Arknights:The Madman Doctor Strikes Again!

Rational option: Follow the game's plot. As long as Rhodes Island completes Ch'en's mission, everything remains in line with the current agreement between Rhodes Island and Lungmen...

But the more faithful the story is to the game, the slimmer Misha's chances of survival become.

A five percent survival rate? That was practically a death sentence. Completely unacceptable!

Jay's eyes scanned the remaining two "Madness" options.

It was clear that if he simply carried Misha back to Rhodes Island, he'd be hunted by both Lungmen's Guard Department and Reunion along the way. Factoring in the long distance, Misha's worsening acute Oripathy, and countless unpredictable dangers, her survival rate was just fifty percent. Still far too low.

But if Misha survived, it could unlock the opportunity to recruit ultra-rare Operators like FrostNova and Patriot.

Ultra-rare.

Not limited, but exclusive.

There was no way Jay could pass that up.

In that case, the choice was obvious. He had to take Madness Option 2.

So what if he ended up on Lungmen's Five-Star Most Wanted List?

A person's life was on the line. And not just one. Several lives might be connected to this decision.

Everything else could step aside.

At that moment, Ch'en, having finished speaking with Amiya, walked quickly to another police car, taking a phone call from one of her officers.

"Doctor... I think... Misha doesn't look so well…"

Amiya's worried gaze turned to Misha in the back seat of the patrol car.

Jay could see it too.

Misha, suffering from acute Oripathy, was clearly deteriorating. Amiya was desperate to bring her back to Rhodes Island for treatment. Only there could her life be truly saved.

But Rhodes Island had only just managed to secure a formal cooperation agreement with Lungmen. Defying Ch'en's orders now... the consequences would be catastrophic.

Rhodes Island was supposed to be an organization dedicated to saving all Infected in Terra.

Yet here was Amiya, one of its leaders, forced to stand by helplessly while a dying girl was dragged away. Her heart ached at the contradiction between their ideals and reality.

"…Amiya."

Jay walked over and gently patted her on the shoulder.

"Doctor…"

She lifted her head with a bitter smile, her voice filled with self-doubt.

"Haha… At a time like this, I feel so useless…"

"If you're that worried about Misha… then let's bring her back to Rhodes Island."

"Eh? Eh eh eh?!"

Amiya's eyes went wide in disbelief as she looked at Jay.

"Doctor, what are you saying?! Officer Ch'en would never agree to that! We signed a contract with Lungmen. There are rules, protocols…"

"Screw that! Rules are meant to be broken. Right now, I only care about saving Misha's life. Nothing else matters. That's final."

"Eh eh eh?!"

Leaving behind a stunned Amiya, Jay marched straight toward the patrol car.

"Hey! Hey hey hey! Texas! Do you see that?! Over at the Doctor's side!"

From their hiding spot, Exusiai suddenly smacked Texas on the arm in excitement, causing Texas's cigarette to slip from her lips.

"What is it now? What's the Doctor doing?" Texas asked with a sigh, glancing at her overexcited partner.

"I can feel it! The Doctor's about to do something super COOL! There's no way I'm missing out on this!"

Without another word, Exusiai ducked her head and began sneaking toward Jay.

Texas let out a helpless sigh and followed.

"Seriously…"

At the patrol car.

Jay had already reached the driver's side door.

"What do you think you're doing?"

The Lungmen Guard officer sitting in the driver's seat barked out sternly.

"This is an official L.G.D. vehicle! Civilians aren't allowed near it. You want to go to jail?!"

"Get out."

Jay didn't bother wasting time. He yanked the door open, grabbed the officer, and tossed him unceremoniously to the ground before sliding into the driver's seat himself.

Back on Earth, Jay had recently gotten his license. And after spending several days observing how Terra's vehicles worked, he found the layout remarkably similar.

With a quick twist of the key, the engine roared to life.

"D-Doctor?!"

Misha, seated in the back, gasped in shock as she spotted Jay in the driver's seat.

After their earlier journey together, she'd warmed up to him and Amiya. Seeing a familiar face brought her a flash of relief... followed by complete confusion.

"Doctor? What are you doing? Are you taking me to Lungmen?"

"Forget Lungmen. I'm taking you to Rhodes Island."

"To… to Rhodes Island?!"

A flicker of hope lit up Misha's face.

She'd heard Amiya speak fondly of Rhodes Island during their travels. It was a place where the Infected were treated with compassion. No discrimination. A sanctuary compared to the cold bureaucracy of Lungmen.

"Doctor… are you sure this is okay?!"

Amiya, still dazed from the sudden turn of events, hesitated only a moment before trusting him completely. She quickly opened the rear door and climbed in beside Misha.

"A human life is at stake. There's no time to hesitate. As for the rest… we'll cross that bridge when we get there."

Just as Jay finished speaking, Exusiai darted through the other rear door and plopped herself down with a cheerful grin.

"Hell yeah! Let's go! Doctor, take us to Rhodes Island!"

"Geez… seriously?"

Texas vaulted in through the open window, sliding into the passenger seat beside Jay.

"You two came too?!"

Amiya was completely stunned by the sudden arrival of the two Penguin Logistics agents.

"If you're doing something this fun, how could I possibly miss it?" Exusiai laughed as she tightened her seatbelt.

"I'm here to keep her in check."

Texas sighed as she crossed her arms.

"We're definitely getting yelled at when we go back…"

"In that case, let's roll!"

Jay grinned and slammed his foot down.

The engine roared, and the patrol car shot forward like a missile.

"Wait, what's going on?! Why did Misha's transport car suddenly drive off?!"

Ch'en, still on the phone nearby, looked up in confusion at the loud engine revving behind her.

At first, she thought it might be an ambush from Reunion, but a quick scan revealed no signs of enemies nearby.

Then the disheveled driver Jay had tossed aside staggered up from the ground and shouted in panic.

"Officer Ch'en! Bad news! The Doctor from Rhodes Island… he hijacked the patrol car with Misha in it!"

"WHAT?!"

Ch'en's furious scream echoed down the streets of the slums.