Story Reader / Floating Record / ER09: Crescent Sun / Story
ER09-1 Candy Express
>Night creeps over the isle of flowers, gradually devouring the lifeless campus beneath the twilight's shadow.
Deep within the ruins, atop the academic building where wails of anguish echo...
Leaning against the rust-stained railing, the girl's gaze is drawn to the flower-like lights in the distant sky.
Humans...
Even when freed from the mortal coil, their souls refuse to cross to the other side...
With the world in such a state, what's the point of hiding in their shells and merely existing?
When the wind rises, they will fall like wheat in the field.
As strands of hair slide across her cheek, the girl's crimson eyes flicker slightly.
...Come out.
Something lurking in the building's shadows slowly emerges into the light.
Sorry, I didn't mean to spy on you. I just wanted to check on you.
Every part of this vessel is your handiwork. What's there to check?
Even authors have slight inconsistencies when writing the same character in different stories. I just want to be responsible.
...What exactly are you?
In human terms, I suppose you'd call me a Red Tide creature?
I did help you, at least. Why so apathetic?
Help me?
The girl looks down at her own body, letting out a scornful laugh.
Still better than that sickly state you were in before.
You only did it because I have some value I'm unaware of, right?
You could interpret it that way, but why not think of it as an invitation instead?
...Where to, and for what?
Shh—listen...
Cradle closes her eyes and smiles. Faint sounds of tides and whispers begin to echo in the girl's ears.
The children of the Red Tide are eager to meet you.
...I'd rather not, at least not now.
The girl turns around, gripping the railing as she gazes down at the building below.
I still have unfinished business.
Rest assured that you will have some time to prepare before the feast. That's a basic courtesy, after all. Besides, I'm not fond of stories that are cut short halfway through.
But when you continue this story, may I watch from the sidelines?
If you can keep quiet enough.
Naturally.
Cradle gives a gentle smile as she retreats into the shadows. Before completely vanishing, she pauses for a moment.
Oh, right, there is one thing I should remind you of.
Even with my power merged into you, your "heart" still cannot pump enough "blood" through your veins.
Meaning...
There is a limit to your powers.
If you overdo it, you might not even be able to maintain this form.
However, if you were to fully merge with the Red Tide and become one of us, such limitations would no longer exist.
That is none of your concern.
When this place collapses, I will do as you wish.
Now...
I look forward to our next encounter.
Cradle disappears as silently as she came, leaving no trace of her presence.
Only the girl is left behind on the desolate rooftop.
What an... unlikeable person.
Just like me.
Good... the basic compatibility training went smoothly. All readings are excellent.
Of course, there are still many adjustments that need follow-up. I recommend you come back for a few more visits.
I appreciate the offer, but there's someone rather impatient waiting for me outside.
Right, V?
...
I'll just ask you directly.
Why the sudden need to switch me to a new frame, and why such a tight schedule for compatibility testing?
Valeria briefly looks away.
Yata knows this gesture means she does not want to answer the question directly.
Shorthalt is dead, and Scarab needs a new captain.
...
...
Tsk.
That doesn't count as an answer.
...I refuse.
I can't be like that guy—always running his mouth and sticking his nose where it doesn't belong.
In battle, I either charge straight ahead or make a quick retreat when things get dicey.
...
All that stuff about assessing combat situations, coordinating battle formations, leading the team through encirclements...
Not to mention comforting kids and dealing with drunk robots—I don't have any of these leadership qualities. Not a single one.
I'm more comfortable with the simple things like hunting down some poor bastard with you.
Yata crosses her arms and turns away in irritation.
Whatever.
No matter how unwilling she might be, Yata has no choice but to follow Valeria's orders—she is the commandant, after all.
But the expected order never comes, and Yata can't help but turn her head to look...
Here.
Valeria slowly pulls a few liquor-filled mint candies from her coat pocket.
...
...I'm not a kid.
I'm not Shorthalt either. Don't try to bribe me with these things.
Yata snatches the candy with a huff, tears open the wrapper, and pops it into her mouth in one go.
If you got me this new frame just so I could take over, I suggest you ask for a refund right now.
You're overthinking it, I wouldn't push you that far. The squad just got a new mission.
The Red Tide is gathering around an artificial island. Scarab needs to investigate the cause of this unusual movement.
...Do you realize what kind of scenario you're describing?
Yata stops chewing.
Even if Shorthalt was still here, this isn't something we could just casually take on, right?
That's exactly why I got you the new frame.
...
After a moment's thought, Yata carefully folds the candy wrapper and hands it back to Valeria.
Is it too late to reject it?
...You've already signed for it.
As she speaks, Valeria pulls out her tactical terminal and begins synchronizing the mission data.
Yata sighs and begins reviewing the intel. As she flips through the pages, Valeria's voice suddenly cuts through.
Yata.
Hm?
Scarab needs a new captain.
...
Yata remains silent, only turning to leave after she finishes reading through the entire mission brief.
Yata?
We'll talk when I come back.
Yata pauses by the trash bin, about to throw away the candy wrapper. After a moment's hesitation, she holds it up briefly with her back to Valeria, then tucks it away.
You can't just placate me with this thing. Like I said, I'm not him.
...I'm not Shorthalt.
Babylonia Core Area
Lunch Break - Clear Skies
High Security Area - War Conference Room
Away from the bustling corridors, inside the War Conference Room that bears the highest security clearance level...
Holographic projections thoroughly cover every door and window, while the soundproofing system operates as normal.
Two figures sit facing each other, seemingly deep in an intense discussion.
Two task force squads have lost contact at the same location twice in a row.
They were both deployed for... a low-risk area survey?
Hilda rubs her nose, flips to the next page of the briefing, and steals a glance at Nikola sitting across from her.
Given the current situation, it's hard to see how this mission could be classified as "low-risk".
Commander, do you have any thoughts on this?
The risk ratings for military missions have always been nothing but classifications on paper.
If all battlefields can match our expectations, we'd call them training exercises instead.
So what did they encounter on this so-called "battlefield"?
Initially, Squad A was only ordered to track the Red Tide's movements.
During their mission, they discovered an artificial island in the Western Pacific, marked as "Hydrangea"...
Hydrangea Artificial Island?
It was named after the hydrangeas that grow abundantly on the island.
As a precautionary measure, Squad A made the decision to land and investigate the island.
72 hours after Squad A landed on the island, Babylonia lost all contact with them.
That's why Squad B was sent to search for them. Soon after, they too went dark.
One after another, they all went silent. Were they infected? Or perhaps...
We can't rule out the possibility of infection.
First of all, we lack any intelligence about that area. We know absolutely nothing about the surface conditions.
Secondly, the Red Tide's movements in the area have been suspicious. Recently, it seems to be converging on the island.
The Red Tide is converging on the island?
Can I take it that something on that island is causing these anomalies?
Apparently so. Two squads wouldn't vanish one after another for no reason.
However, Commander, there are still some questions I'd like you to answer.
Hilda casually flips back several pages, following the creases she made earlier.
According to this briefing, Squad A sent a distress signal to Babylonia after they went missing...
After landing on the island, Squad B briefly established contact with them.
However, when Squad B approached the coordinates of the distress signal, Squad A suddenly went dark.
After that, both squads went completely silent.
What are you implying?
Even from a layman's perspective, this bears all the hallmarks of a premeditated ambush.
Furthermore, I don't believe infected Constructs could maintain this level of intelligence.
This is just my speculation, but could there be a possibility that Squad A had defected?
It's possible, but the likelihood is low.
Defectors don't usually broadcast their betrayal—the Purifying Force's retribution is nothing to scoff at.
It makes little sense for Squad A to launch a counterattack against Squad B right after their mission, especially right under our surveillance.
If we assume defection as the motive, Squad A's actions would be incredibly foolish.
That's why you didn't immediately deploy the Purifying Force.
...News of Construct defection would be extremely sensitive in the current climate.
Of course. That's precisely why we're meeting today.
The emergency confidentiality protocol I signed thirty minutes ago is now in effect. All information regarding this incident has been temporarily classified.
I can't say how long this information blackout will remain effective...
With two squads missing, I'm certain Kurono's informants have already begun to move.
But before we make any formal decisions, I trust you've gathered sufficient intel about the mission location.
Let's return to discussing the island since you claim it's the source of our problems...
We may have insufficient information on hand, but there must be records of that artificial island during the Golden Age.
As you predicted, I do have some historical documents on hand.
The Hydrangea Artificial Island was once a military fortress used for large-scale weapons testing.
After the experiments concluded, the island was approved for commercial redevelopment with profit in mind.
Universal Toys and many other tech giants saw the potential, jointly investing in the renovation project.
Several colleges and their affiliated research institutes were established on the island, creating an integrated hub for education, research, and campus life...
As a model of elite education during the Golden Age, it aimed to nurture the next generation of scientific talents.
However, the Hydrangea Artificial Island was abandoned following the Punishing Virus outbreak.
An academy island, huh...
In that era of excess educational resources...
I thought liberal education policies had already been widely implemented across the world.
But... there was also an opposing trend.
The reality is, opportunists exist in every era.
Those who weaponize knowledge want their children to wield the power to control the world, too.
This was especially true for those who came to this island—they were both scientists and parents to their own children.
So what exactly was being taught on Hydrangea Island? Or rather, what was being researched?
Their publicly announced research direction is the development of smart technology for public use.
Practical smart technology applications? How conveniently simple.
But if you take a closer look at the island's personnel roster...
You'll see that the scientists stationed there were all elite researchers in their respective fields, most of whom held radical research philosophies.
Take the island's "ordinary" high school, Misono High School, for example—it had a teacher-to-student ratio of 2:1.
Two teachers per student on average—there's no reasonable explanation for such a ratio.
Was education merely a front? What exactly is it that they were trying to do?
Hilda takes out her tablet and swiftly types in several keywords with practiced efficiency.
Hm... According to a non-disclosed investigation report from the Science Council, large portions of the project's funding were unaccounted for.
The auditor from the accounting firm during the Golden Age was killed in a car accident during the investigation...
Actually, there's something that's been bothering me.
What is it?
Reika Saotome, Technical Director and Scientific Advisor of the Hydrangea Island Project.
Reika... Saotome?
Hilda's expression clouds with confusion at the unfamiliar name.
Nikola's desk terminal rings with an incoming call.
Nikola exchanges a quick glance with Hilda before answering the call.
Make it quick. I'm busy.
Reika Saotome. How much do you know about this name?
Wasted potential.
Care to elaborate?
I don't know what you've discovered, but I wouldn't waste time on this if I were you.
Oh? From what I know, she was a prodigy who earned her doctorate at a young age, with expertise spanning mathematics, horticulture, life sciences, computer science, and mechanical engineering...
Even during the Golden Age, she had already proposed and implemented her theory of "memory projection".
It's "consciousness projection".
Asimov corrects Nikola without hesitation.
It's a branch of consciousness connection technology, developed from its basic framework but with certain unique functional characteristics.
This theory once sparked considerable debate in mainstream academia and even generated quite a few scandals.
Scandals?
It violated humanitarian principles by repeatedly conducting human experiments with unauthorized medicines.
And then?
And then nothing. If she had made any real breakthroughs, the file would have been filled with her achievements. You wouldn't have had to call and ask me.
Asimov shakes his head, looking like he's explaining something completely mundane.
If you're interested, why not subscribe to the Science Council's back issues? The entries of these seemingly valuable but ultimately meaningless theories alone will keep you busy until breakfast tomorrow.
Is there no future at all for this technology?
Theoretically, yes. I've read that paper, and if its proposed vision were to become reality, it would indeed be beneficial to us.
But as you should know, even as outsiders to the field, academic papers can be full of hot air, and they never appeared in any journals after that anyway.
In all likelihood, they hit a complete dead end with their research direction and abandoned the project entirely.
That might not be the case. At least your colleagues don't share that opinion.
Nikola forwards his documents to Asimov, specifically highlighting an entry about the Science Council's unaccounted funds.
Project Hydrangea Island...
...I can help, but you'll need to adjust the schedule yourselves.
We'll need more manpower and resources to handle another project...
Asimov pauses briefly as the sound of conversation comes through from the other end of the line.
...and my time as well. Let's leave it at that for now. Contact me when there's progress.
Did you hear all that, Hilda?
Crystal clear.
So?
A genius or a madman, a potential revolutionary or an enemy of the world.
I've been thinking... there's a possibility that the island still harbors the prototype of some illegal experiment.
It was that very prototype that triggered consequences beyond our prediction.
Are you worried Reika Saotome might still be alive?
I'm worried that her secret research on that island has awakened something.
The Red Tide is converging on the island...
Hilda closes her eyes and draws in a sharp breath.
I fear the Red Tide has disrupted some kind of balance on the island.
If what you're saying is true, then we've got a serious problem on our hands.
Let's dispatch another squad. We still have time before the confidentiality protocol expires.
This will be yet another dangerous gamble.
And we might lose all the bargaining chips we've gotten so far.
I'll maintain information control within the agreed timeframe. The rest is up to your discretion, sir.
She gives Nikola a slight nod before standing up and leaving.
...
He massages his temples, before switching his terminal to an encrypted channel.
It's me. What's the mission target?
