Story Reader / Floating Record / ER08 The Long Goodbye / Story
The Gray Raven Commandant's concerns prove justified—after slaying the scorpion-like enemy, Wanshi finds a relatively clean spot and lies down.
Someone has disabled the research facility's signal jamming, finally exposing this long-abandoned facility to everyone's view.
As Wanshi gazes up at the shattered Kaleidoscope above, his terminal receives intermittent communications through Strike Hawk's internal channel.
...Even they have come, huh.
Besides the nearby Strike Hawk, Wanshi's thoughts drift to the three members of Gray Raven.
Last time they got so worried when Commandant left the team for just a moment.
I wonder how they will react this time...
And you...
Uh... What's up?
Our commandant—
Yeah, I got it.
Still, Lee continues to finish the sentence.
Don't let anything happen to our commandant.
Wanshi closes his eyes, feeling his frame become light as air.
Hah... tables have turned this time.
With the human commandant's support, the overloaded neural pathways in his M.I.N.D. finally stabilize and stretch out, growing toward the vast, seemingly endless horizons.
The past is settled for now, and all uncertain paths have found their answers.
...
Time for a little nap.
The entire research facility crumbles and sinks. The massive scorpion-like creature and the nearby ground plunge into the Red Tide.
The shards that were once forced to dwell within this vessel have now faded into the void.
No hopeful Recalls, no more painful experiments to endure—everyone has simply returned to where they were meant to be, nothing more.
Since coming into existence as a human, Wanshi has never slept this peacefully before.
Wanshi, if Dr. Melvie catches you skipping sleep again, she's definitely going to confiscate your wish cards.
Wanshi is standing by the Venetian blinds of the ward. Freckle's words make him somewhat displeased.
When I grow up, I'll get rid of the system where they take back wish cards. Once you get one, it's yours—no taking it back.
Why do you do this every night? You look pretty tired yourself.
...
I have nightmares.
What kind of nightmares?
Hmm... I don't quite understand yet.
Lost in thought, Wanshi runs his fingers across the Venetian blinds. Through the gaps, he can see Babylonia's artificial dome scattered with stars.
Even the mere thought of those dreams makes him sick to his stomach.
Syringes, test tubes, massive machinery, blood-stained labs, and mountains of corpses...
He never understood what any of it meant—his mother never had the chance to tell him.
From the bottom of his heart, he wishes he could forget it all.
Aunt Melvie said I should just forget about them.
When we grow up, we'll be able to forget our childhood memories.
—Forget all the bad dreams, and keep only the beautiful memories of Earth.
I'd rather remember everything. If I forget what came before the amputation, I won't remember what it felt like to walk.
...
Don't your current memories mean anything to you? You're so eager to forget everything.
As soon as Freckle speaks these words, Wanshi freezes, his nails making a skin-crawling screech on the blinds.
Those memories... do they matter?
I just want to forget the nightmares...
I want a better future—one where I have lots of friends but no more nightmares.
Through the gaps in the blinds, Wanshi spots someone approaching him.
!
He turns to call for Freckle, only to find an empty hospital bed.
Wanshi?
Knock, knock.
A person—who is not supposed to be there—taps on the window.
It's time to wake up.
Mom? I... I wasn't sleeping.
Another person forces their way next to Wanxu and gives the window two knocks as well.
Get up already! Why do you always stay up so late? You're still a kid and need good sleep to grow up!
...
More and more people gather outside the window: Pelo with his blue-purple hair, Professor Chiron, and Thompson with his wrist projection device.
Without realizing it, Wanshi presses against the window, eyes wide open, trying to get a good look at them.
I can't get out...
I... don't want to leave either.
I want to look at you all a little longer... I might never see you again in my dreams after this.
But then a towering figure approaches. It's a Construct. As he raises his powerful arm to pound against the window, the entire house shakes from the impact.
Tch, don't fall asleep here.
The Construct pounds for a while, then lets out a resigned sigh, as if accepting his fate.
Looks like I won't be able to break this thing after all.
I'll leave it to someone else.
Who?
That future you've been dreaming of.
After Shorthalt finishes his sentence, the ground violently shakes, almost knocking Wanshi off his feet.
A wave of heat tears through the ward's walls and windows. Wanshi squints and stumbles backward—fortunately, the blinding light has not damaged his eyes.
Once his eyes adjust to the new light, he stares in shock at the completely transformed scene outside.
As far as the eye can see, the air is filled with dancing flames and floating ash of the battlefield.
Yet amidst these ruins of the "future", four Constructs stand their ground, unwavering.
The Construct in white at the front extends a hand toward him, murmuring softly.
...This is the future I've been longing for.
Wanshi, Wanshi!
He feels himself being lifted up, then placed onto something that keeps swaying and bumping.
This feeling is all too familiar to him—exactly like when he was carried out of the ruins years ago.
After Wanshi feels like he has slept enough, he slowly opens his eyes in response to the calls.
...Great, finally made it in time.
...Hmm?
Wanshi! You're finally awake!!
Wanshi's audio sensors take a heavy blow as the blonde Construct's face suddenly appears in sight, so close that he can almost count every speck of dust on Wanshi's face.
Kamui...?
You really gave us all a fright! If Commandant hadn't told us you were just sleeping, Captain would've carried you all the way back to Babylonia no matter what!
Wanshi sits up and takes in his surroundings.
Dawn breaks over the wilderness as their transport vehicle drives on. Sitting in the back of the truck, he finds himself under the watchful eyes of both the Strike Hawk teammates and the commandant.
Commandant said that during your mission, some archived memory data in your M.I.N.D. was triggered.
Heh, good thing they explained everything clearly. Otherwise, Kamui would've blamed himself for years.
We're talking about M.I.N.D. issues here—of course I'd think about that time with the spiked pillow! I really thought I'd knocked something loose in your head!
...So you finally realized how dangerous that thing could be...?
Kamui hovers around Wanshi like a worried puppy, checking him over again and again.
Are you really alright? Are you sure?
Don't worry, I'm fine. Just feeling a bit... dizzy in my M.I.N.D., that's all.
Wanshi nods.
There might be other symptoms too, like falling into sleep mode uncontrollably at random times.
Seeing everyone's looks of understanding, Wanshi cannot help but add another comment.
I mean it, literally.
Everyone's expressions darken in unison.
Once we're back in Babylonia, the first thing to do is getting you a thorough checkup at Star of Life.
Roger that.
...Speaking of which, how are the others?
A new temporary shelter...? Have they already finished relocating both conservation areas?
Wanshi looks back behind the transport vehicle. In that direction, the Red Tide has already devoured the abandoned research facility. Soon, both human conservation areas will vanish as well.
Wanshi calmly turns around to look at everyone aboard the transport vehicle.
...
The Punishing will devour this place, erasing many things we call memories—but humanity will build a new home elsewhere, and people will always create new memories together.
People will set down their belongings and equipment at the new temporary shelter, enduring a difficult period of reconstruction.
After that, they will erect a new Punishing Central Purification Filter and build new housing... By then, Babylonia will also send Constructs down to assist with the construction.
Alright, let's head to the new place.
Daylight floods the sky as people bustle in and out of the hastily erected military tents.
Thanks to the scouts' early detection of Red Tide activity, the evacuation proceeded smoothly. Apart from unavoidable property losses and harassment from Hetero-Creatures along the way, no other issues arose.
Most people manage to remain emotionally composed as they throw themselves into the new construction effort.
After a brief report to Babylonia, you finally have time to address Liv's worried gaze.
Don't move your left hand yet. Yes, hold that position.
The wound is quite deep, and regular repair gel can only serve as emergency treatment. We'll need to protect it with this method for now... This might hurt a bit, Commandant.
As soon as Liv speaks, she swiftly wraps medical bandages around the human's forearm. The disinfectant gel is pressed into the wound by the wrapping, spreading a searing burn through the area.
Sorry, Commandant... Please bear with it for a moment...
...Stop acting tough, Commandant.
...I wish I had been by your side then.
Downhearted, Liv lowers her head.
Liv departed early with the first few evacuation teams, with plans to return before daybreak. However, before dawn could even arrive, Gray Raven received news that their commandant had gone missing during a new operation.
With a heart heavy with worry, Liv rushed to provide support as soon as she finished relocating the refugees.
When she saw her commandant safe with Strike Hawk and tightly clasped the commandant's hands in hers, her tension finally eased.
Lucia is still in Babylonia. She finally finds relief upon receiving news of your safe return.
Thankfully, Rosetta and Wanshi were there...
Commandant!
Lee bursts into the tent, his visual module instantly locking onto the two figures seated by the entrance.
Despite Wanshi and Liv's thorough treatment of the wounds, Lee's brows furrow deeply at the sight of the puncture marks and bruises left by the device.
...
Lee's silent stare fills the tent with a heavy atmosphere, until the human gently pats the back of his hand, slightly easing the tension.
After fighting countless battles side by side, the team's concern for their commandant has become crystal clear, so the human is also upholding their creed of "cherishing one's own life".
...I'm glad you understand, Commandant.
Fortunately, this research facility is just an abandoned stronghold of Ascendants and defectors. A direct encounter with any real threats would have made this situation far less manageable.
Besides submitting a detailed mission report, Wanshi will likely need to provide access to his memory data—with the collapsed research facility now submerged in Red Tide, Wanshi's memories are the most concrete evidence of what happened there.
At the mention of Wanshi, the Gray Raven members simultaneously turn to look at the corner of the military tent.
...
Strike Hawk is helping out there. We let Wanshi rest here for now.
With all these people coming and going, he hasn't woken up?
The military tent buzzes with activity as Constructs and doctors hurry back and forth. As Lee speaks, he steps aside to make way for several Constructs pushing supply crates.
The conversation about Wanshi is cut short by the piercing wail of an infant from the entrance.
Why is she crying again?
Hold her properly. She's only a few months old—drop her and you're fired.
No! I won't leave! I'm staying at Egret no matter what!
Amid the baby's wails and the girl's frustrated whimpers, a silver-haired figure strides in with arms crossed.
Well, well, if it isn't all familiar faces.
Ohhh—it really is the Gray Raven!
...It's that new recruit from Egret.
Upon hearing Liv's words, everyone's attention shifts to the colorful Construct standing behind Vanessa.
Holding the infant—who is waving her tiny hands—she moves right up to Liv's face, causing even the usually composed Liv to take a couple of steps back.
Hi there! I'm not exactly new here anymore. You must be Liv, right? Vanessa's told me about you! Your collar is so pretty—what's it made of? And those buttons are so sparkly...
Through tears, the infant reaches out with tiny hands, trying to grab the buttons on Liv's outfit.
Um... I...
Leia, stop making a fool of yourself. Go find somewhere else to stay.
Vanessa casually pulls up a chair and sits down in front of the human.
I haven't even had the chance to say hello. We'd just gotten the people from Conservation Area 190 to their shelter when we were immediately dispatched to bail you and those temporary squad members out. By the time I get back to Babylonia, this whole ordeal's going to add a few extra pages to my mission report.
So tell me, after dragging everyone through all this trouble and getting yourself into such a state, what "glorious deeds" have you accomplished?
Waaah...
The baby's wailing has likely interrupted what was surely going to be a long lecture from Vanessa.
Leave her be. She's the one who insisted on saving that little one—let her deal with it herself.
Must be from spending those two days with Leia... They're exactly alike—both are so clingy and never let you go.
WAAAH WAAAH UWAAAH—hic—UWAAAAAAAH!!
...Leia, can't you keep her quiet for just a moment?
Despite Vanessa's constant prodding, Leia stands her ground and shouts back in protest.
I wish I could! She's well-fed and unharmed, so why on earth is she still crying—
If you can't even handle this simple task, I'll have the other one to take over the watch.
No, you can even leave it to Bambinata, but not her. Every time the baby cries, she thinks she's done something wrong. After a few rounds of that, she'll definitely go kill herself.
Egret had been understaffed for a long time, but during a recent training exercise, word spread that they'd finally returned to their full roster of three Constructs.
Naturally, everyone who spread or heard the news was completely taken aback.
I can't hold her still—she keeps climbing higher and higher—
Amidst the deafening chaos, Vanessa closes her eyes, the pain evident on her face. It is the first time anyone has ever seen her like this.
A glimmer of respect shows in Liv's eyes as she looks at Leia.
The baby squirms energetically in Leia's arms. The people at the conservation area clearly kept her well-fed—her legs are so strong she is almost kicking her way out of her swaddle.
Let me do it.
The Construct in white has silently appeared behind the group, opening his arms toward the baby.
Yeah... I'm awake. Leave her to me, I used to work in the neonatal ward.
Oh thank you, thank you so much!
Wanshi takes the baby with professional care, looking experienced.
Now that someone has taken the "time bomb" away, Vanessa's expression finally softens a bit.
Back to business.
We were working with Rosetta just now. The original plan was to escort the wounded to the new shelter.
The journey was rough. Our transport vehicle was attacked.
Vanessa flashes a teasing smirk.
Nothing serious.
I can't tell if you're lucky or what... I was expecting some major crisis, but when I walked in, I found your team fretting over such minor wounds—better treat them quick before they heal on their own.
Look at you, all worked up. Take it easy, will you? I've changed the plan and had Rosetta deliver the experimental data and documents to Babylonia ahead of schedule. Better than having vultures swoop down from above thinking they can get their hands on whatever they want down here.
The higher-ups must be in complete chaos by now.
And... I've heard Wanshi's memory data is crucial. Neither you nor Wanshi have received orders to return to Babylonia yet, right?
It's still unclear who's trying to cover things up or who's trying to take advantage of the situation. Still... even though we don't know who's dragging things out, you've got a group of elite Constructs around you now—nothing should happen right under everyone's watch.
Well, I just need to confirm you've cheated death again. It would've been a real hassle if you died.
With that perfunctory well-wish, Vanessa turns away and is about to leave with Leia.
...You should thank that Construct instead. If he hadn't noticed the Red Tide's movements in time, we both might've been done for in the conservation area. None of this would've even mattered then.
So many settlements vanished during the Punishing crisis. Having grown up in Babylonia, there were things I couldn't even imagine until I actually came down to the surface.
Vanessa, who rarely speaks of herself, shares these unusually personal words.
Perhaps his first true understanding of life on the surface also came from some personal experiences in a disaster.
Heh... Seeing how far he's willing to go for those troublesome kids now, I can guess what happened.
Following Vanessa's gaze through the busy crowd, there stands the Construct in white, still gently soothing the infant.
Hush little baby close your eyes.
Have a peaceful sleep on the rocking boat.
Grow up slowly, one step at a time.
Wanshi cradles her head gently, rocking her back and forth with care until her piercing cries gradually fade away.
As her tiny hands wave about aimlessly, Wanshi silently brings his face closer, letting her feel his bionic skin.
Soon, the infant nestles trustingly against the Construct's chest and drifts off to sleep.
Remembering the memory fragments you had seen within Wanshi's M.I.N.D., you keep your distance, worried that you may disturb this precious moment of peace.
Excuse me! Please, let me through!
Just then, several Constructs burst into the tent, frantically rummaging through everything in the corners.
Where are the meds... I remember I moved them here...
Relax, they can't disappear. You check that shelf while I look over here.
The young yet composed Construct strides past Wanshi, who is holding a baby in the corner. After briefly searching through a wooden crate, he rises to check the other side.
Oops, sorry! I almost stepped on you!
Shh, it's okay.
Upon seeing the baby sleeping in Wanshi's arms, the Construct quickly covers his mouth—but the moment Wanshi looks up, his eyes widen in shock.
...
...
Yes?
Are you... Mr. Doctor?
The young Construct drops to a crouch before Wanshi in one swift motion, his voice trembling with disbelief.
I'm Nathan... Do you... remember me?
...
Wanshi can barely recognize him. His mind drifts back to that dawn from years ago.
Lying among the gunsmoke and ruins, he watches the rising sun in despair, muttering one final plea—to save just one life, even if only one.
If you hadn't given us those medical supplies back then... and rescued us from the stronghold... I might have already...
Nathan tries to contain his surging excitement as he speaks. Wanshi can only stare at him in a daze, almost forgetting to pat the infant in his arms.
This baby is from Conservation Area 190, right? Let me take care of her. I'm stationed there.
Hearing these words, Wanshi seems to finally snap back to reality, nodding slowly as he carefully passes the infant to Nathan.
...All right, thank you.
Nathan adjusts the baby's swaddling cloth. Soon, the tiny floral-patterned boat begins to rock once more.
Hush little baby close your eyes.
Have a peaceful sleep on the rocking boat.
Grow up slowly, one step at a time.
