EX-1 Palpitation


"Spend your time wisely it is a transient little thing after all."


Let's turn back the clock a while and see the bonds that the he had made before such pain dawned, a time where a lone bunny still had yet to grasp her true self.

The second day the Doctor reunited with Rhodes Island.

0o0

The enigma of a Doctor woke up to the sound of an alarm, signaling the a new day dawning. He dealt with his hygiene and washed his body inside and out and put on his work attire.

"Still can't believe that I'm awake..." He wondered how long was he in a sarcophagus? Why was he there in the first place? Surely Amiya and Kal'tsit would know, how else did they find him at Ursus?

It was a good thing that the halls aren't as jam-packed with people this time of the day. The first day that he was brought back to the Ark, he can hear murmurs at every place he went or curious glances. There was even this Feline who looked at him, seemingly evaluating his strength.

Terra is home to various cultures and biological differences because of the innate classification of the Ancients. Some are nocturnal whilst the others are diurnal, other Ancients even sleep for weeks if their biological clocks dictate it as needed. It will take the Doctor to get used to his co-workers schedules and unique traits and Talents, but it's par for the course because of his job; a tactician.

If it weren't for Rhodes Island being kind enough to make it's own map application, the Doctor would be sure that he would get lost wandering through the Ark. Going through the mess hall, he saw who was in charge of feeding everyone for breakfast, Gummy and Matterhorn we're happily attending to everyone's most important meal of the day.

"Mornin' Doctor!" Gummy greeted cheerfully, the spry girl was in her element here serving the other Operators. The monument of a Minos nodded respectfully at him, not wasting time to attend to the food they are making for everyone.

Seeing the Doctor has no idea what to get as his breakfast Gummy took a plate and put an arrangement of various breakfast items on it. "Here Doctor, I guess you forgot what you prefer for food too...so tada, one standard Ursus breakfast on a plate, Wurstbrot, Butterbrot, a stack of pancakes and some tvorog on the side." Gummy smiled, assuring the Doctor that his meal will be delicious if there is one thing Gummy likes to see is people well-fed.

"Delicious..." The Doctor was at awe at the food, arrangement and how skilled the young Ursus was at the kitchen even though from what he knew after some light reading of the Operator list, she joined Rhodes Island while he was recovering from his awakening at Chernobog.

0o0

After downing a glass of coffee and eating the delectable dishes that the kitchen crew had made, he went towards Closure's workshop. The Sarkaz woman was quite adamant that he should be there even though he should relearn what his duties are outside of the battlefield.

Loud noises of machinery can be heard throughout her personal workshop, it was as if he went inside a factory of some sort. Automated devices and systems powered by Originium did tests on her experiments on engineering, gadgets that no doubt would benefit Rhodes Island if they see the light of day.

Naturally, this isn't a normal day for the girl. She was awaiting the arrival of the amnesiac Doctor excited at the prospect of him being a willing participant on her technological endeavors. The data she saw and the reports they received lit a fire in her ingenious mind, there was no way in hell she won't strike a deal for this promising test subject.

"Hey Closure, I'm here what do you need me for?"

He waited for while he was haring footsteps and metal clanking getting near him, a few seconds later Closure came, soot and oil decorating the shut-in engineer.

"Oh, you're here good...sorry for the mess I've been working on the clock on stuff so I never had time to fix things."

The Doctor highly doubted that she's usually clean and proper by her attire, a large shirt covering her up to her legs, and the dusty mess in her workshop was proof enough.

"You don't remember who I am, so I guess this our first time meeting huh?" Closure side-glanced, "Ada Church at your service, codenamed "Closure." the chief engineer here at the Ark."

The re-introduced Sarkaz scurried around her jacket's pockets, relieved that she found what she was looking for she presented towards the Doctor.

"Here, something I think you'll find useful." It was a mechanism of some sort, something that should be strapped to the wrist. A funny-looking hook was at the end of the cord, the catch mechanism was exposed but for a device like this it didn't seem like an issue.

Closure gestured him to put it on, inside his sleeves the device has protruding at the end of his sleeve.

"Kal'tsit would be annoyed at me if take too much of your time so I'll be brief." She pointed at the Doctor's left arm, "I'm here to strike a deal with you, it's only appropriate that I'll entice you with something first."

That something is that mechanical tool of some sort attached to the Doctor's wrist. While putting the surprisingly cold steel into his arm was a bit foreign to his body, it fit snugly like a watch. He fiddled with the thing unsure of what it does.

"That's a prototype wrist-mounted grappling hook, actually I got that idea from reading a comic of Arachnodude and thought that it would be a good idea." Closure then ushered themselves out of her workshop, "We better make it quick and head to Training Hall 001 to test that thing out."

0o0

Only a few people where seen training at this hall, since this place was also strategically located that's why only those who truly wished to polish their skills or those who are personally called by one of the head staff can be seen working up a sweat.

People like Matterhorn and Firewatch enjoy the silence of training here, unimpeded by the ruckus their friends sometimes make.

A perfect place to test whatever Closure comes up with.

"Who have thought that I'd be seen stepping into this place." Closure changed into a skintight Operator outfit as it is required to at least wear on-the-field apparel, even though the feeling of pants was foreign to her she wanted to see her "baby's" performance firsthand.

Shifting Variable Training Ground System to "Cityscape"

Blocks and railings shifted to accommodate for the request that Closure inputted on the room console. The whited out facsimile of a cityscape was the perfect testing ground she concurred.

"Still..there's one thing you forgot to mention to me Closure..." Her tester was doubtful that the Sarkaz beside him was being one-hundred-percent truthful, "I find it hard to believe that such a complicated piece of technology was made on a whim that of all people I was selected by you to test it out."

Closure gulped, it seems that she was caught seeing nothing wrong with admitting it she sighed, "Well yeah I made it well before your return...but not even the physically enhanced Operators here can handle the stress and tension that the wearer's wrist can carry but after seeing..."

"So Dr. Kal'tsit's recipient of my data was you?" The vampire girl was a bit taken aback at how casual he said that conclusion, somewhere at the back of her head she thought the Doctor would be as cold as the ice he can make with Spirit ARTS of his.

She could only nod as the Doctor's tension dropped, "I see, you believe that my power was enough resilience to counteract the force of momentum and gravity?"

He readied the device on his wrist, even after their quick chat the stage shifting was not yet finished. For him that's all what he needed to hear, he trusts Kal'tsit so putting some of that to Closure who wants to see her work as a success is fine for him.

They still had thirty minutes on the clock before he gets the rundown of how things in the Ark work so he should get down to business.

"Wait, you have to take in a proper stance first so make the cord tension less of a burden to your arm."

However, the Doctor smirked confident to test out his and her work's limitations; he aimed at a whited out wall and readied the trigger in a casual stance."

"Eh, I'll wing it." The Doctor fired the bolt of of the grappling hook and proceeded to perform.

It was a sight to see, his posture while using was awful; she's an engineer and she could tell that any lesser tester would have their arms ripped off clean or have broken, well everything.

Yet this lunatic of a physician, did a flip before firing at another ledge. A chorus of cheers and happy giggles reverberated through the room as some of the few Operators who made this their "chamber of silence" were treated to a dietary sight compared to what Closure had seen.

"By Terra...he shattered all my expectations." Her jaw dropped to the ground and after that the acrobat was done, he really was eager to test his limits she could see the reason why now that he wears his heart on his sleeve.

The inner guilt of being absent from his duties for Terra knows how long, the deaths of those who saved him and brought him back, beneath the thrill was a man eating at himself for his lack of strength.

After a few minutes the Doctor stopped with the testing, he was slightly winded but he still had loads of energy in him.

"Phew, so are the results satisfactory?"

Closure nodded, she was pleased with what she got and the surplus of ideas to develop with the Doctor as the tester she can't wait to use the data, "Yeah, thanks a bunch...so about our deal?"

"You be my device tester and I give you better tools...and overtime I can adjust the development of the products so that I can outsource them to our Operators..."

The devilish woman smirked as she remembered the Doctor's ability to obtain strange materials, she had to bite down the urge to lick her lips, "And...if you give some of those weird objects you get outside I can make more potent and equally peculiar mechanisms."

It was a negotiation but for Closure there was something else that entice her to approach him, with or without a new power she wanted to get to know the man unlike before. During the past, even though she was intrigued by him, the vampire girl wasn't able to approach him; with his past self it would have been impossible but perhaps things will be different.

For a Sarkaz to cling on to some hope, she really did rub off on her.

"Sure, that's a deal Closure." The man in question smiled at her, something in her wildest dreams she thought would never happen, "I guess this thing is now mine to use huh?"

With those words another bond had been established.

I am thou; thou art I
the creation of a new bond is at hand
the crux of thy oath manifests as power
the contract of hearts shall be the catalyst that nulls segregation.

Hence, the discovery of the Sun Arcana shall guide you to the cure of thy heart
bestowing the gift of life in thy soul.

The Sun: Ada "Closure" Church

Spending time with Closure helps in developing the engineering of the Ark, whether for combat or for structures; time spent with her will benefit Rhodes Island. Giving Closure needed materials for schematics allows the Doctor to use fascinating on-field devices.

GET! Grappling Hook
A special variation of a grappling hook that is mounted on the wrist, the Doctor's unique physical resilience allows him to use this experimental piece of technology.

0o0

"That wasn't so bad, in fact it's pretty easy." The Doctor sighed as he left his office after the "beginner's" paperwork he was taught to take care of by Amiya. The two didn't want him to work when he was still recovering so he forced a compromise at least teach him the basic of the legalese of Rhodes Island.

Kal'tsit relented and ushered Amiya to teach him, something the little leader did so with excitement.

He still had free time that's why he went to another training room, it was more like a shooting range. The Doctor made sure to say hello to the Operators he stumbled upon on the way, some nodded and others smiled.

He wasn't sure if Kroos was joking around when she saluted while Cardigan panicked and proceeded to do the same.

Dobermann thought so when she smacked Kroos in the head.

Training Room 007 was one of the more popular go-to places to train in ranged combat, with an auto-cleaning floor that scoops up all the fallen crossbow bolts and the occasional Originium bullet. A lot of room to accommodate any Sniper or Caster Operator in striking down any unfortunate soul caught in the cross-hairs.

According to Closure, the hard part was the surplus of linking the sensors needed in making training rooms like this.

Today was one of the few times that gunshots would be heard throughout the area, a rare occurrence since the average Sniper doesn't use such expensive weaponry. One of the problems of using and keeping a gun was it took more effort in the control of ARTS to wield one properly. Whereas a bow or crossbow are an aim then shoot type of deal, the only advantage of a gun is that missing isn't a death sentence. Still, for the sake of one's financial interest not missing is appreciated as ammunition for even a simple pistol is expensive.

Who's says that life can be bought...well the erasure of one is surely enough to fill a man's wallet.

He opted to go to this place instead somewhere else to cover one of his weaknesses if he truly wants to be of use in combat as well, while his Persona allowed for ranged combat and the accuracy of his spells are on point they were still limited by a resource known as SP. It was a made-up variable by the powers that be to quantify how much power of his Persona he can manifest before it asks for his health instead.

If he was desperate the blessed trait of his Persona will convert his health or HP, another made-up variable, into that sweet SP goodness. However, there is are two problems with that strategy; one is if used up all his power to the point that he needs to cut his own life force to fire ice at his opponent then maybe defeating them is the least of his worries, and two the exchange is inefficient as there is no point on healing himself with his own health turned into SP.

Equivalent exchange can be a bitch sometimes, if he had to lose an arm and a leg to cast Bufu then that situation will be the death of him.

That trait was only good if he acts as the party support, hence to save precious SP he should take up some new ways to fight the enemy. From bows to guns or even new ways to cut someone up, he had to learn in order to not be a hapless field commander.

While all that was said and done however, he quickly found out how poor of a shot he can be. Arrows scattered across the shooting range, somehow one arrow managed to hit the target of the other side.

"Tch, that was embarrassing..." He lamented as the rested his arms, tired of drawing the bowstring of the practice bow.

As soon as he sat on chair, he heard some chatter from the people beside him. They decided to approach him for whatever reason, from their looks they must be the BlackSteel Operators that Rhodes had a joint contract with.

"Heya, Doc didn't expect to see you here." He remembered her being Operator Franka, a Vulpo Infected she's one of the proofs that BlackSteel does not give a damn about what you are as long as you can carry a gun or swing a sword. Beside her was her partner Voiuvre, Liskarm one of the few Operators he knew that uses electricity so in the future he must be careful to not get hit when Ophiuchus was active.

The other one however was hiding behind them, a meek Feline by the name of Jessica.

The Doctor stood up from his seat, "Ah well, I figured that I should learn how to fight in many ways is all."

Franka was pleased with that answer, "Hmmm, when they said that there was a master strategist here I figured he was one of those people who threw orders from the sidelines." While her tone was jovial her eyes gazed deep into the Doctor.

"I don't really remember who I was before but now I've decided to fight alongside my fellow co-workers."

"So...the amnesia bit was true after all..." Liskarm vocally pondered, "I guess Franka wasn't joking when she said she heard something about that."

In response to what her partner said Franka pouted, "Ah come on Liz, I wouldn't dare joke about something like that."

"Still Doc, we saw your practice session earlier."

The Doctor sighed in embarrassment, "Yeah I sucked..." To him that would be an understatement, he was horrible at ranged weaponry arrows were scattered everywhere.

Liskarm nodded her objective seriousness made apparent, "Indeed, your aim is true however the way to draw the bow is horrible." The Vouivre turned towards Jessica, "The opposite of the problem Jessica has."

"Eep." The Feline in question covered her face in embarrassment, "Why would you say that..." Her hands also covered her mouth but luckily they managed to understand what the girl was saying.

Franka patted her co-worker on the back to reassure the scaredy-cat, "Come on Jes, this what we were talking about you know, finding a training partner so you can have a boost in confidence."

"Partner?" The Doctor shook his head in question, the proposal was interesting but why him, surely there are other Snipers that interest in being her partner, moreover he sucks at using ranged weaponry.

Liskarm in her infinite wisdom spoke up, "Jessica's problem is her lack of confidence in herself, especially after what she saw with the other Sniper Operators here, her first day here resulted in culture-shock." From the lazy genius marksmanship of Kroos, to the elite knight Platinum and even the Catastrophe Messenger Provence, it was only natural for the Feline to be frightened; this however dampened her skill in shooting with her pistol.

"So, we figured that if Jessica spent time with people who have similar problems she'll fell more comfortable with her trigger again." Franka finished, not minding the cowering Jessica behind her, she quickly went near the Doctor suddenly taking on a serious tone, "To be honest, she's quite talented even at using new equipment but her insecurities are debilitating."

The Doctor could sympathize with that, he honestly felt like he was in the shadow of his old self given how others quickly trust his decisions in battle because of prior history, seeing no harm in it he accepted the proposal, "Sure, I'd love to train with you Ms. Jessica."

"Fantastic, good thing I managed to rope in Ms. Platinum into this." The brunette of a Vulpo clapped her hands in excitement while the Feline trembled even further, "Hmmm...what's wrong Jes?"

The Feline in question didn't seem too hot on the idea of training with the Doctor, one of the people here who has one of the highest positions in Rhodes Island's chain of command. It's a good thing that the good Doctor noticed that gravitas of his position for once.

"She isn't too keen on that idea sadly..." He sighed in disappointment, however suddenly Jessica approached him quite quickly too. She bowed in apology, feeling as if she offended her superior.

Jessica refused to make eye-contact with him, yet that did not deter her from talking, "N- no th-that's not it...I'm ho-honored..." Her body shifted, unable to stop herself from quivering in front of him.

Amnesiac he may be, he can understand Jessica's reactions after all he too had some feelings of insecurity with his past self. The Doctor decided to clasp her hands tight loudly, replacing her frightened state with one of shock.

"There, I've heard that doing this can calm someone's nerves quite easily." This time the Doctor met with the Operator's gaze so she can get used to facing her superiors head on instead of cowering from them. She was no doubt a strong Sniper only hindered by her own debilitating insecurities so to get past that...

"Alright, We'll both be learning how to fight with Ms. Platinum tomorrow?" He gently asked, and this time the Feline nodded calmly slowly returning his gaze to him.

I am thou; thou art I
the creation of a new bond is at hand
the crux of thy oath manifests as power
the contract of hearts shall be the catalyst that nulls segregation.

Hence, the discovery of the Moon Arcana shall guide you to the cure of thy heart
bestowing the gift of life in thy soul.

The Moon: Jessica

Learning with the Feline under various other Sniper Operator's tutelage allows the two to be stronger, as such the Doctor can learn various Sniper-only Personal Skills to use in battle. One of these skills is the most basic of abilities that any Sniper Operator must have, the first thing that Platinum smacked into his head after he learned how to properly use a bow.

LEARN! Honed Accuracy
Cooldown: 3 turns or 60 seconds
Increases critical hit chance and hit rate slightly. If the user is a Ranged attacker then the critical hit chance is significantly increased instead.

A sudden clap came from Franka pleased with the results of this encounter, "Right, thank you for taking us up on that offer...man good thing that favor from Ms. Platinum wasn't wasted."

While Liskarm didn't vocalized it, this was one of the things her partner was good at; knowing the right people and being an overall good judge of character was one of the reasons she considers the Vulpo who always gets on her nerves her partner.

She'd rather be die than to admit that to her face however.

Still, it was high time that Jessica got something that would boost her confidence in battle. Something tells her that the missions that their contract with Rhodes Island entails would be on the road of many difficulties.

In the meantime, she'll observe and watch the backs of her superiors and her co-workers defending them with her shield and lightning ARTS as what any Defender worth their salt would do.

0o0

This was not a bad second day of consciousness in the Doctor's opinion, here he thought that making friends among his new colleagues would take some time. That man with the very large nose stressed the importance of bonds and how they empower him in return but he couldn't but be joyful at just the connections alone.

After all for a man with no memory to speak of, he felt lost at first. His powerlessness and the pressure to live up to his old self's caliber of stratagem were hammered home with the encounter with Reunion. Flames that burnt even the elite of his people, no longer will they burn away all that he had grown to care for.

He needed to gather power through bonds yes, but he knows that he must also remember why is he desperate to gather such strength in the first place. The Doctor was not here to win in a war, he was here to protect Rhodes Island his new and old home, moreover he was also tasked in finding the cure to this world's ails.

Such bleakness that even in day two of his reawakening the reality of Terra is lade bare to see, the news of Infected death rates and anti-Infected propaganda from the channel on Ursus. Internet arguments on the rights of Infected kind, fear and hate spreading through every mouthpiece in the world.

"How revolting..." It was a passing remark from the Sniper Operator Ranger from before, however it was directed at what he had seen on today's paper the black headline all too easy to read.

ASSAULT VICTIM CONTRACTED ORIPATHY DURING CRIME: ARRESTED

Most people in this world truly had become ill that is why he wanted to set it right, the Doctor was willing to bet that most Operators who work here are in this Ark because they believe in that goal as well.

Amiya's goal.

He must have been quite the man before if they were willing to rescue this burden, it's a shame that he could barely live up to that. Hence, he needed to be stronger and better for all the lives that were sacrificed for his stead.

The road to that just gave him more reasons to pursue this wish of strength with vigor, friends aside from those who knew before and organization that aims to cure one of this world's cruelest diseases...

Truly, what more could he had ever asked for to command?

Even as he went back to bed for the day, his heart must have palpitating in anticipation and excitement towards the ever so slight steps he will take towards fulfilling the mission and his goal.

Author Notes

Hmm, so that covers the second day the Doctor had after his return to Rhodes Island. These EX chapters I plan on having the same length as the old chapters of this story so yeah keep your eyes peeled for that.

About the Arcana I chose for Closure and Jessica...

The Sun represents optimism, joy, and accomplishment, things that would apply to the Doctor's relationship with Closure especially the third part since they are gonna help each other advance the technology of Rhodes Island. Closure wanted to get to know the Doctor before according to Operational Intelligence so now that the Doctor's head is a blank slate she has her chance.

I find the idea of the vampire being the Associate of the Sun Arcana a tad bit juxtapose too.

Since I covered the Sun, I might as well give my thoughts to the Moon Arcana of Jessica. The card symbolizes a hidden layer or aspect of one's self and that's what Jessica has. Kinda like Mishima from Persona 5, she is a character laden in insecurities. The Archive notes that she is talented and a natural in the workplace but her own self-doubt holds her back to realize it.

Now that I have said my thoughts about this trial EX Chapter here's some bonus stuff...

So much for uploading this at the same time as the new chapter huh, I've decide to upload the Christmas Extra with the new chapter for the Yules.

Once again, I, WordBound thank you for reading.

Voice Lines: Tactics Menu

Act Freely

Doctor: "Do what you will."
Amiya: "Very well, no holding back."

Conserve SP

Doctor: "Conserve your strength."
Amiya: "I shall resort to ARTS alone then."

Gang Up
Doctor: "Outnumber them."
Amiya: "Let's eliminate them one by one."

Survival

Doctor: "Focus on your survival."
Amiya: "Patch yourself up if you're in danger."

Direct Command
Doctor: "Follow my lead."
Amiya: "Awaiting orders Doctor."