The Untold Story of Texas and Lappland (Arknights)

Aftermath

Sora had seen a great many things since she began working for Penguin Logistics. She grew used to the craziness and let herself submerge in it, accept the chaos. But this was something she had yet to have seen. Or maybe the better correction was that she did not expect to see it at all. Doctor and Amiya stood with the other already retreated operators. Gavial was sprinting over to help, the movement finally getting her own feet moving as she hurried to lend a hand.

"What happened to you guys!?" She asked worriedly.

None of them were free of bloodstains, all looking worse for wear. But they're alive. Isn't that what matters? Lappland was being dragged between her two friends, eyes half-lidded. From what she could see they were glazed over in pain. She noted Texas's arm band sitting on Exusiai's arm, a tinge of red seeping out. Dirt and black slush —she assumed from all the ice— littered their clothes too. They would have to be burned, an unfortunate waste.

"Ugh. Let me tell ya it was nothing good. Came face to face with Frosty the killer rabbit. Sheesh, she packs a punch." Croissant was muttering. Her visor which was normally perched on her head just right was askew, a small crack in in letting in the tiniest stream of sunlight.

"A punch is an understatement. You guys look horrible," Gavial said bluntly.

"Gavial!" Amiya protested.

"It's okay Amiya. It's not like she's wrong." Exusiai murmured.

Doctor was right behind the petite bunny, expression unreadable behind the hood. Gloved hands kindly reached out and scooped Lappland away from Exusiai and Croissant. Y/N sat down with Lappland cradled in their lap, holding up a bloodied leg carefully. There were the black shards of infection that had likely been the cause of Texas and Lappland's split in the first place. She wondered if all those new wounds would make the infection worse. And though they'd had their differences, she sure hoped not. Because Texas'll be devastated if something happens to her. Speaking of . . . where is Texas?

"Still she could be less blunt about it." Amiya shook her head. "Come on you two, Gavial and Doctor can take good care of Lappland. Let's get you cleaned up."

"Wait! Wait! Where's Texas!" She called out as the three of them were heading off.

Croissant and Exusiai shared a glance, their expressions troubled. "She's still out there." The angel explained, seeming sad and worried.

"What!? She's out there alone! With FrostNova!" Sora could hardly believe it. How could they just leave their friend, their leader out there with a person like that? It was beyond mind boggling. Anger spouted in her veins, the kind that was unlikely to be quenched anytime soon if Croissant's next words were anything to go by.

"We didn't have much of a choice. Lappland needed medical help."

How strange it was for her to feel hot despite the chilling temperature. She stepped towards them, teeth gritting. "That doesn't mean you should just leave her out there alone!"

And then it was time for someone else to speak, the timber of this voice catching her off guard. Sora rocked back onto to her heels uneasily. "We didn't leave her alone. Blaze is on route to her as we speak." Doctor explained.

Amiya hummed in agreement. "And knowing Blaze, she'll be there by now to bring us the win."

"Wait, you mean THAT Blaze!?" Gavial said from her position on the ground in front of Lappland. Sora had seen that same look on the medic's face before right before she took a swing at one of her fellow medics after they'd said her actions were 'too violent'.

"Yes. There's only one. And she's here."

Doctor didn't even bother to look up. Y/N's attention was too intent on Lappland to care about anyone else. A roll of bandages was carefully being unwound as antiseptic spray was squirted on open wounds. The white wolf hissed at the sting but otherwise remained in her daze of pain. At least she's giving a reaction, albeit a small one. Indeed, the amount of blood the Lupo had covering her one might've thought she was already dead.