3-2 Memory

It's about time you showed up, Hoshiguma.

Apologies. We were delayed for a long time.

Any injuries?

No.

However, we were shocked by how strong that Infected was.

The Special Ops Division had already committed a lot of members to reinforcing Lungmen's defense.

I had to take the rest of the available members with me.

...Was your entire squad really held up by a single enemy?

I didn't believe it either until I saw her with my own eyes.

That person... truly was that strong.

On top of that, she seemed a bit... absent-minded?

Anyway, about these people standing next to you...

Are they Rhodes Island?

Madam Ch'en, is she...

Hoshiguma, an elite from the Special Operations Division.

So you're the Rhodes Island that I've been hearing so much about?

Hmm, such a young kid. Are you also with Rhodes Island?

She's their leader.

Um, Madam Ch'en...

Woah...

Anyway, let's cut the small talk.

Any ideas about what we do now?

Two of our special agents have located the kidnappers' location.

They're tracking Reunion as we speak, and can provide us with directions.

Not bad.

Ch'en, I can see why they've earned your praise.

These people take their work seriously.

Madam Ch'en... praised us?

Hmph.

Hoshiguma, gather all our squads. It's time to move out.

Lead the way, Rhodes Island.

Understood. As expected, Reunion left behind some scattered forces.

They'll be lying in ambush on our route...

Not a problem.

Yes, as long as we move cautiously, we'll be able to take the initiative against them.

All right!

Let me see how well you fight, Rhodes Island!

So, you must be Misha?

...

Hello.

...?

I've heard a lot about you from Skullshatterer. Now, I finally get to meet you.

Are you also... Infected...?

Yes, I am.

Why did you... join Reunion?

Why?

...

My wife, my child... they were all killed by the Chernobogians.

Under Ursus, the Infected were treated worse than lifestock.

The destruction of Chernobog...? No, no. That is far too light of a punishment...

Do you know how much blood is on their hands?!

Misha... We've been feared, exploited, humiliated, and persecuted...

...Just because of the fact that we're Infected.

Not for any other reason.

...

S-sorry, I got a bit heated. Forget what I said.

...

Ivan, come help tend to the injured.

Coming.

We're only using this abandoned mine as a temporary base until we can reorganize and regroup.

Once the time is right, we'll make our way back to Chernobog.

...

...Al--

No...

I threw away that name long ago.

Why...?

That person already died.

Just call me Skullshatterer.

Are you... afraid?

Skull...shatterer? ...Why?

Ah... You'll soon understand.

After we learned that you ended up as a refugee in Lungmen, everyone volunteered to go rescue you.

We've also accepted many new members there.

But... you're hurting people.

I don't want to... do that...

Why are the Infected fighting each other...

An eye for an eye, as things should be.

There is a saying in Ursus. 'Welcome your kin as you would welcome the warm spring...'

'But welcome your enemies...'

... ... ...

What's wrong?

...Do you know?

No... No, you don't.

When they came for me, they dragged me out of my house...

What's wrong?

I saw my mother. She grabbed my hand...

You saw it too.

...No...

You must have--

They beat her mercilessly, but she wouldn't let go of me...

She left a trail of blood in the snow as they dragged her away.

If Reunion had... If the Infected could have... If only--!

If they came sooner, none of this would have happened!

We would not have had to suffer so much!

I... I wasn't brave enough to...

I... Aaaahh...

Misha...

It'll be fine... It'll all be fine in the end.

I don't blame you.

Back then... who would've been brave enough?

But now, Reunion has given me that bravery.

Al--

Skullshatterer...

Whether or not you trust us is up to you.

Even if you trust us, whether or not you join us is also up to you.

But you are an Infected.

Reunion... will definitely fight until the bitter end so that the Infected can be free.

But... you destroyed Chernobog.

Along with countless innocents--

...Innocents?

Hah. Who's innocent?

When Chernobog implemented the quarantine, did any of them speak out against it?

When Ursus sent us to die in the mines and the frozen wastelands, did any of them do anything about it?

Did any of them ever stand up for us?!

I don't know...

...Reunion has two leaders who fought for Ursus for a long time.

They said that there were some in Ursus who stood against the government for the sake of the Infected.

But they weren't in Chernobog.

Chernobog coldly turned a blind eye towards us as we died...

No, they laughed as they watched us die!!

...

Chernobog... deserved to be destroyed!

I met other people who were helping the Infected... They...

Rhodes Island?

Despite being Infected, they helped Lungmen and harmed us, didn't they?

...

They slew our comrades and decimated our brethren, didn't they?

No...

You couldn't see the truth. But it should be clear to you now...

...

...Sorry, I let my anger take over.

It's fine... I...

I understand how you feel...

You must have been suffering so much... all this time...

Everyone has been through a lot.

But right now, at least we have hope.

Talulah... She is the one who took charge of the Infected and led the fight against the cruelty of this world.

Reunion is the only hope we have.

I see... You've all suffered so much...

If Reunion can really protect them all...

Of course.

Just like how Reunion will protect everyone... I will protect you.

I won't let anyone hurt you anymore.

Skullshatterer...

Ooh, I found 'em--!

Looks like they sustained some pretty serious losses.

Luckily, I didn't head back to the company headquarters... Otherwise, I would've needed to make a long detour for this mission...

Try to predict their escape routes.

Send all likely routes along with their bearings to Amiya.

I'll be done in a sec!

Hmph.

We can't give Reunion time to regroup.

Hmmm, let's see... over here... like this... and that should do it!

Are you done, Exusiai?

What do you need? How are we going to do this?

Let's have a little warm-up first.

Start with their sentries.