Today is just another ordinary day.
Morning sunlight streams into Bianca's bedroom.
Phew...
It feels like... I had a really long dream...
She furrows her brow, grappling with the remnants of the dream—too intricate, too visceral. Death, fear, the icy grip of seawater, and...
Nothingness. Like an eraser dragged across parchment, it bleeds the nightmare dry, leaching color from those "memories." Fragments thin, turn translucent, then dissolve entirely, replaced by...
Bianca, did you sleep well last night?
Mmm... I dreamt about the school field trip last night!
Shaking off the subtle feeling that something's not quite right, Bianca gushes about her pleasant dream to her family.
In the dream, I went to the seaside with my teachers and classmates from the Babylonia school! And we visited that cool place by the water called the Copperfield Aquarium!
We saw a huge bionic whale! And all kinds of different marine creatures...
Hahaha, does our little Bianca have her heart set on visiting the aquarium? How about we all go together sometime?
Yes! Let's go together sometime!
The minute hand on the clock creeps toward seven—it's almost 7:35, but the school bus comes by at 7:30.
Oh, I'm going to be late—bye, Mom and Dad!
Don't forget your breakfast!
Bianca rushes to the door and grabs the breakfast her mom hands her.
"Ding"—the clock strikes 7:30.
Morning, Bianca! Just in the nick of time, as usual!
Morning, sir! In the nick of time... still?
The blurry 7:35 in her memory fades away as Bianca cheerfully greets the driver and steps onto the school bus.
Morning, Bianca.
The blue-haired girl is already sitting in their usual spot, smiling as she greets Bianca.
Morning, Chiko.
Did you get your homework done last night?
Homework last night...?
The words hang in the air as blank test papers start to materialize in her mind, a pen scratching to fill in the empty spaces.
Oh! Of course I did. That last problem was a real pain, though; it took me ages to finish it...
Have you finished it? Did you use the method the teacher showed us yesterday?
Sunlight streams through the car window, lighting up the two children deep in conversation, sitting side-by-side.
At midday, harsh light seeps through the gaps between buildings.
Clutching a Tantalum-193 affinity report, Bianca stands at the entrance to the Babylonia Science Council.
Have you really thought this through? Are you absolutely sure you want to be modified into a Construct?
Yes, I'm set on it.
The modification carries a risk of failure. And if successful, you will lose your human identity and cannot be transformed back into a human.
I've made up my mind.
Babylonia needs to fight the Corrupted and reclaim Earth. I passed the affinity test. As a Construct, I can save more people.
...
The staff member silently gives the document a stamp, and Bianca walks into the Science Council, affinity report in hand.
When she steps out of the building, she has already become a Construct.
Under the midday sun, Chiko stands in the shadow of the Science Council entrance.
I've been waiting for you forever. Why'd you go and apply for the Construct modification by yourself...
Chiko gives Bianca a stern look.
Aren't you already a Construct, though?
...
Chiko is speechless for a moment. After a brief silence, she finally speaks again.
I just thought... I thought you could have picked a different path.
Your grades were stellar. You could've gone to the Science Council, or Star of Life...
This is my own choice, too.
I want to do more for Babylonia, for this world.
...If that's what you want.
Have you picked your preference yet? Which force do you want to join?
I haven't decided yet... The elite squads are on the front lines, taking Earth back, but I've heard the Engineering and Purifying Forces have a lot of openings too...
Don't join the Purifying Force.
The Purifying Force... you don't like it there?
It's not that I dislike it; I just don't think it's a good fit for you. An elite squad would be much better.
What about you, Chiko? Do you want to join an elite squad?
...I've just looked into it a little. Didn't you say you wanted to do more? An elite squad would be perfect for that.
Though I suppose they won't make decisions based only on our preferences anyway.
Anyway, I don't mind where I'm assigned. I just want to do my part for Babylonia...
...Mm.
They vanish into the shadow-covered building.
The darkness of night slowly envelops the world.
Bianca walks out of the Purifying Force Captain's office—
<s>Bianca walks out of the Purifying Force Captain's office—</s>
Bianca walks out of the <color=#ff4e4eff>Engineering Force</color> Captain's office—
Bianca walks out of the <color=#ff4e4eff>Engineering Force</color> Captain's office—
...
She gazes at the sign for "Engineering Force", a feeling of dissonance washing over her like the evening mist.
<s>Bianca walks out of the <color=#ff4e4eff>Engineering Force</color> Captain's office—</s> Bianca walks out of the <color=#ff4e4eff>Purifying Force</color> Captain's office—
In the blink of an eye, the sign that reads "Engineering Force" flips to "Purifying Force".
...Am I just tired? Why does it feel like something's off with my visual module...?
She presses her forehead, fiddles with her visual module, then pops open an umbrella.
Having just wrapped up a mission, Chiko asks her to catch a movie after she finishes her report.
Bianca, over here.
In the movie theater, Chiko has already found their seats.
Today's movie is... "The Way Home"?
An unfamiliar movie title.
Yeah... it's about to start.
Image noise dances across the screen.
There are two main characters, and the plot is straightforward—
He's dead.
I'm not dead.
He's already dead...
Delapoer clutches the corpse named Norris.
This is the Snowfields.
I'm still alive.
How... do we get out of the Snowfields?
Bianca, do you remember when we first met?
When we first met...
Inside the meeting room, harsh white fluorescent lights flicker overhead.
Is the light on the fritz? I'll have logistics come take a peek later... It's really no big deal, just a tiny glitch, nothing to get worked up about.
Let's kick things off with introductions, starting with... you.
...Me?
The Construct marked as "Purifying Force Captain" impatiently taps the table twice with a finger in response.
My name is Bianca, from... <s>the Snowfields</s> Babylonia...
Alright, next.
The name's Chiko. Chiko Kirishima, from Babylonia.
I'm Delapoer. My gig is network operations...
Norris here. I was an assault specialist with the Task Force...
...
As each person in the faceless crowd introduces themselves, a subtle sense of unease keeps nagging at Bianca's M.I.N.D.
...Did Chiko join the Purifying Force at the same time as her?
Alright, now that everyone's introduced themselves, we can call it a day.
Have you all got the rules of the Purifying Force down?
Yes—
The captain isn't fazed by the scattered response, just tapping the table to get everyone's attention.
Remember the most crucial rule.
Stay away from tropical fish, because...
There are no tropical fish in the aquarium.
The voice reverberates, echoing almost instantly in her M.I.N.D.
Who... who is it?!
A deafening roar erupts as the transport aircraft thunders to the ground—
The world is swallowed whole by the howling snowstorm.
What are you doing here?
To save lives.
There's no way our squad would survive. Going out of your way to come here will only put yourself in danger.
But you're still alive. Where are the others...
I took them out. They'd all become Corrupted.
But at least you're still here.
There are too many Corrupted crawling around. What you're doing isn't smart at all.
Bianca doesn't respond, her focus entirely on treating Chiko's wounds with gel and bandages.
...Do you know the captain already fell?
I do.
...So, then, do you know we're both being considered for the next Purifying Force Captain?
I do.
So you saved me just to put me deeply in your debt, and then...
Save your strength. We still need to get out of here.
Bianca makes a makeshift sled and drags Chiko along, inching her way out.
...I just can't figure you out.
Chiko lies on her back on the sled, her eyes stinging from the bright blue sky and the snow piled high on the treetops.
Your own M.I.N.D. is on the brink, too, isn't it?
Yeah, but at least I'm not physically injured.
...Why would you stick your neck out like that to save me?
I won't give up on anyone who still has a fighting chance.
...Is that it?
That's it.
You've gone this far, not wanting power or privilege... so what do you want, exactly?
Right now? Honestly, I just want us both to make it out of here alive.
...
As if on cue, the clouds part and the sun breaks through. The thin mist beyond the forest silently dissipates as the logistics team's rescue vehicles come roaring in.
By the way.
?
Is there an aquarium on Babylonia? I've been meaning to ask...
Why is "stay away from tropical fish" the Purifying Force's last rule?
...
Her visual modules burst into a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors.
The transport aircraft roars, climbing into the clouds.
