Arknights: Mobile City

"…You want her?"

Kal'tsit fell silent for a long moment. Her brows, which had been furrowed, finally relaxed—though now her eyes narrowed as she looked at the still-grinning Heal.

There was something dangerous in her gaze.

"Of course. I'm not in the habit of making jokes," Heal replied, her smile undimmed.

The Doctor pointed at herself in confusion. Even without seeing her face, the gesture alone showed just how baffled she was.

Me? Why?

"…And your reason?"

Kal'tsit paused for a moment, then put the question to Heal.

"Hm… I'd like to borrow this brilliant tactician for a bit of command work."

Heal tilted her head, still smiling. "Don't worry—it's only a loan. K Corp simply needs an outside consultant to help handle some matters…"

"For instance, a few monsters."

She whistled, casual and unconcerned.

What I need right now is an outsider to come to the City—someone who, after witnessing the City's horrors, will return to the nations of Terra.

That way, I can send an unspoken warning: Don't provoke the City. There are things here worth fearing.

She needed someone who could not only help her resolve a round of the City's monster problems, but would also serve as living proof of its terrors—a deterrent to Terra's other powers…

I've revealed plenty on this trip already. Theresa isn't much of a problem, but if Theresis comes poking around and disrupts the City's development, that's trouble I really don't need.

So… it's best to handle this early. If the Doctor spreads the right rumors, Obsidian was sure Theresis would take them seriously.

He didn't want the City entangled in other people's messes. He had no interest in the politics beyond its borders. Sure, war profiteers will do as they do, but getting bogged down in those affairs—stalling development—that would be a real loss.

Besides… that ever-present danger within the City itself was creeping closer, too.

Rapid growth was more important than ever.

It had been almost ten days since Obsidian finished exploring that laboratory. In those ten days, the City's territory had expanded dramatically. But this time, he'd come dangerously close to the edge of the Food Chain's hunting grounds.

Once again, the Food Chain crisis reared its head—a headache Obsidian could have done without.

Battle with the Food Chain was imminent… so finishing up internal affairs was critical; the City would soon need a plan for handling this threat.

Tactically, Obsidian felt less than confident. The only real strategy he had left was to throw sheer numbers and brute force at the problem—crushing the Food Chain with population and raw power.

…But that was far from the optimal solution.

If he could borrow the Doctor for a while, maybe, just maybe, he'd stand a much better chance.

The Doctor was still Babel's ghost—an outstanding commander. In a fight, a good strategist made all the difference.

That thought in mind, Obsidian brought his consciousness back to the present.

"…This isn't something I can decide. I'll need to notify Lady Theresa."

"See? Should've called her in the first place. But it's all the same to me—if you need to consult with Her Highness, go right ahead."

Heal just shrugged at Kal'tsit, wearing a calm, unconcerned smile.

Kal'tsit and the Doctor exchanged a glance. The Doctor nodded.

That means, 'I've got no objections to this deal—go ask Theresa.'

Kal'tsit headed straight into the inner room. Heal, in no hurry at all, stayed behind, drumming her fingers on the table.

It was a good while before Kal'tsit returned from behind that door.

She came to stand in front of Heal, gave Obsidian a formal nod, and turned to the Doctor, reciting like an automaton:

"Lady Theresa has given her consent. Doctor, I'll have to trouble you for this one."

The Doctor nodded. Heal, too, showed a satisfied smile.

"According to our agreement, the Doctor will await you in five days. And as a condition, once your matter is settled, we'll immediately take the Doctor back. Even if it's not finished, after three days, we'll send someone to retrieve her."

Kal'tsit laid down the terms on the spot, making sure there'd be no misunderstandings.

"Then I'll see you in the City. Here's the address. The City, K Corp—I'll be a proper host, you have my word the Doctor won't be mistreated."

Heal rose, a sly grin on her lips, set an ampoule bottle on the table, and waved as she said,

"Deal's done. See you in the City."

With that, she turned and left the room under their gaze.

Not long after, escorted as usual, Heal was back on the road to the City.

After all that wandering, Heal was finally headed home.

…

For those ten days within the City, everything had run like clockwork.

In fact, things were booming.

Ten days was all it took to complete most of the basic industrial lines. Obsidian kept busy organizing and planning, moving most of the refugees into assembly line jobs; the rest, who still went out on expeditions, were now officially certified as "Sweepers."

At the same time, Obsidian had set up an immigration bureau under Company A, giving all the refugees official City registration and issuing job certificates as Sweepers and assembly line workers.

With housing and food no longer hard to come by, the Sarkaz refugees quickly started spreading the word, urging friends and family to come and join them in the City.

The City's fame and population swelled like a rolling snowball. Since the first refugees arrived, nearly three hundred more had trickled in over the last ten days. Obsidian never turned anyone away.

Free labor—who could say no to that?

So, the population rose, and soon the City had nearly five hundred residents.

With each passing day, growth only accelerated.

On the eleventh day after Heal's departure, she returned—bringing with her the combat records from the deal.

Looking over these battle logs, still in K Corp's factory, Obsidian couldn't help but smile.

Now, it's time to ramp up production even further…