Though the breakthrough was successful, the enemy's terrible strength has left a deep impression upon everyone.
On the other hand, Mephisto and Faust take a brief break before resuming their work. The Rhodes Island forces managed to lose their Reunion pursuers.
Rhodes island operators rescued with the US military's help. More enemies ahead, US Marines to join.
Dobermann: Scouting complete. I can confirm that the enemies pursuing us have been eliminated.
We've managed to break through their encirclement. We'll be at the outskirts of Chernobog soon.
Ace: Even though the enemies we defeated today were just a small portion of the whole force...
At least we're safe for now.
Nearl: Thank you for what you did back there. I am forever in your debt.
Ace: Don't say stuff like that. I don't have the right to ask the Radiant Knight for repayment anyway.
Anyway, let's talk about that sniper, Nearl.
Nearl Sure. Putting aside the destructive power of that ballista...
I think... he might have set up several turrets in advance, as well as other automatically-firing devices.
I was targeted from different directions... but I only saw one sniper.AceI had the same feeling.
The first and second shots exploded at about the same time, but there was a noticeable delay between them.
Those shots weren't fired from the same repeating ballista. At least, when we returned fire, we weren't targeting the same sniper.
Nearl: Ace, did you realize something?
Ace: I can't say for sure. What if the enemy was moving so quickly... to the point of basically being in several places at once?
Nearl: There's no way anyone could move that quickly. I can't even imagine how it'd be possible. We can't underestimate how dangerous Reunion is.
Dobermann: It was that malicious brat who ordered the sniper to go after you. He didn't even call upon the sniper when he was attacking us...
Nearl: Looks like that disgusting personality of his is backed up by some real power.
Ace: However, he never attacked us, even when he was angry.
Dobermann: So either his combat capabilities are lacking, or he simply chose to not display his true abilities yet.
Just seeing his commanding abilities in action... makes me highly suspicious.
He was commanding his troops like puppets...
Nearl: In any case, we're no longer in territory that he controls.
Amiya: Nearl... Thank you.
If not for your timely arrival, we would have been in grave danger.
Nearl: I was just following the plan we agreed on beforehand.
You were the one who asked me and Ace to make adjustments depending on the situation.
You solved your own problem.
On my way here, I saw the extent of Reunion's atrocities, and I had doubts about their power.
What if I stopped to engage their forces?
What if I helpedUrsusdefend against Reunion?
What if I stayed back at the rendezvous point, waiting for you to come to me?
...If I was the one who called the shots, there's no saying how much worse the outcome could have been.
I'm not good at thinking several steps ahead. The only way I know to get what I want is to keep fighting.
Amiya, I was only performing my duties, but you have the ability to end the crisis.
You earned this victory, so have some more confidence in yourself.
Amiya: Miss Nearl...
Nearl: Hehe.
This person standing next to you must be the Doctor, then.
Amiya: That's right. But...
Dobermann: Every time we meet someone, Amiya has to repeat the story about how the Doctor is suffering from amnesia. What a pain...
Nearl: Doctor...
One of my friends lost her memories as well. I'm sure you two will get along.
After all, you should understand how precious living in the present is.AmiyaMhm...!NearlLet's get going, everyone.
We still have to escort the Doctor to Rhodes Island.Background 2FaustSorry... I failed.MephistoNo, don't apologize. It was my mistake. I lost my temper.
Can you help me track Rhodes Island? I'll report the situation toTalulahfirst.
She should have taken over Chernobog's core command tower by now.
...She will decide the fate of these insects.
Faust: ...Understood.
Mephisto: Be careful. Your safety is the most important thing, all right?
Faust: ...I will.
Mephisto: ...I suppose my mission is complete too. Let's go, comrades.
they walked way. And He spoke
Mephisto: Let us go forth and welcome our new era!!
Meanwhile
The pressure of the loomingCatastropheweighs upon the psyche of theDoctor's team, though a small back-and-forth withNearlhelps ease up the anxiety slightly. The long journey home continues. While the marines thinks is gonna rain.
Guard: Is it just me, or is the sky getting darker?
Dobermann: ...If only it was just you.
We never had much time anyway.
Private Adrian Kent Nguyen: No shit, Sherlock. It's dark, that means it's raining. What the hell do you think you don't know about rain in your world? You fucking idiots!
Dobermann: "Hey! Watch your tone, Earthling. I have to let you know that we know what rain is. For your information, we are currently experiencing a catastrophe here. Why? Does the earth have catastrophes?
Private Adrian Kent Nguyen: Catastrophe? wait... Are you talking about a natural disaster? We have one every year for centuries or even thousands or hundreds of thousands of years.
Dobberman: What? No Originium one? Does Earth possess one?
Private Adrian Kent Nguyen: What!? Magic black stone Rock Thing No, we have The planet Plates? Or something?
Private Scott Thomas Foster: He meant Plate tectonics, Miss Doberman? And no, we don't have any magic black rock things on Earth. Our only resource is oil, which is considered black gold.
Dobermann: It's Dobermann!? Tsk! Forget it!
She's looking up at the skies.
Dobermann: The shape of theCatastrophecloud is more clearly defined than the black haze it was before. Tsk. I don't like the feeling I get from watching it from over our heads. What a bad omen.
DobermannTo make things worse,Reuniongoons might be lurking in every nook and cranny.
Actually, that's probably too conservative.
Nearl: "What you should've said is that they're probably partying on the streets."
Medic: "Almost every street is filled with destruction, violence and looting. Vehicles and buildings are being set on fire... But these thugs decide that it's the perfect weather for a picnic!"
Nearl: "If they're going out on a picnic now, it's the Catastrophe that will feast upon their bones. This proves that most Reunion members are just fools who've been whipped into a frenzy."
Marines laughs
Amiya: "... Pfft."
Medic: "Look, they're no really having a picnic... I, I just wanted something to moan about. You didn't have to take me so seriously...
Adrian Kent Nguyen laughs
Nearl: "... Oh, you weren't being serious? Wait, were you trying to crack a joke?
Hmm... Sorry, I'm not good with this stuff..."
Adrian Kent Nguyen: Damn, you are serious. What are you doing? Batman impersonation 'I am Batman.' God, you are serious. Just smiling and laughing. We are having a good time here.
He hugs the shoulder of medic.
Medic: "Umm... It's fine... It's just that... trying not to laugh is hard... Umm, sorry... for trying to make a joke at such a serious time...
AmiyaIt's okay. Rhodes Islandwasn't founded for the sake of having everyone keep a serious face. We've always wanted everyone to be able to smile.
Medic: "A-Amiya..."
Amiya: "Don't worry about it!DobermannIn any case, let's help out with the scouting. I'll quitely dispatch the enemy at our four o'clock. Hopefully their diseased organs won't explode or be rigger to serve as some kind of alarm."
Ace: "We'll wrap around and take care of the large group on the other side of the fortification. With this much chaos around us, nobody will notice a little more noise."
Dobermann: "All right, let's move out!"
They are Driving the hamvee through the ruins of the city.
Sometime later.
TheDoctor's team passes by a clinic calledAzazel. Gazing upon this now empty complex, recollections of the past and the outlook of a desolate future leads many to reflect upon the conditions of theInfected. The Marines Check for the enemies.
Time – Unknown \ Weather – Unknown \
Visibility – Poor
Chernobog– Operation Squad EO's Location
Doctor Rescue Operation, Phase 3.
Marines and Special Joint operations with delta forces and navy seals. Spec op. Finding elimating the targets. The leaders of reunion
Medic: Ah! This clinic... Amiya, haven't we been here before?
Amiya: "You're right... But why has it... become like this?."
Medic: "It's been totally abnadoned... it looks it was attacked byReunion."
Amiya: "..."
Guard: "Wasn't thisAzazel, the clinic for the infected?"
Amiya: Yes..."
Guard: "Even though they had access toChernobog's entire underground intelligence network, they still refused to work with us... Back then, it wasn't clear what kind of dealing that had with Reunion... If only they had given us some information, or even just a hint... We could've been out of here by now. They brought this outcome upon themselves!"
Amiya: "That's not the entire story..."
Guard: "Amiya, you were there for the negotitations, weren't you? That cold and arrogant attitude of theirs really ticked me off..."
Ace: "We can't blame them.'
Guard: "Boss..."
Treveon Griggis: "Damn!? Yeah, them fools be racist towards the infected. Ain't nothin' but some disrespectful folks, for real."
Mateo Martínez García: "Yeah!? Ese, I feel you. Those vatos are straight-up malos, ya know what I'm sayin', homie?"
Treveon Griggis: Yeah!?
Two men bump into each other, causing confusion among Terran Operators due to their unfamiliarity with Earth traditions.
Ace: "It's hard for theInfectedto trust anyone. After enduring so many hardships, who can blame them for becoming jaded and stubborn?"
Amiya: "I can understand why they did what they did... and I can forgive them. Those who don't protect themselves are easily hurt by others. Moreover, the Infeceted often can't even trust each other. Not everyone is able to stomach the kinds of risks that we take either..."
Meanwhile
Mateo Martínez García, Lewis, and De Luca find a feline girl near posters of a half dragon leader. De Luca stops García from touching the girl and instructs him to wear protective gear for fear of alien infections. García complies.
Mateo Martínez García: "Miss? Are You-"
As he about to Touch the feline girl's body.
Lorenzo Ugolino De Luca: No, Don't touch her, she has Oriaphy, you should put on a gas mask and gloves. And here is the containment suit.
Mateo Martínez García: "Yeah... I am going to gather samples for the people in the lab."
He puts on the gloves and gas mask on his face. And he wore containment suit, as he gathers sample from the scienstist.
He gathers. The samples of black crystals. With that he left the dead cat girl, as Group of Marines wearing Similar clothing as he, burn the body of the cat girl.
Ace: "It's hard for theInfectedto trust anyone.
After enduring so many hardships, who can blame them for becoming jaded and stubborn?"
Amiya: "I can understand why they did what they did... and I can forgive them. Those who don't protect themselves are easily hurt by others. Moreover, the Infeceted often can't even trust each other. Not everyone is able to stomach the kinds of risks that we take either..."
They found a group of marines wearing containment suits. As they burn the body of the dead.
Amiya: (Curious.) Ace? What are they up to?
Ace: "They're cremating the bodies of the infected, Miss Amiya."
Doctor: "A clinic for the Infected?"
Amiya: "Azazel... They were black-market clinic that only provided services to the Infected. Given the social status of the Infected, they couldn't openly reveal themselves in public. Some of the Infected, not wanting to be thrown into quarantine, are hiding throughout the city, just trying to survive. Azazel was aimed at providing services to these people. ...They must have rejected Reunion's proposals. Doctor, I previously mentioned that we're all sick, right? This disease will claim our lives, but it also grants us with the extraordinary powers.
For example, I can useOriginium Artswithout the aid of a staff. However, this disease does not only destroy our bodies... It also destroys any chance we have at living a normal life. Or rather, *civilized society* strips everything away from us. Chernobog has been the shining beacon of this "civility". Fearing, hating, exilling, and purging the Infected...
Nearl: "... And, this is how it ends."
Amiya: "The only thing is, how many Infected were even given the options to chose between us, Reunion, or some other organization? Most of them simply lost everything. Perhaps, this clinic was a warm place that some of them could call home...
There is no cure forOripathy. At least right now, the Infected can only die in despair.
And their bodies...become new sources of infections. With their abnormal powers and fatally infectious disease... The Infeceted... are the most hated people on this planet. ...Doctor, you probably won't be able to understand everything just based upon my brief explanation. But when you see the consequences of these problems with your own eyes... you will understand. You'll see the harsh reality surrounding the Infected."
Dobermann: "Rhodes Islandemphasizes equality for all, whereas Reunion is fanatically Infected-centric. However, organizaton like ours are a rare sight. I can understand why you're angry, but it's hard not to sympathize with this little clinic."
Guard: "... I see. Perhaps they really ended up facing a bigger crisis than they could handle..."
Dobermann: "In any case, we should leave our anger behind, along with this clinic."
Amiya: "Rhodes Island is filled with good people. Though fear and hostility might create rifts between people... I believe that all misunderstandings will be resolved, as long as we're a part of the same family. Perhaps... Rhodes Island is but another Azazel?"
Guard: "Amiya..."
Amiya: "Let's go, Doctor. Huh?"
She noticed that African American Marines were listening in on their conversations.
Treveon Griggis: "Similar to the challenges faced by African Americans due to slavery and discrimination from white individuals, if that's not offensive, sir."
Amiya: "I see... I'm sorry..."
Treveon Griggis: "Nah, it's okay..."
with that they went inside the humvee and left the abandoned hospital.
Next Time: Act 1 episode 3
Author's note "I am sorry, got sick due Cold. So I am gonna rest for Couple days. So yeah..."