Arknights:The Madman Doctor Strikes Again!

"Damn that Doctor! Put Skullshatterer down!"

"Don't let him get away! After him!"

At the same time, several Reunion members pushed through the wall of flames, charging toward the police vehicle.

But before they could get close, a series of muffled gunshots rang out. Each enemy dropped to the ground with pinpoint bullet wounds taken out from an extreme distance.

Clearly, Scout's team had arrived to provide sniper support.

Jay raised his hand toward the distant rooftop and gave Scout a thumbs-up, then hoisted Skullshatterer over his shoulder and jogged to the back of the police car.

"Sorry, we're all full inside. You'll have to squeeze into the trunk, buddy!"

"Mmmph! Mmmph! Mmmmphhhh!"

Skullshatterer, bound tightly across his entire body, shook his head wildly in protest.

"Oh, you agree? Perfect. That's what I thought."

With a cheerful grin, Jay casually tossed the fully restrained Skullshatterer into the trunk, then hurried back into the front passenger seat.

"All passengers accounted for! Let's head home!"

Having captured a high-ranking Reunion leader, their opponents' morale plummeted. Without leadership, they couldn't form any meaningful counterattack. Combined with support fire from Scout's squad and Ace's team, Jay's group finally broke through the last Reunion blockade and drove straight for the exit of the slums.

"You son of a... Doctor..."

With backup from Rhodes Island, Ch'en had just managed to repel the surrounding Reunion forces. But by the time she climbed over the debris, it was already too late.

Jay had packed Skullshatterer into the police car's trunk and slipped through Reunion's siege line.

As the remaining enemies lost their leader, panic spread. One by one, they began fleeing toward the outer sectors of Lungmen.

"What the hell are you even doing... I don't understand you at all anymore."

This Rhodes Island Doctor had not only hijacked a Lungmen police car but had also taken custody of Misha.

And yet... thanks to him, Lungmen had successfully infiltrated and destabilized Reunion's stronghold in the slums with minimal losses.

One of Lungmen's goals in securing Misha was to keep her out of Reunion's hands. If Jay brought her back safely to Rhodes Island, then in a way...

Ch'en rubbed her temple, feeling an oncoming headache.

Was this chaos just... Rhodes Island's usual style?

"Officer Ch'en! Should we continue pursuit of the Doctor?!"

One of Lungmen's security officers rushed over to her side, breathless and awaiting orders.

Ch'en clenched her jaw and stared into the distance, where Jay's police vehicle was fading from view.

"Forget it. Don't waste manpower chasing him. Our top priority now is to eliminate the remaining Reunion members inside Lungmen. We can't let any of them escape."

She had a feeling that if Jay was determined to take Misha away, there was no way she could stop him, not right now. Better to strike Reunion while they were retreating and finish the job.

"Understood!"

With a salute, the officer ran off to coordinate their forces.

Ch'en remained atop the wreckage, gazing into the distance as the police car disappeared from sight.

"Doctor... you'd better be ready. I'll get to the bottom of all this eventually."

After escaping the slums, Jay and his group abandoned the conspicuous police vehicle. They switched to a larger transport truck provided by Penguin Logistics.

With the company's official credentials, they passed through multiple checkpoints with no issues, eventually making their way to the Rhodes Island landship stationed in the outskirts.

"Exusiai, Texas, thank you both so much."

Amiya cradled Misha in her arms, the girl unconscious from acute Originium infection. Speaking as the leader of Rhodes Island, Amiya gave her heartfelt thanks to Penguin Logistics.

Though Rhodes Island and Penguin Logistics had a business partnership, Amiya was still deeply grateful. Not only had they provided a vehicle, but they had personally escorted the group to safety.

Driving up front, Texas glanced in the rearview mirror at the fevered, pale-faced Misha.

"There's no way we'd just sit by and ignore someone in her condition."

"If you really want to thank us," Exusiai said from the passenger seat, arms behind her head and a playful smile on her face, "invite us to the next party. That'll do."

"I promise," Amiya smiled gently. "I'll make sure the Doctor invites you both to the next celebration."

"Misha... Sis..."

Because the Penguin Logistics truck had more seating, Skullshatterer had been transferred from the police trunk to the last row of seats.

Though his mouth was still sealed shut by chains, his eyes were unobstructed.

When switching vehicles, he caught sight of Misha his sister being carefully tended to by Amiya.

She was the very person he had been desperately searching for.

What shocked him more was her appearance. Misha clearly showed signs of Originium infection... she had contracted Oripathy.

And yet, the Rhodes Island members around her were showing nothing but care and concern.

Skullshatterer had heard rumors that Rhodes Island was a pharmaceutical organization that specialized in treating Oripathy.

If the stories were true, then maybe... just maybe... his sister had a chance.

"She's important to you, huh? That girl who looks just like you."

Jay's calm voice broke the silence.

He sat beside Skullshatterer in the back row, his eyes narrowed with an almost teasing smile.

"Mm-mm-mm! N-No! Mmmph!"

Startled, Skullshatterer shrank back in his seat, shaking his head violently.

After the earlier battle, he had become terrified of Jay. This Doctor was a monster dodging all his attacks with ease, stripping him of his gear, and even unleashing a fire-based Arts attack. Had Jay wanted to kill him, he wouldn't have lasted a second.

"You two look awfully similar," Jay said casually. "Could it be... you're twins?"

"Mm-mm-mm! Mmmph!"

Panicked, Skullshatterer shook his head even harder.

If Rhodes Island learned that Misha was his sister, they might stop treating her. That was his greatest fear.

Everything he had done joining Reunion, fighting was for the chance to find and protect her.

Even if she never knew who he really was, even if they never reunited... as long as she was safe, he was willing to sacrifice everything.

"Haha... relax. I already know you're siblings," Jay whispered.

"But even so, we at Rhodes Island still intend to help your sister."

"Eh...?"

Skullshatterer's eyes widened in disbelief.

He knew?

Jay already knew about their connection?

And yet... Rhodes Island was still helping her?

Could this Doctor actually be... a good person?

A warm, grateful feeling began to rise in Skullshatterer's chest.

But before it could take root, Jay leaned in again and spoke softly near his ear.

"So... I suggest you behave and cooperate. You wouldn't want anything bad to happen to your sister... right?"

"...Mm-mmm…"

So the Doctor really was a devil after all.

Upon returning to the Rhodes Island landship, Jay's group was quickly debriefed.

Meanwhile, Kelsey stood in her office, reading Amiya's full report on the operation in Lungmen. Her brows furrowed tighter with every line.

Defying orders from Ch'en.

Hijacking a Lungmen police vehicle.

Bringing the target back to Rhodes Island without permission.

"Doctor... just what the hell are you doing this time?"

Kelsey's tone was cold and sharp.

"Amiya! Go bring the Doctor to me. Right now."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liking the story so far? Hit that review button and toss a power stone my way! Let's keep this ride rolling!