Blue Archive story · Final Volume, Chapter 3, Episode 10
Vol. F Ch. 3 Ep. 10: To the Sky
1 scenes, 195 lines
1. Part 1
195 lines
Sensei, I have good news!
I'll start with the most important information...
I completed the operator outfits in time!
"Wh-Whoa?! I'm impressed!"
"These are the operator uniforms!"
Um... Is this uniform mandatory?
Yeah! We're intergalactic battleship operators! There was a strict request that we follow the rules of the genre, so...
And just whose request was that?
It's technically not even a battleship, let alone an intergalactic one.
*sigh* ...What am I doing here?
Heh... You gotta accept your fate. You have the ability to memorize that thick manual, so you happen to be here. That's just your luck.
Rin... That coat looks good on you.
Why is mine different from the rest?
"You're the captain, so obviously, you need a longer coat!"
...
Hahaha... I can wear this for a short amount of time, but...
Heehee. The people gathered here are in charge of the important role of calculating and verifying the multidimensional analysis.
Such important roles require special clothes. It's not just a uniform. It detects physical conditions such as your brain waves and pulse so that you can perform your duties without any issues.
Various functions such as flame retardancy, explosion prevention, and waterproofing have also been added. In other words, it's operator-exclusive equipment.
It sounds like a remote control with a bunch of extra useless functions.
Do we really need a waterproof uniform...?
There, there, everyone. What's done is done, and we're on a tight schedule. Let's begin.
...Right.
We will be boarding Utnapishtim's Ship to infiltrate the Ark of Atrahasis, 75,000 meters above Kivotos.
Our objective is to occupy the Ark, disable it, and return safely to the ground.
The following people will participate in this operation.
The operators are Urawa Hanako, Amau Ako,
Okusora Ayane, Hayase Yuuka,
Onikata Kayoko, Akeboshi Himari,
Our operators are Yuraki Momoka and Iwabitsu Ayumu.
...And I, Nanagami Rin, will work with Sensei to manage Utnapishtim's Ship.
"Looking forward to working with you, everyone!"
After the Utnapishtim's Ship departs, the following people will be in charge of air traffic control and technical support.
Veritas' Otose Kotama and Omagari Hare of Millennium.
Konuri Maki, Kagami Chihiro, and...
...the Engineering Department's Nekozuka Hibiki, Shiraishi Utaha, and Toyomi Kotori.
Next, after entering the Ark, the following people will help defend against possible raids and support the occupation.
The Abydos Foreclosure Task Force's Takanashi Hoshino, Kuromi Serika, and Izayoi Nonomi.
Ahaha. Looking forward to working with you all.
Heh. Leave it to us.
We're gonna kick some Chroma butt!
Yup, yup! We're going to rescue Shiroko.
Yes. Members of the Foreclosure Task Force have also volunteered to secure the safety of Sunaookami Shiroko.
Also...
Tendou Aris from the Game Development Department, who has the railgun, is the only person with a weapon on this ship. And...
Saiba Momoi, Saiba Midori, and Hanaoka Yuzu will support the occupation and provide backup as needed.
P-Pleasure to work with you...
*sigh* ...Oh, well. I guess I'll have to take care of them.
No horsing around. Your safety is the priority, got that?
And lastly...
Huh? Wasn't that everyone?
Aikiyo Fuuka of the Gehenna School Lunch Club...and the Gourmet Research Society will be in charge of meals.
Hold up! Wait! This isn't right! At all!
Heeheehee. I'm looking forward to working with everyone.
Both how and why am I here?!
I belong in the cafeteria! Not in an intergalactic battleship!
I mean, I understand. I'm here to provide meals. But how come the Gourmet Research Society is here instead of Juri?
Heeheehee. Isn't it obvious, Fuuka?
Because this is a chance to eat something we can't normally eat.
We can't normally eat...?
Yes, the reason we're here is the same as always.
It's to explore gastronomy!
We're here to find out how delicious food tastes in space!
Exactly what she said! Eating food in space... That's so special! An opportunity like that doesn't come every day!
In space movies, people are always drinking floating juice droplets with a straw. I've always wanted to try that.
And we don't need any other reason! ★
Yes. Space food is a special kind of food that assumes weightlessness.
There are many things to consider, such as the handling of liquids, a special environment where cooking is impossible, and the sterilization process to prevent possible mutations.
And so...
That's why you're here, Fuuka!
But why does it have to be me?!
We have the School Lunch Club truck here just in case. We need you, Fuuka!
What?! The School Lunch Club truck...? How did you even manage that?!
Be proud of yourself. Together, we've ventured into mountains and rivers, and now we're going to space!
Right! There's no other truck that's gotten to experience zero gravity!
None of these experiences have been of my own free will... I don't need this...
"(...)"
"(We won't be high enough to experience zero gravity though.)"
Sensei. I heard that the only way to pilot Utnapishtim's Ship was through the power of Sanctum Tower.
That was why Kaiser PMC tried to occupy Sanctum Tower right after excavating the ship.
With the Sanctum Tower destroyed, as the owner of the Shittim Chest, operating the ship falls upon you, Sensei.
"Yes. I know.."
As usual, we'll be counting on you.
You're right. I can awaken this artifact with my abilities.
However... This is different from other artifacts. I'll be okay, but..
Sensei... The power of this artifact will be delivered directly to the owner of the Shittim Chest. To you.
"It's okay, Arona."
S-Sensei, you have a normal human body! A single bullet can threaten your life! This is...!
"And haven't you protected me every time, Arona?"
B-But... This is on a totally different scale!
Please reconsider, Sensei. The load your human body will be forced to carry... It's...
...But I must warn you.
Sensei, once you do this, your body will receive irreversible damage.
You won't be able to revert to your prior state...and you may even die.
You're still willing to move forward?
Even knowing this could end in your death?
"It'll be okay, Arona. Please do it."
Sensei... Wh-Why? To what ends?
...Why would you do this?
You can't stop the destruction. According to my analysis, this future has been set in stone from even before your time.
From the moment Sunaookami Shiroko came into existence into this world, its fate was determined.
Time is not a continuous line. It only repeats in predetermined causes and effects.
We're simply chess pieces within a deterministic world.
...
Sensei, if you truly wanted to stop this...
You should have traveled to the past and eliminated Sunaookami Shiroko. Heehee. Cause and effect.
You said I'd never understand you, and you were right. I find you utterly incomprehensible.
Do you really think this fruitless struggling can change a predetermined future? Why do you believe in the impossible?
I don't understand. So allow me to ask again.
Why do you fight?
"..."
"As an adult, I protect children. As a teacher, I fight for my students."
"I have to fulfill the responsibilities of an adult and the duties of a teacher."
...No matter what you have to do?
No matter what it takes?
"No matter what I have to do."
"No matter what it takes."
...
Are you going to save your students, Sensei?
"Now you get it."
S-Sensei?
"...Rin. I have something I want to ask you."
Huh? Oh, yes. What is it?
"It's about the second koan."
You mean, "By understanding the incomprehensible, can we understand?" The question from the General Student Council president?
"...What did you insert as the object, Rin?"
...Is that important right now?
Well, at the time... I...
...
...Rin.
Maybe we'll never truly understand each other.
Maybe I'm that kind of a person to you...an incomprehensible mystery...
We have no choice to follow our parallel paths forever, never crossing each other.
Maybe that's the point of this world.
...But I think that's okay.
Even if we never understand each other...
Even if we're only unsubstantial rumors to each other...
Even if we're like wind blowing between isolated islands that can never reach each other...
That's why I liked the way you completed the question, Rin.
I'll cherish it. Forever.
Yes...
By understanding the incomprehensibility of others, can we understand ourselves?
Can I answer you when we return to land?
"Yes. That's all I needed. Thank you."
"Then... This is it, isn't it?"
Connect the Shittim Chest to Utnapishtim's power supply.
Main power activation confirmed!
Main control system operation complete...!
Checking the communication system for each zone, checking the calculation system... All clear. We're following the manual to a T!
Engine system clear.
Checking the multidimensional analysis system. All clear!
Checking all control systems. All clear. All right, everything is functional!
Ready to take off on your command!
Sensei, we await your orders!
"Utnapishtim's Ship, take off!"
"Intergalactic battleship Utnapishtim, take off!"
What about multidimensional analysis? Now?
Calculations have been finished, Hanako.
Calculations complete! Starting the multidimensional analysis!
"...!!!"
"(My body... Ugh..!")
...Sensei?
Sensei? What's wrong? You look unwell!
Oh... Sensei is shaking. Why are you sweating so much? ...Sensei?
"It's just motion sickness. Don't worry."
...I'm sorry. Please hang on.
System is operating normally!
Currently, Utnapishtim's Ship is in the same quantum superposition state.
I still don't really get what that means.
...It means we exist simultaneously in all possible universes.
That's if there are parallel universes, right?
Hahaha... I hope a dimensional paradox doesn't happen...
It's okay. If that happens, we'll just be a meteor in the sky.
Focus, everyone! Please set the target route!
Calculating the route to the Ark of Atrahasis at the target altitude of 75,000 meters... Setup complete.
Wow, it's shaking so much...
H-Hold on a little longer, Sensei.
We're going to rapidly accelerate to the Ark of Atrahasis now.
Whoa! Everyone, hold on tight...! According to the manual, the speed is gonna be out of this world!
Accelerate, max output!
A-Are you okay, Yuuka?!
I-I'm okay. I managed to hold on.
What incredible acceleration...
Th-The wave value of the multidimensional analysis is unstable! Much more so than expected!
...No, we haven't crossed the critical point yet. Our calculations are still okay.
However, it's going to be a rough ride. Will the ship hold up under the pressure?
"(I'm going to pass out...)"
"(I can't...feel my limbs anymore...)"
Do you really think this fruitless struggling can change a predetermined future? Why do you believe in the impossible?
"(This place is...?)"
"(It feels familiar...nostalgic...)"