Operation story: 4-3

Operation

Story

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Characters
Doctor Amiya Frostleaf Jessica Kal'tsit Meteorite Reunion Member
Backgrounds
1 2 3

Before operation

Summary After reuniting with the Doctor, Amiya seems to have have changed. Though still confused, she seems to have a clearer direction. Shortly afterwards, they receive a message from Kal'tsit, notifying them that something has just happened.
<Background 1>
Kal'tsit	I understand. All right, keep in touch. Let me know if catch wind of anything. Just press the third button. Mhm. ...Hmm? Dr {nickname}? Where's Amiya?
Doctor	She went to the slums.
Kal'tsit	...You actually let her go alone. ...Whatever, at least someone is protecting her. I suppose you wouldn't be able to do anything even if you went with her. I'll let you off the hook this time. Did you also come back by yourself? Oh, Penguin Logistics. You also need to take better precautions to stay safe. We won't always have the luxury of reliable local guides. Dr {nickname}... Amiya will not be in Lungmen for a long time, since she has other missions to do. You'll have to face her again. ...If I were you, I'd make sure to tell her the things that I couldn't say before.
<Background 2>
Amiya	Ah, Doctor? Were you waiting for me this whole time... Sorry to have kept you waiting. Hmm? My complexion looks different from when I left? ... Some things happened. I feel like... Perhaps Madam Ch'en has her own way of looking at things. Even though her words are harsh, and she has done things that I can't accept... Maybe... the difference between us isn't that big. She has her responsibilities. Oh... I understand now... She also has her share of burdens to bear. Perhaps I also...
Doctor	Amiya, you also have plenty of responsibilities yourself. / ...
Amiya	Is that so... I... just didn't have other choices.
Doctor	At least you saw your choices through. / ...
Amiya	...I suppose all these consequences were the results of my persistence. Doctor, there's no need... to try to comfort me. Actually, I'm well aware of this. But what I don't know... What I don't know, is how long we have to keep going before this world begins to change. But, what I do know for sure... Is that I won't give up. I'll always bear the consequences of my actions, because... I chose this path. Doctor... Will you... stay by my side? Even though... this guilt will always stay with me... The regret of not being able to bring everyone with me. The regret of not being able to save my friends... But I must face reality. With everyone in Rhodes Island...
[The conversation between Amiya and the Doctor is interrupted when the former's cellphone rings, which she promptly picks up.]
Amiya	Hmm? A message from Dr Kal'tsit... Dr Kal'tsit? Did you need something?
Kal'tsit	Amiya, I've received communications from a few recon teams. The situation has changed for the worse.
Amiya	Okay, I'll be right there.

After operation

Summary In the ruins of the abandoned city, Meteorite's team encounters a unique Reunion squad. This team is likely responsible for the sudden drop in temperature, reminding Frostleaf of a legend she heard about the mythical "Yetis."
<Background 3>
Reunion Member	Get moving! ...
Jessica	What's going on...?
Frostleaf	(Don't make a sound!)
Jessica	(Nnnh–––)
Frostleaf	(Are they still around?)
Meteorite	(They're still here...!) (They seem to searching for something...) (A Reunion member is headed our way! We need to hide!)
<Background fades out and in>
Reunion Member	... Must be my imagination.
<Background fades out and in>
Frostleaf	(Can you get a clear shot on him?)
Meteorite	(We're too far away...) (The explosions stopped as soon as they appeared...) (They're too spread out. There's no way I'd be able to take out all three at once.) (Also, their movements are nothing like those ordinary street thugs.)
Jessica	(The other Reunion troops don't seem to be dressed as heavily.)
Meteorite	(That's right. As you can see, we must be extremely careful. If any of them survive and call for reinforcements, we'll be in serious danger.) (On top of that, I see one person over there in Caster attire, and they seem to be testing something.) (If they're also able to use Detection Arts...) (They might be able to detect us just based upon a bullet we fire.)
Frostleaf	(So basically, our hands are tied. Even though it's a three versus three, it feels like we've been surrounded.)
Meteorite	(Things aren't looking good. I really dislike this kind of feeling.) (Though we're supposed to be the hunters, it feels like all we've been cornered into hiding by bigger prey.) (Wait, they seem to be communicating with someone...)
Frostleaf	(I can't hear what they're saying from here. I'm going to get closer.)
Meteorite	(Don't. It's too risky right now.) (It's too quiet. We don't know what kinds of Infected we're facing yet...) (If any of them have enhanced hearing, we'll be in trouble.) (...What are they waiting for?) (Something feels... off about this.) (Could it be...) (Jessica, are you feeling it too...?)
Jessica	(Y-yeah... I'm also...) (The temperature is dropping again...) (So... cold...)
Meteorite	(Could they be behind this...?!) (...! Jessica, why are you biting your fingers––)
Frostleaf	(So that her teeth don't chatter and make noise.) (I don't think that's necessary yet, but what a diligent kid.)
Meteorite	(To me, you're just a kid too.)
Frostleaf	(...Hah.) (As if.)
<Background fades out and in>
Meteorite	(...It's warming back up again. Those three Reunion members left as well.) Are they testing the functionality of something...? ...They appeared without making a sound, only leaving a trail of shivering cold in their wake. They really are like those "yetis" from legend.
Frostleaf	Maybe my guess was right. They might just be yetis.
<Background fades out and in>
Frostleaf	...Found it. Here's another wall that's been affected by the ice. But, look at this...
Meteorite	There's a chunk of black Originium lodged in the corner? No wonder. The cold wave must have emanated from here.
Frostleaf	There are distinct patterns on the wall. This chunk of Originium is the epicenter of all this. ...When I was a mercenary, there was a rumor circulating around. In the northwest, the Infected were carrying out guerilla warfare against Ursus. Among them was a towering monster. As the rumor went, nothing could hold off its advance. Shields would be crumpled, weapons would be snapped. Everywhere the monster went, only a barren tundra, devoid of life, would remain. And within that guerilla force, there was this one squad... They were like the chill of winter itself. The land was said to freeze underneath their feet. Buildings would collapse, turned into nothing more than grains of snow drifting across an empty battlefield. The trenches where the Ursus soldiers were stationed became their icy grave.
Meteorite	Are you saying that...
Frostleaf	Yes. I think this is that very legend... ...the "Yeti Squadron." Let's keep going. I have a feeling that we're going to find the Reunion base soon.
Jessica	Ugh...
Meteorite	What's wrong?
Jessica	Do you smell that as well... ...the smell of something burning?