Operation story: 5-2

Operation

Story

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Characters
Ch'en Hoshiguma Swire ??? L.G.D. Agent Rhodes Island Operator
Backgrounds
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Before operation

Summary Swire may not be as bad as she seems, but the situation in Lungmen is exactly as bad as it seems. After a confidential communication, Ch'en decides to ask Rhodes Island for help.
<Background 1>
Ch'en	Swire, you're not authorized to make such a demand.
Hoshiguma	Hey.
Ch'en	Even setting aside our bad blood, I don't think you're capable of taking on this responsibility. You very well could have declared— "Chief Wei Yenwu has issued an order for the incumbent operations leader of the L.G.D. to step down and transfer all responsibilities to Superintendent Swire." Can you do that? Does an order like that exist?
Swire	Tch... Don't call me that.
Ch'en	If you can't, then just worry about your own job. Nothing good will come of you catching this hot potato, "Miss S."
Swire	How many times do I have to tell you, that's not my last name? Listen here, Swire is just my code name. Otherwise, call me Beatrix Schwire, got it?
Ch'en	I don't give a damn what you call yourself. Nobody can tell the difference anyway.
Hoshiguma	Hey...
Ch'en	I'm not in the mood to play with you. Run along and find something else to do, kid.
Swire	Ch'en... you really are a piece of shit.
Ch'en	And you can shove it up yours.
Swire	I'm leaving, Hoshiguma. I'd recommend you keep that crazy reptile on a leash. Don't come running to me if she ends up dead in a ditch somewhere.
Hoshiguma	Uhh, sorry, li'l Miss. Both of you sure are ill-tempered. Despite everything she said, we're still grateful for your assistance.
Swire	Never again. I want to see her bleed.
[Swire leaves the room in anger.]
<Background fades out and in>
Ch'en	What happened to her back? It looks like a fresh wound.
Hoshiguma	When she was carrying you to cover, a Reunion caster blasted the wall just a few meters behind her. You should try being a little nicer to her. I'm sure it won't kill either of you to stop acting like archenemies once in a while.
Ch'en	...I know.
(*knock* *knock*)
Rhodes Island Operator	May I come in, Madam Ch'en of Lungmen?
Hoshiguma	Come on in. She doesn't mind. Sorry to keep you waiting.
[A Rhodes Island operator enters the room.]
Rhodes Island Operator	Not at all, it's fine. Pleased to meet you, Madam Ch'en. Um... Are you available to talk with Rhodes Island right now about our mission? We already have a few squads assembled on the deck. We're ready to start the mission with you at any time.
Ch'en	Got it. I'll be right there.
Rhodes Island Operator	I'm sorry that I overheard your earlier conversation with that blonde inspector... We understand that the L.G.D. has sustained heavy losses. However, you can trust us to do everything in our power to help.
Ch'en	...This isn't something we should be talking about right now.
<Background fades out and in>
Ch'en	Don't worry, Hoshiguma. You should also know that Swire is trying to stabilize the situation.
Hoshiguma	Both of you are too hot-headed.
Ch'en	I just gave it to her straight. Lungmen's casualties are heavy, and this is the "truth" that they're supposed to "know."
Hoshiguma	Don't say that. It's not like you.
Ch'en	It's for Lungmen's sake.
Hoshiguma	That's even less like you. You're a senior inspector, a high-ranking officer, not some politician. You've never been cut out for playing these little games.
Ch'en	Indeed, this is not something that a proper inspector should do, but I have no choice.
Hoshiguma	... You're just too overworked and need a good vacation.
Ch'en	Perhaps. Heh... I've thought about it before. Hoshiguma, I could use a really, really long vacation.
Hoshiguma	Sure, after we see this through. Don't die out there. Ochre, or Spring City? How about Floria County instead? We could fit in another vacation in the time it takes to get to Ochre. Maybe we can head back to Victoria and visit some old colleagues...
Ch'en	I want to take a look around your hometown.
Hoshiguma	Don't bother. It's nowhere near as interesting as Lungmen.
Ch'en	Haha.
[Ch'en's radio picks up a call.]
Hoshiguma	Hmm?
Ch'en	It's a transmission. ...It's on a secret channel.
Hoshiguma	I'll see myself out then.
Ch'en	Appreciate it.
Ch'en	Speak, I'm listening.
???	Madam Ch'en... those Infected, Reunion... they're everywhere...
Ch'en	XR02? Where are you?
???	Muk Wo Warehouse. I was hit by several arrows and probably won't last much longer. This is a trap... Don't come until after they've left. I'll keep the intel on me. They won't be able to find it.
Ch'en	Code name XR02, hang in there. The L.G.D. will be there immediately. The intel you have with you is time-sensitive, and we must have it now.
???	I'm not sure, Madam Ch'en, I don't want to get in the way of your duties.
Ch'en	XR02, you are not allowed to die. You must survive.
???	...I can't argue with you, Madam Ch'en. Please be careful. Wait, there's something moving. BZZZZZZZZT!!
Ch'en	XR02? XR02! ...
Ch'en	Hoshiguma?
Hoshiguma	Hm? I'm here.
Ch'en	Gather your squad. It's time for us to go.
<Background 2>
Rhodes Island Operator	Madam Ch'en, are you leaving now?
Ch'en	How's the remaining operational force of Rhodes Island?
Rhodes Island Operator	This is not information that we can disclose, Madam Ch'en. Our mission to assist the L.G.D. in operations, but we are not directly under your command.
Ch'en	I don't remember asking for that.
Rhodes Island Operator	S-sorry, I said too much.
Ch'en	It's fine. I was just curious as to Rhodes Island's situation, and if there were any security concerns that you might need the L.G.D.'s help with.
Rhodes Island Operator	After being defeated by us many times, Reunion has largely given up on invading Rhodes Island. From various angles, the situation in Lungmen is far worse than what we have to deal with.
Ch'en	...
Rhodes Island Operator	Sorry, I hope this didn't come across as rude...
Ch'en	In other words, you don't need our help.
Rhodes Island Operator	Correct.
Ch'en	Well, for the time being, the L.G.D. does need a small favor from you.
Rhodes Island Operator	Hmm?
Ch'en	Reunion has blocked off the main road leading to the docks. We need your help to make an opening. Time is running short for the L.G.D., so we need to do this quickly.
Rhodes Island Operator	We'll oblige, as part of our contract, Madam.
Ch'en	Excellent. Follow me!

After operation

Summary Ch'en responds to the blame and doubt, but Hoshiguma sees through her hesitation. But at least, she now knows what she has to do.
<Background 2>
Rhodes Island Operator	Before fighting them head on, I never expected Reunion to be so weak. Considering what they did at Chernobog and all the trouble they caused our squads, I thought they must have been incredibly powerful. But from what I've seen, the information from the mission briefing was right. That really is all the firepower Reunion can muster. The only thing that makes this mission complicated is the fact that we don't know what they're scheming.
Ch'en	Don't let your guard down. Reunion's greatest strength is their ability to do what you wouldn't expect. Infiltration, surprise attacks, and leveraging their members' unknown abilities... these are the tactics they're best at. We still don't know what cards they might have up their sleeves.
Rhodes Island Operator	I'm aware, considering how they managed to take down cities as big and powerful as Chernobog and Lungmen. Their true numbers may well be beyond our imagination. Having that said, Madam Ch'en, didn't the L.G.D. accompany Amiya on a mission to investigate that Chernobog sub-city? How come they're still not back yet?
Ch'en	I'm sorry...
Hoshiguma	(Ch'en...)
Ch'en	We were separated from Amiya's squad. We weren't able to rendezvous with them, and due to the emergency, we had to turn around.
Rhodes Island Operator	Are you saying that you and the L.G.D. abandoned Amiya and Dr. {player_name} there?
Ch'en	Yes...
Rhodes Island Operator	In other words, they're missing in action? Why... Madam Ch'en... No... You shouldn't have done that… Even if you are the L.G.D., you shouldn't have abandoned your partners.
Ch'en	This is my fault. My mission was to prioritize the safety of Lungmen. I made the decision to adhere to it.
Rhodes Island Operator	What difference does it make whose fault it was…? Forget about it, Officer, there's no point talking about this any further. I should have known better. That's right, I know very well how you view us Infected.
Ch'en	That's not what I meant...
Rhodes Island Operator	How many operators do you need? There may be some who are willing to help you, but I'm not one of them. We also have our missions as well. Helping Lungmen defeat Reunion may be one of them.... But we will be handling this job by ourselves. Make sure to remember our identification codes, Madam. Try not to hit your allies on accident, even if we are Infected.
Ch'en	...I understand. If anyone is willing to join the L.G.D. in this mission, you can let me know. ...You don't have to force yourselves.
<Background fades out and in>
Hoshiguma	That drama with Swire earlier... didn't you do that just to drum up support from Rhodes Island? Then why'd you turn around and treat their personnel like that?
Ch'en	You're mistaken, Hoshiguma. I had no such intentions.
Hoshiguma	Perhaps. I would've liked to see you be more forthcoming. You look a lot more relieved now. To be honest, if I was in his position, I would've been angry as well. Be thankful that the warriors of Rhodes Island are fairly easygoing. How should I say this, but... though it was an emergency, even I can't understand... Why did you decide to abandon Amiya's squad so decisively?
Ch'en	There were too many unknown variables. The terrain made it difficult for the L.G.D. to fight, and we had no way to gauge Reunion's operational capacity. I can't allow my squads to take on these unacceptable risks.
Hoshiguma	I'm not convinced.
Ch'en	Hoshiguma... our plans have already been laid out.
Hoshiguma	Orders are orders, and I will obey them. However, I should be hearing them directly from you, not waiting for Swire to tell me.
Ch'en	Until the conditions are met, the specifics are confidential.
Hoshiguma	So, the orders are from Mister Wei.
Ch'en	You're free to speculate.
Hoshiguma	Even now, I don't know what your objective is. There are few in Lungmen who have the power to make the L.G.D. go this far. It's the only possibility. I appreciate what Mister Wei has done. But I will never respect him, and what happened today is just one of those reasons.
Ch'en	This is all necessary.
Hoshiguma	That's just your excuse. *sigh*... Chen, you're either overthinking this, or you’re not even able to convince yourself.
Ch'en	Maybe. Call Swire for me.
L.G.D. Agent	Understood.
[Ch'en contacts Swire.]
Swire	Hello?
Ch'en	We've left Rhodes Island, Swire. You can begin.
Swire	I bet it felt pretty good yelling at me earlier, huh?
Ch'en	We may not get along, but it's not to that extent. I was exaggerating.
Swire	I wasn't though. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Ch'en	You piece of...
Swire	Fine, fine. You know, it's strange that we know nothing about each others' missions. Also, I just heard about this, but why don't you want Rhodes Island to intervene? Is this some kind of atonement?
Ch'en	I have faith in Rhodes Island's abilities, as well as in Amiya and Dr. {player_name}. But that's why I don't want them involved – they'll only add another unknown factor. Especially that Kal'tsit person. I guarantee you, she will not adhere to our plans.
Swire	I've never met that person before.
Ch'en	You won't need to. She’s a bit like your grandfather, just without a ventilator.
Swire	Huh.
Ch'en	Let's focus on our jobs. Before that, I still have to find someone.
Swire	Whatever. As long as you're not late.
[Ch'en ends the call.]
Ch'en	Hoshiguma, we're going.
Hoshiguma	Where to?
Ch'en	Muk Wo Warehouse.