Arknights Chronicles One

TG - 5 Revelation & Guilt

Year 1096, December 23, 18 : 16 PM
Location : Chernobog Core Facility



Once filled with the chaotic shouts and clamour of Reunion soldiers, the room had fallen into a profound silence. The only sound breaking the stillness was the echo of footsteps, each step reverberating through the large space.

Heavy panting and the occasional grunt pierced the silence as a lone Reunion soldier staggered backwards, his sword clutched tightly in his trembling hands. His steps grew increasingly unsteady until his body could no longer support him. With a final, desperate gasp, he collapsed onto his back, joining the multitude of unconscious comrades strewn across the room.

The scene was a grim tableau. Countless soldiers lay strewn across the floor, some slumped against walls, others sprawled on the ground in various states of defeat. Amid the sea of fallen bodies, one figure remained standing, his posture rigid as he surveyed the aftermath. His breath came in ragged bursts, the weight of exertion evident in every laboured inhale.

Ronin stood, the dim glow of a sliver of light casting shadows across his weary face. His cold, calculating gaze lingered on the scene before him, but beneath that hardened exterior, a flicker of guilt crossed his expression.

"Great," he muttered to himself, the word heavy with frustration and self-reproach.

Ronin scanned the room once more. Seeing that none of the soldiers were able to fight back or even stand, he let out a sigh of relief. "It seems we are done here." the deep voice commented.

"Indeed. Luckily Ronin didn't have to use that much of his strength," the calm voice agreed.

A deep voice, attempting to lighten the mood, spoke, "Please, he can handle this small portion of enemies without breaking a sweat. Right, Ronin?" The attempt at levity was met with an uncomfortable silence as Ronin's mind wandered far from the battle's end.

"Ronin?" The calm voice in his head broke through his reverie, concern evident in its tone.

"Sorry. I wasn't paying attention." Ronin replied, his voice unusually soft, laced with sorrow and guilt. He clenched his fist tightly before releasing it, letting his hand drop to his side. The room seemed to close in on him as the silence grew heavier.

"Are you okay?" The calm voice asked gently, a thread of empathy woven through its words.

Ronin looked around the room once more, his eye lingering on the fallen soldiers scattered across the floor. Each unconscious figure served as a poignant reminder of what he was capable of. With a weary sigh, he answered the voice, "Yeah, I'm fine." The words felt hollow even as he spoke them, a thin veneer of normalcy over his turbulent emotions.

After he answered the voice inside his head, Ronin began to walk towards the exit door, his footsteps echoing softly in the now-quiet room. His gaze remained fixed on the floor, eye hollow and distant as he made his way through the battlefield. The weight of his actions and the stark reality of his surroundings pressed heavily on him as some of the fallen soldiers entered his view.

As he neared the door, Ronin muttered to himself, his voice barely audible, "I just. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .forgot how much I hated this."

The words seemed to linger in the air, a poignant reminder of the deep-seated remorse and disillusionment he felt. With one last glance around the room, he went through the exit and vanished into the corridors as he began his search for his sister and Doctor Aaron.



Year 1096, December 23, 18 : 18 PM
Location : Chernobog



Reunion soldiers running through the facility echoed ominously in the corridor. A team of soldiers hurried past a giant fan, unaware that the very people they were searching for were hidden just behind it.

"We're quite lucky we managed to regroup," Dobermann commented with a hint of relief in her tone.

"Yes, and we managed to rescue Doctor Aaron as well," Amiya responded, her voice filled with happiness. "Now we just need to find an exit from the facility and regroup with the others."

"There's a problem with that," Dobermann said, her expression serious as she glanced toward the entrance of their hiding spot. "Reunion soldiers are swarming the underground passages. They're searching for something or someone but it's still unclear what it is."

"It couldn't be Doctor Aaron," Amiya replied, concern creeping into her voice. "Reunion shouldn't have any knowledge that he was here."

"We don't know that yet," Dobermann replied, her tone stern and focused. "What we do know is that they see us as enemies. They're probably guarding all exits and corridors, which means we need to plan another escape route."

Dobermann's eyes met Amiya's, her expression serious. "In other words, if we want to get out of here, we have no choice but to fight them." Dobermann's attention shifted from Amiya to Doctor Aaron. "Doctor Aaron, I've heard about your commanding skills. I'd like you to take over and direct our extraction operation." she said, her tone firm and expectant.

As Dobermann spoke, Amiya pulled out a small device from her pocket, a phone with "PRTS" displayed on the screen along with a login prompt. Holding the phone with both hands, she extended it toward Doctor Aaron.

"Doktuh, this is PRTS." Amiya explained softly, noticing the confusion in his eyes. She continued, her voice gentle but urgent. "I'm sorry that we have to push this on you right after waking you up, but with you in command, I'm sure we'll reach the others and return home safely."

As Amiya handed the phone to Doctor Aaron, the team watched with anticipation, their confidence in him evident. Dobermann wasn't the only one who had heard of his remarkable commanding skills. "Please, Doctor. Help us." Amiya urged gently.

"PLEASE LOG IN." The voice from the phone requested, prompting Doctor Aaron to bring it closer to his face to examine it. But before he could proceed, a painful cough overtook him, cutting off his attempt to speak. "Doctor..." Amiya called out to him softly, her concern deepening as she saw him struggle. Before she could ask if he was alright, Doctor Aaron spoke again, his voice strained and halting. "I... don't..."

Amiya's heart sank as she heard only fragments of his words. She wanted to reach out, to offer comfort, but her concern turned to shock as Doctor Aaron continued, his voice laced with confusion and pain. "I don't... remember... anything." He finally managed to say, each word a struggle.

Amiya stared at him in disbelief, her eyes wide with a mix of confusion and horror. The weight of his confession hung heavily in the air, leaving the team momentarily speechless as they tried to comprehend the implications of his words.

Doctor Aaron's voice trembled as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. "Who... Who am I? I don't know. I... I don't know who you are... either." His eyes were filled with profound confusion, sending a wave of dread through the team.

The team stared at him, stunned by the unexpected turn of events. Breaking the silence, Dobermann spoke sharply. "Hey, what are you saying? We don't have time for such jokes."

The medic from Amiya's team stepped forward, her voice trembling but resolute. "I... I don't think he's joking. It's rare, but I've heard that patients who've been unconscious for an extended period can sometimes develop severe memory loss."

Dobermann's frustration shifted to urgency. "Is it curable? How long will it take for him to recover?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry." The medic replied, her tone heavy with regret.

As the medic struggled to provide answers, the rest of the team whispered anxiously among themselves. The severity of the situation became even more apparent with Doctor Aaron's memory loss introducing a daunting new challenge. Dobermann, grappling with the gravity of their predicament, asked urgently, "Damn it. What about the Oripathy research? Does he remember that at least?"

Dobermann shifted her gaze to Amiya, who had been watching Doctor Aaron intently.

"Amiya, this mission is beyond what we prepared for. We need a new strategy for this mission—no, for the whole of Rhodes Island if he—"

Amiya cut her off, her voice steady and filled with conviction. "It's okay. We're fine"

Dobermann looked at her, confused. "Amiya?" Amiya met Doctor Aaron's gaze with unwavering confidence. "Doctor Aaron will get us out of this.

Hearing Amiya's words, Dobermann was momentarily flabbergasted. "What about this is fine? The person we should be relying on for command remembers nothing!" Her frustration was evident.

Amiya, maintaining her confidence, responded, "There might be something he remembers. And we don't have any evidence that other memories are lost or won't come back—" She was cut off as Dobermann placed her hand on her forehead, her expression one of disbelief. "I understand where you're coming from, but you're being too optimistic."

Dobermann kept her hand on her forehead for a moment, collecting her thoughts, before letting it drop to her side. Taking a deep breath, she looked back at Amiya with a serious expression. "No. We have to work with what we've got." Realizing the gravity of their situation and their lack of alternatives, Dobermann reluctantly agreed with Amiya's assessment.

"Doctor," Amiya said calmly, turning her attention to Doctor Aaron. "I understand that this is very confusing, but please know that you are very important to us." Her voice was soothing, aimed at comforting both the Doctor and her team. As she spoke, she observed the Doctor's lifeless and bewildered expression, her heart aching to see him in such a state.

"We need you with us." She continued gently, "even if you're struggling to remember. Your presence alone is crucial to our mission. We'll figure this out together, step by step."

After the shocking revelation and the discussion about their new course of action, Dobermann began to look out of their hiding spot, her eyes sharp as she searched for any nearby patrols. The team behind her remained in tense silence, waiting for her signal to move once the area was deemed clear.

Meanwhile, Amiya focused her attention back on Doctor Aaron, who was still staring blankly at the ground while the medic was attending him. Her expression grew more troubled as she observed his disoriented state. With a heavy heart, she reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a dog tag she had been carrying with her.

The dog tag bore a symbol of a twirling tower surrounded by a bastion-like structure as if the bastion was protecting the tower. Next to the symbol was a name and other details about the original owner of the tag. Amiya read the name silently, her grip on the dog tag tightening as she fought to keep her emotions in check. The weight of the moment pressed heavily on her, but she remained resolute, determined to stay strong for the sake of her team and their mission.



Year 1096, December 23, 18 : 23 PM
Location : Chernobog Core Facility Hallway



Rapid footsteps echoed through the hallway as the Rhodes Island team moved quickly. They stopped near the exit of the hallway, letting the guard carrying the crossbow take a quick look from his cover, peeking out to assess the large hallway lined with garage ramps on either side with one of them going up while the other goes down. "All clear." He reported, stepping back cautiously.

The team began to exit the hallway one by one. Dobermann approached the guard, her expression a mix of relief and confusion. "I thought this route was a no-go. Perhaps I was overthinking it?"

She scanned their surroundings, then turned to one of her team members. "Do we have any connection with Rhodes Island?"

"Negative. The signal is still being jammed." Came the response from her teammate.

As the last of the team, Amiya emerged from the hallway, she kept a watchful eye on their rear, prepared for any potential attacks from behind. The guard carrying Doctor Aaron exited next, and Doctor Aaron glanced at one of the ramps.

"Should we go up?" the guard with the crossbow asked Dobermann. "Yes. But we need to check if the coast is clear first," Dobermann replied firmly.

"Follow my lead. We'll check the outside." She directed the guard before turning back to the rest of the team. "The rest of you, watch our six and wait for our signal."

"Understood," Everyone responded in unison, taking up defensive positions and readying themselves for any potential threats. They stood vigilant, prepared to act on Dobermann's signal as she and the crossbow guard moved toward the exit.

Amiya, still watching the hallway, was startled by Doctor Aaron's sudden, weak voice. She turned to him, her concern growing as he spoke again. "Back."

"Hm?" The guard carrying Doctor Aaron looked confused. "Get... them... back?"

"Get them back? What do you mean, Doctor Aaron?" The guard asked while Amiya's confusion deepened. She could feel her anxiety rising as Doctor Aaron's words became clearer.

"Those two..."

"It's . . . .a trap!" Doctor Aaron's urgent declaration cut through the tension. Amiya's eyes widened in alarm. She immediately dashed out of the hallway, her voice rising with panic as she called out to Dobermann and the others.

"Come back! It's a trap!" Amiya's desperate shout pierced through the corridor. Dobermann spun around, her eyes widening in horror, only to see arrows streaking through the air. They struck the guard carrying Doctor Aaron, piercing his arms and legs, and causing him to collapse with a pained cry.

"Damn it!" Dobermann cursed, rushing to the fallen guard's side. She knelt beside him, trying to assess his wounds and provide aid amidst the chaos.

Before she could act further, the sound of clattering boots announced the arrival of Reunion soldiers. They dropped from the upper floor, landing a few meters away with practised precision. The sight of them, weapons ready and eyes filled with hostility made Dobermann's heart race.

"Fall back! Cover us!" Dobermann commanded, her voice steely as she fired at the approaching enemies. But the expected cover never came; Reunion soldiers advanced from both the downward ramp and the hallway.

"They're coming from below!" The medic from Amiya's team warned.

"They're coming from the hallway too!" Amiya's eyes widened in terror as she realized they were surrounded. The guard attempted to direct Amiya to cover Dobermann, but panic had already set in, and she couldn't hear the instructions. "_I... I don't... what should I do?_"

She frantically looked between her teammates, paralyzed by indecision. "Amiya!" the guard shouted, trying to cut through her fear. Lost in her turmoil, Amiya's voice trembled as she called out for someone who wasn't there and couldn't help her. "_I don't... big brother, what should I do?_"

"Ca. . .he. . .me? Can you. . . hear me?" Throughout the chaos, the static voice over the radio is heard, grabbing Amiya's attention. "This is Ace! Do you read me?!"

The guard's eyes widened behind his goggles as he grabbed the radio on his chest. "Ace? Loud and clear!"

"Look alive then. Flashbang inbound!" Ace's voice crackled over the radio.

"What?" Dobermann shouted, momentarily pausing her assault on the Reunion soldiers.

"When I give the signal, cover your ears and eyes!" Ace ordered.

Understanding Ace's instructions, Amiya glanced toward Doctor Aaron with newfound clarity. "Now!" Ace's voice cut through the chaos as he gave the signal. Amiya charged toward Doctor Aaron, tackling him to the ground just as the flashbang went off. "Doktuh!" she shouted, her voice urgent and strained. As they hit the ground, the flashbang bounced a few times before exploding with a blinding flash and deafening noise.

After the flashbang exploded, the Reunion soldiers were momentarily blinded and disoriented. Ace's team quickly took advantage of the chaos, subduing the enemy forces with precision.

As the immediate threat was neutralized, Ace walked calmly toward Amiya and Doctor Aaron. He gently placed a hand on Amiya's shoulder, offering a reassuring touch amid the chaos. Amiya looked up, relief flooding her face as she saw Ace. She gently tapped Doctor Aaron's head in a comforting gesture before both of them stood up. With Amiya, Dobermann, and Ace's team regrouped, they began to make their way out of the facility. Their path led them toward the city, where they would plan their next steps for the journey ahead.

As they made their way out, a faint glimmer behind them went unnoticed. The source of the shine was a dog tag lying on the ground, catching the light and reflecting a brief, poignant flash.



Year 1096, December 23, 18 : 32 PM
Location : Chernobog city



The sound of explosions echoed throughout Chernobog as the Reunion forces pushed their territory deeper into the city. The explosions were accompanied by the distant rumble of thunder from an approaching storm, the storm's roar growing louder as it neared.

Amidst the ruins of abandoned and shattered buildings, Doctor Aaron sat by the bottom of a broken window, his gaze fixed on the storm looming ominously over the city. His attention was abruptly drawn away by the sound of a guard grunting in pain. He turned to see the guard lying on the ground, being tended to by a medic who carefully extracted arrows from the guard's body.

"Procedure complete." The medic said, her voice gentle but tinged with a hint of guilt for not being able to do more. The doctor just looked at it with a deadpan look, still trying to figure out everything that was happening around him. "This is awful."

Amiya's sweet yet sorrowful voice caught Doctor Aaron's attention, prompting him to quickly shift his gaze to the side. There, he saw her kneeling on one knee beside an Ursus girl, her expression filled with deep sadness. "How could they do this to someone so young?" She whispered, her voice heavy with sorrow.

Covering the girl with a blanket, Amiya gently apologized, "I'm sorry for using your shop without permission. Please, let us rest here for a bit." She gently covered the blanket over the child, shielding her end to the world. "I'm sorry that we couldn't save you," Amiya added, her voice a soft yet heartbroken tone.

Doctor Aaron watched her for a few moments, the weight of her words lingering in the air. Then, his attention shifted to the phone in his hand, the device glowing with a prompt. "PLEASE LOG IN." The A.I. voice requested. He stared at the screen in silence, his mind racing amidst the quiet storm of emotions around him.

As Doctor Aaron stared at the phone in his hands, the sound of slow, gentle footsteps approached him. "Doktuh." A familiar, soft voice called out. He looked up to see Amiya standing before him, a small, reassuring smile on her face. "Are you okay?"

Doctor Aaron nodded slightly, though his gaze quickly returned to the phone. His hollow eyes drifted over the words on the screen, struggling to make sense of it all. "This is PRTS," Amiya explained as he looked back up at her, listening quietly. "PRTS has helped us in many ways. It can provide us with all the information we need. You used to use it for everything in the past. You can log in by simply using your fingerprint."

Doctor Aaron shifted his gaze back to the phone, his head hanging low as he tried desperately to remember something, anything that could help him make sense of the situation. His grip on the phone tightened as frustration and confusion swirled within him.

Amiya, noticing his struggle, offered him a gentle yet apologetic smile. She understood his turmoil and stood by him, offering quiet support in this moment of uncertainty. "It's okay Doktuh. There's no need to rush. Take your time to remember everything you want to."

Amiya glanced around the small shop they had chosen as their resting spot. She observed her companions, some quietly talking while others checked their gear. For a brief moment, a smile graced her face, relieved that everyone was, for the most part, okay. But that smile soon faded, and her head hung low. The weight of a hidden sorrow overtook her expression, her smile replaced by a sombre one. The sadness stemmed from a lingering thought, the one that had surfaced the moment Doctor Aaron revealed he didn't remember anything from his past.

As Amiya's hand slowly reached into her pocket, the sound of hurried footsteps interrupted her, breaking her moment of reflection. She quickly looked up, her attention shifting toward the doorway. Dobermann entered the room with a sense of urgency, and Ace followed closely behind her. Their expressions were tense, signalling that something important had happened.

"Alright, everyone, listen up," Dobermann called out, her voice firm and commanding. The room fell silent as all eyes turned to her. "We've scouted a safe route to our exfil point. We leave in ten minutes, so check your equipment and get some rest until then." She informed the team with her usual precision while Ace scanned the room, his sharp gaze eventually landing on Doctor Aaron and Amiya by the window.

Seeing Ace approach, Amiya's face brightened with a smile. "Ace." She greeted softly.

"Hey," Ace replied, offering a small smile in return before turning his attention to Doctor Aaron. He knelt on one knee in front of him, his tone friendly yet sincere. "It's been a while, Doctor Aaron," Ace said, his smile warm as he looked up at the Doctor.

Doctor Aaron, still trying to make sense of everything around him, glanced at Ace with uncertainty in his eyes. When Ace gently mentioned, "I heard about your amnesia." The weight of the situation seemed to press down on the Doctor. His gaze dropped to the floor, and a wave of guilt washed over him. He lowered his head, feeling as though he was failing the people who trusted him, even though he couldn't remember them or his past.

"It's okay. As long as you're healthy and safe, that's what matters," Ace said with a reassuring smile, his words gentle but firm. Doctor Aaron raised his head slightly, the warmth in Ace's tone helping to ease some of his guilt.

"Besides," Ace continued, "once we get to Rhodes Island, we'll have plenty of time to talk. Maybe we can even introduce you to some people if they're back from their mission by then." His voice carried a hopeful note, but as he spoke, Amiya's eyes widened slightly. She knew exactly who Ace was referring to, and the thought stirred something deep inside her.

Her gaze dropped, and sadness began to settle over her, clouding her thoughts. Ace noticed immediately, recognizing that the same bittersweet emotions in his mind were reflected in hers. He didn't say anything, but the shared understanding hung in the air between them, a quiet acknowledgement of a missing presence that weighed heavily on both their hearts.

Their attention shifted to a nearby guard apologizing to Dobermann, who was trying to reassure the shaken soldier. "We were ambushed. It wasn't your fault," Dobermann said firmly, her voice steady in an attempt to comfort him.

Amiya, hearing the exchange, silently hoped that they could complete this mission without losing anyone. Her thoughts were interrupted by Ace as he turned toward her. "We got a report from Scout's team. Arsons, riots, lootings. It's all Reunion's doing, and it's spreading across the city."

Amiya's brow furrowed in concern. "That's just going to make them even more hated." She paused, then turned her attention to Doctor Aaron, realizing he needed to understand the situation. "Doktuh, the ones who attacked us are part of the Reunion movement. They're a terrorist group fighting against the people who hunt and discriminate against those infected with Oripathy, a disease that spreads through Originium crystals."

Dobermann approached the group and added her insight. "Initially, they were protesting against discrimination, but now they've shown their true colours through violence and destruction."

A nearby guard, stepping next to Dobermann, chimed in. "I doubt the Ursus government will let this slide. Reunion probably knows that Ursus will respond soon. They're setting the stage for something bigger."

"Which means Reunion might believe they can win this fight," Ace added, still kneeling with his finger resting on his chin. "Ursus hasn't responded yet, so who knows what they're planning with the city in this state."

He let out a tired sigh, his voice carrying the weight of exhaustion. "Things just can't go the easy way, can they?" Ace muttered, frustration and fatigue evident in his tone.

Amiya looked at Ace with understanding, recognizing that he, too, must be feeling exhausted. "Thanks for the help, though. If it weren't for you, the—" She tried to lift his spirits but was cut off by Ace himself.

"I've already received plenty of thanks," Ace said with a small, reassuring smile. "I'm always glad to help." Amiya returned his smile, appreciating his steady presence even in such difficult times.

"But why act now, with a catastrophe heading for the city?" the guard asked, his voice tinged with confusion.

Dobermann stepped up beside Doctor Aaron, gazing out the window. "Perhaps they intend to use the catastrophe to their advantage, striking when the Ursus guards are distracted," she speculated, her tone thoughtful.

"They want revenge on the country, even if it costs them their lives—" Dobermann's words were abruptly cut short by the sharp sound of glass shattering. Voices could be heard in the distance, drawing her immediate attention. She tensed her senses on high alert.

Dobermann peered outside just enough to catch sight of Reunion soldiers marching down the streets. Their presence was marked by loud, aggressive displays of hatred towards the country and its people, their voices echoing with angry slogans and defiant shouts.

"How many?" Ace asked Dobermann urgently.

"About twenty, but there could be more. It's not wise to engage them directly. We need to use the back door," Dobermann replied quickly.

The team sprang into action, grabbing their gear as they prepared to leave. A guard turned his back to Doctor Aaron, ready to help him up. However, Doctor Aaron raised his hand, causing both the guard and Amiya to pause in confusion. "Don't," he said firmly.

"I can walk... on my own." With that, Doctor Aaron steadied himself and, along with Amiya and the guard, made his way toward the back door to join the rest of the team.



Year 1096, December 23, 18 : 33 PM
Location : Chernobog Core Facility Hallway



Faint footsteps echoed softly from the hallway, growing steadily louder with each step. Emerging from the shadows, Ronin stepped into the open, his eye sweeping the surroundings with a stoic expression. Bodies of Reunion soldiers lay lifeless on the floor, scattered like remnants of a brutal battle. His gaze lingered on the scene for a moment before a deep voice broke the silence.

"Seems like someone was having fun." The deeper voice remarked with a grim tone, directed at the fallen soldiers.

"Amiya's team, most likely," Ronin thought as he surveyed the aftermath, the bodies of Reunion soldiers scattered across the ground. He walked further into the giant hallway, the air thick with the remnants of battle. Each step echoed off the walls as he cautiously moved forward, his senses on high alert.

"Luckily, there aren't any Rhodes Island members among the dead." The calmer voice echoed in Ronin's mind, offering a brief sense of relief as he moved among the fallen Reunion soldiers. He crouched down, checking each body to confirm if they were dead or merely unconscious.

"It seems all of them are dead. They weren't holding back it seems." Ronin's voice carried a serious edge. "Good. The last thing they need is someone trailing them." The deeper voice responded, satisfied.

After completing his search and finding nothing useful, Ronin turned toward the upper ramp, prepared to move on with his search. Just as he was about to leave, a flash of light caught his eye from the ground. "Hm?" His brow furrowed in curiosity as he walked toward the glint. His steps slowed, eye narrowing as the shape of the object came into focus.

As he got closer, recognition struck him like a bolt of lightning. His eye widened, his heart skipping a beat. Kneeling, Ronin gently picked up the small metal object. "My old dog tag." He stood up slowly, turning it over in his hand. The engraved letters were unmistakable. His mind raced with old memories as his gaze never left the symbol on the dog tag. "But how is this here? I gave this to..."

Suddenly, the realization hit him hard. His grip on the dog tag tightened, his gaze snapping toward the upper ramp. "Amiya."

A wave of worry washed over him, his thoughts spiralling into darker territory. "If this is here, then where is she? She would never abandon it." Ronin's voice was barely a whisper, laced with rising panic. His heart pounded in his chest as he scanned the room frantically, his eye darting from corner to corner.

His mind began racing with dark possibilities—visions of Amiya in danger flashed before him. A knot of dread tightened in his chest, gripping him with fear. The once calm and focused demeanour was quickly slipping away.

He began to look everywhere in a frantic, panicked state, overturning debris, checking each fallen soldier for any sign, no matter how small, that could tell him where she had gone.

"They may have lost the battle. Maybe Reunion is holding them captive right now..." Ronin muttered to himself, his voice trembling with fear. His expression shifted from panic to a deeper sense of dread, the weight of his thoughts bearing down on him.

"We don't know that, Ronin." The calm voice reminded him, attempting to steady his growing agitation. "Don't jump to conclusions without evidence or clues."

Still tense but acknowledging the sense in the voice's words, Ronin took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "Right, right," he said quietly. "Let's search the area. There might be something here that can give us a clue."

Ronin nodded and began to systematically search the area, his eye scanning for any signs or clues that might shed light on what had happened and where the missing team might be.

"I'm sorry to interrupt this search, but what exactly could be here that would give us a clue about their whereabouts?" the deeper voice interjected with a hint of confusion and annoyance.

"Blood trails, fallen equipment, torn clothes. Anything that might indicate what happened after the fight," the calmer voice responded, trying to guide Ronin's search. "We need to gather every possible detail that could reveal what Amiya's team did next."

As Ronin continued to search the area, turning over bodies in hopes of finding any survivors who could give him information, the two voices in his mind gradually slipped into an argument.

"Torn cloth? How would that give us any hints?" The deeper voice questioned with growing irritation.

"If there's torn cloth, it might mean they're hiding somewhere, tending to a wounded person," the calmer voice explained. "The same goes for blood trails; we could follow those to find their location."

"That sounds dumb. Ronin could just scan the area to find them." the deeper voice countered.

"No. Ronin needs to conserve his energy. The facility was crawling with Reunion soldiers, which delayed our search. He has to be ready to protect his sister and the others-" the calmer voice insisted, its tone steady but urgent. However, he was cut off by the deeper voice.

"Blah, blah, blah. Man, you're so annoying with your logical talking." The deeper voice snapped, clearly exasperated.

"Well, not like you're offering any useful advice in this situation, are you?" The calmer voice shot back.

"I suggested he runs around the area an—"

"And tire himself out so he won't have the energy to protect his sister and her teammates. Great plan. Really brilliant." The calmer voice interrupted, sarcasm lacing its words.

As the two voices continued to bicker, Ronin, with a tired expression, simply looked forward, hoping they would shut up soon. The argument echoed in his mind, adding to his frustration and weariness as he searched for any clue that might help locate Amiya's team.

"OOOH, if only you and I had our own bodies, I'd knock you out." The deep voice fumed angrily.

"Really? Try it, and I'll knock you back to the caveman era." The calm voice retorted with a hint of challenge.

"Oh, why you littl—"

"Shut up!" Ronin interrupted, his frustration boiling over.

"Hey, you're not part of this—"

"No, stop!" The calm voice tried to intervene, its tone pleading. "Listen."

With the voices in his head being quite, Ronin focused intently on his surroundings. He began to hear the previously faint sound more clearly. Straining his ears, he followed the sound, his attention sharp. Finally, his eye widened as he spotted something on the ground.

"There!" Ronin exclaimed as he spotted a small earpiece with the Rhodes Island logo lying on the ground. He picked it up and carefully placed it on his ear. With a few presses of a button, the voices transmitted through the earpiece became clearer.

"Nearl, do you copy?" A stern female voice crackled through the earpiece, capturing Ronin's full attention.

"Yes, Dobermann," another female voice responded, sounding relieved.

"My team and Amiya's team have reunited with Ace's team. Where is your current position?" Dobermann's voice inquired.

Ronin's eye widened in relief upon hearing that Amiya was safe. He felt a wave of comfort wash over him.

"I told you. Fallen equipment." The calm voice said, a hint of satisfaction in its tone.

"Shut up." The deeper voice retorted, clearly frustrated.

Ronin, now focused on the communication, listened intently, grateful for the sign that his search had led to a crucial breakthrough.

"We are near the park, close to the hospital. Where are you?" Nearl's voice crackled through the earpiece, filled with anticipation.

Ronin, his movements swift and determined, vanished from the bottom floor of the facility and reappeared outside on the rooftop of the facility. "We are in an abandoned shop, at least 1 kilometre away from our objective, but we already have Doctor Aaron with us." He heard Dobermann reply.

Hearing this, Ronin's eye widened with realization. He disappeared from the rooftop and began to search the area within a 1-kilometer radius of the facility. He panted heavily but didn't let the exhaustion deter him. Despite the calmer voice urging him to stop and conserve his energy, Ronin pressed on, focusing intently on the conversation.

"That's good to hear. Any casualties?" Nearl's voice inquired, the concern evident.

"No, however, we ran into a major problem." Dobermann responded. Ronin's confusion grew, but he continued his frantic search, his mind racing with questions about the said problem.

"What is it?" Nearl asked, her tone laced with concern.

A deep silence fell over the channel. Ronin's thoughts swirled with worry. Had Amiya been hurt? What was the issue? His anxiety mounted as he waited for an answer.

"Doctor Aaron—"

When Dobermann mentioned that name, Ronin stopped running abruptly. He appeared on top of a nearby house, his attention fixed on the conversation as he looked towards the city.

"Has no recollection of his past."



To be continued in TG - 6 Silhouette



Author Note
We are now reaching parts of the story where I merge my fic story and the anime Arknights story. 

But don't worry. Original contact will be surfaced. 

This chapter became a lot longer then I wanted to be. Mainly because I wanted to end it on a good part.