susuro

What time is it?

Four o'clock. That's the billionth time you've asked.

I'm in a hurry! Aren't you?

Calm down. Why hurry? They're already hustling over from the landship. If they just make it safe and sound, we can thank all we can.

Seriously, how do they make it from the landship in three days? Kinda impressive, landship.

You've never been to Rhodes Island's ship?

Nope. The fare for this wasn't cheap, and I still have a pile on my plate.

The landship has this kind of large floating vessel. Moves really fast too. Bet you've never seen it, huh.

Floating? Like, a car that floats?

It sure isn't a car... I don't actually know the exact name myself.

Ohh, it's the kind those old Casters pilot in their towers, the really advanced kind that can drift through the air, is it?

Not that either!

Okay, you stop guessing. I haven't seen it much, and I can't explain it too well. Take one look at it and you'll get it.

If you're this bored, give the car another check. We're squeezed for time getting back already. No wrong turns.

Fine, fine, fine... you're the boss, it's your call.

Come to mention it, who've we got coming from the landship?

You've never even been there. You wouldn't know any names if I told you.

We're filing an emergency application here. No matter who it is, it's gotta be one of the Medical Department's best.

We're in pretty deep here. What kind of best are we talking about?

No need to fuss about it.

Oh, here they come.

That's... a pretty fierce vehicle. The landship has stuff like that? Color me surprised.

Knock it off. Get ready to meet 'em.

Welcome to Leithanien. I'm Feraligus, officer in charge of the local branch office. Just call me Ferl.

Good to meet you. I'm Landship Medic Operator Sussurro, and these are my assistants.

(Nods)

What are you staring for? Where's your hellos?

Oh! Oh! Right.

I'm the branch office's... driver... wait, uh, I'm an Operator at the local branch office, codename Piston.

Situation's complicated, and we're pressed for time. Let's all get in the car for now.

Regarding the details of the emergency situation, we've stamped all the information. Best look over it while we're driving.

Alright, thank you very much.

We've also brought some equipment, so if you could move that into the car, please.

Al... alright.

Two hours later

Let me see the second file.

Alright.

Look over this report for me. Confirm if there's any additional kit we need to prepare.

Right away.

(Hey!)

What? Why so secret?

Keep it down!

Didn't you say they sent their best? Why's this little lady leading them?

Watch what you say, kid. I'll knock your bonus.

When'd you learn to judge people by appearances like an idiot? Did you get nothing from the employee handbook?

Rein your mouth in if you don't get it. She's one of the elite from Medical Department.

Okay, okay, okay... my bad, my bad.

Ferl, sir.

Yes?

I've finished reading through the files, and I have a few questions.

According to the descriptions, most of those requiring medical aid here are not infected with Oripathy?

That's right. The account from the Leithanian government is that a Catastrophe wrecked a city and caused casualties, but the actual situation's more messy than that.

Was it a lapse on a Catastrophe Messenger's part?

Currently... doesn't look like it.

There were no problems with the Catastrophe evac op. At least, nothing cropped up during the whole course of things.

The one issue is... nobody knew about the needlefly nests under the path of the Catastrophe. At least ten counted, huge ones.

That village there started shifting nomadic beforehand, but there were over a hundred needleflies escaping the Catastrophe that ran straight into the migration team...

Needleflies? The meter-plus carnivorous insects?

Over a hundred??

...I see...

Do we have a casualty count yet?

Leithanian government sources haven't given clear figures.

It's been two days, and they still haven't produced any conclusions...

Which indicates they're temporarily unable to enumerate casualties.

I see.

Estate guards brought a hell of a lot of wounded to a nearby town, but we weren't in time to check one by one.

Does the branch office still have adequate medical supplies? How much antidote for needlefly poison do we have in reserve? How well have surgery facilities been maintained?

How about the mobilization of other local first-aid teams to the area? I need this information, and it's not included in the files.

Uh...

Medical supplies-wise, still plenty for the time being.

Local powers began first-aid work straight away, and after getting the commission, the R.I. branch office received ample emergency rescue supplies too.

Medical facilities are in alright shape, but it's not automatic, and we're desperately short of people.

The town doctors are pretty well-trained, but lack emergency response experience, and most have never seen a disaster of this scale in their lives.

The branch office's town isn't highly populous, so there's only three small clinics in all, and even fewer doctors who can perform surgery.

Plenty of injured can't hold through to the operating table.

We're accommodating a lot of refugees at the office right now. The outlook's not happy at all.

Moreover, given the whole mess, we've been unable to sort patients.

Some of them we've been sent are Infected... and after Infected pass away... you get what I mean.

...I understand.

There's still some way to go. Take a rest for now.

We're here.

There's quite a few here already.

By now, the injured should all be transferred near the branch office. The other office staff ought to be in the middle of handling them.

Piston, you wait here. There'll be supply cars from other stations in a bit. You catch them.

I just sit here and wait? Is that gonna work?

This is your first time on this sort of mission. The on-site situation is more brutal than you think. Just sit tight here, and receive and allocate the medical supplies.

You're kidding me. If that bunch of girls can go, what's a big man like me afraid of.

...Brat.

Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you.

In the town square, a space not that large to begin with, injured fill the ground, their numbers far beyond the limits of what medical treatment can process.

It's the third day since this calamity occurred, and the stench of festering wounds and exposed blood chokes the air.

Water... I need water...

Papa! Papa!

*cough*... *cough*...

Someone get over here! This Infected's almost done for!

Infected! D-Don't come near me.

What are you doing here? Get back to the treatment area, quick.

Guards! Guards! Anyone!

...oh, my god... this...

It's even worse than I thought.