4 4 301 Those keywords were all Bianca knew about cranes as they often appeared in the data.
5 5 301 Babylonia's database had a detailed section about cranes, but Bianca struggled to link those text and images with the actual creatures. After all, she had never seen them in real life.
6 6 301 During the Golden Age, the earth was overdeveloped and animals could only be kept in nature reserves.
7 7 301 Humans "blessed" them with stable environments and food supplies, which made them forget their nature over time.
8 8 301 But without such blessings, the animals were extremely fragile in the wilderness during the Post-Pandemic Age. Cranes were no exception.
9 9 301 During many missions on the earth as the officer of Purifying Force, Bianca had never seen this so-called creature of elegance.
10 10 301 To her, cranes were more like a mythical symbol...
11 11 301 As always, Bianca finished her usual prayer. She raised her head and stretched her back, bathing in sunlight.
12 12 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Unlike always, she then received a message. One that somewhat linked her with cranes, the creature that she only knew in data.
15 15 301 AniZhuanchangEnd 1 Asimov Have you heard of the "Combat Unit Booster" that the Science Council and WGAA mentioned in the routine meeting? 1
16 16 203 1 0.25 -400
17 17 201 2 500128 1 400
18 18 301 1 Bianca Yes. I had already used it in a previous operation. 2
19 19 301 Asimov Good, saves me the time to explain it again. I hate going through the same piece of basic information over and over. 1
20 20 301 Asimov We have a new model of Combat Unit Booster, but we can't use it yet. 1
21 21 301 Asimov Because it's still "uncooperative." 1
22 22 204 2
23 23 301 Bianca ...Uncooperative? 2
24 24 301 Asimov ...It's a long story. I'll try to make it short. 1
25 25 301 Asimov The improved Combat Unit Boosters all had new AI installed for better tactical support and coordination with the Task Force. 1
26 26 301 Asimov Allen was really pushing for it... So WGAA was also brought into the design of this AI system, in the name of "Combat Unit Booster simulation optimization." I should have told them off in the meeting, but it's all too late now. 1
27 27 301 Asimov Anyway, here's the end result. Although this new model has substantially improved performance and situational awareness, but... it has developed strong hostility toward all Constructs trying to work with it. 1
28 28 301 Asimov We tried to limit its aggressive actions in the lab... But it simply abandoned the collaborator and escaped in the very first field test. 1
29 29 301 Asimov Unfortunately, we don't have the manpower needed for a thorough search... So we can only rely on the Purifying Force, who excels in pursuit and solo search operations. 1
30 30 301 Asimov I know you would be an overkill for such a task, but we must bring it back at all cost, even if we are to tear it apart later. 1
31 31 301 Asimov Because it is the very first prototype of this version of Combat Unit Booster. The raw data inside its storage unit would also help us to prevent similar accidents in future... 1
32 32 204 2 1
33 33 301 Bianca Understood. I'll take the mission. 2
34 34 301 Asimov ...That's great news. 1
35 35 301 Bianca The fact that you have come to me means it has to be me. Right? 2
36 36 301 Asimov Correct. I don't intent to hide that from you. 1
37 37 301 Bianca That's enough. 2
38 38 301 Asimov Appreciated. Your cabin's ready. My assistant will show you the way. 1
39 39 301 Bianca You're welcome. On a side note, I think you need more rest. The dark circles around your eyes are very obvious. 2
40 40 301 Asimov ...Are they? Thanks... 1
41 41 202 2 1
42 42 203 1 0.25
43 43 301 After seeing Bianca leave, Asimov touched the rims of his eyes.
44 44 301 AniZhuanchangBegin Asimov ...It's been almost five days since I last slept. Probably should take a leave after this. 1
51 51 301 1 Bianca I have reached the collapsed buildings in area 10. 1
52 52 301 At a glance, the wasteland looked no different from the numerous places that Bianca visited, or fought on.
53 53 301 A few water puddles were reflecting the sunlight among sand and ruins, with some greenery around.
54 54 301 Countless Corrupted still ravaged the land, the threat of Ascendants was still present.
55 55 301 But the world didn't seem to care.
56 56 301 Flowers and grass grew in the ruins. Sunlight was refracted by the puddles, and turned into green light circles onto a gray broken wall.
57 57 301 This almost looks like a miracle described in books, Bianca thought.
58 58 301 Bianca Entering the buildings now for further exploration. 1
59 59 202 1 1
60 60 301 Comms F-further...? But all the locations marked in the brief are open areas. CUBs don't seem to possess the intelligence to conceal themselves...
61 61 301 Comms Please further elaborate your reason for the exploration...
62 62 201 1 500128
63 63 301 1 Bianca I think the urgency of this mission does not contradict the need for a more thorough search. That's all I have to say. 1
64 64 202 1 1
65 65 301 Comms ...Sure, no problem. Very solid reason. Please continue your search of area 10.
66 66 301 Comms But please don't mention my name should anyone asks... Um, no, just tell them it's me. I can handle it. Please, please don't put my name down on your list. Haha...
67 67 201 1 500128
68 68 301 1 Bianca ... 1
69 69 301 Bianca heard fear and panic in every word of the conversation. A situation that she was too familiar with as the captain of the Purifying Force.
70 70 301 AniZhuanchangBegin She let out a quiet sigh, then closed the comms without further explanation and walked deeper inside the ruins.
73 73 301 AniZhuanchangEnd The pattern of the walls nearby became more visible as she ventured forward.
74 74 301 ??? Eeek——
75 75 301 The empty buildings made the sound extra crisp and clear. Out of reflection, Bianca looked up, trying to figure out where it came from.
76 76 301 She then saw it in the direction of the sun.
77 77 201 1 500312
78 78 301 1 It was a crane-like mechanoid, standing on the ruins slightly higher above. Its long, svelte neck curved naturally between its wings. To Bianca, it looked like a believer making silent prayers. 1
79 79 301 It then slowly raised its head, so it could see Bianca standing down below.
80 80 201 1 500128
81 81 301 1 Bianca Combat Unit Booster sighted inside the building. No visible damage found. It is not displaying intention to relocate. 1
82 82 202 1 1
83 83 301 Comms N-now I understand why you are the leader of the Purifying Force... N-no wonder the CTO specifically allocated you to this task.
84 84 201 1 500128
85 85 301 1 Bianca Thank you. 1
86 86 202 1 1
87 87 301 1 Comms I will let other squads in the area know, but "Toniris" is still unstable. Please keep it under control. 1
88 88 201 1 500128
89 89 301 1 Bianca ...What do I need to do? 1
90 90 202 1 1
91 91 301 Comms Just treat it like any other animal. Let it know that you are safe and won't hurt it...
92 92 301 Comms ...And connect to it if possible! If you can form a connection, it will never run again!
93 93 301 ...The comms ended abruptly. The coordinator must be calling other squads.
94 94 201 1 500128
95 95 301 1 Bianca To make it feel that I'm safe... Like this? 1
96 96 301 Bianca carefully reached out for "Toniris", who was high above.
97 97 201 1 500312
98 98 301 1 Toniris —? 1
99 99 301 Toniris stretches its neck. Its bill gently taps on Bianca's hand. Although it is not showing any signs of obedience, it does not look rebellious or aggressive either.
100 100 202 1 1
101 101 301 Unlike what Asimov described, Toniris is not disturbed by Bianca's presence. She knew her best bet was to initiate a connection immediately.
102 102 301 ————Tactical connection process commencing. Establishing handshake protocol————
103 103 301 ————Connection failed!————
104 104 201 1 500128 21
105 105 301 1 Bianca felt her Inver-Device burning after hearing the warning sound.
106 106 301 Bianca Ouch...! So this is what a connection failure feels like... 1
107 107 204 1
108 108 301 Hoping to "calm it down" again, Bianca reached out for Toniris one more time—
109 109 202 1 1
110 110 201 1 500312
111 111 301 1 —But it does not want to come in contact this time. Instead, it flies away and lands at a higher place.
112 112 301 At which point, Bianca finally managed to have a good view of the entire ruin.
113 113 301 Under Toniris was a high wall with inlaid stained glass. The religious-themed pattern showed it was once a church.
114 114 301 1 AniZhuanchangBegin Toniris just happened to be standing on where the statue used to be. The sun rained down through the shattered ceiling, engulfing it.
