Story Reader / Floating Record / ER06 When Day Breaks / Story
After thorough exploration, Bridget finally stops in front of a mining tunnel that shows less structural damage than the others.
Yes, of course.
She gently taps the rocks before her with a wrench and tilts her head to listen to the resonating sound.
The location we confirmed with Karenina and the others should be somewhere around here. Without proper instruments, I can't pinpoint the exact position.
We'll start clearing the collapsed rocks from this position, and Engineering Force will be there to work with...
Before she even finishes her sentence, the terminal crackles to life as Karenina's voice bursts through the speaker.
Hey—! Hello, hello? Can you hear me?
...
How in the world are you even answering my question if you can't hear me, you ****!
Anyway, I don't have time for this now. Just make it back in one piece—then you'll have hell to pay!
Are you near the coordinates I calculated earlier?
Yes, we're here. This section of the mine has suffered minor cave-ins. We'll reinforce it from the inside to prevent further collapse.
I know I can trust your work, but there's this one thing...
Karenina falls quiet and says nothing for so long—that you're starting to wonder if there's a signal issue.
...Ugh, I don't see why this needs to be kept under wraps.
To put it simply, whether we're creating rescue access points for supplies or using large-diameter drilling for the rescue, we're going to end up making a lot of noise either way.
The mine's condition is unstable, and Karenina's worried it might attract Corrupted. And none of the researchers can fight to save their lives, so...
Someone will likely need to stay around to prevent any Constructs in the mine from attacking.
I'll do it!
There's no point arguing about this. It's dangerous whether you lead or stay around—no one knows what's gonna come popping out when we open that collapsed mine shaft.
That's why you and Lucia need to take point. If anything goes wrong, I'm sure your combat experience will lead everyone to safety.
They can handle the reinforcement work without my supervision. That's why I'm clearly the better choice to guard the rear.
Commandant...
Lucia comes running from the other end of the mining tunnel, following an anomalous signal.
They know the layout of this place so well that I just couldn't catch up. I was just going around in circles when I ran into you guys.
See? With that unidentified... person, or whatever it is, out there, we've got to make it our priority to keep the researchers safe.
It makes more sense for our two strongest fighters to walk point.
Done with your discussion? Well then, let me brief you on the rest of the rescue plan.
Some minor disagreement seems to be happening on the other end of the communication line. Karenina mutters something under her breath before Teddy's voice comes through again.
Engineering Force will proceed with the original plan, creating rescue access points at predetermined locations to pinpoint your exact position.
Before that, the Support Force personnel on the inside need to reinforce the mining tunnels around the planned locations to prevent any secondary collapses during the operation.
According to the reports, there seems to be some operational elevator equipment in the mine...
A soft tapping sound comes from the terminal screen.
I'll help you gain control of the elevator system from the outside. You can use it to move around.
After that, Engineering Force will use the rescue access points to transport supplies, which is going to allow us to continue reinforcing the tunnels from the inside. Once we have the ground's conditions confirmed, we'll begin rescue operation using the large-diameter drilling machine...
...Are you guys still listening?
Ah...? Yes, I'm listening!
Support Force has brought reinforcement supplies. They'll prioritize reinforcing the areas where we plan to drill to prevent any further cave-ins.
Very good.
Alright, let's get the show on the road—and Karenina, don't even think about touching that large-diameter drill. I've got my eye on you!
...Lucky. I'd love to try that drill, too...
Right? I bet it has such a unique feel to it...
I'll definitely give it a try when I get the chance.
Ahem... Alright, let's finish marking the spots and head back.
At the temporary camp, all tents have been taken down. Members of Support Force are all busy taking inventory of the remaining supplies while Cheryl stands beside Bridget, reporting their findings.
The Punishing's concentration remains within manageable levels. Most of the Corrupted in the tunnels are failed experimental Constructs.
Norman Mining Corp must have installed a virus filtration system similar to a Central Purification Filter inside. Once the mine's power supply is restored to stable levels, we can repair and restart the system.
And the conclusion?
Reactivating this mining facility isn't going to be much of a challenge, Boss.
I'll compile everything into a report and send it back to Babylonia along with the exploration maps. After that, we can...
Bridget?
...Hmm?
An Jie stands behind the packed tent, looking as if she has something to say.
Coming all the way here... You're not planning to assassinate me, are you? The odds aren't in your favor—not when I'm wearing one of the first new frames that Support Force came up with.
...That's not what I meant.
You're evacuating, aren't you? No one told me, but I can see everyone packing up...
Yes, Engineering Force has prepared an evacuation plan. Lucia and the Gray Raven Commandant will assist with your withdrawal.
We haven't notified Norman Researchers because—
I know Support Force doesn't trust us now.
Ah, haha.
Bridget quietly acknowledges this observation.
...Since you're evacuating, I probably won't have the chance to come back here again.
She drinks in the surroundings, trying to commit every detail to memory.
The tantalum copolymer is a promising research topic. I'm convinced that it could yield even better results than Ta-193 copolymer under certain conditions.
...
...You have my apologies.
Anyway, this piece of information... is what I've been keeping as my last lifeline.
She pulls out a paper map that shows a detailed layout of the underground mine, but this one reveals numerous facilities that don't appear on Norman Mining Corp's map.
Several "non-existent" laboratories, along with a "non-existent" <color=#ff4e4eff>monitoring room</color> at the lowest level.
Before I left, my professor handed me this map and wished me a safe journey. He told me that the monitoring room at the lowest level was the "heart" of the entire mine.
He must have seen all of this coming...
An Jie lets out a weary sigh and falls silent.
I was hoping... that you'd be able to uncover the research data on copolymers when you're finished with what you came here to do.
And continue to fill that void with countless more lives?
...I'm sorry, I'm in no position to have an argument with you as far as this goes.
I used to believe that sacrifice was just a natural part of scientific progress...
But she never stopped to think about what happened to those "failed" test subjects.
Having witnessed countless power struggles within the laboratory, she understands that defeated factions face elimination. That's why when she first entered the mine and saw the researchers' bodies, she felt only surprise, not panic.
But... when she fled into the incubation chamber, she witnessed infected Constructs throwing themselves at the doors, watched helplessly as lifeless "failed specimens" were piled up before her eyes...
But I'll say this now—no technological advancement should ever come at the cost of human lives.
I guess this is why my professor always said that he just couldn't bring himself to be ruthless... and maybe that's also why they abandoned me this time.
Bridget offers no words of comfort in response.
If I make it back to Babylonia alive... I will hand in my resignation and leave Norman Mining Corp's research facility.
And after that...
As for what happens after that, she has no idea.
Perhaps her professor doesn't want her dead after all—seeing as he did give her this life-saving map. Maybe she could turn over a new leaf and seek a position at the Science Council... if they're still willing to take her in, that is.
I hope this map proves useful to you all.
An Jie quietly returns to where she belongs.
Holding the map An Jie surrendered, Bridget falls into deep thought.
She isn't surprised that An Jie kept this as a contingency plan—if they weren't about to evacuate the mine, An Jie probably wouldn't have handed over the map at all.
It's no surprise that An Jie's professor was a Kurono operative infiltrating Norman Mining Corp's research facility. No one knows just how many infiltrators Kurono has trained and planted over the years.
It's just... it's such a shame.
As Bridget flips through the map pages, a wave of inexplicable sadness washes over her.
Oh, [player name]? Are you all done with the preparations over there?
Right, you guys always travel light eh, haha.
Don't worry. It just hit me, though...
That this is my second time coming to this place, but I still haven't figured out why my parents went missing.
Found no clues whatsoever? The truth seems pretty clear.
Just like Miner A, who saw or heard something they shouldn't have during the rescue operation... They might have either been taken away by Kurono's Constructs, killed, or... modified...
But in any case... they're most likely no longer in this world.
With you looking concerned, Bridget blinks hard, forcing herself to put on her usual smile.
It's okay. I'm pretty sure I'll find them eventually now that the Konstantin Mine is in operation again.
Alright, alright, I'd better go and make those slowpokes work harder. Pretty sure Karenina is gonna show up with her giant drill if we don't speed up...
She takes big strides toward the center of the temporary camp.
Hey—! Is everyone ready to move out?!
All ready to go—!
Despite several days of resource shortages, every member of Support Force remains in high spirits.
Everybody ready? Grab your stuff, let's go home!
