FireCacodemon: Back with another chapter of Trauma Center: A Pathogenic War! Trauma Center belongs to Atlus while the cover image belongs to Aileen-Rose.

Derek: Back with another chapter because this was already written. Chapter 46 has been finished as well but won't be posted for a while so we don't post too quickly.

FireCacodemon: Hope you enjoy this chapter.


Chapter 45:

A Confession to Break Bonds

Derek arrived at Caduceus with Angie by his side. While the hospital seemed to be running normally himself and Angie both knew that there had been a huge loss recently with Richard's passing. While most staff just carried on, it was mainly the GUILT team that took the huge hit with their emotions. Derek noticed that Tyler, Stephen and Cybil weren't their cheerful selves and neither did Angie.

"You…did your best…" Angie told him on the way to work but Derek knew that he could have done more. He could have gone through his lab to find what he could while Richard was still alive. If he made Pempti back in his lab with his research, then surly he would have had the laser to destroy Pempti?

"I could have done better…" Derek responded before he headed to his office with Angie following him. There wasn't a friendly hello from the staff like there was normally. "Anyway…today is when I meet the medical board…even more reason to not like the day."

"I'm sure you'll be fine…"

"Chief would like to see you in the briefing room," the receptionist informed Derek and Angie.

"Thank you, please inform Sidney that I'll be there once I'm ready." The receptionist nodded and worked to send the message to Sidney.

"Wonder what about…?" Angie asked.

"I'm going to confess." Derek told her simply as they reached the locker rooms.

"Are you sure you want to do that?" Angie asked before Derek entered the male locker room.

"I'd rather it come from me than anywhere else." He waved at her as he entered the locker room. Derek removed his locker key from his pocket and opened his locker, his uniform was folded neatly inside along with more vitamin table bottles a few books along with a few family photos. Derek removed the uniform and placed his coat inside along with his phone. He didn't want that distracting him for the day. Derek removed his top and folded it up neatly before placing it in his locker, he swiftly put on his uniform and slipped his trousers off and swiftly changed them too. He frankly didn't care if any male saw him get changed, he wasn't ashamed of his body or embarrassed of his body like some other members of staff were. His only issue would have been if Tyler was in there too. Derek closed his locker once everything was in there that he wanted and walked outside the changing room, Angie was already waiting for him.

"We should go to the briefing room…" Angie asked him.

"We probably shouldn't keep him waiting."

Trauma Center: The Trial of Derek Stiles - Chapter 45: A Confession to Break Bonds

"What's this about, Chief?" Cybil asked once she had noticed Derek and Angie slipping into the room. They had all been called into the briefing room, even Victor had been called. Victor though, stood in the darkest corner he could possible find in the room and did his best not to be present. Derek noticed how upset Victor was, Victor did his best to hide how he was feeling but Derek could see right through the mask that Victor had put on. Everyone else was patiently waiting for why Sidney had called them all to the briefing room.

"Dr. Stiles?" Sidney spoke and all attention went onto Derek. Angie watched as Derek tore his attention off Victor and towards Sidney. "The stage is all set for you."

"…Thank you," Derek left Angie's side and took a stand next to Sidney.

"What's this about, dude?" Tyler asked.

"I'm…going to make a confession which'll destroy the bonds here and probably destroy my career, but it has to be said."

"Confession…?" Whispers travelled around the room. Derek inhaled and exhaled before he continued.

"How did you know Richard wasn't going to make it!?" Victor snapped at Derek.

"Because what is now known as GUILT was research that I had done back in medical school. It wasn't known as GUILT and the pathogens weren't named after days of the week. The memories that have been returning to me is me creating the pathogens…GUILT is my fault. Delphi stole my research and used it to create what is known as GUILT. I take responsibility of GUILT being created in this world as it was my research that is the cause of this…my own stupidity…" There was a gasp from nearly everyone in the room as Derek confessed the truth that he had been holding.

"W…Why!?" Cybil demanded as she slammed her hand on the table.

"I'm more practical than theory…so the pathogens were to help me understand different conditions by helping me create simulations." Derek kept as calm as he could. In front of him he could see the bonds between himself, Cybil, Stephen and Victor shatter. His bond with Sidney wasn't as strong as it could have been but that had broken too. The only bonds that Derek had left was between himself, Tyler and Angie. Those were probably the bonds that he was going to need the most.

"Why aren't either of you two bothered?!" Victor demanded from Tyler and Angie.

"Angie, Tyler and Dr. Kasal are already aware of what I've just confessed," Derek informed Victor calmly.

"Don't. Even. Talk. To. Me." Victor hissed at Derek dangerously. Derek didn't say anything after that, Victor was going through a lot and now probably pinned Richard's death onto him now. Cybil and Stephen were avoiding eye contact with Derek as well.

"I know…this is all my fault…but…can we still work together…?" Derek asked the others with some hope in his voice.

"No one in their right mind would want to work with you!" Victor snapped. "Don't you dare come to my lab!"

"My G-"

"No!" Victor stopped Derek before he could finish his sentence. "How do we know you're not telling what we find out to Delphi!?"

"I hate to say this…but Victor has a point…" Stephen asked.

"How can we trust you?" Cybil asked, trying to keep herself together.

"Derek wouldn't have treated GUILT if he was working for Delphi!" Angie couldn't keep herself from speaking, she couldn't bear to watch them accuse Derek of working with Delphi.

"It's called being a spy!" Victor shot back. "I've already seen him with green rings around his eyes! He's clearly working for Delphi!" Before another word could be said, there was a knock on the door.

"I became a doctor t-" Derek started before Victor cut him off.

"To fix the mistake you made! You're not doing this to become a skilled surgeon, you're only doing this so when GUILT came back, you could stop it!"

Sidney walked over to the door and opened it. Standing on the opposite side of the door was a young male with jet black hair and grey eyes. Sidney recognised him from the medical board.

"Are they requesting Derek's presence?" Sidney asked and he nodded.

"Yes, but…I can see he's engaged into an argument with something…"

"GUILT didn't influence my decision for becoming a surgeon!" Derek snapped at Victor. The two seemed to be locked into a heated argument and everyone was glad that things weren't getting violent…yet.

"How do you know? Your mind locked away those memories!"

"And it gave them back when I was ready for the memories! After recovering the memory involving Tetarti, Greg Kasal had to calm me down because I went into a panic attack!"

"You're a member of Delphi!"

"If I was a member of Delphi NONE OF THE PARASITES WOULD HAVE A STUPID WEAKNESS TO THEM!"

"OH YEAH? THEN WHY DID PEMPTI TAKE SO DAMN LONG!?"

"BECAUSE THE RESEARCHER IS AN I…" Derek managed to stop himself before he finished the sentence.

"FINISH THE SENTENCE!" Victor demanded from Derek.

"Someone who's inexperienced…"

"Dr. Stiles?" The new comer asked as the argument seemed to be on a cease fire for the moment.

"Yes?" Derek looked over at the young male.

"I'm Sebastian Chall, I'm from the medical board. I'm going to be the member watching over you while your trial goes on." Sebastian introduced himself to Derek and extended his hand. Derek gently shook Sebastian's hand.

"Yeah…pleasure…"

"I'm happy to inform you that if any GUILT patient arrives at Caduceus, you're free to operate on them and only on GUILT patients."

"Really?" Angie asked.

"Naturally, he is the only one who's skilled enough to handle GUILT."

"You are aware that my presence makes it worse, as well?" Derek asked.

"You still remove the GUILT, that's all that matters. The medical board are waiting for you." Sebastian beckoned Derek to follow. Shooting a glance at Victor, Derek turned to follow Sebastian.


FireCacodemon: RandomButLoved - Glad you're looking forward to the rest of the book, I hope we please you with the work.

Derek: Anything else to add?

FireCacodemon: I hate real life. It's getting in the way. That and lack of inspiration...curse to work.

Derek: Hehe, well, we'll be back again with chapter 46 soon. Until then, take care guys.

FireCacodemon: Think you'll be fine now that everyone knows?

Derek: Time will tell...