Bivouac

Am I gonna get better?

Yes, you are, but only if you remember to take your medicine. Sit tight and I will be right out with your prescription.

Your sister had an allergic reaction to xeno prisma, luckily not severe. She needs rest and medicine, but she will be okay.

I don't know how to thank you...

Thank me by going to see a doctor sooner next time.

You can come to me, or any other doctor, but never wait for symptoms to get worse, understood?

Y-Yes, ma'am. It's just, our family is poor and, you know, hospitals are expensive...

Look at me. I've been in your shoes before. In fact, that's why I'm here: to help people like you who need it most.

I don't know what we'd do without volunteer doctors like you.

Anytime you feel unwell, you can come here to see me. And make sure you listen to your big sister, okay?

I will! Thank you, miss doctor lady!

Oh Em Gee. Have you been to Minette Belle yet? EVERYONE has been talking about it.

Girl, of course! Everything is, like, so cute and so "me"! I got so many outfits that my paycheck is totally...

Ahem...

I just wanted to let you know I will be clocking out shortly.

D-Doctor Havoc! W-We were just talking about...

, about how much help you've been! All of our patients have been so happy to have you as their doctor.

I see... That is quite motivating to hear.

Things have been quiet around the base recently, so I should be able to pick up another shift here in a few days.

We're always happy to have you! See you then!

Is it just me, or did she, like, become a different person?

Girl, I was literally just thinking the same thing. She's... nicer? Or less scary, anyway.

Ah, right, the event today... Everyone must be busy getting ready. I probably shouldn't show up empty-handed.

What did they say the name of that place was again... Minette something?

They paid me more than I make in a month at my part-time! I literally just took some meds and lay down. That's it.

No freaking way. Share the deets! I gotta get in on this.

Sorry girl, it's like, super exclusive. If you're lucky, maybe you can find them at a cargo terminal and they'll invite you.

Stop right there! Where do you think you're going?

Ugh... Here comes the teacher's pet.

You two know it's exam season, yet here you are, gallivanting through the streets. You should feel ashamed as IDA students.

Um, you're literally here too, miss goodie-two-shoes.

"I" got permission before going out on patrol. You two, on the other hand, have to go back, right now. Plus, you know it isn't safe around here when there aren't a lot of people around.

Whatever you say. You just keep on being a good little teacher's pet. No wonder you can't get a boyfriend, never mind any real friends...

What's that supposed to... I-I have real friends!

...Friend.

This side was all clear!

Were they...

Students? Yup. No matter how many times we warn them, they don't take it seriously. They're so immature...

That they are. With all the synth human stuff going on, they should know better than to hang out in areas with less foot traffic.

They also mentioned this really sketchy, under-the-table job that might fit the rumors we've been hearing.

Oh, right. The teacher mentioned that's been going around. High-risk, high-reward...

Why they'd risk their lives just for some extra money to throw around is beyond me.

It is just wrong in every way. I will keep my eyes and ears out to see if I can find out more about it.

If we're done here, we should start making our way...

B-Before we do, I wanted to ask you... I know it's already late, so it doesn't have to be today! But maybe next time, on our way back, you and I could...

On our way back? Surely, you aren't insinuating you want to gallivant like the other students?

N-no, of course not! I-I-I just misspoke. I meant, on a day off, or when you're free sometime, maybe we could...

Straying from the main path is forbidden. We must lead by example if we are to uphold the Disciplinary Committee's values.

Y-You're totally right. Forget I said anything.

Hi there! Do you need any help?

Help? No. Why would I need help?

S-Sorry! I just saw you standing here spaced out, which believe me, I totally get... Are you having trouble finding something in particular?

I apologize as well. I didn't realize you work here. I'm not looking for anything specific. Just browsing.

Not a problem. Take your time, and let me know if you need anything.

Actually, I take that back.

...You take back the apology? Or the not looking for anything part?

The latter. Do you carry any knickknacks?

Knick...knacks?

You know, those things people put around their workplaces to make them feel...happy? Motivated maybe? I do not understand it...

I might have some ideas. Let me show you what we have in stock!

Judging by her outfit, there's no mistaking that she's in the military... Does that mean she's about to decorate a military base with the cutest of the cutest Minette Belle has to offer?

Hmm... A Minette Belle...military lineup? Interesting...

Not only did I gallivant, I also spent this much on a bunch of unnecessary, no. I should not think like that.

Things have changed and I'm not a student anymore.

Still, I should end my spree here and head to the cargo terminal.

Legends say it descended, riding upon a giant ship. And then...

Ship? Like an airship? I didn't know heaven had a terminal...

Bigger than an airship, but long, and flat! Darker than night, it looked like a blade of obsidian piercing through the air.

Angels ride that sort of thing? I would've thought they'd just fly by themselves, you know, using their wings?

Aaand the immersion is gone. Can't you just use your imagination?

Sorry! I swear I'm interested, but the ideas are hard to wrap my head around. How do you even come up with this stuff anyway?

That...is a trade secret. Let's just say, certain things give me inspiration.

But enough about my genius, tell what's new with you! How's school been?

Well, let's see... I'm in a higher grade now, which means all subjects feel a million times harder. Not to mention I'm surrounded by a bunch of super smart over-achievers, who make me feel like I'm not working hard enough.

Erin, you're gonna be fine. Better than fine, you're going to become an amazing doctor, so don't worry so much!

Ah, I forgot to tell you about the payments. They said that soon... Um...

Soon...what?

F-forget that last part! I'm sure it's...

Sorry to interrupt. Could we speak with you outside for a moment?

I'll be right back and we can continue.

Please. I swear the payments are coming. I just need a little more time...

Look at me. I've been in your shoes before.

But if her medical bills remain in arrears for any longer, our hospital will not be able to afford to keep her here as a patient.

But she's shown so much progress already! Moving her now could throw all of that away.

A few more days! I'll have the money in just a few more days...

Maybe I could ask for a raise...or more shifts? Though all my free time outside of school is already going toward it...

I'll drop out if I have to.

"Don't worry," she says...

...That much just for being in a clinic trial? Tempting... but what if my hair falls out? Or worse! What if my eyes grow hair?!

Relax, jeez. What kind of books have you been reading? The company running it belongs to KMS, so it's 100 percent legit.

My informant tells me they recruit people near the Industrial City out of a dark green cargo ship. We just have to show up and say we're interested, at least according to my source. Wanna join the next trial with me?

Source? Informant? What kind of books have YOU been reading. Anyway, I can't say no to money like that. I'm in.

......

It is supposed to be here already...

I should still have time...

Erin? ...You're spacing out again. What's with you today?

Hmm? What? Sorry, I was just thinking about, something.

Is it a cause for concern?

N-Not at all. I'm here, present and focused!

That's good to hear. Then let us proceed with our patrol. We still have some ground yet to cover.

Dark green...

, a dark green cargo ship. We just have to show up and say we're interested.

The medical trial...

Um... Hey, Ruina...

Could we maybe break off here today?

Well, that deviates from our usual route. May I ask why?

Well, uh, you see...

...I forgot I told my sister, Tilda, you know Tilda... I told her I was coming today! It just totally slipped my mind...

Hm, yes, that is quite important. Very well. Leave the rest of the patrol to me. I will notify the teacher as well.

Thanks so much for understanding.

What am I doing...

......

Dat's da new drug, and dat's what we need ya to do. Ya got any questions?

N-no. Not that I can think of.

Great! Sign here.

Look, I ain't got all day, kid.

I-I'm really sorry, but I don't think I can...

ALERT! ALERT!

We can't stay here! Come on!

T-Tilda?

But why would she...

Tilda! Where are you?!

You're n-not, !

What do I do, what do I do... Think! I don't even know where I am now...

Hrrrk...agh.

Someone else is still here?!

Eek!

Aaah! D-Don't, !

You okay?

Rovella...

Rusalka! I found her! She's over here!

Domica. Rusalka. What are you two doing here?

Someone said you weren't back yet, and I was like, "that's impossible. Our boss is always on time!"

Yeah, but then I checked the cargo ship logs, and saw records of you way out here on some kind of solo mission. Care to share what's going on, boss?

A whim driven by reminiscence, I suppose.

That created more questions than it answered, but more importantly, the party is today! You know, celebrating 15 years...

The setup is done, the food is ready, and everyone is waiting... All that's missing is one AWOL commander.

Sorry, everyone. I did not realize you would all be waiting for me.

So it isn't because you forgot about the biggest event we've held in half a decade?

Th-that is not the case! As you can see, I come bearing gifts...

Whaaat! You went shopping at MB? Wait! Y-you know about MB?!

Woah. Not only that, some of this stuff is pretty cutesy. Did you really pick these out by yourself?

I-I don't know anything about this stuff!

One of the staff just showed me her recommendations and I bought them all...

Super-duper cute! I bet it was Nina who helped you. She just has an eye for things, and like, ugh, I don't know how she does it. Oh yeah, Rusalka! MB just announced their next collab and you will NOT BELIEVE who it's with...

Let's hurry back home. We have a celebration waiting.