Léon: The Cat Killer

Subconsciously, I touched the bandage on my left eye, but then I was glared at by Touch, who was standing not far away looking after the sleeping little fox. The little gray sheep's eyes were like saying 'Don't touch the wound'... Speaking of which, what's the name of this Rhodes Island operator who's taking care of the student?

'Touch marks'?

The Yan Guo Longmen Special Passport she showed earlier seemed to have this kind of wording... and she presented several similar passports when entering the hospital... to be honest, this outfit doesn't look like that of a doctor, but more like that of a colleague.

Yes, now... this is the follow-up to the Loken Water Tank, also a mission for the Security Bureau... We've paid a price to get the military to leave with the existing data... The one most eager to 'pay' is our partner unit under the Crisis Contract... Rhodes Island, the one that sent a landship to help with the live broadcast.

“That ‘place of exile’…”

Don't say that to anyone else... Rhodes Island is one of the few neutral organizations that we feel safe taking you and Matilda in... Neutrality is very important...

"But it seems they need the 'organization'..."

Yes, their landship couldn't enter the country because it refused boarding inspection by Columbia. When the crisis contract suggested handing the kitten over to Rhode Island, a neutral island with medical services, for humanitarian care, their agreement was somewhat reluctant... mainly because they said that if you and the kitten were to be sent there, it would be best to do so within a day... they were about to set sail.

"...Getting Matilda would be equivalent to getting Loken Williams' greatest achievement...They are willing to take Matilda in because it's profitable...But why are they in such a hurry?"

[It seems the landship set sail before it was fully repaired and is rushing back for maintenance? Also... Rhodes Island's higher-ups said they hope to enter into a mercenary contract with you... In exchange, they will do their best to treat you... Are you that close to that Outcast from before?]

"...It shouldn't have come to that point yet...Why does it sound like the organization is very happy that I've made contact with Rhodes Island?"

[Hmm~ As I said, we desperately need operators who can operate on the front lines... or rather, those with incredible luck... Although the organization doesn't care whether Rhodes Island is an exile or just some shell company, the area Rhodes Island is heading to is somewhere Columbia can't easily reach... On one hand, it can keep you out of sight to avoid touching a nerve with certain people. On the other hand, it can let you recuperate and complete your duties... For the opposition, this is a win-win situation.]

She didn't immediately respond to her agent's seemingly sarcastic or gloating remarks... but upon closer inspection, it was probably an arrangement made with her own best interests at heart.

The profession of assassin is ultimately something that cannot be seen in the light of day. Although Nana has various professional training certificates on the surface, those are just a cover for her main job. Now that Loken Williams himself has asked the military to back down, the organization's attitude seems to be very clear. That is to suppress the subsequent heat of the incident.

This is a tacit understanding between government organizations, allowing the public to constantly clamor about the tech company's illegal activities... Loken Water Tank is like a radish that could bring up a whole host of other issues... so the agent keeps emphasizing that this matter should end here.

It's possible that Nana's obsession with the kitten led them to believe that she might target the organization's opponents and the military's experimental supporters... but in reality, with only one eye left, Nana no longer had the means to launch a proactive attack.

The very fact that she has only one eye essentially renders Nana's proud ability to disguise herself and infiltrate completely useless.

As for 'recuperation'... the test results for the kitten seem to be normal for now, and given her ability to create natural disasters with magic, it's normal for her to be exiled to a land-based ship for continued observation...

But is there really anything that can be done with one's own eyes?

With a sigh, Nana silently wiped the potted plant completely clean... then put the WA2000 into her suitcase... After shaking off the researcher's outfit she had taken from some unlucky person, Nana could only hope that the woman wouldn't mind that she had trampled the flowers her boyfriend had given her when she woke up.

But when Nana took off her clothes to change into her own suit, she discovered that her fellow agents had not brought her a suit, but a 'medical' outfit with the Rhodes Island logo.

"You can tell...they...are really in a hurry."

[Right? We have no idea what they're in such a hurry for... They say it's a pharmaceutical company, but we haven't seen much of the drug. Besides that high-ranking executive who always talks in circles, the only doctors we met today were interns...]

"So, scouting Rhodes Island is also part of the mission requirements?"

"...Why don't you just write a report while you're at it...?"

"No problem, just be prepared that if the kitten gets kidnapped, I'll definitely expose you all..."

[...You talk as if you actually know the National Security Agency's secrets.]

"Finally, what is this?"

After putting on her Rhodes Island medical attire, putting on her headband, and fiddling with her bangs in hopes of covering the bandage around her left eye, Nana frowned slightly as she looked at the canned items at the back of her suitcase.

It was an eye, floating inside the jar along with its nervous system, like a jellyfish... If it weren't for Kate's cheerful voice beside her saying, "Oh my, isn't this my eye?", Nana would probably have wanted to kill someone.

After all, its original owners were as dazzling as a green diamond... Nana remembers it vividly...

Seeing the 'Kate Bruce' label on the surface, Nana's blood pressure soared... Sending the Bruce family's Originium organs like this, is it a provocation? Just like the gangs that are everywhere in Colombia, handing over a part of someone they value to the other side as a declaration of war?

But thinking about it carefully, the military and the security agency may have just reached an agreement, so they probably wouldn't do something to provoke Nana like this...

[Don't overthink it... This is what Williams requested to be delivered to you. During his trial, he commissioned the military to recover the limbs of the victims in this incident and used those... 'missing' parts to recreate the possibility of reproducing Originium technology... He also said that the requirements for the recipient are currently higher than those for modification technology... But he was quite certain that you, Number 77, could use that eye, so he publicly commissioned the Security Service to deliver it to you... The military representative stated that, out of goodwill towards the Security Service, they agreed to Loken Williams' final request.]

“...Kate, please be quiet…”

Interrupting the voice of the deceased's party, who seemed to thrive on chaos, saying, "Why don't you give it a try, Nana?", Nana silently placed the small, battery-powered preservation container back into her suitcase as her manager leaned back slightly.

[...The high-ranking official at Rhodes Island said she could perform this highly complex transplant repair surgery for you...this is the root cause of your 'recuperation' mission...In addition, you'll also be responsible for taking care of the kitten...I know this doesn't please you, but as a combatant, she's on the Security Bureau's family roster...Finally, there's the additional mission of cooperating with Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals during the 'recuperation' process, and accompanying them on their journey to their destination...'Kazdel'.]

"...Is it too much for a wounded soldier to do?"

"It's not like we're asking you to infiltrate; you should just go see a doctor quietly... But they want to sign a cooperation agreement with you, which is something you need to judge for yourself... Our stance is... as long as it doesn't harm Colombia's interests, you can act according to your own judgment."

This is true freedom. Is this the treatment of a high-ranking agent in the National Security Bureau?

Thinking this, Nana looked towards the door. The two people who had treated her wounds earlier were now sitting on the sofa in the room, dozing off... Susuluo and Touch Mark were sleeping very soundly, and the noise of Nana changing clothes did not wake them at all.

But when Nana walked up to them, the one holding the spellcasting unit was the first to wake up:

"Miss Agent... um? Your clothes..."

"Regarding this, I think we have a lot to discuss." (I)

As she spoke, Nana, the medic in Rhodes Island's blue-black uniform, her left eye bandaged, twitched her cat ears. (Mio)

"It seems I'll be going to Rhodes Island for treatment with that little guy... My boss sold me to you guys..."

【Hello……】

Ignoring the cold rebuttal from someone in her earpiece, Nana sat down next to the touch mark: Master

"Rhodes Island...what kind of place is it exactly?"

PS: Finally, the news can be made public.

PS2: Oh...she's still in a battle-damaged state...Nine

The Mystery of Medic 2: 024 Hope for Such a Dam

"What kind of place is Rhodes Island? To ask such a question... you probably don't want the kind of general information that's on our portal."

Leaving aside the remaining troubles of Lexington City and letting a big shot like her agent deal with them, Nana, carrying Matilda and Sussuro's marks, boarded a car bound for Rhodes Island under the cover of night.

As the highway sound barriers outside the car disappeared, leaving only a desolate wasteland, Nana looked at the watch terminal that the organization had just issued... August 25, 1091, midnight... Holding the document bag containing the Rhodes Island transfer permit, Nana finally left that land full of memories with her kitten.

Because she was disconnected from the intercity network, ICA's cat-ear earphone terminal and her contact with her agent were also cut off at this time, but Nana still remembered her agent's meaningful words - 'I hope we don't meet again so casually'.

Yes... Thinking about it, any contact after our reunion will probably only be a mission assigned by the organization. And even without considering her role in the Department of Homeland Security, Nana hopes she can have some free time.

Whether or not things will be relaxed in the future depends on Rhodes Island's arrangements.

Nana didn't know whether they hired her because they needed professional security advice or were truly blinded by the false identity given to them by the crisis contract.

Because Killer Cat's medical certificate only covers trauma surgery, or more accurately, battlefield first aid, with at most a clinical nursing specialty... well, end-of-life care... the kind of nursing that provides painless and humane treatment.

If Rhodes Island recruited them based on their 'virtuous medical practice' during the Loken Water Tank incident, they are likely to be disappointed.

The main problem is... Nana doesn't know whether they want to recruit 'Agent Nana' or 'Medical Nana'... This is the bewilderment of being exposed to two faces.

The assassin couldn't perfectly blend her two personas; after all, when she wasn't killing, she was simply 'Nana'.

"So we'll be colleagues soon. Is there anything I should be careful about regarding that ship?"

"Is this considered a preliminary investigation of the upcoming work environment?"

The woman driving seemed quite relaxed. Was it because the little fox Sussuro's internship in the passenger seat was going very smoothly? After all, she and Matilda were already on their way to their headquarters... it should be considered a very fruitful trip...

But... what if they're just using treatment as a pretext to lure you and Mia there...?

Ignoring the strange voice beside her, Nana didn't know if it was her own thought, the twins' voice, or Andy's spirit acting up in her ear... She had to admit that she might really need some mental health check-up and advice.

"I guess so. After all... I don't quite understand why Rhodes Island would take a liking to me... or rather, which me? You should know I'm from the Security Bureau, so why would they want to sign a contract with me?"

"...This is a personnel consideration. Even if you ask me what the higher-ups think, I can only answer that I don't know...but..."

"but?"

"However, identity, profession... or even heavy things like the 'past,' are probably the least important things for Rhodes Island. After all, before being 'doctors,' we were already 'Oriphyra patients,' beings who don't fit in modern society... Speaking of which, aren't you afraid, Miss Agent? Oriphyra..."

"...In the end, Oripathy patients are just sick...Compared to physical pain, the human heart is more terrifying."

A brief silence filled the car with the hum of the Originium engine. It was unclear how long this continued, but Touchmark finally broke the silence with a soft laugh:

"Is this what professional agents of a major power are thinking...? Indeed, if everyone's thinking were as simple as yours, our work wouldn't be so difficult... No wonder Colombia is currently recognized as the beacon of civilization."

"...Are you...insulting me?"

"No, no, no, I was obviously just flattering you."

"...No, you're just insulting me...After all, among Colombians, I'm the only one here who would think that way..."

Seeing the mark, Nana's eyes immediately darted towards Matilda, and she reached out to separate her from the kitten:

“This child doesn’t count… she doesn’t even know what Oripathy is.”

"Hmm...that's true..."

Unbeknownst to her, the road beneath the vehicle's tires disappeared, and the tracks slowed the car down, but even so, Nana still felt what was called 'wilderness'.

"Look!"

The driver's excitement was obvious, and Nana, with her excellent night vision, also saw a huge dark shadow in the distance.

The colossal structure, stretching 600 meters in length, lies sprawled on the ground. The red and green navigation lights on its top tower and corners rhythmically shift between light and shadow, as if the behemoth were breathing. And the closer one gets, the more difficult it becomes to breathe, as the tracks of its locomotive alone are as tall as a typical five-story residential building.

Nana wasn't unfamiliar with such pinnacle creations of industry and technology, but... every time she saw them, the assassin cat couldn't help but feel her own insignificance.

"...Landship..."

"It's just a semi-finished mining ship that hasn't been put into use yet, and the outfitting isn't even finished... But this is your future workplace, and your future home..."

As the car entered the elevator, a flashing yellow warning light illuminated the massive, heavy-duty supply elevator that lifted the small family car up. With the thick dust contained by the elevator doors, Touchmark, which had been on guard, finally showed Nana a relieved smile.

"Welcome to Rhode Island."

"Ha... Although I would say that based on my work experience in Colombia, nine times out of ten, you should leave a workplace where people start calling each other family as soon as possible... But yes, I'm looking forward to it."

As she said this, Nana gave a shy smile, then turned her attention to the interior of Rhodes Island... on this warship that the Columbia National Security Agency had specifically marked as 'unknown'.

As a land-based vessel, Rhodes Island is not as complex as a mobile city module, but for a company, a land-based vessel is first-class... or at least has the potential to become a representative of a first-class company.

Although Nana had already heard from Touchmark that Rhodes Island had set sail urgently due to the Loken water tank incident and that its internal outfitting was not yet complete... seeing this 'incomplete' state in person... Nana could only feel one thing:

"...How dare you even sail a ship like this out of the sea..."

Looking at the bottom layer, where even the partitions weren't finished, and the landship's walking mechanism and power transmission shaft were still partially exposed in the 'original engine compartment' area, Nana silently watched the main shaft gradually accelerate its rotation... Should she be glad that the radiation protection wrapping layers for the power box and the Originium engine were already in place?

With their cat ears drooping, enduring the roaring noise of the machinery running at the bottom floor, Nana and Touch Mark each took their 'children' and quickly parked and secured the car. Then, as if escaping, they left the bottom floor through the elevator shaft with only a wire mesh fence.

"...It's like this before the outfitting is even finished... In response to the request of the crisis contract, I heard that the engineering department omitted every possible step... But the result is as you see. We don't know how to handle the lower-level outfitting afterwards... All we can do is go back and bring the patients and equipment, and then go to Rembiton's dock for further modifications..."

Clearly, Touchprint doesn't know much about shipbuilding machinery either. Rhodes Island isn't so much incomplete in terms of outfitting, but rather, in order to rush the Loken tank project, they simply put a half-finished shell over the land-going ship's chassis and barely managed to get it out of service...

If the ship is to be completed, the entire hull will likely have to be removed, and then the compartments and pipelines will be installed layer by layer using conventional shipbuilding methods.

So once you think about it this way, you can understand why Nana's pupils dilated in shock...

I'm not on any land-based warship at all; this is clearly a four-wheel drive vehicle... It's just been given a carbon fiber shell and casually secured with clips before it was driven out... And when it's time to rebuild, it's questionable whether this shell, which is temporarily attached to the chassis interface, will even be usable anymore.

"...Why...why does Rhodes Island want to hire me?"

Coming to her senses, Nana walked along the hull of the 'upper level' of the ship, catching up with the touch mark with a terrified expression:

"Honestly... even Matilda isn't worth interrupting the construction of a landship, risking unnecessary damage to its locomotive for rescue, and even Loken Williams' detailed research data isn't worth it... what exactly do you want?"

Seeing Nana's expression—whether it was wariness or fear, her defensiveness suddenly at its peak—Touchmark paused for a moment, then gave a slightly embarrassed smile:

"We... of course we have our reasons... and there are deep reasons behind them... all I can say is that the reason is not just that kitten, but more about your own problems... If you ask whether it's worth it for us to do this, as someone who participated in the original voting meeting, I can only say... yes, we think it is worth it."

"But going deeper, the reasons we're interested in you, and why we've invested so much politically and even industrially to bring you aboard... I can only say that someone will explain this to you. The only thing I can guarantee is that we have no malicious intent..."

"...Actually, you could have just been more explicit..."

Seeing Nana rubbing her head in pain, Touch could only turn his head away:

"Sorry, I don't have that authority... Anyway, let's take the kitten to the medical department first. Our department head has already prepared a medical area for the kitten... At least the soundproofing and shockproofing system, as well as the water and electricity supply there, are all working properly."

Feeling the massive object beneath her feet begin to move, Nana had no choice but to continue following. It wasn't until they reached roughly the fourth floor that the cat killer finally caught a glimpse of the proper decor of a land-based warship.

Nana also underwent security checks here. Just as her agent described, Rhodes Island has the 'action team' that a top-notch company should have. The team that received Nana was called 'Action Team E3'.

"Hello, Miss Agent, we are Rhodes Island Operations Team E3, I am Captain ACE... Welcome to Rhodes Island."

"Well then, Captain Ace, I'll leave Dr. Nana to you now. I'll take Susuluo to her dorm first..."

As she watched the touch marks wave goodbye, despite her disdain for the uniformly dressed combat personnel, Nana knew that Rhodes Island would never treat her as a simple 'doctor'... It was probably more normal for her to be with these burly guys.

But just as Nana was thinking this, behind the burly man named ACE, a woman named Felin, who also had black hair but wore a fiery red headband that reached her waist, peeked out.

...Wait, a head popped out from behind ACE, that burly man?

"Hello~ You're the new member joining us? You're so small... ah cough cough, I mean, so cute!"