Dynamite Blue story · Pocket Stories
Promise
Two promises left by his younger sister Lin. The story of what Amatech Security Chief Hugo has upheld alone for seven years.
21 scenes, 257 lines
1. Scene 1
4 linesHugo.
Amatech Security Team Leader.
A man without a single flaw.
He has two promises he must keep.
2. Scene 2
10 linesNight. Amatech quarters. Hugo removes his jacket and hangs it on the rack without a single wrinkle.
Inside the desk drawer, a small metal box. Open the lid. A single photograph.
Young Hugo. And an even younger girl beside him.
...Rin.
She flips the photograph over. Small writing on the back.
'You must never forget about big brother. Two things.'
...I've done my duty. And kept my promise.
Hugo puts the photo in the box and closes the drawer.
...Right?
A tone as if asking oneself in a mirror. No answer comes.
3. Scene 3
3 lines7 years ago.
He had a younger sibling.
Rin. First-generation Full-Dive clinical trial volunteer.
4. Scene 4
20 linesEvening. Hugo's apartment. Two people sitting across from each other at the dining table.
Oppa. I've decided.
Full-Dive Phase 1 clinical trial. I volunteered.
Hugo's chopsticks stop.
...Just kidding.
I'm not joking.
Rin places a document envelope on the table. 'Amatech Full-Dive Phase 1 Clinical Trial, Subject Consent Form.'
...Why.
Because I needed to.
Rina. You're first-generation. Do you know what first-generation clinical trials are like?
I know.
...You know and you're asking?
Oppa. How many people died when Jagear procedures first came out? But now everyone lives with Jagear installed.
Someone has to be the first.
Why does it have to be you.
Because I want to. That's all. No other reason.
Hugo picks up the envelope. Doesn't throw it. Just pushes it aside.
...Eat.
Okay.
The two of them eat in Silence.
5. Scene 5
2 linesSix months later.
Air Ground. Amatech Full-Dive Clinical Trial Center.
6. Scene 6
25 linesWhite hallway. Clean air. Even the air is expensive. Hugo walks wearing his guardian access card.
Are you Hugo? I'll guide you to the doctor.
Clinical room. Clean bed, connection cables, monitor. Rin sits on the bed in a white clinical gown.
Oppa's here!
Hugo approaches and gently messes up her hair.
...You okay?
Yeah. Just an inspector.
Hello. I'm Seth, the assigned researcher.
...I'm Hugo from Amatech's Ethics Auditing Department.
Yes, I know. You're becoming an older brother.
Rin is an excellent subject. Neural stability, ego integration, top of the first-round candidates.
Let me ask you one thing. What if something goes wrong in this trial?
Can you take responsibility for that, Doctor?
Seth glances at Hugo for a moment. His expression shows he's taking the question seriously.
Technically, I can take responsibility. Humanly, I cannot.
...I'm sorry. That's the honest answer.
...Thank you, Doctor.
Yes?
Because you didn't lie to me.
...I'll protect Rin. I promise.
That promise, do not forget it.
Oppa, did you get close with the Doctor?
...No.
...No.
Hehe
7. Scene 7
1 lines6 months later. Spring.
8. Scene 8
27 linesRin lies in bed. Cables on her head. On the surface, she looks calm.
Today's sync rate: 94%. Stable.
...Rina?
Yeah... brother.
The voice is slightly slow.
What did you do today?
Hmm... ...What was I doing.
I can't remember. Hehe
Hugo looks at Seth.
Doctor. Was today's clinical trial six hours?
Yes, sir.
Rina. How long did you do clinical time today?
Hmm... 30 minutes?
...Dr. Seth.
Seth looks at the monitor. Stares for a long time.
...There's noise in short-term memory consolidation. It's at an adjustable level.
...Really?
...Yes, really.
Seth doesn't avoid eye contact. But his pupils tremble slightly.
Hugo takes Lin's hand.
Oppa, your hands are cold. Hehe
...Rin. Let's end the trials next week.
...Why?
...Big brother wants to do that.
Hehe Big brother is sometimes weird.
Rin slowly closes her eyes.
...I'm fine though.
9. Scene 9
2 linesA while later. Late at night.
Urgent report.
10. Scene 10
48 linesLate-night clinical room. Hugo arrives without even getting his suit on properly. Monitor readings in red.
...Hugo.
Rin is.
...My consciousness has transferred to the receiver. I can't return to my original body.
Doctor. You said you'd take responsibility.
...Yes.
Hugo tries to grab Seth by the collar but stops. Seth doesn't resist or make excuses. Hugo lowers his hand.
...Rin, are you awake?
Wait. Only when the signal gets stronger. ...It won't last long. Today might be the last.
Hugo sits by the bed and takes Rin's hand.
Rina. Rina, big brother.
...Big brother.
A thin voice coming from far away.
...Where is this?
Here. Stay close.
...I can't see.
...It's okay. I'll be by your side.
Hehe ...Big brother is sometimes ...weird.
Hugo bites his lip.
Then. The door opens and the assistant researcher quietly enters. A small swaddling cloth in her arms.
...Doctor. Your daughter is awake.
Seth holds the swaddled baby. A newborn. Two months into the world. Seth's daughter, Ari.
...Big brother. Who's here?
...A baby girl. The doctor's daughter.
...Oh. ...How old is he?
...They've only been alive for two months.
Rin lets out a small laugh.
...Big brother. I have one favor to ask.
...Well.
Two of them.
...Do both.
First. ...This technology. It must disappear.
It's not my fault. It's not the Doctor's fault either. ...It's the skill that's wrong. Someone has to end it.
Oppa, finish it.
...Mm.
Second. ...That baby.
...Save her. ...Whoever's fault it is. ...The baby must live.
...Rin.
Promise me.
...I promise.
Hehe ...Big brother ...never breaks his promises.
Rin smiles. For the last time. Then the signal cuts out.
The red numbers on the monitor slowly drop to 0.
...I'm sorry.
Doctor. ...Your daughter's name.
...It's Ari.
...Ari. Ari.
As if trying to remember.
11. Scene 11
8 linesThe 49th day. Rain falls.
Hugo stands without an umbrella. Black suit. Water drips from his hair. A small gravestone.
'Lin. You lived well.'
The rain falls harder.
...Both. ...just like.
Hugo turns around.
12. Scene 12
8 linesThe next day. Amatech headquarters. Hugo stands in front of the Human Resources department. Wet hair, dry suit.
You're requesting a department transfer from the Ethics Audit Office to the Security Team, correct? ...Please state your reason.
Hugo writes slowly. 'I need work closer to my duty.'
...Will this do?
Yes, sir.
End of the hallway. His face reflects in the glass window. Expressionless.
Inside Amatech. That's the fastest route.
To eliminate a skill, you must stand where you know it best.
13. Scene 13
1 linesOne year later.
14. Scene 14
19 linesA display case full of Legos. A chihuahua barks. Mou's office.
I heard you found it. I'm Hugo, the new head of security.
Come closer. ...So you're from the Ethics Audit Division. An interesting background. From auditing ethics to security.
...Though our duties differ, our loyalty remains the same.
Hot hot hot!
Mou laughs heartily, then his expression hardens.
...Full-Dive technology. What do you think of it?
Is this a test?
...I understand it's a core technology of Amatech. However, if you're asking for my personal opinion.
He asks.
...I think it's a technique that should disappear someday.
Mou's eyes narrow slightly.
...Heh, you're honest. That's the style of the Supervision Department.
However, making things disappear is also part of my duty. Do you understand?
...If you give me an order, I will fulfill my duty.
A fine talent indeed. I await with great anticipation. Good times will come soon.
Hugo greets and leaves. Stands alone in the corridor.
I wait. Until he commands. Remove the Full-Dive.
Until then. A security chief faithful to his duty.
15. Scene 15
1 linesAnd, now.
16. Scene 16
24 linesThe security chief's office. Hugo enters, and his aide follows behind.
So it was a wild goose chase, right?
Yes. Pursuit team lost 12 members, doctor is missing. Self-destruct traces were confirmed in the explosion debris.
...I see. The footage.
Monitor. Far away, a small shape crosses the screen. Zero-P is holding something.
In his arms, a single swaddling cloth.
...Why is the child...?
Hugo's hand stops.
Officially 7 years old. However, the boot time may differ...
...6 years ago. It was two months that day. Now it would be. ...That's right.
...Hmm, then that's not it. There's nothing there.
Hugo smiles slightly.
...Team Lead?
Withdraw from the Midground.
Yes? But the doctor...
Nothing. Write in the report: 'Target unconfirmed, suspected simple detonation.'
...Yes.
The aide leaves and the door closes. Hugo is left alone.
Doctor. You protected your daughter to the very end. ...I too will fulfill my duty. Both of them.
Hugo pauses the video. From Kanpo's form.
...Ari.
As if trying to remember.
17. Scene 17
16 linesMidground, Lake Village. Ruins after the final confrontation.
Sean Terry is dragged away in handcuffs. Shattered receiver fragments. Broken Zero-P. Ari unconscious.
...You broke it perfectly, Sean Terry. Thanks to you, I didn't have to lift a finger.
Hugo approaches Ari. Broken feet, damaged body. But the core is still alive.
...Rina. Live. Our second promise.
Hugo reaches out but stops. Doesn't touch directly.
(Radio) Team Lead. Request for location report coming in. How should we...
Scene secured. Remaining personnel evacuated. ...The kid's handed over to Police.
(Radio) Yes?
Santa will take care of it. If it's that old man, he'll get back on his feet.
The receiver was destroyed. It's worthless. Report it that way to headquarters.
(Radio) ...Yes.
Hugo turns off the radio.
In a fleeting scene. Hugo is smiling. A real smile, for the first time in 7 years.
18. Scene 18
16 linesMou's office. Hugo stands before Mou.
The receiver was destroyed, you say. By a third party's hands, not yours?
As a result, the leak was contained.
So you're saying the process doesn't matter as long as the result is the same? You finished well, so why does your expression look so dark.
...After all, I abandoned my duty, so the aftertaste isn't pleasant.
Obedience to superiors. That alone is the one and only absolute duty.
Is there anything else you're curious about? Deletion, not leakage. An unusual directive, surely.
...Performing one's duty without question or doubt. Isn't that our primary responsibility?
Mou bursts into laughter.
Truly a rare talent indeed!
Hugo smiles slightly.
...Rina. The procedure is over. The child is alive.
Two promises. ...Hyung-nim never breaks a promise.
I wait with joy. Good times will come soon.
Hugo greets.
Whatever the next duty may be. As long as both are upheld. ...I'll do anything.
19. Scene 19
15 linesBack to that night, the official residence. Hugo opens a drawer and takes out a box.
One photograph. Next to it, there's another photograph newly placed today. A small figure in swaddling clothes.
Hugo looks at two photos side by side. Lin. Ari.
...Rin. ...big brother did well. ...Both are different.
There is no answer. But Hugo seems to be listening.
...Yeah. ...Thank you.
She puts the photographs in a box and closes the drawer. She looks at herself in the mirror.
This time, even Hugo in the mirror is smiling slightly.
...tomorrow. ...my duty.
The terminal on the desk turns on. The next instruction has arrived.
'New Mission: Track and eliminate remaining Full-Dive records.'
'Target: Dr. Seth and external collaborators list. From: Mou.'
Hugo looks once. Turns back expressionless.
...Yes. I'll do my duty.
The terminal shuts off. The room darkens.
20. Scene 20
1 linesA few days later. Dawn.
21. Scene 21
6 linesSanta's workshop. The lights are on. Santa is working on Ari's body.
Outside the workshop, a car in the distance. Hugo in the driver's seat. The engine and headlights are off.
Santa working in silhouette. A small shadow beside him. Hugo watches quietly. For a long time.
...Take care of yourself. ...Ari.
Hugo starts the engine. The car disappears into the darkness.
The shadow inside the workshop doesn't know Hugo came and went. It never will.