Story Reader / Floating Record / ER07 Soaring Beyond / Story
Hey, this is for you, lady from Kowloong.
She rummages under her seat for a while before pulling out a rifle—a makeshift weapon cobbled together from various parts, looking barely functional.
Judging by your moves earlier, you should know how to handle this. We might face more attacks on the way, so you can borrow it for now.
...Thank you.
The woman in dancer's attire gives a graceful nod, takes the rifle, and checks the chamber by pulling back the ejection port.
To the soldiers, this is quite an unusual sight. Curiosity spreads among them, hidden beneath the transport vehicle's heavy armor.
Hiding in our transport to get here... You're trying to find a way into Aerospace City too, aren't you?
Why do you want to go to the city? Do you have family or friends there?
...Stay alert. This isn't the time for chitchat.
The excited girl pays no mind to the veteran's warning as she pulls out a palm-sized object from her tactical vest's pocket.
She hesitates, then repeatedly presses her thumb against the crumpled foil wrapper, as if the gesture alone could somehow smooth out all its wrinkles.
After making sure it looks presentable enough, the young soldier hands the item to Hanying.
You were a huge help during that battle just now.
Th-this... I got it in exchange for working night shifts at the landfill outside the city for a week.
Although it looks a bit shabby, I swear I haven't opened it! It's brand-new dark chocolate!
The veteran shakes his head slightly, a resigned expression on his face, but he doesn't seem genuinely agitated.
You don't have to...
It's fine, really! Sure, it's valuable, but it's not that rare. I've got more, so take it!
You must have lost a lot of energy too... Don't be shy, just take it, okay?
Well... thanks.
Hanying accepts the gift, lowering her head to read the packaging description. Cocoa and sugar—while useless as energy sources for a mechanoid, stand as proof of human kindness.
You mentioned exchange earlier... What do you mean? Do people in Aerospace City still need to barter for supplies?
Upon hearing Hanying's words, the veteran beside her steadies himself, using his rifle as support to stand up straight.
...You don't know?
Seeing the confusion on Hanying's face, the veteran sighs heavily.
I thought you were working with those mechanoids, but now I see... you really don't know what's going on at all.
The young soldier's friendly demeanor seems to affect the veteran, making him relax his guard a bit.
Judging by your attire... you must be sent by Kowloong.
...Yes, I am affiliated with Kowloong.
She doesn't quite understand why these people are so hostile toward "mechanoids." Her logical calculations tell her it's not the right time to reveal her identity as one.
...So Kowloong finally remembered to send help?
You've got some serious fighting skills. That's clear enough. But for reinforcements... is it really just you?
...I'm less of a reinforcement and more of a scout.
Not being one for deception, she can only try to play along with the veteran's line of thought.
A scout? What, came to check if we're all dead yet?
...Sorry.
Though not responsible for their situation, she can still hear the weariness in the veteran's voice.
Perhaps they've been waiting far too long for someone to apologize.
...Tsk, forget it. I won't give you a hard time, young lady.
Hanying complies with the man's judgment, and the tense atmosphere visibly eases.
So, what's the situation in the city right now...
Weren't you listening? Like she just said—you work, you get food. Simple as that.
Here, humans aren't the ones making the rules anymore.
Humans aren't the ones making the rules...?
...It all happened a long time ago.
The young soldier fumbles for the right words while the veteran beside her lets out another weary sigh.
Ever since that spiky-headed mechanoid appeared out of nowhere, the city has no longer been ours.
She hijacked the central control system and incited the mechanoids to rebel.
The seniors say the city organized many armed counterattacks, but there's no way humans could stand up to those metal chunks...
The young soldier lowers her head, seemingly unsure about recounting history she never experienced firsthand.
...Back when this place was a research hub, we soldiers actually had the easiest job around.
I mean, who'd dare cause trouble when even our location was top secret?
But after that incident broke out... Under Spikehead's leadership, the mechanoids "executed" the former research director. Then, Spikehead installed a traitor as the governor and firmly took control of the city.
And then...
This kind of environment doesn't feel unfamiliar to Hanying from the past.
Then those mechanoids started tormenting everyone with their 24/7 nonstop work demands, forcing people to rack up work hours in exchange for food, clothing, and other necessities.
They couldn't care less about the elderly or children—if you don't meet the work hours, they'll let you starve to death.
Who would've thought... that we'd end up fighting our own mechanoids...
Hanying freezes at the mention of these twisted laws...
Her left hand instinctively touches her neck, though the stinging electrical currents are no longer there.
Unlike physical scars that can be forced away, these bitter memories aren't so easily shed.
The promise shared between only her and that girl, forever trapped in the miles that could never be achieved.
At last, they bid farewell to the dust of time and embarked on a new journey.
Sage, the Church, the street vendors and their bustling crowds—everything continues to move forward.
Yet time is a cruel circle, leading her once again toward the same tragedy.
(A spiked-headed mechanoid... From the description, they sound like an outsider too.)
(Could it be Veronica?)
Ahem... Anyway, life in the city might be tough, but at least it's better than being outside, not knowing where your next meal will come from.
Another sigh from the veteran pulls Hanying's thoughts back to the cramped carriage.
Does Kowloong... have some plans?
Will they send more soldiers to take back Aerospace City? It used to be such an important aerospace base...
I've never seen what Kowloong looks like. Is it similar to Aerospace City?
Well, Kowloong is...
BOOM—!!
Before she can answer, a sudden impact cuts through the lively atmosphere in the carriage.
A deafening blast accompanies the impact, with vibrations too intense for even the thick-armed walls to absorb.
The sudden crisis puts an abrupt end to their casual conversation.
Enemy attack incoming, take cover! Gunners, at the ready!
The previously laid-back veteran now displays his sharp professional instincts, coordinating the soldiers inside the vehicle as they ready themselves for combat.
The young girl in combat gear sheds her innocent demeanor, skillfully climbing onto the rotating mount of the gun turret and positioning herself halfway through the roof hatch.
Being a mechanoid naturally immune to gunfire noise, Hanying doesn't reach for the noise-canceling equipment like the humans around her.
Ugh...
A brief, muffled thud comes from the roof first—the sound of a sharp weapon cutting through the air and striking something soft.
The once lively figure suddenly goes limp, legs dangling, as warm liquid splatters from above.
Hanying suddenly realizes she hasn't asked for her name yet.
