Common Denominator - Chapter 6: Azure Shield
An azure sea blanketed the village. Under the midday sun, each street, yard, and field was covered by recently bloomed flowers dyed in an ethereal blue. To an uninformed individual, the vivid scene could've easily been taken from a fairy tale found in a children's picture book. But as with many beautiful things, a darker truth hid beneath the surface.
"140 milliveers, plus or minus 20," Kia announced, referencing the number on her collapse radiation sensor as she walked back to the circle of dolls congregated in the main intersection.
"Damn it…" Nyx cursed under her breath, frowning as she put her hand over her mouth. It had been almost 6 days since the Azure Shield project arrived at the village, and things weren't looking too good. With the help of the other dolls and some of the villagers, specially developed Epiphyllum azuris seeds were scattered all over the village in a last-ditch attempt to curb the spreading radiation. As the flowers grew and bloomed, their deep-penetrating roots absorbed the collapse radiation from the ground, concentrating it in collapse particles within the reproductive organs of the flowers.
"It's not enough, is it?" M590 sighed, standing at the opposite end of the circle. One of the Mobile Task Force's higher ups—Nyx—called all the dolls in the village to another meeting to discuss the progress of the radiation cleanup. From what M590 understood, although the Epiphyllum flowers have done an acceptable job at soaking up the radiation in most parts of the village, the area immediately around the spill site was still dangerously irradiated.
"I didn't expect there to be such a drop-off in hyperaccumulation when we switched from the lab to here…" Nyx said, rubbing her brow as she closed her eyes in thought. "I wonder what's causing it."
"So what are we going to do then?" asked Acre who has been shadowing Kia the whole time. Although she didn't really understand the scientific language being thrown around, she could tell that the situation wasn't good. "Maybe if we just keep replanting the flowers…"
"No," Nyx shook her head, "Based on the geographical structure of the ground here, too much CF's gonna get in the water table by then, then it'll be hell trying it get it back out. In any case, based on the current rate of radiation change, our models suggest we'll need to at least increase the accumulation rate by 50, 60 percent."
"And if we don't?" GSh-18 asked.
"Then we're gonna have to either set up a permanent hospital here," Howl responded sarcastically, "Or conduct another anti-ELID operation… very soon."
"Watch it!" Magic hissed, giving Howl a rib jab for her insensitive humour.
"Unfortunately, there's really not much we can do," Nyx continued, "We need a way to get the radiation out within the next week at tops, by my estimates."
"In other words, by the end of this plant cycle," Kia concluded, "But there's nothing we can do to make the flowers grow faster, and based on what RFB told me this morning, Griffin still doesn't have anything that can help us yet."
"I'll try and petition the Commander to get us something after this," M590 promised, "But it's not easy getting that kind of stuff in the Yellow Zone, so I can't make any promises."
"So what are we gonna to do then?" RFB asked the group, looking at the dolls standing around her. Despite early tensions, the Griffin and Sangvis dolls slowly learned to work together, cleansing the village of one of its threats. But even if they manage to remove all the hidden explosives, if Azure Shield isn't able to remove the radiation, then…
"Surely there must be a way, right?" Keter asked, "We're not gonna give up after having come so far… right?"
Nobody responded. The gathered dolls racked their brains trying to come up with a solution to the crisis, but nobody had any good ideas. Most of the dolls there didn't even have the prerequisite background to deal with such an issue, so if even the qualified minds like M590, Nyx, and Kia couldn't think of anything…
"Actually, I might have an idea…" MX finally piped up, causing the group to turn their eyes on the brown-haired doll.
"MX," Nyx said, "You have something in mind?"
"Yes, actually…" MX responded, a bit hesitant. "I took a look at the data you've been collecting about the operation here, and, um, this may be a long shot, but…"
"But…?" Kia asked.
"Have you considered adding more molybdenum to the soil?" MX suggested.
"Huh?" Nyx asked.
"Molybdenum, the element," MX said, "Or rather, the bioavailable molybdate ion."
"Uhm…" Magic muttered as she checked their data, "The soil molybdenum concentration is at about 1 to 2 ppm, which is apparently normal. Why would we add more?"
"I used to work on a similar project to Azure Shield back in the day," MX explained, "During my time at Epi-ABLE…"
"You worked at Epi-ABLE?" Kia and Nyx simultaneously shouted in surprise.
"Huh? What's Epi-ABLE?" Glock 17 asked, voicing many of the dolls' questions.
"It stands for Epiphyllum-Assisted Bioremediation of Lost Environs," Kia excitedly replied, "It's a project by the Deutsch Flora Botanical Research Institute which studies the biochemical physiology of Epiphyllum azuris flowers and their potential in use to reclaim land irradiated by collapse fluid. We actually got our flowers from them as part of a research grant. Wait, MX, you actually worked for Epi-ABLE?"
"Y-yeah…" MX awkwardly smiled, a bit embarrassed by Kia's sudden outburst. "It was just in a volunteer capacity, though…"
"But still! You should've told us earlier!" Kia exclaimed, her eyes glittering with wonder. "You gotta tell me about your time there later!"
"Ahem," Axiom interrupted, "Let's not get distracted here."
"R-right, back to the topic at hand…" MX replied, "During one of our experiments on the heavy-metal metabolism of E. azuris, we figured out that the plants had an unusual sensitivity for soil molybdenum concentration and would exhibit a much higher bioaccumulation ability at about 20-30 ppm."
"That's interesting," Nyx noted, doing a far better job at suppressing her excitement. Like Kia, she had also been a close follower of the Epi-ABLE project. In fact, it was one of the things that initially brought the two dolls together. "I don't think we've ever tried experimenting with any of the soil micronutrients before. 20-30 ppm seems quite high though; any idea why molybdenum has this effect on the plants?"
"Not too sure," MX responded, "But taking a guess based on the literature, perhaps there's some sort of molybdenum-cofactor enzymes that cause a cellular signal cascade that somehow stimulates the radioabsorptive pathway? Like, maybe something like a potassium-CR antiporter?"
"Like the PCT3 transporter?" Kia suggested.
"Yeah," MX replied, "Or some similar protein."
"I'm afraid I'm not following here," M590 interrupted, "Can you explain that in layman's terms for the rest of us?"
"Basically, MX's research suggests that we can use molybdenum, a type of metal, as a sort of 'fertilizer' to make the Epiphyllum absorb more radiation. Empirically speaking, at least," Kia explained, "However, we don't know the actual mechanism behind how it works…"
"But if it works…" MX posited.
"How are we going to get molybdate then?" Tac-50 asked, "From my understanding most fertilizers contain a variety of metals and elements, but we'll have to isolate it for this, right?"
"You can synthesize sodium molybdate though oxidation of molybdenum disulfide ore with oxygen." MX answered, "I assume Sangvis Ferri already uses molybdenum for combat alloys, so getting our hands on molybdate shouldn't really be a problem."
"According to Firebrand, we do have stores of metal ores at facilities near us," Élan pointed out, "It could probably work, I mean."
"I- Is it safe though?" Veritas asked, "I-I thought heavy metals were toxic or something…?"
"Yeah," Sten agreed, "Even if we can remove the radiation, are we just going to be replacing it with another problem?"
"As for safety, it's definitely not as bad as something like lead," MX stated, "Based on the current literature, at higher concentrations molybdenum acts as an antagonist for other metals like copper, though it mostly affects plants and ruminants; humans are generally not affected by soil molybdenum concentrations even at the ranges we're talking about here, I think."
"In other words, it could be damaging to the plants and herbivores around the area, but the people here should be relatively unaffected?" M590 asked.
"There might be issues with water contamination," Nyx warned, "Though there are ways around that issue…"
"M590, what are we going to do?" GSh-18 finally asked.
"Well… I suppose we could at least give it a try," M590 finally said after a period of silence, "Nyx, what do you think?"
"What's your take on the idea, Kia?" Nyx asked, "You're the medical authority here."
"I mean, it's untested, but…" Kia answered, "Better than the next-best alternative? I mean, most of the effects of acute molybdenum poisoning are, well, acute. The LD50 of molybdenum was reported to be 180 mg/kg for certain forms, and reports of molybdenum poisoning are rare in scientific literature…"
"So…?" Nyx prompted.
"Who cares if we end up killing the grass and a few rabbits?" Howl shrugged, "I mean, it sure as hell beats everyone getting ELID, right?"
"Yeah, what she said," Kia agreed.
"Good enough for me, then" Nyx decided, looking back to M590. "I can get the materials shipped here by the end of the day. As for whether or not it will solve our problem, I guess we'll see soon enough…"
Howl grabbed a Epiphyllum plant by its stem with a gloved hand and yanked it out of the ground. The selectively-bred plant—almost a metre in height—dragged a small chunk of soil out of the ground with it as its roots emerged from the ground. The plant's root was long and thick like that of a weed's, specially chosen to penetrate deep into the ground to maximize its siphoning ability. Although Howl was clad in full-body protective equipment, the innocent-looking blue flower still sent a proverbial chill down her spine.
"Is that the last one?" Keter asked Howl, standing beside the radiation condenser. The condenser was a large rectangular device, about as big as Keter herself, with hazard stickers plastered all over it.
"Yeah, this sector's all clear now," Howl replied, tossing the flower into the input chute of the condenser. With a swing of her arm, she slammed the chute shut and tapped a button on the machine's control panel. The machine churned to life, grinding the latest batch of Epiphyllum plants into a watery pulp before running it through a radioionic-exchange sieve. After further rounds of purification, the concentrated collapse fluid-laden mixture was stored in a reinforced containment flask while the radiation-depleted waste was collected in a larger tank.
"Whew, I can't believe we're almost done the cleanup in this village," Keter said, rapping her finger on the top of the machine and looking around as the two waited for the machine to finish processing the flowers.
"Would've gone faster if it weren't just the two of us doing this shit," Howl scoffed, leaning against a wall with a bored expression on her face.
"I mean, the others are all doing their own work," Keter reminded Howl, "And besides, they need to be spread all about to help monitor the flowers. We've been doing so well, I really don't want some surprise radiation bloom to ruin everything now.
"Ok, true. Whatever," Howl waved her hands as she let out a yawn, "But now that I think of it, why the hell couldn't Griffin have sent us some help with the radiation? Like, what the hell."
"I mean, they did send over the medicine," Keter suggested.
"No, that's not my point," Howl shook her head, "Like, I thought a PMC like Griffin in the Yellow Zone would be dealing with this shit all the time? Freak radiation storms, shit like that? Pills and needles buy time, but they don't solve the actual problem, don't they?"
"They probably have contractors do most of this stuff," Keter guessed, "And besides, it's not like they could just airlift an Azure Shield or something this deep into our territory."
"Tch, of course," Howl scowled, "The fucking war ruins all the shit again."
"Heh, I never thought of you as a conscientious objector," Keter teased.
"Bitch," Howl snorted, "I'm not one of those Jingoist freaks like the Falchion girls, alright?"
"So what are you like, then?" Keter asked with an amused smirk.
"I'm just… fucking normal, okay?" Howl rolled her eyes, "I mean, of course I'd rather not bust my ass getting shot up in a trench if I could, but if I get orders to open fire, I won't think twice."
"Even if you knew the orders were wrong?" Keter asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Is that a hypothetical question?" Howl mocked.
"Whatever," Keter muttered, her gaze moving to the blinking light on the radiation condenser. "Huh, the machine's done. Come on, Howl, help me move it to the next place."
"Ugh, fucking hell…" Howl complained as she reluctantly walked over to the machine, "I can't wait 'till I get back to base, is a warm soft bed too much to ask for these days?"
"…And see, when you move it around the unknown object, the software triangulates the position of the thing and gives you some of its characteristics," Magic explained to Sten Mk. II, moving her left forearm around in the air while the sensor head of the miniature metal detector attached to her arm swiveled to keep centred on a wrench which Howl held in her right hand.
"I see…" Sten muttered, watching the joints on the miniature sensor move while keeping a respectable distance from the Sangvis doll. Having searched for hidden explosives for an entire morning, Magic and Sten decided to take a short break.
"Magic!" Howl's voice suddenly interrupted the demonstration. Magic and Sten turned their heads in the direction of the voice, seeing Howl and Keter lifting the radiation condenser towards them.
"Howl, what's up!" Magic shouted back, waving at the approaching dolls with her right arm.
"Motherfucker!" Howl exclaimed as she neared Magic, "When'd you find yourself a new fucking girlfriend?!"
"What?" Sten asked, raising her eyebrows.
"That's right, I got a new girlfriend, so fuck off!" Magic joked back, detaching the metal detector from her arm.
"Asshole, I'll kill you!" Howl shouted back, putting down the condenser a few metres further from the site than Keter would've liked. She walked up to Magic, closing the distance until their foreheads were separated by mere centimetres. Their eyes locked for a heated few seconds, pure aggressive intent oozing from the two. Suddenly, Howl thrust her head forward, moving in to kiss Magic on the lips. Magic swiftly sidestepped and turned, skillfully using Howl's momentum to swing her over Magic's shoulder, slamming Howl into the ground with a loud thud.
"W-what?" a shaken Sten muttered to herself as she watched the two Sangvis dolls burst into laughter.
"Don't worry," Keter snickered, walking from behind with her arms crossed. "They're always like this."
"25 milliveers," Kia stated, looking up at the three dolls standing in front of her.
"Hm, not bad," Nyx responded with a satisfied expression, "Still slightly above baseline, but I'll take it."
"This is great," MX chimed in with an excited smile, "Looks like it worked after all."
"Indeed it did," Kia agreed, looking at the thriving Epiphyllum flowers growing around the abandoned house—the original radiation spill site.
"So, is it finally over?" Acre asked, looking at Kia.
"It's not over until all the flowers have been collected, and all the demining teams have checked in," Nyx replied to the Sangvis rookie, "But after 11 days of hard work and perseverance… we're almost there."
"Yes indeed," MX agreed, letting out a sigh as she looked at the village around her. "And 11 days of E. azuris with only a single instance of premature radiation release too."
"Yep, one of Azure Shield's primary objectives was to create consistent release timings with clear prior warning," Kia smiled, "And of course we wouldn't have been able to do it without the excellent research from Epi-ABLE."
"You really are acting like some high-schooler right now, fawning over Epi-ABLE all the time," Nyx teased.
"Well, we do have the amazing Dr. Leone Michel spearheading the research," MX winked, "I wonder what she's up to these days."
"Haha, I'm sure she's working on some new breakthrough as always," Kia laughed.
Acre watched as the three rambled on a bit more about science and stuff, a sulky expression on her face.
"What's up, Acre?" Kia asked after a while, noticing Acre's sour expression. "Everything alright?"
"Yeah, no, it's fine…" Acre muttered, looking at the ground. Although Kia seemed to have struck a friendship with MX quite quickly, Acre wasn't nearly as thrilled having her around."It's just that… you and Nyx seem to be getting on pretty well with this… enemy doll."
"Acre!" Kia gasped, "How can you say that?!"
"No, no, it's quite alright," MX chuckled, giving Acre an understanding look. "She is right, from a certain point of view."
"But still!" Kia scolded, "You can't just say this to MX's face!"
"I'm sorry…" Acre muttered, her face flushing red. "I just…"
"Don't worry, I won't take offense," MX reassured the two, "In any case, I'd argue that Acre isn't in the minority here."
"Huh?" Acre asked.
"You know, most of us at Griffin here would have a hard time trusting a Sangvis doll too. What I'm doing here would normally be considered fraternizing with the enemy, and could get me court-martialed," MX stated, "And as with you, I wouldn't exactly blame them for doing so either."
"But today, we are here together not as soldiers," Nyx added in, seeing where MX was going with her statement. "But rather simply as dolls of the same breed, apples from the same tree."
"Not as soldiers…" Acre mumbled to herself, "But aren't we still tactical dolls at the end of the day?"
"You can be more than one thing at once," Kia replied to Acre before turning her eyes to MX. "If we meet each other one day on the battlefield, I'm sure we won't hesitate to open fire on one another. But at the end of the day, we are more similar to one another than one might think…"
"Uh huh…" Acre hesitatingly nodded. If Griffin and we are so similar, Acre thought, then why do I have to fight against Griffin to protect those at Sangvis Ferri?
"Sorry, I didn't want to go so philosophical on you, haha," MX joked, trying to lift Acre's mood. "It's just… At the end of the day, we're just doing what we need to do in order to win…"
"…And sometimes, it takes more than fighting to achieve victory."