This animal almanac's a beauty. Right, from the bookshelves. I've washed my hands, so the pages'll be fine... Yeah, this is your office. Something wrong?

I hear explosions. One min, I'll head down to check. Exhaust fans sound normal, then next is... No, right. Forgot I'm riding with Rhodes Island now. You don't get Originium slugs in the pipes here. Um... Must be Engineering running weapon tests. Sorry about that, breaking your door down.

You can tell how the air's doing from a sandbeast's back, so that's why you see pitsinkers bring one down. If there's poison and it keels over... you buy a new one. But this one wasn't from the shop. I don't even own it, so I don't keep it on a leash.

Tales of the supernatural, these tapes said. Didn't really like watching them, but I do feel... Chills, from these? No. It's hot in the dark. The deeper down the pit, the hotter, harder to breathe. Always took yonks for the lift to bring us back up. I'd just stare at the lights in the ceiling, waiting.

Got shooed out of the workshop by Lanns. She wasn't pissed though, just hauled me along to a doctor, then had me on Potlid-watching duty. And watching I love my own body more... That day she asked me what life was like catching Oripathy. But all that came to mind was being down in the pit, staring at the Infected creatures and thinking, 'we're more alike now.'

Proactive? Is this about me applying to rescue Infected...? Remember when you had me treat my wounds? So I have my cotton wads, and they're getting covered in bloodstains, and dust, and Originium shards, and sandbeast fur, and it struck me then: the pit's behind me, a million miles behind, and it's like I'm still being stabbed. Do you think I'm... still carrying the fear?

Ninety-seven, ninety-eight... Oh, first time seeing you at the training grounds. You always train at four in the morning too? That's not it? An op said I scared them target practicing here all night...? But the light went kaput in my accommodation. I wanted to be somewhere lit-up.

I think Amiya's being nice to me. Hiding something and she won't tell me what. But it does occur to me, you know. The giant shadow I saw in a sandstorm as a kid. I might've mistook it. But it's always occurred to me... Doctor, give her these carrot pies for me, would you? She's always so busy and all, I want to be nice back, and care for her.

I've given it some thought. Hijacking Rhodes Island sounds unideal, but dragging you off might leave the whole ship out of order... Hm? Oh, it's just there's some great tales in your database. A few I wanna see with my own eyes, and it'd be nice if you come with. That's the new goal I found. What's wrong?

No scratching, you'll wake the Doctor. C'mon, let's go walkies on the deck.

I passed the Operator tests, Doctor, so thanks for all of you inviting me. That whole chase is over with, but I'm thinking I'll find my new goal on this ship.

That's not danger I can cope with yet.

You know, they wanted to certify me for my professional skills before. Gloompincer made off with the paper that time. Lost to the mineshaft depths... Anyway, there's a few extra things I can do. What's this ship need?

If that tiny patch of sky opened wide... wouldn't people want to chase the sun and the moons?

Here, Sandbeast, we need to get going.

I'll take the very front, as always.

Sound of muddy air, tracks of animal... I'll keep a watch that way.

Fine visibility. I can see more than just danger.

Got my bolts kitted.

Point where I'm cleaning up?

Yeah, you'll hear from me as needed.

You lot stay up there if it gets risky.

Threat at my position—yeah, not anymore soon.

I'm hearing movement.

And that's as far as you go.

I'm done rambling in the dark.

Sun's out. What a beauty… Sandbeast, let's get home.

This area's clear of danger for now. Doctor, you always been like this? Any problem, you'll solve it?

We'll have to expand the mine out... Hold the treatment for now. Got a lurking threat to handle.

You all leg it. Comms might cut out. If things get grim, I'll leave the most discernible signs I can.

Ship's sailing on sandstone… That's strange. Like I've heard it somewhere before?

Was I not meant to dodge that? Okay, I'll stay put. You tap me again.

Sandbeasts with arcing backs like this should be living in the desert... Wonder why this bugger came with me? Here, got you new food to try.

Arknights.

Short-term disembarkment application. Rhodes stopping over here's perfect to hunt some sandbeast food. I'll be gone half a day. Offices are deserted—lucky I ran into you... Yeah, it is New Year's today, Happy New Year. So?

Weather's fine outside. No dust cloud, and not a Catastrophe billow in sight.

A 'pipe dream'—that's how I hear some people describe Rhodes. My destination's nothing like this ship's—apples to oranges, really—but I've gotten up close and personal with my own dream thanks to you all, and I'm sure you can make yours come true. I know it.