Kitty Killer Isn't So Cold

"Afraid? What's there to be afraid of? They're just old legends, rumors our parents made up when we were children... I won't discriminate against Sarkaz, because I've never seen one anywhere but in books... Besides, if we don't let your people in and you all gather up to cause trouble, then nobody will survive. Wouldn't that be ridiculous... Our goal is to stay alive, isn't it?"

The man before them pulled a frightening yet comical smile. Though she was still immersed in the grief she had felt through her emotional connection with Theresa, Amiya timidly accepted the candy he offered... Then the man grinned and handed out candy to all the children, including Nafen and the three trainee officers.

Once everyone had accepted, the burly man laughed heartily and continued:

"Alright! Have something sweet, then get back to work~ Elva! How about you and your friends lend us a hand too?"

15:30 Columbia time, Leithanien Contingency Contract Office.

Holding a stack of documents, Su Sulo shifted her gaze away from Medic, who had been writing furiously since earlier... Beside her sat the three members of the Reserve Action Group, who had not yet officially joined Rhodes Island and were currently looking around in confusion, unsure what to do.

What made the newcomers so uneasy was Blaze, who radiated heat as she paced back and forth repeatedly in the distance.

"Medic, aren't you done yet? Can't we go back to Ticarondo?!"

"No... What would we do if we went back empty-handed? Eat Rhodes Island out of its food reserves?"

Though she was only teasing, Medic's calm words made the big cat Blaze scratch at her ears and cheeks like a monkey. Even Meli and her two companions flushed with embarrassment... After all, if anyone was truly eating Rhodes Island's food for free, it was these three, who had received treatment for half a year.

"But... if we go back, we can either help prepare the shelters or carry supplies. There must be something we can do..."

"You mean doing something after going back would be better than staying somewhere safe without moving?"

"Isn't that right? Su Sulo, say something too..."

Seeing the topic suddenly land on her, Su Sulo looked at Blaze's unexpectedly frightened expression and tilted her head. The petite girl looked just as composed and calm as Medic now.

"If you ask me, Medic is right. Going back empty-handed means we can't help with anything... Medic has already calculated when the Catastrophe will strike and what kind it will be. All we need to do now is wait for reinforcements. Once Blacksteel's Landship and biochemical response team are in place, we can use the supplies donated by the Leithanien Contingency Contract Branch to help Ticarondo's citizens... So quietly waiting and conserving our strength is the right choice, Blaze."

"...You two are being a little too cold, aren't you? Medic, aren't you worried about Little Cat?"

Faced with her friend's question, Su Sulo covered her face in pain. Blaze had hit exactly the wrong nerve.

Fortunately, though Medic's breathing quickened slightly, she still used a deep breath to suppress the emotions that might have spiraled out of control.

"Blaze, your thinking isn't wrong... When there's a disaster, we need to rescue people, just like fighting fires or saving lives... The earlier we arrive, the more we can reduce the damage... But Catastrophes are different."

"First, we already can't make it back before the Catastrophe begins, so providing as much data as possible about the developing situation is already the best I can do... Second, when there's a traffic accident, arriving quickly lets us save lives. When there's a fire, arriving quickly lets us put out the flames... But a Catastrophe... Originium Rain formed by activated Originium Dust Crystals... How are we supposed to interfere with that?"

"How are we... supposed to save them from this kind of Catastrophe... I don't know... I'm sorry... I left Matilda alone in that dangerous place again... I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

Watching Medic clutch the ears atop her head with a pained expression, Su Sulo could only sigh and gently pat her back. Su Sulo was not the only one doing so; Cole and Kate did the same.

[It'll be fine. We've been watching Doctor Kal'tsit these past few days. She's dependable... She'll definitely take good care of Mia.]

[Exactly, exactly. Don't listen to your coworker talking nonsense here... You contacted the reinforcements, you analyzed the data, and you did the calculations... She can just panic uselessly over there. Don't panic along with her... Didn't you contact your former superior too? What did she say?]

The whispers of the Dead Souls reminded the black-haired Feline. Just as Blaze was wondering how to apologize, Medic suddenly seemed to snap out of her PTSD episode and quickly pulled out her phone.

Taking advantage of Medic's temporary return to normal, Su Sulo hurriedly dragged Blaze and the three newcomers aside.

"Hey! Have you forgotten about Nana's relationship with Little Cat? Teacher Touch and Director Kal'tsit specifically warned us about this. Medic's psychological trauma is closely tied to Little Cat's safety. How dare you bring up Little Cat in front of her! And you newcomers may find this confusing, but you'll understand later... I'll only tell you what you need to watch out for right now... Don't mention Medic's daughter in front of her... Especially when her daughter might be in the middle of a Catastrophe or some other dangerous situation, understand?"

As they exchanged looks and nodded to show they understood, Medic in the distance looked at her former superior's reply and let out an "Ah."

"What...?"

"...There's hope..."

"...Medic?"

"Ticarondo can be saved!!"

When Medic rushed over with her phone, Su Sulo thought the woman had finally gone mad and decided to beat her to death with that brick-like phone. She shrank back in fright, but then realized Medic probably wanted her to look at the screen.

On it was a communications interface Su Sulo had never seen before, displaying a string of numbers she could not understand... though they appeared to be identification numbers for some kind of heavy machinery.

"What is this...?"

"It's the Columbia Fleet... They've sent a supply ship and a high-speed sand cruiser to support Ticarondo!!"

As she spoke, Medic excitedly shook Su Sulo. There was naturally a reason for her excitement.

After all, even Agent Number Seventy-Seven herself had never expected to possess the authority to mobilize the Homeland Security Bureau... And she had never imagined that the support her handler mentioned would be two Landships not much smaller than Rhodes Island.

Though she had no idea what assignment her handler would demand afterward as compensation, a supply ship loaded with materials, a Homeland Security Bureau Landship carrying Catastrophe relief equipment for her, and Blacksteel Worldwide's security company—which operated independently but had a strong reputation in biological and chemical defense...

Connected, consolidated, and commanded through Contingency Contract... Yes, Ticarondo could be saved.

But... could that child hold on until she arrived?

Medic did not know. She could only pray endlessly in her heart... Pray that child would hold on until she, along with all these personnel and supplies, successfully crossed the thousands of kilometers of wilderness... She prayed that this would not become a distance she could never cross.

As she held Su Sulo and prayed, the sudden ringing of a phone interrupted her.

"...A call from Blacksteel Worldwide?"

As Medic anxiously accepted the call, Su Sulo blushed and straightened her slightly rumpled clothes. Ignoring the three newcomers, whose faces were all bright red, she tugged Blaze over and asked:

"Has their Landship arrived?"

Though she asked that, Su Sulo saw Medic's expression becoming increasingly blank and knew things might not be going as smoothly as her friend had expected.

But... it would be fine, right... After all, Medic was famously capable of anything at Rhodes Island. Logistics, shipping, personnel, medicine... Now even Catastrophe studies and geology could not stump her. What else could possibly stop her?

Just as Su Sulo thought that, she suddenly saw the Feline girl before her, whose eyes had lost all their light, hang up without saying a word. Then she pulled a folded heavy crossbow from the side of her backpack as though she intended to leave... That movement frightened the two people who knew Medic's assessment scores badly.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait... Let's talk this out. Put the weapon down, okay? Blaze, hurry and use your strength!"

"I am using my strength! Why is she so much stronger than me... Um... Medic, didn't you say panicking alone wouldn't solve anything?! You have to tell us what happened first!!"

"...They're not coming..."

"Huh?"

Seemingly realizing she had lost control, Medic released the crossbow mechanism, allowing Blaze to lift the heavy Rhodes Island-standard crossbow above her reach.

"Blacksteel's Landship... They said it isn't coming..."

"...Why?!"

Though Blaze held the crossbow as though refusing to let Medic consider a violent solution, she would have been lying if she said she had no urge to use violence herself.

But what needed more attention now was Medic's mental condition. She had been under intense strain all day, dealing with Customs before coming to Contingency Contract and doing a massive amount of mental work... So Blaze could not spare any attention for her own temper.

If Blacksteel's Landship did not come, then transporting the Contingency Contract disaster relief team and supplies would be impossible... The first wave of assistance Medic had sought, the force that could reach the scene fastest, would suddenly be reduced to only the Security Bureau's side.

But what could a single department do in the face of a Catastrophe? Contingency Contract was supposed to be the main relief force!

Thinking of that, Medic genuinely felt like killing someone.

"The Blacksteel Landship manager... apparently doesn't want the Landship to approach the Catastrophe directly. He said their ship doesn't have proper Originium protection measures... He said they can enter after the Catastrophe is over, when Originium activity falls to a safe threshold... But..."

"But once it's at a safe threshold, why would they even be needed?! Show up on television, then quit the job? Is this what they call Columbia-style grandstanding?! Blacksteel should be nearby too, right? We can contact them through the Intercity Network, right?! I'm going to ask them exactly what the hell is going on!"

Seeing Blaze grow agitated as well, Su Sulo could not hold onto one before the other started moving. Just as the Little Fox was getting a headache, a familiar voice suddenly came from beside them.

It was the voice of the Contingency Contract Application Office's lobby host. Behind the host, Meli and her friends were winking at Su Sulo... Clearly, they had seized an opportunity to bring over someone who could explain the situation.

After a nearby security guard explained, the host in a solemn suit quickly understood what had happened. After a moment's thought, the host said this to Medic:

"...Since that person recommended Blacksteel, it is impossible that Blacksteel lacks the necessary qualifications... The more likely situation is that the personnel responsible for that Landship do not wish to take responsibility for sending it into a heavily polluted area. Uncooperative middle management like this is something that gives us great headaches during contract execution.

"But it is also possible that the Landship truly has some deficiency in its protective measures... Still, a Landship intended for biological and chemical defense should not have such an oversight. If it does, then he bears even greater responsibility for this Contingency Contract... Blacksteel is no small company. Regarding the specifics of this cooperation, I suggest you communicate further with Blacksteel's upper management and the personnel carrying out the work... namely, the biological and chemical defense specialists."

Looking at Medic... this Catastrophe Messenger, who even seemed remarkable in the eyes of the experienced contract host, appeared to have recovered some of the poise she had displayed while explaining Catastrophe theory and calculating Catastrophe threats.

Because of the nature of the work, the host had always been required to remain serious, but now the host revealed a faint smile Medic found very familiar.

"Then I will not disturb your preparations..."

PS: Wuwu, kitty.

I originally said I would show everyone the comments section's genderbent Number Forty-Seven art today... But the image was too long horizontally, and it looked awful after being compressed in the backend... So forget it. Let's look at adorable La Pluma instead.

PS2: This is actually two updates... I wrote a little in the morning, felt it wasn't enough, then wrote some more at night and posted them together...

PS3: This might be a spoiler, but I'll still shout it as a preview for the next episode: "Old Space Program—!"

Mm, next comes another... incident where neither side is wrong... but one driven solely by positions and needs?

You can think of it as an accident.

Because that was what Medic did.

The Mystery of the 2nd Medic: 040 Continental Hotel

[I won't disturb your preparations.]

This phrase was the handler's habitual saying... From Number Seventy-Seven's first mission onward, these words and ICA support had accompanied her through every major city in Terra.

There was no doubt that this contract host had countless connections to the handler. When they shook hands in farewell, the slip of paper passed from the other's palm proved it.

After checking the contents of the note behind everyone else's backs, the string of numbers turned to dust through the Witchcraft in the girl's palm.

"Medic?"

"...Let's go."

"Where?"

"Somewhere that can solve this."

As she said that, Medic looked at Meli and her friends... Logically, the Reserve Action Group plan should have been put on hold now, and she should first find somewhere to settle these newcomers... Considering she might have to act as an ICA assassin next, it would be best to find an excuse to keep Su Sulo and Blaze away from her too.

But considering Leithanien was currently within the Catastrophe's range as well, if she left them behind, only heaven knew whether she could find them again next time... After thinking it over, Medic still decided to take the group with her.

First, she needed to use the code she had just received to confirm the situation. Medic needed to know exactly what surprise her handler was preparing for her.

This step was fairly simple. She only needed to find a phone booth on the street and dial the number the host had given her.

[Hello, this is the Continental Hotel. May we offer you the warmth of home upon this land... How may we assist you?]

"..."

Pressing the dial, Medic hesitated slightly before entering her work number... Seventy-Seven.

[...Very well, please wait a moment... You have reserved a standard business suite under the agreed name Medic... Is that correct?]

"Yes."

[Understood. We will have your room prepared within forty minutes. We wish you a pleasant stay.]

After hanging up, Medic could now confirm it... Her handler had assigned her a mission. And since she had been contacted through someone from Contingency Contract, there was a high chance that this assignment was related to the Catastrophe she had announced earlier.

Unfortunately, because the Intercity Network was monitored by the cybersecurity departments of each mobile city, Medic could use her mobile terminal to send public information such as the hull numbers of Columbia's support ships to her handler... But for more private conversations, she could only use the independent network operated by the Security Bureau.

The Continental Hotel was ICA's contact point on this land. Aside from serving as an intermediary platform for Mercenaries, assassins, and bounty hunters from around the world, it was also a confidential line used by the Homeland Security Bureau independently of the Columbia government.

As for why a government department needed communications lines independent of the government... Medic did not care. She directly took her companions into the Continental Hotel, then collected her room key and elevator card from the front desk.

Seeing the Little Cat who had just been crying suddenly bring them here to rent a room, and watching her complete the entire process with practiced ease, Blaze, who carried her weapon, could not make sense of the situation.

"So... this place can solve our problem?"

"No. It's just... our problem is indeed here."

"Medic, are you starting to sound more and more like Kal'tsit?"

As Blaze muttered unhappily and followed Medic into the elevator, Little Cat casually produced the elevator card and inserted it into an authorization slot normally used only by staff. Blaze then discovered that instead of rising, the elevator had suddenly begun descending.

"Uh... Medic?"

"From here on, follow me. No matter what you see, it would be best not to look surprised..."

"Is this... some secret agent base?"

Seeing that Medic did not deny Su Sulo's question, Blaze nervously hugged her chainsaw weapon.

"Will we be shot as spies if we look around?"

"...No. It's mainly that if the people I brought into the mercenary public area stare around like country bumpkins... I might pretend I don't know you."

Hearing their seniors make comments that were either reliable or completely unreliable, the two white-haired boys on either side nervously grabbed Meli, terrified that this bold girl would charge straight into the so-called mercenary public area... Stewart and Adnachiel had always been worried about this pink-haired Perro girl's curiosity.

After all, a proper pharmaceutical company should not have anything to do with Mercenaries, right?!

But seeing that the "doctor" and "guard" seemed surprised yet accustomed to it, the boys could only steel themselves and continue following. They were afraid that turning around and leaving would get them shot on the spot... So after seeing these "secrets," perhaps they had no choice but to board Rhodes Island's pirate ship?

Yet even while being held back, Meli remained lively. The straightforward dog girl excitedly raised her hand.

"Um! Captain, could it be that below us is some legendary mercenary black market?"

"...More or less... Though the currency here isn't Lungmen Dollars or anything like that. You need separate tokens... Come to think of it, I still need to buy you some daily necessities, right? Here... Let Blaze and Su Sulo take you to buy three tents or something... I'll get Kal'tsit to reimburse me later."