How To Fix a Zero Sanity Doctor

Chapter 20 - Sewer Search

The leap of faith was more of a descent of... not very clean. Down the ladder they went, grime and dirt coating the bars. He left a few Operators up top led by Nearl and Dobermann to patrol and stand guard. There was always the possibility that Misha was above ground, either undetectable by drones or really good at avoiding them.

Venturing through the sewer systems' elaborate maze-like tunnels, Hellastic followed the footprints he thought to have belonged to Misha—small in size and the distance of each step indicating she had an injury of some sort, walking with a limp. The larger footprints, no doubt belonging to her Reunion pursuers, were scattered all over the place—some following Misha's while others indicated they searched around the area too. Quite thoroughly as well.

Their footsteps echoed loudly. The place seemed to be deserted, but you can never be too careful.

"Stay on guard," Hellastic ordered, keeping his eyes peeled for any signs of movement. It was almost impossible to tell how fresh these footprints were. Hopefully they're not too late. "Keep formation and be ready for an enemy ambush."

--

"I hate this..." Franka muttered to herself in misery. Each step she took was painful. Not for the reasons of last night, but rather because of how unclean the environment was. She shivered, goosebumps forming all over her skin as she took another step forward, her boots making wet slapping sounds against the dirty floor. Being a chemical specialist, she liked to keep things clean. This was... the opposite.

Cold and damp, not to mention cramped and smelly. It was a nightmare.

"Not a fan, huh?" Liskarm asked. For once, the balance of power was reversed. Now, she could be the one doing the teasing. No one would see either. They were watching the rear, guarding against any attacks that might come from behind.

"Lisk..." Franka whined, tears on the edge of her eyes.

Liskarm sighed. Of course, in her good conscience, she could never do such a thing. "Why didn't you stay above ground?"

Franka shot Liskarm an appalled look. "I couldn't leave you alone in here!"

Liskarm sighed. As much of a BS reason that sounded like, it really wasn't. "You really can't leave my side, huh, you stupid Vulpo..." She mumbled softly to herself, quietly enough so Franka couldn't hear her. She sighed again—not of exasperation, but, if you strained your ears hard enough, affection.

"Help me Lisk!" Suddenly yelled out.

Expecting an enemy attack, Liskarm quickly brought out her gun—a Black Steel trade secret, different from the firearms Sankta use. Realizing the situation wasn't nearly as dire as she expected, she cautiously lowered her weapon. "The Doctor is making you show sides of you I've never seen before," she muttered to herself quickly, a hint of jealousy in her voice.

Not long ago, she witnessed Franka, the vexatious, horny Vulpo get plowed silly in a way she couldn't have imagined. The expressions Franka made and the sounds that escaped her lips will forever be ingrained in Liskarms mind. And now, Franka was following the Doctor into a filthy, contaminated, polluted environment, something she used to avoid like the plague.

Maybe because plagues usually originate in areas like these, but that's besides the point.

Liskarm loathed to admit it, but having Franka's attention aimed primarily not at her, but someone else caused a weird ache to form in her chest. Don't tell Franka, but perhaps she's grown to enjoy her teasing and nonsensical shenanigans, even if just a bit. Stockholm Syndrome.

"What do you need help with?" She asked, trying to keep her voice quiet and steady.

"Hug me! Hug all the impurities away!"