Liberi Reader

Huh? Oh, sorry, Doctor. I was spacing out.

Ah, um, there's a matter of some concern.

Doctor, look, it's an internal transfer application.

The applicant is Natalya Rostova.

She wants to transfer from Logistics to the front line.

Do you remember that Zima's team became combat operators at their own request?

I was actually against it at first.

I don't know how to put it better.

...Doctor, can you go check on Miss Rostova?

Oh, it's already lunchtime. No need to rush, you can go see her after you eat.

Hey, Doctor.

I've got a mission. I can't be enjoying a leisurely stroll like you.

I told you not to wander before deployments, Zima.

......

Afternoon, Doctor.

Come on, Zima, back to the ready room. It's time to go.

Hmph. One day I'm gonna be the captain and boss you around.

You too, Doctor. You're gonna answer to me.

I like the ambition. Let's talk about it after you've got one on me.

As for the Doctor, well, you'll have to have won a lot more than one.

Eh.

Oh, Doctor, you should know, I've been taking the rookie team lately.

So if you don't have anything else, I'll get going.

Hm?

Hm... Well, you just saw that she doesn't take well to discipline. She's very insubordinate.

And as a warrior, at her age, it's normal to not know what you're fighting, or what you're fighting for.

But it's especially obvious for Zima.

She suffers from a lot of confusion. I don't know exactly what it is, but it's a bad sign and something I'm going to focus on correcting next.

But I do have to say, I think this kid's all right, Doctor.

In fact, I like her. She's got a strong sense of integrity. So even if she's confused, that integrity will keep her on the right path.

And that's rare.

Okay, I gotta get going. Please excuse me.

Wow, it's the Doctor!

Are you here to eat?

I haven't had any missions lately, so I'm helping out in the kitchen.

Gummy, I brought the spices.

Oh, thanks, Perfumer! Just put them over there.

Did you want something to eat?

No thank you. I'm used to cooking for myself in my workshop.

Oooh, can I come eat with you sometime? I really wanna learn to use spices like you do!

Heh heh. But of course.

Gummy, can you lend a hand when you've got a minute?

Coming!

Hung is out on a mission and I'm a little short-handed. I need you to take this pot for me.

Sure, Uncle Matterhorn! I'll see you next time, Perfumer. And you eat well too, Doctor!

Sure. You're welcome anytime.

Is Gummy cooking today?!

Oh man, what luck!

Too bad I just ate!

Haha, I'll get seconds!

Settle down, everybody. There's enough to go around!

Gummy sure has a lot of energy, doesn't she, Doctor?

One time, when she fell asleep in my workshop, I heard her talking in her sleep. What she said worried me a bit.

But when I see her like this, adapting so well to life at Rhodes Island, I feel like I have nothing to worry about.

You can't expect them to heal instantly. But given time, they'll be okay.

It's time I went back to the office.

If you ever find yourself tired, Doctor, you can always come sit with me.

Hello, Doctor.

If there's nothing more, Doctor, I'll be going.

I have class in the afternoon.

Yes, Hypatia's history class.

After auditing for a while, I found Hypatia's take on history very helpful for me.

I'll say, I could use some guidance.

In fact, I'm not certain the study of history will help me that much.

However, thinking on the experiences of our forebears could provide me some inspiration.

I'm off to class then.

Natalya...? You're looking for her?

Gummy told me she wants to become a front line operator. I haven't heard if her application has been approved, but from what I know of her, she is likely already preparing for the transfer.

Your aim sucks, Natalya.

Don't be so sure, Rosalind. I'm going to hit you.

Hehe, no way in hell~

And you gotta call me Leto now! Operator Rosa~

Okay, Operator Leto. Let us wait and see.

And who got you using such a big sucker?

You found it in Chernobog, right? Why not throw it away and get something new?

Hup... sentimental value.

Okay. More work for you.

It kinda looks like you can't move anymore. Why not take a little break?

I can still...

Agh!

You lack stamina, Natalya.

Being Ursus gives you a nice base to build on, but you're a long way from combat ready.

Pshh... whew... Sorry. I'll keep trying.

But your willpower is a lot stronger than I thought. Not bad.

If you can push through this round of training, it'll be good for you, even if you don't become an operator.

Thanks for that.

Hm... hm?

Take five.

Yes, sir!

Leto, you get out there and train yourself.

Yes, sir~

Grace, keep an eye on her.

Got it.

Doctor, it's lunchtime. You should be resting. We don't need you here.

But I guess Amiya told you we have another girl from Zima's group who wants to be an operator, and you wanted to check her out?

Don't look so surprised.

Everyone knows Amiya is very concerned about the survivors we rescued from Ursus.

You must remember Zima, Gummy, Istina, Leto——

Well, Leto is an exception. Nothing to worry about in the combat department.

When those four girls applied, Amiya was dead-set against it. She wanted to veto their applications. I don't know why, but she changed her mind at some point in the process.

And so now that there's another one, it would be out of character for her not to care...

Phew, that's enough rest. Rosalind, practice with me a while.

Wow, you're really committed.

Don't underestimate my determination to become an operator.

Alright alright.

Natalya, you still need to rest. The most important part of exercise is recovery. If you keep grinding away at it, you're just going to break your body.

Thank you, Instructor Grace, but I think I still have some strength left in me...

Hey, don't worry about Dobermann, I know she looks scary...

Grace, I can hear you.

Oh, well, you get it.

Yes, but don't worry.

Okay...

What do you think of her?

I do understand Amiya's instinct to keep them off the battlefield.

Doctor, no one would be happy to send young people to war. Isn't the point of a soldier like me to protect kids like that?

I always blame myself for them having to go fight.

But I've come to terms with the fact that I can't save everyone.

All I can do is teach them to fight, to protect themselves, and to get home in one piece.

Think about it, Doctor, what can you do for them?

Welcome back, Doctor.

So what do you think?

...Yes. That's why I've been paying more attention to them.

Sorry, Doctor, I... wasn't sure if I should tell anyone about this.

You know about my ability to sense a person's most powerful emotions, and to even feel them when they're directed at me.

If they're not directed at me, but still strong enough, I can't feel them as clearly, but I can still sense something.

And the Ursus girls... it's hard to say.

Their situation is different.

At times, times that would seem ordinary to us, I will sense immense, overpowering emotion from them.

Of course, their emotions are different, but they share some commonalities.

If I had to put a name to the main emotion, I think I'd have to say 'helplessness.'

They are not so sad, not pained, not angry, not hopeless...

Maybe it's not the right word. It's like... like there's an invisible wall.

It's usually invisible and intangible, but it blocks them whenever they try to move forward. And they're stuck.

No.

We are in no position to help them now, Doctor.

What each operator is willing to tell us when they register their file, that's all we 'can' know about them.

They may be hiding something from us. But if so, we have even less reason to dig it up.

Of course, that doesn't include things that might adversely affect Rhodes Island. But I don't think Zima's group falls into that category.

Also...

I'm not sure us suddenly reaching out to help them would actually be helpful.

I feel like 'I understand you' isn't worth much.

But people love to say it. As if it fulfills their duty to provide comfort, or that it will make someone open up to them.

It's hard to understand someone's feelings, let alone help them.

Many operators on board this vessel are the same, actually.

We don't share any particular experience with them, our words don't get through to them, and what we do, even if it's right, won't be what they want.

Right.

After sensing their emotions, I changed my mind.

Forcing them to safety may seem to us like the right move, like it's best for them. And it probably would keep them safe, in practice.

But that would not help them heal.

Doctor, I really don't want to say that time heals all wounds.

But I don't know any other way.

All I can do is respect their choice, and protect them in my own, Rhodes Island way.

When I think about it like that, I feel kind of full of myself...

Medicine is for pain, to heal wounds. And some medicines can heal. But in any case, they can't erase the pain and suffering endured before the medicine is applied.

I've always wondered if Rhodes Island could help some people, even if only a few, to forget, or at least let go of the trauma they've suffered in the past.

I've realized along the way that it's really hard.

Developing the drug is only the most basic first step. There's so much more we would have to do to be able to achieve this.

Yeah. At least we are.

Thanks, Doctor.

I'm kind of embarrassed that you're comforting and encouraging me over someone else's business...

Anyway, to business, I'm approving Miss Rostova's application.

I hope that one day she and her friends are willing to open up to us. I hope that one day, we are able to help them.

I hope that one day... Rhodes Island can become their now home.