The Untold Story of Texas and Lappland (Arknights)

Just Call Me Crazy

The next morning came just as the last had went. Sunlight streamed through the blinds of her room, warming up her pale figure as she remained curled up under the covers. The walls were the same metallic blue as the Doctor's office. Her bedspread was a standard gray, the Rhodes Island logo printed on the bottom left corner. It was strange not to be woken up to the sound of birds or even the rare gunshot from a hunter far off. Lappland had to teach herself to wake up to the blare of an alarm. After the first morning of annoying blares, she already hated the blasted little clock.

"Stupid alarm." She grumbled.

Yawning, Lappland got out of bed and went to get ready for the day. She went into the on suite bathroom to take a quick shower. The heated water relaxed her muscles marginally as she cleaned herself off. Fifteen minutes later and she was out the door on her way to the training room. Doberman was already waiting for her, the end of her coiled whip resting in one hand.

"Lappland, you're on time."

"I try to be. Punctuality is important. The blood of my enemies waits for no one."

Lappland usually could care less about being on time, but she was even more determined to make a good impression. When she first arrived at Rhodes Island, Texas was right that her only real goal was to have someone to fight. But things are different now. Texas is here. I'm not going to let her leave me again. Never again. She had experienced life without Texas and found herself feeling empty as a result. Emptiness was a horrible thing; loneliness was even worse.

"That it is." Doberman agreed wryly. She seemed to not care for her gory humor, but Lappland felt the Instructor could warm up to it.

Lappland gave her a classic grin. "So what am I fighting today? Some of those slugs, or maybe a hateful avenger?" Rhodes Island had some pretty great holographic systems. They copied semi-physical forms of past enemies for the operators to practice on.

Doberman shook her head. "Neither. Not until we have your psyche evaluation anyways."

"Psyche evaluation?" Lappland echoed. "I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm pretty crazy as it is. I don't need someone to tell me so. Just call me crazy and call it a day."

The instructor rolled her eyes. There was the sound of swords clanging against each other from inside the training room. Lappland saw a flash of a black and white pointed hat and dark magenta hair. She curled her fists. Other guards were training inside without her. This was so not fair.

"While that may be true we still require all are operators to have an evaluation. The best way for our medics and researchers to help you with your infection is if they get as much information as they can."

"Wasn't the blood they drew yesterday enough?" There had been several vials of the red stuff drawn. For all the killing she did, Lappland wasn't a fan of seeing the red stuff come out of her.

From the annoyed huff Doberman gave, Lappland guessed not. "If you don't wish to cooperate then you'll have to take it up with—"

"Hold up! I never said I wouldn't cooperate. I-I was just caught off guard is all."

Doberman nodded. "Okay then. Follow me."

Lappland followed the instructor down a winding hall to what looked to be an office space of some sort. A small sign hung over the top, proudly proclaiming the room as Rhine Labs' Record room. Lappland frowned at the sign. The door handle was brand new but there was still flaking paint chips on the outer rim. The hall was empty save for the two of them standing together. It would appear not many people came down this hall.

"Excuse me, are you both here to see Silence?"

"Ah!" Lappland whirled around to face the voice. Her sword was unsheathed with rapid reflex as she spun, white hair whisking around her. The blade tip pointed at the newcomer's throat. The newcomer who stared at her with amber eyes, white fluffy ear tips pricked.