Arknights' Lock of Heaven

363

On this land, people are always trying to avoid natural disasters.

From the ancient anxieties and helplessness to the planned observation and prevention after the establishment of the natural disaster messenger system, it is the entire story of Terra's human messengers.

Throughout the course of civilization's development, people have built their homes amidst ruins and wreckage, developing their civilization in a daze, step by step, until today. From the initial natural disasters that could only drive domesticated animals to flee, to now driving magnificent mobile cities to flee, technology has advanced, but the essence remains largely the same.

Natural disasters are called natural disasters because they are beyond human control.

Uncontrolled natural phenomena wantonly spread their presence across the surface of the planet Terra.

Unlike the ignorant humans of ancient times, people today are gradually understanding natural disasters with the development of civilization. They are analyzing the patterns within them and trying to bring this natural force under their control.

Scientists believe that as long as civilization continues to develop, it is only a matter of time before humanity gains control over natural disasters.

But what does this have to do with the Ursus soldiers who are miserably searching the snowfield at one o'clock in the morning?

“I say, Ivan,” a nervous soldier said, hanging his knife at his waist and breathing on his cold hands as he stammered, “are we really okay like this?”

"What do you mean no problem?" His captain, Ivan, turned his head in confusion. "Didn't I say there were only two people on the other side? Where could two Kazimierz guys run off to in this freezing weather?"

“We’ve been chasing them for days, and you’ve been saying that ever since we set off,” a soldier nearby couldn’t help but interject. “Two Kazimir guys who’ve never seen the snowfields before, they’ve plunged into the snow like startled rabbits. We can easily catch them by going out for a quick look around.”

"But we haven't caught up with them since we started searching this morning."

“It’s not my fault,” Ivan sighed, holding his lantern. “Who knew those two could run so fast? Even Commander Nikolai complained that he should have brought a warship. I heard that when I went to report the situation earlier.”

"The officer said we'd have a great time in Cheprini, but before we could even enjoy it, we were sent out to chase people in the snow," another soldier complained. "And he called it a cushy job..."

“This is definitely a good job,” Ivan sighed upon hearing this, and explained earnestly, “Those two are quite important. The higher-ups specifically instructed that they shouldn’t be killed or seriously injured, but who would have thought they could run so fast…”

"Logically speaking, their delicate off-road vehicle should have broken down after a short time in the snow, but we've been chasing them all day and haven't seen a single person."

At first, they chased after them by car, but after a few days they realized they couldn't catch up at all. This evening it started snowing, and as the snowflakes fell into the night, it became even more difficult to find any traces. So these unlucky soldiers were sent down to search for tracks on foot.

Ivan is a good captain. He treats his subordinates well, doesn't hog the spoils, is capable, has some ambition, and knows how to scheme. Plus, given the environment of the Sixth Army, everyone can see what the surrounding units are like. Other squads would be lucky if their captain didn't whip them, let alone try to persuade them with kind words.

So everyone usually respects him. Logically speaking, the task of tracking at the forefront is usually not assigned to their team, since this mission is special. However, Ivan's team's performance has been noticed by their superiors, so this 'easy job' fell into their hands.

Who wouldn't love a team leader who can provide such great benefits for everyone?

However, due to a miscalculation in the intelligence, what should have been an easy task turned into a large-scale training exercise in the snow.

“It’s normal for everyone to be resentful,” Ivan said, trying to boost morale as it continued to plummet. “Who knew it would be this hard to catch them before we set off? Just bear with it. I’ll treat you to drinks when we get back.”

After he finished speaking, he looked at the soldier who had spoken first, "Pence, I know you can't stand the cold, just bear with it a little longer, here's a lantern for you, it'll warm you up a bit."

“No, it’s not that I’m cold,” Pence said, glancing around nervously and refusing the lantern Ivan offered. “It’s just that, haven’t you heard? There’s a natural disaster in this direction…”

Even if those in higher positions were well aware of this so-called natural disaster, how could these ordinary soldiers possibly know?

“Don’t worry, the disaster won’t happen for another two days,” Ivan sighed. “Listen, Pence, I know your whole family died in the disaster, but believe me, you really don’t need to be so nervous.”

"Captain, of course I believe you, but I don't trust those messengers of natural disasters!"

Upon hearing this, Pence said excitedly, "Back then... back then it was clearly agreed that the natural disaster would not occur for seven days, but the natural disaster came on the fifth day. Of the hundreds of people in the entire village, only a few of us survived and went out to report the disaster!"

"Captain, you also experienced that cold wave disaster, right? And your home is nearby, right?"

Hearing this, the others also felt a bit scared, after all, it was a natural disaster.

“Yes, I’ve been there,” Ivan sighed. “But I still have to say, they clearly said it would be no later than seven days and no earlier than four days. I really don’t know how you dared to stay until the fifth day.”

“But he clearly said seven days…” Pence was still rambling on. Ivan sighed. He knew that was just how Pence was; that incident had become an insurmountable obstacle for him.

But to be honest, his whole family died in that natural disaster, so it would be strange if he hadn't gotten through it easily.

But who can be blamed? The messengers had issued a warning, and their own dawdling led to the entire village freezing to death on the way, even though they had plenty of time.

Seven days at the latest doesn't necessarily mean seven days.

As he continued his rambling, the others around him hesitated, and Ivan knew he had to say something.

"Do you know why I'm not afraid?" he said, turning his head to look behind him.

"Colonel Nikolai is less than a kilometer behind us."

"Yes, those big shots don't care about the lives of small fry like us, but it's different for Colonel Nikolai, who is also a big shot, not to mention he is a baron."

“Such an important figure must have accurate information. If a natural disaster were really going to happen soon, why would the colonel be following us?”

At this point, Ivan lowered his voice, "Do you know why I run back to report every hour? Is it because I'm bored in this heavy snow and making things more difficult for myself?"

“There were no outsiders around, so I just said it directly: I was checking to see if the colonel was still behind us! You all know the colonel’s ‘abilities’; even though I can only see him from afar, as long as he’s there, that’s enough.”

"As long as such important figures are still around, we have nothing to worry about. They can't possibly die alongside people like us, can they? Don't worry, the credit for this matter is not as valuable as the colonel's life."

“That’s true,” the surrounding soldiers said, and they felt somewhat more certain after hearing this.

"Why don't you go back and check again, Captain?" Pence said with a fawning smile, his head drooping. "I just can't shake this feeling of unease..."

"I've only been back for twenty minutes, how can I go back!" Hearing this, Ivan frowned, slapped him on the back of the head, and scolded, "Going back every hour is already very frequent!"

“But what if something really happens and the colonel just betrays us and runs away?” Pence said anxiously in a low voice. “It’s happened before…”

"You!" Hearing this, Ivan also got a little angry, but he couldn't say anything.

Because Colonel Nikolai behind him really did that!

He actually did something like that: when the front lines collapsed, he ran away with his adjutant without informing his subordinates!

So for a moment, Ivan wanted to refute, but he was actually a little unsure of his own strength.

After thinking for a few seconds, he said wearily, "This time... this time is different. He did that before because running away with the troops would make him a bigger target. He could leave us behind and use the fleeing soldiers to hold off the enemy. But against a natural disaster... what can we possibly do!"

"Besides, if a natural disaster really strikes at such a close distance, how far can he run? The colonel, well, you all know his ability to evade danger. Since he dared to come to the front lines, there must not be much danger here!"

“Alright, alright…” Pence was finally convinced. Seeing Colonel Nikolai’s abilities in this area, he was truly undisputed in the Sixth Army.

Seeing that he finally stopped talking, Ivan sighed.

If this kid weren't usually a decent person and a pretty hard-working fighter, and most importantly, he wasn't obedient, I would have kicked him out long ago.

Although Ivan treated his subordinates well, he wasn't an indiscriminate pushover, or rather, how many good people could there be in the Sixth Army?

What haven't they done—burning, killing, looting, and arson?

Pence is usually a good guy, incredibly brave, but he backs down when it comes to natural disasters. This illness is probably incurable for the rest of his life. Oh well, he'll just have to bear with it.

When we get back, I'll find him two girls to help him relax.

Just as Ivan was pondering, the sentry scouting ahead shouted excitedly, "Captain! There's something going on. Come and check if it's this vehicle?"

Upon hearing this, Ivan suppressed his thoughts and quickly stepped forward. In the darkness, he saw an expensive-looking SUV stuck precariously in the snow.

"Yes! This is it!" Ivan shouted excitedly, "We've finally found it!"

Just as he arrived at the car, the sentry who had called out earlier finished his inspection and said, "Captain, there's no one in the car."

“Of course no one is here,” Ivan said, walking up to the location of the Originium engine and touching it.

"Hmm, they're still a bit warm. Looks like they can't have gone far."

“Captain,” Pence said, looking at him expectantly, “shouldn’t you go back and report… and while you’re at it…”

Although he didn't finish speaking, everyone knew what he wanted to say.

"This guy is hopeless," Ivan shook his head.

However, he did need to go back and report. This was a great opportunity; more than 5,000 people had been eagerly following for three days, and this was only the first result.

……

"Still haven't found it, huh?"

At the camp a kilometer away, Colonel Nikolai stared coldly at the officers in front of him.

"No...not yet," the group lowered their heads guiltily, "We're still searching..."

"Effort?" Seeing their timid and hesitant appearance, Colonel Nikolai's pent-up emotions exploded instantly. He waved his hand and roared, "Is your so-called effort just running up to me again and again to tell me that you've still achieved nothing?"

"Only two people? Just two people! You five thousand men chased them for three whole days and didn't even manage to touch a hair on their head?"

"Five thousand people! Don't even mention two people, even if it were two thousand people, no, two thousand pigs, five thousand fully armed people could capture them in three days!"

It's obvious that it's impossible to catch two thousand pigs in three days, but catching two thousand people in three days is something we can try to do.

The officers below were fully aware of this, but they had no intention of correcting the colonel's mistake.

After all, you can correct someone's mistakes by speaking up, and someone can correct your life by speaking up.

"Colonel Nikolai, they can't get far," the officers could only patiently explain. "It's been three whole days. Their vehicles won't last much longer. We'll get good news soon."

“This is what you told me three days ago,” Nikolai sneered, “This is what you said two days ago, this is what you said last night, and this is what you said even an hour ago! You were still saying the same thing!”

"But what about what I want? What about the people I want? What about the outcome I want?"

"Can you produce it?"

Hearing this, the officers felt very sad.

This is completely illogical! There was only one vehicle, and it looked like it couldn't handle the snowy climate at all. Who the hell knew that vehicle could go so fast!

It ran for three whole days... three whole days! Heaven knows how a convertible SUV could achieve this kind of performance on the snowy plains!

What could they say? In short, they were very regretful.

After identifying the vehicle's model and determining that the two individuals were desperate and had fled in a car completely unsuitable for traversing the snowfield, everyone felt relieved.