"White Knights" is the forth segment of the first chapter of Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Fragmentary Passage, White Fleet V.C.a3.
Credits[]
- Director/Producer/Story/Text: Juro Watari
- Character Design: Hajime Katoki
- Original 3D CG Modelling: Yasuhiro Mori
- CG Illustration: Kouichi Ozaki
- Layout Design: Nobutaka Arii
Virtuariod(s)[]
White Fleet V.C.a3 04: White Knights[]
When he awoke, Vasquez was shackled by a life support system and secured in a bed in a centralized medical room. The room was unified in white, unadorned, and unbelievably large that it couldn't be considered for one person. The large windows, which were carefully scrutinized for daylighting, let in soft sunlight, and the room was full of calm brightness and warmth.
While staring into the air and striving to keep his breathing deep and slow, Vasquez tried to remember how he was here. However, no matter how hard he tried, he could not remember what happened after he was surrounded by the scorching white light in the cockpit of the prototype. He was frustrated and confused as he got up.
A weakened body cannot support long-term thinking. Fatigued and tired, a voice is heard beside Vasquez, who began to wander in his dreams.
"How are you doing?"
When he saw him, an old man was standing in a room that seemed to only be him. The petite figure dressed in a white cloak was not intimidating, and his gaze was calm. However, there was a mysterious presence that set him apart from his regulars.
"You are...?"
"My name is Leonid Mashin."
"!"
Vasquez struggled to get up in a hurry, and immediately afterwards moaned in pain.
"Don't overdo it," the old man softened his expression. "I haven't completely healed your wounds yet."
"But..."
Sir Leonid Mashin. No one knows the name if it is a VR pilot. An abominable catastrophe caused by the first BBB unit activation experiment in V.C.8f. He was the only original VR pilot who miraculously survived at a time when many people were swallowed up into the C.I.S. and never returned. After that, he pulled off many great achievements and is now the head of the White Fleet Knights, the treasure of Flesh Refoe. It was impossible to be nervous in front of such a legendary figure.
"...Sir Mashin," Vasquez squeezed out his voice, inspiring his atrophied heart. "I don't know...that black VR...and the incandescent light that wrapped me...What on earth, why..."
The old man quietly raised a hand and restrained Vasquez.
"You saw the Shadow."
"!"
Vasquez turned pale and unknowingly clenched his fist.
"But don't worry"
Mashin took a breather and started talking again.
"You were hurt, and the Shadow has retreated. For the time being, it is safe here. It still looked like that, and no one survived. Many strong men have been taken in by being eroded by their spirit"
"...I'm not the only power"
When he was cornered by the Shadow, he was unknowingly putting the Mind Booster into overdrive. However, the last-minute actions that resulted in nine deaths did not seem to be at his own discretion. Although he was absorbed in himself, Vasquez felt the involvement of the will of others. His vague doubts were thawed when he met the old man.
"At that time, I felt your presence. Without your help, I don't think I could have acted properly in that situation."
"With your strength," the old man quietly inherited his words. "It was a close call. I'm late to realize what I was doing. I want to apologize."
Vasquez was afraid. However, the fear that had accumulated within his heart could not be dispelled.
"Sir, I'm scared. I saw it born from the depths of the deep darkness. And I didn't know how to resist it. As the Shadow eroded me, I couldn't even move, I was trapped in fear and despair, and I was standing on the edge of madness. If that reappears, I'm sure I'll be defeated..."
Mashin listened to Vasquez' words and remained silent for a while after it was interrupted. When he opened his mouth again, his tone had a different understated heat.
"You know your fears and your weaknesses. Perhaps no one on earth knows for sure about the shadows. Since their existence was revealed, they have suffered various calamities. You're not the only one who's helpless."
"..."
"Vasquez, you have opened the door to the depths of darkness. Of course it may not be what you wanted. But in the future, shadow will target you. If there is a chance, it will bring disaster every time it goes away. This is an unavoidable fate. There is no longer any choice for you, that is, shadow."
"...I'm not confident."
"You have the power"
"Without your help, I wouldn't have been able to get out of that predicament."
"Of course, you know what you can do alone, but that's no exception to me, and that's why I plead with you. Let's fight together."
Vasquez was confused by Machine's words.
"What does that mean...?"
"The wound will heal soon," the old man whispered.
"Let's come, to our chief."
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"Welcome, Intal Vasquez," the dignified voice of a girl echoed in the hall.
"I'm L'ln Plajiner. I've never been so happy to be able to call you in between Sandalwood."
Vasquez awkwardly kneeled and leaned his head. He was extremely nervous. It had been a long time since he started working for the White Fleet, but he never thought that the day would come when he would be summoned here during Sandalwood.
In fact, what a space this is! Surrounded by dazzling light, there is no cloudiness. It is full of pure white power and is cool and clear. The incomparable magnificence of this breathtaking hall is reminiscent of the heavenly palace of the gods who invite the souls of warriors, envisioned by the northern peoples in ancient times. There was enough intimidation to atrophy the hearts of the people.
A flood of purifying power that should be roughened. And that symbol is now in front of Vasquez. A girl sitting in the seat of the White Rainbow located in the center of the hall. The knights, lead by Leonid Mashin, line up on the left and right around her. Behind it, along the walls of the hall, the magnificence of the White Rainbow VR continues. These fuselages, which once dreamed of being boarded by pilots, are now quietly watching over their lord, while showing a mighty and elegant appearance. It is exactly the appearance of blasphemous people who have invaded the realm of God and acquired contraindicated techniques and wisdom, and a forest of idols that symbolize their power.
However, Vasquez is now fascinated by the miracle of the Knights, which he had only seen in 3D images, and the miracle of the 14-year-old girl who bundles them. He listened to the voice of the girl who kept talking cheerfully.
"...Your future life will be spent fighting Shadow. It will probably be a painful battle. No victory is promised. You win or Shadow will win. It depends solely on your will and your actions, but even if you are killed by the Shadow, your honor will not be damaged."
Plajiner, who received the Order's sacred symbolic sword, Terminus Forsa, from her servant, placed her shimmering sword upon Vasuqez' right shoulder.
"Now, I welcome you as a member of my Knights. Do you swear allegiance to me?"
Vasquez no longer had the will or the energy to refuse.
"...I swear..."
The words that he finally uttered leave a strange bitterness in his mouth. Shortly after paying attention to the lingering sound, the sword blade on his right shoulder flows to his left shoulder and back to his right.
"Stand up, Knight of the White Rainbow."
Vasquez finally raised his face and stared at the visage of the girl who became his chief. When she is faced up close, she looked smaller and more delicate than he had imagined. With her quiet smile, her sharp eyes are looking straight at him.
Suddenly, Vasquez was frightened. He was unaware of himself here and the passage of time to get there. And he was frightened by the burden of his honor and the tremendous responsibilities he would bear in the future.
Gallery[]
