First Encounter
The train pulled in with a sharp whistle, and the platform quickly filled with people.
Scanning the crowd carefully, I soon spotted my new Journey member.
I came as requested. You're Team Leader Roberta of the Orbital Search Team, correct?
Yes. This here is the suspect I'm handing over.
Caught him just before he tested explosives in downtown Lokhein.
A dangerous criminal indeed...
Good thing we were able to stop him. A little later and it would've been a mess.
The confiscated evidence is in that bag, so take it with you.
Lugh?
Here it is.
Yes, thank you. Bag received.
Heh heh... Idiots. You have no idea...!
Shut it, you fool.
Gah!
As you can see, he's totally around the bend. Be careful with him.
You two head back and start working on the paperwork.
As for the expense report, just sort them out and leave them on my desk—
Huh? The Journey Captain...?
That's you, isn't it? What brings you here?
I asked Lisa to let you you that I'd be running late.
Yeah, I was informed.
She said I could meet you here right away.
Sorry. An urgent call came in.
It was something I had to handle personally. I had no choice but to tell Lisa I might be late.
Making you wait like this... I'm not making the best first impression, am I?
I'm Roberta. Team Leader of the Orbital Search Team under Polaris.
Never thought I'd end up a Journey member.
I can't drop my Orbital Search Team duties just because I joined the Journey, so I'll be a little busy, but...
Don't worry. I'll manage.
I won't use work as an excuse to skip training or such.
Anyway, looking forward to this year together.
Roberta flashed a confident smile and shook my hand firmly.
Alright, formalities done. If you're free, maybe we can talk about our next training sche—
...?
What was that... just now?
Ms. Roberta, we have a situation.
What's going on? And what was that noise just now?
A large number of monsters... have appeared near the station.
They're heading this way, smashing everything in sight along the tracks.
What?
They seem to have followed the railway between Lokhein and NOA. As if...
...As if they followed our train? A whole swarm of monsters?
Don't tell me... Was it his doing...?!
Bwahaha, you idiots!
Bombs? Please. I'm far beyond that!
What you all thought was a bomb was actually my prototype monster attractor!
Heh heh... I did it...! The experiment was a success! My theory was never wro—
Roberta delivered a clean punch, causing the criminal to shudder before collapsing like a rag doll.
...Cuff him again and take him away.
*Sigh...* Everyone, we've got work to do.
Your orders.
Our first priority is to evacuate civilians according to protocol.
Lugh, you handle the evacuation. Everyone else, follow her lead.
Yes, ma'am!
Captain, you should also head to a safe—
I'll help.
...Hah! Forgot who I was talking to. You don't count as a civilian, do you?
All right. The Journey Captain lending a hand helps a lot.
What do I need to do?
First, evacuate the civilians. Fast.
Then we hold the line until reinforcements arrive. That's protocol, but...
The evacuation was underway, but people were still scrambling in confusion.
The Orbital Search Team, Town Guard, and station staff couldn't clear it fast enough.
...
...They're getting closer. We won't make it at this pace.
We may have to intercept them ourselves...
A deep rumble shook the ground as clouds of dust rose beyond the tracks.
A swarm of monsters thundered toward the station, like stampeding wild hogs.
There are that many of them?!
There's no way we can stop all of them head-on.
...If they get into the station before evacuation's complete, it'll be a disaster.
Then we buy time! Whatever it takes!
We block the entire track they're charging down!
H-how?
Like this!
Roberta's fist slammed forward, and the massive train car screeched as it skidded aside.
The train car wedged itself across the tracks, sealing off the open side of the station.
...Oh. Like... that.
All right. Let's stack another one and build a barricade!
I couldn't punch a train car like Roberta, so I hurriedly piled benches and rubble to seal the gaps.
The improvised barrier bought just enough time for a full evacuation.
Soon, the Orbital Search Team, Town Guard, and nearby Savior Parties joined the fight.
Fortunately, most were low-grade monsters, and the situation was contained quickly.
...Phew. Seems like it's over. Damage report?
No casualties. As for property damage...
...Let's talk about that part later.
Understood.
As for the monster attractor prototype the suspect created...
It appears to have been completely destroyed during the fight.
Well, what's done is done. Even without the evidence, we still caught him red-handed. Take care of the rest.
Good work.
Fufu, what a chaotic first meeting that was. Thanks for the help, Captain.
You don't look so great...
Did you get hurt?
No, not at all.
I'm just... expecting a bit of trouble coming my way.
A bit of trouble?
R-R-R-R—
Ah. There he is...
ROBERTAAAA!!
Yes, sir?
Just when I think things are finally settling down, you pull something like this again!
This time it's... what was it again? Right, so now you're hurling train cars as barricades to block the monsters?!
...It was a field decision.
Argh...! I can't even imagine how much compensation Platina Express will ask for...
But Commander, a moment of hesitation could have resulted in massive civilian casua—
You think I don't know that?!
No one was hurt. Good.
That part is admirable, but—! *Sigh...*
Staring at the train cars stacked against the wall, the commander let out a long, weary sigh.
...My apologies.
I already have a headache thinking about how to phrase this in the report...
I'll handle what I can on my end, but... Roberta.
Yes, sir?
...How many years has it been since you became team leader?
Of course, I'm grateful there were no casualties.
But you should know by now why protocol and regulations exist.
You can't keep handling things like this forever.
...I understand, sir.
...Are you okay?
Ah... I'm fine, I'm fine.
That said... I will be drowning in paperwork and investigations for a while. *Sigh*
I mean... that situation came out of nowhere.
But no one got hurt, right?
So I'd say everything turned out fine in the end.
Looking at Roberta's unbothered grin, I was beginning to understand how she approached her work.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to working with you, Captain!