Death Sentence
"Infected? Oripathy?" Ruby spoke. "What is that?"
"Do you remember this?" Amiya said as she showed her a certain stone.
"Y-Yeah, that's the Dust imitation that Dr. Kal'tsit showed to Weiss and I." The girl replied. "What about it?"
"Actually, this is not an imitation of Dust, but rather Originium."
"Originium," Doctor joined the conversation, a paper in their hand. "It's a crystalline mineral that contains a high energy yield and as such is used to fuel the technological advancement of Terra."
"So, basically, Dust?" Weiss asked.
"Well, according to this paper, yes, except one." They picked up four more papers. "Here you go."
Doctor gave each member of Team RWBY a paper. They soon realized that it was a medical report about them. They wondered for a while about the report and the meaning behind it before one of them noticed something.
"Um, what is 'Cell-Originium Assimilation' and 'Blood Originium-Crystal Density'?" Blake asked, seeing the two unfamiliar terms.
"It's a way to measure how much Originium is in your body," Amiya explained. "Because of how prevalent the usage of Originium is, it's important for those who are involved with the mineral to be checked."
"Originium…Oripathy…" The black-haired girl muttered those words before her eyes widened. "Wait, don't tell me…!"
She looked at her report. Then looked at the ones in Weiss and Yang's hand. Finally, she focused her attention on the report that Ruby had.
"W-Why is Ruby…?" Her face became pale. "She's not at…0% like us and in her blood…it's 20 times more than us."
Upon hearing that, the other two members of the team immediately look at their leader's medical report. Indeed, according to the report, Ruby had a higher amount of Originium inside her.
"W-Well, it's just 8%," Yang said. "I am sure it's nothing too bad, right?"
"Miss Xiao Long." The Cautus girl said. "There's a reason why it's called Cell-Originium Assimilation."
The blonde blinked several times, trying to remember the meaning of the word, before her eyes widened, followed by the blood leaving her face.
"Are…are you saying that…that Ruby…?" She was unable to make a coherent sense. "Her body…cells are turning into…into Originium?"
"You've met Lappland, correct?" Amiya said. "Remember the black crystals on her body?"
"…those are her skin, right?" The faunus said, connecting the dots. "Her skin has turned into Originium."
"That is correct." Doctor replied. "Crystal lesion is one of the most common signs of Oripathy. Currently, Ruby doesn't have one, but from experience, I can say that it's only a matter of time."
Hearing that, the girl in question subconsciously touched the part of her body that was wounded. There was something rough when she did that. She hoped that it was simply her imagination running wild. She remembered checking that there was nothing there.
"W-Well, you guys are a pharmaceutical company, right?" Yang spoke, this time sounding more panicked. "T-That means you g-guys must…"
"Yang." The white-haired girl put her hand on the shoulder of her teammate. "Miss Amiya just said not long ago that one of the goals of Rhodes Island is to find the cure for Oripathy."
"Indeed." The head of Rhodes Island confirmed. "Not only the cure is still being researched, Oripathy is also a disease with a 100% fatality rate."
After saying that, Amiya saw how the faces of the entire team became pale. Their heads slowly turned towards her, as if unable to believe what she had just said.
"100…percent…?" Ruby spoke slowly, her hands trembling. "As in…"
"There's no one recorded that has ever survived being infected." Doctor explained. "Currently, Rhodes Island could only slow down the progress of the infection. When one is infected with Oripathy, it's a matter of when – not if – they would die."
The moment they finished talking, the girl suddenly for her legs losing their strength and collapsed to the floor.
"RUBY!"
"Here you go." A brown-haired woman gave her herbal tea. "This should calm you down."
"T-Thank you." The red-haired girl said as she accepted the tea.
"You're welcome." She replied before turning her attention at a certain masked person, frowning. "Seriously, Doctor. You shouldn't drop the bomb just like that."
"I-I know." The person in question rubbed their hood-covered head. "I just believe that with news as important as this, beating around the bush is not something that one should do."
"That's no reason to be so blunt about it though."
"In any case, thank you for your help, Perfumer." The Cautus said to the operator. "You can return to your previous task."
"Very well then." The woman, Perfumer, turned her attention back to her patient. "If you have any problem, don't hesitate to come to me, OK?"
"O-Of course," Ruby replied with a nod.
With that, she left the room, leaving Amiya and Doctor with the team.
"Have you calm down yet, Ruby?" The brown-haired girl asked.
"Yes, I believe so." The girl said, sipping on the tea. "You…You can continue, Miss Amiya."
"Very well. As the Doctor said, there's no cure for Oripathy, it has 100% fatality rate, and so far, Rhodes Island could only slow down the progress." At that, the huntress-in-training flinched. "The silver lining is that it shouldn't be that long since you got infected. This means that we could give you the treatment during the earliest stage. You should be able to live to your 30 or even 40s."
That was not really comforting, considering how common it was for people to live to their 60s or even 70s. Considering Professor Port, that included the huntsmen. On the other hand, considering her situation, that was indeed a silver lining.
"This treatment is not free, isn't it?" Weiss suddenly said.
"No, it's not. It will be nice if we could do that, but without money, we couldn't fund the treatment." Amiya stated. "However, Rhodes Island is more flexible when it comes to being paid compared to other companies."
"That's where we joining Rhodes Island comes in, right?" Blake joined in. "By joining you, we could pay for Ruby's treatment."
"Indeed. Worry not, many of our members are also patients. They joined to pay for their treatment."
"To be fair," Doctor spoke. "Being infected, it's not like they have much choice when it comes to a job."
The heiress nodded. From what she saw, the employees of Rhodes Island seemed to be happy with their conditions. She remembered once seeing a happy-go-lucky – not unlike her leader – Perro dragging a Vulpo around. It was quite disconcerting since now, she knew that one or both of them could be infected by a disease with a 100% fatality rate.
Did Rhodes Island exploit the Infected? One could argue that that could be the case. However, considering what she knew of Atlas, it was without doubt that Rhodes Island took care of their employees, which was much better compared to the ones back home.
"What kind of job we would do?" She asked. "I mean, I don't think we have any experience of working in the pharmaceutical company."
"Ah, now that you mention it," The Cautus took a paper from her pocket. "Are you by any chance huntresses?"
"Still in-training," Ruby answered. "Why?"
"If that's the case, then I suggest joining our combat operator teams."
"Why would a pharmaceutical company need combat teams?" Yang asked, suspicious.
"For protection, of course." The masked doctor replied as if the answer was obvious. "Many lands in Terra tend to lack protection from the government that claimed it. The Ark faces threats from not only wild animals but also bandits."
"Well, convoy protection is one of the jobs that huntresses do." The faunus stated. "This shouldn't be too dissimilar."
"Then I don't think there's anything wrong with it." The leader of the team stated. "We attend Beacon to become a huntress. Due to our situation, technically speaking we're about to become one much earlier."
"Ruby's right." The white-haired girl agreed. "Our situation requires us to gain a job soon. Rhodes Island is willing to accept us even though we're amateurs; we're just students not even a few days ago. If we accept their offer, we could – at the very least – pay for Ruby's medical fee."
"I take that as a 'yes,' then?" Doctor said.
The members of Team RWBY looked at each other before turning their eyes towards them, giving a nod.
"Very well then."
It was dinner time at the Ark.
After the meeting several hours ago, none of them had much appetite and decided to just grab some toasts for their meal. Even then, they only ate half of their food before the three of them focused their attention on the contract that they received.
Ruby was not with them. She was currently having her first meeting for Oripathy treatment. Once again, the thought of her condition plagued their mind. They knew about the many dangers that huntsman would face in their job, but this… This was something else.
"Well, at least we don't have to worry about finding a way home," Yang commented as she sighed.
"Huh?" Weiss and Blake turned their heads towards her.
"I mean, you know, Ruby has Oripathy and needs treatment for the rest of her life. Unless the cure is found, that is." The blonde stated. "These Originium and Oripathy stuff don't exist back home. If we go back, Ruby couldn't return with us."
"I see your point." The black-haired girl stated, nodding her head.
The two of them soon noticed that their partner hasn't said her opinion. They turned their attention to her, who seemed to be conflicted judging from her face.
"Weiss," The faunus opened her mouth. "Is there something wrong?"
"Oh, nothing." The white-haired girl replied. "I am just…quite unsure about our situation."
"What do you mean?" Yang asked.
"Well, as you said, Ruby's condition means that we're in no way to return." The heiress explained. "However, I am sure the professors would be worried due to us missing."
"Oh, yeah. Now that you mention it…" The brawler scratched her head. "Damn, I just remember that Dad and Uncle Qrow would be worried as well! Ooh, how am I going to tell them about Ruby?"
The other two members of Team RWBY couldn't help but wince upon hearing that. They…didn't exactly leave home on the best relationship with their parents, to say the least.
"In any case," Weiss said, trying to change the subject. "While I agree that finding a way home is currently not the top priority, at the very least, we should make a plan of contacting Beacon, telling the professors that there's nothing to worry about."
"You're right." Blake agreed before her eyes suddenly widened. "Uh, oh. It's almost over."
Wondering what she meant, her teammates looked around and saw that the employees of Rhodes Island had finished their dinner and were exiting the cafeteria. Seeing that, they realized what their partner meant and quickly finished their meals.
"So, Ruby, can you repeat what I said?"
"Um, drink the tablet three times each day and the capsules two times each day. Both of them are drunk after a meal."
"Correct. Most importantly, don't forget to drink them, OK?"
"O-Of course! Thank you, Dr. Atro."
"My pleasure."
With that, Ruby exited the infirmary, carrying a bag containing her medicine. As she walked through the hallway, the little girl couldn't help but let out a sigh.
It was still quite unbelievable, the fate that had befallen upon her. She had been shown not just the X-ray photo of her body but also seeing her own blood under the microscope. It was clear that there was a foreign Dust-like object – Originium – inside her. Yet accepting it proofed to be harder.
Never death has been closer to her than this. Even against a large pack of Grimm, she was always confident that she would get out alive. Not unscratched maybe, but alive nonetheless. This time though?
100%. That was the fatality rate of Oripathy and there was no cure for the disease in existence. The girl looked at the bracelet she was wearing; a device that monitored her health. A constant reminder that she was living on borrowed time, for, without the treatment, she would die much earlier.
But for her, the worst part was a realization; realization that she might not be able to go back home. Originium – as far as she could tell – didn't exist in Remnant, meaning that Oripathy didn't exist as well. This in turn meant that the treatment for the disease didn't exist back home.
If she returned with her current condition, she would die. Likely long before she could graduate from Beacon.
So focused she was on her mind that Ruby didn't realize she was about to crash into someone. And crashed they both did.
"Oomph!"
"Ow!"
The girl fell on her stomach while the woman fell on her butt. Both of them whimpered for a while before standing up from the floor.
"S-Sorry about that." The red-haired girl said as she dusted her clothes.
"Don't worry, it's nothing." She replied before noticing something near her feet. "Hmm?"
The Feline picked up the bag containing medicine. Since she didn't carry it with her, it was obvious to whom it belonged.
"This is yours, right?" She said, offering the bag to Ruby.
"Y-Yeah. Thanks." The girl replied as she accepted it.
"Speaking of which, I've never seen you before." The woman commented. "You're a new patient?"
"I am. Maybe would be more than that. I am considering joining Rhodes Island to pay for the medical fee."
"I see. If that's the case, then I would be your senior then!"
"Eh?" Ruby looked closer at the woman and noticed the name tag that she wore. "B…Blaze…?"
"Yep! Rhodes Island elite operator, Blaze!" The Feline introduced herself. "And you are…?"
"I am Ruby." She immediately answered. "Ruby Rose."
"Nice to meet you then, Ruby." The grin on her face disappeared, showing a more serious expression. "So, I take it that it's only recently that you're infected, right?"
"Y-Yes." At that, her mood went down once more. "How do you know that, Miss Blaze?"
"Just call me Blaze." The operator stated. "As for I know, well, that kind of depression – along with your medicine – could only lead to one conclusion. It's easy to detect after seeing so many of us act like that."
"T-that's right. I found out about it today." She said before noticing something. "'Us?' You're Infected as well?"
"I am. Has been for years." Blaze stopped talking for a while before continuing. "You know, being the older Infected and the fact that I am going to be your senior, I suppose I should be giving you some advice regarding the drastic change that you experienced."
"Um, what do you mean?"
"Well, as you know, being an Infected is hard. I am not just talking about the disease, but also how we are discriminated by society."
At that, Ruby couldn't help but gulp. She was no stranger to discrimination. After all, one of her teammates was a victim of one and such a thing predated even the existence of huntsman. To be fair, the profession wasn't even a century old, but still…
In short, she knew that becoming a victim of one would not be a good experience, to put it lightly.
"People would talk behind your back, basic service rejected, not allowed to go to certain places…" The Feline operator listed it off. "So, yeah, not exactly an easy life."
"Urm…" The girl tried to say something but was unable to.
"Listen, I am sorry that I said it in such a blunt way." Blaze said. "But I rather not sugar-coated it. I said it again, life as an Infected is not an easy one, especially thanks to Reunion's recent action."
"Reunion?" Her mind went back to the news that she watched at the library. "Ah, they're the ones who attacked Chernobog."
"Indeed." She gritted her teeth. "Not only that, Rhodes Island lost many operators thanks to them."
"Oh. I-I am sorry to hear that."
"Thanks." She smiled a bit. "Now, about your depression, that's a little bit more difficult. Everyone has a different way to overcome it and this is the first time we met."
"I…get it." Ruby nodded. "So, after more meetings, you can tell me what to do?"
"Hopefully. Though I rather suggest that you go to the experts." The woman replied. "Or if going to a psychiatrist is too much for you, just visit Amiya. She knows how to handle this much better than I."
"I see. Thank you for your time, Blaze."
"No problem. Rhodes Island is always willing to provide help for the Infected. Don't be afraid to ask for help."
With that, the two females went their separate way. The younger one was still in a bad condition, yet one could say that it had improved.
When Ruby entered the dorm, she saw that her sister was already sleeping, judging from the snoring voice that she made. On the other hand, her other two teammates – Weiss and Blake – were still awake, albeit already in their pajamas, provided by Rhodes Island.
"Oh, Ruby." The heiress noticed her first. "You're back."
"Yeah." The leader of the team replied as she put down her bag on a table. "She's already asleep, huh?"
"Indeed." The white-haired girl said. "She seems to be very tired."
"By the way, Blake." She turned her attention to her other teammate. "What're you reading?"
"A book about the people of Terra, borrowed from the library." The faunus showed it to her. "It's very interesting. Most of the people here would be considered as Faunus back home, yet they consider themselves differently based on their physical traits. It's a…unique experience seeing another perspective."
Upon hearing the word "Faunus," Ruby's mind went back to the meeting that she had earlier.
"Hey, Blake." She spoke, trying not to being insensitive. "You were…a member of…White Fang, right?"
"Um, yes?" The black-haired girl replied, confused by the question. Weiss also showed the same expression.
"And you've been experiencing…discrimination, right?"
"Ruby, what is it?" Now she became worried.
"Well, I met an operator earlier." The red-haired girl told them. "She said that…Infected face not only the disease but also…but also discrimination."
"Oh." At that, the former White Fang became downcast.
She really should've expected that. While Faunus discrimination was the most well-known in Remnant, there were other forms of discrimination, like how the Vacuans were considered savages for disregarding law and order or the Atlesians being considered stuck-up upper lips who couldn't do anything without an army of servants.
It seemed that no matter the place or time, discrimination would always exist.
"So, you want to know about my experience regarding that?" Blake guessed.
"Yep." The girl nodded. "If it's not too much of a bother."
"No, don't worry about it." The black-haired girl said. "You're my friend, Ruby and you've accepted me for who I am, both as a faunus and as a former criminal. It's only right I help you back in return."
"I suppose I could help as well." Weiss joined in. "I have enough experience of being the…guilty party of this subject. I guess I can help you in being careful with those that are more subtle in showing their 'displeasure.'"
"Thanks, Blake, Weiss." Their leader said before she yawned, soon followed by themselves. "Um, can we do this tomorrow?"
Both of them nodded their heads. Blake closed her book and put it on the table before returning to her bed with Ruby going into the WC, wanting to change into her pajamas.
"So, who exactly are they?"
Amiya turned her attention away from the papers in her hands to look at Doctor who was currently working on a stack of paper.
"To be honest, I am not so sure myself." The Cautus replied. "I am simply using the information Dr. Kal'tsit provided to me as references on what to say. If I have to guess, they're likely a group of warriors from a faraway land. So far away that they don't know anything about Originium."
"Well, there's a lot of area in Terra that's still unexplored, so that's possible." They stated before pinching their nose. "Say, this is the last stack, isn't it?"
"Yep. Don't worry, there's no more after this."
"Good. Seriously, it's as if Kal'tsit wants me dead due to overwork or something."
She decided not to comment on that statement, considering what she knew about the relationship between the two doctors.
"Excuse me for a moment." Doctor suddenly declared as they stood up from their seat. "I am just going to get some snack."
"Ah, Doctor, don't forget your mask!" The girl reminded them.
"Don't worry. No one will recognize me."
As she watched them exited the room, Amiya couldn't help but sigh, hoping that Doctor wouldn't eat anything weird. That was their habit when they were tired or rather "lacking sanity," as Kal'tsit and Closure put it.
Answers to some reviews:
OldNovelHistory: Thanks :)
Abyss Watchers' Favorite Cook: According to the information I managed to gather, the events (with the exception of Darknights' Memoir) occurred after chapter 8, after Reunion was taken down.
Alright, so the next chapter will be the interaction between Team RWBY and other Operators of Rhodes Island.
If you have a question or suggestion, feel free to tell me.
Review, please!