act13d0

中秋 史尔特尔

7:10 A.M. \ Clear

Kazdel exurbs

This is the mission location?

Judging by the image, this should be the place. The nomadic hamlet Bellony Village.

Though I think you could just call the entire village an oversized minecart instead.

It's a mining town that carries around its own Originium-powered drills to keep itself going. The people bring in some revenue just selling the excess resources to nearby cities.

If they find any big ruins, they even ask the larger nomadic cities to front the excavation costs.

Maybe, but this place still looks pretty rough.

There is dust everywhere and the fences are all run-down. There are obvious signs of habitation, but no one cares to do maintenance?

I don't see anything worth investigating.

Most of Terra isn't very interesting, but the people living in these uninteresting places still have their own unique lifestyles.

Wait, give that back!

What?! You said you'd share your ice cream!

Stop running! You're gonna squish it before we get home!

Idiot, give that back!

No way! I'm faster than you anyway. I'll be the one to bring it back to Dad!

Wait up!

There are many who struggle to survive in such terrible environments, but that doesn't mean they're unhappy.

They chase after one another for a mere ice-cream without regard to the commotion they are causing. To think they will be the same when they grow up...

You call this happiness?

Are you angry?

Why would some inconsiderate kids running around, kicking up dust anger me?

(She's totally angry.)

Sorry. Are you the operators from Rhodes Island?

Real sorry to keep you waiting.

Yes, we are. Nice to meet you, are you the local liaison?

Ah, yeah, that's right. I'm the leader of Bellony Village. Come with me. No need to stand around out here, let's go in. This way.

Thank you.

Before the mission

Rhodes Island Command Center

Bellony Village is a typical mining community located at the edge of Kazdel. A cave-in a few months ago completely sealed off the mines.

Not only were the mines ruined, the village's travel route and trading channels were also blocked.

For the past few months, the village has been requesting aid from nearby nomadic cities, but there has not yet been any city willing to help.

Meteorite, I would like you to carry out preliminary investigations and report on the situation.

We will organize a rescue mission based on that report.

Understood. This doesn't sound like a particularly tough mission.

The village's problems don't appear to be related to Catastrophes or Oripathy, but don't let your guard down.

Roger that. But...

Is Surtr going too? I don't think I'll need much help.

There is something I want to investigate in that area.

Surtr asked to go along for personal reasons. We've approved her request.

I won't be a burden to you, just pay me no mind.

We're a small village. Just wait here for a moment, I'll go and grab some tools first.

Oh, we have some basic prospecting tools with us.

No good, the mine entrance at the edge of the village has been sealed off with our own special tools.

Without these unlocking tools, it can't be opened. Our village is pretty good at excavation, if I do say so myself.

Even with all that experience, you still got yourselves stuck here.

Hahaha, that's true.

Aah! Please forgive her, she doesn't mean it. Hey, don't be rude!

No, we are really ashamed that for all our experience excavating, we still couldn't stop a major cave-in.

Part of the drill sunk into the collapsed area, so it's not safe to send anyone else over there.

Even with Rhodes Island's help, we're going to put some new precautions in place.

Just rest here a minute, I'll get the stuff.

Alright, please do.

You know, you could stand to be a little more polite.

I'm just stating facts.

Ah... Err...

(This is so awkward.)

(I've heard Surtr is tough to get along with, but I thought we'd at least have something to talk about.)

......(Recording)

Are you taking notes for a status report?

No.

So...?

You don't know? I thought my file was public.

I did read it, but...

Surtr. The file mentioned her.

Due to a memory impairment of unknown origins, she has difficulty reconciling her memories.

It is as if there is a large volume of memories existing simultaneously in her mind. The volume is such that Surtr is unable to properly recognize which of her memories are real and which are false.

And so she has been seeking out the places in her memories one by one.

The 'personal reasons' Dr. Kal'tsit mentioned are some places around here you remember?

When Dr. Kal'tsit was telling me about this area, I felt a sense of familiarity.

And I felt some deja vu when looking at photographs and records.

Now that you're here at the village, do you recall anything?

Nothing at all. When walking through the village, I saw the passing children and the run-down houses. They are similar to the images in my memory, yet completely different.

I do not know why.

Have you checked every spot in the village?

At a quick glance, I haven't missed anything.

How about we ask the villagers later? Maybe the village you remember is from a while ago? It could've been rebuilt.

...Perhaps.

The smell of dried plants in the air is no different from my memories.

When I close my eyes, it is as if I am on familiar streets.

The footsteps of children running by are like the sounds of friends chasing one another in my memories.

Yet when I open my eyes, I see nothing but an unfamiliar landscape.

Dr. Kal'tsit sent me on this mission, so let me help you investigate.

We'll look for clues in the village together after we're done with the mine collapse thing.

No need, I can handle it myself.

...I understand how it feels to have no past, or a place to call home.

As Sarkaz, without a Sarkaz home, I'm always fighting, together with the others, pressing on.

My situation is different.

Maybe it's different, maybe it's the same?

Maybe we're all just looking for a place to belong in the end.

But, as you look towards the unknown future, you can't ignore what's right beside you.

That's what Amiya taught me.

Sorry for the wait, let's set out now!

I'm all ready!

Anyway, let's complete our mission first.

So this is it...

Yep, this is the cave-in. Watch your step.

The excavation site is over there. The cave-in caused the surrounding area to sink downwards, so this entire area had to be sealed off.