act33side

Every survivor of that accident was infected. No exceptions.

How long does it take for Oripathy to progress in a child her age?

It's different for everyone. Some disintegrate the day after developing acute symptoms. Some suffer for more than a decade of misery.

But the end is always the same.

Oripathy... is there anyone in the world who can cure it?

The world? Oh, you mean Terra, our great land? Man, you sound like one of those old scholars. I didn't know you had a sense of humor.

Wait... you're serious?

I'm afraid not. It's impossible.

I need it to be possible.

People couldn't imagine the nomadic cities a few centuries ago, could they?

I'll find a way, before her symptoms deteriorate. It may be hard, but that doesn't mean it's impossible.

Say it to a Rim Billy, and they'll think you're making fun of them.

You never fail to surprise me, but I just can't help but believe in you.

Is that the charm of being smart?

Come on, Charlotte.

Hehe, I meant you... never mind.

What?

Oh, I meant... hm...

Can't you tell? There's something about you... something that lets everyone know that you're different from us.

Amiya senses it. Children are more sensitive than we know.

Is it that obvious?

She's strong. She doesn't show her sadness in front of you. She wants you to see her joy. She doesn't want to be a burden to you; she's trying to take care of you.

You became the only pillar in her life the day you saved it.

But she knows you were never supposed to cross paths. She's afraid that you'll abandon her too.

Don't worry. I won't leave her.

Now that's the spirit.

I knew you would say that.

Dear Kal'tsit, I thought I would never be more a passing visitor in this place, one history would never remember.

This intentional isolation made me forget reality: I am here, on Terra, this great land.

I don't know what made me feel it.

But the warmth of life coming from a child's palm stings my heart and makes it burn.

This is...

Jerky and fruit. Left here on purpose.

They know I'm here?

Always inscrutable.

Dear Kal'tsit, I'm planning to take Amiya back to Babel.

Savage has done her best to find medicine for Amiya, but my ability to treat Amiya's Oripathy is limited under present conditions.

I know that Amiya isn't special, by any objective standard. I know that Babel faces a crisis no less complicated, but I've decided to bring her back.

I met many people along the way. I've fretted over money at times, benefitted from people's generosity at others. I've seen new things, even some that surprised me for the first time in a long while.

The convoy that we were traveling with broke down. We found a herder to guide us through the wilderness of Rim Billiton on the backs of burdenbeasts, to the rumbling of drills and engines.

(Licks docilely)

Good boy, good boy.

Are we really not going to Yan, Doctor?

We're going somewhere else, to cure your sickness.

But... there's no cure for Oripathy...

There's no such thing as an impossible puzzle, Amiya.

There's a place called Babel, where people I trust are working hard to fight this disease.

Let's work with them.

Will I have to spend a long time there?

Some time, at least. But don't worry, there'll be a lot of people with you, caring for you. I'll be there, too.

Doctor... do we really have to go?

Lots of sick kids went away to get treated, but no one came back...

Oripathy doesn't hurt at all.

I promise I'll be good, Doctor. Right, Savage?

Yes... Amiya has always been a good girl.

Are you sure you don't want to rethink this, Doctor?

Billies deal with Originium every day. We know what Oripathy can do.

Stay here in Rim Billiton, and at least we can give her... a home.

Maybe that's more important than the cold walls of a laboratory.

...A home.

You have a point. But I can't just stand by and watch Originium hurt her... I have an obligation.

Amiya, I promise you, I'll do my best to cure you, no matter what happens.

Doctor...

Savage does have a point, though, and Babel is in a place that's not entirely safe.

You can stay with Savage, if you don't want to leave Rim Billiton.

I'm sorry to force this decision on you at such a young age... but you're a strong girl, and we'll respect your choice.

The Doctor's right, Amiya. No need to knee-jerk an answer. Think carefully about it.

I...

...I trust you, Doctor.

I want to have a future. I want to grow up, read books with you, travel with Savage. I...

It's just that... I'm a little scared...

Heh.

Thank you, Amiya.

The Doctor pats Amiya's head, then picks her up and climbs onto the burdenbeast.

They've hardly sat down when the ground begins to shake, stirring up clouds of dust.

(Growls in alarm)

What's going on?

—Underneath our feet!

Must be a deep digger! It's spooking the burdenbeast! Watch out!

(Panicked cry)

Stay, boy, stay! Whoa!

Whoa!

Hang in there, Doctor!

Doctor!

The burdenbeast rears up on its hind legs, gives a loud cry, then charges forward.

The rest of the pack follows.

They run towards a shallow shoal, splashing water everywhere.

It is all the Doctor can do to grab the fur on the back of the burdenbeast and hang on for dear life.

Amiya's eyes are wide-open in the chaos.

With one hand on the burdenbeast, she stretches out the other towards the Doctor.

Grab my hand, Doctor!

(Angry roar)

(Accelerates)

I have to get them to—whoa!

Hang on! It's speeding up!

I'm—try—ing!

Hang in there, Doctor! I'm coming!

Hur—ry!

I—

Whooooaaaahhhh—!