Library
A few hours earlier...
She just finished her chores for the day and was headed towards the bed where she thought HE'd still lay. But to her surprise, the bed was empty. Startled, she gasped and dropped the tray of clean cloths with a bowl of water from her hands. It clanked over the tile floor, spilling everything and the echo sounded across the medical bay. A mixed wave of emotions then surged throughout her being. Although part of her said the worse might have happened or that he might have been transferred elsewhere within the Hub, she can't help but cling onto the hope and probability that the patient might have finally awaken. Frantically, she dashed towards the bed, running a hand over the mattress to feel for the warmth of HIS body before looking under it, absentmindedly thinking that HE might be on the floor. But of course, HE wasn't there. With teary eyes, her head then swiveled, knowing not what to do.
Shroom, he might know, thought Pixie before she turned on her heel and hurried out of the room.
"Alright, I think we've all the information we needed from here, Rugratz. Let's head back to the office!" said the one foot tall creature to his giant companion, at the research facility of the Library.
Ever since the day HE'd fallen into the state of coma, the three minions under HIS charge was assigned to a desk job based on their skills and credibility. It was back to their old ways again. Back to the days before their first field experience. And although they never speak of those days again, they each have missed that moment.
"Shroom! Shroo.. Uuff!" exclaimed Pixie as she fell on her bottom after bumping into Rugratz around a corner. "Oooww!" the female creature winced and rubbed her butt.
"What is it, Pixie? Did something happened?" asked Shroom, slightly tilting his head, perching on the giant's shoulder.
"Rugratz no see Pixie.. Rugratz sorry.." said the friendly but horrid creature as he helped the female minion up.
"I-i-it's Ramza! He-he-he's gone!"
Dead?
It was the first thing that came across Shroom's mind. Shocked, his little hands gripped tightly on the rough texture of Rugratz's hide and lowered his head. Emily might not take this news very well, thought the little guy spontaneously. But still, someone got to tell her..
"L-let's head b-back to the o-office and set this d-down before anything.." choked Shroom as he flashed her the notes and files in his hands before he signaled Rugratz to proceed.
Clueless to what was going through Shroom's mind, Pixie tagged along almost in frustration. The little minion made no attempt whatsoever to hasten Rugratz's slumbering gait. She wanted to quickly get there so she could find out where HE's gone to. But Shroom on the other hand, wanted to delay from witnessing HIS body. Soon, they reached the Intelligence department and was momentarily stunned upon seeing the familiar figure sitting by one of the desks within.
"RAMZA!!" shrieked Pixie before she rushed forward and leapt into the Holder's arms. "Y-y-you're awake!!" she exclaimed with her eyes shut, burying her face against the man's chest.
Shroom sniffed his tears of relief back and managed a smile before gesturing to the delighted Rugratz onward. He hopped down onto the desk, setting both notes and files before the Rook, then silently watched Ramza's furrowed brows and somewhat confused expression as the man returned the female minion's hug. "Welcome back, Boss!" he said.
"Rugratz can stomp again, now?" asked the giant as he tapped on a note with his massive but blunt claw, obviously happy and couldn't wait to get back into action.
Shroom caught the words, "Hive of Minds" on a note, one of the updated mission requests he was carrying back to the branch. And his nose twitched with excitement when Ramza reached for it.
Hive of Minds
Ramza LosstarotHe had his hood down over his head as he stood before Hertz Rhajo, hiding his horrid face from the man even though there was no need to as Hertz had his eyes elsewhere. He read the map and then glanced into the dead woods and fungi infested forest, mentally noting down that its no longer as accurate as it once was. But with the compass and Hertz's instruction on how to get there, with the river to lead them, he knew it wouldn't be the terrain that might throw them off course. Ramza's piercing gaze then followed the sole giant wasp currently in sight before he returned his attention to the ranger.
Silently, he pieced every occurrences and mission statement from the previous mission together, considering the two companion on top of his own minions' abilities he's now with as well. Intel gathering
is always important and it always play a major role to whether a mission would be successful or otherwise. And since neither of them have the ability to tell nor was there any record from the Library on how strong the giant wasps actually were, Ramza hoped the answers this man could probably provide might serve as an advantage. May it be by the work of nature or manmade structure other than the already mentioned they could use against these abominable creatures on site, he wouldn't mind. Or at least a good enough information to prevent future and similar encounters around these parts they could use.
"Is there any settlement at the end of the river?" he began, the question almost sounded irrelevant as to how it might aid them. But Ramza got a few ideas, "And what can you tell us about the lake? Is the water contaminated... or rather, have there been sightings on the wasps using the lake's inhabitants as hosts for their eggs?" He paused, "Any distinct patterns on the wasps' movements being reported?"
Pixie, who was standing right next to the Rook, looked up at him momentarily before looking at the other two Holders. Although it was a sign of interest and the matter at hand was no doubt serious, the female minion couldn't help but smile in the presence of the man she'd dearly missed. Shroom wanted to tell her to wipe the expression off her face, but decided against it, not wanting to disrupt the conversations. So he sat still on Ramza's shoulder, occasionally glancing back over his own to make sure Rugratz was behind the group and not run off somewhere, not that he'd do so without any command given though.
