act8mini

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.

We have to protect the things Her Majesty left behind. I guess it's not much different from what you're trying to do... And you know that, W, better than anyone else.

Protecting a boiler? That big ol' hunk of steamy machinery is your home, huh?

Basically, yeah. I'd say this boiler is my purpose in life. Laugh if you want.

Yeah, you know this isn't exactly a laughing situation.

Haha. You're still thinking of us, and we appreciate that.

Safe travels.

Ugh... saps.

It's time to go.

A voice from the shadows. W looks up, and though the light isn't on, someone has been staring at her from the darkness since the beginning.

I know, I know... Ascalon, you're the most impatient one of all, aren't you?

But you're really not gonna let me see that 'Doctor' or the dragon lady? There's a loooot— that I still want to say to them—

Aww, giving me the cold shoulder?

So, Ines is still alive? What's the situation in Londinium?

Then what's the plan? You used to be with Theresis—

Haha, fine. Spooking me with the silent treatment isn't easy. You used to be a lot more talkative. I guess seeing me pissed you off? I'll leave then, happy?

It just so happens that I had some stuff to check with the old hag first, otherwise I wouldn't have wanted to be here either.

We work together for now.

Work together, huh? I'm not sure I'd call it that. It's more like making sure I've got all my targets nice and clear before we meet up out there in a warzone later.

I'm not gonna randomly stroll into Rhodes Island, don't worry. Though, those folks sure have an interesting look in their eyes. It's a warrior's look, you see it in battle—

The Sarkaz in the shadows does not answer.

W knows of this habit, in Ascalon's line of work. The rule is, each extra word makes your head hit the ground a little bit faster.

My dear sweet Ascalon, you're not my boss anymore.

See you in Londinium.

What's wrong, W? You haven't left yet? Huh...

That's weird. How come there's nobody here?

4:10 P.M.

Rhodes Island Landship, Lower Deck

The roar of machinery fills the lowest level of Rhodes Island, the area that provides power to the entire ship.

The Sarkaz Goliaths are the operators responsible for running it. On weekdays, the bottom level is populated pretty exclusively by technical staff.

You are wandering around aimlessly.

In these three months, you still have not set foot in every corner of Rhodes Island.

Rhodes Island is like a small nomadic city. Though much smaller in scale, it is still well-equipped.

Its internal structure is far more complicated than it seems at a glance, and the power plant is one such example.

Hm? Why's it so lively here today? Nobody ever comes down to a place like... Oh...

Doctor?