Arknights story · Episode 4: Burning Run

4-2 A Walk in the Rain

In the ruins, Meteorite's team encounters Reunion forces remaining behind in the city. After reporting in with Kal'tsit, the team continues their mission. Frostleaf notices that there is something abnormal about the temperature.

2 scenes, 184 lines

1. Before Operation

80 lines
Jessica

Th-there are two enemies left!

They're running toward the building to our east--

Meteorite

I've already locked on to them.

...!

Reunion Member

Argh...!

Meteorite

Bullseye.

Frostleaf

Aren't we making too much noise?

Meteorite

There are a ton of explosions all over the city. I don't think they'll notice.

Have you notified Dr. Kal'tsit yet?

Frostleaf

I called her before the battle started.

There's evidence that Reunion is conducting their operations in this city.

I haven't hung up yet.

Shouldn't we be a bit stealthier with our movements?

Meteorite

That Reunion member just now seemed to be using Detection-type Arts.

We'll have to strike first so that we don't give away our location.

At least, we can't give these Reunion squads time to communicate with each other.

Jessica

Phew... It's finally over...

Meteorite

Frostleaf, assess the situation.

Frostleaf

Understood.

Here, hold on to the comms device.

Meteorite

Sure.

Jessica, don't let your guard down yet.

Jessica

Of course... I'm aware of that!

Meteorite

All right, all right. I won't mention it again.

Dr. Kal'tsit, can you hear me?

Kal'tsit

Always could. Indeed, you can't afford to let your guard down yet.

Jessica, there might be an enemy behind you.

Jessica

Uwaaah!

Reunion Member

H-how did they... get behind me...

Jessica

...Eeehh??

Frostleaf

If I can attack you from behind, that means you were too slow.

We're fine for now, Dr. Kal'tsit. I've taken out the enemy.

Meteorite

You really are fast...

I couldn't even see how you managed to get over there and come back so quickly.

Frostleaf

—Actually, I never even left.

Kal'tsit

Projekt Red contacted me.

There are no signs of activity from the Reunion forces hiding in Lungmen.

At this stage, it'd be best not to poke the hornet's nest.

By the way, according to the intel I've received from the other recon teams, there may a fairly substantial Reunion presence in the desert.

Meteorite

In other words, we're the ones who hit the jackpot?

That does put a bit of pressure on us. We're also only a recon squad after all.

Jessica

If that's the case, we've already eliminated two Reunion squads so far...

Meteorite

Are you absolutely sure about the affiliation of the enemies we first exchanged fire with, Jessica?

Jessica

Yeah, there shouldn't be any mistake. I double checked before asking you to shoot.

Meteorite

...My bad. I was busy calculating the ballistic trajectory.

Kal'tsit

What about the enemy's numbers?

Meteorite

We don't know the exact number.

Frostleaf, how's it going over there?

Meteorite

What's the matter...?

Kal'tsit

Go take care of it. Let me know right away if there's an issue.

Jessica

Will do.

Let's... head over to her to see what's going on.

Meteorite

...

What happened?

Frostleaf

...You two didn't feel it?

Jessica

Huh? What...

Frostleaf

The temperature.

Jessica

Now that you mentioned it... it does seem colder...

Frostleaf

The temperature.

Meteorite

...Indeed. There's at least a five-degree difference compared to the temperature outside.

Jessica

How could such fair weather... change so suddenly...

Frostleaf

Look above you. The weather hasn't changed.

Jessica

...Huh?

Frostleaf

It's not the weather.

It's coming from here. Come, feel this.

Meteorite

...The walls of the ruins?

Frostleaf

That's right. These walls are heat-absorbing.

Jessica

...No way?!

Frostleaf

Before we came, the heat absorption had probably already worn off.

It's returning to the previous temperature.

But, why?

Who would leave behind something like this?

Meteorite

...Reunion are the only ones who've been active in these parts.

Jessica

Reunion? Could they... do something like this?

Frostleaf

The Infected...

I once heard of a certain legend.

...about a creature called the 'yeti.'

Meteorite

...I have a feeling... that this is going to get real troublesome...

2. After Operation

104 lines
Child

Ahh...! Look out!

Amiya

Ouch!

Child

S-sorry, I didn't mean to run into you...

Amiya

Don't worry about it. You're very polite.

Child

Ehehe...

Um, ma'am, what are you doing here?

It's still raining. You're not going to go inside?

Amiya

Ah, um... I'm just... taking a walk.

Are you looking for help?

Child

Oh! How'd you know?!

Amiya

I can't tell you~ It's a secret.

Child

Aw... it's fine though!

Ma'am, do you think...

Hmm... that probably won't work. You're a bit too short...

Amiya

Hey, you shouldn't say stuff like that! You're shorter than me!

Child

Whoa!

W-well, we could try... Um, could you help me move that board? Let's do it together!

There's a record player under that metal rack. I want to take it back home.

Amiya

Sure.

Child

1... 2... 3! Together!

Amiya

We did it!

...

Child

Woah, you're really strong, ma'am! Thank you!

Amiya

But... this record player is broken.

Child

It's okay! It's always been broken.

But one day, I'll be able to fix it. I collected a lot of records, but I've never listened to them before...

...But one day, I'll play them for everyone!

Amiya

...

...Such a difficult thing, said so casually...

...What am I doing this for... What can I even do...

Child

Ma'am, you're not scared of me?

Amiya

...Scared of what?

Child

I'm an Infected!

Amiya

Haha... I am too.

Child

What?! That's such a pity. You're so pretty, too...!

Amiya

...

There's nothing wrong with being an Infected. Whether you are healthy or infected...

If you're a good person, that will never change.

Child

Huh...? I don't get it...

(Grrrrrr...)

Amiya

...Are you hungry?

Child

...Mmhm...

Amiya

...Here, take this. It's all I have.

Child

Wow! Thank you, ma'am!

But... why did you come here?

Amiya

I...

It's because...

It's because I made a promise to someone.

Child

Bye bye, ma'am!!

Amiya

Sure, bye bye!

...

...

Even a child like that... In the end, will just...

Those who were robbed of their identity. The Infected. You've long lost the right to call yourselves people.

Amiya

What can I accomplish? What more... can I do...?

Why... can I not protect those around me...

You cannot.

Amiya

No... I...

Famine... Persecution... Death...

These are the only things awaiting the Infected.

Amiya

No, that's not true...

As long as Rhodes Island is fighting for the Infected...

You are but one of the few lucky ones.

Amiya

No... We've all come together to fight towards a common goal.

This world has already become cold and callous.

Amiya

No, not yet...

The Infected can't succumb to despair just yet...

You.

Allow the rage to consume you.

Only then...

Amiya

I...

No... I won't...

I made a promise...

I made a promise to her...!

...Huh?

Who's that...?

Little Girl

A big sister once told me that these dolls won't work unless you make them yourself.

So that's why I'm giving this to you!

Another Girl's Voice

...

Amiya

That voice just now...?

!

That silhouette...

Is that Madam Ch'en?

Little Girl

...

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Another Girl's Voice

...

Ch'en

...!

Amiya

Madam Ch'en...

Ch'en

... ...

Amiya

...

Madam Ch'en, what are you doing here?

I thought you were...

Ch'en

None of your concern.

This is Lungmen's business, and I will take care of it.

Amiya

...

...

Madam Ch'en...

This is the first time...

I've seen that look in her eyes...