About half an hour later, Chiba ended his conversation.
She took Rico and Hesta out of the conference hall and came to an open space at the stern of the ship.
"You can talk now," Rico crossed his arms. "What should we say when the investigators come?"
"What do you mean?" Qianye looked over, "Jian is still ill and is considered a restricted person. She can apply for special protection and not participate in the inquiry."
"Then I-"
"Just say whatever you want." Chiba replied, "Just don't lie."
"ha?"
"If you lie and are found to be inconsistent with Si Lei's report, you will have to confront each other later, which is troublesome."
Hesta was puzzled: "...can you really say anything?"
"For example, all the male passengers in the lounge have died on the ship?" Rico added.
"You can say," Chiba replied, "If you want to take a vacation, you can focus on this matter."
"……What's the meaning."
"You said that Office 002 will cancel all your subsequent combat operations and re-evaluate your mental condition... After a set of procedures, you should have two months of leisure, right?"
"What about Rene?" Rico asked.
"Who is René?"
"I once killed a man on the ship," Hestad replied. "I told Officer Si Lei about it when-"
"That person has never boarded the ship," Chiba looked at her, "Why, do you also have hallucinations that you have killed someone?"
Hesta and Rico were stunned at the same time.
"When you said that, I was impressed," Chiba continued. "When we first boarded the ship, a man named René regretted it temporarily and sneaked off the ship at the last moment before setting sail, along with other people who fell into the water. The Thorn Monks were waiting for rescue at the port of Havre. However, these people did not cancel the trip completely. They later took another ship to District 14. They will probably arrive about a week later than us. If you want to meet If you want to see him, you can wait at the port."
"...That's not necessary." Hesta whispered, "Maybe I remembered it wrong."
"Then what's the reason for your appointment with us?" Rico asked.
"Let's talk about your business first," Qianye looked at her, "After a while, when you get off the boat in District 14, you don't have to go back to District 12, just go to District 1."
"Why?"
"There is a long-term mission in the first area that requires manpower. It will take about nine months. Your transfer order has been issued and will be sent to you as soon as the ship docks."
"...Why?" Rico was obviously very dissatisfied, "I stayed well in District 12——"
Qianye smiled and said, "You must have touched too many fishes."
"Who spread rumors about me!?" Rico said solemnly, "I want to file a complaint with Office No. 4. Someone is targeting me!"
"Your contact person in the first area is Turan. She should have received the contact email by now." Chiba looked at Rico, "Would you like to think about it again?"
Li Ge let out a long low groan, "Tulan..."
"Then you." Chiba looked at Hesta, "I just received the results of the discussion about your whereabouts in Office No. 2. First of all, your current situation is definitely not suitable for returning to the battle sequence immediately. My opinion is also Likewise, your combat missions will be completely suspended to give you enough time to recover."
"...I think I'm fine now."
"'You think' is useless. Whether you are okay or not can only be concluded after the evaluation by Office No. 2."
Hesta thought for a moment and said, "Okay, how long is the evaluation cycle?"
"One year."
"So long?"
"It's meaningless to talk about the time now. This is a number decided on the head and can change at any time," Chiba said softly. "If you perform well, the time will be shortened as appropriate. If you perform poorly, the time limit may be extended indefinitely... …It’s all up to you.”
"But I don't want to go to any school now, and I don't need so much time to recover," Hesta looked at Chiba, "I just want to return to my place as soon as possible-" "No, no, no, this It’s necessary, Jane.”
"I've wasted half a year, and I don't want to do it again-" Chiba put his hand on Hesta's head, "It's not a waste."
"Can--"
"Listen to me first," Chiba said softly, "In this type of evaluation, the most important time is the first three months. During these three months, you must be very friendly and friendly enough for the observer to judge You have the ability to integrate into life in a livable place. Unless you encounter a situation that endangers your personal safety, you cannot take any active violent action, especially you cannot enter bullet time--not under any circumstances."
"...What if I enter accidentally?"
"That will be very troublesome," Chiba looked at her. "You will be under strict surveillance for the first three months in the livable area, and there will be no chance of escape. Once it is determined that you are a threat to civilians , your resting place will be transferred from the livable society to the internal hospital of the 14th district base. You know, that kind of place is similar to a prison, and you don’t want to stay.”
"Three months..." Hesta murmured softly, "Then what?"
"After passing the inspection in the first three months, Office No. 2 will lift the surveillance on you. As long as you don't get involved in any major social news in the future, these surveillances will basically not be reinstated," Chiba said with a smile, " Then, it’s just waiting.”
"...What are you waiting for?"
"Wait until Office No. 2 notifies you that you have passed the evaluation," Chiba said softly, "Generally, you will have two options at this time. One is to return to the organization, and you will be arranged for some combat rehabilitation in the future until your condition is fully restored; It’s about retiring and changing jobs. This road is not easy either. There will still be a lot of training to attend in the follow-up—"
"I choose one."
"By the way," Chiba raised her chin slightly, "Ava has always regretted that she chose the second choice too late."
Hesta looked at Qianye, unable to understand the reason for the moment.
"What's the point of talking about this now," Rico leaned on Hesta's wheelchair. "Maybe there will be a three-option that you have never thought of. How do you know?"
Hesta was silent for a long time, "... Regarding evaluation, are there any more detailed standards?"
"There is a very rough program document, but I don't have it in my hands now. I have to get off the ship to find it for you."
"That's 'sailing advice' in Habitable Lands, isn't it?"
Chiba was noncommittal. She looked at Hesta and said, "Have a good rest. You are all tired."
…
Chiba came to the corridor of the ship and watched Rico and Hesta go away.
The sky in the distance was completely bright, and the remaining night was still fading. When there was no one around, Chiba lit the cigarette again and took out the camera he carried with him.
(End of chapter)
