GFL2 Story/Sojourners of the Glass Island US-1-2/Script

Scene 1

(At the camp three kilometers away from the thermal power station ruins, Rosalind raises her spanner, staring at Ullrid's team heading back in a wretched state.)

Rosalind: Is that why all of you came back with damage all over your bodies?

Ullrid: Sorry, I miscalculated...

Lotta: No... It's because of that strange Doll chasing us, not because of Ullrid!

Suomi: Yeah! And it's on us for stopping before reaching a safe place— That thing's pursuit zone is way too wide!

Dushevnaya: Like an invisible cobra— ow!

(Rosalind abruptly tightens the tape to secure Dushevnaya's arm. She exerts so much strength such that Dushevnaya is unable to continue her sentence.)

Rosalind: The rest of you are more or less still moving, but the same cannot be said for Dushevnaya. I'll need time to repair her locomotion systems, as they are nearly completely busted. Ullrid, did you see... what I sent you?

Ullrid: ...You're right.

Rosalind: Good. Speaking of which, aren't the voting results out? I don't think you have the time to stay here.

Ullrid: (Sigh)

Rosalind: You can't run away from problems forever. Go find Littara, Ullrid.

Ullrid: ...Mm. I understand.

Scene 2

[Commander, this is my □6th letter to you. This nearly became my last ever letter to you...]

[That thermal power station is way too scary... It's like a gigantic trap. Like a fake oasis in the desert with jaws in the water!]

......

[We were quite shaken... and the strange Doll we saw... My neural cloud destabilizes every time I think of her.]

[Her neural cloud seems to be malfunctioning, and she's unable to speak or hear our voices... Was she like this before? Will we... become like that in the future? Maybe... we all have thoughts and worries like these.]

[We were attacked only after we had entered the experimental field. What is that place to her? Could it be something like... her home, just like what Griffin once was to us? ...Then, could that picture we found be a picture of her and her family?]

[But compared to that, I'm more worried about how Big Sis is doing... Big Sis was always a brave and strong person to me. She has grand ideals in her heart.]

[I once heard her talk about her experiences in the past. After what she's been through, it's only normal that she doesn't want to be bound by commands. It would be much easier if she just went on alone instead of leading a drifting collective of Dolls.]

[But Big Sis did not do that. She protects and leads this weak Doll collective, to pursue the possible in the impossible. Commander. If not for her, we'd probably be long buried and forgotten in the barren wastes.]

[Sometimes I try to tell her not to put too much pressure on herself... but every attempt turns into her encouraging me. She's so much like you, always so strong, and ever able to bring us confidence and hope.]

[But... just now, I inadvertently heard a conversation between Big Sis and Littara... Nothing is as simple as I thought.]

---

(At night, somewhere along the edge of the Dolls' camp.)

(Ullrid sits on a relatively flat rock. She stares vacantly into the distance while looking as if she is on guard.)

Ullrid: I did not find Littara as per Rosalind's instructions at the end... I haven't settled on my own thoughts yet, after all...

Littara: [Ullrid, what are you doing here, staring blankly into the distance? I've been waiting for you.] —Littara

Ullrid: Oh, it's Littara...

Littara: [What "Oh, it's Littara"? The voting results have long come out, so isn't it time for us to discuss our next move?] —Littara

Ullrid: The voting results are... yeah. 77% have abstained. Another meaningless vote. Hah—I think the answer is pretty obvious, isn't it? The reason why everyone is at such a loss about it!

(The arid winds of the contamination zone blow on their faces. Ullrid brushes her tangled hair. thinking that her thoughts are as messy as her hair.)

(Littara pats Ullrid's head to comfort her and sits down next to her.)

Littara: [At first, it seemed like a simple decision whether to continue searching the thermal power station or to find another place to settle. In reality, the rate of success is nearly the same for both choices now that we have more information on the power station. It's not strange for everyone to be unable to make a choice.] —Littara

Ullrid: I see, but we can't keep going on like this... Littara, about the "important thing that we overlooked" we found out earlier, I've had some thoughts about it... but I haven't managed to sort them out yet.

Littara: [I'd like to hear you out. Didn't we promise to have a long talk once we came back? I've had some thoughts about it too.] —Littara

Ullrid: Mm... Let's talk about the votes first. Although the thermal power station is full of danger, the foreseeable gains are much better than what we'd get if we went towards the Red Zones. We can never be sure of what dangers we'll face there, and the rewards are unpredictable.

Ullrid: We are in dire need of supplies and material... The accounted inventory list that Rosalind sent me clearly states that our current supplies will only last for... ah...

Littara: [Inventory list?] —Littara

Ullrid: What I'm saying is... according to the analysis of our current situation, even though the two options seem to be equivalent in terms of success rate, it's obvious enough that the thermal power station will let us fare better in the long run.

Littara: [The dangers faced in our previous searches would have made everyone even more skeptical about settling at the thermal power station. The bots and the strange Doll would make them hesitate even more—they've even capable of putting Ullrid in danger.] —Littara

Littara: [Their admiration for your person and acknowledgment of your capabilities have become obstacles that deter them from making choices today.] —Littara

Ullrid: But we have indeed brought back supplies. There's even more of it at the thermal power station. We can use them to repair our tactical Dolls and awaken our friends in hibernation!

Ullrid: We desperately need supplies! Of every kind!

Ullrid: The thermal power station has functioning power and is off the beaten track enough that humans won't randomly stumble across it. If we can remove the threats within, it would be a perfect place for us to make camp! Even if we can't stay, we can take more of the supplies away—

Littara: [But I wish not to see Ullrid in such danger anymore.] —Littara

Ullrid: Hah... Why are you like this too, Littara...

Littara: Huh?

Ullrid: No, please don't misunderstand. I know that you worry and care about me. But... if I just followed percentages and took no risks, I would have never escaped the Doll hunting grounds, joined Allen's caravan, and met all of you...

Ullrid: The Doll collective is not just comprised of one or two Dolls making decisions based on their own benefits and disadvantages from choosing them...

Ullrid: Perhaps if we weighed the two choices on a scale, they would be balanced in failure rate. But if we take into account the benefit to our entire community, along with considerations for our future, it's clear what the choice should be.

Ullrid: Isn't this why we have no useful results from voting?

Littara: ...

Littara: [So... this is what Ullrid meant earlier by "something doesn't feel right".] —Littara

Ullrid: Mm. Correct. It makes me so anxious to the point where I have trouble sleeping... But I can't force people to make a decision immediately either.

Littara: Aaarghhhh, I don't even know whether what I'm thinking is correct. Do we really have to choose the other option? What should I do for people to change? I don't know... Ah... What should I do... What...

(Ullrid grabs her head in distress rubbing it viciously, then takes out her treasured rubber pig to squeeze and knead it.)

(Littara is staggered upon seeing her friend in such agony over the state of affairs. She purses her lips, as if she swallowed what she was about to say, then starts to slowly write something else on paper.)

Littara: [I don't think it's completely wrong thinking... we came together as a band of desperate drifters, each from our own plight... Perhaps we don't have the spare energy to form the concept of a collective in our minds yet. Time will help us. Don't worry too much for now.] —Littara

Ullrid: Mm. I guess you're right.

Ullrid: It's not really safe here. The supplies we get from the past few searches won't last long, so people will have to make a choice before we run out.

[Afterward, Big Sis Ullrid gathered all the Dolls together in Level II to show them pictures and footage of what it looked like inside the Marley thermal power station. She had made special notes to point out the most needed supplies and equipment.]

[Big Sis wanted to begin another round of votes. But the result was... unsuccessful again.]

[Perhaps this is simply the behavior of Dolls, especially the civilian Dolls that make up a large part of our collective. They would definitely lean towards the safer and more stable options when it came to decision-making.]

[I really... don't know what we should do either. I cannot choose based on the reality of our situation, but I want to trust Big Sis before anything else. She has led us through so many impossible things, so maybe she could do it this time too?] —Suomi

Scene 3

Ullrid: Please have a look, everyone. As shown in the previously publicized information, our search confirmed a large number of supplies, equipment, and materials that we Dolls can use just sitting in the ruins of the thermal power station.

Ullrid: If we can solve the issue of ELIDs gathering there and the high level of Collapse radiation, we could even stay there on a more permanent basis—

Bathilde: It sounds good to the ears, but what about the defense bots and the strange Doll?

Restless Doll: Yeah! Even the incredible Ullrid had her chest sliced open by that Doll!

Pessimistic Tactical Doll: Scary...

Ullrid: Mm. You might be unclear on what happened later in our search as you had to return to camp early, Bathilde.

Ullrid: After examination of the intel we have, we found that the defense bots and the strange Doll are only triggered to attack at specific locations. Of course, so ensure safety for all—

Bathilde: To ensure safety for all, we should find somewhere else to stay after a good rest, not keep heading into combat!

Ullrid: Hah... I knew this would happen...

Bathilde: What do you mean?

Ullrid: No, no, I'm not blaming you for anything, Bathilde. It's just that... if we choose to move somewhere else, we don't exactly have a wealth of locations to choose from, and all of the choices would move us closer to the Red Zones...

Ullrid: Which is a highly unpredictable place with unknown gains and dangers. In addition, not only do we have no Doll protective suits rated for Red Zones, we also have to bring along the bodies of our hibernating friends.

Bathilde: ...But an uncertain danger is better than certain danger, isn't it?! What if we stumble across a large pile of supplies on our journey right away?!

Rational Tactical Doll: The lack of protective suits... is indeed a problem. Speaking of which, is the thermal power station really that dangerous? You're non-combat personnel, aren't you, Bathilde? You did manage to return safely.

Optimistic Tactical Doll: I, too, think that although the location seems to be full of enemies, it is also full of supplies! High risk, high reward!

Rational Tactical Doll: Mmhmm. And there are repair pods there too... which can't be moved, right? It's been a long time since my last comprehensive servicing...

Optimistic Tactical Doll: And we'll have money to expand the servers if we succeed, right? It's been a long time since we've had a backup!

Bathilde: Are... are you all insane?!

Lotta: Bathilde... please stay calm...

Ullrid: Um, I understand that you would think of it like that, Bathilde... But at the end of the day, it's still up to everyone to decide on our direction via voting. This is what we have all agreed on at the beginning.

Bathilde: But because of your plans for resource allocation, most of the non-combat Dolls are in hibernation, so the remaining voters are all tactical Dolls and more tactical Dolls. Of course they would choose to fight!

Lotta: Bathilde... please don't word it that way!

Disgruntled Tactical Doll: Even if we do have to fight, that's a job for us tactical Dolls. As a mechanic, you're almost always just sitting around in a safe place... Why would you even say something like that...

Bathilde: That's not the point! Voting in this situation is inherently unfair! Besides, with more and more people choosing to abstain, are you going to force people into combat?

Rosalind: Bathilde, that's enough.

Rosalind: Ullrid, Bathilde is a mechanic, so she naturally prefers to avoid harm. She just has trouble communicating that, She simply wishes for everyone to be safer, and isn't questioning your capablities.

Ullrid: I... I understand. I know that... Still, Bathilde is right that there is risk involved in us heading to the thermal power station.

Bathilde: ...

Ullrid: However, the risk involved in finding another place to stay is equally high, and this is exactly hy so many have chosen to abstain.

Ullrid: This is indeed a difficult decision, but we can't just dawdle off our days here. If we run out of supplies, we'll be at the mercy of ELIDs and Varjagers.

Ullrid: As the person trusted by all, I will take on the responsibility of leading everyone, as well as the relevant risks.

Suomi: Big Sis...?

Ullrid: If we choose to enter the thermal power station and enter combat, I will fight till the end. If we fail at the station, I would like Littara to lead the remaining dolls away to find another way to survive.

Littara: —!

Restless Doll: What? ...Is it that dangerous there? Ullrid... would... have to hibernate...?

Lotta: ...Ullrid... Littara...

Rational Tactical Doll: If Ullrid is making that kind of statement... surely she's quite certain about the station?

Hestitant Tactical Doll: But what if... Would Littara be able to replace her?

Dushevnaya: Wha—what should we do, Great Sage...

(Among the hushed discussions between Dolls, Littara steps out and positions herself in front of Ullrid.)

Littara: [If we are unable to decide, there is no need to think too far off into the future. Instead we should solve our immediate problems first—whether or not we should solve the issue of high Collapse radiation levels at the thermal power plant in order to facilitate the temporary use of equipment and resources at the location.] —Littara

Rosalind: We are indeed... in desperate need of supplies. Without supplies, the currently active dozen or so Dolls won't be able to last much longer either...

Hesitant Doll: It does seem reasonable... Live on, in order to decide the future...

Suomi: I... I support the use of equipment and supplies from the thermal power station!

Optimistic Tactical Doll: We spent a lot of time finding a place to replenish our resources without avail... If it's just temporary... It's not so bad to just enter the thermal power station and use the resources there? We can just run if there is danger...

Bathilde: You people...!

Lotta: Bathilde, please don't... Um, if you calm down and think about it... If we are able to secure ample resources this time, Wolfiin will...

Bathilde: ...Hmph. I don't believe it.

Lotta: M—moreover, there are experimental fields and farming facilities in the thermal power station! If we can really... really stay and settle... Wolfiin will be able to do what she loves... she will be happy!

Bathilde: ...You too...

Bathilde: This is what you've always wanted, isn't it, Ullrid? Have everyone listen to you, and completely turn the Doll collective into your personal army!

Ullrid: Huh? No! Bathilde, you've got me all wrong—

Bathilde: Do whatever you want!

Ullrid: —Ah... she disconnected...

Lotta: U—Ullrid... Bathilde is not great at, uh, expressing... Please don't take it too hard, I will explain it to her properly in due time...

Ullrid: ...Thank you, Lotta... Anyway, if there are no other questions, then it's time for the vote to begin.

(Ullrid finally manages to relax after checking the results of the recent vote.)

(She disconnects from Level II and falls backward into a sandy dune.)

Ullrid: So tired... It's good that we finally managed to resolve things... But how could Bathilde think of me like that... This is a huge misunderstanding. I've got to find a chance to clear things up with her sometime.

Littara: ...

Ullrid: Littara? What's with the frowny face again? Even synthetic skin will have wrinkles if you frown too much, you know?

Littara: I...

Suomi: Big Sis! Miss Littara!

Dushevnaya: Good evening, Supreme Leader and Great Sage.

Ullrid: Oh— Dushevnaya, you've regained your mobility?

Dushevnaya: Thank you for your concern. The Great Healer has healed me well.

Suomi: Big Sis, what's the timing for the planned battle to begin?

Ullrid: As soon as possible. Once everyone is ready, I'll go over the plan's details with Littara—Littara?

Littara: ...

Ullrid: Littara? Are you okay?

Littara: I... Actually... I... Ugh...

Suomi: Maybe Miss Littara is agonizing over our action plan?

Dushevnaya: I'm willing to shoulder some of your burden if you are willing, Great Sage.

Littara: [It's fine... I'm just thinking. The thermal power station must be hiding some secrets...] —Littara

Ullrid: From the intel we have so far, it doesn't seem like any other thermal power station. It seems to be a place for conducting agricultural research in the contamination zones.

Ullrid: Perhaps... the thermal power facilities were created as a means to that end?

Littara: [Is it really that simple...? Earlier, Ullrid was worried about whether the thermal power station was still under the control of humans.] —Littara

Ullrid: Worries are worries, but like I said, we need to replenish our supplies now, and it would be best if we could use the equipment there to conduct full maintenance on our Dolls.

Ullrid: Even if we do have to move towards the Red Zones in the future, we should be prepared for it. As for the possibility of humans behind all this... We'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Littara: ...

Ullrid: Are you alright, Littara? You've been looking quite hesitant since just now.

Littara: Ul... d—didn't... inform...

Ullrid: Huh?

(Littara takes a deep breath and stares at the confused Ullrid with a determined expression. She takes up her pen, scribbling on her notepad rapidly.)

Littara: [Although Ullrid synced the intel we have on the thermal power station with the others, you did not mention our hypothesis on the possibility that the thermal power station is still operating as intended.] —Littara

Littara: [If the place is truly still under human control, it will get pretty dangerous for us even if we stay for a short while.] —Littara

Ullrid: But it's just a guess. Didn't Littara advise me on how numbers are just numbers and things can be different, so there's no need to worry too much?

Littara: [But you did not inform the others about this, nor did you ask me to come up with a contingency plan to counter it... You just kept on emphasizing how good things will be for everyone if we continue to explore the thermal power station.] —Littara

Ullrid: ...

Littara: [This was not the only instance. Before our previous expedition, Ullrid emphasized how Dushevnaya's combat capabilities would give us an edge.] —Littara

Ullrid: ...So, do you feel that Bathilde is right, Littara? That I'm manipulating people to follow what I want? Is this what you were worried about before?

Littara: Yeah...

Suomi: B—Big Sis definitely didn't do it on purpose! She was just... just in too much of a rush!

Littara: [I'm not actually opposed to consolidating deciding power. It is the most prudent choice in our current situation.] —Littara

Littara: [However, this goes against the ideals you had when you first introduced the voting system, Ullrid. In our current situation, I'm worried that if things go in a way that deviates from your expectations, the pressure you face might cause you to suffer a neural breakdown... I should have warned you about this a lot earlier.] —Littara

Dushevnaya: I—it's fine if you lose your way on the Legendary Odyssey! Only by crossing a storm can... can...

Ullrid: Suomi, Dushevnaya, there's no need to defend me... Littara and Bathilde are not wrong. I've been too impatient and hasty and have gone against my original ideals.

(Ullrid buries her face in her hands, but she immediately raises her head. She grits her teeth, trying her best to sound normal as if nothing had happened.)

Ullrid: But what should I do... After all this drifting around, everyone is at their limit, be it in terms of energy or neural cloud stability. How do I break the news to them that we have no way but forward...?

Ullrid: We must either take a gamble to capture the thermal power station and use the resources there to rest and recuperate or... be buried in a Collapse storm in the wastes. It's not a question of choice on how to sustain the Doll collective but a question of right and wrong...

Littara: [So this is Ullrid's true concern—not whether people can make a decision, but the fact that she cannot even give people a choice.] —Littara

Littara: [What made you decide on this series of actions was what you saw in "Rosalind's Inventory list" that you mentioned earlier, right?] —Littara

Ullrid: Ah... ah... you...

Littara: [I went to talk to Rosalind. Before I did, she was dithering on whether to send the list to me as well. She felt that you shouldn't be the only one to shoulder this burden... Good thing I happened to talk to her.] —Littara

Littara: After looking through the list, I can surmise that even with the supplies we bring back from the thermal power station, we must definitely not head towards the Red Zones.] —Littara

(With the truth laid bare, Ullrid discards her mask.)

Ullrid: ...Sorry...

Ullrid: I'm sorry... I'm a useless organizer, herding everyone into a dead end... I... I didn't want to... impose my thoughts on everyone... I want to make amends...

Littara: I—I'll help you!

Littara: [We'll continue as agreed before. Ullrid decides the direction, I make the plans. We'll first guide the Doll collective through the storm, then think of how to follow the compass of our ideals again.] —Littara

Suomi: Mm! I'll do my best to protect everyone! And, I'll help Big Sis realize her wishes!

Dushevnaya: I too, shall—Erm, do my best! Though I don't know how much I can contribute...

Littara: [Then it's settled, we shall prepare according to plan! I'll submit the contingency plan tonight.] —Littara

Ullrid: Ah— How am I ever going to live without you guys!

(Littara is suddenly enveloped in a hug by the exclaiming Ullrid. Feeling something wet on her cheeks, Littara rubs against her friends reassuringly, and hears a loud sniffle from her.)

Ullrid: Suomi! Dushevnaya! Come here for a hug too!

Suomi: Oh, okay! Sure!

Dushevnaya: Me... Me too?

Ullrid: Oh, come on!

(In the ferocious, dry wind of the contaminated zones, four Dolls hug each other tightly.)

---

(After picking herself up, Ullrid sends out a message on Level II.)

(Objective—shut down the equipment of any cooling tower that contains Collapse crystals to solve the issue of high Collapse radiation levels, and while ensuring the safety of all members, collect and utilize as many supplies as possible.)

Littara: [Ullrid, come with me to decide on the contingency plan after you're done checking everyone's preparatory work. Suomi and Dushevnaya too, you guys should go prepare so that you're in the best fighting condition possible.] —Littara

Ullrid: Mm. I'll come with you ASAP.

Littara: [Before I forget! No more telling people randomly that I am to replace you as a leader! You've said none of this to me beforehand!] —Littara

Ullrid: Ah, um... I... I'll go check on the others first!

(After Ullrid hurriedly leaves, Littara stomps on the ground in anger.)

Suomi: Haha, looks like Big Sis and Miss Littara won't be arguing with each other anymore! Miss Dushevnaya, let's go help organize the supplies.

Dushevnaya: Got it.