Many didn't agree, hell, he himself couldn't seem to get his mind straight about his decision. Basically just everything about this plan looked to be a bad idea - and a recipe for disaster. Not only it was too sudden, it also sounded very poorly planned. He didn't even know why he thought of this in the first place, for him, the Doctor - the de facto leader and symbol of Rhodes Island - to be assuming direct command of the Operators for the upcoming assault plan.
Hesistance plagued his mind when he proposed the line-up for the fighter to join up with the recon forces already on-site at the enemy camp. Even the Operators in question clearly had their own apprehensions to his idea, the most vocal one obviously being Amiya. He was too big and too important for the company to lose for something as insignificant as a camp assault, and if he was being perfectly honest, although he really didn't want to put himself on this pedestal, her words had some truth, if many of Rhodes Island employees would go as far as to literally die for him, it meant that any kind of position he held before his amnesia was... substantial, maybe even more so than he'd realized.
And again, he didn't even know why he brought the idea up in the first place. This internal statement was also reflected in his outward answer when he was asked by the Cautus brunette who always seemed so adamant to stay by his side whenever possible, which only added to the bunny-eared girl's confusion and irritation on why he seemed so defiant and firm in his choice to leave his office. The Doctor may be a man that hated the monotonous, boring work in his confined and secure spaces, but to the point of going out of his way to risk his own life at the front, even he was amazed at his own thoughts that popped up so very suddenly.
But then again, what was he supposed to do? He is the leader of Rhodes Island, and despite being called a Doctor by his subordinates, medical work seemed to be something that seemed so... foreign to his ears and hands. It's like he's never done any of them in the first place. Sure, it's most likely thanks to his memory loss that he forgot most of his work with his company. And of course, it really didn't help that most of the company was already running their operations smoothly without his intervention.
But when it came to leading troops and providing tactical analysis and forecast on the battlefield?
It was ironic, but even back during his rude awakening and rescue in Chernobog, he didn't know if it was only purely because of desperation for his own survival, or pure reflex, or muscle memory, or maybe just all of them combined - but the way he handled, guided, and led his rescuers, despite the seemingly insurmountable odds that were stacked against them in the forms of the comically overpowering presence of Reunion Movement and the looming Catastrophe that was ready to swallow the entire city whole.
Maybe it was just pure luck, a divine intervention - one might also say. But he got himself out of the doomed city and then some, even more absrudly, he may just be the one to 'rescue' his rescuers himself thanks to his tactical prowess on the field, and he'd done that while still being severely weakened, no less. He proved many of his doubters wrong, he remembered Dobermann being especially rather harsh with her tongue on him - though he knew that the Perro ultimately was also concerned to his well-being, and didn't want him to strain his mental state too much after his sudden memory loss, which itself already took its toll on the Doctor's sanity.
But for some reason, it all felt... natural, very much so, even - something that greatly disturbed him whenever he thought about it. It even felt more natural than just doing his normal office works or performing medical duties, much to his own horror. He didn't want to be viewed as this leader, as a this... king on a shining throne, despite his employees' opinions about him, yet at the same time, he didn't know why giving tactical battle orders to the Operators was so familiar to him, even more so than his other memories. All made even more unsettling by the fact that this seemed to be more... usual than remembering his own damned name.
Then again, maybe it's also because of this fact that the Doctor had this thouht to begin with. He didn't want to be eternally locked in his office, to just sit back and relax whilst being dotted and served by his employees which acted more like servants than anything. Not while everyone was working hard in the Headquarters to keep the organization running in optimal condition, not while his Operators risked their lives on the field for his sake. Well, it's more to maintain the fragile peace between the LGDs and Rhodes Island, but even that was still directly connected to serving him and the company.
And then, there was also the conversations he had with a certain Sarkazian Sniper that explained to him about his late father's initiative. To prepare the company and their employees against the ever growing threat of the Reunion. On one side, it was almost sickening to the thought - turning a medical company into something more akin to a private military organization just for his safety? To kill anyone who dared to stand in their way just because they might pose a risk to the company? It even only started as an honest Search and Rescue team to high-risk environments.
To think something like that was also given the all clear by his own self no less - even considering his own familiarity in handling tactical situations, the thought of him being so... cruel just upsetted him greatly. Perhaps this was exactly why his employees seemed to treat him with devotion so great - that no sacrifice would be too great for them. It's because of the mentality his old self wanted to imprint - wanted to indoctrinate his Operators that he was in charge. It was because of his old self actually wanted to make the company to be a fighting military force, perhaps.
Admiration, devotion... fear. An unhealthy amount of them, no less. Their interactions with him usually only revolved around those emotions - to the point that just him acting like a decent person and treating his employees with the respect they deservd was considered off by them - and in turn, it only unsettled the Doctor even more, and loathed whatever created this kind of work environment and atmosphere with his others subordinates.
But at the same time, he wondered if the Program only existed for his Operators to do his bidding. To provide and train their Operators with the equipment and knowledge they need to weather through the storm, in which said storm certainly wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon. As of then, only a few of the Iniative's Operators remained within the company while the rest scattered - most likely to greener pastures while the Doctor was away in his own misfortune.
Nearl, Warden, Dobermann, Warfarin, and Amiya - if he were to list them off, with the last one he remembered still only in training before the Program was disbanded for their personnel to merge with the main company. Then there was Ace, the one who seemed to lead the group before his untimely demise. He wondered if he could really trust them - though the thought immediately irked himself yet again. The fact that despite his employees had alread given so much for his sake, he still couldn't bring himself to even trust them was just sickening. It just spoke volumes when he still acted rather uneasily even with Amiya around him, despite the girl's apparent maturity, she was still barely reaching her teenage years.
He didn't hate them, he hated his neuroticism and his paranoid nature whenever he's faced with things that weren't familiar to him - or in this case, just quite literally everything and everyone he saw - thanks to his amnesia. He wondered if this trait was a persisting problem that stemmed even before his memory loss, but ultimately, he shook those thoughts away as he faced the collection of the Program's Operators, sans the only male - who'd gone with his scouting party a few days back, and gave a firm statement.
That his decision was final, he was to join them in their operation, and also offered himself to take command of the mission while he's at it.
That sounded more like an order than anything, which he hated himself for it. But he'd just end up hating himself more if he'd laze around and do nothing but paperwork in his office anyway - if there's anything that he could do to help ease the burden of his Operators, it would be to join them in the field, doing what he does best - and also in something he's most familiar with - in directing them with his mind - again just saying anything about himself sounded like he was just trying to feed his ego, nevertheless, he didn't look back to the office door that just slid close behind him, and neither did he look back at the Mobile Headquarters when he boarded the company's sole transport helicopter along with the other members of the Strategic Strike Group, even with his own anxiety still plaguing his mind.
Even when faced with constant critique and scrutiny when faced with the stone-faced and sharp-tongued, Inspector of the LGD, the Doctor did not falter in his decision, and even straight up requested to take command of the operation himself. This was somethng that truly shocked the LGDs, who already began to shoot their own looks of distrust at him and his companions. Even Ch'en looked like she was ready to laugh at his face if it wasn't for her own sense of pride and professionalism. At first she still insisted that the operation was under Lungmen's jursidictions to begin with, but after some more quick thinking, she just decided to let him to as he'd pleased.
From the way she spoke, it didn't take a genius that the bluenette was clearly simply trying to test him and maybe even challenge him so that she could ridicule him later should he fail. The Doctor was more than aware of the LGD's vested dislike towards anything alien from their nation or has anything even remotely close to be connected with anything about the Oripathy or an Infected individual. Of course, a condition remained, should the battle showed any kind of casualties on the Lungmen's side, or if the Doctor didn't perform as her expectations, the LGDs would immediately wrestle the control back from him. A term which he agreed to.
During their transit to the front-lines, the Doctor'd expected himself to be trembling with either anxiety or maybe excitement - considering his past. But strangely, he did neither. Instead, he simply sat in the cramped and uncomfortable passenger bay of the Black Valkyrie, with only the silence of his employees and the noise of the new fleet of helicopters filling his ears, looking around him to see the other focused looks from the other Operators, which could also be a contributing factor to his unexplained calmness.
Nearl, Dobermann, and Warfarin seemed to be consumed by their own thoughts, sitting in their own comfortable silence as well. The Medic in particular had her hand placed on her chin, possibly indicating that her thoughts required so much focus that she needed some assistance just to prop her head up. Amiya on the other hand, just kept her concerned blue eyes trained on him, something which the Doctor still felt uncomfortable whenever he's in the center of attention of someone.
Their silence was only broken when the time came for the assault team to end their radio silence as their distance to the Reunion camp grew lesser. They received information that the camp was actually more well-guarded than expected, which already threw a wrench in their initial plans to execute a quick insertion and attack that in best case scenario, would be done and over with no bloodshed in neither side. But knowing their enemies's presence was still rather sizeable, that kind of attack wouldn't work.
The first order of business was then to secure a safe landing for the Rhodes Island and LGD teams, knowing that they have to go in guns blazing, he instructed Amiya to contact the Snipers already on the ground for them to provide covering fire for them, to which she did so without protest. It was also at this time that he saw the Medic on board the helicopter looking like she was about to add something, but decided against it, as she settled back to her thoughtful seating position.
Of course, the LGD didn't hesitate to add their own orders into the mix, despite the initial nature of the operation to capture as many of their personnel as possible, they still gave the go-ahead for the Sniper team to finish off any of their adversaries who dared to run away from the fight. With the operation being under their jurisdiction, of course the Doctor had no choice nor say for their terms, and merely sat and listened for any updates from the team already spying the camp for them.
It was a strange feeling, as again, he expected himself to be much more afraid of his current circumstances. In fact, maybe he was indeed afraid as the lead Lungmen helicopter began with their warnings at the Reunion forces staged down below, only for them to be greeted with gunfire - for he could feel some of his body involuntarily shaking as the transport choppers made their evasive maneuvers, maybe it was due to the vibrations for all he cared, since for some reason, his mind stayed concise and clear of any disruptive thoughts.
This same look was shared with the rest of the Operators inside the chopper, who didn't seem to be disturbed by a single bit by the incoming gunfire, it's like they've put their entire trust on the pilot, Horseman, who silently, but skillfully piloted the vehicle out of harm's way with minimal damage done to the hull. The Doctor wondered about the helicopter pilot, and whether he's also a part of the Program along with the others.
But the Doctor had to internally admit their apparent mental resilience, while their own personalities and extensive training as well as years of experience in working under his old self most likely played a role in creating their steeled psychological states, they looked to be more like soldiers bred for war than anything else. It seemed to be this quality that was first seen and shared from their old leader, Ace - and now the trait has bled to the other Operators under his old command - and even more so to his adopted son, maybe even taken to the absolute extremes in his case.
Ace, the name always brought this sense of guilt to him, just as when he thought back about all the deceased Operators who'd died under his name. Warden did ask about whether he'd do the right thing with his Initiative, and he wondered if this answer was the one that he wanted to hear. The Doctor pushed the distractions away from his mind, once again focusing on the task he's been given at hand. It's only now that he's noticing that they've been flying around the area for a while.
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait for long, as the helicopters finally started to begin their descend to the sandy grounds below them. It looked like the Snipers were already doing their jobs to provide a distraction for the Reunion gunmen below them. Just as the Black Valkyrie's landing wheels almost touched the ground, the pilot gave the go-ahead for the helicopter's passengers to finally spill out of the vehicle and onto the ground.
To which they did. Even without his instructions, Nearl and Dobermann were the first ones to disembark from the vehicle, with these dark, grim looks plastered on their faces as they did so. It was not unlike the ones they also displayed during their battle on Chernobog during his rescue, now that he saw them immediately taking action, he knew that the two had a bone to pick with the Reunion, for many of their comrades lost their lives in the ruined Ursus city.
If he remembered correctly, he knew Nearl was a respected knight from Kazimier, a rather old-fashioned nation who still relied more on their Arts and traditional weapons when it comes to combat than technology like the rest of Terra, and she was no different from her countrymen. The blonde-haired Kuranta fashioned heavy steel-plate armor that basically capsuled her entire body, a pick-styled weapon with its bladed ends folding neatly to resemble a mace of sorts, while a small shield was also present on her off-dominant hand. Despite her old-school looks, the woman's experience as a Defender for the company, and more - for the Initiative unconsciously told her to take point.
Shield at the front, covering her head and upper torso, weapon placed slightly at the back to minimize her other limb presence. One foot in front of the other to help support her defensive posture. And indeed, Nearl's armor indeed wasn't just for show, as the Doctor could see bullets of varrying caliber ricocheting or bouncing off her sturdy platings without as much as making a dent, which gave the idea that her armor wasn't just mere thick steel, all weight and no resilience. Even as the woman weathered through the gunfire, her stance didn't falter, as expected of a Defender-class Operator. If anything, she was slowly making her push to the camp.
And just by her back, Dobermann took refuge behind the Kuranta. Despite not being someone that also belonged to the same nation as Nearl, the Perro also seemed to prefer close-range combat with her whip, something that she's truly mastered through many years of active combat experience under her belt despite her growing infection. Her whip was a mixture of traditional and modern technology, combining the old-school 'whack-whack-smack' - as Warfarin would describe it - with the flexible, moveable blade frames that could slide to whatever ends of the weapon. She was also equipped with an emergency sidearm in the event that she couldn't close in the distance to her adversaries.
Like most close-range-combat type Operators of the Guard-class, she opted not to use it unless no other measures could be taken to take the pressure onto the enemies. And like Nearl, the Bolivarian Operator didn't need any instructions from the Doctor to begin her advance against the camp, already knowing what their objectives were - she also looked plenty angry underneath that calm look she had on her face, hungry for revenge for all the rookie Operators she'd lost during the Chernobog rescue mission.
Speaking of Warfarin, the Medic-class Operator was the next to exit the helicopter, managing to hold herself better than the two other members of the Initiative who already took the offense to the enemies, despite the hard look present on her face. Being the lone Medic of the Initiative, she didn't offer much to the team other than giving the members her developed Unstable Plasma treatment for them to take, the Doctor included. She didn't get into the details about what the treatment entailed, but since everyone trusted her, so did the Doctor. Now on the ground and her blood-bag polearm on full display, the pale-haired woman stood by at the ready with her healing equpiment.
The Doctor knew that the Sarkazian Medic was one of the most experienced Operators the company had to offer, with just over ten years of active combat experience - she was there when the first iteration of the RIDRS Initiative was activated - she was there when the main directive of the Program was changed into something much more sinister - she was there during the company's ups and downs and during his old command. With that kind of experience, despite just being a healer, she didn't look particularly concerned for herself, but didn't made an effort to expose herself to unnecessary danger, for she was still unarmed.
And then there was Amiya, a Caster-class Operator of the company, one of the few on the organization who could utilize their Originium Arts to their fullest potential. She exited the helicopter and adjusted the blue rings located on her delicate fingers, her catalysts to project her Arts, but kept it inactive for the time being. Despite her tender looks, like the other Initiative Operators, she was still ready for whatever the world could throw at her, let it be physical or mental punishment - proven how she still stood tall during his rescue from Chernobog, how she still kept her focus and senses sharp to face against the enemy forces.
For some reason, despite the Doctor still not being able to trust anyone within Rhodes Island, he felt this strange feeling of ease and familiarity with the brunette. Amiya herself clearly looked up to him and considered him to be a very important person, not just for the company, but for her own self as well - and thanks to her administrative duties at the company, she'd very rarely leave his side, unless the girl herself was involved in an active operation herself. Her loyalty to him was just something else, maybe that was the reason she even took up her own training to become a full-fledged member of the Program herself - to become a tool worthy for him to use.
Unsettling thoughts aside, he also noticed the LGD's forces pouring out from their own respective transports, with one of the more notable one being a green-haired Oni, Hoshiguma also taking the front to try and mimick the actions of their own Defender. The Lung Inspector was hot on her heels, as she too didn't want to miss out on the action and began pushing towards the enemy, while most of their other Operators began trading fire behind them.
It was honestly a bit chaotic, although he'd expected this scenario to happen, the field ended up being much more different than the one they'd thought up. That was when Amiya decided to announce his arrival to all of the deployed Operators for this operation. It was also then their radios cracked back to life with the Sniper team once again broadcasting that they were ready for their new orders - specifically the ones that'd come from the Doctor directly.
The Doctor then just repeated the plan he'd formulated back then, receiving no protest from the Snipers still perched on the cliff away from the action. They were not out of danger though, as he noticed some attack drones being sent over to their general location. He did try to send them a fair bit of warning that the action may just be the one who find them instead, to which the joint-team of Rhodes Island and Penguin Logistics Operators accepted their orders and information - and finally he left them to prepare with one single encouragement.
He wanted them to show him what they've got.
The irony was pretty palpable. For a group that supposed to be specialized in well... deep recon and strategic strikes, Warfarin felt like every single engagement she's been in ever since her return to the company had been anything but strategic. Sure some'd involved some reconnaisane, and they've been attacking at something, but every excursion she's been deployed to would always devolve to the usual senseless inelegance violence.
If she was being perfectly honest to herself, though - she wouldn't deny that it's been pretty exciting. Sure she didn't get to see much of the action happening up front thanks to her own class in being a Medic for the company. However, even as someone who'd taken the oath to do no harm - whenever possible - the Sarkaz found battles to be rather thrilling in a sense. Dangerous mindset to keep, but Operators like her were still conditioned to the stress of combat, even before the Doctor's amnesia.
Speaking of the Doctor, she couldn't help but to stare in awe at the masked man who braved through the enemy gunfire. She honestly didn't know if it's just because of his concentration or because the man was trying to show off. Even when reminded of his own personal safety and importance to the ongoing operation, the man only made minimal effort to make himself smaller, even as bullets whirled pass and missing their bodies, just goes to show hos focused the Doctor in his own focus.
It looked strange to the Medic, knowing the Doctor's newly shaped personality, a byproduct of his memory loss, she'd expected a man so passive, so indecisive, so easily overpowered by his own uncertainty and anxiety, and so against anything related to violence to be more appreciative in his own work in he office, away and blinded from the combat around him. She'd only heard stories and read reports of his sound and tactical mind that helped his own survival and the success of operation: CROSSBOW.
But looking at his visage right now, with his two feet planted firmly on the ground, back still straight despite his crouched position, and his masked head slowly panning around the area to scan the field. He didn't look comfortable, that's for sure - but at the same time, it's almost as if he felt right at home. With his apparent tranquility for all to see, it also created this sense of familiarity to the Sarkazian Operator, and it kinda made the man almost look... cool.
She couldn't believe she just thought about that. She shook her head a few times to perish the notion, the man was several times younger than her and probably was already spoken for. At least that's the idea she had in mind. Although she couldn't deny that she'd always been curious to at least taste some of his blood - for some reason, even unknown to herself. Still, with more and more female Operators seemingly giving their leader some misty eyes, coupled with his untrusting nature, it's been rather hard for anyone to approach him these days.
She... also couldn't believe she just thought about that. There would be time for gossips and rumors, and their situation obviously wasn't one of them. And so, she refocused her mind towards the Doctor's presence down on the ground with them instead. The request, or rather - order - came down all too suddenly as well. The first line-up of Operators were already chosen and their transport vehicle was already prepped to carry them to the field.
However, out of nowhere, the Doctor changed the set mission members and requested the members of the Initiative to be taken along - with him - to battle. Of course, like basically everyone, she was quick to object his strange decision that quite literally came out of the blue. There was no preparation done on his nor their side at all - sure, the Operators could adapt quickly and act accordingly to the ever changing situation of the battle, but the Doctor?
The last thing she wanted to do was to downplay his achievements in the battle of Chernobog, the fact that he's still even alive, and brought along some survivors from the city would be a testament at how capable the man's mind was - even with his amnesia. But the Doctor is the one person they just couldn't risk the safety of, especially considering his rather fragile mental state after the memory loss. In fact, seeing the man just cooped up inside his office, just silently making himself familiar with the company's paperwork was a familiarity these days.
He'd go for hours on end just sitting there, signing papers and approving expansion plans for the Headquarters, that honestly she almost forgot he existed - something that she shamefully had to admit. But it's not like she hated his more docile state either, it was interesting to see the Doctor in this new, much more reserved and soft-speaking person, and also one that would treat everyone like they're his equal. Equality was something that Rhodes Island always tried to uphold with all of their staff, employees, and Operators. Everyone was equal, man or woman, young or old, rookie or experienced, Infected or not. But no one was ever truly equal with the Doctor.
It was like - for better or worse - he was acting like a completely different man, and she didn't know whether she should be glad or worried about it, especially when taking into account of all of the things happening all around them. Still, if there's anything that didn't change between his old and new self, is the air of mystery that always seemed to shroud him, maybe it's the hood and helmet, maybe because it's because of the way he acted around other people in general. That, and his laser sharp concentration on anything that he deemed worthy enough of his attention.
And it looked like going to battle with what's left of the Program was important enough for him to present his thoughts to them. The question was - why though - and why now? He was so against the Initiative when he first heard about it - something that he created himself after the change in their directive from being a disaster relief task force. It couldn't be because of his memories returning to him, that's for sure - the way he acted around them suggested otherwise. So what was the motivation behind the sudden deployment?
To be honest, Warfarin didn't mind either way though - hell, it seemed like anyone - like the other Program Operators, or even Warden or Ace themselves - wouldn't mind if the Program was to remain frozen indefinitely. As a Medic herself, her MO wouldn't really change so much when it comes to how she'd operate on the field - the same goes with the other classes, they're basically still doing what they've already done - but in a very specific context in order to achieve their primary mission directive - or the company's best interests - and especially to serve the Doctor.
Maybe he was trying to gauge their chemistry and on-site performance first hand. And so far, they're still following his orders to a T - as best they could anyway. Rhodes Island and LGD Operators merged to fight as one, it was certainly a sight to behold, especially with all of the animosity hanging around between their factions, with this fragile peace held together a few set of orders from each of their superiors. Of course, now that the Operators from the Initiative were on the ground, they certainly had something to prove as well, not just to the Doctor, but to their employers. Nearl and Dobermann already took to the front, with something clear in their minds.
Warfarin was there as a Medic for the Strategic Strike Group. As a Medic, her more humane side dictated her to see the Reunion forces they're facing as victims of their circumstances, manipulated to fight and throw their lives for something that'll most likely just make the worldwide condition worse instead of better. As an Operator for the Initiative, however, she saw them as her enemies, as risk-factors to the company and especially to the Doctor, as obstacles that they needed to remove at once.
She had to detach herself from her emotions when it comes to deployments like these, it was basic procedure for all of the Program's Operators, for it'd be best to not let them be a distraction in their duties. But looking at the other Rhodes Island Operators around her, Nearl, Dobermann, even Amiya, clearly this wasn't the case for them. All of them had this same look of... anger, with so much negative energy radiating from them, like they're holding back this pent-up fury from exploding after keeping them in check for so long.
Then she remembered that they were also the ones present in the Doctor's rescue mission back in Chernobog. These were the same Operators who'd lost so much in their losing battle against the Reunion during their time in Ursus, the same ones who had to watch many of their friends and other comrades die in front of their eyes. If she had to guess, now they didn't simply see the Reunion as mere obstacles for the Initiative. They had a bone to pick with them, and they're ready to give whatever they got in full splendor.
She could see their Defender, Nearl, up at the front still advancing, with her teeth grinding so hard against each other that they may just produce sparks and break her jaw. Her usual golden eyes were dark and didn't carry the same amount of poise and neutrality as she charged forward, even going as far as almost leaving the formation of the other Defenders. The green-haired Oni of the LGD actually had to keep up with the Kuranta in her charge towards the enemy camp.
With her stance unfaltering, the warrior from Kazimierz chose her target and forced her feet to produce the needed strength to propel herself to crash against the enemy formation. Carrying her heavy armor and equipment with great speed and even precision. A group of three Reunion militants saw a blur of silver gaining speed to go against them, and they responded by refocusing their rifle fire at the Defender. Instead of slowing down, however, Nearl only gained that much more momentum with her charge, and with every bullet that ricocheted away from her sturdy shield only seemed to fuel her anger more and more.
Without words, only her own sense of suppressed fury, she delivered one mighty blow against a militant by driving her shield to slam against his body. All that built-up momentum was released at the point of impact, sending the Reunion member quite literally flying off the ground, floating a few meters up in the air, before falling back down several feet away from the Defender. This was also accompanied by the sounds of broken bones as her rigid steel left its mark on his ribs.
The Kuranta then was just about to react to the still-active threats in her vicinity, with two more shooters right on her flank. However a single string lurched forward from behind the Defender, making harsh contact against the feet of a militant. The troop in question couldn't even register that the painful sensation entered his left leg, when the string suddenly gained rigidity and tension. A certain Perro held her whip firmly on her grip, and Dobermann promptly pulled the weapon with her all of her strength before bringing it down with her body as she relaxed her grip.
As a response to her actions, the man's foot was then pulled along the ground, taking the militant down with it. Surprisingly he kept his death grip on his rifle, only out of reflex, as his muscles contracted due to sudden force that was put into his body. Dazed as he was dragged around, his vision swam and became unfocused as he only saw the dark sky above. What came next was the look of hatred coming from a Guard-class Operator, who gave a decisive kick on the side of his head, his ear suddenly ringing and feeling extensive amounts of pain. Even with him on the ground, it felt like he suddenly lost all of bodily controls and that he also got this urge to puke as he lost his balance. However, whatever he planned was silenced by another hard kick to the same place, knocking him out.
With one militant left still active, she picked her own softer target, being the Rhodes Island Perro that just knocked out her comrade. As long as she could get a bullet into her, it's enough. As she was just about to reaffirm her aim, however, a strong arm from her side slapped her rifle down, with a force so hard that even the militant herself almost lost her balance. Her eyes then shifted to look at her assailant, and she saw an eyeful of long green hair, and a pale horn.
Hoshiguma had her free hand secured on the militant's weapon, even as she tried to wrestle it away from her grasp, the Oni's incredible strength only forced the weapon closer and its master closer to her. The greenette then brought her large shield up so that her adversary's face would crash onto the metal frame instead. Slamming against the thick plate of steel, it dazed the militant and her grip on her firearm faltered. This gave room for the large Defender to make her next move. The LGD-affiliated Operator then wasted no time in also releasing her hand from the rifle, and it moved to seize her dominant wrist. She then promptly twisted it around as she also brought herself to her back, and pressing it in against her spine.
The sounds of the militant's screaming and the cracks of her broken hand broke off into the air. But Hoshiguma wasn't done with her maneuver yet. With her hand still secured on the shooter's now unusable wrist, she gave a shove to push the militant down to the ground, face first, letting the Reunion troop to eat some dirt and sand. Finally, she only gave a light pressure from her shield to the back of her neck, striking her vulnerable nerves, which caused her to black out instantly.
With the threat now dealt with, the three warriors shared each a brief glance at each other, unreadable, yet seemed to carry some respect to each of their fighting style. Still, the battle was far from over, as they'd just broken through the first defense line of their enemies. Taking note of their skirmish, a single Heavy Defender-class lumbered through, making his own way up to the three Operators, who also noticed his approach and prepared for imminent contact.
A contact that would never happen when a blur of black, blue, and red sped pass the other three Operators. The Lungmen Inspector, Ch'en had her blades ready at her sides as she plunged right towards the Heavy Defender. Her own crimson eyes were filled with her own sense of anger that was directed at the Reunion forces as a whole, but now it was much more focused on the nearly gargantuan-sized man who loomed over her. Taking his own stance to counter her advance, the Defender slowly drove his shield forward to bash her with it.
And the bluenette made minimal effort to evade it, the moment her feet made contact with the ground, she used it as an anchor point to pivot herself to the side, whilst using the momentum the Lung'd built up to keep her speed as she swerved pass the shield, positioning her right at his right flank. Her eyes then quickly darted around the Defender's heavily armored body, looking for any seams or relatively unprotected parts. She found her marks, the parts right under his armpits only had his black fabric between his skin, that, and his neck was particularly well-exposed as well.
Her gray blade on her dominant hand, she made the decision to arc her swing to make a simple, but deep cut that would still hurt should it make contact. And make contact it did, with the action making the Heavy Defender to groan as his offensive stance faltered. Still unsatisfied with her actions, Ch'en also had her red blade positioned in her off hand and had it strike the surprisingly well-protected calf. A shriek was produced when her sword grounded against the armor plates that were protecting his leg, but for some reason, the blade wouldn't be halted for long.
The redness only seemed to intensify as she focused her poorly-contained Arts and anger into that one stab, and the sword only regained back its momentum, and then some. Not only did the blade struck the Defender's leg, it straight up dislodged the limb free from the body. Disarmed and disabled, The Lungmen Inspector prepared to make her move to finish her downed adversary off, to which she did, by driving both of her blades down to his throat.
Warfarin could see the Doctor and Amiya flinch from her display of violence. For someone who always seemed to carry herself with poise and dignity, she certainly didn't offer a clean display to her engagement. Although the same statement could probably be shared amongst the other Operators, whose brawns quite literally made short work of the Reunion forces in the area. Still pretty ironic considering they were planning for an assault to take prisoners, though.
The pale-haired woman could see the power behind their strikes - and they certainly had the Operators' violent and negative emotions as they collided with the Reunion militants. But then again, there was a reason why those emotions intervened with their battle to begin with, and she wasn't the one to judge. Still, it was pretty curious how the LGD Inspector seemed to be the one who had been the most passionate in her engagements, though. She knew that the Lung wasn't too big of a fan for the Infected kind, but that was straight up overkill. Something either troubled or pissed her the hell off, either way, it resulted in the bloodbath currently happening in front of her.
As more of the LGD's Operators poured into the camp and their own Operators blending in with the mess, Amiya provided long-range assistance with any Casters that the LGD could afford to spare, which was... none. True to the nation's policy of frowning the use of Arts in general, as they were considered to be powers associated with the Oripathy infections. The brunette had her own hands full, quite literally, in summoning her Originium powers, her catalysts flaring brighter in color as she concentrated in producing her lances to bombard the any approaching enemies that could threaten their position, to which most of them came in the form of Drones.
The Sarkazian Medic herself wasn't particularly versed in mastering Arts, preferring the much more grounded method of medical interventions as her primary healing method. But with over ten years under her belt, she did manage to pick up some hints and pieces about medical or other restorative Arts, that she still distanced herself from using despite her apparent alignment for using them. That, and the fear of overusing them could have inverse effects on her still uninfected blood.
So she decided to wait for anyone to request for her help. At least the LGDs didn't cheap out on their Medics, who stood by alongside her, despite maintaining their own distance just to rub it on her face that they didn't trust her or the company she's affiliated with. No matter, they had their own orders, and she'd also briefed them on their positions should any of their Operators get injured, and how she'd also assist them should an emergency triage or field surgery was needed.
Orders continued to slip out from the Doctor's mask, directing their forces, despite the regressing situation that'd devolved the field into basically a battle of attrition. A battle that would soon end considering the camp seemed to had exhausted most of their forces due to the presence of experienced Operators on their side, and also thanks to the covering fire prior to their landing, provided from the Snipers located to the cliffs a few hundred meters away from their location.
She didn't have to wait for long, as at the corner of her crimson eyes, she could see a school of drones seemingly fell out of the sky after a spark erupted from their hulls. Said machineries plunged back down to the earth with wisps of smoke and electricity puked out of their sizeable holes. If she had to guess, it's the Anti-Air Snipers once again putting their skills to work after dispatching the ones that were to their vantage point. Either way, there was nothing to worry about.
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
"This is Zulu One-Three..." Adnachiel's shaky voice came out from the radio to announce their presence back to the group. "...We're sorry for the delay, we'll be resuming our covering fire."
There was something wrong though. The Medic'd expected the more familiar voice of the lead Zulu to be the one to call them. The boy that just called them also sounded way too stirred to even form his words for a few seconds after his pause. Judging from his intonation, he didn't sound hurt, but was psychologically shaken or maybe shocked because of something, something that warranted a concern for him, at least.
"Roger, Zulu. Good to have you back," The Doctor gave his answer to the team, not noticing the troubled tones of the one who contacted them.
"...But we have encountered a problem, Doctor," He continued, trying his best not to stutter. "...One-Actual took a hit to the head."
Chapter XVI: Coetus Impetum
Shots rang through the wilderness of the forest, the sound and miniature shockwaves produced from the claps alone were enough to disturb the snow that'd settled on the trees, causing some patches of the cold matter to fall down to the ground. A single masked Sarkazian watched as his intended target run away from his sight, a tall, proud animal of four legs and a pair of hard antlers skipped through the snow before disappearing entirely behind the jungle of treelines.
His cold breaths escaped through his rebreather, immediately fogging up alongside the low temperatures of the environment. Despite his silence, his body language displayed clear evidence of his frustrations as he lowered a gunmetal Wargram back down, to aim harmlessly at nothing in particular. Not located far from where he stood, a single male, bearded Kuranta merely watched with his own polarized glasses and gave a shake of his head.
"...That was bad. Sorry," The masked one admitted, his voice sounded neutral, though it carried a hint of shame.
The Kuranta seemed to agree with his statement with a sigh. "...Yes, yes it was," The much larger Kuranta proceeded to fold his arms, just a way to show his disapproval. "You know that you shouldn't even be up and about yet. I've heard about your recent surgery - about your hand. I know you're eager to prove yourself because you just got a new prosthetic, but you're not even cleared to walk or receive therapies yet - let alone having live-fire hunting sessions."
The Sarkaz's head shook once. "...I know," He replied, more of his icy breath escaping through the ports of his mask. "...I just can't let the Oripathy beat me before I can manage to do some good for the company."
"You're not proving anything to anyone by forcing and hurting yourself," The older one reminded sharply. "Keep doing this and it won't be the Infection to put you down."
His shame seemed to weigh heavier by the second, to the point that he couldn't keep his head straight anymore. "I know. Sorry."
The man with the glasses sent a frown to his way. "Just what's gotten into you recently?" He went closer to the sulking one. "Something on your mind?"
"...Yeah," Came his brief reply, finding just enough of his courage to finally face the man. "I was actually hoping that we could talk for a bit - and maybe you could share your wisdom with me too. Would you be willing to listen, dad?"
His head nearly reeled back at the request. "You're reaching for the wrong guy if you're looking for wisdom. It's the Doctor that you want to speak to when it comes to stuff like this," He stared a bit longer at the reflective visor of his rebreather, his silence seemed to be respectful to his decision, but he could almost sense his disappointment, despite not being shown. "...Shit, you know what, wipe that puppy look from your face. You're making your old man look bad. Let's find a place to sit."
"...Roger."