<Background black>
???	My words don't matter much. Only when you live free, in every moment, are you truly alive. Go and experience the world for yourself. It will take many months to form your own ideas. Kal'tsit, I hope you will...
5:39 P.M. \ Clear Outdoors, Rhodes Island Deck

Kal'tsit	You've been quite busy lately, right? There are many things you have to do. Proper rest is also necessary. There have been some small fluctuations in your psychological indicators as of late, and I will continue to monitor them. Right, Blaze will be here to give you a report tonight. She was the one who led the raid yesterday.
<Flashback starts here>
Note: For the following segment, the Doctor's dialogues are not player-determined.
<Background 1>
1:23 A.M. \ Rainy Babel Temporary Operational Command Center
[Someone knocks the door.]
Kal'tsit	Scout's outside, he was in charge of last night's operation. This is the record of one of his rare mission failures since enlisting in Babel.
Doctor	Come in.
[Scout enters the command center.]
Scout	Commander, Dame, you're both here. Let me briefly explain what happened last night. When my squad was sweeping the battlefield, they found traces of enemy troops that could be tracked. I made the decision that this was an opportunity to sniff out the enemy's position, insisted on giving chase, and ended up being ambushed. The responsibility is mine alone, and I am willing to accept the army's punishment.
Doctor	This is not a decision an old Sarkaz mercenary would make.
Scout	Regrettably, all my experience failed to let me know anything was wrong.
Doctor	Something has to actually happen for your experience to be worth anything. You lost no team members after the crisis occurred, indicating that your command was calm as you retreated, and thus proper. You deserve recognition, not punishment.
Scout	I don't understand how you reached this conclusion.
Doctor	Army discipline loses all meaning if it fails to recognize when to reward and when to punish. You know that, Scout. Why do you care so much about her reputation? I need a reason.
Scout	Dame Kal'tsit, how's Reyka?
Kal'tsit	She's out of danger.
Scout opens his mouth to say something, but words fail him.
Doctor	Your heart is in turmoil. Rarely have I seen you struggle like this, even on the battlefield. If you can tell us what you're thinking, maybe we can...
Scout	I insist that Reyka not be punished in any way.
Doctor	Because she's an orphan? Military discipline isn't a bleeding heart operation.
Scout	Reyka's father was a Sarkaz mercenary who died in the civil war.
Doctor	She's in good company in Kazdel.
Scout	Her mother suffered from severe Oripathy and was unable to raise her. Upon learning about this, Her Majesty Theresa has been providing financial support to their family.
Doctor	Nothing special about that either. If you don't have any better reason...
Scout	Reyka only enlisted in the army to repay Her Majesty's kindness. She once told me that fighting for Her Majesty is her only wish and the entire purpose of her life...
Doctor	Go on, Scout. I'm listening.
Scout	In Kazdel, it is rare for children to have any wishes, or anything to protect. They get sucked into the maelstrom of war, and then they die.
Doctor	So you hope to preserve Reyka's reputation, to keep her wish to protect Her Majesty alive.
Scout cannot answer, the battle-tested veteran falls back into silence. The Doctor rises slowly, reaching out to pat Scout on the shoulder. Kal'tsit does not expect this.
Doctor	Sorry if that offended you. I knew you must've had a good reason. No one will be punished. But that will have an impact on discipline, which isn't going to be popular. Scout, I hope that in the future, you and your team will respond to doubt with action.
Scout	I swear to do this. Commander, Dame, I'll be taking my leave.
Doctor	Promise me one thing before you go. Value your own life and reputation the same as you do your teammates.
Scout	I will.
<Flashback ends here>

Kal'tsit	Additionally... Closure may approach you to discuss the Londinium issue. She's very concerned about my position on this matter. You can share some more of the decision-making process with her. After all, she is also a potential combat operator. Of course, you can also discuss... other things.
<Flashback starts here>
<Background 2>
11:27 A.M. \ Clear Rhodes Island Chief Engineer's Office
Kal'tsit	What is it this time?
Closure	I'm wondering if you've settled on the going-to-Londinium thing?
Kal'tsit	I'm still discussing it, as the action itself is rather risky. Why are you suddenly so concerned about this?
Closure	I'm worried you're not in the right headspace. I know you want to go, deep down, but you gotta think about the kind of danger we're up against.
Closure	You waste a lot of energy getting all torn up.
Kal'tsit	I'm not torn up. Rhodes Island's safety is always my first priority.
Closure	It'd be great if one day, you could just do whatever you want. You can't put it past me. I know how close you are to Theresa. There's no way you can stay out of the Londinium thingy.
Kal'tsit	This has nothing to do with Her Majesty. I only care about the pros and cons that the action itself has on Rhodes Island.
Closure	Yeah yeah, I know, always responsibility and duty. Take a day to treat yourself every once in a while. Leave all the boring stuff to the Doctor, and let's knock some back, just the two of us. Doesn't that sound nice?
Kal'tsit	The Doctor is already working very hard.
Closure	I guess that's true. You'd think the amnesia would give us an all new Doctor, but the workaholic part is still the same. But honestly, the old Doctor was such a hardass, I like the new version better.
Kal'tsit	Because this one's easier to bully? I heard about the treadmill you gave the Doctor, how it would start floating for no reason, and you had to watch ads to get it back down.
Closure	That was a special promotion! I was trying to save the Doctor money.
Kal'tsit	I need you to be more considerate. The last thing I need is an overwhelmed Doctor getting scared to death by levitating exercise equipment.
Closure	Yeah, sure. Why so serious all of a sudden? Maybe it's something about how I knew the old Doctor, but I keep getting this uncontrollable urge to pull the most hilarious pranks. Especially before, when the Doctor was acting weirder and weirder...
Kal'tsit	Enough, Closure. No more on this subject. I forbid you from mentioning a word of this to the Doctor.
Closure	Don't worry, I'm not that clueless. By the way, Kal'tsit, before we go to Londinium, I'm going to carry out a renovation of the "under-development area." Gotta thicken that hull, at least. It'll be pricey, but I, a reliable engineer that I am, think that level of investment is still absolutely necessary. So, on behalf of the Engineering Department, I've decided to fight for three days and nights to give the "under-development area" a brand new look!
Kal'tsit	No need. The "under-development area" is the sturdiest place on the ship.
Closure	Hehe, I thought you'd say that. Right below the "under-development area" is a drone hangar, and that hangar doesn't have any support pillars. Once we knock out the upper part, the top of the hangar will deform, and then... Kal'tsit, why are you glaring at me like that? I'm scared!
Kal'tsit	You just want to do your own thing.
Closure	Alright, cards on the table. I'm the chief engineer, of course I'm gonna be curious about some place I can't get into.
Kal'tsit	I have my reasons.
Closure	All those secrets in your gullet are gonna suffocate you. When are you going to open up to me already? You can't carry this all by yourself.
Kal'tsit	Maybe... that day will come.
Closure	Looking forward to it.
[Kal'tsit leaves.]
Closure	Wait, huh? Did you just say something not super uptight?!
<Flashback ends here>

Kal'tsit	The patient placement work for Connor County will be completed today. In the coming days, you'll once again need to reassess the defensive strength of the settlement site. The Medical Department will forward the relevant data to you later. In the future, similar tasks will gradually be transferred over to elite operators so that your energy will not be diverted from more important issues.
<Flashback starts here>
<Background 3>
Medic Operator	Sorry to barge in, but look alive, everyone. Dr. Kal'tsit is about to start her daily rounds.
Ordinary Infected A	She's earlier than usual today, huh... Eh? There's a bunch of logistics department folks as well.
Ordinary Infected B	You should go see Dr. Kal'tsit about that forgetfulness of yours. That lass from the Medical Department came over to our ward for a week or so to touch bases, and said that she was going to transfer all of us to a temporary medical settlement in Connor County. What's the point of other people talking if you're not gonna remember a word of it?
Medic Operator	Haha, don't worry, sir. After all, the arrangement was made rather hastily. I'll be reminding everyone again, the Rhodes Island landship will be conducting a series of mock exercises around Victoria in the near future. We've decided to temporarily transfer you to a medical settlement in Connor County out of consideration for your safety. Please rest assured that the medical facilities there are comprehensive, and you will be accompanied by most of the medical staff.
Ordinary Infected A	Look, now that's Ari– Gaaaah, Dr. Kal'tsit! How long have you been standing right next to me?
Kal'tsit	Don't worry. I just got here. Ari, pass me this patient's blood works report. Hmm, you've recovered quickly and your Oripathy hasn't shown any signs of deterioration.
Ordinary Infected A	The fact that I'm still here today is all thanks to you. When I think back to the day I first had an acute Oripathy attack, you didn't close your eyes day or night so you could rescue me. I just...
Kal'tsit	It's my duty as a doctor. Next, I'll have to read the relevant agreement on the transfer and resettlement, and you'll sign the agreement after I read it. According to Article 4 of Rhodes Island's Oripathy and Treatment Regulations...
Ordinary Infected A	Easy there, Doctor, you don't have to read all that. Rhodes Island has my complete and total trust, so just show me where I have to sign.
Kal'tsit	I appreciate it, but reading out the agreement in its entirety is also to protect your rights. Ari, time is short, and we might not have the manpower to carry the patients. Check the hallway to see if anyone can help.
Medic Operator	Alright.
[Ari noticed the Doctor entering the sick bay.]
Medic Operator	Ah, Doctor? Good afternoon, what brings you here?
Doctor	Good afternoon. / ...... / Long time no see.
Medic Operator	Doctor, are you available right now? We don't have enough staff to relocate the patients here, and might need your help...
Doctor	I am. / Sure. / I'd be glad to help.
Kal'tsit	Given your current physical condition, I'd recommend you not engage in any physical labor.
Doctor	I've got nothing better to do. / I'll do my best. / At least let me give it a shot! Don't underestimate me!
Ordinary Infected B	Doctor... This isn't the commander of Rhodes Island, is it? The one that Little Ari's always talking about every day?
Medic Operator	S-Sir, please don't say silly things like that! Doctor, I was just giving them an overview of Rhodes Island.
Doctor	She's probably giving me too much credit. / ...... / Am I really that popular?
Ordinary Infected A	Having the commander of Rhodes Island transport me? There's no way...
Kal'tsit	Now don't be shy. Everyone in Rhodes Island is obligated to help in even the most commonplace of tasks. That hardly changes even for the person with the title of field commander.
Doctor	Our time is limited. Let's get the transfer underway. / Saves time. / Let's get a move-on. Qus, come here and help me lift his upper body, and pay attention to the medical equipment cable.
Logistics Operator	Sure thing. Ari, what's this new device? Never seen it before.
Doctor	It's a crystal melting instrument, Rhine Lab CR-01 experimental model, with a built-in Originium circuit. In the middle and late stages of Oripathy, the body becomes filled with crystals, and the organs are easily damaged and ruptured. The crystal melting instrument utilizes the sequential release of concentrated energy to dissolve the crystallization.
Medic Operator	That's exactly right! See, it's just as I said, the Doctor really knows everything.
Doctor	Qus, don't just lift like that. / Qus, stop. / Qus, hold on! Use your left hand to place the patient's hands together over the side of your neck, then use your right hand to cradle both the patient's legs...
Logistics Operator	S-Sorry...! I didn't pay very close attention to Dr. Kal'tsit's battlefield handling course, and didn't learn a lot of that material...
Kal'tsit	That course was originally structured for you to cement your knowledge with practice anyway. But how did you know that, Doctor? If I recall, you were out in Sargon during that session.
Doctor	It came out without thinking. / ...... / Maybe I'm just a genius.
<Flashback ends here>

Kal'tsit	One last thing, Amiya's been busy with various assessments of the Londinium trip as of late. Please take the time to make sure you look after her. She may be the leader of Rhodes Island, but she is also still a kid.
<Flashback starts here>
Note: For the following segment, the Doctor's dialogues are not player-determined.
<Background 1>
2:29 A.M. \ Overcast Babel Temporary Operational Command Center
Kal'tsit	You are the leader of Babel, but you're also an Oripathy patient. Please take your health seriously. I suggest you stop working and take a break immediately.
Theresa	Kal'tsit, you still think too much about others... Oh, Doctor, please come in. We weren't discussing anything confidential.
[The Doctor goes to Theresa's side.]
Doctor	I heard everything, Your Majesty. You really should be getting enough sleep. That was a tense meeting we had last night. All that battle talk must have tired you out.
Theresa	No worries. Conversely, Doctor, I would like to apologize for the words spoken by some of the participants. They did not intend to offend, but were slightly agitated. They were worried about my safety, but I understand that you must surely have considered all possible situations. This is the best solution.
Doctor	Theresis wants to regain the initiative. He knows that your strengths are also your weaknesses. But what he doesn't know is how much you're willing to sacrifice for the Sarkaz people. When Ascalon's troops arrive in town, he'll see the writing on the wall.
Theresa	You're always so reassuring. Doctor, listening to your words is more refreshing than sleeping.
Theresa's weary face flashes a smile of relief, a smile that becomes gentler as she looks out the door.
Theresa	Come in. Here, sit next to me.
Small Cautus	B-But...
Theresa	No need to look all around. There are no outsiders here, Amiya.
[The small Cautus, who was none other than the younger Amiya during the days of Babel, walks to Theresa's side.]
Amiya	Doctor, Dr. Kal'tsit, g-good evening. I didn't mean to stay up this late.
Theresa	No one is blaming you, dear. Let me guess, did you have a nightmare?
Amiya	No... I didn't. The soldiers moving around woke me up. I was looked out the window and saw Ascalon getting ready for a long trip with the other fighters...
Doctor	They are on a mission.
Amiya	But... But, Ascalon said she would never leave me or Her Majesty. I was worried, so I snuck in here to take a look...
Theresa	Amiya, my dear Amiya, the Doctor gave Ascalon a little job. They'll be back soon enough. Think about it, has one of the Doctor's battles ever run long?
Amiya	Y-You're right.. If that's what Doctor wants, I feel much better. Doctor is the best at making everyone feel safe.
Doctor	Amiya, you should rest.
Amiya	Okay I'm going to bed! Good night, everyone!
[Amiya leaves to go to bed.]
Theresa	What a sweet, lovable child... Doctor, before you came, I was a bit worried... about the safety of the Rhodes Island landship in Ascalon's absence.
Doctor	That's natural. Stretching his front line thin, encircling a small town with no strategic significance. There's no telling what Theresis's true objective is.
Theresa	My safety is secondary. I'm more concerned about the safety of the children and researchers on the ship. But as Amiya said, you really do give people a sense of security. What you've accomplished through your command leaves no room for doubt. Doctor, Kal'tsit, the day we win this war... shouldn't be far away, right?
<Flashback ends here>

Kal'tsit	Now, all of that is well outside your normal schedule... Doctor, are you still listening?
Doctor	I am. / ...... / I'm listening, very clearly.

Kal'tsit	Doctor, what does it mean to be truly alive?
Doctor	Where did that come from? / Never thought about it... / Way too abstract.
Kal'tsit	Obeying someone else's will, losing your reason to move on. Does that count as being alive?
Doctor	That's just a walking corpse. / ...... / Isn't that just a robot?
Kal'tsit	Keeping your body, but being separated from your memories. Does that count as being alive?
Doctor	That might make life rather confusing. / ...... / Are you talking about me?
Kal'tsit	If you had to choose one or the other, Doctor, which would you choose?
Doctor	I choose to be human, not a puppet. / I would choose to be free. / Who wants to be a robot?
Kal'tsit casts a deeply pensive look at you.
Kal'tsit	Freedom is not free. After you lost your memories, you woke up, were forced to fight, and forced to witness the sacrifice of human life. This whole time, you have barely had a single choice... Look into my eyes... Tell me, Doctor, why is it that you fight?
Memories continue to pour forth in this moment, and everything that has happened since your awakening in Chernobog flashes before your eyes vividly, joy and sorrow intertwining. An answer becomes clearer and clearer in your mind. You almost blurt it out subconsciously–
Doctor	I am fighting against my destiny. / I fight for Rhodes Island. / I fight to protect this world.
Kal'tsit	Make sure you don't forget the answer you just gave me. Even if no one understands, we must continue to walk this path. Doctor, you too will find your path.

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