that is, if she wanted to run.
Without looking back, Trojan walks toward the crowd as she does a half-hearted wave in the air.
I'm off, sunshine. Make sure you assign someone to keep an eye on little An Jie.
