Id ActionId NextActionId Type IsBlock IsEnd BeginAnim EndAnim BeginDelay EndDelay Params[1] Params[2] Params[3] Params[4] Params[5] Params[6] Params[7] Params[8] Params[9] Params[10] Params[11] Params[12] Params[13] Params[14] Params[15] Params[16] Params[17] Params[18] Params[19] Params[20] Params[21] Params[22] Params[23] Params[24] Params[25] 1 1 101 AniZhuanchangEnd Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/BgStory0.png 2 2 401 1 36 3 3 301 DialogEnable To most, Antarctica is but a lone and cold region located at the southernmost tip of Earth. 4 4 301 No amount of shallow knowledge acquired through various means can ever come together to form a complete and accurate picture of this place. 5 5 301 One needs to actually set foot in this pure white world to feel just how small they are. 6 6 205 1000 999 Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/BgStory14.png 0 1 1 7 7 205 999 1 0 0 8 8 101 Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/BgStory14.png 9 600 401 1 5 10 9 301 A week has passed since you came here with Bianca. 11 10 301 At the research station's dorm, two people are supposed to share one room. To help save space, you've been assigned to stay in the same room with Bianca with her permission. 12 11 301 As non-staff personnel, the two of you can only be assigned regular tasks by the Expedition Team. 13 12 301 Since most of their members are occupied with repairing the Lanternlighter, this kind of routine maintenance work can use an extra hand. 14 13 301 Monitoring the atmospheric data at specific locations, setting up markers for the expected delivery from the Engineering Force, and doing simple ecological documentation... Straightforward, but important nonetheless. 15 14 301 Not to mention that these simple tasks are challenging enough for those without any experience in scientific expeditions. 16 15 301 In a way, they are even more tiring than commanding Constructs on a battlefield. 17 16 201 1 500533 18 17 301 1 Bianca Time to wake up, Commandant. 1 19 18 301 Hoping to catch a few more minutes of sleep, you rest your arm above your eyes, unwilling to get up. Bianca leans forward, slightly defeated, and shakes your arm. 20 19 204 1 5 21 20 301 Bianca We'll have to eat breakfast in the vehicle again if you don't get up soon. 1 22 21 302 Give me a second... 22 23 22 301 As the continent with the highest average altitude, this place is torturing any newcomer with freezing cold and the threat of altitude sickness. 24 23 301 You might be in excellent shape physically, but adjusting to the pace of life here in such a short period has still proved to be a challenge. 25 24 301 Bianca Commandant, weren't you the one who agreed to help the Expedition Team passionately in the first place? 1 26 25 204 1 27 26 301 Bianca They trust us unreservedly. We ought to complete these tasks with flying colors. 1 28 27 301 Bianca says seriously before shifting to a gentler tone. 29 28 204 1 3 30 29 301 Bianca But we can rest inside today if you aren't feeling well. 1 31 30 204 1 2 32 31 301 Bianca I'll complete our assignment today as planned by myself. 1 33 32 302 Don't. I'm getting up. 33 34 33 301 You are still an experienced commandant, after all. You cannot begin to imagine the shame you will bring to F.O.S. and the Task Force if you give in because you cannot acclimate to the cold. 35 34 202 1 1 36 35 502 DialogDisable 37 36 205 1000 999 Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/Bgstory216.png 0 1 1 38 37 205 999 1 0 0 39 38 101 Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/Bgstory216.png 40 39 301 DialogEnable Deftly crawling out of your bed, you quickly clean up before enjoying the breakfast Bianca has prepared for you. You two board the expedition vehicle afterward, heading toward your destination of the day. 41 40 302 What are the others doing today? 41 42 41 201 1 500533 43 42 301 1 Bianca Most of the Engineering Force is still repairing the icebreaker, while most of the Expedition Team is planning to collect meteorites. 44 43 302 Meteorites? 44 45 44 301 Bianca That's right. Meteor showers happen quite frequently in Antarctica, making this region a rich reserve of meteorites. 1 46 45 301 Bianca Before humans could travel to the stars, collecting meteorites in Antarctica was the simplest and cheapest way to acquire materials from outer space. 1 47 46 301 Bianca It was said that people on this continent had observed molecular activities of giant meteor explosions from hundreds of thousands of years ago... 1 48 47 204 1 1 49 48 301 Bianca It might not appear so, but this place has a unique bond with the universe, doesn't it? 1 50 49 301 Although this is only a temporary assignment, Bianca has been studying for the past few days. Unbeknown to you, her knowledge of Antarctica has far exceeded what you can imagine. 51 50 301 Even the Expedition Team is amazed by how quickly she has been learning. Perhaps it is because she was already curious about this place, to begin with. 52 51 302 I seem to remember that some people even claimed aliens established a base here. 52 53 52 204 1 54 53 301 Bianca Indeed. There have been rumors like that ever since Antarctica was discovered. 1 55 54 301 Bianca But humans had conducted large-scale scans on the Arctic and Antarctica with polar satellites back in the Golden Age. No extraterrestrial lives were discovered. 1 56 55 301 Bianca I suppose it's reasonable to say that you can only find them in science fiction and movies. 1 57 56 302 It'd be quite interesting if we ran into some aliens, wouldn't it? 57 58 57 204 1 3 59 58 301 Bianca "Interesting" wouldn't suffice if we did. 1 60 59 204 1 61 60 301 Bianca If there were aliens on this planet... it would upend everything humans knew about the world, just like what the Punishing Virus did. 1 62 61 301 Bianca That said, some in the Expedition Team are still pretty obsessed with legends like that. 1 63 62 204 1 4 64 63 301 Bianca Who knows? Maybe they will discover something one day. 1 65 64 301 Even such nonsensical tales will prompt sincere and serious replies from Bianca. 66 65 204 1 1 67 66 301 Removed from her role in the Purifying Force, Bianca's respectful attitude has won her the Expedition Team's affection over the last few days, her repute surpassing even you, the "legendary commandant." 68 67 301 Unsurprisingly, everyone is more than happy to share their stories with her. 69 68 301 You are glad to see it, despite your slightest hint of frustration. 70 69 301 Bianca I think we should focus on observing the creatures that actually exist in Antarctica today. 1 71 70 302 You mean... 71 72 71 301 You know the answer before she can say anything. 73 72 301 There is one and only one creature that jumps into people's minds regarding Antarctica. 74 73 301 The black-and-white birds walk along the snow-covered shores, their short and stout figures swaying from side to side. 75 74 301 Occasionally they will lie down and spread their tiny wings, gliding freely on the frozen ground. 76 75 302 Those are real penguins... 76 77 76 301 Your eyes wide and your face stuck to the window, you cannot keep your eyes away from the small, cuddly creatures before the expedition vehicle even gets close. 78 77 204 1 7 79 78 301 Bianca What's wrong, Commandant? Did you get snow in your eyes? 1 80 79 301 Seeing something sparkling in your eyes while you hold your camera, Bianca asks you concernedly after getting out of the car. 81 80 302 No, it's nothing... 81 82 81 204 1 83 82 301 When Babylonia has to grow its various plant samples behind closed doors in a secured, monitored greenhouse, "zoos" are impossible for the space station despite how common they were in the Golden Age. 84 83 301 People nowadays learn about penguins only through holograms and infographics. 85 84 301 But witnessing the "natives" of Antarctica, the creatures who have lived here since millions of years ago, with their own eyes is a privilege only available to a few dozen people. 86 85 301 You are also feeling a little hint of jealousy. 87 86 301 Only here, where human civilizations could not reach, was spared by the Punishing Virus. 88 87 301 And so, the penguins' lives have not changed because of it. 89 88 301 Most people should not need to confront a world-ending event in their lives. Now, all they can do is find comfort in these worry-free birds. 90 89 301 Bianca Their shapes seem to suggest that they are emperor penguins, the largest penguins in Antarctica. 1 91 90 301 Bianca It is breeding season for emperor penguins right now. The male penguins are in charge of hatching the eggs while the female ones migrate to a different water body to search for food for their community. 1 92 91 301 Bianca We can't disturb them. That has been a rule since the Antarctic Treaty was signed. 1 93 92 301 Bianca But we still need to record their migration in its entirety. 1 94 93 204 1 1 95 94 301 Bianca It is valuable data when we look into how the ecosystem of Antarctica has changed. 1 96 95 302 Let's get closer, then. Is that okay? 96 97 96 204 1 3 98 97 301 Bianca It's fine... I think. Penguins don't have natural predators on land, and they aren't afraid of humans. 1 99 98 204 1 1 100 99 301 Bianca They might just mistake us as larger penguins if anything. 1 101 100 301 Bianca They seem to be resting now. Let's approach quietly, Commandant. 1 102 101 302 I'll hold the camera. 102 103 102 301 Treading lightly, Bianca and you slowly advance toward the penguins. 104 103 301 But right as you arrive at the optimal recording distance, something snaps loudly beside you. 105 104 204 1 7 106 105 301 Bianca's leg armor has smashed a piece of ice. Her new frame might have been installed with the most advanced sound-absorbing material for her covert operations, but thin ice seems to be beyond its purview. 107 106 204 1 8 108 107 301 Being the one who suggested approaching quietly in the first place, Bianca now looks a little abashed. 109 108 301 Bianca I'm sorry, Commandant. I screwed up... 1 110 109 204 1 5 111 110 301 Several penguins have noticed the commotion here. Surprisingly, they make their way toward you instead of scrambling away. 112 111 301 Four to five penguins eventually gather around Bianca, watching curiously at the navy blue figure before them with their inky black eyes. 113 112 301 Bianca Commandant... what should I do? 1 114 113 301 Bianca is more alarmed by the animals' affections than worried about hurting them, having removed most of her weapons before leaving the vehicle. 115 114 302 I think they're treating you as one of them. 115 Hello, "Penguin Bianca". 117 116 115 204 1 6 117 116 119 301 Bianca Now's not the time to tease others, Commandant. 1 118 117 204 1 6 119 118 301 Bianca It's not a good habit to give other people nicknames, Commandant. 1 120 119 301 Bianca looks at you resignedly. 121 120 302 This isn't too bad, is it? 121 We can take clearer photos this way. 123 122 121 204 1 3 123 122 125 301 Bianca ...If you say so. 1 124 123 204 1 3 125 124 301 Bianca ...Won't argue with you. 1 126 125 204 1 127 126 301 Bianca Still, I was expecting them to be scared of me... 1 128 127 302 I guess animals have better instincts. 129 129 128 204 1 1 130 129 301 Bianca If that's the case, you're no different to the penguins, Commandant, having been by my side all this time. 1 131 130 301 Bianca Should I start calling you "Penguin Commandant" as well? 1 132 131 301 ...You did not expect retribution to be so swift. 133 132 302 Right. 133 134 133 302 Do you want to take a group photo with the penguins on this rare occasion? 134 135 134 204 1 7 136 135 301 Bianca A group photo? 1 137 136 301 Your camera might be intended for scientific observation, but the Expedition Team has mentioned that you are free to take photos of interesting things and views on your journey. They often do that as well. 138 137 301 You cannot imagine them being stationed here for decades at a time without indulging themselves like this otherwise. 139 138 302 A photo or two should be fine. 139 140 139 204 600 1 8 141 140 204 1 1 142 141 301 Bianca ...I see. 1 143 142 301 Bianca thinks for a moment before nodding. 144 143 301 You were expecting her to reject you, so you are surprised to find her agreeing so quickly. 145 144 301 Bianca Thank you, then, Commandant. 1 146 145 301 She carefully crouches down to be in the frame with the penguins. 147 146 301 The penguins all stare at Bianca curiously while she is captivated by their every move. Slowly she reaches out with a finger, only to retract it right before she touches their furry skin. 148 147 301 Right at that moment, one of the penguins suddenly opens its beak and bites down on Bianca's finger. 149 148 301 Bianca's frame is undamaged by a penguin's bite, obviously. Upon realizing that it has bitten something harder than a rock, the penguin tilts its head, surprised and confused. 150 149 301 Bianca Pfft... 1 151 150 301 Even Bianca cannot help but laugh upon seeing this. 152 151 301 Meanwhile, you take advantage of this rare opportunity— 153 152 302 Look at the camera, Bianca. 153 154 153 204 1 7 155 154 301 Bianca Huh? 1 156 155 301 —Right as she looks up at you, but before her genuine smile goes away— 157 156 401 2 925 158 157 101 200 Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/Bgstory428.jpg 159 158 101 Assets/Product/Texture/Image/BgStory/Bgstory216.png 160 159 301 "Click!" You press the shutter decisively. 161 160 302 Photo's taken. 161 162 161 301 Bianca does not know how to react, having been "ambushed" by you. When she comes to her senses, she finds herself inspecting the photo you took. 163 162 204 1 5 164 163 301 Bianca Commandant... shouldn't there be a countdown before you take a photo? 1 165 164 302 It looks better this way. 165 166 165 204 1 2 167 166 301 Bianca Hand me the camera, Commandant. 1 168 167 301 Bianca stands up and reaches out to you, smiling. 169 168 301 You can tell that this smile harbors the polar opposite of how she was feeling with the penguins. 170 169 302 It'd be a shame if you deleted it. 170 171 170 204 1 172 171 301 Bianca I wasn't intending to. 1 173 172 301 Bianca I just thought you'd also want to take a photo with the penguins, too, wouldn't you, Commandant? 1 174 173 204 1 1 175 174 301 Bianca It doesn't feel right if I'm the only person who gets to do that. 1 176 175 302 I do, as a matter of fact. 176 177 176 301 Prompted by her suggestion, you hand your camera to Bianca, and you can feel your body getting warmer from the excitement. 178 177 202 1 179 178 301 But right as you take your first step toward the penguins— 180 179 301 Penguins Kaw-kaw—kaw—kaw-kaw— 181 180 301 The penguins begin to make their way back to their flock, their swaying footsteps heading away from Bianca. One of them even trips and falls from running too quickly. 182 181 302 ... 182 183 182 301 Almost as if they are desperate to run away, seeing you approach. 184 183 201 1 500533 4 185 184 301 1 Bianca Heh... 1 186 185 301 For a brief moment, you manage to catch Bianca's reaction with the corner of your eyes—covering her mouth with her hand, she is giggling. 187 186 204 1 188 187 301 But her demeanor returns to normal once you turn around and look at her. 189 188 301 Bianca I'm sorry, Commandant. I think the penguins dislike you. 1 190 189 301 She sounds so serious that you cannot tell if she is trying to comfort you or tease you. 191 190 302 I don't think penguins are that cute anymore. 191 ...I didn't really want to take the photo anyway. 193 192 191 204 1 1 193 192 195 301 Bianca (Chuckles) You are not mad at the penguins, are you? 1 194 193 204 1 1 195 194 301 Bianca Next time, perhaps. 1 196 195 204 1 197 196 301 Bianca Let's hurry up and capture the photos required. We shouldn't delay the mission for too long. 1 198 197 301 Bianca The penguins seem to be finishing their rest as well. 1 199 198 202 1 200 199 301 By the time Bianca and you finish setting up the equipment to capture images, the penguins have slowly reassembled into a flock and prepared to proceed on their journey. 201 900 301 The image and data collection is completed meticulously. As the penguins are about to leave, Bianca and you begin to collect your equipment. 202 200 301 However, your gaze is drawn by a lone figure not far away from you. 203 201 301 A penguin has left the flock, going the opposite way of their migration route. Slowly and wobbly, it walks toward the icebergs in the distance. 204 202 301 And it shows no signs of returning. 205 203 302 What's wrong with that penguin? 204 206 204 201 1 500533 8 207 205 301 1 Bianca ... 1 208 206 204 1 209 207 301 Bianca The Expedition Team has told me about this. It happens quite often during their migration. 1 210 208 301 Bianca There are always the occasional penguin or two that don't go for the edge of the continental glacier, where the food is, or return to their colony. 1 211 209 301 Bianca Penguins like this one will leave the flock and head inland, taking off for the expanse of Antarctica. 1 212 210 301 Bianca It may travel across ice sheets and climb icebergs... 1 213 211 301 Bianca But all that awaits them after thousands of miles are starvation and death. 1 214 212 301 Bianca People tried to bring them back to their colony, but they would turn around and walk away once the humans were gone. 1 215 213 302 ...But why? 214 216 214 204 1 5 217 215 301 Bianca Well... 1 218 216 301 She shakes her head. 219 217 204 1 220 218 301 Bianca Environmental degradation, geomagnetic storms, predators, dead nestlings... 1 221 219 301 Bianca Many have made guesses and suggestions. 1 222 220 301 Bianca No one knows the real answer. 1 223 221 301 But why would anything head to their deaths so determinedly? 224 222 301 There is no friend, no food, no rest. 225 223 301 No hesitation, no fear, no going back. 226 224 301 No end, no edge, no finish line. 227 225 301 Humans cannot fathom this behavior, having believed that survival is the ultimate primal instinct. 228 226 301 Bianca I... don't think they are seeking death. 1 229 227 302 Huh? 228 230 228 301 Bianca If they are walking so purposefully, their paths direct and undeterred... 1 231 229 301 Bianca There must be something they are looking for, right? 1 232 230 301 Bianca Except it isn't something they can achieve just by staying with their flock. 1 233 231 301 Bianca Therefore, they have to go on this journey on their own. 1 234 232 301 Bianca raises a hand and points toward the snowy hills in the distance. 235 233 204 1 1 236 234 301 Bianca Who knows? 1 237 235 301 Bianca Perhaps there is something they want to see beyond this endless whiteness, no matter the cost. 1 238 236 301 Bianca It is their version of "martyrdom." 1 239 237 301 Bianca No one else would understand—but that wouldn't be a problem, would it? 1 240 238 302 ... 239 241 239 204 1 8 242 240 301 Bianca Hmm... 1 243 241 204 1 244 242 301 Bianca My apologies. I digress. 1 245 243 301 Bianca Forcing my own imagination onto the behaviors of animals... how stereotypically arrogant for a human. 1 246 244 301 Bianca Let's go, Commandant. 1 247 245 301 She collects herself before giving you a smile. 248 246 204 1 1 249 247 301 Bianca We'll be late for the next mission if we stay here for too long. 1 250 248 301 With that, she picks up the equipment and heads toward where you parked the vehicle. 251 249 202 1 252 250 301 Meanwhile, your gaze stays on the lone penguin for a brief moment. 253 251 301 Its swaying figure has no resemblance to someone going on a journey of no return. 254 252 301 You hold your camera up for a while, hesitating. 255 253 301 Eventually, you decide not to take the shot. 256 254 301 You hang the camera around your neck... 257 255 301 1 AniZhuanchangBegin And you make your way toward Bianca.