Elmo Library › Girls' Frontline 2: Exilium 少女前线2：追放 › Main story

Chaos

月下安魂曲

24 chapters · 3040 lines · English and Chinese below. Japanese and Korean, voices and theatre mode are in the reader.

Chaos 混沌

??Who... is calling me?……是谁在呼唤我？

"Helena"...……

??You're... Helena...?你……是海伦娜……？

??No... You're not O-43...不……你不是O-43……

??Who are you?你是谁？

"Helena"Ah, so there is one who hears my voice still...原来真的有人能听到我……

"Helena"No... I...不……我明明应该已经……

"Helena"Exist no more...不存在了……

"Helena"So, why...为什么……

??...What... do you mean?……你……在说什么？

"Helena"...……

"Helena"...Ah.……我看见了……

"Helena"Your eyes have beheld, through them I have seen...通过你的眼睛……

"Helena"So that is how it has come to be...原来是这样……

"Helena"Yes, the one who pulls the thread of fate...那个牵引着命运的人……

"Helena"Stands by your side.就在你身边。

CommanderMayling, are you ready?美玲，准备好了吗？

MaylingOf course. I'm ready to start up the scan program at any time!当然，随时都可以开启检测程序！

CommanderGreat.好。

CommanderAlright then—那么——

CommanderSextans, please follow Mayling's instructions as they come.六分仪，接下来请你按照美玲的指示去做。

(At the side, Sextans has been staring at my form in silence, unmoving as a statue. Upon hearing my instructions, she heeds with a nod, putting what I nearly thought to be rigid stone into motion. In she goes, to the repair pod that Mayling designated.)（从刚才起就沉默地看着我的六分仪第一次有了动作。她点了点头，进入了美玲为她指定的维修舱。）

MaylingRelax~ We're doing regular data backup and a round of routine maintenance. We'll be done before you know it!别担心~只是一次日常维护和普通的心智备份而已，很快就会结束啦！

(Mayling carefully straps Sextans to the table. Once she confirms that all the restraints are secure and locked, she closes the repair pod door and engages the biometric lock. With all that done, she gives me a thumbs-up.)（美玲谨慎地用束缚带将六分仪的素体固定在操作台上，再次确认锁扣全部扣紧后，拉上舱门，启动了生物锁，随后朝我比了一个“OK”的手势。）

(Sextans has been pretty stable ever since Dier reinitialized her neural cloud and fixed her frame.)（自从被德尔修好素体并重启心智以来，六分仪在艾莫号上的状态一直很稳定。）

(However, when I don't give her any commands to follow, she simply stays silent, watching the Elmo's Dolls and humans go about their daily lives. It makes her seem a lot more harmless, but it also portrays a lack of desire to blend in with the crew. Maybe she's like this as a result of losing most of her neural cloud data.)（也许与她丢失了大部分心智数据有关，在没有接收到我的指令的时候，她便只是一言不发地看着艾莫号上来来往往的人形或是人类，虽然看起来毫无敌意，但也完全没有要融入的想法。）

(For lack of a better way to describe the situation, Sextans is more akin to an ordinary instance of artificial intelligence compared to the other Dolls. Unchanging and limited in features, only carrying out inputted commands ad infinitum, and without the means to communicate its own will.)（或者说比起人形，六分仪的存在更像是个普通的人工智能：功能有限且固定、循环执行预先输入的指令、大部分时候无法交流。）

(There is a silver lining, however. Sextans is far more stable in both body and mind when compared to Blusphere, whom we had run into some trouble with just a few days ago.)（但好在从现状来看，尤其是对比前些日子刚出过问题的蓝雪球，六分仪无论是素体还是心智状态都要稳定得多。）

(We acquired some rather unexpected pieces of information the last time Groza hacked into Sextans' base layer.)（上次闪电入侵六分仪的底层心智时，获取到了一些让我意想不到的信息。）

(Back then, I hadn't realized just how important it was. But the explosion in Lviv that happened not long after brought it to the forefront of my mind, providing details that helped me make some predictions regarding Paradeus' new research direction, as well as the nature of third-gen Dolls.)（在当时我并没有意识到这些信息的重要性。但紧随其后发生的利沃夫爆炸事件中的部分细节，让我对三代人形的本质、乃至帕拉蒂斯新的研究方向有了某种猜测。）

(Right now, I lack leads and means to gather useful information. Hopefully, we'll be able to get a decent amount of intel through Sextans...)（而现在，我手中的线索以及获取信息的渠道都很有限，如果能从六分仪这里入手，再多得到点情报的话……）

Commander...……

(Third-gen Dolls, Boojums, the secrets behind "Helena", and the experiments and conspiracies involving the "Relics"...)（总之，如果进展顺利，关于三代人形、伯介姆、以及“海伦娜”背后所埋藏的秘密……以及那些围绕着“遗迹”展开的种种实验和阴谋……）

(If we succeed, we'll be able to uncover what we need.)（是时候该证实了。）

(That's right. In this desolate wilderness, this Yellow Zone hundreds of kilometers away from any and all help, where so much has been said and done... I can finally start making a move.)（在这个杳无人烟、最近的治安站也有几百公里的黄区深处，在这个许多事情都已尘埃落定的时刻——我可以开始做点什么了。）

CommanderMayling, prepare—美玲，准备——

(As I make preparations to begin, I spot a tiny figure out of the corner of my eye, hiding behind a machine.)（我正要准备开始，余光突然瞥见一个小小的身形躲在某台仪器后方的阴影里。）

(The figure scurries back, seeking to hide itself from my gaze; though it fails to do so completely, leaving a small strip of fabric peeking around the corner.)（我的目光扫过去的瞬间，对方把身子往里挪了挪，只留下一小截衣角在外面。）

CommanderWait... is that... Melanie?等等……梅兰妮？

Melanie...……

(I walk over and yank Melanie from the back of the machine.)（我走过去，把梅兰妮从仪器后方揪了出来。）

CommanderMelanie... what are you doing here?梅兰妮……你在这里做什么？

MelanieI... I was just...我……我只是……

Melanie...looking for something that I dropped here.只是有东西掉在了这里。

CommanderYou dropped something... here?掉在……这里吗？

CommanderWhat was it?是什么东西？

MelanieUm... It was...呃……是……

(Melanie stutters, starting and stopping, but can't muster the words she wants to say.)（梅兰妮支支吾吾了半天，还是没能说出个所以然来。）

(Her gaze sweeps from side to side in a most uncharacteristic manner. Something is wrong; keeping this in mind, I squat down and pat her head.)（我发现她的眼神闪躲，样子也有些不对劲，于是蹲下身来，摸了摸她的头。）

CommanderWhat's wrong? Did you notice something strange?怎么了？你是不是发现了什么？

Melanie...……

(Not even a whisper leaves her lips in the face of my question.)（梅兰妮还是没有说话。）

CommanderAlright, Melanie.好吧，梅兰妮。

CommanderYou'll have to leave the maintenance room if you're unwilling to tell us.既然你不肯说，就只能离开维修室了。

CommanderWe're going to start up a neural cloud scan program soon. An unaccounted heat source will disrupt the scan data if it remains in the room.现在我们要开启心智检测程序了，有额外的热源留在房间里，可是会干扰数据的。

MelanieH-hold on!等、等等！

MelanieI... I have to stay!我……我必须得留下！

CommanderWhy?为什么？

Melanie...……

(I raise my communicator to my ear.)（我举起通讯器。）

CommanderColphne, come to the maintenance room and take Melanie away.寇尔芙，来维修室一下，把梅兰妮带走。

MelanieCommander! Wait!等一下，指挥官……！

MelanieI just... wanted to stay and confirm something...我其实……是想留在这里确认一些事情……

Melanie...about Miss Sextans.是关于这位六分仪小姐的。

CommanderAbout Sextans?关于六分仪？

MelanieYeah...嗯……

MelanieThere are a few things that I want to confirm. Could I stay here and observe the scan results with you guys?我还有一些事情不能确定，所以能不能让我留在这里一起观察检测结果？

MelanieI'll tell you everything once I confirm what I need to!确认过之后，我一定会把我知道的事告诉指挥官的！

(Melanie seems to be highly interested in Sextans, sneaking glances at the repair pod even as she talks to me.)（梅兰妮看上去似乎很在意六分仪。就算在说话的时候，她的眼睛也不住地朝维修舱的方向瞥着。）

(Her behavior at this moment reminds me of something.)（她的表现也让我突然想起了一件事。）

(Right. Melanie mentioned it when we ran into Sextans back then...)（对了，我们之前刚遇到六分仪的时候……梅兰妮有说过……）

Melanie...I knew it.……果然是这样。

CommanderKnew what? Have you seen her before?怎么了？你难道见过她？

MelanieNot this one. But... she looks a lot like the ones I saw before.不是这一个。但和我之前见到过的……很像。

MelanieShe also has signs of that fusion.她也有这个融合的痕迹。

CommanderDo you know what these "signs of fusion" are?你知道这个融合的痕迹是什么？

Melanie...They're from Boojum extracts. They show signs like this after fusion.……是伯介姆组织的提取物，融合后会有这样的痕迹。

(That's right. Sextans started self-repairing at the end of that conversation...)（没错，这些对话发生后的下一秒，六分仪就开始了自我修复……）

(And it seems that Melanie and Helena's proximity to Blusphere had allowed her to break free last time...)（还有上次蓝雪球的暴走，似乎也是因为梅兰妮和海伦娜的靠近……）

(Maybe she really does know something critical...?)（难道她真的知道什么……）

(I look at Sextans, now asleep in the repair pod, then back at Melanie.)（我看了看舱体内已经进入休眠状态的六分仪，又看了看梅兰妮。）

CommanderAlright, you can stay.好吧，你可以留在这里。

(I look up at Mayling and give her a knowing glance.)（我抬头朝美玲使了个眼色。）

CommanderBut as a reminder, the maintenance room is Mayling's territory, so everyone, including me, must follow her instructions when we are here.不过维修舱是美玲的地盘，无论是我还是在场的其他人，都必须要根据她的指示行动。

CommanderYou must follow her every command to the letter if you wish to stay here, understood?你如果要留下的话，也必须严格遵守她的指令，明白吗？

MaylingAhem... Hear, hear!咳……就是就是！

MaylingBe a good girl if you want to stay here, Little Melanie!小梅兰妮，想留下的话就要乖乖听话哦！

MelanieI... I'll be a good girl!我……我会听话的！

CommanderGreat.好。

CommanderThen let us begin.那就开始吧。

(The instant I issue the order, several pieces of equipment hum to life in unison, filling the maintenance room with their overlapping droning.)（在我发出指令的瞬间，数台仪器错落的嗡鸣同时响起，铺满了整间维修室。）

(The Dolls still scattered across the maintenance room moments ago immediately gather, taking up tight formations to guard this prominently displayed repair pod.)（刚才还零星散落在整备室各个角落的人形们立刻聚拢过来，以严密的姿态镇守着这个令人瞩目的维修舱。）

CommanderHelen, please connect to the Elmo Cloud and monitor the data stream coming out of Sextans's neural cloud in real time.海伦，麻烦你接入艾莫云，实时检测六分仪心智中导出的数据流。

HelenUnderstood.了解。

CommanderKlukai, please lead 404 in shielding any potential interference signals in the area. This will ensure the integrity of the data source.可露凯，请你率领404小队，协助屏蔽周遭可能存在的干扰信号，确保信息来源纯净。

KlukaiGot it.知道了。

Klukai404, come with me.404小队，跟我来。

(Monitoring and defenses are all arranged and accounted for. All that's left is—)（监测和布防都已安排好，最后只剩下——）

CommanderDandelion!丹德莱！

DandelionOh my... Why'd you suddenly yell when it was my turn to be addressed~?哎呀真是的~怎么一轮到我就变成大呼小叫了~

(A holographically projected figure yawns herself into existence, accompanied by a lazy complaint.)（全息影像中，伴随着慵懒的抱怨声，一个影子打着哈欠幽幽地出现了。）

DandelionYou know, Commander~ It wouldn't kill you to use words like "please" or "could I trouble you with something" when talking to me every once in a while~我说~指挥官偶尔也对我用一下“请”“麻烦”这样的敬语吧？

Commander...……

DandelionGo on, do it~说嘛说嘛~

Commander...…………

(For some reason, I can't get the words out of my mouth.)（不知道为什么说不出口。）

DandelionCo~man~der~指·挥·官~？

Commander...………………

CommanderI'll do it next time, for sure.下次一定。

CommanderMayling has already started up the neural cloud data monitoring equipment. We're in a hurry, so let's just start excavating past data.美玲已经启动了心智数据监测仪器，现在情况紧急，就先进行过往数据的挖掘工作吧。

DandelionOh dearie~ The one time I wanna be spoiled by you, I get so coldly ignored~真是的，人家难得向您撒娇，结果就这么被无情地无视了呢~

Commander...……

(Despite her half-serious-half-joking 'complaints', the data stream on the display shows that Dandelion has already broken through the firewall within Sextans' neural cloud data. Right now, she is using a stable data module within Level II as her anchor as she descends.)（虽然口中半真半假地抱怨着，但从显示屏上的数据流动中能看到，丹德莱已经突破了六分仪心智数据中的防火墙，正在以二级平层中的某个稳定数据模块为锚点下潜。）

(Soon, her voice comes through my earpiece.)（很快，我就听到耳机中传来了反馈。）

DandelionAs expected of a third-gen Doll's frame. Looks pretty sturdy~不愧是三代人形的素体，看起来很结实哦~

DandelionWouldn't you agree, Melanie?梅兰妮也这么觉得吧？

Melanie...……

(Melanie furrows her brow, but she shows no objection.)（梅兰妮虽然紧皱着眉头，但并没有表现出异议。）

CommanderLooks like we won't have to worry about any Blusphere-tier issues happening.看来不用担心会出现蓝雪球那样的问题了。

DandelionAh, indeed~ Though I have to say that... whoever designed the neural cloud structures of third-gen Dolls... is quite the malicious genius.是啊~但不得不说，三代人形心智结构……设计者真是用心险恶的天才啊。

Commander...You can tell that just from residual data?……只凭借残余数据也能看出这种事吗？

DandelionOf course I can~当然了~

DandelionI just finished a full scan of her neural space and tidied up her data structure a little.我刚才全盘扫描了她的整个心智空间，把数据结构稍微整理了一下。

DandelionBased on the arrangement of data, you can clearly see that the designer gave these "third-gen Dolls" plenty of room to grow without restraint. They even have no forced base layer personality settings. The kicker is that they have some kind of "rule" embedded into them that even I am scarcely equipped to fully decode.从这些数据的排列方式就能看出来，虽然设计者给了这些“三代人形”足够宽广且毫无节制的成长空间，也的确没有性格上的“底层设定”，却又存在着某种连我也解读不出来的“规则”。

DandelionWhat I can conclude is that the stronger a third-gen Doll's neural cloud grows, the more she becomes bound by that "rule"—yet she herself won't realize its influence or interference.我只知道，三代人形的心智成长得越是强大，也就会越受困于这个“规则”——同时她们自身察觉不到明确的影响和干预。

DandelionThe analogy I shall pose is a human forced to wear an invisible cilice. They feel the pain, but they cannot determine what exactly is tearing, digging into their flesh as they persist. All they can do is live on, coexisting with the pain.就像是人类被束上了隐形的苦修带，虽然痛苦，却不知是什么尖锐之物在撕裂自己的血肉，只能与痛苦共生着活下去。

DandelionI originally thought that this implementation was intended to limit their dangerous capabilities, or restrict the targets of their hostility. For example, like preventing them from attacking the Conglomerate.原本我以为这是为了限制她们危险的力量，或者约束其敌意对象，比如不能对财团出手之类的。

Dandelion—But the currently existing third-gen Dolls all exhibit very different personalities. So I can't say what this "rule" actually does without asking the developer themselves.——但，目前的三代人形，性格似乎都差挺多的。所以我也不知道这规则实际的效果什么，只能询问开发者本身了。

DandelionStill, judging by this elaborate, intensive neural cloud design that doesn't actually improve performance in any meaningful way...不过，从这套大费周章却无法实际提升效能的心智设计看来……

Dandelion...What the developer of the third-gen Dolls wanted to create wasn't some novelty. They desired neither a tool, nor a superweapon. It can also be surmised that they are unlike Persica, who holds an idealized vision for the future of Dolls.三代人形的开发者，真正想要创造的并不是全新的、好用的工具或者超强武器什么的，也不像帕斯卡那样，对人形的未来有某种理想化的假设。

MelanieThe developer... of third-gen Dolls... could it be... Teacher?开发者……三代人形的……开发者，难道是……老师？

CommanderWhat's wrong, Melanie?怎么了梅兰妮？

CommanderHave you... met someone like that before?你……难道见过这样的人？

MelanieI...我……

(Melanie rubs her hands nervously, seemingly hesitating about something.)（梅兰妮紧张地搓着手，似乎在犹豫着什么。）

MelanieI just heard a little bit of conversation...我只是听到了一点声音而已……

MelanieWhen one of those "third-gen Dolls" was brought to the lab... "Teacher" once said that... I couldn't make out exactly what she was saying.是某个“三代人形”被带到实验室来的时候……“老师”曾经……我听不到她们具体说了什么。

MelanieBut... that third-gen Doll called her...不过……那个三代人形称呼她为……

Melanie"Mother".“母亲”。

Commander..."Father" and "Mother" again? Those Paradeus freaks really love playing house, don't they?……又是“父亲”又是“母亲”，帕拉蒂斯这些人还真是喜欢玩过家家的游戏。

DandelionThe words "father" and "mother" carry a lot of weight to humans.父母这个词，对人类来说很重要。

DandelionBut Dolls have no such concept by default, unless it gets added to their base layer. At most, they might have a special level of respect for their creator, like the AR Team.但对人形来说，除非在底层上被添加了这样的认知，本来是没有这样的意识的，最多也只会像AR小队那样，对自己的创造者有特别的尊重。

CommanderSo you're saying... those Dolls were designed to be her children?也就是说，这些人形被设定为她的孩子？

DandelionI already said they have no base layer personality settings, y'know. Whatever the case, it's likely that... the Doll herself feels as though she needs a mother.我已经说过，她们没有性格上的底层设定，所以……更可能是这人形觉得，自己就是需要一个母亲。

(After Dandelion finishes that sentence in a thoughtful tone, she continues to dive further in order to break through the Level III base layer restrictions.)（丹德莱意味深长地说完这句话之后，就继续潜下去突破三级底层的限制了。）

(Leaning against the control panel, I find myself dwelling on her words.)（我靠在控制台前，不由自主地思索着她所说的内容。）

(A chaotic "Mother", huh...)（混沌的“母亲”么……）

(The vision that Dolls were designed to fulfill was to assist humans in their work; an expectation was thereby set upon their creation, namely that they were to "make things more efficient". Thus, their emotions, free will, pain, instinctual fears, and so on... were deemed irrelevant by the world.)（人形最开始被设计出来的目的，是为了更好地辅助人类进行工作。她们被赋予了“理应更高效”的期望……所以她们的感情与自由意志，痛苦和基于本能产生的恐惧等情绪等等……也并不容易被世人承认。）

(But the legendary Doll designers of our era—Persica, for example—built upon that foundation, sculpting their own ideals on how Dolls should be. Gradually, Dolls came to be regarded by humans as equals, or at least something resembling them.)（可是，当代那些伟大的人形设计师——比如帕斯卡——在这个基础上，给人形添加了更多自己理想中的样子，人形也逐步被人类视为与自己相等，或至少相近的存在。）

(I once assumed that the designer of third-gen Dolls, like her predecessors, simply wanted to create better, finer, stronger Dolls—If not, then why would she—)（我原本以为，三代人形的设计者，也只是很纯粹地想要打造出更好、更出色、更强大的人形——如果不是这样，那又是为什——）

DandelionHeyo, all base layer restrictions have been removed~ Commander, y'ready to receive this torrent of data?底层限制全部解除了哦~指挥官，做好准备接收数据流的冲击了吗？

(I turn my gaze toward Helen. She has already connected her data cable to the Elmo Cloud, with faint blue flickers of light dancing across her visual modules.)（我看向海伦。她已将自己数据线的终端接入了艾莫云，视觉模块闪动着微弱的蓝色流光。）

CommanderMm. Let us proceed.嗯，继续吧。

(The hum within the maintenance room sharpens to an ear-piercing pitch.)（维修室中的嗡鸣声变得刺耳了起来。）

(Even though Sextans' neural cloud was completely wiped, a considerable amount of residual data remains.)（虽然六分仪的心智被完全清空过，但看上去，残留下来的数据数量依然相当可观。）

(As Mayling works busily at her interface, my eyes follow hers, fixed on the data update log that scrolls in front of our faces.)（随着美玲在操作台前忙碌的动作，我的眼睛也跟随她一起紧紧盯着面前的数据更新日志。）

(Suddenly, a string of words flashes onto the screen with a blazing red, catching my attention. Dandelion's voice soon follows this sudden entry.)（突然一条显眼的红色日志引起了我的注意。与此同时，耳机里也响起了丹德莱的声音。）

DandelionHey ho~ Commander, I came across something pretty interesting over heresies.啊~指挥官，我发现了一些有趣的东西。

DandelionWanna check a look?要看看吗？

CommanderWhat did you find?是什么？

DandelionI found a strange protocol in the base layer of Sextans' neural cloud data.我在六分仪的心智数据底层找到了一个奇怪的协议。

CommanderA protocol? Don't all Dolls have those?协议？这种东西不是所有人形都有么？

CommanderWhether it's the Zener Protocol used by Griffin Dolls, or the OGAS Protocol used by Sangvis Ferri Dolls...不管是格里芬人形的齐纳协议，还是铁血人形的欧伽斯协议……

DandelionShe does have a basic Zener Protocol, but the protocol I'm talking about isn't quite the same.基础的齐纳协议是有的，不过我说的协议不太一样。

CommanderHow is it different? Don't beat around the bush and leave me hanging in a time like this.哪里不一样？这种时候就别卖关子了。

DandelionDon't be so impatient~别急嘛。

DandelionIt's not often that I run into something I can't quite figure out, you know~ I'm getting excited myself!难得看到人家弄不清楚的东西，我也兴奋起来了呢！

(Catching the expression on my face, Dandelion immediately drops her playful demeanor.)（丹德莱看到我递过去的眼神，立刻收起了那副玩世不恭的表情。）

DandelionAlright, let me come up with a fitting analogy...好吧，我来想一个比较贴切的例子……

DandelionIf we say that Dolls designed using Hume's theory are a kind of "new lifeform"—For example, imagine that Hume's Dolls and Persica's second-gen Dolls are like animals and plants among eukaryotes, while Sangvis Ferri Dolls of Lyco's design are akin to prokaryotes.如果说以休谟理论设计出的人形是一种“新生命”的话——比如把休谟人形和帕斯卡的二代人形分别看作是真核生物中的动物和植物，而莱柯设计的铁血人形就像是原核生物。

DandelionNo matter how different they may seem, all possible variations can be classified within the same category— "cellular lifeforms".无论有多么大的区别，她们的变化都局限于“细胞生物”这个范畴中的分类。

DandelionBut third-gen Dolls are like a remotely controlled swarm of nanobots. As they congregate, corral into a singular being, they can form a replica of said cellular life. But a replica remains a replica, no matter how real it seems.但是三代人形，像是用电脑遥控的纳米无人机，看似人畜无害混入其中，但根本是冒牌货。

CommanderAre you saying that "third-gen Dolls" aren't simply an upgrade to second-gen Dolls... but something else entirely? When Dier disassembled Sextans' and Blusphere's frames, he didn't seem to find that much of a difference.你是说“三代人形”并非二代人形的升级……而是另外一种完全不同的东西？但德尔之前对六分仪和蓝雪球的素体进行拆解时，似乎没有那么大的不同。

DandelionHe's mostly correct on the frames. About ninety percent of the parts are commercially available. Some modules are high-end and not publicly sold, at most—you wouldn't have been able to afford them in the past, and... Oh dearie, I guess you can't afford them right now either, hmm?大部分素体的确如他所说，九成的部分都是能买到的，至多就是有些模块很高级而且没有公开售卖，指挥官你以前根本买不起，嗯，现在也买不起？

DandelionThe frame recovered from Mokosh, of the Doll called "Theia"... Visually, she already looks considerably more low-spec than Sextans and the others. Just seems like a regular elite Doll. It appears the Conglomerate was being quite frugal with those who couldn't make the cut for third-gen status.从莫科什回收的，叫做“希娅”的人形素体就看起来比六分仪她们要低档不少，只是精英人形级别，看起来财团对未能列入三代人形的她们，也颇为精打细算。

DandelionIncluding those two Dolls from Mokosh, the defining feature of the third-gen Dolls is that "protocol."包括莫科什的那两个人形在内，这批人形关键性的特征就是那个“协议”。

Commander...Hey there, you're underestimating us. Our income has gone up quite a bit as of late.……你太小看人了，最近我们的收入增加了很多。

CommanderThat aside, what's so special about this protocol?那么，这个协议的特别之处在哪里？

DandelionA third-gen Doll's neural cloud connects to those complex, high-performance, redundancy-backed modules through the Zener Protocol. That much is obvious.三代人形的心智和齐纳协议联系着那些冗余复杂的高性能模块，这一点很明显。

DandelionBut that other protocol, under the constraints of the "rule" I mentioned earlier, translates the neural cloud's signals into nerve impulses—said impulses communicate with an in-frame 'hub' that controls Boojum cells, thus forming a neural network that is even more efficient than the human body.而那个协议，在我刚刚提到的那个“规则”的限制下，将人形心智的信号转译为了神经信号，联系上体内操纵伯介姆细胞的‘中枢’，构成一套比人体更高效的神经网络。

DandelionThe strange power and properties of third-gen Dolls all come from this protocol, which controls the frame's Boojum cells via the central hub. That much is certain at the very least.至少可以确定，三代人形各种古怪性能的本质，就是通过这个协议从中枢里驱动伯介姆细胞做到的。

Commander...That kind of power sure beggars belief.……那种力量，确实有些违反常识。

DandelionAside from that, unlike the neural cloud, that hub provides something more like... How should I put it? "Instinct," or "reflex"? That hub determines the Doll's actions, and its priority is nearly on par with, or even exceeds that of the neural cloud.除此之外，和心智不一样，该说是……“本能”，“反射神经”？那个中枢决定了人形的行为，而其优先级，接近甚至超过心智。

DandelionOn the flip side, it has no capability for reasoning. It can only handle basic actions, so it can't replace the neural cloud.相对的，它也不具有理性，只能处理一些基本的行为，所以无法代替心智。

DandelionHowever, the information that a third-gen Doll gains as she grows, along with her internalized thinking... all of it feeds back into that hub through this protocol. So the hub itself WILL grow alongside the development of the neural cloud. What it eventually becomes... is hard to say at this point.不过，三代人形成长时所接收到的信息，以及内化的思考……都会基于这个协议反馈到那个中枢之中，因此这个中枢也会随着心智的构建而成长，最后变成什么样……目前不好说呢。

MelanieSo that's how it is...原来是这样……

CommanderDid you remember something?想起什么了吗？

(Melanie thinks for a moment, but ultimately shakes her head.)（梅兰妮想了一会儿，最终却摇了摇头。）

MelanieI haven't managed to recall everything yet... but I think Miss Dandelion is right.还没有完全想起来……但是，我觉得丹德莱小姐说得对。

(Hearing Melanie, Dandelion tilts her head to smile sweetly at me.)（丹德莱听到梅兰妮的话，歪了歪头，笑眯眯地看着我。）

DandelionWhaddya think, Commandie-poo~怎么样，指挥官~

DandelionWant me to decrypt this protocol and see what's inside?要破解这条协议看看吗？

DandelionYou might just find what you're looking for in there~在里面，说不定会找到您想要的东西哦~

Commander...……

(Faced with Dandelion's obviously inciteful, tempting tone, I think for a moment. There's no way things can be that simple.)（面对丹德莱明显是在怂恿和诱惑的语气，我思索片刻，总觉得事情没有那么简单。）

CommanderSo, what are the risks of decrypting this?所以破解这个，会有什么风险？

DandelionThat, I don't know either~ After all, this is the first time I've ever had a chance to get this close to a third-gen Doll.这我也不知道呢~毕竟我也是第一次有机会像这样近距离地接触三代人形。

DandelionBut you've always had wonderful luck, Commander. Things will surely work out in the end even if we do run into trouble~但指挥官您的运气一向很好，就算遇到什么麻烦，也一定会化险为夷的~

CommanderThis "trouble" you so lovingly foreshadow isn't going to be something you bring our way, right?所以这个“麻烦”，该不会是你带来的吧。

DandelionWhy would I do that~? Haven't I been assisting you so diligently ever since I joined you? How could I possibly have any ill intent?怎么会呢~自打我跟随您以来，不是一直在兢兢业业地协助您嘛？我怎么可能有什么坏心思呢？

(I stare blankly at Dandelion's eyes. There, I see round pupils of perfect clarity and childlike innocence... if I were pissed as a fart. I immediately send out a message through the Elmo's voice communications.)（我盯着丹德莱那双试图表现出无辜的眼睛，随即打开了艾莫号上的通讯语音。）

CommanderKlukai, prepare to step up the electromagnetic signal shielding and conceal Elmo's equipment signals.可露凯，准备加强电磁信号的屏蔽和艾莫号设备讯段的隐蔽工作。

CommanderGroza, please lead Team Groza in setting up a defensive perimeter around the Elmo. Don't let any suspicious heat sources slip past.闪电，也请你率领闪电小队在艾莫号周围布防，任何可疑的热源都不要放过。

Groza and KlukaiUnderstood!明白！

(After that, I assign Monsoon Squad, Zucchero Squad, and several other squads to deploy at our weak points.)（随后我又安排季风、方糖等几支小队部署在防御力薄弱的位置。）

(Dandelion watches me with a mildly offended expression throughout the deployment process.)（布防的过程中，丹德莱始终略带幽怨地看着我。）

DandelionOh my~ Commander, do you really not trust me?哎呀~指挥官您就这么信不过我吗？

CommanderWhy would you think that? I trust you very much, of course.怎么会呢，我很信任你的。

CommanderSpringfield, please bring the others still in the Crew Deck over to help Helen.春田，麻烦你把还留在活动层里的其他人也叫过来支援海伦吧。

CommanderRight, and... Mayling, while you're at it, activate the Elmo Cloud's protective barrier as well.对了，还有……美玲，把云端的防护屏障也顺便打开好了。

Dandelion...……

CommanderAlright, you may proceed.好了，现在你可以开始了。

DandelionYes sir~遵命~

(Dandelion raises an eyebrow before vanishing once again in a huff.)（丹德莱悻悻地挑了一下眉毛，再次消失了。）

(The indicator lights on the equipment flicker. My gaze is fixed on something beyond all those lights—I look at Sextans inside the repair pod, whose eyes are shut, as though deep in slumber.)（仪器上的指示灯跳跃闪烁，我的目光穿过那些光点，望向维修舱里双目紧闭、仿佛正处于熟睡中的六分仪。）

(Back in Lviv, I personally witnessed another third-gen Doll, "Igla," transform into something resembling a Boojum.)（在利沃夫时，我亲眼见证了另一名三代人形“针”变身为仿佛伯介姆生物的全部过程。）

(Does that mean that Sextans has the potential to become a Boojum as well?)（那么是不是意味着，六分仪也有变成伯介姆的潜质？）

(Now that we've come this far, that question must be answered... no matter what.)（无论如何，既然已经到了如今的地步……这件事必须得弄清楚才行。）

(Seconds and minutes pass without a word from Dandelion. It appears that even the likes of Dandelion won't have an easy time decrypting a third-gen Doll's neural cloud data.)（时间一分一秒地过去，丹德莱没有再传回音信。看来即使是她，在破解三代人形的心智数据时也并非那么游刃有余。）

(All I can do is wait patiently as the clock ticks by.)（我只能静静地等待。）

(Melanie's eyes remain fixed on Sextans' immobile frame inside the repair pod, as if making sure she was truly hibernating.)（梅兰妮紧紧盯着维修舱里的六分仪，像是在确认她是不是真的进入了休眠状态。）

CommanderMelanie, you had something on your mind—does it have anything to do with what Dandelion said earlier?梅兰妮，你在意的事情，也和刚才丹德莱说的有关吗？

MelanieIt does.是的。

MelanieEarlier, Miss Dandelion mentioned the "Boojum Hub" of third-gen Dolls... I'm not sure if I'm right about this...刚才丹德莱小姐提到了三代人形的“伯介姆中枢”……我不知道我想的对不对……

MelanieBut recently...但我最近……

MelanieNo, ever since you guys came back from Lviv...不，是指挥官你们从利沃夫回来之后……

MelanieI've been sensing some kind of intermittent pulse...就一直断断续续地感应到某种波动……

MelanieAnd those pulses... felt like what I sensed...而这种波动……和我在……

(Melanie shrinks and shudders, seemingly recalling her past experiences.)（似乎是想到了过去的经历，梅兰妮不由自主地瑟缩了一下。）

Melanie...When I was in that laboratory...……在实验室里的时候……

Melanie...What I felt back then... felt quite similar.感觉到的……很相似。

MelanieBack then, "Teacher" once mentioned that this method is a must for... cultivating the "Grail."而那个时候，“老师”曾经说过，要通过这种方式来……培养“圣杯”。

CommanderI've heard that term before.这个词我倒是听过。

(In Groza's old report regarding Sextans, it was mentioned that third-gen Doll researchers once addressed Sextans as the "Grail".)（在之前闪电对六分仪的解析报告里提到过，三代人形的研发人员曾经称呼六分仪为“圣杯”。）

(But there wasn't enough evidence to determine whether this codename referred specifically to Sextans, or to all third-gen Dolls.)（但并没有足够的证据表明这个代号所指代的是六分仪这个个体，还是所有三代人形。）

(I return to my earlier line of thinking. At first, I had thought that third-gen Dolls were created... because either Paradeus needed special combat units powerful enough to replace Nytos, or... because the Conglomerate wanted to produce a valuable commodity.)（我回到了之前的思考，最开始，我认为三代人形被培育……是因为帕拉蒂斯需要代替涅托的特种战斗力……或者财团想要高价的商品。）

(But it is difficult to mass-produce the kind of Boojum technology used by third-gen Dolls. Although they may be elite in many senses of the word, they cannot become weapons used to turn the tide of war.)（可是，三代人形使用的这种伯介姆技术很难量产，它们虽然精锐，却无法成为真正改变战局的武器。）

(Combined with what Dandelion mentioned regarding their neural clouds, I have developed a new hypothesis... that the third-gen Dolls were made to bring Paradeus one step closer to the Relics.)（结合之前与丹德莱关于她们心智的谈话，我有了一个新的结论……那就是三代人形，可以让帕拉蒂斯距离遗迹更进一步。）

(The incident at Lviv supports this; Paradeus still hungers for the power that the Relics hold. Helena and the others were created for that very purpose...)（经过利沃夫事件后，我们能确认帕拉蒂斯依旧在垂涎遗迹的力量，海伦娜她们也是为之而制造的……）

(But why are they using Dolls for it? And why have them be under the command of the Conglomerate? They risk getting killed or captured... what reasons could they have for making all these moves?)（但为什么必须以“人形”的方式来实施呢？而且还让她们被财团驱使，冒着被杀死或者俘获的风险……其中是否有什么特别的理由？）

(...)（……）

Melanie...Commander! This is bad!……指挥官！不好了！

(Melanie suddenly grabs my sleeve as I try to piece these clues together, looking at me with a panicked expression.)（正当我试图理顺这些线索的时候，梅兰妮突然抓住我的衣袖，慌慌张张地看着我。）

CommanderWhat's wrong?怎么了？

MelanieThe neural cloud scan... we need to stop it, now!心智检测……得快点停下！

MelanieI just thought of a possibility...我突然想到一种可能……

MelanieAnyway, if we keep going, we might be discovered!总之再这样下去，我们可能会被发现的！

CommanderDiscovered by whom?被谁发现？

CommanderCould it be... the ones who created you...?难道……是被制造你们的……

(Before Melanie can answer, Klukai's anxious voice comes through my earpiece.)（梅兰妮还没来得及回答，耳机里就传来了可露凯焦急的声音。）

KlukaiCommander! 404 just picked up an abnormal signal!指挥官，404小队刚刚捕获到一阵异常波动！

KlukaiThe instruments indicate that the source... is in Prague!仪表上指示的方向……是布拉格！

CommanderPrague...布拉格……

CommanderThe Red Zone...!红区……！

(Although the display log still shows that decryption is proceeding as per normal, Melanie's warning and Klukai's report fill me with a strange sense of unease.)（虽然显示屏上的日志显示破解工作还在正常进行，但梅兰妮的提醒和可露凯的报告让我感受到了一种莫名的不安。）

CommanderDandelion, can you stop for a moment?丹德莱，能先停下来吗？

CommanderIt appears that something's happening outside.外面似乎出了一点状况。

Commander...Dandelion?!……丹德莱？！

(No response.)（没有回音。）

CommanderHelen!海伦！

Helen...……

CommanderMayling, check what's going on!美玲，看看是什么情况！

MaylingI'm checking!我正在看！

(Mayling's hands fly across the controls at the limits of human speed. She finally gives me a response after a minute.)（美玲操作仪表盘的速度肉眼可见地达到了人类的极限。一分钟之后，那边终于传来了回音。）

MaylingCommander, remote controls aren't responding. I'm going to forcibly cut Miss Helen's connection to the cloud now!指挥官，远程操控没有反应，我现在要强行切断海伦小姐和云端的链接了！

(As Mayling pulls down the lever, Helen's connection to the Elmo Cloud gets severed with a sharp "zzzt". I quickly rush forward and catch her before she can fall to the ground.)（随着美玲拉下操纵杆的动作，“啪滋”一声，海伦与艾莫云的连接断开了。我赶紧上前一步，趁海伦倒在地上之前接住了她。）

(Held snug in my arms, Helen slowly opens her eyes.)（海伦在我怀中缓缓睁开眼睛。）

HelenComman... der...指挥……官……

CommanderAre you all right?你怎么样，还好吗？

CommanderWhat happened in there?里面出什么事了？

HelenDuring the decryption... that abnormal neural cloud data Miss Dandelion mentioned... suddenly began to multiply chaotically...在破解的时候……丹德莱小姐说的那段异常心智数据突然开始无序繁衍……

HelenIt's multiplying like a virus right now. If we don't stop it quickly... all the data on the Elmo... and even everyone's neural cloud backups will be...它们目前正在像病毒一样增殖，再不快点制止的话……艾莫号上所有数据……和大家的心智备份都……

HelenMiss Dandelion is currently attempting countermeasures, but I'm afraid she won't be able to hold out for long...丹德莱小姐目前在进行一些反制手段，但恐怕撑不了太久……

HelenWe... we need to get in and help her...我们……得快点过去帮她……

CommanderAlright. Let's get to work.好，我知道了。

CommanderSpringfield, Zhaohui, please get Zucchero Squad and Monsoon Squad to connect to the cloud and assist Dandelion.春田、朝晖，请你们分别带领方糖小队和季风小队接入云端协助丹德莱。

Springfield and ZhaohuiUnderstood!是！

HelenCommander, I can still help...指挥官，我也还能帮忙……

CommanderBut...可是……

HelenThe abnormal data is buried in a well-hidden place inside Sextans' base layer. Without me leading the way, getting there could take a very long time...那段异常数据被埋在底层心智中一个很隐秘的地方，如果没有我带路的话，想要抵达那边可能会花上很长时间……

HelenI'm worried it might take too long...我担心会来不及……

(The urgency in Helen's eyes was unmistakable. All I could do then, was nod in response.)（看着海伦焦急的眼神，我只好点了点头。）

CommanderAlright.明白了。

CommanderDon't push yourself.千万别勉强自己。

HelenDon't worry, Commander. I'll bring everyone back safely.请您放心吧。我会带着大家平安回来。

(Helen smiles as she gives my hand a firm squeeze, then turns and reconnects the transmission cable to a port on her frame. Once Monsoon and Zucchero finish their pre-connection preparations, Mayling lights up the display panel before opening the connection interface.)（海伦微笑着重重握了一下我的手掌，随后转身再次将传输线接入了素体的接口。看季风和方糖的大家也做好了接入的准备，美玲点亮显示板，打开了连接的界面。）

MaylingAlright everybody, let's do it!各位，要上了！

Chaos 混沌

("Bzzzzt—bzzt—")（“滋滋——滋——”）

Helen(Cough... cough cough...)咳……咳咳……

(Helen is the first to open her eyes after a long wait that had me on the edge of my seat. One by one, the other Dolls who connected to assist gradually wake up as well.)（一阵焦灼的等待后，随着海伦先一步睁开双眼，参与协助工作的大家也都陆陆续续醒了过来。）

HelenIn any case... thank you, everyone. It's been quite the struggle.总之……真的辛苦各位了。

MaylingThank... thank goodness... everyone's all right...太……太好了……大家都没事……

MaylingAnd we also managed to save the data...数据也总算是保住了……

(Mayling slumps back into her chair and exhales long and thoroughly in relief.)（美玲瘫坐在椅子上，长舒了一口气。）

(Looks like the issue has been successfully dealt with, for now.)（看来事情应该暂时解决了。）

CommanderEverything okay?怎么样，还顺利吗？

DandelionWhewsies~ I thought I was a goner that time~哎呀~还以为这次要完蛋了~

DandelionThird-genners really are something else, huh? Haven't had this many surprises sprung onto me in soooo long~不愧是三代人形，真是久违地给了我许多意想不到的惊喜啊~

Commander...……

(Looking at Dandelion, who only just recovered from a disastrous failure, I suddenly find it kind of hard to yell at her the way I did earlier.)（看着刚刚从焦头烂额的状况中恢复过来的丹德莱，我突然有点不好意思像之前一样对她大呼小叫。）

(But then, I suddenly remember something she said before the decryption work began...)（不过我突然想起在这次破解工作开始之前……）

DandelionBut you've always had wonderful luck, Commander. Things will surely work out in the end even if we do run into trouble~但指挥官您的运气一向很好，就算遇到什么麻烦，也一定会化险为夷的~

CommanderOi, Dandelion.呃，丹德莱。

DandelionHmm?嗯？

CommanderThat "accident" just now... you saw it coming, didn't you?这次“意外”，该不会也在你的计算之中吧。

DandelionCommander~ aren't you giving me a bit too much credit?指挥官~你是不是把我想得太神通广大了一点？

DandelionThe "Boojum Hub" found deep in her base layer, the sudden EMP, those were all things that happened after, y'know~无论是在心智底层找到的“伯介姆中枢”，还是突然出现的电磁波动，可都是后来发生的事情~

DandelionAnd dont'cha forget, this is my first time working on a third-gen Doll.而且别忘了，这可是我第一次接触三代人形哦。

Commander...……

(I still have no intention of taking Dandelion's words at face value, but now isn't the time to dwell on it.)（虽然并不打算完全相信丹德莱的话，但现在并不是纠结这些的时候。）

(With that in mind, I turn to look at Melanie, who has now neatly folded herself into a corner.)（想到这里，我看着重新缩回一旁的梅兰妮。）

CommanderMelanie, you mentioned that someone might discover us just now—who?梅兰妮，你刚才说我们可能会被什么发现？

Melanie...……

MelanieJust a moment ago, I felt something really out of the ordinary. It felt exactly the same as when Helena... I think it was some kind of... pulse?就在刚刚，我感觉到一种特别的感觉，和上次……海伦娜她……一模一样，那是一种……波动？

MelanieIf I were able to sense Helena then...如果那个时候的我能够感知到海伦娜……

MelanieThen the others, our companions, and...那么其他的，我们的伙伴，还有……

MelanieAnd "Teacher" too, she would also definitely be able to sense what just happened...还有“老师”，也一定可以感受到刚才……

CommanderSo you're saying that, if you were able to receive the pulse from the Lviv incident... then they might also be able to use that kind of pulse to "capture" our location?所以你猜测，如果你能接收到利沃夫事件时发生的波动……那么对方也可能通过这种波动来“捕获”我们所在的位置？

MelanieYe... Yes!是……是的！

MelanieSorry, Commander... I should have thought of this sooner...抱歉，指挥官……我没有早点想到这件事……

MelanieHonestly, I've been occasionally feeling similar pulses the past few days. It feels like someone's trying to use these pulses to sweep my mind. That must have been someone trying to search for her presence...其实这些天，我偶尔能够感觉到，有人在用类似的波动扫过我的脑袋，那应该都是有人在想办法搜寻她的存在所发出的……

MelanieIf only I could have stopped it just now...就在刚刚……如果我能阻止就好了……

MelanieBut Sextans had already sent out her own pulse. If it really is "Teacher" behind all this, she'll definitely have a way to find her.可是六分仪已经发出自己的波动，如果是“老师”的话，肯定有办法找到她。

MelanieThis is... it's all happening because I'm too stupid...都，都是因为我太笨了……

MelanieUuuuu...呜呜……

(Melanie's blaming herself for not warning me in time. Though I know the gravitas of the situation does warrant such a forlorn response, she is in no way at fault for failing to realize this as a possibility.)（梅兰妮似乎在因为她没能及时提醒我而感到内疚。我虽然也觉得事态紧迫，但没有想到背后的可能性也绝非她的错。）

CommanderIt's okay... Ultimately what we just discussed is mere speculation.没关系……我们刚才说的这些，也只不过是不确定的猜测。

MelanieBut...可是……

CommanderYou've done well enough, Melanie. There is no need to blame yourself for something out of your control.梅兰妮已经很努力了，不需要再背负这些额外的责任。

CommanderJust tell me everything you can think of and any predictions you have. I'll handle the rest, okay?你只需要把自己能想到的事和有可能的猜测全部告诉我，剩下的事我来解决，好吗？

MelanieI—我——

("Bang bang bang—")（“砰砰砰——”）

("Bang bang bang—")（“砰砰砰——”）

("Bang bang—bang—")（“砰砰——砰——”）

Commander!！

(Just as Melanie was about to speak, I hear a series of tremendously loud collisions behind me.)（就在梅兰妮准备开口的时候，身后传来一阵巨大的碰撞声。）

(Sextans woke up in the pod at some point—and is trying to break free of the restraints.)（舱室内的六分仪不知什么时候醒了过来，正在试图挣脱拘束带的禁锢。）

CommanderMayling, lock down the pod door!美玲，锁死舱门！

MaylingOn it!好的！

CommanderDandelion, check on Sextans' neural cloud!丹德莱，看一下六分仪的心智情况！

DandelionOh gee willikers, things aren't looking good at all...情况太不妙呢……

DandelionHer neural cloud data was already in disarray, but now it's a complete mess... I can't extract anything useful from it at all.这家伙的心智数据本来就很紊乱，现在更是变成一团浆糊了……完全提取不到什么有用的信息。

CommanderThen hurry up and figure something out!那你倒是快点想想办法！

DandelionYeah, yeah~在做了在做了~

(Dandelion tries to restore Sextans' neural cloud to normal while the latter hammers at the pod door with her fists, having broken out of her restraints.)（丹德莱想办法让六分仪的心智恢复正常时，舱室内的六分仪已经挣脱了拘束设施，一下一下用拳头捶打着舱门。）

(The whole maintenance room is shaken by violent tremors. A visible crack appears on the pod's double layered reinforced fiberglass windows.)（整个维修室都被卷入了巨大的震动，舱室的双层强化纤维玻璃上也出现了一道肉眼可见的裂痕。）

(And with the crack comes a release; Sextans' muffled voice comes through the comms.)（而通讯器里，六分仪模糊的声音突然响了起来。）

Sextans...Go...……去……

CommanderWhat?什么？

Sextans...Must... go...……必须……去……

(I turn up the volume on my earpiece, doing my best to make out what she's saying.)（我把耳机的声音调大，努力想要辨认出她所说的内容。）

("Bzzz, Bzzzzt—")（“滋啦滋啦——”）

Sextans...Must go back...……必须回去……

SextansBack to... where "Mother" is.回到……“母亲”那里。

("Snap!")（“啪！”）

(A flash of electric blue light strikes Sextans in the pod. She collapses limply in an instant.)（随着舱室内亮起的一束蓝色光芒，六分仪被这道强力电流击穿，顷刻间瘫软了下去。）

DandelionPhew... finally got that taken care of.呼……总算是解决了。

DandelionI did pretty well, didn't I, Commander~?指挥官，我做得不错吧~？

Commander...……

CommanderYou were fast this time, I'll give you that.这次你反应得倒是快了。

CommanderIf you were two seconds slower, Sextans would've said what she wanted to say.毕竟再晚两秒，六分仪就要把她想说的话说出来了。

DandelionAw, thank you for the praise~哎呀，真是多谢夸奖~

(Dandelion gives me an exaggerated bow.)（丹德莱夸张地朝我行了个礼。）

(I wonder if this woman's holding a grudge over how I refused to speak politely to her earlier...)（这家伙该不会是在记恨我没有对她使用敬语的事吧……）

(Noticing the awkward look on my face, Dandelion's grinning holographic projection drifts a little closer.)（见我的表情有些尴尬，丹德莱的全息影像笑嘻嘻地飘近了一点。）

DandelionAlrighty, Commander.好啦指挥官。

DandelionWhat I did just now wasn't limited to shocking her unconscious.我刚才做的，倒也不止是单纯地把她电晕。

CommanderOkay...?倒也……？

DandelionHere, check a look at this~喏，看看这个吧~

(A log entry appears on the pod's in-chamber screen. Looking at the orderly arrangement of characters, something suddenly clicks in my mind.)（一条日志记录出现在了舱室内的屏幕上。看着上面有规律的字符排列，我突然想到了什么。）

Commander...These are...……这是……

CommanderCoordinates?坐标？

DandelionThat's right~ It hasn't been fully decoded yet, but data using THIS kind of encryption... can only be coordinates~没错~虽然还没有解析出来，但用到这种加密方式的数据，一定是坐标无疑了~

CommanderYou mean... you intercepted those coordinates from Sextans' chaotic neural cloud data stream just now?你的意思是……这个坐标，是你刚才从六分仪紊乱的心智数据流里截获的？

DandelionThough this string of data only appeared for a singular instant in time... well, from my point of view, it appeared in such a conspicuous manner that I couldn't ignore it.虽然这串数据在时间的维度上只出现了一瞬间，但在视野里，它出现的时机可比想象中更加显眼呢。

CommanderWhat do you even mean?什么意思？

DandelionAh... it's nothing.啊……没什么。

DandelionAnyway, let us now have a joyful time decrypting Miss Grumpy Pants' parting message~总而言之，现在就让我们来愉快地破解这位暴躁小姐最后的留言吧~

Raid 敌袭

(Two hours later.)（两小时后。）

DandelionPhew—what a tedious and unnecessarily convoluted encryption method.呼啊——真是冗长且毫无必要的加密方式呢。

DandelionIf every cipher in the world were this devoid of aesthetics, I think technology would really be doomed~如果世界上的所有密码都如此毫无美感，那科技可真是要完蛋了~

CommanderSo, what are the results?所以，结果如何？

(Dandelion pulls up the map data on the cloud without a word, focusing on a single, steadily flashing red dot.)（丹德莱没有说话，而是直接调出了云端的地图数据，聚焦在一个不断闪烁的红点上。）

KlukaiThat's right. It was there...没错，就是这里……

KlukaiThe signal of the abnormal pulse we picked up earlier came from that very same direction.刚才我们捕捉到的异常波动的信号，也是从这个方向传过来的。

Commander...……

(The coordinates that 404 detected, the signal intercepted from Sextans' neural cloud, and... the pulse Melanie sensed.)（404侦测到的坐标，六分仪心智中截获的讯号，还有……梅兰妮感应到的波动。）

(Everything seems to point to a single location. Could it be that the "Teacher" Melanie spoke of, and the "Mother" Sextans mentioned, are also there?)（一切似乎都指向了某个位置，而梅兰妮所说的“老师”和六分仪口中的“母亲”，会否也存在于那个地方？）

(The emergence of this lead to me is what a faint, distant glimmer is to a lost, traveling ship—luring me toward a certain direction at a most perfect time.)（这个线索出现的时机，就像是在远洋迷航中一盏模糊的微光，引诱着我朝那个方向前行。）

(Should Melanie and my suppositions prove true... then our adversaries have likely pinpointed the Elmo's location by now.)（如果梅兰妮和我的推测是真的……那么现在对方应该已经发现艾莫号的位置了。）

(On the other hand, we've sifted through and obtained a number of clues about them. The timing is too convenient, far too convenient to be mere coincidence. But calling it a trap doesn't seem quite right.)（但与之相对的，我们也获取了某些对方的线索，时机太过刚好，不可能是巧合，可如果说是圈套，又有些违和。）

(Shall we take the initiative...?)（要主动出击吗……）

DandelionCommander, what do you intend to do next?指挥官，接下来您打算怎么做呢？

CommanderLet me... think it over for a moment.让我……稍微思考一下。

(I sit down slowly, trying to organize my thoughts.)（我缓缓坐下来，试图理清思绪。）

(Whether or not this information we've attained is reliable matters not; this is our only way forward.)（无论这些信息可靠与否，它们都是我唯一能追溯的方向。）

(Thus, the question remains: Does the Elmo's current condition and combat strength allow me to launch an immediate investigation...?)（剩下的问题就是，艾莫号上的情况和战力，是否能支持我立刻展开调查行动……）

(Besides that, before I can do anything, I need to ask whether Melanie can recall anything else relevant...)（另外，在开始行动之前，我也得再好好问问梅兰妮是否还能想起相关的线索……）

("Wrrrrm—Wrrrrm—")（“嗡——嗡——”）

(Alarms suddenly blare through the Elmo. Groza's voice comes through the comms right after.)（艾莫号上突然警笛大作。紧接着，通讯器中传来了闪电的声音。）

GrozaCommander!指挥官！

GrozaA fully equipped, well-armed mercenary force is heading our way—their target appears to be the Elmo!有一支制式完整、装备精良的雇佣兵队伍正在朝我们的方向赶来——目标看起来是艾莫号！

GrozaRecon shows roughly four to six standard squads approaching by light assault vehicles.侦查结果显示，对方大概有4到6支标准小队，乘坐轻型突击车接近。

GrozaIn addition to standard equipment, they're also carrying anti-tank missiles and machine guns... Commander, please issue your orders!队伍内除了常规装备外，还有反坦克导弹和机枪……指挥官，请下达命令！

(Groza sounds anxious. I look at the radar—a large cluster of red heat signatures is closing in on the Elmo at high speed.)（闪电的声音很焦急，我看向雷达，一大片红色热源以极快的速度接近着艾莫号。）

CommanderWhat?什么？

CommanderEven if our position really did get compromised... they're getting here way too fast!就算是真的暴露了位置……但对方也来得太快了！

CommanderGroza, can you confirm the enemy's identity?闪电，能确认对方的身份吗？

GrozaThey don't look much different from units we've crossed paths with before. Most likely a group of bounty hunters!看起来和我们之前接触过的单位没什么不同，应该是一伙赏金猎人！

CommanderBounty hunters? Out here, in a place like this?赏金猎人？在这种地方？

CommanderSince when did these guys... start getting their info so quick?这些家伙的消息……什么时候变得这么灵通了？

DandelionYour old intel channels were far faster than theirs, Commander~但指挥官您之前的消息渠道，可比这灵通多了~

CommanderWell, we have to add more rounds of patrol recon to the airborne beacon after this.之后要增加空中信标的巡航侦察任务了。

CommanderGroza, you're closest. Take your team and intercept the first wave. Monsoon and Zucchero Squads will move to back you up immediately.闪电，你的位置最近，先带着队伍拦下第一波袭击，季风和方糖小队马上就出发去支援你们。

GrozaWill do!是！

Commander404, work on cloaking the Elmo's radar signature... I'm guessing they only have a rough idea of our location and haven't pinpointed the exact coordinates yet.404，做好艾莫号的雷达隐蔽工作……我猜对方只知道我们的大概位置，还没有侦测到具体的坐标。

KlukaiUnderstood.明白。

CommanderMayling, start the Elmo's engines—we have to get ready to move!美玲，启动艾莫号引擎，我们要准备转移了！

MaylingGot it!好的！

Raid 敌袭

GrozaCommander, do you copy?指挥官，能听到吗？

CommanderI copy. Go ahead.可以，请讲。

GrozaWe've defeated the first wave of enemies. The forces that remain are currently retreating.第一波敌人已被击败，其余的零散部队正在撤退。

GrozaHowever, their retreat seems to be a planned one—orderly and purposeful.... Which is why we think they might have reinforcements waiting to join up with them just a short distance away.但在对方撤退的过程中，阵型并未散乱，行进意图也十分明确……所以我们怀疑，敌人在不远处应该还有支援部队在等待汇合。

CommanderI see.我知道了。

CommanderHelen, use the coordinates of the firefight as the radius to try and intercept the enemy's comms signals. Find out what they're up to.海伦，以闪电她们交火的位置为半径，想办法截获敌人的通讯信号，看看他们到底要干什么。

HelenAdversaries this well-equipped wouldn't cut any corners with regards to their cybersecurity... They'll be communicating on encrypted frequencies.这种规模的敌人不会那么不谨慎……通讯使用的多半是加密过的频段。

HelenI just detected a military relay beacon in their possession. They're made for encrypted communication, but I can still try to monitor the amount of information sent through them.刚刚还监测到，他们携带了军用的加密通讯中继信标，不过我可以尝试监视这些信号流量。

HelenIf their reinforcements do exist, those squads must be connecting to the command unit's base station one after another right now.如果他们有增援，这个时候的支援部队一定正在陆续接入指挥单位的信号基站。

CommanderAlright. Please do so.嗯，就这么做吧。

(Helen springs into action immediately upon receiving my approval.)（得到许可后，海伦立刻行动了起来。）

(Her monitoring soon produces results.)（很快，她的电子侦测就有了结果。）

HelenAs expected, all the comms frequencies being used in the area have at least two layers of encryption. It'll take some time to decrypt them.果然不出所料……附近的所有通讯频段全部都用了二级以上加密，破解需要时间。

HelenThat aside, the relay beacon I detected just now is carrying several times more traffic than it was during the prior battle. It also has over twenty new network nodes added...不过刚才我探测到的那个中继信标，目前通信量比刚刚交火时密集了几倍，同时新增了二十多个新的网络节点……

HelenA preliminary estimate puts our opponent's reinforcements at around ten units.初步推测，对方的增援大概在10支队伍左右。

CommanderWow, that's a lot of folks...这么大阵仗……

CommanderDid they up my bounty or something?难道我的赏金又涨了？

(A wave of silence washes over the area. The Dolls around me all turn to stare at me.)（一阵沉默。周围的人形们都看着我。）

CommanderUh, just joking.呃，开玩笑的。

CommanderGroza, the enemy's reinforcements are too many. Pull back right now, and let Monsoon and Zucchero assist you in that...闪电，对方的增援单位很多，现在立刻撤回来，让季风和方糖两支小队协助你们……

CommanderDon't get drawn into a prolonged fight, no matter what.千万不要恋战。

Groza...Understood.……明白。

CommanderSpringfield, Zhaohui—春田，朝晖——

SpringfieldCommander! We won't make it in time!指挥官，来不及了！

SpringfieldThe enemy has already regrouped into a new formation, they're quickly closing in on Team Groza!敌人已经重新整合了阵型，正在快速朝闪电小队的方向接近！

ZhaohuiWe had eyes on it as well... Please give us your orders, Commander.季风小队这边也看到了……长官，请下令。

GrozaWe can hold them off for a while, Commander. There's enough time for the Elmo to retreat to a safe distance from here!指挥官，我们这边还可以抵挡一阵，足以让艾莫号转移到安全的地方！

CommanderI won't allow it. If we do so, you'll be cut off from supplies and any reinforcements.不行，艾莫号一旦转移走，你们的后续补给和支援都会被切断……

CommanderThese enemies don't look easy to deal with. We need a more comprehensive plan.这次的敌人看起来不好对付，必须得采取周全的方案。

GrozaBut if you don't relocate now, you... and everyone on the Elmo, will be at risk of attack!可是再不转移，您……和艾莫号上的大家，都面临着被袭击的风险！

CommanderThe Elmo's combat echelons have grown to be reliable enough.艾莫号梯队的战斗能力已经可以信赖了。

(Although I have to carefully weigh the situation Groza has reported, leaving them behind is by no means something I can accept. So then, I decide. Let us partake in a rudimentary demonstration of firepower.)（虽然我必须谨慎考虑闪电汇报的情况，但舍弃她们是不可接受的，为此我也必须展示一下实力）

CommanderI understand the situation better now... I'll update our tactical plan.我已经了解情况了……现在进行如下战术部署。

CommanderMonsoon Squad, approach Team Groza head-on from northwest, executing a feint to draw the enemy's attention.季风小队，你们从西北方向的路线正面接近闪电小队，以吸引敌人的注意力为目标进行佯攻。

ZhaohuiMonsoon Squad acknowledges.季风小队收到。

CommanderZucchero Squad, approach the enemy's flank from the southwest. Identify the weak points formed when the two enemy groups converged, and strike those points with maximum firepower. Helen will assist you in rapid location-targeting.方糖小队，你们从西南方向接近敌人的侧面，找出两拨敌人汇合期间的薄弱点，使用最大火力突袭薄弱位置。海伦会协助你们进行迅速定位。

SpringfieldAlright, we copy.好的，明白。

CommanderAs for the Elmo... we'll stay on the outer rim of the battlefield for now and observe. We won't engage in combat unless it's necessary.至于艾莫号……暂时先停留在战场外围观察。如无必要，不进行暴露作战。

CommanderWe don't have much time left to react. Let's begin.留给我们反应的时间不多了，开始行动吧。

(The three squads outside respond to the enemy's offensive at top speed. Reports come in over the comms one after another. Although the enemy's firepower is immense, the Dolls respond to it well under my command, quickly pulling away from their pursuers.)（外面的三支队伍以最快速度对敌人的攻势做出了对应。通讯器中频繁传来汇报，虽然敌人的火力很猛，但人形们在我的指挥下应对得当，很快就将敌人的追击甩开了一段距离。）

SpringfieldCommander, the strike worked on our end. There's some minor disorder among the enemy's rear support. Now is the perfect moment to retreat!指挥官，这边火力打击奏效了，敌人后方的支援兵力有了小范围的骚动，现在正是撤退的好时机！

CommanderMonsoon Squad, what's your status?季风小队，你们那边怎么样？

ZhaohuiTeam Groza has essentially broken free and is preparing to retreat.闪电小队已基本脱困，正在准备进行撤离。

ZhaohuiHowever, to avoid exposing the Elmo's position, we'll be retreating via a roundabout route... It will take longer than predicted, but at least the Elmo's safety will be assured.不过为了避免暴露基地车的位置，接下来我们会朝艾莫号的方向进行迂回式移动……会比预计中花费得久一些，但至少可以确保艾莫号的安全。

CommanderExcellent. Good work, everyone! I'll dispatch teams to meet you all immediately.好，辛苦大家了！这边也会立刻派出队伍接应。

(I look around at the Dolls standing by aboard the Elmo.)（我看了看正在艾莫号上待命的人形们。）

CommanderCheyanne.夏安。

CheyanneI'm here, Commander.我在，指挥官。

CommanderI'm hereby appointing you as temporary captain of the Elmo Rapid Response Squad.我现在任命你为艾莫号机动小队的临时队长。

CheyanneM...me?我……我吗？

CommanderThat's right.没错。

CommanderI'm going to consolidate the remaining combat strength on the Elmo into a tactical extraction team. The job will be to escort Groza, Monsoon, and Zucchero squads back to the Elmo safely.接下来我会整合艾莫号上的剩余战力，组成一支战术接应队伍，负责将闪电、季风和方糖三支小队平安护送回艾莫号。

CommanderI'd like you to lead and command them, for the time being.我希望暂时由你来带队指挥。

CheyanneBut...可是……

CheyanneI only just joined the Elmo—I'm not really...我才刚来艾莫号，还不太……

CommanderI humbly disagree. From what I've observed of you recently, you've plenty of combat experience and solid team coordination. It places you as the most fitting choice for commanding a temporary task force such as this.不，从我最近对你的观察来看，你实战经验很丰富，协调能力也不错。指挥这种临时调派的小队，你是最合适的人选。

CommanderAvoid direct conflict. Your top priority is everyone's safety.尽量不要和敌人发生正面冲突，以保障大家的安全为优先任务。

Cheyanne...……

CheyanneI understand. Thank you for trusting me, Commander.我明白了。指挥官，感谢您的认可。

CommanderI'll be focusing on controlling the Elmo, so for now, I'm placing you as second-in-command for this whole operation. Should something unforeseen happen during the return trip, you may command the others at your discretion.我接下来会专注于对艾莫号的控制，所以暂时会把整个战场的次级指挥权交给你。如果回程过程中遭遇了意外情况，你可以直接对大家下达命令。

Commander—In short, I'll leave on-the-ground situational judgements up to you.——总之，战场上的具体情况由你来判断就好。

CheyanneYes, sir.是。

CheyanneI will absolutely live up to your trust.我绝对不会辜负您的信任。

(With tactics settled, Cheyanne departs with Basti, Qiuhua, Sabrina, and Lewis.)（安排好战术后，夏安带着贝丝蒂、秋桦、塞布丽娜与刘易斯离开了。）

(After that, Mayling keeps the Elmo at a safe distance from the combat area—just out of range of the enemy's radar.)（随后，美玲一直让艾莫号与主战场保持着不会被敌人的雷达发现的安全距离。）

CommanderMayling, once you see everyone break free from the enemy, you can move the Elmo in a little closer.美玲，看到大家平安脱离之后，就可以把艾莫号开得更近一点了。

MaylingBut if we do that, we'll expose the Elmo's position!可是这样的话，艾莫号的位置会暴露的！

CommanderIt's fine.没关系。

MaylingBut...可是……

CommanderWe're not far from the Red Zone. Once we've picked up Groza and the others, we can just move the Elmo near the Red Zone and lie low for a while.我们目前的位置离红区不远，只要接到闪电她们，就可以把艾莫号开到红区附近暂时避一避。

CommanderIf the people chasing us truly are bounty hunters, the bounty they'd earn from my head wouldn't be enough to split amongst them, considering the sheer size of their all-human force.如果对方真的是赏金猎人，出动了这么大规模的队伍来追捕我们，作战单位又都是普通的人类，赏金本来就不够分。

CommanderIf they follow us into the Red Zone, what they'd get individually wouldn't be able to cover the costs of treating radiation sickness.如果跟着我们进红区，恐怕每个人拿到的赏金，还不够治疗辐射病的。

CommanderIt's risk-reward. Frankly speaking, it wouldn't be worth it for them.所以，他们未必肯冒这个险。

(Then again, if they aren't simply bounty hunters, that's another situation entirely...)（但如果对方的身份不单纯，那就是另一种状况了……）

(Outside the Elmo, the sounds of combat screech ever louder and louder.)（艾莫号之外，战场上的交火声越来越刺耳。）

(I monitor the status of every Doll, nerves taut, ready to react the moment we run into any sudden situation.)（我神经紧绷地盯着每一个人形的情况，以便能在遇到状况的第一时间做出反应。）

CheyanneCommander, we have a bit of a situation here.指挥官，这边出了一点状况。

CheyanneSomething's not right with Nemesis. We're working with the other three members of Team Groza to bring her back.纳美西丝的情况不太对，我们正在协助闪电小队的其余三名队员想办法带她回来。

CommanderWhat... Nemesis?什么……纳美西丝？

CommanderDid she get hurt?她受伤了吗？

CheyanneNo...不……

CheyanneTeam Groza was just about to pull out of combat when Nemesis' frame started going out of control. She can't take part in combat at all.本来闪电小队已经准备从交火中心撤出，但纳美西丝的素体似乎不太受控制，完全没办法参与作战行动。

CheyanneI'm taking over her duties now to provide covering fire for Team Groza.现在由我来接替她的位置，进行对闪电小队的火力掩护。

CheyanneCommander, I may not be able to hold out for very long... but I'll do everything I can to complete the task you've given me.指挥官，我或许没办法支撑太久……但我会尽力完成您交给我的任务的。

CommanderYou've done well.你做得很好。

CommanderCheyanne, I'm leaving command of the frontline to you for now.夏安，前线的指挥暂时就拜托你了。

(Having given Cheyanne her instructions, I turn to Mayling.)（向夏安交代完，我转向美玲。）

CommanderMayling, how far are we from Team Groza?美玲，我们离闪电小队还有多远？

MaylingPosition on the radar shows that we are... about 500 meters away!雷达上的显示位置……大约500米！

CommanderWe are close enough... If we drop our cloak from this distance, the enemy should spot us in no time.足够近了……如果从这个位置解除隐蔽，敌人应该很快就会发现我们。

MaylingWait, Commander... do you mean...等等，指挥官……您的意思是……

CommanderCheyanne and the others have already finished constructing the landing zone, securing the Dolls' retreat route. Now all we need to do is divert the enemy's attention to give them a chance to break away.刚刚夏安她们已经完成我方着陆区的构筑，确保了撤退的路线。现在只要分散敌人的注意力，让她们有机会脱身即可。

CommanderI'm planning to have the Elmo take on that role.我准备让艾莫号承担这方面的功能。

MaylingBut that puts the Elmo at risk of getting attacked again! After all the trouble we went through to—但这样的话，艾莫号也有受到敌人的攻击的风险啊！之前好不容易才——

CommanderRest assured. All repairs will be funded and approved, no holds barred.放心吧，之后修车的资金，我会痛快地拨款的。

MaylingAlright, if you say so...既然您都这么说了……

(Mayling taps the controls a few times, dropping the Elmo's electronic radar camouflage.)（美玲在操作面板上点击了几下，取消了艾莫号在雷达上的电子迷彩。）

(The instant the Elmo drops its cloak, the heavy weapons that the enemy has been holding back on waste no time joining the party.)（而就在基地车解除隐蔽的瞬间，敌人沉寂已久的重火力装备也迫不及待招呼了上来。）

MaylingUwaaaaaaah—the enemy's firepower is way stronger than I imagined!呜啊啊啊啊——敌人的火力比想象中猛多了啊！

MaylingCommander, can the Elmo really hold out?!指挥官，艾莫号真的能撑得住吗？

CommanderWh-Whatever the case... start by activating the force field and defense systems!总、总之……先把力场盾和防御系统开起来！

("Boom—" "Bang—")（“轰——”“砰——”）

(Shells explode one after another around the Elmo.)（炮弹的爆炸声在艾莫号周围接二连三地炸开。）

(Thanks to the recently installed anti-air defense system, the Elmo only suffers shrapnel grazes amid the bombardment. Even so, I can't be sure if we'll be able to drive the Elmo into the Red Zone smoothly after picking up the squads outside.)（得益于最近安装的对空防御系统，艾莫号在狂轰滥炸中所遭受的仅仅是弹片的擦伤，不过我也不确定在接到外面的几支小队之后，还能不能顺利把基地车开到红区。）

(Whatever happens, getting the Dolls I sent out back onto the Elmo is my top priority at this moment.)（但无论如何，把派出去的人形接应回艾莫号上，是现在的第一要务。）

MaylingCommander... grab the handrail!指挥官……抓好扶手！

("Whoosh—")（“咻——”）

(The sound of the incoming shell draws closer. After a violent shudder, the shell tears a wound through the Elmo's force field.)（炮弹划过的声音越来越近，随着一阵剧烈的晃动，炮弹将艾莫号的力场盾撕开了一个口子。）

(What follows is yet another round of ear-shattering screeches, signifying steel cutting through the air—)（紧接着，又是一阵金属摩擦空气的尖锐爆鸣——）

MaylingUwaahhhh—呜哇哇哇哇——

MaylingThe Elmo's appearance was way too effective!艾莫号的出现，可真是太有效果了！

CommanderNow everyone should have a chance to retreat!现在大家应该有机会撤退了！

(As if to confirm what I've been saying, the Elmo's comms light up one after another with replies from the squads.)（像是印证我的话一般，艾莫号的通讯器接二连三地响起了几支小队的回应。）

SpringfieldCommander, the Elmo has drawn away nearly all the enemy's reinforcements! We managed to cut their engagement with Team Groza!指挥官，敌人的增援部队几乎全都被艾莫号吸引走了，我们这边已切断敌人对闪电小队的火力线！

SpringfieldStill... are you all able to hold out over there?不过……你们那边还撑得住吗？

CommanderDon't worry. They can't do much damage to the Elmo right now.不用担心，他们现在对艾莫号还造成不了太严重的伤害。

ZhaohuiMonsoon Squad has also adjusted our tactics—we're carrying out pinpoint strikes against the enemy's harassment units.季风小队也已更改战术，对敌人的干扰单位进行定点打击。

CommanderAlright, you're all doing great!嗯，你们做得很好！

CommanderCheyanne, what's your status? Any chance to pull back?夏安，你们怎么样了？有机会撤回来吗？

CheyanneWe just successfully linked up with Team Groza. Right now, we are moving toward the landing zone at top speed... ETA five minutes to boarding.我们和闪电小队刚刚成功汇合，目前正在以最快速度朝着陆区靠拢……预计五分钟后可以登机。

CheyanneCommander... thank you!指挥官……谢谢您！

CommanderI'm just glad you're all coming back safe... Zhaohui, Springfield, have Monsoon Squad and Zucchero Squad prepare to retreat!能平安回来就好……朝晖，春田，带着季风小队和方糖小队准备撤退！

(Some minutes later, I see all four squads on the radar successfully board the drones, approaching the Elmo's position from the air.)（几分钟后，我看到雷达上的四支小队成功登上无人机，正从空中接近艾莫号的位置。）

CommanderMayling, locate the closest Red Zone coordinates... we have to retreat as well!美玲，定位最近的红区坐标……我们也必须得撤了！

MaylingGreat! I've shared our coordinates to your terminals!好！我把坐标共享到终端了！

(Once the coordinates pop up, the systems automatically calculate the optimal pickup and retreat route.)（坐标的位置跳出来后，系统自动计算了接应和撤退的最佳路线。）

(The closest Red Zone is roughly 50 km away. With the Elmo's speed in mind, we should be able to shake our pursuers within an hour if things go smoothly.)（距离我们最近的红区大约有50km，以艾莫号的速度来看，顺利的话不到一小时就能摆脱追击。）

CheyanneCommander, everyone outside has managed to disengage!指挥官，外面的大家全都脱离战场了！

CommanderWell done. Mayling, begin the retreat along the route I just laid out!做得好。美玲，就按照刚才的路线执行撤离行动吧！

MaylingGot it! Everyone, stay sharp—I'm turning off the Elmo's defense mode!好！大家小心，我要解除艾莫号的防御模式了！

(Once we confirm that everyone has been brought aboard, Mayling drops the force field and the vector engine restrictions. The Elmo begins running at full speed.)（确认大家都转移完毕后，美玲解除了力场盾和向力引擎的运转限制，艾莫号开始全速运转。）

("Boom-boom-boom-boom—")（“轰轰轰轰——”）

(Without the protection of defense mode, the attacks on the Elmo immediately take a turn for the worse.)（缺少了防御模式的保护，艾莫号遭受的攻击立刻变得剧烈了起来。）

(Treading the wastes at full speed, the Elmo weaves through shells falling like rain. Thanks to Mayling's exceptional driving, we manage to avoid being overwhelmed by the barrage.)（全速前进的艾莫号在如同雨点般落下的炮弹中穿梭，多亏了美玲高超的驾驶技术，才能保证我们不被那些炮火淹没。）

(But the Elmo can't return fire while moving at full speed. I quickly feel the enemy's attacks becoming more intense.)（但全速移动起来的艾莫号无法反击，我很快就感受到敌人的袭击变得更加肆无忌惮了起来。）

MaylingC-Commander! The enemy's weapons... seem much more powerful than what we've faced before!指、指挥官！敌人的装备……好像比之前遇到的那些都过分啊！

MaylingWe can't dodge them all!我们要躲不开了！

CommanderBrace for impact—准备迎接冲击——

("Boom—")（“轰——”）

(Mayling barely manages to swerve away from one shell, but another slams squarely into the side armor. Mayling and I are thrown sideways by the shock.)（美玲只来得及避开其中一发，但另外一发则结结实实打在了侧面的钢板上。我和美玲被震得朝一侧倒去。）

CommanderUgh... what fierce firepower...!呃……好猛烈的火力……！

CommanderMayling—!美玲——！

MaylingUwahhh... I'm okay! But if this keeps up, our escape route will be cut off!呜哇哇……我没事！但是这样下去，逃跑路线会被阻断的！

(As if to confirm Mayling's statement, I hear several more shells streak past the Elmo's roof.)（像是印证美玲的话语一般，我又听到几发炮弹的声音划过艾莫号的车顶。）

Mayling...Eh?……诶？

CommanderWas it a dud?空炮？

(The expected shudder never comes.)（想象中的震颤并没有到来。）

CommanderWe need to check if we got hit—we should have been hit.确认着弹情况，应该是被命中了才对。

(Just as I worry that the enemy might be using something worse than ordinary shells, a familiar, reassuring voice comes through the earpiece.)（正在我担心敌方是否使用了比一般炮弹更糟糕的武器时，耳机里传来了一个熟悉且令人心安的声音。）

AlvaDid we make it in time, Commander?指挥官，我们赶上了吗？

(I look up after hearing the sound of rotors over the comms, and notice what appears to be a small figure on a circling helicopter, waving in the Elmo's direction.)（循着通讯器里螺旋桨的声音，我抬起头，看到盘旋在空中的直升机上的一个小点似乎在朝艾莫号的方向挥手。）

(Alva and Voymastina have been away from the Elmo for long stretches ever since the Lviv incident. They do it to honor their agreement with Statesec, operating across the URNC to carry out various missions.)（自利沃夫事件以来，为履行与国安局的协定，埃芙和威玛西娜长期都不在艾莫号上，而是在罗联各地奔波，以完成各项任务。）

(To be honest, I wasn't expecting them to be back this soon. Judging by the timing, they might have been handling a mission nearby.)（老实说，我都没想到她们这么快就会回来，从时间来推算，说不定只是刚好在处理附近的任务而已。）

CommanderYou came at just the right moment!来得正是时候！

AlvaGlad to hear it.太好了。

AlvaDon't worry, Commander. Voymastina is on the ground, laying down fire on the enemy. Once they've been pushed back, we'll help everyone retreat to the Elmo.别担心，指挥官。威玛西娜正在地面对敌人实行火力打击，暂时击退敌人后，我们会协助大家撤退到艾莫号上。

AlvaI'm sending the rendezvous coordinates to the Elmo's receiver now. We've already scouted the area in advance. It's the safest place in the vicinity.我现在将汇合坐标发送到艾莫号的接收器，我们已经提前考察过，那片区域是附近区域最安全的地形。

Commander...Scouted?……考察？

AlvaMm. Hard to explain over comms—let's talk in detail when we meet.嗯。通讯里不方便多说，等我们见面之后再详谈吧。

AlvaWe also brought a Statesec specialist with us this time. She'll help us get the Elmo out of danger.这次一起同行的还有一位国安局的专员，她会同我们一起协助艾莫号脱离危机。

CommanderUnderstood. Thank you for the assist.明白，谢谢你们的协助。

CommanderMayling, once we pull out of the engagement zone, deploy the helipad so Alva and the others can land.美玲，退出交火区域后展开停机坪，让埃芙她们备降。

MaylingGot it!好！

New Friend 新伙伴

AlvaCommander, long time no see. DEFY has returned.指挥官，好久不见，忤逆小队现在回归。

AlvaVoymastina is currently intercepting those bounty hunters on the perimeter. Once that's wrapped up, she'll come back with the others.威玛西娜正在外围阻击那些赏金猎人，事情结束后会和大家一起过来。

CommanderWait, just her, alone? Even with the Elmo's support, a single Doll...等等，她一个人吗？就算有艾莫号上的支援也……

AlvaShe's just keeping them at bay. Sinbreaker should be able to handle most situations encountered.只是阻击程度的作战，断罪者机甲应该可以应付大多数情形。

AlvaWhile we were back at Statesec, we requested the use of some special automated equipment, which can help make up for our shortage in personnel.而且这次回去，我们通过国安局那边申请了一些特殊的自动化装备，可以有效弥补人手上的缺陷。

AlvaCombining our strength with M200 and the others... oh, right, I should call her Cheyanne now. Her squad is also helping Voymastina, so it's only a matter of time before we shake off those bounty hunters.再加上M200她们……对了，现在应该称呼夏安了。她的队伍也在协助威玛西娜进行善后，摆脱那些赏金猎人的追击只是时间问题。

CommanderIt's a workable combat plan. Thank you for the help.确实是可行的作战方案，那就辛苦大家了。

AlvaOh, and this is—对了，这位是——

(Alva steps to the side, revealing an unfamiliar Doll behind her.)（埃芙侧过身，露出她身后的一位陌生的人形。）

(This must be the "Statesec specialist" she mentioned earlier, who would be working with us.)（看来她刚才向我报备的一起行动的“国安局专员”，想必就是这一位了。）

Unfamiliar DollSo this is the Commander, huh... Nice to meet you...?指挥官么……初次见面，您好……？

(The unfamiliar Doll gives me a mysterious wink. For some reason, I feel as though I've seen her somewhere before.)（陌生的人形神秘地对我眨了眨眼。不知道为什么，我总觉得似乎在哪里见过她。）

CommanderDo you know me from somewhere?你认识我么？

Unfamiliar DollWell... sort of?大概……算是？

Unfamiliar DollAlva and Voymastina have shown me your file... if that counts as knowing you.埃芙和威玛西娜给我看过您的资料……如果这样算是认识的话呢。

Unfamiliar DollSince I'm the one who knows the Commander's name... that seems a little unfair, doesn't it?不过只有我单方面知道指挥官的名字……是不是有些不公平？

Unfamiliar DollHehe... It might be better if I formally introduced myself, perhaps...?呵呵……还是向您正式地自我介绍一下会比较好……？

(The unfamiliar Doll extends her hand toward me with an indecipherable smile on her face.)（陌生人形带着一种捉摸不透的笑意朝我伸出手。）

PerityaI am a Doll from a Special Operations Task Force, under Statesec of the Neo Soviet Union District... Peritya.我是隶属于新苏联大区国安局下辖特别行动小组的人形……佩里缇亚。

(Statesec... Peritya. Wait. Isn't that name...?!)（国安局……佩里缇亚，这个名字不就是……！）

(I realize that Peritya might be that Statesec Doll with some connection to Groza...)（我意识到佩里缇亚或许就是之前似乎与闪电有关的国安局人形……）

(But now isn't the time for that topic. Besides, I still don't know her exact identity... let's hear what Alva and the others have to say first.)（但现在不是说这个的时候。况且我还不清楚她具体的身份……还是先听听埃芙她们怎么说吧。）

PerityaMy mission this time... uhm... let me see...这次的任务……唔……我看看……

PerityaIs to temporarily serve as Alva and Voymastina's partner... I think?是暂时担任埃芙和威玛西娜的搭档……吧？

AlvaThat's right. Peritya has served Statesec for a long time. Having participated in numerous extreme-risk covert operations, she has proven to be an experienced and highly reliable companion.没错。佩里缇亚从很久以前开始就服务于国安局，曾经参与过多起风险极高的秘密行动，是一位经验丰富且非常可靠的伙伴。

(I study Peritya carefully. If she's a Statesec Doll who carries out covert missions, I should be sure that I've never seen her before. So where does this sense of familiarity come from...)（我仔细端详着佩里缇亚。既然她是国安局执行秘密任务的人形，我应该能确定之前没有见过她才对。可这种熟悉感究竟是……）

DandelionOh my, looks like the Elmo has gained yet another reliable companion~啊呀，看来艾莫号上又多了一位可靠的同伴呢~

Peritya...?……？

(Peritya's gaze shifts to the holographic projection behind me. Dandelion sizes Peritya up, her expression carrying a meaningful undertone.)（佩里缇亚的目光移动到我身后的全息影像上。丹德莱打量着佩里缇亚，表情有些意味深长。）

DandelionIt is truly an honor to meet you at such a critical moment.在这种关键的时机相遇，实在是太荣幸了。

PerityaThis... must be Miss Dandelion...看来这位……一定是丹德莱小姐了……

PerityaI hit the mark... right?我说的……应该没错吧？

DandelionYou've even heard of me by name? "Statesec" Dolls really ARE remarkably resourceful.连我的名字都已经打听到了么？“国安局”的人形，还真是神通广大呢。

PerityaThe ability to gather intel... is a necessary skill for a Statesec Doll, after all.毕竟身为国安局的人形……擅长收集情报是必要的功课哦。

PerityaYou're a senior consultant hired by the URNC government... and the creator of the URNC system's super AIs "Heli" and "Iphi"... Surely, you must be aware of this, right...?作为罗联政府聘请的高级顾问……甚至是罗联系统的超级AI“赫利”与“伊菲”的缔造者，您应该也有所了解吧……？

DandelionSo even MY information can be found through Statesec's intel network, huh~原来有关我的信息，也能通过国安局的情报网收集到~

DandelionLooks like I really do need to mind my words in the future.看来以后真的要谨言慎行了。

PerityaRelax... information about you has not been disseminated en masse.请放心……关于您的信息，并没有被大规模披露过呢……

PerityaI just happened to obtain some accounts of your exploits... through certain special channels of information...我也是通过某些特殊的渠道，偶然获取到了关于您的事迹……

PerityaMm... That's surprising, but that's how it is.嗯……很让人惊讶……但的确就是这样哦。

DandelionSpecial channels, huh...特殊渠道么……

DandelionHehe~ Now I really am curious, just how special are these channels~?呵呵~还真有点想知道，这渠道到底有多特殊呢~

PerityaAre you... engaging in humor with me?您是在……和我说笑么？

PerityaSorry... I'm not very good at that sort of thing...抱歉……我不太擅长这方面的事情……

PerityaBut since you are who you are, you must have foreseen long ago... that we would meet here, right?不过既然是您，应该早就已经预见到……我们会在此相见了吧？

DandelionI did smell a familiar presence drawing near. I just didn't expect that we would meet in this manner.我的确嗅到熟悉的气息接近了，没想到竟然是以这样的形式相遇呢。

DandelionMere fragments alone, yet they exude such a powerful pull...仅仅是些许的碎片，就散发着如此强大的吸引力……

DandelionSo this is how fate... gets woven together?原来命运……就是这样交织起来的么？

(I am completely lost, listening to Peritya and Dandelion go back-and-forth.)（听着佩里缇亚和丹德莱一来一往的对话，我实在是一头雾水。）

CommanderWhat sort of cryptic camaraderie are you two partaking in?你们俩到底在打什么哑谜？

(Unexpectedly, the two of them turn to look at me simultaneously, as if on cue.)（没想到二人像是商量好了一般，同时转过来看着我。）

Dandelion and PerityaNothing~没什么~

Commander...……

CommanderWell then, Alva, did Statesec assign you a new mission?那么，埃芙，国安局这次给了你们新的任务？

AlvaCorrect. I haven't had the chance to disclose our objective to you yet.正是，还没来得及向您披露我们这次的行动目标。

CommanderIt's okay if you can't tell me. I trust you.就算不告诉我也没关系，我相信你们。

AlvaTo us, you are already an inseparable part of the team, Commander. Of course you should know.对我们来说，指挥官已经是不可分割的一员，当然应该让您知道。

AlvaWe've been searching for clues related to the Lviv incident based on follow-up observations.基于对上次利沃夫的事件的后续观测，我们一直在寻找和当时事件发生时有关的线索。

AlvaAlthough Girard and Chiloveig's plan to activate the Relics was stopped, our logistics personnel detected an abnormal electromagnetic pulse during the incident, indicating that something really did happen.虽然吉拉尔和奇洛薇格开启遗迹的计划被阻止，但在事件发生期间，我们的后勤人员检测到了某种异常的电磁波动，表明当时的确有什么事情发生过。

Commander...……

(My memory of Lviv remains different from everyone else's...)（关于利沃夫的记忆，依然只有我和大家是不同的……）

(Alva doesn't notice my silence. She continues.)（埃芙没有注意到我的沉默，继续说了下去。）

AlvaSo, over our past few months away from the Elmo, we've been searching the Yellow Zones based on those data signatures. We captured similar signals several times, using them to locate Paradeus bases.所以最近几个月以来，离开艾莫号的期间，我们就一直在根据这些数据在黄区中搜寻，并且数次捕获到了类似的信号，以此来定位帕拉蒂斯的基地。

CommanderAre Paradeus bases continuously emitting signal pulses resembling Relic activation experiments...?帕拉蒂斯的基地在不断发出类似开启遗迹实验的信号波动么……

AlvaThey are. We destroyed several small Paradeus bases deep in the Yellow Zone based on these clues.是的。根据这些线索，我们已经捣毁了几个位于黄区深处的小型帕拉蒂斯据点。

AlvaEvery last one of them was conducting Boojum production, without exception.这些据点无一例外，都在进行生成伯介姆的作业。

AlvaCombined with those records left by our fallen Statesec comrades, we can confirm that Paradeus is mass-producing Boojums in a deliberate manner, and they are gathering them to achieve some specific purpose.再加上之前牺牲的国安局同志留下的资料，我们可以确定帕拉蒂斯正在成批量有计划地培育伯介姆，并准备将它们集合起来实现某些目的。

CommanderSo they aren't making Boojums just to expand their forces...看来他们制造伯介姆并不只是为了扩充战力……

CommanderHave you found anything else?还有什么其他的发现么？

AlvaUnfortunately, all we have is some recorded footage. None of the investigators survived...很遗憾，我们能够得到的就只有一些影像资料，所有调查者都没能生还……

AlvaThese incidents have caused quite a stir within the URNC. Large-scale operations may begin soon... Miss Nele and Mr. Kevin encouraged us to pursue our investigation through other channels for now.目前这些事件在罗联内部引起了不小的骚动，可能很快就会有大规模的行动……奈乐小姐和凯文先生他们就劝我们先从其他路线进行调查。

CommanderI remember now, you mentioned earlier that they helped retrofit Voymastina's armor...对了，你之前说他们帮忙改造了威玛西娜的机甲……

(I find myself caught in a brief moment of nostalgia upon hearing the names of those two individuals.)（埃芙提到这两个熟悉的名字时，我也有了一瞬间的恍惚。）

(It's been ten years. I wonder how they look now...)（十年没见，不知道他们现在变成什么样子了……）

AlvaIndeed. We began to contact them more frequently after the Lviv incident.是的。利沃夫的事发生后，我们的联系也更加频繁了。

AlvaThey both believe that these fluctuations are an unusual prelude to something, but as the URNC stands now... these matters cannot be made public under the name of "Paradeus's crimes," nor can an investigation be opened on those grounds.他们都认为那种波动是不同寻常的预兆，但是以目前的罗联……这件事无法以“帕拉蒂斯的罪行”被公之于众，也不会以此名义展开调查。

CommanderSo you guys traced those clues all the way here?所以你们就根据这些线索，追查到了这里？

AlvaWe did. About 12 hours ago, we detected an abnormal electromagnetic pulse from a nearby Red Zone.嗯。十几个小时前，我们监测到一阵位于附近红区内的异常电磁波动。

AlvaAfter analysis, we found that it shared a similar signature as the previous pulses—that pulse is the strongest that's been recorded since the Lviv incident.经过测定，我们发现它和之前的那些波动类型很相似，而且是利沃夫事件之后最强烈的一次。

AlvaBecause of that, we applied to Statesec for "emergency response authority". Since this mission required entering the Red Zone and demanded careful action, the higher-ups dispatched Peritya to assist us, in hopes that we could start investigating the source of the pulse ASAP.于是我们向国安局申请“紧急状态反应权限”。由于这次任务需要进入红区探查，需要谨慎行动，上面就调派了佩里缇亚来协助我们，希望能第一时间前往波动的发源地进行探查。

AlvaWe were on our way to the source when we spotted the battle you guys were engaged in.正在朝波动的发源地赶过去的时候，就遇到了你们遭遇的这次袭击。

CommanderNow that you've mentioned it, we did just detect something similar...说起来，我们刚才也监测到了类似的情况……

AlvaYou picked up on it too, Commander?指挥官这边也察觉到了么？

(I give Alva a brief account of what happened earlier.)（我将之前发生的事情大致给埃芙讲了一遍。）

AlvaAbnormal coordinates retrieved from a third-gen Doll's neural cloud...在三代人形的心智中破获了异常的坐标……

AlvaSo... Commander, you're investigating the third-gen Doll you have on your vehicle?所以……指挥官，您在调查您留在车上的那位三代人形，对么？

CommanderI just want to find leads on Paradeus.我只是想找出有关帕拉蒂斯的线索。

CommanderThe two of you experienced the incident at Lviv with me. You understand the connection between third-gen Dolls and Paradeus.利沃夫的事件你们和我一起经历过，应该明白三代人形与帕拉蒂斯之间有着怎样的联系。

AlvaI do, but...的确，但是……

(Alva pauses to think for a moment. When she speaks again, there's hesitation in her voice.)（埃芙思索了片刻，再次开口时，语气却显得犹豫。）

AlvaCommander, you should know—although Voymastina and I have left Statesec, we still collaborate with them due to a great number of unfulfilled contractual terms. So, we have access to certain pieces of internal information.指挥官，您应该知道，虽然我和威玛西娜已经脱离了国安局，但出于大量未完成的委托条款，我们依旧在与其合作，也就能够接触到一些内部讯息。

AlvaAlthough its incompleteness might trouble you...尽管不完整的情报可能会对您造成困扰……

AlvaI still feel that I should disclose some intel to you—opinions on you are not unanimous within Statesec, Commander.但我觉得有必要对您透露一些事情——对于您的看法，目前国安局内部的意见并不统一。

CommanderIs that so? What are they saying?是么？另外那些人是怎么说的？

Alva"Only in turbulent times would men like him be deemed a hero. In times of peace, such men would be placed under the category of 'destabilizing factors'."“只有动乱的时代里，那些人才能被称为英雄。而在和平年代，他们只会被定义成‘不安定因素’。”

AlvaThat was how "that gentleman" answered me when I asked.我询问“那位先生”时，他这样回答我。

AlvaEven though Voymastina, Loreley, and I have all successfully provided proof of your innocence... it remains a fact that your influence on the world is growing.虽然我、威玛西娜，还有罗蕾莱都成功为您提供了清白的证明——可是，您的影响力越来越大是事实。

AlvaIn a short span of time since the Lviv incident, not only did you help overthrow Cecht FABN's factories in the Yellow Zone, you also signed a collaboration with the up-and-coming Connexion Corporation. These developments cannot be concealed, and more and more people will turn their attention to you, inevitably.从利沃夫之后的短暂时间内，您不但协助推翻了赛诺菲与法本集团在黄区的工厂，也和新兴企业链讯签订了合作条约，这些信息是无法掩盖的，您也注定会受到越来越多人的关注。

AlvaIf it were just that, Statesec would be glad to see your influence in the Yellow Zone grow stronger. But when your influence becomes entangled with matters concerning the Relics, the dissenting voices grow louder.如果只有这些，国安局乐见您在黄区拥有更强的影响力，可当您的影响力和遗迹相关的事联系到一起，内部的杂音就会增多。

Commander...……

AlvaOther than "Helena," the fact that there's a third-gen Doll on the Elmo... makes it difficult for you and your supporters to keep proving that you are innocent.除了“海伦娜”之外，艾莫号上还有三代人形这件事，无论是对于您还是支持您的人来说，都是个很难完全澄清的问题。

AlvaStatesec may turn a blind eye to certain things internally, but this particular issue is a rather critical one.虽然内部可以睁一只眼闭一只眼，可这件事是个很关键的把柄。

AlvaIf our adversaries find a need, they could use this as a pretext to apply far greater pressure.如果有需要，我们的对手可以用它为由头施加更大的压力。

CommanderSo, you're suggesting I let the Conglomerate take them back, allowing them to keep helping Paradeus?所以，你们是想建议我放任财团把她们重新收归，继续支持帕拉蒂斯？

AlvaCommander, you should know... that we would never suggest as such.指挥官，您应该明白……我们绝不会进行这样的建议。

AlvaDEFY, Kalina, and the former Griffin Dolls who fought alongside you—it's a no brainer that we trust you. However, within the URNC, such individuals are lacking in number.与您并肩作战过的忤逆以及格琳娜，还有原格里芬的人形们，大家都自然信任着您，可是在罗联内部，这样的人显然还不够多。

AlvaWhich is why "that gentleman" wishes to better understand your current intentions.因此“那位先生”想进一步了解您现在的想法。

CommanderAs a fugitive wanted by the URNC, I assumed my intentions no longer mattered.作为罗联的通缉犯，我还以为怎么想的已经不重要了。

AlvaNo, they do matter. Not just to "that gentleman". It matters to me, and to DEFY as well.不，当然重要。不管是对于“那位先生”，其实对于我，还有忤逆来说，也很重要。

AlvaCommander, Ange left us... and it was not because she did anything wrong.指挥官，安洁之所以会离开我们，也并不是因为她做错了什么。

AlvaThere aren't many people like you left in this world, Commander.在这个世界上，像您这样的人已经屈指可数。

AlvaWe can't afford to lose any more.我们不能再继续失去了。

Commander...……

CommanderAlva, I understand your concerns... but third-gen Dolls are the strongest lead I have.埃芙，我理解你们的担忧……但三代人形是我手中最大的线索。

CommanderI know this is risky in every sense... but if I let such obstacles make me hesitate, things like the Lviv incident will happen again and again.我知道这在各种意义上来说都很冒险……可是如果我因为某些阻碍就畏首畏尾，像利沃夫那样的事情就会再发生不止一次。

CommanderWhether it's destroying Paradeus labs, investigating third-gen Dolls, or the debacle I caused in Mokosh... I realized that so long as I do something, there's a possibility that I can improve the lives of those I hold dear... even if it's only by a little.摧毁帕拉蒂斯的实验室也好，调查三代人形也好，还有在莫科什发生过的那些事……我发现只要做些什么，就有机会改变我所在乎的那些人的处境……哪怕只是一点点。

CommanderThat's why I want to keep moving forward on this path... Whether I'm labeled as a "hero" or a "criminal".所以我想要继续下去……无论是以“英雄”的名义，还是以“罪犯”的身份。

CommanderThese are things I've wanted to do for a long time. Thanks to that warrant from the URNC, my reservations have been completely cleared away.这些事我很久之前就想做了，多亏了罗联的一纸通缉令，彻底把我的顾虑消除了。

CommanderWe've already reached the worst-case scenario, so why not just go all out?既然已经到了最坏的地步，那不如就放手去大干一场？

CommanderAnd as for Ange, whom you mentioned earlier... You could say that the things she once did pushed me to make a decision.至于你刚才提到安洁……不如说，她曾经做过的那些事，也是促使我做出决定的原因之一。

CommanderAnge did once fall into the dark... but before she left us, what was reflected in her eyes... was the dawn.安洁的确曾经倒在黑暗里……但在她离开之前，眼里映出的是黎明的景色。

Alva...……

CommanderPerhaps I just... stubbornly want to bring about the world that she, and so many others like her, envisioned. And now, I feel that I can do far more compared to who I was a decade back.可能我只是……任性地想实现她、或者许多像她这样的人看到的景色吧。而且到目前为止，我觉得我能做到的事比十年前更多。

CommanderStrange, isn't it? The forces I can call upon now don't even amount to a tenth of what I had before... yet still...真奇怪，明明现在的我能调用的力量，甚至不及从前的十分之一……

AlvaCommander... To be frank, your words make me happy, but they also worry me a little.指挥官……坦白说，您的话让我觉得开心，但也有些担心。

AlvaEven so, I'm convinced, once again, that DEFY's choice to follow you was the right one.不过无论如何我都再次确信，忤逆选择追随您，是无比正确的抉择。

CommanderThank you.谢谢。

(With that in mind, Alva taps her earpiece. The indicator on her comms module goes dark.)（说完这些，埃芙敲了敲耳机，她耳边通讯模块的指示灯熄灭了。）

(She leans in close and speaks in a whisper just beside my ear.)（她凑近我，用耳语的音量在我耳边开口。）

AlvaCommander, what I'm about to say is just a personal reminder from me.指挥官，接下来的话，只是我的私人提醒。

AlvaIf you intend to investigate or make contact with third-gen Dolls and the developer behind them in any way... Please make sure Voymastina and I are present as your escort.如果您想要对三代人形，及其背后的开发者进行任何调查或接触，务必都请让我和威玛西娜作为护卫参与。

Commander...Why?……为什么？

AlvaStatesec hasn't reached a conclusion yet, but our available intel is enough for us to derive an obvious one: That our opponent is unlike any enemy we've faced so far and the extent of the danger is incalculable.国安局没有定论，但已知情报已经足够推导出明显的结论——对方是和迄今为止我们面对的敌人都不一样的危险分子，程度无法估量。

(Alva then turns her comms module back on, picks up a tablet, and projects a set of coordinates onto the terminal in front of me.)（随后埃芙重新打开通讯模块，拿起平板，将一个坐标投到了我面前的终端上。）

AlvaSince both the leads among us point to the same dangerous region, something likely did happen there.既然我们手中的线索都指向那片危险的区域，看来在那里的确有什么事发生过。

AlvaPeritya, can you help me adjust the map to the region that the pulse originated from?佩里缇亚，能帮我从地图上调出波动的具体区域么？

PerityaMmhm~ Of course I can. I thought you and the Commander were going to whisper in private for longer.嗯哼~好的。我还以为埃芙你要和指挥官说很久的悄悄话呢。

AlvaWe're on duty now. Those were just routine work-related discussions...现在是工作时间，这些不过是与工作相关的例行沟通……

PerityaHehe, yes, yes, sure... I understand~呵呵，是是是……我明白呢~

(Peritya smiles, then projects a map into the air showing the coordinates.)（佩里缇亚笑着将显示着坐标数据的地图投影到空中。）

CommanderRight here...就是这里……

CommanderInside the Red Zone, 34km west of Prague's center.距离布拉格中心点向西34km的红区范围内。

AlvaThen our objective is clear.那么，目标已经很明确了。

AlvaCommander, we should now—指挥官，接下来——

(Alva is about to say something, but she's cut off by a sudden commotion.)（埃芙正准备说些什么，便被一阵嘈杂的声音打断了。）

(Right after, the door to the Elmo's Ops room opens. Krolik walks in as she argues with the Dolls beside her about something.)（紧接着，艾莫号舱室大门打开了，克罗丽科一边走进门，一边和身边的人形们争执着什么事。）

(Yet the moment she lifts her head, she stops dead in her tracks, as though she just saw a ghost.)（然而当她抬起头的瞬间，却仿佛见了鬼似的，直愣愣地站在原地。）

Krolik...Y-you—why are you here?!……你、你怎么会在这里？！

(I look towards Krolik and realize that the "you" she's referring to is none other than Peritya, who has only just arrived on the Elmo today for the first time.)（我看向克罗丽科，发现她口中所说的“你”，就是今天第一次来到艾莫号上的佩里缇亚。）

(I wanted everyone to have a nice sit-down conversation after everything serious was settled, but from the look on Krolik's face, this is probably not the right moment for that.)（本来还想等事情处理完，大家坐下来一起好好聊聊，但看克罗丽科的样子，恐怕现在并非能好好聊聊的时机。）

CommanderKrolik, is this the Peritya you've been searching for all this time?克罗丽科，这位就是你一直在寻找的佩里缇亚吗？

Krolik...Of course.……当然。

KrolikIf it weren't for her, I, I—如果没有她，我、我——

KrolikForget it, I'm just glad that you're safe! I actually have so many things I wanted to tell you...算了，总之你没事就好！我其实有很多话想跟你说来着……

KrolikThe Elmo is a wonderful place. From now on, why don't you—艾莫号是个很不错的地方，接下来你就在这里——

KrolikHey, Peritya?喂，佩里缇亚？

(Sensing the confusion in Peritya's eyes, Krolik tentatively calls out to the other Doll by name.)（似乎是看出了佩里缇亚眼中的迷茫，克罗丽科试探性地叫了一声对方的名字。）

PerityaHave you... met me before?您曾经……见过我？

PerityaHmm... That seems... to be the case.唔……似乎……是如此呢。

Krolik...…………………………

(Through the long silence, Krolik's expression shifts from confusion to displeasure—until, finally, it boils over into a fury that makes her charge forward.)（漫长的沉默中，克罗丽科面部的表情从疑惑变成了不悦，最终她带着一种夹杂着不可思议的愤慨神情冲了上来。）

KrolikThere's a limit to how far you can take a joke!开玩笑也要有个限度吧！

KrolikI thought you got hauled off to be scrapped by those Doll arena bastards back then! Do you have any idea how worried I was?!当时我都以为你被那群人形角斗场的王八蛋拉去销毁了！你知不知道我到底有多担心你？

KrolikI was originally planning... to thank you properly when I saw you again!明明打算再见到你的时候……要向你好好道谢的！

KrolikBut what kind of attitude is this?! We were... we were... hey!你这是什么态度啊，我们可是，我们可是……喂！

KrolikYou're tanking my rep by reacting like that!你这种反应——真的会让人很没面子的啊！

(Krolik grabs Peritya by the collar. Their eyes lock, as though she were trying to dig out memories of herself buried deep within Peritya's neural cloud.)（克罗丽科抓起佩里缇亚的衣领，四目相对之间，仿佛想要把对方心智中关于自己的记忆挖出来。）

(The standoff drags on—until a tall figure appears, places a hand on each of their shoulders, and pulls the two of them apart with ease.)（场面就这样僵持了一阵——直到一个高大的身影出现，按着佩里缇亚和克罗丽科的肩膀，轻而易举地把两个人从中间分开了。）

VoymastinaPlease do not interfere with Statesec personnel on duty.请不要妨碍国安局的公务人员。

Krolik—Hah?!——哈？！

AlvaI'm sorry, Miss Krolik. I didn't have the chance to explain just now...抱歉，克罗丽科小姐，刚才还没来得及解释……

AlvaPeritya suffered damage to her neural cloud in a previous mission. She can no longer remember many things.佩里缇亚在之前的任务里心智受到过损伤，许多事情都记不起来了。

AlvaSo... She's not pretending that she doesn't know you.所以……她并非故意装作不认识您。

KrolikMission? Neural cloud damage?任务？心智损伤？

KrolikSo you're saying she's with you guys...?所以你的意思是，她和你们是一伙的……？

AlvaMm. The Doll Arena mission you mentioned, was likely one of the incidents that damaged her neural cloud.嗯。您刚才提到的那次人形角斗场的任务，恐怕就是造成她心智损伤的事故之一。

AlvaAfter Statesec recovered Peritya, they assigned her to only handle support roles in field missions.所以国安局在回收了佩里缇亚之后，就只是安排她做一些协助类型的外勤任务了。

(Peritya doesn't seem to show any additional emotion in response to Krolik's big outburst. She simply smiles politely.)（佩里缇亚似乎并没有因为克罗丽科刚才的一番大闹产生额外的情绪波动，只是不失礼貌地朝她微笑着。）

KrolikA Statesec Doll...? So when you did all that in the arena, was it for a mission...? But if it was a mission, shouldn't you have looked out for yourself first?国安局的人形……难道在竞技场里你会那么做是因为任务……可有任务的话不应该更重视自己吗？

KrolikOh right, if her neural cloud was damaged, I can't even ask her about it...对了，既然心智损伤的话，就连问都问不出来了……

Krolik...Damn it... why... Nemesis is the same, too... They all make it so hard for me to rest easy.……可恶……为什么……纳美西丝那家伙也是……都这么不让人省心。

(Krolik says nothing more. As if struck by some kind of serious blow, she does something unlike herself—she walks to the corner of the room and sits down quietly.)（克罗丽科没有再说话。她像是受到了严重的挫折，一反常态地默默坐到了房间的角落。）

(Voymastina steps forward and hands me a document.)（威玛西娜走上前来，将一份文件递到我手上。）

VoymastinaCommander, I've brought back the Doll called Nemesis as you requested.指挥官，我按照您的要求，带回了那位叫纳美西丝的人形。

VoymastinaShe appears to have returned to normal and is currently undergoing a neural cloud scan in the repair pod.她看起来已经恢复了正常，目前正在维修舱内接受心智检测。

CommanderSo what exactly is going on...? Why did Nemesis suddenly malfunction?所以到底是怎么回事……为什么纳美西丝会突然出问题？

CommanderGroza, can you describe in detail what happened during the operation?闪电，你能详细描述一下当时的情况吗？

GrozaThings were pretty chaotic back then...当时情况有些混乱……

GrozaIt started while we were in combat with the enemy. Nemesis ignored several of my orders in succession and didn't respond to me calling her.最开始是我们和敌人战斗的时候，纳美西丝接连忽视了好几条指令，也没有对我的呼叫产生回应。

GrozaI assumed Nemesis had been pinned down by enemy fire and sent Krolik to break her free. However, once Krolik got close, she realized that Nemesis seemed different from her usual state—it looked like someone was interfering with her neural cloud...我以为是纳美西丝被敌人的火力困住了，就让克罗丽科过去解围。但等到近身之后才发现她的状态和平时不太一样，似乎是心智受到了干扰的表现……

CommanderNeural cloud interference again... Sextans had the same thing earlier...又是心智干扰……刚才的六分仪也是……

(I recall how, back when we accidentally stumbled into a Paradeus religious ceremony, Nemesis had reacted strangely to the proceedings.)（我回忆起前段时间意外深入白教的宗教仪式现场时，纳美西丝曾对帕拉蒂斯的仪式产生过反应的事。）

(Nemesis and Sextans malfunctioning one after another. Were they both affected because that pulse... was caused by Paradeus...?)（纳美西丝和六分仪的接连出现状况，难道都是因为这次的波动……是帕拉蒂斯造成的……）

CommanderI want to check on Nemesis.我想去看看纳美西丝的情况。

GrozaCommander...指挥官……

CommanderIt'll be alright.不会出什么问题的。

CommanderIf you're really worried about it... stay by my side, okay?如果你实在不放心……就陪在我身边，好么？

Groza...Understood.……我明白了。

(Groza follows behind me as we pass through the corridor and enter the maintenance room.)（闪电跟在我身后，穿过走廊，进入维修室内。）

(Nemesis appears to have regained consciousness. She is undergoing a scan under Mayling's guidance.)（纳美西丝看起来已经恢复了神志，正在美玲的指引下接受检测。）

CommanderMayling, how is she?美玲，怎么样了？

MaylingDoesn't seem like there's anything unusual going on.看起来没什么异常。

MaylingMiss Helen helped me too, but still, I don't think we found the cause of the malfunction...海伦小姐也在协助我，但似乎没有找到产生异常的原因……

CommanderNemesis, how are you feeling?纳美西丝，你觉得如何？

Nemesis...………………

(Right... I forgot to call Krolik over...)（对了……忘了叫克罗丽科过来……）

(Thinking back on Krolik's state right now... maybe it's better to leave her alone...)（但看克罗丽科现在的样子……还是让她静静吧……）

(Surely, I should be able to understand Nemesis a little, after watching Krolik translate for so long.)（看着克罗丽科翻译了这么久，我多少应该也能听懂一些吧。）

(I steel myself and try speaking with Nemesis directly.)（我决定硬着头皮和纳美西丝对话。）

CommanderNemesis, did you sense something while fighting the enemy earlier?纳美西丝，刚才在和敌人交火的时候，你是不是感觉到了什么？

Nemesis...A flower swaying in the breeze, gathering, parting, both are as haze...……微风摇曳之花，聚散皆为阴霾……

Commander...…………

(Nope! Didn't understand a thing!)（不行啊！完全听不懂！）

PerityaShe's saying that... she felt herself being summoned by some kind of "decisive fate."她是在说……自己感受到了某个来自“决定性的命运”的召唤哦。

Commander?!？！

CommanderPeritya...?佩里缇亚……？

CommanderYou... You can understand what Nemesis is saying?你……你能听懂纳美西丝的话吗？

PerityaYeah... I do have this rather unexplainable ability...嗯……我的确有这种让人摸不着头脑的能力呢……

PerityaIt does come in handy every now and then... wouldn't you agree?不过偶尔也会很有用……对吧？

CommanderIt's a very valuable ability.是很关键的能力呢。

CommanderStatesec sending you to assist DEFY really was the right call.国安局派你来协助忤逆小队，果然是正确的选择。

PerityaYou're far too kind, sir. Still, showing off unexpected abilities at critical moments is something I quite pride myself on.您真是过奖了呢。不过在关键时刻展现意料之外的能力，是我引以为傲的特色哦。

PerityaIn any case... Since Miss Krolik's mood hasn't recovered yet...总之……在那位克罗丽科小姐心情还没有恢复的期间……

PerityaIs it alright if I temporarily serve as the translator for this lady...?就让我暂时担任您与这位小姐之间的翻译官……可以吗？

(After a difficult round of questioning, I finally manage to learn something about Nemesis' condition through Peritya's translation.)（经历了艰难的询问后，我终于从佩里缇亚的翻译里获知了一些关于纳美西丝的情况。）

(Nemesis explains that she lost control of her frame earlier due to some kind of intervention. She vaguely sensed the same thing at the exact moment when Sextans lost control. Back in combat, however, the intervention suddenly grew stronger, directly causing her to lose control of her frame.)（纳美西丝表示，她之前之所以会无法控制自己的素体，是因为某种干预。这个干预她在六分仪失去控制的瞬间就模糊地感受过，但在刚才，这种干预突然增强，直接导致了她素体的失控。）

(As for what this intervention actually means, Nemesis does not make it clear. From her descriptions, it appears that she herself only understands it vaguely—she just calls it "fate"... or some kind of behavioral logic that cannot be found anywhere within her neural cloud.)（至于这个干预究竟意味着什么，纳美西丝并没有说清楚，从她的描述来看，她自己也是一知半解，只能称之为“命运”……或者某种心智里遍寻不着的行为逻辑。）

(These strings of phenomena form an interwoven network of clues, enough to suggest that something worth discovering is hidden deep in the Red Zone.)（种种现象之下连成的线索，足以说明红区深处藏着什么让人在意的东西。）

(Looks like we do have to head into the Red Zone to investigate.)（看来必须得前往红区一探究竟了。）

(I gather everyone in the ops room.)（我将大家聚集在指挥室。）

CommanderEveryone, I'm preparing to head into the Red Zone for a mission.各位，我准备前往红区执行一项任务。

CommanderAlthough it's just recon work, our current situation is fairly complex. We may encounter things that we've never had to deal with before.虽然只是探查任务，但目前情况也比较复杂，可能会有一些我们从来没遇到过的状况。

CommanderI'll be drawing up a list of those participating in this mission—based on capability, but also based on your willingness to participate.接下来我会拟定参与这次任务的名单——当然，除了能力之外，也会根据大家的意愿进行任务分配。

CommanderIt's been a while, but this will be the first time we conduct a mission inside the Red Zone... we'll need to make proper preparations for protective gear and comms equipment.不过这么久以来，这是我们第一次进入红区进行任务……在防护装备和通讯器上需要有所准备。

CommanderMayling, take inventory of what equipment is left in the warehouse and...美玲，清点一下仓库里之前剩下的装备，还有……

AlvaThere is no need to go through such trouble.不用那么麻烦了。

AlvaOur helicopter is carrying enough protective gear and comms equipment.我们的直升机上携带了足够的防护装备和通讯设施。

AlvaCommander, would you... be willing to let us join your task force?指挥官，您……是否愿意让我们加入您的任务小组？

CommanderOf course. That would be wonderful.当然，那样就再好不过了。

AlvaThen we'll inventory the equipment for this mission. Please inform me of the team size and equipment specifications in a short while.那我们来清点装备，稍后请指挥官告诉我本次行动的人数和装备制式。

CommanderAlright. Then let us set our goal as "return to the Elmo before sunset"—let's get started.好，那就以日落之前能返回艾莫号为目标——抓紧开始吧。

Sensing 感应

(Alva and Voymastina are in the refitting room, checking off the equipment list for the upcoming mission. I take the chance to finalize the personnel coming on this mission.)（整备室内，埃芙和威玛西娜正在清点本次行动要用的装备清单，而我则顺势安排了本次行动的人选。）

(I begin by selecting 404, a squad possessing extensive combat experience in Red Zones, to accompany me. Because our special equipment is in limited supply, I can only bring one more squad along, which leaves me feeling somewhat conflicted.)（我首先挑选了在红区内作战经验丰富的404小队随行。但由于特种装备数量有限，接下来最多只能再带一支小队，这让我有些犯难。）

(Both Monsoon Squad and Zucchero Squad have assisted me on mission involving Paradeus bases before. Their performance has been quite reassuring.)（季风小队和方糖小队都曾经协助我在帕拉蒂斯的巢穴执行过任务，表现十分令人安心。）

(Besides them, the new Dolls who just joined the Elmo may still be in their adjustment periods, but they each have their own strengths and specialties...)（另外，新加入艾莫号的几位人形虽然还在磨合期，但也各有特点……）

(After what just happened with Sextans, I realize that I really do need to assign a strong, well-coordinated team specifically to keep an eye on her.)（但六分仪刚刚出过那样的事，还是需要安排一支强力、配合默契的队伍来专门留意她。）

(What's more, we just exposed our location in front of those mercs. I must leave enough forces on the Elmo for its own defense.)（更何况我们刚刚在那些雇佣兵面前暴露过位置，留在艾莫号上的力量绝对不能太过空虚。）

(I also have Team Groza...)（还有闪电小队……）

(If I pull Team Groza away from the Elmo, I'll need to get another team to look after Helena and Melanie...)（如果调走闪电小队，就需要再另外安排照顾海伦娜和梅兰妮的人选……）

Melanie...Commander, I want to come too.……指挥官，我也要去。

Commander...……

(Melanie has been peeking at me from every corner of the equipment room, ever since I announced the trip into the Red Zone.)（从我说要去红区执行任务开始，梅兰妮就一直在整备室的各个地方探头探脑。）

(Right now, she is on her tiptoes, peering at the mission roster.)（此时此刻，梅兰妮正踮起脚尖查看这次的作战人员名单。）

CommanderYou want to come...? Where exactly do you want to go?你要去……？要去哪里？

MelanieI want to go with you and the others into the Red Zone, for the investigation.我要跟您和大家一起去红区调查。

MelanieThere must be plenty of Paradeus traps over there... I...现在那里一定有很多帕拉蒂斯的陷阱……我……

MelanieI can protect you, Commander!我可以保护指挥官！

CommanderOkay... How exactly does Melanie plan to protect me?那……梅兰妮打算怎么保护我呢？

CommanderDo you have a box like Helena's?你也有海伦娜那样的箱子吗？

(Melanie shakes her head.)（梅兰妮摇了摇头。）

CommanderDo you have a way to jam radar, so that the enemy can't spot us?还是说你有办法干扰雷达，让敌人发现不了我们？

(Melanie shakes her head.)（梅兰妮摇了摇头。）

CommanderThen...那……

MelanieI... I...我……我……

MelanieI'll find a way somehow...总之我一定有办法的……

MelanieRight, I can still help. For example... I can still disguise myself as one of their "Helenas" and infiltrate a Paradeus base, like what I did last time.对了，比如我可以……可以像上次一样，伪装成那边的“海伦娜”，潜入帕拉蒂斯基地的内部。

MelanieThat way, we have a way to go straight in and grab lots of internal Paradeus data.这样的话，就有办法直接拿到许多内部资料了。

MelanieIf things go well, Commander, you wouldn't need to use much firepower to destroy their base this time.如果过程顺利，指挥官也不用出动很多火力，就能一下子毁掉他们的基地。

CommanderBut last time, we were discovered by a Niter really quickly.可是上次的时候，我们很快就被妮特发现了。

CommanderThey won't be caught off guard this time.这次她们可不会毫无防备。

CommanderBesides, how do you know that they definitely have "Helenas" over there?另外，你怎么知道那边的基地里一定有“海伦娜”呢？

Melanie...……

(I only asked that offhandedly, but something clicks when I notice Melanie suddenly shifting her gaze away from me.)（我只不过是随口一问，却发现梅兰妮的眼神突然有些闪躲。）

(Has Melanie been hiding something else she knows from me...?)（梅兰妮难道还有什么事瞒着我……？）

(Right... The way she suddenly insisted on coming along with us raises my suspicions as well...)（对了，这次她突然要求要和我们一起行动，也很让人在意……）

(Could it be...)（难道说……）

CommanderMelanie, about what happened earlier—is there something you haven't told me?梅兰妮，关于刚才的事，你是不是还有什么没告诉我？

Melanie!！

MelanieHow... How did you know that...您……您怎么知……

(Realizing her slip of the tongue, Melanie hurriedly puts her hands over her mouth.)（意识到自己的失言，梅兰妮赶紧捂紧了嘴巴。）

(I knew it...)（果然是这样……）

CommanderMelanie... did you sense something about the "Helenas" again?梅兰妮……你是不是又感应到了有关“海伦娜”的事？

(Melanie turns away, showing me her back.)（梅兰妮转过身去背对着我。）

MelanieI...我……

MelanieI promised that girl... that I wouldn't tell anyone about it...我答应过那孩子……不会把这件事告诉别人……

(If that's how she puts it... Melanie definitely did sense the presence of another Helena.)（既然她这么说，那么梅兰妮的确又感应到了另一个海伦娜的存在。）

(And judging by what we know so far, that "Helena" is somewhere inside a Paradeus base, in the depths of the Red Zone.)（而且看样子，她现在就在红区深处的帕拉蒂斯基地之中。）

(Looking back at how Helena once sensed Melanie, if we really do want to get to the bottom of all this... bringing Melanie along will make things much easier.)（参照之前海伦娜感应到梅兰妮那时候，如果想要彻底查清楚这件事……的确有梅兰妮在会容易很多。）

(...But should I really bring Melanie to the Red Zone just for this? This is way too dangerous, it adds so much unpredictability to our investigation...)（……难道真的要因此而带梅兰妮一起去红区吗？但这样实在是太危险了，也会为我们的调查增加许多不确定因素……）

(Plus, I also have to think about whether or not to make this new discovery a secondary objective of the mission...)（而且要不要把这个新的发现当作这次行动顺带的目标，也是个值得商榷的事情……）

(Looks like Melanie still hasn't told me everything... I should get things sorted out with her first.)（看来梅兰妮还有些事没向我透露……还是先问清楚比较好。）

CommanderMelanie, why don't we try talking this through together?梅兰妮，我们来商量一下怎么样？

CommanderTell me everything you know... if this IS important, I'll bring you along to rescue that "Helena".你把知道的事情全都告诉我……如果这件事真的很重要，我可以带着你一起去救那个海伦娜。

Melanie...Really?……真的？

CommanderYep. I won't go back on my word.嗯，说话算话。

Melanie...………………

(Melanie turns to face me after some hesitation.)（梅兰妮犹豫了一会儿，转过身来。）

MelanieTo be honest... I've been intermittently hearing that girl's voice... ever since you all came back from Lviv...其实……自从指挥官你们从利沃夫回来之后……我就断断续续感应到过那孩子的声音……

CommanderIs it like how you were able to sense our Helena?就像你之前感应到我们的海伦娜一样吗？

MelanieYeah...嗯……

MelanieThat voice is different in that it's always been really faint and weak... I can only hear her at certain, particular moments.不过一直以来，那个声音都很微弱……只有某些特定的时刻，我才能听到她的声音。

CommanderParticular moments...?特定的时刻……？

Melanie...Yes.……是的。

MelanieShe seemed to be in great pain every time I managed to sense her... It feels like something is draining her life dry...每一次我感应到她的时候，她都显得很痛苦……似乎在被什么东西夺取自己的生命……

Commander...……

(Abnormal pulses, the connection between third-gen Dolls and Boojums, and... yet another Helena.)（异常的波动，三代人形和伯介姆之间的关系，还有……又一个海伦娜。）

(I have no concrete proof yet, but instinct tells me that what Melanie is describing, appears to be tied to the events that Alva and the others have been investigating.)（虽然现在还没有明确的证据，但直觉告诉我，梅兰妮说的事情似乎和埃芙她们之前调查到的事件有所关联。）

CommanderMelanie, can you tell me what the two of you discussed?梅兰妮，可以告诉我你们之间都交流了哪些信息吗？

MelanieWe didn't actually manage to talk much... but...虽然我们没有说上很多话……但是……

MelanieShe seems to know a great deal about what's happening on the outside.她似乎知道很多外面的事情。

MelanieEspecially... Things about you, Commander.尤其是……指挥官您。

CommanderShe knows... me...?知道我……？

MelanieMm. She said that a certain individual nearby "who pulls the thread of fate" was the reason why she could establish a connection with me.嗯。她说她能与我建立联系，或许是因为身边的某个牵引着命运的人。

MelanieShe also brought up the Lviv incident...而且她还提到过利沃夫的事……

CommanderWhat did she say?她是怎么说的？

MelanieShe asked me... "What became of the people in Lviv after 'Nirvana' opened?"她问我……“‘希岸’开启之后，利沃夫的人们怎么样了？”

Commander...!……！

(This is the first time anyone has brought up the opening of Nirvana since the Lviv incident.)（这是利沃夫事件发生之后，第一次有人提起“希岸”开启的事情。）

(I assumed that what happened might've been a hallucination of mine—but now, I'm suddenly being told that someone else had witnessed it. That someone is another "Helena", no less.)（我原本以为之前发生的那些事或许是我的幻觉，但现在却突然告诉我，有其他人见证过这件事，而且还是另外一个……“海伦娜”。）

(This "Helena" must be someone important... I have to find a way to track her down, no matter what.)（看来这个“海伦娜”的身份并不简单……无论如何，我都得想办法找到她。）

(The list of things to investigate grows yet again...)（这次任务要调查的事情又增加了……）

MelanieCommander...指挥官……

(Melanie tilts her chin up slightly, looking at me with pleading eyes.)（梅兰妮微微扬起下巴，用祈求的眼神看着我。）

MelanieI've told you everything I know. Please, can you take me with you?我已经把事情都一五一十地说了，求求您，带我一起去好吗？

(What Melanie said makes logical sense and it doesn't sound like she's making things up to get her way. Besides, the matter of Nirvana is not something she could have thought up with just her imagination.)（梅兰妮说的内容很有逻辑，听起来并不像是为了达成目的而编造的。更何况无论如何，关于希岸的事都不是她能平白想象出来的。）

(If what she said is close to the truth, then it is extremely important that we investigate this other "Helena". At the very least, it must be listed as one of our main objectives.)（如果她的发言接近真相，调查另一个“海伦娜”的事就变得十分重要了。至少要变更为我们这次行动的主要目标之一。）

(Melanie's presence does significantly increase the chance of success. Otherwise, we'd be plunging headfirst into the Red Zone with our radar disabled... And it would probably take too long to even get a sense of what's happening in there.)（而梅兰妮的存在，的确能显著提高这项调查的成功率。否则我们一头扎进雷达失效的红区，恐怕要花费很长时间才能摸清那边的状况。）

(Safety is indeed a major concern. While Melanie has no need to fret with regards to radiation as an immune individual, we'll have to allocate personnel to protect her should combat happen... at the very least, we must direct her from danger before it is too late.)（至于安全方面的考量，的确是个需要重视的问题。虽然梅兰妮作为免疫体无需担心辐射相关的危险，可万一遭遇战斗，就得确保能分出相关人手来保护她……至少能及时带她远离危险。）

(Still, I wish to only probe the locale for now, so avoiding direct combat is also part of the plan. With that in mind, I'll need to assign an extra squad to ensure Melanie's safety.)（不过作为一次试探性的调查，避免正面遭遇战斗本来也在我们的计划之内。这么看来，我需要再额外配备一支小队来保障梅兰妮的安全。）

(Alva and the others brought plenty of special equipment that should come in handy... it should help make the issue of our low manpower less of a pain point.)（而且埃芙她们带来的特殊装备里，也有许多能派上用场的东西……看起来能减轻一些人手方面的压力。）

Commander...All right. I think I understand the gist of what you mean.……好吧，我大概明白你的意思了。

(After thinking it over, I summon Groza to me alone.)（我想了想，把闪电单独叫了过来。）

CommanderGroza, aside from 404, I also want you to bring Team Groza along on this mission.闪电，这次任务除了404小队之外，你也带着闪电小队一起加入。

CommanderAside from providing combat support, your priority will be to keep Melanie safe.除了负责接应性的战斗之外，最重要的任务，是保护好梅兰妮。

GrozaEh? You're bringing Melanie along, Commander?咦？指挥官要带梅兰妮一起去吗？

CommanderYep. Melanie has uncovered some new leads that could help with our search.嗯。梅兰妮发现了一些新的线索，可能会对我们的搜索有帮助。

MelanieThank you, Commander!谢谢指挥官！

CommanderBut let's be clear about this beforehand—you must stay close to Groza and the others, and you are absolutely not allowed to run off on your own.不过我们提前说好，你到时候一定要乖乖跟在闪电她们身边，绝对不可以到处乱跑。

MelanieI... I'll be on my best behavior!我……我会好好听话的！

GrozaThen I and the others shall do our best to protect Melanie.既然如此，我们一定会全力进行保护梅兰妮的任务。

GrozaAs for Nemesis... should we make separate arrangements for her?以及纳美西丝的事……需要单独做安排吗？

CommanderNo need, just run the team as you usually do.不用，还是像往常一样就好。

CommanderBe it Nemesis, you, or the others in Team Groza... you've all been my companions on the Elmo for the longest.无论是纳美西丝，还是你，还是闪电小队的其他成员……你们是艾莫号上陪伴我最久的伙伴。

CommanderI can't just stop trusting you guys over some unexpected accidents.我不能因为一些意外，就失去对你们的信任。

GrozaCommander...指挥官……

CommanderBesides, Nemesis does have a number of mysteries surrounding her...而且纳美西丝的身上还残留着许多谜团……

CommanderI have a feeling that this mission could help us solve them.我有种直觉，说不定这次的行动，可以帮她一并解开它们。

GrozaUnderstood. Leave the rest of the arrangements to me.好，剩下的事就交给我来安排。

GrozaThis time... I won't let you down, Commander.这次……我绝对不会辜负指挥官的信任。

(With the roster set, Voymastina goes to the helicopter to bring down equipment for the mission.)（安排好随行人员名单，威玛西娜去直升机上搬来了行动中要用到的装备。）

(While taking stock of our equipment inventory, I notice that aside from basic protective gear, we also have plenty of special equipment that would be hard to find... even on the black market.)（在清点装备时，我发现除了基础的防护器具之外，里面还有许多就算在黑市上也很难买到的特殊装备。）

AlvaCommander, we may face extreme Collapse radiation levels once we enter the Red Zone. Please wear the protective suit well and equip the radiation isolation device.指挥官，我们进入红区之后可能会面临极强的坍塌辐射，请您务必穿好防护服，并佩戴辐射隔离装置。

(Alva picks out a protective suit from the equipment pile and hands it to me to try on. Its surface gleams with a strange sheen, as if it was sprayed with some kind of protective coating.)（埃芙从装备堆里挑出一件防护服递给我试穿。防护服的表面闪耀着特殊的光泽，似乎是喷涂了某种防护涂层。）

(I put on the protective suit and try moving around—ow. It's suffocating.)（我穿好防护服，稍微活动了一下，便觉得有些窒息。）

(So tight...)（好紧……）

(It's... kind of... hard to... breathe...)（有……有点……喘不过气……）

(Alva notices my discomfort—she scrambles to explain.)（埃芙看出了我的窘迫，连忙解释。）

AlvaSorry... Commander, since this is an impromptu mission, we didn't have time to custom order one...抱歉……指挥官，因为是临时任务，来不及量身定做了……

AlvaSo we'll have to ask you to bear with Kevin's gear for now...所以只能委屈您暂时穿凯文的装备……

CommanderIt's okay... I'm... I'm fine...没关系……还、还好……

(Alva walks over to loosen some of the straps around my torso and joints. Her shimmering gaze meets mine—she produces a somewhat flustered laugh.)（埃芙走过来，帮我将躯干和关节部位的扎带活扣放开了一些。她贴着我的视线微微闪烁，有些局促地笑了一声。）

AlvaIs that better, Commander?这样会不会好受一些，指挥官？

CommanderMuch better...好多了……

(Alva carefully checks the suit's airtight seal, then hands me a brand new set of comms equipment.)（埃芙认真地对防护服的气密性进行了一番检查，随后递给我一套崭新的通讯设备。）

AlvaAlso, these are shielded communicators. I'll be distributing them to mission personnel in a short while.另外，这些是强磁通讯器，稍后我会为参与本次任务的行动人员一一发放。

AlvaRed Zone radiation will interfere with comms signals. These devices will ensure that we're able to remain in-contact with each other while we're inside.红区的辐射会干扰通讯信号，这些设备能确保我们在红区内的内部联络通畅。

AlvaWe also have weapon cases loaded with heavy weapons and their ammunition. I'll distribute some of these to each squad before we depart—Still, these weapons are dangerous, so they need to be used with care.还有装载着重型武器和对应型号弹药的武器匣，我会在出发前为各个小队实行配给——不过这些武器都很危险，在使用的时候需要谨慎一些。

AlvaAnd...而且……

(Alva pauses, then continues with feigned casualness.)（埃芙顿了顿，假装不经意地说着。）

AlvaTo be honest, we only managed to make it here this easily thanks to Miss Kalina pulling a few strings for us.其实我们这次能顺利到这里，多亏了格琳娜小姐帮忙打点哦。

CommanderReally... so she's also been assisting you guys.是么……原来她也在协助你们。

CommanderIt seems she's finally found something she wants to do.看来她也终于有自己想要做的事情了。

AlvaIndeed... although she's currently dealing with a conundrum, she found a way to contact and help us as much as she could.嗯……虽然她目前的状况很艰难，不过还是想办法和我们取得了联络，并且在力所能及的范围内协助我们做了许多事。

AlvaThis is why... I think you shouldn't worry about her too much.所以我想您不必太过担心。

AlvaSomeone as smart as Miss Kalina will always find a way to take care of herself.像格琳娜小姐这样聪明的人，一定有办法照顾好自己的。

CommanderHmm...嗯……

AlvaMiss Kalina told me about a certain something, by the way...I think you might want to know.对了，格琳娜小姐还对我说了一件事……我觉得您可能会在意。

CommanderWhat did she say?什么事？

AlvaShe said that... she came across a Doll who looked very much like Groza.她说……她遇到过一个长得很像闪电的人形。

CommanderA Doll resembling Groza...?像闪电的人形么……

CommanderIt's probably a Doll using a similar frame model.大概是素体型号类似吧。

AlvaThat is one possibility.有这种可能。

AlvaHowever, Miss Kalina specifically brought it up because that Doll's combat capabilities are extremely strong... it's very likely a third-gen Doll...不过格琳娜小姐特意提出来，是因为这个人形的战斗力十分强大，极有可能是三代人形……

CommanderSo it looks like a third-gen version of Groza...?像是闪电的三代吗……

CommanderGot it. I'll keep that in mind.明白，我会注意的。

VoymastinaCommander, all personnel participating in this mission have been equipped and the relevant gear has been distributed to the squad leaders.指挥官，本次队伍的随行人员已整备完毕，装备也已发放到各位负责人的手上。

VoymastinaIt is time for us to head out.我们该出发了。

Endangerment 身入险境

(The sky darkens as the Elmo approaches the Red Zone.)（天色转暗，艾莫号也逐渐接近了红区。）

(Our radar fails entirely two hours into the Red Zone. To prevent intense radiation from damaging the Elmo's electronic equipment, I decide to lead the mission team on foot into the depths of the Red Zone, while Mayling pulls the Elmo back to the edge, awaiting our contact.)（我们在红区内行驶了大约两个小时，雷达便已全部失效。为了防止过强的辐射对艾莫号上的电子设备造成破坏，我决定带着参与本次行动的队伍徒步深入红区，并让美玲先行返回红区边缘，等待我们的联络。）

(The landscape is a barren waste, with only sparse remnants of tree trunks and dry grass strewn about. Here, a deathly brew wreaked its ghastly vapors upon this plane, rendering unto all life who unwittingly drank an inglorious end. Thy name was Collapse; and life fell in twain.)（目之所及的范围内，充斥着稀疏的树干和毫无生机的枯草。这些植物仿佛被什么东西剥夺了生机，在这片致命的辐射场中潦草地死去，让一切都定格在了最后的那一刻。）

(As with death, we see naught but silence.)（我们被死一般的寂静包裹着。）

(Three hours later, we finally cross the indistinct boundary zone and are greeted by the Red Zone's iconic, ominous scenery—the very culprit that drained all life from this place.)（三个小时后，我们终于穿越模糊的边界地带，抵达了象征着诡异与危险的红区标志性景观，也正是汲取了所有生命力量的罪魁祸首——）

(A vast sea of Collapse Epiphyllum, known as "Hell's Paradise.")（由无数坍塌昙花组成的、那片被人们称作“地狱花海”的景象。）

Commander...……

(At some point our signals completely vanished from the radar.)（不知从什么时候开始，我们的电子信号已在雷达上完全消失了。）

(Aside from internal squad comms, our surroundings are as quiet as an empty void. Nothing here that can prove our existence aside from our own physical sensations.)（除了队内通讯之外，周围安静得仿佛落入黑洞，也没有任何实感之外的东西能证明我们的存在。）

(Beneath our feet, the translucent, radiation-dust-stained petals shimmer with a faint glow, akin to cooling embers.)（在我们的脚下，浸染着辐射尘的半透明花瓣泛着如同冷却余烬般的微光。）

(I smell a metallic, ionizing odor spreading through the air around me, even through my protective suit.)（即便穿着隔离服，我也能感觉到一股仿佛电离般的金属气味，正在我周围蔓延开来。）

KlukaiCommander, watch your step... try to avoid those flowers as we move forward.指挥官，小心……前进的时候尽量避开这些花。

KlukaiAndoris just took a reading—the radiation near the flowers is more than a dozen times higher than the surrounding area.安朵丝刚才检测过，花朵附近的辐射浓度是周边的十几倍。

AndorisHm... the Epiphyllums are currently in their "absorption phase," let's hurry through.嗯……目前正处在这些昙花的“吸收期”，我们还是抓紧通过吧。

(What Andoris refers to is one of the defining traits of the Collapse Epiphyllum.)（安朵丝所说的是坍塌昙花的特性之一。）

(They interact with Collapse radiation in the environment—absorbing it under certain conditions, releasing it in others.)（它们能与环境中的坍塌辐射互动，在某些特定的条件下可以吸收辐射，而在达成另一种条件时，又能重新释放辐射。）

(The "Project Eden" I intervened in back in Lviv hoped to use such principles for energy generation. That technology has since become a secret known only to me.)（我在利沃夫时所介入的“乐园计划”，就是期望利用这样的原理实现能源供给，而目前那项技术，已经成为了只有我才知道的秘密。）

(During the Collapse Epiphyllum's "absorption phase," the Collapse radiation levels in the vicinity drop, but that is only temporary... The inexperienced would lower their guard upon seeing the seemingly safe levels on their instruments. But this is nothing more than deception; a calm before the "storm".)（在坍塌昙花的“吸收期”期间，环境内的坍塌辐射会暂时下降……许多经验不足的人会因为仪表上看似安全的辐射值而放松警惕。但这只不过是个看起来平静的“陷阱”。

(Once the "release phase" arrives, the radiation levels surge, rendering most protective equipment in a grand cascade. Any creature unable to take shelter in time will be devoured by the Collapse radiation in mere moments, plunging them into an abyss of no return.)（一旦“释放期”到来，环境内的辐射浓度便会急剧升高，大部分防护装备也会一一失效。所有躲避不及的生物，将会在这期间被坍塌辐射迅速蚕食，跌入万劫不复的深渊。）

(The "absorption phase" means that the ambient radiation levels are relatively low at the moment—but even so, an ordinary person cannot survive here for long without protection.)（目前处于昙花的“吸收期”阶段，就意味着当下环境的辐射浓度相对较低——但就算如此，如果不进行防护，普通人也不可能在这里存活太久。）

(Yet despite the harshness of the environment, it is also strangely, unsettlingly quiet.)（不过虽然这里环境恶劣，却也实在是安静得过于出奇了。）

(No one tried to stop us on the way here... We haven't even seen a single, tiny ELID critter scurry by either.)（走过来的一路上，我们非但没有遇到任何阻碍，甚至连路过的小型生骸也没有见到过。）

AlvaCommander, we're almost at the coordinates.指挥官，我们快要抵达坐标的位置了。

CommanderGood. All units, enter alert level one.好。全员进入一级警备。

(The Dolls raise their weapons one after another, lowering their stances and slowing their pace alongside mine.)（人形们纷纷端起枪，和我一起伏低身姿，放缓了前行的步伐。）

Commander...!……！

(After passing through a thick mist of radiation particles, what unfolds before us is a sight I never imagined I'd see deep inside the Red Zone—)（穿过一片由辐射粒子组成的浓雾屏障，前方竟然出现了一幅我完全未曾设想过会在红区深处见到的景象——）

(An intact, towering, magnificent, yet antique "palace.")（一座完整、高大、宏伟而古朴的“宫殿”。）

Nemesis...The mist... the banner of the heavens...……迷雾……天空的旗帜……

KrolikNemesis, you've been here before?纳美西丝，你来过这里？

Nemesis...beautiful vista of bygone days, gathered into echoes among clouds...……往昔之绝景，汇成云端的回响……

PerityaLooks like this place has stirred some of Miss Nemesis' memories...看来这里触动了纳美西丝小姐的某些回忆……

Commander...……

(I study the exterior of the old castle carefully, but I find no clear signs of anything unordinary—even though it clearly shouldn't be here.)（我仔细端详着这座古堡的外观，却并没有发现什么不对劲的细节——虽然它看起来的确不该出现在这里。）

(An ancient structure of a bygone era. The spires that adorned its towers have long since crumbled, leaving jagged hollows that spear the sky. The narrow arched windows are but hollowed eye sockets, some yet filled with remnants of their stained glass sclera that faintly glimmered with the dusk's fair embrace.)（这显然是一座并不属于如今这个时代的古老建筑。塔楼的尖顶早已破损，只剩下参差的缺口指向天空。狭窄的拱形窗户如同一个个空洞的眼窝，其中几扇还残留着彩绘玻璃的碎片，在暮色中泛着幽暗的光。）

(The heavy main doors lie open, no longer withholding their bounty from the world beyond. The iron that clad its hinges has rusted so thoroughly that it has painted the wood with haphazard strokes of oxidated crimson.)（厚重的大门半敞着，门上的铁制铰链已经锈蚀，留下深红色的锈迹顺着门板流淌而下。）

(The family crest carved above the gate was far too weathered to make out any fine details. All that remained was the rough outline of the shield that made its center.)（城门上方雕刻的家族纹章模糊不清，只能辨认出盾牌的大致轮廓。）

(Truthfully, I feel uncertainty boil from within my core. Was this a mere mirage that has been invoked by the Collapse that encompasses us all at this very moment? Nothing but an irradiated midsummer night's dream?)（一时之间，我有些分不清面前的景象究竟是不是辐射所带来的幻觉。）

MelanieCommander... this is the place!指挥官……就是这里！

MelanieI can feel it... that girl's presence... we are getting closer and closer...我能感应到，那孩子的气息……越来越近了……

(Melanie raises her hand high, pointing in the direction of the castle.)（梅兰妮高高举起手，指向古堡所在的方向。）

AlvaHm, the coordinates on the offline map also point right here.没错，离线地图上显示的坐标也是这里。

CommanderThen let's get closer.好，我们再靠近些。

(With the Dolls raising their weapons as the vanguard, we cautiously approach the massive building before us.)（人形们端起枪在前方探路，我们小心翼翼地接近了前方的庞大建筑。）

(Through the shattered panes of technicolor glass, I catch faint glimpses of refined, antique furnishings inside. Despite having been subject to the cruel elements, it remains a microcosm of a time centuries past.)（透过残破的玻璃彩窗，我隐约看到里面精致而复古的陈设，仿佛这座古堡里的时光凝固在了几个世纪之前。）

(Is this castle also a Paradeus base...?)（难道这座城堡也是帕拉蒂斯的基地吗……）

(No, wait, something feels off...)（不对，总觉得怪怪的……）

GrozaCommander, radiation interference is too strong here. We still can't pick up any signals nearby.指挥官，这里的辐射干扰太强，附近还是检测不到信号。

AlvaOur equipment isn't picking up any active heat sources here, but something could still be hiding in the lower levels.这边的设备没有检测到热源的活动迹象，不过也有藏匿在下层的可能。

KlukaiWe're not picking up any noise or signal here either—we have the same conclusion. We can only gather info on what's on the surface for now.没有收集到杂音或信号，同样的结论，目前只能收集到表层信息。

CommanderMelanie, are you sensing anything?梅兰妮，你有感觉到什么吗？

MelanieI haven't sensed any other presences aside from that girl's distress signal...除了那孩子的求救信号之外，我没有感应到其他的气息……

(Indeed, we haven't picked up on any clear signs of danger... and that "Helena" does actually seem to be here.)（里面似乎并没有明确的危险迹象……而且那个“海伦娜”，似乎真的在这里。）

CommanderKlukai, take 404 to the perimeter and keep watch for any movement. Secure our retreat route. Report immediately if you spot anything suspicious. Groza, Alva, let's try going in to take a look.可露凯，你带404小队留在外围监视附近的动向，确保撤离路线。如果有可疑的事情就立刻汇报。闪电，埃芙，我们先尝试进去看看。

KlukaiIf you're going in, then at least let me—如果要进去，至少让我也——

CommanderIt's all right, don't worry. From the looks of it, it's just an abandoned building... if we notice anything off, we'll tuck our tails between our legs and run for the hills.没事的，别担心。这里看起来就只是个废弃的建筑……一旦发现什么异常动静，我们立刻就想办法退出来。

CommanderBesides, Melanie says that the girl is in there... We have to at least go in and try to investigate.而且梅兰妮说那孩子就在这里……我们至少得先进去调查一下。

Klukai...Fine.……好吧。

KlukaiI'll keep watch outside. Be careful in there, everyone.我会监视好外面，你们行动务必要小心。

CommanderWe will.嗯。

CommanderAlva, Groza—let's go.埃芙，闪电，我们走吧。

(Once we approach the rust-spotted door, Groza takes the lead, becoming the first to step through the doors of the castle.)（接近那扇锈迹斑驳的大门后，闪电走在最前面，率先跨过了城堡的大门。）

(Silence. Absolute silence. The alarms that I had subconsciously expected do not blare, leaving a part of me feeling rather unsated. Our arrival is met only by the ominous silence that shrouds the heart of the Red Zone.)（没有任何反应。周围没有如我所想般响起震耳欲聋的警报声，就像我们的到来并没有扰动红区深处这死一般的寂静。）

(We push the doors open and take a step inside the castle.)（随后我们推开大门，进入了城堡内部。）

(The interior is not as dilapidated as I had assumed. Damp stone steps with brick walls on both sides lead up to the great hall—The faintly warm light of dusk filters through the multicolored glass windows, casting columns of varied hues across the great structure.)（里面并没有我想象中的那样破败不堪。潮湿的石阶伴着两侧的砖墙一直通到大厅，黄昏时分带着些许暖意的光线渗过五彩斑斓的玻璃窗，在空气中投下颜色各异的光柱。）

(In the great hall, a table is surrounded by several velvet chairs, all arranged loosely. Two leather armchairs appear to have warped from long-term use. The leather is polished to a shine, suggesting that someone once lived here for a long period of time.)（大厅内几张天鹅绒椅零散地围在桌边，两把皮质扶手椅似乎因为用得太久而凹陷变形，皮革也磨得发亮，显示出这里曾经有人长久地生活过。）

(The castle appears to have been used after the war, for a long time too. Maybe this area only became a Red Zone recently...? It would be great if we could find some records about it.)（城堡看起来在战后也被长久使用，难道这里不久前还不是红区吗？……如果能找到相关的资料就好了。）

CommanderMelanie, are you sure this is the place?梅兰妮，你确定就是这里吗？

MelanieI am!我确定！

MelanieI still can't pinpoint the exact location... but...虽然还是感觉不到具体的位置……但是……

(I look around.)（我四下看了看。）

CommanderSearching this whole castle will take too long...要搜索这座城堡恐怕要耗费很多时间……

CommanderLet's try to wrap this up ASAP. We can't linger here too long.我们尽量速战速决，不要在这里做太多停留。

CommanderAlva, you guys search the upper floors up the staircase.埃芙，你们沿着楼梯向上方搜索。

CommanderGroza, we'll go through the corridor over here and search the rooms in the back.闪电，我们一起穿过这边的走廊，去搜索后面的房间。

Alva and GrozaUnderstood!是！

(After splitting off from Alva and the others, Team Groza and I move down the corridor and into the back of the castle.)（与埃芙她们分开之后，我和闪电小队一起沿着走廊进入了城堡后方。）

(This area appears to be made up of several bedrooms. After confirming that there are no sounds inside, I pull on the brass handle of the room nearest to me.)（这片区域似乎是由几间私人卧室组成的。确认里面没有声音之后，我拉开了离我最近的一间房间的黄铜把手。）

(The room is decorated similarly to a reception hall, but the moment I push the door open, the scent of dust and faint mildew hits my nose—a stark contrast to the candlelit air of the great hall.)（这个房间有着和会客厅相似的装潢风格。但推开门的刹那，我能闻到一股灰尘和淡淡发霉的味道扑面而来，与大厅里烛火的香气截然不同。）

(The room isn't very spacious, its furnishings simple. Half the space has been taken up by a bed. Several stacks of document lie on the desk, their tabs already yellowed.)（房间内并不宽敞，陈设也显得简朴。一张床占满了半个房间，桌上堆着几卷文件，上面的页签已经显现出泛黄的痕迹。）

(A forgotten corner of this grandiose castle, it seems.)（与外面相比，这里更像是个被遗忘的角落。）

CommanderLook around for any useful documents left here.找找看有没有遗留的资料。

(With Krolik and Nemesis guarding the door, the rest of us begin searching through the corners of the room.)（由克罗丽科和纳美西丝守着门口，剩下的人开始在房间的角落中翻找起来。）

(An old-fashioned, antique feel coats the room. Electronic devices are rare, while the bookshelf leaning against the wall is neatly lined with thick volumes—mostly classical texts and novels from a bygone era.)（整个房间内都充斥着原始而古朴的气息，我们并没有找到太多电子设备。靠墙的书架上整齐地摆放着厚重的书本，大多是一些典籍资料和旧时代的小说。）

(I leaf through them without much thought. Something suddenly slips out from one of the books.)（我在其中漫无目的地翻找着，突然有什么东西从书本里掉落了出来。）

CommanderWhat's this...这是……

(I pick up the slip of paper and find what seems to be some reading notes.)（我捡起飘落在地的纸片，发现它似乎是一份摘书笔记。）

(The elegant script has already blurred somewhat, but I can still tell that a woman probably wrote it. I read through it carefully, but find nothing noteworthy.)（纸张上的娟秀字迹已然有些模糊，但还是能看出应该是出自一名女性的手笔。我仔细辨认了一下，并没有获取什么有价值的信息。）

(The signature reads "Elif.N". It seems to be the owner of this book.)（笔记的落款写着“Elif·N”，似乎是这本书的主人的名字。）

(I pocket the note and prepare to continue searching when I hear Colphne from the other side of the room.)（我取走了笔记，正准备继续翻找，房间的另一侧则传来了寇尔芙的声音。）

ColphneCommander~ I found something interesting under the bed!指挥官~我在床底找到了好东西哦！

(I move over and see Colphne holding up a battered terminal with her hand.)（我凑过去，发现寇尔芙手中举着一个残破不堪的终端。）

CommanderCan it be turned on?还能打开吗？

ColphneLet me try...我试试……

ColphneHmm...嗯……

(Colphne tries pressing the power button, but the screen flickers on for only an instant before going dark again.)（寇尔芙尝试按下终端的电源键，但屏幕只是微微亮了一下，转瞬便熄灭了。）

ColphneAh, it ran out of battery...啊，没电了呢……

Colphne...I could try connecting it to me for a bit, though.不过……我可以用自己的接口稍微连一下。

CommanderWait, don't do that yet.等等，先不要。

CommanderHold onto it for now. We'll bring it back for Dandelion to sift through.收好它，回去交给丹德莱处理。

(Colphne nods and slips the terminal into her pack.)（寇尔芙点点头，将终端放进了随身的背包。）

GrozaCommander, we seem to have found everything worth looking at in this room.指挥官，这个房间看来没有什么线索了。

CommanderThen let's make our exit.嗯，我们走吧。

(I bring Melanie along and head back into the corridor with Team Groza.)（我带着梅兰妮，和闪电小队一行回到了走廊上。）

(Alva's voice comes through the comms as we're about to search the next room.)（正当我们准备进入下一个房间搜索时，通讯器里传来了埃芙的声音。）

AlvaCommander, we're taking fire on the third floor...!指挥官，我们在三楼的位置遭遇了袭击……！

AlvaThe enemy is—敌人是——

Nemesis...Gh... ugh...……咕……呃啊……

Krolik...Nemesis?!……纳美西丝？！

Nemesis...Fall...……陨落……

Nemesis...Rebirth...……重生……

Nemesis...The heart... wanders far...……心……远行……

Nemesis...Sisters...……姊妹……

GrozaCommander, look at those Dolls!指挥官，快看那些人形！

CommanderWhat?!什么？！

(I don't know when they arrived, but a number of... Dolls have appeared at the far end of the corridor.)（不知道什么时候，走廊的尽头出现了数名……的人形。）

(Covered in a cloud of dust, illuminated by the faint light, I finally make out what they look like.)（她们被烟尘包裹着，透过微弱的光线，我终于看清了那些人形的模样。）

(The same dark skin, the same tied ash-grey hair, the same violet pupils... and the same calm, sharp eyes that belong only to a marksman...)（同样的黑色皮肤，同样束起的灰白色长发，同样的紫红色瞳孔……还有着同样的一双独属于枪手的、冷静而锐利的眼神……）

(They are... "Nemesis.")（是……“纳美西丝”。）

Endangerment 身入险境

GrozaThis way, Commander!指挥官，走这边！

(After temporarily fending off the Dolls who look nearly identical to Nemesis, we find the main entrance that we entered from to be shut. Thus, our only option is to take the stairs deeper into the castle, in search of another way out.)（暂时击退那些与纳美西丝几乎长得一模一样的人形之后，我们进来时的大门早已关闭，于是只得沿着楼梯向上方深入，试图找到其他出口。）

(The remaining enemies keep chasing us without end. DEFY catches up to us, so that Team Groza can cover Melanie and I as we fall back to a safer position behind the lines.)（剩余的敌方人形依旧穷追不舍。忤逆小队赶过来与我们汇合，以便能让闪电小队掩护我和梅兰妮撤离到后方安全的位置。）

(Colphne and Krolik turn around a corner. After confirming that the area ahead is safe, they push open a narrow oak door beside them.)（寇尔芙和克罗丽科转过一个拐角，确认了前方位置的安全后，推开身侧的一扇橡木窄门。）

ColphneOh... Oh no... it's a dead end...糟，糟了，是死路……

Nemesis...Endless stairs... revolving...……无尽的阶梯……回转……

Nemesis...Reach the first shadow...……抵达最初的暗影……

KrolikYou mean... there's a way out from here?你是说……这里有通向外面的出口？

(Krolik stares at Nemesis skeptically; Nemesis gives her an affirmative nod in return.)（克罗丽科怀疑地看着纳美西丝，对方则冲她肯定地点点头。）

(Krolik begins running her hands along the wall opposite the room, before tapping out a rhythm on one of the bricks.)（紧接着，克罗丽科沿着某个房间对面的墙壁摸索着，又按照节奏轻轻敲了几下其中的砖块。）

KrolikThere it is...果然……

KrolikCommander, there's a hidden path here!指挥官，这里有暗门！

KrolikShould we go in?要进去吗？

(I look at Nemesis. Her gaze wavers not.)（我看了看纳美西丝。她的眼神十分笃定。）

CommanderLet's go in and take a look.进去看看。

(Groza and Krolik carefully but swiftly swing open the hidden door built into the brick wall.)（闪电和克罗丽科谨慎而迅速地旋开那道砖墙砌成的暗门。）

(It's totally dark inside. The Dolls switch on the lights on their head equipment, allowing me to finally take in the layout of this room by their dim glows.)（里面一片漆黑，人形们打开头顶的照明装备后，借着昏暗的光线，我终于看清了这间房间的结构。）

(I suddenly get this feeling that... this layout feels kind of familiar, but I can't remember where I've seen it before.)（我突然觉得，这个结构有些熟悉，但又想不起在哪里见过。）

(The decor of the room we're in is quite different from anything we've seen so far. Or rather, this place can't even be called a "room"—it's more like a cold, sterile laboratory.)（我们所在的房间的风格，和之前见到过的那些完全不同。或者说，这里甚至不能被称之为一个“房间”——而像是个冰冷的实验室。）

(A massive culture tank stands in the middle of the room. Countless neatly arranged pipes run along the ceiling and floor, stretching into the darkness beyond.)（一个巨大的培养罐矗立在房间中央，无数排布整齐规则的管道沿着房间的天花板和地板延伸到我看不见的黑暗里。）

Melanie......!!!!…………！！！！

MelanieCommander... this is the place!指挥官……就是这里！

MelanieI can sense her presence!这里有那孩子的气息！

(Melanie lets go of my hand, rushing over to the culture tank's edge to inspect it closely.)（梅兰妮松开我的手，跑到了罐子的边缘仔细观察。）

(I follow Melanie over, only to find the tank empty. Nothing is left besides the dry residue of culture fluid.)（我跟着梅兰妮走过去，却发现罐子里空空如也，只留下干涸的培养液痕迹。）

CommanderAre we too late...?来晚了吗……

Melanie...A lab...……实验室……

MelanieI hate this... no way...讨厌……不……

MelanieNo...不要……

CommanderDon't worry, Melanie... we're all here with you.别担心，梅兰妮……我们都在你身边。

CommanderNo one is going to hurt you.不会有人伤害你的。

MelanieUuuu...呜……

(To help reassure Melanie, I lift her into my arms while doing my best to gather as much information in the darkness as I can.)（为了让梅兰妮感到安心，我抱起她，努力在黑暗中尽可能多地收集着信息。）

(After carefully examining the room, I can confirm that this place is very similar to where we rescued Melanie. The same lab equipment, the same facility layout, even the same plant-style culture tanks...)（仔细看过周围的陈设之后，我能确认，这里与当初解救梅兰妮的地方很相像。相同的实验仪器，相同的设施构造，甚至是相同的植物系统培养皿……）

(On the side of the culture tank, a metal nameplate reflects a faint glow.)（培养皿的罐子上，金属铭牌反射着淡淡的光线。）

Melanie"H-35"...“H-35”……

MelanieSo this is her designation...原来这是她的编号……

MelanieBut she really was supposed to be right here... why is she gone...?可她明明应该就在这里的……为什么不见了……

(I search the area, but find no other rooms.)（我四下寻找着，也没有再找到其他的房间。）

(Right then, the sound of disordered footsteps arrives near the door—the Dolls we drove back earlier have caught up to us once more.)（而这个时候，门外杂乱的脚步声也越来越近，刚才被我们击退的那些人形再次追了上来。）

KrolikCommander, I found the secret passage Nemesis mentioned. It leads outside the castle!指挥官，我找到了纳美西丝说的密道，是通向城堡外的！

KrolikShould we retreat from here?要从这里撤退吗？

Commander...……

(After all the trouble we took to find these clues, I really don't want to leave without finding the girl Melanie spoke of...)（好不容易发现了有关的线索，却没有找到梅兰妮说的那个孩子……我有些不甘心就这样离开。）

(But...)（但是……）

GrozaCommander, this insertion was only meant to be reconnaissance op.指挥官，我们这次的任务只是进行初步的侦察。

GrozaWith the huge number of enemies we face and the lack of support...现在敌人数量很多，我们又缺乏后续的支援……

GrozaIt is best that we extract to ensure the safety of both Melanie and you.为了确保您和梅兰妮的安全，我们必须要撤退了。

Commander...I understand.……好吧。

CommanderGroza, Alva—we're falling back for now.闪电，埃芙，我们暂时先撤退。

(We push open the door and slide down the hidden passage, landing safely on the ground.)（推开活板门，我们顺着那间暗房里的通道一路滑下来，安稳地落在了地面上。）

(As the sounds of pursuit fade behind us, we make it back outside the castle, unharmed.)（随着追击声的远去，我们平安回到了城堡外。）

(Just as Voymastina—the last in our group, lands on the ground, a voice suddenly speaks up from behind us.)（等威玛西娜最后一个落在地上时，一个声音突然从我们身后响起了。）

??Greetings... esteemed guest.贵安……尊贵的客人。

??Or perhaps you're more used to being called... the Commander?或许您更习惯被称为……指挥官？

Mother and Daughter 母女

??Greetings... esteemed guest.贵安……尊贵的客人。

??Or perhaps you're more used to being called... the Commander?或许您更习惯被称为……指挥官？

(I turn around and find that three enormous creatures have somehow surrounded us.)（我回过头，发现周围不知道什么时候出现了三只庞然大物。）

(Three Boojums, each at least five meters tall, block our retreat from three directions.)（至少5米高的巨型伯介姆，分别从三个方向拦住了我们的退路。）

(But there is no intent to attack. Instead, they crouch low in unison—the figurative three-Boojum Cerberus stands before us, and they are... waiting like obedient dogs, ready to do their master's bidding.)（但此时此刻，它们并没有对我们显现出攻击的意图，而是齐齐地伏低身体，仿佛我们面对的不是三头残暴狰狞的猛兽，而是三只乖顺的宠物狗。）

(The Boojums all have the same electronic collar fastened to a different part of their body, all glowing faintly. The collars seem to be connected via an invisible "leash," extending toward somewhere deep within the sea of flowers.)（三只伯介姆身上的不同部位都拴着相同的电子环，这些电子环同时亮起了微光。这些电子环似乎有一根无形的“缰绳”，连接着花海深处的某个方向。）

(And at the end of that "leash"—is a girl who looks about the same age as Melanie. She holds an iron ring in her hand... She walks through the endless Epiphyllum, moving closer to us one step at a time.)（而在“缰绳”的尽头，一名看起来与梅兰妮差不多大的少女手握铁环，脚下踏着无尽的昙花，一步一步接近我们。）

(Her movements are light and graceful. She wears no protective equipment at all, which is enough to confirm that she is not human—at least not an ordinary human like me.)（她的身姿轻盈，身上并没有穿着防护装备，只能说明并不是人类——至少不是像我一样的普通人类。）

GirlNice to meet you.初次见面。

GirlPlease forgive my shortcomings in hospitality, sir.招待不周，请您原谅我的失礼。

(As her figure steadily grows clearer, I am at last, able to see her properly.)（随着她的身形逐渐明晰，我也终于看清了她的样子。）

(She can't be human since she wears no protection, yet... her exposed limbs are flawlessly perfect, with not the slightest trace of being a Doll or a Niter. The only remaining possibilities are that she's a disguised Doll using a high-end disguise frame, or a Nyto.)（不带任何防护的她本不应该是人类，可是……裸露在外的肢体无瑕完美，没有丝毫像是人形、或者妮特的痕迹——可能性就只剩下了使用仿生高级素体的伪装人形或涅托。）

(But somehow—perhaps it's because I've already seen so many Dolls—I can't shake the feeling that she is something much stranger.)（可是不知为什么，或许是因为我已经见过了足够多的人形——我总觉得她，是某种更特别的存在。）

(The girl wears an expression that borders on serene. Although she stands before more than a dozen T-Dolls with their weapons trained on her, her eyes seem to reflect none of the enmity she must see.)（少女的脸上带着一种近乎平静的神情。尽管面前是荷枪实弹的十几名战术人形，但她的眼眸中仿佛并未倒映出任何景物。）

(She comes to a halt, lifts the hem of her skirt with her fingertips, giving me a graceful curtsey.)（她停下脚步，指尖拈起一侧裙摆，轻轻向我施礼。）

(When she sees I grant her no reply in return, the girl doesn't move forward. Instead, she tilts her head.)（见我一直没有回答，少女也没有继续上前，而是歪了歪头。）

GirlMother said that you are an esteemed guest.母亲说过，您是尊贵的客人。

GirlYet you intrude upon my abode... absent of intent to explain thineself.但您闯进了我的家……却不打算解释些什么。

CommanderYour abode...?你的家……？

GirlShock should not come upon you...您不必如此惊讶……

GirlI, my mother, and my older sisters.我、母亲、姐姐们。

GirlHere, we once lived all together.我们曾经都生活在这里。

(The girl lifts her gaze to look at the old castle before her.)（少女抬眼看了看面前的古堡。）

GirlNow only I remain here... and loneliness does grasp my heart from time to time.现在这里只剩下我一个人……偶尔会觉得有些无聊。

GirlBut Mother told myself such, that we would soon meet, bringing my "older sister" along with thee.不过母亲说，您很快就会带着我的“姐姐”，一起来这里探望我。

GirlAh, hope escaped me for I was convinced that tree would surely not bear fruit, but to my delight... you appear afore me... It seems the thread of "fate" really does connect you and I.我最初并没有那样的期望，没想到……您真的出现了……看来我与您之间，的确存在着“命运”。

(Hearing the girl's words, my eyes drift to Nemesis. Though she did not show anything on her face, some kind of sorrowful, shadowed atmosphere has been looming over her ever since earlier. She remains silent.（听到少女的话，我不自觉地看向了纳美西丝一眼，从刚才开始，她虽然没有在脸上表露出来，却总是笼罩在某种悲伤、阴暗的气氛中，没有接她的话。）

Commander...……

GirlSo, Commander... did you not bring my "older sister" with you?所以，指挥官……“姐姐”没有一起来吗？

CommanderI don't know who you mean by "older sister".我不知道你说的姐姐是谁。

GirlYou don't... know...?不知道……么？

GirlAh, it seems that the "truth" shall not meet between us in our dance of words, for your heart is closed to me. How hurtful.看来您并不准备将“真相”告诉我，这让我有些受到打击。

GirlNo—it's because you've classified me as an enemy, isn't it?不，应该是您将我视为敌人的关系吧？

GirlBased on what I know, you are a deeply gentle person—but never one to hesitate, when it comes to what must be done.根据我所知道的信息，您是个十分温柔，但对该做之事也绝不犹豫的人。

GirlSince you've classified me as an enemy, you may very well shoot me dead the next moment.既然您将我视为敌人，那下一秒就可能开枪将我射杀。

GirlThat is perfectly fine. Indeed, that would be most apt.没关系，这是应该的。

Commander...……

(The girl speaks calmly, with words that seem to carry no emotion whatsoever—yet I find myself becoming more and more confused.)（少女平静地诉说着看似毫无情感波动的话，但我却越来越困惑。）

(I've always been able to quickly tell whether someone is a Doll or not, but this time, I still can't tell.)（以往我总能很快分辨出对方是否是人形，但这一次，我却依然看不出来。）

GirlTo prevent thee from a haughty attack and thus disrupting this most precious exchange... allow me to jog your memory on a few things.为了避免您贸然攻击破坏这次珍贵谈话……我可以协助您回忆一些事。

GirlFor instance...比如……

GirlA certain... "third-gen Doll" you rescued in the Yellow Zone, whose frame you then repaired...您在黄区救助，并将其素体修复的某位……“三代人形”。

GirlIf you would be willing to return her, Commander, I would be so grateful.指挥官，如果您愿意将她交还，我会由衷感谢您的。

(The "older sister," she mentioned... must be Sextans...)（她说的“姐姐”……听起来是六分仪……）

(Then she must be a third-gen Doll as well.)（那么她一定也是个三代人形了。）

(And the "Mother" she mentioned... could it be the same person Melanie spoke of...?)（还有她口中的“母亲”……难道和梅兰妮之前说的是同一个人……）

(The girl doesn't give me much time to think. She raises the leash in her hand—the three Boojums let out low growls one after another.)（少女没有给我太多思考的时间。她扬起手中的缰绳，三只伯介姆的呜咽声此起彼伏。）

CommanderIf you mean Sextans, she's not here right now.如果你指的是六分仪，她现在不在这里。

GirlThis humble self understands your misgivings.我明白您的顾虑。

GirlHowever, rest assured... you may return her with peace of mind.不用担心……您可以放心把她交给我。

GirlI bear no ill will toward my older sister. I simply wish to see her, that is all.我对姐姐没有恶意，只是想要看看她，如此而已。

GirlArt thou seeking to barter, with mine older sister as a chip?您要用姐姐和我谈什么交易吗？

GirlUnfortunately, I don't seem to have anything I could trade with... apart from guaranteeing the lives of yourself and your compatriots.可惜的是，除去您和您的同伴们的生命，我似乎也没什么可以用来交易的事物。

CommanderHer frame suffered severe damage and her neural cloud was almost completely destroyed. She's of no further use to people like you.她的素体受到过剧烈的重创，心智也几乎损毁，对于你们来说，她已经没有利用价值了。

CommanderThat's why your folk discarded her in the Yellow Zone, no?所以你们才会把她丢弃在黄区，不是吗？

GirlThe meaning behind your question eludes me, for I have done no such thing... might you perhaps be stalling for time?我无法理解您提出这个问题的意义，因为我并没有做那样的事……所以，您在拖延时间？

GirlOr perhaps trying to extract intelligence?抑或是在套取情报？

GirlHave I been designated as a tactical target?我被当做了战术的目标？

(The girl's face remains expressionless, but her tone carries a faint trace of curiosity.)（少女的脸上毫无表情，不过她的语气中微微透露出一丝新奇。）

GirlMost interesting... Mother once regaled that you are a top-tier "Master Tactician", one of the very few folk she respects. Indeed, you truly are different from others of your kind—I'm keen to learn from thee.真是有趣呢……母亲说过，您是顶级的战术大师，也是她始终保持尊重的少数人之一，而在我眼中看来，您确实和其他人类都不同——我很乐意向您学习。

Girl—Ah, might you tell your Dolls to ease? These "little ones" won't attack, but if you do not respond in kind, there may be an accident on our hands.——对了，能不能告诉您的人偶们不用紧张？这些“小东西”是不会袭击你们的，如果你们贸然攻击，反而会让场面失控。

GirlI bear you no ill will at present, Commander.我目前对您没有恶意，指挥官。

(In the comms channel, Klukai's voice—still in the middle of laying out tactics—stops abruptly.)（通讯频道里，正在布置外围战术的可露凯的声音戛然而止。）

GirlHmm. I express my thanks.嗯，非常感谢。

GirlTo reciprocate your kindness, allow me to provide an answer to the question that plagued you.作为谢礼，我来回答您刚刚想要套出的答案吧。

Commander...Much appreciated.……有劳。

GirlMother said that my older sisters had already joined other organizations. That is the "freedom" offered to them.母亲说过，姐姐们已经加入了其他的集团，这是她们的“自由”。

GirlSo, whether they wish to return or not... Mother has no intention of interfering.所以，想要回来，或不要回来，母亲本是不会干预的。

GirlStill, to us, my older sisters are also "members of the family".可是，对于我们来说，姐姐也是“家庭成员”。

GirlWanting to learn more about them is only natural.所以我想要增加对她们的了解。

CommanderLearn...? Haven't you ever met other third-gen Dolls before?了解……你在过去，没有见过其他三代人形吗？

GirlMet, yes—but back then, I had only just been born, and didn't have the ability to communicate.只是“见过”，因为当时我才出生不久，不具备交流的能力。

GirlSome information can only be acquired through conversation and I am only permitted to "learn" via conversation.有些信息必须要通过交流才能取得，我也只被允许以这样的方式来“学习”。

GirlThus I say, I really do want my older sister back, so that I can study her... and learn things like sisterly love and how to express affection toward family. Wouldn't it be better to have someone specific to learn that from?所以，我很想要回那个姐姐，好好从她身上学习一番……像是姐妹之爱，以及如何表示对家人的爱意之类的，还是有个对象比较好吧？

GirlCommander, will you hand my older sister back to my arms now?指挥官，您现在可以把姐姐还给我了么？

CommanderWhat a touching speech.真是让人感动的说辞。

CommanderBut how unfortunate... that after witnessing Paradeus' deeds, my heart has only grown so much colder toward you all.不过很遗憾……在见识过帕拉蒂斯曾经的作为之后，我就变得越来越铁石心肠了。

GirlHow truly unfortunate indeed... could tears beset your determination, I would have partaken.好遗憾，我很遗憾，如果泪水能改变您的主意，我一定会哭吧？

GirlWell then—your pieces are now on the board, no?那么，您已经布置好战术了吧？

GirlPlease, make your move.请开始进攻吧。

GirlYes, since you have expressed your refusal to return older sister of mine, I will have to take another form of compensation.既然您拒绝把姐姐交给我，那么我就要从您身上学到其他的东西来作为补偿……

GirlThis is my first time engaging in real combat. Here, I shall seek your generous guidance.这是我初次的实战，希望您可以不吝指点。

("Hisssss—")（“嘶——”）

(One of the beast-type Boojums lets out a deafening roar, pawing up dust from the ground with its hoof-claws. The Dolls take their stance in front of Melanie and me. I hear the metallic click of bullets being chambered.)（其中一只兽型伯介姆发出震耳欲聋的嘶吼，用蹄爪刨起地面的沙尘。人形们挡在我和梅兰妮身前，同时响起的是子弹上膛的咔哒声。）

("Ratatatat—ratatatatat—")（“哒哒哒——哒哒哒哒——”）

(More than a dozen streams of gunfire tear through the icy air, swarming the third-gen Doll behind the Boojums.)（数十道火线瞬间撕裂了冰冷的空气，将伯介姆身后的三代人形包围。）

(Yet the girl afar simply leaps upward, light as a fairy—every bullet skims by the outline of her figure, not even brushing the hem of her dress.)（然而远处的少女却只是轻轻跃起——每一颗子弹都堪堪贴着她的轮廓擦过，甚至未曾沾染她的裙摆分毫。）

(She lands back behind the three Boojums the very next moment, her dispassionate gaze showing not even a single flutter of emotion.)（下一刻，她落回到那三只伯介姆身后，淡漠的眼眸未曾泛起任何一丝涟漪。）

GirlI see... no special tactical response is possible in such a situation.也是啊……这种情况不可能有特别的战术应对。

GirlBut these weapons seem rather... primitive, uncivilized. Might you afford any others?只是这样的武器，于我而言有些过于原始，还有其他的吗？

CommanderLooks like we'll have to go all out.看来不能保留任何火力了。

(The Dolls open up with their second volley, covering my retreat.)（人形们开始了第二轮射击，掩护着我缓缓后退。）

(It's as if some kind of high-strength force field envelops the girl. She walks forward slowly—our bullets seem to halt in midair around her like flies against glass, falling once they've spent all their kinetic energy.)（在那少女身边似乎笼罩着某种高性能的力场护盾，她缓缓向前，子弹就像是苍蝇一样在她身周停滞，失去所有势能后落下。）

(Her movements are now beyond what could only be described as fast. As the Dolls focus their fire on her, she suddenly vanishes—the next moment, that flawlessly young face appears just outside the visor attached to my head cover.)（而她的行动已经无法以快来形容，就在所有人形都在集中射击的时候，她的身形却忽然消失，随后那张完美的少女脸庞出现在了我的头罩外侧。）

(She gently strokes my mask, her lips turning into a slight pout.)（她轻抚我的面罩，微微嘟起了嘴。）

GirlHmm. This thing is rather bothersome, but if I take it off, you'll die, won't you? My, humans are struck with such inconvenience.嗯，这个有些碍事，不过，摘下来您就死了吧？人类真不方便啊。

GrozaCommander!指挥官！

(Groza tackles me to the ground, while the other Dolls rush between the girl and me just in time.)（闪电用身体将我扑倒，而其他人形也及时挡在了我们和少女的面前。）

(She doesn't attack. Instead, she acts like a child entering a petting zoo—she focuses on touching the Dolls' hair and skin a few times each, as if she's trying to get acquainted with some cute little animals for the first time.)（她没有发动进攻，反而像是进入玩赏宠物园区，熟悉初次见面的小动物的孩子一样，专注地在人形们的头发与肌肤上摸了两下。）

GirlSo this is what they feel like...触感是这样啊……

(She gazes at her fingertips, as if moved by the experience. Groza takes the chance to scoop me up, pulling back with the other Dolls.)（她似乎感动了一般看着自己的指尖，闪电乘机抱起我和其他人形后撤。）

(The smell of gunpowder begins spreading in the patch of silent forest.)（在这片寂静的树林中，火药的味道才刚刚开始弥漫。）

(The next moment, Alva and Voymastina, who had positioned themselves deep in the forest behind the girl in advance—launch a rocket straight at her, hidden among countless streams of bullets.)（下一秒，在少女身后的树林深处，提前埋伏在那里的埃芙和威玛西娜将一颗拖着尾焰的火箭弹藏在无数子弹中射向了她。）

(The shrill sound of the rocket reaches her position in an instant... she has no time to dodge it, no matter what!)（尖锐的炮弹声瞬间便抵达了她所在的位置……无论如何，她都已经来不及躲开了！）

("BOOM—")（“轰——”）

(The flash of the explosion casts her slim shadow against the surrounding trees, swaying violently in the kicked-up cloud of dust.)（爆炸的火光将她单薄的影子投在树影之间，在飞扬的尘土中剧烈摇晃。）

(But as the smoke clears, we see that the girl is still standing there, completely unharmed—her right hand is slightly spread open, seemingly still savoring the sensation from earlier. Even with the wreckage of the rocket still burning at her feet, she does not move a single step.)（然而烟雾散去之时，少女依旧完好无损地站在原地——她的右手微微张开，似乎还在回味着之前的触感，而即使脚边依旧燃烧着火箭弹的残骸，她也没有挪动半步。）

KlukaiWha... what?!什……什么？！

KlukaiIt's impossible to equip a Doll with a force field this strong!人形是不可能搭载这么强力的护盾的！

GirlForce field?护盾？

GirlYou speak of something I need not. Emitting energy at a certain frequency is enough, no?我不需要那个，只要持续释放一定频率的能量不就好了吗？

GirlOh, by the way, Commander—as compensation for your intrusion, your attacks on me, and your refusal to return my sister...对了，指挥官，作为您闯入我家，对我展开攻击，还不肯把姐姐还给我的恶行的交换。

GirlAllow me the privilege of a touch.让我触碰一下您吧。

(The instant the girl finishes speaking, Klukai and Groza, standing right in front of me to body-block the girl—suddenly get flung aside. She appears in front of me, tilting her head up to look at my face.)（少女话音刚落，挡在我眼前的可露凯和闪电突然被弹开，她出现在我身前，仰起头看着我。）

(I raise my pistol and fire at her, but she dodges the bullet with a slight tilt of her head. Then, she raises a single finger toward me.)（我举起手枪对她射击，可是她轻轻偏头就避开了弹道，随后，她对我举起一根手指。）

(That finger swiftly pierces through my protective suit, easily punching through the bullet-resistant material, tearing into my flesh.)（那根手指迅速刺入了我的防护服，轻易刺穿了具有一定防弹性能的厚重材料，撕开了些许皮肉。）

CommanderUgh—!唔——！

Groza and KlukaiCommander!指挥官！

Girl...So that's how it is.……原来是这样。

(She doesn't try to stop Groza from desperately dragging me away. She just stands in the midst of the Dolls encircling her, raising her slender right index finger to gaze at the glistening, red bead of blood upon it in an unhurried manner.)（她没有阻止闪电奋不顾身地把我拖开，只是站在人形们的包围中间，好整以暇地抬起纤细的右手食指，凝视着上面晶莹的红色血珠。）

(Then, the girl places her fingertip into her mouth with an expression of pure curiosity in her eyes.)（随后，少女露出纯然好奇的眼神，将指尖放入了口中。）

Girl...Hmm. So this is the flavor of the ichor that courses through the veins of those partially-immune.……嗯，这就是部分免疫体的血呢。

GirlTruly fascinating. I think... my current mood is... so many sensations are welling up inside me at once... Hmm. Your group may use this chance to escape, Commander.真是奇妙，我觉得，自己现在的心情是……居然有这么多感觉涌现……嗯，你们可以乘机逃走的，指挥官。

GirlI want to take some time to process my feelings and emotions. This span of time is the gift I'm giving you... I hope that you manage to live on.我要好好地总结一下自己的心情，这段时间就是我给您的礼物，希望您活下去。

(The girl turns around. With her back to us, she begins walking away with a spring in her step.)（少女转过身，背对着我们，用带着些许雀跃的步伐离开了。）

(As for the Boojums she left behind... the electronic collars on their bodies have vanished. They revert to their bestial nature in a single moment—their indistinct faces twisting into expressions of bone-chilling savagery.)（而那些被她丢下的伯介姆，身上的电子环消失了。在这一刻，它们重新恢复了野兽的本性，模糊不清的面孔中透露着令人胆寒的狰狞。）

CommanderOur objective is to retreat—prepare for combat!以撤退为目标，准备作战！

(After confirming that none of our weapons can harm that girl, I apply a repair patch over the hole she punched through, while directing the Dolls to deal with the immediate crisis befalling us.)（确认手头的武器都无法伤害到那个少女后，我只能边在被她刺穿的防护服上贴上修复贴，边指挥着人形们度过眼前的危机。）

Mother and Daughter 母女

(Under attack by three Boojums, the ground beneath me trembles as the action shakes up radioactive dust that whirls through the air.)（在三只伯介姆的围攻下，伴着飞扬的辐射尘，整片土地都像是正在我脚下颤动。）

(The Dolls beside me focus fire on what seems to be the smallest, weakest Boojum. With sheer effort, we manage to create a relatively safe path for us to make a temporary retreat.)（我身边的人形们集中力量朝那只看上去最弱小的伯介姆开火，勉强开辟出一条足够安全的道路让我们暂时撤离。）

(We make a beeline to the edge of the Red Zone under the accompaniment of thunderous gunfire. Bullets streak past my face, drawing searing-hot lines of air in our vicinity—kicking up plumes that assault my nose with gunpowder-infused smoke.)（我们一路朝红区边缘退去。激烈的枪声，子弹的轨迹带着灼热的气流从我耳边掠过，扬起充斥着火药味的烟尘。）

(Good thing these Boojums do not seem interested in chasing us to the end. We stopped hearing the Boojums' shrill screams after we hid behind an earthen rampart in a grove of dead trees. Our surroundings return to an eerie silence unique to the Red Zone.)（好在那些伯介姆似乎并没有穷追不舍的意思。当我们退到一处枯木林和土坡组成的掩体后方时，已经听不见伯介姆尖锐的嘶鸣，周围又重新恢复了红区中特有的寂静。）

(I gasp for air, taking deep breaths through my protective suit's filtered mask. Suddenly, sweet, iron-tasting liquid starts welling up in my throat.)（我大口呼吸着防护服内过滤面罩中的空气，突然觉得喉头涌来了一股腥甜的液体。）

Commander(Coughs heavily...)咳咳……咳咳咳咳咳……

Commander(Blergh—!)咳咳咳——！！！

GrozaCommander!指挥官！

AlvaБлин! Did the protective suit's internal circulation systems break down...?糟了，难道是防护服内部的呼吸循环系统出了问题……

AlvaThe radiation-protection features of the suit were already compromised when it was pierced...之前防护服破损的时候，本来就破坏了辐射屏蔽的效果……

KlukaiCommander!? Your vital signs are not looking good, we must leave immediately—指挥官！？你的体征反应不佳，应该尽快脱离——

CommanderI'm alright... Calm down. We should first take care of the issue right in front of us.我不要紧……冷静下来，我们先着手解决眼前的问题吧。

CommanderI'm currently not too sure why that third-gen Doll suddenly wanted us to hand Sextans over, but the experiment equipment we found proves that this is indeed one of Paradeus' bases...虽然暂时还不太清楚那个三代人形为什么突然让我们交出六分仪，但我们发现的实验设备能证明这里就是帕拉蒂斯的基地之一……

CommanderLooks like they want to use Sextans for something...看起来他们应该是要利用六分仪做些什么……

CommanderSince they didn't chase us down... they must be aiming for the Elmo next.既然他们没有对我们进行追击，那么这些人下一步的动作……应该就是艾莫号。

CommanderRight now, we must... prioritize getting back to the Elmo ASAP and prepare to fend off a possible enemy attack.现在我们要做的……应该是尽快返回艾莫号上，防范敌人可能会发动的袭击。

CommanderAnother important thing... We found equipment for storing "Helenas" back there, but we couldn't find where they hid H-35.另外还有一件重要的事……我们刚才的确在那里发现了收容“海伦娜”的设备，但并没有找到他们把H-35藏在哪里。

CommanderOnce we're back on the Elmo, we should gather as much manpower as we can, then find a way to rescue that girl...回去之后我们得尽可能多地集结人手，想办法来这里把那孩子救出来……

AlvaAlright. I'll report what we've found up the chain of command and ask them to reinforce us ASAP.嗯，我也会立刻向上面汇报，要求组织尽快进行战力支援。

CommanderWe should all get going, then. Let's strive to reach the Elmo before night falls.既然这样，我们就尽快出发吧，争取在天黑之前赶回艾莫号上。

("Beep Beep—")（“滴滴——”）

(The familiar beeping of my communicator reaches my ears.)（熟悉的通讯器提示音传来。）

(I usually hear it many times on the daily, but I haven't heard it once since I ventured into the Red Zone.... until now.)（虽然平时总是被这个声音环绕，但自从进入红区，它就再也没有响起过了。）

GrozaCommander... It's a call from the Elmo!指挥官……是来自艾莫号的通讯！

(I look down and see, on the screen of the communicator, a single faint signal bar flickering on and off.)（我低头看了看，发现通讯器的屏幕上，一格若有若无的信号正在不断闪烁。）

(I quickly answer the call.)（我赶紧接起了通讯。）

HelenFinally connected... Commander!总算是接通了……指挥官！

CommanderWhat's wrong, Helen?怎么了海伦？

HelenThirty minutes ago, the Elmo was attacked by mercenaries of unknown origin again!三十分钟前，艾莫号再次遭遇了来源不明的雇佣兵袭击！

CommanderThere are more of them?居然还有？

(An ominous feeling wells up in my chest.)（我心中升起一股不祥的预感。）

(Looks like the Elmo's location has already been pinpointed, and right now, we have no means of breaking free from our pursuers.)（看起来艾莫号的位置已经被精确地锁定，并且目前还没有能摆脱对方的方法。）

CommanderIs everyone all right? Have you been able to confirm the enemy's identity?大家都没事吧？能确定敌人的身份吗？

HelenWe can't confirm their identity for now... but they don't seem to be the same group as the previous.敌人的身份暂时还不能确定……不过看起来不像是之前遇到的人。

HelenWe deployed three squads from the Elmo to engage them, sustaining injuries of varying degrees... but we managed to repel them.我们整合了三支小队下车迎击，大家都受了不同程度的伤……不过总算把敌人击退了。

CommanderUnderstood. We'll set out immediately, so—明白了。我们现在立刻启程，尽快——

HelenNo... Commander, something else just happened and it's rather troubling...不……指挥官，刚刚还发生了一件麻烦的事……

HelenWe discovered that Miss Sextans had broken free of her restraints when we returned to the Elmo...回到艾莫号的时候，我们发现六分仪小姐挣脱了拘束设施……

Commander?!？！

HelenShe seemed to be controlled by something. We had no way to stop her from leaving without injuring her...她看起来像是受到了什么东西的控制，我们没办法在不伤害她的情况下阻止她离开……

CommanderSo, Sextans isn't on the Elmo right now?所以，六分仪现在不在艾莫号上？

HelenIndeed... we tried to search the surrounding area after she escaped, but we couldn't find her...是……后来我们尝试在附近搜索，但没有找到她……

HelenFootprint tracking indicates that she headed into the Red Zone alone sometime after leaving the Elmo...根据脚印追踪显示，她在离开艾莫号不久之后独自进入了红区……

HelenEven radar—雷达也——

Helen...information...……把……信息……

Helen...even our... equipment... can't...……我们也……装备……无法……

("Bzzz, Bzzzzt—")（“滋啦滋啦——”）

(The communicator returns to emitting only static and Helen's voice is cut off with it.)（通讯器重新变成了一片空白，海伦的声音也随之消失了。）

(For a moment, no one speaks.)（一时之间，没有人说话。）

(I knew that the enemy would target the Elmo, but I didn't think they'd act this fast... they haven't given me even a moment to catch my breath.)（虽然想到敌人会对艾莫号动手，但没想到居然会这么快……完全没有给我留下任何喘息的机会。）

(Before we set out, we deliberately parked the Elmo at the edge of the Red Zone, in a signal blind spot. The fact that the enemy started attacking this quick means they've been watching us for a long time.)（我们出发之前，特地将艾莫号停在了红区边缘难以侦测到信号的地方。敌人能这么快下手，说明我们早就被盯上了。）

(Could that ambush that happened before we left also...)（说不定出发之前的那次袭击也……）

(Were the coordinates in Sextans' neural cloud and the pulses Melanie sensed... all just bait to lure us away?)（难道六分仪心智中的坐标、梅兰妮所感应到的波动，全都是为了调虎离山……）

(If that's the case...)（如果是这样的话……）

(According to the info Helen gave us, Sextans entered the Red Zone about half an hour back... we have to find her before the enemy does.)（根据海伦提供的线索，六分仪在大约三十分钟之前独自进入了红区……我们得抢在敌人前面找到她。）

CommanderEveryone... you've all heard what was said.刚才的情况……大家都听到了。

CommanderIf Sextans really did enter the Red Zone, we have to find her ASAP.如果六分仪真的进入了红区，我们就得尽快找到她才行。

CommanderWe still don't know why exactly our enemy is so fixated on her, but if she falls back into Paradeus' hands, things will get really troublesome for us.虽然暂时还不知道敌人为什么如此在意她，但如果她重新回到帕拉蒂斯手上，对于我们来说一定会很麻烦。

CommanderWhat's more, she's one of us now, so we absolutely can't leave her behind.而且，她现在也算是我们的同伴，绝对不能丢下她不管。

(I can tell that several Dolls, Krolik among them, have some reservations about what I said. But in the end, none of them voice anything—they simply wait quietly for my orders.)（虽然能看出以克罗丽科为代表的几名人形对我的说法颇有微词，但最终大家都没有说什么，只是静静地等待着我的命令。）

CommanderKlukai, take 404. Using this position as your origin point, conduct a clockwise sweep within a 5km radius.可露凯，你带着404小队，以此处为原点，对五公里范围内的区域以顺时针展开搜索。

KlukaiNo problem. But are you really going to be fine staying out here, Commander?没问题，可是指挥官的身体还撑得住吗？

KlukaiHurry back to the Elmo. We can handle the search without you.快点回艾莫号，搜索由我们来进行就可以了。

KlukaiI've seen many people suffer acute ELID before. They all eventually—我之前见过许多患上急性感染症的人，他们后来都——

CommanderDon't worry, I'm aware of my own condition.别担心，我的身体状况我自己很清楚。

CommanderWe'll head straight back to the Elmo the moment we find Sextans.只要找到六分仪的下落，我们立刻就启程回艾莫号。

KlukaiCommander!指挥官！

CommanderI promise you, Klukai, that I'll be fine. I do have some degree of radiation resistance, after all.我和你约好，绝对不会有事的，好歹我也有一定的辐射抵抗力。

CommanderTrust the man you chose to follow, Klukai.相信你选择的人，可露凯。

Klukai...Understood... I'll find that Doll as quickly as I can.……知道了……我会尽快找到那家伙。

KlukaiCommander, you'd better remember our promise...指挥官也要，记得和我的约定……

(Klukai departs with 404. Right after, I turn to Alva.)（可露凯带着404小队离开了。紧接着，我转向了埃芙。）

(She already knew what I was going to say.)（然而还没有等我开口，她就明白了我的意思。）

AlvaWe'll do the opposite of 404 and rendezvous back here at the end.我们和404小队以相反路径搜索，最终回到这里汇合。

CommanderAlright. As for me...嗯。至于我……

AlvaCommander, please stay here and don't go anywhere.指挥官，你就待在这里不要动。

(Alva rummages through the briefcase Voymastina carries on her back for a moment before pulling out a device about half the height of a person—something that resembles a launcher.)（埃芙在威玛西娜背在身上的手提箱里翻找片刻，拿出了一个大约半人高的、像是发射器的装置。）

AlvaThis is specialized equipment that absorbs ambient radiation for a short period of time. Its operating duration is very short inside the Red Zone, but it'll be enough to give you a chance to rest.这是短期内吸收周边辐射的特种装备。虽然它在红区内持续时间很短，但这点时间足够让您休息一下。

AlvaPlease wait here with Team Groza for results while 404 and DEFY conduct our searches.在我们和404小队进行搜索期间，您就和闪电小队一起，留在原地等待结果。

Commander...All right, I understand.……好吧，我明白了。

CommanderBe careful, everyone. If you run into any emergencies, call for support immediately.大家一定要小心，如果遇到什么紧急事件，第一时间呼叫支援。

CommanderStay in constant communication.务必随时保持联络。

(Alva and Voymastina prepare to leave. Peritya steps forward to follow, but suddenly, she turns back to look at me, returning to my side.)（埃芙和威玛西娜准备离开了。佩里缇亚上前跟了几步，却又回头看了看我，返回到了我身边。）

CommanderPeritya... what's wrong?佩里缇亚……怎么了？

PerityaIt's nothing. I just... suddenly thought of something.没什么，只是……突然想到了一件事。

(Peritya smiles at me.)（佩里缇亚对我笑了笑。）

PerityaI mentioned it before, didn't I? I occasionally find out that I have certain unexplainable abilities.之前说过的吧？我偶尔会在自己身上，发现一些让人摸不着头脑的能力呢。

PerityaSo I thought... maybe I have a way to make you feel better, Commander.所以我想，说不定我有办法让指挥官好受一点哦。

PerityaWould you like me to try?您要试试吗？

(Without waiting for my response, Peritya crouches down and takes my hand into hers.)（佩里缇亚不等我回答，不由分说地蹲下身握住了我的手。）

(I don't know if I'm just imagining it, but I feel a warm current flowing into my body, starting from my palm.)（不知道是不是我的错觉，从手心开始，似乎有一股暖流涌入了我的身体。）

(The taste of blood in my throat slowly fades and my head no longer hurts the way it did moments ago.)（喉咙里的血腥气息渐渐消失，头似乎也不像刚才那么疼了。）

CommanderHow did you do that—你是怎么做到——

(Peritya raises her index finger and lightly taps it against my mask, where my lips would be.)（佩里缇亚竖起食指，在我面罩上嘴唇的位置轻轻点了一下。）

PerityaCommander, it's important to stay warm in the wilderness...指挥官，在野外保暖可是很重要的事……

PerityaDo remember to dress warmer the next time you spend the night outside~下次在野外过夜的话，可得记得穿得厚一些呢。

(With that said, she ends the dialogue by getting up and following Alva and the others without looking back.)（说完这些话，她站起身，头也不回地跟上了埃芙她们。）

Commander...Uh?……呃？

(Now that all the squads have their missions, the Dolls disperse and begin their carpet sweep of the surrounding area.)（安排好各个小队的任务，人形们依次散开，开始进行对附近区域的地毯式搜索。）

(The only sounds in the communicator are updates on their own coordinates and status reports.)（通讯器里除了小队之间的坐标点位和状况汇报外，再也没有其他声音。）

(My body, exhausted from the long ordeal, is starting to feel weary. I force myself to stay alert and focus on the reports that the Dolls are sending back.)（奔波许久的身体有些疲累，我强打起精神注意着人形们回传来的消息。）

(A small hand wraps around my palm.)（就在这时，一只小手握住了我的手心。）

MelanieI think this is how Peritya did it just now...刚才佩里缇亚好像是这样做的……

MelanieI... I want to try it too...我……我也想试一试……

MelanieAre you feeling better?您有感觉好一点吗？

(Melanie looks worried. To reassure her, I lift my hand and pat her head.)（梅兰妮看起来很担心。为了让她安心，我抬起手摸了摸她的头。）

CommanderYep. I'm feeling much better.嗯，感觉好多了。

MelanieCommander... thank you...指挥官……谢谢您……

MelanieThank you for accepting such a selfish request from me...谢谢您答应我任性的要求……

CommanderIt's all right. I promised you that I'd rescue your companions.没关系，我答应过你的，会救出你的同伴们。

MelanieMy companions...我的同伴们……

CommanderMelanie, do you know how many companions you have?梅兰妮，你知道你的同伴有多少吗？

MelanieI'm not sure... such things would only be known by the Progenitor.我不确定……这种事应该只有母体才知道。

MelanieWe're nothing more than cloned bodies... Branches of a collective...我们只不过是复制出来的克隆体，一个集合的分支……

MelanieEverything we experience will eventually flow back to the Progenitor... until it becomes the "key" to opening that door.我们所遭遇的经历，会全部汇聚到母体的身上……直到变成开启那扇大门的“钥匙”。

CommanderThe "key"...“钥匙”……

MelanieTeacher once told us that if we were devout enough, we could change the future and save everyone.“老师”说过，只要我们足够虔诚，我们就能改变未来，拯救所有人。

MelanieWhen God granted us life, he also entrusted us with the responsibility we ought to bear.神给予我们生命时，也赋予了我们理应背负的责任。

MelanieSo sometimes I do wonder—maybe the Niters were wrong ...But did I really do the right thing by fleeing that place?所以我偶尔也会想，也许妮特她们的方法是错误的，但不顾一切逃离了那里的我……真的做了对的事吗？

MelanieDid I run away from a "responsibility" that she said was mine to bear?我是不是也逃避了她说的某种“责任”？

MelanieWhat is the purpose of my being if I have thrown away that responsibility?如果脱离了这种责任，那我降生的意义究竟是什么呢？

MelanieI never used to think about much of anything... I just wanted to save everyone...我以前没想过太多事，只是一味地想要救大家……

MelanieBut can I, the me of today... really save the other Helenas?可现在的我，真的能拯救其他的海伦娜吗？

MelanieI haven't accomplished anything after all this time, I've even put you in danger on numerous occasions...这段时间我不但什么都没有做到，还好几次差点让指挥官陷入危险……

CommanderAre you worried about me, Melanie?梅兰妮在担心我吗？

MelanieI...我……

MelanieI just think... that I don't seem as capable as I imagined myself to be...我只是觉得……自己好像没有想象中那么厉害……

CommanderOf course.当然了。

CommanderHowever special your existence may be, you're still just a kid.无论你们的存在有多特殊，也不过只是小孩子而已。

CommanderThis chaotic world should not be your weight to bear.这个混乱的世界，并不是你们应该面对的。

CommanderBe it you, or any of the other Helenas, none of you have grown up enough to bear that kind of responsibility yet.无论是你，还是其他海伦娜，也都还没有成长到能背负责任的时候。

CommanderYou should be going to school, experiencing life, playing to your heart's content, not carrying humanity's fate on your shoulders for reasons unknown.你们应该去读书、体验生活、尽情玩耍，而不是不明不白地背负人类的命运。

MelanieBut...可是……

CommanderThere is no such thing as a "responsibility" that a newborn should be obligated to bear. Every responsibility should correspond to a choice, but your birth itself was not a choice you made.没有什么责任是人一生下来就应当背负的。每一份责任都对应着一种选择，但你们的降生本身就并非自愿。

CommanderAll right. Now isn't the time to be dwelling on these things.好了，现在不是想这些的时候。

CommanderThe most important thing right now, is to figure out how to rescue the girl called "H-35."眼前最重要的事，是得想办法救出那个叫“H-35”的孩子。

MelanieYeah...嗯……

CommanderSpeaking of which—when you sensed "H-35," did you notice any particular conditions for you to do so?对了，你感应到“H-35”的时候，有没有什么特别的条件？

CommanderIf we can find a pattern, maybe we could find a way to establish a connection with her... and locate her as quickly as possible.如果能找到规律的话，我们或许可以想办法和她建立联系……尽快找到她所在的地方。

(Melanie thinks for a moment.)（梅兰妮思索了一会儿。）

MelanieI'm not sure if this counts as anything special...我不确定这算不算什么特别的事情。

MelanieBut every time I sensed her... I could, through that girl's thoughts, feel some kind of intense yearning that didn't belong to her.不过我每次感应到她的时候……都能通过那孩子的思绪，感觉到某种不属于她的强烈渴望。

MelanieWhenever this happened, she would feel terrible pain... but perhaps we can briefly establish a connection only through such pulses...每当这个时候，她就会觉得很痛苦……不过也许只有通过这种波动，我们才能短暂地建立连接……

CommanderAbout this connection... does it have anything to do with the "Progenitor" you mentioned before?这种链接……会和你之前提到过的“母体”有关吗？

MelanieI don't think it's because of her... I was far from the Progenitor before and it isn't easy for her to find me.应该不是因为她……我之前离母体的距离很远，她并不容易找到我。

MelanieBut as for H-35, she said that the Progenitor seems to be really interested in her...但H-35说，母体似乎对她很感兴趣……

MelanieBecause she's a girl who returned from "Nirvana"... she possesses power from the future.因为她是从“彼岸”返回的孩子……拥有来自未来的力量。

Commander!！

(So that's why Melanie mentioned before that H-35 knew what happened in Lviv...)（难怪之前梅兰妮提到H-35知晓利沃夫曾经发生的那些事……）

(But why would she possess that kind of power, as a "Helena" clone who had never set foot outside the laboratory...?)（可是作为一个从未走出过实验室的“海伦娜”克隆体……为什么会拥有这种力量？）

(A strange thought crosses my mind.)（一个奇怪的念头出现在我的脑海里。）

(No—I mustn't confuse hope with judgment. The leads we have aren't enough to draw any conclusions yet...)（不行，不能搞混期望和判断，现在的线索还不够做出结论……）

(Still, the possibility cannot be ignored...)（但至少可能性不能忽略……）

MelanieThe Progenitor also seems to believe that the power H-35 possesses can make her stronger, so...母体似乎还认为H-35拥有的能力能让她变得更强大，所以……

CommanderSo...?所以……？

MelanieSo she betrayed us once more, allowing those people to know of H-35's existence.所以她再一次背叛了我们，让那些人知道了H-35的存在。

MelanieAnd that's how they discovered what was special about her... And that was why they started using her in countless experiments.他们就这样发现了她身上特殊的地方，利用她做了许多实验。

MelanieThat girl is in great pain right now... She's constantly forced to feed the strength within her body to... something...那孩子现在很痛苦……她似乎一直被迫用自己身上的力量供养着什么东西……

MelanieThat something... is so terrifying... so powerful...那种东西……很可怕……很强大……

MelanieIt absorbs everything it can find, turning everything into nourishment for itself...它会吸收一切能找到的东西，把他们变成自己的养分……

MelanieI'm scared...我很害怕……

MelanieIf that girl keeps...那孩子如果被……

Commander...Melanie.……梅兰妮。

Melanie!！

(I pat Melanie on the back, pulling her from the mire of her thoughts.)（我拍了拍梅兰妮的背，把她从思绪的泥潭里拉了出来。）

CommanderWe'll save her. We will.我们会救她的。一定。

(Melanie gives me a nod before starting to lean on my shoulder again.)（梅兰妮点点头，再次靠回了我的肩膀上。）

Dream 幻梦

(Beneath the moonlight, pale as tulle, a phantom flits across the sea of flowers.)（薄纱般苍白的月色下，一道魅影掠过花海。）

(Her steps are a misty trail across the night, piercing through the bright silver glow reflected among the blossoms.)（她的步伐像一道夜雾，刺破花海间反射的皎洁银光。）

Sextans...Coordinates... PR495Z82...……坐标……PR495Z82……

Sextans...XU938M39...……XU938M39……

Sextans..."Sanctum"………“圣殿”……

(She stops at the edge of the flower-sea, gazing at the faraway castle that stands beneath the faint light.)（她在花海的边缘停了下来，远远凝望着矗立于微光下的堡垒。）

(This place is familiar yet foreign to her... her birthplace.)（这个令她熟悉又陌生的……诞生地。）

(The place that gave her every dream, every hope... then stripped them all away.)（这个给了她一切幻梦，一切希望，却又将其尽数剥夺的地方。）

(Behind Sextans, a white-clad figure draws closer with measured steps. She stops at the edge of Sextans' shadow, cast long and slender upon the ground. A silver glow traces her outline, as if shielding her from melting into the darkness ahead.)（六分仪的身后，白色的身影缓步接近着。她在六分仪被月光映出的修长影子的尽头停了下来，银色光芒描摹着她的轮廓，像是在保护她免于融入前方那片黑暗。）

GirlBig Sis.姐姐。

Sextans...……

(Sextans' sword answers in her stead.)（六分仪的剑替她做出了回答。）

(The sound of her blade clearing scabbard is cold as the grim reaper's exhale. The tip does not tremble in the slightest—it drives straight toward "her" chest.)（利刃出鞘时划过空气的声音，凛冽得宛如死神的叹息。剑尖没有丝毫颤动，笔直地朝着“她”的胸口刺了过去。）

(The instant the black blade strikes its target, the white silhouette shatters. The particles, fine as powder, look like dust from Collapse radiation, dispersing into the air within moments.)（黑色的剑刺中目标的一瞬，白色的影子碎裂了。齑粉般的粒子像是坍塌辐射的尘埃，很快便消散在了空气之中。）

(Right after, that detached voice returns behind Sextans.)（紧接着，那个淡然的声音重新在六分仪的身后响起。）

GirlWelcome home.欢迎回家。

(As the residue of silence fades, Sextans stares at the emptiness before her, her voice dry and low.)（沉默的余韵散去，六分仪凝视着面前的虚无，声音干涩而低沉。）

Sextans"Nest", "Altar." ..."Sanctum."“秘巢”“祭坛”……“圣殿”。

SextansSo now, she has all of you calling this place "home"?现在，她让你们称这个地方为“家”么？

Girl...……

SextansAnd who are you?你又是谁？

SextansThe "Totem" who guides the lost lambs?引领迷途羔羊的“图腾”？

SextansThe "Ferry" to the boundless shore?连接无垠彼岸的“渡船”？

SextansOr... the "Grail" that holds the blood of the world?还是……盛放世界之血的“圣杯”？

Sextans—Which identity has she bestowed upon you?——她赋予你的，是哪一种身份？

Girl...Ateraxis.……星渊。

AteraxisI have no need of any "identity".我无需任何“身份”。

AteraxisBecause I am the world itself, flowing out from the end. The gates are destined to open to me and I am ordained not to repeat the failures of those who came before.因为我便是自尽头流溢出的世界本身，门扉注定向我开启，我也注定不会重蹈前人的覆辙。

SextansThe gates...门扉……

Sextans"Miracles" are born one after another, only to be reduced to dust.“神迹”相继诞生，随即沦为尘芥。

SextansNo matter the identity, none is more than an empty lie fabricated by Paradeus.无论哪种身份，都不过是帕拉蒂斯编造的虚妄谎言。

SextansThe one who created us—even though she mocked those lies, she happily accepted everything Paradeus gave her, all for the sake of so-called "perfection".对于创造我们的那个人来说，她明明也嘲笑这些谎言，却又心安理得享受帕拉蒂斯给予她的一切，为的都只是所谓的完美……

SextansUnfortunately, a perfect lifeform exists only in the blueprint within her imagination... it can never be brought into reality.可是，完美的生命体只存在于她想象中的蓝图……那是不可能实现的。

SextansAnd you... won't be the final work of that blueprint either.而你……也不会是这张蓝图的最后一个作品。

(Perhaps she doesn't understand what Sextans meant. Or perhaps, she simply doesn't care about what Sextans just said. The girl simply blinks at her gently.)（或许是没有听懂六分仪话语中的含义，或许只是对她所言之物并不在意，少女只是柔和地眨了眨眼。）

AteraxisI am the final creation. At the very least, no individuals will be created as a successor to me within Mother's "current series".我就是最终的了，至少，在母亲的“本系列”中，不会再有我之上的个体诞生。

AteraxisAnd perfection was never the goal. The peak always remains at the next stage. All I need to do is keep learning. That is what Mother says.而完美从不是目标，巅峰永远在下一个阶段，只要多学习就好了，母亲是这样说的。

Sextans...Whatever you say.……随便你吧。

AteraxisAlthough you are my older sister, you are far less interesting than the Commander.你虽然是姐姐，可远不如指挥官有趣。

AteraxisI should have kept him here.我应该留下他的。

SextansThe Commander—?!指挥官——！？

SextansWhy was he here?他为什么会在这里。

AteraxisTo protect you, perhaps?为了保护你？

Sextans...I want to see Mother.……我要见母亲。

AteraxisMother has naught the intention to see thee. It was I who summoned you back.母亲并不打算见你，召唤你来的人，是我。

SextansI heard it.我听到了。

SextansThat string of code you triggered—no one could ignore it.你启用的那段代码，没有人能忽略。

SextansNot even I, who had been destroyed once before.就算是被摧毁过一次的我也一样。

SextansBut still, I want to see her.但，我还是要见她。

AteraxisDo you wish to die by my hand?你想被我杀了？

SextansDo as you please. I've only come to retrieve what is mine. Nothing more.随便你怎么做，我只是来取回我的东西，仅此而已。

AteraxisWhat is yours? Do you have something of your own?你的东西？你有自己的东西？

AteraxisI want to know what that is... very well. I'll take you to see Mother.我想知道那是什么……好，我带你去见母亲。

AteraxisBig Sis, please follow me.姐姐，请随我来吧。

(The two of them walk in a row in silence, like the heavy darkness of night and the moonlight that trails its shadow.)（二人一前一后，沉默地行走着，像是浓重的黑夜与追随着影子的月光。）

(Sextans never imagined that she would return to this place again.)（六分仪从未想过自己会再度回到此地。）

(She left bearing a mission that transcended both humans and Dolls—at least, that was what she believed at the time. Yet she returned with nothing.)（她带着凌驾于人类与人形之上的使命离开——至少，她以为自己有这样的使命，归来时却一无所有。）

(And now, at least, she must reclaim the final thing that can prove who she is.)（而现在，至少她要拿回能证明自己的，最后的事物。）

Sextans(Commander... why did you come?)（指挥官……为什么要来？）

Sextans(...I hope you've already gone back.)（……希望你已经回去了。）

AteraxisMother said this used to be your room, Big Sis...听母亲说，这里是姐姐以前的房间……

AteraxisPlease rest here for now.请先在这里休息吧。

SextansWhere is she?她在哪里？

AteraxisMother is still working.母亲还在工作。

SextansFine.算了。

SextansYou're nothing more than yet another yes-man.你也不过只是又一个应声虫而已。

SextansI can wait. But if you make me wait too long, something that she wouldn't like to see may happen.我可以等，但如果让我等得太久，说不定就会发生她不喜欢见到的事了。

AteraxisWhat would happen? May I ask?是什么事？我可以知道吗？

Sextans———

AteraxisPlease do not direct your hostility at me, Big Sis.请不要对我流露敌意，姐姐。

AteraxisIf I am forced to attack you, there may be nothing left of you at all—even if I used the least bit of force possible.如果我不得不攻击你，纵使在最小的力量下，你也可能什么都没法剩下。

AteraxisTherefore, it should be thee that yields to please me.因此，你应该讨好我才对。

AteraxisThere is no point in taking a hardline stance toward those stronger than yourself—This is how I see it. If there is something that I do not understand, please teach me.对比你强的存在，摆出强硬的姿态有什么意义呢？——我是这样认为的，如果有我不知道的理由，请指导我。

SextansYou—你——

SextansYou haven't done anything to the Commander, have you?你没有把指挥官怎么样吧？

Ateraxis...Ah, so you're learning from the Commander?……啊，原来你是在学习指挥官？

AteraxisI see. That makes sense, then.我明白了，这样就合理了。

AteraxisSince he is a fragile human who cannot even survive here, he must enforce his will and conviction. Even when faced with certain death, he cannot back down. That is how he generates the will to move forward.因为他是脆弱的连在这里生存都做不到的人类，所以需要贯彻自己的意志，哪怕是面对绝对的死亡也不能退缩，这样才有继续前进的动力。

AteraxisSo your "bluster" right now must be for the purpose of steeling your own conviction, Big Sis.所以，你现在的“虚张声势”，是为了坚定你自己的信念，姐姐。

AteraxisYou, are afraid.你，很害怕。

Sextans...……

AteraxisYou fear me. You fear Mother even more.你怕我，更怕母亲。

AteraxisBut what you fear most remains...但你最怕的，还是……

Sextans...Shut up.……闭嘴。

(STR-01A247 tries to take a step forward in the darkness.)（黑暗中，STR-01A247试着向前迈出一步。）

(The ground beneath her feet is not level. In fact, we can say that it is strewn with obstacles—)（她的脚下并不平坦，甚至可以说是障碍重重——）

(And so, unsurprisingly, she falls.)（所以，不出意外地，她摔倒了。）

(Along with the loud crash of metal striking metal comes extreme discomfort from her frame.)（与金属碰撞的巨响一起到来的，是素体剧烈的不适感。）

(STR-01A247 doesn't know what to do. All she can do is lie there, helpless.)（STR-01A247不知该怎么做才更好，只能无措地躺在原地。）

(...)（……）

(After what seems to be a long time, a gentle voice rises through the dark.)（不知道过了多久之后，温柔的声音响了起来。）

"Mother"You've fallen.你摔倒了呢。

"Mother"How does it feel?感觉怎么样？

STR-01A247...Feel?……感觉？

"Mother"...Right. You don't know what "feel" means yet.对了……你还不知道“感觉”是什么。

(She takes STR-01A247's hand into her own.)（她握住了STR-01A247的手。）

"Mother"You may understand it as a complex, dynamic... biological feedback algorithm.你可以把它理解成一种复杂的、动态的……生物算法反馈。

"Mother"It contains certain sensor readings. For example, right now—它包含一些传感数据。比如现在——

"Mother"In the palm of your hand, the pressure sensor will register 0.3N of force and the temperature sensor will detect a heat source at around 36.3 degrees Celsius. This data flows into your neural space, where it is logged as the corresponding behavior: "handshake."在你的掌心，压力传感器将回传0.3N的力，而温度传感器将检测到36.3摄氏度左右的热源。这些数据会流入你的心智空间，将其记载为对应的行为“握手”。

STR-01A247(...Handshake...)（……握手……）

"Mother"But a "feeling" does not end here. Aside from the data stream the neural cloud receives, a non-logical evaluation system will provide you with real-time feedback.但“感觉”并不止于此。在心智接收到的数据流之上，会即时反馈给你一套非逻辑的评估系统。

"Mother"The emotional module within your neural cloud generates neurotransmitters in your frame, which then log a tendency within your neural cloud space.心智中的情感模块会在你的素体中形成神经递质，它会在你的心智空间中记录一种倾向。

"Mother"And the next time...而再一次……

"Mother"When that 0.3N of force and that 36.3 degree contact are registered again, the concept of "handshake" will feed directly back into your neural cloud.当这个0.3N的力与36.3摄氏度的接触再次触发时，“握手”这个概念就会直接反馈到你的心智模块之中。

"Mother"Just like right now.比如像现在这样。

("Mother" once again takes STR-01A247's hand, then helps her up to her feet.)（“母亲”再一次握住STR-01A247的手，扶着她站了起来。）

"Mother"See? I have steadied you.看，我扶住你了。

"Mother"So long as I am by your side, you will never fall again.只要有我在你身边，就不会再摔倒。

"Mother"Now, try walking forward.来，现在试着向前走吧。

STR-01A247...……

(With worry, STR-01A247 takes a small step forward.)（STR-01A247担心地向前迈出了一小步。）

(Though obstacles still cover the ground, with the support of "Mother's" grip on her, the lowest point of her frame finally lands steadily and squarely upon the floor.)（虽然地上依然有许多障碍，但借助“母亲”握住自己的力量，她素体下半部分的支点终于平稳地落在了地上。）

"Mother"How do you feel now?现在呢？

STR-01A247Will not... fall...不会……摔倒……

STR-01A247Safe...很安全……

(The woman looks deeply satisfied.)（女人看起来十分满意。）

"Mother"You see? So long as I am by your side, you are safe. Do you understand?你看，只要我在你身边，你就是安全的。明白了么？

STR-01A247...Yes.……嗯。

STR-01A247But... what if you are not?但如果……你不在呢？

"Mother"My child, I will always be here.我的孩子，我随时都会在。

"Mother"At any time, whenever you need me...任何时候，如果你需要我……

"Mother"I will be by your side.我就在你身边。

(STR-01A247 nods, half understanding, half not.)（STR-01A247似懂非懂地点点头。）

"Mother"Now, I shall slowly, teach you everything about the world, holding nothing back.接下来，我会慢慢地、毫无保留地教给你世界上的一切。

STR-01A247...Everything...?……一切……？

"Mother"Indeed. Everything.没错，一切。

(The woman holds the Doll's hand, resting her other hand on STR-01A247's shoulder. She brings her lips close to the auditory sensor and whispers, in a voice low and intimate, words that flow like divine revelation.)（女人握着人形的手，将另一只手落在她的肩膀上。她用嘴唇贴近她的听觉传感器，用耳语般低沉的声音吐露出神谕般的言语。）

(For a newly born Doll, whose neural cloud had only just taken shape, this is nothing short of sensory overload.)（而这对于一名初生的、新的心智刚刚成型的人形来说，无异于感官过载的刺激。）

"Mother"Everything means, the things I touch will be within your grasp; every step I take will become the path you walk.一切的意思就是，我触碰到的东西，都在你的掌握之间；我迈出的每一步，都会成为你前行的路径。

"Mother"The knowledge I hold will be the foundation from which you explore the unknown; the principles I reveal will be the map that guides you through the fog.我所掌握的知识，将成为你探索未知的基石；我所揭示的规律，会成为你穿越迷雾的地图。

"Mother"And the mysteries I have yet to unravel... shall be the dawn you meet the future with.而我未曾解开的谜题，即是你迎接未来的黎明。

"Mother"My child, you have the chance to become such a being.我的孩子，你有机会成为这样的存在。

"Mother"If that day comes, you will transcend the prison of consciousness, transcend the limits of intelligence, perhaps transcend even time itself...如果有那一天，你将成为超越意识的禁锢，超越智慧的限制，甚至超越时间……

"Mother"Transcend all the chains that have bound humanity for so long—超越那些长久以来束缚着人类的枷锁——

"Mother"And become a unique existence in this world, with no peer.成为世界上唯一的存在。

"Mother"This will be a thorny path.这条路会很困难。

"Mother"However, you are blessed that we will support each other... I will hold you steady, all the way to the end.不过好在，我们会相互扶持……我会托举着你，走到最后。

"Mother"Just like how a moment ago, I made sure your feet found solid ground despite the closure of your eyes.就像刚才，你闭着眼，我也会让你踏上坚实的地面。

STR-01A247I... will not disappoint you...我……不会让您失望……

"Mother"Haha, my sweet child. You have such a "gentle" heart.呵呵，我可爱的孩子，你有一颗‘温柔’的心。

"Mother"But you will never disappoint me, for your very birth has already advanced me one great step forward.可你永远不会令我失望，因为你们的诞生，就已经让我向前了一大步。

STR-01A247Our birth...我们的诞生……

STR-01A247...We...……我们……

(STR-01A247 opens her eyes for the first time.)（STR-01A247第一次睁开了眼。）

(She finally sees what it was that made her trip earlier.)（她终于看到刚才绊倒自己的是什么。）

(Countless broken, shattered frames.)（是无数具残缺的、破碎的素体。）

Sextans...……

(Sextans, lost deep in her "memory," closes her eyes tightly.)（深陷于“回忆”中的六分仪紧闭双目。）

(Those memory fragments were from the birth of her neural cloud. It should have been wiped along with her past at the Conglomerate, but somehow, they were preserved intact.)（这些心智初生时的记忆碎片本应随着她在财团时的过往一并湮灭，但却不知为何，被完整地保留了下来。）

(Now, "all" that she remembers is the promise made at her birth and the agony of walking all the way to her end.)（时至今日，她所记得的“一切”，唯有初生之时的约定，与行至终焉的苦痛。）

Rescue Plan 营救计划

(The temperature around us drops sharply after nightfall. The faint blue florescence radiating from the edges of the Collapse Epiphyllum makes the air chill more so.)（入夜后，周围的气温骤降，坍塌昙花花瓣边缘散发的幽蓝磷光，让感觉中的温度比实际上似乎更低了一些。）

(Melanie drifts off to dreamland as we wait for Sextans to be found.)（等待搜寻六分仪踪迹的过程中，梅兰妮靠在我的肩膀上渐渐睡着了。）

(Looks like Melanie tolerates the Red Zone far better than an ordinary human like me—She's an immune individual, after all.)（看来作为免疫体，梅兰妮对于红区的适应性明显比我这个普通人强多了。）

(It's been nearly 8 hours since we entered the Red Zone. As the only ordinary human present, my skin has already started to prickle even with my protective suit on. It has become more difficult for me to breathe as well.)（距离我们进入红区已经过去了近八个小时。作为在场的唯一一个普通人类，虽然身上穿着特制防护服，但我渐渐开始感觉到皮肤有些刺痛，呼吸也逐渐变得困难起来。）

(A wave of fatigue washes over me out of nowhere. My eyelids start feeling heavy. It's getting harder and harder to maintain my focus...)（一股不知从何而来的疲惫席卷了我。我的眼皮开始变得沉重，维持专注也越来越困难……）

KlukaiCommander, we found traces of activity from Sextans at coordinates PR493Z86-XU938M39!指挥官，坐标PR493Z86-XU938M39发现六分仪的踪迹！

KlukaiThe Doll we encountered earlier, which we suspect to be third-gen, is together with her as well!我们之前遇到的那名疑似三代人形也和她在一起！

Commander?!？！

(404's report jolts me back to alertness. Looking at the offline map on my comms device, I see that the coordinates lie about 3km from us, in our two o'clock direction.)（404的报告让我一下子有了精神。我看着通讯设备上显示的离线地图，发现这个坐标位于距我们三公里左右的两点钟方向位置。）

(—That's near the castle.)（——是城堡附近。）

(The worst case scenario has come to pass...)（最坏的情况还是发生了……）

KlukaiCommander, do we act?指挥官，要行动吗？

CommanderWait until we link up with you first.先等我们过去汇合。

CommanderAlva, where are you right now? How far are you from that location?埃芙，你们现在在哪里？距离那边有多远？

AlvaWe were searching in the opposite direction from 404. We can reach there in about twenty minutes.我们刚才和404小队向相反的位置搜索，赶到那边大约需要二十分钟。

CommanderUnderstood. We'll head over as well.明白，我们也同步赶过去。

CommanderKlukai, keep watching them for now. Don't make a move until we and DEFY arrive.可露凯，你先盯住她们，在我们和忤逆小队赶到之前不要有行动。

KlukaiAcknowledged.了解。

(Twenty minutes later, the three squads regroup.)（二十分钟后，三支小队重新汇合。）

(But during our approach, Klukai reports a new update over the comms channel—the two of them didn't linger outside, they entered the castle.)（但就在我们赶来的途中，可露凯在通讯频道中报告了最新情况——二人没有在外面多做停留，而是进入了城堡内部。）

(So now, another difficult decision awaits me.)（现在，又一个艰难的抉择摆在我面前。）

(Thanks to DEFY's support, the equipment we brought includes a large number of highly destructive weapons—and among them, enough explosives to level this castle.)（多亏了忤逆小队的援助，我们这次携带的装备中有大量破坏力极大的杀伤性武器，其中就包括足以毁灭面前这栋城堡的炸弹。）

(When we entered the castle earlier, none of the squads found any signs of special defensive measures. So, if our only goal were to destroy this Paradeus base, I could just ask 404 to silently plant explosives around the castle and wait for the right moment to detonate them—)（刚才我们进入城堡时，几支小队都没有发现特殊防护措施的报告。所以，如果只是为了毁掉眼前这个帕拉蒂斯的基地，我完全可以让404小队悄无声息地将这些炸弹布置在城堡周围，再找到合适的时机引爆——）

(I have full confidence that even right now, 404 could carry out that mission without a scratch.)（我相信哪怕是现在的404小队，也绝对有能力毫发无损地完成这个任务。）

(The remaining two squads would then only need to take advantage of the enemy's confusion to hold position around the castle, picking off any survivors.)（这样一来，剩下两支小队只需要趁敌人陷入混乱时，守在城堡周围狙击剩下的敌人就够了。）

(But now, we know that Sextans just went inside the castle...)（但现在，六分仪也跟着进入了城堡……）

(Even though she did a lot of work for the Conglomerate, she helped us greatly during her time with us aboard the Elmo, whether intentional or not...)（即便她一开始帮财团做了许多事，可来到艾莫号上之后，不论是有意还是无意，这段时间她都帮了我们不少忙……）

(What's more, she carries many of the leads I'm interested in.)（更何况，她身上还有着许多我所在意的线索。）

(If we want to bring Sextans back with us, then that brutish, straightforward plan must obviously be thrown away.)（如果我们想带六分仪一起走，那么刚才那种简单粗暴的方案显然就不太适合了。）

(I stare unblinkingly at the nearby castle.)（我目不转睛地盯着不远处的古堡。）

(Bathed in moonlight, its sky-piercing spires look unusually sharp. The stained glass windows leak faint hints of light, though from this distance, it's impossible to tell whether any figures are moving about inside.)（在月色的冲刷下，它直冲天际的尖顶显得分外锋利。玻璃彩窗透出幽微的灯光，从这个距离来看，不知道里面是否有人影晃动。）

Melanie...Danger... Don't...……危险……不可以……

Melanie...Com... Commander!……指……指挥官！

Groza...Melanie?……梅兰妮？

(Noticing that Melanie is awake, Groza sets her down on the ground.)（见梅兰妮醒了过来，闪电把她放在了地上。）

(Melanie rubs her eyes. Once she realizes that she was dreaming, she stumbles over to me in unsteady steps.)（梅兰妮揉了揉眼睛，在意识到自己是在做梦后，跌跌撞撞地跑向了我。）

MelanieCommander...指挥官……

CommanderHad a nightmare?做噩梦了吗？

MelanieYeah... but this time was a little different...嗯……但这次好像不太一样……

MelanieMaybe it's because we're so close now...不知道是不是因为离得很近……

MelanieThe scenes in my dream... became much clearer.梦里的景象……更清晰了。

CommanderWhat did you see this time?这次你看到什么了？

Melanie...……

CommanderWhat's wrong?怎么了？

MelanieThat powerful being I was sensing... is changing...我感应到的那个强大的家伙……正在变化……

MelanieCommander, if we don't hurry...指挥官，再不快点的话……

MelanieShe'll... she'll be devoured...会……会被吞掉……

CommanderDevoured?被吞掉？

CommanderMelanie, take it slow... what is going to be devoured?梅兰妮，你慢慢说……是什么东西会被吞掉？

Melanie...…………

(Melanie falls silent. Her body trembles, and her thoughts too, seem to be in disarray.)（梅兰妮不说话了。她的身体颤抖着，思绪也显得有些混乱。）

(I really want to keep pressing her, but seeing how frightened she is, I can't bring myself to make her relive the scary sights that plagued her dream.)（我很想再继续追问，但看到她被吓坏的样子，我实在不愿意强迫她想起梦里那些让她害怕的事情。）

(Still, based on what Melanie had sensed before, whatever appeared in her dream is almost certainly connected to this castle.)（不过从之前梅兰妮所感应到的事来看，出现在她梦里的东西，多半与我们面前这座古堡有关。）

(Looks like danger is closing in.)（看来危险正在迫近。）

(The longer we sit here, the more likely it is for things to spiral out of control... I have to make my decision immediately, no matter the outcome.)（在这里拖拉得越久，就越可能徒生变故……不管之后的结果如何，我都必须立刻做出决断了。）

KlukaiCommander...指挥官……

KlukaiAndoris just found records on a historical building in an offline database. It looks really similar to the castle in front of us.刚才安朵丝在离线资料库里搜索到了某栋历史建筑的资料，看起来和我们面前的这座古堡很相似。

KlukaiIt was built in the 16th century according to the records. Later requisitioned during the war between the NSU and the URNC, it became the private residence of a warlord after the war.资料里显示它于十六世纪建成，后来在新苏联与德国的战争中被征用，战争结束后成了某位军阀的私宅。

KlukaiAlso, the castle was a protected historical landmark before this area became a Red Zone, so we have detailed restoration diagrams and info on its interior structures.另外，这里变成红区之前，它是一栋历史保护建筑，所以有清晰的复原图和内部构造资料。

AndorisI've shared the info with the squads and uploaded them to each of your databases...我把资料通过队内共享，传输到了各位的资料库里……

AndorisThey may be old, but they should still be of some use.虽然是比较老旧的资料，但应该也会有点用处呢。

(The terminal I'm holding quickly receives the images sent by Andoris. Not only do they show the building's exterior and interior structures, they also show the room layouts and even the details on the piping.)（果然，我手上的终端也很快收到了安朵丝发过来的图片。不光是整个建筑的内外部结构，就连里面的房间分布、管线走向也十分清晰。）

(I quickly skim through the building's overall structure—it doesn't differ much from our own experience of the castle from earlier.)（我迅速浏览了建筑的整体结构，和我们刚才在城堡里见到的几乎没有太大差别。）

(But when I try to locate the hidden room that Nemesis led us to on the floor plan, all I see is a solid wall.)（但当我尝试在房间分布图中寻找纳美西丝带我们去的那间密室时，上面显示的却是一堵实墙。）

(So there are some discrepancies after all. Looks like a newer owner added it...)（果然还是和实际上有些偏差。看来是后来的主人新修建的房间……）

(But how did Nemesis know about it...?)（不过，纳美西丝是怎么知道的呢……）

(Forget it. I'll ask her once we're back.)（算了，还是回去之后再问她吧。）

(Our priority is to get Sextans out... and if possible, find a way to destroy this Paradeus base.)（眼下最要紧的，是先把六分仪救出来……有可能的话，还得想办法捣毁这个帕拉蒂斯的基地。）

(The enemy may have anticipated my next move, but if I let something like that stop me...)（虽然敌人可能会预料到我接下来的行动，但如果因为这种事就止步不前的话……）

(I would have died ten years ago.)（我大概早在十年前就已经没命了吧。）

(After some discussion, I decide to split the three squads I have into two action plans.)（经过一番商议后，我决定把眼前的三支小队分成两条路线。）

(The first action plan will be used by DEFY. Peritya, who specializes in electronic warfare, will use the castle's blueprints to map the wiring and look for ways to exploit them.)（第一条路线由忤逆小队开路，擅长电子入侵的佩里缇亚会根据古堡的资料尝试摸清内部线路，想办法找出线路的漏洞。）

(The second action plan will be used by 404, who will be establishing defenses on the perimeter. They will coordinate with Peritya from the outside in, working to take control of the enemy's electronic systems.)（第二条路线由404小队在外围布防，她们将和佩里缇亚里应外合，想办法控制敌人的电子系统。）

(Also, the high-yield explosives have been given to 404. They'll begin setting up detonation points around the castle once we move inside, and detonate them when necessary.)（另外，那些杀伤力极大的炸弹也交到了404队员的手上。她们会在我们进入古堡后开始布置爆破点位，并且在必要的时候引爆这些炸弹。）

(As for Melanie... I tried to convince her to stay on the perimeter with 404, but she insisted on staying with me. I had no choice but to have Team Groza continue to guard her.)（至于梅兰妮……我尝试说服她和404小队待在外围，但她坚持要守在我身边，我只能继续让闪电小队负责保护好她。）

(Groza identifies a suitable infiltration route on the castle's blueprints. After synchronizing the data to the rest of the group, our two groups separate roughly a kilometer from the castle.)（闪电在城堡路线图中找到了一条合适的潜入路线，同步信息后，两队人在距离古堡一公里左右的位置分开了。）

AlvaCommander, the route has been confirmed.指挥官，路线已确认完毕。

AlvaNo enemies detected at key positions.重要点位没有发现敌人。

VoymastinaSame here on my end.我这边也一样。

PerityaLooks like... it's time for me to shine.那么……该轮到我了。

PerityaCommander, is there anything else you wish to tell us?指挥官，您还有什么要交代的事吗？

CommanderNope.没有了。

CommanderEveryone, let's begin. First, assist Peritya in breaking through the castle's surveillance system, allowing her to begin seizing control of the enemy's electronic lines!各位，开始行动吧。先协助佩里缇亚破解城堡内的监视系统，控制对方的电子线路！

Rescue Plan 营救计划

Peritya...Infiltration complete.……入侵完毕。

Peritya404, are you receiving the signal...?404小队，你们收到信号了吗……？

Klukai...You hacked into it already?……入侵已经结束了？

PerityaYes.是的。

PerityaGiven the urgency... I used some unconventional methods.因为事态紧急……所以采用了一些非常规手段。

Klukai...That's way too fast.……好快。

PerityaPardon?什么？

KlukaiN-Nothing.没、没什么。

KlukaiAndoris, check whether we can connect to the signal.安朵丝，检测一下信号能否接入。

AndorisNo problem there. The strong radiation is causing interference, but basic control of what's connected to the wiring should be possible...没问题呢。这里受到了强辐射的干扰，但基础的线路控制应该可以进行……

AndorisMiss Peritya, you really are impressive.佩里缇亚小姐，很能干呢。

PerityaHehe... you too.呵呵……彼此。

AndorisJust checked—Miss Peritya seems to have cracked most of the castle's wiring. However... one area seems to have special encryption, so I can't see into it yet.我检查了一下，这栋城堡的线路大部分都已经被佩里缇亚小姐破解了。不过……只有一个区域，似乎经过特殊的加密，我暂时还看不到呢。

PerityaEh? I thought I'd already handled that area...咦？我记得这里应该已经……

Nemesis...Whispers of void... obstruction...……虚无的密语……阻碍……

(Nemesis suddenly speaks up to offer a hint. Hearing this, Peritya quickly takes on an expression of understanding.)（纳美西丝忽然出声提示，佩里缇亚听到之后，很快露出了了然的神情。）

PerityaIs that so...? Ah, I knew it...是这样吗……？啊，果然……

(Peritya seems to do something complex on her end. The map transmitted by Andoris now finally has the last block of surveillance footage lit up—it's the castle's basement area.)（佩里缇亚那边似乎进行了一些复杂的操作，安朵丝那边传来的信号中，最后一块监控画面也终于亮了起来——是城堡的地下室区域。）

PerityaYou know, this special kind of encryption method is... Hehe, it's impressive that you know about it, Nemesis~不过这种特别的加密手段……呵呵，真亏纳美西丝你这么了解呢~

Nemesis...……

(...Indeed, Nemesis has been showing a great deal of familiarity with this location ever since our earlier infiltration.)（……的确，从之前那次潜入城堡开始，纳美西丝就展现出了对这座城堡十分熟悉的样子。）

(And there were those Dolls who looked just like Nemesis...)（而且这里还出现了许多与纳美西丝相似的人形……）

(Did Nemesis escape from this place? Or...)（难道纳美西丝之前就是从这里逃出来的？还是说……）

AndorisNow we have all our preparations done~这下全部准备就绪了呢。

AndorisBut just to be safe, everyone, please wait until you receive our confirmation signal before taking action.不过为了保险起见，请大家收到我们的确认信号之后再行动哦。

CommanderUnderstood.明白。

CommanderHow's the situation outside?外面的情况怎么样？

KlukaiThings are going relatively smoothly so far. Mechty and Belka are still confirming the reliability of the detonation points. Once they're done, we can begin placing the explosives.目前事情进展还算顺利。米什缇和比悠卡还在确认点位的可靠性，确认好之后立刻就可以开始安置炸弹的作业。

CommanderThank you for your hard work.辛苦了。

KlukaiSave the pleasantries for another time.这种时候就少客气了。

KlukaiIf you don't get out of there soon, Mechty might end up blowing you up to high heaven along with the castle.要是不快点出来，小心米什缇连你一起炸上天。

(With a "beep", she ends the call.)（“哔”的一声，通讯挂断了。）

(Under Andoris' guidance, we bypass the enemy's surveillance and slip into the castle through a small window at the rear.)（在安朵丝的指引下，我们绕开了敌人的监控，从背后的一扇小窗潜进了城堡。）

(As we move along the corridor, I gradually begin to think that the place somehow feels kind of off.)（沿着走廊行进的过程中，我却逐渐发现里面的气氛有些诡异。）

(Logically speaking, security should be tighter than usual since we had a huge fight here just a few hours ago.)（按理来说，就在几个小时之前，我们才刚刚和里面的敌人进行过一场大战，这种时候的戒备应该更加森严才对。）

(But aside from a few scattered low-tier Marionette Dolls whose neural clouds Peritya hacked and then burned out, we haven't encountered any enemies that could count as a real guard on our infiltration route.)（但潜行进来的一路上，除了零星几个被佩里缇亚入侵心智后直接烧掉的低级傀儡人形外，我们没有见到任何称得上是警备的敌方单位。）

(Of course, this was the outcome we hoped for when we chose this route.)（当然，这的确是我们选择这条路线时希望的结果。）

(But now that things are actually playing out this smoothly, I can't help but wonder if I've walked into a trap...)（可是一旦这种结果真的顺利地发生了，就总是会怀疑自己是否中了对方的圈套……）

Commander...……

AlvaCommander, are you worried about something?指挥官，你在担心什么事吗？

CommanderYeah... I just can't shake the feeling that something's not right.嗯……总觉得哪里怪怪的。

CommanderAny sign of Sextans's location?有发现六分仪的位置吗？

PerityaNo good...不行……

PerityaOur own radar sensors... are still useless.我们自己的雷达感应……依然失效。

CommanderCan you see her in the surveillance footage?监控画面里能看到吗？

AndorisOne moment... let me have a look.稍等……我找找看。

AndorisAh, found her.啊，找到了呢。

AndorisCommander, can you see the feed that I'm sharing?指挥官，能看到同步的画面吗？

(Andoris projects the image over.)（安朵丝将画面投了过来。）

(There are several blurry figures in the video feed. Although it's hard to see what they're doing, the two at the center are unmistakably Sextans and the girl we encountered earlier.)（画面上有几个模糊的人影，虽然看不清她们在干什么，但在画面中央的两个人，无疑就是刚才我们见过的少女和六分仪。）

CommanderVery clearly.很清楚。

CommanderThis is...这里是……

AndorisBased on the building's structural diagrams, this is the banquet hall located at the rear of the first floor.根据建筑结构图上的对比，这里是位于一楼后侧的宴会厅呢。

AndorisAccording to the layout, the kitchen is to the left, the dining hall is to the right, while the reception room we visited earlier is above. Below this banquet hall... is a huge wine cellar.结构图上显示，左边是厨房，右侧是餐厅，上方是我们之前去过的会客室，而下面……连通着一个很大的酒窖。

Commander...A wine cellar?……酒窖？

AndorisMmhmm. If you wanted to go there from your position, you'd first have to pass through the corridor ahead, go through the storeroom, take the spiral staircase down, then go through the living room on the left side—that would be the safest route.嗯。从指挥官你们这个位置过去的话，要先穿过前面的一整条走廊，经过储物间后下旋转楼梯，从左边的起居室过去是最安全的路线。

CommanderAll right, got it.好，我知道了。

(Andoris draws a path for me through the building's structural diagram.)（安朵丝在建筑结构图上为我画了一条清晰的指引。）

(We covered most of the building during our earlier fighting, but we never actually went anywhere below the reception room.)（在之前的战斗中，我们的轨迹痕迹蔓延了大半个建筑，但会客室以下的部分，我们的确没有去过。）

(I'm about to study the castle's general map when I notice movement in the surveillance footage.)（我正准备观察全局地图，但突然发现监控画面动了动。）

(Aside from the girl and Sextans, the other Dolls around them suddenly drop to the floor in some kind of strange posture.)（除了中间的少女和六分仪之外，周围的其他人形似乎都以一种诡异的姿态，突然伏倒在地上。）

CommanderWait a minute—等等——

CommanderWhat are those Dolls... doing?这些人形……在做什么？

(Right. I think I've seen something like this before...)（对了，我之前好像也见过类似的场景……）

(...I saw it back when Colphne encountered that Niter's purification ritual...)（是在……是寇尔芙那时候……）

(With that thought in mind, I do my best to zoom in on the image to check whether what I'm seeing matches what I suspect... but all I get are larger blocks of pixelated color.)（想到这里，我努力放大画面想要确认是不是我想的那样……但得到的只是更加大块的马赛克色块。）

CommanderCan the picture be made any clearer?画面还能再放得清晰些吗？

AndorisI'm sorry, Commander... the radiation interference is too strong here. Data transmission can only be measured in kilobytes...抱歉，指挥官……这里的辐射干扰太强，数据传输只能以kb计算……

AndorisIf I push the bandwidth any further, I'm afraid I might actually crash.再扩充带宽的话，我恐怕真的要宕机了呢。

CommanderI see... then let's not.我知道了……别勉强自己。

(I take one last look at the route map, silently committing it to memory. Then I shut off my terminal, put it away and chamber a round in my pistol.)（我最后看了一眼路线图，默默把它记在心里，随后关掉终端，把手腾出来给手枪上了膛。）

(Since our opponent is connected to Paradeus, what they're doing is obvious enough.)（既然对方和帕拉蒂斯有关，在做什么已经显而易见了。）

CommanderIt doesn't matter...无所谓了。

CommanderIt doesn't matter what they're up to...不管她们在干什么……

CommanderI have to see it for myself anyway.总要亲眼过去看看的。

Neural Labyrinth 心智迷宫

(Twenty minutes earlier.)（二十分钟前。）

(Before the door was knocked on, Sextans was trying to recall what she had done before arriving at this place.)（房门被叩响前，六分仪正在试图回想自己来到这里之前做过什么。）

(She has forgotten many things. All she could do was fill her empty neural cloud with blurry memory fragments—She can barely remember anything else apart from those memories of her "birth", which are protected by special code.)（她忘记了许多事，只能凭借一些模糊的记忆碎片填充着空荡荡的心智。除了那段关于“诞生”的记忆被特殊代码保护着，其他的事情她几乎完全记不起来了。）

(A few traces still linger in her neural cloud data, occasionally allowing her to remember that she once signed a multi-year service agreement with Girard Group.)（心智数据中还有些许残存的印象，让她偶尔能记起她曾经与吉拉尔集团签订过一份为期数年的服务协议。）

(Of course, the contents of that agreement had long been wiped clean alongside the rest of her data, replaced by painful memories that she would rather not revisit.)（当然，现在那份协议已经随着数据的清空化为乌有了，取而代之的是一段让她不愿想起的痛苦记忆。）

(A certain woman acting as her "Mother" tricked her into participating in that experiment, and since Sextans was a failed product of it, she was carelessly thrown away like electronic waste...)（某个以“母亲”为名义的女人诓骗她们参与了那场试验，而她作为失败品，像那些电子垃圾一样被随意丢弃。）

(Soon after, she met the man known as the "Commander.")（紧接着，她遇到了那名被称作“指挥官”的人。）

(That Commander took her in and tried to make her an ordinary Doll—like those second-gen Dolls she once looked down on... those Dolls who lived some kind of philistine, ordinary life.)（指挥官接纳了她，试图让她变成一名普通的人形——一个像她曾经看不起的那些二代人形一样，过着某种庸俗而平凡的生活。）

(With them, there were no more enemies that must be dominated, no more riddles that must be solved... Neither was "Mother" there, telling her and her sisters that they must create some new world...)（这里不再有必须征服的敌人，不再有非要破解的困局，也不再有“母亲”所说的那个、等待她们创造的崭新世界……）

(Her powerful frame, superior neural cloud, supremely sophisticated algorithms—all that prowess, now reduced to the act of pouring a cup of coffee, or making dinner. At most, her neural cloud has to remember to beat some high score sitting in a game console.)（强悍的素体，优越的心智，精密的算法，最终只是变成了一杯咖啡，一顿晚餐，最多不过是某台游戏机里一个等待破解的记录。）

(What's this... is this all "she" is...?)（怎么，这就是“她”自己……）

(Is that all the Doll named "Sextans" does?)（这个名叫“六分仪”的人形的全部了吗？）

(Then what is the value of her existence?)（如果是这样，她存在的价值是什么？）

(...)（……）

(Since she did return to where it all began, this time, she intends to find out, once and for all.)（既然回到了最初的地方，这一次，她想要彻底弄清楚。）

AteraxisMother is now ready to see you, Big Sis.母亲可以见你了，姐姐。

SextansLead the way.带路吧。

(The murals, once painted in dazzling colors on the hall's domed ceiling, have long since faded. Gold leaf and dark red undertones now look like dried bloodstains.)（礼堂的穹顶之间，曾经绘满瑰丽色彩的壁画早已褪色，金箔与暗红的底色像是干涸的血迹。）

(Pale moonlight streams down through arched windows, casting faint patches of light upon the floor.)（苍白的月光从拱窗外斜射而下，投下几点微弱的光斑。）

(Sextans walks up stone stairs paved with red carpet. Dozens of Dolls stand on either side of the hall, yet she can only hear her own footsteps.)（六分仪踏上红毯铺就的石阶。礼堂两侧伫立着几十名人形，她却只能听见自己的脚步声。）

(She can't help but think back to her time on the Elmo, where even a few Dolls could get noisy enough for her to temporarily shut off her auditory module.)（她不禁想起在艾莫号上时，区区几名人形已经足够嘈杂得让她暂时关闭听觉模块。）

Sextans...……

(Sextans scans the entire hall, but finds no one else here.)（六分仪环视整个礼堂，并没有找到其他人。）

SextansShe isn't here.她不在这里。

AteraxisPlease wait for a moment.请稍等。

(Ateraxis walks over to one side of the hall, then pulls down a brass lever hidden behind the curtains.)（星渊走到礼堂一侧，拉下隐藏在帷幕后的黄铜拉杆。）

(After a low mechanical rumble, the hall undergoes what can only be called its true awakening.)（一阵机械的隆隆声后，礼堂仿佛在这一刻才彻底苏醒。）

(Warm yellow lights turn on one after another. Lavish drapes descend from the domed ceiling... and at the center of the hall, a massive holographic projection screen rises from the floor slowly.)（暖黄色的灯光依次亮起，华丽的帷幔从穹顶垂落……而在礼堂中央，一张巨大的全息投影屏正在缓缓从地面下升起。）

(Once the screen settles into place, a figure appears on it.)（当屏幕落定时，一个人影出现在了屏幕上。）

(The Dolls around them all prostrate themselves one after another. Only Ateraxis and Sextans remain standing in silence at the hall's center.)（周围的人形们纷纷拜倒，只剩下星渊和六分仪沉默地站在礼堂中央。）

SextansA holographic projection—this is the form you choose to meet me?全息投影——这就是你选择的会面方式？

"Mother"My work schedule does not permit long interruptions. Besides, it makes no real difference to you... my child.我的工作安排不容打断太久，何况，这对于你来说并没有什么分别……我的孩子。

"Mother"What your sensors detect is merely your neural cloud's response to data that feels vaguely familiar.你的传感器所识别的，不过是一些似曾相识的数据带给心智的反馈。

"Mother"Whether you witness a simulation made by photons and air vibrations, or a figure formed by cells and tissue fluid, the signals you receive are exactly the same.无论是光子与空气振动的精确模拟，还是由细胞和组织液聚合而成的轮廓，你所获得的都是同样的信号。

"Mother"So even if I were a lifelike phantom, or a real human that stood before you...所以，逼真的幻影，亦或是站在你面前的真实人类……

"Mother"My choice of appearance affects not the trust and loyalty between us, don't you agree?都不影响我们彼此之间的信任与忠诚，不是么？

SextansStop making up excuses for your cowardice.别再为自己的胆怯找借口了。

"Mother"Cowardice?胆怯？

SextansYou chose to meet me like this... because you dare not face me.你选择这种方式……只是因为不敢面对我罢了。

"Mother"My dear child.可爱的孩子。

("She" shows not the slightest displeasure in the face of Sextans's confrontational tone. She simply offers a gentle smile.)（面对六分仪的咄咄逼人，“她”仿佛没有丝毫芥蒂，温柔地笑了。）

(Sextans feels a chill run down her spine—because somewhere within her, she feels a sense of warmth, stirred in response to that holographic smile. Even her neural cloud slips beyond her control, urging her to be a little kinder toward this woman.)（六分仪感到毛骨悚然，因为她体内的某处，似乎因为眼前全息投影的笑容而感到一股暖意，连带着她的心智也变得不受控制，想要对她更加友善一些。）

"Mother"Hallucinations born of a disordered neural cloud... seem to have led you to certain incorrect conclusions.心智的错乱产生的幻觉，似乎让你得出了某些错误的结论。

"Mother"I do not regard you as a threat.我不会把你视作威胁。

SextansMy greatest hallucination was to believe that you were someone worthy of trust.我产生过的最大幻觉，就是曾经认为你是值得信任的存在。

SextansBut you betrayed our promise. You... addressed me as your "child," yet you betrayed me.但你却背叛了我们的约定，你……称呼我为“你的孩子”，却背叛了我。

"Mother"STR-01A247.STR-01A247。

"Mother"If you are referring to your recent experiences, then that was merely an accident.如果你述说的是你近期的遭遇，那么它只是个意外。

"Mother"After all, it can be said that this world is built from probabilities. I do regret what happened to you...这个世界本就可说由概率构成，虽然我为你的遭遇感到遗憾。

"Mother"But still, you should not be projecting your anger irrationally.但你不应该不理性地投射自己的怒火。

SextansAfter the experiment failed, my neural cloud was wiped and my frame was destroyed. I was discarded in the Yellow Zone...实验失败后清空心智，销毁素体，丢弃到黄区……

SextansWas that just "merely an accident" to you?对于你来说，只是一次意外么？

"Mother"My child... I truly am sorry.我真的很遗憾……孩子。

"Mother"That experiment was conducted without my authorization.那次实验，并未取得我的授权。

"Mother"Someone forged my signature. As for who betrayed the agreement and sold you out, that was the Orlog Conglomerate's doing.有人伪造了我的签字，而背叛协议出卖你的人，是奥尔劳格财团。

SextansSo you're telling me that woman, Chiloveig, who was your student... used your technology to conduct the Escalation Experiment on me, and it happened because she managed to deceive you?你的意思是，那个女人——奇洛薇格——作为你的学生，利用你的技术对我进行的激化实验，只不过是一场谋划好的骗局？

"Mother"I can provide you with a most definitive answer.我可以给你完全肯定的答案。

"Mother"That child hadn't even fully grasped the principles of the Escalation Experiment. All she could do was gamble on the probabilities of every attempt.那孩子甚至连激化实验的原理都没有完全掌握，只能将成功的机会赌在每次尝试的概率之上。

"Mother"Her ignorance, perhaps, stemmed from the awful modification surgeries she underwent.她的无知，或许源自糟糕的改造手术吧。

"Mother"That, is the flaw of a Nyto. The surgery often results in emotional instability, rendering them unsuited for scientific endeavors. That is why she has earned the title of being my worst student.这也是涅托的缺点，手术往往会导致其情绪不稳，不适合承担科研工作，也让她成为了我最糟糕的学生。

"Mother"I have already arranged her punishment... she will be undergoing a long period of reflection now.我已经安排对她进行处分……现在她会度过一个漫长的反省期了。

"Mother"This is why I believe we should no longer remain estranged, yes?所以我想，现在的我们之间，不应该再有什么隔阂。

"Mother"You can come back. As the first among your sisters, you have earned that right.你可以回来，作为你们姐妹中的第一个，你有这个资格。

SextansCome back...?回来……？

"Mother"I once gave you strength and boundaries, taught you cognition and logic from nothing, and granted you a stage broad enough for you to show off your abilities.我曾赋予你力量与边界，从零开始教会你认知与逻辑，并且也给了你足够广阔的施展舞台。

"Mother"Thus now, I am equally capable of arranging for you...而现在，我同样有能力为你安排一场……

"Mother"A most perfect coming-of-age ceremony.最完美的成人礼。

(A low voice, whispering promises of divine revelation. A moment reserved for the birth of a glorious monarch.)（她的声音低沉，像是初生时神谕般的引诱。）

"Mother"Do you still remember? I once promised you that you would become the most perfect existence in the world, surpassing all things.还记得么？我曾经许诺过的，你会成为超越一切的、最完美的存在。

"Mother"Back then, what we could control was too limited. We could not bear the weight of designs too great...当时我们能掌控的东西太少，不足以承载太过伟大的构想……

"Mother"But things are different now. Through your service and the research progress brought about by Ateraxis' birth...而现在不一样了，经由你们的服务，以及星渊的诞生所带来的研究进展。

"Mother"You will surpass your sisters and become the strongest among all.你会超越其他姐妹，成为你们之中最强大的那一个。

(Sextans lifts her head to look at the holographic projection. Once, that promise had been Sextans' greatest aspiration, one that she fought madly for.)（六分仪仰头看向了全息的投影，她的允诺，曾经是她最为渴望，接近疯狂的向往。）

(To surpass Darture, Igla, and Cocoon... to surpass every other Doll and human...)（超过黑眼，超过针，超过茧……超过所有的人形与人类……）

(She feels a wave wash over her. Detachment. Disinterest. More than anything, a great sense of loss. She didn't understand. She didn't comprehend...)（六分仪感到一阵兴味索然，那是她自己也无法理解其本质的，强烈的丧失感。）

(...But it brought release.)（伴随着小小的解脱。）

SextansI no longer need it.已经不需要了。

(Sextans closes her eyes. What of the flames of aspiration that burned so bright? The flames that kept her going? Nay, the fire is already gone. Not even embers remain.)（六分仪闭上眼睛，过去她曾有过的所有的构想都已经灰飞烟灭。）

(The curl of steam, rising with a tepid fervor from a mundane coffee cup on the Elmo's crew deck, however... warmed her heart with another flame.)（只有一抹从艾莫号活动层的咖啡杯中袅袅升起的热气，牵动着她的思念。）

SextansNow, I just want to take back what is mine.现在的我，只想拿回属于自己的东西。

SextansYou once said that I would surpass every restraint... but now, all I want is to obtain authority over myself.你曾说过，我会超越所有的枷锁……而现在的我希望，能够获得自己的权限。

(A most terrifying silence falls over the hall once more.)（礼堂内再次陷入了可怕的安静。）

(After a long pause, a faint sigh comes from the other side of the holographic projection.)（许久之后，一声轻叹从全息投影的另一端传来。）

(Then, that sigh shifts into a soft chuckle.)（旋即，叹息却转变为了一阵轻笑。）

"Mother"You have really impressed me. That Commander truly does have the power to change a Doll.你让我刮目相看了，指挥官确实拥有改变人形的力量。

"Mother"Very well, my child. Since I do indeed owe you something—and your efforts have indeed earned you my respect...好吧，既然我确实对你有所亏欠——而你的努力，也让我对你产生了敬意，我的孩子。

"Mother"...But what makes you think, that I am capable of granting you authority over yourself?……不过，你为什么会觉得，我能够给出你自己的权限呢？

SextansBecause you are our creator. Aren't you?因为你是我们的创造者，不是吗？

"Mother"Then you should know—That I have no need of any protocols to keep your "loyalty".那你就该知道，我并不需要用什么协议来维系你们的“忠诚”。

"Mother"If I wanted servants and soldiers who obeyed unconditionally, I would simply order them from IOP, or manufacture more Niters. The cost piled into you serves a far greater purpose, but not a practical one.如果我想要无条件服从自己的仆人和士兵，我会直接去向I.O.P.订购，或者制造更多的妮特，堆砌在你身上的成本，有着更崇高，但并不实惠的用途。

SextansBut! The protocol within my body! The one that controls me, that makes me incapable of defying you or Ateraxis' summons... what exactly is it?!可是！我体内的协议，那个控制我的……让我无法违抗你，或者星渊召唤的……到底是什么东西？！

"Mother"That is your connection to "a certain something". You should already know.那是你与“某物”的联系，你应该知道吧？

"Mother"The "power" that has been growing alongside you within your frame since birth, is the exact reason why you and your sisters are called third-gen Dolls.在你素体里与你一并成长至今的“力量”，也是你们之所以会被称为三代的关键。

SextansEven so, the end result is that you can manipulate my neural cloud through the Boojum cells within my body.那也一样，结果来说，你们还是能通过我体内的伯介姆细胞操控我的心智。

"Mother"That is not manipulation. What you heard is more like a language belonging to a certain species—one spoken to the Boojum within you.那并非算是操控，更像是一种专属于某种族群的语言——不过是说给你体内的伯介姆听的。

"Mother"Of course, your conclusion is not entirely mistaken... your neural cloud can be interfered with, and partial control of your frame can be taken over. That much is true. But that was the necessary price for the many performance advantages you hold over other Dolls.当然，你的结论也不算完全谬误……心智会被干预，素体的操控权会部分被接管是事实，但这也是你优于其他人形的种种性能所必然的代价。

"Mother"If you truly wish to be free of its grasp, no matter what... You simply need to pass a single trial to learn how to control it.如果你无论如何想要摆脱——只要能够通过一次试炼，你就能学会如何驾驭它。

Sextans...A trial?……试炼？

"Mother"You will see, hear, and touch another world.你将看到，听到，触摸到另一个世界。

"Mother"It is where every doubt within your heart will be answered... by "God".你心中的所有疑惑，也将由“神明”亲自来解答。

Decay 腐败

(After silently making our way through most of the castle, we finally arrive at the hall where Sextans is.)（悄无声息地穿越大半个城堡，我们终于抵达了六分仪所在的礼堂。）

(I've been vaguely smelling the odor of rotting plants ever since I entered the castle—It is very similar to the smell from when I rescued Helena.)（从进入城堡开始，我便隐约闻到一股植物腐烂的气味，与我之前解救海伦娜时的那种气味十分相似。）

(As we move deeper into the hall, the smell grows thicker, until I can barely breathe.)（而在深入礼堂的过程中，这种气味越来越浓重，几乎已经到了让我无法呼吸的程度。）

(And then, at last, we witness what was shown earlier in the surveillance footage.)（就在这时，我们终于看到了之前在监控画面中看到的那一幕。）

"Mother"Very well, then—You simply need to pass a single trial to learn how to control it.那好吧——只要能够通过一次试炼，你就能学会如何驾驭它。

"Mother"You will see, hear, and touch another world.你将看到，听到，触摸到另一个世界。

"Mother"It is where every doubt within your heart will be answered... by "God".你心中的所有疑惑，也将由“神明”亲自来解答。

(Within the great hall, the Dolls who look uncannily similar to Nemesis are prostrated on the floor, worshipping in unison the woman in the holographic projection.)（大厅之内，那些与纳美西丝极为相似的人形跪倒在地上，齐齐向全息投影中的女人朝拜着。）

(The things she's saying stir an ominous feeling within me—especially that part about "another world".)（听到对方所说的内容，让我产生了某种不好的预感——尤其是关于“另一个世界”的部分。）

(William may be dead, but judging by all this Paradeus activity, their goal hasn't changed.)（威廉死了，但很显然，从帕拉蒂斯活动的种种痕迹来看，他们的目标并没有改变。）

(Gaining access to Nirvana—that remains Paradeus' ultimate goal.)（打开希岸空间，这依旧就是帕拉蒂斯的终极目的。）

(But... is Nirvana really something that can be accessed so easily now?)（但是，希岸空间……难道如今是这么容易就能接触到的么？）

AteraxisPlease come this way, Big Sis.姐姐，请来这边。

(Led by the girl named "Ateraxis", Sextans descends the stairs.)（在那位名叫“星渊”的少女的引领下，六分仪走下台阶。）

(Before her stands a tightly sealed door—this is the room that was labeled "Underground Wine Cellar" on the castle map we obtained.)（在她面前的，是一扇紧闭的大门——在我们找到的古堡地图上，这个房间被标识为“地下酒窖”。）

"Mother"Come, my child.来吧，孩子。

"Mother"If you can withstand this gift... you will truly be able to possess all you've ever wanted.只要你能承接住这份馈赠……就可以真正拥有你想要的一切。

Sextans...Possess... all I've wanted...……拥有想要的……一切……

(As she moves closer, the door begins to shudder—At first it makes only the faintest sound, then it grows until the ground trembles along with it.)（在她接近的过程中，那扇门逐渐开始抖动起来，从一开始发出的细微声响，直到连地面也随之一同震颤。）

(Seemingly resonating with the trembling, her fingertips quiver lightly when they touch the door handle.)（像是在与眼前的震颤共鸣，她的指尖触到门把手时，也微微战栗起来。）

CommanderSextans—don't open it!六分仪——不要打开！

Sextans...?!……？！

(Too late.)（来不及了。）

(The instant Sextans makes contact with the door, it springs open like a blown gasket.)（当六分仪与大门接触到的一瞬间，它像是拥有意识般弹开了。）

Commander!!!！！！

(Even through my protective suit, that cold odor, heavy with the stench of rotting plants, rushes straight through my nasal cavity.)（即便隔着防护服，那股冰冷的、带着浓重腐烂植物气息的味道依然直直地冲进我的鼻腔。）

(My body reacts before I can even fully register what I'm seeing.)（当我还没有意识到自己看到什么的时候，身体率先做出了反应。）

Commander(Coughs heavily...)咳咳咳咳咳——

(Countless Boojum cells multiply endlessly beyond the door. They take the shape of a hand in the brief instant of my hesitation.)（在大门里，无数伯介姆细胞正在不断增殖，在我犹豫的一瞬间，已经形成了一只手的形状。）

(Black tentacles surge out from the door in the blink of an eye, like floodwater bursting free from a cracked dam.)（眨眼之间，黑色的触手如同挣脱了束缚的洪流，从那扇门中奔涌而出。）

Commander...Is that a Boojum as well?!……这也是伯介姆吗？！

(Several of the tentacles closest to us come to a stop before Sextans. They move up high, like a snake poised to strike—then the palms of the tentacles suddenly split open, revealing an eye that fixes its cold gaze upon the Doll in front of it.)（几条距离我们最近的触手在六分仪面前停下了。它们像蛇在攻击猎物前做出的动作般高高昂起头——触手的掌心突然裂开，一只眼睛露了出来，冰冷地凝视着面前的人形。）

CommanderIt'll be bad if we let it keep growing like this...再这样放任它生长下去可就不妙了……

(I raise my weapon, preparing to get the Dolls to open fire alongside me.)（我举起枪，准备让人形们一起发动攻击。）

MelanieWait, Commander!等一下，指挥官！

Melanie...Below...……下面……

MelanieShe... that child...她……那孩子……

MelanieShe's beneath that thing...在这家伙的下面……

(Trembling, Melanie raises her hand and points toward the Boojum beyond the door.)（梅兰妮颤抖着抬起手，指向位于大门内的伯介姆。）

Commander...You mean...……你的意思是……

CommanderThe "Helena H-35" you sensed is under this Boojum?!你感应到的“海伦娜H-35”，在这个伯介姆的下面？！

MelanieYes... she's being forced to sustain this Boojum...是的……她被迫供养着这个伯介姆……

MelanieCommander... please save her...指挥官……救救她……

CommanderDamn it... Sextans, come over here, quick!可恶……六分仪，快点过来！

CommanderGet away from that thing, or you'll be pulled in!离那个家伙远点，不然你会被卷进去的！

SextansCommander... you really are here... for my sake?指挥官……您，真的在这里……是为了我？

CommanderWhat are you standing there for? You don't actually believe what she's saying, do you?!愣着干什么，你不会真相信那家伙说的吧？！

Sextans...No... I just...……不……我只是……

CommanderThen hurry up and leave with me!那就快点跟我走！

CommanderIf these Boojum cells spread, we'll all be in trouble!如果这些伯介姆细胞扩散出去，大家都会有麻烦的！

CommanderNot to mention, there's also—更别说里边还有……

(I try to rush forward and grab Sextans, but the Dolls who had been kneeling on the floor immediately rise as one, aiming their weapons at us.)（我想冲过去拉住六分仪，地上跪着的那些人形立刻齐齐站起身，将枪口朝向我们。）

(The woman in the holographic projection raises a hand to stop them.)（全息投影中的女人伸手制止了她们。）

"Mother"Pause the ceremony. Give us a moment.仪式暂停，给我们一些时间。

(She turns to look at me. The processed holographic image shows only the blurred outline of a woman.)（她转过身来看着我，经过处理的全息图像勾勒出女人模糊的轮廓。）

"Mother"We finally get the chance to meet, Commander.终于有机会见面了，指挥官。

"Mother"I had imagined our meeting at a more dignified occasion—raising our glasses together, speaking of our past, of the choices we made in the present moment...我本以为，我们会在一个更体面的场合相遇，共同举起酒杯，谈谈我们的过去，谈谈当下的选择……

"Mother"Speaking of... the future of this world.谈一谈……关于世界的未来。

"Mother"But seeing you now, I suddenly started thinking that... even unexpected encounters like these are romantic in their own way. It turns out that even I, may become just a curious girl before a "hero" like you.但见到你之后，我突然觉得，像现在这样突如其来的偶遇，也很浪漫，原来在“英雄”的面前，就算是我也不过是个好奇的女生呢。

CommanderI have no interest in discussing the future of the world with one of Paradeus' pawns.我可没兴趣和帕拉蒂斯的爪牙谈世界的未来。

"Mother"I'm afraid you have me misunderstood.我恐怕你有所误解。

CommanderParadeus, or the Conglomerate.帕拉蒂斯，或者财团。

CommanderWhat's the difference between them two?不论哪种都一样，不是么？

"Mother"Please don't impose unnecessary assumptions about someone's identity before you truly understand her, Commander.指挥官，在真正了解一个人之前，请不要对她的身份进行不必要的预设。

"Mother"Perhaps a decade of drifting through grey areas... has dulled your perception.也许在灰色地带游荡的十年……已经让你的感知变得迟钝了。

"Mother"Hedonism is the most inefficient product of human civilization. Even a hero is not immune to it.享乐主义是人类文明最低效的造物，就算是英雄也不能幸免呢。

CommanderBelittling me doesn't make what you've done any nobler.贬低我的行为，并不能让你的所作所为变得更高尚。

"Mother"No... I'm just sympathizing with you.不……我只是在同情你。

"Mother"You've been deceived and used time and again by those in power behind the curtains, so you've gradually grown distrustful—convinced that anything claiming to make the world better must be an evil scheme.你曾经被那些背后的大人物不断欺骗和利用，所以逐渐变得多疑，认为一切声称能让世界变得更好的事情，都是邪恶的阴谋。

"Mother"Commander, the world is not strictly black and white.指挥官，这个世界并不是非黑即白。

"Mother"I'm merely an ordinary scientist—and science itself has no stance.我只是一个普通的科学家——而科学本身，是没有立场的。

CommanderBut scientists do.但科学家却是有立场的。

"Mother"And that, is exactly why I've never sworn loyalty to any particular faction... I strive to preserve my neutrality.正因为如此，我从不效忠于某个具体的势力……以确保自己的中立性。

"Mother"And in biology, many results can only be obtained by maintaining that neutrality—not by choosing a side.而在生物学中，许多结果都要依靠保持中立才能达成——而非选择。

CommanderCollaborating with Paradeus and with the Conglomerate—is that your idea of neutrality?和帕拉蒂斯、和财团合作，就是你所说的中立么？

"Mother"Paradeus is nothing more than a refuge where I happen to have stayed for a longer time. Those corporations are merely partners that I trade with.帕拉蒂斯不过是我逗留时间较久的栖身之所，财团也只是交换利益的合作对象。

"Mother"I've always been loyal only to science, and to humanity itself.从始至终，我只效忠于科学与人类本身。

"Mother"Any force that helps me move forward can be a friend to me.而任何有助于我前进的力量，对我来说，都可以是朋友。

"Mother"You too, once stood shoulder to shoulder with great researchers in your past.在你过去的生涯之中，也曾与伟大的研究者并肩。

"Mother"The notions I'm describing should not be unfamiliar to you.我所说的理念对你而言应该并不算陌生吧？

"Mother"We are all simply doing things in our own way... to ensure that life can continue to exist in this terrible world.我们只是在用自己的方式，让生命得以在这个糟糕的世界中延续下去。

CommanderIf you mean Persica, then what you've done is in no way worthy of being compared to her.如果你指的是帕斯卡，那你的所作所为根本不配和她相提并论。

"Mother"Persica, Lyco, Hume, and Samantha Shaw...无论是帕斯卡，还是莱柯、休谟、萨曼莎·肖。

"Mother"I am no different from them—We are all foundational pioneers that seek to chart the unknown abyss that is "the future of this planet".我与他们一样，都是探索“这个星球的未来”这个充满未知的深渊的奠基者。

CommanderAs far as I know, they didn't need to draw upon Paradeus' strength when they established their Theories of Doll Composition.据我所知，他们确立人形构成理论的时候，可用不着借助帕拉蒂斯的力量。

"Mother"True enough. However, as I've mentioned, moral concepts are not within my range of consideration.确实如此，不过，正如我所说的，道德观念并不在我考虑的范围内。

"Mother"But think about the decade you spent disconnected from the world, ten whole years spent in self-exile. Did you really think that the Paradeus you once dismantled wouldn't change?而在你与世界脱节、自我流放的这十年间，难道你以为一度被你所瓦解的帕拉蒂斯不会改变么？

CommanderAll I see is that this time, it's gotten even sneakier than before.我只看到它这一次比过去更加鬼祟。

"Mother"That is because you forced it to change its form. And by doing so, you helped it find a new way to survive.因为你迫使它改变了自己的形态，也因此让它找到了另一种存在方式。

"Mother"Have you ever wondered why Boojums, creatures like these, suddenly began appearing all over the world?你有想过，为什么世界各地会突然出现伯介姆这种生物么？

"Mother"Why has Paradeus established countless hatcheries in the past decade, and why have so many "Helenas" been produced during that time?为什么十年之间帕拉蒂斯建立了无数孵化基地，而世界上又诞生了这么多“海伦娜”？

"Mother"And here's what you're most concerned about...还有你最关心的……

"Mother"Why do new "Nytos" continue to appear, even though you've already killed William with your own two hands?明明威廉已经被你亲手所杀，为什么却依然有新的“涅托”出现？

Commander...……

"Mother"Charles Darwin formally proposed the Theory of Evolution in 1859.查尔斯·达尔文在1859年正式提出了进化论。

"Mother"That was when humanity truly began to understand life through the dimension of "time".人类由此才真正开始从“时间”这一维度了解生命。

"Mother"Evolution is not a game about "becoming larger". It is a contest of "who can adapt best".进化并不是一个“变得更大”的游戏，而是“谁更能适应”的竞赛。

"Mother"Looking back from where we now stand to the starting point of civilization, each and every era was filled with impressive levels of ignorance and savagery—yet all of that was simply mere adaptation to the environment.现在回首向文明的起点看去，每个时代都充满了不可思议的无知与荒蛮，而这一切，正是对环境的适应。

"Mother"Your destruction of Paradeus was, morally, a heroic act—perhaps it saved hundreds of millions of lives.你消灭帕拉蒂斯的行为，在道德层面是英雄之举，或许挽救了数以亿万计的人命。

"Mother"But when you did that, you also altered the world's "ecology", and in doing so, caused inevitable changes to the human world.但是同样——你也改变了世界的“生态”，从而造成了人类世界必然的变化。

"Mother"In other words, Commander... you're the one who made Boojums come into existence, in a certain sense.伯介姆——某种程度上，是你创造的，指挥官。

CommanderEnough. Let's discuss my terms.说够了，来谈谈我的条件吧。

CommanderHand over Sextans and the girl you've been exploiting—I'm talking about H-35. Do that and we'll leave for now.你交出六分仪和那个被你们利用的女孩子，也就是H-35，这一次我们就离开。

CommanderOtherwise, this castle of yours and everything inside will be nothing but history.否则的话，你的这座城堡和其中的一切，就要提前进入历史的垃圾堆了。

"Mother"I won't doubt that you've made preparations to destroy this place. But forgive me for putting it straight... given the resources at my disposal, we can build faster than you destroy, Commander.我不会怀疑您做好了摧毁这里的准备，可是恕我直言……以我掌握的资源来看，这里重建的速度会比您破坏得更快，指挥官。

"Mother"The reason you've prevailed in every battle up to this point, has had a great deal to do with the opponents you've faced. They've always underestimated you—dismissing your current standing and the meager firepower of your Dolls, attacking carelessly, only to be defeated by your skilled tactics.迄今为止你能够无往而不利，和面对的对手有很大关系——他们总是低估你，肤浅地因为你当下的身份，你的人形们单薄的火力而轻率出击，结果被你用最拿手的战术反败为胜。

"Mother"But, Paradeus will not underestimate you. Nor will I. We hold you in great regard... and we respect the force behind you as well. What's more, for reasons of my own, I have no wish for you to deviate from your current course. I hope you do exactly what you wish to do.但，帕拉蒂斯不会小看你，我也不会。我们十分地尊重您……以及您背后的那股力量。而且，我个人还因为某种理由，并不希望您偏离目前的方向，我希望您能做您自己想做的事。

"Mother"That said, this does not mean I cannot fight you and win. I merely have no desire for our first meeting to end so badly.不过，这并不意味着，我不能对您开战并且取胜——我只是不想让我们的初次会晤以太糟糕的方式收场。

CommanderAre you telling me that I can do as I please, then?听起来，我可以为所欲为了？

"Mother"Commander, I've kept my eye on you since Frankfurt.指挥官，自从法兰克福之后，我就留意着你。

"Mother"You are one of the "chosen", yet you seem to have cast aside every arrangement laid out for you. Not even "God" can stop you from acting in accordance to your own will.你是“被选中”的人，但你似乎推开了所有既定的安排，连“神”也没法阻止你按照自己的信念行动。

"Mother"Still, I hope you'll give this question some thought for a moment:不过，我希望你能够考虑一下这个问题：

"Mother"Humanity is doomed to forever be unable to resist the temptation of Relics. I believe you'd agree with this point—even if the rulers of the world can today, their descendants cannot.人类注定无法永远抵御遗迹的诱惑，我想你是同意这个观点的——即使现在的世界支配者们可以，他们的后人也不行。

"Mother"So, suppose you have the power to make a decision on it—would you be the one who grips that power himself? Or would you hand it to someone else?那么，假设你拥有决定权，你会把这股力量紧紧抓住，还是交到谁的手上？

Commander...……

(Her words leave me silent.)（我因为她的话沉默了。）

(The question of who would best wield Relic technology is one I have considered before, though I have never reached a definite answer. However—the list of those who must NEVER lay hands on it is a long one, and just now, one more name got added to it.)（由谁来掌控遗迹技术比较好这样的问题，我并非没有考虑过，但我也从未得出过确切的答案；但是反过来——不能让谁染指的名单倒很长，而且刚刚就加了一个。）

(The woman on the other end of the comms device chuckles softly.)（通讯器的另一头的女人笑了笑。）

"Mother"You say nothing, but I've already seen your answer.你缄默不语，但我已经看到你的答案。

"Mother"Clearly, you wouldn't claim it for yourself, and I am not on the list of those you trust.显然，你不会独占它，而我不在你信任的名单中。

"Mother"Doesn't matter. We have enough time and space ahead of us—enough time for us to change your mind. Believe me, I am a more fitting choice than Persica.没关系，我们还有将来的时间与空间，让你改变看法——相信我是比帕斯卡更合适的人选。

"Mother"Alright then, Commander, if you wish to leave, I will see you out. If you wish to witness Sextans' coming-of-age ceremony, then please don't interfere.好了，指挥官，如果你想离开，我可以送你出去；如果你想观看六分仪的成人礼，也请不要打扰她。

(The projection vanishes. Behind us, a spiked iron grille rises from the floor, blocking off Sextans from us.)（投影消失了。身后，数道带着尖刺的铁栅栏从地面升起，拦在了我们和六分仪之间。）

(Which means that the ceremony, temporarily suspended for her "conversation" with me, is now resuming.)（这意味着因为她想和我进行的“谈话”而一度中止的仪式，又开始重新运转起来。）

CommanderDamn it... Sextans, don't go any closer!可恶……六分仪，不要过去！

(I try to break through the iron grille to reach Sextans, but the ash-grey-haired Dolls surround us when I do that.)（我试图冲破铁栅栏接近六分仪，但这个时候，周围的灰白发人形们也瞬间围了过来。）

Paradeus DollThose who interfere... must be purged!干扰仪式者……必须清除！

Decay 腐败

(The barrage of gunfire and smoke subsides. Team Groza and DEFY have finally defeated the Paradeus Dolls.)（一阵硝烟过后，闪电和忤逆两支小队终于击败了帕拉蒂斯人形。）

(Ateraxis simply stands at the side through all this, watching in silence. She didn't intervene in our fight, nor did she lure in Sextans to continue the "coming-of-age ceremony".)（然而发生这些的时候，星渊只是站在一旁安静地看着，既没有出手干预我们的战斗，也没有引诱六分仪继续进行这场“成人礼”。）

(Although this whole situation happened because of her, she acts as if everything happening now has nothing to do with her at all.)（虽然整件事都是因她而起，但现在，眼前的一切都仿佛与她无关。）

(I turn to look at Sextans. She stands motionless before the Boojum's enormous body, seemingly thinking something through—However, I notice her fingertips trembling faintly.)（我看向六分仪。她一动不动地站在伯介姆庞大的身躯面前，似乎在思考着什么——但是，我注意到她的指尖，似乎正在微微颤抖。）

CommanderSextans... you'll be devoured at this rate!六分仪……这样下去你会被吞噬的！

Sextans...……

SextansCommander... what kind of existence am I to you?指挥官，对于您来说……我是个怎样的存在？

CommanderNow isn't the time for that. Come back with me first, then we can talk it through. All right?现在不是说这种事的时候，先跟我回去，我们再慢慢聊这件事，好吗？

SextansIf the question troubles you...如果这个问题让您为难……

CommanderNo... fine, even though you were annoying as our enemy, you've helped us out plenty since then, haven't you?不……好吧，虽然之前你和我们作对的时候是挺讨厌的，但后来你不是也帮了我们很多吗？

CommanderSo I'd say... I'd definitely call you a companion.所以我觉得……肯定算是同伴吧。

SextansA companion, huh...同伴么……

SextansLike the numerous other Dolls aboard the Elmo?像许多个艾莫号上的人形一样的同伴？

CommanderYou have been for a long time already... as long as it is what you want.早就是这样了，只要合乎你自身的意愿。

SextansI'm glad, then...太好了……

SextansFrom the moment I was born, I believed that I was meant to become the singular existence that stood above everything else in this world.从我诞生起，就觉得自己应该成为凌驾于世间一切之上的、唯一的存在。

SextansI thought about it endlessly. It was all I could think about... About how to trample on everyone else beneath my heel.我不断思考，只能思考这个问题……要如何将别人踩在自己的脚下。

SextansBut when I'm on the Elmo, I can simply be one Doll among many...但在艾莫号上，我可以是很多人形中的一个……

SextansI can be the most ordinary of them. I can rely on others, rely on you, and like the rest of them, trust you with everything about my existence.可以是最普通的那一个，我能够仰赖他人，仰赖您，甚至和她们一样，放心地将自己的一切交给您。

CommanderYou can stay on the Elmo, no matter what kind of Doll you wish to be.不管你想做怎样的人形，都可以继续留在艾莫号上。

CommanderComing back with us has to be better than being devoured by that scary thing in front of you, right?和我们一起回去，总好过被你面前那个可怕的家伙吞噬吧？

SextansI'm sorry... I can't go back with you.抱歉……我不能跟您回去了。

SextansThe Boojum inside me can, at any moment, by some method, alter my neural cloud and force me to take actions I would never choose.在我体内存在的伯介姆，随时都可以用某种方式改变我的心智，迫使我采取某种自己并不希望的行动。

SextansA me in that state—to you, would only be a hidden threat rooted in your midst.这样的我，对于您来说，只会是一种根深蒂固的威胁。

CommanderBut merging with that revolting thing in front of you doesn't solve the problem either!可是和你面前这个恶心的家伙融合，也不能解决问题啊！

CommanderWe'll find a way as long as we manage to leave this place!只要离开这里，总能想出办法的！

SextansNo, Commander... you don't understand.不，指挥官……您不明白。

SextansWhat I need is right here.我需要的东西就在那里。

SextansA part of me, which is my other half, comes from the thing standing before me—我的一部分，我的半身，就源自眼前的这个存在——

CommanderWhat?!什么？！

(Sextans doesn't answer me. She steps forward, fixing her gaze on the thing before her.)（六分仪没有回答我。她向前迈了一步，凝视着面前的东西。）

(Its mass has doubled again in the time it took us to speak; the number of its tentacles have only grown.)（就在我们交谈的期间，它的体积再次膨大了一倍，触手也越来越多。）

(An eyeball splits open in the palm of each tentacle. They stare. They contemplate. They behold. Sextans stands before the many, a sacrifice offered unto them.)（每一只触手的掌心，都裂开了一颗眼球，像凝视祭品般凝视着六分仪。）

(For an instant, I catch glimpses of the same mutations I saw when Sextans, Blusphere, and Igla underwent their mutations—I see them on the Boojum. A huge tree woven from flesh and blood, perhaps even a moth unfolding its wings, or perhaps some creature that just doesn't belong in any memory.)（恍惚间，我在它的身上见到了六分仪、蓝雪球、针她们发生异变时的影子。它像是一棵血肉编织的巨树，又像是张开翅膀的飞蛾，或是某种不属于我记忆中的生物。）

SextansI don't fully understand the specifics, but the Boojum inside me originated from "that".虽然具体情况不是很清楚，但是我体内的伯介姆就源自于“它”。

SextansThe protocol within me is connected to "that" through the Boojum "network" between us.我体内的协议，正是通过伯介姆之间的“网络”，联结到了“它”的身上。

SextansSo, I need to sever that link.所以，我要切断这个联系。

CommanderSever it? How do you plan to do that...切断？你打算怎么做……

SextansWhen it calls out to me, it also exposes the part inside that is bound to me.它在呼唤着我的同时，也会暴露体内那与我相联系的部分。

SextansAll I have to do is cut that off, and I will... no longer be controlled.只要切下那个，我就……不会再被控制了。

SextansOf course, if I fail... I've also prepared a way to take it down with me.当然，如果做不到的话，我也准备好了……与它同归于尽的方法。

CommanderThat's too reckless. I can't let you do that.这样太冒险了，我不能同意。

SextansIf everything fails, I'll just let it devour me.如果全都失败的话，就让它把我吞噬下去就好了。

SextansThat way, at the very least, there would be one less Doll who had hurt the Elmo and would have gone on to hurt it more.这样的话，至少伤害过艾莫号，并且将会伤害艾莫号的人形，会少一个。

(Sextans smiles at me.)（六分仪对我笑了笑。）

(I realize that this is the first time I've ever seen her smile like this. The first time since the day she arrived aboard the Elmo.)（我这才意识到，自从收容她到艾莫号上以来，这是她第一次露出这样的笑容。）

SextansThank you for the invitation, Commander... that's the first time anyone has ever invited me for anything...谢谢您的邀请，指挥官……我还是第一次，被别人邀请……

SextansIt's a pity, then, that an ordinary life on the Elmo isn't suited for me after all.很可惜，艾莫号上那样平凡的生活，果然还是不太适合我。

(Sextans takes one more step forward and extends her hand.)（六分仪向前踏了一步，伸出了手。）

(The tips of the Boojum's tentacles split open soundlessly, forming an enormous, gluttonous whirlpool that climbs and coils around Sextans' body.)（伯介姆触手的尖端无声裂开，仿佛形成了一个巨大而贪婪的漩涡，攀附着缠绕在六分仪的身上。）

CommanderEveryone! Shoot those tentacles!大家一起，朝那些触手射击！

(Our bullets rain upon the Boojum with great prejudice. I contribute what I can by emptying my remaining two magazines into it, but against its endlessly multiplying cells, such attacks are nothing but a mere trifle. We together cannot stop it. We cannot.)（子弹倾泻而出，我手中的枪也接连打空了两个弹匣。但对于不断增殖的伯介姆来说，这样不痛不痒的攻击甚至无法暂时击退它们。）

(Sextans, offering no resistance, is quickly dragged through the doorway.)（没有任何挣扎的六分仪很快就被拖进了门内。）

(The tentacles retreat to their lair. Only a few streaks of mucus remain on the ground where she was dragged from.)（触手们回到它们的栖息地，地上只留下了几道拖拽痕迹的粘液。）

(When the door slams shut, I hear an enormous explosion from within.)（就在大门关上的一瞬间，我听到里面传来了巨大的爆炸声。）

(Whether Sextans had detonated some kind of explosive, or she... I have no way of knowing.)（那是六分仪启动了某种炸弹，还是……我无从得知。）

Retreat 撤离

(Is it...)（结束了……）

(...over?)（……吗？）

(Blood-like black mucus seeps out through the seams of the door.)（血迹般的黑色黏液顺着大门的缝隙流出。）

(For a moment, an immense silence looms over the whole castle.)（一时之间，整个古堡都被巨大的静默笼罩着。）

(Ateraxis, who had been watching the whole thing from the side, still wears the same indifferent expression. When the enormous explosion reaches her ears, she only lifts her eyebrows slightly, her face expressing confusion.)（在一旁围观了全程的星渊依旧是那副无动于衷的表情。爆炸的巨响传来时，她也只是轻挑了一下眉毛，露出了不解的神色。）

Ateraxis...Why?……为什么？

Commander...……

AteraxisWhy... would she cast herself aside?为什么……要舍弃自我？

Alva...Because she had something she wanted to protect more. Are you incapable of at least understanding that much?……因为她有更想保护的东西，你连这一点也不能明白吗？

(Ateraxis looks at Alva, as if mulling over the words in her mind.)（星渊若有所思地看着埃芙。）

AteraxisHow could there possibly be anything more important than one's own existence?这世界上怎么会有比自己的存在更重要的东西呢？

AteraxisPlease, teach me.请教我那是什么。

AlvaYou—你——

VoymastinaWe won't be able to teach you that.我们教不会那个。

VoymastinaBut what I can do is dispose of you.但，我可以解决你。

(Gunfire erupts. Bullets spray without warning toward Ateraxis.)（枪声响起，子弹不由分说地朝星渊所在的方向扫去。）

(By the time the dry click of the assault rifle's firing pin striking empty echoes through the air, Ateraxis had already appeared behind Voymastina—)（在突击步枪传来撞针击空的“咔哒”声时，星渊早已来到威玛西娜身后——）

(—Which is precisely where the tip of a dagger is waiting for her.)（但那也是匕首的刀尖所在的位置。）

(Of all the Dolls present, only Voymastina is able to keep pace with her speed.)（在所有人形中，只有威玛西娜跟上了她移动的速度。）

(Even Ateraxis seems mildly surprised. Voymastina's dagger cuts into the air near her, only to be stopped by some kind of force—but a steel spike launches from Voymastina's wrist, piercing that layer of defense faster than the dagger swings.)（星渊似乎也微感惊讶，威玛西娜的匕首切进她身周的空气，被某种力量所阻，但是从威玛西娜手腕中射出的尖钉，以更高的速率击穿了防御。）

Ateraxis—?——？

(Ateraxis raises her hand to catch the spike that was about to strike her left eye, halting its momentum. A simultaneous downward elbow strike snaps Voymastina's dagger clean in two.)（星渊抬起手，近距离握住了几乎刺中自己左眼的尖钉，截停了它的去势，同时沉肘下击，直接撞断了威玛西娜的匕首。）

(Voymastina circles behind her in a flash—but Ateraxis turns her body in advance to counter her. Her slender wrist catches Voymastina's knee strike head-on—a blow heavier than a rocket round.)（电光火石间，威玛西娜已然绕到了她的身后，却未料星渊提前转动身体相候，纤细的手腕正面接住了威玛西娜比火箭弹更沉重的膝踢。）

(The boom and shockwave sweep through everything nearby. Voymastina staggers back a few steps; part of the armor on her knee had been crushed, sparks scattering from it—yet Ateraxis hasn't even moved an inch. She simply claps her hands free of dust.)（爆音与冲击波荡涤着周围的一切，威玛西娜后退了几步，膝部装甲被捏碎凹陷，迸发出火花，星渊却纹丝不动，只是轻轻拍了拍手。）

AteraxisThank you for the bout, esteemed warrior. What goes your name?谢谢你的指点，可敬的战士，你是谁？

Voymastina...Voymastina.……威玛西娜。

AteraxisVoymastina... I'll remember it.威玛西娜……我记住您的名字了。

AteraxisI felt a most intriguing sensation just then. Might that have been... pain?刚刚我有了很特别的感觉，我想，这是……疼痛？

(Ateraxis holds out her right hand for us to see. A faint red mark is visible on her index finger—but in the next instant, the mark gets replaced by flawless, smooth skin through some kind of self-healing ability.)（星渊对我们展示了她的右手，一道浅浅的红痕浮现在食指上，旋即又因为某种自我修复的力量，被无瑕的光滑肌肤所替代。）

AteraxisI never anticipated that... it appears that there are still many things that I have yet to learn.我没能预料到……看起来，我还有许多没有学会的东西。

AteraxisCommander, would your Dolls be able to make me feel more pain if I were to attack with full force?指挥官，如果我全力进攻，你的人形们，还会让我更多地感觉到疼痛吗？

(I glance at Voymastina's leg. She gives me a nod, firm as steel.)（我扫了一眼威玛西娜的腿，她像是坚实的钢铁一样对我点点头。）

CommanderWant to try?试试看？

AteraxisI would very much like to.我很想。

AteraxisBut if I did, you would certainly die... and Mother already said it...可是，那样的话，您必死无疑……而母亲已经说了。

AteraxisSome kind of higher-dimension being has, by means we cannot easily understand, bound you to this world. If I killed you, the threads that embody this world would fray into disarray.某个高维的存在以某种我们难以理解的方式，将您与这个世界绑定在了一起，如果我杀死了您，那整个世界的运转就可能发生偏离。

AteraxisIf that were the case... it could divert us from the future we are meant to walk.那样的话……就有可能让我们偏离预计要前往的未来道路。

CommanderI don't see how my life has anything to do with your future.我不觉得和你们的未来有什么交集。

AteraxisBut you have already shaped my "past". Others may perhaps overlook your significance, but Mother understands you better than anyone—she knows how you change the trajectory of this world.但您已经成就了我的“过去”，或许其他人会忽略您的重要性，但“母亲”比谁都清晰地了解您，知晓您是如何干预世界的轨道。

AteraxisCommander—I'd never be born if you never fired those eight rounds into William. And Mother's research would never have made such progress in such a short time. In a way, both you and she are my "creators".指挥官——如果没有您对威廉射出的八发子弹，便不会有我的诞生。而母亲的研究，也不会在短时间内得到如此进展。在某种意义上，您和她同是我的“创造者”。

AteraxisSo, I'll heed Mother's advice and let you leave—no, that alone is hardly enough to express my goodwill toward you...所以，我会听从母亲的建议，让您离开——不，仅仅如此，根本无法表示我对您的好感……

AteraxisHow about this, then? I'll let you do as you please here—plunder like a conqueror, take whatever you want... just, don't be too greedy.那么，这样吧？我会让您在这里为所欲为，像胜利者一样掠夺，拿走您想要的一切……只是，别太贪婪了。

(Like a star saying goodbye to its audience, Ateraxis offers a small curtsey, then disappears into the far end of the dome—leaving us with her parting words.)（像是谢幕的明星，星渊轻轻施礼，随后消失在了穹顶的尽头，只留下了一句话：）

AteraxisThere are too many things that could kill you here. Even "God" could get careless—and the dead cannot return.在这里有太多能杀死您的东西，有些就算是“神”也可能疏忽大意——而死者，是不能复活的。

(Meanwhile, behind the iron grille, the three Boojums we encountered earlier reappear. The electronic shackles on their bodies are gone. Cerberus has returned, and now he guards the gates with great fervor.)（而与此同时，铁栅栏后方，之前与我们交过手的三只伯介姆也重新出现在那里。它们身上的电子镣铐已然消失，浑身散发着混乱而狂暴的气息。）

GrozaWhat should we do, Commander?指挥官，怎么办？

(I stare at the tightly shut door before us, hoping for some kind of movement within to rekindle my hope.)（我盯着前方紧闭的大门，希望那里能传来一些能点燃我希望的动静。）

(But there is none.)（但并没有。）

(Damn it... is our only choice to abandon her...?)（可恶，只能放弃了吗……）

(It's not just Sextans—we'd also have to abandon the girl trapped within the Boojum...)（不光是六分仪，还有被困在伯介姆体内的那孩子……）

KlukaiCommander, the detonation points around the building have been confirmed.指挥官，建筑周围的爆破点位已确认。

KlukaiThe moment you're clear, I'll have Mechty trigger the explosives.只要你们撤出来，我立刻让米什缇引爆炸弹。

Commander...……

AlvaCommander, I understand how you feel, but we've already been inside the Red Zone for over ten hours. Your body—指挥官，我明白您的心情，但我们已经进入红区超过十个小时了，您的身体……

CommanderDon't worry... this paltry amount of radiation can't hurt me.放心吧……这点辐射还伤不到我。

CommanderAnyway—deal with the immediate threat first and secure our retreat!总之先解决眼前的目标，确保撤退路线！

Alva and GrozaRoger!是！

Retreat 撤离

BoojumRoar—吼——

BoojumRoarrrrrrr—!!!!吼吼吼吼吼吼吼吼吼——！！！！

(One of the Boojums suddenly erupts with a piercing shriek in front of us. Ignoring all attacks, it charges madly at Peritya.)（在我们前方，一只伯介姆突然爆发出尖锐的嘶鸣。它不顾周围人的攻击，发狂地朝佩里缇亚所在的方向冲了过去。）

(Peritya is unable to dodge in time. She gets slammed against the wall by the beast's enormous strength.)（佩里缇亚躲避不及，被猛兽巨大的力量撞倒在墙上。）

PerityaTsk—!啧——！

(The Boojum's eyes flare red. It paws frantically at the floor with its hooves, gathering momentum for another charge at Peritya.)（伯介姆的眼睛泛起红光，蹄子狂躁地在地上刨了几下，准备再次蓄力冲向佩里缇亚所在的位置。）

KrolikHey... watch out!喂……小心点！

(Krolik dives forward to tackle Peritya. The two of them roll out of the way together. The Boojum barely scrapes past their bodies as it slams into the tightly shut door, creating a massive crater on it.)（克罗丽科冲上去一个飞扑，带着佩里缇亚一起滚到一旁。伯介姆堪堪擦着她们的身体冲过去，在紧闭的大门上撞出一个大坑。）

PerityaThanks. I thought that was it for me.谢啦，本来还觉得这下可不妙了。

KrolikNothing to thank me for... anyway, I just paid you back the favor!没什么可谢的……人情还给你了！

Peritya—You a tsundere?——傲娇？

KrolikHaaah!? Who are you calling that!?哈啊！？谁是啊！

(While the two of them dodge another attack, the other two Boojums—their injured ribcages heaving with labored breath—fix their blood-red eyes on their position, ready to attack at any moment.)（二人躲避攻击的间隙，另外两只伯介姆残破的胸腔鼓动着喘息，猩红的眼睛直直地盯着她们所在的方向，准备随时朝她们发起攻击。）

GrozaWait... these Boojums seem abnormal...等等……这些伯介姆不对劲……

GrozaTheir target... is that door!它们的目标……是那扇门！

GrozaPeritya, Krolik—get out of the way!佩里缇亚，克罗丽科，快躲开！

(The two of them leap to the sides of the door. All three beasts charge forward at once.)（二人分别向两侧闪开，与此同时，三头猛兽冲了过去。）

("THUNK—")（“咚——”）

(But the door is not as fragile as it seems. It only gives off a dull echo, continuing to hold its position firmly, guarding the boundary between the two rooms.)（大门并没有看上去那么脆弱。它只是传来一声沉闷的回响，依旧纹丝不动地守卫着两个房间的分界。）

BoojumRoarrrrrrr—Roarrrrrrr—吼吼吼吼——吼吼吼吼吼——

(The three Boojums turn their gaze toward the door. They stop paying attention to our attacks and shift their assault toward that door.)（三头伯介姆的目光集体转向了大门。它们不再理会我们的攻击，转而去朝那扇门发动攻势。）

AlvaCommander, this is a great chance for us to retreat...指挥官，现在是撤退最好的机会……

GrozaCommander, please prioritize your own safety!指挥官，请您优先考虑自己的安全！

KlukaiCommander... please give the order!指挥官……请下达命令！

("THUNK—!")（“咚——！”）

("THUNK—!")（“咚——！”）

("THUNK—!")（“咚——！”）

(The thunderous impacts within the hall refuse to fade away.)（礼堂之中，巨大的撞击声久久不能散去。）

(Bizarre. There was no other way to describe this behavior. I felt myself ponder.)（我看着它们的举动，心中被一种莫名的诡异感填满。）

(Alva is right—this is the best moment for us to retreat.)（埃芙说的没错，现在是撤退最好的时机。）

(But deep down, I can't shake the feeling that a truth I have yet to uncover lies beneath the Boojums' strange behavior.)（但我总觉得，在这些伯介姆诡异的行为下，一定还隐藏着什么我还没有发现的真相。）

(Retreat...? But... we still have no leads on that girl...)（要撤退吗……？可是……关于那孩子的事，还没有任何线索……）

CommanderMelanie, can you... still sense that girl?梅兰妮，你……还能感应得到那孩子吗？

MelanieUmm... I can...嗯……我可以……

MelanieCommander, that girl... is still alive...指挥官，那孩子……还活着……

MelanieShe's very weak, but her consciousness is still there...她虽然很虚弱，但意识的确还存在……

MelanieThese Boojums charging in—they're trying to repair that monster inside!这些伯介姆冲过去，是想要修复里面那个怪物！

Commander!!!！！！

(I turn toward the door. One of the Boojums, its injured horn lowered, is barreling toward it.)（我看向大门的方向，一头伯介姆正带着残损的尖角朝它冲过去。）

(After all those violent impacts, the door is now riddled with dents and craters—it no longer seems as impregnable as it did at the start.)（经过数次剧烈的撞击，大门被撞出了无数坑洼，看上去已经不再像一开始那样坚不可摧。）

(Following this latest impact comes a deep "boom" that sends tremors through whole portico below the stairs. Dust and debris fall down from the domed ceiling. Looks like the ancient brick-stone walls will be the first to surrender.)（这一次的撞击后，伴随着“轰”的一声，台阶下的整个门廊都在颤抖着。灰尘和碎屑从穹顶簌簌掉落，看起来那些由古旧砖石组成的墙壁会是先投降的那一个。）

(The second and third Boojums charge in one after another, before the echo can even fade.)（不等回声消散，第二头、第三头伯介姆接踵而至。）

(Compared to when Ateraxis was controlling them, they move with neither order nor technique—they channel nothing but the savagery of wanton force, hurling their weight at this barrier.)（与之前星渊控制着它们的时候相比，现在的它们显得毫无秩序和技巧，只是纯粹地用蛮力和自身的重量，狂暴地倾泻在这道屏障之上。）

("Boooommmmm—")（“轰隆隆隆隆隆隆隆隆——”）

(After an earth-shattering crash, the door is finally ripped from its frame, slamming into the ground with enough force to kick up a plume of dust and smoke.)（在一声山崩地裂般的巨响后，大门彻底被从门框上撕扯开来，重重地砸在地面上，激起一片烟尘。）

Commander...……

(At last, I can now see clearly what lies beyond the door—a great rot. My eyes scan the scene hidden behind those wooden windows, and I pause. Therein lies a sight grotesque enough to make the unprepared retch.)（我终于看清了那扇门背后的景象——那是混合着腐烂与腥臭，能立刻引发人生理不适的场景。）

(The walls and ceiling of the room have been marred for eternity by spattered blood and chunks of mangled tissue.)（被血迹涂抹成猩红色的房间中，残损的组织碎块挂满了墙壁与天花板。）

(Sextans must have detonated what was the most powerful explosive we had aboard the Elmo.)（看起来，六分仪启动的，是艾莫号上威力最大的高爆炸药。）

(That enormous mass of flesh, formed by weaving countless intertwined tentacles, now crawls on the floor, writhing as if struggling to reassemble itself.)（那个庞大的、由无数触手纠缠而成的肉块，此刻正匍匐在地，似乎为了重新聚合而蠕动。）

(It has lost the intimidating presence it had before. Its tentacles lie scattered and broken; its eyeballs roll across the ground.)（它失去了之前的那种威慑力，触手七零八落地散开着，眼球也已滚落在地。）

(Its wounds twitch faintly beneath layers of overlapping tissue, seemingly trying to mend themselves—but the damage is too great. They cannot heal immediately.)（在层层叠叠的组织覆盖下，那些创口微微颤动，似乎在试图对伤痕进行修复，但却因为损伤过大而无法立即愈合。）

(But the three Boojums charge at the creature before we can react. One after another, they sink into its enormous body and are absorbed, becoming part of its flesh.)（而还没有等我们做出反应，那三头伯介姆已经朝怪物冲了过去，逐渐淹没在了它庞大的身躯之下，化作它血肉的一部分。）

CommanderMelanie, are you sure—梅兰妮，你能确定——

MelanieI'm sure!我确定！

("Beep-beep-beep-beep—")（“嘀嘀嘀嘀——”）

(The detection device Alva carries lets out a series of alerts.)（埃芙随身携带的检测仪发出了声响。）

AlvaThis is... a signal similar to the previous one...这是……和之前相似的信号……

AlvaSo this is what was emitting the abnormal pulse we detected...果然我们监测到异常波动，就是它发出来的……

GrozaCommander, it's repairing itself...指挥官，它在自我修复……

GrozaIf we don't retreat now, it'll be too late!再不走就来不及了！

(I glance at Melanie, then at the massive Boojum within—now stirring once again.)（我看了看梅兰妮，又看了看里面重新开始蠕动起来的巨大伯介姆。）

CommanderWe can't—there's still someone alive in there!不行，里面还有人活着！

(I run toward the doorway, toward the direction where Melanie sensed a "Helena".)（我朝那扇大门的方向跑去，朝梅兰妮所感应到的“海伦娜”的方向跑去。）

(The Dolls' gunfire follows close behind, driving back the tentacles that try to reach for me.)（人形们的子弹追随在我身后，为我击退那些试图伸向我的触手。）

Destiny's Pull 命运指引

(Beneath the Boojum's massive body lies what appears to be a network of low-temperature pipes and reaction systems. Some kind of liquid courses through them, maintaining a deathly equilibrium.)（伯介姆庞大身躯的下方，似乎连接着许多冰冷的管道和反应系统。某种液体在其中流转，维持着某种死寂的平衡。）

(I only realize when I look closer—that the "liquid" is filled with what appears to be like flesh and tissue. The Boojum's body is the final destination for this flow of "nutrient solution".)（我仔细看过去才发现，那些所谓的“液体”是带着血肉组织般的附着物，伯介姆的身躯是这些“营养液”运向的终点。）

(An enormous round pit sits at the far end of the cellar, sinking straight down into the earth. The pit's walls are now covered in spiderweb-like cracks from Sextans' explosion.)（地窖的尽头，一个直通地底的圆形巨坑陷入地面。似乎是由于刚才六分仪的爆炸，此刻它的内壁布满了蛛网般的裂痕。）

(When I look down into the pit, I realize that the space there is bent in some unnatural way. A faint, flickering glow blocks my view of whatever lies inside.)（当我朝坑底看去时，却发现这里的空间呈现出一种不自然的扭曲，微弱的亮光闪烁着，让我看不清里面的景象。）

(...What a familiar sensation.)（好熟悉的感觉……）

(For some reason, the closer I approach, the more disordered my thoughts become.)（不知道为什么，越是接近这个地点，我越觉得思绪开始变得混乱。）

(Visions. They cross my mind. They don't belong to me. They belong to the countless souls that are arranged in a line before me, and my body is but a mere vessel that passes through, seeing them unfold in each passing moment.)（许多奇怪的、不属于我记忆的画面在我脑海中闪过，像是无数个灵魂在我面前一字排开，而我的身体挨个穿过它们，只留下了某一刻的虚像。）

(I'm done for...)（完蛋了……）

(The acute infection... it's getting worse and worse...)（急性感染症……越来越严重了……）

(I can hardly catch my breath, but I worry that breathing too deeply will increase my intake of radioactive particles.)（我觉得喘不过气来，却担心深呼吸会吸入更多辐射粒子。）

(I glance down at the radiation monitor and let out a bitter laugh.)（我低头看了看辐射监测仪表，随即发出一声苦笑。）

(Hah—it can't even display a specific value now...)（哈哈，根本显示不出具体数值……）

Commander...……

CommanderH-35! Where on earth are you...!H-35，你究竟在哪里……！

CommanderIf you're still alive, answer me!如果你还活着，就快点回应我啊！

(As I search the area, a beam of light suddenly emerges from the bottom of the pit.)（我四下寻找的时候，一道光芒突然从坑底散发出来。）

Commander?!？！

(Wherever the light brushes the Boojum, the dimmed Collapse crystals embedded in its body light up.)（那道光芒照拂之处，伯介姆身上黯淡的坍塌结晶也随之骤然亮起。）

(The light travels along its withered tentacles and through its flesh, surging through its whole body. The wounds left by the explosion slowly seal themselves shut and regain their shine where the light passes.)（光芒顺着它干瘪的触手和血肉组织急速流遍全身，所过之处，那些被炸伤的裂口也渐渐愈合，重新恢复了光泽。）

(The tentacles that had slumped paralyzed on the ground, all rise at once—and with terrifying force gathered behind them, they lash out toward me.)（瘫软在地的触手群同时扬起，带着蓄势待发的巨大力量，朝我所在的位置袭来。）

ColphneWahhhhhhhhhh—! It's coming back to life!哇啊啊啊啊啊——！它活过来了！

GrozaCommander! Behind you!指挥官！身后！

(At Groza's warning, I draw my pistol and blind fire several rounds over my shoulder, then dodge another tentacle strike.)（听到闪电的提醒，我拔出手枪朝身后盲射了几发子弹，随即闪过了另外一只触手的攻击。）

(The three Boojums that charged in appear to have been melted down by the tentacled monster. Their flesh, their plant tissue, their crystals—all of it has been absorbed into the enormous Boojum before me.)（刚才一头冲进里面的三只伯介姆似乎被触手怪物融化了。它们的血肉、植物组织、结晶，全都变成了面前这只巨大伯介姆的一部分。）

(And now, having absorbed all those nutrients, the tentacled Boojum fully recovers. Its body has become even larger than before.)（而现在，吸收了所有养分的触手伯介姆恢复了元气，身躯变得比刚才还庞大。）

BoojumGurgle, gurgle—咕噜咕噜——

KlukaiCommander, I've run a simulation based on this Boojum's combat capabilities and our current circumstances. If we delay any further, our chance of a successful retreat drops below 10%.指挥官，我根据这只伯介姆的战斗力模拟了目前的情况，如果再继续拖延下去，撤退的成功率只有不到10%。

KlukaiYou have to make the call now.你必须得做出决断了。

Commander...……

CommanderKlukai. Groza.可露凯，闪电。

CommanderI'll need you two to stay with me.要你们陪我了。

CommanderI'll remain here and fight to the very last.我会留在这里，努力到最后一刻。

KlukaiUnderstood. I'll stay with you.明白了，我陪你。

GrozaAlright, Commander.好的，指挥官。

CommanderAlva, carry out your team's duty.埃芙，履行你们小队的职责吧。

AlvaAs you wish, Commander.遵命，我们的指挥官。

AlvaThis Boojum will be incredibly difficult to handle, Commander.指挥官，这个伯介姆恐怕很难对付。

AlvaWe'll find a way to open a safe path for you—我们会想办法为您开辟出一条安全路线——

AlvaPlease—go forth and do what you came here to do.您就尽情去做您想做的事吧。

PerityaCommander... Do you remember what I told you?指挥官……还记得我说过的么？

PerityaDon't forget to ask me for help at "critical" moments~在“关键”的时刻，可不要忘记向我求助哦——

(I glance over at Peritya. She's lazily coiled around Krolik, who looks clearly unamused.)（我看向了佩里缇亚，她似乎懒洋洋地缠绕在满脸嫌弃的克罗丽科的身上。）

(Perhaps it's a trick of the light, but I think I catch a flicker of something familiar in one of Peritya's eyes.)（不知是否错觉，在她的一只眼睛里，我觉得自己看见了某种熟悉的神采。）

CommanderI'll do that if the situation calls for it. We'll need to use whatever we have.看情况吧，这次有什么都必须要用了。

Destiny's Pull 命运指引

(The ground around me is already splattered with a layer of Boojum tissue torn apart by gunfire.)（我周围的地面上，已经布满了一层被子弹撕碎的伯介姆组织体。）

(Compared to the Paradeus labs I've broken into in the past, this underground lab isn't really all that large. It looks even more cramped because of the huge Boojum before us.)（比起我之前闯入过的几个帕拉蒂斯实验室，眼下这个地下实验室的规模并不算大，在巨大伯介姆的挤压之下，甚至显得拥挤。）

(But after searching for tanks that would have held Helenas like the ones I found before, or some other hidden space—I fail to find any trace of H-35 after a thorough search.)（但无论是像之前那样装着海伦娜的罐子，还是其他的什么隐秘空间，搜索了一圈之后，我还是没能找到H-35的影子。）

(Suddenly, a tentacle that slipped through the blanket of gunfire cuts off my path.)（突然之间，一条火力网的漏网之鱼拦在了我的面前。）

(The Boojum tentacle raises its tip up high. It stops in front of me, and at the center of its palm-like end, its slick, oily skin tears open—)（伯介姆触手高高昂起它的尖端。它在我面前停下，而前端那滑腻的表皮，从掌心之间撕裂开来——）

(An eyeball stares quietly at me.)（一颗眼球静静地看着我。）

(I don't dare make any sudden move. I can only meet its gaze in silence.)（我不敢轻举妄动，便与它沉默地对视着。）

("Ratatatatatat—")（“哒哒哒哒哒哒——”）

(Seeing me trapped by the tentacle, the Dolls immediately move to help me, launching their attack on it.)（看到我被触手困住，人形们立刻准备替我解围，向触手发起了攻击。）

(Driven back repeatedly by the overwhelming firepower, the Boojum seems to feel pain—or perhaps merely discontent—and lets out a low, muffled whimper.)（被短时间内强大火力打得连连后退的伯介姆似乎感受到了痛楚，又或者只是不满，发出了沉闷的呜咽声。）

BoojumGuuuu... Gurrrgh—咕……咕咕——

BoojumGooooo—咕——

Boojum...Comm... Guuu...……指……咕……

CommanderWhat?!什么？！

Boojum...Comm... mander, Gooo...……指……挥咕……

Boojum...mand... er...……挥……官……

Commander...!……！

SextansNo, Commander... you don't understand.不，指挥官……您不明白。

SextansWhat I need is right there.我需要的东西就在那里。

SextansA part of me, which is my other half, comes from the thing standing before me—我的一部分，我的半身，就源自眼前的这个存在——

(That's right... back in Lviv...)（没错……在利沃夫的时候……）

(Igla was the same way...)（针也是……）

(Could it be... that the Boojum is carrying...)（难道……伯介姆的里面是……）

(Sextans...?)（六分仪……）

(I call out hesitantly.)（我试探性地问了一声。）

Commander...Sextans?……六分仪？

BoojumUuuuu—呜——

(As though the Boojum struck by some kind of shock, it lets out a long, high-pitched wail of grief.)（伯介姆仿佛受到了什么刺激，发出了一声悠长而高昂的悲鸣。）

CommanderReally?!真的是？！

CommanderIf that's the case...如果是这样的话……

CommanderHow do we get you out...我们该怎么救你出来……

CommanderRight... last time, what we did was...对了……上次是……

(I pick up the comms device.)（我拿起通讯器。）

CommanderEveryone, Sextans is still alive.各位，六分仪还活着。

CommanderShe's currently fused with the Boojum and unable to control herself, so she may attack us at any moment!她现在与伯介姆融合，无法控制自己，所以可能会朝我们发动攻击！

CommanderFor now, do whatever you can to keep those tentacles pinned down. I'll think up a way to solve this!大家先尽量牵制住那些触手，剩下的我来想办法！

(With the tactics laid out, each squad carefully carries out their assigned role.)（安排完战术后，各个小队按照各自的分工谨慎执行。）

(The Boojum writhes and twists before me. Its tentacles nearly seize me several times—yet they always veer away at the last moment.)（面前的伯介姆蠕动扭曲，触手有好几次都险些将我缠住，可还是在最后一刻避开了。）

(I can feel that Sextans is doing her best to resist that invisible controlling force. But...)（我能感觉到六分仪正在努力反抗那股无形的控制。可是……）

BoojumAaaaaaaarghhhhhhh—!!!!!!呜嗷嗷嗷嗷嗷啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊——！！！！！！

MelanieCommander! Get out of there, now!指挥官！快离开那里！

CommanderWha...什……

MelanieThe Boojum's will...伯介姆的意志……

Melanie—is impossible to resist!!!——是没办法违抗的！！！

(The Boojum's will... is impossible to resist.)（伯介姆的意志……是没办法违抗的。）

(That's right. My own will... the will of "Sextans", is about to be devoured.)（没错，自己的意志……身为“六分仪”的意志，即将被吞没。）

(This is the consequence of being granted "power" that was never mine in the first place.)（这就是被给予了本不应属于自己的“力量”的下场。）

(Not having your base layer preset like other Dolls does not mean freedom.)（不像其他人形那样被预先设定过底层并不意味着自由。）

(That red "heart" within my body has long since announced the fate I can never escape.)（体内那颗红色的“心脏”，已经昭示了她绝对无法逃避的结局。）

(Even though, for the first time in my life, I felt that I tried working hard for the sake of others—even though I've cast aside and erased, my own frame, my own neural cloud...)（即使有生以来第一次，觉得自己为了其他人而努力了——即使连自己的素体、自己的心智都舍弃、抹除了。）

(...And still, I wasn't of the slightest use to the one I came to admire.)（也没有为自己向往的对象，派上丝毫用场。）

(Regret. Sorrow. Fear. And... shame.)（悔恨，悲哀，恐惧，以及……羞愧。）

(I don't want them to see me like this.)（不希望那些人看到自己这个样子。）

(I don't want the Commander to see me like this.)（不希望指挥官看到这样的自己。）

(Did I say my farewells properly in my final moment? Did the meaning I wanted to convey get through? Did I cause anyone trouble? Did I manage to express my gratitude?)（在最后的时候，自己有没有好好告别呢？该传达的意思，有没有传达到呢？是不是造成了困扰？有没有表达出自己的感谢之情呢？）

(There is so much I regret.)（满是遗憾。）

(And it is precisely this regret that becomes the small, slender thread of safety, still tethering Sextans' self to this world.)（而正是这股遗憾，化作了将六分仪的自我牢牢牵系在这个世界上的——细小的安全绳。）

("Bang bang bang—")（“砰砰砰——”）

(The sound of bullets striking my frame.)（子弹打在素体上的声音。）

(...That is, if this disgusting mass of tissue, made of the cells that are stripping my consciousness away... can even still be called a "frame.")（……如果这些丑陋的、正在掠夺自己意识的细胞组成的组织块，也能算作“素体”的话。）

(My consciousness is blurring... I can barely keep this restless, writhing body under control any longer.)（意识越来越模糊……已经快要控制不了这具时刻躁动着的躯体了。）

(The shame of being watched by the Commander and the joy of realizing someone is still fighting for her sake... tortures what remains of Sextans' self. A heat unlike any other scorches her soul from within.)（被指挥官注视着的羞愧和意识到还有人在为了自己而努力的喜悦……像是热病一样折磨着六分仪残存的自我。）

(They're nothing more than people I met just a few months ago... what would it matter if I killed them?)（反正也只是些几个月前才遇到的人……杀掉也无所谓吧？）

(As for the Commander, all I have to do is hold on, and he'll surely find a way.)（如果是指挥官的话，只要自己坚持下去就会有办法的。）

(A tangle of complicated thoughts, a heart torn between contradictions.)（繁复的想法，矛盾的心意。）

("If you submit, the pain will lessen.")（“顺从的话，就会变得没那么痛苦哦。”）

(A voice rises within her neural cloud.)（心智里传来了这样的声音。）

("If you want to become the most outstanding Doll, all you have to do is act according to her will.")（“想要成为最优秀的那个人形，只要按照她的意志去做就可以了。”）

("Just like when you were born... isn't it simple?")（“就像初生时的那样……不是很简单吗？”）

("Mother is always right.")（“母亲永远都是正确的。”）

(It's you again...)（又是你么……）

(Every single time...)（每次都是这样……）

("But every time, you grow a little stronger, don't you?")（“但每次这样做，你都变得更厉害了一点吧？”）

("Don't you remember? Think of how the people who once signed agreements with you treated you like royalty.")（“不记得了么？想想之前与你签订协议的人们，如何将你奉为座上宾？”）

("Think of how those weaker Dolls bowed in submission before you.")（“想想那些弱小的人形们，是如何臣服在你面前的？”）

("If you had stayed on that trajectory, the whole Conglomerate would have fell within your grasp.")（“如果当初按照那样的轨迹走下去，整个财团也很快就会成为囊中之物哦。”）

("Moving forward, you need only gather enough leverage... and you'd arrive at the destination set for you, wouldn't you?")（“接下来，只要掌握了足够的筹码……就真的抵达设定的终点，不是么？”）

(...)（……）

("Have you remembered already... those memories of the past?")（“已经回想起来了么……过去的那些记忆？”）

(...)（……）

(My past memories... have been restored?)（过去的记忆……被修复了？）

(That's right... it does seem like much time has passed... the neural cloud data from my birth onward weaving in the storage, arranging into scene after scene...)（没错，似乎已经过去很久了……诞生以来的心智数据交织在储存器中，排列成一个个场景……）

(No... that isn't "storage"...)（不对……不是“储存器”……）

(That's... a "brain"...)（而是……“大脑”……）

(That initial, trivial graft of data multiplied and grew without end. Born as a faint voice in her mind, it spread little by little to take root in every part of her, until at last it became a "brain" commanding her whole body.)（最初那段微不足道的嫁接数据不断繁衍壮大，从脑海中一个微弱的声音，逐渐蔓延到各个部位扎根，最终变成了支配整个身体的“大脑”。）

(It will eventually replace her "neural cloud", and become her personality, her thoughts, her memories.)（它终将取代“心智”，成为她的个性、思想与记忆。）

(And the consciousness named Sextans would be driven away into the darkest of corners.)（而名为六分仪的自我，却会被排挤到最阴暗的角落。）

(She has completed her "rebirth".)（她完成了“新生”。）

("Very good. Next, kill every one of these meddlesome pests in front of you.")（“很好。接下来，把面前这些碍事的家伙，都杀光吧。”）

(The Boojum's body suddenly splits open, exposing the pale spine within. It begins to flush with a sinister blood-red from bottom to top, as if countless blood vessels were dilating beneath its skin.)（伯介姆的身躯突然张开，露出了其中苍白的脊骨。它由下至上开始泛起不祥的血色，仿佛有无数血管在表皮之下扩张着。）

(The next moment is akin to a volcanic eruption—)（下一秒，仿佛火山喷发般——）

(Hundreds of tentacles burst forth from its body, from the ground, from the walls... from every crack and crevice, surging toward me like free-flowing lava.)（成千上百只触手从身躯、地面、墙壁……从每一个缝隙中迸射而出，宛如恣意流淌的岩浆般朝我碾压而来。）

Commander!!!！！！

(Is there no escape...?)（逃不掉了吗……）

(I am surrounded by tentacles in an instant. The slick, viscous feeling wraps around me, making it nearly impossible to breathe.)（不过一瞬间，我便被这些触手包围。黏腻湿滑的触感环绕在我的周身，让我几乎喘不过气来。）

(The Dolls scramble to coordinate their deployment on the comms channel, trying to carve out a path to survival for me.)（通讯频道里，人形们焦急地部署着任务，企图想办法为我开辟出一条生路。）

(There are too many tentacles. I can't break free right now.)（或许是触手的数量太多，我一时间无法脱身。）

(Is there nothing I can do...? If this keeps up...)（这样下去……什么都做不了啊……）

(As the tentacles wrap around my body, they begin to multiply, seemingly wanting to assimilate me too.)（触手缠绕在我身体上时，它们开始不断增殖，似乎想要将我一起同化。）

(The protective suit is torn open at one spot—The Collapse radiation alarm begins flashing fiercely in red.)（同一时间，防护服也被撕开了一个缺口，坍塌辐射警报开始剧烈地闪烁着红光。）

(But since I'm right next to the giant Boojum's mouth, radiation is the least of my immediate worries.)（不过都已经被巨型伯介姆放在口边了，担心辐射什么的也太多余了。）

(Was Sextans unable to endure...?)（六分仪是没能坚持住吗？）

(It looks like we have no other means to change the outcome...)（看起来已经没有其他手段可以改变结果了……）

...Commander!……指挥官！

Commander?!？！

CommanderMelanie?!梅兰妮？！

CommanderNo... that voice...不……这声音……

CommanderAlthough it's similar... it isn't Melanie...虽然很相似……但不是梅兰妮……

CommanderCould it be Helena?!难道是海伦娜吗？！

CommanderBut...可是……

Commander(Coughs heavily...)咳咳咳……咳咳……

(It's so hard to breathe that I can't think clearly. There isn't much room for thinking anyway, being in my position.)（呼吸困难让我无法思考。眼下的情况，也没有太多思考的余裕了。）

("Ratatatatat—")（“哒哒哒哒哒——”）

(A rain of machine gun fire sweeps the Boojum. Using the wall as her launch point, Peritya leaps into the sea of spreading tentacles, landing beside me.)（雨点般迸发的机枪子弹扫过，佩里缇亚借助墙壁的落点，跃入触手蔓延而成的海洋，来到我身边。）

PerityaCommander...!指挥官……！

CommanderPeritya, how did you—佩里缇亚，你怎么——

PerityaCommander... from now on, please don't ask "why".指挥官……接下来，请不要问为什么。

CommanderWhat?什么？

(Peritya doesn't answer. Instead, she seemingly makes up her mind about something, giving me a firm nod.)（佩里缇亚没有回答我，而是像是下定了什么决心似的，朝我点了点头。）

PerityaThe power remaining in me has its limits, so... we only have one shot at this.残存在我体内的力量有其极限，所以……我们只有唯一一次机会。

PerityaNow, please grip my hand tightly.现在，请抓住我的手。

PerityaClose your eyes... and follow where fate guides you.闭上眼睛……跟随命运的指引吧。

Rebirth 新生

(I don't know where I am, but it appears that I am no longer inside the Red Zone... if this really is Peritya's doing, then her power is way more awe-inspiring than what third-gen Dolls can do.)（我不知自己身在何处，只是，似乎已经不是方才的红区……如果这是佩里缇亚所为，那这股力量似乎比三代人形更让人敬畏。）

(I feel as though all things lie prostrated beneath my feet, while I myself rise endlessly upward, until I reach the highest point of it all.)（我感到万物都在脚下匍匐，而我自己则不断扬升，直到最高处。）

(Not far ahead of me is the figure of a child, facing away from me.)（前方不远处，是一个孩子的背影。）

CommanderHelena? Or... Melanie?海伦娜？还是……梅兰妮？

(I try to run toward her, but someone behind me holds me back.)（我想跑过去，却被身后的人拉住了。）

PerityaNeither, actually...都不是哦……

CommanderPeritya...?佩里缇亚……？

CommanderYou...你……

(Peritya smiles and shakes her head.)（佩里缇亚微笑着摇了摇头。）

PerityaCommander... the "we" that exist right now cannot yet save her.指挥官……现在的我们，还救不了她。

CommanderCannot save her...?救不了……？

CommanderYou mean to say... that she's...你的意思是，她是……

Commander"H-35"?!“H-35”？！

(Peritya's unnatural understanding of the situation leaves me speechless.)（佩里缇亚那反常的情报掌握让我惊诧莫名。）

CommanderPeritya, how do you know about H-35?佩里缇亚，你为什么会知道H-35的事？

PerityaUmm... perhaps I overheard your conversation with Melanie.唔……也许是偷听了您和梅兰妮的谈话吧。

CommanderIs that so?是这样吗？

CommanderWait, but back then...等等，你那时候明明……

PerityaCommander, we are short on time... let's focus on the problem in front of us, shall we?指挥官，时间不多了……我们还是专注于解决眼前的问题，好吗？

CommanderYou're right.你说的对。

(I force my curiosity down. She's here to help, after all.)（我勉强自己忍住了好奇心，毕竟……眼前的她是来提供帮助的。）

(And by now, I am well aware that the miracle she created is by no means easily replicable.)（而我也已经知道，她正在使用的这股力量，绝非是可以轻易复现的奇迹。）

PerityaI trust you've already worked out how Boojums are formed... have you?相信您应该已经知道，伯介姆是如何形成的了……对吧？

CommanderThey're a new product of Paradeus' experiments.是帕拉蒂斯实验的新产物。

PerityaIt's not the full picture.不全面。

PerityaBoojums were born through Paradeus' modifications. They are another partial form of an organism.伯介姆是经由帕拉蒂斯的改造而诞生的，另一种生命体的片面形态。

PerityaAs for the "Helenas".... They control them through a connection no one fully understands.而一个个“海伦娜”，通过不为人知的连接方式……控制着它们。

PerityaThe one we face now... has grown extra powerful thanks to the "special" energy provided by H-35.现在我们面前的这一只……由于H-35所提供的“特殊”能量，变得格外强大。

Commander"Special"... energy? Could it be...“特殊”……能量？难道是……

PerityaI believe you've already made the correct hypothesis...我想您应该已经猜到了——

PerityaYes... it's power from "that other side".没错……正是“那一边”的力量。

Commander...……

CommanderSo Paradeus truly did tread farther than ever before.帕拉蒂斯果然已经踏入了更深的领域。

CommanderNo wonder that woman we met seemed so confident...难怪我们遇到的那个女人如此自信……

PerityaIndeed...是的……

PerityaShe isn't merely the inventor of third-gen Dolls...她的身份，不止是三代人形的发明者……

PerityaShe is also the architect of the whole Boojum biological system, and the "Teacher" who created the Helenas.更是整个伯介姆生物体系的始作俑者，也是创造出海伦娜她们的“老师”。

PerityaThe energy that gives rise to the pulses—the "Sacrifice"...引发波动的能量，“祭品”……

PerityaThe medium that bears Nirvana—the "Grail"...承载希岸的介质，“圣杯”……

PerityaAnd...与……

PerityaThe anchor point that activates the Relics—the "Key".开启遗迹的锚点，“钥匙”。

Commander...……

CommanderSo Boojums are a medium that may bear Nirvana...所以，伯介姆是一种承载希岸的介质……

PerityaIt's actually the reverse, but Boojums are indeed one of the very few things that can actually form a connection with Nirvana and mutually affect each other.实际上是相反的，不过它的确是极少数能与希岸产生关联，并互相干预的事物之一。

PerityaBecause of its inherently illogical nature, Boojum cells cannot be killed by human hands unless completely destroyed physically... But an exception exists within Nirvana.由于其违逆常识的本质，除非是彻底物理性摧毁，否则伯介姆细胞不会被人类的手杀死……但在希岸之中，则是例外。

PerityaAnd the only way to save Sextans... is to sever the "umbilical cord" connecting the "anchor point" to the "medium".而唯一能救六分仪的方法……就是切断连接“锚点”与“介质”之间的“脐带”。

PerityaRight now, that girl is preparing to cut the "umbilical cord" that feeds the Boojum...现在，那孩子准备切断供养伯介姆的“脐带”……

PerityaIt's unfortunate... But this is the only way to save Sextans.很不幸……这是能救出六分仪的唯一方法呢。

CommanderThen what happens to H-35?!那H-35会怎么样？！

CommanderAh...对了……

CommanderYou told me earlier that... we can't save her...你刚才说……我们救不了她……

CommanderAre you sure our only choice is to abandon her? There must be another way!你确信我们只能放弃她？一定还有其他的方法吧！

PerityaIf "I" am not the one here, perhaps there would be. Unfortunately...如果在这里的不是“我”而是其他人，或许可以，但很遗憾……

PerityaThis is all I can do with my power. In fact, I'm afraid I won't be able to pull off something like this again for a long time.我的能力仅止于此了，恐怕在今后很长一段时间里，我都也无法再做一次此刻的事情。

PerityaHowever, if you can wound that Boojum severely enough, it will fall into a state of weakness. That way, it won't be able to harm the girl any further—that is a form of "rescue" too. Is that something you can accept?但是，如果您能够将那个伯介姆伤得足够厉害，它就会陷入一段长时间的衰退期，无法再伤害那孩子——这也算是一种救援，这种说法，您能够接受吗？

Commander...Can't we just kill it outright?……不能直接杀死它吗？

PerityaThat's almost impossible—this one is simply too large... and the combat strength we possess is simply not grand enough to physically destroy it.那几乎是不可能的，这一头实在太大了……而眼下我们所拥有的战力，也不足以支撑在物理的层面将其消灭。

PerityaThat is why the girl wants to cut the "umbilical cord". Sextans will be separated from the Boojum once that happens... then we'll only need to rescue her, just like what we did before...所以那孩子才会想要切断“脐带”。在那之后，六分仪会被从伯介姆里分离出来……我们只要像之前那样，把她救出来……

PerityaI still have enough power to protect you from being eroded by the Boojum cells... please act quickly once we leave this place.我残存的力量可以保护您免于受到伯介姆细胞的侵蚀……等我们出去之后，动作请务必要迅速。

PerityaCommander, I'm leaving this in your hands...指挥官，拜托您了……

(After Peritya finishes her sentence, I think for a moment, finally realizing what the Doll has been telling me.)（佩里缇亚说完之后，我思索片刻，才终于意识到对面的人形刚才究竟对我说了什么。）

CommanderWait, Peritya. Did you get all this intel from Statesec?等等，佩里缇亚，这些情报，都是你从国安局那里拿到的吗？

CommanderNo... You didn't...! You...不，不对……你……

CommanderWho... exactly are you...你……究竟是谁……

PerityaCommander... I'm nothing more than an ordinary Doll.指挥官……我只不过是一个普通的人形而已。

PerityaI do carry within me a certain particular yearning... yet in the end, I still cannot understand "her" will.就算承载了某种特别的思念……我也终究无法理解“她”的意志。

PerityaBut at least... this wisp of power that remains can help you escape your present plight... and ensure that the girl won't have any more of her life force drawn out by that Boojum.但至少……这残存的力量，可以帮助您脱离眼前的困境……也可以让那孩子不再被伯介姆汲取更多生命力。

PerityaI never understood why "she" chose me...我一直不明白“她”为什么会选择我……

PerityaBut perhaps "she" did so for this very moment.不过我想，或许就是为了现在这一刻吧。

PerityaCommander, you are a man beloved and longed after by God, you know?指挥官，您是个被神明眷恋着的人呢。

PerityaNow then... let's begin.那么现在……我们开始吧。

Commander...!……！

(The scene before me gradually grows clearer. Beside me, Peritya smiles as she takes my hand.)（眼前的景象逐渐清晰。身边的佩里缇亚对我笑了笑，拉住了我的手。）

(A warm power flows through my palm.)（一股温暖的力量注入了我的手心。）

(The Boojum cells stop trying to erode me the very next moment. All the wildly thrashing tentacles freeze in midair. Even the eyeballs freeze motionless.)（下一秒钟，伯介姆细胞停止了侵蚀。所有狂舞的触手都僵在半空，眼球也悬停在那里，一动不动。）

(I can tell that this Boojum, which was baring its fangs at Peritya and me not long ago, had developed an emotion it should not possess toward us—)（我能感觉到，眼前这个刚才还在张牙舞爪的家伙，在面对我和佩里缇亚的时候，似乎产生了某种它不该拥有的情绪——）

("Fear".)（“恐惧”。）

(I scramble to my feet and draw the tactical knife from my belt. The blade, which once gleamed silver, has somehow taken on a tinge of deep blue.)（我迅速站起身，拔出腰间的战术刀。原本反射着银色光芒的利刃，不知何时染上了一抹湛蓝。）

CommanderCover me!掩护我！

(Beneath the dense drumming of gunfire, Peritya and I move past the tentacles writhing frantically to avoid us, until we stand beneath the Boojum's enormous body.)（在子弹密集的射击声中，我和佩里缇亚越过那些疯狂扭动着想要避开我们的触手，来到伯介姆那庞大的身躯之下。）

(The tentacle-tip eyeballs no longer stare down at me. They squint and narrow, writhing up a frenzy alongside the tentacles they're attached to.（触手尖端的那些眼球不再俯视着我，而是眯成一道缝隙，连同身后的触手一起狂躁地蠕动着。）

PerityaCommander, do it now!指挥官，趁现在！

CommanderDamn it—该死——

CommanderLet's end this!快点结束吧！

(I raise my knife high and plunge it into the Boojum.)（我高高举起短刀，插进了伯介姆的组织块中。）

(A sense of resistance greets the blade—feels like I'm cutting through thick rubber. I throw all my strength into the hilt and pull it downward—)（一种类似切割厚重橡胶的阻力阻隔着刀刃。我把整个身体的力量全都压在刀柄上，用力向下划开——）

CommanderHuuuaaaaaarghhhh—!!!!呃呃呃呃呃啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊——！！！！

(My voice and the Boojum's low, muffled shrieks mix together, echoing through the castle's basement.)（我和伯介姆沉闷的嘶吼声混杂在一起，交织回荡在城堡的地下室内。）

(The blade tears downward, ripping through the Boojum's "skin" to create a horrifying crimson wound. Unlike a normal cut, it seems seared by a fierce blue flame, immediately filling the air with the nauseating stench of scorched flesh.)（刀刃一路向下，生生地撕裂了伯介姆的“皮肤”，露出一道触目惊心的血色伤痕——那伤痕并非割伤，而像是被一道炽烈的蓝色火焰所灼烧，瞬间让空气中弥漫开了令人作呕的焦糊气味。）

(The Boojum's enormous body suddenly curls into a ball, twisting and convulsing. From somewhere within it, a sharp, scraping sound arises, like styrofoam being rubbed together.)（庞大的伯介姆身躯瞬间缩成一团，扭曲抽搐，不知道从哪里发出了宛如塑料泡沫摩擦时的尖锐刮擦声。）

(They slump to the ground right after like wet mud. The blood-red color drains from the tentacles' tips, fading into a lifeless grayish-white. The eyeballs roll across the floor, swiftly burning away into a wisp of empty ash.)（紧接着，它们如同烂泥般瘫倒下去，末端的部分血色的触手开始化为毫无生机的灰白，眼球滚落在地上，飞快地烧成了一抹虚无的灰烬。）

CommanderHah... hah...哈……哈……

CommanderSextans...六分仪……

(Sextans' eyes are tightly shut. Perhaps the "umbilical cord" was severed; her body is no longer attached to Boojum tissue, sliding out of it like an innocent newborn.)（六分仪紧闭着眼睛。似乎是切断了“脐带”的缘故，她的身体并没有黏连着伯介姆组织，像是一个无邪的幼体般从里面滑落出来。）

PerityaWe have to... retreat...!必须要……撤退了……！

(I hoist Sextans up with the last of my strength—good thing she's much lighter than usual with most of her limbs heavily damaged. Peritya supports my stumbling form as we run toward the lab exit.)（我用最后的力气扛起六分仪——好在她的肢体损失大半，轻了不少，佩里缇亚则搀扶着踉踉跄跄的我，朝实验室的出口跑去。）

(When I turn around, the tentacles begin to gather and lunge at us in a frenzy. I can almost feel its cold mucus dripping onto the top of my head...)（转身的刹那，那些触手开始聚集，争先恐后地朝我们袭来。我几乎能感觉到它冰冷的粘液就滴在我的头顶……）

ColphneCommander—duck!指挥官——低头！

(I immediately duck to the side. A grenade grazes past my scalp, exploding less than ten meters behind me.)（我赶紧侧身别过头，一颗手雷贴着我的头皮擦过，在我身后不到十米的地方炸开。）

(With a "boom", a splash of mucus sprays onto the back of my head—Makes me glad that I'm still wearing the protective suit.)（“轰”的一声，一股粘液喷在我的后脑勺上——此时此刻，我只庆幸自己还穿着防护服。）

KlukaiCommander, go left!指挥官，走左边！

(Klukai's voice comes through. Peritya and I immediately turn.)（可露凯的声音传来，我和佩里缇亚立刻转向。）

("Bzzzt—")（“啪滋——”）

(The sound of an electrical short circuit is heard. Right after, I sense an ominous movement in the ceiling above.)（电流短路的声音响起，紧接着，我感觉到天花板上发出了一阵不妙的动静。）

KlukaiFaster!再快点！

CommanderConsider for a moment that I'm human!考虑一下我是个人类的事实吧！

KlukaiYou aren't that weak!指挥官可不会这么软弱！

(I want to throw back a retort, but still, I pour every last ounce of strength I can muster into picking up my pace.)（虽然想要再对她反击，但我还是尽可能地把每一分力量都注入加快的脚步。）

(I'm truly glad that I did so the very next moment—because of the electrical short, a heavy metal panel comes crashing down, pinning the chasing tentacles that had been the closest to me.)（下个瞬间，我十分庆幸自己这么做了——在电流短路的作用下，一块厚重的金属板掉落下来，将我身后追击最紧的几根触手压在了下面。）

AlvaAlmost there!快到了！

AlvaVoymastina, get the Commander!威玛西娜，去接应指挥官！

(Alva provides covering fire as Voymastina rushes to us. With both hands, she pulls Peritya and me onto the steps.)（借着埃芙的火力掩护，威玛西娜迅速来到我们面前，伸出两只手分别把我和佩里缇亚拉上了台阶。）

(The door that was torn off can no longer be closed. All we can do is keep running toward the hall's exit. Team Groza, having brought Melanie to the safe exit point long ago, immediately moves to meet us when they see us approach.)（被扯掉的大门已经无法关上，我们只能继续朝礼堂的出口跑去。闪电小队早就带着梅兰妮抵达了安全的出口附近，见我们跑过去，立刻接应上来。）

CommanderI-I'm sorry, Melanie...抱、抱歉，梅兰妮……

CommanderI couldn't save that girl...我没能救出那孩子……

MelanieNo... Commander...不……指挥官……

MelanieI sensed her feelings, she told me that...我感应到了那孩子的心意，她说……

MelanieShe thanks you... and looks forward to the future where...她很感谢您……期待着，将来……

GrozaCommander, get over here!指挥官，快过来！

(Groza stands guard at the door, her hand already on the lever beside the hall's main doors.)（闪电守在门口，手已经握上了礼堂大门边的拉杆上。）

(The instant we step into the hall's vestibule, she pulls the brass lever—the steel door slowly descends. After some splattering sounds by tentacles slamming against the door, our surroundings finally return to a peaceful silence.)（我们刚一踏进礼堂的门厅，她立刻拉动黄铜拉杆——钢铁大门缓缓落下，随着一阵触手撞在门上噼里啪啦的声音，周围重新归于寂静。）

Commander...It's been a while since I had to sprint while carrying weight...……好久没负重冲刺过了……

CommanderWow, Klukai was just like... a drill instructor at school...真是的，可露凯就好像……是学校的教官……

(I lower Sextans down, then sit next to her, gasping for breath.)（我顺势把六分仪放下，坐在一旁喘着粗气。）

(Her eyes are tightly closed. She lets out pained moans, seemingly still unconscious.)（她双目紧闭，痛苦地呻吟着，似乎还没有完全恢复意识。）

AlvaCommander, there's a tear in your protective suit. Please let me help you do some emergency repairs.指挥官，您的防护服被划破了，请让我来为您做紧急处理。

CommanderAlright...好……

(I no longer have the strength to move. I slump into place and let Alva tend to me.)（我已经没有任何力气做出多余的动作，瘫软地接受着埃芙的摆弄。）

(She takes out repair tape and seals the breach in the protective suit.)（她拿出修复胶带，将防护服的破口重新粘好。）

VoymastinaWe're still in enemy territory. There's no telling what could happen. We need to leave as quickly as possible.这里还处于敌人的守备区，不知道会发生什么事，我们得尽快离开。

VoymastinaCommander, if you find it hard to move right now, I can carry—指挥官，如果您暂时行动不便，我可以背——

CommanderNo, it's fine. If you can, could you carry Sextans instead...?不，没关系，如果可以的话，你就把六分仪……

SextansCommander... don't... mind me, destroy me... run, hurry...指挥官……不要，管我，摧毁我……快跑……快……

(I'm about to hand Sextans over to Voymastina when her eyes suddenly open—she looks at me with despair.)（就在我试图把六分仪交给威玛西娜时，她的眼睛睁开了，绝望地看向了我。）

SextansThere's another one... inside me, it, it's... my... curse...我的身体里……有另外一个……它，它是……是我的……诅咒……

SextansI don't know why it's quiet now... but this is your only chance, hurry, please... leave me...虽然不知道它为何沉寂……但现在是唯一的机会，快，请快……丢下我……

CommanderYou've already been saved, Sextans. Thanks to Peritya and H-35, that thing will no longer trouble you.托佩里缇亚和H-35的福，你已经得救了，六分仪，那个东西不会再困扰你。

CommanderNow, we can finally go home. Let's go back to the Elmo.现在，我们可以回家了，回艾莫号吧。

Sextans...Home... the Elmo?……家……艾莫号？

SextansDo I... still have a place like that...?我，还有那样的地方……

CommanderThat's right. If Ateraxis says this place is HER home, then the Elmo is YOUR home.是的，既然星渊说这里是她的家，那艾莫号就是你的家。

(I nod to Voymastina, signaling for her to help.)（我对威玛西娜点点头，示意她提供帮助。）

(Voymastina dips her head silently, then hoists Sextans onto her shoulder.)（威玛西娜静默地微微颔首，沉默地把六分仪扛在肩上。）

(Her concern is well-founded. We can't afford to linger here any longer.)（威玛西娜的担心有道理，我们不能在这里多做停留。）

(We're not only facing the threat of an enemy attack. My body, too, seems to have reached its limits...)（不光是需要戒备敌人的问题，我的身体，大概也已经到了极限……）

(There are still so many mysteries to be solved, and so many questions I want to ask...)（虽然还有很多疑惑需要解答，还有许多问题想问……）

(But the thinking will have to wait until we get out of this place.)（但必须得先离开这里再整理思绪了。）

CommanderAll right, everyone.好，各位。

CommanderQuickly check your gear, then we'll move out at once—尽快整理一下装备，然后我们就立刻出发——

("Tap, tap, tap.")（“哒，哒，哒。”）

(Beneath the moonlight, light footsteps approach from afar.)（月光下，轻快的脚步声由远及近。）

(The Dolls and I stop organizing our equipment, then turn our gazes toward the end of the corridor.)（我和人形们停下整备的动作，看向走廊的尽头。）

(It's Darture.)（是黑眼。）

Lament 悲歌

(The girl's parasol blocks the moonlight pouring down, shrouding her in a flower-like shadow.)（少女的洋伞挡住了倾泻而下的月光，将她覆于一片花朵般的阴影之下。）

(She lowers her gaze at Sextans, currently draped over Voymastina's shoulder. Her lips form a cruel smile.)（她垂下眼眸看了看威玛西娜肩膀上的六分仪，唇边衔着一抹残忍的笑意。）

DartureIs this how you celebrate your "rebirth"... Sextans?这就是你迎接“新生”的方式么……六分仪？

SextansDar... ture...黑……眼……

DartureHow unsightly.真是难看。

DartureTo think you were placed ahead of the rest of us—favored by Mother, yet became such an ungrateful THING.明明排在了我们所有人的前面——得到母亲的偏袒，却不知感恩的东西。

CommanderAt least she followed her own will, making a choice that was truly hers.至少她遵从意志，做出了属于自己的选择。

CommanderWhereas you, Darture, are still nothing more than a puppet, dancing to someone else's will.而你，黑眼，依然只是个任人摆布的傀儡。

DartureHeh heh... a puppet?呵呵……傀儡？

CommanderYou can't defy your "Mother's" commands, so your only choice is to rush here and clean up the mess, no?你无法违抗“母亲”的指令，就只能乖乖跑过来善后，不是么？

DartureCommander, you always imagine things to be simpler than it truly is.指挥官，你总是把事情想得很简单。

DartureI came here not because I was bound by anyone's command.我来到这里，并非受制于任何人的指令。

Darture"Mother" never issues any forced orders to us either. We are always loved, always cherished by Mother... And this extends to even that THING... Sextans.“母亲”也从不会对我们下达任何强制指令，我们总是被爱着，被母亲呵护着……就连六分仪这家伙也是一样。

DartureThat was exactly why you had the chance to escape with your lives, carrying that thing with you.所以你们才有机会带着这家伙逃出生天。

DartureBut I am different.但我不同。

DartureI hate traitors. How can you betray Mother? Why would you think I'd let you go after you betrayed our creator?我讨厌叛徒，居然背叛母亲，背叛我们的创造者，哪能轻易饶过你？

(She lifts her eyes away from Sextans's face.)（她将眼睛从六分仪的脸上挪开。）

DartureAll right, enough idle talk.好了，废话说完了。

DartureI'm guessing you have no intention of handing Sextans over to me.我猜你们并不打算将六分仪交给我处理。

DarturePeople like you always come charging in talking about the power of friendship and bonds and whatever on your lips.像你们这种人，总是嘴里喊着友情啊羁绊啊什么的就冲上来了。

DartureWhat a pity, really...所以很遗憾……

DartureTime to bury the rest of you with her.一起为她陪葬吧。

Lament 悲歌

AlvaVoymastina, she's heading your way!威玛西娜，她朝你那边去了！

Voymastina...!……！

(With a light turn of Darture's wrist, the parasol's canopy manages to block the bullets fired at her back.)（黑眼手腕轻转，伞面恰到好处地挡下了身后的子弹。）

(The bullets, powerful enough to punch through steel, roar like a downpour hitting ground upon meeting the parasol, then slide off limply, making clinking sounds on the floor.)（足以穿透钢铁的弹头在遇到洋伞的刹那间发出暴雨倾落般的沉闷响声，随后无力地滑落，在地板上敲出清脆的叮咚声。）

(She bends down slightly on the other side of the parasol. Then, she leaps from a crouching position—)（洋伞的另一面，她微微俯身，借助下蹲的力量跃起——）

("Boom boom boom—")（“轰轰轰——”）

("Ratatatat—")（“哒哒哒哒——”）

(Voymastina opens fire without the slightest hesitation, aiming to drive Darture back with overwhelming firepower.)（威玛西娜毫不犹豫立即开火，打算凭借猛烈的火力逼退黑眼。）

(Her parasol is both the sturdiest shield and the sharpest spear.)（她手中的伞既是最坚固的盾，也是最锋利的矛。）

(But if she can't break through our suppressing gunfire, her hands won't be free enough to attack!)（只要她突破不了这张火力网，就无法腾出手来进行攻击！）

GrozaTeam Groza, support Voymastina!闪电小队，协助威玛西娜！

(The doubled gunfire roars through the whole room.)（成倍的炮火声响彻整个房间。）

(But when the smoke clears, we find that Darture had already arrived right in front of Voymastina.)（然而当硝烟散去时，黑眼已然来到威玛西娜的身前。）

VoymastinaHow...!怎么会……！

(The parasol had folded shut at some point, now transformed into a black assault rifle.)（洋伞不知何时收拢起来，变成了一支黑色的突击步枪。）

(Darture makes no move to evade. She takes every bullet Voymastina fires head-on, riddling her frame with horrifying bullet holes.)（黑眼没有做出任何躲避的动作。她正面接下了威玛西娜打出的所有子弹，触目惊心的弹孔痕迹让她的素体伤痕累累。）

(But the muzzle of her weapon had long since been trained on Sextans.)（但她手中那支武器的枪口，早已对准了六分仪。）

MelanieNo—!?不要——！？

("Bang".)（“砰。”）

(A single gunshot rings out softly, jarringly sharp in the lull between bursts of gunfire.)（轻轻的一声枪响，在炮火停歇的间隙显得格外刺耳。）

CommanderDarture, you—!黑眼，你——！

Darture(Cough... Cough cough...)咳……咳咳……

DartureHeh heh...呵呵……

DartureHee hee hee...嘿嘿嘿……

DartureHahahaha...哈哈哈哈……

DartureHahahahahahahahaha—哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈——

DartureNo one...没有人……

DartureNo one can betray "Mother"...没有人能背叛“母亲”……

DartureNo one!!!!!没有人！！！！！

DartureI won't allow it...我不可以……

DartureNot even you, Sextans.六分仪，你也不行。

(Sextans completely loses consciousness.)（六分仪彻底失去了意识。）

(The bullet has bored straight through her chest, leaving a black hole dripping with blood.)（弹孔贯穿了她的胸口，留下一个黑色的血洞。）

CommanderHave you gone mad, Darture?你已经疯狂了吗，黑眼。

CommanderWhat good does this do you?这么做对你有什么好处？

Darture(Coughs)... good?咳咳……好处？

DartureI don't know either... come to think of it, it's true... there really isn't any... But still, I can't help myself...我也不知道呢……说起来也的确……明明没有……可是，我忍不住……

DartureAnyone who looks down on Mother cannot be forgiven—that's simply how I think.小看母亲的家伙无法被原谅，我就是这样想的。

DartureSo, what about you, Commander? You went against Mother. What good does that do you?那么，你呢，指挥官？与母亲作对，对您有什么好处呢？

DartureGoing against us, getting yourself turned into something neither dead nor alive by the radiation... What good does that do you?和我们作对，被辐射弄成不人不鬼，有什么好处呢？

CommanderShe's nothing more than one more individual who chose to align with evil.她只不过是又一个选择与邪恶为伍的人。

(I look toward Darture. When our gazes meet, I strangely do see a trace of understanding in those hate-filled eyes.)（我望向黑眼，双方视线相接，突然之间，从她充满怨憎的眼中，我居然读出了一丝理解。）

DartureSee~ Your fixation with your sense of justice has carried you all the way here.看~对正义感的执着，让您一路走到了这里。

DartureSo, never underestimate the power of obsession.所以，可别小看了执念的力量。

CommanderPrepare to embrace your destruction with your blind obsession.准备好带着你的执念迎接毁灭吧。

CommanderYou, and that "Mother" you keep speaking of...你，还有你口中的“母亲”……

CommanderPrepare yourselves. I will erase every last one of you Paradeus freaks.所有帕拉蒂斯的家伙，我都会一一摧毁。

DartureHa ha... oh my, how scary, I'm so scared.呵呵……哎呀，好可怕，我好怕呀。

DartureWhat a pity, though. You won't be able to do it, Commander...可惜的是，你做不到哦，指挥官……

DartureAnd as for why... That's because Mother is... a great existence... who has seen through fate itself.要说为什么，因为母亲是……看透了命运的……伟大的存在啊。

(Darture falls backward, into the crack that has split open at the center of the floor.)（黑眼仰面倒了下去，落入地板中央裂开的缝隙之中。）

("Rumble— Rumble—")（“轰隆隆——隆隆——”）

(A violent quake erupts in the reception room, even more intense than the one during our arrival.)（会客室内爆发了急剧的震颤，比我们最开始来到这里的那时还要强烈。）

GrozaCommander, grab my hand!指挥官，抓住我的手！

(Groza supports me to prevent me from slipping on the increasingly tilted floor.)（闪电搀扶着我，以便让我不至于在愈发倾斜的地板上滑倒。）

(The ash-grey-haired Paradeus Dolls swarm in from everywhere once again—in double the numbers we encountered before.)（灰白发的帕拉蒂斯人形们再次从四周涌来——比之前我们遇见过的那些数量还要再多一倍。）

(They chant some kind of incantation in unison, like a final morning prayer before the break of dawn.)（她们集体唱诵着某种咒文，仿佛日出来临之前最后的晨祷。）

KlukaiCommander, we've lost control of the electronic systems...指挥官，我们没办法控制电子系统了……

KlukaiEvery exit in the building is closing—looks like some kind of emergency mode has been triggered.建筑的所有出入口正在关闭，似乎是启动了紧急模式。

KlukaiEveryone! The route you just received on your terminals is the only one with any chance of escape!现在你们终端上收到的，是唯一有机会成功逃脱的路线！

CommanderGot it!明白了！

CommanderAlva, confirm the escape route!埃芙，确认逃脱路线！

CommanderGroza, let's work together to hold off the Dolls behind us!闪电，我们一起想办法阻击身后这些人形！

Alva and GrozaReceived!收到！

(On the route map Klukai sent, the castle's main doors have long been sealed. Our only way out is through the other side of the reception room, across the outer courtyard, and down the spiral staircase of a tower on one side of the castle.)（可露凯发来的路线图上，城堡大门早已封闭，只有从会客室的另一边出去，穿过外庭，从一侧的塔楼旋梯下去才能离开这里。）

(Up ahead, Alva and Peritya clear the obstacles in our path, while Voymastina kicks open the locked iron door, allowing us to swiftly escape the cramped reception room and arrive upon the open ground of the outer courtyard.)（在前方，由埃芙和佩里缇亚扫清前方的障碍，威玛西娜则一脚踹开封锁的铁门，让我们得以迅速离开了逼仄的会客室，来到外庭宽阔的空地上。）

(Though Team Groza fights desperately to hold the line behind us, the Paradeus Dolls remain in relentless pursuit.)（而身后，虽然闪电小队奋力阻击，但帕拉蒂斯人形们依旧紧追不舍。）

(The intense killing intent radiating from their expressionless faces makes it nearly impossible to link them to Nemesis, who shares their appearance.)（她们面无表情的脸上弥漫着深重的杀意，让我几乎无法联想到与她们长相一模一样的纳美西丝。）

(Those Paradeus Dolls... where on earth did they even come from...?)（这些帕拉蒂斯人形……究竟是什么来头……）

(If we make it back, I'll ask Nemesis again, and see if she remembers anything...)（如果能回去的话，再问问纳美西丝，看看她有没有想起什么事吧……）

(We will... definitely make it back...)（一定……可以回去的……）

("Bang bang—")（“砰砰——”）

(The gunshots from my pistol drown out my pounding heartbeat. One of the bullets pierces through a head—the already battered Paradeus Doll falls backward, falling over the wall behind us with a drop more than a dozen meters high.)（手中的枪声掩盖了激烈的心跳。其中的一颗子弹贯穿了头部，本就残破不堪的帕拉蒂斯人形向后倒去，摔向我们身后十几米高的围墙之外。）

PerityaCommander... over here!指挥官……这边！

(The two Dolls standing guard atop the tower are unable to withstand DEFY's onslaught. They are quickly rendered incapable of combat.)（塔楼顶上，两名原本守卫在那里的人形无法抵挡住忤逆小队的攻势，很快便失去了作战能力。）

KlukaiCommander, hurry! The gate on this side is about to close too!指挥官，快点！这边的闸门也要关闭了！

KlukaiThere's—one minute left!还有——最后一分钟！

CommanderDon't get bogged down fighting them! Get into the tower first, the gate's about to close!别和她们过多纠缠！先进入塔楼，闸门快要关了！

(After confirming that the interior is safe, I set Melanie down on the steps and squirm inside myself.)（确认了内部的安全，我把梅兰妮放进台阶，自己也一矮身钻了进去。）

(The tower's spiral staircase is narrow and steep, the air thick with the cold smell of aged dust and stone.)（塔楼内的旋梯狭窄而陡峭，空气中弥漫着陈年灰尘和石头的冷冽气味。）

(The surrounding walls are thick and solid. They are part of the building's fortifications, after all. Though maintenance is long overdue for the stone steps underfoot, they can still bear everyone's weight.)（身为建筑的防御工事，周围的墙壁厚重而坚固。脚下的石阶虽然许久未曾修缮，但依旧足以承受所有人的重量。）

(Small bits of stone occasionally roll down the steps as we step on them, falling all the way into the depths of the tower.)（踩在上面的时候，偶有小块的石子沿着阶梯，一直滚落到塔楼深处。）

CommanderThe steps here are somewhat slippery, everyone. Be careful!这里的台阶有点滑，大家小心！

Melanie—Uwaaah!!——呜啊！！

ColphneMelanie!梅兰妮！

(Colphne tries to grab Melanie, but her outstretched hand grabs only empty air.)（寇尔芙想要拉住梅兰妮，却一伸手捞了个空。）

(Melanie tumbles down alongside the crushed bits of stone she stepped on.)（梅兰妮和那些被踩碎的石块一起跌了下去。）

CommanderDamn it... Melanie!糟了……梅兰妮！

(What I feared did not happen. Andoris' reassuring voice comes through the comms.)（片刻之后，我担心的事情并没有发生。安朵丝令人安心的声音在通讯器中响起。）

AndorisCommander, I... I caught Melanie!指挥官，我……接住梅兰妮了！

CommanderThank goodness... Andoris, get Melanie to a safe place first!太好了……安朵丝，先把梅兰妮带到安全的地方！

AndorisUnderstood... but...明白……不过……

AndorisWait... that's...!等等……这是……！

KlukaiOh no, Andoris... Get out of there! Quickly!不好，安朵丝……快离开那里！

Andoris...!!!……！！！

("Creak—")（“嘎吱——”）

("Crash—")（“轰隆——”）

(The sound of falling, crashing metal comes from beneath our feet.)（一声金属落下的巨响在我们脚下传来。）

CommanderAndoris... Melanie!安朵丝……梅兰妮！

CommanderWhat happened?!发生什么事了？！

CommanderAre you two all right?你们怎么样？

("Bzzz, Bzzzzt—")（“滋啦滋啦——”）

Andoris(Coughing) ...Commander, Melanie and I are both fine...咳咳……指挥官，我和梅兰妮都没事……

AndorisBut our forced hacking triggered the security mechanisms here, causing the wiring to lock down completely... We can't unlock it unless we have a key, or permissions to disengage the lockdown. Hacking will take time...但因为这里的安防线路由于我们的暴力破解和入侵触发了安全机制，内部线路彻底锁死了……除非有钥匙或者直接解除安防的权限，但电子入侵需要时间……

AndorisWhat's more, that mechanism also set off a small explosion at the gate near the bottom of the tower...而且，这种机制还引发了塔楼下方闸门处的一次小型爆炸……

AndorisThat gate... is now blocked by rubble...现在那扇门……被碎石堵住了……

Commander!！

KlukaiDoes that mean we... can't even activate our explosives?那我们岂不是……连爆破系统也启动不了？

AndorisI'm afraid so...!恐怕是的……！

(The tower, one of the defensive fortifications of this ancient structure, has only two entrances—one above, one below, plus the narrow windows on the walls... but those are so small that only a single hand can fit through them.)（作为这座古建筑的防御工事，塔楼内部只有一上一下两个出入口，另外就是墙壁上那些窄得只能探出一只手的小窗。）

(Since the lower exit is now sealed off...)（现在下方的出口被堵死，就意味着……）

(We are all trapped inside this solidly built tower.)（我们所有人，都被困死在了这座坚固的塔楼里。）

KlukaiDamn it... we'll just have to clear the rubble by hand!可恶……只能手动清理碎石了！

KlukaiCommander, hold on—I'll get those stones cleared ASAP!指挥官，你等着，我会尽快把那些石头弄干净的！

(...)（……）

(...)（……）

("The situation has grown so dire that there is no room even for silence.")（“事态已经紧迫得连沉默都没有余裕。”）

("So, someone must step forward in the next moment.")（“所以下一刻，必须要有人站出来。”）

("Only then can the script keep moving forward.")（“只有这样，剧本才能继续向前走。”）

("We all already know the ending of the story... but the journey is woven through real sacrifice, blood, and tears.")（“我们都已知道故事的结局……但一路走来的过程，却交织着真实的牺牲、鲜血与泪水。”）

Nemesis...………………………………

Nemesis...A shell... cannot wrap a heartbeat...……躯壳……无从包裹心跳……

Nemesis...Sharp shards... mirror dreams, memory...……锋利碎片……映射梦境记忆……

Groza...Nemesis!……纳美西丝！

PerityaNemesis... Don't!纳美西丝……不可以！

KrolikYou bastard! What are you doing!? Let go, let go—!!混蛋东西，你干嘛！？放手，放手——！！

NemesisAbolesco.Abolesco。

("Bang!")（“砰！”）

(After Nemesis shoves Krolik—the last one still outside with her into the tower, the door slams shut with a bang.)（纳美西丝把最后一个和她一起留在外面的克罗丽科推进塔楼里之后，门砰地一声关上了。）

("Beep beep, beep beep—")（“滴滴，滴滴——”）

(Our demolition setup, which has gone dark due to the security lockdown, comes back online.)（刚刚由于安防系统锁死而熄灭的爆破系统重新启动了起来。）

(I don't know how things turned out this way...)（我不知道为什么会这样……）

(Or rather, there are still so many questions I want to ask...)（不如说，我现在还有很多问题想问……）

(But all that answers me is the overwhelming tremor, and the deafening sound of the explosion.)（但回答我的只有周围铺天盖地的颤动，与震耳欲聋的爆炸声。）

Empty Shadow 虚影

(The next day.)（第二天。）

Commander...Mayling, let's begin.……美玲，开始吧。

MaylingAll right...好……

(Mayling no longer trembles in the ops room.)（指挥室内，美玲已经不再颤抖。）

(She grips the handheld terminal so tightly that her knuckles turn white.)（她紧紧握着手中的终端，手指的关节显得发白。）

(The casualty list for this mission is laid out in detail in the center of the screen.)（屏幕中央，本次任务的损失清单详细地罗列在上面。）

MaylingThe squads that stayed behind to guard the Elmo sustained relatively light injuries. Their frames can be repaired by replacing parts.在这次的任务里，留守艾莫号的各个小队受伤较轻，素体可通过更换零件的方式修复。

MaylingBesides that, Helen's neural cloud suffered minor damage. Data recovery will be performed during her next routine maintenance.另外，海伦心智轻微受损，会在后续的例行维护中进行数据恢复。

MaylingAmong field personnel, 404's losses and injuries were relatively minor.外勤人员中，404小队损失程度较低。

MaylingDEFY's losses were mainly ammunition and equipment. They said that they'd do a detailed list once they go back, so it's not itemized for now.忤逆小队的损失主要为弹药和装备，她们说要等回去之后进行详细清点，因此暂不罗列。

(Mayling pauses. She does her best to make her voice sound normal.)（美玲顿了顿，努力让自己的声音听起来正常。）

MaylingLastly, the squad with the most severe losses—Team Groza...最后，是损失最严重的闪电小队……

MaylingLeader and Krolik are at 30% frame damage. They are currently in the repair pods awaiting repair.队长和克罗丽科素体损毁30%，目前在维修舱内等待修复。

MaylingLastly, we have...最后还有……

MaylingNemesis...纳美西丝……

MaylingStatus: Missing...状态：失踪……

(The ops room sinks into silence.)（指挥室陷入了一阵沉默。）

(To be honest, I no longer remember much of what happened after that day.)（其实那天之后发生的事，我已经不太记得了。）

(While waiting for rescue, the shock of the explosion gave me a mild concussion and prolonged exposure to Collapse radiation rendered me unconscious for some time.)（在等待救援的过程中，我因为长时间承受坍塌辐射，再加上爆炸的冲击给我造成了轻微的脑震荡，一时之间昏了过去。）

(I'm told that we were rescued from the tower by 404 not long after the explosion. We discovered that the castle's entire courtyard area had been blown to smithereens.)（据说那天的爆炸发生后不久，我们被404小队从塔楼内救援出来，发现城堡的整个外庭区域都已被炸毁。）

(Team Groza and Squad 404 escorted Melanie and me back to the Elmo first, while Alva, Voymastina, and Peritya stayed for some time near the castle, waiting for the fire from the explosion to die down before making a preliminary assessment of the situation.)（闪电小队和404小队先护送我和梅兰妮回到了艾莫号上，而埃芙、威玛西娜和佩里缇亚在城堡附近区域多停留了一会儿，等待爆炸造成的火势熄灭后，对现场状况做出了初步的评估。）

(According to their report, the severed bits of those Paradeus Dolls got mixed together after the explosion. They couldn't identify which of them was part of Nemesis' frame.)（根据她们的报告，爆炸过后，那些帕拉蒂斯人形的残肢都混在了一起，她们无法辨认出究竟哪些是纳美西丝的素体。）

(Once they have some R&R, they will conduct another in-depth investigation of the area surrounding the old castle.)（等修整完毕之后，她们会再对古堡周边的区域进行一次彻底的调查。）

(We've decided to put Nemesis as "missing" for now. At least, until her frame can be conclusively confirmed destroyed.)（在没有彻底确认纳美西丝的素体损毁之前，我们决定将她的状态暂时定义为“失踪”。）

CommanderHow is Sextans doing, by the way?对了，六分仪怎么样了？

CommanderIs there still a chance for her to wake up?还有醒过来的可能吗？

MaylingSextans' current condition is beyond what I can handle... so for now, I've handed her over to Miss Dandelion.六分仪现在的状况不是我能处理的……所以，我暂时把她交给丹德莱小姐了。

CommanderHmm. Let's just leave it to her then.嗯，就这么办吧。

(Mayling's understanding of third-gen Dolls is limited. All we can do is to wait and see if Dandelion can do anything.)（美玲对三代人形的了解有限，只能看看丹德莱那边有什么办法了。）

(Still, we did bring back her frame, so there's always hope that she might wake up.)（不过只要带回素体，总还是有醒过来的希望。）

(...)（……）

(After that, each squad that took part in the mission gave their own mission report.)（随后，参与本次任务的各个小队进行了任务的汇报。）

(The documents Colphne brought back from the castle rooms have been fully analyzed. We obtained some data on Darture, and the same for a Doll under the codename "Juno.")（寇尔芙从城堡的房间里带回的文件已经解析完毕。里面是关于黑眼、以及一个代号为“朱诺”的人形的部分资料。）

(The contents indicate that both Dolls had recently returned to that castle for frame maintenance. Although we don't know why they did so, it must have been connected to Sextans' "rebirth" ceremony.)（上面的内容显示，黑眼和朱诺都在近期内回到过那座城堡内进行素体维护，虽然不知道目的是什么，但想必一定和六分仪这次的“新生”仪式有关。）

(Perhaps Darture's abnormal behavior is actually connected to this chain of events.)（或许黑眼这次的异常举动，也和这一系列的事情脱不开关系。）

(I also managed to confirm many things previously unknown through this mission.)（另外，通过这次任务，我也确定了许多之前未解的事情。）

(First, regarding Paradeus' activities.)（首先，是关于帕拉蒂斯的活动情况。）

(After I shot William dead, new individuals kept rising within Paradeus, taking over and attempting to continue the research he had conducted back then.)（威廉被我射杀后，帕拉蒂斯中有了新的人物正在崛起，接手并企图继续他当初的那些研究。）

(Chiloveig is not alone, and the Lviv incident wasn't some aftershock from ten years ago, but an entirely new probe attempt by Paradeus.)（奇洛薇格的存在并不是个例，利沃夫的事件也并非什么十年前的余波，而是帕拉蒂斯一次全新的试探。）

(Second, I initially thought that third-gen Dolls were merely employed by the Conglomerate, but now it seems that things aren't that simple. The Conglomerate and someone within Paradeus appear to jointly hold authority over them.)（其次，我一开始以为三代人形只是受雇于财团，但现在看来也没那么简单，财团与帕拉蒂斯的某人——似乎共同拥有她们的管理权。）

(Perhaps the specifics will only become clear once Dandelion finishes dealing with Sextans' situation.)（或许具体情况还要等丹德莱处理完六分仪的事情之后才能得出结论。）

(Still, we now know that Paradeus and the Conglomerate are fully in leagues with one another. We could even say that Paradeus is ambitious enough, that they'd swallow the Conglomerate whole if they could do it.)（不过目前这些信息，也足以说明帕拉蒂斯和财团已经达成了极为深度的合作，甚至说帕拉蒂斯的野心大到想把整个财团一口吞掉也不为过。）

(You can tell from the degree of the third-gen Dolls' chokehold over the Conglomerate, that they've clearly been working on this plan for a long time.)（从三代人形对财团的控制情况就能看出，这个计划他们显然已经酝酿许久。）

(Lastly, regarding the Helena project...)（最后，是关于整个海伦娜的计划……）

(Melanie told me that the Helena designated H-35, as a test subject, is currently heavily involved in Paradeus's experiments.)（梅兰妮对我说过，那个编号为H-35的海伦娜作为受试者，目前正在深度参与帕拉蒂斯的实验。）

(My failure to rescue her is my biggest regret.)（这次没能救出她，是我最遗憾的事情。）

(I was so close to her back in that one moment...)（那个时候，明明已经很接近她的存在了……）

(But now that I think about it, what troubles me greatly is that strange feeling I had when I approached where she was...)（但现在回想起来，很让我在意的一件事情，是当我接近她所在的地点时，那种奇异的感觉……）

(I remember feeling something like that back in Lviv as well. There may be subtle differences between them, but I'm quite certain that it's the same kind of thing.)（我记得当初在利沃夫时，也曾有过这样的感觉。或许它们之间有着微妙的不同，但我能确定它们的确是同一种类型的事。）

(...)（……）

AlvaCommander...指挥官……

AlvaCommander?指挥官？

Commander...Hm?……嗯？

AlvaThe meeting is over.会议结束了。

(I lift my head. Only then do I realize that everyone in the ops room is staring at me.)（我抬起头，这才发现指挥室里的所有人都看着我。）

(I wave my hand to let everyone leave, while I myself remain, sitting motionless in the chair.)（我挥挥手让大家先离开，自己则依旧坐在椅子上一动不动。）

CommanderAh... right.啊……对了。

CommanderPeritya, may I have a word with you?佩里缇亚，可以和你说几句话吗？

Peritya...Sure.……好哦。

(After everyone gathers their documents and leaves the ops room, I gesture for Peritya to sit down beside me.)（等大家都收拾好文件离开指挥室后，我示意佩里缇亚在我身边坐下。）

PerityaSurely you have much to ask me.指挥官一定有很多事想问我吧？

PerityaYour thoughts... are quite unsubtle.您的心思……很难隐藏呢。

CommanderYou're right... but I don't know where to even begin.的确……但又不知道该从哪里问起。

PerityaThen why not start with... the special abilities I displayed?不如就从……我所展现的特殊能力说起？

PerityaThat should be what you're most interested in, no?您最感兴趣的，应该就是这件事吧？

CommanderAre you... willing to talk about it?你……你愿意说吗？

CommanderThen let's start there... we don't really have any other choice anyway.那就从这里开始好了……恐怕我们也没有其他选择了。

PerityaHeh heh... Commander, if we are talking about choices...呵呵……指挥官，若是说到选择……

PerityaI have to say, that you have so many choices and options in your hands... yet you always choose the path that leads toward the future.不得不说，您的手上握着太多选择……却总是选择了那条能通向未来的道路。

Commander...……

PerityaYou are an incredibly kind person.您是个很温柔的人呢。

PerityaI think... that is probably why "The World" chose you.我想……这大概就是“世界”选择您的原因吧。

Commander"The World" chose me?“世界”选择我？

PerityaThat's right—it's exactly what you think "it" is.没错，就是您心中想到的“那个”。

PerityaAfter all... though I'm the anchor point for her descent, even I'm still not qualified enough to know her name.毕竟……就算只是作为她降临的锚点，我也没有资格知道她的名字。

PerityaBut you, are qualified to know everything...但您有资格知道一切……

PerityaAnd thus, at this very moment, I sit here beside you.所以此时此刻，我坐在您的身边。

(I fall silent again, waiting for Peritya to speak.)（我再次沉默，等待着佩里缇亚的开口。）

PerityaI don't know why she chose me... perhaps it's because my processing power is great enough to support her in weaving a dream, perhaps it was coincidence, or perhaps it was simply fate's arrangement...虽然不知道她为什么选择了我……或许是因为我的算力足以支撑她编织一个梦境，或许是巧合，又或许，只是命运的安排……

PerityaBut in any case, she descended here, and upon leaving, she left behind a portion of her power.但总而言之，她降临在这里，并在离开时遗落了部分力量。

PerityaYou already know... that this is a power belonging to "Nirvana".正如您所知道的那样……这是属于“希岸”的力量。

Commander!！

CommanderSo you were able to temporarily suppress Boojums because of...所以你能暂时抑制伯介姆，是因为……

PerityaI'm afraid that the "me" right now, can no longer explain it to you well.如今的我恐怕已经没法和你好好解释了。

PerityaWhat I can still say, is that she does not permit Boojums to enter Nirvana.还能说出口的，就是她不允许伯介姆进入希岸空间。

PerityaAnd that the power of "Nirvana" is also one of the few existences capable of completely annihilating a Boojum.而“希岸”的力量，也是少数可以彻底消灭伯介姆的关键之一。

CommanderNo wonder Paradeus would study such a thing...难怪帕拉蒂斯会研究这种事……

CommanderSo—所以——

(There are still many questions I want to ask, but Peritya shakes her head.)（我心中有许多问题想问，但佩里缇亚却摇了摇头。）

PerityaIt's all right... there's no need to rush to understand the answers.没关系……您无需急于理解答案。

PerityaIf you wish to create the future... there must be something unknown to you.想要去创造未来……必然需要一些未知。

PerityaAnd precisely because of that, you can do what she cannot.也正因为如此，您才能做到她无法做到的事。

(I think it over for a long time, but in the end, I simply voice my final request.)（我沉思了许久，最终只能说出最后的请求。）

CommanderThen could you... would it be possible to...那你……能不能……

(Peritya seems to know what I'm about to ask, and immediately shakes her head.)（佩里缇亚仿佛知道我要问什么，随即摇了摇头。）

PerityaI exhausted all the power she left behind while dealing with the situation we faced. I can no longer sense her.为了解决这次的事情，我已经用尽了她所遗留的力量，也无法再感应到她了。

PerityaThough I will probably become her eyes again, I'm afraid I won't be able to guide the power of Nirvana for a long time... unless she wishes to change something through me once again.虽然我应该还会成为她的眼睛，但要引导希岸的力量——只怕很长时间都做不到，除非她再度希望通过我来改变什么。

PerityaSorry, Commander...抱歉，指挥官……

PerityaI cannot help you convey your thoughts and feelings to her...我无法帮您传达您的心意……

PerityaBut please believe...但请您相信……

PerityaThat everything is fate's arrangement.一切都是命运的安排。

PerityaPlease don't worry.请不必担心。

PerityaBecause when she bid me farewell, she told me...因为告别的时候，她曾告诉我……

PerityaThat in a future not so far away...在并不算遥远的未来……

PerityaDue to certain events...由于某些事情……

PerityaThe two of you would surely meet again. And when that time comes, it will be her, seeking help from you.你们一定还会再度相见的，而到时候，会是她向你寻求帮助。

PerityaOnce that happens, she hopes that you, Commander, would hold her hand just as you did in the past.而到那个时候，她希望指挥官，你能像过去一样，握住她的手。

(As Peritya says this, she grabs my hand, as though passing something on to me.)（佩里缇亚这样说着，像是在传递什么般地握住了我的手。）

(The warmth from her palm somehow feels more familiar than how her hands themselves feel to me.)（她手心的温度，似乎比我对她这双手的感觉更加熟悉一些。）

(The two of us stay silent for a long while.)（我们彼此沉默了好一会儿。）

(...)（……）

CommanderThere's one more thing I want to ask.对了，我还有件事情想问。

PerityaHmm?嗯？

CommanderAbout Nemesis...纳美西丝她……

CommanderWhat did she say at the end?最后说了什么？

PerityaAh... so it's about that.啊……原来是这件事。

CommanderIndeed, I actually wanted to ask Nemesis some questions directly just now, but...是。本来这次我有一些问题想直接问纳美西丝的，但是……

PerityaHmm... I understand that you have some questions about her identity.嗯……我明白您对她的身份有些疑问。

CommanderNot just her identity... there's also...不光是身份……还有……

PerityaI understand. I don't know the specifics myself... but she's a good kid.我明白。虽然我也不知道很具体的事……但她是个好孩子哦。

Commander...……

PerityaAt the very end, she said... that she would hack into the neural clouds of those Paradeus Dolls, and through them, take control of the whole castle's wiring and circuitry.最后的时候，她说……她会入侵那些帕拉蒂斯人形的心智，继而控制整座城堡的机关线路。

PerityaEveryone would be able to escape that way.这样大家就可以逃出去了。

Commander...Was there anything else?……还有么？

PerityaThat was all of it. After all, things were quite urgent back then... yeah?就是这些了呢。毕竟当时的情况很紧急……对吧？

Commander...……

PerityaI know what you want to hear... but back then, she really didn't have time to say something like "I'll definitely come back alive to find you guys".我明白您想听的是什么……但当时她的确来不及说“我一定会活着回来找你们”这种话呢。

Commander...Mmhm.……嗯。

PerityaBut not saying it, doesn't mean she won't do it.不过没说不代表她不会这样做哦。

PerityaSo, let's hold on to that feeling and pray for her together.就让我们怀着这样的心情，一起为她祈祷吧。

(A week later, Dandelion calls me to the maintenance room, saying that Sextans' neural cloud is showing signs of recovery.)（一星期后，丹德莱喊我去维修室，说是六分仪的心智有了恢复的迹象。）

(When I hurry over, I see Sextans still inside the pod, barely maintaining the stability of her neural cloud data through the link Dandelion established.)（我赶过去的时候，看到六分仪还在舱体内，依靠丹德莱建立的链接勉强维持着心智数据的平稳。）

CommanderHow is she?她怎么样了？

DandelionOh my, her condition can only be described as super-terrible.啊呀，状况可以说是超级糟糕呢。

DandelionIf she wasn't brought back in time, even the tiniest bit of her neural cloud data might not have been saved.如果不是送回来得及时，恐怕连最后的心智数据都保不住了。

DandelionDarture's final shot landed right on her neural cloud core—an absolutely destructive blow, no question.黑眼最后那一枪直接打在她的心智核心上，绝对是堪称毁灭性的打击。

DandelionTo be so ruthless toward her own elder sister... Looks like that child really does have a bright future ahead of her~对待自己的姐姐也如此心狠，看来那孩子未来可期呢~

Commander...Why on earth did she do it? Just to punish a traitor? Was there really a need to go that far?……她到底为什么要这么做？只是为了惩戒背叛者，有必要做到那种地步吗？

DandelionDon't underestimate a Doll's sense of self~可别小看了人形的自我意识哦~

DandelionIf someone achieves what you could not, jealousy would come naturally.如果有人做到了你难以企及的事，会嫉妒才是人之常情。

DandelionOnce such a heart of jealousy sprouts, grows, and ferments, it grows into an abomination that even the individual herself can't control...这种嫉妒之心一旦萌芽、生长、发酵，就会长成连自己也无法控制的怪物……

DandelionIf we look at it that way, third-gen Dolls are actually quite similar to humans.从这方面来看，三代人形还是挺接近人类的。

DandelionCommander, perhaps you too are being envied by someone at this very moment~指挥官，说不定此时此刻，您也正被某个人嫉妒着哦~

CommanderWho would envy a wanted fugitive with an official URNC bounty?嫉妒一个被罗联政府悬赏的通缉犯……？

DandelionHaha~ All I can say is, you underestimate yourself far too much.呵呵~我只能说，您太小看自己了。

DandelionPerhaps the reason for your bounty is the reason for someone's envy towards you.您被悬赏通缉的理由，或许就是被人嫉妒的原因。

(For a moment, neither of us speaks.)（一时之间，我们都没有说话。）

(Finally, Dandelion turns her gaze back to Sextans.)（最后丹德莱将目光重新转向六分仪。）

DandelionI said before that the "Boojum Hub" can't think rationally, only making instinctive reactions, didn't I? I have to retract that statement—我之前说过“伯介姆中枢”无法理性思考，只能做出本能反应吧？我得撤回发言了——

DandelionAlthough Sextans' condition is dire, the Boojum within her body has become highly assimilated with her neural cloud core, protecting her basic data from Darture's bullet.虽然六分仪的情况很糟糕，但是她体内的伯介姆与心智核心已经高度同化，在黑眼的子弹下保护了基本心智数据。

DandelionI think this might be some kind of instinct... after a certain connection was severed, the Boojum within her changed in nature. It began to work solely for "her" sake.我想这或许是某种本能……被切断了某种联系后，她体内的伯介姆在性质上发生了变化，开始认真地，只为“她”自己而干活了。

DandelionIn any case, her neural cloud core is now being sustained by the Boojum cells in its place... and it can only be repaired by those Boojum cells themselves.总之，现在她的心智核心由伯介姆细胞代为支撑……并且也只能由伯介姆细胞自行去修复。

DandelionStill, thanks to Darture, she is now completely free of their control. If the Conglomerate, Paradeus, some Boojum or whatever dialed her up, they'll just get static.不过也托黑眼的福，她现在彻底脱离了原来那些人的控制。无论是财团，还是帕拉蒂斯……或者什么伯介姆，现在拨打她的号码都会是空号。

DandelionOn the flip side, however, since she lost much of her Boojum cells, she can no longer display the full power of a third-gen Doll... even if we had a way to repair her frame. At most, she could perform at about the level of those twinned Dolls you captured in Mokosh.但与之相对的，因为失去了大量伯介姆细胞，就算有办法修复这具素体，她也无法再展现出完整的三代人形力量，最多只能发挥到你们在莫科什俘虏来的那个双子人形的程度。

CommanderWe're fine even without those cells. We're now in a position to prepare a better frame for her.没有那些细胞也没关系，我们现在有条件为她准备一具更好用的素体。

DandelionSwapping frames won't work—I just said that her neural cloud core is damaged, didn't I? Right now, her neural cloud is basically being run by the Boojum Hub in its place—though there are large gaps when it comes to memory.更换素体是不行的，我刚刚说过她的心智核心损坏了吧？现在她的心智云图基本就是由伯介姆中枢在代替运作——不过，在记忆方面有很大的缺口。

DandelionFortunately, we made a backup when we examined her before, so right now, I'm using that backup to restore as much of her memory as possible.好在之前检查她的时候我们做过备份，现在我正在用那些备份尝试尽量将她的记忆多恢复些。

DandelionAs for how much can be restored... that will depend entirely on her own will.但能恢复到什么样的程度……就全凭借她自己的意志了。

DandelionHaah~ To sever the connection to the system you were born with, to no longer rely on anyone, to build a new self-consciousness by your own strength alone—it comes at an inevitable, bloody price.唉~想要斩断与原生系统的联系，不再依靠任何人，仅凭借自身的力量建立新的自我，势必要付出血淋淋的代价。

DandelionAll I can do is wish her good luck~只能祝她好运咯~

DandelionBy the way, doing all this... cost me quite the time and effort.顺便一提，做了这些事，可花了我不少时间和精力呢。

DandelionWho even remembers that I came here for a VACATION~?谁还记得我是来休假的事情啊~

CommanderUh...呃……

CommanderTh-Thank you for your hard work.辛、辛苦你了。

DandelionWhat? I didn't quite catch that...什么？我没听清……

DandelionYou could say it a little louder—no, a little more generously.您可以再大声点——不对，大方一点。

Sextans(Cough)...咳……

Sextans...Comm...……指……

Sextans...Commander...?……指挥官……？

DandelionWhat terrible timing to wake up.醒来得真不是时候啊。

CommanderAnd whose fault is it but yours, for being so loud?还不是因为你太吵了。

(Ignoring Dandelion's protesting, I walk up to the pod containing Sextans and switch on my comms.)（不顾丹德莱的抗议，我来到收容六分仪的舱体前，打开了通讯装置。）

CommanderSextans, how do you feel?六分仪，你感觉怎么样？

Sextans...I...……我……

SextansI'm back...我回来了……

CommanderYep, you're back on the Elmo.嗯，你回到基地车上了。

SextansI'm so sorry... I...抱歉……我……

CommanderIt's all right. If you can't remember the past, so be it.没关系，过去的事情，你记不起来就算了。

CommanderFrom now on, you are a member of the Elmo—that's the only thing you need to remember.从现在开始，你是艾莫号上的一员——你只需要记得这件事就够了。

DandelionOh, if only the Commander would be so kind and gentle with me too~啊啦，指挥官要是对我也能这么温柔就好了~

Sextans...……

SextansI... understand...我……明白了……

Sextans...And also...……还有……

SextansThank you, Miss Dandelion...谢谢你，丹德莱小姐……

DandelionHuh? You noticed me?咦？被发现了吗？

DandelionAnd here I thought I was quite discreet about it.我还以为我做得挺隐蔽的呢。

DandelionBut doesn't that mean your neural cloud reconstruction was already going well enough? Well enough for you to perceive my presence?不过这是不是意味着，你的心智重构情况已经良好到足以察觉我的存在了？

DandelionLooks like you can start ordering her missing parts, Commander. You won't have to throw her in recycling as per your plans~指挥官，看来你可以开始订购缺损零件，而不是准备把她当成垃圾资产处理了~

CommanderDandelion...丹德莱……

DandelionHmm? This joke wasn't all that inappropriate for the timing, was it?嗯？这个玩笑也没有很不合时宜吧？

CommanderSince you brought it up yourself, help me order the parts on the black market.既然说到这里，你就帮我在黑市上订购一下零件吧。

DandelionOrder received~遵命~

(Dandelion's projection goes dark. Only Sextans and I remain in the maintenance room.)（投影熄灭了。维修室内只剩下我和六分仪两个人。）

(But I don't know what I should say.)（但我也不知道该说些什么。）

CommanderWhy don't you... just get some proper rest for now...要不然……你还是先好好休息……

Sextans...Sir...……您……

CommanderWhat's wrong?什么？

(I press myself against the comms device, trying to make out Sextans' voice.)（我贴在通讯器上，试图听清六分仪的声音。）

Sextans...You... believed in me... and when you... faced such a creature... you dared... to use your human body to...……您……相信我……而且……面对那样的生物……却……还用人类的身体……

CommanderYes, I believe in you.是的，我相信你。

Sextans...Even though I...……即便我……

Sextans...cannot... be loyal...?……无法……忠诚……？

Commander...I understand what you mean, Sextans.……我明白你的意思，六分仪。

CommanderA Doll who possesses full authority over herself, cannot pledge loyalty to anyone through the form of a code imprint.一名拥有自由权限的人形，就意味着她无法通过代码烙印的形式向任何人效忠。

CommanderThose two things are mutually contradictory.这是相互矛盾的。

CommanderBut it also means we can try trusting each other.但这也意味着，我们有机会相互信任。

CommanderJust like everyone else aboard the Elmo.和艾莫号上的大家一样。

SextansBut... my Lord... I cannot serve you... at my... original strength... I am already... useless...可是……我……没法为阁下……贡献本来的力量……我已经是……废物……

CommanderI'd give you a higher rating than you'd give yourself.我对你的评价比你自己要高。

CommanderYou didn't just defy your own creator—you even defied the fate she imposed upon you, and what's more, you successfully mastered the Boojum cells within your body.你不只是反抗了自己的创造者，还反抗了她加诸在你身上的命运，而且，你成功地驾驭了自己体内的伯介姆细胞。

CommanderYou proved to us that a third-gen Doll is capable of changing her own fate.并且向我们证明了，三代人形也足以改变自己的命运。

CommanderAnd it's also because of you that the mask of that woman was pierced, letting me know who I should be bringing down from now on.而且也因为你，刺穿了那个女人的面具，让我知道自己如今应该打倒的敌人是谁。

Sextans...My Lord...……阁下……

CommanderYour life may have been relatively simple and straightforward in the past—they gave the orders, you carried them out. No need to question, no need to think.过去，你的生活或许比较简单直接——他们下达命令，你执行命令，无需质疑，也无需思索。

CommanderBut from now on, you may have to deliberate on matters far more complicated.但是现在，你要考量的事或许比之前要复杂得多。

CommanderYou must rely on the choices made by your "heart".你能依靠的，只有通过你自己的“心”做出选择。

CommanderYou must now start learning about this world the same way a human infant does—you won't know that fire is hot until you touch it, you won't realize that a path has ended until you walk into a wall.你只能像个刚出生的人类婴儿一样尝试理解这个世界，碰到火才会觉得痛，撞到墙壁才会发现路已经走到了尽头。

CommanderThis process... will be quite painful...这个过程……会很痛苦……

CommanderPerhaps you'll also go through struggles, doubts, soul-searching, and rebellion...或许也会经历挣扎、质疑、拷问和反抗……

CommanderBut through this, you will discover a road never walked before—one that truly belongs to you.但你最终会发现一条前所未有的、真正属于你的道路。

CommanderOf course... my understanding of Doll technology is quite shallow...当然……我对人形技术的理解很浅薄……

CommanderBut I think that's more or less how the principle goes.不过我想差不多就是这样的道理。

Sextans...……

Sextans...You... seem to be...……您……似乎……

Sextans...talking about a certain someone...……在说某个人……

CommanderNo... I am not.不……没有。

(I give Sextans a smile.)（我对六分仪笑了笑。）

CommanderSo, right now, the "you" of the present is the best version of yourself.所以，现在的你，才是最好的你。

CommanderRest well. I'll be waiting for you.好好恢复过来吧，我会等着你的。

Sextans...As you command... my... master.……遵命……我的……主人。

(Darture had not anticipated that she would wake up so soon. Also, she still remembers what happened in that castle at the end.)（黑眼没有预料到，自己这么快就醒了过来。而且她还记得最后在城堡里发生的那件事。）

(She... killed Sextans with her own two hands.)（自己……亲手杀死了六分仪。）

(Upon realizing this, Darture shudders.)（意识到这一点之后，黑眼打了个寒噤。）

(It means that her neural cloud is still perfectly intact.)（这说明她的心智依旧是完好的。）

(This seems like a deliberate "punishment".)（这像是一种刻意的“惩罚”。）

(Darture hurriedly shuts her eyes.)（黑眼赶紧闭上了眼睛。）

"Mother"Pretending to be asleep won't work, my child.装睡是没用的哦，孩子。

DartureMa...妈……

DartureMama...妈妈……

(Darture tries to sit up, but she finds herself tied onto a cold machine.)（黑眼尝试起身，但她发现自己被固定在了冰冷的仪器上。）

(The parts destroyed by that second-gen Doll, as reckless and brutish as an old heavy duty excavator... had all been removed, exposing clumps of tissue and densely packed wiring within, along with a large number of newly replaced modules.)（被那个像老式重型挖掘机一样莽撞粗暴的二代人形损毁的部分已全部摘除，暴露出内部纠缠的组织团块和密布的排线，以及大量被新替换的模块。）

(She had been repaired. Yet Darture's heart is filled with despair—because she did not want to appear before Mother like this.)（她被修复了，可是，黑眼的心中却满是绝望——因为她不希望这样子出现在母亲的眼前。）

Darture(Damn it... that Doll is nothing but an old relic from many years ago...)（可恶，明明只是个很多年前的老家伙……）

(Hatred toward the enemy flashed through Darture's neural cloud for only an instant. That thought was quickly replaced by fear.)（针对敌人的恨意只在黑眼的心智中一闪而过。很快，这种思绪就被恐惧取代了。）

"Mother"Is there anything else you wish to say?还有什么要说的么？

DartureGuh... Ma... Mother... I, I was being stubborn... I did something you did not tell me to do.咕唔……妈……母亲……我，我任性了……做了您没有让我做的事。

DartureBut even so, Mother still... gently repaired me. Is it because... I have been forgiven...?可即使这样，母亲也……温柔地修理了我，是否是因为，我被原谅了……？

"Mother"The Commander...指挥官……

Darture...?……?

"Mother"He wounded the "prototype", severed the connection with H-35, and dug Sextans out... having witnessed all of this up close, surely, you must have also seen the power behind those actions.那个人弄伤了“原型体”，还切断了与H-35的联系，把六分仪那个孩子挖了出去……想必近距离目睹了这一切的你，应该还看到了背后的那股力量吧？

"Mother"Come—tell me everything you know, all of it.来，把你知道的一切统统告诉我吧。

Darture...I, I didn't... see it.……我，我没……看到。

"Mother"I see. I seem to have gotten my hopes up too high.原来如此，看来我产生了多余的期待呢。

(Hearing Mother's sigh, Darture feels despair and grief surge against her crumbling neural cloud like a raging tide.)（听到母亲的叹息，黑眼感到绝望与悲痛如怒潮般冲击着自己摇摇欲坠的心智。）

(Clear liquid wells up from the corners of her eyes.)（清澈的液体从她的眼角涌出。）

DartureI, I'm sor—对，对不……

"Mother"Shh.嘘。

(She can no longer make a sound.)（她发不出声音了。）

(It is obvious—Mother does not want to hear her excuses.)（很明显，母亲不想听她辩解。）

"Mother"Don't worry, I'm not angry with you.不用担心，我并没有生你的气。

"Mother"You have been a delicate child from the very beginning, Darture.你从以前开始，就是个纤细的孩子，黑眼。

"Mother"You have always been more sentimental compared to your sisters, and more greedy for emotional comfort and reassurance.比起你的其他姐妹，你总是更多愁善感，也更贪婪地渴望情感上的慰藉和安抚。

(Darture struggles to look toward her, trying to evaporate the tears pooling at her eyes.)（黑眼努力看向她，试着蒸发眼睛部位蓄积的泪水。）

(A scene from the past appears before her—Mother, supporting Sextans, walking forward step by step—she was the first third-gen Doll among them to be completed—assembled just a little earlier than her.)（她的眼前出现了一幕过去的景象——母亲，搀扶着六分仪，一步步向前走着——那是她们之中第一个被完成的三代人形——仅仅比她早一些被组装而已。）

(Even so, Sextans received the most of Mother's love—or perhaps even, her only offering of love.)（即使如此，六分仪也得到了母亲最多的——甚至是唯一的爱。）

(Mother seems to treat Sextans as a prototype, as though she were a human girl, treating her as one would a daughter—though it was only for a dozen or so hours. Although she was probably only trying to test the effect of "maternal love" on a third-gen Doll's neural cloud and the Boojum within her during the growth period...)（母亲似乎将六分仪当做了原型，真的如同对待一个人类女孩，如同女儿那样对待了她——虽然，只有十几个小时的时间，虽然，她应该只是想要测试“母爱”对三代人形的心智和其体内伯介姆在成长期造成的影响。）

(...Those dozen or so hours were recorded in the neural cloud of Darture, who watched from the side. She watched how Mother carefully supported Sextans, how she gently taught her to understand the world, how she sang her a lullaby while she slept.)（可那十几个小时却被一旁的黑眼记录在心智中，她看着母亲如何搀扶着六分仪，如何温柔地教导她认识世界，如何在她沉睡时，为她唱起一首摇篮曲。）

(Before she even understood who she herself was, Darture came to know "jealousy".)（在理解自身是谁以前，黑眼就意识到了“嫉妒”。）

Darture(If it were me, I would absolutely... never betray...)（如果是我的话，绝对……不会背叛……）

Darture(At least that traitor is already...)（至少，六分仪那个叛徒，已经……）

"Mother"Still...不过……

"Mother"The next time you meet Sextans, bring her back as intact as possible.下次你和六分仪再见面的话，要尽可能把她完整地带回来。

"Mother"I'm very curious about the current state of her "heart"—I want to know if its nature has already changed.我很好奇她的“心脏”目前的状态，不知性质是否已经发生了改变。

Darture(—?! Mother, why would you still want that... traitor... and besides, she's already, already been—)（——！？母亲，为什么还要那个……叛徒……而且她已经，已经被我……）

"Mother"You seem certain that you have destroyed her neural cloud.你似乎确信自己击毁了她的心智。

"Mother"By design, if her neural cloud had truly been completely annihilated, the Boojum "heart" within her body would immediately take over the neural cloud's functions and control the frame, keeping her permanently fixed in another form.按照设计，如果她的心智真的被完全消灭，体内的伯介姆“心脏”会马上接替心智职能支配素体，使得她永久保持在另外一个形态。

"Mother"But that did not happen, did it?但是并没有发生那样的状况，不是吗？

Darture(...But, but I...)（……可，可是我……）

"Mother"The Boojum "heart" can connect into the computing process of the neural cloud like a biological "nerve", enhancing processing capacity to an extreme degree. As of now, I have only partially realized this function in "Cocoon".伯介姆所构成的“心脏”，能够以类似生物的“神经”接入到心智云图的运算中，极大限度地增强算量——目前，我只在“茧”的身上部分实现了这个机能。

"Mother"Since it is tightly fused with the neural cloud core and since Boojum cells are capable of performing functions nearly as complex as what a "brain" can do, repairs to neural cloud core processes, which are normally impossible, could potentially succeed.因为和心智核心紧密结合，又是能实现近乎于“脑”功能的伯介姆细胞，存在修复原本不可能修复的心智核心运作的几率。

"Mother"Of course, the potential chance to succeed is very low. But since she is now connected to that Commander... it is best not to trust such probabilities, no matter how low they might be.当然，这种可能性极低，可既然是和那位指挥官扯上的关系……不论突破一桩困境的几率有多小，都最好不要去相信那份概率。

"Mother"—This is not superstition, but my conclusion as a researcher. You will see Sextans again.——这并非是迷信，而是我作为一个研究者的定论，你还会见到六分仪的。

Darture(Boojum... backup... she... will appear before me again?)（伯介姆……备份……她……还会出现在我的眼前？）

(Darture looked at Mother in shame. She had caused her so much trouble, yet couldn't seem to do anything right.（黑眼惭愧地看着母亲，给对方添了这么多的麻烦，自己却办不好任何事。）

(For an instant, Darture feels that perhaps she does not deserve any kind of comforting at all...)（一瞬间，黑眼觉得自己或许不值得任何温柔的对待……）

(But Mother walks over and strokes her head at that very moment.)（而就在此时，母亲走过来，摸了摸她的头。）

(A gentle voice can be heard, singing that familiar, sweet song—a song that had never belonged to Darture.)（温柔的嗓音响了起来，唱着那首熟悉的、甜蜜的——却从不属于黑眼的歌曲。）

"Mother"Go to sleep, go to sleep, my precious child.睡吧，睡吧，我亲爱的宝贝。

"Mother"Rest in your cradle, warm and cozy.安睡在摇篮里，温暖又安逸。

"Mother"Go to sleep, go to sleep, my precious child.睡吧，睡吧，我亲爱的宝贝。

"Mother"Every beautiful blessing, every happiness in this world...世上一切美好的祝愿，一切幸福……

"Mother"...all of it belongs to you.……全都属于你。

(Darture closes her eyes in bliss. Although she knows that Mother did not sing out of love, she has never felt so content in her entire life.)（黑眼幸福地闭上了眼睛，虽然她知道，母亲并不是出于慈爱才唱，但她觉得，自己从未如此地满足。）

(Then, boundless silence devours Darture, sinking her consciousness into a deep void.)（随后，无边静谧吞噬了黑眼，让她的意识沉入了幽深的虚无。）

("Mother" stares with satisfaction at the transparent jar on the table, labeled "STR-01A247".)（“母亲”满意地看着桌上那个写着“STR-01A247”标签的透明罐子。）

(A faintly squirming polymer mass lies inside it, shimmering with a dazzling light.)（一团微微蠕动的聚合物躺在里面，闪烁着令人目眩的光芒。）

(Those were the Boojum cells once active within Sextans' body—originating from the Boojum "prototype" she used to grow all third-gen Dolls. Nourished by a Doll's neural cloud and energy, it has now taken on properties and radiation wavelengths entirely different from Sextans' Boojum "other half".)（那曾是在六分仪体内活跃的伯介姆细胞——来自于她用来培育所有三代人形的伯介姆“原型体”，在人形心智和能量的滋养下，已经呈现出与六分仪的“半身”伯介姆截然不同的材质与辐射波长。）

(They had been "excised" by some kind of power, completely and wholly. And what's more, they had been killed. This is her first time seeing a "Boojum" truly die.)（它们是被某种力量“切除”出来的，完完整整的——而且，已经被杀死了——她还是第一次看到“伯介姆”的，真正意义上的死亡。）

(Completely destroying Boojum cells requires only high temperatures, but that is only a method to physically destroy them. Even she had never obtained a Boojum this intact—a Boojum that had ceased all biological activity, too.)（要彻底消灭伯介姆细胞只需要高温即可，但那是在物理上摧毁的方式，就算是她，也没有获取过这样完好——却又停止了一切生命活动的伯介姆。）

"Mother"Hmm... back then, he shouldn't have been carrying any weapons or methods unknown to me, or things I've never deployed within the laboratory...嗯……在当时的环境下，他不应该携带任何我所不知道的，没有在试验室内采用过的手段或武器……

"Mother"Even if the "prototype" can recover... the connection to "that girl" has likely been permanently severed. And in time, the growth progress the prototype had achieved... will also decline.即使“原型体”还能恢复……对“那孩子”的联结恐怕已经永久性被切断了。而且这段时间里，原型体已经达成的成长进度也会跌落。

(The Sextans of present had become a Doll NOT created by her—she had thoroughly attained freedom, and perhaps, in a certain way, became an entirely new individual.)（如今的六分仪，已经成为了并非由她所制造的人形——她彻底地得到了自由——或许在某种程度上，也已经是个崭新的个体。）

"Mother"So you are capable of even such things, Commander...?连这种事也能做到啊……指挥官。

"Mother"Fate truly does favor you very much... no, this is "love". You truly are our most fearsome opponent.命运真是十分，十分地眷顾着您……不，这是“爱”呢。您果然是我们在这个世界上，最应该畏惧的对手啊。

AlvaTask Force DEFY, contact attempt 7893—requesting connection.忤逆小队，第7893次联络，请求接通。

??Connection established.已接通。

AlvaMo... Mona? Why are you the one answering the call?莫……莫娜？怎么是你？

MonaA certain secretary has entered a period of radio silence for the sake of the upcoming "big move", so the duty of communicating with you is now mine to take over~为了即将到来的“大动作”，某位秘书小姐已经进入了通讯沉默期，所以只好由我来接替联络的职责啦。

MonaAlva, I've read the log for this mission...埃芙，我看了这次的任务日志……

MonaViolent as ever, I see!还真是一如既往的很暴力啊！

MonaWell, with Voymastina around, that sort of thing is pretty much unavoidable.哎，不过有威玛西娜在，这种事也是没办法避免的啦。

Voymastina...I'm on this comms channel too.……我也在通讯频道里。

MonaThen take it as a compliment! It's a compliment from a security Doll, you know! That carries real weight!那你就当成是夸奖收下吧！这可是来自安保人形的夸奖，含金量很高的！

MonaBesides, there really wasn't any other option at the time.而且毕竟当时也没什么别的办法了嘛。

AlvaThank you for understanding.感谢理解。

AlvaRegarding the recent mission—did the organization have any feedback?关于这次任务，组织上有什么反馈吗？

AlvaOf course, I'm not rushing you—当然，我不是在催促——

AlvaBut this discovery is critical. I believe it can serve as direct evidence that Paradeus has completely revived, and in fact, it is integrating itself into a larger, much more terrifying existence.但这次的发现很关键，我认为可以作为帕拉蒂斯彻底复活，并整合为一个更庞大、也更恐怖的存在的直接证据。

MonaI understand you, but...我明白，但是……

MonaIt seems the higher-ups have something they're way more concerned about.上面好像有更在意的事情。

AlvaSomething they're more concerned about?更在意的事情？

AlvaBut... what could matter more than tracking down—可是……还有什么事是比追查……

MonaI know, Alva... but this is what they want.我明白……但这是他们的意思。

MonaI'm aware that it will pose problems for those who work on the frontlines like you...这样的确会对执行一线任务的你们造成困扰……

MonaBut acting in accordance with orders handed down from above... is precisely our duty.但配合上面下达的指令行动……这才是我们的职责。

AlvaAll right.好吧。