[Arknights] The Originium Gambit

Part 14: We Didn't Start The Fire

Well, well, well...

In the ONE WEEK I took a break, apparently DECADES decide to HAPPEN in a WEEK. 2024 seems to be rushing its final season before entering 2025.

What happened?

Oh you know, South Korea had a coup that lasted 6 whole hours. The President then survived impeachment.

The CEO of United Healthcare got assassinated so I guess Americans need to be taught to shoot CEOs instead of schools.

Romania apparently annulled their election because of apparently Russian interference.

Georgia riots over the suspension of negotiations of EU membership.

The French government falls after a no-confidence vote.

And finally, Assad's regime in Syria has fallen after the oppositions blitzkrieged through Syria after a decade pause, so that's one thing to celebrate.

But enough about geopolitics and whatnot, you're here to read a fanfiction about Arknights, which is a gacha game.

But you know what else is a Gacha game that is recently released?

Yeah, Girls Frontline 2: Exilium. I gotta be honest this chapter took WAY longer to polish because I can't stop playing the game. I only played it 2 days ago and I've completed the main campaign and reached level 34 as of writing.

It's just... A peak game... I kneel...

Oh yeah, I also played through Ulpianus' event and it gave me some ideas.

And yeah, that's it. Enjoy the game.

==++==

Cough, cough, cough.

Each ragged breath burned, my chest heaving as I slumped against the wall. My body protested every movement, the aftermath of the fight with Ch'en. Yes, I used to be a soldier in the Ursus Imperial Army-key word used to. What's it been? Ten years? Twenty? Long enough for the "glory" days to feel like they belonged to someone else entirely.

It's funny, though. Ever heard of this concept called the Social Contract?

No? Well, let me educate you. It's the unspoken agreement that people trade a little freedom for a little security, that they obey the rules of society because it's supposed to protect them. Supposed to. But what happens when the contract gets breached? When society decides you're expendable?

Because that's where I am now. Infected. Cast out. The fine print of the contract suddenly null and void. A walking paradox-too dangerous to be ignored, too useful to be completely discarded.

Damn General. His question threw me off guard, the old bastard and his pointed philosophy.

Didn't think you to be much of a philosopher. Came a familiar, velvety voice. Considering your history, you're... well, let's just say you're not exactly what I'd call intelligent.

Oh, thank you for that, Priestess. Really needed that uplifting sentiment. Truly inspiring. I could almost see her smirk.

Oh, but you know... she purred, her tone dangerously playful. With your silver tongue and my unparalleled genius, we could be an unstoppable force.

"Yeah, tell that to your ex-lover first," I muttered, already attempting to push myself to my feet. "I'm getting out of here."

Not so fast. Her voice shifted into something more authoritative and commanding.