√A Chapter 02: 【Headway and Encounter】 9/16/2030 9:28

√A Chapter 02: 【Headway and Encounter】 9/16/2030 9:28

Radiation Level: 1,193 mSv

Remaining AD: ?

Area 2, Inner Ring

Makeshift Base

TACHIBANA brings us to a room near the staircase. By the entrance is a button for opening and closing the door. Judging from what I’ve seen of the other rooms, almost every door in this facility is automated. She presses the button and the door slides sideways.

On the other side is a small research office that’s about 150 square feet. This is the spot Tachibana and Moribe turned into a makeshift base. Rope, air tanks, and other equipment are piled in a corner.

“All right, since you will need to know this going forward, let me explain LABO’s structure to you, Captain. Please take a look at this.” Tachibana picks up a piece of paper from the equipment pile and shows it to me.

It’s a map of the facility. In the center is a circle, surrounded by two hexagonal rings. The hexagons are further divided into six areas, which are connected by passageways with security gates.

“The circular area in the center is where the reactor we believe melted down is located. It’s known as Area N.”

“Area N… As in nuclear area?” I venture.

“It would seem that way. Area N is surrounded by six other areas. Each area has an inner and outer ring.”

“I see. So where are we now?”

“Floor B2, in Area 2’s inner ring. We found you passed out in the inner ring of Area 1, and we found Yuuri in the same area’s outer ring.” Tachibana marks each spot on the map. “We’ve already searched the first and second areas but…haven’t found anyone aside from you two.”

“So, basically, we have to go to Area 3 next if we want to search for more survivors or find another way out,” I conclude.

“No, we can’t do that yet.”

“Why not?”

“All the passageways connecting the different areas have security gates. Do you remember how there was a gate blocking the way here?”

Now that she mentioned it, there was something like that. Tachibana had opened the large iron door in the middle of the passageway.

“I do. Is there a problem with that?”

“All the gates are locked and need security cards to open them,” she says, pulling a card out of her pocket.

It’s a plastic card the size of a credit card. “Level 2” is written on the front of it.

“LABO has different security levels that correspond to each area’s confidentiality level. Only corresponding levels can open their areas. You need the Level 3 card to access Area 3, the Level 4 card to access Area 4, and so on.”

Tachibana points to the gate marked within the connecting passageway. “There are two kinds of gates: those that connect the inner and outer rings and those that connect the different areas. We picked up this Level 2 card during our search, which gives us access to Area 2, but…”

“We can’t advance into Area 3,” I supply. “Is there anywhere we can get our hands on a Level 3 or higher card?”

“We’ve searched high and low, and this is the only card we’ve come across. About the only place we haven’t checked yet is your pockets,” Moribe says half-jokingly.

“My pockets, huh?” Things can’t be as easy as having a Level 3 card conveniently stashed away in my pocket, but I’ll check for the heck of it. “…I-I have two!” Surprisingly, I had two cards tucked in my chest pocket.

“What?! Are you kidding me?!” Moribe cries. I hold the cards out for her to see.

Each one has a different name on it: Keiji Ukita and Kyouka Nanami. Better yet, they’re both Level 4.

“Take a look for yourself. They’re Level 4. Can’t we go all the way to Area 4 with these?”

“Holy crap! How did you end up with Level 4 cards, Captain?”

“Huh. I have absolutely no idea…” I start checking all my pockets, thinking something else of use might come out—and my hands find another object I don’t recognize. It’s a one-inch-thick device of some sort that’s the size of my palm. The front side is a full LCD screen displaying various things. “What’s this?”

“Ooh, that’s an official SIRIUS PDA. We’ve got ’em too.”

“What’s a PDA?”

“It’s a portable information terminal. It’s primarily used as a phone and radio. But we can’t make calls underground. And radio reception is shoddy at best.”

“You guys have been saying that… So, how do you use this thing?”

“It’s a touch screen, so you press this part here and—”

Following Moribe’s instructions, I try out the phone function, starting with a call to Dojima, the other teammate who came up in conversation earlier. But I only get the sound of a dead dial tone.

I try contacting Hiyama, another teammate, with the radio, but it doesn’t go through either. Every phone number and frequency I attempt has the same result. It’s about as useful as a paperweight to me right now. Sighing, I pocket the PDA.

“…This is a different topic, but what does the gear you brought here do?” I ask, looking at the gear piled up in the corner.

“Oh dear, you forgot that too? We don’t have much time, so I’ll give you the abridged version.”

“Thanks. Sorry for the trouble.”

Moribe nods and walks over to the pile. She picks up an iron box and opens it. Several ampoules like the one from earlier are packed inside. “To start, this is AD—the same drug you injected earlier. Don’t forget that it protects you from radiation exposure for sixty minutes.”

“So this is our lifeline down here, huh?”

“Now you’re getting it. Between what they gave us and what we collected down here, we’ve scraped together seven doses.”

“Does that mean this facility has AD lying around?”

“It seems like they keep stashes of it on hand in case of emergencies. But we’re out of luck because most of the stockpiles in Areas 1 and 2 went up in flames.”

“So we only have seven ampoules for four people? We won’t last more than two hours at this rate. Don’t we need to get our hands on more?”

“For sure. Let’s keep our eyes peeled as we go,” Moribe suggests as she puts the AD back in the box. Then she pulls out the portable radiation counter. “Next up is Procyon here. It’s a radiation counter that fits in the palm of your hand and has the ability to measure and quantify radiation levels up to 15,000 mSv.”

“Did you find this lying around too?”

“Nope. LABO’s staff gave it to us. Two of the seven AD we have on hand were also provided by the staff. They’ve both been a huge asset to us.”

A sophisticated radiation counter and powerful anti-radiation drugs are definitely useful items to have in our situation. It’s almost as if the staff gave them to us knowing what would happen…

My train of thought is derailed by Moribe’s ongoing explanation. She pulls a cylindrical object from the pile of gear filling her arms. “This here is an air tank—standard equipment for our squad. But it’s pretty much useless to us now because the faceplates are broken.”

“I see… That’s a real shame, seeing how it might’ve come in handy.”

“It’s not all bad. Air tanks can be used for more than just breathing. We can use it to operate this guy too,” Moribe says, picking up another piece of equipment that has a red tube attached to what looks like a large balloon made of black rubber. At a glance, I can’t tell what it’d be used for.

“What’s that?”

“This is an air jack. It’s a powerful device you combine with an air tank to create compressed air that you can use to move heavy objects. Since it requires the air tank, it has a limited number of uses.”

With our faceplates damaged, that’s about the only thing we can do with the air tanks at this point. I can’t even begin to imagine what situation we’d need it in, but we should definitely make use of it when the time comes.

Moribe lifts another piece of equipment from the pile and shows it off. It’s a frightening piece of machinery with a sturdy handle and a disk-shaped blade at the end. “Next up is our friend the engine cutter! The gasoline engine spins the artificial diamond blade, making this puppy slice through iron and pretty much anything else that gets in its way like it’s butter!”

“…Could you not sound so excited about it? The look in your eye is scary.”

“Sorry, sorry. This bad boy is my absolute favorite.” Moribe flashes an invincible smile and puts the unsettling tool back. “Add in this thirty-foot rope and that about covers it. Did you get all that, Captain?”

“Yeah, I’ve got it down. No problem remembering,” I reply, making a mental note of our seven different pieces of rescue gear.

“On that note, we also had two hazmat suits, but…like I just said, the faceplates are damaged beyond use,” Moribe says, pointing to the wrecked suits. Each has a cracked mask. “They were the ultimate piece of airtight gear with near perfect fire and water resistance that you could directly attach the air tanks to… Breaking the faceplates ruined it all.”

“That’s an unfortunate loss…!” It’ll be difficult to fight fires or get anything done in areas with lots of smoke without the air tanks.

“But wait…you should’ve been wearing a hazmat suit too, Captain. What happened to it?” Moribe asks, as if it only now dawned on her to question my lack of a suit.

“Huh? Hmm… Maybe I took it off because it’s hard to move in?”

“That’s about as likely as you choosing to walk through fire naked! We were required to wear protective suits during our rescue operation within this facility, y’know? No way would you remove it with your life on the line.”

“That makes sense…but I don’t know what to tell you. Like everything else, I don’t remember what happened to it.”

Between having two Level 4 security cards on me and not wearing my hazmat suit, there are just too many mysteries surrounding the time before I lost my memories. Seriously, what was I doing in this basement? I doubt anyone here can answer that question.

“By the way, Tachibana…what’s our next course of action?” I ask with a sigh.

“With the Level 4 cards, we can finally expand our search range, but…what will you do, Captain? Your memories are still jumbled. Perhaps you should rest for now?”

Tachibana’s advice is valid. I’m about to take her up on it, when my eyes suddenly lock with Yuuri’s. The fear hasn’t left her eyes yet. As I look at her, I remember the voice that told me to save her.

I get the sudden feeling I shouldn’t stay put.

“No… Would you mind letting me help you search for other survivors?” I voice that feeling aloud.

“Are you well enough to do that?”

“As I am right now, I might look like a burden in your eyes, but…being out of sorts doesn’t change the fact that I’m the captain of a rescue squad, right? I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I sit around doing nothing while people still need my help.” I’m stirred to action by an almost impulsive sense of duty.

“Is that how you feel? That sounds just like you…,” Tachibana admits with a wry smile.

“Just goes to show that you’re still you even with amnesia,” Moribe muses and shares a smile with Tachibana.

Afterward, Tachibana turns a serious look on me. “Captain, I would normally never recommend you come with us, what with the cause of your amnesia still unknown. But with fires breaking out at random and the need to keep injecting AD, it’s actually safer for you to be with us.”

“Great! Then—”

“However!” Tachibana sharply cuts me off. “This isn’t an ordinary mission. You must be prepared to accept the responsibilities and duties that come with being a rescue worker if that is how you want us to view you.”

“How do I do that?”

“I am going to treat you as a new recruit until your memory returns. Please follow my orders as Moribe does. I’m fully aware this is a violation of my station, but lives will be at risk if we don’t tread carefully.”

I’m overwhelmed by her answer, but I muster my courage to respond accordingly. “…R-Roger that! I-I’ll try my best to keep up with you both!”

Moribe laughs and smacks me on the shoulder. “C’mon, don’t be so tense. I bet you’ll return to your invincible self once you regain your memories.”

“I was the invincible type…?” They make it sound like I was quite the skilled rescue worker before my amnesia. Then I’d better regain that side of me as soon as possible. I turn to Yuuri next. “What will you do, Yuuri? Want to rest here?”

Yuuri hesitates for a moment before giving a firm reply. “N-No… I’ll go with you too.”

She likely learned how scary the situation is from our conversation. I’d prefer she stay with us as well.

“All four of us will head to Area 3 together, then,” Tachibana says authoritatively beside me. “Captain, please help me gather the equipment we are going to take with us.”

With those orders, I assist with collecting the gear. We split up the remaining seven AD between Tachibana and Moribe. Moribe and I have one Procyon and one Level 4 security card each. I take the rope, wrapping it around my chest in an X shape. Maybe we’re too lightly equipped for what lies ahead, but we’ve decided mobility takes precedence.

“Is everyone ready to go?” Tachibana checks with us.

“Sure am. Ready to go whenever you are,” I respond.

I don’t know what I’m capable of in my condition, but I’ll do whatever is in my power to help, I vow and leave the makeshift base with Tachibana and the others.

Between Area 2 and Area 3, Inner Ring

Connecting Passageway

ONE of those security gates comes into view at the end of the connecting passageway on our way to Area 3.

Tachibana points out the terminal next to the gate. “Swipe the card through the slot here and the gate will open. You will need the card again if you want to pass through the same gate, since opening it once doesn’t unlock the overall security system.”

“Got it. I’ll give it a shot,” I say, glancing over at Moribe as I pull the card out of my chest pocket. She’s glaring at her Procyon. “What’re you doing, Moribe?”

“We need to check the radiation levels with this before we enter unexplored areas. Everything past this gate is uncharted territory for us, y’know?” Moribe clenches her jaw and waits for me to open the door.

I nervously swipe the card through the slot. With a hiss of hydraulics, the gate opens. Standing next to Moribe, I narrow my eyes on Procyon’s display. At 1,285 mSv, the reading is only slightly higher than when we checked in Area 1.

Relief sweeps through Moribe’s voice as she exclaims, “Whoo-hoo! It’s within safety standards!”

“What does that mean?”

“It means the area is contaminated, but on the relatively safer side. The safety standard is any number within 4,000 mSv. We don’t have to worry about radiation exposure at these numbers as long as we inject AD.”

“What happens if you go over that number?”

“Well, the first danger standard is 4,000–8,000 mSv. Basically, you don’t want to hang around long with this level of exposure even with AD. The second danger standard is anything over 8,000 mSv. Chances of survival are slim even with AD at this level.”

So to break it down:

〇Staying within 4,000 mSv = Safe with AD

▲Over 4,000 mSv = Dangerous even with AD

×Over 8,000 mSv = High risk of death even with AD

I carve those standards into my memory.

“Just so you know, little Procyon here will beep if we’re in a danger zone that exceeds the danger standard. Hightail it outta there if you here it beeping.”

“O-Okay…I’ll keep that in mind.”

We pass through the gate as we chat. The damage grows significantly worse the farther we walk down the passageway leading to Area 3. The walls and ceiling have been scorched black. Did an explosion happen here too? It looks like a fire broke out at some point.

The door at the other end of the passageway finally comes into view as I’m taking in the damage. I use the card to open it and enter Area 3.

Area 3, Inner Ring

THIS area is considerably different from where we’ve been before. The walls are made out of an unfaced concrete, and the ceiling’s steel frame and cables are completely exposed. The rugged interior is more in line with a factory than a top research facility.

The corridor is about fifteen feet wide, and a single door is set in the wall on each side. This corridor leads to a dead end that splits to the left and right.

I check the Procyon’s reading. It says 1,391 mSv, so we’re still within the safety standard.

Then again, these radiation levels would normally be lethal without AD. Good thing we have some. From the look of it, fires haven’t reached this area yet, so we’re safe for the time being.

“Wh-What the hell is this footage?!”

“It can’t be! Why are those children here?!”

We gasp at the sound of a shouting man and woman and look for the source. I heard the shouts from behind a door labeled “Surveillance Room.” On a reflex, I storm into the unlocked room with the others right behind me.

The whole back wall of the dimly lit room is lined with monitors. Under the monitors is a large control panel with countless buttons, a microphone for the PA system, and various computer components. In the middle of the room are a man and woman faintly illuminated by the green monitor lights.

Are they survivors?

The man looks just like a researcher with his white lab coat and wire-rim glasses. He appears to be in his forties with his gelled-back graying hair slightly receding from his forehead.

Standing beside him is a woman in her early twenties, dressed in a light-purple pencil-skirt suit. She’s a beauty whose waist-length straight black hair and wide forehead make a strong first impression. Her face and clothes are covered in soot like ours are.

They look like survivors to me.

“Wait…aren’t you the man from last week?!” Tachibana exclaims in surprise after seeing him.

“You’re involved in another accident, old man?!” Moribe cries out at the same time.

“Do you guys know each other?” I ask.

“Yes,” Tachibana says with a nod. “We saved him when he got into a car accident just last week.”

So he’s been in two accidents over the span of two weeks. I sympathize with him as I say, “That’s some seriously bad luck you have there. Were you unable to evacuate in time?”

“Unable to evacuate?! What kind of sick game are you trying to pull here?! You’re the one who locked me in this area!”

I’m stunned by his angry accusation. “I l-locked you in here? Slow down a sec. Can you tell me why I would do that?”

“Why are you asking me?! You know the answer better than anyone else!”

“The thing is, I think I hit my head earlier…and now my memory is a jumbled mess.”

“Your memory is a mess? Is that true?” The man gives me a skeptical look.

The beautiful woman chimes in with her opinion. “What the heck? Are you saying you have amnesia? Does that even happen outside the movies?”

“I get that it’s hard to believe, but it seems temporary memory loss like this happens to people on rare occasions,” I explain.

The man looks me over doubtfully before making up his mind. “…Fine. I’ll believe your story for now.”

“Thank you. Uh…what are your names?”

“Oh, I’m Keiji Ukita. I’m a researcher at this lab,” the man answers.

“I’m Ena Tsubakiyama. A teacher at Rokumei Academy.”

I’m surprised by what I hear. I don’t know the woman, but the man’s name sounds familiar. For a second, I think my memory has returned, but it hasn’t. I very recently saw the name Keiji Ukita somewhere. One look at the security card I’ve been using confirms his name written there.

“Does this card belong to you?”

“Ah! So you had it all along!” Ukita snatches the card from my hand, his animosity toward me on full display. The way he’s acting makes me uneasy.

“Uh, Mr. Ukita…? Why did I steal your card from you?”

“That’s a bizarre question, but I suppose it’s inevitable in your condition. Where should I start explaining…?” Ukita thinks it over before choosing his words. “I was trying to take charge of this crazy situation while all my colleagues were evacuating. But the bulkheads locked before I could finish… I was trying to figure out what to do when I bumped into you, Captain. I’d reckon that was about two hours ago.”

“What’d I say at the time?”

“You said, ‘I’ll go look for a way out. But it’s getting dangerous with the fires growing worse, so please wait in this room for me to return.’”

“I said something like that…”

“But I was in such a panic I wouldn’t listen to you. You ended up taking my card away to prevent me from acting on my own… Well, I’m sure you did it to keep me safe, but it upset me how I didn’t have a choice in the matter.”

“So that’s why you were upset with me… I’m sorry. I was probably planning to come right back, but something happened along the way…”

“It’s not a big deal anymore. Incidentally, who’s the girl with you?” Ukita gestures to Yuuri.

“I’m…Yuuri… I’m related to one of the researchers here,” she timidly answers.

“You’re someone’s family member? What brought you here? This facility’s security is top-notch. It shouldn’t be possible for even family to enter the basement floors.”

“Someone from LABO picked me up early this morning…and I was here when the accident happened. I was never told why they brought me here…”

“Hmm, I see. I’m sorry that happened to you.” Ukita uncomfortably falls quiet.

“Uh, Miss Teacher, what was your name again?” I ask the pretty woman beside him.

“I told you my name is Ena Tsubakiyama. I’m used to being called Miss Ena, so you can call me that if you like.”

“Miss Ena, then. Why are you in LABO?”

“That’s what I want to ask. I have absolutely no idea why they called me here. Someone brought me to the basement, only for that explosion to go off moments later, trapping me down here.”

From the sound of it, both Yuuri and Miss Ena were brought to LABO by someone and dragged into the accident as a result.

“By the way, have you both injected yourselves with AD?” Tachibana asks, joining our conversation.

“Oh no, the AD!” Ukita cries out as if he only just remembered. “I injected myself with the AD Captain Kasasagi gave me, but I ran out. It’s been nearly an hour since my last dose.”

“Then please use this one.” Tachibana hands him an AD.

Miss Ena stares on, dumbfounded. “AD? What does that stand for?”

Tachibana explains to her what AD is, as well as the state of this facility, radiation exposure, and the danger levels. Miss Ena’s face grows paler by the minute.

“Th-There’s radiation…?! You’re telling me a meltdown happened here?!”

“Yes, it very likely did. Radiation damage symptoms are more likely to appear in the internal organs, skin, and eyes. Do you have nausea, irritated skin, or blurred vision?”

“None of that right now…”

“You can guarantee your safety if you start injecting AD now, then.”

Miss Ena accepts the AD from Tachibana and promptly injects herself.

The problem now is our ever-depleting AD. Concern over our reserves is starting to eat at me.

“Anyway, would all you rescue workers mind taking a look at this monitor for a minute?” Miss Ena requests after regaining her calm. “Mr. Ukita and I were going through the surveillance camera records to get a grasp on the situation when we happened upon concerning footage.”

“What kind of footage?”

“See for yourself. It was taken at 6:31 am in Area 1…” She operates the control panel, replaying the surveillance recording on one of the monitors.

She freezes the footage on three school children: one boy with glasses, a frightened girl, and a blonde girl. All three are wearing school uniforms.

“Who are they?”

“The students I’m responsible for. The boy is Natsuhiko Tenkawa. The girls are Mashiro Toba and Louise Yui Sannomiya.”

“Natsuhiko, Mashiro, and Louise, you say?” All those names sound familiar to me. I feel a kinship with them, as if I’ve known them for a long time.

I think I may have come down here to save these kids! That feeling strongly settles within me.

“Truth be told, I’m acquainted with these kids as well. The boy’s mother is my coworker here,” Ukita informs us.

“Seriously? Why in the world have people who know one another gathered in this facility today of all days?”

“I’m as clueless as you are. I don’t know why Natsuhiko and the girls came here either… All I can say is that there is more footage just like this. And the last footage was taken at 7:20 am, in Area 5.”

After hearing that, I immediately know what he’s trying to say. If there is footage of them at 7:20 am when the bulkheads lowered at 7:00 am, then—

“You mean there are at least three more people locked inside this facility aside from the six of us?!”

“Yeah, that makes nine total,” Ukita answers in a tight voice.

I turn my eyes back to the three kids on screen. What were they doing here? Did they come to see the boy’s mother? Or did they have another agenda?

“…Hey, Ukita, are you positive these kids are trapped in here with us?”

“I can’t say for sure. If only we could contact the outside, we could confirm whether they evacuated…”

“Oh, that gives me an idea!” Miss Ena speaks up as if suddenly struck by an idea. “Can anyone here use BC?”

“‘Bee Cee’?”

“Right, like telepathy. We can learn more about the situation if we use that to contact the outside.”

My eyes go round at that unrealistic comment. “T-Telepathy? How can you joke around at a time like this?”

“Oh dear, your amnesia’s so bad you’ve forgotten common knowledge? It’s not that unusual for people to be capable of using telepathy nowadays.”

“HUH?!” In shock, I look at the others. No one else is surprised. “H-Hey, Tachibana, is she telling the truth?”

“She is. The telepathy she’s referring to allows the user to send their voice to people in distant places.”

“S-Seriously?!”

“But only one in twenty-five thousand people are capable of using it. Plus, while there are a lot of child BC users for some reason, adult users are about as easy to find as a needle in a haystack.”

The others nod along with Tachibana’s explanation.

“Naturally, there isn’t anybody on our squad who can use it—including you,” Moribe adds.

“I regrettably can’t use it either. How about you, Yuuri?” Ukita asks her.

“I-I can’t use it. I’ve never been taught how…,” she mutters.

Everyone took the question seriously. I’m struggling to believe in this telepathy stuff, but their reactions tell me it’s not a bald-faced lie or childish joke.

“Okay, so are there people who can use other superpowers? Stuff like teleportation, telekinesis, and the works?”

“Of course not,” Miss Ena demurs. “That stuff stays purely in the realm of the occult.”

“And telepathy isn’t?”

“For your information, BC has been scientifically proven. There’s nothing super about it. Essentially, it’s the ability to mentally communicate with people at a distance. There’s nothing more to it.”

This BC stuff appears to have very limited use, and it’s not on the level of superpowers. Though being able to use such a half-baked power would still be useful…

“…Well, it’d be too convenient if we had someone with us who happened to be one of the lucky one out of twenty-five thousand who can use it.”

“But those kids can use telepathy!”

“Seriously?! Then we can contact the surface if we find them?”

“Only if we find them… Ugh, I feel so pathetic. Things would be so much easier if I could use BC myself.”

The sound of static and a voice coming from Tachibana’s chest pocket abruptly follows Miss Ena’s words.

“—is SIRIUS Commander Murakami. Tachibana, do you read me? Over.”

“What was that?!”

“The radio! It’s finally receiving transmissions from the surface again!” Tachibana pulls the PDA from her pocket and answers the transmission. “Loud and clear. This is Lieutenant Tachibana of SIRIUS Team A.”

“Tachibana! Sounds like you got your radio running again!”

“For now—the reception is extremely unreliable down here. It could give out at any minute.”

“Then let’s make it short. Give me a status update.”

“Roger. At present, we are—” Tachibana quickly fills the commander in on everything that has transpired down here, including how we rescued Yuuri, Miss Ena, and Ukita after she reunited with me. She keeps my amnesia out of this report. After she finishes, she asks, “Have you heard anything about why the bulkheads locked, Commander?”

“A lot of information is still unclear for us, too, but…there’s one thing I need you to know,” Commander Murakami starts, then pauses as if it’s difficult for him to tell us. “We’ve learned the reactor in the basement underwent a meltdown about two hours ago. I know it’s not something you want to hear, but it’s been confirmed.”

“I knew it…!”

“Right after the explosions occurred at 6:19, LABO’s engineers tried initiating an emergency shutdown of the reactor from the remote control room located on the surface floor. But after that, about everything that can possibly go wrong did. The engineers did everything in their power to prevent the meltdown, but…their desperate efforts ended in vain.”

Tachibana’s expression twists with the news.

“…And the radiation leakage prevention system activated when the meltdown occurred. That’s what caused all the bulkheads within the facility to go into lockdown mode.”

“Is it possible to temporarily open one of the bulkheads for us to escape?”

Hope fills everyone’s faces at her question. But Commander Murakami’s bitter response douses it. “It pains me to say this, but…that’s impossible right now.”

“Impossible?! Why?!”

“A huge fire caused by the meltdown is still raging within Area N, where the reactor is held. The security system is going haywire because of it, making it impossible to access externally.”

“The biggest fire is in Area N?!”

“The system will stop fritzing out if the fire is doused, but since the sprinkler system in Area N broke down, we can’t expect the fires to be extinguished on their own. LABO’s entire staff is doing everything they can to restore the system, but…”

“What’s the time frame for the system restore, sir?!”

“About…another nine hours or so.”

Everyone gasps. Tachibana loudly snaps, “D-Don’t joke like that! Please open an escape route for us, even if it means blowing up a bulkhead!”

“I’m really sorry, Tachibana! We can’t do that!”

“Why not?! A plastic explosive should do the job just fine!”

“The floors and bulkheads separating the surface and basement levels are made of eight-layer-thick heat-and-shock-resistant composite steel plates! Those damn plates are designed to even withstand steam and hydrogen explosions. Plastic explosives won’t even nick the surface!”

“H-How can that be…?” weakly mutters the always cool and collected Tachibana. Grasping at straws, she appeals his decision. “We have several survivors down here! Including children! Isn’t there anything you can do for us…?!”

“We’ll do whatever we can, but—time…limited…” Terrible static suddenly cuts into his voice.

“Commander Murakami?! I didn’t catch that!”

“—ception’s unstable! –o time. I have a message from LABO’s staff!” Commander Murakami starts talking faster as he realizes our transmission is reaching its limits. “—ere’s AD lying around the facility for emergencies! Keep injecting yourselves and stay away from contaminated zones! –oing that will keep you alive! –lease help the surviv—”

The transmission cuts off with a hiss of static. We stare blankly at each other.

Nine hours to go until the bulkheads open?! I have to rot in this godforsaken hole for nine more hours?!

We’re in a situation where we’re practically sitting ducks next to a nuclear reactor that’s undergoing a meltdown. Now we’re being ordered to survive the long hours until we’re freed from here—to endure the radiation exposure by injecting the limited supply of AD.

No one says anything in the face of our hopeless situation. After the death of the radio, oppressive silence dominates the surveillance room.