Arknights story · Operator Records
Azure
A casual comment by the Doctor causes Executor to begin noticing colors around him.
1 scenes, 300 lines
1. Interlude
300 lines
...Target has been placed into custody and the lost medical supplies retrieved. One operator suffered a mild ankle sprain during the operation.
That is all I have to report about the mission. I have been asked to communicate my superiors' gratitude for Rhodes Island's support of Lateran citizens abroad.
The Notarial Hall would be honored to welcome you while Rhodes Island is stationed near Laterano.
It was the right thing to do.
We'll go if we have time, Federico.
I will pass on your answer. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave.
One moment, Federico.
Do you have another task you need me to perform?
Many of our younger patients have improved.
Medical is throwing a party to celebrate.
I got a message telling me to dress up more, er, 'interesting'.
'Interesting'... that's rather vague. Are there any more details?
Maybe they think my clothes are too monotone.
Maybe I need to wear more colors.
Bibeak sent me a dozen party hats. Which do you think works best?
They are all conical. The only difference is the color.
True.
I am afraid I cannot give you a useful opinion. I perceive all colors the same way.
People always praise your color coordination.
You wear a lot of colors.
This an official Notarial Hall uniform. I did not choose it.
What about when you're off-duty?
......
You look disappointed, Doctor.
That's not it.
Just a bit.
Executor has been sitting there for a while. Am I imagining things, or has he not moved at all?
Not according to my measurements. You don't often see Sankta so quiet...
You're new... you don't know...
Know what?
One fugitive on the run, two hidden mines, three massive holes, and... leaky evenings beyond reckoning.
Ahem. What are you two doing? I'll slash your pay if I catch you talking bad about a guy behind his back.
C-Closure! What are you doing here?
Just looking for the Doctor. There's been a question of what color hat to wear to the party. I'm curious if the Doctor's come to a decision yet.
......
Is that Sankta going to sit there all day? Rhodes Island is pretty big. Can't he sit somewhere else?
Hey, Sankta! You'd better move. It's going to rain, and you're gonna wanna hurry if you're going back to Laterano, unless you're gonna make the trip in a downpour.
Closure the Vampire, Chief Engineer of Rhodes Island... threat level downgraded from Extreme to Low one year ago.
No special action required.
I'm just pondering what color a party hat should be.
The Doctor asked you? Hmm... rapid fire! What color am I wearing right now?
Black and red.
But your question does not answer mine. It does not help me determine the proper color for the hat.
Maybe you should install a color sensor and the associated algorithms to help you perceive the differences between colors.
I'll even give you a discount.
The installation of mechanical parts in the human brain is impractical at current technology levels. In addition...
What?
Your experience with cranial surgery is unreliable.
Adjusting reliability rating of Closure the Vampire to Extremely Low.
Alright, my bad, my bad, I shouldn't have made fun of you.
What is this?
An anonymous artist is holding an exhibition at the Lateran Basilica this weekend, and Rhodes Island got a few free tickets.
I was going to give them to the younger operators, but maybe this'll do you some good.
...Thank you.
Now... can we talk about making some adjustments to my profile?
Closure kept the operator coming with me a secret. Never thought it would be you.
Being both an operator of Rhodes Island and a citizen of Laterano, I do not think it is a surprise that I am here.
I'm surprised you come to an art show in your free time.
I didn't think you would be interested in an art show.
Your doubts are justified. I prefer to spend my time testing and maintaining my weapons, and getting proper rest.
But you came anyway.
I had to supplement my knowledge on colors to complete the mission you gave me yesterday. What about you, Doctor? The Notarial Hall was not notified of your visit to Laterano.
It wasn't a mission, Federico.
This isn't an official visit.
The kids wanted me to go with them.
Did you need art credits for your finals too, Mr. Sankta?
It is not part of my annual performance analysis.
No fair, Doctor. Why doesn't he need to take exams?
Want something to eat?
I'll buy you an ice cream so forget about it.
Thank you, Doctor. I'd like strawberry, please.
Pineapple!
What about you, Federico?
I do not need anything. I do have a membership card for the ice cream shop, though.
Thank you.
See you at the gallery.
You go in first. I'll find you later.
You have been standing in front of this painting for a long time. I assume it is appealing to you.
Yes, it is.
I'm curious about the colors the artist used.
I'm interested in the shapes and figures on the canvas.
The color blue comprises 71% of the painting, followed by green and white.
Other colors comprise less than one percent and can be considered negligible.
Is that all you see, Federico?
The boundaries of the colors are clearly defined, indicating the artist's preference for order and principles.
There are very few straight lines or corners. The principal elements are circles, ovals and curves, and the lines are smooth and round.
Do these visual elements give you any particular feelings?
I have studied the visual influence of shapes in order to understand the emotions of others. There are many cases that indicate one's subconscious preference for a shape is connected to their psychological profile.
Interesting. Elaborate.
The orderly and balanced arrangement of the forms indicate that the artist was in a calm and tranquil state of mind.
Doctor...
I think my eyes are gonna burst from all the blue.
The artist must have been really excited when painting it.
We came to opposite conclusions based on the colors and shapes used by the painting. How can one be calm and excited at the same time?
I do not understand.
People are complex.
Anything is possible.
Your Beatitude, Saint Federico, this is such a wondrous surprise. I thought the staff were out of their minds when they said they saw you in the crowd.
Good morning, Reverend Simeone. Is His Holiness here?
No, I am on my own. And who might you be?
Dr. Doctor, from Rhodes Island.
It is an honor to meet you, Dr. Doctor.
The honor is all mine, Sir Simeone.
Are you here on official duty?
Of course not. Today is Sunday, it's the sabbath.
Don't tell anyone, but I'm the anonymous artist behind this exhibition. I didn't want it to be a distraction while I'm still a gun-knight.
What of Your Beatitude? Are you really here to appreciate the art?
Yes, Reverend Simeone.
Now, you're the last man I expected to be joking. I know, I know, Notarial Hall business, right?
I can vouch that Federico's not here for anything complicated.
I came to learn more about colors.
You've come to the right person, then.
You've piqued my interest, too.
What can you tell us?
While there is a degree of subjectivity in individual perception of color, we have also achieved a degree of consensus over what different colors represent.
For example, red is considered stimulating, and represents excitement and passion.
As one who considers himself mild-mannered, however, I rarely use it in my artwork.
Five years ago, you...
(Loudly) Now, let me talk about my favorite color.
Let's hear what he has to say.
(Whisper) Although you're not the only one who's a little skeptical.
I noticed that you use a lot of blue in your artwork.
Very astute of you. The tranquility, reason and depth represented by blue is my life's pursuit.
In addition, it also calms the mind, helping them feel peace and tranquility... hey, was that a camera flash?
Hey, what the hell are you doing, you little runt!
Yeah, you! Who said you could use flash? Get away from my painting! Further!
Now, where were we...?
Blue helps one feel peace and tranquility.
Yes, blue... the resting place of my soul, the symbol of eternity... such beauty...
Excuse me, Reverend Simeone, there is something you need to know.
Pardon me, I should look into this.
His words and actions are highly contradictory. I find it hard to trust the information he provided about the color blue.
One moment, Federico.
Do you find his statements credible?
Colors can have complex emotional implications. Maybe we can delve further.
There are many things affecting emotion. Color is only one of them.
There are more factors that need to be considered when thinking about the impact of color on emotion.
The natural flaw of man means that I will have to spend much time to achieve this goal.
But you're not afraid of the challenge, are you?
But you're never afraid.
True, Doctor, I am not.
Excuse me, Your Beatitude, we have need of you.
Oh?
Closer, please. We can't be overheard...
......
What happened?
Doctor, you should leave with the young operators.
What about you?
I have an emergency mission.
Dear guests, we regret to inform you that there has been an emergency. We ask that you remain calm and proceed to the nearest exit side for evacuation.
Why is there a bomb here?
There was an armed altercation in the Basilica yesterday. We thought the explosives left behind by the suspect had been cleaned up.
......
Is there anything Your Beatitude can do?
I believe that casualties can be avoided even if there is an explosion.
But the whole gallery above... all the artwork...
Understood. New mission objective: protect the artwork on exhibit.
Time is short. Action must be taken quickly.
Where are you going?
Make sure no one follows me.
There is sufficient distance from the crowd and the artwork, and sufficient cover on the roof to keep the blast radius to three meters.
This is an appropriate spot to move the bomb.
Set. Countdown. Decem, novem, octo, septem...
Quinque, quattuor, tres, duo, unus.
No significant difference between expected and actual blast radius. Damage to exterior buildings noted. A 1.75 square meter hole has appeared in the roof. There are no casualties, and no damage to artwork.
Bomb threat has been neutralized.
The bomb has been detonated on the roof. No harm has been done to personnel or the exhibit.
The danger has been eliminated. The exhibition may continue.
Your Beatitude, er... you should leave, quickly, before...
You seem to have feelings of concern, fear... and regret.
The response is unexpected based on the outcome. Please elaborate.
You left so quickly with the bomb that I didn't have the chance to tell you, but the most important work of art in the exhibition was...
Get out of my way! Saint or not, that bastard is going to get it!
I spent an entire year painting that dome! I won't let this go unanswered!
Stop right there!
I never moved.
Well, you've got nerve, at least.
I apologize for damaging your work. I shall reassess the mission completion status and compensate you for your loss.
Compensate? You think the time and effort I spent on the dome can be made up for with money?
If necessary, I can restore it to the precise condition it was in.
I have carefully observed every corner of the gallery, including the dome. It will not be difficult to restore it from memory.
Are you trying to insult me?
Even if you can recreate the touch of the brush, you could never restore the passion and inspiration in my heart and mind when I painted it!
'The precise condition it was in'? You don't know what you're talking about.
Why the frown? Not happy?
No, I am thinking about what else could be done.
I am trying to infer your emotions at the time through my memory of the artwork.
What's the point, even if you could do it? It's become blurred with the memories, it shattered when the dome did.
All that's left is the sky through the hole.
The sky...
The executor looks up at where the dome used to be, as the sun shines down gently through the hole.
He feels a gentle warmth on his face.
It's been raining heavily these past few days. I haven't had a chance to see the blue sky.
I thought you took the young operators back to the ship, Doctor.
Don't worry, they're safe at our branch office.
The young operators are safe. I came back because I was worried.
I am sorry that I cannot ensure that your visit will be smooth... I must make new plans.
Shh... look at the sky, Federico.
There you are, Doctor.
I came to check on the injured children.
We found the children in the cellar to be in a state of malnutrition, four of them severely, with one in critical condition.
Their odds of survival would have increased greatly if we arrived one day earlier.
......
Are you injured?
What's with your shoulder?
There is a wound at the base of the shoulder.
......
What are you holding, Federico?
A drawing from a child.
Looks like we have a very talented young artist on the ship.
What did you see up there?
The blue sky.
The child told me that he was imprisoned in a place of darkness, but he saw a shade of blue just as he was about to lose all hope.
It comforted him.
You didn't mention anything blue at the scene.
I believe he did, in fact, see it. I broke into the cellar from above. There was a high chance that he saw the blue sky.
Yes, the blue sky is comforting.
Yes, a shade of blue like the sky is comforting.
Federico feels you pat him on the shoulder. He looks down at the blue sky on the drawing.
It's good that the rain's finally stopped. It's been overcast for so many days that I can feel mold growing on me.
The sun's so warm... I just want to lie down and take it in.
It drives all the darkness and gloom away.
......
Look, even Reverend Simeone is entranced by the sunlight.
What a beautiful blue. I think I saw it in a dream.
It blends perfectly with my artwork. All the blue I used on the dome was only there to complement its beauty.
After a few days of heavy rain, the sky is a shade of painted blue.
The wind spreads the paint out, from far to near, from deep to light, blending and stacking colors, dyeing it a beautiful shade between blue and green.
Everyone is looking up at it with an entranced expression, their hearts filled with happiness and comfort.
The feeling spreads through the streets, as passersby slow and diners put their forks and knives down...
Looks like the danger has passed.
Yes, the incident has been resolved, as you can see.
You said incident resolved, rather than mission complete.
I did not complete my mission, as a work of art was damaged in the bomb disposal process.
But everyone looks happy.
That is because of the sky.
Sunday, sunny, the sky a rare shade of blue.
Those who see this shade of blue exhibit enlarged pupils and lift the corners of their mouths, indicating feelings of joy.
More information is required to determine the correlation between this special shade of blue and positive emotions.
Bah, stop muttering over there.
(Pat him on the shoulder)
(Look into his eyes)
(Do nothing)
I am unsure what this physical contact means.
No special meaning to it, Federico.
I just want you to look at the sky with me for a while.
What are you trying to say, Doctor?
There's no need to remember all that.
What we really should remember is the color of the sky, here and now.
After a moment of silence, the executor looks up again, at the clear blue sky through the hole.
His expression is calm and stoic, unlike the calm and easy expressions on the faces of the others.
You wordlessly cast your gaze at the sky with him.
Federico? I think it's time for us to go.
One and a half hours.
One and a half hours... I find that hard to believe.
All the staff have left. It's just the two of us here.
Look at your watch. A machine doesn't lie.
Confirmed that one hour, thirty-seven minutes and sixteen seconds have passed.
This represents a significant deviation from the perceived passage of time.
I have never experienced it.
......
Are you alright?
You look uneasy.
I must go with you, Doctor, and receive a full examination from the Medical Department.
What happened?
There is a high probability that this rare shade of blue represents a pathological factor for me. I must ascertain if it will affect my performance on future missions.
Three days later
I apologize for the trouble I caused the Medical Department with my sudden request for examination.
It's okay. No trouble at all.
Don't worry about it.
Oh, and I just got a message from Closure.
......
She says you should meet her in Engineering.
Yes, my attendance has been requested at an important occasion.
I recommend azure.
It's a memorial service for a scholar who recently passed away.
Azure? I'm going to a funeral.
......
Understood, azure is not suitable for such an occasion.
Thank you, Doctor. I request my leave if there are no other missions.
See you later, Federico.
I look forward to our next meeting.
I've got it, Doctor.
What?
Tell me more.
Your jacket is navy-blue.
What?
See you later, Doctor.
My jacket... it's always been navy blue.
...Hehe.