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All of us in Reserve Op Team A4 did exactly that.

You too, Steward?

Of course.

I hadn't even heard of this place before the Blacksteel partnership. Who could imagine a company..... a company that saves the Infected and doesn't even get paid anything for it.

That's not quite right.

Huh?

It- it's not?

It's not that we don't get paid anything. We just get paid without money.

If one side has to pay too much, that's actually a big burden on both sides. An arrangement like that wouldn't last. No matter how sweet Amiya might be, she wouldn't do something like that.

We do provide treatment. But it's definitely not free.

Here, we've got a fine example standing right here!

Oof, Blaze, you're going to break my shoulder if you keep patting me like that.

You can choose all kinds of different ways to contribute to Rhodes Island in exchange for the treatment we provide. Definitely not just fighting. Us combat operators are actually the rarest bunch.

We got logistics to handle the paperwork, engineerings to keep Rhodes Island itself trucking along, envoys to go talk to other organizations, not to mention procurement and cleaning staff...

Even if you want to wash dishes in the cafeteria, that's fine. As long as it helps, you can do it.

Hearing it again, it does sound pretty idealistic.

Is that bad?

Not at all.

(whistling)

But, but! What can a little kid like Dora do to help Rhodes Island?

You saw, they're about to learn how to make origami flowers.

Huh?

The paper flowers they fold will be used to decorate the mixer. Then they'll be given to every operator as they come back to Rhodes Island.

Since when is there a mixer?

Just now. I decided.

Whatever. The point is there's work to be done. And the work those little guys do looks a little different from the work I do, but it's all important to Rhodes Island.

Now let's be real. I know you guys have been calling our company a sweatshop.

That was a joke. Just a joke!

Yeah, sure. That's what I say when I tease the Doctor.

Blaze, please!

Hmmm.... My opinion is a bit different from that of Blaze.

There are some of us who trade our labor to Rhodes Island in exchange for treatment, and many more who coincidentally have interests aligned with the company.

Of course, there are many who truly believe in Amiya and her philosophy and are willing to give everything to that end.

(whistles)

But we don't necessarily all share those ideals. Sometimes, we just happen to be on the same path in the same direction, and end up side by side in this moment.

I think I understand, but...

It's all right. You don't have to think about it too much.

The important thing is that we're all getting a little bit better. Things are good for now. People are happy.

As are you, Vanilla. You've been smiling a lot lately.

O- oh, I have?

It's probably just because I'm so fulfilled here at Rhodes Island. Although there's still a lot of things I'm not used to....

Like doors that suddenly open on their own. And the last time I was in the corridor, some medical device suddenly started talking to me... I jumped out of my skin!

Hahaha. I suppose you aren't used to such things.

Adnachiel was telling me about the rubber band launcher he helped Exusiai make. He said you snapped it in half.

He made that?!

S- sorry, the rubber band startled me so, I acted on instinct...

I'm really sorry!!!

That's okay, Adnachiel wasn't angry. He's a man of few words, but he's a gentle soul.

I can testify to that.

But, um, if he ever comes to you with any more inventions that cause you trouble, do let me know. Or Melantha.

Hey, I just had a thought. Maybe that whole sweatshop thing actually fits?

...What's this again?

I mean those kids, what are they? Child labor? An early investment?

An early... investment?

Yeah, it'll pay off, won't it? Rhodes Island teaches these kids all kinds of things. The little punks are probably better than us at a bunch of stuff. Like, I get a headache looking at numbers. And then when they toss letters in with the numbers...

They're all probably going to be awesome. Way more awesome than me. They'll do all kinds of stuff I never could.

So, you know, it's a return on investment.

A return? Not necessarily——

Shh, let me dream. Don't say it.

Oh, it's Amiya.

Looks like another mission. I kinda wanna blow it off. I can just blow it off, right?

Well, I gotta go. Vanilla, Steward, let's get a drink at that mixer!

She talks like that, but she still walks away with a smile on her face....

Are we really going to have a mixer? Wh- what if I don't drink?

Oh, don't mind Blaze. She's always like that. She won't force you.

No? That's kind of a disappointment...

Huh?

Okay, this is my place.

Come on in.

All right.

Ah... so this is where Vanilla lives.

Don't laugh. It's kind of a mess.

Oh, here's Puffball and the gang.

Puffball? What a cute n...

...name.

Vanilla, your pets, they're... are these... these are your pets?

Yes.

They're all cute little critters from my hometown!

Hmmm....

(I fear the word 'cute' has lost all meaning...)

Oh, don't worry, Steward. Kuro may be big, but he's really the gentlest of them all!

*Sigh*.... It's so hard to fight them on the battlefield. And Instructor Dobermann always yells at me, but I really can't help it!

I- I can tell you really like animals, Vanilla.

And... Well, these pets, they... they certainly have character.

Hehe. They sure do!

They're very well behaved. They don't make a mess. Just give them a little food and water every day and they're good to go!

Oh, but be careful not to press the spikes on their shells. Otherwise.....

Otherwise?

They explode.

Explode...?

Vanilla, is it really okay to have a pet like this in your room....?

Huh? Of course! I got permission from Amiya and Dr. Kal'tsit!

This terrarium is made of a special material that insulates the Originium. It's very safe!

Also, I prepared their food already.... See, just press the button on the side, like so, and it automatically feeds them.

Hehe. Pretty crazy, huh?

I actually think it's crazier that you're here keeping Originium slugs...

Sorry, what?

Nothing.

Hm?

Oh, and for water, they really only need a little bit every other day. Keep the environment nice and dry, just like my hometown.