Editing Amaryllis in the Ice Country:Chapter 9 (section)

===Part 5===

<strong>“Tunnel is obstructed! What do we do…!”</strong>

“Prioritize rendezvous with our friends immediately! There’s a shortcut at the cutback there!”

<strong>“C-Cradle is damaged! I-I don’t have a battery!!”</strong>

“Don’t panic! Contact with the other Cradles, share batteries…! Follow Viscaria’s instructions after that!”

<strong>“I’m stuck in the ridge! Can’t move…!”</strong>

“Stay where you are! Wait for help right now!”

The signals pleading for help swarm the wireless like a burst dam, and I instruct them one after another. The priority mission at this point is to regroup.

Gather intel, affirm the situation, give immediate commands. Through the intel reflected by the villagers and the energy responses I got from Viscaria, I have a rough understanding of the situation. Given some estimates, there are more than a hundred and fifty dead or missing, and at least two hundred Cradles are destroyed. The scale of damage is mind-numbing, but this isn’t the time to be sighing.

“Remember to conserve battery power! Switch to power saving mode and cut off all functions that has nothing to do with maintaining the vitals! Nothing too complicated, just recall the contents of the manual!”

I continue to give instructions one after another, trying my best to avoid causing panic. Soon, the survivors gather by my side in trios, fives.

I try my best to sound as optimistic as possible so as to encourage those present.

“It’s fine! We still have lots of battery power. Everyone, let’s calm down before taking action!”

My heart was rattled moments ago, and now it’s starting to calm down as I keep giving instructions. In any case, I’ll do what I can do, and once we get to the surface, we’ll sort everything out.

“I’m reassigning work to everyone! All survivors of the technical team are to go over to Viscaria! Put down the Cradles for the time being and begin emergency checks. At the same time, treat the injured! All the children are to come over too! Everyone else, go help our buried friends! Follow me!”

—That’s right, Amaryllis. Do your duty as the new Chief. This is your mission.

Again, I make up my mind, and a few minutes after I call out, more than thirty villagers gather around me. These people become the paramedics, and head out to save the buried injured and Cradles nearby. Sounds of breaking walls can be heard as I look around, and I can see some limbs.

—Everyone, please stay safe…!

So I pray as I pull out the buried villagers from the rubble. The sturdy structure of the REM forest building fulfils its functions, as survivors are found one after another. Once they’re dug up, spare batteries get attached to them. Once they are rebooted, they’re dragged to the repair team led by VIscaria.

After twenty are saved,

 


<strong>“You hear me, Amaryllis…!?”</strong>

 


There’s a signal from the wireless. No doubt that this voice is his.

“Eisbahn…!?”

<strong>“Yeah it’s m…e!” </strong>

“Great, you’re alright….! Are you hurt!”

<strong>“Enough with that and hurry to my side! Get everyone else here! Bring as many batteries as you can!” </strong>

“What’s going on!?”

He sounds as serious as ever, and I start to feel increasingly tense.

I can only hear him shout,

<strong>“The Cradles are doomed…!! Lots of them!!” </strong>