01x03 - Escort

[bunniefuu]

Amiya!

I won't let you!

I will... protect everyone!

Oh?

Amiya! Stop!

Dobermann!

Hurry! Get everyone out of here!

You want us to leave you?!

You can't handle her by yourself!

Amiya! Don't do it!

If you try, your rings...

Even if my body gets
shredded to pieces... I'll...

I see.

So it's you.

All units, fire on Talulah.

Cover Amiya.

Ace...

You all right?!

Why did they stop?
Is this part of their plan?

We don't have time to dawdle.

Right.

All units, follow orders and evacuate!

Doctor, you have command.

Roger.

There's a gap in the rubble of the
collapsed buildings. Go through that.

Once you're out of the square, there's a
place you can hide close to the evac zone.

What do we do?

Help me...

Calm down! Don't panic!

Help me...

Are we gonna die here?

Help me!

I don't want to die... I don't want to die!

All units! Stay close!

Amiya!

This is... as much as I can cover!

T-Talulah!

It hurts... It hurts!

My arm! My arm!

She's ignoring her allies' pleas?

Amiya! Are you all right?

We're past the peak. Let's get
going before the second wave.

Nearl, you lead the way.

Got it.

You're letting your guard down, Amiya.

Retreat! Run!

Hurry!

You okay?!

Dammit! The stretcher's broken!

I'll hold Talulah—

Amiya!

I'll hold her here.
Take the Doctor and leave!

Capt. Dobermann, go!

We'll handle this somehow!

Don't worry about us.
We'll be right behind you.

Roger that!

Where are Ace's people?!

They're keeping Talulah occupied...

It's not safe here. Let's move—

No! You can't!

Ace!

Can you hear me?

Ace!

I'll clear a path...

Amiya!

Get going!

But...

We'll be fine. Go.

"Think about what to prioritize," right?

I'm counting on you, Dobermann.

Roger.

Back in formation! Forward!

Doctor.

There will come a day when you and Amiya
have to make a stand against this cruel world.

Take care of her. I'm counting on you.

Got it.

Now go. Good luck!

Looks like the Catastrophe's over...

It's a good thing the
exfiltration point's clear.

Let's wait here till our transport comes.
Stay alert to our surroundings.

Nearl.

"The Radiant Knight...

must always be the noble light that
illuminates the way forward for the people."

That's what you said before, isn't it?

Yes, I know.

I can't let their efforts go to waste.

Amiya.

Doctor...

Where's Ace's team? Are they all right?

I see...

It's okay.

I'm sure Ace will be fine.

Everyone at Rhodes Island is very strong.

What drives you to these
lengths? I don't get it.

He's fighting to his very last breath.

That's a true warrior.

I'll remember you, Rhodes Island.

I finally found you!

I didn't think it'd be smooth
sailing from here on out...

Why don't we introduce
ourselves to break the ice?

You can call me W.

"W"?

Have we met before?

Maybe.

W! What do you want?!

What do I want? Let's see...

How about you hand over the Doctor?

You know the Doctor?

I sure do! I came to this hellhole
just to enjoy a touching little reunion.

This isn't even worth discussing.
Amiya, let's not waste time on her.

Ah, so your name's Amiya.

Well, whatever. I got what I came for.

We'll see each other again, little bunny.

Let's go.

H-Hey!

See ya.

Hold it!

Are they really just leaving?

Yes... It felt like something was up, though.

Hey, you okay?

Capt. Ace...

Where is everyone?

It's just you and me now.

No way...

I...

All I could do... was scream...

I couldn't... do anything!

I'm... sorry...

Calm down. You'll open your wounds.

I patched you up.
You should be able to walk soon.

Captain!

Your arm!

It's okay. I've got another one.

Captain, you should run!

You can make it out! I'm sure of—

No, not yet.

The transport should be arriving
at the evac zone soon.

It's all over if they get spotted.

I'll buy them time.

Then, I'm coming too—

Guard, I traded my arm for your life.

Live on.

I have to know that...
it was a worthwhile trade.

I'll be right back.

Capt. Ace!

I'm... such... a failure!

What's wrong?

My heart...

It kind of hurts a little...

Medic...

Don't cry... please...

Why?!

A long time ago, someone told me something...

"After a battle, we have to hold back the
tears until we're at home by ourselves."

Let's go.

We're going home... to Rhodes Island.

You're looking at that cluster, right?

That's Originium, too.

It's like what you saw in the square.

The Originium crashes down to the ground
like meteors. That's what Catastrophes are.

Depending on the region, Catastrophes
can take the form of blizzards or floods,

but they always leave behind Originium.

They're that big?

Originium grows on the ground.

It grows? But it's a mineral.

I don't know the exact details,

but the crystal veins eventually rupture
and release Originium particles.

They gather in the sky and form clouds,
eventually causing a new Catastrophe.

It's just like... Oripathy...

Right, it's just like the
fate that awaits us Infected.

Catastrophes, Oripathy,
and the human hate...

They all spread to no end—

Dobermann.

You're tired, aren't you?

You'd better rest up.

Thanks for your concern.

Don't worry, though.

I'd rather talk to loosen up.

I see... You're right.

Doctor, sorry for forcing
this conversation on you.

No... You're helping me.

Can you still see Chernobog?

Yes.

The city is built on top
of a large mobility device.

In other words, the entire city can move.

So that it can avoid Catastrophes?

That's right. Most cities in
the world are nomadic cities.

It's possible to predict
where a Catastrophe will occur.

You can avoid disaster by moving
your city out of the way in advance.

Then, why didn't Chernobog...

Good question.

There might be something
sinister behind this uprising.

Are those people heading to Rhodes Island?

No, they're probably going to Lungmen.

Lungmen?

They're likely headed for a city up ahead.

My guess is they're Infected who
managed to get out of Chernobog.

This is your pilot speaking.
We will be landing momentarily.

Welcome back.

We returned safely.

I heard what happened.

It was a tough mission, wasn't it?

Yes...

Nearl! Thank goodness you're okay.

Thanks. Sorry, can someone
get me a stretcher?

I'll get one right away!

Thank you so much.

We'll help out, too.

Is the Doctor okay?

Out like a light.

Must've calmed down after
we landed at Rhodes Island.

We really pushed the Doctor to the limit.

Doctor...

Are you awake, Doctor?

Where am I?

This is the reception room.

Your room is still being prepared,
so we had you rest here.

Oh, of course, we're still on
the Rhodes Island landship.

You may continue to rest if you like.

I want to head outside.

In that case, I will take you to Amiya.

You're a smart one.

I am no match for you, Doctor.

There is a change of clothes for you there.

Amiya is currently on the deck.

It is some distance from here.

As we make our way there, allow me to familiarize
you with the different facilities on the ship.

Thanks.

Rhodes Island is sailing
toward its next destination.

Is something the matter?

I... really don't know...

My...

My present... and future.

Lead the way.

Leave it to me.

Rhodes Island is a landship equipped
with a variety of medical facilities.

From the most advanced surgeries
to drug prescriptions,

we have everything, even special equipment
used specifically in Oripathy research.

All energy necessary for our
operations is generated within the ship.

The landship mines and refines the
Originium used in power generation.

We also process Originium,
as well as other heavy metals

for trading with cities and corporations.

The living quarters were designed
for the comfort and wellbeing

of our Operators and inpatients,

and can help alleviate the
mental and physical stress

accumulated during
missions and treatments.

Here at Rhodes Island,
a great number of us live together,

regardless of each individual's
background, race, or infection status.

Furthermore, owing to the broad spectrum
of Rhodes Island's activities,

we also provide transport as well as
a variety of weapons and equipment.

We have arrived at our destination.
May I conclude this tour?

Thanks. That was a great help.

The weight she carries on her shoulders...

is so heavy.

Amiya.

Doctor.

Shouldn't you be in bed?

It's okay.

I'm wide awake.

Me, too.

I couldn't sleep, so I came
outside for some fresh air.

I can't stop thinking
about what Talulah said.

It's true. I may be an idealist
full of empty promises.

Even so, I want to believe
that I've chosen the right path.

But... I've also had doubts
about the path I've chosen.

I think she might've noticed that...

I'm sorry.

You probably don't know what
to say, hearing this from me.

Ace told me something
in his last transmission.

He said there would come a day when you and
I have to make a stand against this cruel world.

I don't really understand
what he meant by that yet.

If you persevere with your ideals,
you will surely clash with reality...

Even so, he... he believed that you
would press forward on the right path.

Ace...

You're right.

I shouldn't let myself lose sight of my path.

I may be an empty shell right now,

but I'll complete myself, bit by bit.

Then...

I promise I will help you
realize your ideals.

Thank you, Doctor.

But please don't push yourself.

We'll have a new mission in three days.

Be sure to rest up and recover
your strength until then.

I will.

Let's get started, then.

During the Chernobog operation,

we fulfilled our primary objective:
the exfiltration of the Doctor.

Albeit with great losses.

Nonetheless, we learned
a great deal about Reunion.

You could say it was a success,
strategically speaking.

Based on our analysis, we can determine that
Reunion's next target is Lungmen in Yan.

Lungmen...

It's not as draconian as Chernobog,

but Lungmen treats its Infected
populace pretty harshly, too.

Regarding that, Dr. Kal'tsit has already left for
Lungmen to prepare a contract with its leader.

One that allows Rhodes Island to operate
openly inside Lungmen's borders,

though exact terms haven't been agreed yet.

That's why, Doctor, we'd like
you and Amiya to head to Lungmen

and work with Dr. Kal'tsit
to get this contract signed.

Once that's done, your mission is to
investigate Reunion's activities in Lungmen.

Understood.

Nearl will come with me on another mission.

Okay.

There's no telling what
Reunion's next step is.

Be extra careful.

Right.

Doctor.

I look forward to working with you again.

Me, too.