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Oh, it's not that, Doctor. That's not what I meant...

Well, whatever. Enjoy your breakfast. I'll leave you in peace.

The operators gradually disperse, and you find yourself sitting in the corner of the canteen, a rare occurrence indeed.

Rhodes Island, a place that makes you feel both at home yet also estranged, just like those clear but also unrecognizable memories. A pharmaceutical company with the primary goal of resolving the problems surrounding the Infected.

It is said that the past you was intimately connected to all of this. It is said that you played a key role in its establishment. It is said that you were the brains of Rhodes Island, and that Rhodes Island was the extension of your will.

A portion of what was spoken of has been slowly returning to you, but you are not sure if this is good or bad.

You have forgotten too much. Rhodes Island has welcomed you, but you don't know if you are worthy of its welcome.

Your breakfast lies before your eyes, a bland but healthy meal. You know that this, too, is Kal'tsit's work.

Over the past three months, your life has been filled with these feelings—

Everything is so strange yet so nostalgic. Conceptually, these feelings are completely contradictory, yet they manifest in front of you together.

Three months ago, during the sudden outbreak of rioting and conflict, they... Rhodes Island, rescued you from the epicenter of the turmoil.

In the ensuing conflict, too many people lost their lives.

So many of the deceased recognized you, yet you do not recognize them; So many of the deceased heard about you, yet you have not heard about them.

You gave your utmost, gaining greater respect in the process, and your hard work finally bore the fruit of victory. Yet that victory still came laden with inevitable pain.

Up until now... Up until now, you've had but one question, a question that you've repeatedly raised to yourself but have never been able to answer.

Is it all worth it?

2:45 P.M.

Rhodes Island Integrated Bioprocessing Unit

Stretching out before your eyes is the most unique warehouse in all of Rhodes Island.

A large number of unclaimed objects are stacked in this warehouse.

A petite Perro operator is struggling to wipe down a badly-damaged shield.

You recognize the shield, and remember the former owner of that shield.

You remember that tall, somewhat slovenly operator who always sported a hearty smile. He was once your friend, or so you've been told. But you don't know anything.

You're weary of this repetitive, contradictory nonsense, but nothing better encapsulates the current state of your existence.

All the specifics sift through the cracks of your fingers. You extend your hand to catch them, but the fine sands of memory are dragged down by gravity and fall into the abyss, grain by grain.

D-Doctor?

How'd you end up over her...

This is... Ace's shield.

Yes. It belonged to him. Every week, I come by... to keep it clean.

Ugh, it's... so heavy.

Um, can you lend me a hand, Doctor? It's really, really heavy... I always have trouble lifting it back onto the shelf.

You step forward to help her, but soon realize that you are too weak to lift the shield even a single centimeter off the ground.

Perhaps you were able to do it in the past, but such a task is no longer possible for your convalescing body. Kal'tsit has reminded you of this, as well as everything else.

Hey! Heyyyy! Doctor, don't lift with your back!

Um, never mind. I can do it myself.

Sorry, I'm no help at all.;But... this is Ace's shield. I should at least...

Don't worry about it. They always said you're the smartest person on Rhodes Island.

Let me help.

Alright! Just like this though— and be careful!

Phew! We did it!

By the way, who are 'they?'

Let's see, Instructor Dobermann and others used to say that, as well as the elite operators.

Including Ace...

He used to talk about you. He said that you could stand up to half an army by yourself, hahaha.

Were you and Ace close?

Huh? Um... were we close...?

Ace was close to everyone. That's the kind of person he was.

The very reliable type... During training, he taught us all sorts of things, fighting as a team, cooperation, breaking encirclement.

The elite operators are always busy, but Ace took the time to drop by the training grounds.

I always thought to myself, when could I become as reliable as Ace...?

Beagle stares at the shield with a sad smile. The dust from the warehouse plaster her hair and face, but the Perro operator doesn't seem to care.

You look around the room, and in the corner of the shelf, something catches your attention.

Various photos and ornaments stacked in a small, messy box. Underneath it are some old, faded documents.

This is...

Oh... That's....

Doctor, you shouldn't...

What is it?

These are... things that belonged to... they're from the Reunion fighters, back in Lungmen...

The handlers in the Processing Room were discussing what to do with these for a long time, and ended up stuffing everything in here.

You flip through a few photos. These old, yellowed, stained photos almost all depict Ursus people.

Most of the people in the photos are clad in ragged clothes, showing a mix of awkwardness, joy, or numbness when facing the camera.

On the backside of a silver pendant in the box is an engraving in the Ursus script—

—'To Ivana, my darling daughter. May she always know happiness.'

Among them are former enemies, as well as former friends.

You know that some of them fought against Rhodes Island to the bitter end, and you also know that some of them became allies of Rhodes Island in a time of crisis.

You don't know all their stories, but you do know the suffering of the Infected. You know... and yet you do not know.

Sometimes, those of us who were there, will also ask ourselves this question......

All of us have been through disaster. Ursus, the Infected, as well as us, but...

Was all of this truly worth it?

Ah, sorry. I, I shouldn't be venting my frustration... But every time I come here, and see these things...

A-Anyways, please forget I said anything, Doctor— Doctor?

It's fine, don't worry about it.

Ah, it's already three! Gotta head to the training grounds. If I'm late, Instructor Dobermann's gonna chew me out again.

Gotta go, Doctor! Remember to lock the door, okay?

The Perro operator rushes out, leaving you alone with the ownerless objects stacked in the warehouse, save the slowly-settling dust of time.

You are about to turn and leave, but a strange red shadow enters your field of vision. Curious, but just not enough to stop your movement.

It's just a strange red machine.

3:53 P.M. \ Overcast

Rhodes Island Landship, Lower Deck

Real talk, don't you guys get hot in here all day? Not even thinking about heading up to catch some fresh air?

This heat is just right for us Goliaths. Besides, someone's gotta keep an eye on this equipment.

Rhodes Island depends on the power system here.

Whatever keeps your motor running.

Getting ready to leave?

Yup, there's nothing for me here, plus that old hag Kal'tsit's giving me the evil eye again.

I'm actually really surprised that Dame Kal'tsit even let you back on.

Hah. Do you have any idea how many swords the hag has hanging over my head right now?

More than you could ever... Oi, look at the corridor over there. Wanna guess who's standing in that corner?

...Are you going to Victoria?

Guess so. Just had a few words for my dear old pals before I go.

We all know what you're trying to do. We also know we can't talk you out of it.

But I have to say it one more time. Going to Victoria is not a good idea, W.

I think Sarkaz maybe shouldn't...

Ah, whatever. I'm just a boiler worker, and I shouldn't even be saying this stuff to you. Forget I brought it up.

There is something I've wanted to ask... Most of the gang already left, so why are you staying behind?

With your skills, don't you think you could make a good living anywhere?

Her Majesty left us this home. No reason we should leave it.

Having a place we belong to sure as hell beats wandering the wastes.

Besides...

The burly Sarkaz knocks on the nearby machine.