act16mini

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?

I believe in the little medicine I can get my hands on, and whatever folk remedies reach my ears.

I can't just... watch another one die in front of me while I watch helplessly.

Greetings, ma'am.

Mind if we take a look at the girl?

Sleep peacefully now. You don't have to burn yourself anymore

I'm sorry for using my Arts on you...

May you be free from the pain and suffering of Oripathy in your dreams.

Her subconscious casting has already stopped.;Good work, Amiya.

I could feel it. She is a deeply wounded girl.

Is there anything else I can help with, Doctor?

We're good for now.

A simple injection should take care of things.

I'm done with my Arts too... Go ahead and let the others in.

Is she really going to be okay?!

Mhm. Her subconscious casting has stopped, and the activation process of the Originium crystals inside her body has also been halted. But the fever symptoms haven't been completely relieved yet, and we'll have to continue monitoring her for a while.

I've been driving this truck around for who-knows-how-long. Never thought I'd run into a doctor in a place like this...

...All I can say is, thank you.

You're welcome. Treating the Infected has always been Rhodes Island's duty.

That said, I'm not a doctor, and the Doctor is, well, not that kind of doctor. Just to be sure, we should get to the Rhodes Island branch office ASAP, where we'd have real diagnostic and treatment equipment to properly examine the patient.

...Rhodes Island?

That reminds me. The girl gave me a card, saying that some lady told her... to give it to her family.

Oh, I'm the lady.

The girly was clearly infected, I figured her family ought to understand...

Hah, found it. This is the one. The symbol of the excavator drill pointed straight at the sky.

...the what?

Ain't easy doing business around Rim Billiton these days. Competition's too fierce, so figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to go tucking instead.

But your company offers some serious benefits. It's absolutely wild that you'd have such an advanced medical department in a construction firm... If only the Billy companies could learn from you guys!

Um, Alanna, I think there's been a little misunderstanding...

But, I do agree with you. If all of Rim Billiton's companies committed to raising awareness about the Oripathy prevention, our young patient here might not be in such serious condition right now.

And... we should really put what we do at Rhodes Island front-and-center on our business cards. After all, the Infected rarely have proper access to medical services.

In any case, we'll have a proper medical team dedicated to Warmy's treatment at the branch office. If it's not too much trouble for you, I'd like you to drive for the nearest nomadic city.

Sure.

Wait, hold on.

There's a bit of a special situation with the truck. Once we go back, we might not be able to leave again. Plus... I have an agreement with someone else.

Special situation? Oh, that reminds me, you're supposed to be a transport, right?

But, if you keep going in that direction, the only thing waiting for you is an uninhabited wasteland that's prone to Catastrophes.

Wait, don't tell me... You were planning to go plant bottletrees there?

No... We're... going to search for the 'Feranmut'...

...Feranmut?

Please... don't leave Warmy behind...

Don't worry, nobody's leaving you behind. We're just having a little discussion.

Potlid?!

You're awake?

How's your head? Are you dizzy? Are you still running hot?

Lanns... You look so upset... Did something happen? I think I just had a long and tiring dream...

...Mm, at the very end of the dream, I think I even saw the Feranmut.

Ray asked me to take a good, long look at the giant shadow. I looked and looked as hard as I could, but I couldn't quite make it out.

Lanns, can I go with you to find the Feranmut?

Here, try this.

This is all we have now; it hardly enough to express our thanks.

Not only did you save Potlid, but you're even willing to travel with us to make sure she's okay.

No worries, Alanna. We had no particular destination in mind to begin with.