blkngt

Thing is, I just... wanna go back to the barrens. Life out there suits me better.

No problem. There's always more fieldwork.;You can specialize in barrenlands field missions.

Nah, it's just not the same. I know, I know, I don't have to worry about the basics here, and I can get drugs for my sickness. I've made new friends, learned new tricks, the whole shebang.

Ought to know a good thing when I see it...

But sometimes, I wake up at night, and I stare at the ceiling and it's all white. No moons, no stars, no chirping, and I just feel hollow inside.

My instincts are shouting it, my heart's screaming it, and my thinker's torturing me over it.

It's just the simplest thing—

I need to live somewhere I can see the sky when I look up.

Do you... Do you know just how bad your health is, Blacknight? How will the sky do anything to protect you?

I don't agree to this! I do <i>not</i> approve your application! Doctor, please don't approve her application!

Listen to me, Mulberry. I know I'm skint for choices. That's why I'm choosing what I want most, honest.

Remember that beast I took you to see?

Mm... It's never left my mind.

Out in the barrens, there's plenty more like her. Loads and loads.

Few years back, I came across a slumberfoot. She was a tough little cub. The moment I saw her, I decided I wanted to tame her.

But I tried a few times to get close and communicate with her, and she kept refusing. Whenever she saw me, she just scurried straight away. Tasty food, a soft bed, nothing could make her care.

Then one time, by accident, she got hurt by her own prey. I saved her, took her back to camp, and treated her.

As she healed up, gradually, that tension she had around me gave way to a new familiarity.

Thought I'd managed to tame her, so I stopped keeping an eye on her round the clock.

But after a short hunting trip, I came back to camp and she was gone. Left nothing but the little cap I knitted her.

I was furious. Imagine how hard it is to even get a hold of yarn in the barrens... I thought she loved that cap.

So I followed her tracks. Went after her.

And when I found her, she was rolling about in the dunes, absolutely grimy. But she was happy as could be, the happiest I'd ever seen her.

So I just turned around and left. In that instant, I learned. She didn't belong to me. She belonged to those dunes, to that huge old desert.

I... I...

...Alright.;I understand.

Blacknight, I approve your application to depart.

You are once again an RI collaborative operator. You can go.

...Thank you.

If you have to leave... then—then at least, remember to bring enough medicine before you go.

Half a year later

Come on. Come on, connect.

Hello? Is anyone listening? This is Operator Mulberry! I've encountered an exceptionally bad sandstorm en route to a mission in Lungmen! Requesting urgent support!

Hello? Is anyone there?

Is this really it? This can't be... No...

(I'm going to die here.)

I feel so hungry. So tired. So terrible.

Nobody's coming, are they...? There's nobody <i>to</i> come.

*whimper*... Mom... Dad...

I'm sorry... I can't... hold on any longer...

Mreep—mreep—

(Who... Who's that licking me? Uwgh, that tickles...)

If you're awake, hurry up and open your eyes.

(I can't see properly. That voice sounds so familiar...)

What're you doing just squinting there?

Oh, you got sand in your eyes.

(Blows)

Give me a blink. That any better?

Strewth, what would you do without me?

Waah—

Hey, hey, what're you hugging me so hard for?!

Come on, let go!

...I missed you so, so much.

Alright, alright... fine, just a little. I'll let you hug me just a little longer.