act16mini

Hey, sandbeast, bet you haven't eaten one of these before! It's a radish biscuit!

The general goods storekeeper mentioned it before, and the animal almanac wrote about it too. So it's this kind of place...

A sandbeast digging itself out of a small hole, two sandbeasts leaning against a branch, three sandbeasts soaking in the pool... no, four, five, even more than that.

Their backfins are all arced, their blood vessels showing a healthy glow.

This here is sourberry pie! We've got some grasspot crispycrusts too!

Heheh... It looks like the sandbeasts get along with me a lot better than the Doctor!

Amiya, help me figure something out here...;......;Potlid, you sure are laughing a lot...

Ghh... I keep patting its head, but it still won't let go...

Don't worry, Doctor, I won't let it rip your hood!

Well, it's obvious right—Hey, wait a second, you're calling me Potlid because you're trying to get back at me! You can't call me that!

...Why?

Why are there so many sandbeasts living here?

There's even more sandbeasts jumping up here!

Doctor, try not to get overwhelmed...

Here, let me have a try.

Oh, I knew Ray would figure it out!

The way that you chased after those sandbeasts just now, I told everyone you're definitely a little critter lover!

Just now...?

It looks like Ray didn't realize we've been following her all this way...

We really just got off the truck for a break, waiting for the braking device to cool down, but then we saw you looking like you were in some kind of daze when you got off. We were worried, so...

...Sorry.

Keep calm, Doctor. Try not to move too much...

Wow...

That was a huge sneeze...! It let go!

That was... using a pointy leaf to poke around in the holes on the sandbeast's back... to tickle it?

Thanks, I can finally think straight again.;So that's the sandbeast's breathing holes.

Alright, little fellas, you're all safe. Run along now.

That sandbeast's reaction is pretty simple to explain. They use their backfins to support their breathing, and are very sensitive to changes in airflow and temperature.

These sandbeasts and the ones bred in captivity are just as small. Look like cubs around three to four months old.

They should grow up to be pretty chunky, and live for a decent amount of years.

What about the one with you, Ray?

Now that I can give you a proper look in the rays of light, your coat's a bit brighter than I thought. My mistake.

Though I have to ask, why are you following me?

Oi!

I've been looking for you lot for half the day! Why'd you all run this way anyway...?

What are all these critters doing here? What are they?

Sandbeasts.

I know they're sandbeasts.

These things... No, that's not important right now. Doctor, didn't you say you could actually read the data from the survey equipment atop the truck?

That doohickey's pumping out fluctuating data, ninety-nine times out of a hundred whatever it says doesn't happen, and I don't understand a thing about the pattern it's spit out...

—Everyone, get back in the truck!;We need to leave immediately.

...Eh?

You saying it could be... a Catastrophe?

The Doctor looked into it. The Catastrophe Messenger who was on the truck with us for a little while had a very limited survey range. We can't rely on that data to provide us an accurate picture of the situation.

And since the Doctor's judgement says to leave as soon as possible, and not to try and take cover here...

That means that we still have time.

Alright, got it.

Let's get a move on, before the Catastrophe wrecks everything here! The farther, the better!

Everything here...

Wh-Whew... From running over to tell you lot the news, then running back... I gotta say—whew... I gotta say that I definitely broke the factory district record!

Potlid, did you manage to get my time?

You need to time your own runs, Lanns... Wait for the others next time!

You guys were playing with the sandbeasts too long, turned you into slowpokes!

I can wait, sure, but the Catastrophe won't!

C'mon, be a good girl, start up already...

Doctor, Amiya, you two ready?

I'm all set...! Eh?

The Doctor ran too hard, still isn't up for talking! ... Right, yes... I understand. The Doctor says 'I'm all set too!'

Alrighty, if everyone's buckled up, off we go! Tootleloo, Catastrophe!

Will we be alright, going at this speed?

Definitely not a problem. The only thing overtaking me now is myself at top speed. A little Catastrophe cloud like that? In your dreams, mate.

That's good to hear...

Huh?

Doctor... What are you trying to say?

Ha...? Hay... Way... Ray?

That's right! Where's Ray?!

I don't think she made it on!

Eh?!

Ugh...

It's okay, sandbeasts. We can... still make it.

The Catastrophe isn't here yet. It's just that the sandstorm's picking up now, but I can still make it through the wind.

I can find somewhere safe for you fellas...

(Vigilantly digging into the soil)

Right, I know sandbeasts can't talk. It was just a hallucination or something there.

(Blowing a whistle) C'mere.

Black clouds about to hit...

Won't be able to see much soon.

Or... I could become that 'somewhere safe' for you lot.

There's nothing else we can do. Even if the sandstorm's huge, all we can do is rush right through it.

It's got to be hard on that kid Rayella. Her first time coming along and we run into this shitstorm.

You lot, come lend a hand, lift up her legs.

This little lady's whole body is burning hot, and her feet are covered in blisters too. She's far too young for this. Don't think she can walk the rest of the way.

Let's go. We better decide which way to get out of here already.

I'm familiar with this sense of weariness and despair. The wind and sand press down upon me. All I see is darkness. My feet feel full of lead.

The adults carried me on their backs. I could feel their flagging stride as it fought against the raging wind.

No... This is a Catastrophe.

I remember. Alanna said a Catastrophe was coming. So this is Originium dust then, not just regular dust? It smells like the pit.

The Catastrophe will destroy the rock wall, pollute the pool. Those sandbeasts will have nowhere to go. I won't let them suffer that.

Pulling them, carrying them, holding on to them, whistling again and again to call any other sandbeasts, following along behind them all.

And then, all I remember is being shaken about like a ragdoll.

How many sandbeasts did I manage to protect with my body?

I heard a bizarre whistling sound go past my ear. It seemed like there was someone whistling for me, guiding the little critters.

Wrww?

...Eh?

Wraw!

Wraw!

Wraaaaw—

You...

Wait, wait a sec. I'm... on your backs?

Where are you all carrying me?