BB-4 Long Voyage

(Approaches cautiously)

(Threatening roar)

Hey! Go away!

Don't come any closer!

(Rubs claws excitedly)

(Moves head in confusion)

You seem to have made them even more excited, Amiya.

Don't worry, Doctor, I can deal with this!

Mum and Dad taught me how to chase the sandbeasts away. All you need to do is imitate the sound of their natural enemies.

Chirp, chirp...

(Pauses in confusion)

Wait, that wasn't right. Was it 'Chip, chip'?

(Tilts head in confusion)

It's still not right. What was it again?

'Aoww'? 'Ku, ku'? 'Tick, tock'?

(Swings tail in confusion)

That's not right either...

It's okay, Amiya. I'll take care of this.

(Stands up startled)

(Looks around uneasily)

(Quickly digs a hole)

(Slowly follows)

Wow, Doctor! That was just like the real thing!

Let me try!

Come here, Amiya.

Why the sullen look? The sandbeast ran off.

I could never remember, even after Mum and Dad taught me so many times... and I couldn't protect you, even though I said I would.

Your hand's still wounded... it hasn't fully healed.

Don't worry, it doesn't hurt. Anyway, don't you remember?

It was you who taught me how to make that sound.

I did?

You see? Like I told you, your brain slows down and you start to forget things, if you don't sleep.

I... I don't want to sleep.

I'm scared that I'll dream of... those things.

But you told me you dream of your parents too.

Um...

We have some time before our ride gets here. Have a sleep.

Hm...

Can I come closer?

When I wake up... the first thing I want to see is you.

Of course. Why don't I tell you a few stories while we wait for Savage?

A long time ago, there was a really smart scientist...

Her home was in danger, and she made a difficult choice to protect it and the people around her...

*Zzz*...

Doctor, I found a vehicle! We'll be able to go to the next—

(Whisper) Shh, she's sleeping.

You can come over, Amiya. No need to keep poking your head out from there.

Are you drawing, Doctor? Am I interrupting?

Of course not.

Take a look. Is it good?

It's the mining truck we just drove together!

I've been drawing lots of our experiences.

Have you driven a mining truck before? Even the old miners can't go as fast as you did.

I've seen many amazing vehicles before. Like Originium slug eggs, but much larger. Once, I drove one of them...

...and went through the bridge between stars.

The bridge between stars? It's always dark at night, so it must've been really dark! Was it dangerous?

No. Guides stand by the bridge, borrowing glowing clouds from old stars and making round mirrors out of them.

Follow the path the mirrors show, and we can...

We can...?

See the spires fading in and out of the clouds, and the crown of flowers worn by the stars, on the other side of the bridge.

When we descend on the crown, you'll find that it belongs to good children like you. It's a really, really big playground.

A playground? I've read about them in the stories... there are lots of children there.

Do you want to play with other children?

No. I... I just want to play with you, Doctor.

You'll make more friends as you grow up.

As I grow up...

What's the most amazing vehicle you've ever driven?

The most amazing...? Well... I spent a very long time with it. Very long indeed.

Was there anyone else with you?

In the beginning, yes. In the end, though, I was alone.

...But it's alright. I was sleeping. I slept for a very long time.

Take me with you next time! That way, I can keep you company and you won't have to sleep all day.

...Hehe.

Why are you laughing, Doctor?

That's a big promise to make. Are you sure?

You'll have your own journey, your vision, your future... are you sure you want to be with me?

But they all say that... there's no future for people with rocks on them.

So... I'll always be with you...

......

We'll have a future, Amiya.

How's Amiya doing? Still not great?

Hm... still a bit of fever. Maybe Oripathy complications from all the excitement. Hard to find Oripathy meds around these parts.

She acts like it's nothing during the day, but keeps having nightmares. Poor girl...

Every survivor of that accident was infected. No exceptions.

How long does it take for Oripathy to progress in a child her age?

It's different for everyone. Some disintegrate the day after developing acute symptoms. Some suffer for more than a decade of misery.

But the end is always the same.

Oripathy... is there anyone in the world who can cure it?

The world? Oh, you mean Terra, our great land? Man, you sound like one of those old scholars. I didn't know you had a sense of humor.

Wait... you're serious?

I'm afraid not. It's impossible.

I need it to be possible.

People couldn't imagine the nomadic cities a few centuries ago, could they?

I'll find a way, before her symptoms deteriorate. It may be hard, but that doesn't mean it's impossible.

Say it to a Rim Billy, and they'll think you're making fun of them.

You never fail to surprise me, but I just can't help but believe in you.

Is that the charm of being smart?

Come on, Charlotte.

Hehe, I meant you... never mind.

What?

Oh, I meant... hm...

Can't you tell? There's something about you... something that lets everyone know that you're different from us.

Amiya senses it. Children are more sensitive than we know.

Is it that obvious?

She's strong. She doesn't show her sadness in front of you. She wants you to see her joy. She doesn't want to be a burden to you; she's trying to take care of you.

You became the only pillar in her life the day you saved it.

But she knows you were never supposed to cross paths. She's afraid that you'll abandon her too.

......

Don't worry. I won't leave her.

Now that's the spirit.

I knew you would say that.

This is...

Jerky and fruit. Left here on purpose.

They know I'm here?

Always inscrutable.

(Licks docilely)

Good boy, good boy.

Are we really not going to Yan, Doctor?

We're going somewhere else, to cure your sickness.

But... there's no cure for Oripathy...

There's no such thing as an impossible puzzle, Amiya.

There's a place called Babel, where people I trust are working hard to fight this disease.

Let's work with them.

Will I have to spend a long time there?

Some time, at least. But don't worry, there'll be a lot of people with you, caring for you. I'll be there, too.

......

Doctor... do we really have to go?

Lots of sick kids went away to get treated, but no one came back...

Oripathy doesn't hurt at all.

I promise I'll be good, Doctor. Right, Savage?

Yes... Amiya has always been a good girl.

Are you sure you don't want to rethink this, Doctor?

Billies deal with Originium every day. We know what Oripathy can do.

Stay here in Rim Billiton, and at least we can give her... a home.

Maybe that's more important than the cold walls of a laboratory.

...A home.

You have a point. But I can't just stand by and watch Originium hurt her... I have an obligation.

Amiya, I promise you, I'll do my best to cure you, no matter what happens.

Doctor...

Savage does have a point, though, and Babel is in a place that's not entirely safe.

You can stay with Savage, if you don't want to leave Rim Billiton.

I'm sorry to force this decision on you at such a young age... but you're a strong girl, and we'll respect your choice.

The Doctor's right, Amiya. No need to knee-jerk an answer. Think carefully about it.

I...

...I trust you, Doctor.

I want to have a future. I want to grow up, read books with you, travel with Savage. I...

It's just that... I'm a little scared...

Heh.

Thank you, Amiya.

(Growls in alarm)

What's going on?

—Underneath our feet!

Must be a deep digger! It's spooking the burdenbeast! Watch out!

(Panicked cry)

Stay, boy, stay! Whoa!

Whoa!

Hang in there, Doctor!

Doctor!

Grab my hand, Doctor!

(Angry roar)

(Accelerates)

I have to get them to—whoa!

Hang on! It's speeding up!

I'm—try—ing!

Hang in there, Doctor! I'm coming!

Hur—ry!

I—

Whooooaaaahhhh—!

...No more Messenger stations from here on.

Villages become sparse, and bandits become frequent...

I'm afraid we have to part ways here, Savage.

Why?

The region ahead is in turmoil. You'll be in danger, if the mercenaries spot you.

You and Amiya will be in danger too, won't you?

I'll be fine! I've come this far, I'll see your journey through to the end.

......

Charlotte... thank you.

Will you come and visit, Savage?

Of course!

The Doctor said Babel's new base is being worked on by Billy engineers, right? Maybe we'll see each other soon!

Then... I'll be waiting for you, Savage.

Good girl, Amiya. Now, though, I need to figure out how to take you and the Doctor through the wilderness!

You and Amiya stay here and rest for a while, Doctor. I'll see if the transport hub ahead has any good vehicles for hire.

......

Doctor.

Whoa!

Do we have time to say goodbye?

The longer we stay here, the more dangerous it gets.

The Cautus girl seems rather determined. It's better for both of you to part ways here.

...I suppose you're right.

We won't wait for Savage?

Sometimes, Amiya, we have to do bad things for good reasons.

We don't want Savage to be in danger, do we? But she doesn't want to leave you.

It's rude to leave without saying goodbye, but that way, Savage won't face danger.

Um...

I promise, we'll get to see her again.

Can I leave a note for Savage? She'll be worried if she comes back to find us gone.

Good thinking. Go ahead and write one.

Okay!

Her Highness wants to meet with you, alone.

Are things not going well? How's Kal'tsit?

Now is not the time.

We'll leave once the girl has written her note.

Alright. Can we trouble you with the note?

Certainly. I'll leave it where she is sure to see it.

How's progress, Closure?

The last thing I need is another core system control failure.

Well... Heh, since you had to bring it up, I might have run into a little problem.

Even with the tricks you taught me, the encryption methods used by many of PRTS's programs are almost incomprehensible to a normal brain, and my decoder isn't fully compatible yet.

We may not be able to shut the system down before the Doctor arrives on the ship.

Try again.

If you're not confident about getting it done, then we'll go to the contingency plan... cutting off power to the entire ship.

Leave it to me!

Seems like you're still keeping a lot of secrets, though.

I've never seen anyone make you so nervous.

...That's not important.

What's important is making sure nothing happens to the ship.

Ascalon's report says the Doctor looks like an ordinary person. A pretty decent one, too, who picked up a stray little Cautus and carried her all across the land.

Do we really have to be so on edge?

It's not the Doctor that I fear.

Then what is it?

You don't need to know yet.

Wipe the Doctor's boarding records. This is for the safety of both the Doctor and Babel.

The others don't need to know that the Doctor exists until the Doctor and Theresa have reached a conclusion.

Alright, alright, I'll work at it.

But I wonder why you seem to care a lot about this Doctor at that same time that you're so on guard over the whole thing.

I've got it! The Doctor must have dirt on you!

Don't bother, you won't find it.

Come on, why so serious?

What about the girl?

Same conclusion, no change.

I cross-checked all relevant Rim Billitonian records and had Scout check with informants inside the Military Commission.

Amiya's background comes through clean.

Her parents were killed when the convoy transporting the laser mining module got attacked. The attack itself was purely coincidental.

No one knew they were transporting Sarkaz-related cargo, and the Military Commission wasn't involved.

She must have gotten Infected in the mess. If not for the Doctor, she'd be spending the rest of her life suffering in Rim Billiton.

I'll handle the girl's examination and treatment once she's on board.

You're still concerned about her?

Yes, I am.

She's too young, and she hasn't had proper treatment since contracting Oripathy.

Oh, that kind of concerned.

I don't want the Doctor's kindness to be the reason for delaying her treatment.

Plus, Theresa would call her a gentle child who has the right to choose her future.

Amiya. Amiya.

Mm... let me sleep... where are we?

Doctor... Doctor?

The Doctor's here.

Wake up, sleepyhead. You're almost home.

Home?

Haha, that tickles, don't do that, hehe.

Whoa!

Wh-Who are you?

I'm Theresa.

Theresa... the Doctor talked about you...

Oh? What did the Doctor say?

I don't remember... I was having a great carrot cake at the time, though.

Theresa should smell nice... be really warm and sweet...

What about now? Is she as you imagined her?

Yeah... smells good... warm and sweet... doesn't smell like carrots, though...

Not fully awake, I see. Heh.

Will you come home with us, Amiya?

Home... yeah... okay...

Thank you, Theresa. I didn't expect you to come pick us up personally.

Looks like you're not quite all-knowing, Doctor.

You have much to learn when it comes to childcare, at least.

Sure enough.

You look different from when you left, Doctor. How was the journey?

I saw a lot and learned a lot. There are plenty of interesting things on this great land.

I also met Amiya... it was a miracle that I was able to save her.

Amiya. She's even cuter than your letters said. Poor girl, but fortunate, in some way.

Her condition is getting worse. I needed to bring her in for treatment.

How has Babel been, in the time that I was away?

Not quite smooth sailing. We have a lot to deal with, but not everything needs to be handled right away.

You must be tired after your journey. Get some rest.

Thank you, Theresa.

Amiya, we're home.

Hmm... Doctor? Did I fall asleep?

Oh, Amiya. You're awake.

Why don't you come down? Theresa will get tired if she has to keep holding you.

Will you hold my hand, Amiya?

Doctor...?

It's alright. Theresa is my friend. You can trust her. You'll be spending a lot of time with her from now on.

Okay...

Is this Babel?

Yes.

It's so big... even bigger than those mining plates. So this is where you used to live.

I spent a long time here... a very long time.

Is this your home?

......

Yes, Amiya, this is the Doctor's home. Right, Doctor?

...Yes.

It's your home now, too. Will you let us help the Doctor take care of you?

Alright... I'll go wherever the Doctor goes.

What's behind the door?

People waiting to welcome you and the Doctor.

Are you sure about taking me and the girl in, Theresa?

Why shouldn't I be? I'm glad to have more people calling Babel their home.

Many here don't know you, though, so I'm sure you'll be busy for the next few days.

How should I present myself?

Good question. You should talk to Kal'tsit first. She's been waiting for you.

......

Tell her your concerns, your questions, and the secrets in your heart.

She would be very sad if you didn't.

You could have...

If you really want the King of Sarkaz to reveal the thoughts that you're loath to tell, I will. But I can feel you're still wavering.

Let's go, Amiya, Doctor. We'll go to her.

Amiya. You're Amiya, aren't you?

Yes...

Thank you for protecting the Doctor throughout your journey, Amiya.

Thank you... Dr. Kal'tsit.

Will you fetch Theresa? We need to do some checks on you.

Will they hurt?

A little. But the Doctor's letters called you a brave girl.

Will the Doctor be with me?

Of course. The Doctor has some things to do first, though.

......

It's alright, Amiya. Just wait for me here in the ward, and I'll be back very soon.

...Okay.

You'll need to do a full checkup later too, Doctor.

Alright.

...Doctor.

Yes?

Do you plan on leaving again?

No, I think I've traveled enough.

If you've made up your mind, I'll respect your decision.

If nothing else, you're concerned about Amiya's health... even though she was a complete stranger to you.

There is no fundamental difference between these new lives and us.

...I'm glad.

Glad that you chose hope, in the end.

Welcome back, Dr. Doctor.

How is Amiya?

Blood Originium levels are high. Currently available inhibitors are not sufficient to stabilize her condition.

We need to develop new drugs... I need time and resources.

Babel's are yours to use, Doctor. We're happy to share our research on Oripathy with you.

What can I help you and Kal'tsit with in exchange?

This is not a transaction. It's one of the core missions of Babel, to do everything in our power to help everyone suffering from Oripathy.

Since the day that Kal'tsit woke you up, I was convinced that you would help with all of this, just as you helped Amiya.

Thank you.

Now, perhaps, I have a chance to ask you this question, Doctor.

How do you view this land, Terra?

I don't think it's my place to judge.

There's no such thing as superior or inferior civilizations. It took a long and hard journey for Terra to evolve to where it is today.

Add to that the sick joke that Originium has played on life...

You said that Originium did not develop the way you expected.

It wasn't supposed to bring such suffering.

(Mumbles in her dream)

I sense that you are keeping secrets, but there's nothing false about the sorrow coming from deep within your heart, the sorrow that I can't understand.

I want to fix this mistake, but I'm powerless to do so...

At the end of the day, civilizations largely progress in similar ways. It all comes to an inevitable endpoint, however bright its light shines at its peak.

But Kal'tsit said you didn't give up hope, even in your final days.

I had many friends, even in those last days, who faced difficulties far greater than you can imagine, with courage and hope that is every bit your equal.

But they failed and faded away, without exception.

......

We haven't known each other that long, Theresa. I want to know: Why do you do all this?

What is the end that Babel seeks in compromising with the Military Commission?

......

There's something I want to show you, Doctor.

We had to ask you about Originium, sooner or later. That's why Kal'tsit woke you up.

Please, come and see the results of my... brief time at work.

We're almost there...

This place is barren, even by the standards of a Catastrophe-heavy region. But Closure has spent time and effort to maintain this dangerous little trail...

A forked trail in the midst of Originium formations. You're not keeping any fewer secrets than I am, Theresa.

A King of Sarkaz has to have a few secrets, right?

Don't tell anyone what you see here.

This place represents the cutting edge of Babel's and my research into Originium.

Flowers...?

No. Originium.

—

I'm sure you understand it's not Originium Arts that made these flowers bloom.

The information inherent in Originium, the reversal of the Assimilated Universe...

You've already come this far? When did...?

No race understands Originium better than the Sarkaz. Still, what we know is merely the tip of the iceberg compared to the entirety of Originium.

Even with Kal'tsit helping us understand the nature of Originium, the furthest we have gone is transforming a palm-sized piece of active Originium into this...

Garden.

Hope.

This little flower is my small contribution. I need your help, Doctor.

I want to see the day when flowers cover the cliffs and valleys of Kazdel, and all the lands beyond.

......

It's a future worth taking risks for.

You've seen how Kazdel has been mired in war for its entire history, Doctor.

Right now, at least, I want to use the power of Originium to create a home for Kazdel where people can live in peace, safe from war and invasion.

In the more distant future... if we're able to fully harness it, we'll be able to change the entire face of Terra.

If Catastrophes don't bring rain of Originium, but soft fluffy clouds...

If the Infected no longer suffer the pain of rocks growing out of them...

I don't suppose there's anyone who would have such an absurd dream.

You're different from other Sarkaz, Theresa.

Flowers that cover the entire land...

What a picture of life that would be.

......

Doctor?

Why... why this flower?

Oh... there's no particular reason. I just happened to come across it outside the valley when I was looking for a good place for my experiments.

A pure coincidence.

Kal'tsit said it had a name. 'Snow-in-summer'.

But it's adapted to changes over the years. Perhaps we could give it a new name.

What do you think, Doctor?

......

I...

Can you hear me, Theresa?

I'm listening. I was giving the Doctor a tour of our...

Urgent news from Kazdel.

It concerns Victoria.