Story Reader / Floating Record / ER06 When Day Breaks / Story
A poignant air now pervades the temporary camp.
Silla's remains have been retrieved and properly laid to rest, but the knowledge of lurking enemies keeps everyone on edge.
An Jie, are you just going to stay quiet?
...
The bespectacled researcher maintains her silence.
Before the mission, as a precaution, I reviewed your background records.
Born right before Babylonia's ascension, outstanding academic performance in Babylonia, joined Norman Mining Corp's Advanced Tantalum Research Lab after graduation, quickly promoted to head researcher...
You have no reason to conspire with forces outside of Babylonia, unless Norman Mining Corp ordered you to do so.
...
You can trust us. Researchers from Norman Mining Corp have been isolated on the other side, and everyone present is from Babylonia. We mean you no harm.
An Jie's gaze softens a bit, but she still shows no intention of speaking.
...Sigh, I was hoping it wouldn't come to this.
With an emotionless sigh, Bridget rises to her feet.
Trojan, it's all up to you now.
I told you before—when dealing with rats, you've got to think like one. Your rehabilitation approach won't cut it.
Trojan lifts the curtain and saunters in with a lazy stride.
Alright, leave the rest to me.
Hmm, here's your last chance. You see, I'm not exactly known for playing nice.
Seeing An Jie's persistent refusal to speak, Bridget shakes her head and exits the makeshift tent.
Still refusing to talk.
Interrogation isn't part of Support Force's training. I've talked myself hoarse but she won't say a word.
I could really use a beer-flavored electrolyte drink right about now...
Bridget casually settles on a nearby rock and takes a long, leisurely stretch.
I asked for her assistance since they're both from Norman Mining. It seemed reasonable to have her conduct the questioning.
But to be honest, I'm not sure if having Trojan question An Jie was the right decision.
The brown-haired Construct falls into deep thought.
After everything that's happened, I've maintained my suspicions about her, but seeing her current state... I'm not sure if my distrust is just causing her more harm.
I truly saw her as both my closest friend and mentor, but... how did she really see me back then?
Whose side was she really on back then, and now... is she truly just another Norman employee?
I... I don't know.
I suppose the Konstantin Mine has always been an emotional burden to me.
Bridget speaks with unflinching honesty.
I grew up in Konstantin. I lost my parents at this mine, and when I tried to find traces of them... I lost even more...
The deeper they bury it, the more I'm convinced that they are hiding something unscrupulous.
The failed Constructs piled up in that laboratory just now, the terrifying blood-stained record, and even that crude "map" that's clearly been drawn by a child—they all bear witness to the dark sins committed here.
Hey, thanks.
The brown-haired Construct gives a thumbs up.
That's quite the rare honor, getting recognition from the Gray Raven Commandant.
As they speak, the curtain behind them parts, and Trojan, in the same state she was in before, peeks her head through.
Come on in. Let's see what you want to know.
Without a doubt, Trojan's unconventional methods have clearly put pressure on An Jie.
She's gone from looking determined to somewhat desperate and despaired.
...Kurono was the one who asked me to carry out this mission for them.
After facing multiple suppressions, Kurono has remained dormant for a long time, staying out of sight until now.
It's Kurono. They want me to use my credentials as a researcher from Norman Mining Corp to retrieve research data about the tantalum copolymers from the mine's laboratory.
Tantalum copolymers?
According to our projections, if the tantalum copolymer is successfully developed, its range of compatibility will exceed that of tantalum-193. This means more humans who are incompatible with tantalum-193 could be converted into Constructs.
...I don't really understand all that, but go on.
That's it.
?
I'm not sure if the experiment was successful. This is just a theoretical possibility, and I haven't had time to review the data I just copied.
Give me a reason to trust you.
...
After a moment's pause, a bitter smile crosses An Jie's face.
Kurono never wanted me and the data to leave together.
They only wanted the data. The Kurono soldiers' mission... was to eliminate everyone else who knew about this when they have the data.
The laboratory in the mine was jointly funded and built by Kurono and Norman Mining Corp. Kurono was also the one who left the test subjects to rot there.
The parliament has passed a proposal to eliminate all illegal laboratories and research projects. If the experiments here were to be exposed, it would be another devastating blow to Kurono's influence...
So they let my assistant bleed to death.
She keeps what happened afterward to herself.
I used my researcher clearance to get rid of them, but I couldn't escape from the Corrupted in the mine tunnels and ended up trapped in an incubation chamber.
In any case, I have you to thank for saving my life.
...You're welcome.
So, those researchers we saw when we entered the mine... Did Kurono do them in, too?
...I'm not sure.
After a moment of contemplation, An Jie offers her response.
Kurono only sent two soldiers to assist me with my mission. Based on when they contacted me, they must have entered the mine after we did.
The mine explosion and the lost contact are the Kurono soldiers' doing, but those researchers' bodies...
They shouldn't have had time for that kind of handiwork.
The image of that inhuman footprint from the mine suddenly flashes through your mind. Bridget looks over, apparently having the same thoughts as you.
Kurono's forces aren't the only enemies in the mine.
I see.
As Bridget steps out of the tent with the files An Jie transmitted, she suddenly stops in her tracks.
Well...
The first page of the document lists the names of test subjects from the initial experimental group. Each entry comes with an identification photo to help the lead researchers track their subjects.
The research project is... human tolerance to tantalum copolymers, and the lead researcher was... Hyde?
Something begins to dawn on her.
As she quickly scrolls through the list, her eyes fall upon a highlighted name—a blue-haired Construct.
That's impossible...
Her hands tremble as she frantically scans through the brief document.
Likely due to time constraints, the files An Jie managed to copy are incomplete, containing only rough snippets of information.
Subject: TrojanSex: FemaleSource: Purchased from traffickersLead Researcher: Hyde
Time log for compatibility test on tantalum copolymers, Trial 1...
Time log for compatibility test on tantalum copolymers, Trial 2...
Time log for compatibility test on tantalum copolymers, Trial X...
Compatibility results favorable. Proceeding with Construct modification procedures.
...****!
For the first time, Bridget, usually well-mannered, lets slip a curse.
With the experimental data, name, and photos before her, she can't deceive herself into thinking this is impossible, that there must be some mistake.
She has no choice but to accept the truth—she who always tried to avoid making choices, who always wanted to save everyone, failed to save someone she once called friend.
She never even noticed her signs of suffering.
Back then... the researcher she tried to kill in the mine...
Hyde it is.
Did I screw up?
She stares at the documents before her, frozen in shock.
