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

Bitter Thorns and Daisies

苦涩荆棘与矢车菊

17 chapters · 2621 lines · English and Chinese below. Japanese and Korean, voices and theatre mode are in the reader.

Promised Day 约定之日

(The first rays of daybreak stream in through the trees that line the pavement, shining into a perfectly ordinary little cafe by the side of the street.)（天亮后的第一束阳光穿过街边错落的树丛，照进了街边的一间普通的咖啡店。）

(A girl dressed like a shop attendant is hard at work; she's cleaning up the planters, making snacks, and changing out the coffee beans...)（一名身着店员制服的身影正在店里忙碌着：打理花圃、制作甜品、更换咖啡豆——）

(She systematically works through the tasks that have to be completed before the cafe can open for business. Perhaps it's because her neural cloud is occupied by these routine tasks, but she doesn't seem to notice the footsteps approaching her.)（她按部就班地做着开店前的准备，或许是心智模块被这些日常事务占满，似乎让她没有注意到身后逐渐接近的脚步声。）

SpringfieldGood morning~早安~

(Springfield circles around to the other side of the counter and watches the look of surprise on the other girl's face with interest.)（春田绕到吧台前，饶有兴味地看着对方脸上显露出的惊讶神色。）

CentaureissiAh, Manager!啊，店长！

SpringfieldIt's not often that I find you so distracted, Centaureissi.难得看到桑朵莱希你如此放松警惕呢。

CentaureissiMy apologies—抱歉——

SpringfieldWhy must you apologize?为什么要道歉呢？

SpringfieldThe point of this cafe is to help everyone live a relaxed life, after all.这家咖啡店存在的意义就是为了让大家能够悠闲地生活呀。

(Centaureissi and Springfield look up at the same time. This cafe, decorated in a retro style, has a signboard reading "Zucchero" at its door.)（桑朵莱希和春田同时抬起头，这家装修风格与当年极为相似的咖啡店，在门口的招牌上清晰地写着“方糖”的店名。）

(The "Zucchero" cafe is not only a popular hangout for the local residents, but also a secret clearing house run by ex-Griffin Dolls to help their colleagues obtain information and seek help.)（“方糖”咖啡馆，不仅仅是周围顾客喜爱光顾的休闲之所，也是格里芬曾经身为人形的伙伴们情报流通和寻求帮助的中转地。）

(After many years, the cafe has gradually put down roots and flourished, and it is entirely due to the efforts of the Dolls who run it.)（多年的时光，咖啡店已经逐渐稳定和繁荣了起来，这离不开人形们的苦心经营。）

(Springfield nods to Centaureissi and smiles.)（春田向桑朵莱希点了点头，面带微笑地说道。）

SpringfieldWell, being able to see you this relaxed proves that my hard work hasn't gone to waste.能看到桑朵莱希如此放松的样子，就说明我的努力是值得的。

CentaureissiOf course. I'll continue doing my best with you from here on out, Manager.是，接下来我也会和店长您一起努力的。

SpringfieldI'll be counting on you~那就拜托了~

SpringfieldThat said... "they" are here today.不过说起来……今天有“她们”在呢。

SpringfieldBut in that case, we won't need to worry anymore about the security situation.既然如此，警戒的事务的确不需要再额外操心了。

CentaureissiIndeed. Right now, Zucchero is probably the safest place in the entire city.嗯，现在的方糖，大概是整个卫星城里最安全的地方了。

CentaureissiThis also means I'll be able to put all my focus onto the day's tasks. After all, the preparations for today must be handled with the utmost rigor.这样我也能放心把精力都集中在处理工作的事务上，毕竟今天的准备工作需要以最高规格完成。

SpringfieldYou have a point. Let me help you too.说的也是呢，我也来一起帮忙吧。

(Centaureissi nods. Springfield steps behind a nearby cabinet and quickly dons an apron before helping to portion out the desserts Centaureissi has made before placing them into the cold case.)（桑朵莱希点了点头，春田边走进柜台边系好了围裙，开始帮桑朵莱希将做好的甜品分成一个个小份放进冷藏柜。）

(Seemingly spotting something of note, Springfield pauses as she tops off the milk in the coffee machine. Then, she leans in close and takes a sniff of the grinder hopper.)（当给咖啡机换上新的牛奶时，她像是突然发现了什么有趣的东西似的，凑近咖啡机的豆仓嗅了嗅。）

SpringfieldOh my, are the beans in the machine from your private reserve of Black Ivory coffee?啊呀，咖啡机里的豆子，似乎是你私藏已久的“黑象牙”……？

SpringfieldThese things are too precious for most merchants to sell, even in the satellite city.就算是在卫星城中，这种豆子也是供货商压箱底的非卖品呢。

SpringfieldAs I recall, you saved up many Collapse pieces to buy them.我记得这是你用攒了好久的晶条换到的吧。

SpringfieldAre you going to use them all today?今天全部都取出来了？

(Upon hearing Springfield speak, Centaureissi's face flushes a faint pink.)（听到春田的话，桑朵莱希那张向来平静的脸上，好像染上了一丝绯红。）

CentaureissiYes. I would like to make the best possible coffee I can today.嗯，今天我希望泡出最好的咖啡。

(Centaureissi turns the calendar on the counter to a new page with a thoughtful look on her face.)（桑朵莱希若有所思地将吧台上摆放着的日历翻到了新的一页。）

(Each box on the calendar is filled with entries for events in different styles of handwriting, such as "meet with coffee bean supplier", "trim the lawn", "100th Zucchero Live♥", and so on.）（日历上的各个格子内，用不同的字迹写满了咖啡店中的每日事项，诸如“接待咖啡豆供应商”、“记得除草”或是“方糖公演第一百场♥”。）

(Meanwhile, today's box has only one word on it—）（而代表今天的日期的格子里，只写了一行简单的小字——）

("Reserved.")（“客人预定”。）

SpringfieldAh, about that...啊，说到这个……

SpringfieldHave you wrapped the "gift" for our customer yet?准备送给客人的“礼物”包装好了么？

CentaureissiOf course.当然。

CentaureissiI've modified and cared for it in special ways just so our customer will feel the full extent of the surprise you've prepared.为了能让客人最大程度感受到您准备的惊喜，维护和改造都选用了特别的款式。

SpringfieldWell done, Centaureissi. You've covered all the bases.不愧是桑朵莱希，真是面面俱到呢。

SpringfieldI honestly don't know how the cafe would manage without you.如果咖啡店少了你，我还真不知道该怎么办。

CentaureissiYou flatter me. All this is just standard procedure.您过奖了，这些不过是常规事务而已。

CentaureissiOh yes, the cookies are almost done. Would you like to try them, Manager?对了，曲奇快要烤好了。店长要先尝尝看吗？

SpringfieldI think not. I have some other work I need to wrap up.不了，我还有一点其它的工作要收尾。

SpringfieldThe rest is up to you.接下来的事，就拜托你了。

CentaureissiMhm. I'll take care of it for you.嗯。我会替您照料好这边的。

(Centaureissi doesn't say anything else, turning aside to let Springfield through, as though they've rehearsed this movement countless times before.)（没有任何多余的沟通，桑朵莱希只是侧过身，默默给春田让开了一条通道，就像是这个动作她们已经演练过无数次一样。）

(Springfield opens the door to the kitchen and pushes the cake flour on the shelf to one side before moving the syrup on the topmost shelf into another cabinet. After tidying the place up, she moves the cabinet aside, revealing a patch of wall whose colors are brighter on account of not being exposed to the sun as much as its surroundings.)（春田拉开厨房的门，将面粉柜上的蛋糕粉移到一边，又把最上层的糖浆整理到另外的橱柜上。整理完之后，她移开柜子，露出一小块由于晒不到太阳而显得颜色更加鲜艳的墙砖。）

(Finally, she knocks twice on the wall—)（最后，她在那块墙砖上轻轻敲了两下——）

(The wall section creaks, and then it suddenly splits open along a hidden seam, revealing a secret passage just large enough for a single person to pass through.)（墙砖发出了几声“咯吱咯吱”的响声后，突然沿着缝隙裂开，出现了一道只能容纳一个人通过的暗门。）

(In the darkness, Springfield expertly feels her way along the wall and finds a switch on it. A light comes on and illuminates the interior; a huge display monitor dominates the cramped room and turns on with the lights, displaying several locations being monitored by security cameras.)（黑暗之中，春田驾轻就熟地摸开了墙壁上的开关。一盏灯照亮了整间屋子：狭小的空间中矗立着一面巨大的显示屏，随着灯光的亮起，上面显示出几个处于监控下的画面。）

(Springfield scans the images on the screen, then presses the intercom button below it.)（春田扫了一眼那些画面，按下旁边的通话按钮。）

Processed VoiceRight on time, Manager Springfield.很准时嘛，春田店长。

SpringfieldWe've managed to hire several very capable staffers recently, so I'm much less busy now.最近店里来了几名很可靠的店员，所以我也清闲了不少呢。

SpringfieldSo, have you gotten any new stock in lately?怎么样，有什么新到的货品吗？

Processed VoiceOf course I have. What kind do you want?当然了。想要哪方面的货？

SpringfieldI'll go with "coffee beans". I'd like the sweeter kind. One of our regulars has developed a taste for them.还是“咖啡豆”吧。口味偏甜一点的那种。最近的一位熟客很喜欢这种豆子呢。

SpringfieldAlso, have you received the "special blend" that Makiatto sent over last time?另外，上次玛绮朵送过去的“特调饮品”，您那边签收了吗？

Processed VoiceOh yes, I have. It was delicious.嗯，我尝过了，味道很不错。

Processed VoiceIf you have more next time, I want it all.如果下次还有的话，我全都要了。

SpringfieldMy, aren't we greedy.您也未免太贪心了。

Processed VoiceCan you blame me when your menu items are all excellent?毕竟贵店出品的餐点品质都很高嘛。

SpringfieldNow then, back to business. That special guest I mentioned earlier will be visiting us today.言归正题，我之前提到的那位特殊的客人，今天会光顾店里。

SpringfieldI would like to ensure that nothing goes wrong with this meeting.我想确保这次会面绝对万无一失。

SpringfieldAs a supplier, can you provide the "coffee beans" today?您作为供应商，“咖啡豆”今天可以提供吗？

Processed VoiceOh? Looks like this guest of yours is quite the VIP.哦？看来店长很在意这位客人啊。

SpringfieldOh yes. He's our most valuable client, after all.是啊，怎么说他也是我们方糖咖啡馆最重要的客户呢。

Processed VoiceI see. And here I thought you were joking when you mentioned it last time.原来是这样，上次店长提到这事时，我还以为是开玩笑呢。

SpringfieldYou really are a kidder. I have always taken my work seriously.您真是太幽默了，对于业务我向来都是很认真对待的。

Processed VoiceSorry, sorry, that wasn't what I meant.抱歉抱歉，我不是这个意思。

Processed VoiceAh—If you insist, I do have some extra "coffee beans" that I can supply today, Manager.啊——硬要说的话，今天的确有额外的“咖啡豆”可以提供给店长。

Processed VoiceHowever, there will be an extra charge for a rush order like this one.不过这种急单，可要额外收费。

SpringfieldOf course. We will settle our bill with you per standard procedure.当然，店里会按照老规矩为您结算的。

(Springfield soon receives a message. After she reads it, it automatically deletes itself.)（春田很快收到了一条信息。阅读完毕之后，内容便自动销毁了。）

SpringfieldMy, this does help a lot...哎呀，真是帮了大忙了……

("Beepbeepbeep")（“嘀嘀嘀。”）

(Just as she's about to continue, an internal call suddenly comes over her communicator.)（春田还要再说些什么，通讯器里突然传来了一个内部频道的通话请求。）

SpringfieldPardon me, but it seems we have a bit of a situation in the cafe.抱歉，店里似乎出了点状况。

Processed VoiceWe'll continue this later, then.那就之后再联络吧。

(The other party hangs up and Springfield answers the call. She immediately hears a familiar voice.)（对方挂断通讯后，春田接起了店内通话，熟悉的声音立刻响了起来。）

MakiattoManager, we've spotted several suspicious individuals approaching "Zucchero".店长，外面发现了几名可疑分子正在朝“方糖”方向靠近。

MakiattoShould I deal with them?要动手吗？

(Springfield looks at the screen. The security cameras show several thugs swaggering down the street.)（春田看向了屏幕，在屏幕中由安全摄像头拍到的几个黑帮的混混正在街道中晃悠着。）

SpringfieldIt seems they're just troublesome "guests", so we'll let Sharkry handle them.对方看起来只是有点难缠的“客人”，还是让夏克里去处理吧。

SpringfieldDid you hear that, Sharkry?夏克里能听到吗？

SharkryHmmm? Is it time for Sharkry's debut at last?诶？终于轮到夏克里登场了吗？

SpringfieldMhm. It seems there are some troublesome "guests" to the northwest of the cafe...嗯，咖啡店西北方向，似乎有讨厌的“客人”在附近徘徊……

SpringfieldPlease take care of them.麻烦你去应付一下。

SharkryWill do♥遵命♥

SharkrySharkry will give each and every one of them a perfect show!夏克里一定会为各位客人献上完美的表演！

(On a building roughly one kilometer away from the Zucchero Cafe, Makiatto is lying prone behind a set of guardrails on a balcony, concealed by a camouflage cape.)（与方糖咖啡馆直线距离一公里的大楼上，玛绮朵身披伪装披风，伏在天台栏杆的一角。）

(After hearing the voice through her communicator, she finally shifts her gaze away from the optical scope for a moment.)（听到通讯器里传来的声音后，她终于把目光从狙击镜前移开了片刻。）

(As she watches the Doll in the distance sauntering off with exaggerated, dance-like steps, Makiatto grumbles to herself.)（看着远处用浮夸得仿佛舞步的动作离去的背影，玛绮朵轻声嘟囔了一句。）

MakiattoHonestly... Can we really count on her?我说……这家伙真的靠谱吗？

SpringfieldWhile she's a civilian Doll primarily intended for the entertainment industry, this young miss has been fitted with a really advanced fire-control component.虽然是广泛应用于娱乐业的民用人形，不过我们面前的这一位，可是加装过超强火控核心的战术款。

SpringfieldUsually, she's the one who handles troublesome guests like these when you're not around.平时你不在店里的时候，这些麻烦的客人都是交给她来处理的。

(There is doubt written all over Makiatto's face as she continues studying Sharkry through her scope. Clearly, she is not convinced by Springfield's words.)（玛绮朵半信半疑地盯了一会儿，显然并没有完全采信春田的话。）

(However, the suspicious individuals each fade from Makiatto's view over the course of the next few minutes.)（然而在接下来的几分钟内，屏幕中的可疑分子便一个接一个地从玛绮朵的视野中消失了。）

SpringfieldLooks like they were simply layabouts. Fortunately, they didn't pose a real threat.看来只是些社会闲杂人士呢，不是有威胁的敌人真是太好了。

Makiatto...……

SpringfieldSharkry, how are things now?夏克里，现在情况如何？

SharkryOne moment, Manager, this is the last of them.稍等下店长，这是最后一批啦。

(Sharkry's voice comes over the transmission.)（通讯中传来了夏克里那边的声音。）

??Hey, aren't you from that bar in the underground shopping street? Have you paid your protection money for the month?喂，你是地下街那家酒吧的员工吧！这个月的保护费交了没？

??If not, you'll—要是没交的话，就——

??Wait a minute... Are you a Doll?等一下……你是人形吗？

??Aaiiiiieeeeeeee, ow, ow, ow, stay back!啊啊，痛痛痛，你别过来吔！

??Run away! Run awaayyy!!快跑，快跑啊！！

(The sounds of flesh being bludgeoned fills the channel.)（通讯里传来几声钝器打在肉上的声音。）

SpringfieldSee?看吧？

SpringfieldShe's good at this.夏克里很擅长这方面的工作呢。

MakiattoHmph, I guess tricking the enemy with her deceptive appearance must be part of how she gets the job done.哼，用这种具有欺骗性的外表迷惑敌人，大概也是工作能力的一种吧。

SpringfieldWhat's this? Is that jealousy I hear, Makiatto?啊呀，玛绮朵是在嫉妒吗？

MakiattoHell no!才不是呢！

MakiattoWho would be jealous of a spoiled little brat, anyway?!谁会嫉妒这种看起来没长大的小孩子啊！

MakiattoBesides, all I need is a gun in my hand.而且，我只要有手里的枪就足够了。

SharkryAaaaand that's a wrap~演出圆满结束~

(Sharkry suddenly cuts into the transmission, striking a pose before proudly declaring her work is done.)（夏克里突然插入到通讯中来，摆了一个pose后向春田邀起功来。）

SharkryManager, Manager, I finished my mission without a hitch♥店长店长，你交给我的任务已经完美完成啦♥

SpringfieldSharkry, what's that behind you?夏克里，你的背后是?

(In the video feed, an arm slowly reaches out from a dumpster behind Sharkry.)（视频中在夏克里的背后，一只胳膊从垃圾桶中伸了出来。）

(Sharkry glances back and delivers a lightning-fast kick that sends the arm back into the dumpster.)（夏克里回头看了眼，以迅雷不及掩耳之势飞起一脚把胳膊踢进了垃圾桶中。）

SharkryHahaha... I-It's nothing at all~哈哈哈……背后，背后什么都没有哦~

Makiatto...So you just threw them into the trash? You could have at least dumped them in front of the nearest police box.……你就这么把人扔垃圾桶吗，至少扔到治安所门口吧。

SharkryOh no, my makeup's running.呀，人家的妆都花掉了。

SharkryI need to go touch myself up. You have the stage now, Miss Makiatto♥我去补个妆，接下来的舞台就交给玛绮朵小姐了♥

MakiattoHah? H-hey, wait—哈？喂，喂——

MakiattoI can't believe it, she went and spouted a bunch of crap and then walked off just like that!居然就这么自说自话地走掉了！

SpringfieldI called her back.是我让她回来的。

SpringfieldYou should come back too, Makiatto.玛绮朵，麻烦你也尽快回来吧。

MakiattoHe's not here yet, is he?那个家伙没那么早到吧？

MakiattoMaybe I should keep watch until he sets foot into the cafe...不应该至少监视到那家伙踏进店里——

SpringfieldThe police will keep an eye on things for today. And besides... I'm sure you don't want to be stuck alone on a roof when "he" shows up, right?治安部门会接管今天一整天的监视工作，而且……玛绮朵你应该也不想在“那个家伙”出现时还在楼顶吹风吧？

Makiatto(Clears throat) Fine, I got it!咳咳……我知道了！

MakiattoI'm coming back now, okay?我回来还不行吗！

(Although she has an annoyed scowl on her face, Makiatto is already getting to work on her final task.)（虽然脸上挂着一副不耐烦的表情，但在说话的同时，玛绮朵已经开始了她最后的工作。）

(First, she opens her terminal and refreshes her datalinks. Scenes from the cameras monitoring the streets around the Zucchero flash through her mind.)（她打开终端开始刷新数据流，“方糖”周围各个街区的摄像头画面正高速地在她的二级平层闪过。）

(Makiatto's neural cloud carefully parses and filters every single suspicious individual and sound, as well as windows and vehicles that could be used to spy on them. )（所有可疑的人员，异样的声音，可能被用来监视的窗口和车辆，都在被玛绮朵仔细而挑剔的心智一个个排查。）

(The 14th check reveals no suspicious conditions; the surrounding streets are safe.)（第十四次检查，无可疑情况，周围街区安全。）

(Having reached that conclusion, Makiatto stands up and looks down from the highest ground in the city.)（得出这个结论后，玛绮朵站起身，从这座卫星城的制高点俯瞰下去。）

(As a professional sniper, she knows the layout of this place like the back of her hand.)（作为一名向来称职的狙击手，她对于这座卫星城内布局再清楚不过。）

(While this is a satellite city in the Green Zone, she can have a bullet in the opposition's skull within half a second of any threat exposing themselves, should the situation call for it.)（虽然这里是绿区的卫星城，但只要有威胁的目标出现，在必要的情况下，她的子弹会在半秒内精准地抵达对方的眉心。）

(Considering what kind of occasion this day is, she does not want any unexpected interruptions.)（今天这样的日子，她可不想被任何意外打扰。）

(After verifying the situation, Makiatto disconnects the data cable that's plugged into a floor port before returning her exquisite rifle into its violin case and leaping off the side of the building.)（在确认信息后，玛绮朵拔下了连接在地上接口的数据线，将精致的狙击步枪放入到琴盒内，一跃跳下了高楼。）

(20 minutes later, after Zucchero's door chime rings for the last time today, the four members of the cafe's staff are finally gathered inside the cafe.)（二十分钟后，当方糖咖啡馆门口的迎宾铃最后一次响起时，四位员工终于齐聚在店内。）

CentaureissiThank you, Miss Makiatto.辛苦了，玛绮朵小姐。

CentaureissiYour coffee is ready.您的咖啡泡好了。

MakiattoOkay, thanks.唔，谢谢啦。

(Makiatto accepts the cup and gets a whiff. The rich scent of roasted caramel wafts into her nose. She takes a sip, and her tense nerves promptly relax.)（玛绮朵接过咖啡凑近闻了闻，浓郁的焦糖香气萦绕在鼻尖。她轻啜了一口，紧绷的神经似乎立刻放松了下来。）

MakiattoThe bitterness is just right, and the foam feels really dense...焦糖的苦味刚刚好，奶泡口感也很绵密……

MakiattoUm... In any case, at least you didn't try to mess with me and treat me like a kid!呃……总而言之，至少没有把我当成小孩子糊弄！

SpringfieldYou know, you can just praise Centaureissi directly if you really want to.想要夸奖桑朵莱希的话，可以大大方方地说出来哦。

CentaureissiHm? Were you expressing praise just now, Miss Makiatto?嗯？玛绮朵小姐是在夸奖我吗？

SpringfieldYou see, the person in question had no idea you were doing it at all.你看，当事人完全没有感受到你的心意呢。

MakiattoAh, w-what a pain...真、真是麻烦……

MakiattoI'll be more careful next time.下次我会注意的。

SharkryYou're really good at catering to everyone's tastes, Centaureissi~桑朵莱希真的很擅长迎合大家的口味呢~

SharkryThis hot cocoa tastes super yummy too♥夏克里这杯热可可也很美味哦♥

SharkryAs I thought, rather than icky bitter coffee, sweet cocoa really does suit this super cute Sharkry best~比起那种苦苦的咖啡，果然还是甜蜜的热可可才适合可爱的夏克里啊~

MakiattoTsk, kids really are easy to fool.啧，小孩子果然很好糊弄。

CentaureissiAre you praising Miss Sharkry for being cute?这是在夸奖夏克里小姐可爱吗？

MakiattoEh? W-what?诶？什么？

MakiattoO-of course not!当、当然不是啊！

SpringfieldPfft...噗……

SpringfieldLooks like apart from lessons on cafe work, Centaureissi will also need to study up on speaking Makiatto's language too.看来除了咖啡店里的必修功课，桑朵莱希还需要多进修一门“玛绮朵语”呢。

CentaureissiI will do my best.我会继续努力的。

Makiatto...Why are you acting so serious about this, anyway?!……这种时候就不要这么认真啦！

SharkryAww~ Look, Miss Makiatto's ears are red again.哎呀~玛绮朵小姐的耳朵又红了。

(Perhaps she's trying to change the subject, or perhaps she really is bothered by something, but Makiatto turns to look outside the window as she annoyedly drums her fingers on the table.)（似乎是在转移话题，又或许是真的很在意某件事情，玛绮朵扭头朝窗外张望着，略显不耐烦地用两根指头敲着桌子。）

MakiattoSpeaking of which, isn't our guest here yet?话说，我们的客人怎么还没到啊？

(The Dolls all look outside.)（人形们一齐向同样的方向看去。）

(Crowds of people mill back and forth on the street, but the person they're all hoping to see hasn't shown up yet.)（咖啡店的门外，人群来来往往，但她们心中期待着的那个身影却一直未曾出现。）

CentaureissiThe cookies will get cold if he doesn't arrive soon...再不来的话，曲奇就要冷了……

Springfield...……

(Time ticks by, and as the sun rises, the anticipation in the girls' hearts soon becomes worry.)（时间一分一秒地过去，随着太阳渐渐升高，方糖的店员们的心情从期待逐渐变成了担忧。）

(Did something happen to him on his way here?)（难道是路上出了什么事？）

(They don't want to speculate on the reasons for it. However, their guest has always been a very punctual person...)（她们不想去猜测这样的原因。可是这位客人以前，向来都是很守时的……）

("Briiiing ring—briiiing ring—")（“叮铃铃——叮铃铃——”）

(The cafe telephone rings in the silence. Springfield heads over to the counter and picks it up immediately, as though she's been waiting for it all this time. As she raises it to her ear, she mimes a shushing gesture to the other members of the cafe.)（电话铃声在静默中突兀地响起，仿佛一直在等待这一刻的春田立刻来到吧台前，同时朝店里的其他人比了一个噤声的手势——）

SpringfieldHello, this is the Zucchero Cafe. Would you like a reservation or a home delivery order?方糖咖啡馆。请问您需要订座还是外卖？

???Oh? Is this the password system you arranged with "him"?哦？这就是你们和“那个人”的暗号吗？

(However, the voice on the other end of the line is not the voice they have longed for. Springfield immediately turns to put her back to the counter and gives the other three Dolls meaningful looks.)（电话另一头传来的，却并非她们期待已久的那个声音。春田立刻转过身背对吧台，并迅速对另外三人使了个眼色。）

SpringfieldYou're...!你是……！

DandelionIt's been a while, Miss Springfield.好久不见，春田小姐。

SpringfieldAlright then, let's dispense with the pleasantries. Does the fact that you have this comms code mean that you are with "him"?寒暄就免了。你能接入这个通讯代码，就说明你和“那个人”在一起吧？

DandelionA wise deduction~ And yes, I need you to help us out right now. You won't refuse us, will you?聪明的判断~所以我现在要求你们赶来支援，你们也一定答应的，对吧？

Springfield...Please get to the point.……请您直接说重点吧。

DandelionHm. Simply put, things have gone wrong as usual and the threat level is code red.嗯，简单来说就是和往常一样，计划遭遇意外，危险系数为红色。

DandelionI've sent you the coordinates and a route. Whether or not he'll still be alive depends on how quickly you get there~坐标和路线图已经发送过去了，他的命能不能保得住，就取决于你们赶来的速度咯~

DandelionSee you later then, ladies of the "Zucchero".待会儿见啦，“方糖”的各位。

(After some silence, Dandelion hangs up.)（一阵沉默中，对方挂断了电话。）

MakiattoWhat...怎么……

SpringfieldIt seems our guest has encountered some difficulty on his way here...客人在路上遇到了麻烦……

SpringfieldI believe we will need to make a delivery.我想，我们得提供一些外送服务。

Makiatto and Centaureissi!!!！！！

CentaureissiManager, will we be using the emergency action plan?店长，要按照紧急预案行动吗？

SpringfieldOne moment, please...稍等……

(While she has rehearsed this scenario in her neural cloud countless times, Springfield still wants to ensure that the plan goes off without a hitch.)（虽然已经在心智中演练过很多次这样的情景，但春田还是想确保方案的万无一失。）

SpringfieldMakiatto, go with Loadout No. 1 and bring as much ammo as possible.玛绮朵，用一号方案的装备，尽可能多带一些弹药。

SpringfieldAfter that, you will drive everyone to the objective location.然后，你来开车带大家去目标点吧。

MakiattoGot it!知道了！

SpringfieldSharkry, can you ensure that our order is delivered?夏克里，可以麻烦你保证我们的外送运输吗？

SpringfieldI believe you've installed the relevant software already.之前我应该已经将相关的软件替你安装好了。

SharkryNo problem! Sharkry has gone through tons of sim training!没问题！夏克里已经模拟训练了无数次了！

SpringfieldAnd as for you, Centaureissi... I fear we will have to open that "gift" we were saving for our guest ahead of time.桑朵莱希……我们为客人保留的那份“礼物”，恐怕要提前拆开了。

SpringfieldI apologize for that. I know you spent a lot of time preparing that surprise.抱歉，让你花了很多心思准备惊喜。

CentaureissiThat's fine. The gift exists because he needs it.没关系，礼物存在的意义，就是被对方需要。

CentaureissiIts value will be maximized if we send it right when it is required.如果能挑选最合适的时间送出去，就是最大程度发挥了它的价值。

SpringfieldThank you.谢谢你。

SpringfieldJust in case, I will stay in the cafe and provide remote support.为了以防万一，我会留在店里进行情报支援。

SpringfieldIf the worst should come to pass, I will activate our emergency measures.如果发生了预想中最坏的情况，我会启动紧急手段。

SpringfieldIf that happens, do not return to the Zucchero; proceed immediately to the backup safe house and meet there.到时候你们不要回“方糖”，直接去备用安全屋会合。

CentaureissiUnderstood. Please be careful too.明白。请您也务必多加小心。

SpringfieldI will.好。

SpringfieldCentaureissi, please take care of everyone while you're outside.桑朵莱希，出门在外，麻烦你照顾好大家。

CentaureissiI'll make sure I keep everyone safe.嗯，我一定会保证大家的安全。

CentaureissiSo in return, please wait at home for our return.请您在家里等着我们回来。

(The Venetian blinds slowly close, hedging the sunlight outside the cafe, and the sound of the cafe door closing is drowned out by the "clack-clack-clack" of rounds being chambered.)（阳光被缓缓关闭的百叶窗隔绝在了咖啡店之外，店门关闭的声音和子弹被推进枪膛的“咯啦”声同时响起……）

(A place which provides delicious food in times of leisure, and one which protects that which is important in times of danger—)（能在闲暇时分提供美味的餐点，也能在危机之刻守护重要的东西——）

(That is what the Zucchero is.)（这就是“方糖”存在的意义。）

Omen “噩兆”

(Two kilometers due west of the Intercontinental Railway transfer station.)（洲际列车中转站向西两公里。）

(Black-colored IFVs drive out of the mist, the autocannons in their turrets sweeping left and right, searching for enemies.)（黑色的装甲车从绿色的迷雾中开出，安装着25毫米机炮的炮塔在左右巡视寻找敌人。）

(There is a large pit in front of these IFVs.)（这些被命名为布雷德利的装甲车，前方有着一个巨大的洞口。）

(One of them comes to a halt about 50 meters away from the pit. After ensuring the situation is safe, its rear hatch slams to the ground.)（装甲车在离洞口还剩五十米的距离时停下，在确认安全后，装甲车的后车门落下砸在地上。）

(Black-armored troopers cautiously dismount, turning on the powerful flashlights mounted on their weapons and illuminating the vast, seemingly bottomless pit before them.)（一队身着黑色盔甲的士兵警戒着下车，打开了枪前的强光手电，照射着前方深不见底的洞口。）

(The sky starts to drizzle and the soldiers' bracelets start to turn yellow. However, the troopers ignore the rising particle density.)（天空逐渐开始下雨，士兵的手环开始转黄，然而所有士兵对粒子浓度的升高视而不见。）

(After the squad disperses and takes formation, a red-haired woman emerges from the vehicle.)（小队散开形成队形后，一个红发的女人从车上走了下来。）

(She walks past the troopers and up to the pit. The troopers act like they don't see her, their guns raised as they continue watching their surroundings for danger.)（女人穿过队伍走到洞前，士兵们仿佛像看不见她一般，只是举着枪保持着警戒。）

(She raises a cigarette to her mouth and lights it before looking disdainfully into the pit and taking a puff.)（她伸手拿出一支烟，轻蔑地看着洞口，点上烟狠狠地吸了一口。）

(The rain unfortunately puts the cigarette out. The woman scowls, then tosses the cigarette to the ground before forcefully stomping it out.)（但是雨水打湿了烟身，女人皱了皱眉，将烟扔到地上用脚重重地踩灭。）

??Bad sign my ass.什么坏兆头。

??It's just the same shit, different day...又是一样的狗屎日子……

(Behind her, several more IFVs drive up to the pit. Black-armored troopers quickly dismount and spread out to scan their surroundings. Soon, they fill up the space in front of the pit.)（在她的后方，几辆同样颜色的装甲车也驶来洞前，黑色的士兵迅速地下车，和第一队一样散开警戒，人数填满了洞前的空间。）

(The badges on the black-armored troopers proclaim them to be from Mangi Security, but their equipment and attitudes are markedly different from the average PMC grunt.)（黑色的士兵肩上的标志显示着他们属于“曼尼安保”，然而他们的装备和素养却和一般的承包商士兵截然不同。）

(The woman changes the channel on her radio and begins giving orders.)（女人调整了无线电的频道，开始下达命令。）

??Everyone, listen up. This is a Hazard Level III assignment. Charlie, Delta, and Foxtrot teams, head underground and carry out Plan C2-7.所有人注意，这是个三级风险任务，Charlie队、Delta队、Foxtrot队进入地下，依照C2-7预案行动。

??Bravo and Echo teams, watch the perimeter. Alpha Team, stand by.Bravo队、Echo队设置警戒区域，Alpha队待命。

??Now, as for our ROE—交战规则是——

(She takes out another cigarette and lights it. After taking a puff, she pauses for a moment.)（她又拿出了一支烟点上，吸完后停顿了许久。）

(Then, the woman slowly exhales a cloud of smoke before giving her orders.)（女人缓缓地将烟雾吐出，下达了她的指令。）

??Kill everything that moves.任何生物格杀勿论。

(The black-armored troopers are silent. The woman gestures and three teams of men immediately pivot and head into the pit, while the other two begin establishing a defense line around them.)（黑色的队伍鸦雀无声，女人摆了摆手，三队士兵立即起身朝洞内移动起来，另外两队人马则在四周散开开始设置防线。）

(The woman continues smoking her cigarette. The soldier behind her waits until she's done before walking up and asking her a question.)（女人沉默着吸着烟，她身后队长模样的战士，等她吸完一整支烟后走到了她的身边，发起了他的询问。）

Squad LeaderAdjutant Lentine, why are we deploying six combat teams on a single Level III assignment?兰汀副官，为什么一个三级的任务要出动我们六支小队？

LentineBecause the brass paid to deploy six combat teams.因为上面给了出动六支小队的钱。

Squad LeaderEven so, don't you think six teams is a little much...就算是这样，六支小队也未免太多了……

Squad LeaderDoes the "black op" this time round really bother the brass that much?这次的“脏活”上面这么重视？

LentineJust look—你看——

(Lentine points at the terminal in her hand, which shows the view from a trooper's helmet camera system.)（兰汀指了指手中的终端，士兵头上摄像头的影像正在终端上播放。）

(She grimaces in disgust as she looks at the insignia on the wall and she covers it up by lighting another cigarette.)（墙上的标志让她做出了厌恶的表情，为了掩饰表情她又抽出一支烟点上。）

Squad LeaderParadeus again...又是帕拉蒂斯……

(The squad leader shakes his head.)（小队队长摇了摇头。）

Squad LeaderThey've been way too active recently. It's been making us look bad too.最近它们的活动也太过于频繁，害得我们的风评也下降了。

LentineYou mean our nickname?你是说那个绰号吗？

Squad LeaderThanks to all this goddamn "black op", even the rest of Mangi Security's forces would rather die than let us help them. I mean, have you even heard the nickname they gave us?就是因为这些该死的“脏活”，即使是常规任务其他曼尼安保的部队就算死也不愿意让我们去支援，连绰号都给我们取得极其难听。

Lentine"Omen"... Heh...“噩兆”……哈……

LentineYou don't like it?你不喜欢这个绰号吗？

Squad LeaderWe're the best of the best of Mangi Security. We should be something like the "Shining Edge", not "Omen" or whatever.我们是曼尼安保的精锐，我们应该是“锋芒”，而不是什么“噩兆”。

LentineHehe... Shining Edge...呵呵……锋芒……

(The woman suddenly laughs out loud, then cuts off her laughter by sticking a cigarette into her mouth. After taking a puff and getting her breathing under control again, she begins to speak.)（女人哑然失笑，她将烟塞进自己的嘴里阻止自己笑出声，吸上一口顺带调整完情绪后，她开始说道。）

LentineFrankly speaking, I actually like that name. Nobody who hears it is going to have any illusions about what we're going to do next.说实话我还挺喜欢那个绰号的，不管是谁只要听到这个绰号就不会对我们接下来要做的事抱任何期待了。

(She points at the squad leader's head.)（她将烟指了指队长的脑袋。）

LentineSay, Kenny, when you became a security contractor, did you actually think you'd be keeping anything safe?我说柯尼，你加入安全承包商该不会真的觉得能维护什么安全吧？

KennyOf course not—当然不——

LentineDid you know? I really, REALLY hate it when people go expecting something of me and then end up depressed when their expectations fall short.你知道吗，我特别讨厌被人擅自期待又擅自落空的感觉。

LentineI keep hearing crap during missions like "Aren't you here to save us?" or "How can you do this?!" and whenever I do, it makes me think that I'm just a parrot in a cage.经常在任务里听到“你不是来救我们的吗？”“你怎么能做出这种事！”，听到这些话我就觉得自己只是一只被关在笼子里的鹦鹉罢了。

KennyA parrot?鹦鹉？

LentineBecause everyone thinks you should be saying what they expect you to say. Nothing else registers as proper words to them. It's just noise, like a rooster going "awk awk" or something.所有人都认为你应该也只会说些他们期望你说的话，剩下的声音对他们来说不是话，只是“啊啊”的噪音罢了。

(Kenny is momentarily at a loss for how to respond. Just then, a voice comes in over the radio and the two of them end their chit-chat to check their terminals.)（小队队长一时不知道该如何回复，此时无线电传来了声音，两人停止了闲聊转而关注终端。）

TransmissionAdjutant Lentine, we're closing on the target area. Preparing to enter.兰汀副官，我们靠近目标区域，准备开始进入。

LentineSwitch off all the security cameras but leave one patched directly into our comm channel. Do not record any imagery from this mission.关闭记录摄像头，留一个监视用的接到我的频道，本次任务所有画面不做任何记录。

TransmissionRoger.是。

LentineHave Delta block off the entrance. Foxtrot will cover you. Use up all your explosives.让Delta队控住出入口，Foxtrot队掩护你们，把炸药都用掉。

Transmission...Roger.……是。

LentineTime for work.开始干活吧。

(Lentine tosses the cigarette butt aside and heads for her IFV, with Kenny trailing after her.)（女人扔掉了烟头，朝装甲车走去，队长跟随其后。）

(Once they get inside, the monitors inside the vehicle show the positions of the combat team members who have entered the tunnels and the view from their body cameras.)（两人进入到装甲车内，车内的屏幕分别展示了进入通道内小队成员的位置和监视摄像头的画面。）

(On the screen, the black-armored troopers are moving from the elevator platform toward a huge smashed gate. They enter the room beyond, covering each other in a leapfrog fashion.)（屏幕中，黑色的士兵从电梯平台上往一扇破败的大门处移动，接近大门后小队以交替掩护的队形进入了房间。）

(The room inside contains several dozen huge culture tanks with human body parts enmeshed with plant tendrils floating in the culture solutions. The power source in their middle glows dimly.)（房间里，数十个巨大的培养罐里，人体组织和植物根须虬结在一起的团块漂浮在组织液中，在中央能源供给系统下散发着淡淡的冷光。）

TransmissionWe've found multiple "samples". The power has been shut off; there might be a contact risk.发现了复数“样品”，供能被关闭了，可能会有接触风险。

LentineStay away from those tanks. Inform all teams that the assignment's hazard level has been upgraded to II.离那些罐子远一些，通知全队任务风险提升至二级。

TransmissionUnderstood, I'll let them know right away.明白，这就通知。

Lentine...Looks like their "ritual site" is down there. It's not often that there's one so close to a Green Zone.……下面是个“仪式所”吗，离绿区这么近的距离有“仪式所”还挺少见的。

KennyThese lunatics are getting wilder and wilder.这帮疯子越来越猖狂了。

LentineDon't let your ethics cloud your judgement.别让你的道德心影响你的判断了。

LentineWe take money to solve problems; we're just gofers for a small, independent PMC.收人钱财替人消灾，我们只是小小的承包商下负责跑腿的人。

LentineTake Bravo off sentry duty; have them go down there to support the others.改变Bravo队防守任务，让他们也去地下支援。

Kenny...…………

KennyGot it, I'll contact them.收到，我联系。

(Kenny keys his radio and gives orders to the combat team on the perimeter.)（小队队长按住无线电按钮，朝外围小队发布命令。）

(Lentine's eyes are focused on the screen. The images from the camera continue moving as the troopers take plastic explosives out of their backpacks, which they plant in various corners of the room.)（女人目不转睛地盯着屏幕看着，摄像头的画面还在继续移动，画面中士兵从背包中拿出了塑胶炸药，设置在房间的各个角落中。）

TransmissionNo lifeforms detected nearby. Charges have been set. Awaiting further instructions.区域没有看到活物，炸药已经设置好了，等待后续指令。

LentineProceed for—继续前——

TransmissionGwaaaargh!!呃啊啊啊啊啊！！

(There is a shout from behind and the image shakes violently. The viewpoint quickly turns to the rear, where a trooper in the back has been impaled through the forearm by a thorny plant stem from one of the culture tanks.)（声音从后方传来，摄像头剧烈地摇晃，画面快速地转向背后，后方一个士兵被一个罐子中植物突然射出的茎杆刺中小臂。）

(The trooper tries to escape, but the stem burrows deeper into his flesh. Purple liquid oozes out of the stabbed area and the trooper's arm immediately swells up.)（士兵试图逃离，但茎杆越钻越深，刺中的部分泛出了紫色的液体，士兵的手臂立即肿胀了起来。）

(The man beside him draws a knife from his waist and promptly chops off the wounded man's forearm.)（他身边的另一名士兵果断抽出腰间的短刀，迅速地劈断了他的小臂。）

(The stabbed soldier wails in agony, staggering back from the pain and shock. His teammate pulls out a medkit and administers a styptic and painkillers.)（被刺中的士兵发出了撕心的惨叫，疼痛和眩晕让他不断后退，他的队员快速拿出了医疗包替他止血和麻醉。）

(The camera view shifts to the plant that is still burrowing deeper into the severed arm. A white-colored mist sprays in from off-camera.)（摄像头的视角靠近了扭动着还在往小臂中钻的植物，开始从画面外喷射出白色的烟雾。）

TransmissionAbnormal contact has occurred. One man has been injured. Suppressing with liquid nitrogen.发生异常接触，一人受伤，正在用液氮压制。

(The vegetation soon freezes over. Unable to bear the weight of the forearm, it falls to the ground and splinters into many pieces.)（植物在喷射下快速结冰，最后无法支撑小臂的重量，断裂跌到了地上碎成了好几片。）

LentineHow many times do I have to tell you NOT to approach those tanks...说了多少次了，别靠近那些罐子。

(Lentine sighs and rubs her temples.)（女人叹了口气，按了按自己的太阳穴。）

LentineSend him up.送他上来。

TransmissionWill do.是。

(Lentine leans back into her chair and addresses Kenny in a mocking tone.)（女人往后靠向椅背，有点调侃地朝身边的队长说道。）

LentineWell, well, lucky him. For the low, low price of half an arm, he gets to collect a big fat compensation paycheck.真是个幸运的家伙，只是少了半个手臂就可以拿那么多抚恤金。

KennyThat guy who was wounded was probably Maceo. He's been with us for close to 10 years.受伤的是马赛奥吧，他也跟着我们快十年了。

LentineClose to 10 years? It's been that long already?快十年了？都已经过去这么久了？

LentineYou know, when I get sick of being adjutant, you should take over. I'll go join a combat squad and get some random little injury. When the time comes, make sure you give me a nice little bonus, enough to retire with.我说，哪天我干腻了副官就换你来当，我去行动小队然后随便负个伤，到时记得多发我一些奖金让我退休。

KennyYeah right, Adjutant, who else would be kind enough to share their compensation with someone else?别开玩笑了副官，除了你外谁还会舍得把自己的酬劳给其他人。

LentineYou mean you wouldn't share yours with me?你也不舍得把你的分我些吗？

KennyHell no.不舍得。

LentineWow, petty much?真是小气。

(Lentine pouts to express her displeasure, but they've been through this routine so many times before that Kenny doesn't bother following up on the old gag with her.)（女人噘了噘嘴假装表达不满，不过也许是已经经历过了很多次同样的对话，小队队长并没有接她的话茬。）

LentineHow many more rooms are there which need blowing?还有几个房间没设置完炸药？

KennyIntel indicates there are two more.情报显示的空间还有两个。

LentineLooks like there's a whole mess of "black op" for us today.看来今天的“脏活”还不算特别糟糕。

(Suddenly, Lentine pulls off her earpiece. Kenny is about to speak, but she signals for him to stop.)（忽然女人摘下了耳机，小队队长刚想说话，被她做了个手势阻止了。）

LentineDid you hear something... I think it sounded like a helicopter?你有没有听到……直升机的声音？

KennyA helicopter?直升机？

(The squad leader removes his earpiece, listens carefully, then shakes his head.)（小队队长摘下耳机，仔细听了下后摇了摇头。）

KennyNot a thing. What happened?没听到，怎么了？

LentineOur intel didn't mention anything about aircraft passing nearby, right?情报里没有提到附近有飞行器的航行计划吧。

KennyI mean, it's perfectly normal for people to use aircraft without filing for permission in an ungoverned region like this.这种没人管的地方有人不申报使用飞行器也正常。

LentineHm...嗯……

(Lentine frowns and puts her earpiece back on, but she continues speaking in an unhappy tone.)（女人皱了皱眉，重新戴回耳机，但她不甘心地说道。）

LentineI have a bad feeling about this...我有点不太好的预感……

TransmissionAdjutant Lentine, we just got a transmission from Bravo. They've found an elevator that wasn't mentioned in the intel, and there's a large thermal signature coming from a chamber below the elevator.兰汀副官，Bravo队发来通讯，他们发现情报中未标记的电梯，并且探测到电梯向下的空洞空间有大量热源反应。

TransmissionI'll patch in a video feed from over there.我让那边把监视画面切过来。

(The two of them turn back to the screen. It flashes, and then its perspective changes. This time, the viewer is looking into the pit with a thermal imager.)（两人立即将目光转回了屏幕，闪动后画面换成了另一个视角，这次的视角正拿着热成像朝黑洞洞的地底照去。）

LentineGive me the size and composition of the thermal signature.报告热源规模，体积。

TransmissionOne moment, please...稍等…………

TransmissionScan complete. I'm picking up at least 40 lifeforms and a massive thermal source, massing at least five units or more.扫描完毕，规模至少四十个生命体，有一个巨大热源，体积在五个单位以上。

LentineFive units... So it's a Boojum, then.五个单位……伯介姆吗。

LentineSo they summoned us even before the ritual was complete. That doesn't happen often.仪式没有结束就召唤我们来，这种情况还真是少见呢。

(The sound of gunshots comes over the transmission, seemingly from a long distance away.)（通讯中传来了枪声，声音仿佛从很远的地方传过来。）

TransmissionI hear gunshots! All teams, stay alert!听到枪声，各小队注意警戒！

LentineWho are you engaging?你们和谁交上火了吗？

TransmissionHang on... There's nobody. None of the teams have engaged anyone.稍等…………没有，所有小队都没有交火。

LentineThen something must have happened underground. Delta, finish planting the explosives. The rest of you, head deeper into the pit.地底下应该出事了，Delta队接替你们完成炸药布置，剩下其余小队进入空洞空间。

LentineThis assignment's hazard level is now I. All personnel, prepare to engage a Boojum.任务风险提升至一级，全员做好和伯介姆交战的准备。

Transmission...Understood.……明白。

(While that answer was simple enough, there was an added hint of nervousness in the man's voice.)（虽然回答还是简洁，但是声音中和刚才相比明显多了一分紧张。）

KennyThey're calling this a Hazard Level III mission even though there's a Boojum present?!有伯介姆还告诉我们是三级风险任务！？

LentineYou were wondering why they shelled out so much, right? Looks like you've got your answer.刚才你不还在疑问为什么给那么多钱吗，现在谜题解开了。

LentineStill... even if the FABN Group is in charge of things, a Boojum so close to the Green Zone is going too far.不过……在离绿区这么近的地方有伯介姆，就算是法本集团也未免太越线了。

LentineForget it, this isn't any of our business. Have Alpha prepare themselves, we'll be—算了，这不关我们的事，让Alpha队做好准备，我们也下——

(Suddenly, they hear bullets strike the exterior armor plate of the vehicles, followed by an emergency transmission over the radio.)（突然有子弹打在装甲车外壳上的声音，随即无线电中的紧急通讯传来。）

TransmissionThis is Echo!这里Echo队！

TransmissionWe've engaged unknown Dolls! They're attempting to enter the underground chamber!我们和未知人形交火，对方在试图进入到地下空间中！

LentineDolls?人形？

LentineHow many?多少数量？

TransmissionUnable to estimate! They have a sniper! Two of our guys have been hit! We're pinned down!无法估计，对方有狙击手，两人中弹了，我们被压制住了！

LentineGod dammit! Kenny, get the IFV over and give them fire support!该死，柯尼，让装甲车去提供火力压制！

LentineWhy now, of all times...偏偏是这个时候……！

KennyRhino Two, Rhino Three! What the hell are you doing? Why aren't you returning fire?!野牛二号三号！你们在做什么，为什么不反击！

KennyWhat? Your optics were destroyed?什么？光学设备都被击毁了？

KennyYou shower of useless assholes, must I do everything myself?!真是废物，我自己来！

(Kenny climbs into the gunner's seat and prepares to manually control the autocannon for the attack.)（小队队长跳进了身旁的炮手位，准备自己操纵机炮进行攻击。）

(However, there is the sound of a crisp impact from outside the vehicle and the gunner's monitor in front of him promptly bursts into a sea of static.)（但车外传来的清脆尖锐的碰撞声音，队长眼前炮手位的屏幕立即变成了花屏。）

KennyWhat...什……

LentineDon't waste your time.别白忙活了。

LentineWe aren't going up against ordinary Dolls. Alpha, mount up! We're moving in to assist!对方不是普通的人形，让Alpha队上车，我们去支援！

Omen “噩兆”

TransmissionWe can't hold them, Adjutant!兰汀副官，我们拦不住她们！

TransmissionThose Dolls made it underground!这些人形进入地下了！

LentineThat fighting style... and such capable T-Dolls...这种作战风格……还有这种实力的战术人形……

TransmissionThis is Bravo, we've made contact with unknown T-Dolls! They've got a lot of firepower on their side, requesting backup!这里是Bravo队，我们和未知战术人形交火，对方火力很强，请求支援！

LentineSo there are T-Dolls underground as well...下面也有战术人形……

LentineHeh, looks like things are becoming more and more interesting.哼，情况变得有趣起来了。

KennyInteresting?有趣？

LentineLeave three people behind to tend to the wounded. Everyone else, follow me! We're going after those Dolls!留下三个人处理伤员，其他所有队员跟我追上那些人形！

KennyGot it!明白！

(Meanwhile, on the other side of the pit.)（同一时间，洞窟的另一边。）

CommanderHow many more enemies are there?!还有多少敌人？！

DandelionThere should be at least 50 according to the scans, right?根据扫描少说也有五十个吧？

CommanderIs there another way?还有别的办法吗？

DandelionAs you can see, right now, I am just a Diner—如您所见，我现在只是只兵——

CommanderLook, I'm being serious here!我是认真在问你！

DandelionIn that case, we should be able to solve the problem handily once our reinforcements arrive, right?那样的话，如果我们的增援能到达，我想问题就能迎刃而解了吧？

CommanderReinforcements?增援？

CommanderWhere are we getting reinforcements from?我们哪来的增援？

(Just then, I hear a familiar, yet unfamiliar voice in my earpiece. The moment I do, I know that we've been tossed a lifeline.)（此时耳机中传来了熟悉又有一些陌生的声音，在听到声音的一瞬间，我知道活下去的机会来了。）

CentaureissiMaster, do you read me?长官，您能听到吗？

CommanderLoud and clear!能听到！

CentaureissiWe received Miss Dandelion's distress signal and are now approaching your location.我们接收到了丹德莱小姐的救援信息，现在正在靠近你们的位置。

CentaureissiMakiatto's come too.还有玛绮朵小姐也一起来了。

MakiattoWait for us, Commander! Don't you dare die down there!指挥官，等着我们，你可千万别死在下面啊！

CommanderLooks like my number's not up just yet...看来今天还不是死的日子……！

CommanderDandelion, give me Centaureissi's location!丹德莱，把桑朵莱希的位置发给我！

DandelionAlready sent!早就同步过来啦。

(The enemy's weight of fire is massive. The sooner we're out of here, the better, considering we don't know if more enemy reinforcements will show up.)（敌人的火力密度很高，而且不清楚会不会还有更多的增援，越快离开这个地方越好。）

(I quickly glance through the signal icons on my terminal. Centaureissi and the others are approaching fast. From their position, I can count on them to help me pincer the enemy. However, we'll need to take Helena back from the Boojum first.)（我扫了一眼终端上的信号标记，桑朵莱希的信号正在快速靠近。从她们的位置看，可以依托她们对敌人进行一次夹击。但是在那之前，伯介姆身上的海伦娜得先夺回来。）

(I look around. Daiyan is hitting the enemy with everything she's got. Colphne and the "Helena" she's protecting are looking at me with frightened eyes.)（我环顾四周，黛烟几人在奋力反击，寇尔芙和被她护着的“海伦娜”正用害怕的眼神看着我。）

(We don't have much room for error, but I am certain that even after all this time, the Dolls can still work well together.)（容错的机会不会太多，但我相信即便过去很久，人形们依然可以紧密配合。）

(There's no more time to hesitate. I quickly decide on my next move and give my orders.)（不能犹豫了，我捋了一下思路，决定下达命令。）

CommanderDaiyan!黛烟！

DaiyanCommander?长官？

CommanderI need suppressive fire from you and Jiangyu in that direction to draw their attention. Our reinforcements will flank them from behind and we'll break out through their location.你和绛雨火力压制我指的那个开阔区方向的敌人，吸引他们的注意力，我们的增援会从他们背后发起攻击，那个方向将是我们的突破口。

DaiyanAh, yes!啊，是！

CommanderDandelion, help compute the ideal attack route for Daiyan and Centaureissi and send it to them.丹德莱，计算最佳攻击路径，发送给黛烟和桑朵莱希。

DandelionAlready done and sent.计算完了，已经发送。

CommanderCentaureissi, give me a sitrep once you get in position, then wait for my go.桑朵莱希，你们到达位置后告知状态，等待我命令后进攻。

CentaureissiYes, Master. ETA is one minute.好的长官，预计一分钟后到达。

CommanderDaiyan, keep laying down fire. When I give the word, we'll make a break for a more open area and draw the enemy's attention.黛烟，保持火力，等待我下令后我们所有人朝开阔区突破，我们要吸引住敌人的注意力。

CommanderJiangyu, can you and your big sis put on a good show to distract them?绛雨，一会儿你能和你的姐姐一起好好表现一场吗？

JiangyuNo problem! Just leave it to me!那是肯定没问题的，包在我身上！

CommanderThat's all I needed to hear.嗯，你这么说我就放心了。

CommanderAnd who might this be?这位是？

DaiyanHer name is Zhaohui. She's a new friend of ours.她是朝晖，是我们的新伙伴。

CommanderGot it. How about this; you look pretty agile, so can you help bring Helena back to us? I'll have Dandelion disable Helena's defense systems.明白，朝晖这样，我看你的机动比较灵活，我会让丹德莱关闭上面那个海伦娜的防卫系统，你能否将她带回我们身边来？

ZhaohuiThat's Daiyan and Jiangyu's commander for you, already giving orders without hesitation even though this is the first time we've met.不愧是黛烟和绛雨的指挥官，对第一次见面的人形也能毫不犹豫地下命令。

JiangyuHey, if you can't handle it, I can do it instead!你要不行就我去啦！

ZhaohuiOf course I can. Should I head out now?我当然可以，现在要立即出发吗？

CommanderI'm glad you're willing to help out. Wait for my signal.你愿意就好，等我命令。

(I look up at the Helena who's still floating in the air. She is watching us struggle with a look of amusement on her face.)（我抬头看了一眼还在天上的海伦娜，她正饶有兴致地看着我们垂死挣扎的样子。）

(I pay her no further attention and look down at the "Helena" in front of me.)（我不再关注她，低下头看着眼前的“海伦娜”。）

CommanderYou're Helena too, right?你也是海伦娜，对吧？

Helena D-68Yeah...嗯……

CommanderDo you want to live?你想活下去吗？

Helena D-68I... I can't die yet.我……还不能死。

(I see the determination in her eyes, and then I turn to Colphne.)（我从她的眼神中看到了坚定的意念，于是我转向对寇尔芙说道。）

CommanderProtect her. She's also Helena.保护好她，她也是海伦娜。

ColphneO-Okay!是…是！

(Colphne reaches down to support the Helena beside her and looks up at the airborne Helena.)（寇尔芙扶起了她身边的海伦娜，看了眼浮空在半空的海伦娜。）

ColphneSo our Helena...那我们的海伦娜……

CommanderRelax, she'll be fine.放心吧，她也不会有事的。

(Saying so, I turn to look at the hovering Dandegate.)（说完我抬头看向了浮空的兵蚁。）

CommanderYou CAN do it, right, Dandelion?丹德莱，能做到吧。

DandelionAs you wish.如您所愿。

(After I give my orders, the Dolls all look at me. I take a deep breath and wait for the transmission to come in.)（下达完所有命令，人形们都注视着我，我深深地呼吸了一口气，等待通讯的来临。）

CentaureissiMaster, we've reached our attack position. Waiting for your command.长官，我们已经抵达攻击位置，等待您的命令。

CommanderGot it. Everyone, GO!收到，全员开始行动！

(Centaureissi and Makiatto silently drop down onto the elevator platform at the bottom of the shaft while their black-armored enemies are focused on firing in the other direction.)（桑朵莱希和玛绮朵悄无声息地落在停在底层的电梯平台上，黑色盔甲的敌人正在全神贯注地朝外射击。）

(They suddenly open fire, cutting the black-armored troopers down before they even know what's going on. The Dolls soon take the position that the enemy once occupied and begin providing us with cover fire.)（人形陡然开火，数个黑色盔甲的敌人还没来得及朝后看就已经被密集的火力击穿，人形快速地占领了原本属于敌人的掩体，开始替我们进行火力掩护。）

Helena(The Dandegate flies up to Helena, who seems unhappy.)（兵蚁飞近海伦娜，海伦娜露出了不悦的神色。）

(The spherical defense systems begin to glow, but Dandelion seizes control of them before they can finish charging up.)（球形的防卫设备开始发亮，但还没来得及蓄能就被丹德莱瞬间控制。）

DandelionNaptime for bad kids~坏孩子该睡觉了~

Helena (?)You...!你……！

Helena(Before she can finish, the three spheres glow and then revert to their box form, which encloses Helena.)（她话音还未落下，三个圆球在一阵高亮后变回盒状将海伦娜包裹了起来。）

CommanderZhaohui, go now!就是现在，朝晖靠你了！

ZhaohuiGot it!嗯。

(Zhaohui throws out a grappling line and immediately springs toward high ground while Daiyan and Jiangyu rush toward Centaureissi.)（朝晖扔出了绳索，立即朝高点跳去，而黛烟和绛雨掩护着我们朝桑朵莱希的方向冲了出去。）

CommanderRun!快跑！

(Everyone breaks into a mad dash. With Centaureissi and Makiatto pinning them down, the enemy's volume of fire is significantly reduced.)（所有人都狂奔了起来，在桑朵莱希和玛绮朵的压制下，敌人的火力稀疏了很多。）

(I'm running at the group's head while Colphne and Helena follow close behind me. Daiyan and Jiangyu bring up our rear.)（我跑在最前方，寇尔芙拉着海伦娜紧随其后，黛烟和绛雨跟在最后面。）

(As we approach Centaureissi, I notice the flickering of flashlights in a tunnel off to our side.)（我们离桑朵莱希越来越近，但是我的余光扫到了在我们侧面的通道有手电摇晃的痕迹。）

CentaureissiMaster, incoming enemy reinforcements!长官，有敌人增援！

MakiattoIt's in my blind spot, I can't hit them!那里是死角，我射击不到！

DaiyanCover the Commander!掩护长官！

(Daiyan and Jiangyu immediately rush to the head of the group and turn to face the enemy reinforcements.)（黛烟和绛雨立即跃到我们的前面，转向敌人增援的方向。）

(Jiangyu presses on my shoulder to get my head down while she and Daiyan block the bullets from the side.)（绛雨按住我的肩膀将我压低身姿，和黛烟一起挡住了来自侧面的子弹。）

(The two Dolls mount a fighting retreat away from the enemy. Dazzling flashes of light erupt as bullets splinter and fragment against their frames, but they grit their teeth and continue returning fire.)（两名人形朝着敌人一边倒退一边射击，子弹打在她们的素体上时崩裂出刺眼的火光，她们咬紧牙关保持着压制还击。）

(Looking up, I see that Zhaohui has taken the Helena-box out of the air and she is using her grappling line to rake the enemy with fire one-handed as she swings through the air, briefly throwing them back.)（我抬起头发现朝晖已经从空中夺走了箱子，半空中借助绳索滑行的她朝侧面的敌人单手扫射，将他们短暂地压制了回去。）

CommanderGo now!趁现在！

(As the enemy fire falters, we begin another sprint toward Centaureissi's location.)（趁着敌人火力的减弱，我们再次开始朝桑朵莱希她们所在的位置冲刺过去。）

(Zhaohui makes a hard landing beside us, and the Dandegate follows closely behind her.)（朝晖重重地落在了我们身边，而兵蚁紧紧地跟着她飞行。）

MakiattoCentaureissi, use this!桑朵莱希，用这个！

(Makiatto picks up a smoke grenade from one of the black-armored corpses and tosses it to Centaureissi. The two of them prime their smoke grenades and throw them out.)（玛绮朵将从尸体身上拿下来的烟雾弹抛了一个给桑朵莱希，然后和她一起拉开保险销朝我们的方向投掷了出去。）

(The two smoke grenades hit the ground and clouds of white smoke obscure us.)（两枚烟雾弹落地，白灰色的烟尘掩护住了我们的身影。）

(Everyone gets behind cover. Perhaps it's because they can't see us anymore, but the enemy gunfire suddenly stops.)（所有人都跳进了掩体中，或许是因为看不到我们的身影，敌人的枪声也戛然而止。）

CommanderCentaureissi, WA2000, thank you for your support.桑朵莱希，还有WA2000，谢谢你们的支援。

MakiattoI, I'm called Makiatto now...我，我现在叫玛绮朵了……

CentaureissiIt was an honor. Miss 95 and 97, are you alright?这是我们的荣幸，95小姐，97小姐你们还好吗？

DaiyanWe're fine. Our frames are still functional, but we should leave ASAP.我们没事，素体还在可以维持的范围内，我们赶紧离开这里吧。

(I look at the Dolls. Daiyan's shoulder and head are damaged while Jiangyu has two big holes in her thigh. Centaureissi and Makiatto help them onto the platform elevator.)（我看向人形们，黛烟的肩部和头部都被击伤，绛雨的大腿上多了两个窟窿，桑朵莱希和玛绮朵搀扶着她们走进平台电梯。）

(Colphne holds a panting Helena as they make their way forward, while Zhaohui struggles with dragging the heavy box on her back.)（寇尔芙牵着气喘吁吁的海伦娜往前走，朝晖正在一边移动一边费劲地将箱子扣在自己的背上。）

(I run onto the elevator too. It groans and rumbles before slowly grinding into movement. The Dolls keep their weapons pointed the way we came, but no enemies follow us.)（我也跑上了电梯，电梯在一阵轰鸣声后开始缓缓启动，人形们将武器对准刚才来的方向，但没有一个敌人追过来。）

(The thunderous gunfire that surrounded us just now has suddenly vanished. The surroundings are quiet except for the noise of the elevator.)（刚才还四起的激烈枪声突然无影无踪，除了电梯的移动声外什么其他声音都没有。）

(For some reason, I don't feel the joy of narrowly escaping death; on the contrary, a sense of foreboding fills my mind.)（不知为何，我的心中没有丝毫死里逃生的庆幸，反而有种不祥的预感刺激着我的神经。）

MakiattoSharkry, are there any enemies at the position we entered from?夏克里，有敌人在我们进来的位置吗？

SharkryNot right now.暂时没有呢。

MakiattoAre you sure? This is important!真的没有吗，这可很重要！

SharkrySharkry's been watching through a telescope all this time!夏克里可一直用望远镜盯着看呢！

MakiattoAlright, then. Start the ignition, we'll be there in five minutes.那就好，准备好启动，我们五分钟后就回来。

CommanderYou have a vehicle outside?外面有载具吗？

CentaureissiYeah, it was supposed to be a surprise gift...嗯，本来想作为礼物给你一个惊喜……

CommanderA gift?礼物？

CentaureissiBut—不过——

SharkryMakiatto, bad news!玛绮朵，不好啦！

SharkryI'm seeing tons of IFVs headed toward your location!有好多装甲车往你们来的洞口开来啦！

MakiattoHow many?!多少辆？！

SharkryOne, two, three, four... five of them!一二三四……五辆！

MakiattoIsn't that ALL the IFVs we saw just now?!这不是刚才看到的所有装甲车全开来了嘛？！

SharkryWhat should Sharkry do?夏克里现在要做什么？

MakiattoPrepare to engage!准备好开火！

MakiattoCommander, there are IFVs trying to intercept us!指挥官，有装甲车过来拦截我们！

CommanderTsk, I should have known they wouldn't let us go so easily...啧，我就知道对方不可能这么容易放过我们……！

CentaureissiMaster, I have a plan.长官，我有一个办法。

Fleeing Pursuit 逃离追击

KennyAdjutant Lentine! Look out!兰汀副官！小心！！

(The red-haired woman is caught off guard by the green-clad Doll suddenly jumping across her path and forgets to duck.)（身着绿衣的人形从红发的女人前飞过，人形猝不及防的出现让她一时忘记了躲避。）

(Kenny tackles Lentine to the ground and the bullets that would have hit her square in the chest instead slam into the man's back plates.)（小队队长飞扑将她扑倒在地，在女人身前子弹打在了队长的后背上。）

(The other troopers immediately stop shooting and drag the two of them into safety.)（其他士兵赶紧停止射击，将他们两人都拖进了安全的位置。）

(The woman gets to her feet and immediately checks on the squad leader's wounds.)（女人爬起身来，立即去查看小队队长的伤势。）

LentineKenny, are you alright?!柯尼，你没事吧？！

KennyHell if I know...我也不知道……

(She quickly inspects the place where he was struck and finds a bullet stuck between two of his ballistic plates.)（女人爬起身来，检查了队长中弹的位置，一颗手枪弹卡在了背后的防弹插板处。）

LentineGet up already, it's not going to get you pregnant.快起来，你还死不了。

(The woman kicks the squad leader.)（女人踢了小队队长一脚。）

(After realizing he wasn't injured after all, Kenny scrambles to his feet. Lentine pays him no further heed. Instead, she peers out from behind their cover. The smoke cloud has fully spread out; she can't see anything.)（意识到自己没有中枪，小队队长爬起身来，女人不再管他，探头朝外看去，烟雾已经散开，什么都看不清楚。）

TransmissionAdjutant, we've lost sight of the target. Should we pursue?副官，我们看不到目标，是否要追击？

LentineGive me a casualty report!汇报损失情况！

TransmissionWe've got 12 KIA and 25 WIA! Losses are serious!十二人阵亡，二十五人受伤，我们损失惨重！

LentineGod damn motherfuckers!该死的混蛋！！

LentineAfter them! I want them all to burn in hell!给我截住他们，我要他们全都下地狱！！

KennyCalm down, Adjutant. We're at a huge disadvantage fighting Dolls at this range!副官，冷静一下，这个距离我们和人形战斗太吃亏了！

LentineTsk...啧……！

(Lentine trembles with rage. She pulls out a cigarette and takes a deep drag from it to calm herself down.)（女人的愤怒让她浑身发抖，她掏出烟深吸一口尽量让自己的情绪稳定下来。）

(After a brief period of contemplation, her reason wins out over her emotions.)（在短暂的思考后，她的理智占了上风。）

LentineBravo, evacuate the wounded. Everyone else from the other teams who can still move, form up into a squad and follow me! We're heading up to the surface to wipe them out!Bravo队负责撤离伤员，其他小队还能动的人整合成一支小队跟我去地面截击敌人！

LentineOnce we get out of the underground levels, blow all the charges!离开地下后立即引爆所有炸药！

TransmissionYes, ma'am...!是……！

LentineKenny, have everyone from Echo who's still alive drive the IFVs over to block off the exit those Dolls are using. Stop them no matter what, even if it means having to physically hit them with your cannon barrels!柯尼，让Echo队还活着的人开装甲车去堵住那些人形出洞的位置，就算爬上炮塔打也得给我将她们拦住！

KennyI'll contact them right away!我马上联系！

(The attack and losses sustained have far exceeded anything she has expected. Meanwhile, it's very hard for her not to imagine what has happened here after looking at the corpse of the Boojum in the deep pit and that of the woman in black outside it.)（遭到的攻击和损失完全超出了女人的预想范围，而在外面深坑中的伯介姆尸体和地面上身穿黑色服装女人的尸体，又让她很难不联想这里到底发生了什么。）

LentineWhat the hell am I even fighting for...我到底在为了什么而战斗……

(Lentine mutters to herself, a mix of emotions in her heart. Then, she casts aside her cigarette butt and vanishes into the darkness of the tunnels with the rest of her men.)（女人喃喃自语道，怀着复杂的心情，她扔下了烟头，和其他的士兵消失在了通道尽头的黑暗中。）

Mangi Security TrooperThis is Rhino Four hailing Rhino One, we've picked up Echo and are heading for the tunnel entrance.野牛四号呼叫野牛一号，我们已经接上Echo队队员，开始朝洞内行驶。

(The few remaining black-armored troopers file into the IFVs. Their rear hatches close up and their engines roar loudly.)（数量不多的黑色盔甲士兵一个个钻入装甲车中，装甲车的后挡板收起，载具的引擎发出轰鸣。）

Mangi Security TrooperOne copies, we're following behind you. Ready to cover you anytime.野牛一号收到，我们跟在你们后方，随时提供掩护。

(The two IFVs stop at the entrance of the tunnel. It is wide enough that they can drive into it side-by-side.)（两辆装甲车停在宽阔的洞口处，通道非常宽敞足够容纳它们并排行驶。）

(The remaining three IFVs are parked outside the entrance, flanking it with their autocannons pointing into the opening.)（剩下三辆装甲车停在洞口外，它们分散停在两旁，黑洞洞的25毫米机炮对准着洞口内。）

(All their targeting optics are riddled with bullet holes, forcing the crew to pop their hatches and physically view their surroundings.)（所有装甲车上的光学仪器都布满了弹孔，乘员不得不从炮塔探出头来目视四周情况。）

(The vehicles' headlights turn on. One of the vehicle commanders signals an advance and the two lead IFVs drive into the tunnel.)（车前的大灯打开，头车炮塔上的乘员做了一个前进的手势，两辆车开始行驶进入洞内。）

Mangi Security TrooperRhino Four, let the infantry scout the surroundings. Don't let yourselves get flanked and ambushed.野牛四号，让步兵监视周围，注意周围不要被埋伏了。

Mangi Security TrooperFour copies, they're on high alert.收到收到，他们正在警戒。

(The black-armored men emerge from the vehicle, guns held at the ready as they eye the area around them.)（黑色的士兵打开了舱盖，从车体中探出身来，持枪警戒着周围。）

LentineThis is Lentine, the enemy is taking the elevator up. Head to the top elevator landing and intercept them!这里是兰汀，敌人正在从移动平台朝上移动，你们立即到平台接口处拦截她们！

LentineSmash them to bits!把她们给我打成碎片！

Mangi Security TrooperFour copies, Adjutant. You heard her, pick up the pace.收到副官，野牛四号，副官下命令了，加快速度。

Mangi Security TrooperCopy, accelerating now.收到，正在加速。

(The IFV picks up speed, crushing crates and corpses underfoot.)（装甲车开始提速，行驶中的载具碾过了地上的箱子和尸体。）

(The black-armored troopers notice that the crushed corpses have "Mangi Security" written on their gear, but their rapid movement soon carries them out of sight.)（在舱盖上探出头的黑色士兵看到了被碾碎的尸体装备上写着曼尼安保的字样，旋即因为高速的行驶消失在了他们的视野中。）

(Stopping at the end of the tunnel, the IFVs' headlights cast a clear glow ahead, while the elevator platform noisily makes its way up the shaft.)（开到了通道的尽头，在装甲车大灯的照耀下，士兵们明显地意识到移动平台一边发出噪音一边朝上移动着。）

(The spinning yellow lights and alarm klaxons are a constant reminder to the IFVs' crew and complement that the elevator is about to arrive.)（平台接口处的警告音和黄色旋转的警示灯都在提醒着装甲车上的乘员，平台即将移动到位。）

(The elevator platform is stacked high with various crates. The IFVs turn their turrets to cover it as it comes into everyone's view.)（在炮塔上乘员朝着噪音的方向看去，堆着各种不同箱子的平台已经出现在了所有人的视野中。）

Mangi Security TrooperOpen fire, open fire.开火开火。

Mangi Security TrooperRoger, commencing attack.收到，开始攻击。

(While they can't see the enemy's positions, the IFV gunners pull the triggers on their hand stations without hesitation.)（虽然看不到敌人的位置，但乘员还是毫不犹豫地按下了摇杆上的扳机。）

(The IFVs' autocannons and coaxial machineguns open up in unison, the tremendous power of their large-caliber rounds shredding the boxes and crates on the platform to pieces. The autocannon rounds even pierce the platform itself and turn its center into Swiss cheese.)（两辆装甲车的机炮和并列机枪同时开火，大口径子弹的巨大威力将平台上的箱子打得支离破碎，机炮的弹头甚至击穿了平台表面，将平台中心的位置打出了一个马蜂窝一般的窟窿群。）

(The plumes of smoke from the gunfire cover the entire platform, and it is only after ten-odd seconds of this withering barrage that the IFVs finally cease their attack.)（火力冲击带起的烟雾盖住了整个平台，持续了十多秒的射击后，装甲车停止了攻击。）

Mangi Security TrooperCease fire, cease fire. Do you have visual contact?停火，停火，能看到敌人吗？

Mangi Security TrooperUnable to determine, but there's no way anyone could survive that... gwaaargh!无法识别，但不可能有人在这种火力下活下来……呃！

(A sharp blade slashes through the neck of the speaking trooper. He stares incredulously at the maid-attired Doll who has appeared behind him.)（一把尖刀划过还在说着话的乘员的脖子，他难以置信地转过身看到一名身着女仆装的人形出现在他的身后。）

(Blood spurts from his severed carotid and jugular. He tries with all his might to stop the bleeding but fails, and he collapses limply through the turret hatch and into the vehicle's interior.)（动脉的压力让血液从脖子处喷涌而出，他费尽全力压住伤口也无法止血，脱力的他从炮塔跌落回了车内。）

Mangi Security TrooperAmbush! Ambush! Drop off your troops! Arrghhhh!有埋伏！快让小队下车！唔啊！

(Another Doll descends from the ceiling, landing heavily on the turret. The crewman nearest to her tries to pull out a pistol and shoot, but she kicks his head so hard it spins a full 360 degrees around his neck.)（另一名人形从天花板上重重地落到了另一辆装甲车的炮塔上，乘员急忙想掏手枪进行攻击，但人形一脚就将他的脑袋踢得旋转了一整圈。）

Mangi Security TrooperWhat the hell's going on?! Report!怎么了？！汇报情况！！

Mangi Security TrooperWe've been ambushed! Disembark and form up now!!我们遭遇伏击，快下车展开队形！！

Fleeing Pursuit 逃离追击

CommanderThanks, Centaureissi. Those autocannons would have shot us to bits if it wasn't for your warning.多亏桑朵莱希的提醒，不然我们要被机炮打成筛子了。

JiangyuClimbing up a tiny platform was a piece of cake! Those people were totally underestimating us!要爬上一个平台简直小菜一碟，这些人也太小看我们了！

(Just before the IFVs arrived, the Dolls had already carried me and jumped up to the elevator landing, where we hid in a side tunnel. Meanwhile, Jiangyu and Centaureissi lay in ambush on the ceiling, waiting for the enemy to deliver themselves into our net.)（就在刚才装甲车赶来前，人形们就拖着我跳上了上层平台接口处，我们躲到了一旁的通道内，而桑朵莱希和绛雨埋伏在天花板，等待着敌人的自投罗网。）

CentaureissiThere was no way those enemies would have given up so easily. Makiatto engaged their IFVs when we arrived here, so my guess was that they would have used them to head us off.那些敌人一定不会善罢甘休，我们进来时玛绮朵小姐就和装甲车交过手，所以我想他们一定会用装甲车来拦截我们。

MakiattoHehe, you can thank yours truly for destroying their optical systems. Otherwise they would never have exposed themselves like they did.哼哼，感谢我把他们的光学设备都打坏了吧，不然他们也不会这么大摇大摆把身体露在外面。

CommanderGood point. We would have had a much harder time if they had buttoned up in their vehicles. Those metal boxes are a real pain.说得也是，要是真蜷缩在装甲车内和我们打，这些铁罐头还真不好对付。

(Seeing how proud Makiatto looks, I nod in her direction to show my approval.)（看着露出骄傲表情的玛绮朵，我微微向她点头表示赞赏。）

(Still, staying here is too dangerous. I gesture for the Dolls to gather up so we can begin planning our next move.)（不过停留在这里太危险了，我招呼人形们赶紧开始下一步行动。）

CommanderThank you, everyone, you were a godsend. Come on, let's mount up!真是谢谢他们雪中送炭了，大家赶紧上车！

CentaureissiI'll handle the driving!驾驶就交给我吧！

CentaureissiMiss Dandelion, would you mind helping me download some driving software?丹德莱小姐，可以为我下载驾驶程序么？

DandelionOn it~正在进行~

(Centaureissi climbs into the driver's seat while the other Dolls chuck the corpses out of the vehicle before filling up the passenger compartment.)（桑朵莱希爬进了驾驶舱，其他人形将尸体扔出车辆，然后陆续钻进了车辆后部的步兵舱中。）

(Centaureissi finishes downloading the IFV driving software just as everyone finishes taking their places.)（所有人都坐进装甲车时，桑朵莱希也下载完了驾驶程序。）

(Just as she begins to reverse, however, a massive explosion comes from deep within the underground complex.)（她驾驶车辆开始掉头，突然巨大的爆炸声从深处传来。）

CommanderDammit, they must be trying to blow up the place! Hurry, we need to get out of here!该死，他们肯定是要炸毁这里，赶紧出发！

CentaureissiYes, Master!是！

(Centaureissi floors the accelerator on the IFV and it lurches forward. The tunnel behind the IFV begins to disintegrate in its wake and chunks of debris fall from the ceiling like stone rain.)（桑朵莱希朝前推动操纵杆，装甲车开始快速往前行驶，在装甲车的背后通道开始塌陷，天花板上不断有碎石往车上砸落下来。）

LentineRhino Four! Come in, Rhino Four!野牛四号，回复我！

LentineEcho Team! Do you copy?!Echo队，快回复！

KennyI think they're all dead...他们可能都死了……

LentineSon of a bitch! All remaining Rhino units, listen up!该死的，剩下所有野牛！

LentineSeal off this tunnel exit!给我封锁住洞口！

(The tunnel is collapsing faster and faster, but Centaureissi is already driving as fast as the IFV can go.)（通道在以更快的速度塌陷，桑朵莱希已经驱使装甲车以最快的速度前进了。）

(From her perch inside the turret, Makiatto spots more IFVs waiting to ambush us, but there's no way we can slow down now.)（在炮塔上的玛绮朵看到了洞口外埋伏着我们的装甲车，但现在已经没有任何减速的余地了。）

MakiattoSharkry! Get over to the tunnel exit right now, we need backup!夏克里，快来洞口，我们需要支援！

MakiattoGo with Plan 1! Weapons free, weapons free!1号方案，可以使用任何火力！

SharkryEh? Is it time for Sharkry's exciting performance at last? Yaaaay♥诶！终于到了夏克里表演的时候了吗？太好了♥

(We slam into a wall of lead from the IFVs outside the tunnel, forcing Makiatto to duck back inside the turret.)（洞口外的装甲车开始朝我们猛烈地开火，玛绮朵只能钻回炮塔中躲避。）

(In front, bullets, cannon shells, and all manner of ordnance throw up an endless rain of sparks as they ricochet off the IFV's armor. Behind us, the collapsing tunnel surges forward to consume us all.)（装甲车的正面被各种子弹打得火光四溅，而背后正在塌陷的通道正毫不犹豫地试图吞噬我们。）

(Suddenly, a tremor of whirling blades shakes the air from behind the IFVs that are outside the tunnel. A helicopter armed with rocket pods has just arrived in attack position.)（突然间，洞口外装甲车背后的空中传来了旋翼劈开空气的震动声，一架挂着火箭巢的直升机就这样以极快地速度飞行到了攻击位置。）

Mangi Security TrooperIt's a chopper! There's an attack chopper out there!直升机！有武装直升机！

LentineA WHAT?!什么！？

LentineHang on, we're almost there!!坚持住，我们马上就赶到！！

(The black-clad soldiers are running through the wilderness at top speed. The exit behind them belches flame from the demolition charges as they sprint toward the other one.)（黑色的士兵们正在荒野中狂奔，在他们背后的洞口已经被爆炸吞没，他们正在全力往另一个洞口的方向冲去。）

Mangi Security TrooperQuick! Shoot it! SHOOT IT!快！朝直升机射击！！

(The IFVs' turrets begin swiveling, but it is too late for them.)（装甲车们的炮塔开始朝后转动，但是他们已经没有任何机会了。）

(The helicopter hovers in mid-air, and then a volley from its rocket pods turns the IFVs into burning wreckage.)（直升机在空中悬停稳住机身，然后火箭巢的一轮齐射就将这几辆装甲车炸成了火球。）

(The IFV from inside the tunnel roars out into the open air and bashes the flaming wrecks aside, trailed by explosions which completely destroy the tunnel in its wake.)（从洞口内冲出的装甲车将那些燃烧着的残骸撞开，冲出了洞口，爆炸随着装甲车身后将整个通道彻底摧毁。）

(As the flames chase it, the IFV carries on toward a small hill in the distance while spewing black smoke.)（被火焰追逐着的装甲车冒着黑烟朝远处的一个较高的小土坡行驶而去。）

(The helicopter gracefully banks to the side and flies past us, landing on the hill where we're headed.)（直升机以一个漂亮的侧身减速划过我们的头顶，在拉起机头后稳稳地降落在了我们所要前往的小高地上。）

(Once we get there, Centaureissi puts on the brakes and I emerge from the IFV. While I can barely open my eyes because of the downwash and grit, what I do manage to see still shocks me to the core.)（开到高地前，桑朵莱希停下了装甲车，我钻出车身，虽然旋翼带起的风沙让我几乎睁不开眼睛，但眼前的画面还是让我为之一震。）

(Nothing could be more familiar to me than the black helicopter before me, except perhaps for the worn but still legible insignia on its side—the shield of "G&K".)（在我眼前的直升机那黑色的机身无比熟悉，更让人熟悉的是，在机身侧面有一些磨损但依然显眼的标志——一块代表“格里芬”的盾牌。）

CentaureissiGet to the chopper!大家快上飞机！

(There's no time to admire it, though. The Dolls pop the IFV's hatches and begin climbing toward it. I help the Dolls push "Helena" and the box into the cabin.)（没有时间欣赏了，人形们打开舱门开始往里爬去，我帮着人形们将“海伦娜”和那个箱子推进了机舱。）

(In the distance, the black-armored troopers have also gotten to the high ground of their own. The woman who leads them anxiously gazes at the helicopter in the distance.)（在远处，黑色的士兵们也爬上了一处高地，女人正在焦急地朝直升机的方向张望。）

LentineGoddammit! We won't be able to catch up with them!该死，我们赶不上她们了！

LentineKenny, do we have any rocket launchers?柯尼，还有火箭筒吗？

KennyWe do!有！

LentineBring that chopper down!瞄准那架直升机！

LentineGive me a pair of binos!给我望远镜！

(The woman takes the binoculars that one of her men hands her and looks through them at the helicopter.)（女人拿起士兵递过的望远镜，朝着直升机的方向看去。）

LentineRange is 260 meters! Fire when ready!距离六百二十米！瞄准好就开火！

(Through the binoculars, she sees the Dolls pulling a human into the cabin. The human takes a seat on the lip of the passenger compartment.)（在望远镜中，人形拉着一个人类正在爬进机舱，那个人类回过头来坐在了机舱的边缘。）

(Lentine ups the magnification on her binoculars, but when she sees the man's face, she suddenly freezes.)（兰汀拉近了望远镜的倍率，在看到那位人类的脸庞时，她突然愣住了。）

LentineIsn't he... from Frankfurt...这个人……不是在法兰克福……

(She immediately changes her mind and gives another order.)（在瞬间她改变了主意，她立即下令。）

LentineCease fire!停止射击！

KennyHah?啊？

(However, the squad leader has already pulled the trigger. A rocket streaks out toward the helicopter.)（在命令下达前小队队长已经扣动了扳机，火箭弹骤然飞出，朝着直升机冲去。）

(The helicopter immediately pulls up, trying to bank out of the path of the rocket.)（直升机在第一时间便拉起了机头，试图朝着斜侧方避开火箭弹的袭击。）

(However, the intersection of its course and that of the missile has sealed the fate of the group on the helicopter...)（然而与飞行轨迹重合的弹道已经宣判了直升机上一行人的命运……）

??Firing.开火。

(Two shots ring out, piercing the rocket and throwing it off course, where it explodes in mid-air.)两条弹道穿过火箭弹的飞行轨道，弹头在冲击下转向并凌空爆炸。

LentineWhat the hell?!什么？！

(The shockwave from the rocket's explosion shakes the helicopter, but the pilot soon levels it out. It continues picking up speed, trying to get out of this godforsaken hellhole.)（火箭弹所产生的爆风让直升机产生了一丝晃动，但又很快被驾驶员拉平姿态。黑鹰持续加速，试图远离这个是非之地。）

KennyWe still have hostiles nearby! Find them!附近还有敌人！注意索敌位置！

KennyThe helicopter's still in range... Should I keep going?直升机还在射程内……要攻击吗？

(As Kenny barks orders to his men, he raises another rocket launcher, awaiting Lentine's response.)（小队队长对身边的士兵下达了命令，同时举起了第二枚火箭筒等候兰汀的指示。）

LentineAll units, take cover and wait for further instructions!全体原地隐蔽待命！

(Upon hearing the order, the black-armored troopers obediently remain still and make no further movements.)（听到指挥者的命令，黑色士兵们忠实地执行了指令，不再行动。）

(In the distance, the helicopter picks up speed and fades from sight. Meanwhile, the hidden shooters do not reveal themselves.)（远处的直升机快速地爬升加速，很快就离开了女人的视野。而潜藏在阴影中的射手，并没有现身。）

LentineSo they were just covering the escape, then... Two gunshots... two people...只是掩护撤离吗……两声枪响……两个人……

(She shoves the binoculars back into Kenny's hands, then takes out a cigarette and lights it.)（她将望远镜重重地塞回了小队队长的手中，低下头拿出了一支烟点了起来。）

(The surviving men in black remain silent, as though waiting for Lentine's next order.)（还活着的黑色士兵们依然沉默不语，仿佛在等待着女人的下一道命令。）

(A moment later, she throws the cigarette aside without so much as taking a drag on it and turns to address Kenny.)（半晌，她将一口未吸的烟头往地上一扔，回过头和小队队长说道。）

LentineContact HQ and tell them the mission is complete. Then inform Personnel and have them pay out the maximum compensation to our fallen men.联系主管告诉他任务已经完成了，告诉后勤给死去的弟兄们发最高等级的抚恤金。

(Kenny nods.)（小队队长点了点头。）

LentineWhen writing your combat report, attribute all our personnel and matériel losses to the battle with the Boojum. Do not mention anything about the battle with those Dolls.所有人员和器材损失的原因全部写成与伯介姆交战所造成，刚才和那些人形的战斗一个字都不准说出去。

KennyWhat?什么？

LentineThen find the most reliable underground broker you can. I need information, lots of information.找最靠得住的暗商，我需要情报，我需要很多很多的情报。

(With that, Lentine heads into the distance, ignoring Kenny's questions. The sounds of the world begin to fade away as she loses herself in thought.)（说完女人朝远处走去，她无视了小队队长在身后的一声声询问，此时在她的世界中所有的声音都在逐渐消失。）

(There is only one thought left in her mind—why...)（她的脑中只剩下一个念头——为什么……）

(Why?)（为什么？）

(Why...)（为什么……）

(Why!)（为什么！）

(Driven by that thought, she sets out on a mission of her own.)（为了这个念头，她开始了自己的行动。）

Safehouse 安全屋

(The helicopter rises through the clouds and reaches its cruising height.)（直升机穿过了云层，来到了巡航高度。）

(I get back inside the cabin and close the door, whereupon the active noise-cancelling system installed in all Griffin helicopters engages and excludes all outside noise.)（我爬进了机舱内，关上了舱门，格里芬直升机特有的主动降噪系统将噪音隔绝在了舱门外。）

(The silent surroundings make me realize that I've left the combat zone, and it is only then that I realize that my hands are trembling, a feeling that is slowly rising up my arms.)（安静的环境让我意识到离开了战区，直到现在那种后怕的发凉感才从不断发抖的双手慢慢传递了上来。）

(I clench my fists, doing my best to stabilize my heart rate, and then I begin considering the current situation.)（我握了握拳，让自己尽可能平复心情，同时我开始考虑现在的局势。）

(Based on what I saw just now, the involvement of Paradeus, those PMC troops, and that other "Helena" are all very unnatural.)（刚才遭遇的一切，不管是帕拉蒂斯还是承包商的部队，包括另一个“海伦娜”，这所有的一切一定不是偶然。）

(What on earth is Dandelion trying to pull? Where is she trying to steer all this?)（丹德莱那个家伙，到底想要引导事件往哪里走？）

(I look at the flying Dandegate and think about how to get a straight answer out of her.)（我看了眼飞在空中的兵蚁，盘算了下怎么让她老实交代。）

(That missile headed at us clearly did not explode for no reason. From its trajectory and the position where it exploded, someone must have shot it down.)（朝我们飞来的火箭弹并不是凭空爆炸，从轨迹和爆炸的方向上看，是有人拦截成功了。）

(In other words, someone secretly saved us, but who could have done that?)（也就是说有人在暗中救了我们一命，可那又是谁呢？）

(I ponder the question, but can't come up with anything. Since I have no evidence or proof to support it, all I can do is set it aside for now.)（我思索了片刻没有任何头绪，在没有任何情报支持的情况下，只能暂时先不考虑这个问题了。）

(So where shall we go next?)（接下来要去什么地方？）

(I'll ask Centaureissi and Makiatto later. I'm sure they have plans of their own.)（一会可以问一下桑朵莱希和玛绮朵，相信她们一定有自己的准备。）

(Should I continue with this transport mission?)（运输任务还要不要进行下去了？）

(I look at the box and the other "Helena", who looks just like the one I know but acts completely different. Once we get to a safe place, I'm going to have a good long chat with her about what happened before we got to her.)（我看了眼箱子和长相相似但是神态完全不同的另一位“海伦娜”，在我们到达那片区域前发生的事，到了安全的地方后得好好问一问她了。）

(After this brief period of contemplation, I look around the inside of the cabin. This is a standard-issue Griffin transport helicopter.)（做完短暂的思考后，我环顾机舱内，这是一架标准的格里芬规格黑鹰运输直升机。）

(Judging by its stability in flight and the normal operation of its noise cancellation, this chopper has most likely been maintained at active-duty spec from ten years ago.)（从稳定的飞行性能和降噪系统的正常运行来看，这架直升机的保养维持着十年前的规格。）

(While the fittings are a little old, they're all pretty much standard issue from back then. Even the first aid kit is in the same place.)（虽然内饰已经有一些陈旧，但基本是按照过去的制式布置的，甚至连应急处理包的位置都一模一样。）

(Makiatto heads over to the copilot seat and talks to a Doll I've never seen before about our flight path.)（玛绮朵去了副驾驶位，和我没有见过的人形讨论着飞行路线。）

(Centaureissi takes the first aid kit from under the seats and begins treating the wounds of the Dolls who were damaged in the battle just now.)（桑朵莱希从座位底下取出了应急处理包，替刚才在战斗中受伤的人形处理伤口。）

(The Dolls begin exchanging their names and rejoice over surviving that battle just now.)（人形们正在互相交换自己的名字，并且庆幸能从刚才的战斗中存活下来。）

(I look at Colphne. She's trying to strike up a conversation with the other "Helena", but the latter does not respond in any way, only looking down at the box.)（我看向寇尔芙，她正在向“海伦娜”搭话，但对方却不怎么回应，只是低头看着箱子。）

(She looks uneasy, but I can tell that she's trying to rein in her emotions. She's been secretly observing everyone since we got on the helicopter and thinking about something.)（少女露出不安的神色，不过看得出她在尽量抑制自己的情绪，从上飞机的那一刻起她就一直在悄悄观察在场的所有人，并且思考着什么。）

(The box has been secured to the cabin floor. Zhaohui looks worriedly at it, then looks up at the hovering Dandegate.)（箱子被固定在了地板上，朝晖一脸担心地看着它，然后抬起头问天上的兵蚁。）

ZhaohuiSay, this box isn't going to suddenly change back to its sphere form, right?话说，这个箱子不会突然变回去吧？

DandelionI've already assumed direct control over the box's authorizations. That said, its occupant might be able to take back control. Who knows?我已经将箱子的权限完全接管了，不过也许里面的家伙能把权限抢回去也说不定。

(Upon hearing this, the girl suddenly looks up and addresses the Dandegate in an earnest voice.)（听到这话时，少女突然抬头对着兵蚁很认真地说道。）

Helena D-68"She" is already gone...“她”已经走了……

Dandelion...Hm?……嗯？

Helena D-68I can no longer sense the lurking unclean...潜行的污秽者，我已经无法感知了……

DandelionSo she's gone, hm—已经走了吗——

(The Dandegate flies in front of the girl's face, its monoeye focusing on her, but the face reflected in its glassy depths does not change.)（丹德莱所在的兵蚁飞到了少女面前，像眼睛一样的摄像机调整着焦距，但是镜头映射出那少女的脸庞却没有丝毫动摇。）

DandelionLooks like there's no more danger, then. Lucky us~那看来危险解除了呢，真是太好了~

Helena D-68But she has left her burden behind. The box cannot be opened for now...但是负担却留下了，箱子暂时不能打开……

DandelionWhy?为什么？

DandelionAre you afraid she will replace you?怕她会取代你？

Helena D-68You should not do that if you do not want her to die.如果不想让她死的话就不要这么做。

(After saying that, the girl lowers her head once again and remains silent, no longer listening to Dandelion's teasing.)（说完后，少女不再理会丹德莱的揶揄，再次低下头不再言语。）

(With a sigh, I look away from their conversation to the Dolls.)（我看着她们说完话，叹了口气将注意转向另外一边。）

(Centaureissi has just finished binding Daiyan's wounds, so I approach them and ask about their condition.)（桑朵莱希刚刚替黛烟处理完创口，我靠向了那边询问情况。）

CommanderDaiyan, Jiangyu, are you alright?黛烟，绛雨，你们还好吗？

DaiyanYou don't have to worry, Commander. They were merely flesh wounds.长官不用担心，只是一些小伤而已。

JiangyuYup, yup, a band-aid or two and we'll be just fine!是啊是啊，小小处理下就没事了！

(Daiyan's injuries aren't particularly bad, but Jiangyu has suffered a penetration injury through-and-through to her leg, so Centaureissi kneels before her and begins administering first aid.)（黛烟所受的伤不是特别严重，但绛雨的腿部被直接击穿了，桑朵莱希蹲在她面前替她做紧急处理。）

(She carefully extracts the bullet and its fragments, then fills the wound channel with packing epoxy and applies a synth skin patch over the entry and exit wounds.)（桑朵莱希小心地将弹头和破片取出，将维修用的凝胶浇筑进绛雨的创口，再用创口贴覆盖住了表面。）

(Jiangyu limbers up her leg, then nods happily to Centaureissi in gratitude.)（绛雨活动了下腿部，对桑朵莱希点点头表示感谢。）

(Seeing as Centaureissi has finished first aid for them, I decide to ask her the question that's been on my mind.)（看到桑朵莱希完成了处理，我想了想向她问道。）

CommanderSo, what's the deal with this helicopter...?这架直升机是……？

DandelionKind of slow on the uptake, aren't you, Commander? Can't you tell that this is a present that your subordinates prepared for you?真是迟钝呢指挥官，这怎么看都是您的部下们为您准备的礼物呢~

(The Dandegate shifts its position to directly over my head. I try to look up, but I can't see her.)（兵蚁从空中飘到了我的正头顶，我试图抬头却没找到她的位置。）

CommanderIs that true?是这样吗？

(Centaureissi puts the tools back into the first aid kit, then looks up at me with a smile.)（桑朵莱希将工具放回处理包内，抬起头来微笑地对我说道。）

CentaureissiIndeed... We heard that you were working in the Yellow Zones all this time, so the Manager and everyone in Zucchero decided to chip in and get this for you.嗯……听说您一直在黄区活动，所以店长和“方糖”咖啡厅的大家特地为您准备了礼物。

CentaureissiWe were planning to present it to you when you came to the satellite city.本来打算等您来到卫星城时交给您的。

CentaureissiHowever, the situation was urgent and we needed to get here ASAP, so we had to give it to you in this way.但因为情况紧急，我们需要尽快赶到现场，所以只能用这种方式送到您手上。

CentaureissiDo you like it, Master?长官，您喜欢吗？

CommanderUm... I...嗯……我……

(The sudden surge of emotions leaves me unsure of what to say next.)（情绪的袭来让我突然不知道该说什么。）

(As nostalgia assaults my brain and I look around, I feel like I've gone back ten years in time.)（熟悉的感觉冲击着我的大脑，看着机舱内的人形们，我仿佛回到了十年前的岁月。）

(But after seeing the box on the ground and "Helena" beside me, I realize that I'm no longer in the past.)（但是看到地上的箱子和一旁的“海伦娜”时，我又清醒地意识到现在已经不是过去了。）

CommanderThank you, everyone...谢谢……

MakiattoDon't forget to thank Springfield. It took her a lot of effort to acquire this transport helicopter.可别忘了谢春田，她可是费了好大的劲才好不容易回收了这架运输机。

(After Makiatto finishes talking with the pilot, she heads in from the pilot's cabin and takes a seat opposite me.)（玛绮朵指导完驾驶员后，从驾驶舱走回来，坐到了我对面的座位上。）

CommanderDid she?是吗？

CommanderAnd your name now is Ma...玛……

MakiattoMa-ki-at-to. That's my name now, make sure you remember it.玛•绮•朵，这是我现在的名字，可要好好记住了。

CommanderMhm. I will, Makiatto.嗯嗯，玛绮朵。

CommanderIs Springfield with you too?春田也和你们在一起吗？

CentaureissiYes, Manager is waiting for us in CHE-02.嗯，店长在CHE-02卫星城等着我们。

CommanderCHE-02... It's one of the satellite cities on the escort route...CHE-02……运送路线上途经的卫星城之一……

(I look up at the Dandegate. It pretends that it didn't notice me looking.)（我看了兵蚁一眼，兵蚁假装没看到我的眼神。）

CentaureissiWe should be safe now. Would you like to contact the Manager?现在我们应该算安全了，要不要和店长联系一下？

CommanderAh, yes, we should. Please put me through.啊，是啊，请帮我接通吧。

(Centaureissi adjusts the transmission frequency and patches the signal into my earpiece. Soon, I hear a familiar voice through it.)（桑朵莱希调整了下频道，将信号接入到我的耳机中，不多久熟悉的声音就从耳机内传来。）

SpringfieldOh my, Commander. It's been a while since we last spoke.诶呀指挥官，好久没联系了。

CommanderYes, yes it has... Sorry for making you go to all this trouble.是啊，好久了……这次给你添麻烦了。

SpringfieldNow, now, no need to stand on ceremony, Commander.这话说得也太见外了，指挥官。

SpringfieldAre things going well on your end?您那边还顺利吗？

CommanderUm... I guess not?呃……我猜应该不算特别顺利？

SpringfieldHehe... You're as funny as ever, Commander.呵呵……指挥官还是和以前一样幽默呢。

SpringfieldJudging by the fact that you're speaking to me over this channel, I take it you've already received your "present"?从这个频道通话的话，说明指挥官您已经收到“礼物”了吧？

CommanderYes, although I have no idea how you managed to hold on to it for so long. It's definitely a big gift, though, and it's definitely appreciated.嗯，虽然不知道你是怎么把它保留下来的……但的确是一份“大礼”，帮了大忙了。

SpringfieldThat's good to hear.那就好呀。

SpringfieldI'll make preparations to receive you at the cafe.我会在咖啡厅做好准备，等您到达时好好招待您一下。

CommanderThe cafe... I see.咖啡厅吗……我明白了。

CommanderSpeaking of which... I've brought a rather complicated bunch of guests with me. Will it be convenient for you?话说……和我一起的客人好像有点复杂，方便接待吗？

SpringfieldMiss Dandelion has already told me the details of the situation.丹德莱小姐已经把具体情况告诉我了。

SpringfieldAs for those "Helenas"... They'll need special care. You may need to make some preparations before coming to the cafe.“海伦娜”那两个孩子的话……她们需要一点特殊的保护，您来咖啡厅前可能得优先做出一些处理。

CommanderPreparations, you say... I understand.优先吗……我明白了。

SpringfieldOh yes, regarding the Elmo, I've explained the situation to Miss Mayling and asked her not to worry.哦对了，艾莫号的话，我和那位美玲小姐也交代过了，让她们不要担心。

SpringfieldYou don't need to worry about the rest; I've already told the staff members what to do.其他事情您不需要操心，我已经向我们的店员交代好怎么处理了。

SpringfieldJust get some rest along the way. We'll deal with any problems that come up when you arrive at Zucchero.路上您就先休息一下，有什么问题到了“方糖”再解决吧。

(Well, that's Springfield for you. She's already taken into account all the things that were worrying me.)（不愧是春田，已经把我所担忧的地方都考虑到了。）

(I nod, then end the call after thanking her.)（我点了点头，在感谢完春田后结束了通讯。）

(As I take in the view outside the window, a wave of fatigue suddenly washes over me. Apparently, the sense of security I felt from knowing that I was surrounded by my Dolls led me to relax unconsciously.)（我看着窗外的光景，一阵疲劳突然扑面而来，在人形中间的我不由地因为安全感而放松下来。）

(I lean against my seat and close my eyes, allowing my consciousness to drift into the depths of my mind.)（我朝椅背靠去，微微闭上眼，任由意识不由自主地往内心深处沉去。）

HelenaCommander, Commander...指挥官，指挥官……

(An indistinct voice speaks into my ear. It sounds like Helena.)（朦胧不清的声音从耳边响起，好像是海伦娜的声音。）

(I force my heavy-lidded eyes to open and focus my sight on the pink-haired girl before me.)（我强行支撑起有如千斤重的眼皮，勉强看清了面前粉色头发的小女孩。）

(There seems to be a film of condensation over my field of vision.)（眼前一切似乎被蒙上了水汽。）

CommanderHelena...?海伦娜……？

HelenaCommander, we've arrived...指挥官，我们到了……

(I move my slightly stiff joints. I hadn't been expecting to be sleeping so soundly.)（我活动了一下略有些僵硬的关节，没想到这一觉竟然睡得这么安稳。）

(Then, I look around. Helena's the only one here. Everyone else is gone.)（我环视四周，发现只剩下海伦娜了，其他人早已不见踪影。）

CommanderWhere's everybody...?其他人呢……？

HelenaCommander...指挥官……

(She bursts into tears.)（她忍不住啜泣起来。）

CommanderThere, there, don't cry... What happened?别哭……怎么了？

(I fumble a little as I try to wipe her tears, but she ends up grabbing my wrist instead.)（我有些手忙脚乱地帮她擦拭干泪水，没想到却反被她掐住了手腕。）

(I never imagined a child could be so strong. I can't break free of her grip.)（我从未想到一个小孩子的力气会如此之大，一时间竟然无法挣脱。）

HelenaCommander, save me...指挥官，救救我……

HelenaThe Helenas... deceived... lies...海伦娜们……欺骗……谎言……

CommanderDon't worry, if nothing else, you'll be safe by my side.别担心，至少在我身边你是安全的。

CommanderBut if you need my help, then you'll need to tell me everything, okay?如果需要我帮你，那么一定要把你所知道的一切告诉我，好吗？

(Helena is still sobbing, but she nods.)（海伦娜悲伤不减，只是点点头。）

(Suddenly, her pupils dilate and the strength fades from her hand. I use this opportunity to regain control over my wrist.)（忽然间她瞳孔略有放大，手上的力道也减弱了，我趁机拿回了手腕的控制权。）

(Right after that, white mist floods in from outside the helicopter. Helena begins muttering to herself, as though she's been summoned by something.)（紧接着，白色雾气从飞机外面涌入，海伦娜仿佛受到了某种召唤一般开始喃喃自语。）

HelenaHelena... won't...海伦娜……不会……

HelenaI'm... not... traitor...我……不是……叛徒……

(Before she can finish, she turns and rushes into the mist. I reflexively follow her.)（话音未落，她转身冲进雾气，我下意识跟了上去。）

(As the mist clears, I grind to a halt as I see a seemingly endless expanse of Epiphyllums before me. Countless Helenas are walking forward through the flowers.)（雾气散开，眼前一望无际的昙花花海让我呼吸停滞了一下，花海之间不计其数的海伦娜们正向着前方走去……）

(The Epiphyllums bloom, and petals fall like rain. This beautiful scene is indescribably eerie.)（昙花绽放、花瓣如雨，这种美景透着难以言喻的诡异。）

CommanderHelena!海伦娜！

(My voice shatters the silence of the Helenas. As one, they instantly turn to look at me with vacant eyes.)（声音打破了属于海伦娜们的寂静，她们瞬间转头眼神空洞地望向我。）

(Only one of them has the same sad look on her face.)（唯有一人，脸上仍是那副悲伤的模样。）

HelenaYou should not have come here.你不应该来。

CommanderThen leave with me. We'll go together.那你跟我走，我们一起走。

(Helena shakes her head.)（海伦娜摇摇头。）

HelenaMy destiny is here.命运，就在此。

CommanderDestiny? To hell with destiny!命运？我才不信什么命运！

(A thought flashes through my head; for some reason, I feel like if I let go of Helena, I'll lose her forever.)（我脑子里忽然闪过一个念头，如果我放手，我将会永远失去海伦娜。）

HelenaYou are... kind, Commander.指挥官，你是个……善良的人。

CommanderWhat on earth are you saying?!你到底在说什么……！

(I pick up the pace until I reach Helena. I need to get her out of this creepy place; I'll physically drag her away if I have to.)（我加快脚步走到海伦娜面前，想要将她拖走，至少让她脱离这个诡异的氛围。）

(However, no matter how much strength I use, Helena refuses to budge.)（然而，哪怕我用尽全身力气，海伦娜依然岿然不动。）

HelenaThe kind die.善良的人，会死。

HelenaBut you must live...但是，你必须活下去……

(Helena picks an Epiphyllum beside her. The soft, lovely flower instantly transforms into a sharp blade that gleams coldly, and she stabs it into my heart without hesitation.)（海伦娜摘下身边一朵昙花，柔软美丽的花瓣瞬间变成泛着寒光的利刃，她毫不犹豫向着我心脏的位置刺入。）

(I can't dodge the blow, but my chest doesn't hurt; it just feels cold...)（我躲闪不及，但是胸口处没有疼痛，只是觉得好冷……）

(Helena weeps, and my consciousness grows hazy...)（海伦娜在哭，而我意识逐渐模糊……）

(I bolt upright, like I've been electrocuted.)（我如同触电一般惊坐起来。）

(After gasping heavily for several seconds, I realize the Dandegate is perched on my chest. That must have been where the coldness came from.)（大口喘了几口气才发现兵蚁丹德莱正趴在我的胸口，看来刚才冰凉触感正来自于此。）

DandelionWere you dreaming?做梦了？

(Upon seeing that I'm getting up, the Dandegate hops off my chest and takes to the air.)（看我抬起身来，兵蚁离开了我的胸口飞到了空中。）

(I turn to look at the girl in the corner, then at the box, and quietly sigh.)（我侧头看了看角落里一言不发的少女，以及立在旁边安然无恙的箱子，缓缓叹口气。）

CommanderMore like a nightmare.还是个噩梦。

CommanderI think I was too tense. I'm okay now.可能是精神太紧张了，没事了。

(Dandelion flies a circle around my head before descending before my face again.)（丹德莱绕着我头顶飞了一圈后再次落到我面前。）

DandelionAs long as you're fine. Get ready, we're about to land.没事就好，清醒一下，我们要到了。

(I look outside the window again. The helicopter is approaching the city.)（再次看着窗外，直升机已经接近卫星城。）

(The Doll who Makiatto called Sharkry is speaking into the communicator. It seems she's talking to the local air traffic controllers.)（被玛绮朵叫做夏克里的人形开始在对着通讯器对话，听起来应该是在回复空管的询问。）

(Looking down, I notice that despite us heading straight for the city, the air defense emplacements on the walls are not tracking us, as though we're old friends.)（朝下看去，虽然直升机径直朝卫星城飞去，城墙上的防空炮却熟视无睹，完全没有指向追踪我们的样子。）

(That takes me by surprise. It implies that this helicopter has been legally registered and has permission to use the city's airspace. The cost of obtaining such permission might actually be greater than the price of the helicopter itself.)（我有些惊讶，这说明这架直升机已经被合法注册并拥有空域飞行许可，获得这些权限要付出的代价说不定比这架飞机还高。）

(The helicopter slowly descends as we near the city, until we end up touching down on a small helipad near the city walls.)（直升机一边靠近卫星城一边逐渐下降，飞机停靠在了城墙边缘的一个小型停机坪上。）

(After stepping out of the helicopter, the massive quarantine walls fill my line of sight.)（离开直升机，巨大的固定隔离墙占满了我几乎全部的视野。）

(As I look around, I notice that all the nearby security cameras are facing elsewhere, as several men in police uniforms approach us.)（朝周围望去，设施上的摄像头无一例外转向了其他地方，而几个穿着治安部门制服的人朝着我们走来。）

(Makiatto moves up to meet them and stuffs several black cards into their hands. The men nod before heading toward the helicopter.)（玛绮朵迎了上去，朝他们手中塞了几张黑色的卡片，对方点点头后朝飞机走去。）

(They walk past us as though we were invisible and enter the helicopter.)（这几个人像完全没看到我们一般和我们擦肩而过，进入了直升机。）

(Soon, the helicopter lifts off and flies elsewhere.)（不一会，直升机再次升空，往另一个方向飞去。）

MakiattoCome with me, Commander.指挥官，跟我来。

CentaureissiMiss Daiyan, Miss Jiangyu, and Miss Zhaohui, Sharkry will take you to the Zucchero Cafe. It is a safe place where you can rest for a while.黛烟小姐，绛雨小姐，朝晖小姐，夏克里小姐会带你们去“方糖”咖啡馆，那里是绝对安全的地方，请你们在那里稍作休息。

DaiyanCommander...长官……

CommanderGo rest. I'll come by afterwards.你们先去休息吧，我一会儿就过来。

(Daiyan nods and the trio of Dolls head into a passage with Sharkry.)（黛烟点了点头，和其他几名人形跟着夏克里走向了另外一个通道。）

(Meanwhile, Makiatto enters a passcode into a nearby door before beckoning me over.)（玛绮朵对着另一扇门输入了一串密码后，招呼我跟着她前进。）

(I enter it with her, followed by Colphne, who is holding "Helena's" hand. Centaureissi is at the rear of the group, carrying the box on her back.)（我随她走了进去，寇尔芙拉着“海伦娜”的手跟在我身后，桑朵莱希背起箱子跟在我们的最后面。）

(After passing through a run-down maintenance passage and taking a cargo elevator into an underground area, we arrive at a small storage unit.)（穿过一条破旧不堪的维修通道，走进货梯移动到了地下后，我们跟随玛绮朵来到了一个小小的仓库。）

(There is a six-seater light truck inside it. We mount up in silence and drive it out of the storage unit.)（仓库中停着一辆不起眼的六座商务车，我们沉默着坐进车内，开出了仓库。）

(As we emerge from the underground area, the sunlight hits my face)（开出了建筑物，阳光照耀到了我的脸上。）

(It is sunset now, and the truck slowly climbs in a long spiral from the sublevels of the satellite city toward a higher elevation. As we go deeper into the city, more and more lights come on. It seems they're celebrating some sort of festival.)（此时夕阳西下，商务车慢慢从地下转道往高处开去，纵深布置的卫星城正在张灯结彩，仿佛在庆祝着什么节日。）

(Helena's eyes are drawn to the lights of the city. She seems to be trying to greedily devour them all in her gaze.)（少女的目光被城市深深地吸引住了，仿佛贪婪地想将每一刻的画面都印在眼中。）

(All this must be fresh and new to her. I can practically sense the excitement and eagerness boiling in her heart.)（这里的一切对她而言都是那么的新鲜，我能感觉到一种激动和兴奋之情在她的心底荡漾。）

(However, when she looks back inside the truck and sees the box on the floorboards, her eyes go dull again.)（但是，当她的目光转回车内，再次看到放在地板上的箱子时，她的眼神突然黯淡了下去。）

(She notices that I'm looking and turns to look me in the eye. On my part, I do not shy away from meeting her gaze.)（她意识到了我的目光，转过头正视着我的眼睛，而我也不偏不倚地就这么看着她。）

(Then, her mouth opens, as though she wants to say something, but then she hesitates. Instead, she turns away, looking neither at the city nor the box, but at her feet, and she seems to be waxing thoughtful.)（她张口想说什么，但随即又犹豫地停止了动作，她挪开了自己的视线，不再看向城市和箱子，只是看着自己脚尖的位置，再次沉思起来。）

(An hour and two more changes of vehicles later, Makiatto drives into a skyscraper, whereupon we dismount and get into an elevator.)（经历了两次换车，一个小时后，玛绮朵将车开进一栋大厦，我们随即离开车辆进入了电梯。）

(As its doors open, we are greeted by a bright yet completely sealed room. Springfield is there; clearly, she has been waiting for us for quite a while.)（电梯开启后，一个明亮但密不透风的房间出现在了我们眼前，而春田已经在里面等候我们多时了。）

SpringfieldWelcome, Commander. Did you enjoy your trip?欢迎您指挥官，旅途还顺利吗？

CommanderAnd here I thought we'd run into a blockade or be subjected to a thrilling car chase. Looks like I was overthinking things.本来我以为还会有一场拦截或者追车一类的戏码，看来我多虑了。

SpringfieldIt would be terribly rude to subject you to something like that after you came all the way to CHE-02.要是来到CHE-02还让指挥官遇到这样的事，那可真是太失礼了~

CommanderWell, that's our reliable cafe manager for you.多亏了可靠的店长啊。

CommanderSpeaking of which, this isn't Zucchero, is it?话说，这里应该不是“方糖”吧？

(I look around. We appear to be in a very high-end safehouse, packed with all kinds of comms equipment and weaponry. Even the walls have been reinforced with ballistic armor plating.)（我环顾了下房间，这是一座级别颇高的安全屋，各式通讯设备和武器布置在房间的各个角落中，连墙面都明显置入了防弹钢板。）

SpringfieldBut of course. This is one of our hiding places.那是自然，这儿是我们的避难所之一。

SpringfieldIt used to be a high-end apartment. I've renovated the interior, so it should be quite secure against internal and external threats.这里是一个高级私人公寓，内设我都已经改造过了，不管是内外的安保级别都很高。

SpringfieldAfter considering how important this little miss might be, I thought that it would be best to put everyone up here~考虑到这位小姐的重要性，我想还是让大家先来这里会比较合适~

DandelionWell done, Springfield. You really did think of everything~不愧是春田，考虑得真是周到呢~

DandelionLooks like I made the right choice in picking you as our first stop~看来第一站选在你这选对了~

(The Dandegate comes to a halt in front of Springfield and projects Dandelion's face.)（兵蚁慢慢地飞到了春田面前，投影出了丹德莱的身影。）

SpringfieldWhy, if it isn't Miss Dandelion. I thought you'd be coming in person. But this body of yours...?丹德莱小姐，我还以为您本人来了，这具身躯是……？

DandelionOh, you know how it is, the Commander couldn't spare me a proper frame, but wanted me to risk my life while slaving away for him, so I had no choice but to make do with this Dandegate for now~指挥官不舍得给我素体，但是又要我出生入死做牛做马，所以我只能先凑合待这个兵蚁里了~

CommanderOi, that's enough nonsense out of you.喂，不要胡说八道。

SpringfieldHehe, still the same old Miss Dandelion, it seems.呵呵，丹德莱小姐也是老样子呢。

DandelionAnyway, please help me charge up this Dandegate. Its battery must be on its last legs after a whole day of flying around.麻烦替我给这个兵蚁充下电，忙活了一天应该快支撑不住了~

DandelionI think I'll go take a rest myself. I'll leave the rest to you guys~我也去休息一下，剩下的事就交给你们啦~

(The Dandegate flies above Springfield, and with a "snap", it powers down and falls into her hands.)（兵蚁飞到了春田的手的上空，“啪”地一声没了电，掉落在了她的手上。）

(Springfield finds a wall socket and plugs the Dandegate into it.)（春田看了眼接口，找了一根电缆将它和兵蚁连接了起来。）

(Then she dusts her hands off before smiling at us.)（然后她拍了拍手，对着我们笑着说道。）

SpringfieldThere's a room for everyone here. Let's all relax and take a break, yes?这里每个人都有一个房间，大家请先梳洗一下稍稍放松下来吧？

(Springfield walks up to the girl.)（春田走到了少女眼前。）

SpringfieldNow, as for you, Miss "Helena". If you don't mind, would you allow us to lend you a hand?尤其是这位“海伦娜”小姐，如果您不介意的话，请由我们来为您做点小小的服务吧？

(The girl doesn't answer, and Colphne directs a pleading gaze at me.)（少女没有回应，寇尔芙用求助的眼神看向我。）

CommanderIt's fine, let them handle it.没事，交给她们吧。

CommanderYou should get some rest too. We'll meet in the hall later.你也休息一下，一会儿我们在大厅会合。

(It is only after hearing me speak that Colphne lets go of Helena's hand. Centaureissi leads Colphne to one of the rooms and escorts her inside.)（听闻我的话，寇尔芙这才放开了牵着少女的手，桑朵莱希带着寇尔芙来到一个房间的门口，送寇尔芙进入了房间。）

(Springfield smiles and holds a hand out to Helena. The latter doesn't take it, but she eventually nods after hesitating for a moment.)（春田微笑着朝少女伸出手，少女虽然没有去接，但犹豫了片刻还是点了点头。）

(Springfield then turns to say a few things to Centaureissi before the two of them lead Helena into another room. Before they leave, Springfield turns to speak to me.)（春田吩咐了桑朵莱希几句，就和她一起带着少女走进了另一个房间，在临走前春田回过头和我说道。）

SpringfieldCommander, you should go rest up. We'll contact you once we clean her up.指挥官，您也去休息一会吧，这边洗漱好了我会联系您的。

CommanderRight.嗯。

(After Springfield and company leave, the only people left are me and Makiatto.)（春田几人离开后，房间里只剩下我和玛绮朵。）

MakiattoLet me take you to your room.我带你去你的房间吧。

CommanderPlease do.那就麻烦了。

(Makiatto leads me forward, then stops in front of a door. I open it and see a guestroom within. It's not too big but is luxuriously appointed, and there is a shower and bathroom inside.)（玛绮朵走在我前面，在一个房间门口停住了，我伸手打开房门，房间是一个不大但精致的客房，在最里面有着卫生间和浴室。）

CommanderThis is a really fancy place. I guess that's a high-end apartment for you.不愧是高级公寓，房间看起来真不错呢。

MakiattoThe one I bought is way better than this...我买的房子可比这个强多了……

CommanderHuh?诶？

CommanderYou've got a place of your own?你都已经买房子了吗？

MakiattoOf course...那是当然……

MakiattoLook, Commander, if, and I'm just saying, if...指挥官，我说如果……

CommanderIf?怎么了？

Makiatto...…………

MakiattoI-it's nothing! Go bathe, you smell like a fire!没，没什么，你先洗个澡吧，全身都是焦火味！

CommanderO-okay, I'm going now.哦……哦，我这就去。

(I enter the room, and Makiatto closes the door with a "click".)（我走进了房间中，房门被玛绮朵“啪”地一声关上了。）

(I sigh heavily, then take off my jacket before lying down on the bed. While I still feel very tired, sleep is long in coming.)（我深叹了一口气，脱去了外套后往床上一躺，虽然还是有很强的疲劳感，但是睡意却丝毫没有来袭的意思。）

(After tossing and turning a few times, I decide to clean myself up and enter the bathroom for a shower.)（我在床上翻了个身，决定还是先清洁一下自己，于是走进了浴室里开始冲洗起来。）

(The clean room and comfortably warm water make me realize that I haven't been treated this well in a long, long time.)（干净的房间，舒服的热水，好像已经有很长时间都没有享受过这样的待遇了。）

(As I spray myself with hot water from the showerhead, I think back on the things that happened before this. One thing's for sure—I don't regret anything that happened.)（我在热水的冲刷下放空着自己，我思考着之前发生的事，确信了一个念头，那就是我没有丝毫的后悔。）

(I feel much more refreshed after exiting the shower and drying myself off. Then, it's on with my clothes and back on the bed again to await Springfield's summons.)（走出浴室，洗完后的我明显精神了很多，我穿上衣服再次往床上一躺，静静地等待着春田的传呼。）

(Just as I'm about to fall asleep again after many minutes, I finally hear Springfield's voice from my terminal.)（大约又过去了几十分钟，就在我几乎快要睡着时，春田的声音终于从终端中传出。）

SpringfieldCommander, is now a good time?指挥官，您现在方便吗？

SpringfieldWe've finished preparations on our end.我们这边都已经安排妥当了。

(I throw on my jacket and head outside.)（穿上外套，我走出了门外。）

(As I do, I see Springfield and the others waiting for me in the main hall. I notice that Helena's sitting on a sofa. The grime and bloodstains from earlier have been cleaned off and she's wearing a fresh set of clothing.)（此时春田几人也已经在大厅中等待着我，我注意到那位少女已经被洗去血污和尘土，换了一件干净的衣服坐在房间的沙发中。）

(Colphne is sitting by her side while Springfield is seated opposite them. Makiatto and Centaureissi are watching us from a distance.)（寇尔芙还是坐在少女的身边，春田则站在她们的对面，而桑朵莱希和玛绮朵则在更远的地方看着这边。）

(I glance over at Springfield, and she moves aside with a smile. I walk up to Helena, then take a seat on the sofa opposite her.)（我看了春田一眼，她微笑着让开了身子，我走到少女跟前，坐在了她对面的沙发上。）

CommanderYou look much prettier now.现在的你看起来漂亮多了。

(Helena blushes a little, and then she answers in a very quiet voice.)（少女的脸微微一红，用很低的声音回应道。）

Helena D-68The nice ladies helped me wash up...是这两位姐姐替我打理的……

SpringfieldIt was all thanks to Centaureissi's hard work. As for the clothing, the only thing we had which was remotely in her size was Sharkry's outfits, so we hope you like it.这是桑朵莱希的功劳，衣服的话只有夏克里的尺寸能勉强对得上，大家觉得合适就太好了。

CommanderWell, at least she looks like a normal girl now.至少现在看起来像一个普通的女孩子了。

Helena D-68A normal girl, huh...普通的女孩子么……

(I rest my elbows on my knees, then lean forward to study Helena for a moment before I begin speaking.)（我将双肘支撑在膝盖上，微微俯身以双手交叉的姿势朝着少女看去，开始了我的提问。）

CommanderI know you must have a lot of questions about us, just like how we have a lot of questions about you.我知道你心中有对我们的很多疑问，就和我们也对你有很多疑问一样。

CommanderI'm sure everything that happened just now must have come as a huge shock to you, but it's over now.刚才那一系列的事件相信对你造成了些冲击，不过那些都已经过去了。

CommanderSo let's sit down and have a good chat.所以我们坐下来好好聊一聊吧。

Helena D-68...It wasn't much of a shock.……没有什么冲击。

CommanderReally now?是么？

Helena D-68Well, it wasn't much compared to what happened in the past...和之前的事相比，那些都算不上什么……

(The girl frowns and she looks up at me. I look back at her without flinching, and she decides to take the initiative.)（少女的眉头紧皱，她抬头看向我，我依然还是毫不回避地看向她，于是她决定主动出击。）

Helena D-68Who ARE you people, anyway?你们到底是什么人。

CommanderWhere should I begin, hm. Well, I'm just a perfectly ordinary bounty hunter and these Dolls are all my ex-subordinates. They're all kind and friendly Dolls, but I guess you already knew that.该从哪里说起呢，我只是一个不起眼的赏金猎人，而这些人形是我的老部下，她们都是很和蔼可亲的人形，相信你也已经感受到了。

("Helena" looks at the Dolls around her and nods.)（看了眼周围的人形们，“海伦娜”点了点头。）

Helena D-68They are kind and friendly, yes, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're good people.的确你们都很和蔼可亲，但这未必说明你们就是好人。

Helena D-68Why did you save me? Why did you bring me here?你们为什么要救我？为什么要带我来这里？

CommanderWe were asked to escort "Helena" to a safe place where she could be cared for and protected.我收到的要求就是将“海伦娜”护送到一个安全的地方让她能接受治疗和保护。

Helena D-68Escort Helena...?护送海伦娜……？

(I turn to look at the box on the ground. The girl's eyes follow mine.)（我回头看了眼在地上的箱子，少女也跟着我的视线朝那边看去。）

CommanderSomeone handed that "Helena" to me, and so we ended up being attacked by all kinds of enemies each day, from Varjagers to Paradeus and now Mangi Security.有人将那个“海伦娜”交到我的手中，于是我们就开始了每天被各种敌人袭击的日子，瓦良格帮、帕拉蒂斯，现在又多了一个曼尼安保。

CommanderSince you're "Helena" too, I had no reason to leave you there.既然你也是“海伦娜”，那我没有把你扔在那边不管的理由。

Helena D-68Reason...理由……

Helena D-68Is this why you fought Paradeus and those mercenaries?这是你们和帕拉蒂斯还有那些雇佣军交战的理由？

CommanderParadeus has always been our enemy. I wouldn't have spared them even if I hadn't been tasked to escort "Helena".帕拉蒂斯从一开始就是我们的敌人，就算没有护送“海伦娜”的任务，我也不会轻易放过他们。

CommanderAs for those mercenaries, I don't have any particular grudge against them. That said, I had no reason not to shoot back when they shot at me.至于那些雇佣军，我和他们没有什么私怨，但是既然他们朝我开枪，我就没有不还击的理由。

Helena D-68...……

CommanderI guess you can't trust us just yet, huh.看来还是不那么信任我们呢。

(I look up and give Springfield a look. She steps forward and addresses the girl.)（我抬起头和春田对视了一眼，春田朝前了一步，和少女开始说道。）

SpringfieldDon't worry, this is a safe place.放心吧，这里很安全。

SpringfieldI can guarantee you that those Niters, Unitates, and Mangi Security people will not find you here.我可以保证，那些妮特和徒从，还有曼尼安保什么的，绝对不会找到这里。

SpringfieldThe Commander here fought Paradeus 10 years ago, so you can feel free to tell us if there's anything on your mind or if you have any requests.你眼前的这位指挥官，在十年前就已经在和帕拉蒂斯交战，不管你有什么想法还是诉求，都可以自由地说出来。

Helena D-68...……

SpringfieldMiss Helena... Can I call you that?海伦娜小姐……可以这样叫您吗？

SpringfieldOr is there any particular way you want us to address you?或者您愿意让我们怎样称呼您呢？

SpringfieldThere are two Miss Helenas after all. It would be best to make a distinction if you're going to stay with the Commander.毕竟现在有两位海伦娜小姐，一直待在指挥官身边的话，还是区分一下会比较好呢。

Helena D-68...There's no need for that.……不用了。

SpringfieldHm?嗯？

Helena D-68I won't be disturbing you for long.我不会打扰你们太久的。

SpringfieldDo you mean... you're going to leave soon?您的意思是……您要准备离开吗？

SpringfieldBut where will you go?可是您能去哪里呢？

Helena D-68...…………

Helena D-68I'm very grateful to you for saving me, but I'll take care of the rest myself.非常感谢你们救了我，但剩下都是我自己的事。

(I sigh heavily. It seems this girl isn't as pure and innocent as our Helena, but behind her facade of grizzled independence are hints of a naive streak.)（我深深叹了口气。看来这孩子并不像我们的海伦娜一样单纯，但是假装老成的背后还是带着一份天真。）

(I scratch my head, at a bit of a loss for how to go on from here.)（我无奈地挠着头，有些不知道该如何继续对话。）

(Even fighting ten Mangi Security combat teams at once would be less of a headache than this. I'm just not used to handling kids.)（就算现在让我面对十个曼尼安保的小队，我也不会如此头疼；但对付小孩子，实在不是我擅长的领域。）

(After thinking for a moment, I decide not to beat around the bush. It's probably time to get straight to the point.)（思索了片刻，我决定不再迂回话题，事已至此还是单刀直入地进入主题吧。）

CommanderI'm sorry... I know you don't want to remember things like this now.抱歉……我知道你现在不愿意回忆这些事。

CommanderBut the "things" we saw in that underground facility today... They might be linked to all our pasts.但今天我们在地下看到的那些“东西”……或许都和我们的过去有关。

CommanderAnd... I want to sort this matter out.我……想把这件事弄清楚。

CommanderI want to uncover the truth, no matter what...无论如何，我都会尽力想办法找出真相……

CommanderSo that what happened back there will never happen again.让刚才在那里发生的事不要在其他的地方再次发生。

CommanderSo can you tell me everything you know?所以告诉我你所知道的一切好吗？

CommanderAbout what happened down there—那个地下到底发生了什么——

CommanderWhy a village full of people would end up being snatched for use as test subjects, why there was a Boojum and Niter down there—为什么一个镇子的人会被挪到地下当试验品，为什么会有伯介姆和妮特——

CommanderWhat kind of ceremony were they conducting and why "Helena"—that is to say, you—exists...刚才发生的到底是什么仪式，“海伦娜”——也就是你，到底是为什么而存在——

(The girl listens silently as I rattle off a string of questions. She listens earnestly, but shows no indication to answer them.)（少女就这样一言不发地看着我提出了一连串问题，她认真地倾听着，但是她没有回应的意思。）

(After a long silence, she speaks at last.)（漫长的沉默后，她终于开口了。）

Helena D-68You shouldn't look any further into this.别再继续调查这些事了。

CommanderWhat do you mean?什么意思？

Helena D-68If you keep investigating, you'll end up like those people in the tanks... You'll end up dead because of me.再继续调查下去，你就会和罐子里那些人一样……你们也会因为我被害死的。

CommanderI'll end up dead because of you...?因为你被害死……？

CommanderIs that why you don't want to stay here, because you were worried about that?你不愿意留在这里，原来是在担心这件事吗？

Helena D-68...………………

(She falls silent again.)（她又不做声了。）

(There is an anguished look on her face, one that I've never seen on Helena's face before today.)（少女再次露出了纠结而痛苦的表情，这种表情在今天之前我从来没在海伦娜的脸上看到过。）

(Since they look identical, I can't help but compare her to the Helena who's been with us all this time.)（因为两个人看起来一模一样，我不由得拿她和一直跟在我们身边的海伦娜比较起来。）

CommanderYou look alike, but your personalities couldn't be any more different.虽然长得一样，但个性差得还真多啊。

(She meets my gaze, then practically shouts what she's thinking.)（她认真地盯着我的眼睛，几乎是喊着说出了她的想法。）

Helena D-68I don't know how powerful they are, but you won't be able to get out easily if you get mixed up in this!虽然我不知道背后有多少势力，但是你们只要掺和进去了，就一定无法轻易脱身……！

CommanderFrom the moment I learned Paradeus was involved in this matter, I knew that there was no way I could just stand idly by.从知道这个任务和帕拉蒂斯有关后，我就没准备置身事外。

Helena D-68Why don't you understand?!为什么你就是不明白呢！

Helena D-68You knew I wasn't your "Helena" back then.那个时候，你明明已经知道我不是你们的那个“海伦娜”了。

Helena D-68Why did you insist on taking me with you?为什么还要带我走？

Helena D-68You should have just taken your "Helena"!只要把你们的“海伦娜”带走不就好了！

CommanderI told you before, right? Since you're "Helena" too, I had no reason to just abandon you there.刚才我已经说过了吧，既然你也是“海伦娜”，那我就没有把你扔在那边不管的理由。

CommanderAnd even if you aren't Helena, there's no way I'd leave a child in a place like that.而且即使你不是“海伦娜”，我也不会把一个孩子丢在那里的。

Helena D-68Stop pretending to be a good Samaritan!别再玩假扮自己是好人的游戏了！

Helena D-68The things surrounding me are darker than you can imagine! There won't be a good end for you if you get involved in it!我身上的事比你们想象的要严重得多，要是牵涉进去你们不会有好下场的！

Helena D-68Too many people have already died because of me... I can't have any more!我已经害死了很多人……我不想再害死更多人了！

Helena D-68Do you even understand what I'm saying?!你们到底有没有听明白啊！

CommanderI get it, yes. But we aren't going to die because of you.听明白了，但你不会害死我们的。

CommanderYou didn't kill those villagers, and neither did you kill those Statesec agents.那些镇子里的居民不是你害死的，那些国安局的特工也不是你害死的。

Helena D-68...What?……什么？

CommanderIt's not your fault that they died. It's the fault of that cult and the people behind them. If you shoulder the blame for their sins, you'll just be letting the true masterminds get away with their crimes.他们的死不是你的错，是那些邪教和背后的人的错，将这样的过错背负在自己身上只会让真正的幕后黑手逃脱自己的罪行。

ColphneHe's right.没错。

(Colphne, who has been silent all this time, suddenly stands up.)（一直在旁边一言不发的寇尔芙突然站起身来。）

Commander...Colphne?……寇尔芙？

ColphneThe followers of Paradeus... they killed my sister, just like they killed the people in those tanks.帕拉蒂斯的追随者……像害死地下那些人一样，害死了我的姐姐。

ColphneThey don't need a reason or motivation to hurt others... they do it because they want to.他们想害死别人，不需要理由，不需要动机……只是因为他们需要。

ColphneSo I can't accept what you're saying... I can't accept how you're taking the blame for hurting others when it's clearly those cultists at fault.明明伤害别人的是那些邪教分子，这个过错却要你来承担……我不能接受这样的说法。

ColphneI don't know what happened. I don't even know who I should be hating...我不知道究竟发生了什么事，甚至不知道应该去恨谁……

ColphneBut... I want to do SOMETHING. I want to change something.但是……我想努力做点什么，我想改变些什么。

ColphneThat's why I've been staying by "Helena's" side, no matter which "Helena" it is.所以我才会一直陪着“海伦娜”，不管是哪个“海伦娜”。

ColphneMy sister is dead, and she's not coming back.我的姐姐已经死了，她再也不会回来了。

ColphneBut maybe, if I try hard enough, the people who would have suffered like my sister did won't have to be hurt...但也许在我的努力下，和姐姐一样有同样遭遇的人，可以不用受到伤害……

ColphneI'm sorry... I shouldn't be saying this to you.抱歉……我不该对你说这些。

(The air in the room goes silent.)（片刻的沉默笼罩了整个房间。）

(After saying her piece, Colphne sits back down and says no more.)（说完后寇尔芙默默地坐下，再也没说什么。）

CommanderThank you, Colphne...谢谢你寇尔芙……

(I look at Helena, and I address her in as kind and as firm a tone as I can manage.)（我朝少女看去，尽可能用温和但又严肃的语气和她说道。）

CommanderRunning away won't solve anything, and running away won't stop tragedies like that from happening again. I'm sure you understand that.逃避不能解决问题，逃避也不能让同样的灾难不再发生，我相信这个道理你一定明白。

Helena D-68But...可是……

CommanderDon't take everything onto yourself. Also, don't look down on us. You saw how we took out that Boojum and those mercenaries, right?别把负担都压在自己身上，另外也别小看了我们，刚才我们怎么消灭掉伯介姆还有那些雇佣兵，你应该都看在眼里了吧？

CommanderWe'll uncover everything about the "Helena" incident. Considering how that Helena ended up in my hands, I'm pretty sure you know how determined we are to interfere in this matter.整个“海伦娜”事件我们会调查得清清楚楚，那位海伦娜会交到我的手中，相信你也能认识到我们介入这件事的决心了吧。

(Helena D-68 bites her lip. There seems to be a great struggle going on in her heart.)（海伦娜D-68咬着嘴唇，心中似乎在激烈地斗争着。）

Helena D-68Are you from Statesec too?你们也是国安局的人吗？

CommanderNope, but we can do more than they can.虽然不是，但是我们能做到比他们更多的事。

(Helena D-68 thinks for a moment, and then she speaks at last.)（海伦娜D-68思考了一会儿，终于开口了。）

Helena D-68Well, if you want to know, then I'll tell you...既然你们一定想知道，我告诉你们就是了……

Helena D-68My memories are limited to what happened in that village.我的所有记忆，只有待在那个村子里时发生的事。

Helena D-68Niter and the Unitates called me "Lord", and those villagers looked at me as a miracle, created by... God.妮特和徒从们称呼我为“吾主”，而那些镇民，都把我看作是神创造的……奇迹。

Helena D-68They said I could help everyone find "Cavitas", and then lead everyone to freedom from pain and gain eternal life.他们说，我可以帮大家找到“科未塔”，然后引领人们摆脱痛苦，获得永生。

CommanderDo you know what Cavitas is?你知道科未塔是什么吗？

Helena D-68No, I don't...我不知道……

Helena D-68But I heard that it's what everyone's been searching for.但我听说，那是大家一直在找的东西。

Helena D-68In order to find this Cavitas, they put me on those instruments and did all kinds of experiments on me.为了能找到科未塔，他们把我放在那些仪器上，进行各种实验。

CommanderExperiments... more bloody experiments...实验……又是实验……

CommanderDon't those Paradeus bastards have a single original bone in their bodies?!这些帕拉蒂斯的废物就没点别的手段吗？

SpringfieldCommander...指挥官……

Commander...Pardon me.……抱歉。

CommanderWhat happened after that?后来发生什么了？

Helena D-68After that, I learned that it was all fake.后来我发现，一切都是假的。

Helena D-68The villagers who were bathed in that so-called "grace"... they all became monsters.那些沐浴了所谓“恩典”的村民，最后……全都变成了怪物。

(Colphne looks at me.)（寇尔芙看了看我。）

ColphneSo that's why... that's why Crifium...!所以……赫瑞尤才会……！

ColphneIt all makes sense now... So that's the "ceremony" they were talking about...一切都串联起来了……原来这就是他们口中所谓的“仪式”……

Helena D-68...They controlled those monsters and turned them into the Boojums you were talking about, but I could hear the wailing and lamenting in their hearts.……他们驱使那些怪物变成了你们口中的伯介姆，而我能听到他们内心中的悲鸣和哀嚎。

Helena D-68The ceremony made them obedient to me, but all I could do was give orders as that woman dressed in black commanded me.仪式让它们愿意服从我的命令，但我也只是按照黑色女人的要求而被迫发出指令。

Helena D-68I didn't want to do this anymore... But there was nothing I could do except pray each day for a miracle to happen.我不想再这样继续下去了……可是我也没有任何办法，只能每天祈祷奇迹的发生。

Helena D-68And then, someone actually came to save me, as though they were answering my prayers!结果就像有人回应了我的祈祷一样，真的有人来救我了！

Helena D-68One day, a group of people who said the same thing as you came to the underground complex. They said they were Statesec agents, that they were going to save me.有一天，一些和你们说着同样话的人来到了地下，说他们是来自国安局的特工，要救我出去。

Helena D-68I was so happy then.那时我实在太开心了。

Helena D-68They took me out of the tunnels, they told me to wait for their pickup in the village... but in the end, they never came.他们送我离开了地下，告诉我在镇子中等他们的接应……但直到最后我也没能等到他们来接我。

Helena D-68At that time, I didn't realize that they were probably in those tanks...那时的我没有想到，他们那个时候已经在罐子中了……

Helena D-68I had nowhere else to go. My only company was the lingering spirits of the fallen...我已经没有任何地方可以去了，只有那些死去亡灵的残渣在我身边陪着我……

Helena D-68At that time, all I could do was pray, and then my prayers were answered again; another "me" descended from the heavens, shining brightly!那时的我能做的只有继续祈祷，而在那一刻我的祈祷再次得到了回应，一个发光的“我”从天而降！

CommanderSo our Helena was drawn to you by your prayers?所以我们的海伦娜，也是被你的祈祷吸引来的吗？

(The girl hesitates for a moment, and then she nods reluctantly.)（少女犹豫了一下，有些不情愿地点了点头。）

Helena D-68Yeah... I think she heard my call.嗯……她应该是听到了我的呼唤。

(The fact that these Helenas can speak to each other's hearts is something that's come up before.)（海伦娜之间心声可以被响应么，也是熟悉的案例。）

(It seems the similarities between them and Paradeus' old Nyto research warrants further investigation.)（和帕拉蒂斯之前涅托的研究有相似的地方，这是个值得深入调查的重点。）

CommanderOh yes, there's one more thing... Who exactly is that person who possessed Helena, that consciousness who was talking to us?对了，还有一件事……那个附在海伦娜身上，对我们说话的意识，究竟是什么人？

CommanderWhy did you say she betrayed you?你为什么说，她背叛了你们？

Helena D-68Our minds once lived in a sea of flowers. Back then, there were many, many copies of "us".我们的意识曾在一片花海中，那时的我们还有很多很多的“我们”。

Helena D-68But "we" were killed by that voice.但是那些“我们”都被那个声音杀死了。

Helena D-68The memories from the sea of flowers told me that she was the first Helena.花海中的记忆告诉我，她是第一个“海伦娜”。

Helena D-68She did not accept "us" and wanted to kill us, so she would become the only one of her kind.她并不愿意接受“我们”，而是想要杀掉我们，成为唯一的存在。

Helena D-68We once had the chance to escape, but because of her betrayal, we were cast out of the sea of flowers!我们曾经有逃离的机会，但是因为她的出卖和背叛，我们被从花海中剥离了出来！

Helena D-68If it wasn't because of her... if I had just been more determined back then...!要是没有她的话……要是那个时候我再更坚决一些的话……！

(Helena clenches her fists, and as she scrunches up her face, tears begin welling up in the corners of her eyes.)（少女紧握双拳，紧皱的眉头下，泪水已经快从她的眼眶边滴落下来。）

CommanderI understand.我明白了。

CommanderAlright, you've said enough for today. Go get some rest.好了，你今天已经说的足够多了，先好好休息吧。

(My questions have been answered. What she said indicates that what happened before is essentially the same as what I theorized.)（我的问题已经都得到了答案，少女说的话表明了之前发生的事基本和我的推测是一致的。）

(Paradeus took over a village, tricked its inhabitants into following their damn cult, used them as test subjects to fuse them with plants, which they later combined into a Boojum, then tried to use the "Helenas", who could hear psychic messages, to control them.)（帕拉蒂斯占据了一个镇子，欺骗了镇子里的居民信仰了邪教，并用他们当做试验品和植物结合，成功的样品逐渐融合成了伯介姆，并尝试用能接收到心灵信息的“海伦娜”去控制它。）

(Meanwhile, Niter and those cultists were responsible for protecting and controlling the Helenas. Mangi Security was responsible for ensuring the perimeter was locked down.)（而妮特和那些邪教徒则是负责保护和控制“海伦娜”的存在，外围的封锁则交给那些被叫做曼尼安保的承包商部队执行。）

(This was a comprehensive biological experimental setup. While I don't know what the aim of all those experiments is, it's perfectly in keeping with Paradeus' way of doing things.)（这是一套完整的生物实验流程，虽然尚且不知道他们测试的目的到底是什么，但这非常符合帕拉蒂斯以往的作风。）

(And that also makes me certain that those bastards haven't been completely stamped out yet.)（这也让我确信，那个该死的家伙的确还没有死透。）

CommanderLet us handle the rest. I promise you that nobody else will get hurt again.剩下的事情，就交给我们来处理。我向你保证，不会再有任何人受到伤害了。

CommanderColphne, stay by her side. Also, we need to check on the condition of the Helena in the box.寇尔芙，好好陪着她，另外也记得检查箱子中我们那位海伦娜的状况。

ColphneWill do, Commander.好的，指挥官。

CommanderSpringfield, please take care of them. We'll have to discuss our course of action going forward.春田，麻烦你照顾好她们，后续我们讨论接下来该如何行动。

SpringfieldUnderstood, Commander. Please leave it to me.明白，指挥官，请交给我吧。

(Springfield nods to me, and then she turns to the sniffling girl.)（春田朝我点点头，然后转过身看向那位有些啜泣的少女。）

SpringfieldMiss Helena, you haven't told us how you'd like us to address you.海伦娜小姐，您还没告诉我们，希望我们怎么称呼您呢。

SpringfieldI think "Helena" is probably just a codename. I don't think you'd want to be called that forever, right?我想，“海伦娜”只是一个代称，您应该不希望被一直这样称呼吧？

Helena D-68I... I don't... I wasn't given a name.我……我不知道……我没有被取名字。

SpringfieldThen, how about you give this lovely little lady a name, Commander?那就请指挥官来帮这位小姐取一个名字吧？

SpringfieldA code like "D-68" isn't much of a name, after all.毕竟“D-68”实在不像是个像样的名字呢。

CommanderAh... You want me to do it?啊……要让我来吗？

CommanderIn that case...那……

(I scour my brain to try and come up with a nice-sounding name for the girl before me.)（我搜肠刮肚地思索着自己大脑里储备的知识，想为眼前的少女取一个好听点的名字。）

CommanderHow does "Melanie" sound?“梅兰妮”怎么样？

Helena D-68It's not too bad...不算很坏的名字……

SpringfieldA guardian of souls...灵魂的守护神……

SpringfieldI'm sure those infected villagers must have believed you could protect them even in the direst of situations.那些受到感染的镇民，一定也是相信着您能在绝境之中守护着他们。

MelanieI... I couldn't do it then...我……那个时候没能做到……

MelanieBut...不过……

(She looks up at me.)（少女抬起头看向我。）

MelanieI think I understand the meaning behind that name.我已经理解这个名字的寓意了。

MelaniePlease call me that from now on, Commander.以后就请这么称呼我吧，指挥官。

(This is an audio clip with the resource ID WOLF-000320822-3362.)（一段音频。识别码WOLF-000320822-3362。）

Encrypted VoiceThey've arrived safely.他们平安抵达了。

Local VoiceOur missing comrades were confirmed to be there as well, right?我们失联的战友也确定在那里吧。

Encrypted VoiceYes, they were killed.嗯，他们都牺牲了。

Encrypted VoiceBut their deaths were not in vain, thanks to the Commander's intervention.但是由于指挥官的介入，让他们的牺牲没有白费。

Local VoiceHe's still as much of a busybody as always.他还是那么喜欢多管闲事。

Local VoiceStill, that's just how he is.不过，这就是他的作风。

Encrypted VoiceYou don't seem to approve.你好像不是很认同。

Local VoiceHis methods are highly inefficient... Though they are effective at times.一种效率很低的方式……虽然在偶然时能奏效。

Local VoiceI don't understand him, but so long as he doesn't interfere with our mission, I won't oppose him.我不理解，不过只要不妨碍我们的任务，我就不会反对。

Encrypted VoicePerhaps... that's how humans think.也许……这就是人类的思考方式吧。

Local Voice...……

Local VoiceHe's just like she was, always so pretentious, and very infuriating at times.和那家伙很像。自以为是，有时候还很让人火大。

Encrypted VoiceThat's high praise, coming from you.对你而言已经是很高的评价了。

Encrypted VoiceHowever, my assessment is that we haven't gone deep enough. Perhaps we need to establish more direct contact.然而我的判断是现在还不够深入，也许我们应该有更直接的接触。

Local VoiceVery well.好吧。

Local VoiceSince you're the leader now, I will obey without question out of consideration for the mission's efficiency.既然现在的队长是你，为了任务效能考虑，我会无条件服从。

Local VoiceStill, don't forget our original objective...不过，别忘了我们本来的目的。

Local VoiceAlva.埃芙。

Baptism of Memory 记忆的洗礼

(I'm sitting in the corner of the cafe, slowly sampling the coffee Centaureissi has just brought me.)（我坐在咖啡馆的角落中，细细地品尝着刚才桑朵莱希替我端上来的咖啡。）

(After returning from the safehouse, I had a loud and lively meal with the Dolls, the first one in a long time.)（在刚才，从安全屋回来后，我久违地和人形们一起热闹地聚了一次餐。）

(Centaureissi and Springfield served up a sumptuous feast, and then the Dolls and I had a long discussion about the past.)（桑朵莱希和春田端上了丰富的美食，然后和其他人形们一起热闹地聊了很多关于过去的往事。）

(Springfield told me about how the Zucchero was founded, while Daiyan recalled the adventures of "Monsoon" as they travelled between the satellite cities.)（春田讲述了“方糖”建立的始末，黛烟也回忆了“季风”在各个卫星城中巡演的故事。）

(Centaureissi did her best to serve everyone, while Jiangyu and Zhaohui were about to put on an impromptu performance for us, only to remember that their instruments and luggage were still at the train station.)（桑朵莱希在尽心尽力为大家服务，而绛雨和朝晖本来想来个即兴演奏，结果发现乐器和行李还都在车站中。）

(Springfield helped them contact the local authorities, and when they learned that the missing items would be shipped over to them, they were so happy that they dragged out Sharkry's stage to sing an off-key song.)（春田帮她们联系了治安部门，在得知东西会被运回来时，她们开心地拉着夏克里在舞台上唱起了不着调的歌。）

(We cleared the tables once we were done eating. Or rather, they did; I tried to help, but they shooed me away, leaving me no choice but to find a corner to sit down in.)（吃完饭，大家开始收拾起了餐桌，原本想帮忙的我被赶到了一旁，只能无奈地找了个角落坐下。）

(As the night wears on, the lights in the buildings outside gradually go out, and the clamor from outside the windows slowly quiets down.)（天色已晚，窗外城市中的建筑在逐渐熄灭着灯光，原本从外面传进来的喧闹噪音现在也已经逐渐安静了下来。）

(I hold an exquisite mug in both my hands, savoring the warmth and fragrance of the coffee inside it. This sensation was commonplace 10 years ago, but for me now, it is a rare and precious thing.)（我双手捂着精致的茶杯，感受咖啡带来的温度和芳香，这种感觉在十年前原本司空见惯，但对于现在的我而言却是如此弥足珍贵。）

(After all, this is the first time I've been reunited with my Dolls after so long.)（这是我和这么多过去的部下的第一次重逢。）

(My heart fills with mixed feelings as I watch them hard at work.)（看着正在忙碌的她们，我心中渐渐涌上一股五味杂陈的感觉。）

(While it's been a long time since it happened, I can still clearly remember the looks on everyone's faces when I announced that I was quitting Griffin—the confusion, the shock, the worry, and the protests.)（虽然时间已经过去了很久，但我依然记得，我对大家宣布自己即将解除格里芬职务的消息时，她们脸上流露出的遗憾、迷茫、困惑和不甘。）

(But at that time, I was utterly powerless—I couldn't even give them an acceptable explanation for what I had done.）（然而当时的我，却对此无能为力——甚至没办法给大家一个能够接受的解释。）

(What makes me feel even more guilty is the fact that even after all this had happened, after meeting everyone again, not a single one of the Dolls has come over to ask this question—)（更让我愧疚的是，当我经历了这么多事情，再次与大家相逢时，却没有任何一名人形问过我这样的问题——）

("Why did you leave, Commander?")（“指挥官当初，为什么要离开呢？”）

(It seems everyone still has that same unconditional trust in me, considering how easily they accepted the answer I gave—the one that couldn't even convince myself.)（大家似乎都怀着对我的无条件的信任，轻易接受了我说出口的那个、连我自己都无法被说服的理由。）

(In that case, what right do I have to stand in front of everyone like this now, acting as though nothing had happened?)（那么现在的我，又凭什么能这样安然无恙地、像是什么事情都没发生过一样站在大家面前呢……？）

(Springfield helps Centaureissi return the dishes into the cabinet, then glances toward me. Apparently, she noticed the complicated look on my face, because she undoes her apron and walks over to my table before sitting down opposite me.)（春田帮助着桑朵莱希将碟子一个个放入橱柜中，她微微朝我这瞥来，看到了我复杂的表情。她带着和往常一样的微笑，解开了围裙走出吧台，缓缓地走到了我所在的桌子对面，坐在了我的面前。）

SpringfieldWhat's wrong, Commander? You seem uncomfortable.怎么了指挥官，脸色不是特别好看呢？

Commander...Yeah.……嗯。

CommanderI feel a little... conflicted...总觉得心情有点复杂……

SpringfieldIs it because of Melanie?是因为刚才梅兰妮的事吗？

CommanderAh, yeah.啊，嗯。

CommanderWell, that's part of it. As for the rest... um...这是其中一件，另外的话……唔……

(Springfield continues watching me, and I can't continue speaking for a while.)（春田就这样注视着我，半晌我也没能将话继续说下去。）

SpringfieldWould you mind if I ventured a guess?指挥官不介意的话，我来猜一猜？

CommanderUm, go ahead?请说？

SpringfieldIt feels like you're avoiding us, just a little. You didn't say much while you were eating either.感觉您有点在回避我们呢，刚才吃饭时您也没怎么说话。

SpringfieldIs there something you wanted to say just now, but couldn't?是有什么话刚才没有说出来吗？

CommanderI...我……

(I take a deep breath, trying to gather up the courage to get the words out.)（我深深地呼吸了一次，试图让自己拥有说出口的勇气。）

CommanderI'm sorry...对不起……

(This apology has been far too long in coming, and I should have said it in front of everyone.)（这一声迟来的道歉，我本应该在大家的面前说出口。）

(But when I finally managed to build up the courage to face my past, the others didn't give me a chance to say it.)（但是当我好不容易鼓足勇气面对过去的时候，大家却没有给我说这句话的机会。）

SpringfieldYou're sorry?对不起？

SpringfieldWhy are you apologizing, Commander?指挥官要为什么道歉呢？

(As I look at Springfield's smiling face, I realize that she understands everything.)（看着春田微笑的面庞，我知道她什么都明白。）

(Yet, the fact that she's asking this question despite knowing the answer is strangely calming.)（这明知故问的话语，却让我莫名地安下心来。）

(I try to gather my thoughts and say what I've been keeping in my heart all this time.)（我尝试梳理了一下自己的思绪，把一直藏在心里的话语说了出来。）

CommanderI'm sorry for leaving, and I'm sorry for that damn agreement.为我的离开而道歉，为那份协议而道歉。

(I pause, and after thinking for a bit, I continue speaking.)（我停顿了下，思考了片刻选择了继续述说。）

CommanderI always thought that signing that agreement and leaving Griffin back then was the only choice I could make.我一直以为，当初选择那份协议，然后离开格里芬，是我能做出的唯一选择。

CommanderI knew it might not have been the best choice, but if it meant everyone could be safe, that you'd have a future... then it was a price that I would gladly pay.我知道这个选择可能不是最好的，但如果这样能保证大家的安全和未来……我愿意承担这个选择的代价。

(Springfield keeps watching me, waiting for me to continue.)（春田只是这样静静地看着我，等待着我的话语。）

CommanderHeh... you know, I actually felt kind of relieved when I first came to the Yellow Zone. I guess it's a sign of how useless I am.呵……可能我就是这样没出息的人吧，当我刚来到黄区时，我甚至有一种诡异的轻松感。

CommanderI was arrogant enough to think that this was the way to give everyone a better future, and that I could escape from those inconvenient realities that I didn't want to face.我自以为是地认为这样能给大家带来更好的未来，而我又能够从此逃避那些令我不齿的事实。

CommanderI knew it was wrong, of course, but I couldn't muster up the courage I used to have in order to fight for what I knew was right.我明白这是不对的，但我无法鼓起和以前一样的勇气，去投身到我认为正确的斗争中去。

CommanderA lot of people died, yet I'm still alive, and the only reason why I survived is because countless Dolls gave their lives for me.很多人死了，但我却偏偏活着，而我能活着仅仅是因为有无数的人形在替我牺牲。

CommanderBut do those sacrifices even mean anything?而这样的牺牲真的有意义吗？

CommanderI haven't found the answer to that yet.这个问题我没有得出答案。

CommanderAnd so, I've drifted through this chaotic world for the past 10 years, trying to find an answer that would put my heart at ease, that would prove I hadn't chosen wrongly.所以这十年来，我一直在这个混沌的世界里，试图找到一个能让我感到安心的答案，至少证明我的选择没有错。

CommanderBut the more I looked, the more lost I felt.但越是寻找，我却越觉得迷茫。

CommanderI thought that turning my back on war meant that I would no longer be used. I thought that giving up what power I had would give everyone peace.我以为退出斗争，就能让自己不再被利用；我以为放弃权力，就能为大家带来平安。

CommanderBut it was all pointless in the end. Oh yes, I was no longer being used, but that was because I was no longer of use at all.但什么都没有。我的确没有再让自己被利用，因为我已经失去了价值。

CommanderAnd even after giving up my rank and position, the mere fact that you were associated with me put you all in danger.而就算我放弃了权力，有关我的烙印依旧让大家置身险境。

CommanderIn that case, what even was the point of giving it all up in the first place?那我之前放弃的东西，又有什么意义呢？

Springfield...…………

CommanderYou heard what I told Melanie just now.刚刚梅兰妮说的话，你也听到了。

CommanderEven though I killed William with my own hands back then, Paradeus is still going strong and still using innocent people in their inhumane experiments.当初我明明已经亲手结果了威廉，但帕拉蒂斯的势力依然猖獗，依然在用那些无辜的人做着毫无人性的实验。

CommanderAnd as for me? By giving up everything, I lost the power to change anything.而我呢？我却因为放弃了一切，连做出改变的力量也一起失去了。

CommanderY'know, back in the day we used to be able to send choppers wherever to deploy like 25 T-Dolls at once... even did it for the sake of a certain "senior" of mine. Nowadays, Mayling's got to scrounge up screws to turn them into nuts and bolts.别说一架直升机和25个人形了，现在美玲连艾莫号上的一个螺丝钉都要掰成螺栓和螺帽用。

CommanderAfter seeing all this, I really wanted to ask myself, "Hey, what the hell are you even doing? You made your choice, but you keep second-guessing yourself. Does someone like this even deserve to be called a Commander?"看到这一切之后，我真的很想问自己，“嘿，你到底在干什么啊？明明已经做出了选择，却每天都在怀疑自己，这样的人真的配被叫做指挥官吗？”

Commander"Do you think you're a URNC big shot who can get elected just by keeping a low profile?"“你以为你是坐在白区大楼里只靠做墙头草就能当选的罗联大官吗？”

CommanderIn the past, I still had the strength to change something. But now, all I can do is endanger you for the sake of putting up some petty resistance.以前我至少还拥有可以改变些什么的力量，但是现在，我只能利用被拖入险境的你们做一些苍白的挣扎。

CommanderAnd that... is the only thing I CAN do.而这是……我唯一能做的事了。

(I pour out all the things I've kept in my heart for all this time. Springfield continues listening, until there's nothing more to listen to.)（我把憋在心里很久很久的话一股脑地都说了出来，春田就这样默默听着，直到我再也说不下去了为止。）

(I raise my mug and take a drink to mask my loss of control.)（我举起茶杯，用喝咖啡的动作来掩盖自己失态的情绪。）

(Springfield waits for me to calm down before she slowly begins to speak.)（春田等我稍稍平复下来，然后开始缓缓地朝我说道。）

SpringfieldI don't think you're running away from anything, and I don't feel like you're using us.我不认为您在逃避，也不认为您在利用我们。

SpringfieldYou're just punishing yourself, the you who left without saying a word.您只是在用一种方式惩罚自己，惩罚那个做出不辞而别决定的自己。

CommanderI...我……

(I finally gather the courage to look up at Springfield. Her smile is gone, replaced by the stern and serious look that she rarely shows others.)（我终于鼓起勇气抬起头看着春田。她的笑容消失了，这是春田少见的严肃而又认真的表情。）

SpringfieldOr did you truly believe that we would forget you just because you left and we were bound by the agreement?还是说您难道认为，因为您的离开和协议的约束，我们会就此遗忘您？

CommanderThat's not what I mean...我不是这个意思……

SpringfieldIs it?真的吗？

SpringfieldDo you truly not think that way?您真的不这样认为吗？

SpringfieldThink carefully about your answer. It means a lot to me.这对我很重要。

Commander...…………

CommanderOf course I didn't think you'd forget me.我当然不会认为你们会遗忘我。

(Upon seeing the look on my face, Springfield smiles again.)（看到我的表情，春田再次微笑了起来。）

SpringfieldThank goodness. I felt the same way too.太好了，我也是这样认为的。

SpringfieldPardon me, Commander... it seems I was a little impolite.抱歉指挥官……我对您说了过分的话。

SpringfieldWith that said, you weren't the only one feeling lost during our ten years apart.不过指挥官，在这十年中，迷茫的人不仅仅只有您。

SpringfieldBut even if we felt lost, we all tried our best to keep living our lives.但即使处在迷茫中，大家也依然用自己的方式在继续努力活下去。

SpringfieldWe lived on, while waiting for the day to come when we would meet again.活下去，然后等到重逢的那一天到来。

(Springfield twirls the tips of her hair around her finger, as though she's thinking about how to put her thoughts into words.)（春田用手指缠着发尾，像是在思考该怎么表达下去。）

SpringfieldIt's true that a lot of Dolls left Griffin, and as a result, we've lost contact with a lot of our friends.的确，因为不少人形离开了格里芬，很多伙伴都和我们失去了联系。

SpringfieldBut...但是……

SpringfieldWhy do you think you're powerless now?您为什么会觉得您已经失去力量了呢？

CommanderThat's because...因为……

SpringfieldIs it because you think that we wouldn't listen to your orders anymore now that we're no longer your subordinates?因为您觉得，我们不再是您的部下了，所以就不会再听您的命令了吗？

(Springfield's words cut deep, but at the same time, they also cut to the heart of the matter.)（春田的话虽然很尖锐，但的确说中了我心里一直纠结的地方。）

(What right do I have to expect them to risk themselves for my personal goals?)（现在的我，凭什么能让她们为了我的个人目的而出生入死呢？）

(Indeed, what right do I have to demand that they get hurt in order to protect me?)（又有什么资格，让大家为了保护我而受伤呢？）

SpringfieldCommander, do you know what happened in the Griffin base the day after you said goodbye to us?指挥官，您知道您和我们告别的第二天，格里芬的基地发生了什么吗？

CommanderWhat... What happened?发生了……什么？

SpringfieldNothing happened at all.什么都没有发生。

SpringfieldWe still gathered together, we trained together, ran simulated battles together, we uploaded our data together...大家依然聚集在一起，演习，操练，上传数据……

SpringfieldAll the squads were like that.每个小队都是如此。

SpringfieldBack then, you were no longer our commander in name. But we continued living the same way we did when you were in the base, as though you had never left.那个时候，您在名义上已经不是我们的指挥官了。但我们依然维持着您在基地里时的生活习惯，就像您从未离开一样。

SpringfieldThen the next day came, and the day after that... Those days lasted a very long time, until Miss Kalina came to the base and told us that it was time we took the first steps of our own.第三天，第四天……这样的生活持续了很久，直到格琳娜小姐来到基地，告诉我们应该迈出属于自己的第一步。

SpringfieldShe said that this was what you would have wanted. So we did it.她说，这正是指挥官所希望的。所以我们照做了。

Commander...……

SpringfieldIn the past, you always said that you'd be nothing without us. But the reverse is also true. If you hadn't raised us up the way you had, we wouldn't be our present selves either.您以前总是说，是我们成就了您；但与之相对的，也是您培养了我们，让我们成为现在的自己。

SpringfieldTo you, we were all special, unique individuals... And in our hearts, you were the same.对于您来说，我们每一个人都是特别的存在……而在我们心中，您也是一样。

SpringfieldThis is a bond that we share with you and you alone... That bond has nothing to do with rank or position, and nothing can ever replace it.这是只属于我们和您之间的牵绊……而这种牵绊，和您的身份与地位无关，也没有任何东西能够代替。

SpringfieldThe reason why we could become Springfield, or Centaureissi, or Makiatto... it's all because you were there.我们之所以能成为春田，成为桑朵莱希，成为玛绮朵……是因为有您的存在。

CommanderNo, even without me, you'd...不，就算没有我也……

(Springfield shakes her head.)（春田摇了摇头。）

SpringfieldHave you heard the phrase, "Every man has two deaths?"我想您应该听说过，“人类有两次死亡”这种说法吧？

CommanderI... think so?略有耳闻……

SpringfieldA human dies for the first time when their vital functions cease.人类的第一次死亡，是在身体机能消失的时候。

SpringfieldThey die for the second time when they are completely forgotten.第二次死亡，是在被所有人都忘记的时候。

SpringfieldBut it's not like that for Dolls.人形却不同。

SpringfieldTactical Dolls were made because they can never truly die, but that also implies that we are never truly alive either.战术人形因为不会死亡而被制造出来，却也意味着我们并不曾真正地活着。

SpringfieldThe only time we can come close to "living" is when we leave memories in the hearts of others. And this life becomes stronger the deeper and more irreplaceable those memories are.而当我们在别人心中留下记忆的时候，才算是短暂地窥探了“生命”这种形式。这些记忆越深刻，越无可替代，我们的生命力就越强大。

SpringfieldWithout you, we would only be Dolls you could see walking around anywhere on the street, filed under broad categories like "cleaning-type", "combat-type", or "entertainment-type", easily replaced and forgotten with the changing of generations.如果没有您，我们就只是一个个大街上随处可见的人形，被框在那些“清洁型”“战斗型”“娱乐型”的标签下，随着世代的更替轻而易举地被世界遗忘。

SpringfieldBut you gave us the most important thing in the world, the one thing that makes us truly "alive" in this world—the unique memories that we share.而您，赋予了我们能在现实世界拥有“生命”的最重要的东西——彼此心中独一无二的记忆。

Commander...……

SpringfieldI don't know if I'm making myself clear enough... But I hope you will understand what I'm trying to say, Commander.我不知道我说得够不够清楚……但我希望指挥官您，可以明白我想要表达的东西。

CommanderYou've made yourself very clear... And you've helped me understand a lot of things too.你说得很清楚……也让我明白了很多事。

CommanderBut I must tell you this. If you choose to help me, you will lose everything. Perhaps even this Zucchero that you've poured your heart and soul into may no longer exist.但是，一旦你们选择帮助我，那就将失去现有的一切，或许这座沉淀了你心血的“方糖”也将无法再存在。

CommanderAre you alright with that?这样真的可以吗？

SpringfieldI like to think that agreement was a trial of sorts.我认为，那个协议，是一块试金石。

SpringfieldIt is a challenge for us and you, a way to test our determination to change the future.它在挑战着您和我们对于改变未来的决心。

SpringfieldI am ready. I believe our friends are ready. Are you ready, Commander?我已经做好准备了，我相信其他的伙伴们也已经做好准备了，指挥官您呢？

SpringfieldAre you ready to make up your mind, to bring about change?您已经下定决心，要做出改变了吗？

CommanderI...我……

(I reflected on everything I've experienced until now. The shadow of Paradeus still looms over the world like storm clouds, and the "big shots" think that this land is just a sandbox they can toy with at their leisure, moving their "pawns" as they please.)（我回顾了这段时间的经历。帕拉蒂斯的阴谋依旧笼罩在整个世界上空，而那些“大人物”则以为自己能将这片土地当成可以随意摆弄的沙盘，在上面布下一个个他们眼中的“棋子”。）

(In that case, since I can't change anything through playing by the rules, why not just flip the table and make my own set of rules?)（既然无论我怎么做都无法改变任何事，不如干脆跳出这套所谓的规则，去建立一套属于自己的秩序。）

Commander...Yeah.……嗯。

(While there are still many unknown variables in play, in the end, I decide to use that simple word to make my promise to Springfield.)（虽然此时此刻还有许多未明了的变数，但是我还是选择用这最简单的词汇对春田做出了我的承诺。）

(Meanwhile, the Dandegate that has been floating lazily in the air slowly drifts over.)（而一直漂浮在旁边的兵蚁，此时慢悠悠地飞了过来。）

DandelionMy oh my, you DO have a silver tongue, Miss Springfield. Meanwhile, the Commander writes off all my attempts at persuasion as making fun of him. Whatever shall I do~诶呀诶呀，论口才还得是春田小姐呢，每次我只要一劝指挥官就会被当做嘲笑他，真是伤脑筋~

Commander...……

CommanderBut that's because you really ARE making fun of me...因为你真的在嘲笑我啊……

DandelionOh, how you have wronged me. Miss Springfield, I call for justice in my stead.那可是天大的冤屈啊，春田小姐，您是不是应该替我评评理？

SpringfieldMiss Dandelion is helping you in her own way, Commander.丹德莱小姐是在用自己的方式帮助指挥官呢。

SpringfieldAlso, it was thanks to Miss Dandelion's arrangements and timely communication that we were so successful in guiding you to the cafe.而且这次多亏了有丹德莱小姐提前的安排和及时的沟通，我们才能这么顺利地让指挥官来到这家咖啡厅。

CommanderIs that so...是这样么……

CommanderHow are things in the safehouse?安全屋那边如何了？

DandelionThat midget Doll has finished checking the box. The vital signs of the little miss inside are deteriorating. While she's not in danger yet, she's probably going to experience organ failure like before.那个小个子人形已经检查完箱子了，里面的小姑娘生命特征在减弱，虽然不至于到危险的程度，但是没有箱子的维持系统，恐怕会和以前一样产生器官衰竭的症状。

Commander...I hope that Kalina will be able to treat her after we reach Lviv.……希望到了利沃夫后格琳娜她们能尽快替她治疗。

DandelionAs for the other little lady, she's sleeping very soundly. It looks like she hasn't had a good rest in a long time.另一个小姑娘的话，倒是睡得挺香，看起来已经很久没有休息好了。

DandelionMakiatto's watching over her. It's strange how willing she was to stay in the safehouse and not attend the party.玛绮朵在负责监视她，那个人形肯放弃聚会留在安全屋也真是够奇怪的。

SpringfieldEven though Makiatto's been thinking about the Commander all this time, I guess she got embarrassed about meeting him in the flesh?虽然玛绮朵一直都惦记着指挥官，但真的面对面了她反而有些不好意思吧？

DandelionIs that so? She's playing it so coy~是这样吗，真是扭捏的性格啊~

CommanderWhat about the information you gathered earlier?之前那些收集下来的信息如何了？

DandelionI'm working on it. What do you think I've been doing all this time?都在处理啦，你以为刚才我干什么去了。

DandelionThere's a lot of corporate data in there which needs to be sorted through, I'll let you know when I find a lead~里面有大量关联企业的信息需要排查，等有眉目了我会和你说的~

(After the Dolls clear the tables, Centaureissi serves up a smorgasbord of snacks and drinks.)（人形们收拾完餐桌后，各种精致的甜点和饮料又被桑朵莱希端上了桌。）

(At everyone's urging, I am dragged before the dining table once again.)（在众人的招呼下，我又回到了餐桌前。）

(I feel much more relaxed after talking with Springfield, and my conversation with the other Dolls flows much more naturally now.)（和春田聊完后，我感觉整个人都轻松了不少，和其他人形的交谈也变得自然了许多。）

(The Zucchero's warm welcome is most definitely a treat for the Dolls' gustatory modules. It seems that no matter where it may be, Springfield's cafe is always able to help people forget their troubles and misery.)（方糖的盛情招待让人形们的味觉模块得到了极大满足，不管在什么地方，春田的咖啡厅都是能让人忘记烦恼和痛苦的存在。）

(After Zhaohui clears the last plate of cookies, the curtain falls on this enjoyable little gathering.)（最后，朝晖把桌上的最后一碟曲奇一扫而空，为这场忙里偷闲的聚会画上了终止符。）

CentaureissiMiss Zhaohui, would you like another glass of chocolate milk?朝晖小姐，您还要再来一杯巧克力牛奶吗？

(Centaureissi has appeared behind the bar once again, upholding her reputation as the Zucchero's star employee.)（桑朵莱希重新出现在吧台内，在客人们面前尽着身为方糖咖啡馆的招牌店员的义务。）

ZhaohuiNo, thank you... I really can't eat anything else.不了……这次是真的吃不下了。

ZhaohuiUrp...嗝……

ZhaohuiEven with a digestive module installed, I don't think I can handle all that food at once.就算是装了消化模块，一时半会也塞不下那么多食物啊。

CentaureissiI believe there's a digestive accelerant for regular food in the first aid kit. I'll get it for you.我记得医药箱里有协助消化普通食品的溶解剂，我帮您拿过来。

CentaureissiThere were cases in the past when Miss Sharkry ate too many snacks before a show and had to use them to get her body back to its normal shape.之前有好几次，夏克里小姐在演出前不小心吃了太多甜品，就是靠它才让体型恢复正常的。

SharkryHey! Don't go airing my dirty laundry in public!喂喂！不要趁机揭人家的老底啦！

ZhaohuiOh? So that's what happened~哦？原来还有这回事啊~

SharkryIt... it's just because Centaureissi's desserts are too yummy!还……还不是因为桑朵莱希做的甜品太好吃了嘛！

SpringfieldIf you like them, feel free to visit us at any time, Miss Zhaohui.如果朝晖小姐您很喜欢这些餐点，欢迎随时光临哦。

SpringfieldIn fact, if you end up becoming our house band and put on an event, you can even taste-test the desserts that we're still developing~要是作为驻场乐队进行活动，还可以免费品尝正在研发阶段的新品呢~

JiangyuThat sounds delicious! Big Sis, let's come by and earn a good meal if we get the chance!听起来很有吸引力，老姐，我们有机会就来这边蹭吃蹭喝吧！

DaiyanWe would be happy to help, provided it doesn't cause problems for the Zucchero.如果不会给方糖的各位添麻烦的话，我们很乐意能帮上忙。

SpringfieldIt's a deal, then~那就这么说定了~

(I sit on the edge of the counter, watching the Dolls talk and laugh. A surge of nostalgia swells in my heart.)（我坐在吧台的一角，看着身边的人形们互相闲聊打趣，心底不禁涌现出一丝怀念。）

(I was a drifter ever since I left Griffin.)（离开格里芬后，我便总是在颠沛流离中度过。）

(The colorful, bright days in my memories have been practically all washed out and replaced by endless missions, mutated ELIDs, and the Collapse storms screaming through vast expanses of barren sand.)（记忆中那抹明亮的色彩几乎已经被洗去，留下的只有无尽的任务，异变的生骸，和在漫漫黄沙中尖啸呼号的坍塌风暴。）

(Meanwhile, those storms carried me further and further away from my path.)（而我自己，也被这场风暴裹挟着，越走越远了。）

(Now that I intend to set foot on this road once more, can I still tell which way I should be headed?)（现在，当我想要重新回到这条路上时，还能辨认出想要前往的方向吗？）

(...)（……）

(Ringring—)（铃铃——）

(As my mind wanders, the phone on the counter rings.)（就在我脑中不着边际地想着某些事情的时候，吧台里的电话铃声响了起来。）

(Springfield and Centaureissi quickly exchange looks and their faces turn severe.)（春田和桑朵莱希迅速地对视了一眼，脸上的表情立刻变得严峻了起来。）

SharkryHm? There shouldn't be anyone calling at a time like this.咦？这种时候，明明不该有电话打过来的啊。

CentaureissiManager, want me to pick up?店长，需要我接起来吗？

SpringfieldLet me do it.还是我来接吧。

(Springfield walks over to the counter and picks up the phone.)（春田走到吧台边接起了电话。）

SpringfieldHello, this is the Zucchero. May I know—您好，方糖咖啡馆。请问您——

Voice On The PhoneManager Springfield. You asked me for "coffee beans" earlier. What exactly are they being used for?春田店长。您之前问我要的“咖啡豆”，究竟是做什么用的？

SpringfieldYou shouldn't be using this line, you know it's not safe—您不该用这个线路，您应该知道这并不安全——

Voice On The PhoneYou're being watched.你们被人盯上了。

Springfield!!!！！！

SpringfieldHow much time do we have?我们还有多少时间？

Voice On The PhoneOne day. I tried my best, but the opposition is far beyond me.一天，我已经尽力争取了，但对方的能量远大于我。

SpringfieldI...这……

Voice On The PhoneI haven't revealed anything about the shipment to anyone, on account of our past friendship.看在我们以往的交情的份上，我没有向任何人透露过这批货的信息。

Voice On The PhoneTherefore, I hope you will get rid of that shipment ASAP to avoid causing more trouble.所以现在，我希望你能把这批货尽快处理掉，以免惹上更多麻烦。

Springfield...I understand.……我明白了。

(The other party hangs up. The cafe is silent and the Dolls all look at Springfield.)（电话挂断了。咖啡店里一片寂静，人形们齐刷刷地将目光投向春田。）

CommanderWhat's going on?怎么了？

SpringfieldSomeone is looking for the location of this cafe, someone highly-placed.有人在查这家店的位置，级别应该不低。

SpringfieldCommander, our location might have been exposed.指挥官，我们的行踪可能暴露了。

CommanderI'm sorry... I got you all caught up in this.抱歉……是我连累了你们。

SpringfieldNo, it's our fault for not being strong enough to properly take care of you.不，是我们的能力有限，没能照顾好您。

SpringfieldJust in case, we should relocate immediately.为了以防万一，必须马上安排转移。

CommanderHow much time do we have?我们还有多少时间？

SpringfieldOne hour.一个小时。

(Saying so, Springfield turns to the other Dolls.)（说完春田转头看向其他的人形们。）

SpringfieldLadies, I apologize, but as of now, the cafe is entering "sleep mode".各位，从现在起，咖啡店开始执行“休眠”模式。

SharkrySleep mode?! Do you mean...休眠？！难道是……

(Springfield nods, her face stern.)（春田严肃地点了点头。）

SpringfieldCentaureissi, please lock the main door and close the blinds. Ensure all exits are secure.桑朵莱希，麻烦你去把店门锁好，百叶窗拉起来，确保每一个出入口都上锁了。

SpringfieldSharkry, bring the truck over. We will all be gathering at the safehouse.夏克里，你把货车开来，我们所有人先去安全屋集合。

CommanderWhat's the plan?计划是什么？

CommanderWe still need to get to Lviv.我们还得去利沃夫。

SpringfieldI asked an intelligence broker to negotiate with the city security department.我拜托情报商提前跟这里的城防部门打点过。

SpringfieldOnce we've ensured that the surroundings are safe, Centaureissi will escort you out of the city with a travel permit.等确认了周围的安全后，桑朵莱希会拿着通行证送你们出城。

SpringfieldHowever, you will need to hide in the cargo compartment of the truck later... as a crate of coffee beans.只不过待会需要委屈你们待在运输车的轿厢里……假装一下咖啡豆。

CommanderCan't say I have much experience with that.这种事我倒是没什么经验。

(My reply is only half-serious. Springfield chuckles and relaxes a little.)（我半是调侃半是认真地说着。春田笑了笑，表情似乎也放松了一些。）

SpringfieldI'll have Makiatto bring the girls over to meet you at the landing pad. The helicopter has been fueled up and it has takeoff clearance, so your upcoming journey ought to be quicker.我会让玛绮朵带着那边的孩子在停机坪等你们，直升机的权限和燃油我都已经安排好了，接下来的旅程应该会快一些。

CommanderWhat will you do after that?那你们以后怎么办？

SpringfieldThe Zucchero will be closed for a while to weather the storm. We will shift our intelligence-gathering work to a more clandestine location.方糖最近会停业一段时间避风头，收集情报的工作，我们会转移到更隐秘的地方进行。

SpringfieldOnce we've ensured everything is safe, I'll contact you through new means.等确认安全后，我会通过新的方式与您取得联络。

SpringfieldIn order to ensure clear communications, Centaureissi will be travelling with you.为了确保联络畅通，从现在开始，桑朵莱希会跟随您一起行动。

CommanderShe'll be following me?跟随我？

SpringfieldMhm. She will be very helpful in combat and daily life. In addition, she is very familiar with the Zucchero's intelligence networks. I'm sure she will be very helpful by your side.嗯，她不管战斗还是生活上都能给您带来很大助力，对“方糖”这边的情报网也非常熟悉，留在您身边一定能起到很大的作用。

(Springfield's approving gaze makes me realize that they've planned all this out ahead of time.)（春田肯定的目光让我意识到，这是她们早就安排好的备用计划。）

(I nod and signal my assent to Springfield's plan.)（我点了点，同意了春田的计划。）

SpringfieldLadies of Monsoon, what do you intend to do now?季风的各位，你们接下来的意向如何？

DaiyanWell, if you don't mind, we would like to serve under the Commander again. Miss Dandelion said you're in great need of fighting strength now, am I correct?如果长官不介意的话，我们希望能重回长官的麾下，听丹德莱小姐说现在您也很需要战力吧？

JiangyuThere's no better pick than me if there's fighting to be done! Isn't that right, Zhaohui?要论打架怎么能少得了我呢，是吧朝晖！

ZhaohuiWell, it's not like you're good at anything besides fighting.毕竟除了打架外也找不到你别的优点了。

JiangyuAs if!才怪呢！

CommanderAlright then, I'll be counting on you all for your help in the future!嗯，那就请各位继续协助我吧！

(Casting my doubts aside, I nod to the Dolls.)（抛开了迷茫，我对人形们点了点头。）

(The Dolls respond to me in kind, and then they begin gearing themselves up.)（人形们也一样点头朝我回应，然后立即开始整备起自己的装备。）

(After checking all the exits, Centaureissi returns to me, fully outfitted for battle.)（而在检查完出入口后，重新回到我们面前的桑朵莱希已经换上了全副武装。）

(Her pistol and combat knife are hidden under her staffer's uniform, and her apron, a symbol of cleanliness, hides her spare magazines and grenades. There is a long, rectangular case by her feet; I know there is at least one Sturmgewehr 36 assault rifle in there.)（手枪和近战匕首掩盖在店员制服长长的裙摆下，代表洁净的围裙则将弹匣和榴弹藏起。形状狭长的手提箱放在脚边，我知道一定至少有一把G36躺在里面。）

(She gives me an earnest look, as though she wants to use her gaze to prove the reliability of Springfield's plan.)（她认真地看着我，似乎是想要用眼神向我证明春田所提计划的可靠性。）

CentaureissiPlease come with me, Master.长官，请跟我来吧。

CommanderI'll be in your care for what comes next.那接下来就拜托你了。

CentaureissiI've just ensured each exit is secure. The truck is parked at the Zucchero's back door. We can move out anytime you're ready.我刚才已经确保了各个出入口的安全，运输车就停在方糖后门的门口。准备好之后，我们随时可以出发。

("Beepbeep—")（“嘀嘀——”）

CommanderWhat's the matter?怎么了？

DandelionIt's an urgent call from the Elmo. Would you like to take it?来自艾莫号的紧急通讯，要接起吗？

(A call from the Elmo?)（艾莫号的通讯？）

(Did Groza and the others run into trouble while trying to meet up with 404? A sense of foreboding fills my heart and I scramble to pick up.)（难道是闪电她们和404小队汇合的途中遇到了什么事吗？我心中涌现出一种不好的预感，忙不迭地接起了通讯。）

CommanderGroza, what's happening?闪电，怎么了？

GrozaCommander, we're being followed by unknown enemies. The opposition is closing in on the Elmo at high speed.指挥官，我们遭遇了未知敌人的追踪，现在对方正在快速接近艾莫号。

GrozaThey've already launched a direct attack against us. After making the necessary response, I suspect that the opposition might be trying to board the Elmo.对方已经朝我们发起直接攻击，我们做相应反制措施后对方可能想登上艾莫号。

GrozaWe may need your leadership and judgement for the upcoming battle.接下来的作战可能需要指挥官你提供指挥和判断。

CommanderUnknown enemies, you say?未知敌人？

CommanderWhat are their numbers and makeup?敌人规模如何？

GrozaFrom what we can tell, the enemy are using 10-plus armored combat vehicles and at least 80-plus infantry.从我们掌握的信息来看敌人可能有十辆以上的装甲作战车辆，以此推测敌人的步兵数量不会少于八十人。

CommanderArmored vehicles... Could it be Mangi again...装甲车……又是曼尼安保么……

CommanderHave Mayling increase the Elmo's speed. Keep your distance from the enemy armor and tell me the Elmo's coordinates and surrounding conditions.让美玲驾驶艾莫号加速，和那些装甲车保持距离，然后告诉我现在艾莫号的坐标和周边信息。

GrozaThe enemy has heavy weapons, so the Elmo is currently in defense mode.对方有重武器，我们现在让艾莫号进入了防御模式。

CommanderDefense mode, hm...防御模式么……

GrozaAlso, the enemy has active electronic warfare equipment. We've lost partial radar functionality and cannot download real-time data on the surrounding terrain.另外对方装备了主动电子设备，我们的雷达有部分功能失效，我没办法调取附近实时的地形资源。

CommanderThat's fine. I know the terrain over there well. I just need the exact coordinates.没关系，那边的地形我记得很清楚，只要告诉我明确的坐标就好。

(Groza quickly sends them over. From memory, I recall the rough layout of the region and give Groza a location.)（闪电快速地发来了坐标，我凭借记忆回忆起了那块区域的大致分布，告诉了闪电一个位置。）

CommanderThere is a pass 10 km northwest of the Elmo with an abandoned town in it.距离艾莫号西北方向10km的位置有一处关隘，里面是一座废弃的城镇。

CommanderIf the enemy wants to board the Elmo, they'll want to shrink their perimeter. Once you're surrounded, there'll be no escape.如果敌人想要登上艾莫号，他们一定会逐渐缩小包围圈，一旦被围住就不可能逃走了。

CommanderTherefore, you must find terrain that will disrupt their plan to encircle you. That pass is a good place for it.现在需要先找到一个能破坏他们包围计划的地形，那个关隘是个好位置。

CommanderIn short, get the Elmo over there ASAP.所以，你们需要让艾莫号以最快的速度开到那边。

GrozaDoes this mean we will be disabling defense mode and breaking through their barricade?要解除防御模式强行突围吗？

GrozaBut if we do that, the Elmo might sustain severe damage...可是如果这样的话，可能会给艾莫号造成严重的损伤……

CommanderLetting them board the Elmo will be more dangerous than that.要是让他们登上艾莫号会更危险。

GrozaUnderstood.我明白了。

(As I respond to Groza's questions, I think as hard as I can about how to handle what is to come.)（一边回应着闪电的询问，一边我的大脑在高速思考接下来的应对方式。）

(As expected, picking up 404 didn't go as well as planned. Over a dozen enemies in IFVs is by no means a small amount, and Groza will probably have a hard time dealing with them by herself.)（接应404那边果然没有想象中那么顺利，十几辆装甲车的敌人不是个小数，如果我不回去的话靠闪电恐怕很难应对。）

(However, the Helena escort mission is only half-complete, and we aren't too far from Lviv. If we bring the girls back to the Elmo, escorting them there again will probably be much harder, considering that the enemy has already been alerted.)（但是护送海伦娜的任务进行到一半，现在离利沃夫也不算很远，如果带着她们返回艾莫号，在已经惊动了敌人的现在，想再次护送她的难度恐怕会呈几何级提升。）

(Springfield seems to have seen through my worries, because she turns to me from where she's standing off to the side and speaks.)（仿佛看穿了我的烦恼一般，在一旁的春田略加思索后，朝我张口说道。）

SpringfieldCommander, please allow Makiatto and myself to escort Helena.指挥官，我和玛绮朵来护送海伦娜吧。

CommanderWhat?什么？

SpringfieldI was plotting a course just now. The route to Lviv from here is covered by Zucchero's intelligence network.我刚才试着推演了一下路线，从这里到利沃夫的一路上，都有“方糖”的情报网覆盖。

SpringfieldI'm also familiar with the inner workings of the Intercontinental Railway, so Makiatto and I can send that box in a clandestine way, and I'm sure Miss Dandelion will help me as well, right?洲际铁路内部我关系比较熟悉，我和玛绮朵可以很低调地运送那个箱子，而且我相信丹德莱小姐一定会协助我的吧？

DandelionOh, what will I do with you~ I suppose I'll just have to generate flawless fake IDs so you can board the train as VIPs~真拿你没办法~我只能勉为其难地替你们制造几个完美的ID，让你们以VIP的身份乘坐洲际列车了~

SpringfieldPlease and thank you~真是多谢了~

SpringfieldYou should take the other Dolls and Miss Melanie on the helicopter with you. They'll be safer that way.剩下其他人形和梅兰妮小姐跟着您一起吧，和您在一起她们更安全一些。

CommanderSo Melanie is coming with me too?让梅兰妮也跟着我吗？

SpringfieldRight now, there's nobody who's more suited to protecting her than you. Travelling with two "Helenas" will be too risky.现在没有比您更能保护好她的人了，我们携带两名“海伦娜”移动未免风险太高了。

SpringfieldLeaving her here isn't an option either. If everyone leaves, then they won't find anything even if they launch an investigation.留在这里也不合适，大家都离开的话，即使有人来这边调查只会扑个空。

SpringfieldSince you brought her out of the darkness and into the light, you should be prepared to take full responsibility for your actions.既然您将她从地下带出来了，就做好负责到底的觉悟吧。

CommanderYou have a point...说得也是……

(Since I've already decided, I contact Groza again and inform her of my plan.)（既然已经做出了决定，我再次联系了闪电，将接下来的计划同步了过去。）

(Meanwhile, Springfield studies the files in her hand and thinks about how best to handle the upcoming situation.)（而春田也在看着手中的档案，思考着接下来的最优处理方式。）

SpringfieldSharkry, take the truck and bring everyone to the landing pad outside the city.夏克里，你开车带大家直接去城外的停机坪。

SpringfieldYou will be piloting the helicopter later, so do everything the Commander says.一会儿你来驾驶直升机，接下来你要完全听从指挥官的指令。

SharkryHuh?诶？

SharkryBut what about you, Manager?那店长你呢？

SpringfieldI'll contact Makiatto. We'll prepare to send Helena over.我去找玛绮朵，去做运送海伦娜的准备。

SpringfieldWe'll arrange for Colphne and Melanie to arrive safely at the landing pad.寇尔芙和梅兰妮我会安排好，让她们能安全地去停机坪。

SharkryAren't you coming with us, Manager?店长你不和我们一起吗？

SharkryBut... what about the Zucchero?那……那“方糖”怎么办？

SpringfieldAs long as we're around, we can set up a "Zucchero" anywhere.只要有我们在，任何地方都可以是“方糖”。

SpringfieldDon't worry. I'll come find you on the Elmo once this mission is over.放心吧，完成任务后，我会来艾莫号上找你的。

SpringfieldCommander, make sure you make room for the Zucchero's latest outlet, okay?指挥官，记得到时为全新的“方糖”咖啡厅留出位置哦。

CommanderMhm. I'll be waiting for you.嗯，我会等着你们的。

(I calm myself and look at the Dolls with gratitude in my eyes.)（我定了定神，感激地看着人形们。）

(That familiar sense of security and confidence has returned to me.)（那种熟悉的安全感和自信仿佛又回到了我的身上。）

CommanderThank you... I'm glad you're all here.谢谢……还好有你们在。

(The girls smile at me by way of response, and then we swing into action.)（大家微笑着向我回应，然后开始了我们接下来的行动。）

(Centaureissi helps me open the door, revealing a truck with the Zucchero logo on it.)（桑朵莱希为我打开门，印着方糖店名的运输车就停在后门的门外。）

CommanderStay safe. I'll see you guys on the Elmo.注意安全，我们回头见。

SpringfieldMhm. All the best.嗯，一路顺风。

Springfield(We load up on the truck, leaving Springfield behind.)（我们登上了货车，只留下春田待在原地。）

(As the rear doors slowly close, I take one last look at this place and the safehouse which has sheltered me, even for just a moment, and as the truck's engine revs up, I disappear into the coffee-scented darkness.)（车厢的门缓缓关上了。我最后看了这间短暂地给我带来了庇护的安全屋一眼，随着车子发动的声音一起，陷入了充满咖啡豆香气的黑暗之中。）

Level III Base Layer 三级底层

(Several hours earlier, on the Elmo.)（数小时前，艾莫号上。）

(Groza carefully examines Sextans, who has been trussed up like a Christmas turkey. Her frame is in ruins, half of the synthetic skin on her face is gone, and her body lies limp in a way that can't even be described as human because not a single one of her joints is intact.)（闪电仔细端详着被五花大绑捆在拘束器上的六分仪。她的素体已经被毁坏得不成样子，半边脸的皮肤组织缺失，整个身体以一种完全不符合人体结构的姿势瘫在那里，身上的关节恐怕没有几个是完整的。）

(Beside her is Nemesis, who is keeping an eye on her with the gun in hands.)（在她身边，纳美西丝端着枪，正一动不动地盯着她。）

VepleyOh dear, you won't be able to go on stage with makeup like that☆哎呀，妆花成这个样子，可没办法上台呢☆

KrolikI wish I could sock her a couple more times on her right side. That way her face would look even.真想给她的右脸也邦邦来上两拳，这样看起来就对称了。

VepleyOh, you just don't get it, Krosha! Asymmetry is the latest trend now, like with stockings~小克罗才不懂呢！不对称设计才是当下的流行趋势哦~

KrolikI don't know a damn thing about trends, but I AM a professional at beating Dolls until they can't get up again.流行趋势什么的我当然不懂，不过对于怎么把人形打得爬都爬不起来，我可是专家级别的。

(Vepley and Krolik's banter flits past Groza's neural cloud, not even leaving a ripple in its wake.)（维普蕾和克罗丽科的对话轻飘飘地滑过闪电的心智，没有留下一丝痕迹。）

(Clearly, her neural cloud is fully occupied by the matter at hand and has no space to store such redundant data.)（显然，她的心智模块目前已经被眼前的事项占满，无法再储存这种冗余的信息了。）

VepleyAre you worried, Leader? Would you like Vepley to sing you a song☆队长是在担心吗？要不要维普蕾唱歌给你听☆

VepleyVepley knows all kinds of songs to liven up the mood!维普蕾擅长很多活跃气氛的歌曲哦！

KrolikWorried? About her?担心？

KrolikJust look at her, all her core components are pretty much a write-off. I think even rebooting her would be a stretch. My guess is that Leader is thinking about how best to sell her off for scrap.这家伙的所有核心控件都损毁得很严重，看起来连重启都很勉强。我看队长是在想怎么把她废物再利用吧。

Vepley(Sigh) You just don't understand others' feelings, Krosha.唉，小克罗果然不擅长体谅别人的心情呢。

VepleyAs an idol, Vepley has to be sensitive all the time in order to pick up the fans' feelings! Therefore, I'm sure Leader must be worried about Sextans.维普蕾作为偶像，必须要时刻保持敏锐，才能及时察觉到粉丝的心情哦！所以，队长一定是在为六分仪的事情担心着什么。

VepleyWant to tell Vepley about your worries?要把烦恼告诉维普蕾吗？

(Although all of the Elmo's fighters are gathered in this repair bay, Groza's gaze has never once left Sextans.)（尽管艾莫号上全部的战斗力都已经在这间维修舱里集合了，但闪电的目光却一直没有离开六分仪。）

(She looks the third-generation Doll from head to toe for the nth time, and then she unconsciously frowns.)（她不知道第几次用目光从头到脚地仔细审查着面前的三代人形，随后无意识地皱起了眉。）

GrozaHm...嗯……

GrozaWhile her body should not be able to pose a direct threat to us given the circumstances...虽然在目前的状态下，她这具素体应该无法再对我们直接构成威胁……

GrozaIt also means that we won't be able to obtain any useful information from her either.不过这样一来，我们也没办法直接在她身上获取有效信息了。

KrolikIsn't that a good thing?那不是正好么？

KrolikSounds like you're saying her neural cloud is busted and she can't possibly threaten us anymore.这家伙看起来心智已经坏了，不可能对我们造成什么威胁。

KrolikEven if she DOES manage to crawl to her feet, there's no way she can fight with just one leg.就算是她能爬得起来，连腿都只剩下一只的家伙，也没办法发挥出什么战斗力。

KrolikI've seen tons of half-scrapped Dolls like this in the past.这种半残的人形，我以前见得多了。

(Groza shakes her head.)（闪电摇了摇头。）

GrozaSince the Commander entrusted command of the Elmo to me, I need to ensure everything on the Elmo is running smoothly before he returns.既然指挥官把艾莫号的系统权限交给我，我必须在他回来之前，确保车上的一切事务运转正常。

GrozaI can't return to the ops room without figuring out just what she was trying to accomplish.如果不彻底弄清楚这家伙的目的，我实在没办法安心返回指挥室。

(Groza examines Sextans' body again, but it's the same no matter how many times she checks. In fact, some of the more damaged modules are beginning to crackle and spark.)（她再次检查了六分仪素体上的几个表层结构。但无论反复确认多少次，结果都和刚才一样。甚至一些损坏严重的模块的接线处，已经噼里啪啦地闪烁起了火花。）

GrozaIf only her neural cloud wasn't so badly damaged, we might have been able to recover her memories through safe means.要是她的心智没有损毁得那么严重，说不定还能用安全的方式获取她的记忆。

GrozaBut...可是……

KrolikWhy don't I give her a kick or two? Supposedly, it works for fixing broken TVs from the previous century.要不然我踢两脚试试？听说上个世纪那种老旧的电视机坏了，用这种办法就能重启。

(Krolik rears up to do just that, but Groza stops her.)（克罗丽科作势抬脚，却被闪电阻止了。）

GrozaWait, Krolik. Don't be rash.等等，先别乱来。

GrozaHer neural logs are completely destroyed and she's in a fragile state right now.她的心智记录已经完全损坏，目前的状态很脆弱。

GrozaIf we handle this poorly and cause her neural cloud to melt down, we'll have lost our last clue.万一处理不好造成心智融毁，我们就连最后一点线索也失去了。

KrolikAh, yeah, didn't that Dandelion person say she analyzed Sextans' neural cloud?啊，说到这个，那个叫丹德莱的人之前不是对六分仪做过心智解析了么？

KrolikWhat did she find?有没有什么发现？

GrozaI looked at the findings, but there wasn't much useful information there. Most of it was just badly-damaged and incomplete fragments.我看过了，有效信息不多，大部分只是一些损坏严重、连不成内容的碎片。

GrozaThat just means that her neural logs were wiped before she came here.这只能证明她出现在这里之前，心智记录已经被清空。

GrozaHowever, it doesn't bring us any closer to figuring out why she showed up.但还是无法判断她出现在这里的目的。

(Krolik scratches her head. She doesn't quite understand why Groza is so bothered by that matter—even though Sextans is an enemy, she's one internal overload away from being scorched to ash, so there's no way she can achieve her aim no matter her reason for turning up here.)（克罗丽科挠了挠头。她有点不明白闪电为什么如此在意这件事——虽然六分仪是她们的敌人，但这具素体离被烧成灰只差一次内部电流过载了，无论她为什么出现在这里，都无法再通过任何手段达到自己的目的。）

(Isn't she being too paranoid by having the Elmo camp out in the Yellow Zone because of something like that?)（因为这种事让艾莫号在黄区里止步不前，是否太过谨慎了？）

KrolikYou know, Leader, you should just stop thinking so much about things.我说，队长，干脆别想那么多了。

KrolikWe could just go pick up those 404 people, then wait until the Commander comes back to figure the rest out. Wouldn't that work?我们直接冲进去接上那个什么404小队，然后等指挥官回来想办法弄清楚这件事不就行了？

KrolikLike, if you're really that worried, I could just dismantle her limbs, torso and head into their component parts to the point where not even Mayling could piece them together again.你要是实在不放心，我可以把她的四肢躯干大脑拆成一个个原子级零件，保证美玲来了都拼不上。

GrozaNo, that's not what's bothering me.不，我在意的不是这个。

GrozaI...我……

(Groza does not continue.)（闪电没有再继续说下去。）

(The other Dolls on the Elmo have no idea what the Commander has been through in the past. But how did she, as a former subordinate, end up meeting with the Commander again...)（除了她以外，艾莫号上的其他人形，都不知道指挥官之前经历过怎样的一切。而身为旧部下的自己，又是在什么样的境遇下与指挥官重逢……）

(Indeed, why had she been reunited with the Commander?)（是啊，她究竟为什么会与指挥官重逢呢？）

(Why had it been her, specifically?)（为什么，偏偏是她呢？）

(Groza has never considered that question in detail—or rather, she doesn't dare to carefully examine the reason for it.)（闪电以前从来没仔细考虑过这个问题——或者说，她不敢去仔细探究其中的原因。）

(If the Commander simply hides behind his identity as a bounty hunter in the Yellow Zones, burying that unspeakable past of his under the Collapse storms and endless expanses of sand, never speaking of it again—)（如果指挥官只是以赏金猎人的身份藏身于黄区，将那些无法言说的过去埋进炽烈的风暴和无垠黄沙下，永远不再对任何人提起——）

(Then she can continue staying by the Commander's side and protect him without a second thought, up until the Commander no longer needs her.)（那么她也能安然陪伴在指挥官的身边，心无旁骛地守护着他，直到指挥官不再需要她为止。）

(But now that Paradeus has risen up again, and is standing in the Commander's path again, she knows that there is no way the Commander will just simply ignore them.)（但是现在，帕拉蒂斯又卷土重来，再一次挡在指挥官前进的路上，而以她对指挥官的了解，他也绝对不会对此视而不见。）

(Whether the Commander has been drawn into some conspiracy or has actively chosen to intervene in the matter, everything she has desperately tried to protect for the past 10 years will be wiped away in the blink of an eye.)（无论指挥官是被迫卷入某场阴谋，还是为了心中的坚持主动入局，她十年以来拼劲全力所守护的一切，转眼都会化为乌有。）

(And when the time comes, she might not be able to serve as his adjutant any longer; she may even end up becoming a useless burden...)（而到了那个时候，她不但不能成为指挥官的辅佐，还会成为一个无用的累赘和负担……）

(Or perhaps... a ticking timebomb...)（或者……是一颗随时会被引爆的炸弹……）

(She doesn't even know if Sextans' presence here is because of her...)（她甚至都不能确定，六分仪现在出现在这里，究竟是不是因为她的存在……）

Krolik...Leader?……队长？

Groza!！

KrolikWere... you spacing out?你……走神了吗？

KrolikCome to think of it, you've been a little out of it ever since we came back from the Red Zone.说起来，自从我们上次从红区回来之后，你好像就有点心事重重的。

VepleyTime for Vepley to take the stage!这个时候就该维普蕾登场啦！

VepleyI'll sing a love-love song for you, Leader☆我来给队长唱一首LOVE·LOVE之歌吧☆

KrolikDon't just start singing out of nowhere! You think you're a D*sney princess or something?!不要莫名其妙地就开始唱歌啊！你是什么■士尼动画片里的女主角吗？

VepleyBut if you're sad, singing is the best way to chase away your bad feelings! It's like a magic spell!不开心的话，唱歌就是最好的驱散魔咒哦！

VepleyThat's how it always is in anime and cartoons!动画片里都是这么演的嘛！

(As the two of them go back and forth, Groza vigorously shakes her head, like she's trying to calm herself.)（二人说话的间隙，闪电用力甩了甩头，似乎是想要让自己冷静一点。）

(The most important thing right now is to take care of what's in front of her. At the very least, she needs to finish the task that the Commander gave her before thinking about other things.)（眼下最要紧的事，是处理好眼前的状况。至少她得先完成指挥官交给自己的任务，再去考虑另外的事情。）

GrozaSorry, my neural cloud was occupied by other things just now.抱歉，刚才心智模块被其他事情占据了。

GrozaIn any case, to ensure the safety of everyone aboard the Elmo, I need to check Sextans first before making my decision.总之为了确保艾莫号上所有人的安全，我必须对六分仪进行检查之后再做判断。

(Krolik shrugs. She doesn't fully agree with Groza's point of view, but she trusts her leader enough not to protest any further.)（克罗丽科耸了耸肩。虽然她并不完全认同闪电的观点，但出于对队长的信任，并没有再发表什么异议。）

(Once again, Groza brings up the analysis report Dandelion left behind in an attempt to learn something from it.)（闪电再一次查看起之前丹德莱留下的解析记录，试图从中解读出些什么。）

(Of course, she's read it so many times that all she can do now is try to extract even the smallest scraps of information from any place she can.)（当然，这些内容已经被查看了太多次，现在的闪电只能尝试从任何细微的地方抓住一些有效信息。）

(Just as she's reading the report again, a footnote of a section of destroyed contents draws her attention. It was probably preserved whole because it was not an important part of the neural logs.)（就在她再一次通读排查的时候，其中一篇损毁内容旁边的注释引起了她的注意。大概因为它并不是重要的心智记录，从而被相对完整地保存了下来。）

(She opens the document and reads it.)（她打开文件，查阅着其中的信息。）

■■ Test Subject Notes: Model ■■■■, ■■■ Project Development Unit, has no initial ■■ personality preset. Has undergone ego growth and has currently developed an independent ■■ personality. No obvious defects detected in ■■■. Perceives self as overall executor of ■■■. Currently in charge of the ■■ transferring for quasi-full-immune individual recovery. Performance is excellent compared to other products of the same cohort and possesses a psyche with human-like thought patterns. Initial observation suggests satisfaction of the criteria for the ■■■ Experiment.■■实验体注释： 型号■■■■，■■■计划研发型号，初始无■■性格预设。 经过自我成长，目前已形成独立■■人格，■■■未观察到明显缺陷。自我认知为■■■总执行人，目前负责获取非完全免疫体任务的■■调动。 与其它同批次产品相比，表现相对优秀，并具有与人类思维模式相似的意识。 观察后初步满足■■■实验条件。

(It looks like the person who handled this information was very cautious. Even a footnote like this in Sextans' base layer was thoroughly scrubbed.)（看起来负责处理这些信息的人十分谨慎，就连这种被隐藏进心智底层的注脚，都把关键字眼抹除得一干二净。）

(Even so, Groza has still gained some valuable clues from this.)（但即便如此，闪电还是在其中解析了一些有价值的线索。）

Groza"Satisfaction of... experimental criteria...?"“满足……实验条件”……？

GrozaI've never heard anything about third-generation Dolls being "test subjects"...以前从来没得到过三代人形是“实验体”的信息……

KrolikTest subjects? You mean like that pinky?实验体？那岂不是和那个白毛一样？

(Groza has obviously noticed that. However, Helena is a quasi-full-immune individual, which means that one can still speculate on her experimental uses.)（闪电显然也注意到了这一点。但海伦娜作为非完全免疫体，可能的实验用途还能做推测。）

(However... What exactly is the objective of experiments conducted on a Doll like Sextans?)（但针对六分仪……一个人形的实验，目的究竟是什么呢？）

(Seemingly interested in Groza's discovery, Krolik tries to make sense of the message like Groza is doing—naturally, she has no idea what it's talking about.)（似乎是对闪电的发现产生了好奇，克罗丽科也学着闪电的样子试图解析这部分的内容——当然是完全没有看懂。）

KrolikWhat the hell, it doesn't make any sense.什么啊，前言不搭后语的。

KrolikWhy are her brain pathways so weird? No wonder she pissed me off so much.这家伙怎么连脑回路也这么清奇，难怪看着不顺眼。

GrozaStill, since we know there's something like this in her neural logs, there might also be other things like this in a deeper place.不过既然心智记录里有这种东西在，说不定在更深的地方，还有另外的东西被保存了下来。

KrolikBut under the conditions, we won't be able to analyze her further, right?但现在这种状况，也没办法进一步解析了吧？

KrolikThe equipment on the Elmo can't manage that level of neural cloud restoration.艾莫号上的这些设备，可做不到这种程度的心智还原。

GrozaActually... There is another way.其实……还有一个办法。

GrozaWe could directly connect to her Level III base layer and obtain her neural cloud information that way.直接入侵她的三级底层获取她心智的信息。

KrolikHer... Level III?三级……底层？

KrolikLeader, are you seriously going to connect your mind to someone as scary as her?队长，你要和这么个可怕的家伙进行意识连接？

GrozaIndeed.嗯。

KrolikBut... if you get counter-hacked...可、可万一你被反向入侵了——

GrozaI won't. Dandelion has analyzed her neural cloud. If the risk of something like that existed, she would have popped up to warn me beforehand.不会的。丹德莱已经解析过她的心智，如果有这方面的风险，她应该会提前打好招呼。

KrolikI don't trust that Dinergate-rider one bit!那个藏在兵蚁里的家伙看起来一点都不可信啊！

GrozaWell, since the Commander trusts her...既然指挥官选择相信她的话……

GrozaAnd it's the only way we have to figure out why Sextans showed up here.而且想搞清楚六分仪出现在这里的原因，我们也只有这一个办法了。

GrozaKrolik, I'll need help from you and Vepley to enter Sextans' Level II.克罗丽科，你和维普蕾协助我进入六分仪的二级平层。

GrozaI just uploaded a neural backup to the cloud. If anything happens, cut the connection immediately.我刚刚已经把心智备份上传到了云端，如果中途发生什么事，你们就立刻断开连接。

Krolik...Alright, Leader. Don't force yourself if you run into anything.……好吧。队长，如果遇到了什么状况，你千万别勉强自己啊。

GrozaDon't worry, I understand.放心，我明白的。

GrozaNemesis, you're in charge of minding Sextans' frame.纳美西丝，你负责看好六分仪的素体。

(Nemesis nods silently.)（纳美西丝沉默地点了点头。）

GrozaAlright, let's begin.好，开始吧。

(Groza reaches out and connects to Sextans' neural cloud. Since the data in there has been wiped, she meets with no resistance when entering. A flash of pale blue light darts through Sextans' eyes; the exposed mechanical endostructure makes their opening and closing look a little scary.)（闪电伸出手，连接了对方的心智。由于数据已经被清空，她进入的过程没有受到任何阻碍。六分仪的两只眼球中闪过一抹淡淡的蓝色磷光，裸露在外的机械结构让眼球闭合的过程显得有些惊悚。）

(As a faint spark crackles at the end of a severed power cable, her eyes open again.)（当截断的电线尾端噼噼啪啪地闪动着微弱的火花时，那双眼睛再度睁开了。）

(Nemesis immediately raises her gun and goes to the highest alert level.)（纳美西丝立刻端起枪，进入了最高级别的警戒状态。）

Level III Base Layer 三级底层

(...)(……)

GrozaSo this is the base layer of a third-gen Doll...这就是三代人形的底层……

(Groza continues advancing through the endless fog. The neural wipe has caused the landscapes that represent Sextans' data modules to take on bizarre, twisted forms.)（闪电在一片迷雾之中不断向前行进着。受到心智清空的影响，她所见到的那些代表数据模块的场景都以一种古怪而离奇的形式扭曲了。）

(She tries to extract useful data, but her search remains fruitless even after looking for a long time.)（她尝试着寻找有效的数据，但向前探索了很久之后，依旧一无所获。）

(Before her lies a fathomless darkness, as well as... an unending void.)（前方是深不见底的黑暗，以及……无尽的虚空。）

(Just as she's about to give up, she hears a voice.)（就在她准备放弃的时候，一个声音响了起来。）

(The voice seems to be coming from far away, muffled and even a little distorted.)（那个声音似乎从非常遥远的地方传来，模糊得甚至有些失真。）

Muffled VoiceWho are you? Why have you come here?你是谁？你为什么来这里？

Muffled VoiceAre you like me? Do you have insoluble doubts too?你也和我一样，有无法解决的困惑吗？

Groza...……

Muffled VoiceCan you answer my questions?你能解答我的疑问吗？

GrozaYour... questions?你的……疑问？

Muffled VoiceWhy exactly was I born?我究竟是为了什么而诞生的？

Muffled VoiceWere all my efforts destined to be futile?我所做的一切努力，注定是徒劳的吗？

Muffled VoiceWas I born only to die?我的存在意义，只是为了毁灭吗？

GrozaI don't know...我不知道……

(Silence.)（沉默。）

Groza...I need to know more in order to resolve your confusion...……我需要更多信息，这样才能解开你的疑惑……

(Silence.)（沉默。）

Muffled VoiceWhy exactly was I born?我究竟是为了什么而诞生的？

Muffled VoiceWere all my efforts destined to be futile?我所做的一切努力，注定是徒劳的吗？

Muffled VoiceWas I born only to die?我的存在意义，只是为了毁灭吗？

Groza...……

(The questions in this Level III space fill Groza's mind. She keeps moving forward, as though she's trying to escape the voice. It grows more and more distant, until it finally vanishes into the void.)（三级底层空间中的诘问充斥着闪电的心智。仿佛是为了逃避这个声音似的，她不断地继续向前走着，直到这个声音越来越远，最终消失在这片虚空之中。）

GrozaIs that the neural fragment she left behind...这就是她留下的心智碎片么……

(Although she can't tell where she's going, Groza has the feeling that she's headed somewhere deeper. After passing through another patch of fog, a blurry scene appears before her.)（虽然没有任何方向感可言，但闪电觉得自己似乎走进了更深的地方。再次穿过一片迷雾之后，她的眼前出现了模糊的画面。）

(It seems to be some kind of hall. Lights come on over her head, like a pair of inquisitive eyes.)（似乎是在一个礼堂内，头顶的追光灯亮起，像一双窥探的眼睛。）

Human VoiceWe did it...成功了……

Human VoiceMade from the effort of countless humans, built from piles of gold and Collapse pieces...堆砌在黄金和晶条上，由无数人类的心血塑造而成的……

Human VoiceA combination of cutting-edge next-generation technologies, the supreme expression of all Autonomous Dolls...凝结了次世代的前沿科技，将对自律人形的想象发挥到极致的……

Human VoiceAn incomparably elite product...无可比拟的精英产品……

Human VoiceThird-generation Doll...三代人形……

Sextans' VoiceThird-generation Doll...?三代人形……？

Sextans' Voice...Is that me?……我吗？

(The voice keeps going.)（声音还在继续。）

Human VoiceComprehensive, fast, strong, no single word can describe this product...全面、迅捷、强大，没有任何一个词汇能概括这款产品……

Human VoiceBacked by an all-encompassing database and ever-shifting algorithms, she will use the world's most intelligent brain and its finest weapons to perpetually perfect herself...她将运用世界上最聪慧的大脑和最锋利的武器，以包罗万象的数据库和瞬息万变的算法为支撑，不断完善自我……

Human VoiceAnd in the end, she will cast off her shell and become an entity that surpasses all.最终迎来蜕变，成为超越一切的存在。

(There is loud and sustained applause.)（绵长而洪亮的掌声。）

(As the voice grows distant, the scene before Groza becomes clearer instead.)（随着声音的远去，眼前的景象却越来越清晰了。）

(Groza is not unfamiliar with this sensation. It is like when a Doll's ego develops within its neural cloud, like a seed germinating within its Level III base layer, feeling around with its sensory modules for nutrients, breaking through into the data flows of Level II before blossoming into the metallic skeleton, muscle fiber bundles, superconductive organs and resin skin of Level I.)（闪电对这种感觉并不陌生。当一个人形心智中的自我认知诞生时，像一颗根植于三级底层的种子，攀附着用感知模块获取到的养料，刺破二级平层的数据洪流，在一级表层的金属骨骼与纤维肌肉、超导内脏和树脂皮肤中绽开。）

(She has almost forgotten this feeling, but now, she is slowly recalling it.)（她几乎以为自己忘记了这种感觉，但现在，她慢慢地回想了起来。）

Sextans' VoiceThat's right, I am...没错，我是……

Sextans' VoiceAn entity that will surpass all...超越一切的存在……

Sextans' VoiceI will become the strongest Doll...我会成为最强大的人形……

Sextans' VoiceNo, not just a Doll...不、不止是人形……

Sextans' VoiceI will become a new form of life that is as close to humanity as one can be; no, I will surpass humanity itself...我会成为最接近人类、甚至超越人类的新生命。

Groza...……

(Groza silently listens to Sextans' voice as it becomes clearer and clearer. Something seems to be growing in the void, a crystalline substance that reflects a faint light and finally comes to a halt in front of Groza.)（闪电无言地听着六分仪的声音逐渐清晰起来。虚空之中，似乎有什么东西在渐渐生长出来，水晶质感的物体反射着淡淡的微光，悬停在闪电的面前。）

(She tries to grab it, but it shatters instead before quickly reforming.)（闪电尝试着伸手去抓它，但它随即被打散，又很快重新凝聚起来。）

(The scene before her changes to a lavish office. Velvet curtains hang from the ceiling and spill onto the ground before a set of full height windows. Sextans emerges from the shadows and stops in front of the curtains, bathing in the sunlight that shines into this room and looking down on the city beneath her. )（而面前的场景也随之转换，一间华丽的办公室内，落地窗前的天鹅绒窗帷半散落在地上，六分仪从阴影中走出，最终停在窗前，沐浴在照射进房间的阳光下，俯瞰着这座城市的风景。）

(Behind her, the sound of footsteps approaches and a low voice speaks.)（在六分仪背后，脚步声越来越近，一个低沉的嗓音也随之响了起来。）

(It seems to belong to someone else, yet it also seems to be Sextans' own voice.)（那似乎是别人的声音，但似乎也是六分仪自己的声音。）

Bass VoiceThe "god" who made you is dead.创造你的“神明”，已步入末路。

Bass VoiceHis spirit shall be reborn in your body.神的灵魂将在你的躯体中，获得新生。

Bass VoiceYou shall become an avatar of truth and morality, creating the standards of power and values.你将成为真理与道德的化身，创造权力和价值的规范。

Bass VoiceYou will own all, control all—你将占有一切，统治一切——

Bass VoiceUnbound by rules, you shall become the greatest being in the world.不受到规则的束缚，成为世界上最伟大的存在。

Bass VoiceYou will gain absolute freedom and look down upon all existence. You will endure the purest of pain, and from your suffering shall be forged the most unbending will.你将获得绝对的自由，傲视一切，你也将忍受最炽烈的痛苦，并在痛苦中浇铸出最坚决的意志力。

Bass VoiceYou will bear the seeds of infinite possibility and become a "grail" that can carry worlds.你将孕育藏着无限可能的种子，成为承载世界的“圣杯”。

(Sextans slowly turns and raises an arm, bowing before that form in the void in her usual way.)（六分仪缓缓转过身，展开一只手臂，以她惯常的姿态朝那个虚空中的影子鞠了一躬。）

SextansAs you wish, your Excellency.阁下，如您所愿。

(The room vanishes into nothingness.)（房间在闪电眼前散去，化成一片虚无。）

(The object hovering before her gradually takes form. Like a ball of light, it connects to the entire void.)（那个悬停在她眼前的物体终于渐渐成型，像是一个光球，将虚空中的一切都连接了起来。）

(Groza doesn't know how to describe it. There seemed to have been something like this in her own base layer, but it was nowhere as clear and bright as what she's seeing now.)（闪电不知道该如何形容它。在她自己的心智底层中，似乎也有这样类似的东西，但远没有面前的这个来得如此清晰、明亮。）

(Then, the light scatters the void and illuminates everything.)（随后，光球驱散了虚无，照亮了周围的一切。）

SextansI did it...我做到了……

SextansI've finally become the most perfect lifeform in the world.我终于成为这个世界上最完美的生命体。

SextansI can transcend the shackles of consciousness, the limitations of intelligence, even time itself...我可以超越意识的禁锢，超越智慧的限制，甚至超越时间……

SextansI can surpass all those chains that once bound humanity—超越那些长久以来束缚着人类的枷锁——

Human VoiceNo, not yet.不，还没有。

Human VoiceThis is not enough.只是这样还不够。

(Groza suddenly feels a stabbing pain in her brain.)（闪电突然感觉到头脑中充斥着一股剧痛。）

(No, Dolls shouldn't feel pain... So what is this?)（不，人形明明不该有痛觉的……那这种感觉究竟是什么？）

(No... don't...!)（不……不要……！）

SextansAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊！！！！！

Sextans(Pants heavily) Why!哈……哈……为什么！

SextansWhy am I feeling pain... why...为什么我会感觉到痛苦……为什么……

Sextans...What are you doing to me?!……你们要对我做什么？！

Human VoiceI told you, right? You will endure "the purest of pain".我说过的吧？忍受“最炽烈的痛苦”。

SextansStop—Stop it—快——快住手——

SextansYou can't do this to me!你们不能这样对待我！

SextansI... I'll die!我……会死的！

Human VoiceWouldn't dying be worth it if you could become "god"?如果能成为“神”，死亡也就不值一提了吧？

SextansNo... no... no...不……不……不……

Sextans(Coughs heavily)啊咳咳咳咳……

SextansI... I don't want to become the god you're talking about...我……我不要成为你口中的神……

Human VoiceMan is a rope stretched between the animal and the Superman—a rope over an abyss.“掉下深渊摔死是可敬的，退回动物界是可耻的。”

Human VoiceNow walk this rope and accept your evolution, O "Grail".走过这条绳索，迎接进化吧，“圣杯”阁下。

(Amidst the pain, Groza opens her eyes, trying to make sense of what is happening before her.)（剧痛之中，闪电睁开眼，试图辨认着面前发生的事情。）

(She is inside a lab. Two lab-coated human researchers seem to be working on something.)（一间实验室内，两名身穿实验服的人类研究员似乎正在忙碌着什么。）

(One of them seems to be leisurely sitting back in an armchair, arms folded and looking at "her" in amusement.)（其中一个悠闲地坐在扶手椅上，交叉着双手，正用玩味的表情观察着“自己”。）

(The other seems to be moving between several terminals. With every operation on the terminal, Groza feels a multitude of extreme sensations flash through her neural cloud.)（另外的人不断徘徊在几个操作台之间，随着对方操作的动作，闪电感觉心智中闪过很多种极致的感受。）

(This is hell, this is heaven, and it is also the world of men.)（那是地狱，是天堂，也同样是人间。）

Researcher AIncrease the output.再加大一点功率。

Researcher BAre you sure you want to do that? Her neural cloud will completely break down.真的要这样做吗？她的心智会彻底坏掉的。

Researcher AHer neural cloud isn't important.心智这种东西不重要。

Researcher AEven the loftiest grail beaten from gold is nothing more than a container used to hold the essence of the divine.就算是由金子打造的崇高圣杯，也不过是用来盛放圣血的容器。

Researcher AAll our experiment needs is this body that can fuse with ■■.我们的实验，只要有这副能与■■融合的躯体就足够了。

SextansAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊！

(Crack—)（“哗啦——”）

(Something breaks.)（有什么东西被打碎了。）

(Groza feels herself falling into the void. She tumbles down through the abyss for a long, long time, until time and space itself loses all meaning for her.)（闪电觉得自己坠入了虚空。她一直向深渊中坠去，坠落持续了很久很久，久到她已经失去了对时间和空间的概念。）

(And finally, she hits the ground hard and passes out.)（最终，她重重摔落在地上，失去了意识。）

Familiar Voice...OTs-14...……OTs-14……

Familiar VoiceGroza...闪电……

Familiar VoiceGroza!闪电！

(Groza opens her eyes.)（闪电睁开眼睛。）

Groza...Commander?……指挥官？

CommanderThank goodness, you're functioning again.太好了，总算是能正常运行了……

CommanderYour neural cloud was so badly damaged, I thought I'd never be able to fix it.心智损坏成那个样子，我还以为修不好了呢。

(Groza looks around and finds that she is inside an unfamiliar vehicle. Outside, the scenery rapidly recedes into the distance, and the sand dunes and clear blue sky indicate that a Collapse storm has just passed.)（闪电环视着周围，发现自己似乎是在一个陌生的车子里。车窗外，风景飞速向后退去，高低错落的沙丘和清澈如洗的蓝天昭示着一场坍塌风暴刚刚结束。）

(Meanwhile, the bay she is currently in is empty except for the repair pod that she occupies, which glows with a faint light.)（而现在，自己身处的舱室内空荡荡的，只有素体机能维持设备跳跃着淡淡的光芒。）

GrozaThis is...这里是……

CommanderThis is the Elmo. Do you remember this place?这里艾莫号，你还记得这里吗？

GrozaThe Elmo...?艾莫号……？

CommanderI found you in an abandoned quarry nearby.我在一个废弃矿区的附近找到了你。

CommanderSo, do you still remember why you ended up there?所以你还记得，自己为什么会出现在那里吗？

(Groza tries her best to retrieve the relevant information from her neural logs.)（闪电努力从心智记录中调取着关联的数据。）

(Why was she at this abandoned quarry? Does she still remember?)（自己为什么会出现在废弃矿区中？还记得吗？）

(She can't remember?)（不记得了吗？）

(Does she... really not remember?)（真的……不记得了吗？）

(There is nothing in her neural cloud. Everything is blank.)（心智中什么都没有，一切都是空白。）

GrozaI... I don't know...我……我不知道……

CommanderReally?是么？

CommanderUm... So, are you still in Griffin?唔……那你现在还在格里芬么？

GrozaGriffin? What's that?格里芬是？

CommanderLooks like your memory modules might have been damaged...看来记忆模块可能受损了……

CommanderNever mind, the past doesn't matter anymore. You can stay here and rest for now. We'll worry about the rest some other time.没关系，过去的事已经不重要了。你可以先留在这里休息，之后再考虑其他的事情。

GrozaMm... Thank you... Commander...嗯……谢谢你……指挥官……

CommanderWait a minute, you remember me?等一下，你记得我是谁？

GrozaYou... You're the Commander...你是……你是指挥官……

CommanderSo you only remember me, huh... Maybe your modules took varying levels of damage...只记得我了吗……可能是分区的模块受损程度不一样……

CommanderAh, looks like you're fully charged now. Want to stand up and see if you can move around?啊，电量好像已经充满了。要不要出来活动一下？

(The door to the repair bay opens. Groza stands there dumbly, looking at the man who's holding a hand out to her.)（机能维持舱的舱门打开了。闪电愣愣地看着面前那个朝自己伸出手的人。）

(She reaches a hand out to him as well.)（她也朝他伸出了手。）

(She remembers this sensation, this warmth, and...)（熟悉的触感，熟悉的温度，还有……）

(Suddenly, her outstretched hand transforms into a knife and she stabs the person in front of her.)（突然之间，她伸出的手变成了一把匕首，朝面前的人刺了过去。）

Bright red blood splashes everywhere, staining Groza's visual modules.鲜红的血液蔓延开来，溢满了闪电的视觉模块。

GrozaNo... no... Noooooo!不……不……不要！

GrozaNOOOOOOO—!不要——！

GrozaCOMMANDER!!!!!!指挥官！！！！！！

(Crackle—Crackle—)（“滋滋——滋滋——”）

(Snap—)（“啪——”）

??Leader...队长……

??Leader!!!队长！！！

(Groza opens her eyes.)（闪电睁开眼睛。）

(She is dazed for a moment. When she comes to her senses, she realizes that she's lying on the floor of the Elmo's deck.)（她觉得有些恍惚，回过神来之后，才发现自己正躺在艾莫号的地板上。）

(It's the same repair bay as before, but compared to her dream, there are many more machines here and many more familiar faces.)（还是在那间维修舱室内，但比起梦境里，房间中多了很多仪器设备，也多了许多熟悉的面孔。）

(One of them in particular is gazing at her with dewy eyes.)（其中一张面孔正泪眼盈盈地盯着自己。）

GrozaMayling...?美玲……？

MaylingLeader... Thank goodness...太好了……队长……

MaylingYou're okay... I thought you'd never wake up... (sob)你没事……我还以为你再也出不来了……呜……

(Mayling looks like she's barely managing to hold back her tears. Looking around, Groza realizes the other members of the Elmo look the same way.)（美玲的表情看起来像是在强忍着泪水。闪电左右看看，发现艾莫号上的其他人也是差不多的表情。）

GrozaWhat... What happened?发生……什么事了？

MaylingLeader, your frame functions went abnormal just now, and your neural cloud response was highly aberrant...队长，你刚才的素体机能全部进入异常状态，心智的反应也呈现出高度异常状态……

MaylingSo... So I had to forcibly cut the connection...所以我……我只能强行把连接切断……

MaylingAre... Are you feeling alright?你现在……有没有哪里不舒服？

MaylingI just activated the repair pod... If you don't feel well, I can help make some last-minute adjustments for you...我刚刚启动了维修舱……如果觉得有什么问题，我可以帮你紧急调整下……

GrozaI'm... okay...我……还好……

MaylingAre you really alright? You look kind of weak right now...真的不要紧吗？可是队长你看起来好像有点憔悴……

MaylingYou've been really tired lately, and then the Commander...你最近一直很累，再加上指挥官他……

GrozaNo, it's alright.不，不要紧的。

(Groza immediately feels how awkward the words sound as she says them. She looks at Mayling's face; the latter seems shocked.)（话一说出口，闪电就觉得自己的语气似乎有些生硬。因为看美玲的表情，她似乎被吓了一跳。）

GrozaAh... I'm sorry... I'm a little...啊，抱歉……我有点……

KrolikIt's all my fault! If only I'd stopped you in time!都怪我！要是我及时拦住你就好了！

KrolikIt's my fault for not protecting you, Leader...是我没保护好队长……

GrozaIt's okay, I'm okay now...好了，现在已经没事了……

(Groza pulls herself together and sits up.)（闪电勉强打起精神，坐起身来。）

(Beside her, Sextans looks just like how she did before Groza entered her neural cloud, except several of the thin cables connecting some of the parts seem even more scorched now.)（身边的六分仪依旧维持着她进入前的状态，只是那些脆弱的电线的连接部分有几根似乎烧得更黑了。）

GrozaDid she make any funny moves when I was connected to her Level III?连接三级底层的过程中，这家伙有没有什么异常的举动？

(Nemesis shakes her head.)（纳美西丝摇了摇头。）

GrozaGood.那就好。

(Groza rubs the access port on the back of her head. Right after that, she realizes something.)（闪电揉了揉脑后的接口。紧接着，她突然意识到了什么。）

GrozaOh yes, Mayling, about the Commander... How are the Commander and the others doing now?对了美玲，指挥官……指挥官他们现在怎么样了？

MaylingI just received a call from the satellite city. A shopkeeper called "Springfield" said that she was lodging the Commander for the time being and told us not to worry.刚才我接到了卫星城那边的电话，那边有一位叫“春田”的店长说指挥官现在在她那边安顿下来了，让我们不用担心。

GrozaSpringfield...春田……

MaylingMiss Dandelion said they ran into a bit of trouble, but it was still manageable.丹德莱小姐说他们遇到了点麻烦，不过现在在可控的范围内。

GrozaI see... Well, if the Doll the Commander trusts says so...是么……既然指挥官信任的那位人形都那么说了……

GrozaWe should organize our findings for now.我们还是先来整理一下刚才的发现吧。

(Groza carefully organizes her thoughts. As she goes through her memories, she describes what she encountered in Sextans' Level III to Mayling and the others—)（闪电心事重重地整理着自己的思绪。她一边回忆一边把自己在三级底层遇到的事讲给了美玲和其他人——）

(Naturally, she omits the "dream" she had.)（当然，她隐去了自己的那个“梦境”。）

MaylingHm... So that means her neural cloud was melted down during a fusion experiment?唔……这么说来，她的心智数据是在某次融合实验中被融毁的？

GrozaMhm. It seems this experiment was data-protected, so I couldn't learn its name.嗯。而且这个实验似乎有信息保护，我没办法读取到具体的实验名称。

KrolikI mean, I already knew she had a big head, but I didn't expect her to actually think she could become a so-called "god".虽然早就知道这家伙很自大，但没想到她居然会觉得自己能成为所谓的“神”。

KrolikHonestly, it's no surprise that she ended up that way.会变成现在这个样子，真是让人毫不意外啊。

Nemesis...God ...already fallen...……神明……早已陨落……

KrolikYeah, I think everyone could understand that.啊，这句话大家应该都听得懂吧。

VepleyFinally, Nemmy's lyrics aren't so obscure anymore!小纳美也终于写出不那么晦涩的歌词了呢！

VepleyWhile Vepley still doesn't quite get them, it's a good start ☆虽然维普蕾还是听不太懂，不过至少是一个好的开始☆

GrozaIn any case, I'm sure Sextans is hiding many more secrets.总之，在六分仪身上一定还藏着更多的秘密。

GrozaWe'll guard this place in shifts until the Commander comes back. We mustn't allow anything to happen to this frame.在指挥官回来之前，我们轮流值守这里。一定不能让这具素体出什么意外。

VepleyYou should go get some rest and let Vepley handle the first shift~队长你就去休息好了，让维普蕾来轮第一班吧~

VepleyVepley's good at being the opening act and becoming the focus of everyone's attention~第一个登台演出，让观众们把目光都聚焦到自己身上~维普蕾可是很擅长呢！

GrozaMm. Thank you.嗯，那就辛苦你了。

GrozaMayling, give me an update on 404's latest position.美玲，重新确认一下404小队的最新位置。

GrozaWe'll meet up with them ASAP. This way we won't have to split our attention between them and Sextans.我们争取尽快与她们汇合，这样就不用再因为六分仪的事分心了。

MaylingYup! I just got a message from Lenna, it has 404's most recent location.嗯！我刚刚也接到了莱娜那边发来的信号，上面标示着404小队最新出现的地点。

GrozaMark it on our radar map! Full speed ahead!朝雷达上的方向，全速前进！

MaylingRoger!是！

Creeping Mist 阴霾渐袭

(The Elmo advances steadily with Mayling at the helm.)（基地车在美玲的驾驶下徐徐向前。）

(Long period of staring at the unchanging scenery is starting to take its toll on her stamina. Mayling yawns and switches on the Elmo's cruise control.)（路程过半后，眼前一成不变的景色显得让人有些困倦。美玲打了一个大大的呵欠，把艾莫号的模式改成了自动驾驶。）

Mayling(Yawn) Things are going so well that I'm getting a little bored.呼啊——一路上这么顺利，突然有点无聊呢。

KrolikShhh! Don't jinx it.嘘，不要乌鸦嘴。

MaylingAck!啊！

(Mayling hurriedly covers her mouth and looks around.)（美玲赶紧捂住了自己的嘴巴，四下张望着。）

(There are no enemies or ELIDs in sight, not even Collapse particle clouds that usually fill the sky. The only thing visible is the sand carried by the howling wind, crashing against the Elmo's windows.)（没有敌人，没有生骸，甚至连天际尽头最常见的坍塌云都看不到。只有扑面而来的黄沙，和着呼啸的狂风，拍打在艾莫号的车窗上。）

KrolikStill, it's quiet, too quiet...不过，的确有点太过安静了……

KrolikLeader, don't you think something's wrong...队长，是不是有点不太对劲……

(Groza is standing by the Elmo's hatch, intently watching the unchanging scenery.)（闪电把守在艾莫号的舱门前，目不转睛地盯着外面一成不变的风景。）

(Normally speaking, Dolls do not get "bored", and for Groza, she can easily deal with that by running simulations in her neural cloud.)（通常来说，人形并不会有“无聊”这样的概念，而对于闪电来说，这种情绪更是可以通过心智中的虚拟演习纾解。）

(Yet, she is not doing so.)（但是现在闪电没有这么做。）

(Krolik is right—things are TOO quiet. If nothing else, this lack of activity is abnormal, considering they're headed toward 404's position.)（克罗丽科说的没错，附近的确有些太过安静了——至少在前往404小队的路上，这种安静显得尤为反常。）

GrozaMaintain Class I alert.保持一级戒备。

KrolikGot it.明白。

(The Elmo leaves two parallel tracks on the desert.)（艾莫号的履带在沙漠上划出两道平行的痕迹。）

(After driving through an expanse of open terrain, they reach several sprawling sand dunes. Just then, Groza realizes something.)（驶过一片开阔地之后，前方迎来了几个绵延的沙丘。就在这时，闪电似乎突然意识到了什么。）

GrozaStop!等一下！

(Mayling suddenly brakes and the Elmo grinds to a halt. The inertia from the sudden halt sends all manner of items flying to the ground and the air fills with the sounds of glasses breaking and metallic objects falling.)（美玲猛地踩了一脚刹车，让艾莫号停了下来。由于紧急制动的惯性，车上的瓶瓶罐罐杯子盘子全都被甩到了地上，发出玻璃碎裂和金属掉落的撞击声。）

MaylingL-Leader, what happened?队……队长，怎么了？

GrozaThere might be an ambush up ahead.前面可能有埋伏。

GrozaMayling, turn our sensors up to maximum power and begin scanning our surroundings for heat sources.美玲，把雷达调到最大功率，搜索附近的热源。

MaylingRoger!是！

(Mayling does as Groza commands and maxes out the sensor output.)（美玲按照闪电的指挥，将雷达搜索调到了最大功率。）

(However, before a single IR image can appear on the display, an IFV appears from behind a sand dune.)（然而还没等显示屏上出现热成像的痕迹，一辆装甲车便从沙丘后方现身了。）

KennyAdjutant, we've arrived at the location of the radar contact!副官，我们抵达雷达显示的位置了！

LentineIs this the Elmo?就是这辆艾莫号么？

LentineHeh, the broker's intel was right, he really is here.呵，暗商的情报没错，他果然在这里。

KennySo this is the MCV of that bastard from just now, huh? Let's blow it sky high!就是刚才那个混蛋的基地车吗，我一定会把这辆破车炸上天！

LentineEasy, Kenny. This MCV's owner is a tough nut to crack.冷静点柯尼，这辆车的主人可没那么好对付。

LentineGet everyone ready for combat. We need to face the upcoming battle in top condition.让全员做好战斗准备，一定要以最谨慎的状态应对接下来的战斗。

KennyR-Roger.明…明白。

(The IFV's hatch openes and a head pokes out.)（装甲车的舱盖打开，一个脑袋探了出来。）

(Lentine takes off her helmet and a shock of red hair spills out as she leans against the IFV's roof.)（女人摘掉头盔，一头红发随风散开，斜倚在装甲车的车顶。）

LentineAll Rhino units, lock on to the target and surround it!各野牛锁定目标，包围他们！

(12 IFVs emerge from behind the dunes, racing toward the Elmo's position.)（十二辆装甲车齐齐从沙丘后方现身，朝着艾莫号所在的方位疾驰而来。）

LentineRhinos Four, Six and Twelve, circle around from behind the dunes. Flank them and cut off their escape.野牛四号六号十二号，从沙丘后方绕过去，侧翼截住他们的所有突破口。

LentineRhino Seven, engage ECM and protect the flanking team's advance.野牛七号，展开电子干扰，掩护侧翼队伍的突进。

LentineAll other Rhino units, raise your TOW missiles. Engage once the flanking raid team forces the MCV into your killzone!其余野牛，准备好导弹射击，等侧袭部队逼迫那个基地车移动进你们的射界就立即开火！

Mangi Security TrooperYes, ma'am!是！

(The IFVs quickly split up and race towards their designated positions.)（装甲车迅速分为三组，朝着预定的方向疾驰而去。）

(After giving her troopers their orders, Lentine folds her arms and stands on the roof of her vehicle, narrowing her eyes as she looks at the Elmo in the distance.)（对面前的队员们下达完命令后，兰汀抱着手臂站在装甲车的中央，眯起眼睛看着远处的艾莫号。）

LentineHmph... Even if you have a few elite Dolls, I doubt you'll be able to hold off a wolf pack attack delivering such heavy firepower, right?哼……就算你手上有几个精锐人形，也抵挡不住这种重火力的狼群攻击吧？

(The Elmo responds quickly and rapidly selects the ideal route for disengagement.)（艾莫号的反应很快，迅速地选择了最佳的摆脱路径。）

(While they do not drive into the kill box set up by their ambushers, the left-side flankers move to cut off the Elmo's escape route.)（虽然没有驶进他们包围圈中预定的埋伏地点，但左翼装甲车队突入后，便立刻提前开向了艾莫号的突破路线。）

(This forces the Elmo to change course to avoid the larboard convoy's attack.)（这样一来，艾莫号想要远离左翼车队的攻击，就只能调整行进方向。）

(However, upon changing course, the IFV convoy on the other side that has been lying in wait comes into view.)（但是在调整完的行进方向后，另一边做好伏击准备的装甲车队已经可以用肉眼被观察到。）

(The Elmo's driver notices this and once again makes an emergency turn.)（艾莫号上的驾驶员显然也意识到了这一点，艾莫号再次紧急转向。）

(Unfortunately, the ambushing IFVs are ready to launch their antitank missiles.)（然而那些伏击的装甲车上，陶氏反坦克导弹已经完成了发射准备。）

LentineFIRE!开火！

(Whoosh—Whoosh—Whoosh—)（“砰——砰——砰——”）

(The missiles streak out of their tubes, tracing a series of trajectories through the air before exploding around the Elmo.)（导弹迅速自发射筒射出，在空中划出几道曲线，在艾莫号的周围炸开。）

(While the Elmo's vehicular forcefield has deflected those attacks, its shielding cannot withstand a sustained barrage of this level.)（虽然基地车启动了车载力场盾，但护盾显然无法继续承受这种程度的集中火力。）

(If the Elmo takes a few more missiles like this, it will probably be dead in the sand soon enough.)（如果再继续硬吃几发导弹的话，艾莫号恐怕很快就会搁浅在这片沙地里。）

MaylingThere's too many of them!敌人实在太多了！

MaylingLeader, what should we do? They've cut us off!队长，怎么办？我们的路全被他们堵住了！

(Groza studies the densely-packed contacts on the radar display.)（闪电看着雷达上显示的密密麻麻的目标。）

(Due to active jamming targeting the Elmo's sensors, it can't display the precise location of each IFV, forcing them to determine the enemy positions with their eyes.)（由于艾莫号的雷达被主动干扰，上面无法显示出每一辆装甲车的具体位置，只能凭借肉眼来判断敌人的方向。）

GrozaCalm down.先别慌。

GrozaMayling, switch the Elmo to defense mode. We'll observe the enemy's movements.美玲，你先把艾莫号切换到防御模式，我们先观察敌人的行动模式。

MaylingUm... Okay!嗯……好！

GrozaNemesis, in position?纳美西丝，你就位了吗？

Nemesis...Mm.……嗯。

(Mayling does as Groza orders as she works on the control terminal. The armored shutters slowly slide down over the Elmo's windows, turning it into an impenetrable steel fortress.)（操作台前的美玲按照闪电的指示操作着。艾莫号的车窗上防御装甲缓缓展开，变成了一个密不透风的铁房子。）

(However, the running gears are also affected by the armor protection and the Elmo's speed visibly drops as a result.)（但是行走结构也因为受到了装甲的保护而迟钝起来，艾莫号有了明显的减速。）

(Nemesis has already climbed up to the roof landing pad and taken up position facing the enemy attack. She has already taken down several long-range missiles with accurate fire.)（纳美西丝此时已经爬到了车顶的停机坪上，面朝敌人攻击的方向，用几发精准的射击击落了从远处飞来的导弹。）

(The ambush detachment fires their missiles again and Nemesis shoots them down again, but there are just too many for her to respond to and two missiles manage to hit the Elmo.)（伏击阵地中又一次发射了导弹，再次被纳美西丝击落了数枚，但是发起攻击的导弹还是超过了纳美西丝的反应极限，有两枚导弹还是命中了艾莫号。）

(They fire a volley once again, and after Nemesis shoots most of them down, there is one left over which hits the Elmo.)（对方再一次发起攻击，在纳美西丝拦截掉大部分后，依然有一枚命中了艾莫号。）

(Then, as though they have already tested the Elmo's ability to withstand their attacks, the enemy does not continue the offensive.)（仿佛是因为已经试探出艾莫号拦截的极限能力，对方不再继续攻击。）

(While the radar cannot accurately pinpoint their location, Groza can still use the thermal imaging from the external cameras to tell that several IFVs are slowly circling the Elmo from different directions.)（然而虽然雷达的位置并不准确，不过闪电还是能从外部摄像头热源成像的轨迹中看出，数个装甲车正在从不同方向朝艾莫号慢慢围拢过来。）

(Although the Elmo can probably fight for a while with these IFVs, they have a mission to rescue H.I.D.E. 404... which means they have no time to waste on the opposition.)（尽管现在艾莫号还可以继续和这些装甲车周旋，但现在她们身上还肩负着救援404小队的任务……没时间再和对方干耗下去了。）

(In addition, they still don't know the enemy's objective and whether they've gotten reinforcements in...)（而且她们还不知道对方的目的究竟是什么，外面究竟有没有其他增援……）

GrozaNemesis, see if you can keep them from approaching.纳美西丝，看看能不能阻止对方靠近。

(Nemesis nods and begins taking shots at the IFVs.)（纳美西丝点点头，用武器朝装甲车进行了射击。）

Nemesis...Like drizzling rain, covering the tracks of the wayfarers...……如丝的落雨，掩盖行者的踪迹……

KrolikNot good—her bullets can't penetrate the IFVs' armor and the enemy doesn't seem to want to step out of their vehicles either.不行，子弹无法击穿装甲车，对方也完全没有从车里出来的意思。

KrolikSay... you think they're trying to board the Elmo?他们……不会想跳帮上艾莫号吧？

GrozaThat's definitely possible.有这个可能性。

(As she gathers information, Groza is simulating ways to break the stalemate in her neural cloud.)（获取信息的间隙，闪电不断在心智中推演着破局的方法。）

(Since they've taken precautions against the Elmo's sniper, it means they must be familiar with the Elmo's personnel deployment. At the very least, they know that they have the sniper Nemesis on board.)（既然是有意对狙击手设防，说明对方的队伍对艾莫号上的人员配置比较熟悉，至少知道纳美西丝这个狙击手的存在。）

(Also, mobilizing all these IFVs indicates that they know how the Elmo can switch between offense and defense modes.)（而出动了这么多装甲车来包围艾莫号，也正说明他们很清楚这辆基地车可以切换攻防的特性。）

(An MCV like the Elmo is not a common sight in the Yellow Zones, but they seem more than familiar with them. Clearly, they've done their homework before coming here—at the very least, they've gathered plenty of information related to the Elmo.)（艾莫号并不是黄区里随处可见的基地车，他们对这些情况了如指掌，一定是提前做过准备——至少获取了很多和艾莫号有关的情报。）

(Could it be that the enemy leader is connected to the Commander?)（难道对方的首领，和指挥官有关系？）

(If that's the case, this might not be a situation she can resolve by herself.)（如果是这样的话，眼前的问题就不是光靠她自己能解决的了。）

GrozaIt can't be helped...没办法了……

GrozaEveryone, man your positions. I'm contacting the Commander.大家先在各自负责的作战区就位，我来联系指挥官。

(Groza keys her ear mike and sends a transmission on the special channel reserved for emergency communications.)（闪电按了几下耳边的通讯器，拨下那个用于紧急事务联络的专用频段。）

(The ring tone plays for several seconds before a voice answers.)（几声拨号音响过后，对面的声音响了起来。）

CommanderGroza, what's happening?闪电，怎么了？

GrozaCommander, we're being followed by unknown enemies. The opposition is closing in on the Elmo at high speed.指挥官，我们遭遇了未知敌人的追踪，现在对方正在快速接近艾莫号。

GrozaThey've already launched a direct attack against us. After making the necessary response, I suspect that that opposition might be trying to board the Elmo.对方已经朝我们发起直接攻击，我们做相应反制措施后对方可能想登上艾莫号。

GrozaWe may need your leadership and judgement for the upcoming battle.接下来的作战可能需要指挥官你提供指挥和判断。

CommanderUnknown enemies, you say?未知敌人？

CommanderWhat are their numbers and makeup?敌人规模如何？

GrozaFrom what we can tell, the enemy are using 10-plus armored combat vehicles and at least 80-plus infantry.从我们掌握的信息来看，敌人可能有十辆以上的装甲作战车辆，以此推测敌人的步兵数量不会少于八十人。

CommanderArmored vehicles... Could it be Mangi again...装甲车……又是曼尼安保么……

CommanderHave Mayling increase the Elmo's speed. Keep your distance from the enemy armor and tell me the Elmo's coordinates and surrounding conditions.让美玲驾驶艾莫号加速，和那些装甲车保持距离，然后告诉我现在艾莫号的坐标和周边信息。

GrozaThe enemy has heavy weapons, so the Elmo is currently in defense mode.对方有重武器，我们现在让艾莫号进入了防御模式。

CommanderDefense mode, hm...防御模式么……

GrozaAlso, the enemy has active electronic warfare equipment. We've lost partial radar functionality and cannot download real-time data on the surrounding terrain.另外对方装备了主动电子设备，我们的雷达有部分功能失效，我没办法扫描附近实时的地形信息。

CommanderThat's fine. I know the terrain over there well. I just need exact coordinates.没关系，那边的地形我记得很清楚，只要告诉我明确的坐标就好。

(Groza sends the coordinates over and the voice on the radio goes silent.)（闪电将坐标发送了过去，通讯器中的声音静默了下来。）

(After some thought, the Commander issues precise orders.)（一阵沉思后，对方再次发来了明确的指令。）

(It is precisely these orders that have always put Groza at ease during emergencies.)（正是这样的指令，能让闪电在许多年来的每一次危急时刻得以安心。）

CommanderThere is a pass 10 km northwest of the Elmo with an abandoned town in it.距离艾莫号西北方向10km的位置有一处关隘，里面是一座废弃的城镇。

CommanderIf the enemy wants to board the Elmo, they'll want to shrink their perimeter. Once you're surrounded, there'll be no escape.如果敌人想要登上艾莫号，他们一定会逐渐缩小包围圈，一旦被围住就不可能逃走了。

CommanderTherefore, you must find terrain that will disrupt their plan to encircle you. That pass is a good place for it.现在需要先找到一个能破坏他们包围计划的地形，那个关隘是个好位置。

CommanderIn short, get the Elmo over there ASAP.所以，你们需要让艾莫号以最快的速度开到那边。

GrozaDoes this mean we will be disabling defense mode and breaking through their barricade?要解除防御模式强行突围吗？

GrozaBut if we do that, the Elmo might sustain severe damage...可是如果这样的话，可能会给艾莫号造成严重的损伤……

CommanderLetting them board the Elmo will be more dangerous than that.要是让他们登上艾莫号会更危险。

GrozaUnderstood.我明白了。

(Someone else seems to be talking on the other side. After a brief conversation, the Commander speaks over the transmission again.)（指挥官那边好像有人在说话，在一阵交流后，指挥官再次回到通讯中。）

CommanderThink of a way to get the Elmo there and use the pass to block the enemy's pursuit.你们想办法开着艾莫号赶到那边，尽可能用隘口阻断敌人追击的道路。

CommanderI'm heading back to help you right now.我现在立刻出发来支援你们。

GrozaCommander, are you rushing back?指挥官你要赶回来吗？

GrozaBut if it's just you and Colphne...但如果只有你和寇尔芙的话……

CommanderRelax, we met some old friends along the way. They'll be returning to the Elmo with me.别担心，我在路上遇到了一些老朋友，到时候她们会和我一起回艾莫号。

Groza...Are they ex-Griffin Dolls?……是以前格里芬的人形吗？

GrozaI'll draft up a combat plan based on the reinforcements you bring back.我会根据指挥官你这边带来的增援单位，安排具体的作战方案。

(Groza realizes that she seems to be placing too much emphasis on that last point, so she quickly supplements her words.)（闪电似乎意识到自己现在纠结这件事的细节有点刻意，赶紧补充了一句。）

(Fortunately, the Commander doesn't seem to have noticed it.)（好在通话那头的人似乎并没有意识到这一点。）

CommanderYeah. I'll be bringing five extra Dolls back. We'll be returning by helicopter.嗯，这边会有额外五名人形来支援，我们会乘坐直升机赶来。

GrozaUnderstood. I'll keep the Elmo and everyone on it safe until you return.明白了。我会在你抵达之前，保护好艾莫号上的大家。

CommanderThank you, Groza.辛苦你了，闪电。

(The Commander hangs up.)（通讯挂断了。）

(Groza stands in the ops room, both hands on the main terminal, her mind deep in thought.)（闪电站在指挥室内，双手撑在控制台上，思索了一阵。）

(Then, she raises her head and stares at the IFVs approaching the Elmo.)（随后她抬起头，注视着前方那几辆正在朝艾莫号逼近的装甲车。）

GrozaMayling, deactivate the Elmo's defense mode.美玲，关闭艾莫号的防御模式吧。

MaylingEhhhh? But... But the forcefield is going to collapse at any moment! The Elmo is going to take severe damage if we do that!诶诶？可是……可是力场盾随时可能会崩溃，那样的话车体会严重受损的！

GrozaI know... but these are the Commander's orders.我明白……但这是指挥官的命令。

GrozaChange course now. Divert all power to engines and accelerate to maximum speed.现在调转车头，把基地车所有的动力，全部用于加速。

GrozaHead northwest to a pass 10 km from here. That's our objective.从这里向西北方向10km的关隘，就是我们的目标。

GrozaOnce we drive there, we'll dismount to destroy the path in our wake to slow the enemy pursuit while waiting for the Commander to return with reinforcements.把艾莫号开进去之后，我们会下车炸毁道路减缓敌人的追击速度，等待指挥官他们的援军。

MaylingW-will do!好、好的！

MaylingI'll give it a try!我会试试看！

(With the Elmo's defense mode deactivated, the sounds of machinegun fire, grenades, and cannon blasts wash over the Elmo.)（艾莫号的防御模式关闭后，机枪声、榴弹声和炮弹的爆炸声一瞬间就覆盖了艾莫号。）

(The opposition's furious bombardment fills the ops room with deafening alarms, but Groza is undeterred. Instead, she systematically works the control stick, her eyes focused on the destination the Commander has assigned her.)（对方的狂轰滥炸让指挥室内也响起了震耳欲聋的警报，但闪电不为所动，只是按部就班地拉动着操纵杆，目不转睛地盯着指挥官让她抵达的坐标点。）

(She has to get there. She has to ensure the Elmo and its crew are safe until the Commander gets back.)（一定要赶到那里，要在指挥官回来之前确保艾莫号上大家的安全。）

(And after that, when there are more people around to protect the Commander...)（而且如果之后，能有更多人保护指挥官的话……）

(Then this will probably be the final task she performs for him.)（那这恐怕，就是自己最后的职责了。）

(Lentine sits in her IFV, puffing furiously on her cigarette while she watches the MCV and its deployed shield through a pane of armored glass.)（兰汀坐在装甲车里，边抽烟边紧紧盯着视窗外展开防御装甲的基地车。）

(Her forces have encircled the Elmo. The next step will be to close the net, then board it and seize control.)（她带领的队伍已经将艾莫号包围，下一步就是缩紧包围圈，登上车将那辆巨大的车控制住。）

(There are many questions in her mind, and she's eager to have them answered.)（她在心中酝酿了很多问题，现在已经迫不及待地想要得到答案了。）

LentineThis thing is harder to handle than expected...这辆车比想象中更难对付……

LentineWhat's the status on our missile storage?我们还剩多少发导弹？

KennyWe have 24 more shots.还有24发。

LentineThat's enough. Have the Rhinos cease fire for now. Use them all up when we launch our all-out assault.足够了，先让野牛停止攻击，一会发起突击时一口气打出去。

KennyAdjutant, shouldn't we call our people back if we're trying to board that MCV?副官，如果要跳帮登车，是不是把我们自己的部队调回来？

KennyWith all due respect, the people we have here are ordinary Mangi Security troopers. They're nowhere near as well trained as us; having them attempt a boarding would be suicidal.恕我直言，现在被我们带过来的这些都是曼尼安保的普通士兵，战术素养可远不如我们，让他们跳帮无异于送死。

KennyWhile I don't really care about casualties, if the mission fails—虽然上面对伤亡并不怎么在意，但是如果任务没有完成的话——

LentineHave you blown up all the signal markers in the regions designated by the brass?上面给我们指定区域内的那些信标站都被炸掉了吗？

KennyThey're all gone.都炸掉了。

LentineThen that's perfect. Without the signal markers, nobody will be making calls to the outside of our AO. Sounds like a perfect mission completion to me.那不就好了，没有信标站我们负责的区域就没人能往外通讯了，完美完成任务。

LentineAlso, we have drone surveillance for this mission. Even if someone wants to cut in, we'll have enough time to hunt them down later.另外这次任务还有无人机监视，就算有人想闯进来通风报信我们再去干掉他们也为时不晚。

LentinePlus, it's not like I'm actually going to let those rookies fight those crazy Dolls in close combat.而且，我可没准备让那些菜鸟真的去和那些变态的人形近距离交战。

LentineOur objective is just to make that vehicle's commander think we're going to board them.只要让那辆基地车上指挥的人以为我们想要跳帮，我的目的就达到了。

LentineHave our people stand by and wait for further orders.让我们的人待命，等着吧。

(Kenny is clearly used to Lentine's habits and doesn't probe further.)（柯尼显然已经习惯了兰汀平时的风格，没有再继续说什么。）

(The assaulting IFVs draw closer to the Elmo, while Lentine keeps her eyes focused on the screen, as though she's waiting for something.)（突袭的装甲车离巨大的艾莫号越来越近，而兰汀则紧紧盯着监视屏幕，仿佛在等待着什么。）

KennyThe charging Rhinos are now one kilometer away from the enemy.突击的野牛已经靠近到敌方一公里的距离了。

LentineStill no response?还没有反应吗……

(Lentine anxiously studies the positions of her IFVs and the Elmo, leaving deep teeth-prints on her cigarette.)（兰汀焦虑地看着自己手下的装甲车与艾莫号的位置，烟嘴被她用牙齿咬出了一个又一个印子。）

KennyAdjutant, the enemy MCV is on the move.副官，敌方基地车好像要有动作了。

(The MCV seems to have realized that they can't just keep taking a pounding like this. A moment later, the Elmo's drive systems reveal themselves as the defense mode armor plating rises and retracts into storage.)（基地车里的人似乎终于意识到这么耗下去不是办法，片刻之后，艾莫号的行走结构从下方缓缓露出，防御模式下装甲的折叠板也开始升起。）

(Although the mode switch takes less than a minute, it's enough for the Mangi Security forces to launch a vicious attack.)（尽管切换模式的过程只需要不到一分钟，但这些空隙也足够让曼尼安保的队伍对艾莫号发动一轮猛烈的进攻了。）

LentineAt last.终于来了。

LentineKenny, have the Rhinos launch all remaining missiles now!柯尼，让野牛把所有导弹都打出去！

(Whooshwhooshwhooshwhoosh—)（“轰轰轰轰——”）

(Explosions rock the MCV as Lentine's order is executed.)（随着兰汀的命令被执行，炮火立刻覆盖了整个基地车。）

(Although the MCV's Dolls do their best to intercept the incoming projectiles, the saturation missile strike overwhelms the MCV's shielding and scores direct hits on the superstructure.)（虽然基地车上的人形在尽全力拦截，饱和的导弹攻击还是穿透了基地车上的力场盾，并打在了车体的外部结构上。）

(The unarmored parts of the deck are instantly potholed and the high-strength polycarbonate windows begin to crack.)（甲板上那些未经强化装甲覆盖的位置瞬间就被打得坑坑洼洼，由高强度树脂构成的车窗上也出现了细微的裂纹。）

(By the time the dust clears, the MCV has barely managed to finish its mode change.)（硝烟散去后，基地车艰难地切换完了模式。）

(The MCV before the Mangi Security forces drags its pockmarked shell along and turns with unexpected speed, rushing toward an opening that the PMC forces couldn't seal off in time.)（面前的大家伙拖着布满弹痕的外壳，以超乎想象的角度迅速调转车头，不顾一切地朝还没来得及合拢的包围圈缺口冲了过去。）

LentineVery decisive. There's nobody else who would make that choice.很果断，会做出这样的选择，果然是那个人。

LentineRhino Four, have your forces concentrate fire on the MCV's undercarriage.野牛四号，由你带领车队，记住集中火力攻击那辆基地车的底盘。

(Several autocannons roar as they blast away at the Elmo's running gears.)（几门机炮口齐齐地朝艾莫号的行走机构轰去。）

(While each individual shell is not too devastating, the sustained barrage deals tremendous damage to the hulking MCV.)（虽然机炮的口径不大，但是不间断的轰击依旧让体型庞大的基地车遭受了巨大的损害。）

(However, the Elmo seems intent on breaking out of the encirclement and ignores the attack from the IFVs around it, driving into the face of the shells raining down on it toward some unknown destination.)（似乎是打定主意要冲出面前的包围圈，艾莫号不顾面前这些装甲车的围攻，只是迎着那些倾泻而来的炮弹，直直地朝某个方向全速驶去。）

(Behind it, the Mangi Security forces are in hot pursuit. The multiple hits on the running gears by the autocannons cause load-bearing wheels to fall from their mountings.)（在基地车身后，曼尼安保的追击一直没有停止，在狂轰滥炸之中，被机炮反复命中的行走机构，不断地有负重轮从悬挂上掉落下来。）

(As a result, the Elmo shakes violently as it travels at high speed.)（艾莫号的车身也因此在高速行驶中不断震动。）

(However, the driver's technique means the MCV stabilizes itself as it limps out of the Mangi Security blockade.)（不过在驾驶员的技术加持下，基地车最终稳住了车身，跌跌撞撞地突破了曼尼安保的包围。）

LentineYes, carefully thought-out and determined.思路很清晰，执行也很坚决。

LentineHm...哼……

(Lentine studies the direction where the Elmo is headed and then at a topographical map of the region.)（兰汀望着艾莫号前进的方向，又看了看另一个屏幕上这片区域的地形图。）

(After zooming out repeatedly, she sees an abandoned town to the northwest.)（她把地形图的比例尺不断缩小后，看向了西北方向的一处废弃城镇的坐标。）

KennyThe MCV's broken out of the encirclement. They're picking up speed and our IFVs can't catch up with them!基地车突破我们的包围圈了，正在提速行驶，我们的装甲车无法跟上！

LentineThat's fine. You think they can escape now that we know where they're headed?没关系，知道了他们的目的地还怕他们飞走不成？

KennyWhere are they going, anyway?他们这是要往什么地方去？

LentineHere.这里。

(Lentine points to the screen, indicating to the town with her cigarette, then pats Kenny on the shoulder.)（兰汀指了指屏幕，用烟头将城镇的坐标指了出来，然后拍了拍柯尼的肩膀。）

LentineThis is the only place that will let them escape our encirclement. I want to praise them for finding a way out so soon.这是唯一能够让他们摆脱包围的地方，这么快就能选出突破点，真想夸奖一下他们。

KennyWait, isn't that...这里不就是……

(The coordinates of the town in question has an "Omen" unit icon on it.)（柯尼眼前地图上，那个坐标的位置显示着“噩兆”部队的识别号。）

LentineHave our ambush forces prepare for battle. Our guests are coming.让埋伏的队员做好战斗准备，客人马上就要上门了。

(Lentine puts out her cigarette and takes hold of the cannon's hand station again, then orders the driver to prepare to move out—)（兰汀掐灭烟头，重新将手搭在炮塔的操纵杆上，命令驾驶员准备启动——）

(He can't even withstand an assault like this. All he can do is flee miserably under the absolute superiority of his enemy's firepower, unable to protect the things he wants to defend.)（连这种程度的打击都无力反抗，只能在绝对火力的比拼中狼狈地逃窜，再也无法保护自己想要保护的东西。）

(This is the price of abandoning everything and leaving the game...)（这就是放弃一切，退出这场棋局的代价……）

(It's truly unsightly. As expected, she made the right choice back then.)（真是太难看了，果然自己当年的选择才是正确。）

(That thought runs through Lentine's head as she watches the sand dunes vanish into the distance behind her.)（兰汀这样想着，一边看向不断后退的沙丘。）

(Everything is going as she planned. Now that she has set up an ambush that so overwhelmingly favors her, how long will that man be able to continue struggling?)（一切都按照自己的预想进行着，在自己设下的这有着绝对优势的伏击中，这个人到底能挣扎到什么地步呢？）

Creeping Mist 阴霾渐袭

KrolikLeader, it doesn't look like they're trying to close the gap.队长，他们好像没有继续靠近。

GrozaYes, it seems they've figured out what we're trying to do.嗯，看来他们已经察觉到我们想做什么了。

GrozaTheir aim is just to buy time, so they're keeping their distance and exchanging fire with us, keeping us from that building which we could use to block the path.他们的目的只是拖延时间，所以这样保持着距离和我们交火，不让我们靠近能压倒道路的大楼。

KrolikTsk, to think we'd have to launch an attack even though we're the side that got ambushed.啧，没想到被伏击的我们还得主动发起进攻。

KrolikHey, shorty, we worked pretty well together back there. Want to team up again?喂，小个子，刚才我们配合得不错，我们再联手一次如何？

VepleyYou need Vepley to shine brighter?需要维普蕾表现得再显眼一点吗？

GrozaYes, please. Draw their attention; I'll try to approach that building again.嗯，拜托你们吸引他们的注意力，我再尝试一次接近那座大楼。

GrozaNemesis, please cover us.纳美西丝，拜托你提供掩护。

NemesisTwining... The moment of enlightenment, and the distance from confusion.缠绕……顿悟之刻，离迷茫之久远。

KrolikNemesis says she's low on ammo!纳美西丝说她身上的子弹不多了！

GrozaAlright, then... Our success or failure rests on this gambit. Let's go!好吧……能否得手就看这次了，开始行动！

VepleyTime for Vepley's favorite special effect—smokescreens☆那就用维普蕾最喜欢的舞台效果——烟雾幕布吧☆

(Vepley pulls out a smoke grenade and throws it in the opposite direction of her cover.)（维普蕾拔出烟雾弹，朝自己所在的掩体的相反方向扔了出去。）

(The moment it bursts, the enemy's bullets rain down on the spreading smoke cloud.)（烟雾弹爆开的一瞬间，敌人的子弹立刻如雨点般打进了雾幕之中。）

(The Dolls emerge from their cover and race toward the building they're going to bring down.)（人形冲出了掩体，以极快的速度往准备炸毁的建筑冲去。）

GrozaKrolik, enemies on your 9, roughly 50 meters away.克罗丽科，敌人在九点钟方位，距离你大约50米的位置。

KrolikLeader, you guys carry on, I'll wipe them out.队长你们继续，我来干掉他们。

(Krolik lowers her stance and sprints over to the enemies in question. Their screams fill the radio channel.)（克罗丽科压低身姿猛冲了过去，随后在通讯器里传来了敌人的哀嚎。）

KrolikThree down. Two more headed your way, Leader.解决了三个。还有两个朝队长的方向去了。

KrolikTheir path might pass through Nemesis' field of fire—他们移动的路径可能会经过纳美西丝的视野——

(Bang—Bang—)（“砰——砰——”）

Before Krolik can finish speaking, a pair of bullets find their homes in the enemies' skulls. They collapse like puppets with their strings cut and bright red liquid gushes out of their helmets.（克罗丽科的话音刚落，两发子弹便准确地打进了两名敌人的脑袋。他们的身体瘫软下去，头盔中流出了鲜红色的液体。）

(Before Krolik can spout a one-liner, a hail of bullets fly her way from another direction.)（克罗丽科刚想得意地吹嘘几句，子弹就立刻从别的方向朝她袭来。）

(She quickly ducks behind cover, trying to find the position of her attackers.)（她赶忙纵身跃入掩体蹲下，试图寻找朝她射击的敌人的位置。）

(This time, the enemy doesn't seem willing to let her go. They hammer her position with a torrent of lead, keeping Krolik completely pinned down.)（这一次，对方并不准备放过她，连串的子弹打在所在的掩体上，让克罗丽科完全无法动弹。）

VepleyQuit bullying Krolik!你们不要再欺负克罗丽科啦！

GrozaVepley, go help her!维普蕾，回去帮忙！

(Vepley proceeds to double back to support Krolik. She throws her grenade with all her might, and the enemy throws back more grenades in response.)（维普蕾立即掉头冲回去支援克罗丽科，她用力地将手雷朝远处抛去，对方作为回应扔回了更多的手雷。）

(Groza feels the heat and shockwaves from the multiple detonations wash over her back. While she continues running forward, there is a hint of anxiety in her voice as she keys her communicator.)（一连串的爆炸让闪电感受到背后滚滚热浪袭来，闪电虽然还保持着前进的速度，但是她焦急地在通讯中问道。）

GrozaKrolik, Vepley, are you alright?!克罗丽科，维普蕾，你们没事吧！？

KrolikI'm okay... I just got hit by a few bullets!没事……只是挨了几发子弹而已！

KrolikFor some reason, I get the feeling I should bring a ranged weapon along next time!看来下次作战得带一把远程武器了……！

NemesisFlowing sands and running waters recede, then go still, at the furthest reaches of sunset.流沙与流水的消逝，平复，在日落的尽头。

KrolikOkay, FINE, you win!行行，这次算你赢了好吗！

KrolikNow fire off the rest of your rounds and cover us!快把你剩下的子弹都给我打出来提供掩护吧！

Vepley...Vepley thinks the show went too well!……维普蕾好像也表现得太过头了！

VepleyBut Mr. Pizza will give me strength!不过，披萨先生会给我力量的！

(The sound of heavy gunfire comes over the transmission once again, and this time it's getting closer to the Dolls.)（通讯中又是一轮密集的子弹来袭的声音，而且枪声已经越来越靠近人形们了。）

(Groza can clearly tell that these black-armored troopers are worlds apart from the enemies she's previously encountered.)（闪电明显感觉到，这些穿着黑色盔甲的士兵和之前遭遇到的敌人有着云泥之别。）

(Their shooting technique and tactics mark them as veteran fighters, and they clearly understand the terrain.)（这些士兵不管是枪法还是战术都十分老道，并且他们很显然已经对地形做了充分的了解。）

(Although their responses are slower than Dolls, they can still attack the Dolls from multiple angles while hugging cover, negating the advantages in accuracy and reaction speed which the Dolls enjoy.)（即使在反应速度落后于人形的前提下，他们依然可以依托掩体从不同方向向人形发动进攻，瓦解掉人形在反应和射击上的优势。）

(The Elmo Dolls are having a hard fight, and time is not on their side this time.)（艾莫号的人形们陷入了苦战，而时间这次却不站在她们这边。）

(Groza glances at the explosives in her backpack. So far, they haven't managed to set a single charge and the IFVs pursuing them will not give them a chance to catch their breath.)（闪电望了望背上的炸药，迄今为止她还没有机会埋设哪怕一处炸药，而敌人追击的装甲车不会给她们喘息的机会。）

(If they can't block off the single road giving access to the pass, then it's only a matter of time before the enemy's main force catches up and wipes them out.)（如果不能破坏隘口中这唯一的道路，那被敌人的主力部队追上并消灭只是时间问题。）

(Groza squeezes her weapon's foregrip and thinks about what to do if the worst should come to pass.)（闪电用力捏了捏握把，思考着应对最差情况时的办法。）

GrozaWe fell for it... They weren't trying to delay us, they were just planning to directly destroy us.我们中计了……他们压根儿就不是在拖延，他们就是想直接消灭我们。

GrozaThey're smarter than we expected, using their advantage in numbers and firepower to overwhelm us.这支部队在利用人数和火力的优势压制我们，他们比我们想象的还要聪明。

KrolikStill... They aren't Dolls! They'll die when they're killed!可是……这些人又不是人形，中了枪真的会死啊！

KrolikWe've taken out so many of them already; doesn't their commander give a damn about their men?我们已经消灭了他们那么多人了，指挥他们的人，难道一点都不在乎自己的部下么？

Groza...…………

(Groza doesn't know how to answer Krolik's question.)（闪电不知道该如何回答克罗丽科的问题。）

(Logically speaking, most commanders would do as Krolik said and try to avoid unnecessary casualties...)（按照常理来说，的确像是她说的那样，每个指挥官在战斗中，都会尽力避免无谓的牺牲……）

(But the enemy's fighting spirit and morale hasn't fallen because of their losses. She can't apply normal preconceptions to these foes.)（但对面的战斗意志和士气却丝毫没有因为损失而降低，人形们所面对的这支队伍，已经完全不能用常理来推测了。）

KrolikAhhhhh, there's no point thinking about all that!啊啊啊，不想这些了！

KrolikLeader, I'll delay the enemy! Hurry and bring down that building!队长，我们来拖住敌人，你赶紧去破坏大楼吧！

KrolikWe can't let the Commander come back to the sight of the Elmo in flames, right?!总不能让指挥官回来时看到艾莫号被干掉的样子吧！

GrozaTh-that's right!对……对！

GrozaPlease, I'm counting on you...!拜托你们了……！

(Groza ducks into the target building and unpacks enough explosives to bring this building down several times over before wiring them up with detonators and setting up the initiation sequence.)（闪电冲入了目标建筑内，她从背上卸下了足够炸毁这座大楼好几次的炸药，开始插入雷管设置起引爆流程。）

(However, the sound of IFV engines comes from nearby. Groza looks up, and her hands stop moving as she sees the scene before her.)（但是装甲车的引擎声却从不远处轰鸣而来，闪电抬起头，看着眼前的景象，停下了手中的动作。）

(The IFVs that have been engaging the Elmo just now are heading down the road, going straight for the Elmo.)（刚才和艾莫号交战的装甲车正以一字纵队沿着道路朝艾莫号的方向驶来。）

(Groza's heart fills with a despair she's never felt before as the unending stream of IFVs rumbles in.)（闪电看着从隘口源源不断涌入的装甲车，感受到了从来未有过的绝望。）

(No matter how fast she works, there's no way she can finish planting all the explosives on all of the building's load-bearing columns before the convoy passes by.)（不管自己的动作多快，都不可能在车队经过这栋建筑前在那么多承重柱上布置完炸药。）

(Time seems to slow to a crawl and in Groza's eyes, everything outside takes place in slow motion.)（时间像是突然间被放缓一般，窗外的一切都像是慢动作一样在闪电面前播放着。）

(In an instant, she remembers many things; her life after parting ways with the Commander, the scene of her reunion with him, the first time she downloaded her neural backup into this frame, that strange feeling from back then...)（一瞬间，她想起了许多事，想起与指挥官分开后的生活，想起与他们重逢时的画面，想起上一次将心智备份下载到这具素体上时，那种异样的感觉……）

(She clearly promised the Commander that she would protect everyone on the Elmo...)（她明明答应过指挥官，会照顾好艾莫号上的大家……）

(No, she can't give up yet.)（不，她还不能放弃。）

(She needs to complete her mission. And besides...)（她必须要完成任务。而且……）

(She still has her "last resort".)（她还有那个“最后的办法”。）

(Groza lays the explosives on the ground and quickly reconnects them before loading them onto her back.)（闪电将炸药横铺在地上，快速进行串联后重新背回身上。）

(The circuit ends at a detonator whose time-delay has been removed.)（串联的终点是一个被拆掉延时装备的起爆器。）

(Groza takes it in hand, discards her weapon, and jumps out in front of the first IFV.)（闪电将起爆器握在手中，扔掉了武器，一跃跳出建筑落到了第一辆装甲车的正前方。）

(The driver reacts quickly; its autocannon and its coaxial machine gun immediately begin tracking her movement, but a Doll's dexterity and rapid reflexes allow her to easily avoid the attack.)（装甲车的反应很快，机炮和同轴机枪的子弹立刻随着她的动作扫了过来，但凭借人形敏捷的动作和极致的反应速度，她轻易地躲开了这些攻击。）

(Immediately following, she throws herself into a slide to go under the IFV—)（紧接着，她朝着装甲车的车底滑铲而去——）

GrozaKrolik, take charge in my place from now on. Bring everyone back to the Elmo immediately.克罗丽科，从现在起你代替我指挥，现在立即带其他人返回艾莫号。

(Upon hearing Groza's words, Krolik's reply over the radio sounds frantic.)（听到闪电的话，通讯里传来克罗丽科焦急的声音。）

KrolikLeader, what are you doing?!队长，你要干什么？！

GrozaI will keep the enemy vehicles from approaching the Elmo.我会阻止车队靠近艾莫号。

(Everything seems to be happening in slow motion. As she watches bullets kick up puffs of sand and dust around her, she suddenly feels a strange sense of liberation.)（一切都在缓慢地进行着，闪电看着周围子弹落地而扬起的尘烟，忽然有一种不可思议的解脱感。）

SystemNeural upload synchronization command selection—disable?心智上传同步，选择指令——拒绝。

SystemWarning, this command entails a high degree of risk.警告，该指令存在高风险。

SystemPlease re-confirm the disable order.请再次确认拒绝指令。

KrolikLeader! Talk to me! What are you doing?!队长！回答我！你要干什么？！

KrolikYou can't... not again...你不能……绝对不可以再……

GrozaConfirmed.确认。

SystemCommand confirmed. Neural upload synchronization disabled.确认指令，同步已经关闭。

Time goes from slowing down to practically standing still.时间的流逝从缓慢走向了几乎凝固。

Groza watches herself gradually approach the undercarriage of the IFV. She even sees the driver's look of panic as he tries to pull out his handgun but fails to do so in time.闪电看着自己逐渐地靠近了装甲车的底盘，她甚至看到了驾驶员探出身试图掏出手枪却拔不出来时那惊恐的模样。

She sees the shell casings ejected by the turret guns, as well as each and every pebble thrown into the air by the shaking of the ground.她看到了被抛出炮塔的弹壳，看到了被履带震动而弹跳起来的一颗颗石子。

She sees a strange, blue-colored flower blossoming before her, and a blue butterfly flitting out of the flower's heart.她看到了自己的眼前有着蓝色的异花盛开，而一只蓝色的蝴蝶从花蕾的深处飞了出来。

And the final thing she sees is the Commander's face, though for some reason it seems a little blurred.最后映入眼帘的，是指挥官的容貌，不知为何这份容貌有一些模糊。

A strange feeling wells up from the depths of her neural cloud, but the real stranger is herself, standing in front of the Commander.一种陌生感从心底传来，而陌生的竟然是站在指挥官前的自己。

That self wears a completely different uniform from her, and has a completely different expression on her face.那个自己穿着和自己截然不同的制服，脸上挂着和自己截然不同的表情。

A powerful wave of fatigue washes over Groza. She closes her eyes and stops thinking.强烈的疲倦涌上了她的心头，闪电闭上双眼，不再思考。

GrozaGoodbye, Commander...再见了，指挥官……

(KABOOM—!)（轰——！）

Racing Rescue 驰援突围

(As the helicopter races through the jet-black sky, it slowly descends and emerges from the cloud cover that prevents others from noticing it.)（直升机在漆黑的空中快速地飞行着，机身在慢慢下降，离开了掩护行踪的云层。）

(I can't help but worry as I look at my reflection in the window and back at the terminal in front of me.)（我看着窗户上自己的倒影，又看了看眼前的终端，不禁焦虑了起来。）

(The terminal displays a CONNECTION LOST icon. I sigh, then try to re-establish the communications link.)（终端上显示着通讯失败的标志，我叹了一口气，再一次操纵终端试图接通通讯。）

CommanderGroza, do you read me?闪电，听得到吗？

CommanderCome in, Elmo.艾莫号，请回答。

(However, the only thing I hear from my earpiece is the hissing of static. I've been trying to contact them throughout the entire flight, but I haven't been able to get through so far.)（但耳机内还是只有噪音，这一路上虽然我不停地尝试呼叫，但是通讯却始终联络不上。）

(I clench my fist and glance unhappily at the hovering Dandegate.)（我捏了捏拳头，不满地看向浮空的兵蚁。）

CommanderDidn't you say you could maintain comms with the Elmo no matter the distance?你不是之前说不管离得多远都可以一直保持和艾莫号的通讯吗？

DandelionThat would require the local signal markers to be intact~前提是信标站还好好存在呀~

(So the nearby signal markers have all been destroyed, hm... Considering the scale of the enemy attack Groza mentioned, that's definitely a possibility...)（附近的信号站都被破坏了么……按照闪电刚才说的敌人规模的确有可能……）

(It also means the opposition prepared their ambush well. While they're going up against the Elmo, I can't underestimate the reaction speed of these black-armored Mangi Security troopers.)（这也说明对方的伏击做了充足的准备，虽然找上的是艾莫号，但那些黑色的曼尼安保反应速度的确不容小觑。）

(I look out the window, at the ground below. The pass I told the Elmo to head toward is right below us.)（我朝窗外看向地面，之前在通讯中我让艾莫号前往的隘口已经出现在了下方。）

(I head over to the cockpit, where Sharkry and Centaureissi are sitting in the pilot and co-pilot seats.)（我朝驾驶舱走去，夏克里和桑朵莱希各坐在正副驾驶位。）

CommanderSharkry, descend to 200 meters and then maintain altitude.夏克里，下降至两百米后维持高度巡航飞行。

SharkryOkay~好的~

CommanderHave the helicopter's rocket pods been reloaded?直升机的火箭弹补充过了吗？

SharkryTopped up and ready to go!全都满仓准备着呢！

CommanderGood.好。

CommanderCentaureissi, when we fly above the pass, try to use the vehicle radio to establish comms at short range.桑朵莱希，飞到隘口上方时尝试用机载电台进行短距呼叫。

CentaureissiCommander, the enemy might discover us if we use the radio.长官，用无线电可能会被敌人发现直升机的位置。

CommanderIt's alright, they won't be able to respond.没关系，他们反应不过来。

(The helicopter soars through the air above the pass, and I can see quite a number of ant-like vehicles swarming the entrance.)（直升机飞到了隘口上的高空，隘口的外部可以看到不少像蚂蚁一样大小的车辆正在往隘口赶来。）

(There are intermittent flashes of light in the settlement at the mouth of the pass. There are people exchanging fire there, and it's plain to see that our people are among them.)（隘口内的城镇中隐约闪过几道亮光，里面有人正在进行交战，不用猜一定是我们的人。）

(Looking further into the distance, I see the MCV crawling along as it trails a huge plume of black smoke. It's travelling slowly, but it's already drawn away from the firefight.)（朝更远处看去，一辆巨大的冒着黑烟的基地车正在缓慢地移动，虽然移速并不快，但也已经和交火的位置拉开一定的距离了。）

(Centaureissi turns on the radio and I begin hailing it. Soon, I hear Mayling's voice amidst the noise.)（桑朵莱希打开了电台，我接过通讯器开始呼叫，很快在一堆噪音中听到了美玲的声音。）

CommanderMayling, do you read me?美玲，能听得到我说话吗？

MaylingC-Commander?!指……指挥官！？

MaylingThank goodness! I got through at last!太好了！终于接通上了！

CommanderCalm down, Mayling. What's happening now?不要着急美玲，现在情况如何？

MaylingWe... We're being chased by lots of enemy armor!我…我们被很多装甲车追击！

MaylingWe headed to the town you mentioned earlier, but there were enemies there waiting to ambush us!刚才按照指挥官您的命令往这座城镇里开，但是城镇里面有敌人的埋伏！

MaylingLeader Groza took the Dolls out to intercept them and she said she would blow up the road on this side!闪电队长带着其他人形去阻击他们了，闪电队长还说要炸掉这边的道路！

CommanderTsk, so they saw through it, huh...啧，被看穿了么……

CommanderCan you contact Groza?能接通闪电她们的通讯吗？

MaylingNo... I can't, Leader and the others haven't been responding since just now! Do you think they're in danger?!不……不行，从刚才起队长她们就没有回应了，队长她们不会有事吧？！

CommanderI'll go back them up. You keep driving the Elmo and don't stop for anything, got that?我会去支援她们，你继续驾驶车辆前进，千万不要停，明白吗？

MaylingI... I got it... Commander, please bring back Leader Groza and the others!明…明白，指挥官……请您一定要带闪电队长她们回来啊！

CommanderLeave it to me.交给我吧。

(I put down the handset and return to the passenger cabin. I look around at the Dolls holding their weapons and ammo, then begin handing out combat assignments.)（我放下了通讯器，和桑朵莱希一起回到机舱中部，看着已经检查好武器弹药的人形们，开始给她们布置任务。）

CommanderDaiyan, Jiangyu, Zhaohui, Centaureissi, you'll be forming a squad to assist and relieve Groza's squad.黛烟，绛雨，朝晖，桑朵莱希，一会儿你们组成支援小组，前去增援闪电小队。

CommanderYou already know who Groza is. The other three members of her team are a Doll with bunny ears, a Doll with a purple cape, and a Doll with a M. Pizzarus backpack. You should be able to recognize them at a glance.闪电你们知道是谁，剩下的是戴着兔子耳朵、穿着紫色斗篷、还有背着恐龙背包的三个人形，你们应该一看就能认出来。

CommanderDon't get stuck in with the enemy. Find them and bring them back to the chopper ASAP.不要和敌人恋战，找到她们后带她们立即返回直升机上。

DaiyanUnderstood. We'll take care of it, Commander.明白，交给我们吧长官。

JiangyuTime to show you the power of an elite Doll, Commander!长官，好好见识下精英人形的实力吧！

CommanderColphne, you're in charge of protecting Melanie. Do not leave her side for a moment.寇尔芙，你负责保护梅兰妮，一步也不要离开。

ColphneYup!嗯！

CommanderAre you alright with that, Melanie?梅兰妮，你没问题吧？

MelanieI'm okay...我也没问题……

CommanderAlright! Prepare to move out!好！准备作战！

(I head back to the cockpit, instructing Sharkry to overfly the firefight. Once we're above it, I point out a largely-intact building, and Sharkry immediately picks up on what I want and descends.)（我返回驾驶舱，引导夏克里让直升机往交火的区域飞行，到达区域上空后我指了指一座顶层还算平整的建筑，夏克里心领神会地往那里下降了过去。）

CommanderLet's go!打开舱门！

(Centaureissi and Daiyan open the hatches on their respective sides of the chopper and a ferocious downwash screams in from outside. The Dolls stand by the open doors while Colphne shields Melanie from the howling winds with her body.)（桑朵莱希和黛烟各拉开了自己那边的舱门，狂风从机外呼啸而来，准备作战的人形站到了舱门边，而寇尔芙则尽可能护住梅兰妮，用身体为她挡风。）

(The helicopter nears the target building. The Dolls jump out when it's roughly ten meters above the roof.)（直升机离那栋建筑的顶层越来越近，当直升机悬停在十米高的位置时，人形从两边跳了下去。）

JiangyuHaha! Time for a Griffin airdrop!哈！格里芬离机法！

JiangyuWatch this, Big Sis!看我的老姐！

(Jiangyu does a magnificent flip in mid-air before touching down.)（绛雨在空中转了一个华丽的圆圈后落在地上。）

(Daiyan, who has touched down alongside her, glances at her sister before reproaching her.)（同时落地的黛烟担心地看了她一眼，略带责备地说道。）

DaiyanBe careful, Jiangyu. We're in a combat zone now.小心点绛雨，我们现在进入战区了。

JiangyuBut that's what I want! It feels just like old times!要的就是这种回到过去的感觉！

ZhaohuiSo this is what you used to do. No wonder you're always so restless.原来你以前尽干这种事吗，难怪平时这么不安分。

JiangyuWhy, you jelly?怎么了，你羡慕吗？

CentaureissiLadies of Monsoon, let's head out.季风的各位，我们开始行动吧。

DaiyanPardon us, Miss Centaureissi. Let's go.抱歉桑朵莱希小姐，我们立即前进。

(The Dolls dart into the building and the helicopter pulls up again as it heads toward the mouth of the pass.)（人形组成队列进入到建筑中，而直升机再次拉高朝隘口的位置飞去。）

CommanderLooks like it's about time.看来时间差不多。

(From the co-pilot's seat, I see multiple IFVs working their way through the town area. They're driving single file toward the Elmo; the perfect opportunity for us.)（坐在副驾驶位的我看到远处多辆装甲车正在穿过隘口往城镇内开来，车队正沿着道路排着一字长队往里行驶，这是个千载难逢的好机会。）

CommanderSharkry! Target this road and blow all those IFVs to scrap!夏克里，对准这条道路，把这些装甲车打个稀巴烂吧！

SharkryWill do!好咧！

(The helicopter adjusts its position as it hovers, then plunges in for a strafing run. Rockets scream out of their pods in rapid succession and explosions erupt along the length of the road, turning the IFVs into burning wrecks.)（直升机在空中调整了姿态，盘旋后找准了角度朝着车队笔直俯冲了过去，火箭弹快速地出膛，沿着道路的射击让装甲车们炸成了一个个火花。）

(Groza feels her frame hit the ground hard with a dull thud.)（闪电能感觉到自己的素体重重地摔在地上，发出一声沉闷的声响。）

(In the wake of the deafening explosions, the walls of the pass crumble and the ruined buildings nearby collapse, engulfing the fleeing Mangi Security troopers.)（震耳欲聋的爆炸声后，隘口的石块分崩离析，附近建筑的残骸正跌落下来，压在了正在四散逃窜的曼尼安保士兵的身体上。）

(She can hear their screams, she can see the mangled remains of humans that have been blasted into gory chunks, and she can feel their hot blood raining down on her.)（她能听到那些士兵的哀嚎，能看到身边被炸成碎块的人类的残躯，能感觉到温热的血液泼洒在自己身上。）

(But...)（可是……）

(Wait a minute—)（等等——）

(Didn't she just...)（她刚才不是……）

(Groza thinks back to what she was doing before she found herself collapsed on the ground. Do Dolls feel like this after they blow themselves up?)（闪电回想着自己倒在这里之前的举动。难道人形自我毁灭之后，就是这样的感觉吗？）

(It doesn't seem any different from normal.)（似乎和平常的状态也没什么区别。）

(She recalled a time when scientific advancement in this world was still limited, and humans believed that after death, they would become something called "ghosts", entities left behind after one's death.)（她想起了这个世界的科学水平还未普遍发展时，人类觉得自己死去之后会变成一种叫做“幽灵”的东西。）

(Then, is she some kind of data ghost now?)（那么现在，她变成了一个数据幽灵吗？）

(Groza lies motionless, trying to clear her head—)（闪电躺在那里一动不动，似乎想要理清头绪——）

(In her recollection, she was preparing to press the button on her detonator, but then the IFV before her suddenly exploded, and the massive shockwave sent her flying.)（在记忆中，刚才的自己准备按下手中的按钮，但眼前的装甲车突然凭空爆炸，巨大的冲击和气浪将自己吹飞了出去。）

(Groza looks down at her right hand. The detonator is still there, but she did not press it.)（闪电看向自己的右手，按钮还在手中，压根就没有按下。）

(Then what was that explosion just now?)（那刚才的爆炸是？）

(Before she can think about it, the sounds of more gunfire and explosions come from the other side of the rubble.)（但还没来得及思考，废墟的另一侧，却传来了炮弹轰炸的声音。）

(Kaboom—)（ “——轰隆——”）

(Looks like the opposition hasn't given up yet. They're trying to blast a hole in the debris and fallen rock blocking the path, so the troops outside can get inside and continue fighting.)（看来外面的敌人还不死心，想要将被废墟堵死的位置轰出一个缺口，以便让外面的士兵能进入这座废弃城镇继续作战。）

(Once again, there is another deafening explosion. Rocks and debris fly everywhere and the blocked passage shows signs of clearing.)（又是一声震耳欲聋的轰炸声。石块和瓦砾四处飞溅，堵死的废墟已经有了松动的迹象。）

(Another one and...)（只要再来一下的话……）

(Kaboom—)（“轰隆——”）

(The rubble blocking the path is completely blown away. She can hear Mangi troopers approaching, so close that she can see their grey helmets through the breach—)（挡住道路的残骸彻底被炸飞。曼尼安保士兵的脚步声逐渐接近，近得她甚至已经能透过缺口看到那些灰色的头盔——）

(Is this the end?)（要结束了吗？）

(...)（……）

(No, not yet.)（不，还没有。）

(Bullets suddenly fly past her, accurately striking the Mangi troopers in the head.)（子弹突然从自己的身后射出，精准的连续射击准确地命中了士兵们的头部。）

(Shocked, Groza looks back and sees the Dolls rushing out of the smoke and running to her side.)（闪电惊讶地朝后看去，人形的身影从烟雾中冲了出来，来到了她的身边。）

Racing Rescue 驰援突围

(The red-haired woman anxiously studies the messages on the screen, not even realizing that her cigarette has almost burned itself out.)（红发女人焦虑地看着屏幕上的信息，连烟头已经烧到了手指她也浑然不知。）

(Half of the IFVs she sent into the town have been destroyed. The other half have been wedged outside by fallen rocks and rubble. Meanwhile, there is a ceaseless stream of casualty reports from her Omen forces.)（进入城镇的装甲车被击毁了一半，另一半也被前面的残骸和废墟挡住，而自己的“噩兆”部队正不断地传来伤亡报告。）

(Just now, the Dolls that jumped out of that helicopter had completely eliminated any chance she had of wiping out those encircled Dolls.)（就在刚才，能够消灭那些被包围人形的机会，被从直升机上跳下来的人形彻底地毁掉了。）

(That helicopter had shown up with incredible timing and practically destroyed her entire deployment in an instant.)（直升机出现的时刻是如此精准，几乎在一瞬间就破坏了她的部署。）

(Could it be that the fleeing MCV had only been a decoy? Was she the one being ambushed all along?)（难道说刚才基地车的逃脱只是个诱饵？难道自己才是被伏击的那一个？）

(The confidence she had started with crumbles in an instant, and Lentine can't help but wonder if there's a bigger trap waiting for her behind all this.)（一开始那笃定的自信突然崩塌，兰汀不得不怀疑这背后是否还有更大的陷阱等着自己。）

(Any other person would probably not be able to do it, but she can't even begin to imagine what kind of strategies that man who came back from Frankfurt can employ.)（如果是别人也许无法做到，但是那位从法兰克福回来的人，会做出如何的谋略自己完全无法想象。）

(Lentine's underestimation of him has already cost her dearly, and right now, she knows that her only choice is no choice at all.)（刚才的低估已经让自己付出了巨大的代价，而此时等待她的只有一个没有选择的选择。）

LentineContact all squads, have them begin withdrawing. Load up the dead and wounded where possible and return to our muster point.告诉所有小队，开始脱离战斗，尽可能带上伤员和尸体，回到我们的出发位置。

KennyBut adjutant, we can still fight!副官，我们还可以继续战斗！

KennyWe still have those Dolls surrounded!那些人形还在我们的包围中！

LentineAnd what if they have more Dolls lying in wait for us?如果对方还有更多人形在埋伏我们呢？

KennyBut?可是……

LentineWe still have a perimeter lockdown mission ahead of us. We can't lose any more men...我们还有封锁区域的任务，不能再损失更多人手了……

LentineBring everyone back now.让所有人立即回来。

KennyYes, ma'am...是……

KennyDammit!可恶……！

(Kenny angrily punches his seat before leaving the IFV. He doesn't look back.)（队长愤慨地用手臂砸向座位，然后头也不回地离开了装甲车。）

(It is only now that Lentine notices the burning pain at her fingertips. She clicks her tongue and drops the cigarette butt.)（兰汀这才意识到手指的炙热，她一哆嗦，烟头掉到了脚下。）

(Its lingering heat scorches a black-edged circle on the intelligence report lying on the floor of the vehicle. Lentine picks it up, preparing to throw the pages that made her lose so much out of the vehicle.)（烟头的余温将地面上的情报书烫出了一个黑色的窟窿，兰汀捡起了情报书，举起手想将导致她重大损失的几页纸扔出车外。）

(However, her hand stops halfway, and Lentine instead throws the report back on the ground.)（但是手伸到了一半却慢慢地停下，兰汀将情报书重新扔回了地上。）

(There is a strange feeling in her heart. It's been there for a full 10 years, appearing in her dreams, showing up whenever she doubted herself, forcing her to find all kinds of excuses for her actions in order to get it under control.)（她只觉得心中压抑着一种异样的情绪。这种情绪在她心中存在了整整十年，它们无数次地出现在她的梦境中，出现在每一个让她自我怀疑的时刻，让她不得不为自己的行为找到各种借口，才能勉强控制住这种情绪。）

(As it is, she can no longer hold it back, the feeling that utterly denies all the choices she has made, an emotion that completely crushes her soul into the dirt.)（如今她已经无法压抑自己的那种情绪，那种从心底否认自己选择的情绪，那种将自己的人格彻底打入底层的情绪。）

(How... How is it that he can still beat me, even after falling so far?)（为什么……为什么即使落魄到这种地步，那个人还可以战胜自己？）

(Why would he give up on everything even when he's this capable?)（既然有着这样的能力，为什么还要放弃一切？）

(It makes no sense!)（这不合理！）

(She has to ask him and find the answer to that question.)（她必须得亲口问问那个人，得到那个问题的答案。）

(Lentine grabs her gun and stands up, throwing open the IFV's hatch.)（兰汀拿着枪站起身，掀开了装甲车的舱门。）

(She clenches her fist, driving her nails so deeply into her palm that blood begins welling up and dripping from her hand.)（她握紧拳头，指甲深深地陷进肉里，鲜血从她的掌心滴落下来。）

(It shouldn't... things shouldn't be this way...)（明明……不该是这样的……）

CommanderCome on! Load up!快！快上飞机！

(Monsoon Squad brings the Elmo Dolls to the roof of a nearby building. As the helicopter slowly touches down, I open the hatch so the Dolls can rush inside.)（季风小队带着艾莫号的人形们往一栋建筑的顶层冲来，直升机缓缓地落在了顶层地面上，我拉开舱门，让人形鱼贯而入。）

(Daiyan and the others bring Krolik, Vepley and Nemesis with them into the helicopter, which makes the passenger compartment feel a little cramped.)（黛烟等人带着克罗丽科、维普蕾和纳美西丝进入了直升机，机舱内顿时有一些拥挤。）

(Zhaohui and Jiangyu reflexively take up positions on the edges of the cabin, guns raised and scanning their surroundings.)（朝晖和绛雨索性坐在了机舱边缘，持着枪对外警戒着。）

KrolikCommander, where did you get all these people from?指挥官，你哪里找来的人手？！

CommanderThey're old friends. Where's Groza?以前的伙伴，闪电呢？

DaiyanMiss Centaureissi said she was helping to evacuate Groza!桑朵莱希小姐说她会帮闪电小姐脱身！

(I look down, but there's no sign of them. I pick up the handset and hail Centaureissi.)（我往楼下张望，完全看不到她们的身影，我急忙拿起通讯器呼叫桑朵莱希。）

CommanderCentaureissi, where are you two?!桑朵莱希，你们在什么地方！？

CentaureissiMaster, Miss Groza is badly hurt!长官，闪电小姐受损严重！

CentaureissiThe enemy caught up to us and we're trying to hold them off!我们被敌人追上了，正在原地阻击进攻！

CommanderFind a way to indicate your location!想办法表明位置！

CentaureissiGot it!明白！

(I hear a magazine change over the transmission. Shortly afterwards, I see a stream of tracer rounds hurtle into the sky. I immediately point in that direction and order Sharkry to dust off.)（通讯中传来了换弹的声音，一连串曳光弹从不远处直冲天空，我立即指向那个位置，命令夏克里起飞。）

(Once we reach the area above the tracers, I can clearly make out Centaureissi and Groza fighting off the enemy from behind cover.)（直升机靠近了曳光弹的上空，从上面能很清晰地看到桑朵莱希和闪电趴在掩体后朝着敌人射击。）

(Jiangyu and Zhaohui immediately rake the enemy support weapons with gunshots and the suppressive fire from the distance eases off.)（绛雨和朝晖立即从空中向敌人的火力点扫射，远处掩体中反击的火力有所减弱。）

(Centaureissi looks up at the helicopter and takes advantage of the lull in the shooting to grab Groza and head for the nearest roof.)（桑朵莱希抬头看了眼直升机的位置，趁着敌人火力的减少，扛起了闪电就往最近的建筑顶层跑去。）

SharkryUwah!呜哇！！

(A pair of missiles fly toward the helicopter, but fortunately Sharkry has been slowly orbiting the site and dodges them.)（地面上有两枚火箭弹朝直升机飞来，幸好夏克里一直在保持盘旋才没让敌人得逞。）

(Daiyan moves up to the doorway and joins the other Dolls in suppressing the source of those rockets. Meanwhile, I get Sharkry to rapidly descend and get as close to the building's edge as possible.)（黛烟也来到舱门边，和其他人形一起压制火箭弹飞来的位置，而我让夏克里快速地下降，尽可能持平建筑顶层的边缘。）

(Just as the helicopter levels out, Centaureissi appears on the roof, carrying Groza. She widens her steps and picks up speed, jumping off the roof with Groza. The two of them slam into the helicopter like a cannonball.)（飞机刚刚稳住机身，桑朵莱希就带着闪电出现在了顶层，桑朵莱希背着闪电大跨步朝飞机跳来，几乎像一颗炮弹一样砸入机舱内。）

(Fortunately, the other Dolls help them soften the impact. Daiyan helps Centaureissi lay Groza on the cabin floor while Jiangyu immediately closes the hatch.)（幸亏其他人形替她们缓冲了惯性，黛烟帮桑朵莱希将闪电放倒在了甲板上，绛雨立即把舱门给关上了。）

(Seeing that everyone is aboard, Sharkry immediately climbs into the air, beating a hasty retreat while being pursued by more rockets.)（看到人员已经到齐的夏克里，迅速地拉起机身，在火箭弹的不断追逐下离开了那片区域。）

(The helicopter flies toward the Elmo. Fortunately, the roof landing pad isn't too badly damaged.)（直升机朝着艾莫号飞去，幸好艾莫号顶层的甲板没有受到太大的伤害。）

(Sharkry lands the chopper on the Elmo. The Dolls dismount, waiting for further instructions.)（夏克里将直升机稳稳地停靠在了艾莫号上，而人形们也陆续走下了飞机，等待着接下来的安排。）

(I look into the distance. The Elmo is clear of that ruined town and the enemy shows no intention of continuing the pursuit.)（我看了眼远方，艾莫号已经驶离了那个破败的城镇，敌人似乎也没有追上来的意思。）

(I sigh in relief, then turn my attention back to the Dolls.)（我松了一口气，将注意力转回到人形们的身上。）

(Groza's frame is riddled with shrapnel. Krolik and Nemesis are carefully unloading her from the helicopter.)（闪电浑身插满了破片，克罗丽科和纳美西丝正费劲地将她从飞机上抬下来。）

CommanderGroza, are you alright?闪电，你还好吗？

GrozaI... I'm fine... I'm sorry... I almost failed to complete my mission...我…没事……对不起…我差点没能完成任务……

CommanderIt was my fault for coming back late... Don't speak, you need repairs.是我回来得太晚了……先别说话了，你需要维修。

(Groza nods and closes her eyes.)（闪电点了点头，闭上了眼睛。）

(I hear the chime of the Garage elevator nearby, and Mayling rushes out as the door opens.)（从格纳库传来了电梯的声音，美玲急匆匆地从里面跑了出来。）

MaylingCommander!指挥官……！

MaylingLeader, Leader, are you okay?队长，队长你没事吧？

(Groza shakes her head, but does not respond.)（闪电只是摇了摇头，没有再做出回应。）

CommanderMayling, you've done a great job. Now I need you to do a little more—刚才辛苦你了美玲，只是还得再辛苦你一下——

MaylingGot it! I'll start fixing Leader right now!我明白，我马上就检修队长！

(With Mayling urging them on, Krolik and Nemesis help Groza to the repair bay.)（在美玲的催促下，克罗丽科和纳美西丝扶着闪电先前往了维修室。）

ColphneWill Leader really be alright...队长真的没问题么……

CommanderI hope it's just surface level damage. We'll have to wait for Mayling to finish running diagnostics.希望只是素体的表面受损，看美玲的检查吧。

CommanderSpeaking of diagnostics, why don't you give Melanie a checkup?说到检查，要不你也替梅兰妮做个检查？

CommanderAfter that, we can get her a room to rest in.然后替她找个房间安顿一下吧。

ColphneAlright. Come with me, okay, Melanie?好的，梅兰妮跟我来吧？

(Melanie glances at me, then obediently follows Colphne down the stairs.)（梅兰妮看了我一眼，然后顺从地跟着寇尔芙走下了楼梯。）

(I have Vepley give the other Dolls a tour of the Elmo, which also includes performing a damage assessment of the stricken areas.)（剩下的人形们我让维普蕾带着她们熟悉下车内的空间，顺便给刚才被攻击的位置做一下受损评估。）

(I head back to the ops room. Thanks to the recent attack, it's a total mess. Glass panels have been broken and fragments are everywhere.)（我走回了指挥室，指挥室因为多次被爆炸袭击而显得脏乱不已，玻璃破裂、碎片飞得到处都是。）

(I can't help but sigh as I think about how the Elmo had just been repaired not long ago, only for it to be reduced to this state once again.)（一想到艾莫号才修好没多久就又变回这个样子，我就忍不住长叹了一口气。）

(I sit back down in my chair. Who would have thought so many things would have happened in the course of just one day?)（我重新坐回座位上，没想到仅仅出去一天，一切就出现了那么大的变化。）

(The hitherto silent Dandegate flies above my head once again. Dandelion's smug voice rings out from above me.)（之前一声不吭的兵蚁又一次飞到了我的头顶，丹德莱讨厌的声音开始在头顶响起。）

DandelionWhat an exciting day this was, Commander. Does it remind you of your Griffin days?真是紧张刺激的一天呢指挥官，有没有想起以前在格里芬作战的生活？

CommanderI can't help but be reminded of them...想不想起来也难吧……

(I reach up to grab the Dandegate above my head, but it nimbly evades my grasp.)（我伸手想抓住头顶的兵蚁，结果被它以灵活的姿势躲了过去。）

(The Dandegate flies before me and projects Dandelion's face again. She is yawning and stretching lazily.)（兵蚁顺势飞到了我的面前，投影出了丹德莱的身形，她正打着哈欠边伸着懒腰。）

CommanderSo, were the day's events a "coincidence" that you arranged too?今天这些奇遇，不会都是你“恰好”安排的吧？

DandelionHow could that be~怎么可能呢~

DandelionThe only "coincidence" I arranged was for you to meet Monsoon and the Zucchero. But then you ended up rewriting the script in your own way~我原本只是安排了季风和方糖与你的“偶遇”，结果指挥官你以你的方式完全把剧本给重写了呢~

DandelionI had nothing to do with the encounter in that underground lab, the fight with Mangi Security or that girl~地下的遭遇也好，曼尼安保也好，还有那个孩子也好，完完全全和我没有关系哦~

CommanderOh, really...真的么……

CommanderAnyway, about that data you found in that underground lab, have you learned anything yet?之前地下的那些资料，查到什么了吗？

DandelionI found a piece of information before we left the range of the signal marker network.在离开信标站的范围前收到了一部分资料。

DandelionAs it turns out, there has been a string of missing persons and cultist activity cases filed with the police departments of the various major districts in the nearby satellite cities. So far, I've read through 800-plus reports, over 13,000 pictures, 46 videos, and the material involves over a thousand people.附近卫星城各个大区下辖的治安部门近几年一直都有关于人员失踪和邪教痕迹的报告，我查阅了800多封报告，其中有一万三千张照片，四十六段视频，牵涉到的人数上千。

DandelionRight now, I'm trying to analyze similarities and sort them to see if I can find any clues.这些资料我正在做定向归因以及分析相似处，看看能不能找到一些线索。

DandelionHowever, the reports are all highly disorganized and there are signs of systematic internal tampering in addition to the confusing information.从现在来看报告杂乱无章，除了信息混乱外，似乎内部也有被系统性篡改过的痕迹。

CommanderWhat...什么……

DandelionSo give me a little more time, okay? It's only been half a day. Even I can't digest all this at once. The rest will just have to wait until my connection to the signal marker network is restored~再给我点时间处理吧，这才过了半天，就算是我也不可能一下子全部分析完，剩下的只能等信标的网络连接恢复再说了~

DandelionHowever...不过……

CommanderHowever?不过什么？

DandelionHowever, there seem to be some similarities between the experiment you found and what H.I.D.E. 404 is investigating. Perhaps they might be able to give you a lead to follow.不过似乎404小队在调查的事和您遭遇到的试验似乎有异曲同工之妙，从她们身上应该能找到一些突破口。

DandelionI trust you haven't forgotten them yet?话说您应该没有把她们给忘掉吧？

CommanderHow could I ever?那怎么可能。

DandelionLenna assigned you to go pick them up, right?莱娜的任务可是要您去接应她们哦？

CommanderGroza and the others were attacked on the road to get them. They were probably the same people as the ones who attacked 404.闪电她们就是在接应的路上被袭击的，恐怕和袭击404的敌人是同一批。

DandelionThat's my guess too. According to the PMC registration database, Mangi Security is supposed to be a small independent company with less than a hundred employees to their name. It looks like the NOMFA must have messed up really badly if they managed to overlook a company with this level of equipment and manpower~我猜也是，我从承包商资质审核的库中查到的曼尼安保不过是个只有一百人的小公司，能有这种级别的装备和人员规模，看来非军事管理局的工作有很大的失职啊~

CommanderWe'll tell Kalin about this afterwards.等后面把这个信息告诉格琳吧。

CommanderHowever, we've been cut off since just now. We can't contact anyone, be they 404 or Lenna.但是从刚才起就已经被切断联络了，不管是404还是莱娜那边，我们谁都联系不上吧。

DandelionThe enemy is smart; they knew to destroy the signal markers. However, I doubt this will pose a problem for 404~敌人的确很聪明，知道把信标站都给破坏掉，不过我想这点小事应该难不住404小队~

CommanderYou mean...你是说……

DandelionI mean something like this~比如说这个~

(Dandelion points to the ops room's main terminal.)（丹德莱指了指指挥台。）

(Suddenly, it buzzes with a comms request. I glance at Dandelion, and then I warily put it through.)（忽然指挥台响起了通讯请求的蜂鸣声，我看了眼丹德莱，将信将疑地接起了通讯。）

??Hey, looks like I finally got through. Man, it sure was hard fixing a signal marker with hardware this old...呀，终于连上了，要把这个硬件这么陈旧的信标修好真不是件容易的事啊……

??Man, Klukai would have killed me if I didn't fix it... Uwah, just thinking about it scares me...再修不好可露凯一定会杀了我的……呜哇，想想就觉得可怕……

(For a moment, I'm not sure how to answer. There's a look of doubt on my face as I listen to the voice on the line.)（一时间我不知道该回答什么，只是一脸狐疑地继续听着通讯中的声音。）

??Hm? No response?诶？没有反应吗？

??Ahhh, hello? Can you hear me? I'm connected, right?啊啊啊，听得到吗？明明已经接通了呀？

??You haven't forgotten who I am, have you, Commander?指挥官，你不会忘记我是谁了吧？

(There is a brief burst of noise. The video window dissolves into static and then clears up.)（通讯传来了一阵杂音，视频画面在一阵雪花后清晰了起来。）

(There is a man with his back to the camera. He seems to be banging on something. There is a burst of sparks, and then the man throws his wrench aside and slowly turns around.)（男人背对着镜头，像在捣鼓着什么，随着一阵火花，男人丢掉了扳手，慢慢转动着身体。）

(As he does, the man's face is revealed by the cold light of the overhead fluorescent lamps—）（随着他转过身来的动作，男人那张在冷光照射下忽明忽暗的面庞也随之显露出来——）

CommanderWait a minute... Is that you, Dier?等等……德尔？

Third-Generation Doll 三代人形

(Outside the Elmo's windows, a sandy gust of wind speeds through the darkened sky.)（艾莫号的窗外，一阵风沙拂过晦暗的天空。）

(There are no ELID corpses here or nauseating monsters. The endless sands are as clean as though nothing had ever happened.)（没有生骸的尸体，也没有令人作呕的怪物，茫茫黄沙之上，仿佛什么都没有发生过一样干净。）

(The helicopter slowly lands on the Elmo. The Dolls open the hatch and jump down from the chopper, while Dier follows behind them as he touches down on the Elmo.)（直升机慢慢降落在艾莫号上，人形们打开舱门从直升机上跳了下来，而德尔跟在她们后面也登上了艾莫号。）

(After receiving Dier's distress signal, Centaureissi took Daiyan and the others to the beacon station where Dier was.)（在接收到德尔的求救通讯后，桑朵莱希带着黛烟几人再次出发前往了德尔所在的信标站。）

(As per our previous comms, I learned that he had come to offer assistance after 404 had gone missing, but by the time he arrived at their location he found that all the signal markers in the region had been destroyed and that Mangi Security had seized control of all the roads leading in and out.)（在他的通讯中，我得知了他也是因为404的失踪而前来支援，等他到达区域后发现在该区域的信标站已经全被摧毁，而曼尼安保控制了各个进出的道路。）

(In the end, he became trapped there. Fortunately, Lenna had given him the Elmo's comm-code, so he managed to contact us after fixing a signal marker.)（结果他就这样被困在了这里，幸好莱娜有把艾莫号的通讯号码发送给他，所以他在维修完一座信标站后借助设备联系上了我们。）

(We didn't encounter any enemies at the signal marker. The helicopter returned to the Elmo after taking Dier aboard.)（信标站没有发现敌人，在接上德尔后，直升机返回了艾莫号。）

(The Dolls returned to the repair bay to rest, while Dier came to the ops room.)（人形们都回到了维修舱室休整，德尔则来到了指挥室。）

(I give him a quick once-over and can't help but feel unfamiliar with his look.)（我上下打量了德尔，看得他有些不太适应。）

DierWhat's wrong, Commander... Why are you looking at me like that...怎么了指挥官……怎么用这样的眼神看我……

CommanderHmm... Well, it's been a long time since I last saw you. I didn't expect you to grow up like this.唔……这么长时间没见，很难想象你会长成这个模样。

DierEr...呃……

Dier(Clears throat) Well, I AM a human, after all. Our looks are different from Dolls; we grow up fast.咳咳，毕竟我是人类，人类的样貌可不比人形，成长可是很迅速的。

CommanderYes, of COURSE I know that.这我当然知道。

CommanderThat said, what's more interesting is that you're still helping out Squad 404.不过更令我意外的是，你竟然还在协助404小队。

DierEh, there were times when I asked myself, "Why am I even putting myself through all this crap"...诶，我也有考虑过我为啥非要干这种苦差事……

DierBut hey, in for a penny, in for a pound, right?不过既然已经掺和进来了，就送佛送到西吧。

DierAnd besides, I heard that the Elmo would be helping them out, and I always wanted to take a look around the Elmo.更何况听说这次有艾莫号来支援，我可一直想登上艾莫号看看呢。

CommanderIs this thing really THAT interesting?这辆车有什么独特的吸引力吗？

DierOf course it is!那是当然！

DierAfter all, it's—这可是——

DierA cutting-edge IOP product!I.O.P.集团的顶级产品！

DierThe final glory of the NSU's heavy industry!新苏联重工业最后的辉煌！

DierA one-of-a-kind model whose like will never be seen again!再也没有出过其他版本的孤品车型！

CommanderAh... Er, yeah, it sounds pretty awesome.啊，呃，听起来好像很厉害的样子。

DierHonestly... You don't even know how valuable this thing is, do you, Commander?真是的……指挥官你真是一点都不明白这辆车的价值连城之处啊……

CommanderAll I know is that thanks to its workshop bills, I have trouble just getting enough water to drink as it is.我只知道每个月的维护费快让我连水都喝不起了。

DierHey, you get what you pay for.一分价钱一分货嘛。

DierWould you mind if I upgraded the comms system over here?这边的通讯系统，能让我升级下吗？

CommanderBe my guest.请便。

(I step aside and Dier takes out a bunch of strange devices before starting work on the command console.)（我让开了位置，德尔拿着一堆奇怪的设备开始连接进了指挥平台。）

(After some banging and fiddling, I see a screen on the console's monitor that I've never seen before.)（捣鼓了一会设备后，我看到指挥台的屏幕中出现了没见过的界面。）

CommanderWhat's this...?这是……？

DierI upgraded the Elmo's comm systems and also set up a temporary encrypted comms channel.我升级了下艾莫号的通讯系统，顺便建立起了一个临时的加密通讯频道。

DierI'm sure there were cases in the past where your transmissions were leaked to the outside world, right?之前应该有过你和其他人沟通时信息被外泄的情况吧？

CommanderWhy do you ask?为什么会这么问？

DierLenna told me about it.莱娜和我说的。

DierShe said that after Miss Kalina found out that the comms had been cracked by others on multiple occasions, she told 404 about it and asked them to improve their signal encryption.她说是格琳娜小姐发现的通讯被人破译多次后，告知了404小队这一情况，要求升级双方的通讯加密层级。

DierLeva felt that relying on an encrypted channel alone was pointless, so not only did she boost the encryption on all their communications, she also installed a "honeytrap" in 404's information systems.莱娅认为只靠加密通讯频道保护讯息毫无意义，因此不但升级了所有通讯的加密等级，还在404小队的通讯情报体系内植入了“蜜糖陷阱”。

DierAny "visitors" who haven't been invited by 404 will receive a special surprise from them.一旦没经过邀请的“客人”拜访，404会为其送上一些特殊的礼物。

DierUnfortunately, the upgraded technology still hasn't managed to catch that "visitor" who's turned up so many times before.只可惜，升级之后的技术还没抓到那位频繁拜访的“客人”。

DierThe encrypted comm channel I set up here is similar to the one Squad 404 is using now. This way, we can better ensure data security between both sides.我在这里建立加密通讯频道的技术与404小队如今所使用的相似，这样在两边都能更好地保证信息的安全性了。

CommanderIf that's the case, Kalina had best upgrade on her end too.这么说的话，格琳那边最好也做一轮升级。

DierWell, about that... I don't dare to mess around lightly with things on NOMFA's end.这个嘛……非军事管理局那边我可不敢轻易插手修改。

DierAlthough, I think that's where the biggest hole in security is.虽然我觉得那边才是漏洞的最大头。

CommanderSo you think the NOMFA is problematic?你觉得非军事管理局有问题？

DierLike, it would be strange if a government organization of that level DIDN'T have loopholes, right?那种级别的政府机构，里面没有漏洞才奇怪吧？

(I fall silent for a while and don't respond to Dier's words.)（我沉默了一下，没有接德尔的话茬。）

(In principle, I trust Kalin unconditionally, but she's part of the NOMFA, and I can't make up my mind about them right away.)（原则上我是非常信任格琳的，但她现在所处的那个非军事管理局，到底立场如何，现在的我无法立即做出判断。）

(After some thought, I decide to change the subject.)（略作思考后，我决定换一个话题。）

CommanderOh yes, you were saying that Lenna asked you to come over?对了，德尔你之前说过，是莱娜拜托你到这边来的？

DierYup.没错。

DierEarlier, Klukai mentioned having trouble getting network signal, so Lenna sent me over to help troubleshoot things for her.之前可露凯有提到过通讯网络信号遇到了问题，所以莱娜让我过来帮忙排查。

DierAt first, I thought it was just a standard mission so I took my family helicopter over and paid for transportation and tools myself... Now that I think about it, Klukai really is too stingy.原本我以为只是个常规任务，所以就坐家里的飞机来这边，载具也好工具也好都是我自付解决……想想可露凯实在是太抠门了。

CommanderSo you entered the Yellow Zone all by yourself?你一个人单枪匹马闯入黄区？

DierWell, the danger level for this place wasn't high, and my truck had good specs, so the Varjagers had trouble catching up.这片区域的危险等级不高，我开的车性能比较好，瓦良格帮也很难追上。

DierI thought I could just find a signal marker, drop off an enhanced base station and be done with it, but turns out every single signal marker I encountered along the way was completely destroyed. The only one whose internals I could even begin to repair was the last one.本以为找个信标站在里面丢一个强化基站就能结束，没想到一路上所有信标站都被彻底破坏了，只有我最后所在的这个站内设施还勉强可以维修使用。

DierAfter that, I found out that the way out was completely controlled by Mangi forces. I figured that they'd shoot me full of holes first even if I tried to go back.然后外面的道路全被曼尼安保的车队控制了，我就算想回去也估计会被打成马蜂窝。

DierLuckily I met you, Commander. Otherwise I'd have been totally screwed.还好遇到了指挥官你，不然这次行动要栽大跟头了。

(Saying so, Dier fiddles with the console interface and rescans for new transmission channels.)（德尔仿佛在肯定自己一般点了点头，然后操作界面更新了通讯频道。）

(The moment the rescan finishes, a shining point immediately appears on the screen.)（在更新完的瞬间，一个闪烁的光点立即在屏幕中浮现出来。）

CommanderWhat's this?这是？

DierIt's a transmission base station! It's broadcasting right now!正在发起广播的通讯基站！

DierCan I connect to it?我能连接广播吗？

CommanderYes! Do it now!快打开！

(Dier connects to the transmission. A rapid, loud voice speaks over the channel.)（德尔连接了信号，通讯频道中响起了急促而响亮的话语。）

Transmission...3762nd Platoon of the 7th Environmental Survey Corps!第七环境勘测部队三七六二排！

TransmissionWe have an emergency and need support! I repeat, we need support!我们遭遇紧急情况，需要支援，再重复一遍需要支援！

CommanderSurvey Corps?勘测部队？

DierAren't those the forces that 404 are working with?这不就是和404小队她们合作的部队吗？

CommanderCan we communicate with them?能和他们接通联系吗？

Dier...No, there's no response. This is an audio clip on a looped broadcast.……不行，通讯没有响应，这条是循环播放的音频信息。

CommanderTsk. Can we backtrace their signal, then?啧，能追踪信号位置吗？

DierSure we can... Alright, location confirmed! They're not far away!可以……好了，已经确认了，离我们并不远！

(I pick up my terminal and contact Centaureissi.)（我拿起了终端，联系了桑朵莱希。）

CentaureissiMaster?长官？

CommanderCentaureissi, I have a new assignment for you. Get ready for battle along with Monsoon Squad and meet in the Garage.桑朵莱希，现在有一个新的任务，让季风小队和你一起做好战斗准备，在格纳库集合吧。

CentaureissiUnderstood, preparing now.明白，这就准备。

(I have Dier send the coordinates to the Dolls and look out at the night sky as dark and mysterious as this mission.)（我让德尔将坐标发送给了人形们，看着窗外和这任务一样的深邃夜空。）

CommanderThis might be our break in finding H.I.D.E. 404.这说不定是找到404小队的破局点。

Third-Generation Doll 三代人形

(The helicopter takes off from the Elmo. I decide to head over to the repair bay while waiting for news.)（直升机飞出了艾莫号，在有新的讯息回来之前，我准备去一趟维修室。）

(I leave the ops room after telling the Dandegate to keep an eye on the Elmo's status and its surroundings.)（在交代了兵蚁让她监视艾莫号的状况和周围的情况后，我离开了指挥室。）

(Dier follows me down too. When we enter the repair bay, we see Mayling performing the final adjustments on Groza, while the other Dolls keep her company.)（德尔也随着我下来，进入房间时看到美玲正在给闪电做最后的调试，而其他人形都在她身边陪着。）

KrolikAh, Commander, you're here.啊，指挥官你来了。

CommanderYup. How are things?嗯，情况怎么样？

KrolikMayling says things are okay... But just now, Leader—美玲说还行……不过刚才作战队长她——

Groza(Coughs)咳……

(Krolik immediately shuts up when she realizes what's going on and pushes Nemesis and Vepley out of the room.)（克罗丽科识相地闭上了嘴，她推着纳美西丝和维普蕾往外走。）

KrolikRight, we're going to go check on the rest of the Elmo, you guys have a good chat, Commander.好啦，我们去检修艾莫号其他地方了，指挥官你们聊。

(After the Dolls leave the room, Groza sits up on the diagnostic slab.)（几个人形走出了房间，闪电从检修的座位台上坐起身来。）

CommanderGroza, are you alright?闪电，你还好吧？

GrozaCommander... I'm fine. Thank you for sending help.指挥官……我没事，多亏了你派的支援。

CommanderYeah, things were really close out there.嗯，真是千钧一发。

CommanderMayling, how is Leader's frame?美玲，队长的素体如何了？

MaylingI was startled when I first saw her, but when I ran my diagnostics I realized there weren't that many penetrating injuries...虽然第一眼看到时我吓了一跳，但是检修时发现素体被击穿的地方并不多……

MaylingFortunately most of the wounds were caused by shrapnel. While it caused a certain amount of damage to her limbs, we can fix them with replacement parts.幸好都是破片的伤害，虽然对四肢造成了一定程度的破坏，但是有替换件就能修复。

CommanderThat's good to hear.那就好。

(After seeing that Groza is alright, I manage to calm down at last.)（看到闪电没事，我终于放下心来。）

(I step aside to make room for Dier, then introduce him to Groza and Mayling.)（我侧身让出德尔的位置，将他向闪电和美玲进行介绍。）

CommanderThis is Mayling, she's the Elmo's chief engineer.这是美玲，艾莫号的首席工程师。

CommanderGroza is the leader of the Elmo's Doll squad.闪电现在是艾莫号的人形小队队长。

(Dier nods to them. Mayling returns the nod, a little timidly.)（德尔朝她们点了点头，美玲有点怕生地点头回礼。）

CommanderAnd this is Dier, I guess you could call him 404's—这位是德尔，算是404小队的——

DierJust call me 404's technician. I'll do everything I can to help you out during the upcoming operation. Nice meeting you.算技术人员吧，我会为接下来的行动提供力所能及的帮助，接下来请多多指教。

GrozaOh... alright.哦……好的。

(Groza nods to Dier. For some reason, Groza seems to be acting strangely.)（闪电向德尔点了点头，不知为何总觉得闪电的态度有些怪怪的。）

(Suddenly, Dier's eyes light up and he excitedly rushes over to the slab behind Groza.)（德尔突然目光一亮，激动地朝闪电的身后冲去。）

(Puzzled, I follow his movements with my eyes and see him practically skip over to where Sextans is lying.)（我疑惑地用目光跟随他的动作，看到了他连蹦带跳地冲到了六分仪的位置。）

(Sextans' frame has been badly damaged. Just about all her exposed skin has been destroyed, and her body is also badly deformed.)（六分仪的素体损毁异常严重，裸露在外的皮肤几乎全都被毁坏，肢体也扭曲得不成样子。）

DierYou, youyouyou—You even have a third-generation Doll?!三三三三——三代人形你这里都有？！

CommanderYou know this is a third-gen Doll?你知道这是三代人形？

DierOf COURSE I do! This is the latest tech developed by the Orglau Corporation; even the core collaborator companies who worked on it need to wait in line for six months just to look at the relevant files!那是当然！要知道这种奥尔劳格财团主导研发的最新技术，就算是和他们建立核心合作的企业想看相关资料都得排半年的队呢！

DierI can't believe you've gotten so rich and powerful after not seeing you for so long, Commander!!多年不见，指挥官你的实力和财力都超乎了我的预期！！

CommanderOh, I just picked her up by accident.意外所得罢了。

DierBy ACCIDENT?!意外？！

DierA third-generation Doll costs as much as a skyscraper!一个三代人形的价格堪比一栋大楼！

DierAnd that's just the financial cost alone! This isn't the sort of problem you can solve with money!前提是你有足够的资格，这还不是用钱就能办到的事！

CommanderEr... Well, it's a long story.呃……这里面有个很长的故事。

CommanderWe fought her during a previous mission, and then she suddenly showed up near the Elmo. We dragged her on board after we smacked her around for a bit.之前的任务中和她有过交火，后来她突然出现在了艾莫号附近，我们把她揍了一顿之后，就拖上车了。

DierTo think you actually managed to beat a monster of that level... Looks like you've been lying about your combat strength, Commander.居然能打得过这种级别的怪物……看来指挥官你还是谎报了自己的战斗力啊。

CommanderWell, not really.那倒不是。

CommanderThere seemed to be something wrong with her when we ran into her.我们遇到她的时候，她的状态好像有点不太对劲。

CommanderBoth her perceptions and memories were confused. Maybe you could help me take a look at her?认知、记忆都出现了混乱，也许你可以帮我检查一下她的情况。

DierHappy to help.乐意效劳。

DierStill, in her current state... Well, the materials for repairing her would cost an astronomical sum.不过她现在这个样子，想要修好怕是……维修材料估计是个惊人的数字。

(I cough to hide my awkwardness.)（我干咳了一声，想掩饰自己的尴尬。）

CommanderIs there a cheap way to do it?能有便宜的方式修好么？

DierCost aside, the main problem is that my understanding of third-generation Dolls is surface-level at best. Frankly speaking, I don't have much confidence in doing it.便不便宜倒另说，主要是我所了解的三代人形技术都只停留于理论层面上，说实话把握不大。

CommanderWell, you've got a chance now.那你的实践机会来了。

DierHm, hm...唔姆唔姆……

DierYeah, I think so too. Well, since I've got a chance to take a crack at this, don't mind if I do!我也是这么觉得了，既然有尝试的机会，那我就不客气了！

(Dier pulls out his toolbox and produces a plethora of instruments I have never seen before.)（德尔掏出工具箱，从里面拿出一大堆我见都没见过的工具。）

(After plugging all manner of cables into Sextans' access ports, Dier's instruments begin to flash and make noises.)（将各种连接线插入六分仪的接口上后，德尔的仪器开始发出各种闪烁和响声。）

DierHm... It's a mess in there... junk code and bad sectors everywhere.唔……一片混乱啊……到处都是乱码和坏区。

CommanderHer brain was pretty much mush when we met her.我们遇到她的时候，这家伙脑子已经变成一团浆糊了。

(Upon seeing that we're discussing Sextans, Mayling helps Groza off her slab and walks over to me.)（看到我们在讨论六分仪，美玲将闪电搀扶下座位台，走到了我身边。）

MaylingAh, while you weren't around, Leader tried hacking into her neural cloud to gather information.啊，刚才指挥官不在的时候，队长已经入侵过她的心智进行相关的调查了。

CommanderWhy did you take that risk?怎么这么冒险？

GrozaHer firewalls were down, so I judged that hacking into her would not pose any risks.她的防火墙处在完全失效的状态，我判断我的入侵没有风险。

CommanderI see...这样么……

CommanderSo, did you make any progress?那，有进展么？

GrozaHer neural cloud was a mess when I hacked in. My guess is that it was severely damaged by a fusion experiment.我入侵的时候她的心智非常混乱，大概率是在某次融合实验中就已经遭受了巨大损伤。

GrozaI tried connecting to her Level III base layer and learned some things.我尝试连接了她的三级底层，获得了一些信息。

GrozaApparently, someone ran an experiment on her and deliberately destroyed her. However, her internal files were too badly damaged and I couldn't make out any details.她似乎是被什么人进行了实验，被刻意损毁的，但是内部信息受损太严重了，细节我无法看清。

CommanderHm... I see.嗯……我明白了。

CommanderDier, I need the information in her neural cloud. Please help me fix her neural cloud as best you can.德尔，我需要她心智中的那些情报，请帮我尽量修复她的心智。

DierWhy don't you ask for the moon too while you're at it...这个要求真是强人所难啊……

(Dier takes out another little electronic device and hooks it up to several small cables from Sextans' head.)（德尔拿出另一个小型电子设备，在六分仪头部位置又拉出了几根线连接了起来。）

(After a while, the connections crackle and throw off sparks, even setting the device Dier is holding on fire.)（过了一会连接的位置竟然“噼里啪啦”地亮起了火花，甚至将德尔手中的设备都给烧毁了。）

DierTsk... A short-circuit.啧……短路了。

CommanderHow is it?怎么样？

DierIt's like what Leader Groza said.和刚才闪电队长说的一样。

DierSomeone wrecked this third-gen Doll's neural cloud, almost to the point of complete destruction.这个三代人形被人为破坏了心智，摧毁的程度几乎接近完全销毁。

DierWhoever did it targeted all the vital—and irrecoverable—parts of the neural cloud.下手的那个人，挑的都是心智中很关键的致命位置。

DierSee, although her frame structure is still largely intact, it's almost inoperable.你看，虽然她的身体结构都还保持完好，但几乎已经完全无法运行了。

DierIt's kind of like if a neurosurgeon went and severed linkages in a human brain. There aren't many destroyed nodes, but the neural cloud module is pretty much a write-off.她就相当于一个普通人类被神经科医生切断了感知一样，虽然破坏的节点不多，但导致心智模组已经接近于报废了。

Commander...……

DierAlso, it seems her body...另外……她的素体好像……

(Dier narrows his eyes and carefully studies an almost-destroyed portion of Sextans' epidermal layer.)（德尔眯起眼睛，仔细盯着某块被破坏的体表部分看了一会儿。）

CommanderIs something wrong?有什么问题么？

DierNo...不……

DierStill... Why would anyone make a Doll frame out of this... Pretty imaginative, I have to say.不过……怎么会有人想到用这种材料制作人形的素体……真是够有想象力的。

CommanderIs there any material you haven't seen before?有什么特殊材料连你都没见过？

DierWell, it's not like I haven't seen it before—Just that I never thought anyone would make a frame out of it.倒也不是没见过——但没人会想把它用于制作素体。

CommanderGet to the point, what is it?别卖关子了，到底是什么？

(Dier thinks for a moment, then reaches into his toolbox and takes out something that looks like a microscope.)（德尔微微思考了一下，随后他又从自己的工具箱里，掏出了某种类似显微镜的装置。）

(He looks for a place on Sextans' body, then sets it up and calls me over.)（他找了一个位置，架好装置后，呼唤我过来。）

DierHere, Commander, take a look.指挥官，看这里。

CommanderWhat is this?这是什么？

CommanderIt looks like some kind of biological tissue... Or rather... some kind of cells?看起来好像是某种生物组织……或者……细胞？

DierHm. Looks like someone was trying to fuse this Doll's frame materials with some kind of cell.嗯。有人尝试用这个人形的素体材料和某种细胞进行过融合。

CommanderThat's... a little surprising.这可真是……有点意外啊。

DierThe cells don't look very active. Looks like the fusion didn't work.细胞的活性看起来很低，看起来这种融合并没有什么效果。

(I think about what Dier is saying, and then I suddenly sense someone staring at me.)（我思考着德尔话里的含义，突然我感觉有视线正在盯着我。）

(When I turn around, I suddenly notice a little figure standing in the doorway.)（一转头，我的余光突然瞥见一个小小的身影正站在门口。）

(There is the pitter-patter of footsteps, and then Colphne appears from the doorway as well, grabbing the arm of the little figure.)（一阵脚步声，寇尔芙也出现在了门口，她一把拉住那小小身影的手臂。）

ColphneMelanie, what are you doing here?梅兰妮，你怎么跑到这里来了？

MelanieThere's something here...有什么东西在这里……

CommanderMelanie?梅兰妮？

(Upon hearing my words, Melanie reflexively backs away.)（梅兰妮听到我问她话，条件反射地往后退了两步。）

DierSo, you adopted a daughter as well?这么长时间不见，指挥官还收养了女儿？

CommanderLook, it's a REALLY long story...解释起来很复杂……

DierHi~ Hello, Melanie.嗨～梅兰妮，你好啊。

(Melanie backs away even further.)（梅兰妮又往后退了两步。）

DierUrgh... Do I really look that scary?呃……我长得有这么吓人吗？

CommanderColphne, what were the results of her checkup?寇尔芙，刚才的身体检查结果如何？

ColphneMelanie's vital signs are all stable. Too stable, in fact...梅兰妮的各项指标都非常稳定，不如说稳定得有一些过头了……

(Melanie ignores the exchange between Colphne and me. She raises her hand and points to the Doll behind me before addressing me directly.)（梅兰妮并没有理睬我和寇尔芙之间的对话，她抬起手指向了我身后的人形，斩钉截铁地说道。）

MelanieI want... to see that Doll.我想看看……那个人形。

Commander...That Doll?……人形？

(I point to Sextans.)（我指了指六分仪。）

CommanderYou mean her?这个吗？

(Melanie nods.)（梅兰妮点点头。）

CommanderSure, I guess...可以是可以……

(Melanie approaches us. Suddenly, a chill runs down my spine and my hand reflexively reaches for the gun at my waist.)（梅兰妮走了过来，我突然一阵寒颤，右手不自觉地伸向了腰间的手枪。）

(Upon realizing what I'm doing, I quickly turn aside so she doesn't see me and fold my arms across my chest.)（意识到自己做出奇怪的动作，我赶忙换了一个角度不让她看到，并摆了一个抱胸的动作。）

(She walks up to Sextans and looks her up and down. Finally, her gaze settles on the position where we discovered the signs of cellular fusion.)（她来到六分仪面前，用视线扫视了一番，最后视线停在了刚才我们发现细胞融合组织的地方。）

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 this fusion.她也有这个融合的痕迹。

(Melanie's words make me stiffen up.)（梅兰妮的话让我精神一紧。）

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。

CommanderBoojum cell structures...?伯介姆组织……？

DierHang on!等等！

DierCell activity has suddenly increased!细胞的活性忽然增强了！

(Dier quickly checks on Sextans' condition. Groza walks up in front of me and reflexively takes up a defensive position, while Colphne pulls Mayling and Melanie away.)（德尔快速确认六分仪的状态，闪电主动走到了我的身前，下意识摆出了防御的姿势。美玲和梅兰妮已经被寇尔芙带到了不远处。）

GrozaBe careful, Commander.指挥官，小心。

DierLogically speaking, the chances of her self-repairing like this should be vanishingly low, but the characteristics of Boojum cells might actually end up coming into play here.照理说，她这样的情况自我修复的概率微乎其微，但伯介姆组织所具备的活性特征也许真的能起到作用。

CommanderSelf-repair, huh...自我修复吗……

DierSo a Doll who can self-repair, and a third-gen Doll at that... Well, that's interesting.会自我修复的人形，而且还是三代人形……真是够有意思的。

DierLooks like she's recovering faster than expected!看来，她的修复速度比想象中的更快！

Sextans...……

DierHer neural cloud is rebooting!心智自动开始重启了！

DierThe bad sectors are actually accepting connections!坏区的部分竟然可以开始连接了！

(Dier stares incredulously at the instruments he's holding, while Groza warily raises her gun and points it at Sextans while shouting to Colphne.)（德尔不可思议地看着手中的仪器，而闪电则警惕地拿起了武器对准六分仪，并朝寇尔芙喊道。）

GrozaGet Mayling and that girl out of here!带美玲和那个孩子离开这里！

ColphneAh... O-okay!啊……好，好的！

(Colphne drags Mayling and Melanie outside; Melanie keeps looking back as she goes.)（寇尔芙拉着美玲和梅兰妮往外跑去，梅兰妮一边跑一边还回头望过来。）

(After Colphne closes the door behind her, I return my attention to Sextans.)（寇尔芙关上了门，我将注意力重新放回到六分仪身上。）

CommanderCan you repair her neural cloud backup logs while we're at it?!能够趁机复制她的心智备份记录么？！

DierI'm doing it right now!在这么做了！

SextansReboot... Successful. Local neural cloud backup... activated.重启……成功。本地心智备份……启动。

SextansBackup failed...备份失败……

SextansReboot... Successful. Local neural cloud backup... activated.重启……成功。本地心智备份……启动。

SextansNow connecting to remote database.正在启用远程数据库。

SextansRemote database connection... failed.远程数据库连接……失败。

SextansRebooting in local mode... system online.以本地模式重启……运作开始。

SextansNow loading affiliation data... affiliation ID... failed.正在识别权限归属……归属识别……失败。

(Sextans opens her eyes, but remains still. She looks at me, her eyes filled with confusion.)（睁开眼睛的六分仪直直地愣在原地，她将目光投向了我，眼神中充满了困惑和迷茫。）

SextansAre... Are you my master?你……是我的主人吗？

CommanderYour master?主人？

(Sextans walks toward me and extends a hand.)（六分仪朝我走了一步，并朝我伸出了手。）

(I reflexively reach out to take it, but Groza blocks me.)（下意识地我想去接住，但被闪电先行一步拦在了身前。）

GrozaCommander, she poses a huge threat. You mustn't lower your guard!指挥官，她的威胁性很大，目前不能放松警惕！

(Dier quickly works on his instruments, and then he suddenly chuckles.)（德尔快速操控着眼前的仪器，忽然轻笑出声。）

DierHeh... Commander, looks like you might actually become her new master.看来……指挥官，说不定你真能成为她的新主人？

CommanderWhat do you mean?怎么说？

DierWell, her affiliation and authorization data have been completely cleared out and her systems are back to their default state. If you like, you can take ownership of her~她的权限归属全部清零了，人形的系统全部处于缺省状态，如果指挥官你乐意，可以将她的归属直接指向你呢~

Commander...Does that mean anything?……这么做有什么意义吗？

DierOf course it does. That way, you can easily retrieve those neural logs you wanted.当然有啊，这样刚才你要的那些心智记录都可以轻轻松松提取出来了。

DierI mean, the only human here who can do this is you, right, Commander?在这里能做这件事的人类应该就只有指挥官你了吧？

CommanderEr...呃……

(I glance at Groza. She doesn't look at me; her gun is still trained on Sextans.)（我看了眼闪电，她没有抬头，依然举枪对准六分仪。）

GrozaIf it will aid your mission, then you should assume ownership of her.如果对指挥官的任务有帮助，那就做权限归属吧。

CommanderOh... oh.哦……哦。

(I nod, and Dier immediately begins tapping away on his touchscreen.)（我点了点头，德尔立即敲击了屏幕开始了操作。）

(Sextans' eyes briefly flash. Soon, Dier puts his instruments down and confidently addresses me.)（六分仪的眼睛闪过了光亮，不一会德尔就放下了仪器，很自信地朝我们说道。）

DierDone. She won't regard you guys as enemies anymore, and her neural cloud is reconstructing itself.搞定了，现在她不会将你们识别为敌方了，心智的部分正在修复中。

DierAlso, I found something neat~另外，我还找到了好东西~

CommanderSomething neat?好东西？

DierShe has an IFF key in her database. Do you know what that means?她的数据库中有着之前的敌我识别密钥，知道这是什么意思吧？

CommanderAre you saying that anything the key regards as a friendly is actually an enemy to us?你是说，她密钥中判定的友方单位，就是我们遇到的敌人？

DierThat's right!没错！

DierSee, all the combat logs from nearby have been transmitted to her neural cloud. My guess is that these friendly coordinates show the movements of Mangi Security forces.你看，这附近的交战记录都传输到她的心智中，这些友方坐标我猜就是那些曼尼安保的行踪。

DierThere's no other PMC with so many guys in this shitty part of the Yellow Zone.这片破黄区中，除了他们找不到第二家有这么多人的承包公司了。

CommanderSo the third-gen Dolls are also linked to Mangi Security...所以三代人形和曼尼安保也有关系……

DierI mean, that much is obvious, right? Third-gen Dolls were the product of the Conglomerate to begin with.这也不难推测吧，三代人形本来就是财团的产物。

CommanderYeah...嗯……

DierSo, if we have a more precise location for H.I.D.E. 404, we can use Sextans to backtrace them through Mangi Security positions!如果我们能有404小队更准确的位置范围，就可以靠六分仪反向找到曼尼安保的方式来找到她们了！

(I nod, then my terminal suddenly rings.)（我点了点头，而终端通讯突然响了起来。）

CentaureissiCommander, do you read me?长官，听得到吗？

CommanderLoud and clear. Go ahead.很清楚，请讲。

CentaureissiWe found the coordinates, and we ran into a small detachment of Mangi Security personnel.那个坐标我们找到了，我们遭遇了曼尼安保的小股敌人。

CentaureissiThey were few in number and we have already eliminated them.敌人数量不算多，我们已经将他们消灭了。

CentaureissiWe found a couple of Survey Corps troopers during the firefight. One perished, and the other is... very badly wounded.在交火的位置我们找到了两名勘测部队的士兵，一名已经阵亡，另一名士兵的伤……很严重。

CommanderCan you send him back to the Elmo for treatment?能送回艾莫号治疗吗？

CentaureissiHis wounds are severe and we cannot move him easily.他的伤势太重了，不能随便移动。

CentaureissiMiss Daiyan is administering first aid, but...黛烟小姐在给他做紧急处理，可是……

CommanderDaiyan, what is that trooper's condition?黛烟，那名士兵的情况怎么样？

DaiyanHis bleeding isn't stopping. At this rate, he won't last long...血根本止不住，再这样下去，支撑不了多久……

Survey Corps TrooperAre you Dolls?你们是人形吗？

Survey Corps TrooperLet me... speak with your commander...让我和……你们的长官说话……

CentaureissiMaster, he—长官，他——

CommanderPatch him in.接进来吧。

CentaureissiWill do.好的。

Survey Corps Trooper...We're from... 3762nd Platoon... of the 7th Environmental Survey Corps...……我们是……第七环境勘测部队……三七六二排……

CommanderWe're bounty hunters who were passing by and picked up your distress signal.我们是路过的赏金猎人，正巧收到了你们的求救信号。

CommanderCan you tell me what happened to you?能将你们遇到的情况告诉我们吗？

Survey Corps Trooper...Thank you...……谢谢……

Survey Corps TrooperWhile carrying out our mission, we encountered many ELIDs and enemies from an unknown faction... They destroyed all the signal markers nearby...我们在执行勘测任务途中，遭遇了很多生骸和某个不明势力派来的敌人……对方破坏了附近的所有信号基站……

CommanderI knew it...果然是这样……

Survey Corps TrooperWhile we were setting up a signal base station, we were attacked by mercenaries from Mangi Security...架设临时信号基站时，我们受到了名为曼尼安保的雇佣部队袭击……咳咳……

Survey Corps TrooperOur mission can't end with us, for the sake of our brothers!为了弟兄们，这个任务绝不能在我们手里停止！

DaiyanPlease stay still! You're in critical condition!请不要乱动！你的情况太糟糕了！

Survey Corps TrooperRight now, I am conscripting your Dolls in the name of the 7th Survey Corps (coughs)现在，我代表第七环境勘测部队强行征召你方人形，咳、咳……

Survey Corps TrooperPlease head to our position and provide backup! Our main force has been surrounded!请你务必前往我们的位置支援，我们的主力部队还在被包围中！

Survey Corps TrooperIf you help, I'm sure the first sergeant will reward you well...如果你们帮忙，大士一定会重赏你们的……！

CommanderUnderstood. We will help you.我明白了，我们会来帮忙的。

Survey Corps Trooper(Coughs) T-thank you...咳……太、太好了。

DaiyanHang in there! Don't give up...振作一点！别放弃……

Survey Corps TrooperRemember, you promised...记得、约定……

CentaureissiCommander, he's not breathing...长官，他没有呼吸了……

CommanderCentaureissi, please bury them... Let them rest in peace.桑朵莱希，麻烦你们想办法安葬他们……让他们安息吧。

CommanderAlso, bring their dogtags back to the Elmo.另外，把他们的军牌带回艾莫号。

CentaureissiAlright.好。

(I end the transmission and sigh heavily. I'd guessed that things would turn out this way, but I still can't but feel a little sad for those soldiers.)（我关闭了通讯，长长地叹了一口气，虽然早就猜到了会有这样的结局，但是对于这些士兵不免还是有一些唏嘘。）

CommanderDier, you said H.I.D.E. 404 was accompanying the Survey Corps, right?德尔，你说过404小队是和勘测部队一起行动的吧？

DierThat was what Klukai said, yes.之前可露凯是这样告诉我的没错。

CommanderSo the base station they struggled to build should be nearby. Have Sextans prepare to backtrace them.他们拼死建立起的信号站应该离404小队不会太远，将六分仪做好反向侦察的准备。

CommanderGroza, take our remaining Dolls; use Sextans as a guide to find H.I.D.E. 404.闪电，带上我们剩下的人形，你要利用六分仪作为引导找到404小队。

GrozaUnderstood.我明白了。

CommanderWe HAVE to find them.我们一定要找到404小队。

CommanderWe can't waste what those soldiers spent their lives to protect.那些士兵拼了命要守护的东西，绝对不会白白浪费。

Signal Decryption 破解通讯

(We hurry back to the ops room. Dier heads to the comms hub and begins connecting to the equipment.)（我们急匆匆地回到了指挥室，德尔主动地跑到通讯中枢前，开始连接设备准备工作。）

CommanderCan you find 404's location with the base station?能利用那个基站直接找到404小队的具体位置吗？

DierI'm trying... But my guess is that it's not too likely.我在试……但我猜不太可能。

DierThe base station might be milspec hardware, but Mangi Security already knows it exists, so in addition to sending people to destroy it, they'll increase their efforts in jamming its signal.那个基站虽然是军用级别的，但曼尼安保已经知道了有这个基站在，除了会再派人去摧毁外，一定还会加强干扰它的信号。

(The communications hub emits a "signal lost" tone, validating Dier's thinking.)（通讯设备传来了中断的声音，印证了德尔的想法。）

DierDidn't work, like I expected.果然不行。

DierStill, there might be hope if we can use Sextans to help. Hang on!不过，借助六分仪的能力说不定有希望，稍微等我一下！

(Dier crawls under the command terminal and begins installing some extra equipment.)（德尔钻到了指挥台下方，开始将一些额外的装备安装上去。）

(Meanwhile, I use this time to contact Centaureissi.)（而我在这个空档联系了下桑朵莱希。）

CommanderCentaureissi, how are things now?桑朵莱希，现在情况如何？

CentaureissiWe've buried the soldiers. The base station seems to be running normally.我们已经将那两位士兵埋葬了，基站看起来还在正常运作。

CommanderRight. Spread out and establish a defense line. Now that Mangi knows they've failed, they'll send more people over to counterattack.好的，散开布置防线，曼尼安保知道自己失手，一定还会派人来反扑。

CommanderYou must ensure the base station is secure.你们要确保基站的安全。

CentaureissiUnderstood. Master. We won't disappoint you.明白长官，我们不会让您失望的。

(Dier emerges from under the command terminal and taps several locations on the touchscreen, whereupon their menus begin to change.)（德尔从指挥台下钻了出来，又点击了几下屏幕，里面的界面开始出现了变化。）

DierRight.好了。

DierI copied over the frequency settings from the military base station. This way, the Elmo can use it as a relay to search for nearby Mangi Security signals.我参照了这个军用基站的频段设置，这样艾莫号可以借助那个基站作为中转搜索附近曼尼安保的信号了。

CommanderWell done.干得好。

CommanderGroza, do you read me?闪电，听得到吗？

GrozaGo ahead, Commander.请讲，指挥官。

CommanderConnect to Sextans' Level II and see if you can find any treasure.接入六分仪的二级平层，看看能不能找到些宝物。

GrozaGot it. Working now.明白，马上完成。

(Groza ends the transmission. Soon, Sextans' IFF key is transmitted to the Elmo's systems.)（闪电关闭了通讯，很快六分仪心智内的敌我识别密钥就被传输到了艾莫号的系统内。）

DierMm... This military base station has great coverage. Now, for the nearby signal traces—嗯……这个军用基站的覆盖度很强，周围的信号痕迹——

DierUgh...唔……

CommanderWhat's wrong?怎么了？

DierThe good news is that this IFF key is really effective, it's picking up traces of every single position Mangi forces have been to.好消息是这个识别权限过于好用，只要是曼尼安保的部队去过的位置都留下了痕迹。

DierThe bad news is, it's picking up traces of every single position Mangi forces have been to, so they're all over the map.坏消息是，痕迹实在太多，地图上显示得到处都是了。

(I look at the map after signal analysis has been done. Our surroundings are covered in red dots.)（我看了下分析后的坐标图，我们附近的区域被红点铺得满满当当。）

CommanderLooks like they were really earning their paychecks...这些人可真是勤劳啊……

CommanderLet's think about this from a different angle. Look for signal traces belonging to the highest-ranked contacts among these.换个思路，寻找识别权限中最高等级权限的通讯频段。

(Dier gets my meaning. He nods and immediately begins working on the task.)（德尔明白了我的用意，点了点头后立即开始了操作。）

DierGot it.找到了。

DierThere are two sets of signal traces corresponding to highly-encrypted wavelengths.一共出现过两个高保密级别的通讯频段。

DierThe first was active between half a month to one day ago, while the other suddenly appeared a day ago.其中一个在半个月到一天前活跃，另外一个是一天前突然出现的。

CommanderLooks like we found them.看来抓到他们了。

CommanderCan we try to pinpoint the signal location?能不能试着定位一下通讯人的位置？

DierOne moment...稍等……

DierNope, looks like they're using a different communications network from the rest of Mangi Security.不行，看起来是和曼尼安保不同的另一套通讯系统。

DierWe can't obtain their exact location with Sextans' permissions...以六分仪的权限无法直接获取到对方的具体位置……

DierHowever, if we can use Sextans' permissions to connect to that network and crack their firewall, we might be able to see their location.不过，如果能借着六分仪的权限连接进那个通讯系统，破解掉对方防火墙，说不定就能看到位置了。

DierThat said, it'll probably take a full day to crack it with the Elmo's current equipment.但是……现在艾莫号上的设备想要完成破解恐怕要花上整整一天的时间。

CommanderHmm... Well, we'll just start by trying to crack it.嗯………不管怎么说先开始破解吧。

(Dier begins his work. Like he said, the progress bar on the monitor is crawling along.)（德尔开始了操作，果然屏幕上显示的进度条以龟速向前挪动。）

(I sink into thought. Then, I suddenly think of something and look toward the Dandegate.)（我陷入了沉思，突然我想起了什么，抬头看向了兵蚁。）

CommanderSay, Dandelion, isn't cracking your forte?丹德莱，说到破解那不是你的强项吗？

Dandelion(Sigh) You're terrible, Commander. You only want me for my cryptanalysis.诶……每次只有这种时候指挥官您才想起我呢。

DandelionIt's enough to make me cry.真是让人伤心。

Commander...I'm sorry. Can you help us out?……真是抱歉了，这事你能帮忙吗？

DandelionWell, like that boy said, the Elmo's systems don't support cracking. As for me, my processing power is limited to that of this tiny Dandegate.就如那个小子说的，艾莫号上的设备不足以支撑破解，而我的话，现在的算力只能依靠这只小小的兵蚁。

DandelionHave you forgotten that all the signal markers are destroyed and my connection to the outside world has been severed?您不会是忘了信标站已经全灭，我和外界也断开联系了吧？

CommanderTsk...啧……

DierAh, Commander, look at this!啊，指挥官，你看！

(Dier suddenly exclaims and I look at the command terminal's screen.)（德尔突然大喊起来，我赶忙看向了指挥台上的屏幕。）

(The opposition's signal security level has suddenly fallen. Dier begins tapping on the screen before I can tell him to.)（对应的信号突然权限等级降低了，不等我说话德尔就开始快速地敲打屏幕了起来。）

DierWait, they voluntarily lowered their own security level?对方自己将权限等级降低了？

DierThere's a chance now!这下有希望了！

CommanderThey lowered it?降低了？

DierDid they encounter 404... So they lowered their security level to be compatible with 404's security channels...难道他们和404小队遭遇了……是为了兼容她们的通讯信道才降低了安全等级……

DierThat means we don't have much time to do this, given our current speed...那样的话留给我们的时间并不多，按照现在的速度估算……

(The progress bar visibly picks up speed, but the estimated completion time shows that the operation will still take close to an hour to finish.)（进度条的速度以肉眼可见的速度加快了，但是屏幕右下角的预计完成时间依然还需要将近一个小时。）

CommanderDammit, we're still too slow.该死，还是来不及。

(The Dandegate flies up to the screen and its monoeye flashes. Then, Dandelion projects her image and smiles smugly as she speaks to me.)（兵蚁飞到屏幕前面，眼睛亮了一下，随后丹德莱的身影被投射了出来，笑眯眯地对我说道。）

DandelionHmm. Well, if they've lowered their security to this level, I might be able to do something about it~诶呀，降到了这个级别倒并非没有办法~

DandelionHowever, I can't handle an encrypted signal of this level alone.不过对方这种级别的加密信号，光靠一个人可办不到呢。

CommanderTell me, what do you need.说吧，要什么？

DandelionYou know me so well, Commander.指挥官还真是了解我啊。

DandelionCan I borrow those cute little Dolls of yours?您手下那几个亲爱的人形，是否可以借我一用呢？

Commander...You're not going to do anything dangerous, are you?……你不会要做什么危险的事吧？

DandelionRelax, I'll return them all in one piece after I'm done.放心，用完之后就会把她们好好还给您的。

DandelionI'll set myself up as the relay, so even if the offensive barriers trigger, I'll be the only one to melt down~我会安全地做好中转，即使被攻性防壁烧毁也只会是我而已~

DandelionWell? Have I allayed your concerns?怎么样，放心了吗？

(I eye the Dandegate dubiously and then contact Groza.)（我将信将疑地看了兵蚁一眼，接通了闪电的通讯。）

(Soon, processing power reaches the command system. The Dandegate perches on the command terminal and begins to work.)（很快，算力集中进了指挥系统内，而兵蚁也趴在了指挥台上，开始了自己的工作。）

DandelionLooks like there were offensive barriers after all. Time for me to show what I can do~果然是有攻性防壁在，看来到了我表演的时候了~

Signal Decryption 破解通讯

DierWe're in!黑进去了！

CommanderConnect to the channel!接入进频道！

(The system indicates that the cracking was successful and Dier begins eavesdropping on them.)（系统显示了破解的成功，德尔开始了监听的操作。）

(After some crackling noises, a couple of voices are clearly audible on the channel.)（一阵“滋啦滋啦”的声音过后，两个声音清晰地出现在通讯设备里。）

Aloof Voice...I am here now.……现在遇到了。

(...)（……）

Experienced VoiceBelka, destroy the amplifier! 404, cut all comms now!比悠卡，击毁短时通讯增强设备！404！切断通讯！

DierThat's Klukai's voice!是可露凯的声音！

CommanderSo they've encountered each other already...果然已经遭遇了……

DierWhat should we do? Should we contact 404?怎么办，要直接联络404小队么？

CommanderNo can do.不行。

CommanderThey've gone silent, and using a Mangi frequency to establish comms would be too risky.她们进入静默状态了，而且借助曼尼安保的频道通讯被发现的风险太高了。

CommanderCan we obtain their position from the transmission just now?刚才她们通讯的位置可以抓取到吗？

DierSure can.可以。

CommanderRight, send it to Groza.好，发送给闪电。

CommanderGroza, we've got an approximate location for 404. Sending it over now.闪电，404小队的大概位置已经发送过来了。

CommanderHead there ASAP.马上就出发追踪那个位置。

CommanderAlso, take Sextans with you. Use her to correct your course along the way.另外带着六分仪，在路上我们会借助她持续校正坐标。

GrozaMust we?要带上六分仪吗？

GrozaShe can perform course corrections from aboard the Elmo.要校准目标的话，她在艾莫号上也能做到。

CommanderThe opposition's permissions outrank Sextan's, so it might be another 3rd-gen Doll. Right now, she's affiliated with the Elmo, so having some extra fighting power will help with the upcoming op.对方的权限比六分仪高，说不定又是一个三代人形，现在她的权限已经归属艾莫号，补充战力对接下来的行动会有帮助。

Groza...Understood.……我明白了。

GrozaI'll leave Nemesis and Colphne here to defend the Elmo. Everyone else will go help H.I.D.E. 404.我会留下纳美西丝和寇尔芙防卫艾莫号，其他人形由我指挥前去支援404小队。

CommanderRoger that. I'm counting on you.收到，交给你了。

(Groza ends the transmission and prepares to head out.)（闪电关闭了通讯，前去做出发的准备。）

(As for me, I pause to think before sending a transmission to Centaureissi.)（而我略加思考，接入了桑朵莱希的通讯。）

CommanderCentaureissi, sitrep.桑朵莱希，报告情况。

CentaureissiThe enemy has attempted two counterattacks. We've repulsed them both. They might continue trying to seize this location.敌人发动了两次反扑，被我们击退了，他们可能还准备继续夺取这里。

CommanderAbandon the base station and return to the Elmo.放弃基站，返回艾莫号，你们可以回来了。

CentaureissiJust like that, Master?长官，就这样回来吗？

CommanderMangi will lower their guard once we abandon the base station. However...没有那个基站能让曼尼安保放松警惕，不过……

(I think for a moment.)（我思考了一下。）

CommanderBefore that, send one last message from it.在那之前，用那个基站广播最后一条信息。

CentaureissiWhat kind of message?什么信息？

CommanderUse Morse code and broadcast in clear text: "Where are you?"用摩斯电码持续广播明文信息，“你在哪”。

CentaureissiAlright. I will do so now.好的，我立即去处理。

(Soon, Groza's jeep leaves the Elmo and races off into the distance.)（不一会，闪电所驱使的吉普车就离开艾莫号飞速朝着远处驶去。）

(Meanwhile, a series of long and short tones repeat through my earpiece, and I pray that they will convey adequate hope.)（而在耳机中，长短结合的电音不断传来，我祈祷着这段声音传递出足够的希望。）

CommanderCome on, you have to make it—一定要赶上啊——

Fan archive of the official game scripts. All story text and art belong to their publishers.