Глава 14

I have returned.

It feels like it has been a very long time since I left, and I have not come back to the ship for a good night's rest in quite a while either.

Doctor, Dr. Kal'tsit, Siege...

Has the war outside ended? Finally, I can have a rest.

I'd like nothing more than a bowl of hot vegetable soup at the cafeteria, then plop myself down in my bed in the dorms.

What about Theresa? At this hour, she should be—

No... No, that's not right...

Theresa is gone.

The room is empty. Nobody is waiting for my return.

I clearly remember that on many nights in the past, there would be someone who would tell me a whole library's worth of stories to put me to sleep.

But now, they are no longer here.

Wait... Why is there a piece of clothing on the bed?

A white dress, with a neat corsage sewn to the collar. The needlework is deft, clearly done by a very experienced hand.

'White suits you, Amiya.'

Theresa...?

...Doctor!

Can you hear my voice?

Doctor!

Doctor...

You are here, as I surmised.

(I feel rather unwell.);(What happened just now?);(Where am I?)

Based on how you look, you seem in poor health.

I am afraid that there's no way for me to do a physical examination here, Doctor. Please keep your head clear and look at me.

Did you... manage to remember something?

You hear the woman's stern but caring words, and you make an effort to open your eyes wide.

Your vision gradually clears as the various parts of your body regain their functionality.

You slowly open your mouth—

(Unknown language) Kal'tsit...;(Unknown language) Where am I?

Your shattered consciousness reassembles, your fragmented thoughts realign with one another. You are now able to determine that you are standing on solid ground.

You look around, certain of the familiarity of your surroundings. You have spent quite a long time here before.

The expression on the woman before you turns rather strange. Even hostile.

(Unknown language) Who am I...;...;Who am I?

I am Dr. {@nickname} of Rhodes Island.

Amiya!;Kal'tsit! Why are we on Rhodes Island?

You...

...It seems you still remember who you are.

Amiya is not here with us. What I can say for certain that this is not the original Rhodes Island.

We were separated from the others?;Where are Logos and W?

You are the only one I have seen since I arrived here.

Are you sure you don't know what is going on?

I'm as confused as you are.

Do you...;...not believe me?

...A certain degree of precaution is necessary in these circumstances.

Be on guard, Doctor. We must leave here, no matter what.

This is <i>not</i> a place that we are familiar with. I do not know what unexpected complications we may encounter.

Still, I will do everything I can to protect you. Don't stray too far from me.

No... No more...

I'm so tuckered out that I could sleep for an entire month.

Don't be like that, Kroos!

This is a live combat exercise! You need to treat the training room like the battlefield!

You can be real fierce sometimes, Captain...

Focus up. There's still lots of training drills arranged by the instructors to go.

Why so serious... They're not even here—

Oh, Doctor!

Good morning, Kroos.;Is everyone... here?

Kroos!

Oh, don't worry, the Doctor's definitely not going to tattle on us to the instructors.

Let me just take a nap here before—

I thought I gave you combat <i>training</i> exercises, not combat sleeping ones.

...We're doomed.

Attention, all members of A1 Detachment!

Sir!

All of you, a hundred laps around the training room, then fifty sets of stamina training exercises, on the double!

Yessir...

Sorry you had to see that, Doctor.

It's been too long since Rhodes Island experienced battle. These young fighters of ours can be a little slack.

So I guess it's up to me to tighten them up.

Letting them grow up peacefully isn't so bad...

Of course, but they still need to be prepared for any dangers we may come across.

It'll be fine. No need to trouble yourself over their training. I'll handle it.

You've been working real hard lately, Doctor. Go take a rest.

Don't worry. We'll be keeping watch.

Did you see all that too, Kal'tsit?;Am I dreaming?

I saw the same scene unfurl as you did. They truly do exist here.

Dreams would not be so clear, and this is not a scene out of your memory.

It would be nice if everything here was real...;No, it definitely isn't real.

Keep a clear head, Doctor.

We must press onwards.

Rare to see you here, Doctor.

Got time to sit down and have a drink? Everything's on my tab, for one night only.

It's lively here.;Sure is a lot of people, isn't it?

Did you forget, Doctor? Today's Outcast's retirement party.

Here's to our venerate elder.

Oh, shut it, Sharp. I'm barely older than you are.

Thank you for all that you've done for Rhodes Island, Outcast.;I wish you a happy retirement.

Here's to you, Outcast. We'll always remember your many deeds and exquisite marksmanship.

I can't believe that Outcast is leaving us...

There'sh not gonna to be anyone left to... *hic* drink wish me on weekend nights...

Hey, I'm just retiring. Not even a Lateran funeral would be this sentimental.

Plus, even if I drink so much tonight that I don't wake up tomorrow, I'd call my life a life well lived.

My memories of working alongside you all are my greatest treasures, and I'll bring them to the grave with me along with my patron firearm.

Just make sure that it's Rangers teaching the youngsters how to shoot.

You're drunk, Outcast. He uses a gun, how's he s'pposed to teach kids 'bout—*burp*—shootin' a Sankta crossbow?

You need to cut back, Blaze. You're talking nonsense again.

Pah, both need you to keep one eye open and one eye shut. Not too big a difference.

Oh, looks like we're not the only ones at the bar tonight.

I'm serious, Dagda!

Show me how powerful the fist of a Knight of the Tower can be!

...Just remember, you asked for this.

Hey! This isn't the boxing gym! We're guests here on Rhodes Island, so don't go about making trouble!