Léon: The Cat Killer

With a soft chuckle, the captain gestured to the ship's public address system, and Nana nodded in agreement.

Then, the ship's internal broadcast system was activated.

[...To make a long story short, Colombian reinforcements are on their way, and we are about to begin moving and engaging the reinforcements' intercity network...After confirming the situation, Blacksteel International will begin its advance towards Ticalendo...May God guide us, Amen.]

P.S.: I think I've caught a cold... I have a fever...

PS2: Waaaaaah...

It was a little accidental... Doctor... are you crying...?

PS3: After thinking about it, I'd better not kill people indiscriminately... There will be plenty of troublemakers for Nana to slaughter in the future.

The Mystery of Medic 2: Episode 046 - Franka's Secret

Driving towards the direction of the natural disaster cloud, facing the visible howling wind and lightning, Su Su Luo blinked hard to hold back her tears of fear.

Huang, sitting in the passenger seat, observed the little fox's behavior and subsequently offered advice:

"Why don't you take the new recruits and wait for news on the Blacksteel Landship, Sussuruo? They didn't say they would definitely keep waiting... They still have a fourth meeting."

"...You know perfectly well that my departure wasn't just because of that meeting..."

Sussuro glanced in the rearview mirror at Razer and Franka following behind in their black steel BPRS armored van, then sighed as she looked at the newcomers who were now completely focused on the distant celestial clouds, insisting on coming along:

"...At first, I just wanted to find a reason to stop those two from dwelling on 'Jessica'..."

"And then you came up with this... terrible idea of ​​using yourself as bait?"

"...Not really...After all, I did say and stated that if they don't mention Kalendo, we'll go ourselves...And if we're talking about who should lead the new recruits to wait in the safe area, Minghuang, you're clearly a member of the action team..."

Seeing that Sussuruo had smudged the light makeup she had specially put on for her trip to Letania while she was getting to know him, Huang chuckled and handed her a handkerchief and makeup remover... This gesture made the little fox puff out her cheeks slightly, but Sussuruo still quietly said thank you and accepted it.

“You said I’m a member of the action team, how could I abandon you? Even if I were willing, the newbie wouldn’t… At least one of the newbies is a member of the sled rescue team, so they have some disaster response capabilities. If we’re all packed up and thrown into a disaster zone, you, the doctor from this city, are in the most dangerous situation…”

“Is… is that so…”

Seeing that the little fox seemed to have figured out why everyone was looking at her with worried eyes from time to time, Huang spread his hands and pointed to the rearview mirror:

"However, it's amazing that you came up with this method to lure them away... You've bought them some time, haven't you... Although, I don't even know what 'Jessica' is up to."

Watching the 'seniors' chat like this, Merry, sitting in the back seat... the three of them had been whispering code names during the previous meeting, and the girl who currently calls herself 'Kati' peeked out:

"...So, 'Jessica' is actually the captain after all?"

Hearing the question from the back seat, Su Suluo and Huang exchanged a knowing glance and then unanimously denied it:

"...No, it's not..."

"How could that be? No matter how you look at it, they are two different people..."

"...but the smell..."

"The smell is different too... Or is it that, Meryl... Katie, do you remember that smell?"

Hearing Huang's question, Katie scratched her head. She really couldn't describe the taste... but she had only ever felt this feeling on her own captain, so it could be considered evidence.

Before Katie could even grasp the logic, Huang abruptly cut off the young girl's train of thought.

"Furthermore, instead of thinking about other missions, you should probably consider getting off the vehicle immediately and returning to the landship with the rest of the group... I'm seriously suggesting this again, not being sarcastic... You really don't need to come with us. The main reason we left early is to put pressure on Blacksteel... After all, as a partner, Rhodes Island has set off while they're still in place, so public opinion will put pressure on them according to our needs... But this matter can be handled by someone who can represent Rhodes Island, you... don't need to accompany us."

“But, as we said, I respect your actions in the face of natural disasters, so I'm going to follow you... I wasn't just saying that in Blacksteel's office... It's just that, Stewart, you guys…”

"...You're not just saying polite things. Do you think our comments about being with you were just ordinary agreement?"

Angrily, the two white-haired boys poked the forehead of the silly girl with their fingers and sighed in unison.

As for these three, Huang couldn't tell whether they were putting on a brave face or genuinely wanted to follow him from the bottom of their hearts... But since they had said so, Huang naturally had to treat them all the same.

"Alright, let's distribute the equipment then... Medic really knows what he's doing. The outdoor kit he bought at the hotel is lightweight disaster preparedness gear... Katie, you used to work in the rescue team, so teach your friends how to use the masks and air tanks... Sussuro, check your own breathing mask as well. Once we enter the disaster zone, our vehicle's air conditioning won't be able to filter the denser Originium dust."

As he spoke, Huang glanced once more at the two men, Kurogane and the other, who insisted on following him:

"If they're going to keep following us... how about we switch to the Black Steel vehicle? That vehicle should have a safety system in place... like NBC protection and pressurization or something..."

"...But they're here to take us back, right...After causing trouble, we still have to steal their car. Isn't that a bit much?"

Just as Sussurro was chuckling and trying her best to avoid looking at the darkening sky by engaging in conversation, the two men in the back of the Rhodes Island vehicle were also discussing matters related to Rhodes Island:

"...There's no sign of stopping or turning..."

"Perhaps they're not just putting on a show, but genuinely preparing to overcome the natural disaster?"

Without immediately responding to Franka, Razer picked up the car radio and began contacting its own land-based vehicle, which was still within range:

"This is BPRS team. Rhodes Island members are still advancing into the Scourge area... They might be serious. Liskarm operator requests to return to base."

"Huh? Back to the landship? Razer, you're really boring... Shouldn't we grit our teeth and keep up at a time like this to show our respect and loyalty to our allies?"

"But we don't have any deep protective gear with us right now. The protective suits we used in Ironforge were disinfected at the logistics department and haven't been loaded onto the trucks yet... Similarly, I don't think they have any either. While we're still close to the mothership, we can bring them more supplies that they might need during a natural disaster..."

"Hey~ So Razer, you self-proclaimed rational and top student actually wanted to help them too, huh?"

"...I just think they're too reckless...There are quite a few people in Blacksteel who advocate rescuing Tikkarundo, but it's rare to see someone so hot-blooded that they'd throw away their own life."

[This is the Black Steel Landship, BPRS Squad... Back...]

Before she could finish speaking, the radio cut off to a crackling static. Just as Razer was frowning and trying to fix the machine with his bare hands to restore communication, Franka suddenly saw a sharp turn ahead, veer the vehicle in another direction.

A sudden pang of fear gripped her heart. Amid Razer's question, "What are you doing?!" Franka abruptly grabbed the steering wheel in front of Razer and swerved... The vehicle seemed to be thrown into the sky... No, not seemingly, the ground suddenly cracked open, and the black steel van drove onto a raised patch of land, then flew a distance before landing and skidding along the edge of the crack to regain its stability.

"Razer!"

"...I've got it under control!"

Simultaneously operating the gearshift, steering wheel, and pedals, the vehicle swayed slightly at the rear during acceleration. Razer, with considerable driving experience, quickly stabilized the vehicle's posture. Franka, no longer displaying her previous nonchalant attitude, solemnly checked the situation in the rearview mirror.

"It was an earthquake triggered by the activation of underground Originium... The Originium activation glow can be clearly seen in the cracks."

"...The natural disaster has spread...Where are the people of Rhodes Island?!"

"It seems we don't need to worry... They turned around faster than we did... Is it a detection-type Originium Arts?"

As Franka subconsciously analyzed the situation, she picked up the radio for Razer and tried to call the landship, but the receiver was filled with static.

"...No, the Originium is interfering with the commonly used shortwave channels...our anti-jamming circuitry is..."

"Inside the train carriage."

"Okay, you don't look like the type to drive steadily so I can climb to the back."

As he spoke, he and his teammates endured the swaying of the vehicle as they dodged the cracking ground. Razer glanced at the radiation counter, pursed his lips, and said:

"The Originium detectors on this continental ship must have seen this cracked active Originium... In comparison, I'm worried about the quality of our allies' vehicles. Their cars are just ordinary Originium-powered vehicles for commuting in the wilderness... In such driving conditions, they could stall at any time."

Seeing the Rhodes Island vehicle suddenly slow down ahead, Franka gripped the handrail with one hand while straining to withstand the sudden braking of the Liskarm, but this obvious danger made the fox girl smile again:

"Ha, look at your jinxed mouth~ Does the Vaiva Alliance also know curse magic?~"

"Shut up, get them on the bus! The earthquake isn't over yet!!"

Perhaps, without Razer's prompting, the Rhodes Island crew watched as the Black Steel vehicle stopped... as if seeing a savior. Sussurro, who couldn't get the engine going, was immediately helped up by two white-haired boys and scrambled into the vehicle. Then, Blaze and Katie lifted the luggage of the five people from the truck bed. Various equipment boxes, luggage bags, and the calculation data left by Medic were now like being loaded onto two catapults and accurately tossed into the Black Steel van.

"Senior, I'm done pretending!"

"Then... run!"

Finally, Huang carried Katie and the other person into the vehicle through the back door. The next second, as the black steel van started, the ground crack spread to the side of the Rhodes Island vehicle that had broken down. The vehicle wasn't in very good condition... but it was definitely not bad either. The Originium engine vehicle fell into an unknown depth of pit.

Apart from the high-pitched Originium engine of the van, the only sounds were the tumbling and twisting of metal gradually fading from everyone's ears.

As the vehicle began to move, everyone had to hold onto the handrails on the windows to keep their balance, and in the silence, it was Franka who broke the silence first:

"So, you should realize how low the chances are of traversing a natural disaster in that kind of vehicle... But unfortunately, we're being chased by the earthquake and there's no turning back. I think you all owe us a drink, Rhodes Island folks."

"...Sorry to have dragged you into this...but we're mentally prepared for this level of difficulty...As for drinks, I'll treat you after the Tikkarendo matter is over. You can drink whatever you want then. Rhodes Island's landships are also planning to run bars."

This served as a way for Sussuro to deal with Franka's teasing, who didn't know how to respond. Through the rear window, Huang looked at the spreading cracks in the ground.

"I hope you don't mind, but with our escape route cut off, we're afraid we'll have to move forward together."

"...This is precisely the result of your frivolous actions, Franka, oh dear—!"

Before Razer could finish complaining, Miss Fox chuckled and pinched Razer's thigh. The diminutive Vayvan let out a cute sound, but then immediately glared angrily at his companion:

"I'm speaking up for you! You just inhaled Originium dust not long ago, and now you're forced into the disaster zone, how come you're still grinning like that?!"

"...Well, I don't really think it's a big deal... As experts in handling infected individuals, doesn't Rhodes Island know about the dangers of entering the area affected by natural disasters?... Look at the respirators around their necks, do they look like they're about to give up?"

"I'm addressing your problem!!"

Seeing her teammates' near-frantic state, Franka's smile seemed to brighten even more:

"...I have no problem...Razer, you know, I'm part of the faction that supports Tikkarundo..."

"...What are you saying?"

Turning to look at the bewildered Rhodes Island members, Franka raised a finger to her lips: (Art/Art)

"Although it's a bit against the rules, for the sake of this poor partner who's been kept in the dark, I might have to reveal some details of the collaboration... Razer, in your opinion, Rhodes Island's series of sudden, illogical, and self-defeating actions are all thanks to you..." Ling

"Huh? What are you saying..." Yi

“Jessica…” Qi

Driving, Razer's expression was completely bewildered, while behind them, Huang and Sussuruo looked tense. Katie and her two laborers, however, were now excited, seemingly sensing something they'd only ever seen in movies.

"It's because Razer said he was going to visit 'Jessica' that everyone on Rhodes Island acted so strangely... Before, you guys in the office clearly said that you would only act like this 'death to prove your point' if you were to confirm that Blacksteel wouldn't take action... And now, there's still a meeting on the landship, but you've already taken action ahead of schedule... and such an unreliable and sudden attack, it's obviously to attract Razer's attention... It's just that my poor partner didn't know anything and was led by the nose by you guys."

Shrugging, Franka, as if deliberately teasing Liskarm, said with a mischievous smile: Nine

"The 'Jessica' we saw in the conference room... she probably wasn't Jessica at all. She was most likely a Colombian government agent or something? Rhodes Island must have been commissioned by the government to assist... no, all non-shipship department personnel on board were probably asked to do the same... otherwise, how could they hold so many rounds of those time-wasting meetings..."

Listening to Frankana's seemingly serious analysis, Razer's eye twitched:

"You must have made this up again... I... I've never heard Dr. Franco mention anything like this before?"

"Because in Blacksteel now, not fulfilling the crisis contract is 'justice'... The captain provoked us a little, and those who usually kept to themselves all jumped out... Although the logic of that argument is flawless, Blacksteel International is ultimately a military organization, and we're here for disaster relief, not to instigate a humanitarian catastrophe like genocide... Several department heads felt that the captain was trying to find out about the opposition's sting operation... They just didn't expect the government to get so anxious and send in agents to meet with the captain..."

Nodding, Franka, feeling confident she could justify her explanation, shrugged at Razer:

"I don't know if 'Jessica' has reached a conclusion with the captain... but in any case, Blacksteel's departure is an inevitable outcome under the coercive power of the state..."

"So...so what?!"

Seeing Razer's incomprehension as he slammed the accelerator to the floor, the Rhodes Island crew inside the car trembled and gripped the handrails tightly. Franka, too, swayed unsteadily as Razer's driving became increasingly agitated.

"How about what?"

"I mean! So what if I inexplicably tricked them into ending up in the wilderness?! Franka, are you trying to say that it's my fault we're being chased by the Earthquake?! Because I sided with the captain, and the captain's decision was destined to be suppressed by the nation, so our current absurd situation is all my own fault?!" "Ah, that's not what I meant... Razer?"

Ignoring Franka's outstretched hand, Razer even slapped Franka's hand away:

"Social, political, and all that other nonsense analysis—I don't understand any of that! All I know is that Franka, you shouldn't be on a mission during a natural disaster. You should be resting. If you inhale Originium dust and then come into contact with Originium again, you could very well become an Infected, you know that?! What do the Captain's decisions and the government's plans have to do with me?!"

"Razer...are you crying?"

"No!! I just feel nauseous, vomiting, and the car is shaking so much I feel like throwing up... Do you remember your travel plans? If you become infected, how many places are still on your wish list?! Think about me, the one who's always been thinking of you—!!"

Watching the white-haired Vaiva, who was gritting her teeth and pressing the pedal to the floor, Franka seemed to be looking at something very distant, hesitant to speak. A silence filled the carriage, and in the end, Miss Fox returned to her enigmatic demeanor.

"...Thank you, Razer...but it's too late..."

"?"

"I'm already an Infected... Originally, after the Tikkarendo mission, I should have left quietly on my own... Ah, don't make that face, I'm not going to die. It's just that as a price for treatment, I'm serving Rhodes Island as a Blacksteel dispatch operator... Jennifer has taken care of me for a long time, and she's kept it a secret until now, which is about the limit... Now, as a dispatch operator going to Rhodes Island to establish a strategic corporate relationship, it counts as fieldwork and I'll also get a Blacksteel allowance. This is a pretty good job for an Infected person..."

Franka comforted Razer in this way, but after speaking, she pursed her lips and looked at Razer. This girl, who was so angry that she seemed to be fuming, had spoken in an extremely rude manner:

"What the hell does this have to do with the current situation! Franka, you filthy fox, you just want to take advantage of the natural disaster and disappear, don't you?! What kind of bullshit support faction or captain faction are you?! When have you ever cared about such things before?! You just want to learn that crap of sentimental literature so you can see me sad and then film it to laugh at me for the rest of my life! Don't you know what you're made of?!"

"...Pfft...Haha...Hahahaha~"

Whether Razer's prediction came true or not, in the swaying van, Franka let out a light, relaxed, almost unrestrained laugh:

"Oh dear, I didn't even realize I was being so mischievous. Maybe you'll finally understand me this time~"

Rolling her eyes, Razer ignored her eccentric partner and took a deep breath. After confirming the tremors had subsided, she glanced in the rearview mirror.

"...I don't know much about what Franka said, but you...you really are determined to go to Tikarendo, right?"

Seeing Huang raise an eyebrow and shrug, and Susuru nod seriously, Razer bit her lip:

"Although Franka is quite unreliable, it's rare for her to analyze something so seriously, so I... will tentatively believe her nonsensical arguments..."

"Since it's a done deal for Blacksteel to head to Ticalendo, that's good news for us... After all, what's an obstacle to us, the fissures in the ground, are just things that can be easily crushed in front of the landship... At the speed of the Blacksteel landship, we'll be able to return to the ship to rest and repair soon..."