sleach

You know... before I came to Rhodes Island, I'd already anticipated a lot of what I'd encounter. But it only dawned on me, once it all actually came, how none of my preparation was any use.

Being military—even if I was just the most minor guard of honor—I'd always believed firmly in the tenacity of life, that it shouldn't slip away so easily.

But in this past year, traveling all over Terra's parts with this ship, I've witnessed far too many people...

Too many people who part like an unnoticed gust of wind, gone gently far before you even notice they came by.

Unable to leave something behind.

I try and make a record of their faces, their lives that passed on before me, but in just one short year, they've managed to vanish from my memory too.

You've been through all that yourself, right?

But you won't give me the answers, will you?

*sigh*...

Look at me, still acting like I used to, going through everything on my mind and dumping it on you.

I brought some flowers today, but they're a little wilted. There weren't any convoys willing to come to these parts, so I just had to walk, and it's hard to keep a bouquet fresh all the way.

(Is someone there...?)

Sorry, Lass. Please wait a moment, if you can.

It's you. Jane Willow.

How come you're...?

How do you know my name?

D-Don't kill me!

I'm Acton! Acton Corsaire! 5th Defence, 6th Camp of the County Hillock Barracks. D-Do you remember me? We met, just a few years ago!

Acton...

Yes. I remember, I've met you before. What are you doing here? Haven't the troops here long withdrawn from their stations?

(He pulls on his sleeve.)

I...

Your arm... You weren't able to evacuate from District Seventeen?

Not one of us had any order to retreat from above when the dirty bombs came. Maybe our kit was broken, or the commanders forgot, or maybe...

Heh—the farmers know it best, don't they? It's hard not to mess up a few wheat buds when you pull weeds.

I'm so sorry, Acton.

No, it's fine. I'm more wondering, Jane, what are you doing here?

I... I'm back here to grieve over someone lost.

What about you? Do you just live in these ruins?

No, our camp's in the rough outside the plate, I was just in the ruins looking for food. I never thought I'd run into you.

So you mean, there's other people living here, aside from you?

Yeah. On top of the soldiers who got left behind, there's a few Taran survivors drifting around here.

After the events, the Army wanted to round up the surviving Infected and keep them under control in one place, so they organized a few searches, but we were lucky enough to avoid those.

Then later down the line, the ruin and pollution here got too severe for their tastes, so they decided to completely abandon this plate, and leave anyone on it to fend for themselves.

Then... did you find anything earlier?

(Shakes head.) Hah. Going hungry for another few days, looks like.

I've got some rations and medication on me. If you want it, you can have them all.

Thank you, Janie.

Do you have a transmitter here? If I can get in touch with my colleagues, they might be willing to send some supplies in for us.

Er, I've seen one in the ruins.

Where?!

Not far, but it's where the Tarans are active... If the two of us run into them, it'll get very tricky.

Both sides might be on the same raft, but everyone has it tough. We don't want to feed any more conflict.

So usually, as long as we can... we try and keep away from each other as much as possible.

Acton, show me the way at least. I need to try, no matter what.

The active Originium's already concentrated above safe limits ahead... Is this really what the Tarans are living in?

I've been walking for so long... without a person in sight.

Wait, is that someone?!

Ma'am! Hold on, please!

I don't mean any harm!

I have some emergency pharmaceuticals and rations here! In exchange, would you let me use the transmitter?!

Are...

Are you telling... the truth? You have medicine?

I do. Here, look, you can take it all if you need.

Come with me.

Aislinn, I'm here, I brought somebody.

Hurts... help me.

This is my girl. Can your medicine save her?

I... Her condition's too severe. It'd be tricky for emergency drugs to take effect.

Try, please. She's not even seven...

I'll... do everything I can.

Aislinn, can you hear what I'm saying?

(She administers an injection into the girl's body.)

It'll be okay, don't fret.

How is she?!

I'm sorry, it's just... not any use.

It's dark... Mam, I'm... scared.

Aislinn, Aislinn, don't be afraid, Mam's right here with you.

I'm sorry.

I just... don't have anything I can do. I'm so sorry, ma'am.

It's cold...

(Hugs the girl tight.)

Ma'am...

Just go. Don't come back here.

I'll leave this food.

I'm staying in the rough outside the plate for the next few days. If any of you need help, you can come ask me.

Sorry to bother you. I'll be gone in a moment.

The stuff you want to use is in the building opposite. You can move it on your own.

...Thank you.

Hey, steady there!

Huff—it didn't occur to me how far your camp would be from the plate.

I'm surprised you brought back something so massive all by yourself!

Okay, okay, no time to wallow now, Acton. Let's see if it still works at all first.

Here's the screwdriver.

Oh, we're in luck. It's all intact inside. Just a little adjustment, and it'll be in service.

You know your way around these things too? I'm blown away... When did you learn this?

All I can say is, I've picked up a heck of a lot from my new job. Alright, here's your screwdriver back, thanks.

I'll go hook up the generator.

How is it? Lights on?

Yep, it's on without a hitch.

How did you find this device? Did the Taran group give you trouble?

No, I traded with them for the supplies I had on me.

That's good, then. At least they know a deal's a deal.

Acton...

What?

We need to hold on for a very long while before the supplies arrive.

During this period, I'd like to start up a few fields, plant some crops and ensure food self-sufficiency. It beats searching the plate by a mile, with how inefficient that is, not to mention the danger.

That's all well and good, but... a lot of the camp are stuck in dire days. We have barely any proper manpower.

There's the displaced Tarans aboard the plate too. I'd like them to join in... If we can provide food and clean water, I don't think they'd refuse.

That's not happening. The first thing that bunch did was drive the lot of us out!