Story Reader / Floating Record / ER08 The Long Goodbye / Story
A transport vehicle makes its way through the city's ruins.
We should reach the conservation area in about half an hour. We're making good progress.
This is the largest conservation area in the region. Once the detected Corrupted horde gets any closer, we'll have to evacuate everyone... Fortunately, other Construct squads are here to assist with the relocation. We won't be outnumbered.
Shorthalt, we've received a message from the conservation staff. They've also been warned about the approaching Corrupted horde and have started gathering supplies.
They recently took in a group of refugees, and many of the children are running high fevers. They're barely able to move. If we have to evacuate them now, it's going to be a major problem.
A blonde Construct peeks out from behind the transport vehicle.
Lots of kids? Why not leave them to me and Wanshi? I can carry several children at once, and Wanshi used to be a pediatrician—he's great with kids.
That's not happening. You need to stay with us and help guard the perimeter of the conservation area. Let's try to avoid a full evacuation.
Hey, Wanshi! Do we have any basic medicine left?
The transport vehicle hits a rock, sending the Constructs inside lurching.
Someone in the back stirs, raising his hand hesitantly before dropping it.
Wanshi says "Leave it to me!"
It's fantastic to have a military doctor who can treat both humans and Constructs.
Wanshi, since you're not a Construct, stay inside the conservation area and watch over the refugees. All Constructs, spread out around the perimeter and work with other squads to track the Corrupted's movements. Be ready to intercept them at any time!
Shorthalt gestures towards the terminal, signaling the other squad members.
Keep your comms open, stay in contact, and don't forget to send the emergency signal if anything goes wrong.
The Constructs spring into action, gathering ammunition and preparing their equipment. Combat medic Wanshi rises, his worn white coat concealing the handgun at his waist.
A transmission from Babylonia arrives.
What's wrong?
Just received word that Babylonia is sending a team of volunteer doctors to that conservation area due to an infection outbreak.
Looking after kids again... and young volunteer doctors at that...
Euan mutters under his breath.
It's a blessing to be treating children. Better than losing your elderly parents.
Isn't it great to have other doctors? This way Wanshi can finally get some rest. He was practically asleep on his feet the last time I saw him.
Yeah, but our mission just got more complicated—we're now responsible for the safety of the volunteer doctors as well as the refugees.
Some Babylonians shouldn't be here. They're more of a liability than a help. I've seen plenty of these "innocent and brave" volunteer doctors—mostly young people.
They have no idea what it's like on the ground.
Shorthalt looks back at Wanshi.
Wanshi, stay here and keep an eye on these doctors. Make sure they know where to stay clear and what to avoid. You got this?
Leave it to me.
Also, you must maintain regular contact. This conservation area is near where Pelo disappeared. While we never figured out why he left his squad, don't think this is your chance to find out the truth. Don't get too involved.
What happened to Pelo... I don't want to see that happen again. Even now, Sien still can't forgive himself.
Shorthalt points at Wanshi's terminal, his face grim.
I got it...
A year has passed since Wanshi was deployed to the ground.
Over the past year, his original team has been disbanded due to reassignments and Construct casualties. He's constantly shuffled between different squads, a lone figure in this ever-changing landscape.
Babylonia seems to have forgotten about him, and he shows no desire to return. He occasionally receives messages from his old colleagues at the Nurturing Center, but he rarely responds. He's effectively cut himself off from Babylonia.
He's become accustomed to entering Construct battlefields with a gun, quietly moving with his squad, ensuring no one is left behind.
Cough Cough Cough! Cough! Cough!
It's just a mild flu. Here, take these and you'll be fine.
Despite his coughing, the boy refuses the medicine, pointing towards the unconscious girl.
No, I don't want it. Cough... Check her first. She's the one who's really sick.
Though barely over ten years old, the boy has all the kids gathered around him. At his words, they shuffle backward in unison, creating space for the volunteer doctors.
There's no hierarchy when it comes to saving lives. You're seriously ill yourself. This isn't the time to be selfless—someone else will care for that kid.
Wanshi steps forward and gently touches the girl's forehead, quickly pulling his hand away from her burning skin.
No... it's different! The conservation area gave us some medicine and settled us on the outskirts... but now almost everyone's sick, and we're out of medicine! Cough cough cough!
I've seen this happen too often... Even a simple flu could be deadly now.
Don't hide when the doctors arrive. Get checked. This is your chance to survive... Cough Cough!
The children peer cautiously from behind the young boy, their distrust of these well-dressed medical staff evident in their wary glances.
You guys... Geez...
You should all rest. I'll check each of you out.
The volunteer doctor gently helps the young man lie down, a hint of sadness in their eyes.
What medical supplies did you bring from Babylonia? Send me an inventory list.
Oh, you're the Construct Doctor! I was wondering who you were. I can't believe you were just sleeping...
Yeah, I used to be a pediatrician. I'm used to working with children.
Give the others their medicine. This girl has been feverish for too long. She's dehydrated.
What do you mean? She needs medicine too... Aren't you going to treat her?!
Wanshi glances at the anxious boy, rolls up his sleeves, and quickly begins preparing the disinfection procedure.
Please start her on an IV drip immediately, doctor. I appreciate your help.
Ah... R-right, of course!
...
Don't overthink it. Every doctor wishes they could save everyone.
Wanshi sets down a portion of medicine and a bottle of water in front of the boy.
Sorry... Thank you.
Only after the boy takes his medicine does the young doctor begin preparing medications for the others.
The doctor is young, just like him. He watches her go, his eyes filled with admiration.
Babylonia really is like everyone says—an amazing place.
Do you dream of going to Babylonia someday?
Flustered, the boy turns away.
Well, of course... Who wouldn't want to live a privileged life in Babylonia?
I'm sick now, but I have some skills. Maybe one day I'll make it there too.
What's your name?
Nathan.
What about her?
Wanshi points at the unconscious girl.
She's nameless. Doesn't even know where her parents died. She only recently started following us... cough cough.
...
Why are you asking that? Are you saying we'll be rewarded with a trip to Babylonia if we behave? Hahaha... Cough cough!
Wanshi administers the injection to the girl's arm.
Maybe there's still hope...
All the children in the corner immediately turn to look at Wanshi.
Wanshi shifts uncomfortably under the children's hopeful gazes, despite his vague lie.
Well... you'll need to behave yourselves. Like... take your medicine, don't fight when it's time for shots.
Is that all? Cough Cough! Really? If they're good, can they go to Babylonia? Can they get adopted?
Nathan props himself up, firing questions at Wanshi, desperate for answers.
They lost their parents so young... No one to raise them, still needing someone to care for them... They can't even hold a pot steady when sent to get soup... Cough cough!
Doctor, if there's really a chance to go to Babylonia... could you please prioritize her? She gets sick every few days—the ground isn't good for her at all...
And look at him, he can't even wipe his own nose. And you there... Stop hiding and come out! I've told you this before!
Nathan brings several children to Wanshi. Some are barely dressed, their clothes mismatched and in disarray.
A boy sniffles and nods blankly, probably not even understanding what Babylonia is.
...
And you?
Me? I don't care at all.
Rest up now. I'll be back to check on you all later, alright?
Unable to stay any longer, Wanshi quickly packs his medical kit and rushes out of the room.
But you're just a child yourself.
In the end, Wanshi never gets to say these words to Nathan.
Wanshi steps outside to inspect the medicines brought by the volunteer doctors, deliberately keeping his distance from the children who have grown up too quickly.
Don't forget to distribute the rest of the medicine. I'm running low on Immune Serum, need to restock...
Oh? Wanshi? What are you doing here?
Natalie? You're a volunteer doctor?
Natalie shifts uncomfortably, her gaze darting between Wanshi and the volunteer badge pinned to her uniform. She runs a hand nervously through her hair, unable to meet his eyes.
Haha... Yeah, I came down here. I wanted to see the Construct battlefield firsthand...
You know as well as I do that this was the last place Pelo was seen before he went missing.
Yes, I know. But I wasn't planning anything. It just happened that the supply run of volunteer doctors was coming through this area.
This is incredibly dangerous. You could be killed by the Punishing Virus, the Corrupted, or even collapsing buildings. The survival rate for volunteers is abysmal. You need to return immediately.
I'm staying, and the transport's already left. Don't bother keeping an eye on me—I've got just one thing to take care of.
You've gone completely silent, Frank's been assigned to construction work in another conservation area, and most of the guys who were turned into Constructs are gone now. Everyone I knew had left.
...Especially Pelo.
We never expected to be stationed on the ground, but here we are.
That's why I wanted to come down here—to walk in your footsteps, to see what you saw, to feel what you felt...
Be it excitement, despair, or even death, I refuse to be just another "ornament" sitting safely in Babylonia anymore.
You...
Before you argue, ask yourself: why are you still here, facing the dangers of the ground, instead of returning to Babylonia?
...
Save them.
We can save more people here.
Aren't you the same as me?
No one wants to be that person again—the one everyone saves, only to be left behind once more.
Your way is to risk your life saving others. Mine is to explore this path. So don't worry about me anymore.
Let me give you one last piece of advice: you can't save everyone. You'd better accept that now.
Shorthalt stands guard at the edge of the conservation area, positioned closest to the Corrupted horde.
He cuts down the advancing Corrupted and sends their bodies flying, the growing pile forming an improvised barrier around the conservation area.
Tch, they just keep coming.
Thankfully, they're only coming in small groups. And with the Central Purification Filter, a full evacuation isn't necessary yet.
He realizes a full evacuation is impossible now that he knows how many refugees are sheltering in the conservation area.
Three minutes until the next contact... They can update me on where the Corrupted are then.
Grrrrr—
What? More of them? This can't be happening!
Shorthalt keeps watch over the detection device. For the past few hours, the Corrupted horde has barely moved, but now, they're suddenly moving rapidly, quickly breaching the safe evacuation perimeter.
A teeth-grinding screech echoes from nearby, making Shorthalt jump.
Grrr!
Damn it! They're fast... The Corrupted are here!
This is Wanshi, checking in.
We're low on medicine, but we have enough for emergencies.
Wanshi moves to an open area, waiting for the leader and the team to exchange information.
But he waits and waits, to no avail.
...?
Wanshi? Have you heard from Shorthalt? I can't reach him.
I haven't received anything either.
Strange, I thought there was a signal problem, but since I can reach you...
The video feed from Thompson shakes violently.
Thompson?!
Emergency evacuation... Everyone... evacuate immediately! Wanshi!
A special emergency evacuation alert flashes on Wanshi's terminal—signals from Shorthalt, Kamui, Thompson, and every Construct squad in the area.
Get in the car! Move it!
Natalie runs towards the evacuation transport, carrying the feverish girl, joining the panicked crowd.
Despite the sudden attack, everyone remains surprisingly calm, as if they had been expecting this.
Uhh...
Wanshi, her fever is high. Someone needs to monitor her condition closely once we're in the car. You'll need to assign someone...
Stay with her and make sure she gets in the car.
No, the medicine! I left it behind—I have to go back!
Nathan...
Wanshi stops abruptly behind the transport vehicle.
Where are Nathan and the other kids?
Who? There's only one kid here. I don't see anyone else!
Natalie has never seen Wanshi look so grim. Before she can even ask, he pushes her forward.
Hop in.
Refugees reach out, pulling Natalie and the girl into the safety of the carriage.
Wait, Wanshi! The transport's leaving soon—we can't evacuate everyone. Some will be left behind! If you can't find them, and you'll lose your own chance to escape...
You're right. I'm not just driven by the desire to save others anymore—I'm tired of always being the one who needs to be saved.
Wanshi runs off in the opposite direction.
He runs through the crowd, faces blurring past him.
This is the third evacuation already... Where else can we possibly go? Even the conservation areas aren't safe anymore...
My head... and... everything hurts... I can't... can't go on... Leave me behind...
The refugees show no signs of panic—their faces are etched with pain and numbness.
Those who can still run, survive. The rest... the rest succumb to despair, finally giving up on this endless flight from death.
Volunteer doctors, overwhelmed by the wave of Corrupted, rush past Wanshi, their arms laden with equipment.
...
The terminal screams with frantic signals. Kamui's voice crackles through, fragmented.
Corrupted... suddenly... Wanshi, on your end...
Don't worry, we'll... you should follow...
Stay safe... whatever you do...
Wanshi cuts off comms and runs against the tide of evacuees.
