CHAPTER : 13 COLLECTION ...

Rhodes Island

“Thanks for taking care of him, Doktah.” The woman next to me shook her head. “Amiya, It's no problem, really.”

I smiled at her as the automated mechanical door of the Rhodes med-bay opened with a smooth Shhhh sound. Revealing the result of one of RI’s best strong points. Namely our medical technology and equipment that we had been working so hard on, all just to cure one disease.

Doktah had alerted me of Snafu's condition yesterday, but I couldn't visit him until today.

“Snafu” the recently famed mysterious man who somehow found and opened the sarcophagus of Doktah on his own before us, who also helped the team escape the burning Chernobog at the time of Reunion's invasion with his absolutely unique style of marksmanship and skill. I didn't know who he was, where he came from, or what he even was. But honestly, I would be lying if I said I wasn't concerned for him at all.

I finally reached the room he was currently laying in and a sigh of relief came over my body. A sigh that seemed to push off some of the weight I've been feeling ever since the operation in Chernobog. I smiled.

“My greetings, Mister Snafu. I'm happy to see you're doing alright.” I tipped my head to him, being polite as I can to someone I can call as a benefactor. He looked up from his bed.

“Oh, You're that donk- Bunny aye?” “Huh?”

“Snafu! Please be polite to the CEO!” Doktah said, slightly yelling at him in a quite amusing manner.

“I'm kidding, my apologies, ma’am.” “It's alright, please just call me Amiya. You must still be tired, how are you feeling right now?” I said while sitting down at the chairs nearby, and so did Doktah. “I'm fine, but honestly, didn't I recover a bit too fast? I remember taking that hit pretty damn hard.” Snafu said, caressing the massive bandage on his lower waist. “Well, you have to thank Miss Warfarin's expertise, and her abilities in arts, not to mention that thing you were wearing behind your clothes.”

“Behind my clothes? Oh! That thing!” “Yep, you've got some pretty interesting items, Mister Snafu.” “Thanks, I'm not selling them. But, where exactly did you put my stu-” But before he could speak, a sudden female robotic voice interrupted the conversation.

“Kal’tsit is requesting your presence, Doctor.”

The little Lancet-2 came strolling right next to us, using its wheels to move itself around, surprising both Snafu and The Doctor.

“What the Darpa shit?” I heard Snafu murmur. Closure's little machination seemed to have gotten a reaction from Snafu, but what did he mean by Darpa? “Sorry, I think I have to get going now.” The Doctor said, staring at Snafu then to me. “Looks like I'll leave Snafu to you, Amiya.” “I'll take care of it, see you later Doktah!”

“Doktah?” Said Snafu, confused. “It's just what Amiya calls me, anyways I'll come meet you later after this, Mister Snafu!” “Yeah, later.” Doktah stood up and left waving her hands goodbye, and now it was just me and Snafu. We exchanged glances with one another, his scarred face and eyes stared directly into mine. I'm not sure why, but I couldn't help but flinch, quickly avoiding his gaze and instead focusing on the sheets of medical paper in my hands.

As a leader of Rhodes Island, naturally I have met many different people of all types and kinds of attitudes and faces, but something about Snafu, just felt different?

Kal'tsit always said I had a talent for understanding people. I still don't fully understand what she meant by that, but the more people I see the more I feel like I understand. People are all so different, no matter how many of us are born, we all have our own way to talk, sleep and even smile, from the mere millimeter differences in the way our unconscious mind contracts their facial muscles to produce expression, the face of their emotion, to the way we choose to let out their feelings in all types of different manners, all of that says alot about the person, of what they show outside, to what they really feel deep within. So it was off-putting, really off-putting that I couldn't understand anything about the person right in front of me.

It wasn't that Snafu was weird or anything, he looked normal, his speech and personality may be a lot sometimes, but I couldn't help but feel like something was off. Maybe it was his eyes? The fact that they always remained, stagnant?

“Hey missy, I don't know what's so interesting about that piece of paper you're holding but, I was about to ask, do you know where my stuff is?”

His voice sent electricity to my brain, internally facepalming myself for somehow forgetting that there's a person right in front of me. “Oh, Sorry! I kinda zoned out for a bit, oh and this piece of paper, well it's just your medical records, and uhh- other stuff.” I explained hurriedly with the tinge of embarrassment making my cheeks flush a little. “And as for the items you have brought with you. Rest assured, they're safe.”

“When will I get to see em’?” He said, almost instantly. “Mister, we can see them later, but for now, please cooperate with us and then you could unite with your belongings when you're discharged, as I said before, they're kept safe.”

My reply somehow made him give up on his inquiry. Truth to be told, I wasn't here to check up on his health. Kal'tsit sent me because apparently, Warfarin's initial test found a literal zero amount of Originium in his bloodstream, or anywhere in his body. When I first heard of the news, I was ecstatic, to say the least.

Kal'tsit still didn't believe it, thinking that our machines somehow can't scan Snafu properly, and Warfarin insisting she needs to do more research on Snafu before she could truthfully confirm, but for me, I was really, really hopeful. Hopeful for it to be true. Everyone on Terra has traces of Originium, it was common. Even for the non-infected, but for a person to have a complete zero… Just imagine how much this would do for us- No, the whole infected if we can somehow find the reason for Snafu's immunity, and maybe, even replicate it? Somehow? Wait! I'm getting ahead of myself!

Though another interesting tidbit was that a lot of his stuff was considered as items of interest by Closure. I still don't know why but that cheeky vampire’s curiosity and obsession with engineering seemed to have caught something on the random gadgets that Snafu brought along with him, and not to mention his pistol firearm that Ace managed to salvage from the ground from that time. Now that I think about it, it probably wasn't a good idea to trust Closure with someone's stuff, I think I need to tell her not to touch them, If she hadn't already. But if she did, I- let's not think about that for now.

“So, Mister Snafu.” I started, and he looked back. “What's your full name? Is it actually Snafu? Don't worry, if you want to keep your name hidden, then you don't need to answer.” “Huh, If that's the case, then my name is Snafu.” I nod as I write down the name he wanted to be called with, while also noting down that his Snafu isn't his real name. But that wasn't odd, many operators in Rhodes choose to keep their actual names private, the only question being what exactly does Snafu mean?

Maybe I'll ask him that later, but now it's time to focus. “You were really good with a gun, but you're obviously not a Sankta. What's your race exactly?” This time I took a quick glance, and his face was blank. “Human.” He said straightforwardly and I replied in the same manner. “I mean, your exact race, Mister Snafu.”

Snafu went silent for a while, then he asked a befuddling question. “Why is this important?” My head tilted in confusion. “So that our medical experts could determine your arts and physical capabilities and body structure.”

“Well, Caucasian? I guess?”

C-Caucasian? Never in my life have I heard of that race before! I slowly took a book from one of the many drawers and cabinets of the med-bay. Encyclopedia of all Terran Races, the title said in bold text. I went straight to the table of contents to see the races that started with a Victorian C. Weird, I'm sure I had gone through this book more than five times, but I'm not sure if I have ever set foot on a race called Caucasian nor have I even heard of it from other sources, but before I could scan any further, I heard Snafu grumbling.

I looked at him and with a stare he said, “You won't find it in there.” “Hmm? Why? This book right here is probably one of the most well rese-” “I'm joking.”

A joke? Why would he- Nevermind. We stared at each other awkwardly for a short while. “Mister Snafu, if you also wanted to keep your race private, then you could've said so in the beginning. But it would be harder to treat you if you keep it hidden.” I said, trying my best to keep a stern tone In front of a man who probably vaporized an entire Reunion Battalion.

“My apologies, Miss.” I sighed as I left his race part on the paper blank. After the initial test done by Warfarin also left his race as a blank space, I was really looking forward to what kind he was, but it seems that's another secret he's keeping away. I really didn't want to question the man who with his help saved the lives of multiple operators, but the more secrets you have, the more you put yourself in a spotlight.

“Where are you from, Snafu?” “Why do you need to know that?” He replied almost instantaneously. “Because if you're going to keep your race a secret, then at least we need to know where you're from. That way, we could at least know if you've been near Originium infected zones as of late.” He gave me another blank stare.

“I came from the south, a small village. You wouldn't know about it.” Now I was definitely suspicious of him. Everything I say seems to pass over his head in a way. Wait, I'm going to try something.

“The South? So you were near Ursus? Never been there before, does it snow?” “Yeah, freezing.” Snafu replied with a straight face.

I really didn't like lying, but this was getting weird, like really off. Firstly he came from nowhere, then he used a gun better than some of the most skilled Sanktas I know, as if he had used it for years and years now, and obviously he didn't use his real name, then he said he was Caucasian when I asked for his race, even if that truly was a joke, something is not adding up here. Even more so by him going along with my trick question. I tried to maintain my smile, trying my best to hide the mix of both curiosity and suspicion slowly brewing inside of me. A man with zero traces of orginium but a whole bunch of deception…

Snafu, who are you?

Let me try this again…

... Area 555

“R-Really! I didn't see anything! I was shell shocked and immediately threw myself to the ground!”

Someone was obviously shivering scared. Frightened by what the maniacal sounding commander would do to him.

“Well, you want to know what I see?”

The commander pushed her foot harder on Pavel's poor hand, almost to the point of crushing his bones and fingers. The screams of suffering echoed through the underground yet also was buried by it.

“What I see is one big liar, so tell me the truth, and maybe you'll live to see another day.”

The sounds of struggle and cries stopped for a brief moment.

“Really, I don't- I don't know.”

“Was Rhodes Island Involved?”

“I don't kno-”

A loud bone breaking crack followed by a crashing sound followed next, ending the recording of the recorded audio. A small click ended the recording.

“That concludes the audio we have managed to record using the bug device. We suspect the device was heavily damaged by whatever happened at the end of the audio recording, we aren't sure if this, uhh- Pavel is alive or not.”

The officer in charge of presenting the recording looked in the direction of the others in the room. Most of the people present were of Oswald's department and Oswald himself. While the other bigshots were busy with their own matters and discoveries, they were basically in charge of finding out what exactly happened here, while the other BFMC discovery was deemed important enough for all the departments to meet later on.

“Uhh, Sir do you want me to replay the recording?” “No thanks, I think we understand what happened.” Oswald declined the Officer’s polite question. “So, is our asset dead or not?” “We are unsure of that at this moment. Sir.”

“Dead or not, I'm surprised that he kept his promise, kept his mouth shut like a man.” Said one of Oswald's analysts, opening up a discussion with the others present. “Then, he must really have a problem with her, huh?” “Well, he did say he has something against the Reunion, right?” “What if, he's just more scared of us than her?” “God knows.” Oswald said. “We'll never know for sure until we talk to him ourselves.” “That's only if we can, Sir.” Replied his officers.

Oswald could do nothing but nod in agreement. He then focused on the printed out transcript of the 15+ minutes of captured recording. It was clear that they both knew each other beforehand, it was also clear that the girl was his commanding officer at one point based on the way he called her. But Oswald had some doubts regarding the name.

“So, her name is the letter W?”

The person in charge of writing the transcript scratched his head lousily. “Ehh. Well, he sounded like he called her Commander Doubleyou, and I didn't know the spelling, so I just wrote W.”

“I see.”

After Oswald got his answers for that weird name, he focused more on the more alarming and probably concerning parts of W’s conversation.

“Here, in the recording, starting in 8:41, she said:

Y’know, I'm a bit hurt. After all I'm the one who saved you from becoming one of Mephisto’s meatbags. Transferring you from his unit to mine, it's quite a bit of work. You were happy that time, but now you suddenly don't trust me? What's this about Pavel?

Then Pavel responded :

I-Its not about you!

After he said that, this Commander W asked the question:

“Really? Then just answer this one question and I'll stop asking you alright? Have you seen a mysterious group of people with guns?”

Here, Pavel refused and said no, but the concerning part comes from W’s next question. She said:

Have you heard about any agency? People that call themselves the Central Intelligence Agency?”

Oswald stopped talking after reading the most perplexing part of the recording. He looked to his people around him. And they all had the same expression. The expression of total bewilderment.

“This person, Commander W, clearly knows of our existence and I want to know how!” Oswald put forth his authoritative voice. “Drones monitor our nearby surroundings 24/7, no others have even come near us. The soldiers we sent on the BFMCs were not wearing any patches or badges that gave away our identity. The helicopters and drones, also are clear of any CIA symbolisms. So how does she know?”

The officers muttered to themselves. “The only other person from this world that knows of our existence is the animal girl, uhh- what's her name again?” One said. “Crownslayer, How do you not remember that kind of name?” “Ah. Right, Crownslayer. I'm saying that since she's the only other person that knows of our existence. Maybe she somehow communicated information from the inside to the outside?”

“No, that's impossible.” Another officer answered. “We have her monitored at all times. She has displayed no concerning or suspicious behavior thus far. And even if she had a communication device of some sort, the house she's staying in has jammers that block all kinds of unauthorized signals. Unless she has some bullshit long range telepathy, we gotta write her off the list.”

Back to square one, Oswald used his always exhausted brain to think of any other possibilities of the otherwise inconceivable information leak.

“Hmm. Tell me, how far have our men gotten outside the walls? Except the Task Force, of course.”

The man next to him, his trustworthy assistant, spoke up. “We've only authorized, selected and suited around 100 individuals to explore our surroundings up to 10 miles. There are further expeditions farther away, but they're in tight surveillance. Other than some animals and rock slugs, there are no known interactions with other life.”

Oswald fondles his chin with one hand, the other tapping the conference table in rhythmic pattern. His eyebrows were furrowed and intense. He had crossed off any other possibilities now, except for one.

“The only other person that knows of the agency that could have leaked our name, our sign and symbol, would have to be Agent Snafu.”

The mention of the missing agent made heads turn in the room. Why haven't they thought of him earlier? He was the obvious missing puzzle piece of the entire mystery, but now another question arises from a possible answer, like a hydra, one answer turns and splits and morphs itself to more questions needing their own specific answers. Questions like What happened? How and most importantly why?

“What did that ma- I mean, what do you think Snafu did without us knowing?” Oswald asked his officers as he furrowed his eyebrows while his face morphed into a frown. “Maybe Snafu thought he was the only one transported here and now he's just living carelessly?” Oswald shook his head in a disapproving manner. “I know him personally. He's not that type of guy.”

“It seems to me that this W person, isn't the kind type. Maybe he was forced?” Another said.

Indeed, it would seem that whoever W was, liked the classic good old method of torture. A tactic that the agency did try to get away from due to its questionable effectiveness, but somehow always reappearing in use like a cockroach that keeps coming back no matter what.

“If that's true, then we shall rescue him from her immediately, right?” “We still don't have a clue where he is or if he even is alive!” “Hmm, it's true that even though the recording was recent, it doesn't prove if he's currently alive or not. But at least we can be sure that he was once here.”

“I think I might know what happened.” The heads turned to the voice, it was the sleek blond haired secretary and assistant of Oswald.

“What is it, Howard?” Asked Oswald. Howard scratched the back of his head for a bit before speaking. “Didn't Op Demiurge begin because of the detected signal? If that was Snafu's signal, then we can assume that all his other stuff came with him as well, like our- y’know? The entire Area 555? Anyways, if we can assume that, the question could easily be answered by just him dropping or showing his 555 entry card, and someone coincidentally seeing or picking it up.” “But, haven't we tried to track his card at the operation and they found no signs of it?” “The entire city is massive, and the Task Force only scoured the nearby area of the last tracked signal, and with a tracking range like that, it's to be expected that they couldn't find it within the time limit they were given.”

Oswald clapped his hands. “Alright, thanks a lot Howard. That's a believable possibility.” “It's only a theory Sir, I'm sure there's still holes in it.” “You're right, we should continue looking for more info in this matter.” Oswald turned to his other officers under his command. “Everyone, I'll end our emergency meeting short here, after all we've been getting too many emergency meetings don't we? Anyways, I'd like more of our manpower to look into this matter, and we'll have another meeting at a later time. After all, this could be our answer to finally locating where our white whale is.”

“Yes Sir!” The room replied in unison.

Oswald smiled, after finding more possible proof that his good friend is still alive. Even if his life was still in debate for the others, he really wasn't that much worried about his survival, for deep down he believes that man could probably live comfortably in the 7th layer of hell itself.

As the other officers were saying their goodbyes and going back to their respective roles and work and leaving the conference room, Howard had the transcript still in his hands, scratching his head side to side.

“Hmmm…” He hummed to himself as Oswald noticed him still in his chair. “What's wrong?” “Well, what did she mean by Rhode Island? Was Snafu born in Rhode Island?” “Right, her last question was a bit weird, and no, Snafu ain't from Rhode Island.” Oswald looked at the transcript with Howard. “Wait, it says Rhodes Island here, and I think W did say Rhodes, not Rhode.” Howard shrugged.

...

Rhodes Island ...

“You're telling me, this fucking place moves?!” “Are you not familiar with the nomadic cities, Snafu?” “Wha- Nomadic Cities?”

The CEO of Rhodes Island itself tilted her head, staring at him with a blank expression. “Yes? Is that strange to you?” Snafu wanted to act normal, all his training reminding his brain cells to shut up and act as if this massive moving mile of metal and rebar the size of a football stadium was normal, but it seems the culture shock was getting to him, or would it be called otherworld shock now?

“Attention Everyone! Rhodes Island has now communicated with the officials of Lungmen! We're now allowed to dock the land ship nearby, so for those who wanna go walk around and tour the city, ready up!”

A cheery feminine voice coming from the landship's speakers echoed throughout the steely halls of Rhodes Island. “

Oh, that's Closure. She maintains the entire landship. So, would you like to get breakfast Snafu? I would like to introduce you to all the other operators in the Cafeteria!” The long eared bunny girl said enthusiastically.

Snafu had his mouth agape the entire time. He had only woken up in this facility yesterday, but was under close supervision and couldn't get out of his room and only have seen Doc and Amiya for the entire time he was basically trapped there, he didn't even had the chance to see his stuff as this Rabbit girl CEO was the one endlessly pestering him with questions he did not want to give answers to.

Like “Where are you from? Is Snafu really your name?” And “You're really good with a gun, but you're not a Sankta, what race are you?”

That word. “Sankta” It kept reappearing, kept coming back up like an insane ex and was now haunting Snafu, even though he still doesn't even know what it means. From context clues, he could gather that it's probably a race or group of people? But he didn't know for sure, but what does that have to do with your skill on a rifle? The only thing knows for sure is that he ain't a damn Sankta.

Of course Snafu really didn't answer all those questions directed at him. Lying probably wouldn't work as well since he doesn't know shit about this world, it would be troublesome if he was caught in an inconsistency, so all he fed Amiya was half assed, half truth and half bullshit answers. He was quite unprepared by Amiya’s incessant interrogation, so he knew he blundered some answers here and there, but at least Amiya still seems to be friendly towards him, at least on the surface. In reality, Snafu thinks they are probably more suspicious of him than he was of them now. He sighed inwardly as he clutched the massive bandage on his waist under his shirt.

“Hey! You look like a fish out of water with your mouth like that. Do you really not know anything here?” “Uh- No, It's just my injuries, yeah that. Anyways, let's go to the cafeteria, I'm starving.” Amiya looked at Snafu weirdly, but kept her child-like smile nonetheless. “Alright, follow me.”

As they were walking through the corridors and hallways, Snafu finally had the chance to ask Amiya about his stuff. “Hey, I'm just wondering. Where’s all my stuff at?” Amiya’s ears perked up. “Actually, we thought of giving you your weird gadgets in your bag and suit to you right when you woke up, but uhh- Remember the girl in the PA?” “Closure?” Answered Snafu. “She took your stuff. She said it's for safekeeping? I don't know really, but if you see any damages or missing parts of your stuff we'll be sure to reimburse you and give a heavy punishment to that Vampire!”

‘“There’s Vampires?! In this world?!”” Snafu screamed in his thoughts.

“We'll pay her a visit after we eat, is that alright with you?” “Sure, I guess.” Snafu reluctantly said. He didn't like the fact that someone purposefully took his stuff, but there was nothing he could do about it now, he just has to trust the security measures on his phone and other belongings now.

“By the way, where is Doc?” “Doktah? I think she and Kal'tsit are having a meeting right now with the Lungmen Officials, but I'm sure she'll come back to the landship for food later, so you can wait for her in the cafeteria.” “Wait, I remember you saying that Kal'tsit also wanted to meet with me, when would that be and why?” Snafu said, he really didn't fully know who Kal'tsit was, but from all the things he's heard it seems like she's quite a higher-up, even with the CEO right in front of him.

“She'll just ask you some questions, then we'll talk about your reward. I promised to pay you back after all your help in Chernobog, remember?” “To be honest, I almost fuckin' forgot about all that.” “Well, good thing I reminded you then. After you've negotiated things out, you could either leave Rhodes Island after recovering from your injuries or you could stay with us!” “Wait, stay with you?” “Yes, your skills are valuable to the company, and since you seem like you're constantly lost and clueless, we could help you out in that department!”

Snafu didn't expect the Bunny Girl to unmercilessly call him out on the fact that he knows nothing about the place he is at right now.

““Did I really do that badly in answering her questions earlier?””

“I'll think about it.” Was the only answer he could form in his mouth at that moment. “Anyways we're here!” The bunny girl took Snafu to one of the larger and more spacious hallways of the landship, unlike the other ones, this time there were others walking in the hallway. And the worst part was, they were all staring at him. Most had special ears like Amiya, just with different animals it would seem, some had tails, others had feathers on their heads and some were completely anthropomorphic animals. Was he on acid? Even shrooms couldn't possibly make this shit up.

Snafu swallowed his saliva as he tried to contain his surprise. He simply smiled back at the people staring at him and surprisingly, others also smiled back, although others looked the other way.

““I guess you can't win all of them.””

He thought to himself as Amiya led him through the hallway, greeting everyone like they were family. “Hi Myrhh! And Perfumer!” The bunny greeted, and they waved at her with smiles attached.

““There’s a Doctor and now there's a Perfumer?””

After a bit, Amiya finally led him to the entrance of the Cafeteria. It was a massive room, square and spacious, larger than some of the mess halls back home. It was almost full to the brim, each table having multiple different groups of people. The scent of freshly cooked and served food in the air and the noise of friendly conversation coupled with a little laughter here and there gave the room a most welcome, warm and most importantly, a friendly atmosphere that eased Snafu a bit.

Even though he wasn't on Earth, he could see that the people here weren't so different from the humans he knows, no matter how weird this all is to him, they just have some extra DLC parts it seems. Maybe he had to thank God for this one, for at the very least putting him in another world where he could communicate with the natives and not sending him off to the planet of the Qu or something. Yeah, that would certainly be unfavorable to say the least.

“Hey! Amiya!” A voice called out. Snafu and Amiya looked in the direction of the voice. A girl, with dark blue hair with tall feline ears standing on her head with frosty ice blue eyes was coming in their direction. She was wearing a white shirt of some sort with multiple harnesses and belts with short shorts. Snafu had to have gotten used to the fact that this world's fashion sense is all over the place with no sense of consistency, or sense even.

“Hi Blaze, how are you?” Greeted Amiya as the Feline approached. “I’m doing great, but that guy on your side, it's him right?” Blaze said, staring intensely at Snafu with burning fiery eyes. “Hmm? If you mean the guy who helped us out in Chernobog, yeah it's him.” Blaze grinned, looking at Snafu like he was some kind of celebrity. “I've heard so much about you from Ace!” Snafu smiled back and extended his hand. “Hello, you can call me Snafu.” “Sorry! I haven't introduced myself yet, I'm Blaze, an experienced elite operator of Rhodes Island!” She said as she shook his hand, then she suddenly strengthened her grip. Her strength took Snafu by surprise, but it didn't show on his face. Instead he gave her the same treatment.

““Am I being Hazed?””

Blaze's eyes widened as she broke the unexpectedly intense handshake. “Wow! so Ace wasn't exaggerating, you are strong, even when you're injured.”

“Sorry? What were you doing?”

Blaze put her hands on her waist.

“Ace told me what happened on Chernobog, I know everything! From how you decimated the Reunion with your gun. So I simply thought I'd test your strength to erase my doubts!”

Snafu stepped back one step.

““Who does that?’”

Amiya was staring at Blaze with a rare, unexpectedly disappointed expression. “Uhh, Amiya?” “Blaze, what do you think you're doing to our guest when he's still recovering?” Blaze put both her hands up in the air. “Hey! I was just curious! Sorry Snafu! Sorry Amiya!”

Amiya sighed. “It’s fine. Anyways we're here for a bite, have you eaten already?” Blaze's ears perked up “Nope! I also just arrived, so why don't we find a seat together?” The feline then turned her head to Snafu. “Besides, I'm pretty curious about you, you've become the talk of the day ever since some info about the Chernobog operation turned public.”

Snafu said goodbye to being inconspicuous, if he's the talk of the whole damn company then he might as well ditch the whole Dont Stand Out plan and instead use that fame for benefit. “Really? Am I a celebrity now?” Blaze lips turned upwards looking at Snafu with amusement. “Why don't you take a look around you?” Snafu shook his head. “No need, I'm just here to eat in peace.” “Well then, follow me!”

Snafu already noticed long ago that the people of the cafeteria suddenly hushed their words when they noticed his presence. He attracted multiple side glances and gazes that were thrown his way. He didn't know if they were all friendly or not, but that's for time to find out. Now, all he had to do was to make it out of this cafeteria alive.

... Lungmen, Somewhere ...

“So, it’s decided.” The voice echoed in the dark, decrepit gray and aged concrete walls of the planned meeting place. A single light bulb in the ceiling illuminated the otherwise dark room, giving sight to two familiar individuals.

“Hey, I know that this operation is to be kept secret, but..” The dragoness looked around her surroundings, noticing a small bug crawling on the walls. “Ack! S-Swire, did we really need to meet up in an abandoned factory!?” “Q-Quiet down!” The tigress said, also shouting while having her finger in a silence signal. “And yes! It's absolutely crucial for the mission's integrity and secrecy! What if there's a mole inside the LGD?”

Che'n rolled her eyes. “Where’s Hoshiguma? She's coming to discuss the op, isn't she?” “She told me she's taking care of something, so we'll have to wait for her. I know you also have work to do, but can we wait at least for a bit?” “Okay, okay I will.” She resigned with a sigh, but after knowing they're going to be alone for a while, she stared at Swire with a rare look of concern plastered all over face. “Are you sure you really want to do this?” “I'm going to be fine Che'n, Hoshiguma coming should give you a bunch of comfort, no?” “I know that both of you are strong, but that doesn't mean things would go wrong.”

Swire smiled faintly, looking at the uneasy dragoness. She stepped closer to her, “Hey, Che'n.” “What? Huh?” A quick and sudden poke from the tigress connected to Che'n's cheek, with the dragoness flinching as if Swire struck her with electricity. “What happened to the Che'n I knew? C'mon, the more you worry, the more something might actually go wrong. So have some faith would you?”

Che'n paused, then sighed after a time of silence. “Alright, fine.” “What's up with that response huh?” The dragoness smirked. “Have you ever even been anywhere outside Lungmen huh? Maybe you'd just get lost on your way to Chernobog!” “What? No way, besides we've made a deal with Rhodes Island so we could get in from the skies!” “Huh? So you needed help from Rhodes Island? And you were boasting about all this being your plan!” “Wha- well most if it is!” The two then continued to bicker for an entire googleplex squared, not stopping until a certain green haired oni finally arrived to diffuse the all too common situation.

...

A/N Im very sorry for the wait, it was because I've finally taken care of the situation that had been plaguing me since like 2 months ago, so good news, next chapters should now be more consistent in release, like how the first few chapters were!

So if theres no new chap by next week, then assume i got abducted by an alien or got transported somewhere

Also, here's my recently acquired Sankta Figurine!