I had travelled far. I was into much more hospitable lands of a mix between boreal and temperate forests.

The terrain varied between mostly hilly and jagged. It was difficult travelling, and I was certain that I lost the trail of my target. One peculiar find was a massive rock of giant black stone jutting to the sky, large as a great house in the distance.

''Obsidian again?'' I thought. It wouldn't be normally be found in these sizes and not so, hmm, seemingly untouched perhaps. As well as being so remotely away from any seeming volcanic activity.

I unshouldered my rifle and surveyed the area with its scope. The rock seemed none too special and there was no activity near it. No visible trail in the area either. No signs of movement. Seemed like another wild goose chase to find Rhodes Island's trail. Then, I saw it. A colour that shouldn't have been there. A violet shape, moving. I locked on and magnified in.

My heart felt as if it skipped a beat when I finally saw her clearly.

She was definitely... a lupo. She had distinct furry ears, and an abnormally large tail which had a unique touch of a light violet. I stood there for I don't know how long, mesmerized. She was gorgeous. I was struck and I couldn't deny it.

Suddenly she looked in my direction as if she had noticed me. Then I realized my stupidity. The sun was in my face. My scope must have glinted the light off and exposed me. I cursed and ran. Changing positions to safely scope the area again. But she was gone. I sighed and started moving almost mindlessly in her last direction.

I realized that I haven't even thought it through as I was walking. Why was I going in her direction? What was I hoping to achieve? Obviously to make contact with a person who seemed to have no affiliation to the last two groups I met. I could find information and possibly the whereabouts of Rhodes Island. Or at least the nearest civilized settlement.

That was the practical thought behind the decision, but it felt more like an excuse than anything. Not to mention that she then knew she was being tailed. She would be defensive if not outright hostile. The logical part of my mind nudged in and suggested that I would be better off to abandon the current heading and just continue south. But, hah! I would have none of it. I was honest with myself finally.

''I want to meet this creature.'' I thought.

Some precautions I did take. While wearing the white robe I could easily be mistaken of belonging to its group. And from the little I found I rather doubted they had a good reputation anywhere. Thus, I decided to rip its orange patch off of it, for what little good it would do. For my original clothing was so burnt and torn that it made this robe indispensable.

Thinking logically to try and better my chances with my reckless taken decision I came to the reasoning that I would best approach in the open. And at a leisurely walking pace as to not invite alarm. I approached what seemed to be a camp. There was an extinguished fire that barely gave out a puff of smoke. I crouched down to examine the ground for clues. There were no feet marks as the soil was too dry to give in. Yet, there were strands of hair on the ground. Light violet.

Reflexively I ducked as I heard the tell-tale whizz of an arrow in the last second! I rolled and stopped. I saw her in the cover of the bushes, already having an arrow readily reloaded in her crossbow. I pulled the katana's sheath and blocked the next arrow with it! I believe I saw her have a flicker of surprise before she dashed deeper into the forest. In turn, I sprinted into the cover of the trees and carefully tracked her. Two more shots she tried on me. One hitting the tree I was taking cover besides and one actually managing to get a good graze out of my upper right arm. It damn well hurt but was nothing I couldn't handle.

Then finally I had found her at the end of a stony hill ending in a precipice. She was facing the trail which was the only way I could come out from. She had her modern looking crossbow aimed and ready. Foolishness took over me once again as I decided to walk at a slow pace up front to her. My heart was beating like a mad man's, but I had to act carefully least I lose my life.

As such before coming out of the cover of the forest I dropped all my weapons. I came out slowly with my hands up and my hood off. And fortunately no arrow came at me right away, at least not yet. When I was at about fifteen paces from her, I stopped. She was even more gorgeous up front than what I saw through the scope. I had my arms raised until they were parallel with my shoulders, outstretched on either side of me.

-''What do you want!?'' She growled with a dangerous voice that wouldn't conceal her threat.

-Why did you shoot at me?

-You know why, Reunion.

-I do not belong to the group that wears this white robe. I merely stole it.

-What do you want?

-To find Rhodes Island. I wanted to ask you for directions.

-That's why you were aiming at me?

-I found you that way yes. But I don't recall taking pot shots at you like you did on me.

-How can I trust you? How do I know there isn't a Reunion team tailing you, waiting for you to lure me in?

I was at a loss for what to say.

-I... can't give you any proof to dispel your worries.

She then seemed poised more than ever to pull the trigger. Her yellow eyes held palpable killing intent. Her defensive posture was steady, and graceful.

-''But I do not lie. I am telling you the truth. And I came unarmed.'' I said, then continued.

-If that is not enough to convince you... then I will approach you until you can see the truth of what I say in my eyes. Shoot me dead if you want, and then you will find that you have ended a life needlessly. I will come slowly now.

As I took my first step forward she reacted.

-Stop where you are!

I kept my arms raised and walked slowly.

-I will shoot right at your heart if you don't stop now!

-Shoot then. I have nothing to convince you with but by putting my life in your hands!

-''Ugh!'' She grimaced nervously.

Step by slow step I arrived, stopping at four paces in front of her. Her weapon had the slightest tremble in it.

-I am not Reunion. I swear.

-''Who are you then?'' She asked with less lethal intent in her words this time.

I felt as if a rock had hit and shattered me. What could I answer?

-Just someone who lost everything and is looking for a job. I hope I can find employment when I reach Rhodes Island.

-Why Rhodes Island?

-I don't really know of any other place.

She finally lowered her weapon, and in turn I lowered my arms.

-''You walk in front of me, and no fast moves.'' She said demandingly.

-Very well.

It was monumentally stupendous what I had just done. I could have well died I knew that. And even now I couldn't be sure of her own affiliation or even her... bloodthirstiness. Still, she was the first person in this world who tempered down her intent to kill me enough to talk. We walked some way back into the forest until we stopped at some point. We stood in silence. She listened and sniffed the air.

-I can smell no others. They are either elite at what they are doing or you are telling the truth.

-''I am telling you the truth.'' I said soft spoken.

-Alright, I believe you. You can pick up your weapons.

It was then that she seamed to have noticed her damage done on me. Or rather, cared enough from that moment to point it out.

-Hey, you should take care of that wound.

I have noticed that by now almost half of my sleeve on my right wounded arm was soaked in blood.

-I have nothing to bind it with. But I'll be fine.

-I'm sorry, come with me. I have a first aid kit in my pack.

I was then behind her back. Following her for the first time and I could not help looking at her large tail. It looked incredibly fluffy, and I had an indecent thought to stroke it.

We came to a tree with an open trunk. From there the wolf girl pulled out her backpack. Fishing out a small but heavy first aid kit for its size.

-''Here, let me take care of your wound, it will be quicker this way.'' She had offered.

-Thank you, you may.

We sat down and I pulled off my robe. The wound was still bleeding where a chuck of my arm's meat was torn away.

-I dented you pretty badly. But it seems you're not bleeding as much anymore. Don't worry, I have first aid experience.

She was as close as she's ever been at this point. I felt that my serious facade would break down, so I turned my gaze aside. Glancing away from her. Yet in the seconds before I did so I couldn't help but look closely at her. This young wolf girl, was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. That image of her burned my heart in a way I had never felt in my entire life.

I sighed internally as I tried to calm down. ''What is it with this infatuation getting at me?'' I wondered.

-Are you alright?

-Yes, thank you again for tending to my wound.

-It's fine, it's the least I could do. I... acted too rashly with you.

-It's understandable. What I've seen so far in this world wasn't too reassuring either.

-I'm Provence, and I'm actually from Rhodes Island. I can bring you there if you want.

-Provence? That is not a name I have heard of before.

-It's my designated operator name at the company.

-I see. It is a fitting name.

-''Hmm, how so?'' She asked genuinely curious.

-''Maybe I will tell you in the future. You wouldn't know the references if I told you now.'' I said, dodging a bullet before I continued further.

-I'm sorry. It may seem rude, but I have no name to give you.

-You don't have a name?

-I chose to leave my name with the past. It just had too many bad memories to it.

-I understand, I won't prod.

-I didn't mean to be gloomy. Either way, how long will the journey to Rhodes Island take?

-About a day and a half if you can keep pace.

She wasn't kidding when she said about keeping the pace. A normal human, even one in good shape would have had a struggle keeping the pace she had. Yet besides the gift flowing in my veins. I was in as best a shape I could have been after managing to survive through ten war gruelling years since I was still barely a teenager full of stupid and grand ideas.

I kept up. Talking little for the most part. For I knew nothing of this world still, and I felt I had better keep secret that lack of knowledge for myself. That, and of the knowledge I possessed. The little we talked though was me prompting her with skilfully chosen words. Luring her to give me more information than I would. A thing which made me feel a bit guilty for some reason. I have been though too many experiences that jagged me, feeling such a... simple emotion was unexpected besides the infatuation. Which itself was unique.

''Heh, feelings and concepts from a better world and from more innocent days.'' I thought.

-What can you tell me of this Rhodes Island in general?

-They are the only pharmaceutical company around that actually has a moral code compared to all the other cut-throat companies.

-I think you will like it there. They take care of their own. And it has a good atmosphere, people wise.

The sight of her continued to disturb me in a pleasantly strange way. But I willed my heart to beat normally, and I regained my composure through the fast pace of travel.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

It was necessary for us to camp down during that first night together before we continued our journey. She found an out-of-the-way spot deep in the forest, besides the cover of a large mound. The sun was setting faster than we anticipated, but we teamed up to quickly prepare our shelter.

For her part it was clearly obvious that she was an expert outdoorsman. She knew her way out in the wilds, and she wouldn't have a problem surviving anywhere.

As for myself I was well acquainted with being out in nature since I could walk. As far as even going on long hunting trips with my father and grandfather since I was five. Add the rigorous training I had received in the military and the first hand brutal experience of the war, I was pretty much adept at surviving in the most barren of wastelands.

Thus, we made short work of the challenges presented to us. To the point that I believe I noticed an expression of pleasant surprise or silent agreement to my skills from Provence. She quickly prepared her shelter with a piece of water resistant sheet that she had and took on the task of acquiring sustenance. She would know best the fauna of this new world and what would be edible and what would not. Also, what would be poisonous enough to take me out I thought.

I prepared my own shelter consisting of a little hut made from branches and moss. It was quite comfortable with the abundant green resources that there were in this part of the wilds. I then gathered enough dry wood to be sure to last us for the night. As I took on preparing the fireplace and the fire starter. By the time she returned she perked up, surprised at the amount of work I had done. Having even prepared two cups that she gave me with purified water and pine needles. It would have some flavour and give us an infuse of vitamin C.

-I forgot to give you my flint and tinder. It would have saved you some time.

-It's alright, I scavenged my own from the wilds some time ago.

-You seem to know your way around in nature.

-I know a few things.

-Here, take these berries and squeeze them in our cups. It will give them some extra flavour, you can eat them after you're done too.

Thus, night came and found us prepared. We were just a step away from each other as she finished preparing two fried fish, along with an assortment of berries, wild garlic, and some green herbs. It was savouring eating such natural food when one could gather all the fresh ingredients to make the most of it. After our meal I prepared two more cups of pine needle tea and squeezed the last of the succulent berries in them.

-''That was a good meal, it is rare that I find enough ingredients to add to a meal's delicacy.'' I said.

-It is the season for them, so we are fortunate. But we won't need to scavenge for long.

-I take it we'll arrive soon?

-Yes, the landship is close. We'll get some much-needed rest there by tomorrow.

-I don't want to snoop in your affairs, but could I ask what were you doing in these parts before we met?

-I was scouting, I am a catastrophe messenger.

-What does that job entail exactly?

At that question she looked at me a bit strangely, surprised even.

-We watch for changes in the weather that might forecast the approach of a Catastrophe. Thus, we can provide advance warnings to settlements and landships.

My stare must have looked a little too blank, though it was a conscious decision not to hide it.

-But you should know that. No settlement on Terra is safe from them. Except if you're from Kjerag, and that's a long way from here.

She said looking at me. Her expression conveying the unspoken question she had on her lips, and I answered her either way before she even spoke it.

-No, I'm not from Kjerag.

-Where are you from?

-From a place so very far away, and it is no more now.

-I'm... sorry to hear that.

The wolf girl looked away, feeling she may have touched a subject that shouldn't have been touched. Yet after, she seamed to have newfound strength in her expression as she turned to gaze at me again. She seamed fired, worried for some reason.

-Do you know what Catastrophes are?

-''I do not.'' I answered sincerely.

-Then you must know now. They are cataclysmic natural disasters that happen too often. Communities are forced to be mobile in order to survive.

-But most important of all, these disasters spread originum.

-''I presume that is has a connection with this thing I heard called oripathy?'' I asked.

The wolf girl in front of me seemed utterly shocked.

-Yes... catastrophes contaminate the local area with originum. It is a highly precious but infectious crystal that causes a disease called oripathy. There is no cure for it.

She then seamed to have recuperated from her shock.

-It's impossible to have never heard of these things. Was there truly such a place that was never touched by catastrophes or oripathy?

-There was.

-It must have been a good place.

-It was for a good while.

-''But that brings up something important that I must ask you.'' Provence said.

She then seamed more determined and worried than ever before in her tone and bodily expression.

-''Have you ever seen black crystals? Have you ever touched one?'' She asked heavily.

-I cut myself on one.

Her eyes widened, as if I pronounced my own death sentence.

-I'm sorry. You more than certain are infected now.

She said then with a controlled mannerism and voice. I could tell she was withholding her real emotions.

-I myself am infected. This large tail of mine, it's a symptom. A mutation caused by oripathy.

-''But as dreadful as it is you can still live a long and fulfilling life.'' She said with a smile.

But I could tell this was a serious life and death matter. Though as dark as it was I could well see she confronted it with a cheer and a good outlook for the future nevertheless. She was that kind of person I realised. A positive one. One who clings with a spirited energy to life and all that is good in it.

-Rhodes Island can give you a free checkup and further guidance from then on.

This was an entirely new disease I have never heard of before. And strangely one crystal based. I knew my gift was potent though I couldn't be one hundred percent assured it would also make me immune to this just as it made me immune to all the other known diseases from my time. Yet I tended to lean on the calculated belief that it would also protect me from this as well.

-Thank you for your input Provence, I appreciate it.

-Where were you cut though?

-One of my fingers, twenty days ago.

-Can I see it?

She scooted closer to me and my heart started to beat a little faster. In the end I decided to show her. I brought my right hand in front of her and I pulled my tactical glove off.

-This one.

The finger I had cut myself in the seeming originum was fully healed by now and felt no different. She brought both her hands closer to clasp onto mine and inspect me. And as she approached I ironed my will in order to keep my composure. This handholding was just a simple, meaningless gesture, I knew. Yet, I felt I was giving it too much importance, for inside I felt feverish at the approach of her touch.

She was... she was one of that kind after all. My instincts were screaming at the approach of something monstrous, yet her appearance was the most beautiful thing approaching me. More beautiful and more human than any I have ever met before. She brought both her hands close and clasped onto mine. I remained steady as she inspected my finger. It only lasted a few moments before she released me again.

-You are incredibly fortunate. There are no crystals forming on the supposed cut. That means the infection must be at a minimum.

-I believe you won't even have problems posing as a normal person anywhere you would go.

A chain of information was now forming in my mind. I was starting to understand. Catastrophes, originum, their value and their danger. The infection and crystal growths on infected people. The discrimination against them and thus the motif groups like Reunion came to be.

-''How did you come to know about Rhodes Island?'' She asked.

-The people wearing these robes tried to kill me. One of them in their dying breath cursed Rhodes Island thinking I was one of them.

-I understand now. So you never met any of our actual field agents before?

-I actually might have. Do they usually wear uniforms of dark and blue?

-They do, so you have met them then?

-At a distance, but I didn't exactly have the opportunity to chat with them.

-How so? They are usually open and forthcoming.

-''They were a bit busy being hunted down by Reunion in an abandoned town. I was about to go on my way. But I also got bogged down when I decided to give them covering fire with this rifle you see here.'' I divulged before continuing on.

-From what I knew with my experience of Reunion before. And after seeing this new group covering for civilians I thought they deserved some help in that tight spot.

Provence's eyes widened again with a realization.

-What you're describing, I know of that incident. You're the mysterious man who gave them covering fire!

-I guess I am, there was nobody else.

-They held out long enough until the reinforcements arrived because of you! Ace would have personally thanked you and gave you a ride back.

-''I didn't have the opportunity to hang around too long. There was an agent killing the last few remaining Reunioneers in the building I was in. And I was still wearing this.'' I said as I pinched my robe to make a point.

-''So I took a quick underground exit and left my own way.'' I said. Not wishing to point out that I went through ''wonderful'' smelling sewers.

-They would have spared you if you had surrendered.

-They weren't taking prisoners this time around.

-''That is... strange I must say.'' Provence spoke, conflicted.

-''Regardless, you will have some goodwill coming your way when we reach the landship.'' She said beaming up again.

I laid down uneasily the first night at the thought of finally coming near a true beacon of civilization in this strange new world. But slept I did eventually. Having come to know more of the kind of person that Provence was I knew I could sleep more at ease. My darkest worries tamed with a will that was backed by reason. Finally, the next day we spotted an incredibly sized landship nearby as we exited the forest's edge.

-''Here it is. Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals. There's… Ah!'' Provence was cut short.

Our attention was caught by a sudden figure emerging seemingly out of nowhere in front of us. Most probably having jumped from the landship. To jump from even the shortest height and land unscathed was impressive. But with the beings that they were this might have actually been normal acrobatics to them for all I knew.

It was another lupo girl, a slim and deadly looking one in a red coat. And as she slowly approached I noticed Provence was stricken with a barely controllable fear. She was trembling, the fur on her tail spiking out troubled. She took a step back.

I realized as soon as I saw the red figure that she must have been the red shadow I saw which butchered the Reunion forces in that building. I thought I connected the dots and figured that she was part of Rhodes Island by now. But this threw a wrench in my deductions. Suddenly the red figure took a knife out from the inside of her jacket.

I was unsettled as I didn't expect this outcome. I was with another member of Rhodes Island in front of their landship itself. What was amiss that I didn't know here? I couldn't figure any better, so I dropped my backpack along with my rifle and stepped in front of Provence to shield her. There I planted the sheath with the katana in the ground, ready to pull it out if need be. One hand on my sword ready to unsheathe it.

I knew it would have been a much better choice to take my chance with my HK45 pistol. A master of knives at a distance will always lose to a gun wielder if he's not a complete plebeian. Yet if this red figure was of Rhodes Island and I killed her then my chances to find answers and a shelter would have gone to dust.

Yet I wouldn't let Provence face her and receive the fate that those Reunion forces had. Though at that point I still couldn't be sure if it was me, Provence or both that she was after. I realized I stepped up to protect a mutant for the first time with my own life. It was strange indeed, yet my decision came naturally.

-''Provence?'' I beckoned her for an answer without taking the dangerous red clad lupo out of my sight.

-I... I don't know what she wants!

-Stay behind me, I'll protect you. Use your crossbow on her if you feel you need to use it.

Then the Red figure spoke in the coldest of voices.

-Get away from him, now.

A deathly and straight to the point voice said as she was crouching slightly. As if to prepare for a great leap of attack. Suddenly Provence wrapped her arms around me, preventing me from unholstering my sword even if I wanted!

-''Don't you dare attack him!'' Provence bellowed ferociously at the opposite lupo.

My heart was beating like mad. As scared as she was of her own ally she nevertheless grasped me from behind with an incredible strength that I would have never expected of her! I could now feel palpable danger once again radiating from her. Only this time with the utter intent to guard my life. And it spiked my own survival instincts, kicking my senses and heart into overdrive.

I felt ashamed for a moment when I thought I was betrayed instead. But even more I could feel her touch and her warm being tight on my back. It felt strangely heavenly to be suddenly caught by such a predator in a woman's shape.

-''He's with me!'' Provence bellowed loudly again.

The red one lowered her knife but kept it in her hand as she approached. I could feel Provence still holding tight onto me. Either out of fear the red one would change her mind or because her own fierce intent for me was so great. I was starting to have doubts about this so-called pharmaceutical company. The Red one came right in front of me. Barely a pace between us as she stared icy glares at me, and I in turn retorted with a serious and unbacking one.

-''You vouch for him?'' The red lupo asked Provence while never interrupting her gaze on me.

-''I do Red, so leave him be!'' Said Provence in a growl.

-''Hmm.'' The Red lupo hummed, pondering before she addressed me.

-You can't fool Red. Your scent was there, on that building. I killed all your friends, you were the only one who escaped.

-They weren't my friends, nor was I with them.

-Then Red wonders, what were you doing there?

-I was providing cover fire against Reunion when they were coming after me.

-''Humph.'' She scoffed as if barely believing me.

-I wasn't about to stay around and find out who was murdering Reunion so gruesomely that they sang so loudly of despair.

-And why are you wearing their uniform?

-There are not many clothing shops up north. I took what I could find.

-You are too suspicious.

-''I would be too in your place.'' I said before Provence intervened again.

-''Put your knife down, Red.'' Provence spoke with a loaded voice that betrayed a hint of desperation but which was nevertheless assertive as it was clear. ''I already said I vouch for him!''

As I continued to feel this beautiful creature tight against my back I also felt like I was losing my good sense as I struggled to impose my will. Red looked at Provence who had her face close besides my own. This situation was becoming more and more unbearable. Behind me, I was embraced tightly by this gorgeous lupo who I was infatuated with and in front of me. Now barely half a meter away was another lupo, deadly looking but strangely appealing as well. I could feel Provence's breath on my neck, making my hair stir up.

It was as if the embodiment of a swift and gruesome death scene would happen. Yet I did not see in either of them the monsters I had fought in the past. As insistent as my flashbacks and my survival instincts tried to persuade me otherwise.

Red's face presented the seriousness of an assassin. Her features more sharp and slim than Provence's well curved shapes. And while she was better clothed than Provence her womanly features still shone discreetly. Her face as deathly as it was, still had a young and feminine beauty to it.

''Why did they both had to be lupos?'' I wondered at my weakness. Then what I feared the most started to happen. She was sensing the truth. And I felt I couldn't hold my mask much further as for some reason my heart started to hurt.

-''Your heart is beating fast. But it doesn't have the beats of someone who lies or is afraid of death.'' Said Red.

She looked puzzled for a moment as she stared deep into my cold blue eyes, before a voice was heard loudly behind her.

-Red! Stand down!

It was a cat girl in a strange and short lab coat of green colour. Escorted by two operators in the normal dark and blue uniforms. Along another cat girl closely behind her with long black hair and a... chainsaw strapped behind her back?

''This is ridiculous!'' I thought.

But then again me being almost sandwiched by two deadly and bewitching lupos could also be considered a sick and ridiculous prank that fate decided to bestow unto me. Red was backing away, yet I remained there, unmoving. So was the lupo that was holding tightly onto me from behind. I couldn't deny that my heart, as pained as it was, enjoyed such a beautiful creature's embrace while being somewhat disturbed. However, I had to regain my senses, no matter how much it would ache me to part from such heavenly comfort. There was an intensity growing in me until that point along a great chest pain as well.

-''Provence.'' I spoke softly for her.

She snapped out of her trance at the realisation.

-''Yes, I'm sorry.'' She said as she let go, somewhat embarrassed.

-Don't be. You stood your ground to protect a stranger, and one against someone I can recognise as a most skilled assassin.

At that mention Provence seemed to develop a slight blush.

-''I feel like I did nothing that you wouldn't have done for me. You stepped without hesitation to shield my life first after all.'' She retorted.

I felt this discussion going fast towards something that we may not have been prepared for. As such I tried to change the subject.

-Does this always happen when one approaches Rhodes Island?

-''I swear it doesn't!'' She said a bit flustered.

-I believe you.

-There is doctor Kal'tsit. She is the leader of Rhodes Island, I'm sure we can approach safely now.

And approach we did with Provence close besides me. Closer I believe than normal for our shoulders were touching now and then. I theorised it was because the red lupo didn't retreat out of eyesight but stood close by Kal'tsit herself. And so we stood face to face like a strange pair, me with Provence and Kal'tsit along the red clad wolf girl.

-Welcome back operator Provence. I am sorry for this incident. What can you tell me of the guest you have brought with you?

-I think you should apologise to him more than me doctor. He was about to take the brunt of what was to come.

-''Indeed as I have seen.'' The cat girl known as Kal'tsit spoke before regarding me.

-Please accept my sincerest apologies. We are not accustomed to be approached by Reunion members, even those who fled their cause. Which are rare to the point of you being the first one.

-Then I will dispel that notion for you doctor. I was never part of Reunion, I only picked up this cloak from one who failed to kill me.

-Then tell us who may you be, and why you are here.

-Someone who has lost everything and came here seeking employment.

Suddenly the red wolf spoke.

-He was there, during the operation. He was the one who escaped Red.

At that Kal'tsit seemed to scrutinize me more sharply.

-You will have to excuse my reservation regarding your statement. If what you say is true then you will submit to our security processing to determine that you are not a spy.

-So far you have given me little reason to have any kind of expectations from your so called ''Pharmaceutical'' company. Except for your operator Provence who through her conduct had put you in any good light so far.

-Yes, first impressions matter. But you are the one seeking here.

Provence intervened feeling a tension rising.

-Please doctor Kal'tsit, he is not here on ill will. In fact, he is the one who saved Ace's group.

At that Kal'tsit seemed to mellow her steely look upon me but not by much.

-What were you doing there in the first place?

-I was minding my own business until I didn't. I took a few shots at the fellows wearing these white robes. I think they were menacing your group. They were wearing the same uniforms as your two guards over here.

-I see. Then you might as well be the mysterious sniper in our reports. I see you have a rifle as well.

-But I will have to ask you to relinquish all your weapons and submit to the security screening.

-Do you treat all those who come to your doorstep seeking employment this way?

-No. This is a more unfortunate situation, and you come at a tense time. Besides, you are the one seeking employment, not us. And these are the rules if you want to enter this landship.

-Then lead away. I will submit myself to your checks.

-Wise choice.

-''Doctor Kal'tsit! Please give him an emergency medical check up! He might have recently contracted oripathy.'' Spoke Provence passionately in her worry to which even Kal'tsit seemed moved.

-''It shall be given operator Provence.'' The green clad cat girl responded, a bit more softly to the violet wolf girl.

-Relinquish your weapons here. Blaze, Red, escort our guest to the first security quarantine.

-''Sure thing. Though that discussion was too tense Kal, you'll scare away all potential new operators!'' Said Blaze, the cat girl.

I gave one last look to Provence, and I saw her having a confident smile. It somewhat reassured me even after this tense situation at our arrival.

-''All right, follow me then! I'm Blaze by the way.'' Said the black haired cat girl.

I walked ahead, now the Red lupo closely by my side and just a little behind escorting me. The others around us seemed surprised I didn't flinch as I matched pace besides her.

-''Humour me this question. If I had surrendered there, on that building. With my hands up and weaponless. Would you have spared my life?'' I asked the Red wolf with an easy, almost laid back attitude.

There was a long pause, but then, she answered.

-No.

Thus, I had finally reached Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals.