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'I don't know when it started, but the nickname the clerics used to tease me with became my name.'

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Date: Unrecoverable

Play Log: Under-Development Area

Subject: Kal'tsit

The dust has settled in Londinium, but hopes for peace in Victoria seem dim.

How much time do we have? I know you're listening, PRTS.

I need you to do everything you can to restore monitoring the Cradle Process, in the middle decks' under-development area.

And... prepare to grant Closure access to my permissions.

Authorization—Abyss. Thank you.

There's a lot left to do. How much will I manage myself?

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<p=1>Rhodes Island Landship</> <p=2>Summer, 1101</>

Three years after the Londinium incident

(Sliding quickly)

(Proudly claiming credit)

Good work. It seems like Closure and Mechanist's upgrades were effective.

(Spins happily)

Hey. The repair work on this sector is nearly complete.

She feels a small body make contact with her back, hugging her neck and giggling.

Alanna knows the giggle well. Sometimes, it makes her happy, and sometimes it makes her anxious.

She takes the girl she loves so much up on her back.

Potlid, I smell cream stew!

Lanns, you're going to ruin the surprise!

It smells too good! I couldn't help myself!

You sure are happy. I guess the Doctor agreed?

Yes! I saw there was an opening for volunteer work in the Rim Billiton office, and I signed up as soon as I could.

The food I cook now can't cure a miner's Oripathy, sure, but our Rhodes Islander friends can, and I can fill their stomachs.

If Savage and Ray hadn't vouched for me, the Doctor might've rejected my application on the spot.

Well, it's my responsibility as your guardian to accompany you, obviously.

Savage and Ray are with me. No worries!

But even when I'm not around, you still have to eat right, Lanns. I've left a full week's worth of soups of the day in the kitchen—all your favorite flavors.

My colleagues in Logistics will keep an eye on you for me.

Haha. You're the boss, Potlid.

But will you really be able to stand leaving your friends?

(Exaggerated nod)

Yes. The Beepy's also a good friend of mine.

But lots of the people I know have applied to serve as backup in this place or that, and I'm not about to fall behind.

Everyone's looking forward to touring our new home after the mission is over. Lanns, you promised me that Rhodes is gonna look even more beautiful once the renovations are done!

(Shhh—Of course, I peeked at Closure's blueprints before.)

Also...

Also?

I was already brave enough to say goodbye to my family and set off on a long journey, just like my dad did. Lanns, you just wait for my return!

A giant cookie? Is this from Ceobe?

Lots of operators getting ready to head out to support posts got cookies.

'You gotta eat good when you're traveling.' Kay was really firm with me on that.

I just wonder if she's gonna end up eating most of the cookies before she gets to share them.

I set it up with Vulcan to bake a batch of cookies as quickly as possible, so Kay could pass them out to all the operators going on field missions.

When the time comes, I'll have Sonya go with Kay to distribute them.

Why—

Forget it. I'll just drag Leto along with me.

Haha. I'm fine as long as you give me the honey drink you owe me once we get there.

With a drink in my hand, I'm at your command, General Zima!

Gah. What a headache. All this talking-to-people shit... This is Natalya's work.

But Rosa can't be everywhere at once—she has a lot of specific plans to go over with Amiya too, you know.

This trip's going to be a bit more trouble than usual—after all, we're going to—

(In Ursine) <i>Ursus.</i>

Or did you give the task of planning with Amiya to Rosa because you were afraid you couldn't do it?

Who said I couldn't do it? It's just—

Ursus, the place they all left together.

So much time has passed since then. Zima believes they are ready to go back and face the place once more.

Gummy, what's wrong with your hand?

N-Nothing, Zima. It's just a little sore, is all. We had them baking too many cookies. The bakers in the canteen got worn out.

Even Kay, waiting right outside the door, had to get dragged in to help like a good girl.

Don't worry about me, Zima. She wants to fill the bellies of the operators who took good care of her and are now leaving home. I feel the same way.

We'll do our part as well.

Anyways, Natalya also needs to spend some time—

You need help? Count me in.

See, Little Cub? Look what I can whip up in the kitchen.

Instructor Dur-nar?

The Doctor showed me your application. I took the liberty of applying to travel with you—as your 'guardian.'

Truth is, the Doctor was too worried about sending you back. I'm worried enough myself.

Zima...?

Welcome!

Rosa, the Doctor didn't want to approve your application, at first.

Medical assessed all of you and recommended that we be a bit more careful with your itinerary.

But, in the end, the Doctor respected our wishes?

That's because of Zima.

She burst into the Doctor's office and vowed to protect you, promising your safe return to Rhodes Island.

Just like before.

I kept them alive in Chernobog, I got us through it. This time's no different.

This isn't just about your safety.;This encounter with Ursus will be very different from before.

Natalya and I have it worked out—If we operate under her family's Rostov Industries, we'll have an easier time moving around.

I'm not worried about your status.;Rhodes Island has ways to deal with things like that.

(Hands over Medical report)

The assessment says you aren't fully prepared yet.

There are other logistics tasks you can choose.;There are always other ways you can help Rhodes Island.

We're all nervous about going back, at least a bit. But we can't keep hiding from it.

This isn't some 'journey home for self-healing.' We looked over the risks and volunteered because we think we're a good fit for operations in Ursus.

We decided to call Rhodes Island our home a long time ago.

So I can guarantee I'll bring them back home, safe and sound.

Sonya has always been braver than me.

Amiya, as far as the details of our collaboration with Rostov Industries, I'd appreciate it if Dr. Kal'tsit and the Doctor could take a closer look.

I believe this will only be beneficial to our operations.

Consider it done, Rosa.