Chapter 193

These words were addressed to W, and also as an explanation to others who were unaware of Rhodes Island's origins.

For someone like W, who lacks a sense of identity, it's understandable that they don't understand the reasons why 'Medic' is now deliberately emphasizing its identity... After all, no pharmaceutical company maintains an organization and logistics system that is almost like a military.

Medic wasn't sure if W would understand this explanation, but after agonizing for a while, the beautiful young woman put down her phone and started counting on her fingers, saying with a troubled expression:

"So, the real reason we Mercenaries with bad reputations are kept in the Human Resources Department is so that if we ever get blacklisted, we can make a clean break with Rhodes Island, right? And what you're worried about now is that my old buddies are likely to be fired if they're not in the Disciplinary Department?"

"... Being kicked out is such a rude term... it sounds like failing the background check for a job transfer."

Seeing how convincingly Medic spoke, W tilted her head in confusion and blinked... You see, during the previous Christmas, although she wasn't particularly interested in Sankta holidays because she was Sarkaz, she still encountered many former members of the Babel.

Let's talk this out. Was Babel some kind of charitable organization before? You just changed your name to Rhodes Island, and now you have so many inexplicable new rules?

If this kind of political vetting really needs to be done... the 'Demon of Babel' would first have to be kicked off this Landship!

"Ah... come to think of it, I still haven't seen that person..."

Seeing W drift off into a daze again, Medic assumed that she had finally understood her good intentions.

Then the cat glanced around:

"So, what are everyone's thoughts on the Disciplinary Department?"

Among those present were members of the Blacksteel BPRS Squad, as well as Jessica, a unique individual who was a free agent in Blacksteel and is now practically a Columbia agents... Rosemary was less of a Rhodes Island and more of a personal accessory she brought with her.

It's only because Typhon, the Sami hunter, is still hospitalized due to his gunshot wound that the Rhodes Island Human Resources Department is so diverse, considering that the meeting room also includes Mudrock, a member of the Reunion Movement who has traveled across half of Ursus.

Rhodes Island, Blacksteel Worldwide, Raythean Industries, ICA, the Colombian Military, Colombian Political Sphere, the Colombian Research Community, Reunion Movement, the Shield of the Infected, the Ursus Military, the Ursus Nobility, Kazdel, the Babel, the Free Wanderers... The spectrum of background organizations these people belong to could form a kaleidoscope.

We all know each other, and after working together for several months, we've developed a mutual liking for each other...

They might feel grateful for Rhodes Island's help, but they could also become full of complaints due to policy changes.

Given the current Human Resources Department, where everyone's interpersonal relationships are distributed in a network, if even a small group of people become dissatisfied, it can quickly escalate into a change in opinion that affects the entire Human Resources Department and even Rhodes Island itself.

Therefore, even as the head of the Human Resources Department with authority level six, Medic tried his best to discuss the changes in job positions with everyone in a consultative manner, since it was obviously impossible to expect everyone to obey the reassignment and be completely satisfied.

At least... for an organization to function smoothly, everyone has to be willing... Medic is making her work arrangements with her rudimentary histology.

If everyone received a Halo, wouldn't I avoid having to give them such a long explanation?

Because of the complete silence around them, even Medic himself was a little distracted... As for the Disciplinary Department, a department that was utterly useless back on Rhodes Island but whose very existence maintained the stability of the Rhodes Island's morale, it was Nagisa, who had finished a cup of black tea, who finally raised his hand:

"Medic, is your concern ultimately about the fact that the personnel in this department are not working on the Rhodes Island main ship?"

"Kindness."

"Then... why not just give them jobs?"

The flaxen-haired girl squinted as she spoke, but realizing she was being too flamboyant, she changed her expression from smiling at Nana to looking at the teacup in front of her.

"Although I haven't been at Rhodes Island for very long, Medic, as you said, the Disciplinary Department itself overlaps with the functions of another unit... and that unit is now directly under Kal'tsit... administratively speaking, they are above us."

"So... at the operational level, are the target groups the same for both sides?"

Looking at the thoughtful expression on the face of the bird, with its slightly furrowed brows and its ears and tail suddenly standing up... Nagisa chuckled and added more black tea to the teacup.

Although this girl used that Memory-Erasure Drug thirty years ago, judging from her subtle actions, Zero is still Nana, and she hasn't changed at all...

"SWEEP manages the operators and handles anti-intrusion work inside the ship... while the Disciplinary Department... seems to handle more routine security maintenance work..."

Seeing that Nana seemed to have convinced herself, Nagisa clapped her hands elegantly, then followed behind with a smile and raised her finger:

"Then the logic holds true~ Perfect, yesterday when I was strolling through the public areas on the first and second decks of the ship, I felt really uneasy about the lack of security personnel. So how about extending the Disciplinary Department's work scope on the Landship to the security maintenance of the public areas? Although most of the time it's just standing guard, there are also patients who are completely unable to use advanced technology like PRTS, so maybe they can help give directions or something..."

"Okay, let's do it that way... I'll have PRTS send the new training and work arrangements to everyone in the Disciplinary Department... As for the person in charge... there doesn't seem to be a particularly suitable candidate, so I'll temporarily take over myself."

Medic glanced at the names of the heads of the two 'departments' on the PPT, which were both his own Disciplinary Department and the Central Headquarters, and sighed... Just organizing the internal structure of the Human Resources Department was already making people dizzy, and this hadn't even officially started yet.

"Alright... now that we've confirmed the scope of responsibility, let's move on to the formal work confirmation... First, let's go to Nearl. The Emergency Medical Department needs some on-call staff... Currently, the department with the most staff is..."

"It's the Welfare Department."

The black-haired maid, who was fully aware of everything within her responsibilities, stood up and said:

"Because when we were Exploration Vehicle, people like Ms. Athena, Miranda, and Grayson... regardless of whether they were suitable or not, because there was nothing else to help, we mingled with a large number of Reunion Movement members... although they were always helping us in the name of Reunion Movement... in reality, the number of people working in the Welfare Department has now reached nearly fifty."

Listening to Eileen's explanation, Nana easily thought of Rhodes Island's Medical Department agreement for the Infected couldn't afford treatment, which allowed them to obtain treatment loans by working at Rhodes Island.

Hopefully, they haven't confused the contract the Infected working at Rhodes Island with their Reunion Movement identities... It wouldn't be good if they ended up finding out that their medical expenses were actually being charged to a certain Dragon Lady, and they were misunderstood.

In response, Folinic, who also works in the Emergency Medical Department like Medic, couldn't help but complain.

"... Isn't this actually considered a violation of the rules?"

"Don't look at me, I don't know... Anyway, notify the Welfare Department... Also, if anyone is still living in the staff dormitory, remember to take them to the common area housing, and remember to revoke the Welfare Department's access privileges..."

Seeing Medic frantically fiddling with his cat ears, Eileen gave a slightly helpless smile; she had never imagined such a thing before.

"Understood, I will rectify the current chaotic situation in the Welfare Department as soon as possible."

"... Sorry, I only remembered this two days after I got back. If Kal'tsit asks, just say we're already making some adjustments... Also, I was thinking, the Emergency Medical Department is a department under the Medical Department."

"Transferring people from the Human Resources Department would make it difficult for non-medical personnel to be of immediate help... Folinic, I remember you're still a member of the Emergency Medical Department, right? Could you please borrow some people from Kal'tsit in the name of the Emergency Medical Department?"

"Putting everything else aside, at least make sure that Nearl and Shining's shifts are arranged so that four people can work five days a week with two days off..."

As Nana set the work schedule for the Human Resources Department, everyone in the room had different expressions... Especially Liskarm and Franka, who were quite familiar with the duty roster rules of various countries, but would work non-stop until their brains were sore during tense moments in the Blacksteel BPRS era, suddenly widened their eyes.

As Folinic readily agreed and made notes in her notebook to assign tasks... Franka, practically lying on Liskarm, began whispering in her ear:

"Speaking of which, how about we officially join Rhodes Island too... Nana's Human Resources Department gives us weekends off?!"

"... Although Franka, your medical insurance is still being paid by Blacksteel, are you sure you want to face the Colombian Tax Bureau's troops by yourself? Or are you saying you're not going back to Columbia?"

"If I can settle down on Rhodes Island, I might as well not go back to Columbia..."

Ignoring the two whispering in the corner of the lounge, Medic looked at the next item on the PowerPoint presentation:

"Aside from the report on the Snowfield, the Security Department's daily training is the same as the Disciplinary Department Instructor Corps' arrangements. I'll send you Chief Instructor Dobermann's contact information. After you've confirmed the security department's training schedule, sign the document and send it to me..."

"Furthermore, since the Security Department's work mainly involves protecting the strongholds and maintaining logistics for the Central Node Unit I lead... I anticipate that much of your training will focus on rules for dealing with wild animals or wilderness marching... For former free Mercenaries, having to memorize whether or not to kill wild animals might be quite unusual... But maintaining a positive atmosphere within the unit is also the Section Chief's job, W, you need to handle these matters well."

Seeing the static beauty glance at him disdainfully before waving her hand to indicate she understood, Medic didn't press W for answers... Anyway, if she really brought the Sarkaz Mercenaries style to Rhodes Island and caused trouble, then Medic wouldn't need to intervene... Kal'tsit would naturally devour W.

"As for the Information Department... Ah Fu should continue to rest for now. The trip to the Snowfield must have been tiring... In addition to the report similar to the one from W's side... I also hope that you, sir, will pay attention to the situation of the Reunion Movement, Talulah... and Ursus... This is a continuation of previous matters."

"This involves both Columbia and Ursus, and as the intermediary, Rhodes Island must keep a close eye on how things develop... I'm sorry, this was originally supposed to be something I did myself, but as you can see... I feel overwhelmed."

[Or rather, this is the true meaning of the existence of 'subordinates,' my lord. Rest assured, I will also keep an eye on the situation with Chorbokashti... but what about Columbia...]

Hearing the conversation turn to his side again, Nagisa, who had been quietly listening, finished another cup of tea and straightened up once more, the white Liberi wings behind her fluttering slightly.

"Rest assured, leave the surveillance and intelligence gathering in Columbia to Licorice Cafe..."

Before Nagisa could finish speaking, W, who had been quite annoyed by the halo above Liberi's head, looked up with a pout:

"Is this what a coffee shop does?"

"... Coffee shops, teahouses, beer halls, or inns—essentially, my department is also providing various forms of support to the Medic 'central node' forces... Well, this kind of thing is probably too complicated for Mercenaries who fight wherever they go and basically have no strategy whatsoever..." —

"... Want to start a fight, you jerk?" (Angry)

The slight hostility vanished instantly in Medic's sharpening gaze. W wasn't an easy person to get along with... everyone knew that, and it was also common knowledge that Sarkaz and Sankta were natural enemies, so their conflict could be considered to have ended there... Scar

Seeing that they were still maintaining their composure, Medic gave them a stern look, signaling them to watch their words and actions, before continuing, "Bar..."

"I'll leave the handling of things in Columbia to you, Nagisa... Besides Mika and Seia, there'll also be Takina, Little Raiden, and Nono... They'll all remain with the coffee shop staff as usual... How you arrange things is your forte, Nagisa, I won't interfere." —Mio

"I'll submit the completed report to you as soon as possible... Of course, I'll finish this work before the venue is renovated and the coffee shop opens... However, the Rhodes Island dorms are too far from you. Can I work in the break room here in the Human Resources Department?"

Hearing Nagisa's request, Nana didn't see anything wrong with it, so she readily nodded and granted the coffee shop staff permission to use the Human Resources Department floor.

This scene elicited gasps of surprise not only from the Blacksteel Gossip Group, who were inexplicably interested in the romantic developments around Medic, but also from Cole and Kate behind Medic, who were speechless and covered their faces in disbelief.

It seems Su Sulo's premonition was quite accurate; Nagisa does indeed have a lot of ulterior motives.

"So, what happens next..."

"That, that one."

Seeing Sister Mary, who had been huddled in the corner of the lounge with Jessica from the beginning, raise her hand, Medic looked over there, gesturing for her to speak directly.

"From Laterano... that Executor is looking for you, Nai... Medic."

PS: Waaaaaaah!

Cute La Pluma ↑

PSS: So, the foreshadowing from before is gradually being revisited... Please don't think Axi's writing is verbose; this is a necessary transition.

As I write, I'm reminded of my past life as a corporate slave in Shanghai... Now I wonder, if I hadn't only slept three hours a day back then, but instead had a truly permanent five-day work week with no calls asking me to work overtime... would I still be a professional writer?

Probably not.

The 6th Patriot's Gun: The Silence and Trouble of 211 Medic

After organizing the information, Nana roughly understood the departments under her command and the relevant responsible persons.

Currently, Nana herself is in charge of the Central Headquarters and the Disciplinary Department, which is under the jurisdiction of the Human Resources Department Special Operations Group —whose members include Jessica, Liskarm, Franka... and Vanilla, totaling five people including herself.

Although Vanilla, the intern who came with the three, was also a member of the Special Operations Group, she had been training with the Rhodes Island Reserve Operations Squad and had been absent from all of the team's major battles until now... Judging from the intensity of those battles, not having the trainees participate was the right choice.

Medic will involve him in the project when it is determined that he is capable of handling things independently.

Then comes the most important Information Department.

As a necessary preparation for operations and to gather information about the mission, Nana knew that if she wanted to do a good job in the Human Resources Department, she needed to have her own true sources of intelligence... Alfred, this elderly Sarkaz, knew a lot about what was hidden in history, and with the connections he had built up over hundreds of years, he would probably be pleasantly surprised when he wanted to find out something.

But the problem with the Information Department right now is... there are too few people. Looking at all the sources of intelligence, the only one who can really be considered Ah Fu.

Therefore, Nana decided to incorporate the LycoLyco Café into the Information Department, with the café staff serving as administrative support, while people like Mika or Takina would be intelligence gatherers... This was their old profession for the Lycoris, and Nagisa had no objections.

Although having Lycoris and her team gather intelligence inevitably involves dealing with the ICA, the ICA is Columbia's largest intelligence provider, and given her relationship with her agent, this cannot be ignored... She can only hope that Kal'tsit won't mind her close ties with Columbia.

Thus, the Information Department was able to function barely... The section chief was Nagisa, and a staff officer named Alfred was appointed.

The Welfare Department, formerly responsible for organizing Exploration Vehicle, ships, and internal affairs, was undoubtedly headed by Eileen.

The group includes artisan Miranda, tailor Athena, Drake and Brown, farmers, hunter Grayson, and a total of twenty-six people... Although at first glance most of these people possess skills in managing farms or living a pastoral life in the countryside, Eileen is already arranging their future lives and work.

Miranda is learning how to use the modern workshops on Rhodes Island, while Ms. Athena, who already has experience in clothing design and repair at Babel, has adapted very well to her new job on Rhodes Island these past two days.

The farmers need to learn how to care for medicinal herbs so that the greenhouse can be used as a medicinal field... As for the hunter... Eileen suggested he switch jobs.

My target job transfer destination is, of course Security Department.

This department, entirely composed of W and his Sarkaz Mercenaries, is a typical Sarkaz Mercenaries group... To put it in a slightly discriminatory light, they are cruel, bloodthirsty, and have no bottom line when it comes to money. If there is a job that pays money, they will kill even their comrades from the previous second, depending on the situation.

Although they sound similar to the Sarkaz Mercenaries in the Disciplinary Department who followed Ah Fu and the others, the Disciplinary Department was, in essence, a regular army serving the former White Emperor Theresa... Both sides, in terms of execution and loyalty, could proudly say that the Sarkaz under W who had fled Kazdel before the outbreak of the civil war did not possess those qualities.

From another perspective, the Security Department staff are also the easiest to satisfy.

They harbored considerable anti-war sentiment, and all the ruthless choices they made were solely aimed at ensuring their standard of living and survival.

W, the Babel Mercenaries, was able to keep them alive and help them find work, so they considered W their leader... And now Rhodes Island has given them a better life and a stable environment, so Rhodes Island is their home.

As for W herself... although Nana has handed over the Security Department to her, given her special past, I think this girl probably won't stay in the Security Department for long.

Whether she goes to SWEEP or Rhodes Island Operations Team in the future is none of Medic's business.

Finally, there's the 'Training Department,' which is quite unique even within Rhodes Island... Although Medic's joking tone might lead some to mistakenly believe it's a department for Rosemary, Aili, Xiya, Popukar, and Red to play with... or rather, for socialization.

The nominal head of the department is Rosemary... but in reality, this department is personally overseen by Kal'tsit. Kal'tsit is in charge of all the children's homework and assignments, including their teaching materials.

It wouldn't be a problem to call this Kal'tsit's department... because Medic doesn't need to worry about anything, Training Department is the place where the cat feels most at ease in the Human Resources Department.

No responsibility, no job; no job, no pressure.

Therefore, when it comes to the Training Department, Medic can be said to have nothing to worry about.

But... just like Huang said, the work may never be finished.

Just as Medic felt he had done enough and the meeting could adjourn, Sister Mary timidly reminded him, "The Laterano issue hasn't been resolved yet."

Yes...

Three years? No, it's been four years already.

From escaping Rhodes Island with Rosemary under SHD's cover, through the Ticarondo Catastrophes and the journey to the Snowfield... Medic has avoided this matter for four whole years.

Although Nana spent three of those years asleep, if she could, why couldn't she continue to slumber in her dreams?

If this were a dream, no one would die, and I would even possess a perfect world where Cole is still alive... Unfortunately, dreams always end.

Nana eventually had to see for herself what happened in the place where her teacher had left, and the reaction of her hometown.