If the mission wasn't completed, everyone would die.
With a sigh, Nana looked at the half-empty waterskin at her waist, took it off, and handed it to Cardigan along with enough portable rations to last a week.
"The final order. Do you remember the room we passed through before? The observation room, I think?"
As she spoke, she headed toward that room with the uneasy Cardigan. Because the entire armor had overturned, the room's largest viewing window now faced the sky.
"Remember how to use the Haze Wave System, right...? Set it to automatic mode, frequency three point five..."
As Nana leaned close, Cardigan could only see the medical eyepatch and the respirator covering most of her face from the side, but the intimacy still made her sad... Especially when she thought about what Nana might do afterward, Cardigan felt that Nana had already resolved herself to die... Yet she had no reason to stop her.
"...This way, the Haze Wave System will act through the glass on the Originium Crystals covering the upper layer... Then the wind will carry away the dust shaken loose. You can rest here and watch for signal flares... But be careful. You can use the Haze Wave System to extend your hand outside and fire the signals, but don't damage this room... At a Landship's speed, even after they see your signal, it may take them another one or two days to reach your position... Your mission is to stay alive until the Landship comes for you... And if they don't come..."
At that point, Nana saw Cardigan's choked-up expression, and her voice unconsciously softened.
"...If there's still no signal after a week... then evacuate... I have authorization to set endurance limits for every team. That order is backed up in the powered armor's