Story Reader / Event Story / The Meandering Three / Story
On this endless, barren highway, the Cerberus vehicle soars across the field like a feral horse with Vera behind the wheel.
Generally, Vera's driving skills are the best among the Cerberus members. At least, she is much better than Noctis and No. 21, who would crash the vehicle in no time.
But sometimes, even Vera cannot say why their journey would go wrong when she is the one driving—as if the problem is not Noctis or No. 21, but the three of them together.
Take this mission, for example. Vera did not let Noctis anywhere near the wheel except when they were pushing the car, and the car still broke down halfway here.
Hey, Captain. Need a break?
You've been driving for 17 hours straight since we got the car fixed.
Oh? Since when did you become so caring?
Vera can clearly tell that Noctis is itching to drive the car.
Having failed, Noctis can only continue to watch the tiresome gray and yellow fleeting past while No. 21 has both of her sleeves drooping outside the window.
233... 33... 34...
What are you counting, 21?
The number of cacti we passed.
No. 21's loose sleeves flutter in the air. Sometimes, she will aim her sleeves toward where the car is driving, and the wind will fill them up like two balloons.
Cacti... What's so special about them?
I heard some cacti really like armadillos and will hide them in their arms...
Did you see those cacti?
I didn't. That's why I'm counting.
...
Noctis sighs and turns around, focusing on the boring view outside the window on his side.
Hey, Captain.
What is it this time?
What's our objective? I've never done such a boring mission.
There were barely any animals on the way, not to mention humans. There are only... cacti.
Noctis glances at No. 21, complaining as she entertains herself by counting cacti.
I don't know much.
Murray delivered me the assignment this time, but he only gave me a destination.
Thanks to you.
Noctis is about to argue before grumbling without saying a word.
Compared to other squads, Cerberus has way more freedom and flexibility in their dispositions and actions.
But going AWOL, affecting multiple parties, and creating a diplomatic ruckus has forced even Murray to "ground" Cerberus for a while.
Tch.
235...
Hey, 21, let's—
The loud crash has finally quieted down. The car gradually slows.
Vera loses her usual cool and curses, letting go of the brake pedal to kick the door open. Noctis and No. 21 follow her out of the car.
See? See? I told you I should drive.
Now our door is gone, and our windshield is shattered. How do we see the road now?
Vera pulls Noctis away before striking the smashed windshield right in the center, knocking the whole piece of glass off.
Can you see the road now?
Captain... there's a person here.
What?
Did you see what you hit?
No, but look at the parts on the ground... It was probably some junk.
Vera kicks the damaged parts on the ground and continues to talk to No. 21.
What person?
There's a person lying on the ground behind the car. There's also a... red motorcycle.
No. 21 points at the mess not too far behind their car with half a stick of cactus she got from who-knows-where.
What?! Could it be that Ascendant—
Would an Ascendant stand still on the road and let me hit her? Do you think everyone who rides a red bike is an Ascendant?
Vera grabs a first aid kit from below her seat and walks toward where No. 21 is pointing.
Who else could it be?
A kid in red attire.
Huh?
That's... the boy who rides a red motorcycle in that movie. Have you not seen it, Noctis?
Noctis! No. 21!
Vera calls them over from nearby.
Hmm... We'll talk later. That said, I should learn to ride a motorcycle someday.
I'm sure you'll fail.
Why?! I'm talented, alright?
Hiss... Ouch! Ouch!
Hey! What are you—Mm—
Noctis stuffs a piece of cloth inside the mouth of the Scavenger by the road when he is not paying attention before nodding at Vera.
Vera yanks, pulling a piece of wood out of the man's ankle. She immediately disinfects the wound afterward and sprays it with anti-inflammatory antibiotics, dressing it skillfully.
Mm—mm—
That's enough. Let him bite down something to ease the pain. Stop suffocating him.
Hiss... I can't believe it... That was a huge piece of wood...
Feeling better?
Much better. Just feeling a little... itchy?
That's normal.
You're one lucky bastard. Fortunately, it was your motorcycle that we hit.
By the way, I didn't know you could heal people in this frame, Captain. How amazing.
Ha...
The bike broke down before you arrived. It's just a piece of scrap now.
...Just to be clear, we didn't cause your injuries.
It's not your fault. The goddamn bike flung me away when it broke down... I was lying facedown, no less. It's a miracle I'm still alive.
Tch, how dangerous... but I like it.
Huh?
Sigh. Should I thank you for saving me or ask you to pay me back for trashing my motorcycle...
The man can barely sit straight. Sensing some danger from Vera's "friendly smile," he immediately changes the topic.
Right, ahem. My name is "Beardy". I'm a... projectionist.
The man points at the movie projector and the large rolls of films that he safely keeps behind him.
Oh? So you're one of those people who play movies?
You've seen him before?
Nah. I just heard about the people who roam the earth and play movies in different settlements when I was in town.
Guilty as charged.
Luckily, the motorcycle was the only thing that got wrecked. The projector and the films are fine.
Do you play movies?
No. 21 leans toward Beardy, staring at the projector behind him curiously.
Sure. I've got a lot of them, like OUCH—
Sorry... I just want to know if there's a movie about this person...
No. 21 hides the cactus in her hands away. Beardy smiles wryly, plucking the prickles out of his shoulder.
While No. 21 and Beardy talk, Noctis drags Vera to the wreckage of the "motorcycle."
Tch. What is it?
Why don't we bring him with us, Captain?
Why?
After all... "we" accidentally crashed into his bike.
Didn't you hear him? His bike was broken before we were here. He had to thank me for taking care of the injuries he caused himself.
I know... but look at this mess. How is he going to fix it?
Noctis points at the scattered parts before them.
What's changed? He can't ride it now, just like he couldn't ride it then.
Why don't you let me drive, then? I wouldn't have crashed into it if I were driving!
Oh? You're suddenly so capable now?
Captain...
In annoyance, Vera turns around to ask No. 21 what is the matter, only to find No. 21 posing vigilantly toward the direction they came from.
Enemies' scents... approaching from behind.
