ray

If I had known it wasn't about the money, I wouldn't have hid from you.

Didn't you just say you were taking the sandbeast out for walkies—?!

I couldn't think of a good excuse.

You—?!

You—this—

dorm—it's—

completely—packed!

Wraw—!

There is only barely enough space for the two and the beast to pass between the sandbox and the door, and finally they find a little more leeway by the bed.

When did this sandbox become so big... Must get in the way whenever you're hopping in and out of the room.

Rory needs more space, while I just need somewhere to sleep.

The two of them sit side-by-side on the bed, watching the sandbeast gulp down big mouthfuls of water in the sandbox.

I remember how it always used to hide behind that rock there... Never thought I'd see the day it wouldn't be scared of me.

The people here aren't scary. The last time Rory smashed up a target, Instructor Dobermann didn't get mad. We ended up fixing it up together.

That's great. Glad to see your life slowly get back on track.

Y'know, nowadays I spend all my time in Engineering helping debug new equipment. I might be busy as a bee, but it's a thousand times better than life in the mines.

No more worries about cave-ins or how muddy the drinking water is. Three hot meals a day and a nice, clean bed to sleep in.

Not even my wildest dreams back in the mines had peaceful days like this.

Mmm. Rhodes Island is nice and calm. Got everything you can think of.

To be honest, I was worried if you were suited to life aboard at first.

But when I was out there looking for you earlier, I noticed everyone got to know you already. Hell, you're even chums now. I'm not worried anymore.

So that's why I wanna say, you can stop worrying about paying me back too. You've got a steady life now, so give some thought to the future.

Once you've gotten your sandbeast a nice den, get yourself a little something too. Don't need to keep being a cheapo, y'know...

As Alanna looks around Ray's room, she notices a poster stuck to the ceiling.

Is that... the Frontier?

An old poster from Columbia. Got it from a roadside hawker during my last mission.

The poster depicts a patch of overgrown land. Above that land, the night sky, strewn with countless twinkling stars.

I also borrowed some documentaries about the place. They talked about how different the wilds of Columbia are from Rim Billiton's, about how there's weird patterns carved into the ground, and bits of iron of all shapes and sizes flying through the sky.

If that sort of stuff exists, dancing burdenbeasts don't sound too crazy.

Ray stretches out a finger, pointing at the moon on the poster. Her finger follows along the path of its light, all the way to some place even higher in the sky.

Once I've paid you everything back, I'll start saving up.

Once I've got enough, I'll hire a car, and head out into the Columbian wilds to find those burdenbeasts.

...Still thinking about those dancing burdenbeasts, huh?

Mmm. And that ray of light.

But why?

If you want to go look for a herd of beasts that might not even exist, you'll be giving up the peaceful life you got now.

...I dunno.

But ever since I saw that light, I haven't been able to forget it. Like how a sandbeast in the desert's always searching for water.

But this ain't a desert. Sandbeasts here can get water whenever they want.

There's no bottomless mines here. Even the dingiest closet here's brighter than the pit.

Don't tell me you don't like the place, Ray?

It's not that... I really like it here. It's way better than anywhere I've stayed before.

Right, and your sandbeast likes it here too—

Hey, wait, where's it gone? It was here just a moment ago...

It must've headed out after drinkies were done...

But I just closed the door...

The sandbox's entrance faces the window. A half-open window.

Have any of you seen Ray's sandbeast?!

Nope, doesn't it normally follow her around everywhere...? W-Wait, did it wander off or something?

Let's go help her find it!

The security cams have dead zones, so can't say for sure if it's still aboard...

I'll go borrow a car to chase after it!

No good! Rhodes Island's already miles away from where it was when the thing scarpered!

No, I need to find it...

Alanna! Alanna! Some operators reported something hanging off the bridge running across the deck.

I see you're close to the site, could you help check it out and do some repairs?

The bridge across the deck...

A-Alright, got it!

Hoo... Hah...

You... Y-You get over here!

Huff... Hah... I'm beat...

My God, didn't think it'd be able to run all the way up here, especially now that it's a furry little doughball...

(Scared cry) Wraw...!

The sandbeast throws itself into Ray's arms, rubbing its fur up and down against her hands.

I'm done with this fella. Of all the places in this huge ship, no idea why it decided to climb up to the high ones.

Also I'm the one who saved the little bugger, so why's it nuzzling up to you?

*sigh* I'm gonna go make my report.

Don't rub up against me, Rory. You gotta get punished if you do something bad.

Ray grabs the sandbeast's two claws, lifting them up over its head.

(Protesting cry) Wraw!

C'mon, speak up, why'd you scarper off to somewhere so dangerous?

(Excited cry) Wraw—

Whoa, where'd that thunder come from all of a sudden?!

What is it, Ray?

...There's a reason why Rory suddenly climbed up somewhere high.

Oh yeah?

Sandbeasts in the desert are dune-climbers. Sometimes, they'd stand somewhere high up to look out for predators and feel where the wind's blowing.

When the weather's taking a turn for the worse, sandbeasts will be the first to know, which is why Rory came over here.

Even though Rhodes Island has roofs and no predators, it's still going to do what it normally does.

But I heard that with real good care, sandbeasts can actually live indoors long-term without having to go back to the desert...

You can raise one like that, but it's always gonna be thinking of heading back, to feel the winds of the wilds.

(Spirited cry) Wraw!

I know... You still think about your days out in the barrens, don't you, Ray?

...You get me?

Of course I don't! I don't know a thing about whatever that ray of light means to you, or that herd of burdenbeasts you're always talking about.

...But I know a heart like yours is the type to sorely miss things.

It's like how I love my life in Engineering, but I still have times I look back at all the beautiful sights I saw while trucking.

Since you're thinking of going, go already.

...Thanks, Lanns.

Doesn't matter if you did it for Rory or for me, thanks.

(Happy cry) Wraw!

I've got one more question, Ray—

Raindrops the size of beans start falling from the sky. The desert welcomes in the year's first sunshower.

Several months later

Operator Ray. This mission will be in a comparatively remote region of Columbia, with very few supply points.

In addition, there have been recent reports of Originium energy fluctuations of unknown origin in the area. There will be a certain amount of risk involved.

Sure. I know my way around deserts, and my sandbeast is sensitive to airflows and the temperature. It'll help out.

I know that you're very capable, and have shown exemplary performance during several prior desert rescue missions.

But I still have to warn you that this mission is a long one, a month at the very least, and comms might not be particularly steady.

Got it. I'll follow the mission brief. If comms cut out, I'll follow the route and wait at the next supply point.