I'm playing Frostpunk in Arknights

"Speaking of which, what brings you to the country?"

Gatlin had told the men that he had originally been in the city and then had gone back to the country to open his practice there. "They won't have anywhere to find a doctor if I don't go back," he said, noting that the neighborhood practice couldn't be on call, and by the time he got to the patient, they'd be long beyond help. When he heard that the old village doctor had been buried, he gave up his job in the city and returned to the countryside to become a doctor.

"So, you're great then." 

Gatlin skimmed his mouth, "There's no such thing as great or not; things are just that simple. They're going to die without a doctor, so I went ahead and did it; otherwise, the village would soon be gone." People might think superficially about such a thought until they find themselves in dire need—they could never go back to that village.

The trio felt a little more favorably towards Gatlin as he instructed them to prepare for surgery. "This guy still needs to be taken care of." The picket officer in the hospital bed winced.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Wang Zhan was woken up by the alarm clock that had been set. Seeing there wasn't anything that needed to be done under the generator, he plopped down in front of his computer and squinted for a while. He was afraid that something had happened to the generator but was also extremely sleepy, so he instructed Alina to call him if there was an emergency.

Once the storm had passed, the first order of business would be to point out the telegraph station; it wasn't good to keep this up. "Then point out the next decree," Wang Zhan said as he clicked on the adjustment branch and selected [Root Cure]. This decree could reduce 30% of the heavy affliction utilizing amputation but would simultaneously increase hope and dissatisfaction.

Due to the arrival of the snow monster squad, the number of people under the generator had nearly doubled. Hope had dropped to 60% in the morning and was now back to 75%, while the dissatisfaction value hadn't changed much. Wang Zhan clicked on the aid station. Frostnova's healing was almost complete; relaying this news to the snow monster squad would hopefully boost morale another notch.

"Alina, Frostnova's healing is almost complete; arrange for her to rest in the shed." Wang Zhan had wanted Alina to take Frostnova around under the generator to experience the welfare... No, it was the good life of the infected under the generator. When she saw the happy looks on the faces of the Snow Monster Squad members, she might be willing to be his right-hand man, and the scouting team afterward would just need an infected like Frostnova who could handle extreme weather. She was genuinely suitable to be the leader of the scouting team. However, Wang Zhan considered the potential risks of ore disease for a moment and ultimately decided against it. 

If she developed a sudden acute ore disease due to the source stone dust, he couldn't afford the consequences. "Is Frostnova cured?!" Alina exclaimed as she walked down the corridor of the shed, unable to hide her happiness. Her voice echoed throughout the shed; Frostnova had really survived!

The snow monster squad members who were resting became alert and sat up, gently pushing open the cubicle door. A dozen pairs of eyes spotted Alina looking out of the window by the fireplace, muttering to herself. Bear signaled to the others, and they crept toward Alina in silence, standing behind her. 

"I'll bring Frostnova along with the cold-proof clothing; what do you think?" The group shared looks, and Bear pointed to the clothes Alina was wearing. A dozen delighted smiles broke out.

Alina stared intently at the generator, tapping her toes against the floor, "I'd also like to show her around if I can... She's the leader of the Wendigo Squad; she can definitely help!" The crowd behind them nodded silently; Big Sister's strength was impressive—besides Big Daddy, she was one of the best!

The atmosphere felt akin to awarding children for their accomplishments. Though Alina pondered this, Wang Zhan then advised her that she couldn't let Frostnova move around because of the dust outside. 

"Don't have to? Well... you have a point. Then this plan will have to wait until after the storm." Alina's worry deepened; she feared that by the time the Patriot's troops arrived, things would be chaotic again under the generator. Would there be time to take Frostnova around then?

Regardless, Mr. Zhan was right. There was still the implementation of the root cure to consider. That matter would have to wait until Frostnova was settled.

"Then it's settled; I'll go to the storage warehouse later to find a pair of cold-proof clothes and arrange for her to rest in the work shed. That way, when the guerrillas arrive, she'll be ready to contribute as well." Fawn wiggled her ears joyfully, and the snow monster squad speculated that it was the one called Mr. Generator who had complimented her. It sparked a sense of heartfelt significance, similar to when their big sister praised them.

"Ms. Alina?" 

Alina was startled, pressing down her ears and turning her head to see a dozen eyes staring back at her. Her face instantly turned a deep red, her blue eyes initially innocent before showing signs of sternness. "You guys were eavesdropping on me?!"

Bear felt embarrassed; they were indeed caught, "We apologize. Everyone is very concerned about Big Sister's situation..." 

"You guys could just ask me directly," Alina said, her cheeks still flushed. Despite her fake anger, the snow monster squad didn't dare look directly at her. 

Coughing dryly, she smiled and addressed the snow monster crowd, "You all know what's going on with your big sister. Just forget about what just happened…" 

Why forget? The snow monster crowd found it trivial, but since Alina asked, they complied. 

"Alright, it's our fault," Bear admitted, "Can we go see Big Sister now?" 

"Have you had your frostbite treated?" 

Bear shared that they had heard about the ambulance station treating the wounded. The Wendigo team had arranged the order of treatment per Alina's instructions; they were currently being treated with frostbite medicine. 

"Kind of treated," the group chimed in unison—what was a minor injury when it came to Big Sister's well-being? Alina saw right through their lies.

"Because your Ore Disease cases have yet to be screened," Alina clarified. While she had made distinctions, it was the best excuse to stall the crowd. "There could be source stone dust out there right now, so if you don't want Ore Disease to flare up, send a representative to follow me." 

Alina sensed relief among the group, and Bear boldly stepped forward, "Looks like it's just going to have to be me!"

"Big Bear, as captain of the squad you've been hurrying ahead... I'll reluctantly brave the source stone dust to find Big Sister. Don't worry, guys; I'll come back safely." 

"Don't talk like you're going to sacrifice yourself! How morbid!" 

Alina watched the bickering and decided to step outside the shed, "Only one person can come with me!" 

Frostnova woke up from her hospital bed, noticing that the person next to her seemed to be avoiding her deliberately. Regardless, she carried on, first confirming her surroundings. 

The lights were bright, the room warm, with a pungent smell of iodine mingling with a faint scent of blood—this should be a clinic. She pinched the white comforter on her body; the bed was clean and warm. A sign across the room displayed numerous precautions and a schematic diagram. What was this place? Who was so kind as to heal her, an infected person on the verge of death?

Glancing at the snow monster squad member across the bed who was giggling at herself, Frostnova called out, "Miu, where is this place? And what's with this clinic?" 

"Big Sister, you're finally awake!" Ah Miao beamed, "I was sent here because I didn't have any frostbite medicine, but I never thought I'd be able to see you with my own eyes." 

"Don't talk nonsense; just answer my question," Frostnova said, though happiness bubbled within her. The corners of her mouth rose on their own; the feeling of survival after a near-death experience was overwhelming. Still, she couldn't take it lightly. 

"This is an ambulance station," Ah Miao explained, excitement painting her voice, "a place for infected people to be treated." 

"An ambulance station for the infected?!" Frostnova was taken aback. Even the guerrillas didn't have access to this kind of medical care. "Who runs it?" 

"That big furnace outside. The infected told me his name is Mr. Generator, but I still prefer the other name, Steel and Fire." 

Mr. Generator? Frostnova leaned against the wall, the corners of her mouth twisting into a smile. She had genuinely led her siblings to safety beneath the generator; they had survived the storm. 

"Ms. Frostnova," Alina said as she entered the aid station with Bear. He was dressed in cold-weather gear and held another pair in his hands as they approached Frostnova's bed. 

Frostnova smiled at the duo. Seeing her so happy, Bear suddenly raised his arm to wipe a tear away. Alina handed him a handkerchief, which he reluctantly glanced at but said nothing more. 

"Oooh…" 

"Don't cry; you're still recovering," Frostnova consoled him. "This is the time to laugh, Bear. We've escaped the storm." 

"You're right, Big Sister; it's time to laugh!" Bear beamed. 

Frostnova's face scrunched up in a mock-disgusted expression. It was too hard to laugh. "...Don't laugh; I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep." 

Alina chuckled, "I thought this scene would be more touching." 

"It's alright; even though they call me Big Sister, I'm actually a bit younger than Big Bear." 

Remembering something, Alina added, "And Petrova, she's also a bit older than me. Where is she now?" 

Bear hesitated before replying, "After she heard you were okay, she went to help out in the mess hall." 

"The mess hall?" 

Frostnova looked to Alina for clarification. Alina smiled, "The mess hall is the kitchen, but it can also be considered a dining area, allowing many people to eat at once." 

Frostnova nodded, "Petrova loves cooking, and her meals are always delicious." 

"Are you feeling better? I brought you cold-weather clothing, as Mr. Generator instructed." 

"Much better," Frostnova said, glancing at Bear's outfit. The thick fur looked warm, especially the carrying lamp at his waist—though it seemed slightly comical on him. 

Alina noticed Frostnova's gaze. "The outfit may look rough, but it's definitely warm. Just that Bear looks ridiculous in it; I look different in mine." 

Bear quickly retorted, "I'll look good when I gain a little weight." 

Recalling the bowl of meat from breakfast, he added, "Big Sister hasn't even tried it yet." 

Frostnova took the clothes and put them on, surprised to find them genuinely warm. Her father's old military clothing couldn't compare, especially the carrying lamp at her waist; her cold air couldn't extinguish its bright light.

Straightening the corners of her coat, she turned to Alina for her cloak, her curiosity piqued as she stroked the thick material and listened to Bear's description of life under the generator. 

"Can I go for a stroll around the neighborhood?" 

Alina was surprised; Frostnova seemed friendly and engaging, not at all the icy persona she had before. Eager to show Frostnova around, she considered that there was no urgent business that needed attention under the generator at that moment. 

"I'm sorry, but because Mr. Generator is burning source rock right now, the source rock dust in the air could cause acute ore sickness." 

"But I've already been injected with an inhibitor," Frostnova pressed, looking into the aid station, where four infected were still busy. "Will that not help?" 

"No," Alina asserted. She had to reject Mr. Generator's concerns firmly. "Acute ore disease poses significant risks... Especially for you, Ms. Frostnova; you need to be extra careful." 

Frostnova understood that her ore disease was severe and complied, "Forgive me if I've troubled you. I didn't mean to be reckless." 

"I'll take you to the shed to rest; you'll need to prepare for the guerrillas' arrival later." 

The guerrillas? Father and the others? 

"The guerrillas will also come to the generator?" 

Frostnova thought for a moment. It made sense; although the guerrillas wore heavy armor and had warlocks among them, even they couldn't match a little fire against the storm's might. "Do you know where they are now?" 

Alina realized that Frostnova and the Patriotic forces had scattered across the snow-covered plains and were unaware of each other's travel routes. The radio wouldn't be effective, especially amid a storm. 

"Mr. Generator is very clear on this—the guerrillas are on their way to the generator and are expected to arrive around midnight." 

Midnight? 

"The guerrillas will suffer losses," Frostnova surmised, anxiety creasing her brow. Yet it wasn't easy to be an enemy in a storm like this. "Can I do anything? Don't worry, Mr. Generator saved my siblings, so I'm naturally eager to assist." 

Alina was taken aback. While saving the Wendigo Squad was indeed a method to gain Frostnova's aid, she didn't expect such a generous offer. 

"But if I'm going to leave with the Wendigo Squad, you guys won't stop me, right?" 

Frostnova sighed slightly when she saw Alina nodding. This fawn was still too young, not at all as sophisticated as Tallulah. "You should have denied me at this point, so I don't have the chance to renegotiate my obligations." 

"I don't see you as that kind of person," Alina smiled, clasping her hands over her abdomen. "Warrior Frostnova, you are someone known above the tundra. Tallulah often speaks of you." 

"...That's all in the past," Frostnova murmured, avoiding Alina's gaze. The admiration made her feel somewhat embarrassed; being revered by one she had saved felt more than a little shameful.