Operation story: OD-5

Operation

Story

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Characters
Ash Blitz Franka Frost Liskarm Rangers Schwarz Tachanka Miarow Picale Drudge Occphen Lord's Guard Originiutant
Backgrounds
1 2 3 4

Before operation

“

The Rhodes Island operators reach a cooperative agreement with Team Rainbow. Both sides agree to act conservatively, focusing on defense of the safehouse while avoiding the broader political turmoil brewing outside.

”

<Background 1>
Ash	You can do it! Lord!
Tachanka	Hnng... Grrrgh! Gah...!
Ash	Almost! Just a little more!
Tachanka	And... Hah! It's up!
Ash	Well done!
Rangers	Yes... It's very impressive you can pull back this crossbow with your bare hands.
Tachanka	Phew... What a design. You couldn't tell by looking at it that this crossbow has such tensile strength.
Rangers	It's a pretty ordinary crossbow. Most Sarkaz can lock it barehanded.
Tachanka	A heavy crossbow with this kind of power... at least than one hundred meters, it won't be that different from a gun. It's just too much work. ...And I already learned the hard way that bit about our physical differences. That zappy girl over there might be no weaker than me.
Rangers	Are you talking about Liskarm? She's a Vouivre. They're a strong race, for sure.
Tachanka	Right......
Ash	Why the sudden interest in these weapons?
Tachanka	We're expecting a lot of fights soon, so it's time to think about what to do when we run out of ammo. Without bullets, my gun might as well be a paperweight. I don't think we can take them hand-to-hand when it comes to that. And our training and experience won't be enough either.
Ash	How much do we have left?
Tachanka	Not much over here. Not even four hundred rounds.
Ash	Let me show you something.
Tachanka	Is this a... bullet?
Ash	It's a bullet that Rhodes Islander named Liskarm uses. They call it an "etched bullet," and it's apparently an extremely expensive commodity.
Tachanka	Did you take it apart yet? What's it made of? What's the propellant?
Ash	This chunk of crystal.
Tachanka	Looks like an energy source. Is that a propellant or a warhead?
Rangers	A Laterano gunsmith once told me that every single etched bullet contains a miniature casting unit that matches up with the structure of a Laterano gun. That means it's not only the gun, but every etched bullet, is basically a caster's staff. That's why they're so expensive, and why they need such complicated Arts that only Sankta can make much use of them. Other peoples go with easier ranged weapons.
Tachanka	So Laterano is the name of the country, Sankta is the name of the race. Laterano people are not necessarily Sankta... Got it. But that's real bad news about the bullets. Do we have any gun here that doesn't require those "Originium Arts" to work?
Rangers	I've never heard about those firearms that don't need Originium Arts.
Tachanka	(Sigh)...
Ash	One step at a time. At least everybody can use explosives.
Tachanka	Where did Kötz go with them?
Ash	They're in the basement. Still trying to fix the thing that looks like a radio transmitter.
<Background fades out and in>
Liskarm	We can't power the comm casting unit.
Franka	It's a power problem?
Liskarm	Maybe... I'll have to see.
Franka	Okay, you all take a step back. The valedictorian is about to do her stuff.
Liskarm	...Charging...
Blitz	Oh! Ooh! Oooh! Was that Arts? It was pretty cool.
Ash	It definitely... leaves an impression.
<Background 1>
Franka	Is it working?
Liskarm	It's on!
Franka	Great work. That's my walking power supply.
Liskarm	Don't you have anything better to do than annoy me? ......Hmm...... No good. It's still not connecting. The crystal electronics unit may be too damaged. Or there may be some damage somewhere else in the circuit we can't see with the naked eye. We don't have any equipment for repairing Originium circuits here, so we can't troubleshoot.
Franka	*Sigh*, sounds pretty hopeless.
Tachanka	Can ordinary people do these Originium Arts too?
Franka	Theoretically... almost anyone can learn to do Arts at some level, with enough training. It's just that studying Arts takes time and effort, and that gets tied up pretty close with talent. Lots of people master only the most basic Arts, even after pushing themselves a lot harder than others.
Rangers	I'm a dumb old man, and I've never learned any Originium Arts.
Ash	What are you thinking?
Tachanka	Nothing... Just brainstorming about our situation here... some wild, impractical ideas.
Liskarm	Oh, right, Mr. Kötz. Take a look at this shield here.
Blitz	What's... what's that on the shield?
Liskarm	I installed a high-powered spotlight and a universal Originium circuit based on the original design and function of your shield. It should work just like you're used to.
Blitz	Thanks a bundle! ...Oh... But I can't use "Originium Arts".
Franka	Strictly speaking, a universal Originium circuit is a piece of modern technology that lets people who don't know how to use Arts use it anyway. It is loaded with a few simple Originium Arts.
Liskarm	Of course, the power supply and equipment maintenance still need to be carried out by a trained caster.
[Liskarm gave Blitz the repaired and modified G52 Tactical Shield.]
Blitz	All right, let's see. It's still pretty heavy. ...Turn it on... Hit the switch... All good. I'll give it a try.
[Blitz tested the repaired/modified G52 Tactical Shield's flash function, which works fine.]
Blitz	Wow! It really works! But it'll take some getting used to. I haven't done a shield charge in six months. I've almost forgotten how to use the thing.
<Background fades out and in>
[Frost returns to the safehouse after scouting the area.]
Ash	How are things looking outside?
Frost	The last attack was also the last enemy movement. We haven't seen any probing strikes since. I don't think that's a good sign. Especially considering what a well-organized bunch of punks they are, I've got a bad feeling about this.
Rangers	The calm before the storm.
Frost	Sure enough.
Ash	Where's the doctor?
Frost	Resting. He hasn't slept in days.
Rangers	Give the kid a break. He shouldn't have to deal with all this at his age. And we've got another problem on our hands. We're running out of food.
Ash	Right. Mr. Occphen told us.
Frost	What are you thinking?
Ash	I'm thinking whether or not we should take a trip back to the Infected quarter.
Frost	I get you.
Rangers	Oh? You have a plan?
Frost	We left in a hurry. A lot of the sick people didn't have time to bring their food from home.
Rangers	True. We have enough hands here. We could send some people out to get supplies.
Ash	Then let's save our talk here. We should be able to get there before the night falls.

After operation

“

When a supply and food shortage hits the safe house, the Rhodes Island operators propose to search through the ravaged Infected homes to recover anything that might have avoided confiscation. However, in the process, they are stopped by the guards of the Lord of Long Spring.

”

<Background 2>
[Ash searches around the old safehouse and found supplies.]
Frost	Find anything?
Ash	Got something! It's not much, but it's something.
Rangers	Good work. These provisions, along with the emergency store in the safehouse, should keep us fed for a week, if we stretch it.
Ash	It's getting late. Let's head back.
[Sounds of movement are heard nearby.]
Schwarz	...Someone's coming.
Rangers	How many?
Schwarz	...A dozen maybe. Could be mercenaries.
Rangers	Hurry! Back to the safehouse!
[Ash, Frost, Rangers, and Schwarz quickly leave the house.]
<Background 3>
[The group are being pursued as they ran through the alley.]
Rangers	Are they still on us?
Schwarz	...Yes.
Rangers	That's not good.
Ash	I knew they wouldn't let up.
Rangers	We are bound to get sieged if we choose to fight here. Keep retreating.
[The group keeps running.]
<Background 1>
[The group returns to the safehouse with Ash regrouping with Tachanka.]
Tachanka	What happened?
Ash	We've got company. Get ready to fight.
Schwarz	Something's not right... ...Hold your fire...
Tachanka	Why?
Schwarz	...It's not those mercenaries. ...They're Reproba soldiers...
Rangers	Local guards? Hold fire!
Picale	Guards, surround the structure! Don't let anyone escape.
[The guardsmen surrounds the safehouse.]
Blitz	Wait a second, are we surrounded?
Rangers	...This isn't good.
Liskarm	Why are the Lord's men encircling us?
Rangers	Let's have you quiet down for now.
<Background 3>
Picale	I want all of you inside to listen up! I am the captain of the Long Spring village guard, daughter of the Lord of Long Spring, Picale Tulla. I want you all to lay down your weapons and come out nice and easy. Don't test my patience. You'll regret it.
The imposing Reproba warrior strikes the halberd into the ground with all her might. And the earth starts to tremble instantly.
Picale	Mercenaries. It's always mercenaries. You shameless, faithless, virtueless bastards. How much gold did my evil brother give you? You won't get away. I'll crush you. I'll stomp you into dust. I'll make you pay for everything you've done. Once I cut you down, you'll finally understand that no amount of blood money can buy you another life!
<Background 1>
Blitz	Oh! Oh! Are you sure they're here to help? I think they'd rather hang us from the town gate.
Ash	That's what I'm afraid of.
<Background 3>
[Rangers try to negotiate with Picale, the commander of the Long Spring guardsmen.]
Rangers	There's definitely a misunderstanding here. Lady Picale. I'm a field operator with Rhodes Island, code name Rangers. I'm pretty sure Rhodes Island signed a cooperation agreement with your family. We're...
Picale	Shut up! Rhodes Island! Sanctimonious hypocrites! My father trusted you! He believed your promises. That's why he agreed to your safehouse. And how did you repay him? You kidnapped our people! Robbed them of everything they had! I saw it! You're a bunch of treacherous villains!
[Ash joins in as the tension grows.]
Ash	If you think for a single second, you'll know that doesn't make any sense. If we wanted to pillage the town, why would we still be here?
Picale	Don't try to talk your way out of this! And who the hell are you? You're standing on my father's land with your guns, and you dare to argue with me?!
Ash	If you're so tough, where have you been all this time? You and the Lord's men let those thugs raid the quarantine zone so we had to risk our lives to save the townsfolk in there. What were your precious guardsmen doing then? And you still think you can come here and talk a big game with us?
Tachanka	Settle down. She doesn't seem like the type you can reason with.
[Miarow joins in to convince Picale.]
Miarow	Lady Picale! I'm Dr. Miarow, from the Infected quarter! We've met before!
Picale	...Right. I know you.
Miarow	Rhodes Island didn't rob the Infected. I can testify to that! We were forced here by the riots. And it's not just me. Any of the Infected here will tell you that. Lady Picale, I need you to trust me.
Picale	...... ...I trust you, Doctor. Many people speak highly of you.
Miarow	Thank you, Lady Picale.
Picale	But I don't trust them!
The imposing daughter of the Lord points forward with her colossal halberd.
Picale	It is a grave infraction to enter my father's territory, armed, without permission! In light of you protecting my father's subjects... I will pardon you for that infraction. As for Rhodes Island! The contract you signed with my father is, as of today, null and void.
Rangers	...Please reconsider.
Picale	There is nothing to discuss! Long Spring does not need armed foreigners, not even Rhodes Islanders! I will gather up the Infected and take them where they belong. We don't need you getting involved.
Liskarm	But...
Rangers	Alright. Don't speak. Do not defy the local Lord. We are standing here at Sargon as Rhodes Island operators.
Liskarm	......
<Background fades out and in>
Lord's Guard	Forty-one, forty-two... Any others?
Miarow	That's all...
Lord's Guard	No problem. We'll get you to safety.
Miarow	Miss Cohen, Mr. Alexsandr. Thank you for all that you've done.
Ash	No need. We should be thanking you.
Miarow	Where are you going to go?
Ash	Not sure yet.
Tachanka	Let's not make it sound so sad. Maybe we'll meet again someday. I'll have to tell you about it next time...
Lord's Guard	?
Tachanka	*Cough* *cough*... the story of the dog-headed man.
Miarow	Hahaha... alright.
Rangers	Doctor, this is for you.
Miarow	It's... an Originium Ingot. But I can't...
Rangers	Remuneration. For Occphen's leg.
Miarow	That was just some basic first aid... it's not worth this much...
Rangers	I think it's worth it. Take it.
Miarow	Thanks, Mr. Rangers. And... thank you all. Goodbye.
[After Miarow left, Rangers and Schwarz realized something.]
Schwarz	......
Rangers	......
Schwarz	Something's off.
Rangers	I know. *Sigh*. I thought caution was the right move, but we ended up with a big misunderstanding.
Liskarm	Who would've thought the captain of the guard would be so difficult?
Franka	A muscle-headed moron. We have enough of those at BSW.
Liskarm	So what do we do?
Occphen	They seized pretty much everything from the safehouse.
Rangers	At least we're all unharmed. That's what really matters. Come with us, Mr. Occphen. We'll sign you in at the branch office, then contact the landship and figure out what to do.
Occphen	That's really our only option.
Schwarz	...I'm not so sure.
Rangers	What do you mean?
Schwarz	...That Picale woman... could she be the one behind all this? The Lord was so slow to act, even as the mercenaries were rounding up the Infected. ...And now we've got a captain of the guard, taking everyone away all nice and legally. This can't just be a coincidence.
Rangers	...That does make sense.
Schwarz	...I'm going to tail them... and see.
Ash	I'm going too.
Rangers	No. More hands are more easily seen. The rest of you stand by.
Schwarz	......
Rangers	What's the matter?
Schwarz	I thought you won't agree with this plan.
Rangers	Avoiding conflicts with the local Lord doesn't mean our hands are tied here. We need to play to the score. Some times you need a few tricks to get things working.
Schwarz	I see...
<Background 4>
Picale	Get them all to shelter first, then I want three with me. I think there's something happening in the mines.
Lord's Guard	Understood.
Picale	Is there enough room left in the shelter?
Lord's Guard	Not really. Half of the town's population is already inside.
Picale	Tell them to move upstairs if necessary. Them can have my father's room.
Lord's Guard	Is this...really necessary?
Picale	I don't see anything wrong with it. My father will do the same should he lived.
Lord's Guard	...I see.
Picale	Don't let your guard down anyway. ...Wait, did the lights go out as soon as we left?
Lord's Guard	I don't remember...
Picale	!! Out of the way!
[Suddenly a nearby house's wall blows up...]
Lord's Guard	Aaah!
[...as one of the strange creatures, now known as Originiutants, emerge from it.]
Originiutant	Gaa...
Picale	We're under attack! Protect the civilians!
[Picale kills the Originiutant.]
Picale	Where did they come from?! What are you waiting for?! Get ready to break through!
[More explosions are heard as more Originiutants show up.]
Lord's Guard	There's too many of them!
Picale	Take the civilians and get out of here! I'm breaking off!
[Picale kills several of the attacking Originiutants.]
Picale	Come on, you cowardly bandits!
<Background fades out and in>
[Picale kills Originiutants in her way.]
Picale	Phew... How many was that? Finally.
[Miarow rushes to Picale's side.]
Miarow	Lady Picale!
Picale	Doctor! What are you doing here?!
Miarow	Don't go! The Lord's Manor has already been...
[Suddenly an explosion occurs close to Miarow, knocking him down.]
Picale	Doctor! ...... Drudge! Get the hell out of here! I'm going to chop your goddamned head off!
[Drudge shows himself.]
Drudge	Hahaha... You're loud as you ever were, dear sister.
Picale	You... You disgusting... I have to kill you.
Drudge	Show me what you've got.
As the imposing Reproba charges at her brother with shocking speed, she realizes it. She's fallen right into a trap. Under the cover of night, behind the crumbling houses, a machine rumbles. In one second, she feels herself struck dizzy by a ferocious blow, as if slammed right in the face by a boulder launched from a catapult. In the next second, she falls unconscious.