自由,從什麼時候開始不再理所當然?638Please respect copyright.PENANAHyuBpWTCfx
他在戰場上迷惘,同時鼓起勇氣。
638Please respect copyright.PENANAv2TPZ3js7v
昂天歷997年
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火星,水手峽谷的軍區基地中,一批駕駛兵正在進行戰鬥考核。638Please respect copyright.PENANArPnFXvq2UT
638Please respect copyright.PENANANLtKTeUwcH
經過環境改造,這裡的空氣跟地球一樣可以供人呼吸,但光禿禿的山麓還是缺乏綠色植被,只有赤紅砂礫滾著血氣方剛與愛國情操。638Please respect copyright.PENANAfC7070vMbu
638Please respect copyright.PENANAPKRAQwc64k
「23號『逃兵』、08號『小狗』,雙方就位!」 638Please respect copyright.PENANAo0ardnME92
638Please respect copyright.PENANAXr9wRRmkfz
亂塵飄逸、廣播刺耳。年輕新血們從鋼骨棚架探出身子,觀摩遠方的操練場。兩架十八公尺高、頭上長有尖角的巨人拿著訓練刀,緩步接近對方。638Please respect copyright.PENANA5uKFFEiaMr
638Please respect copyright.PENANA9PCgSmxl2J
外觀統一的人型機械兵器「納沃」象徵祖國一致對外、剷除異端的決心。坐到上面才有機會報效皇帝,而不是當個砲灰草草結束生命。至少,他們「剛出試管」就是被這樣教導。638Please respect copyright.PENANAjcRpbJAbyq
638Please respect copyright.PENANAQM9ipKNLTe
然而,戰場真相之有親身經歷才知道。23號與08號,兩架機體的塗裝已經斑駁,之後還會繼續累積傷疤。它們的駕駛員一如往常地打到決賽,分出勝負後才能挑戰上屆冠軍,為無止盡的軍旅生涯帶來一點餘興。638Please respect copyright.PENANAnuKh3PjaYM
638Please respect copyright.PENANAzcINCVnpiF
「快點解決吧……預載動作模組,格檔左側、格檔上方。」 638Please respect copyright.PENANABL50nYc4oK
638Please respect copyright.PENANAc8dHGGSle3
23號納沃的狹窄座艙內,銀白平頭、碧綠瞳孔的青年看著螢幕數據,一邊跟輔助電腦對話一邊敲打按鈕。從08號的戰鬥技巧分析中選出機率「第二高」的應戰順序。638Please respect copyright.PENANAU2cPjEM0dg
638Please respect copyright.PENANA3oY7VEX8aI
「然後……僵持姿勢、後退半步、刺殺。」638Please respect copyright.PENANASxXfAeMasp
638Please respect copyright.PENANAl8x4s648TJ
「『逃兵』!還在想什麼?我要上了哦!」638Please respect copyright.PENANAVPyCUuRIGa
638Please respect copyright.PENANA7pW6ITQJd4
對面的駕駛員用擴音器叫囂,同時操縱納沃往前衝。習慣攻直線的08號,開打前被說太好猜,這次準備換個策略。果不其然,他直接讓坐機橫擺刀身,往23號左側揮去。638Please respect copyright.PENANAgYkDDooTMb
638Please respect copyright.PENANAb3GPmdbzqa
銀髮青年握緊操縱桿,機體立刻照預測指令擋下斬擊,緊接著襲來的劈打也被他料中。「賭」出敵方心理變化,是輔助程式無法掌握的領域。638Please respect copyright.PENANA4GbiSvlWRL
638Please respect copyright.PENANApFuyQoXMVU
巨人武器互抵、進入僵持狀態。摩擦噪音尖銳、散熱裝置颳起風塵,08號駕駛壓下握把,增加融合爐引擎出力,想要逼迫對手跪下時,23號機突然向後退了半步,使他不慎撲空。638Please respect copyright.PENANAj2cwdbHcLx
638Please respect copyright.PENANAyvhB48QHu2
「還沒!」08號趕緊站穩腳步,雙手抓刀從下往上挑打。23號機只用簡潔動作變換姿勢,就瞄準它的胸口猛刺而去。638Please respect copyright.PENANAnyqSSCj6mQ
638Please respect copyright.PENANAb54hsW2xSQ
重力環境下直線出擊速度更快,砰然巨響震撼峽谷,08號納沃應聲倒地。638Please respect copyright.PENANAbgYgslZHNo
638Please respect copyright.PENANA5XcVfzLvRO
若是實戰,它的駕駛座已被破壞。艙門開啟,敗陣士兵從中爬出、用力甩掉頭盔,露出跟其他同袍相同的五官。638Please respect copyright.PENANAEvbBbIF0xU
638Please respect copyright.PENANAkcUe0QrwMx
「小狗,快滾回來!」考核教官站在棚架前方的司令台,拿起擴音器大喊,「疤眼,換你了,不要連懦夫逃兵都打不過!」638Please respect copyright.PENANACKTV4EvdwR
638Please respect copyright.PENANAYqfju7wssQ
「衛冕冠軍!一分鐘就夠了吧!」「讓他哭著叫皇帝!」編號13的納沃走進圈內。圍觀士兵歡聲鼓舞,綽號小狗的駕駛也跟著吶喊,方才的氣餒一掃而空。638Please respect copyright.PENANAiKq5ReiXX5
638Please respect copyright.PENANAAXgSDm0CNq
「狗主人出現了?」綽號逃兵的青年淡然面對噓聲,率先開口挑釁。638Please respect copyright.PENANAC5dZllqUoc
638Please respect copyright.PENANA1uqTBvUa8A
「是啊,你這次準備怎麼輸呢?」疤眼冷靜回嗆,習慣性地摸著臉上傷痕。DNA完全相同的複製人只能靠出生後的際遇來凸顯個性,他的個性就是「死不了的強者」。638Please respect copyright.PENANAucWTuyCN1m
638Please respect copyright.PENANAvNQinF0z1T
砂礫拍打著兩架機體的單眼。逃兵緊盯螢幕上的敵手,不禁冒出冷汗。13號的攻擊模式超過五十種,機率都一樣,因為疤眼總是靠臨場反應即興發揮。638Please respect copyright.PENANAuzmF3QcnRC
638Please respect copyright.PENANA02GmsqFeSw
預測動作沒用,這次不能被動接招。逃兵偷偷輸入一串指令,無視輔助電腦抗議。638Please respect copyright.PENANAwIHRA4lRFA
638Please respect copyright.PENANAeYq1y6Ok9x
『警告:超過關節強度限制,可能造成自損。』638Please respect copyright.PENANAtfqxSaQh9o
638Please respect copyright.PENANAVz6OCx4tV2
「不管,執行。」638Please respect copyright.PENANAyy2BZttbN0
638Please respect copyright.PENANAWLeDCvKuli
鈴聲響起,逃兵迅速上前一陣亂砍,讓疤眼陷入守勢。鏗鏘節奏中,13號機低下頭,看準敵人抬起步伐的瞬間猛力出腳,踢向它接地不穩的鐵足後跟。638Please respect copyright.PENANASzrHt9SKC3
638Please respect copyright.PENANAdxk0mRBV9W
想不到,23號硬是用那隻腳承受所有重量向上跳起,閃避同時騰空揮刀,把疤眼打退了幾步,落地之後立刻衝過去追擊。638Please respect copyright.PENANA8lhM5xtfzI
638Please respect copyright.PENANAidlMgA8rdr
跟同事閒聊的教官注意到急遽震盪,面帶不悅地啟動廣播,給觀摩隊伍上了一課,「各位,看那白癡,動作太急,等等馬達就會壞掉!」638Please respect copyright.PENANAQQ5B2ofX7l
638Please respect copyright.PENANA92vJ13QNqs
逃兵青年忍受G力拉扯,無暇理會斥責。他的表情痛苦,嘴角卻微微上揚。忙著接招的疤眼也跟著笑了,「混帳……就是這種『隨時都能死』的精神,讓我熱血沸騰!」638Please respect copyright.PENANAqRljbvywwy
638Please respect copyright.PENANA5tE7wtRpI9
冠軍候補們近距離激烈纏鬥,刀子太長就用拳頭毆打、手被抓住就用頭撞,好像互相傷害就是他們的本質,什麼報國榮耀都不重要。638Please respect copyright.PENANAaKs1WI8Ifl
638Please respect copyright.PENANARFXbX8uFim
「我的老昂天,打上癮了哦……」教官咋舌,跳下司令台跟負責監控數據的同事抱怨,「算了……就說這批基因有問題,報修的時候多拿點經費。」638Please respect copyright.PENANAJsjVB2y3XD
638Please respect copyright.PENANAWSe4W8Pf1I
下一秒,23號機手臂應聲斷裂。大量碎片砸上司令台,差一點就能造成傷亡。638Please respect copyright.PENANAITobKkqoEG
638Please respect copyright.PENANAsrm4USZQHE
「幹!你們給我下來!」638Please respect copyright.PENANA2BMm3vOjyu
638Please respect copyright.PENANAfUdJRXilRH
遙控系統強制關機、開啟了駕駛艙。引擎漸漸停止,逃兵探出艙門,踩著繩索準備垂降,一張撲克臉彷彿什麼都沒發生。638Please respect copyright.PENANA8yksGaNc4G
638Please respect copyright.PENANAIktGvYE9b9
「今天全部給我清乾淨!還要加上悔過書!」638Please respect copyright.PENANAcK0B9sfIG0
638Please respect copyright.PENANA3KkzoQ1git
罵聲刺痛耳膜,逃兵後悔剛才沒能戰到昏厥,同時,疤眼也正要拉繩下機。638Please respect copyright.PENANA4XaJ7Vv9fy
638Please respect copyright.PENANAaMM89FxKAi
「哼,改天再打嗎?那之前你可別死囉⸺」638Please respect copyright.PENANAqqVekBnXer
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啪擦。638Please respect copyright.PENANAvvK4LceI9y
638Please respect copyright.PENANAu43wIf6HZW
一聲異音從艙門上方傳來,垂降裝置的銜接部件脫落,讓疤眼直直落下。638Please respect copyright.PENANAUrYzXQ0Kd1
638Please respect copyright.PENANATUIfIX4wm9
十幾公尺高度轉眼消失。撞擊地面的鈍重聲響,接著就是眾人的驚喊。小狗第一個跑上前,跪在戰友身邊不知所措。638Please respect copyright.PENANAUFBv3BeliR
638Please respect copyright.PENANAZiUGEst5h3
「他還有呼吸……救他!」638Please respect copyright.PENANAmYhFH4cNwJ
638Please respect copyright.PENANAduqA0ZaxKf
「疤眼……」逃兵站穩到地面,看著弟兄躺在血泊中顫抖。他試著保持冷靜,心臟卻越來越躁動。剛才,他搆不到對面,卻下意識地伸出手掌,明明是最討厭的死對頭,明明是毫無感情的戰爭產物……638Please respect copyright.PENANAWI570Mbdgg
638Please respect copyright.PENANAFgtwGcWRy4
「醫療班!」教官們依照標準程序處理意外,仍不忘隨口調侃,「嘖……又要多寫一張報告。」638Please respect copyright.PENANALOHkty2l41
638Please respect copyright.PENANAN4ZisCK6eG
腿骨穿出皮膚、腰椎歪斜。逃兵嘆了口氣,想像那位傲氣弟兄將面臨的結局:內臟賣到黑市、生物組織回收用於生產複製人,還是會變成食品?自己的身上又有多少細胞、多少靈魂來自別處?大量複製的生物,會有靈魂嗎?638Please respect copyright.PENANA6CG1IHBO7t
638Please respect copyright.PENANAesLEIroHMd
基地廣播開始介紹帝國先進再生科技,安撫觀摩新兵。背對著被擔架抬走的疤眼,教官若無其事地張嘴喊道:「注意!整備班檢修不足,基本訓練一百套!其他班連帶責任,基本訓練一百套,現在開始!」638Please respect copyright.PENANAjZVc699prx
638Please respect copyright.PENANAkRLN1PeMZR
複製士兵學到的第二件事就是要坦然接受命運。與其說他們是資深老兵,不如說是還堪用的零件,歷戰歸來也不能功成身退,只會反覆操練、發派前線,直到被榨出最後一滴油血。638Please respect copyright.PENANAmztpcbkIKa
638Please respect copyright.PENANA8owS8P9fFA
不甘?絕望?感情在戰場上是無用機能,越早捨棄越好。小狗的抑鬱表情卻實實在在傳染給了所有人。638Please respect copyright.PENANArMPHkyNCyl
638Please respect copyright.PENANAmH4MDsNdJ6
血與汗與答數聲交織之下,考核大賽結束。
638Please respect copyright.PENANASzazYhXrcC
638Please respect copyright.PENANAQBd5OYnbEK
源自地球的「昂天帝國」統治太陽系近十世紀。不老不死的昂天皇帝利用複製人技術搭配先進機械兵器威震戰場、達成統一大業後,極權野心卻沒有因此停止。散佈在銀河系四處的舊世紀移民成為最新目標,遠征軍團因而成立。638Please respect copyright.PENANAVM0KNlQFW0
638Please respect copyright.PENANA8Y8QGVHe5k
『國民啊!令人振奮的消息來了!K438星系已經正式歸順帝國,立下戰功的第一軍團將會在三年後凱旋,加入建國千年大典⸺!』638Please respect copyright.PENANAQGVehe8yHx
638Please respect copyright.PENANA8YZU6PU5yM
訓練營餐廳內,電視螢幕整天播送政宣影片,把那些豐功偉業印在所有腦袋裡面。複製人士兵一個接一個走到白牆前方,從配膳洞口拿出營養罐頭,自然出生的長官們則是在旁享用「真正的」食物。638Please respect copyright.PENANA4pEuygQwGM
638Please respect copyright.PENANAjRNRFQbW7w
逃兵青年走過靜默人龍,把冰冷鋼盤放上冰冷鐵桌,忍著腰痠坐上冰冷椅凳。拉開罐頭蓋子,內容物自動加熱融成糊狀,他嘆了一口氣,用湯匙翻攪那坨無色無味的東西,讓意識跟著白色螺旋回到過去。638Please respect copyright.PENANAQUtGCC7lX3
638Please respect copyright.PENANAcWMrTuKcy5
零碎的記憶片段,平時必須封在腦海深處才能通過思想改造測驗。好在他還能藉由味覺、觸覺打開心頭鎖,把僅存的幸福拿出來惦念,直到遺忘殆盡那一天到來……638Please respect copyright.PENANAfUyGdKEurj
638Please respect copyright.PENANAErE1CE46pm
「別浪費哦,寶貝,配給卷都用光了。」638Please respect copyright.PENANAsR1pCkC3ej
638Please respect copyright.PENANAsbbKy0ZQSS
養母端上香味俱全的手做菜餚,讓口水都滴出嘴角。年幼的手掌撫過木桌的凹凸紋理,戴著眼鏡的養父坐在對面,臉上是從未見過的溫和笑容。對世界還沒有概念的自己,被各種未曾體驗的情緒填滿。638Please respect copyright.PENANAma0yTy2D6v
638Please respect copyright.PENANApRZSZFJc9u
「會餓、會流口水、會好奇,就代表你是完整的人類,威爾斯。」638Please respect copyright.PENANAtaAetjxJ8l
638Please respect copyright.PENANAtEkFqsl36L
新的名字,跟設施裡用的編號不一樣,象徵了嶄新的生活。638Please respect copyright.PENANAQHK2lli2wO
638Please respect copyright.PENANA5VMAShogfQ
「帝國找到這裡了!快跑!」638Please respect copyright.PENANA50hfMkkZCu
638Please respect copyright.PENANAGJ6jNzOGpz
被陌生吶喊嚇醒。慌忙奔走的養父母。638Please respect copyright.PENANA5pGpkDC4Pa
638Please respect copyright.PENANAWPQRRaFQWU
「這裡不是學區嗎?連戰車都……」638Please respect copyright.PENANA4LIOxWu40i
638Please respect copyright.PENANACGYpHuTiXK
咚!咚!咚!638Please respect copyright.PENANADWjdJyCQqL
638Please respect copyright.PENANAJ9JkMzUY5f
「不要開門!威爾斯,我們從後面出去。」638Please respect copyright.PENANAt1gHVovNlZ
638Please respect copyright.PENANAgVup372T1b
夜色壟罩的火星舊市街,水灘反射著街燈還有人群。裝甲車碾碎磚頭,發出冰冷廣播。638Please respect copyright.PENANATVj4rMmtKu
638Please respect copyright.PENANAOwyYyBLmYJ
『叛亂份子盡速投降……配合回收『生科研』財產……』638Please respect copyright.PENANA8zJ9ku5SN4
638Please respect copyright.PENANAcmRVf2dwdW
催淚彈直擊養父頭部,養母跟著跌坐在地。638Please respect copyright.PENANAU6TjKciKTO
638Please respect copyright.PENANARsdr4bRoJg
「跑,威爾斯,快跑!」638Please respect copyright.PENANAV9UzNqci8T
638Please respect copyright.PENANAM1fE9JPLhQ
腦袋一片空白,只能向前邁步。槍響。忍不住回頭。還沒看清父母面容,脖子就被用力抓住。638Please respect copyright.PENANAheUZujG3xh
638Please respect copyright.PENANAIkyNJJwNQT
「發什麼呆?給我起來!」638Please respect copyright.PENANAcPLIJTeuXQ
638Please respect copyright.PENANApYCt3JaMiU
喉頭傳來的壓迫感讓逃兵回到現實。他的脖子正被小狗從後擒住,而對方明顯殺意十足。638Please respect copyright.PENANAFtSz47Cjv0
638Please respect copyright.PENANAFuyQsob2J2
「你耍了什麼手段?害疤眼變成那樣!」638Please respect copyright.PENANARcbaKaZpwO
638Please respect copyright.PENANAteO4fiWYdc
「那……是意外……」638Please respect copyright.PENANAPtnaqtDlxb
638Please respect copyright.PENANAs1unszY0bn
「去過『外面』就了不起?那些小動作是在外面學的嗎?」638Please respect copyright.PENANAbybicoxCT9
638Please respect copyright.PENANApq3iK6VMti
「就算有,也是在這裡學的!」惱人現實與哀傷過往重疊,逃兵握緊拳頭打進小狗肚子,讓他痛得跪倒在地。圍觀者開始聚集,引起長官的注意。638Please respect copyright.PENANAFGiG2hKdKy
638Please respect copyright.PENANAJebq0ga9z5
「疤眼遲早會戰死!小狗,你也一樣,我們都一樣。」638Please respect copyright.PENANAixj2LRd7iA
638Please respect copyright.PENANAYnG4qydSDB
「咕……閉嘴!他連戰死的機會都沒有了……你這麼想死,為什麼還在這裡吃東西?」638Please respect copyright.PENANAarTO42Yf4u
638Please respect copyright.PENANAq3HVbIsMph
逃兵突然無法辯解。他到底要放棄抵抗一走了之,還是要活著幫自己、幫父母、幫這些些弟兄出一口氣?見仇人停滯,小狗趁機起身猛撲,卻被視線外襲來的大腳踢飛。逃兵愣了半秒,臉部也遭到拳頭重擊。638Please respect copyright.PENANAD5BTDxNaag
638Please respect copyright.PENANASpLrBJBDWH
「麻煩的東西……」考核教官讓鬧事份子雙雙倒地,反正報告都要寫了,多破壞一兩個也沒差。當他抬起腳,要往逃兵臉上踩下時,突然被在旁看戲的同事拉住。638Please respect copyright.PENANA3dAZ2fitKJ
638Please respect copyright.PENANAeWqvvNIZU7
「喂!那是監委?」638Please respect copyright.PENANA7G3cjPUeaC
638Please respect copyright.PENANAmGyLbmDITn
「糟糕……」兩人態度一轉、站得直挺挺,同時對遠方行禮。638Please respect copyright.PENANAGYGAOyyShJ
638Please respect copyright.PENANAtSPDTwbjmV
「稍息。哈特曼班長……你在做什麼?它們都還沒發揮價值啊……」制服上印有「生科研」標誌的高階官員繞過爭端,推了推眼鏡,「損壞商品要賠償,這是常識吧?」638Please respect copyright.PENANAt5AAzZqWXz
638Please respect copyright.PENANAHXizAVaxxq
「是!萬分抱歉!」638Please respect copyright.PENANAgNalwSFKkl
638Please respect copyright.PENANAvCusTGQ51t
無視那些鞠躬哈腰的軍人,監委抬起鼻子嘆息,看了一眼所謂「真正食物」。638Please respect copyright.PENANAN0dImCoBTn
638Please respect copyright.PENANAN7qvkqKoxJ
「今晚,報告沒有出來,你們就準備吃這些東西度過餘生……我有訂外送,去拿來給我,順便簽一份『派遣命令』。」638Please respect copyright.PENANAvUWaoyMsKD
638Please respect copyright.PENANAmsKuWiYviN
教官們用遵命取代髒話,圍觀人群默默回到座位。逃兵擦去嘴角鮮血,起身走向小狗,伸出了右手。638Please respect copyright.PENANAbYM4XJrkZJ
638Please respect copyright.PENANA7v8nX1dYud
戰場之外、下了納沃駕駛艙,他們就什麼都不是。但至少,還是能拉起彼此。638Please respect copyright.PENANAcMaARAnQ4K
638Please respect copyright.PENANA3DbNGm6n6b
「……不客氣。」638Please respect copyright.PENANA2perkh5Usw
638Please respect copyright.PENANAH9TM8c1Hib
「囉嗦,臭逃兵。」638Please respect copyright.PENANAVJvOvWq12U
638Please respect copyright.PENANAzWL3MTBv9n
餐廳外的天空因火衛一經過而暗淡,依稀可見一顆微小的水藍星點。那是人類的起源之地、必須捨命保護的皇室貴族居所,每個抬頭遙望它的「外地」居民都曾想像過:那邊的雲朵,應該比這裡更自由?638Please respect copyright.PENANAFOIhLg7cJS
638Please respect copyright.PENANA5IoaCuF69r
「8號、23號,出列!」638Please respect copyright.PENANAcKDBaARZy1
638Please respect copyright.PENANAHEfBFHYirH
日光再次露臉。下午操練剛開始,小狗和逃兵就被叫到隊伍前方。哈特曼班長板著臉,在兩人面前踱步。638Please respect copyright.PENANAnyMXD9hav0
638Please respect copyright.PENANAdp4LRJH69h
「這個派遣命令!我非常不想簽,我想要你們死在我腳下……」故弄玄虛一會兒,他才拿起電子文書,大聲念道:「軍備部徵求兩位測試駕駛!成績前兩名是13和23⸺但是13號掛了,所以用08遞補……」638Please respect copyright.PENANAKtDKagFm1p
638Please respect copyright.PENANAZwv48jD8PL
逃兵見小狗表情微微動搖,立刻別開目光。638Please respect copyright.PENANA8am1zLM7mb
638Please respect copyright.PENANAso9zdD00yn
「……兩員,準時搭乘明早的派遣船前往『克卜勒62f』,報到單位是……『AIX小隊』!」宣布完畢,班長露出邪惡笑容,「看來不用我出手,你們就完蛋了。」638Please respect copyright.PENANAe6yV7S91AA
638Please respect copyright.PENANAjcsYk5aIO7
兩名士兵敬禮接下命令,帶著令人不安的送別詞按表操課,度過火星基地的最後一晚。翌日,在熟悉的晨間踏步聲中,他們提著行李遠離人群,走上老舊運輸艦的登機門。638Please respect copyright.PENANAA7nIQurf3o
638Please respect copyright.PENANA7SfT4nJp2W
進入只有兩個人寬的寢間,航路地圖自訂顯示在牆面螢幕上。此行目的地:舊世紀移民行星K62f屬於遠征軍第二軍團管轄,地表被厚重冰雪覆蓋,有拖慢行進速度的大重力場,還有干擾通訊的電磁風暴。比起那些極端環境,最令帝國頭疼的,是當地原住民組成的反抗軍。638Please respect copyright.PENANAxfk46vuq7r
638Please respect copyright.PENANAwvNyGCOPCp
「那邊……能讓我們戰死嗎?」小狗躺在狹窄床位上面,語帶嘲諷,「希望你不介意屍體餵企鵝。」638Please respect copyright.PENANAUorF8bS9ry
638Please respect copyright.PENANAU3y6olk52V
「你不要從背後捅我就好。」逃兵苦笑。與其繼續苟活,也許這一趟就是他期待已久的最後旅程。638Please respect copyright.PENANAFlwZTsrayl
638Please respect copyright.PENANAK5MuG02YQq
方方正正的運輸船像是一副棺材,帶著兩人離開火紅行星。曲速引擎壓縮空間,讓他們瞬時就甩開了陽光,往無盡的黑暗飛去。