Story Reader / Event Story / Abyssal Melody / Story
Chapter 1
>Monday, rainy
Atlantis is receiving another batch of newcomers today.
As the principal supervisor of the restoration project, I'm happy to see new folks join all of us here at this relic from the Golden Age.
Looking back now, I still remember the first day I came here as vividly as though it were yesterday.
Marine Fortress, Oceanic Miracle, Waterborne Crown—these praises crossed my mind when I first saw this construction guarded by the seven spires.
Nothing, however, sounded more fitting than its own name—Atlantis.
To preserve this moment of astonishment, I decided to keep a diary of my work life here.
The Omega File brought out of this research center has since become Babylonia's trump card, but the real value of the research center still lies dormant.
Aside from the strategic value Atlantis provides as a marine fortress, the papers and books found on the terminals left here also hold great value for us.
Technological Gaps—this is what I learned as a student in my first lesson at the Center of Basic Public Education.
Our knowledge base, according to the instructor, is missing a few things in comparison to that of the Golden Age.
And it was when we were introduced to all the formulae and theories I'd never seen before that I had a real taste of what that meant.
To those working here in the past, the papers and books were probably something that they killed time with.
Now, however, they're vital pieces to fill the missing gaps with.
I remember seeing how the archaeological team broke down in tears seeing those words. Some of them were teachers from the Golden Age... I think?
When the archaeological team was done milking this place totally dry...
"Milking dry" sounds overly accusative, but given their fanatical attitudes, this seems the best way to describe them.
...The stationed personnel proceeded with restoration as planned.
Everything had gone smoothly to begin with—the zero-point reactor was completely shut off, eliminating all possibilities of reactivation.
On top of it, with the control system rebooted and excessive data removed, we made sure this research center would never spin out of control again.
But while Atlantis had survived the Punishing, years of lack of proper maintenance had still done a number on it.
To further complicate matters, the technology with which some of the structures were made happens to be one of those that humanity has lost.
Fortunately, the engineers came forth with their solutions. "There are always more solutions than problems to be solved."—the teacher was indeed right.
Phew... Guess this is where I'm calling it a day.
Checking the time on her terminal, the woman with glasses closes her diary and puts it away in a drawer.
Never thought the guys at the security department would say yes. Am I lucky or what?
She goes down memory lane as she trains her eyes on the drawer where the diary is kept.
But they only allow papers to be used for recording things. Guess that makes it easier for them to check?
Feeling a sore in her eye, she lifts her glasses and rubs her eyes.
Time to get to work.
She stands up. When the door beeps open, she sees someone she never expected.
Ryan, what are you doing here?
Yikes!
What's that supposed to mean?
Apparently taken by surprise, Ryan lets out a shriek that hardly befits that handsome face of his.
Lost again? The medical department is down that way.
She remembers this young man. Quiet and inarticulate, but he never misses a thing when it comes to the medical tasks he's assigned.
This research center is so big that people get lost even with a map in hand, so you need to hammer into your head the path you need to take to get back to your department. Understood?
It takes Ryan a good few seconds to nod his head.
Right when the woman turns around ready to head to work, she hears someone saying "Thank you" from behind her.
Thank you.
(That's a first, huh?)
Without giving it more thought, she heads toward where she's supposed to go.
