Amid the beeping of the alarm clock, Lübeck opened his eyes; the bedroom lights were already in morning mode.
在嘀嘀嘀嘀的闹钟声中,吕贝克睁开了眼睛,卧室里的灯光已经是清晨模式.
Taking a deep breath, the dream from last night was still vivid.
深吸了一口气,昨晚的梦境还历历在目.
How would he face Shizuka today?
今天怎么去面对静香呢?
Having had contact with extraterrestrial life for years, he knew most life forms in the universe possessed telepathic abilities.
多年来与地外生命接触的经历,他知道在宇宙中的生命大多具有心灵感应能力.
He decided not to attend her gratitude banquet to avoid awkwardness and potential mental pressure on her.
自己还是不出席她的感谢宴会了,免得大家都尴尬,或许还对她有精神压力.
But what excuse could he use for his absence? After all, he was still the captain.
可是用什么理由缺席呢?自己还是舰长.
As Lübeck pondered this, he tried to get out of bed but couldn't move—something was pressing down on him.
思索着,吕贝克想要下床,却没能动,被压住了.
Looking down, he saw Brittany's thigh resting across him.
低头一看,是布列塔尼的大腿压着自己呢.
She was still fast asleep.
她还在熟睡.
Lübeck stroked her silky hair, a smile unconsciously forming on his face.
吕贝克抚摸着她的秀发,不觉脸上露出笑容.
This innocent, pure-hearted, vibrant young woman by his side, sharing the lonely, monotonous deep-space mission, was like an angel beside him.
这样一个天真纯情,充满活力的大孩子,陪在自己的身边,一同度过这孤寂乏味的深空任务,她就像自己身边的天使.
"Wake up, time to get up," Lübeck said, giving her shoulder a gentle push.
"醒醒啦,该起床了,"说着,吕贝克推了推她的肩头.
Brittany lay in bed, eyes closed, raising both hands as she stretched languidly with a drawn-out hum.
布列塔尼躺在床上,闭着眼睛举着双手,拉长声音嗯着伸懒腰.
After stretching, she opened her eyes, flipped over nimbly, and perked up.
只见她伸过了懒腰,睁开眼睛,不灵一翻身,来了神气.
Looking around with a slightly accusatory tone, she pouted.
左右看了看,有些质问的口气.
"What? Is that how you wake me up? This morning is so boring."
"怎么?怎么就这样叫醒我,今天早上真没意思."
She turned her pout toward him.
说着,撅起了她的小嘴儿,看了过来.
Lübeck chuckled, unable to explain that a guest—a female guest—had arrived on the ship and even entered his dream last night.
吕贝克一笑,也不好跟她解释船上来了客人,是女性,昨晚还进了自己的梦里.
He could only coax this sulking little darling.
只好哄哄这个闹情绪的小可爱.
"I'm confiscating your leg," he said, giving the thigh pinning him down a playful pinch.
"你的大腿我没收了,"说着掐了一把布列塔尼压着自己的那条腿.
Then he leaned in close to her, pressing his face against hers.
然后把脸凑到了她的一边,贴着她的脸.
Brittany looked at him curiously, wondering what he was up to.
布列塔尼好奇地看着吕贝克,不知道他要做什么.
Lübeck mimicked her, calling for a medic—a scene Brittany often encountered as a battlefield medic when wounded soldiers shouted for help.
只见吕贝克学着她的样子,喊医务兵,这是布列塔尼作为医务兵在战场上经常会遇到的情景,受伤士兵会喊医务兵.
Only this time, Lübeck pretended to be the injured one, imitating her voice.
只不过这次吕贝克在假扮布列塔尼是受伤的那个角色,吕贝克学着她的样子喊.
"Medic! Medic! My leg is hurt!"
"医务兵,医务兵,我的腿受伤了,"
Then, pretending to be the medic himself, Lübeck leaned over Brittany, ignoring her amused grin.
然后吕贝克又假装自己是医务兵,俯身来到布列塔尼面前,也不管她正笑嘻嘻地看着自己.
He hooked one arm under her armpit and the other beneath her knees, hoisting her onto his shoulder.
一把抄起她的胳膊,肩头扛在她的腋下,一手搂着她的裆下,把她扛了起来.
Brittany squealed "Ah! Ah!" as Lübeck lifted her off the bed.
只听布列塔尼"啊,啊"地喊着,被吕贝克从床上扛了下来.
He even pretended to stumble, swaying twice, drawing more squeals and then her clear, bell-like laughter that filled the room.
吕贝克还假装自己站不稳,晃了两下,布列塔尼啊,啊地喊着,然后,她哈哈哈的清脆笑声充满了房间.
After breakfast, back at his post, the captain's report awaited him: yesterday's successful recovery of Unit 406, the pilot's preliminary physical exam showing no issues, normal power system checks post-magnetic tractor operation, rescue appreciation banquet in Conference Room No. 2 at 12:00…
早餐之后回到工作岗位,给舰长的报告已经呈现在面前,昨天的406成功回收,飞行员初步体检无恙,磁力牵引操作后的母舰动力系统检测正常,营救答谢宴在2号会客厅12点整...
Well, he would try not to dwell on last night's dream.
好吧,自己尽量不要去想昨晚的梦.
They had interacted with Earth humans plenty before; they should be used to it by now.
反正他们也没少跟地球人类接触,应该也能习惯了.
With this thought, Lübeck temporarily focused his energy on handling the duties of a captain.
心里如此寻思着,吕贝克便暂时把精力用在了处理一个舰长的职务工作上了.
Near noon, it was clear Lübeck, as captain, had to attend the appreciation banquet.
中午快到了,显然吕贝克作为舰长还要出席答谢宴这样的活动场合.
Entering Conference Room No. 2, most people had already arrived.
走进2号会客厅,人已经到得差不多了.
Scanning the room, he saw the rescued pilot, the rescue and recovery team, and representatives from relevant departments of the mothership.
环顾场所,被救的飞行员,营救和回收行动参与的团队,以及母舰上的相关部门代表官员.
The host on stage was adjusting the microphone and sound equipment, and various dishes were laid out on the tables over there—only…
讲台上的主持人员正在调试麦克风和音响设备,那边的餐桌上已经摆好了各种菜品,只是...
Suddenly, everyone turned to look in his direction.
这时人们忽然都同步地望向自己这边.
Some stood up, applauding warmly.
有人起身,热烈鼓掌.
From their line of sight, it wasn't because of his arrival.
从人们的视线方向可以看出来不是因为自己的到来.
Lübeck instinctively stopped and turned.
吕贝克下意识地停住脚步,一回头.
Behind him, Shizuka walked straight toward him, entering his field of vision.
身后正好是静香迎面走来,撞进了自己的视野.
Her large eyes gazed forward, not shifting toward him despite his attention.
那双大眼睛,目视前方,并没有因为自己的关注而飘向自己.
Her expression was calm, offering no acknowledgment to the applause.
面色平静,也没有因为众人鼓掌而向大家致意.
She simply walked directly into the venue and stood to one side of the crowd.
她只是径直地走进场地,然后站在了人群的一边.
Seeing this, Lübeck stepped onto the stage.
吕贝克见状直接走上了讲台.
"Thank you for the presence of Ms. Shizuka," he began.
"感谢静香,女士的到来,"中间他本想说中校,那是静香在这个系统中的军衔,可是一瞬间不知为何选择了说静香女士.
Mid-sentence, he had intended to say "Lieutenant Colonel"—her rank in the system—but for some reason, chose "Ms. Shizuka" instead.
似乎是不想以自己舰长的军衔压过她,不知为什么会有这种想法.
It seemed he didn't want his own captain's rank to overshadow hers. He didn't know why such a thought arose.
"On behalf of all crew members, I, Lübeck, Captain of the San Jacinto, express profound gratitude to Ms. Shizuka for successfully rescuing our pilot in deep space."
"我吕贝克作为圣哈辛托号的舰长,代表全体舰员对静香女士在深空中把我们的飞行员成功营救回来深表感谢."
Pausing briefly to allow the crew's applause, he continued.
略微停顿,等待在场舰员们的掌声,然后继续.
"Today, we gather here specifically to commend Lieutenant Colonel Shizuka. With her courage and wisdom, she led this rescue operation, using her fighter to coordinate with our Ghost Knight pilots, tuning into a unified electromagnetic hyper-bubble, pulling the disabled Unit 406 from another spacetime back into our world."
"今天,我们特意聚集在此,就是为了表彰中校静香女士,凭借她的勇敢和智慧,主导了这次营救行动,用她的战机,协同我们幽灵骑士的小伙子们,调谐成整体的电磁超泡,把失效的406号从其它时空,带回我们的世界."
More applause erupted. Lübeck paused, then resumed.
又有人鼓掌,吕贝克暂停讲话,然后继续.
"Amidst the complexities of time and space, Lieutenant Colonel Shizuka guided the entire fleet's frequency tuning, ultimately anchoring our spacetime, ensuring the success of the rescue."
"在时间与空间的错综复杂里,静香中校领导整个编队的频率调谐,最终锚定了我们的时空,营救成功达成."
"To honor such achievement and bravery, I am honored to present her with the Distinguished Flying Cross today."
"为了表彰这样的成就与勇气,我今天很荣幸在这里为她颁发飞行优异十字勋章."
With that, Lübeck lifted the bronze medal by its ribbon from a tray nearby.
说完,吕贝克从一边托盘里手提绶带拿起了那枚古铜色勋章.
"Lieutenant Colonel Shizuka, please."
"静香中校,请,"
As soon as he finished speaking, she walked over slowly, her expression still serene, fully focused on her official role.
话音刚落,只见她缓步走来,依然是面容平静,公职在身.
Lübeck didn't think much, nor did he linger on her approaching figure.
吕贝克没多想,也没多看她走近的身姿.
He simply held the ribbon, waiting for her to come closer, placed the medal on her, and shook her hand in thanks.
只是双手提着绶带,等待她走到面前,为她佩戴上,然后握手感谢.
After the award ceremony, Lübeck excused himself from the dining portion.
颁发完奖章,就餐环节吕贝克就不陪同了.
He didn't want his tangled thoughts to affect others—or perhaps himself.
他不想自己纷乱的思绪影响别人.或许也是不想影响自己吧.
He arranged for several female officers to accompany her and turned to leave.
安排了几个女性官员陪同,自己转身就离开了.
"Captain Lübeck, please wait."
"吕贝克舰长,请等一下,"
That voice—the one he had hoped to hear—came from behind.
背后传来了那个声音,他期待听到的那个声音.
Turning, he saw Shizuka.
转回身,正是静香.
"Captain Lübeck, may I ask you something?"
"吕贝克舰长,我有事情想问你一下可以吗?"
"Of course," Lübeck replied without hesitation, curiosity stirring within.
"当然可以,"吕贝克脱口而出,心中暗自好奇,她会有什么事情要问我呢?
"Could we talk over here?" She headed toward a corner of the conference room.
"请跟我这边谈好吗?"说完朝会客厅角落走去.
Lübeck followed directly behind her, noticing again her petite frame—the same as when they first met.
吕贝克直接跟在她的身后,面前还是第一次遇到时候同样娇小的身形.
Shizuka chose a seat in the corner; Lübeck sat opposite her, curious and waiting for her to speak first.
静香选择了角落的座椅坐下,吕贝克坐在了她的对面好奇地等着她先开口.
"Do you want to see Ruth from another timeline?"
"你想见另一条时间线的露丝吗?"
"I have considered it, especially when we reach the nearest point…" Before he could finish, Lübeck realized something was off.
"我确实考虑过,到近地点的时候..."还没说完,吕贝克才意识到不对.
How did she know about me and Ruth?
她怎么知道我和露丝.
"No, that's not what I meant," Shizuka explained.
"不,我不是这个意思,"静香接着解释说.
"You were originally part of a German secret interstellar project. But you went back in time to visit your childhood self, altering your life's timeline. You are now in this newly branched timeline."
"你本来是执行德国秘密星际项目的,但是你回到过去访问了童年的你,改变了你的人生时间线,现在的你是在这个新衍生的时间线分支里."
The information was somewhat convoluted. Lübeck first traced his memories before reversing his age—Shizuka was likely referring to that period.
这些信息听起来有点绕脑,吕贝克先追溯自己逆转年龄之前的记忆,静香说的应该是从那个时候开始的.
In that life, Ruth had eventually passed away. It was complicated. So Lübeck asked her,
在那一世露丝最终过世了,有点复杂,于是吕贝克向静香询问.
"The Ruth from another timeline you mentioned—where is she?"
"你说的,另一条时间线的露丝,她在哪里?"
"Another habitable planet in deep space. In that timeline, you set out on a voyage and never returned. Do you want to see Ruth?"
"深空另一个宜居星球,在那个时间线的你出航没能返回,你想去见露丝吗?"
Gazing into Shizuka's large eyes, she seemed serious.
望着静香的那双大眼睛,她应该是认真的.
But Lübeck hesitated. He couldn't abandon Brittany now.
可是吕贝克却在迟疑,他不能丢下现在的布列塔尼.
As for his captaincy, anyone could replace him.
至于说舰长的职务,随便找个人替代也无所谓.
"Are you taking me there now?"
"你是要现在带我去那里吗?"
"Yes."
"是的."
"Through orders from my superiors?"
"通过我的上级指令?"
"I can make it happen."
"我可以做到,"
Hesitating once more, Lübeck pondered a solution that wouldn't force a choice.
再一次的迟疑,吕贝克想了想有什么两全其美的解决办法.
"But I cannot leave Brittany behind right now. Could I complete my duties here first and then go see her? Your fighter can traverse spacetime anyway—just reverse further back in time."
"可是,我现在不能丢下布列塔尼,我可以完成这里的任务之后再去见她吗?反正你的战机可以穿越时空,只需在时间上回溯多些."
This time, Shizuka met his gaze in silence.
而这一次,是静香的沉默对视.
(Translated by Hunyuan)