The Untold Story of Texas and Lappland (Arknights)

Pressure

Near Penguin Logistics H.Q.

"Commander, are you sure this is where they were?" One of the squad members asked.

A troop of them had been patrolling through the underground tunnels for several nights now. The sewer systems of Lungmen were as impressive as they were rank with the steamy smell of trash. Certain parts burned the lungs and nose, so the group rarely stayed in one spot for long. There had been questions asked, like "why do we have to stay down here?" and "our comrades are topside, so shouldn't we follow them?" but none of them had been answered. The commander just kept plowing forward in the darkness, her tail swaying behind her with a grace befitting of her station.

"Yes. The LGD were staying here for sometime." She told them all, tossing one of her knives in the air and catching it with smooth transition before repeating the cycle again.

"You said were. If they aren't here anymore—"

"Then what's the point? Is that what you wish to ask."

At the nod she received, the commander grunted. "Regardless of whether or not they are still here, the fact remains that the people above gave the LGD shelter. And we can not truly defeat the LGD unless we destroy everything they care about, including the people who would seek to aid them."

At this logic, another point was brought up. "And what about Rhodes Island?"

Oh yes, Rhodes Island. The group that should not be named; they were the ones causing Reunion the most trouble as of late. And the rumored Doctor commanding the enemy forces had more and more Reunion members on edge.

"Penguin Logistics is aligned with them. So we'll be killing two birds with one stone."

At some point early in the morning . . .

"So you've come to a decision."

There was no need to start with niceties, not when they both knew what she was here for. Still, this did not stop Texas from taking one of the offered chocolate chip scones on the platter Emperor had brought up to his office, nor did it keep her from complimenting on their exquisite taste. Something about semisweet morsels replicated calming sweetness of her pocky sticks.

"These are delicious. I really would love to have the recipe." She admitted after swallowing another chunk. The mugs of coffee reflected the low lights left on in the room, the accentuating golden glow similar to Exusiai's wings while she slept. Which was surely the sheen they had taken on now, provided that Mostima wasn't putting the moves on her. Just the thought of that was enough to cause a small growl at the back of her throat, but she muffled it with a napkin to wipe the crumbs from her lips.

If Emperor picked up on her emotional lapse he said nothing of it, keeping up their regular banter with ease. "I know. And like I've told you, the recipe's top secret."

She huffed at him, setting the small plate down that accompanied her three scones. The chocolate drizzle on the top was probably overkill, but she hardly cared where these treats were concerned. "Worth a shot. And yes, I have come to a decision."

Emperor dipped his head in a nod. "I'll be sad to have you absent from PL, but I think we both agree this has been awhile in the making. Though I am curious as to who else knows."

Texas resisted the urge to eat another piece of scone. The easiness of stalling was always present, but when it came to Emperor the truth always came out one way or another.

"No one else aside from Lappland." She admitted.

It's better this way.

Emperor clicked his tongue. "I'm sure you must think that as the smarter choice, given how things went down before."