We're not really Doctors. (Shirou x Harem) Arknights x Fate

Chapter 34 - 2

=== CH'EN ===

How did she get roped into this again?

It was 4am in the morning judging from the time on her phone. Ch'en was not unfamiliar with lack of sleep. Sometimes, Lungmen had some problems that needed her direct oversight (her department tried to assure her they could handle it but Ch'en ignored them as usual).

There was a reason she had a reputation for overworking.

Thankfully, Kal'tsit bypassed policy and used her authority to get them new and proper accommodations befitting their status as new contractors working directly under Rhodes Island. Ch'en took a warm shower and a few hours of sleep before dressing in her gear once Nearl messaged her. The Lungmen girl hadn't had the proper time to get a change of clothes or gear, aside from the Rhodes Island sleepwear and uniform tendered to her. She was still more comfortable in her gear and preferred to use it. Dirty gear was something she got used to during long shifts back at Lungmen. Rhodes Island hadn't moved and was still within a a few hours journey of Lungmen, so Ch'en had already sent a message back to her uncle that she intended to visit today and pack some things for her stay at Rhodes Island.

Ch'en stepped out of her room and immediately spotted two figures waiting for her. Saber looked ready as ever- did she even get tired? As for Nearl, she was in her combat attire. Ch'en's eyes drew to the weapons she carried- the large grey broadsword and the humongous cross shield.

"Folllow me." Nearl instructed and the duo fell in line behind her. They travelled the not-so-quiet landship to the arranged training room the pegasus knight reserved.

"Rhodes Island doesn't sleep, does it?" Ch'en commented while she watched a staff go about their work despite the late hour. Was 4am even considered late? To some people it was time to wake up and get ready for work then. It reminded her of Lungmen's business district that remained awake at night while the rest of the city slept.

"All facilities retain some employees during the night to maximize output. The staff are less of course, Rhodes Island allows them to pick which shift they want. Combat operators like me and exempt because our field is different and requires us to be available at all times, but most of the rest follow an 8-hour shift. The morning shift is 0600-1400, followed by afternoon and night that is 1400-2200 and 2200-0600. Standard two days per week off."

The rest of the trip was silent as the group travelled to Nearl's reserved training room. The hallways were lit less compared to the day shifts with only every other light turned on. It was difficult to tell that it was night inside the landship since they were far from any natural light source. To save on energy while also creating a sense of night time inside the landship, only 50% of lights were turned on for hallways and non-essential facilities.

"Here we are." Nearl stopped at the end of the corridor of training rooms. "This is as private as it will ever get. Sometimes there are operators who train at night instead. I believe you have met operator Skadi?" Ch'en and Saber nodded. "She is one of the few who train at night instead. She prefers to be alone, that one."

Nearl flashed her ID on the access panel, opening the bulkhead for the medium sized training room inside. The lights turned on, showing an empty rectangular room with a sparring circle in the middle. It was big with lots of space for combat for a good number of combat operators.

Ch'en scanned the place once. There was nothing much of note since the room was empty. It was clear that it didn't have extra features that maybe specialized training rooms would have. This one was primarily for sparring.

"Before we begin, is there anything we should know?" Nearl shot Saber a look. The atmosphere around her had changed. She was now in her combat mindset.

"It will depend on what I see from our spar." Saber walked to the middle of the sparring circle. "Miss Ch'en please wait for your turn. Everything will make more sense afterward."