Before Tomorrow

Watch out.

Whoa!

Phew... Thanks. There's so many reports in this pile, I just can't stack them right.

Huh? Mudrock? You're back!

How long has it been since you left on your field mission? A month?

Yup, the mission dragged on for a while, but I can finally get some rest now.

Dr. Folinic, um, if you don't mind me saying... you don't look very well.

Really? Maybe I've had a little too much coffee the last couple days.

Are you sure you're not pushing yourself too hard?

Not at all. Things have been a little busier than usual, though.

We are putting together a team to deploy to Ursus. Everyone on the ship is as busy as could be.

Oh, I guess it's not a landship anymore... I mean the HQ, but I guess you know that, right?

Yeah. Ursus?

We'll get a proper announcement soon. I guess I can just tell you.

Amiya and the Doctor are planning to lead an elite team to Ursus.

No wonder everyone seemed so busy when I got back...

In that case, I'll—

Wait, Mudrock.

?

Um... Are you free right now?

What's the matter?

I need a hand. I want to throw a party in the canteen.

A party?

Yes, I want to invite a couple friends who'll be going to Ursus.

What does that have to do with me?

I told you, I need a helping hand.

Dr. Folinic... I'm sure I don't need to remind you how we got off to a rocky start...

Are you sure I'm the right one? Do you really want me to help you with your party?

You remember what happened in Wolumonde, don't you?

I remember. I remember it all. I wanted to medicate myself, at the time...

You really don't know how to sugarcoat things, do you?

Nothing's changed. Even though you didn't hurt anybody, if your Originium Arts ever go berserk and put Rhodes Island in harm's way, know that I will take any necessary measures against you, without hesitation.

I believe you.

So I ask again... Why me?

It's because we don't know each other that well, or rather... because we once stood against one another... that I think this is our best chance to get to clear the air.

...Alright.

What are we looking for?

A box. It should have my name on it... Come to think of it, this is really strange.

What?

We've been working for the same company for years now.

You're the one who convinced me to stay...

I hesitated before, too. I asked myself if I could really live under the same roof with you people.

And before I knew it, time flew so fast.

Have you found the answer, then?

Not yet, but at the very least, I didn't really think about it at all, when I invited you to join us.

Found it. Right here.

Give it, I'll carry that.

What's this?

Some things I brought to Rhodes Island with me when I joined. I took them to a branch office they sent me to. Thinking back, that might've been some kind of omen.

...

I never told you how I ended up at Rhodes Island, did I?

I think you did. You mentioned Dr. Kal'tsit sent somebody to Ursus to bring you here.

Right, Rhodes Island had just been formed, and it wasn't until some time after, when the Chernobog operation took place.

I'd heard that Dr. Kal'tsit was coming to get me. I thought I knew where we were going, so I grabbed all kinds of things that turned out to be pretty useless. Like this—

Is this... an Ursine portable Originium stove?

Could you take it apart for me? I want to see if the spray head inside can still be used.

This model is pretty old.

Rhodes Island's standard-issue Originium electric heating module is only one-third its size, but it's twice as effective.

I want to make a soup with this.

Why do you insist on using it?

Have you ever been to the Ursine tundra?

I've heard stories of the place. It's a land of death where even Originium Arts are frozen.

That's right. In the extreme cold, those precise machines become unreliable.

When the temperature drops below minus fifty, when the Originium storms kill all electrical circuits...

Your life depends on these ugly, cumbersome things that burn liquefied Originium.

When I was a kid, I couldn't stand the stench. The fumes always made me tear up.

But now... they put my mind at ease.

Because as long as the fire is still lit, it means I haven't been devoured by the snowy white hell.

...

You seem pretty particular when it comes to the stove. There's probably more to this whole thing than just cooking soup?

Of course.

I need to make sure it will light up in one go, no hiccups.

Sure, it's still full of energy.

Just like Mother used to be, all those years ago.

Too bad, I'm not nearly as brave as she was.

At the very least... you had the courage to stand against the rioters of Wolumonde.

That wasn't courage. That was recklessness. Dr. Kal'tsit said that only those who survive can speak of courage.

You know what, Mudrock? Rhodes Island's heaters might be efficient, but there's always something missing, when you cook with them.

The slightly smokey flavor, with the broth brought to a boil in the raging flames, bringing out the meat's aroma...

That's the taste of home.

The place where Amiya's team is going, that's real, true cold.

I want them enjoy hot soup, cooked on a stove like this, while they're camping out in the wilderness.

Even when they're out in a snowstorm, I want them to know that... their home is right there with them.

The taste of home...

(You want everyone on the team to have hot soup while they're out in the wilderness?)

(No, you need to ensure that it'll function, even in unsurvivable environments.)

(Are you doing this for them, or are you doing this for yourself?)

What's the matter?

Nothing.

Okay. We tested the fire. It's working perfectly.

Come. Onto our next stop.

Aside from food, we need to prepare a little surprise for our guests tonight.

Your room is a lot messier than I imagined.

Can't be helped. I just don't have the energy to clean up.

I can help you.

Forget it. Every time I put in the effort, I end up not being able to find my things.

...

These clay dolls... are cleaning up for me?

I don't like untidy spaces.

*sigh...*

Hm?

I'm just thinking that you and I really don't get along.

Still though, thanks.

Let me know if you need housekeeping in the future.

Forget it. Let's have your clay dolls help me pack.

Pack what? Are these... gift boxes?

Something like that. I'm planning on holding a raffle at the party.

Wait. A raffle?

Yes. It's a party after all. You need something for the attendees to look forward to.

And everyone invited to the party is on the team getting deployed. Amiya, the Doctor, and a few other operators.

I'm hoping to give them some gifts that'll actually be useful during their trip, but if I gave them to them outright...

You know how Amiya is. She'd say, 'You should keep it and use it yourself, Folinic.' The Doctor would definitely say 'We should prioritize distributing resources to those who need them'.

So you're using the raffle as an excuse to give them these things?

Right. If they're just prizes they win in a game of chance, they probably won't say no.

Mudrock, could you get me the boxes with the ribbons on the table there? Right, those ones.

A lot of craftsmanship went into the boxes' decoration.

What do you think of this? How's the ribbon?

It's beautiful, but what's inside? It seems pretty heavy.

Look inside. That's tonight's top prize.

Is this... a notebook?

'Research Notes on Originium Arts and Herbalism'... and 'First Aid Manual in the Ursine Extreme Cold'?

Did you write these yourself?

Yes, they are the sum total of everything I learned from Dr. Kal'tsit over the last few years, my own research on the special cases in Wolumonde...

...and... what I built on top of my mother's research.

To a doctor, this is the most precious thing in all the lands.

These notes are like a weapon and life itself. And you want to... turn them into a giveaway prize?

I do.

But if you give them away, what about you?

You still need to work on your research and treat patients. Without these notes, your work will be a lot harder.

It's okay.

I probably... won't have any need for them for a long while.

I don't have the energy to work on research this intricate anymore.

They'll be putting them to far greater use in Ursus than I ever could by keeping them here for myself.

What do you mean, you have no need for them anymore?

I mean, I work on other things now.

Look at everything scattered all over the room. These past few days, I've been thinking... the living actually don't need so many things.

Like these books, this equipment, and this old coat that I've so gotten used to wearing...

If I can't take them along, keeping them here would just be more things to worry about.

In that case, I might as well give them people who actually need them. That way, even if I'm not around, these things can still be put to good use.

...

What's wrong?

Nothing, never mind. Let's start packing.

That's the last of it.

Thanks for the help, Mudrock.

Don't worry about it.

Are we all done, then? In that case, I'll—

Just a moment.

...

There's one more favor I want to ask of you.

Could you... help me deliver an invitation?

An invitation? To who?

To you, and all your companions who came with you to Rhodes Island.

...!

So you asked me to help because you were planning to invite us all along?

Maybe.

Well...?

We've gone on plenty of missions together over the past few years.

I had nothing against you, even back in Wolumonde.

But at the time, they were your enemy.

Even now at Rhodes Island, they've been instinctively avoiding you, worried about confrontation.

I know. Of course I can tell.

My memories of my time there... are filled with fire and fury. There was a time when I even wanted to purge this place of every last one of them.

But that's also why I want them at the party.

Because there's something I'll announce that has to do with them, too.

Mudrock, there are way too unknowns in this operation. There's no telling when everyone will be back.

I want to have a chat with them before they leave.

I don't want to... have any regrets about this.

No regrets, huh...?

That's right.

There are things that I may never get the chance to tell them, if I don't do it now.

If we've reached the point where we can set aside our differences, then I hope we can face this together candidly.

Here's a bottle of Leithanian wine. I've treasured it for a long time.

I was saving it for Dr. Kal'tsit's return... We would've enjoyed it together... to celebrate her homecoming.

But now, I think there's a much better place for it to go.

Tell them, I hope they will come to tonight's party. I have some very good wine for them.

Dr. Folinic...

You even brought out your most prized possession.

Because it's worth it.

Okay, now go talk to them. I need to head to the cafeteria for the final preparations.

I have to personally watch the fire as the soup cooks.

...

You light the fire so they can find that last bit of hope to survive in the extreme cold.

You aren't doing this to make soup. You're trying to survive the Ursine tundra yourself. You want to carry that heavy stove to go on the run like your mother once did.

You're raffling those notes off to say goodbye to your past.

You're giving up your identity as a doctor and giving away your life's work. You're even worried they might not accept your work if you hand it to them directly, so you're turning it into a raffle.

And this bottle of wine... and an invitation to your old enemies...

You're doing this to shrug off the hatred and regrets that have been plaguing your mind.

Dr. Folinic, I think I have a good idea of what kind of announcement you're going to make...

If that's the path you've chosen, then I should probably do something for you too.

Thanks, Folinic... This soup is really good. It warms me up.

That's great to hear, Amiya. Have some more.

Winters in Ursus last a long while. Remember this taste, okay? This is the flavor of Rhodes Island.

Dr. Folinic...

Oh? Mudrock, you're here.

Your friends are here too, and look how happy they all seem. Thank you.

What's wrong? You seem a little hesitant. Do you want some, too? I left you a bit of extra meat. It's right in the pot, kept warm on the stove.

Okay.

Well, now that you're here, I guess it's time to make my announcement.

Allow me.

Huh?

What are you doing?

I know what it is you want to tell everyone.

You've got arrangements for everything and everyone, except yourself.

Mudrock?

You brought out a stove that can be used in the extreme cold, without any care for efficiency, to reminisce about your mother.

You're raffling off your notes, to sever your ties.

You invited your old enemies here, giving them even your precious wine, to leave no regrets.

You're making arrangements.

What?

I know you want to go to Ursus. You want to get revenge. You want to trade your life for Dr. Kal'tsit's.

I can see that none of the preparations you're making point to survival. This is all about destruction.

You don't want to be a burden to anyone, so you're giving away everything you have.

But I can't accept that.

Since you've already decided, I won't stop you.

But those things are too heavy. You can't carry them all by yourself.

I'll watch those things you can't take.

I'll watch over our Rhodes Island for you.

Now go. Do what it is that you want to do.

Um... Mudrock? Are you sure you aren't misunderstanding something?

Stop! Time out!

Sorry, everyone. Everything's fine. This is just... a little miscommunication between me and Mudrock.

Mudrock, step outside with me. Immediately. Right now.

Phew... Shouldn't be anyone here. Mudrock, seriously... you're way overthinking this!

Are all Sarkaz so imaginative?!

Overthinking? Everything you've prepared... and what you said...

Listen to me, Mudrock. Take a deep breath and let me explain.

First, the stove is for Amiya's team!

They'll be camping outside, and Rhodes Island's electric heaters aren't reliable in the extreme cold. I don't want them to freeze to death before they even make it to Ursus!

I dug it out so Amiya can enjoy some hot soup at night, so they can feel the warmth of home!

Wait... It's for Amiya? You aren't going to carry that there with you?

Why would I even do that? I wouldn't be able to run with that thing!

Second, the notes that I'm giving out...

It's because Dr. Warfarin just gave me a promotion!

I'll be dealing with administrative reports forever, plus a whole shipload of medical personnel. I won't have time for any research!

That's why I wanted to take this chance to organize everything I've learned and hand it over to the team that's leaving for Ursus.

...

Third, I didn't invite your friends because I wanted to bury the hatchet or anything like that!

You didn't?

Of course not!

I'm staying here to hold the fort! You know how much of the base's defense force has been assigned away.

Amiya's leaving, along with a few elite operators, and Dr. Kal'tsit's not here.

Rhodes Island will be very vulnerable.

You and your team will be a vital defensive asset.

I'll be fighting alongside all of you to protect this place we call home.

If I keep putting on airs and giving them the cold shoulder, how are we supposed to band together when the enemy comes attacking?

But...

Are you not going?

Amiya and the Doctor are going. You're Dr. Kal'tsit's protege. You have more reason than any of them to go.

You hate Ursus so much, and you miss your mother so deeply...

...

Actually, Amiya asked me if I wanted to come.

She offered to let me join the team when they were putting the roster together.

Then you...

I turned her down.

Why did you turn her down?

I'm aware of my weakness.

My Arts and combat skills are of very limited use on a battlefield of that level.

If I'd accepted, I'd only be a burden to the rest of the team. I don't want them to have to protect me, even while everyone's focused on their mission.

Folinic... you're selling yourself short.

No, I'm speaking objectively.

I despise Ursus. That's not going to change. Ever.

I used to think that, by making my way back and killing all my enemies there, I'd get my revenge, but Dr. Kal'tsit taught me that vengeance isn't the only fuel that drives our two feet.

The longer I've lived at Rhodes Island, the more I've felt just how much blood and sweat Dr. Kal'tsit poured into this place.

It's my wish that, by the time she comes back, the Rhodes Island she sees won't be any different from the one she left.

When the time comes, I'll proudly walk over to her, and tell her that I played a part in keeping this place the same as it ever was.

And you will have played a part, too.

Okay.

Alright, so, I guess we've cleared up that misunderstanding, then?

They're waiting for us in the canteen.

If you'll stay here and be Rhodes Island's anchor...

Then I'll stay, too.

I'll be a shield. Leave our security to me.

I'll make sure my guys fall in line. They'll be the firmest line of defense.

Pff...

I'm counting on you, then. It's reassuring to have you around.

Okay, let's head back. The borscht is getting cold.

Yeah.

Let's give them a proper sendoff tonight. As Rhodes Island's steadfast shields.