act4d0

And as such, it would be a truly grave mistake for us to ask Dr. {@nickname} to march into battle.

The Doctor should not command even one more battle. For Rhodes Island's sake, and for the Doctor's own sake.

...Forgive my naiveté.

I recognize that my ideas are rather juvenile... and have therefore thus far been unwilling to disclose them.

I can only imagine how the others would laugh at me. I do not like being laughed at. And I had planned to carry these thoughts with me to my grave.

But then it came down to this. And I found the hope that someone might join me in taking up this idea...

I want the Doctor to begin anew.

If the Doctor could live without any connection to Rhodes Island, if the Doctor could stand again, having no memory of these preceding events...

If the Doctor could avoid walking once more the path of war, then all would be well.

I bear only this unrealistic hope

Forgive my verbosity. If you have no interest, then simply forget these words altogether.

Right. There are three things you may not forget.

First: Say to Dr. {@nickname} the following,

'I will never forget fighting side by side with you, Doctor.'

Second: my squad.

Slink, Pter, Scorpion, Leafa, Milim, Tipsy, Slanna, Mimi, Mary, Thumbtack, Mudflower, and Macron.

My squad, twelve of them.

They broke through the enemy lines and held off their reinforcements. Were it not for them, I would never have been able to neutralize their mercenary commander.

However, we lost all twelve of these exemplary operators in the course of their duties.

I beg you, bear witness to their actions.

Should one ask, you must tell them for me:

While no one will remember the names of my squadmates, they must remember that they died with honor. They did not shrink in the face of death.

Of course, I know many have given their lives in service of the project that is Rhodes Island. No one's death is unique.

We do not fight for any one individual life. To do so would dishonor their deaths.

Tell the one who asks: they gave their lives for what they believed in.

Finally:

You must go on living for yourself. My Rhodes Island brother whose name I do not know, I have said so much to you, not that you should go off and die.

Life is precious. You must live to pursue that bright future.

That is all, my brother.

Treasure your life.

Why...

The Doctor... Rhodes Island...

Warrior!

You can hear, my voice.

You have a chance, to escape. Wait, until nightfall.

Head south. Avoid the light. You have one chance. Tonight.

——or——

There are many, in Chernobog, who need help. You can, see them.

The choice. Is yours.

Boss, Scout, our brothers...

I'll do it.

第一关（前）

W, we're in trouble here.

Ooh... Must be something fun for you to contact me on this channel. What's up?

Not that much fun, W. While you were sorting out that Sarkaz mercenary, one of our teams deserted.

They looked like some kind of battlefield mop up logistics team, so we got after them right away.

They scattered as soon as we made contact, making for the city limits.

Sounds like somebody earned a cookie.

There's more... The squad we sent after them fell off the grid too. We haven't been able to make contact.

I thought maybe you'd know what happened, since you're leading the mercenaries now.

How does a squad suddenly vanish?

01:13 P.M. \ Clear

Chernobog - Outskirts - Wilderness

Am I supposed to understand this?

It is what it is. Other teams report no sign of any enemy ambush or trap. We only know they were facing a Sarkaz.

Of course they're Sarkaz. It's not like I've got any other mercs. But anyway, this is a good story. Keep going.

At first contact, we managed to suppress the target. Playing it safe, we held back our squads. The enemy did not appear particularly strong.

Then, suddenly, all communications ceased.

...Yeah, you guys tip your hand pretty easily. A real predator knows not to bare his fangs too soon.

What should we do?

Well what's so special about those Sarkaz?

...I'm not sure. We lost contact with the eyewitnesses. But from a distance, all we know is they have a close quarters fighter who really likes to get up in there.

Then I need you to avoid direct contact with them. Stall that one, I'll be there in a bit.

Something the matter?

Nothing. Just a little baby squad that made good bait.

Should we move to support them?

C'mon, everyone's got a job to do. Why can't we just let everybody handle their own thing?

Yeah... Let's not think too hard about this one. I do care so much about the Sarkaz weirdos my poor predecessor brought along.

Understood.

Inform all squads: prepare for battle, move to the outskirts of the city.

Agh, damn it! This bastard's moving even faster! Is he still hiding his true power?!

...Pathetic. Is this the best your Reunion Movement has to offer?

This cocky...! He's making fun of us——

Heh...

I knew I'd run into some old friends here, but I never thought I'd see you.

W, we——

Go home, before you get killed. Don't give me that look like you wanna get even. He's not even using a fraction of his full power. But hey, if you wanna die that bad, I guess I won't get in your way?

...fall back.

It's been a while, wandering swordmaster.

You——

They call me W now.

How about you?

Flamebringer. Surely you know what it means to exchange names with me.

Oooh, spooky. So you traded business cards with all those dudes you sliced up before?

Commissions and combat are not the same.

A Sarkaz like you, having been through a battle like that, suddenly up and vanishing, it makes a girl worry.

And a mercenary running off just because he's got a new leader? That's a little wobbly, isn't it?

That is utterly insignificant.

Though I never imagined your subordinates would be so unworthy, unfit to even hear my name.

Then I guess I should be honored... Oh, but those men weren't under me very long. Ah, are you inviting me to kill you?

No, I have no interest in your petty fighting style. It relies so much on outside forces.

But I have to admit, tactics are a kind of skill. Then if your tactics are more elegant than they used to be, I am willing to taste them.

...That's weird. Weren't you one of those 'as long as the target dies, anything goes' types?

W, the squad has fallen back to the target location and successfully cut off the enemy retreat. They have nowhere to go.

And I never expected you would be leading this band of mooks. We've all changed a lot.

Mooks? Oh... you mean Reunion?

Or do you mean... the Sarkaz?

Gah——!

Hmph.

I won't underestimate you, Sarkaz, I've been watching you.