Bent Fate (An Arknights Fanfiction)

Chapter 4

Zero was on his way to the upper decks where his chopper is waiting for him. He was escorted by Franka and Dobermann, though Dobermann was called by another operator earlier likely due to an emergency.

The boss of BlueWing and the Blacksteel employee never exchanged words since leaving the reception after the meeting.

Franka was wondering about many things, she later convinced herself that speculations will only bring more trouble. They don't want trouble, not when they already have a big one by not knowing what Reunion is up to now.

"So, your uniform." Zero started.

Franka wasn't really used to it, but she knows where this might be going.

"Yes, what about it?" She asked.

Zero cleared his throat before speaking again. "How long have you been working with Blacksteel?"

This is where it starts. "Three years, will be four in a few months."

"And in those three years, aren't you getting bored of the same old job you've been assigned to?"

Why is he doing the recruitment thing? "Hah, if I were I would have just easily resigned right? I don't really care."

"Don't care?"

"I think I'm as good as done, I'm just basically enjoying what I can enjoy until oripathy kills me."

"You were infected while on the line of duty."

"Correct. But it's my own negligence that caused it."

"I don't think a responsible superior will just let their subordinates fall to this terrible disease even if it is to be caused by self-negligence."

"Yeah, you could say my superiors were mean to me, and they don't care what happens to their subordinates. Why are you interested in my company?"

"What makes you say that?"

Franka raises an index finger to the tip of her chin while her other arm supports her elbow.

"Can it be just curiosity?" She suggested.

"I guess that will count."

She smiled, she knows he wasn't really contented with that answer though.

"Blacksteel is a formidable competitor. They make striking achievements far more frequent than other security firms. And of course, the pay is great." Zero started his explanation.

Franka kept her pace as they walked, not putting too much thought into what the taller guy is saying.

"However, they have infected among their ranks, as soon as clients heard of infected going in to protect something valuable to them they'll doubt the capabilities of Blacksteel. And you know why that happened." He added.

"I know, that is why you can see me here, walking inside the landship of the one organization who's at the frontline of fighting those who are giving the infected a worse image instead of making it better."

"Yes, but you know Blacksteel at this rate won't be far from falling apart. The infection rates won't slow down."

"The BPRS is well equipped to deal with originium hazard zones. Have you forgotten already? It was thanks to my negligent self that I got infected."

"Every single piece of equipment will fail eventually."

"Could you please get to the point already?" Franka stopped walking this time. "You see by the way we are doing right now we won't resolve anything before you finally reach your chopper."

Zero also stopped and looked behind him to see Franka wearing a smile on her face, although a faint one. Her arms now back at her side.

"I can tell just by looking at you, what a waste if you are forever stuck with Blacksteel."

The vulpo woman raised an eyebrow. Knew it.

"That's why..." Zero walked towards her and held her hand before placing a card on her palm. "You said you are going to enjoy the rest of your life, then please also consider making the right choices."

Zero smiled at her before turning around. "With that out of the way, I can find my way out from here. Thanks for escorting me, miss?" He took the 'S' from the miss longer than usual.

"Franka."

Zero nodded. "Thank you miss Franka."

The BlueWing boss turned his back on Franka when both of them saw Amiya and Y/N entering from the upper deck's entrance. The duo turned left which is the hallway parallel to the one Franka and Zero are currently standing on. They both stared as the formers walked with their backs turned against them.

"Hmm, please send my kindest wishes to the Doctor, I have faith in him that he will get through all of this." Zero said to Franka.

"You haven't even started working here." Franka had her eyelids lowered like she was bored and disappointed.

Zero smiled at her again, before putting his hands in the pockets of his long coat and walking towards the hallway where Y/N and Amiya came from.

"It won't be long before we started working together, and I look forward to working with you and Rhodes Island." Zero said lastly before turning to the next hallway, disappearing from Franka's sight.

Franka stood still for a few moments before wiping her forehead with her arm, there's not much sweat, she just feels like doing the gesture.

"Finally I could rest!" She said to no one and walked back heading for the dorms.

A/N: Most of you probably noticed it, but the next few more chapters will also be just Rhodes Island fooling around so yeah... until next time.

Chapters will still be short and brief for a little longer.