mberry

I can't exactly keep a cool head either. I even blew up at you earlier.

I... I'm just really, really scared.

To be honest, I wanted to prove that I was capable, that I wouldn't hold my parents back. That's why I insisted on going into these snowy mountains with their caravan.

So, if something happened to them... wouldn't that make everything my fault?

Um, I think... nobody's to blame for the heavy snowfall.

But still, I can't help but think that I'm responsible for all this.

If not... who else could I blame? God?

...The wind sure is harsh.

Mhm... It sure is.

Actually... I think I can relate a little. My parents didn't want me taking this job either. They said it was dangerous, what with how 'the elements are unpredictable,' and all that.

So I snuck off by myself. All this time, and they haven't even sent me a single letter.

If something were to happen to me, and the letter I left taken back to my hometown... To be honest, I have no idea how they'd react.

...I don't want to think about it either.

Ning-Ning! Ning-Ning! Do you read me?

Ah, yes, I'm here!

Please report back to HQ: We've found traces of entrapment under deep snow, with thermal imaging signatures from beneath. No response to calls.

We need HQ to help us come up with a rescue plan.

Got it!

Temperature... Wind speed... Entrapment depth... Snowfall conditions... Okay, I've got everything!

I just contacted HQ, and members from the rear technical team should be on duty right now, so I'll pass on the message!

Also, the snow will intensify again partway through the night, so make sure to come back in time.

Did you hear that? The northwestern team seems to have found someone!

...Oh, asleep already? I hope I wasn't talking too loud.

Mm, his vital signs are stable, so it should be fine.

He's earned his rest.

Now to call HQ—

Oh no!

Crap, crap! The signal cut off! That gust of wind just now must've interfered with the base station...

Gu Ning-Ning cannot help but cast a glance at the sleeping victim, and then at the wireless transceiver in her hand.

She is now completely alone, alone with the howling wind.

(Shakes head forcefully) Stop trembling! Don't you dare! Don't you dare think about calling the others back to bail you out either!

Forget these unnecessary thoughts. Tell everyone there's been an interruption in the signal, then hurry up and fix it!

*exhales*... Okay. Searchlight, protective goggles, non-slip gloves, safety rope. No problems there. This situation was explained in the manual.

Next up is...

Gu Ning-Ning takes out the letter from her luggage and slips it into her pocket.

(The camp is sheltered from the wind, but the base station is atop a hill... If I'm remembering right, it should be this way.)

(Ugh... The wind is so strong that I can't see anything but blowing snow in front of me.)

(Oh no... That means the people still out there are in even more danger!)

(That's why... I, I absolutely can't panic. If I mess this up... If I make any sort of mistake...)

(No, stop it! Just watch your step, and don't let your eyes wander!)

...Oh, I think I see the outline of the base station. Good, the damage doesn't look too severe.

C-Captain! Reporting in!

There's no sign of external damage to the base station! I'll go check on the antenna!

Good. Be careful when climbing up there.

Got it!

Phew... Checking the fulcrum, adjusting the position of the safety rope...

(It's freezing...)

(The moment I looked up, my goggles were completely covered with snow, and I can't see anything...)

(How much further is the top of the tower? How long have I been climbing? In training, I've climbed dozens of meters, but it never felt this long...)

(The support... is it about to get blown over by the wind? Or is that just my legs shaking?)

(The transceiver keeps beeping. It should be the teams confirming their safety with one another. If I waste any more time here, am I putting them all in danger...?)

(No, no! What am I thinking? I'm not nervous, I'm not nervous...)

(I just need to figure out how to solve this problem. That's right, I can fix this!)

(The safety rope is secure. I double-checked it before I started.)

(If I slip, I just need to make sure I control my bearings, to minimize the risk of sliding down the hill.)

(Just stay focused and take it one step at a time. Everything will be fine.)

...I feel it! Reporting in, Captain! I've reached the top!

Now checking the fault light prompts to determine the position of the failed circuitry!

Good. I'm here to assist you in remote troubleshooting if you need it.

U-Understood!

Don't panic. We're all relatively safe for now. The second team has located two missing persons and brought them back to camp.

Once you're back, you can divvy up the workload.

You're doing a great job.

...Okay!

Phew, I've managed to calm this lady down too.

None of the rescue victims seem to be in critical condition, which is great news.

Oh, the sun's rising.

The weather will be clearing up shortly too. Once the sun's out, our rescue operations will be significantly easier.

Hah! I'm feeling motivated again! Let me head out with the third team and see what the situation's like.

Okay, please be careful!

...They're still not back yet?

P-Please don't get up and walk on your own! I only applied emergency treatment; you'll still have to rest so your injuries can heal.

I'm sure one of us in Chun-qian will bring back good news soon, so please hold on a bit longer.

How long has it been since you guys last slept?

Huh? Umm... Just one all-nighter? It's totally fine. With how dire the situation's been, it's not like I'd be able to sleep anyway.

Besides, saving lives is more important. I think everyone's been pretty tense. Even the ones in HQ's support team haven't had time to rest.

But don't worry, we won't mess this rescue operation up!

Mm... Thank you.

By the way, why did you decide to join the rescue squad? To prove yourself to your parents?

Umm, no, that's not it... It's because when I was very little, I saw a Catastrophe firsthand.

But... I don't actually remember what was going through my head at the time. After all, Catastrophes are still terrifying to me, even now...

Ning-Ning, prepare the warming measures!

Okay, got it!

Be careful when moving these two into their sleeping bags. We did our best to keep them warm in the open air, but they're still extremely frail.

—Father! Mother!

So those are your parents! That's great!

Thank you so much! Thank you!

We... managed to save these people.

Right, back then...

The girl thought her father would soon reach over to cover her eyes with his large hand; that her mother would tell her how terrible Catastrophes are, and that children ought not see or think about them lest they have nightmares.

But instead, they sighed and took her hand.

'Ning-Ning, just remembering these Catastrophes is already a very brave thing to do.'

The only thing I could think of back then was... how scared I was. Sad. Powerless. But I still wanted to remember. I wanted to make the misery brought by calamity less painful.

...That's what my mom and dad taught me.

...Father, Mother, can you hear me?

I'll rub your hands for you, you'll warm up in no time...

Please stay calm and let us handle the first aid. Your parents still need to rest and recover before they'll be able to respond to you.

And that should pretty much wrap up our search and rescue operation. Judging from the other teams' reports, they've located all the missing persons, choosing the most effective rescue methods for each situation.

That's fantastic... Looks like this letter won't be needed either.

Phew... Finally, a moment of relief.