act16mini

I don't know how many times I've told her not to go around casting with her bare hands, but she just can't get it drilled into her head. She's always eager to prove her own worth.

Silly girl. What a darned fool. I knew from the moment she got in the truck that she was dumb and stubborn...

...Damned dipstick.

We can always find a doctor. We're not that far from a platform.

You're not getting anything from those docs that I can't already do.

Trust me, we'll be fine. I'll get us through this.

If you say so...

Alanna, the power cabin's getting hotter and hotter.

Yeah? Can't tell, since my back's still dripping cold sweat...

Agh. She's burning up. How.. is she this hot?

I've got another folk remedy. Can you go catch some Originium slugs...?

Alanna, there's the bell. Someone wants to board.

Gah. Go chase them off, jacker.

No, you should go.

It'll be bad if her Arts go out of control. She'll hurt herself, and others too.

What are you trying to say––

No way. No way it would come to that. Not a chance. She's my own adopted daughter.

You just wait, Ray. I'll take care of this whole mess.

I'll be right back.

If an Infected gets sick, or if their Arts start going out of control, it should be another Infected to deal with it.

That way, even if they disintegrate, it at least won't create new victims.

That's standard protocol on the job.

Get out.

Wait a sec! I'm the driver for that vehicle over there. I've got tools. Do you need any help?

Help? Hah. With what? I'm doing just fine over here.

We're just taking a little break over here. So, if you wanna help, buggering off would do us just fine.

Huh? But your ute over there is giving off white smoke. Doesn't look to be in great shape...

That's just how it is. I'm the one driving it. Think you know her better than me?

Sorry. I'd still like to get in and have a look around.

I don't have time to give you a ride.

Last warning. Go away, or I'll make you go away.

...You're shaking.

Who, me? Don't kid yourself.

Though, that gear you're wearing...

––You're a troublemaker who's done something bad, aren't you?

––And you're a merc out on the hunt for Infected people, yeah?

An explosion–– from inside the bus?!

Strewth, I told you to bugger off! I don't have time for you!

Hey, wait!

What's going on with that truck? Its body is damaged in several areas, and the front's rather deformed...

The smoke should be coming from the condensate pipe not properly dispersing the heat...

And then, there's that driver...

She seems to be worse for wear than the bus itself...

Poor gray-ears.

The engine has long since stalled, but the sound of water flowing through the condensate pipe can still be heard from the power cabin.

The temperature inside the cabin is unusually high, but the drenched Potlid continues to shiver.

Alanna said this was supposed to help.

Just... a bit longer... then...

As her words trail off, Potlid's lips quiver slightly, as if sleep-talking.

Ray thinks for a moment, then holds the girl's scorching-hot hand. Though the hand subconsciously tries to shrink away, it has no strength to do so.

...Burning hot.

It's alright. Now, I'll be able to see how badly your Arts are going out of control.

This isn't any miraculous technique or anything, but I can at least reduce the danger a bit.

Some people are fine sticking their head in the sand, some coop themselves up in abandoned mine shafts and wait for the whole thing to get blown up and sealed off, and others try to run far, far away into the barrens.

Sure. People get sick, just like old parts get rusty. Bound to happen.

As long as you handle it properly, it won't affect anyone else, and it won't turn into a big deal.

No... I...

I don't want this...

...Ray!

Easy there, gray-ears. Your body temperature's still high.

A long time ago, everyone in my family, the whole family, they were all Infected.

Right.

All of them... knew how to put their noses to the grindstone. They built their own homes... and lived simple but fulfilling lives.

I was happy too. I could... make a big pot of soup and share it with everyone...

They'd eat yummy food... and then they'd get better. After they got better, they wouldn't need to come back anymore...

Easy now, gray-ears. If your temperature gets any higher...

A few sparks crackle through the air.

I can't hold you anymore.

I know what I'm doing, gray-ears. Some people don't know how to control their own strength, and end up hurting people or even killing them by accident. But, that's not me. I'm going to knock you out... You'll just be sore for a few days.

I'm letting go now.

If I... eat more... and grow up more... and my sickness gets better... Dad, will also come back...

Why... were those people on the road looking for Infected? Why do I have to hurt Lanns, just because I'm an Infected?

The rawness of the blisters on her hand force Ray to pause.

Ray....

Is it bad... to be an Infected?

Well...

Gray-ears... You must be hurting.

I can feel it.

There are times when the Oripathy flares up and I can't sleep, I know.

But when I remember that ray of light shining through... I can relax, and finally close my eyes in peace.

'Feranmut'...

...Calm, gray-ears. Calm down. I WILL find it.

––Potlid! Potlid!

How's she doing?!

You... This blood...

Alanna, I...

...Gray-ears is fine, but stay back. Her heat's gone down a little.

She's already caused a small explosion. Alanna, these damaged internal components and broken pipes, are they a big deal?

The pipe is whatever, but...

The medicine... doesn't seem to be working.

See, I said you needed help...

...Huh? The saw, wrenches, duct tape... And, this girl... I've seen her before...

Why'd you tie this little girl up? What are you doing to her?

What am I doing?

What... am I even capable of doing?

Alanna...

I'm not an idiot. You think I don't know these tricks don't work? You think I haven't seen an old friend getting heatstroke in the workshop, then being tortured with these crude methods to the point that he never came to work again?

'Rusty Wrench' managed to survive. Couldn't talk anymore, but he could still work; Old Bobby said it saved his life... But, you think I don't know they're the exception that proves the rule?

You really think... I don't know Oripathy is an intractable disease?

But, this dumb kid doesn't know that. She thinks she can be cured. What else can I do but play along?