Long Voyage

(Approaches cautiously)

(Threatening roar)

Hey! Go away!

Don't come any closer!

(Rubs claws excitedly)

(Moves head in confusion)

You seem to have made them even more excited, Amiya.

Don't worry, Doctor, I can deal with this!

Mum and Dad taught me how to chase the sandbeasts away. All you need to do is imitate the sound of their natural enemies.

Chirp, chirp...

(Pauses in confusion)

Wait, that wasn't right. Was it 'Chip, chip'?

(Tilts head in confusion)

It's still not right. What was it again?

'Aoww'? 'Ku, ku'? 'Tick, tock'?

(Swings tail in confusion)

That's not right either...

It's okay, Amiya. I'll take care of this.

(Stands up startled)

(Looks around uneasily)

(Quickly digs a hole)

(Slowly follows)

Wow, Doctor! That was just like the real thing!

Let me try!

Come here, Amiya.

Why the sullen look? The sandbeast ran off.

I could never remember, even after Mum and Dad taught me so many times... and I couldn't protect you, even though I said I would.

Your hand's still wounded... it hasn't fully healed.

Don't worry, it doesn't hurt. Anyway, don't you remember?

It was you who taught me how to make that sound.

I did?

You see? Like I told you, your brain slows down and you start to forget things, if you don't sleep.

I... I don't want to sleep.

I'm scared that I'll dream of... those things.

But you told me you dream of your parents too.

Um...

We have some time before our ride gets here. Have a sleep.

Hm...

Can I come closer?

When I wake up... the first thing I want to see is you.

Of course. Why don't I tell you a few stories while we wait for Savage?

A long time ago, there was a really smart scientist...

Her home was in danger, and she made a difficult choice to protect it and the people around her...

*Zzz*...

Doctor, I found a vehicle! We'll be able to go to the next—

(Whisper) Shh, she's sleeping.

You can come over, Amiya. No need to keep poking your head out from there.

Are you drawing, Doctor? Am I interrupting?

Of course not.

Take a look. Is it good?

It's the mining truck we just drove together!

I've been drawing lots of our experiences.

Have you driven a mining truck before? Even the old miners can't go as fast as you did.

I've seen many amazing vehicles before. Like Originium slug eggs, but much larger. Once, I drove one of them...

...and went through the bridge between stars.

The bridge between stars? It's always dark at night, so it must've been really dark! Was it dangerous?

No. Guides stand by the bridge, borrowing glowing clouds from old stars and making round mirrors out of them.

Follow the path the mirrors show, and we can...

We can...?

See the spires fading in and out of the clouds, and the crown of flowers worn by the stars, on the other side of the bridge.

When we descend on the crown, you'll find that it belongs to good children like you. It's a really, really big playground.

A playground? I've read about them in the stories... there are lots of children there.

Do you want to play with other children?

No. I... I just want to play with you, Doctor.

You'll make more friends as you grow up.

As I grow up...

What's the most amazing vehicle you've ever driven?

The most amazing...? Well... I spent a very long time with it. Very long indeed.

Was there anyone else with you?

In the beginning, yes. In the end, though, I was alone.

...But it's alright. I was sleeping. I slept for a very long time.

Take me with you next time! That way, I can keep you company and you won't have to sleep all day.

...Hehe.

Why are you laughing, Doctor?

That's a big promise to make. Are you sure?

You'll have your own journey, your vision, your future... are you sure you want to be with me?

But they all say that... there's no future for people with rocks on them.

So... I'll always be with you...

......

We'll have a future, Amiya.

How's Amiya doing? Still not great?

Hm... still a bit of fever. Maybe Oripathy complications from all the excitement. Hard to find Oripathy meds around these parts.

She acts like it's nothing during the day, but keeps having nightmares. Poor girl...

Every survivor of that accident was infected. No exceptions.

How long does it take for Oripathy to progress in a child her age?

It's different for everyone. Some disintegrate the day after developing acute symptoms. Some suffer for more than a decade of misery.

But the end is always the same.

Oripathy... is there anyone in the world who can cure it?

The world? Oh, you mean Terra, our great land? Man, you sound like one of those old scholars. I didn't know you had a sense of humor.

Wait... you're serious?

I'm afraid not. It's impossible.

I need it to be possible.

People couldn't imagine the nomadic cities a few centuries ago, could they?

I'll find a way, before her symptoms deteriorate. It may be hard, but that doesn't mean it's impossible.

Say it to a Rim Billy, and they'll think you're making fun of them.

You never fail to surprise me, but I just can't help but believe in you.

Is that the charm of being smart?

Come on, Charlotte.

Hehe, I meant you... never mind.

What?

Oh, I meant... hm...

Can't you tell? There's something about you... something that lets everyone know that you're different from us.

Amiya senses it. Children are more sensitive than we know.

Is it that obvious?

She's strong. She doesn't show her sadness in front of you. She wants you to see her joy. She doesn't want to be a burden to you; she's trying to take care of you.

You became the only pillar in her life the day you saved it.

But she knows you were never supposed to cross paths. She's afraid that you'll abandon her too.

......

Don't worry. I won't leave her.

Now that's the spirit.

I knew you would say that.

This is...

Jerky and fruit. Left here on purpose.

They know I'm here?

Always inscrutable.

(Licks docilely)

Good boy, good boy.

Are we really not going to Yan, Doctor?

We're going somewhere else, to cure your sickness.

But... there's no cure for Oripathy...

There's no such thing as an impossible puzzle, Amiya.

There's a place called Babel, where people I trust are working hard to fight this disease.

Let's work with them.

Will I have to spend a long time there?

Some time, at least. But don't worry, there'll be a lot of people with you, caring for you. I'll be there, too.

......

Doctor... do we really have to go?

Lots of sick kids went away to get treated, but no one came back...

Oripathy doesn't hurt at all.

I promise I'll be good, Doctor. Right, Savage?

Yes... Amiya has always been a good girl.

Are you sure you don't want to rethink this, Doctor?

Billies deal with Originium every day. We know what Oripathy can do.

Stay here in Rim Billiton, and at least we can give her... a home.

Maybe that's more important than the cold walls of a laboratory.

...A home.

You have a point. But I can't just stand by and watch Originium hurt her... I have an obligation.

Amiya, I promise you, I'll do my best to cure you, no matter what happens.

Doctor...

Savage does have a point, though, and Babel is in a place that's not entirely safe.

You can stay with Savage, if you don't want to leave Rim Billiton.

I'm sorry to force this decision on you at such a young age... but you're a strong girl, and we'll respect your choice.

The Doctor's right, Amiya. No need to knee-jerk an answer. Think carefully about it.

I...

...I trust you, Doctor.

I want to have a future. I want to grow up, read books with you, travel with Savage. I...

It's just that... I'm a little scared...

Heh.

Thank you, Amiya.

(Growls in alarm)

What's going on?

—Underneath our feet!

Must be a deep digger! It's spooking the burdenbeast! Watch out!

(Panicked cry)

Stay, boy, stay! Whoa!

Whoa!

Hang in there, Doctor!

Doctor!

Grab my hand, Doctor!

(Angry roar)

(Accelerates)

I have to get them to—whoa!

Hang on! It's speeding up!

I'm—try—ing!

Hang in there, Doctor! I'm coming!

Hur—ry!

I—

Whooooaaaahhhh—!

...No more Messenger stations from here on.

Villages become sparse, and bandits become frequent...

I'm afraid we have to part ways here, Savage.

Why?

The region ahead is in turmoil. You'll be in danger, if the mercenaries spot you.

You and Amiya will be in danger too, won't you?

I'll be fine! I've come this far, I'll see your journey through to the end.

......

Charlotte... thank you.

Will you come and visit, Savage?

Of course!

The Doctor said Babel's new base is being worked on by Billy engineers, right? Maybe we'll see each other soon!

Then... I'll be waiting for you, Savage.

Good girl, Amiya. Now, though, I need to figure out how to take you and the Doctor through the wilderness!

You and Amiya stay here and rest for a while, Doctor. I'll see if the transport hub ahead has any good vehicles for hire.

......

Doctor.

Whoa!

Do we have time to say goodbye?

The longer we stay here, the more dangerous it gets.

The Cautus girl seems rather determined. It's better for both of you to part ways here.

...I suppose you're right.

We won't wait for Savage?

Sometimes, Amiya, we have to do bad things for good reasons.

We don't want Savage to be in danger, do we? But she doesn't want to leave you.

It's rude to leave without saying goodbye, but that way, Savage won't face danger.

Um...

I promise, we'll get to see her again.

Can I leave a note for Savage? She'll be worried if she comes back to find us gone.

Good thinking. Go ahead and write one.

Okay!

Her Highness wants to meet with you, alone.

Are things not going well? How's Kal'tsit?

Now is not the time.

We'll leave once the girl has written her note.

Alright. Can we trouble you with the note?

Certainly. I'll leave it where she is sure to see it.