I’ve always remembered it
A violent headache. Unaware, I’ve been clenching my molars.
Something spins deep in my throat. If I push a finger down, will it ease?
Hallucinations. Auditory delusions. Io-200 has long since ceased to be calm.
—if, if
Even if it seems the entire Sitalskia holds nothing but indifference toward you all
I assert that is a mistake
A dark silhouette, rigid with solemnity, grips my shoulder hard.
Stares straight into my eyes. No blink.
The gaze transmits unyielding sincerity and fanatical passion.
—we are kin. This unified state never abandons its kin. I do not either.
I will prove it by reclaiming control of the Karaf continent
People will recall the power of unity. They will see the blazing achievements of you all
The shadow seized the shoulder of someone standing beside it, then leaned in to peer into their eyes.
And beside it. And beside that.
Addressing each person standing nearby with careful precision.
—The extent of the sacrifices and devotion offered thus far... I say this knowing full well.
Once more—my life, to you.
If victory in this endless war were achieved— if humanity’s peace could be reclaimed from Karaf—
...That is not something for someone like me—it is, precisely, entirely, the result of your efforts.
Felt love and hate at once. A wave of complicated emotion.
Even as he loathed it, he still sought the words the shadow spoke.
An unpleasant sensation. Irritation, compulsion, an unnameable surge of exhilaration, joy.
—How you fought for your homeland and your people! That is!
Recorded then, with immortal glory, passed down to all people!
...For the sake of every comrade!
—Wrong, Yusei. No one remembered us.
—Temporarily limiting synchronization level. Confirming anomalous data flow.
—Hey, 200, what’ll you do if you survive? I’m done with war.
How about running a bakery together? Or a transport business?...Assuming discharge is approved, of course.
—Dying isn’t scary if it’s to kill a lizard. But how could they treat us this way?
Is it the lizards destroying our homeland? Or is it humanity?
—Medal. I want a medal. A cross would be better....You think I’m a fool, don’t you?
Fine. Let them think what they will. I want honor. That’s all we need to become human...!
— Successful inhibition of secretions. Nanomachine operational rate exceeds maximum.
Energy consumption is excessive. Agent Io, take a breath.
— Hey 200. Accessing our biological connector through emergency terminals across the city is apparently illegal.
So we’ll always be collared, won’t we. Let’s get along, you and me, like good little pets.
— Just being alive is lucky enough, huh 200. What’s the point anyway—this life’s garbage.
Let’s make it flashy. I’ll handle the rear end.
— Comrades are absolute. Comrades are truth. No lies. I’ve believed that from the start.
So 200, whether you live or die, I won’t leave you behind.
— That’s right. The answer is YES.
— Agent Io, you are accessing a region outside Blue Goblet’s control.
Data influx will be severed. Completion in five seconds.
'We are'
'Still able to fight'
'Still believe in our comrades'
'No time for complaints now'
'Once more. Just once more'
'Watch us. The answer is YES'
—
Rough breathing suddenly stills. A sensation of tightly squeezing internal organs.
'Cooling down requested'
An utterly reasonable request.
Heat means defeat. Must remain cold at all times.
Io counted to three. One, two, three—expression vanishes.
'...Plan?'
A whisper. Hartie swallows hard.
The gun barrel pointed at Gerello trembles slightly. Sweat glistens on the cheek visible through the retracted faceguard.
Voice colder than he expected. Glancing at Pax, he flinches—freezes, breath held.
'Gerello. It's you. I heard your plan.'
Friendly forces are still fighting. There are still survivors from before the evacuation. You don’t want to turn everyone into monsters, do you?
She seemed to calm down slightly after shouting.
Water is temporarily stored in the underground reservoir beneath Oxanun, then distributed to each sector.
Currently, the distribution system from that reservoir is shut down.
So the virus hasn’t escaped yet?
It’s only a matter of time—early or late.
...Be specific.
Gerello continued, head down.
When command shuts off that function, the system will restart.
More precisely, when command’s management ID has been lost for over two hundred forty minutes.
By then, our coalition will have evacuated—or every last soldier will be dead.
So we can still stop it now?
It’s only a matter of sooner or later. Contamination progresses slowly even without the water delivery system.
It won't stop anymore.
Pax’s gaze drifts as they speak.
That, the Kharaf Virus is a terrifying entity, but its vitality is extremely weak—news reports said...
A long time ago, someone with a Charger named Sinclair
Hartie added.
Indeed. Even if we disable the filtration units and all auxiliary systems, the waterborne infectivity of the Karaf virus remains...
Perhaps it was once true. Not anymore.
Io remembered the transformed Merrill Norden.
No one can predict how that virus has evolved. Not even me.
Gelero— you're just pretending to know.
Do you understand what was happening in the Salor underground bunker?
That has nothing to do with my mission.
This isn’t an outbreak. Sitalchia betrayed us. Can you still say the same?
…………Hartie, lower your weapon.”
After hesitation, Hartie complies.
“Is the subsidence operation a lie?”
“…Not a lie. The reservoir blocks are deep enough to avoid detonation effects.
Blowing apart the entire Oxanun perimeter means we can’t guarantee protection for the water system… but not zero.”
Clenching teeth. If I believe Gelero, there’s still reason to fight.
Still capable.
Don’t tremble. Don’t strain. Endure.
Remember the purpose of this fight. The meaning of the operation.
Remember the eyes of those who trusted me. The sacrifice of those who stayed.
Don’t let your teeth chatter. Suppress the shake in your voice.
“Then our task remains unchanged. Kill the lizard. Evacuate the ship.”
Is that wise, Io? You’re from Kharaf… Carver Ve’s home.
Boomer’s voice carries an unusual note—concern.
…With comms now open, the enemy will notice our entire unit’s annihilation.
Reinforcements are already en route. No time for debate. No room to corner Gerello.
I’m truly glad the Reaper isn’t here.
Agreed.
Io picked up the discarded handgun, checked its dull sheen, muttered.
We’re… siblings of the Sytharskia…
Gerello’s gaze. A hint of something unsaid.
But he didn’t want to hear it.
What’s wrong? Do it, Gerello. — Do it. Continue the operation! No time!
——
Agent Io, please rely on Blue Goblet.
Your declining consciousness and its deterioration may lead to fatal consequences in the future.
Describe your condition in detail.'
Know what? Agent Io ignored Goblet.
You wanted this outcome, didn’t you? You’ve been manipulating me like a puppet all along.
You know me better than I do.
Agent Io.
Agent Io?
Agent Io—switching communication system to a higher-order protocol.
Agent Io and Blue Goblet will be more deeply interconnected.'
(…Stop. Just let me think in silence for a moment. I feel ill.)
Then we’ll initiate recovery procedures. Vital check…'
Io slammed his head against the cramped interior wall. His forehead cracked open, blood spurting out.
(…I told you to be quiet.)
Goblet falls silent. Hartie’s face tightens, caught between shock and disbelief at Io’s sudden violence.
“Still not done, Guerrero. Our assassin’s about to snap.”
“Shut up. I’m working.”
Guerrero clears critical safeties from the encrypted terminal.
A flood of data and alarm tones surge uncontrollably. The room fills with red warning light.
Io sends a transmission from Little Lady to Captain Creeke.
“Lieutenant, what are you doing?”
……Io, you—”
Gunfire erupts. She sounds like she’s in a combat zone.
A single breath. Then a shout.
“That’s my line! After ignoring our comms for so long!”
“Pax is secured. Alive.”
Pax?!”
A chorus of cheers from the young soldiers. Pax is nearby. 3552 too.
“Good! Not good—but good!”
What’s the situation? — No, no time for explanations!
Lieutenant—seems you're in a hazardous zone. Where are you? Not at the port, are you?
— Was hunting for Pax’s fool while delaying combat. Damn it, no signal—now at the street in front of the Gabelfleet Hotel.
Pax!
Pax rushes over in a panic.
Sorry, Lieutenant! For me!
Pax! You fool! You idiot! I'll have you reported to the Punishment Committee!
I'll have you clean every toilet on the Audar continent.
Yes, leave it to me!
But I'm glad you're safe. That's all.
Give me your position!
Blinding bastards. Really.
Io let out a faint smile. The sensation of something tightening in her chest seemed to weaken.
We are at the Oxanun First Water Purification Facility.
Hold on—already under enemy control. Why go there?
"Take the lieutenant squad to the port. Pax is mine. I'll rendezvous with you."
"IO, you've always been too careless with me. Enough of that."
A voice cut through the comms window.
A dusty, battle-scarred assault armor. The voice carried a familiar tone.
"Salvatoria Heavy Cavalry, Oliver Atkin. Currently engaged in delayed combat with 3552 Squad.
Still alive, brother? Is Hartie safe too?"
"Oliver, you're alive. Hartie's fine."
"Things here are getting interesting. Reenacting the last Oxanun defense.
Gathering stragglers, forming a combined-arms unit under Captain Creeke's command, reinforcing it now."
Love to see it—our commander’s quite the charmer.
—You could kiss the back of his hand, I suppose. Anyway…
Creeke clears his throat with deliberate exaggeration.
—Local counteroffensive operation. Objective: Oxanun First Water Purification Facility.
—This is a friendly rescue mission! Anyone in the way gets crushed.
—Salmatia, support Patagon Tank Squad’s advance. Launch the Lancer vehicles!
—Mission acknowledged, Princess. —Clear the path! The cavalry’s coming!
—Salmatia, if you call me Princess again, I’ll have Lieutenant Maxen take you out.
Gebelfleet Hotel. Located slightly southeast of the purification facility.
Likely overrun by enemy missile strikes, overrun with disorganized troops. Perfect place for anyone to run wild.
But they haven’t given up. Fighting with the belief they’ll survive, even trying to save us.
— Lieutenant, our position has high probability of being attacked by enemy elite forces.
— Whatever it is, we’ll crush it! I’m not leaving you behind now!
Cruke took a deep breath and declared.
— Absolutely!
They won’t be left behind.
Who was it, once, who said that to me?
— Understood. …Thank you, Lieutenant.
Sending map data. Things are about to get interesting. Outer perimeter of Oxanun.
No need to go near the designated area in the data I’m sending.
End of transmission. See you alive, Commander.
— Hey, wait—more secrets…?
Cut the link. Shrugged his shoulders.
Exhaled deeply. Felt something thick and heavy come out with the breath.
Why, though?
Hartie says, face blurred by fatigue.
—The return route seems manageable. Our desperate operation will continue a little longer, then.
You’re not getting off easy yet, Hartie
If 03 gets out safely—should be fine...
He’s supposed to be immortal.
He almost made a casual remark, then stopped. The chance of a single Condor disengaging without support was negligible.
Still waiting, Gerello?
We're just finishing up! They'll be shredded in thirty minutes—oh, and bad news while we're at it.
Something worse than this already exists?
Security breach detected at the facility. Enemy reinforcements have arrived.
The nose twitch was Boomer—quiet and well-behaved until now.
Just right. Been wanting to smash something—anything—since I got here.