▼ 2:59 pm
Area 3 B0
Engine Room
TACHIBANA runs over to me once I return. “Captain! Where did you get that hazmat suit?!”
“I pieced together the working parts from several different suits.”
“I never even considered that…!” she says in awe. She shifts her gaze up to the ceiling pipes and tells me, “…I destroyed the filtering mechanism while you were away. The water has stopped circulating inside the pipe.”
“Thanks… Looks like escape is no longer a pipe dream,” I say, making a small joke to lighten the mood, and then look her straight in the eye. “Tachibana, this is our final decision. We only have one hazmat suit. Who goes? You or me?”
Staying here will only increase the odds of being hurt by those WX particles. Going into the pipe or remaining in LABO are two options with equally dangerous prospects.
“I believe I should go,” she says without a moment’s hesitation.
“Why?”
“Because going into the pipe is far more dangerous than remaining here. It’s questionable whether the air tank will make it, and the burning hot water may leak into the piecemeal hazmat suit along the way… I cannot allow you to endanger yourself like that.” She pins me down with her strong gaze.
“I thought you’d say that,” I say with a slight smile. “But you can’t, Tachibana.”
“Why not?”
“You injured your leg bad. Can you walk five hundred fifty yards through a cramped pipe on that leg?”
“Yes, I can. I helped carry Salyu all the way here, didn’t I?”
“But you’ve been gradually slowing down. And going slow with limited oxygen decreases your chance of survival.” Frustrated by my sound argument, she falls quiet. I put my hand on hers and make my case. “The lives of everyone inside this facility are bearing down on the shoulders of whoever plunges into that pipe. So we have to do whatever it takes to increase our chances of success… That’s why I’ll be the one to do it, Tachibana,” I flatly declare. When she says nothing in return, I add one final remark. “This is an order. No objections allowed.”
Tachibana shakes her head. “…I object,” she protests in a barely audible voice.
“Whoa, where did that come from? It’s not like you to ignore an order, Tachibana.”
“But…!” she complains like a child throwing a tantrum. Worry shimmers in her eyes. It’s the first time I’ve seen her look this scared for me.
I return her argument with the manliest expression I can manage. “Please let me go, Tachibana… I was hopelessly helpless when I first regained consciousness, and had to be saved by you at every corner. Let me be cool at the very end to repay you for everything.”
She hangs her head and bites her lip as she fights with herself in silence. She eventually gives a small nod.
Mind set at ease by that voiceless answer, I hurry to prepare things. I suit up and prep the air tank. I carry the faceplate and air tank in my right hand and the axe in my left.
“I’ll get out of here and call for the cavalry,” I tell Tachibana once I’m ready. “I hate leaving you guys here, but…wait for my return.”
“…I will,” she says, returning my gaze. Her apprehensive expression squeezes at my heart.
I pat her on the shoulder and climb the ladder, clamber on top of the drainage pipe, and raise the axe into the air. I bring it down on the pipe with the full force of the swing. Sparks fly, and a tiny hole forms. But the sturdy pipe is too thick to open a hole big enough for a person to fit through in one hit.
“URAAAAAAAAAAHHH!” I let out a battle cry and bring the axe down dozens of times. Powered by my determination to escape, I put all my strength into each hit.
The hole steadily widens. Steam rises from the pipe and hot water spills out. But only a cupful. The water has definitely been stopped.
After swinging the axe over and over again, the blade finally gives out on me.
“Ghh!” But it did its job—the hole is big enough for me to slip inside. “…Yes!” I peer below the pipe. Tachibana is staring up with worry. “Tachibana, I put a hole in the pipe! I’m heading out! Take care of the kids for me!”