Wash the poison from off my skin.
The four T-Dolls of Team EXPIATIO had managed to reach Fort Prodigium. PA-15 and 9A-91 were left out on Makarov's orders to help the other Dolls fend off the attackers while she and SCW encountered Lt. Enrico Cacciatore.
" So this is the situation. " The lieutenant said after learning what had happened while the Dolls were out of the fort. " We knew that sooner or later Alchemist would attack us but we didn't detect her on the battlefield. Are you sure what you say? "
" Dreamer said Alchemist is attacking the fort and you aren't realizing it. Are you sure it's not outside with the Vespids? "
" If we were able to find her by now she would be dead. I've no idea where she might be ... " Then Enrico stopped talking.
" Something wrong, Lieutenant? "
" Maybe ... there's something that I've not considered. " He said, puzzled. " But I doubt that… no, that's impossible, no one outside of Griffin & Kryuger knows about this. How could she have known? "
" What are you talking about? "
" In the past, an old factory stood here which also had an underground section and which is now located under this fort. We had sealed the passages to prevent any enemy from catching us off guard. " Enrico explained.
" What if Alchemist was there? Damn, that would mean having her at home! " Makarov exclaimed, worried.
" I'll send soldiers to check. "
" Hurry up! And you, SCW, I need you to come with me, we have to ... " At that moment the power went out. The building was flooded with deep darkness.
" She's inside. " SCW said.
" Curse them! Now we can't contact the Dolls who are fighting outside! We have to turn the power back on! " Enrico exclaimed, agitated.
" We'll take care of Alchemist, you stay here. " Red lights went on. " This must be the emergency generator. Good. SCW, with me, we have to stop Alchemist. Lieutenant, will the energy be enough for communications? "
" No. Not with T-Dolls, however I can use internal communications. "
" Fine with that. We go. "
" I must warn all the commanders, we must organize the counterattack otherwise the fort will fall into the hands of the enemy! " Enrico exclaimed walking towards the exit.
" The fort is already in enemy hands, Lieutenant, now we have to win it back. " Makarov corrected, loading the gun.
Alchemist was heading towards the control room where all the commanders were, along with her she had human beings controlled by the Azrael Implant, there were at least two hundred. The soldiers who were standing guard were eliminated and Alchemist advanced smoothly but then she heard an alarm and the voice of Lieutenant Cacciatore warning the commanders of the danger.
Meanwhile Makarov and SCW were looking at the map of the fortress attached to the wall.
" We're here in Sector 1-A, the highest, the main generator is at the bottom in Sector 1-E, here we read that the secondary generator is in Sector 3-E ... the building on the other side is Pavilion 3 and if the electricity is still running, it means Alchemist is still here. " Makarov said, reading the map. " SCW, send a message to PA-15 and 9A-91, order them to go to Pavilion 3 and prepare to destroy the generator at my command. "
" Wait, why? " SCW asked, confused.
" Knowing the situation I strongly doubt that Alchemist wasn't even aware of the emergency generator, if she hasn't destroyed it it means that she needs to have a minimum of lighting to fight or maybe her allies need it, however it is, for me the dark factor is not a problem, indeed, it's an advantage that I intend to exploit. "
" And what about the other T-Dolls? "
" Didn't you hear the Lieutenant? With the emergency generator they cannot communicate with the Dolls. They don't have an autonomous system like ours and, in my personal opinion, the Dolls can get by even without the orders of their commanders. They're not children. They were built to fight a war. SCW, I know that it seems crazy to you, but trust me ... we have two rows of walls, the Dolls can hold out until then. We just have to kill Alchemist. She dies, we reactivate the generator and win. If we leave even the slightest advantage to that madwoman, we'll die. "
" Ok, then ... I trust you, Little Rov. "
" Thank you. Now, back to work. "
Makarov and SCW used the stairs to descend the building and reached Sector 1-C, hiding behind a wall as soon as they saw Alchemist's troops approaching.
" Look at them. " SCW said recognizing those poor wretches submissive to machines.
" Then it's as I expected, she really needs the light. "
" So ... wait, those corpses can see?! "
" Maybe. I'm just guessing, SCW, at a time like this is all I can do. "
" Okay, Little Rov, what do we do now that we're here? "
" We fight them. "
Makarov got out of cover and moved on to the next one firing at three enemies, suddenly a volley of bullets went forward for about twenty seconds. SCW waved her hand to say their enemies were fools. Makarov nodded her head and started again, shooting together with her friend. A total of ten enemies were killed but there were still too many hostiles approaching. Then shots were heard in the distance. It was other T-Dolls who had entered via the ground floor.
" Little Rov! " SCW joined Makarov and told her: " With reinforcements on our side we can easily get rid of Alchemist and her … er… zombies? I don't know ... "
" But where's Alchemist? " Makarov asked, worried that something was wrong.
" This is not the time to think about it, we have to help the other Dolls! "
" What if ... "
Then Makarov looked up, the enemies she had in front of her were too many and then she remembered the strategy that Alchemist had used in Warsaw, the modus operandi was the same ... she had used so many expendable troops to draw in trick the Dolls. Makarov was alarmed and hurried up the stairs, at which SCW exclaimed, perplexed :
" Where are you going?! We have to ... "
" It's a trap. Alchemist wants Lieutenant Cacciatore and probably the commanders. We must go up and fast! "
" Wait a second, what are you talking about? "
" Don't you see? Those men are just a decoy ... and we fall for it! Curse her! "
Makarov and SCW hurried up the stairs until they reached Sector 1-A and then they heard shots coming from the operations room where all the commanders were and when they entered they saw twenty-two corpses scattered around the room decorated with red patches, the last ten commanders were trying to eliminate Alchemist but the woman wasn't intimidated and dodged the bullets very easily. With a demonic smile she said:
" Are you eager to die, yes? Then I will give you the death you long for! "
Makarov and SCW fired at Alchemist but she noticed it immediately and avoided the bullets. She jumped back, moving away from those ten commanders who were ordered to escape. Alchemist, with her sadistic grin, greeted the two girls:
" You came to keep me company, yes? Makarov and SCW ... "
" You killed enough, it's time to end it. SCW, give the order. " SCW did it but nothing happened. Makarov, confused, turned to SCW and exclaimed, agitated: " Why did nothing happen?! What are those two idiots doing?! "
" Oh… you seem to have problems. This means that Dreamer has arrived. Do you know what that means, yes? "
" Groza ... "
" Yes, she's not here anymore. She's not gonna help you now. She's dead, Makarov, and soon you'll join her. "
" No ... " Makarov looked traumatized. " You're lying. That's the truth. "
" Am I? Well, it doesn't matter what you believe, I'll end you ... that's the only thing that really matters. "
Makarov turned to SCW, took her hand and ran out of the room, the two girls hid in the lieutenant's office; Makarov locked the door and said to SCW :
" You have to do something for me , Alchemist will come looking for us and I can't fight her but Groza and AA-12 can. SCW… " Makarov looked into her eyes. "… please, you have to go and rescue them. Do it for me. "
" But that would mean leaving you alone against Alchemist! I cannot do that! " SCW exclaimed, contrary to Makarov's crazy idea.
" It's my fault. I've done some horrible things hoping to protect Groza, but the very thought that she's dead ... that my friend is no longer here is choking my heart ... I cannot accept it, especially knowing that it's my fault. It was the fault of my selfishness and the poison I have in me. I became her enemy unwittingly. "
" Little Rov ... "
" I'm made of poison. I've been mean to my friend, I don't deserve the love of my team, Makarov is the name of a bad person. But not anymore ... I'll wash this poison away. "
Makarov noticed the sad look on SCW's face.
" Don't pity me, I don't deserve it. I don't deserve a friend like you. But if there's a chance to redeem me, that's to save Groza and AA-12 ... you have to go to them, SCW. I will fight Alchemist and defend the lieutenant. Good luck. "
SCW hugged Makarov.
" Don't die. "
" Don't worry. "
SCW ran off leaving Makarov alone. The girl left the lieutenant's office and met Alchemist along the corridor who was looking for Enrico Cacciatore.
" Huh? You stayed then. I thought you and your friend ran away but apparently you really want to die, yes? "
" Yes. " Makarov loaded the gun. " But not without fighting. "