Let the search for the mad surgeon commence!

Neptunia Guild Files: Fate/book one

A Hyperdimension Neptunia Fan Fiction

by Derald Snyder

Section 33: Searching for Dr. Victor

*The Bullpen*

"So according to Mr. Sherman," Archer began, "Dr. Victor would meet him at the back of the funeral home, and he always paid in cash. So trying to track him down that way is out."

"Where would he get the money, though?" Nero asked.

"Well, surgeons are paid quite handsomely, last I checked," Rider said. "He might have had some money saved up... also, he could have sold some of those parts on the black market for extra cash. After all, that's what he confessed to doing when he got caught the first time..."

"But that's not his endgame," IF cut in. "Remember, his former co-workers said he was obsessed with creating new life from death..."

"So, what, was he trying to make a new human by piecing together all these parts he chopped off?!" Rider argued. "Is that even possible?!"

"Clearly, he was more than mad enough to try it!" Nero asserted.

"Grrr..." Tamamo abruptly got up from her chair, engulfed in a fiery aura. "How dare this man disrespect the souls of the dead like this, mikon! That kid wanting extra money for tuition, that I could excuse, but this...!"

"You are getting too hot under the collar, Caster," Saber Alter stated. "Might I suggest going down to the training area to blow off some steam? If you wish, I can be your opponent... Darkness or not, I have exceptionally high magic resistance, so you do not have to fear killing me by accident."

"...Probably not a bad idea," Tamamo nodded curtly, promptly making her way to the elevator, Saber following after her.

"Perhaps we should call it a day and start the search anew tomorrow?" Nero suggested.

"Right, we'll start running down new leads in the morning," Archer agreed.

"Fine by me..." Rider sighed as she leaned back in her chair.

*The next day...*

"So where are we going?" Nero asked Rider, Tamamo riding along with them on Bellerophon.

"Back to HeartCare Hospital!" Rider shouted back. "I want to talk to his co-workers, see if there was anyplace he liked to hang out!"

"Why would he leave his rental car at his old workplace, though, if he was fired?" Tamamo yelled over the wind and engine noise.

"The hospital has it's own incinerator for biohazards and medical waste!" Rider replied. "Dr. Victor likely knew the building like the back of his hand, he knew how to sneak in and get rid of parts he didn't need or couldn't sell! That's probably what he planned on doing with that head after he cut the eyes out!"

"But he did not plan for his rental to be stolen by those chop shop miscreants!" Nero exclaimed.

"Probably just bad luck!" Rider suggested. "And yet if it hadn't been for that, we never would've realized anything fishy was going on! It's just like Sister Martha from my old home used to say: Everything happens for a reason, even if we don't understand it!"

"I can agree with that, mikon!" Tamamo concurred...

*Back at the bullpen...*

Archer had his head resting on his arms as he lay slumped over his desk, gently snoring away... Saber Alter sat next to him keeping a silent vigil. She lifted her head up, however, as she heard someone approach... seeing an NPC agent watching them, she stated, "He had a rough night last night," in a tone that would brook no argument.

"Because of you?" the NPC guessed. Getting a silent glare in response, he raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I won't pry. Look, do you know where Agent IF is?"

"She was called to the Basilicom by Lady Neptune," Alter replied...

*Planeptune Basilicom*

"Whew, thanks for helping me handle that Quest, Iffy!" Neptune said as she, IF, and MarvelousAQL walked through the entrance. "And Marvy, too!"

"Always happy to help!" Marvy beamed. "By the way, is there something on your mind, Iffy?"

"Nothing big. Just Guild business," IF shrugged.

Neptune raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? This had better not be like when Oceanside Town almost got leveled by dragons! I only found out about that because Marvy told me..."

"I guess I should've mentioned it sooner, huh?" Marvy's smile became a bit forced.

"No, no, it's nothing like that this time, I promise," IF shook her head. "And besides, I didn't really know what was going on myself until later..."

"So, what's this case about?" Marvy asked.

"Oh, we're just trying to find this guy who had a severed head in his car trunk..."

"Ewww!" Neptune's eyes shrank to circles. "I know it's almost Halloween, but yuck!"

"Yuck indeed," IF agreed. "We tracked down one of his accomplices, but we don't know where to look next..."

"Y'know, speaking of Halloween," Marvy spoke up, "I was doing some ninja training in the forest northwest of here, and I saw something really weird!"

"Like what?" IF asked curiously.

"Well, it was this abandoned house off a dirt road," the kunoichi explained. "I'd seen it before, but I didn't pay it much mind... but this time, there was, like, a big lightning storm going on! But the craziest thing is, it was only right over that house! The skies were completely clear elsewhere!"

"Hmm..." IF pondered. "Guess that's something the Guild should look into..."

"Do ya want me to come along?" Neptune asked.

"Neptune!" Histoire's voice rang out. "You left a mess in the gaming room again! Have we not discussed this before? And you have paperwork to complete as well!"

"Aw, snap! Histy is Pissty, again!" Neptune freaked, sweating profusely. "I better get on that stuff before she gives me another three-hour lecture...!" She promptly ran off to soothe the fairy's wrath.

"Poor Nep," Marvy lamented. "I'd like to help, too, but I've got ninja stuff to take care of, myself..."

"It's fine, we can handle it," IF said with a smile. "Thanks for the tip, anyway..."

*A short while later...*

"No luck?" Saber Alter commented upon seeing the despondent faces of Rider, Nero, and Tamamo as they walked into their work area.

"None whatsoever!" Nero declared in despair.

"(Yawn)... Ugh, did I miss anything?" Archer groaned as he roused, rubbing his eyes.

"Just a big fat goose egg," Rider grumbled. "I'm fresh outta ideas how to track that mad doctor down..."

"I might have a lead," IF suddenly spoke up as she joined them. "It might not be related to Dr. Victor, but it's something we should check out, regardless..."

"So what is it?" Tamamo inquired, IF promptly explaining what Marvy had told her...

"An abandoned house with an isolated lightning storm?!" Nero mused. "Ah! What if it's related to Dr. Victor's house being burned down by a lightning strike?! Perhaps he was testing a lightning rod and it went all wrong!"

"I don't think so," Archer shook his head, before yawning again. "(ahem) The fact that he had that dental student pull his teeth meant his faked death was premeditated, not improvised..."

"Fine, then he deliberately used the lightning rod to burn his house down!" Nero amended.

"But what is he using it for this time, if that is him in that house?" Saber Alter pondered.

"Simple! He wishes to use electricity to bring his patchwork creation to life!" Nero proclaimed. "It's ALIVE! It's ALIIIIIVE!"

"Alright, alright, we get it!" Rider yelled with her hands over her ears. "Didn't Saber tell you about being too loud in here?!"

"I was just making a point," Nero lowered her voice a bit.

"Point taken," Archer said, standing up. "Alright, lemme stretch a bit, then we'll head out to that place. Saber, you hold down the fort in case someone calls with a tip..."

"Very well... I wish I could join you, but given what happened last time... I will just say, good luck, Shirou," Saber said.

"The doctor's gonna be needing some luck if and when I get my hands on him, mikon!" Tamamo vowed. "And his patchwork creation will get burned to ashes, as well!"

So once Archer was ready, the group of five headed out...

*To be continued...*

Next, the Guild attempts to raid the mysterious 'lightning house'... but what will they find there? Stay tuned! ;-)