It was an awkward scene. Tabatha glared at Oliver with the fury of a thousand suns, while he was trying to avoid said sun from burning him.
"I- I'll pay you back! I get paid now! How much was it? 300... 400 dollars?" Oliver asked, laughing from fear.
Tabatha looked at him with a silent fury, before telling him the true price of her dress.
"5 thousand, five hundred and sixty two dollars" Tabatha exclaimed, holding his collar tight.
Oliver gulped, realising he definitely didn't have enough money to pay her back. Lowering his head down, he sheepishly asked her if he could pay her back by other means. Tabatha glared at him, before letting him go and putting a finger on her chin.
"Well there's one thing..."
Oliver looked up hopefully, exclaiming that he'd do anything if it meant he could avoid her wrath. Ren - who was sitting far in the back - found his eagerness a bit pathetic, before realising that he would probably be in the same situation if he was the one who ruined Olivia's dress.
Tabatha's eyes lit up words, seemingly relieved.
"Wow this went easier than expected..." She thought to herself.
Returning back to her cheerful disposition, she turned to both of them with a smile.
"Please come with me!"
The two were confused by her request, but it wasn't like they really had a choice. Perhaps Ren did, however Oliver would probably whine and beg for him to follow so he didn't feel singled out. The woman began quickly running towards the east, seemingly heading to a large tower in the distance. Both Ren and Oliver were surprised at her speed, as it was as if she couldn't wait to reach the tower. Not wanting to be left behind, the two quickly followed behind her, making their way to the tower.
At the entrance; the three were met with an individual wearing the same type of hood as Tabatha standing in front. Noticing the two new people beside Tabatha, he raised the makeshift weapon he was holding, pointing it at the two men. Ren didn't flinch at the attack, however Oliver jumped up in shock, embarrassing himself in front of the two.
"I had a long day okay?!" Oliver whined, pulling out his dagger.
"What the fuck, Oliver?!" Tabatha and Ren shouted, obviously startled.
Oliver sniffled, putting his weapon away.
"Ms. Are you sure you want these guys in? The green one seems... Unhinged" the guard retorted, side eyeing Oliver.
Tabatha laughed awkwardly, before gesturing for the man to lower his weapon.
"They're coworkers. The good kind."
The guard stayed silent, before lowering his weapon. "Understood... Please head in" he said, opening the door for them.
The three walked inside, finding themselves in a camp. Oliver's eyes widened seeing all the men, women and children huddled up in the decrepit room - which was only illuminated by the single bonfire in the centre. The state of the people were all varied. Some looked relatively healthy, others had lost limbs. However one looks permeated throughout the camp. Despair.
"Hey guys I found some food in one of the convenient stores. It's probably not enough for everyone... So please share food if you can!" Tabatha said, handing out food to the people.
As she was handing out the food, a group of children ran up to Tabatha, giving her a hug.
"Thank you for going out and finding us food Ms. Tabatha" One of the children said, looking up at Tabatha with a smile.
A melancholic smile formed on Tabatha's face. Despite the horrible conditions they were in, just by knowing they had food, these children could continue to smile brightly. It was an unbelievable
"Of course, me and the other Investigators are big and strong. It's only natural we help out!" Tabatha exclaimed.
One of the children tilted their heads.
"Then why did those other guys leave us here?" They asked.
It was a genuine and innocent question, however hearing it hurt more than any insult could ever.
"That's..."
Before Tabatha could finish her sentence however, she was interrupted by Oliver
"Hey... What did that kid just say? Is that why there are people here? Did they..." He asked, his eyes darting around the room.
His question made both Ren and Tabatha look away quickly, as if the topic was extremely sensitive.
"No... no... There shouldn't be civilians... There shouldn't... Everyone should have been evacuated... Right...? It's in the investigator log book... Article 4, underneath the invasion protection act, all inhabitants must be evacuated before the barrier is formed! Why are people still here...?" Oliver asked, his voice shaking.
Tabatha tried reaching out to him, but was stopped by Ren. Oliver noticed this, confusion taking hold of him.
"Is there something you guys aren't telling me? Please tell me why these people are here..." Oliver looked at them with plea. He looked at Ren - believing he would at least look at him - instead he looked away, with a pained expression on his face. "Hey come on... Just say it!" Oliver shouted.
Even with the anger in his voice, they wouldn't speak. As if they thought if Oliver didn't know, it would've been better for him.
"I- It's nothing Oliver... I shouldn't have brought you here if I knew you would react so badly... I just... I just really wanted to protect these people..." Tabatha explained, fidgeting with her fingers.
Oliver clenched his fist tightly, before looking at the civilians. They were staring at them, a look of hatred in their eyes. Hatred only birthed from being hurt.
"Why... Why are these people here... Why won't you two tell me-" but before he could finish his sentence, someone stood in front of him.
A tall, intimidating man came up to Oliver, staring him down with an annoyed glint in his eyes.
"Could you shut up? Not only do I have to deal with being stuck here because of you people, I have to deal with a whining brat too?! When will you people learn that not everything is about you?!" The man yelled.
His words shook Oliver to the core. He already had a sneaking suspicion something like that was taking place, but hearing it just hurts.
Ren and Tabatha watched from a distance, seeing Oliver stare at the ground with an empty expression on his face. After awhile, Ren couldn't take in the depressing sight anymore, walking towards Oliver to comfort him.
"Investigator Rand are you-" but before he could finish his sentence Oliver interrupted him with a question.
Looking up at Ren with a confused glare in his eyes, he asked Ren what that man meant.
"What did he mean by, 'being stuck here because of you people'? I didn't do anything... I doubt you were the one who trapped them here... So who trapped them?" Oliver asked, his question sounding almost innocent in a way.
He was still in denial of the situation. He thought that if he asked Ren, he'd at least sugar coat it for him. However not even Ren could lie and make him feel better.
Ren opened his mouth slightly, before gritting his teeth. He clenched his free hand tightly, his face was flushed with a pained expression. With such a reaction, and the man's words from earlier, Oliver could piece together what happened.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
"F.A.T.E didn't properly wait did they? They erected the barrier spontaneously without actually checking if everyone evacuated... Right?" Oliver said with a look in his eyes that begged for his accusations to be false.
Ren's eyes darkened as he let go of Oliver's shoulder.
"It was an unexpected invasion... The higher ups probably didn't have enough time t-" but his words were quickly drowned out in Oliver's mind.
He was appalled that Ren would even try to defend F.A.T.E's reckless actions. Grabbing his collar, Oliver twisted it slightly as he looked up at Ren with a nasty glare.
"What the hell are you even saying? Do you think these people deserve to be stuck here?!" Oliver shouted.
Ren looked away, shaking his head. "Of course I don't... It's just... What can we actually do about it? I know you're new to this business, and that's why you're so angry. However, as much as it hurts me to say, we can't do anything..." Ren said, holding Oliver's wrist.
Oliver's lip curled upwards, before calming down. He let go of Ren, before covering his mouth. There had to be something he could do. He wasn't weak! He refused to believe that he couldn't help these innocent people. "Maybe... Maybe we can ask the high ranking investigators? Yeah, I bet Sieg and Yue would understand! Right Ren?" Oliver said with hope in his eyes.
Ren's face winced - as if what he heard pained him to hear. He rubbed the back of his head, explaining that it might not be the best option.
"Oliver, those guys are probably busy with other things..."
However as quickly as Ren turned him down, Oliver fired back. "But they're operators! No matter how busy they are, helping people is their duty! That's the duty of a F.A.T.E operator!" Oliver interjected.
The innocence in Oliver's voice hurt Ren, as if some part of him was personally attacked by his words. "Oliver I don't think-" however Ren would be interrupted by a less understanding force.
"Investigator, stand down, he is your superior" Bianca said, approaching the group.
Her gaze was far colder than before - a side effect of the pain she had endured. Oliver attempted to reason with her, however she responded by pointing her gun at him.
"O- oh hi Ms. Bianca! You look better... I see your arm is better" Oliver said, trying to lighten the mood.
Her eyes narrowed, pulling back the hammer of her gun.
"I said stand down..." Bianca said, her voice was cold as ice.
Oliver gulped, lowering his head down in defeat. Bianca stared at him for a moment, before having her gun stolen by someone.
“Are you seriously threatening kids now?” Paul asked, a cigarette in his mouth - and half his face covered in scars.
Oliver's eyes widened at his appearance, but Paul only chuckled morbidly.
“Sometimes there are things not even miracle drugs can fix kid” he retorted, handing the gun back to Bianca.
She rolled her eyes, before turning to Oliver with an almost pitying expression.
"Listen... Those guys won't help us. They didn't even want to help us back then, why do you think they'll help us now?" Bianca asked.
Oliver grit his teeth, before defending the titled investigators.
"Because they're good people! I know they are! General Sieg helped me out lots when I was a C tier investigator, and General Yue is actually a caring person!" Oliver explained.
Bianca laughed as she rolled her eyes. Her reaction annoyed Oliver, feeling like she was mocking the investigators he looked up to.
"Why the hell are you laughing-" but before he could finish his sentence, Bianca looked at him with a cold... Yet pained glare.
"I'll give you the benefit of the doubt since you're new and those guys obviously have helped you... But your heroes aren't saints. They're normal people just like us. Normal people who follow orders. There's no such thing as a noble hero in real life. Just people with their own goals in mind..." Bianca explained before walking away.
Oliver was left dumbfounded by her words. How could someone be so jaded in life. There had to be heroes in real life. People that would risk their lives for others. Why would there even be investigators in the first place?! However, he remembered his first day. He remembered all the empty, emotionless faces on the investigators as they walked through the lobby.
"Did they all get like that... Because of their jobs? No... That can't be... Surely it couldn't-" but he stopped his thought as he looked back to Ren, realising that he didn't once deny what Bianca said.
In that moment, as his entire perspective slowly began to crack, Oliver made a rash decision. He turned to the exit, before sprinting out. The group was shocked. Ren began running after Oliver, scared he might do something dangerous. Bianca and Paul followed soon after, and Tabatha would have too if Bianca didn't stop her.
"Stay here and take care of the refugees," Bianca exclaimed.
Tabatha tried to convince her to let her go too, but Bianca was adamant in her command.
"Stay here investigator... That's an order" Bianca said, her tone serious.
Tabatha relented, nodding her head before going back to the refugees.
Not even taking a second to look behind him, Oliver began running and running as fast as he could.
"I need to get to the communications camp... General Sieg and Yue will help them... I know they will!" Oliver thought to himself, closing his eyes as if he wanted to block everything out.
He couldn't believe what Bianca said. No, he didn't want to believe it! How could the investigators he looked up to be this callous? An investigator is supposed to help the people. There was no way he could just leave innocent civilians locked up in such a dangerous battlefield.
Tailing Oliver from behind, the three investigators had varied emotions. Bianca felt like Oliver was being a stubborn child, while Ren and Paul felt sympathy towards his disillusionment.
Soon enough, the group reached the halfway point between the south and east of Leighburne, however their journey would be interrupted by a horde of Festers. The creatures growled and bared their teeth, trying to impose an intimidating aura. Both the three captains were prepared to fight off the waves of Festers in front of them, however they didn't even get the chance to pull out their attachment units. Walking up to the Fester's, Oliver stared them down with indifference. Taking out his attachment unit, he began slicing through the sea of monsters as if they were paper. Watching his fighting style, Bianca became intrigued.
"His slashes and cuts are more like sawing than anything. It's like witnessing a chef use a dull knife on tough meat. However, even I have to admit the strength of each slice is heavy and powerful. It's a strange sight to behold..." Bianca said, observing the investigator fight.
Taking a drag of his cigarette, Paul crossed his arms.
“It's almost like he's cheating…” Paul chuckled.
Stabbing the last Fester, Oliver ripped his dagger out, the monster's blood gushing out like a fountain. Dropping his dagger on the floor, Oliver collapsed backwards, hyperventilating.
"Fuck... Sorry for breaking my promise, Captain Ren..." Oliver thought to himself, looking at his partially transformed arm hidden underneath his sleeves.
Hearing footsteps approaching him, Oliver quickly took off his driver, hiding it in his pocket.
"Hmm you actually did good, Oliver. I expected you to be dead weight, but you've shown me more talent than most" Bianca said.
Oliver laughed awkwardly, unsure if she was trying to insult him or praise him. Reaching her hand out, Bianca pulled Oliver up, before asking him what exactly was his plan. Oliver was silent for a moment before looking at her determinedly.
"I don't believe what you said. Maybe some Investigators are only looking out for themselves, that I can agree with. However I know there's lots of good investigators. Especially someone like General Sieg and Yue! So... I'm gonna go to communications, and tell them what's going on" Oliver explained.
Bianca stared at Oliver for a moment, before sighing with a smile. She patted his shoulder before rubbing the back of her head.
"Fine fine... But are you okay with that, Ren?" Bianca asked, putting her hands on her hips.
Ren looked away for a second, as if contemplating her question. Eventually he turned back to the two with a nod.
"I agree with what Oliver said... Out of all the high ranking investigators, I know those two can be reasoned with." Ren retorted.
They all then turned to Paul, who rubbed the back of his head before sighing.
“Don't really have a choice now do I?” Paul retorted.
Oliver looked at the three with a smile, before kicking up his dagger off the ground and into his hand.
"Alright then, let's go!"
[West of leighburne, 35 minutes earlier]
Sebastian and Katherine walked through the quiet, empty street. However it seemed too quiet. They kept their guards up and their fingers on their attachment unit cases, waiting for something to strike them. Sebastian looked around, paranoid of something popping up to attack him. It felt weird being this scared. Never in his life has he ever felt like eyes were staring right into his soul. Looking at Katherine, he was completely dumbfounded by her lack of fear.
"This is so creepy... How are you not scared?" Sebastian asked.
Katherine looked at him for a moment, before looking straight in front of her.
"Because Festers won't be able to do anything to me" Katherine said confidently.
Sebastian was sceptical of her words since she was basically a F.A.T.E researcher who acts as an investigator too. Still, he couldn't be so sure. Since from what he's seen of her, she's a borderline sociopath.
Pulling out a round object from her pocket, Katherine held the top and bottom ends, twisting them apart into two halves. She threw the two half circles on the floor, the device growing spider like legs to land.
"Go search around for anything. Top priority survivors and festers. Range, 50km" Katherine said.
The dots on the two robots flashed red before turning green. The robots crawled away quickly, exploring the town.
Finding a bench to sit on, Katherine brushed down the edge of her coat so as to not crease it. Crossing her legs, she tilted her head back with closed eyes Once again, Sebastian was confused by her actions, wondering if she's really human.
"Hey I thought we were going back to the communications tent?" Sebastian said, walking up to her with his hands in his pockets.
Katherine opened one eye, looking at him like he asked a stupid question.
"Yeah we're gonna go after I gather information. Did you really think I came here JUST to find you?" Katherine retorted.
Sebastian stared at her with a blank expression. Katherine paid no attention to him, closing her eyes once more to relax. Sighing, Sebastian took a seat on the other side of the bench. Leaning forward as he laced his fingers together, he began looking at the destroyed city. His eyes wandered the scene, until setting his sights on a rundown shop. He stared for a few moments, before rubbing his face. Leaning his back on the bench, he looked to Katherine.
"How can you be so relaxed? Especially in front of an invasion. Didn't your hometown get invaded too? Shouldn't this be super traumatic..." Sebastian asked.
Hearing that made Katherine open her eyes. Sebastian was expecting her to stare at him with hatred, however instead, she looked at him with a hint of sadness. It wasn't enough where you could right away see it, but not subtle enough for you to miss it. Katherine quickly stood up, holding her forehead.
"Shit... Shit fuck..." Katherine mumbled to herself.
Sebastian looked at her with slight confusion, not used to seeing her panic.
"Hey are you okay-" but before he could finish his sentence, Katherine turned to him.
"Yeah of course, what do you mean?" Katherine responded, her demeanour becoming normal again.
Once again, Sebastian was divided by how quickly her emotions changed. Katherine tilted her head slightly, putting her hands behind her back.
"What's wrong?" Katherine asked in an innocent manner.
Sebastian cringed, before walking ahead of her.
"It's nothing... Let's just get to that damn tent" Sebastian said, sounding exasperated.
Katherine rolled her eyes, before pulling out another device. This time, it looked like a phone, relaying any information the robots sent to her. Looking at the navigation screen, she noticed multiple red dots heading towards one of the bots. Soon, the information from said robot disappeared.
"Oh dang..." Katherine said.
Stopping and turning to face her, Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
"What happened?" Sebastian asked.
Katherine put the device into her pocket before asking Sebastian if he could fight a horde of Festers. Sebastian was confused for a moment, before hearing the sounds of multiple footsteps heading their way. Both releasing their attachment units, they waited for the beasts to emerge. From the alleyways, the Fester's popped out like wackamoles. Growling and circling the two, Sebastian began to tense up.