Глава 15

However, I still recommend that you avoid conducting any operations in Chernobog for now.

Ursus is still patrolling the area as closely as ever, and your identities are still an issue.

We'll stay in contact with the ship—there are still many aspects of the Ursine operation that will be up to you to assess.

Have a safe trip, Rosa.

The ship will be sending additional Logistics and Medical staff to accompany you—not only to support your operation, but also to explore the possibility of establishing a permanent office in Ursus.

By the way, someone else came to find me after your travel plans were announced. She hopes to join you on your journey.

Oh?

(Stomach growling)

Gummy, put the pot down. You eat your fill first!

Huh? I haven't gone hungry in a very long time.

(Stomach growling)

Hehe. Maybe I was just too busy today and forgot to eat, Istina.

You and Zima are here, so I'll be fine.

Then get to eating, you hear me?

Open wide, Gummy.

Mm-mm, I'm full, Leto!

Come to think of it, do you have anything you need us to bring, Zima? Personal thingies? I brought some big crates with me.

Well, let's bring the guitar Natalya gave me. Don't want her asking about it later.

Anything else, just leave it at home. Not like we're never coming back.

Leto, didn't you say we weren't taking anything?

That reminds me—I've got some junk to give to someone. Mind if we swing by Kjerag on the way, Sonya?

Should be fine. I'll submit my travel plan to the Doctor.

Excuse me, might I join you on your trip to Ursus?

Sorry, I know this request is sudden...

But I...

Sonya, let Zoya come with us.

This rescue mission will be a long one. We can take care of each other along the way.

You already know, Natalya?

I talked to Rosa about it.

Haha. Don't sweat it, Zoya. This isn't our first joint trip.

Ceobe, wait, that cookie is still a bit raw in the middle!

Huh?

No! Stop her! She'll give herself a tummyache!

Huh?

(Politely stops her)

I'm gonna be late!

(Spins angrily)

Kay made so many cookies.

Those cookies should go to very, very good people.

Lots of wonderful people are setting out on a journey. They took good care of Kay at home, so Kay wants to make sure they don't go hungry.

That's the deal.

Doctor, the copy rooms on each floor have been packed with people these past few days.

This round of field deployments, going out to so many different regions, is the perfect opportunity for us to pick up local souvenirs—the wishlists everyone's been making are long enough to start a whole Terran Expo.

In the past, Closure has suggested that the Procurement Department make unified purchases for the operators, but I rejected the idea.

Let's keep the spirit of the tradition alive. Procurement will be sending out a notice soon regarding reimbursement.

Do you need me to bring you back anything from my trip to Victoria?

Kal'tsit shakes her head. She looks at the cookies Folinic is holding with a bit of suspicion.

Ceobe shoved these cookies at me just now.

She just made a gigantic mess in the kitchen, and Amiya is still trying to help clean it up.

Poor Amiya.

Folinic, you're going to have your hands full on this trip to Victoria.

In addition to recovering data from several offices in the ducal territories, you'll have to monitor Na Saoirsí and Reed.

You'll have to coordinate with all the different offices to provide her as much support as possible.

Of course.

And Londinium?

Let Heidi know that we are temporarily delaying our return to the ship for debriefing. Ever since Londinium's Parliament restored contact with the outside world, it has resumed collecting messages from the Core nations.

The intelligence network that Heidi has been cultivating is extremely important. This is also why I am sending you to provide support.

So overall, things aren't really that great? I see. I'll pay close attention to all of this.

Folinic, you need to take it easier.

Wha?

You have a habit of overloading yourself.

I saw your itinerary. You're stretching yourself too thin. I deleted a few of the tasks.

Try not to dwell on the things you fear—and don't try and force yourself to take control of them, either.

Folinic, I never expected you to be like your mother... or me.

I don't support encouraging those who have experienced suffering to forget the hatred and violence they've endured. If we want to build a better future, we mustn't surrender.

Try to slow down your pace a bit, Folinic. Wanting to have more control over your life is good, but getting all anxious about it is just tantamount to self-torture.

It's a long road to Victoria, but I need you to remember the smile you had when you first walked in this room.

This is my one and only requirement for you.

I will remember that.

I'll pick out a souvenir for you myself when I get to Victoria.

Farewell, Dr. Kal'tsit.

Red, you don't need to hide.

I was afraid you would be angry.

You told me not to be sad about Siracusa... but I made you sad.

I don't want to leave Rhodes Island this time. I'm afraid you will force me.

I haven't prepared the transfer order for S.W.E.E.P. yet, Red.

Stay here on standby. Ascalon's orders will arrive soon.

After we receive the orders, can I stay by your side?

Yes. Didn't you arrive some time ago?

Yes. I arrived a while ago.

Aunt Jemma and Mum prepared these canned golden radishes for me to hand out to my colleagues.

Sorry. There might be a few too many of them. Should we maybe store them in the kitchen first?

There's a veritable mountain of cans here.

I'll leave them with you.

All this stuff happened all of a sudden. It's been too long since I've been home. Mum's stockpile of canned goods is getting out of control. She just keeps dumping them on me over and over.

Didn't you just tell me they were prepared specifically for our colleagues?

Gah... Yes. Right.

Anyways, they're all mine. I'll decide how they're used.

Doctor, might I trouble you to help me distribute these to our colleagues, when you see them? Warmy's on a tight schedule, so I don't have time to do it myself.

Oh, right. The two cans with names on them... I saved them for you and Amiya. Don't give them out by mistake!

They look more or less the same.

—You... Of course they're not the same!

Oh right. I'll also need to take thirty cans on my own trip.

For your own supplies?

No. As gifts.

Warmy and Ray have an old friend, Jerry. Ever since he married Keira, his career has really taken off.

I saw the last photo he sent. His family has been blessed with quite a litter of kids lately. Warmy made plans with us to stop and visit them on the way.

They mentioned this.

Time really flies, huh?

And we haven't really changed much, eh? Well, Amiya sure does seem like she's matured a lot, ever since she returned from Kazdel.