mberry

L-Let's stop here. This mountain road is so twisty that if we keep driving, we might actually end up <i>closer</i> to those clouds.

Look, everyone else's stopped by the side of the road. There's nothing we can do but pray for the Catastrophe to float past us.

Ning-Ning, don't stick your head out the window. Just hold onto this talisman and keep yourself hidden.

Mom, Dad, is that really... a Catastrophe? B-But... why didn't the Catastrophe Messenger warn us?

Well, there are some disasters not even the Catastrophe Messengers can foresee.

Don't you worry, though, we'll be just fine... You'll get to grow up, Ning-Ning, as happy and peaceful as can be.

Woah... The wind's so strong...

The good news is that the snow's stopped, and once the weather clears up, our search and rescue operation will go much easier.

We're responding to a request by the Chamber of Commerce. According to their information, the last signal from the missing caravan came from their temporary winter camp, two hundred li to the north.

But following the snowstorm last night, communications with the camp were cut off, and we've been tasked with confirming the situation.

Everyone, please double-check your equipment and confirm the condition of your protective gear.

If there are no issues, load everything into the cars. The roads are slippery after it snows, so plan your route accordingly.

Um, excuse me, am I bringing enough emergency supplies to deal with frostbite and hypothermia?

I don't have much practical experience, so I could only go by the textbook, but I'm not sure if I've overlooked anything...

This is your first formal rescue operation, right?

Y-Yes! I'll do my best not to be a burden.

Haha, don't be so nervous. If you've already passed the training course and become a full-fledged member of Chun-qian, you should be more than prepared for this.

O-Okay.

...Mhm, see, you've got plenty of all the right medicine and equipment.

What's this, by the way?

Oh, um, that's a letter.

When we left, you said that no matter how simple the operation might seem, we must always be prepared for the possibility of not making it back... So, um, I decided to write a letter to my parents.

Oh. I didn't mean it <i>that</i> seriously. But still, it's better to be prepared for the worst than not.

...Hwah?

Feel that? My hands are pretty darn hot, right? My Originium Arts let me produce a little bit of heat.

I noticed you've been shivering this whole time. Feeling a bit warmer now?

Oh, umm... Yes, but actually, that wasn't because of the cold...

Haha, don't worry about it. No need to thank me. If you're feeling better now, then let's get going.

The current wind conditions will seriously impact the operation. When heading into the mountains for search and rescue, be sure to closely follow the guidelines and avoid making any rash decisions.

Captain, the snow's starting to pick back up again! This is nothing like the weather forecast!

The temporary camp is right around the corner. Once we reach it, we'll need to repair the comms station and confirm the situation with HQ.

But, if this poor weather persists...

...We might have to put the operation on hold.

Mhm. It'll delay our entrance into the camp.

Anybody... Is anybody there? ...Help...

Oh, over there!

...The rescue team? I, I made it long enough for help to arrive?

...Please! Save my parents! And the others from the caravan! They're still trapped under the snow!

Don't worry. We're here to help.

Ning-Ning, he has signs of severe frostbite and needs both first-aid and food. Also check him for any fractures since there are signs of having taken a fall.

Right away!

Alright, you can relax now. Can you tell me where the other members of the caravan are?

I...

(Shakes head forcefully)

...I don't know. Everyone got separated during the blizzard. I walked what seemed like forever, and finally found my way back to the camp alone.

No idea what happened to anyone else...

Um, to the best of your knowledge, did the blizzard cause an avalanche nearby?

I... don't think so? I didn't hear anything like that.

But... I can't say for sure... The wind was so loud, I could've missed it...

No, I'm sure they're still alive! They're all experienced caravanners! There's no way I'd be the only survivor!

Hmm...

(The squad leader isn't saying anything.)

(The fierce wind is... so, so cold. My teeth won't stop chattering.)

(With the current visibility, there's no way we'd be able to search for victims, not to mention the risks of heading deeper into the mountains.)

(We can't fly any drones out there, we can't rely on radio signal scans, and we won't be able to see much with our searchlights.)

(But if they <i>are</i> experienced caravanners, they must've done what they could to send out distress signals.)

(If they've been consciously making signal banners, or carrying survival whistles and signal lights with them, they have a very good chance of being found.)

Hey, don't get up yet! I'm not done with the check-up!

I'm already feeling better. I have to go look for them.

No, don't! You've only just barely warmed up a little!

Also, you've sprained both your ankles! The only reason you don't feel anything is because of how badly frozen they are! Now sit back down!

I'm fine, I can handle myself. If you're not going to go rescue them, then I will.

Urgh...!

C-Captain, I've gotten the patient under control!

But what should we do...? The missing people are still out there, waiting for our help.

...Is the communication base station back in operation yet?

Hold on... I'm getting a signal.

Captain, we've managed to make contact with HQ, but the signal is extremely unstable.

According to HQ's observational analysis, the snowfall will decrease over the next two hours, but beyond that, they can't say for sure.

That's good enough.

Ning-Ning, stay here and keep an eye on the base station. Fix up the tents around the camp, and move the wounded inside.

Use the transceiver to stay in contact with us. We'll need to make decisions on-the-fly depending on the information we get from HQ.

U-Understood!

Then, umm...

Come back safe.

Black rocks fall, carving a gash into the mountain.

Sand and stone pour from it like a waterfall, the terrible noise echoing through the valley.

The girl covers her mouth, blankly looking on as the cars on the road across the valley and the houses at the foot of the mountain all become submerged beneath the torrent of falling rocks.

Phew... That should do it.

Once the herbs take effect, the swelling should go down quickly. Your body temperature has already more or less returned to normal.

Oh, and you've been in starvation conditions for so long that your stomach might not be able to handle solid food right away. Let's get you a nutrient solution first, to at least restore your energy.

We've also managed to restore comms with HQ, so all we have to do now is wait.

Mm... Thank you.

(...The captain let me stay behind because she saw right away how scared I was.)

(Of course, I realize my role here is important too, and <i>someone</i> has to do it. I don't have enough experience in making snap decisions, so I'm not suited for heading out in such dangerous conditions.)

(But when I heard her give the order, my first reaction wasn't disappointment, but... relief.)

(How can I call myself part of the rescue team like this? What do I have to show my parents, to prove I can go down this career path?)

Oh, um! Excuse me!

...Ngh?!

S-Sorry! Please don't go to sleep just yet!

We don't have any monitoring equipment on hand, so I have to directly observe your condition for the time being.

Oh... Okay. I'm just... really tired. I don't... want to sleep either.

If I fall asleep now, I know I'll have nothing but nightmares.

Then, um, let's chat a little. My job is just to make sure the communication equipment stays stable, so it won't distract me or anything.

*sigh*...

That's... not a very encouraging expression.

You're a professional, so give me your honest opinion. It's too late for the others, isn't it?

Huh? N-No, that's not it... A-Actually, I was thinking of something else entirely.

I'm sorry, I can't believe I let my mind wander at a time like this.

Oh, no, I'm the one who should be apologizing.