Arknights story · Operator Records
Diligent
Asked by Dur-nar to look after Bubble, Sideroca begins to spar with the young operator, only for her to slip away. Just as she reports this incident to Dur-nar, she suddenly comes to realize there is something more important she must do.
1 scenes, 338 lines
1. Interlude
338 lines
Hello? Can you hear me?
Long time no see, Madame President!
I heard you'll be visiting, so I took the liberty of reaching out. I hope you don't mind.
Y-Yes.
My parents' business is doing well, thanks to you.
I'm sure you know. Those of us from Corinia tend to really think highly of that.
Me?
I'm prospering here, much thanks to you.
Perhaps we could get a meal together soon?
The day after tomorrow? Yes, of course!
I'm always free! I'm just so happy to get to share a meal with you!
Yes, okay.
Something more modest? How about the cafeteria?
Is the food at the cafeteria not to your liking?
A private room? Isn't that a little too excessive?
No, I'm sorry, that was thoughtless of me to say!
Y-Yes, okay. I'll see you then.
Thank you very much, Madame President.
Bye.
Phew.
I've known her for so long, but she hasn't changed the slightest.
On the other hand, all I've been doing is learning a bunch of random stuff.
Hm?
Did something happen over there?
Dur-nar?!
Let go! Let—go—of—me!
I'll let you go if you stop making a fuss.
I thought you were out on a mission with Dobermann?
Could you help train me, in that case? Lately, I—
Sorry, but I got my hands full here.
Let go! Let go! Let go! Let go!
If you need any help, please take me with you. I'm sure I can lend a hand. After that—
It's real private matters! Yup, as private as it gets, so thanks for the offer, but maybe another time!
Waagh—!
So, Bubble, you still want to draw on the Doctor's book?
Uhh...
Is there something I can do to help?
What, help me with this little runt—?
Forte lady! Help! The instructor's bullying me!
We were running laps during training, and she thought it'd be cute to run all the way out here.
Training? Is there training?!
We were, uh, playing a game. Right, a game!
I'm sure you know how much Bubble likes to run around when she's excited.
If I didn't grab her in time, there wouldn't be a wall next to you anymore
Hmm...
Hm?
Mmmmmng!
Please, go ahead.
You see how worked up Bubble is? She needs to let loose a little bit.
And you want someone to train with, don't you?
That is true, but...
If you want to work on your strength, then Bubble is your best bet.
If we go by pure strength, not even the instructors are a match for her.
Exactly!
And since you can handle yourself pretty well, why don't you two train together a little, maybe teach her a few techniques too?
How about it?
Teach? I don't wanna.
Of course. Could you make the arrangements for the training room?
Training Room No. 6. I talked to the guys there already. Just head in there.
Okay.
......
Wahhhh—!
Stop! The training room's the other way!
Have fun!
......
Phew, that's two huge pains in my ass taken care of.
Sideroca looking after Bubble... I wonder how this will turn out.
45 minutes later...
Training Room No. 6.
You're a good runner, Forte lady.
You not so bad yourself. You've got a lot of energy.
Hehe, I've run back and forth across all of Sargon.
Really?
I'm super strong. Running around a bit ain't gonna stop me!
What's that? Sounds boring.
Just come right at me with all you've got.
I'll send you flying all the way across the room, though.
Just give it a try. I think I can take it.
What's wrong? Are you hurt?
Hmph.
Maybe this far will do?
Hmm...
A little more.
Just—a little more.
Okay!
Don't cry if you can't block me!
Okay.
I'm the strongest! You can't beat me!
Really?!
Hiyaah!
Bam!
Aghh... hah... hah...
Instructor Dur-nar was right. You're a formidable foe in a test of strength.
Maybe you aren't doing it the right way.
But you're really badass too.
I need to get more training in. I need to get stronger.
I wanna be stronger too. I'll whoop Kay's ass and wipe the floor with her!
You mean Ceobe?
Kay isn't very strong, but she puts up a really good fight!
I'll wipe the floor with her one day! Waahhh!
Hehe, that sounds fun.
Okay! Since you're so fired up, I'll keep training with you for as long as I can!
Training!
Training!!
Two hours later...
Forte lady, I... I'm so exhausted...
What are you talking about? This is the perfect time to push yourself even further.
Now is the time to really put your willpower to the test!
Again!
W-We're really going again...?
A true warrior will never fall on the battlefield.
*Thump*
Too bad. Looks like you need to work on your endurance more.
I'm tired. I wanna go back to the dorm and head to bed...
You can't.
Eh... Why...?
Dur-nar told me to keep an eye on you the whole day, so you're my responsibility.
If you go to bed now, then all that training will be for nothing.
You need to get some exercise and stretches in to cool down. That will help you with the pain.
If you have time to cry, spar with me some more.
Hey, you still got some strength left in you!
Now stop running. Use the strength you have left where it actually matters!
......
......
I lost her...
I thought I'd have the advantage here, going by stamina and endurance...
How come this always happens when I'm chasing people down?
Hmm...
Looks like those thirty lessons on tracking and trailing didn't pay off. I'll need to talk to the instructors about getting some more.
Oh?
Hey there, Suzuran.
H-Hello, Sideroca.
(S-Stop it, Bubble! She'll see you!)
Have you seen Bubble anywhere?
N-No.
Huh? That's weird. It's a dead-end here. Where did she go...?
She might've climbed up the vents and escaped that way, haha...
Hm, it's certainly possible with how small she is.
(Why is Suzuran wagging one of her tails?)
(Dad told me some people wags their tails when they lie. So it's true!)
(You're such a good friend, Suzuran!)
(But can't you stop wagging your tail in front of my nose? It tickles.)
(Crap!)
(A-Ahhh—)
Achoo!
Hm?
That's a huge deal! Have you been to Medical yet?
N-Not yet. I didn't want to give anyone any trouble.
I was going to get a little rest and then go there myself.
Now that won't do. I'll take you to see a doctor right now.
It's okay, Sideroca. It's not a big deal. I feel okay. I'm fine by myself.
(Takes out a handkerchief and rubs nose)
Are you trying to save money?
(What's going on? Did she notice me?!)
(Is there some misunderstanding here...?)
I know how it feels, Suzuran. Where I am from, there are a lot of people who don't go to the doctor just to save a little money. Sadly, that's how a lot of them die.
You're still young. That's not something you should have to worry about.
If you can't afford to see the doctor, I'll pay for you.
(What is she talking about?)
No, it's okay. Besides, Rhodes Island operators get free consultations... Eeep!
It's all okay. I understand. I'll take you to Medical now.
Eh? Eh?
You got it wrong, Sideroca! My mom and dad send me money every month for my living expenses. They also send me pictures—
Please! Listen to me—
P-Phew.
That was close. I've got Suzuran's big tails to thank.
Good job, Suzuran! I'll repay the favor!
That night.
Training Center Entrance.
So Bubble just disappeared after that?
Yes...
I couldn't find her after I took Suzuran to the clinic, so I thought I'd come to you...
I'm sorry. This is all my fault, Instructor Dur-nar! I couldn't keep my eye on her.
Please, punish me however you want!
No, no punishments...
I talked to the dorm staff already. Bubble is probably trying to get some rest there.
They said it's not normal for Bubble to be this well-behaved. We've got you to thank for that.
Haha...
Thanks for your work today. If there's nothing else, you should head back and get some rest.
Go ahead.
How do you think I'm doing in the tracking and trailing courses?
You're doing fantastically. Excellent. Is there a problem?
I've been thinking I'm not doing very well in this particular area. I'm always losing track of my targets.
Are you sure I'm performing okay?
Ugh...
Those are just exceptions. Right, exceptions.
Our day-to-day environment is very different from the battlefield. I am sure there is nothing wrong with your ability to track enemies on the field.
Really?
Yes, I'm sure of it.
I'm very happy to hear that.
Yeah.
In that case, would it be okay if I apply for courses that teach me how to track people down in our day-to-day living environments? I think this is a very important thing to learn.
Uh—Hm?
Oh, um... Well, about that.
It's getting late, so why don't you head home and get some rest? I'll talk to the other instructors about that over the next couple of days. I should have some good news for you later.
Okay, Instructor. Thank you, Instructor! I'm heading back now!
Yeah, get home safe!
......
What do you think about that, Instructor Dobermann?
Looks like she's kind of figured it out already.
We should still be able to handle it if we piece together a few cases.
We won't be as lucky next time.
I'm certain we'll have a solution ready before this happens again.
As long as she doesn't learn the most destructive tracking methods, then everything is still well in order.
If she actually learns that, though, forget the Doctor, none of us will get out alive.
How about Bubble? Any improvement on that end?
I looked at the camera footage already.
You really should watch it yourself.
According to the dorm staff, Bubble has been holing up in her room the whole time, leaving only to shower. She didn't even come out for dinner; her roommate had to bring her her meal.
My guess is that just hearing the name Sideroca is going to send her shivering to no end for a good while.
......
Did you just say my name, Instructor?
?!
How come you're back?!
Oh, you're here too, Instructor Dobermann. Are you finished with your field op already?
Yeah... I was just looking at prospective sites around the landship.
That's wonderful to hear. Actually, I came back because I wanted to ask something. Would it be okay if I get started with the course tomorrow?
About that—
Let me talk it over with Instructor Dobermann first.
(Whispers) Think of something to dodge the question. You're good at that, aren't you?
(Whispers) Dur-nar?
(Whispers) I've actually talked to someone who knows Sideroca really well.
(Whispers) She's surprised about Sideroca's current condition, but she did give me some constructive advice.
(Whispers) She'll listen to me.
(Whispers) Okay, I'm counting on you.
Sideroca.
Yes!
Here's the deal.
I was actually just discussing that with Instructor Dobermann.
We don't think more training will satisfy your needs.
(Whispers) Hey, what's the big idea?!
(Whispers) Just trust me this once!
What do you mean...?
I know you sometimes work as the Doctor's bodyguard, and the Doctor slips away from you a lot.
That's why you need to help the Doctor out, manage some of those problems, am I right?
You mean?
I'm sure you've noticed the Doctor hasn't been doing very well. Hardly ever getting enough sleep, and I've never seen anyone with worse eating habits. There's probably at least a tiny bit of chronic condition at work.
Rather than trying to improve your combat techniques, wouldn't you agree it's a much better idea to try to help the Doctor get better and healthier?
I...
You should really think about what I just said. Good night, Sideroca.
Good night... Instructor...
(Whispers) Are all you Columbians always so... calculating?
(Whispers) I-Is that really going to work?
(Whispers) At the very least, she's thinking about it. Let's get going!
(Whispers) If she starts talking about training again, we aren't going to get any sleep tonight!
......
She's right.
I...
I thought the Doctor needed just a bodyguard...
But I got it all wrong.
I thought all a bodyguard had to do was protect her employer.
There is so much more that I can do, but the idea never even crossed my mind.
Oh...
Is that what the president meant?
I may not be very demanding with what I eat, but eating better will improve my quality of life.
The president's coming all the way here to Rhodes Island, and I invited her to a meal at the cafeteria.
I really shouldn't have.
The Doctor probably thinks so too.
The Doctor's just too shy to talk to me about it.
......
I've made up my mind.
I will save the Doctor.