act10d5

I heard Dobermann talking about how we're not in the best position with Ursus right now, so it's great that Amiya and the Doctor are still willing to do these rescue operations.

Sure. We lucked out with those two.

Well, there's another one we owe a lot of thanks too.

Oh yeah, I heard about her out on the road. Some girl named Natalya?

Right. She's a big celebrity here now.

Oooh, my ears are burning.

Hey, Natalya, how you doing?

Good afternoon, Mr. Saren. And you are...?

Codename Compass. Nice to meet you.

Compass.. a fine codename. Good afternoon. Would you mind if I joined you?

By all means!

Hey, didn't I hear she was just a student?

This is no little girl! She's *gulp* pretty big!

What do you think 'student' means?

I don't know how to talk to a lady like this!

Relax. Natalya's real easy-going.

Did I happen to overhear that the good Compass has just returned from resettling refugees?

That's right. We were just talking about it.

I was telling him all that you did to help.

Oh my role was completely trivial.

You're too modest. If it wasn't for Natalya pushing the survivors along, we would've had a much tougher time.

The refugees were talking about her too. They said there was a kind young lady who told them Rhodes Island is good people.

And after hearing it right from Saren, I really gotta thank you, Miss Natalya.

The refugees having a good image of us makes all the difference in the world. Without you, I know things would've gone bad out there.

I mean, I was a refugee too. I know how they think. But it still sucks when you're trying to do good and people don't trust you.

I did the absolute bare minimum. It was you out there doing the real work, Compass.

And it's not that they don't trust Rhodes Island. It's that they've suffered a Catastrophe and they don't trust anyone.

I sensed that Rhodes Island had everyone's best interests at heart. And having been Student Council President, I was used to this business. It's what I'm good at.

You hear that, Saren? This is how you talk to people. Listen up.

Didn't I just say Natalya is easy-going?

When word got around that the new kid was some aristocratic heiress, we were all worried about getting along.

But it turns out she's good at her job, easy to talk to, super easy to get along with. We all love Natalya.

Oh my no. Everyone's only willing to put up with me because I'm so young.

Speaking of, did you decide to stay with Rhodes Island?

I did. I passed the Logistics Department's examination last week. I am now formally employed by Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals.

Wow, that's great news. You're gonna love it here, trust me.

I'm already very pleased.

As long as we're on the subject, Mr. Saren, I've finished compiling the second refugee manifest, pairing names with destinations. If you wouldn't mind sending it along after lunch.

What? Already?

That means the refugees we saved all have somewhere to go?

Yes. Aside from those who are still undergoing treatment.

Incredible. It's a good thing the section chief put you on the task.

I'm only doing my duty.

I guess I'd better go put in for the second resettlement op then.

You want to head out there again? Didn't you just get done telling me you can't stand Ursus food?

Yeah, but seeing the survivors return to their homes and their relatives, seeing them so happy makes up for it.

Right, I'm about done with lunch. Help me with the tray, will you? I gotta go apply.

Hey, bus your own tray!

Sorry about him, Natalya. That's just how he is.

Our good Compass has quite the attachment to the refugees...?

He does. You heard him say he was a refugee too, right? One of our teams saved him, so he's pretty gung ho about any ops that have to do with refugees.

And you seem to get along well?

Oh, yeah. I guess we do. He was in Logistics for a bit, before transferring to the front lines. We had some time together, our personalities clicked, and so we're friends.

You're with that Ursus Student Self-government Group, right?

Yes. But Son... Zima and the girls are front line operators like Compass, and I'm in Logistics.

I heard you were all found together. You're very close too?

...Yes, yes we are. We were together all that time. We're very close.

You went through it as a group. That's good. Err, not to say that kind of hardship is good.

I know what you mean.

Oh? Zima...

Speak of the devil, huh?

Is she staring at you?

Yes.

Forgive me, Saren. I must be going.

Yeah, sure.

Are you looking for me, Zima?

Are you okay? You look pale.

I...

I'm fine. I shouldn't have come looking for you. Forget I was here.

Hey, wait.

Don't touch me!

Talk to me, Sonya. We haven't had a good talk since we came here.

Come to my room.

Have a seat. Care for a drink? Coffee? Tea? I have both.

...That's the aristocrat in you.

You still have the strength to tease me. Looks like you're in better shape than I thought. Your face back there was a ghastly sight.

Let's call it coffee then. Rhodes Island has some fine beans, but I can't say the same for their tea.

I've heard it has to do with the Chief Engineer. She's quite particular about her coffee. What do you think?

How should I know?

Heh heh. I've been hearing nothing but praise lately. I'd missed your venomous tongue.

And I'm sick of you already.

Do you take it with sugar?

No.

Really? It's black.

No.

Alright.

Enjoy.

Bleh.

It's too bitter, isn't it?

Come now. Take a spoonful of sugar.

Did you drag me here to screw with me?

You're the one who wouldn't take the sugar, Sonya.

Hmph.

And let's not forget, it was you who came looking for me.

I already told you, that was a mistake. We're not friends. I don't like you.

True. We're not friends. Nor is Anna my friend. We simply survived together.

Simply...

Sonya, there are some things that are harder to say to those closest to you.

If you were my friend, I would not have brought you here.

Some things can only be said to someone unimportant, someone who understands your situation.