Story Reader / Interlude / The Land of the Fallen Star / Story
June 3rd, 10:19
Babylonia Ground Frontier, Airforce Base 28, Battle Preparation Room
...That's... what happened.
...
Sorry... If I got there quicker, I might've been able to save him.
...
The very first virus outbreak... Took place just after I left Islay.
Do you know that Islay made the best whisky? I really miss that peat flavor...
My wife had some leg problems. She could only walk out to the garden...
...Is she alright?
Like most people, she died in that disaster, leaving nothing behind.
...
Look at me, Captain, "Beak of Islay", what a fancy name! But I couldn't even protect my own family!
I learned this the hard way long ago. But my son didn't understand...! I cut off all the possible ways for him to join the army, only to find out he joined the mercenary...
I only learned about his death after three months! Three bloody months... There wasn't even a proper obituary...
(Coughs fiercely)
Calm down.
Cyril refuses the water offered by Watanabe. He supports himself with a hand on the desk. For quite some time, his chest moved up and down before he finally raises his head and stares at Watanabe.
What happened to you after that? I heard the Construct reconstruction surgery isn't easy... Did you do it because of the pay?
...
To be honest, I joined the mercenary for the money in the beginning.
Some wanted fame, some wanted wealth. Some might do it out of impulse. But the army is never as simple as you think, young blood.
With all due respect, Captain, Bruce never joined the army out of impulse. He had his beliefs...
If you could have more time with him, I'm sure you would be proud of him.
I could not understand why Bruce insisted to stay and continue searching.
But since then I've witnessed too many tragedies and lost too many people...
I walked 10km in the snow, dead bodies everywhere. Broken limbs hung from trees like firecrackers.
This is a world where human lives don't matter anymore.
...
But now, I slowly begin to understand Bruce.
If I became a Construct... I may be able to kill one more Corrupted and save one more person. I never had any direction in life, but ever since I became a Construct, I found the reason to live on.
Bruce taught me that.
He was a great friend.
Cyril does not reply. He looks away and picks up a file on the desk.
Do you know what they are shipping this time, kid?
Maintenance equipment and supplies?
That's what they told everyone else. But really, they are just sending the "VIPs" and their belongings away from the war.
...
Cyril tosses the folder to Watanabe.
See for yourself. Here's the list of passengers and supplies on board.
The Earth Minister of Administration, Secretary of the Treasury, Administrator of Area 50 to 72...
Metropolitan Museum 272 pieces of grade 1 collections, 360 pieces of grade 2 collections; private gallery contribution... Owner... Earth Minister of Immigration?
Humans are going extinct, but Babylonia still has the luxury to ship artworks. Very admirable, don't you think?
...
...Babylonia is in a very special situation. We can't rule out the possibility that some people with ill intent are planning something.
How did you get this confidential information?
Don't forget I served three times longer than you did.
Have you realized the true nature of those people, young man?
This government that you are fighting for... Are they the saviors, or just a bunch of cowards... You better see with your own eyes.
...Thank you for the advice, Captain Cyril.
But we are still soldiers, fighting for humanity.
The duty of a soldier is to obey orders. We can only do our best to complete the mission.
...
Haha, you're right, young man.
