act8mini

But... Every night, the little rabbit is very concerned about your sleep-talking.

Pardon me for being nosy, but after all the chatting we've done on our journey, it is hard not to take certain impressions. Have you lost your memories, or something of that sort?

I see. If that's some sort of secret, let's say I never asked. It is an uncouth question indeed, and I asked out of simple curiosity.

Some things... happened to me, and I lost some of my memories.

...Maybe most of them.

Occasionally, I will recall some of them... just tiny fragments.

Well, maybe not occasionally. Only a few rare times.

Friend, I have a vague idea of what's going on.

Suppose your memory is a spread-out newspaper, and now, someone has spilled a bucket of paint on it.

You can only see bits and pieces of the content through the gaps in the paint, but you can't grasp the full picture of that content.

That seems like a pretty good description of my experiences. I am... a stranger to myself.;I can't even say if your analogy is accurate. I... don't know.

It sounds like something that defies all words, friend.

But I am no psychiatrist, and there is not much I can do for you.

Sometimes, I even find myself thinking about the kind of person I was before all this.

I don't know who I am. I can only piece myself together from the words of others.

That's not important, friend.

Our existence is often based on how others perceive us. The sum of your 'self' is but the feedback of auditory, visual, and emotional interaction with others.

It doesn't matter what kind of person 'you' are, but from a social point of view, it should be quite clear what kind of person others need you to be.

Do you happen to have anything that can restore memories quickly?;Do you know any tricks that could help me get my memories back as soon as possible?;Do you perhaps know some way of restoring my memory quickly after I make up my mind?

I do, but I can't recommend it. Let me think of how to put this...

Our lives are like an elastic belt. If you stretch out one side, the other side will contract.

If you want to restore your memories 'quickly,' you will have to endure many unmanageable consequences.

That quaint head of yours might not withstand such a tussle. Besides, this only applies to the most common forms of 'amnesia.'

Whether for your own sake, or for that of the little bunny who you value so much, I'd recommend just taking things easy.

By the way, the little rabbit's up.

Doctor... Good morning.

Morning, Amiya.

I'll leave you two to it then. I'm going to fetch some firewood.

Amiya stands beside you quietly, watching the sun rising in the distance.

The rays of light are slowly melting the cold tones of the wastelands, every piece of the rocky desert dyed by the gradually rising sun.

Perhaps you have never set foot upon this land, but in a corner of Terra's vast domain, you once wandered with Amiya.

You once left your footprints in this sparsely populated world.

This should have been your impression, your fragments of your memory— but the truth is, this is the 'story' Kal'tsit told you.

In the cold wind of the early morning, you rack your brain, trying to find a tangible thread within your hazy memory.

The light of daybreak, the cold wind of the wastelands. You and Amiya, Amiya and you. You can remember, and yet you cannot remember.

Amiya takes hold of your hand.

Doctor, are you okay?

...I'm fine.

I remember it was around the same time. We spent our first night in the wastelands, and watched the sun rise over the horizon just like this.

You asked me a bunch of weird questions...

Haha... Of course, all of that happened years ago, but it seems like it was just yesterday.

Sorry, Amiya... I...

It's okay, Doctor.

As long as you're here, one day, things will get better.

The next day

2:39 P.M. \ Clear

Messenger Outpost

Several huge engineering vehicles and armed off-road transports make a circular formation on the rocky, barren expanses, surrounding several makeshift sheds.

The noisy din of generators and the roar of running Originium boilers can be heard near and far, intermingled with the loud conversations of travelers and Messengers.

The Messenger Outpost, an oasis of civilization beyond the ecological oasis of the wastelands, your destination.

Finally! We've arrived safely at the post!

We didn't encounter any major difficulties on our journey, nor did a Catastrophe befall us. You are quite lucky indeed, friend.

The third car from the left is the Messenger contact station here. You might be able to contact your group there. The Messenger rates here are pretty good.

But... the room over there has the logo of Mama John's on it. Are you sure it's fine?

As long as you keep a low profile and don't cause any trouble, there won't be any problems. This is a Messenger outpost after all. Even in Columbia, few companies will go out of their way to get on the Messengers' bad side.

Doctor... Wait here for me. I don't stand out as much as you do, so I'll head down to the Messenger contact station.

Mr. Cannot, can I trouble you to stay with the Doctor for a while? I'll be right back.

Don't worry, little rabbit. I am good at hiding people from prying eyes. There won't be any problems.

Relax, friend. Look at those armed vehicles over there. Do you see those anti-armor turrets? Trust me, it's very safe here.

Here, have a sip.

It's a specialty from a local microbrewery. Give it a try.

Is this... beer?

Indeed. I've heard the owner of this microbrewery is an Infected. Unexpected, yes? Even among Columbia's pioneers, there are few who can accomplish this much.

Now is not the time to drink and make merry.

Fair enough. Why don't we go relax over there and listen to the news?

You know, the very best thing about Columbia is that they provide radio base stations for all the wasteland outposts. You can hear the news on the radio from just about anywhere.

Almost all cities have intra-city broadcasting, but the decision to cover the wilderness with base stations is unique in Terra. You should take it all in, and treat it like sightseeing.

...The armed conflict that occurred in the Northern District of Tkaronto has gradually subsided. On site, police found evidence of a large-scale crossbow shoot-out, but have not apprehended any suspects...

...The Tkaronto Police announced that one of the parties involved in the conflict has ties to a foreign company, 'Rhodes Island.' The specifics of this organization are not known at this time...

...Some sources note that this foreign company has certain commercial conflicts with a local firm, but the spokesperson of this local business declined to comment on the matter.

The police believe that this may have been a terrorist attack on Tkaronto, and the specifics of this armed conflict are pending further investigation.

Doctor.

You're back, little rabbit?

The people at the Messenger contact station didn't come to work until three past noon, so we'll have to wait.

The news just now...

It sounds like your people have withdrawn successfully, which is a good thing.

But Mama John's probably got what it came for. Most regrettable.

We're the victims, but the police are looking for us.;......;The corporate intrigue here reminds me of Kazimierz.

Hah, something like this is a routine operation in Columbia. That bunch moved quickly and wiped their asses in advance.

Don't dwell on it, friend.

You'll leave this place soon enough. It's too late to manage this problem now, but be more mindful about it next time.

But what do they get out of a batch of semi-finished medicine samples?;Before that, Mr. Know-It-All, can you tell me why they're so desperate?

Very well... It seems that you've made up your mind.

Are you familiar with Columbia's business, my friend? How many times have you had to deal with them in the past?

Rhodes Island has had some simple dealings with a few Columbian technology companies.

Oh, I'm sure 'simple dealings' are decently good on the surface.

But, my friend, the ugly and indecent parts are not often placed on the table for everyone to see.

Come then. I will take you someplace, so you can see something fun.

Next!

H-Hello... I need this month's dose.

Sure, let's take a look...

Mr. Dave, is it? Ah yes, I saw your application. You've been a model employee this past month. Here's your monthly medicine ration.

Thank you... Thank you...

Um, would it be possible... to get next month's dose in advance? My wife is in pretty bad shape lately, and I need...

Mr. Dave, according to company regulations, we are unable to provide any medication in advance. Thank you for your understanding.

But as you know, we always prepare additional medicine for commercial sale, and you can always go next door to purchase more Oripathy suppressants.

B-But...

Company regulations, Mr. Dave. Thank you for your understanding.

Next!

What... what is this place?