()||<BIN>9</BIN><黑屏1>0,10</黑屏1><BGM>BGM_Empty</BGM>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_footsteps_cave</SE1><BGM>BGM_TK_loading</BGM><CGDelay>0.3</CGDelay><BIN>9</BIN><narrator><黑屏2>:The Dark Zone, Kamona.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<narrator>:It is a world with countless rules, yet ruled by none.
()||<黑屏1><CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<BIN>471</BIN><黑屏2><CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||<SE1>Stop_AVG_loop</SE1>:You've been following us down two blocks. Why don't you show yourself?
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:In the eastern part of the Dark Zone lies a run-down town. Pedestrians are few and hurried; bullet holes scar the crude buildings—a silent testament to the town's poverty and lawlessness.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:A weathered woman steps out from her hiding spot and approaches cautiously.
()<Speaker>Woman</Speaker>||:Excuse me... are you special operatives?
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:She bows nervously as she addresses the Commander, who is clad in full combat gear with a rifle strapped to their back.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:I am.
()<Speaker>Woman</Speaker>||:Thank goodness! Please... you have to help me! Please save my son!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<震屏3><SE1>AVG_XXS_kick</SE1>:The woman drops to her knees and lunges to throw her arms around the Commander's leg.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_weapon_reload</SE1>:The Commander swiftly steps back, chambers a round, and levels their gun at her head.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Back off.
()<Speaker>Woman</Speaker>||:...Ah! I-I mean no harm!
()<Speaker>Woman</Speaker>||<CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:I'm sorry. I heard special operatives take all kinds of requests in the Dark Zone.+I just want you to save my child. His name is Tony...
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Heard from where?
()<Speaker>Woman</Speaker>||:A relief doctor in town. She came from a big hospital in Marulos. 
()<Speaker>Woman</Speaker>||:She said if I found someone armed and in combat gear but bearing no insignia, they'd be a special operative, and they could help...
()<Speaker>Woman</Speaker>||:I'm sorry... I didn't mean to trouble you.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:In the Dark Zone, one can't be too cautious around strangers... Get up.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:The Commander stows away their weapon, but still keeps a careful distance from the woman. They scan her hands and coat for any concealed weapons.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Talk. Maybe I can help.
()||<黑屏1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<黑屏2><BIN>9</BIN>:
()||<黑屏1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<黑屏2><BIN>356</BIN><Night>:Late at night. At a makeshift camp in the eastern Dark Zone.
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:All the "cargo" sent out yet?
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:All but the new kid. The rest are at the port. Boat leaves in two days.
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:Keep a close watch. Things have been tense lately—
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1><BGM>BGM_Empty</BGM>:Who's there?!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>Select</SE1>:Suddenly, the silence is broken by the dogs' barking. One of the guard curses and grabs his rifle.
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:Go check it out.
()||<黑点1><SE1>AVG_Door_Open_Close</SE1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<黑点2><BIN>9</BIN>:
()||<黑点1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<黑点2><BIN>4</BIN><Night><SE1>AVG_Team_Running</SE1><BGM>GF_EV9_Intermission</BGM>:In the darkness, pounding footsteps and ragged breathing can be heard.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:(Pants) I-I can't run anymore...
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Keep going! Don't stop!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:Not far behind, four or five gang members are sweeping the area with flashlights. Two guard dogs start barking wildly.
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:Over here!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<白屏2><SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:Beams of light converge at once. The two fleeing figures are caught in full view.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Down!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_XXS_kick</SE1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE2>Gunfight</SE2><震屏3>:The Commander yanks the boy beside them to the ground as a burst of bullets rips overhead.
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:Stop! 
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:Careful, we still need that "cargo" in one piece.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:A man who appears to be in charge stops his subordinates from firing. He gives them a hand signal, and four men start circling toward the target.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:Behind a haystack, the boy is curled beneath the Commander, his eyes wide with panic.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:What now?
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Shhh...
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:No answer. The Commander gestures for silence, then edges to the right, using the haystack as cover. Suddenly—
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<震屏3><SE1>AVG_pistol_finalshot_n</SE1>:Bang!
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||<SE1>Select</SE1>:F*ck! Over there!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<震屏3><SE1>AVG_pistol_finalshot_n</SE1>:Bang!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<controll_shake>%%type_id=2%%duration=3%%delay=0%%range=3</controll_shake><SE2>Gunfight</SE2><SE1>AVG_Cloak_Whoosh</SE1>:The Commander drops two of them in quick succession, then dives and rolls behind a nearby truck as bullets throw sparks into the night.
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_weapon_reload</SE1>:Serve them some Molotovs! Let's give 'em a show!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:Their position is completely exposed. Two gangsters are closing in from either side. The Commander is out of options.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<震屏3><SE1>Explode</SE1>:BOOM!
()||<黑屏1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<黑屏2><Night>:Smoke from the explosion clears to reveal the boy's stunned face. His right arm is still frozen mid-throw.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:It... it worked?!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:The commander steps out from behind the truck, still holding an unused smoke grenade. They kick one of the fallen gangsters, checking for signs of life. Nothing. They wave at the boy.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||<CGDelay>0.3</CGDelay>:Where'd you get that grenade? Not bad, kid.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Come on, search the bodies. Let's see what we can use.
()||<黑点1><BGM>BGM_Empty</BGM>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_Zipper</SE1><CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay><黑点2>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:The Commander combs through the fallen gangsters' gear, making sure not to leave a single bullet or medkit. They lift a bulging backpack and toss it to the boy.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Here. Catch.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_rifle_finalshot_n</SE1><SE1>AVG_Bullte_Ricochet</SE1><震屏3>:Clang.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_2022Saros_Gunpast</SE1>:A sniper shot zips past, grazing the Commander's arm and slamming into the truck door behind them.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Get behind the oil drum! Now!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>RunStep</SE1>:The boy drops the backpack and dives behind the vehicle, but he soon realizes that the Commander hasn't followed.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:Hurry—
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<震屏3><SE1>Explode</SE1>:A second explosion drowns out his cry.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:—over here...
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:Rustle. Crunch. The sound of military boots crushing grass.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>Rope</SE1>:The boy picks up a rock from the ground and clutches it tightly. He counts silently. One step... two steps...
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:As soon as the footsteps cross the front of the truck, he leaps up and hurls the rock—
NPC-Tony_AB(1)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker><Shake>||<SE1>AVG_Cloak_Whoosh</SE1><BGM>BGM_Empty</BGM>:<size=50>Go to hell!</size>
NPC-Tony_AB(1)<Speaker>Commander</Speaker><同时置暗>||:Hey! It's me!
NPC-Tony_AB(1)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:Huh?!
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:Whew... Sorry, you scared the hell outta me.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:Seeing the Commander's face, the boy sighs in relief and tosses away the rock sheepishly. It clatters under the truck.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||<CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:Let's move. Grab the pack and stay sharp. Bullets could come at you anytime.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||<CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:Always remember—this is the Dark Zone.
()||<黑屏1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_Amb_Rain_0</SE1><CGDelay>0.7</CGDelay><黑屏2><BIN>99</BIN><common_effect>%%code=CJ_rain%%</common_effect><Night>:
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1><BGM>BGM_Sneak</BGM>:M32 tactical headset? This will do. Noise cancellation is mediocre, but the sound amplification is alright.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:Traveling through the jungle on a rainy night with a burden in tow is not a good idea. The Commander finds a place to take shelter and begins sorting through the spoils in their backpack.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Didn't expect them to be this tough... This job will probably lose me money.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1><SE1>AVG_Zipper</SE1>:The boy hands over his own backpack.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:Here. Take these too.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:The Commander glances at the boy's mud-streaked face and malnourished arms, then lowers their head and continues packing.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:I gave them to you, so just keep it.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Your mother went to great lengths to get you out. She offered this much for this job.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:They hold up their hand to indicate a figure. The boy's jaw drops.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:We don't have that kind of money!
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Commander</Speaker><同时置暗>||:I thought so too. She didn't look like someone wealthy.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Commander</Speaker><同时置暗>||:I was going to do this for free, but she insisted on following the rules... Now tell me, how did the Sewer Rats end up going after you?
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:The Sewer Rats? You mean the ones who kidnapped me?
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:I don't know. I was on my way home when someone knocked me out. When I woke up, I was already here.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:There were others locked up with me at first, but they were taken away during the day... Said something about a transfer to the port.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:The port...?
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_Creep</SE1>:The Commander seems to be lost in thought as they go through the motions of cleaning their gun, with no intention of continuing the topic.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:What's wrong?
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Commander</Speaker><同时置暗>||:Nothing. Get some sleep. I'll keep watch.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Commander</Speaker><同时置暗>||<CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:We'll get you home when the sun comes up.
()||<黑屏1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<关闭蒙版><黑屏2><BIN>9</BIN>:
()||<黑屏1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<黑屏2><BIN>168</BIN><CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<BGM>BGM_Empty</BGM>:Early morning. In a town on the northern outskirts of Marulos, Eastern Dark Zone.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_20Winter_Door_Open</SE1>:Tony excitedly throws open the front door of a dilapidated shack.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:We're here! Come on in!
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Wait—
()||<黑点1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<BIN>764</BIN><黑屏2><CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:A harsh red stains the moldy floor. Inside the room, a middle-aged man and woman lie lifeless in a pool of blood.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:Tony stands rooted at the doorway, stuck in the motion of opening the door, his smile still frozen on his face.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:Back off!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>RunStep</SE1><震屏3>:Deaf to the world around him, Tony breaks free of the Commander's hand and rushes inside.
NPC-Tony_AB(1)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker><Shake>||:<size=50>Dad! Mom! ...Who? Who did this?!</size>
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:The Commander lingers at the doorway, glances at the sunlit street, then back at the sobbing boy kneeling over his parents in the darkened room.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:With a sigh, they remove the newly-acquired tactical headset and step inside.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:We need to leave—
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||<BGM>BGM_stage10</BGM>:Leave?
()||<黑点1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_20Winter_Door_Close</SE1><黑点2><震屏3><BIN>9</BIN>:The door slams shut behind them.
()||<黑屏1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<BIN>764</BIN><黑屏2><CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:A group of gangsters emerge from the adjoining room, surrounding them.
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:Got the guts to scam me out of my money? You're bold, alright.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:Outnumbered and cut off, the Commander raises their hands to show that they mean no harm.
NPC-Tony_AB(1)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:You killed them?
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:Your old man lost you at the gambling table and had you stolen back later. You should ask him—did he not see this coming when he came up with this scheme to hoodwink me?
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:Can you read? See for yourself.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_File_Put</SE1>:A contract is thrown to the ground. Tony's hands tremble as he reads and rereads it, unable to believe what he sees. Then he suddenly rips it into pieces.
NPC-Tony_AB(1)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker><Shake>||:<size=50>No! This isn't true! Dad would never do this!</size>
NPC-Tony_AB(1)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:My mom... She hired someone to rescue me!
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:You mean this bitch?
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:The gang leader prods the lifeless woman on the floor contemptuously with the tip of his boot. He pulls a droplet-shaped gold pendant from his pocket and tosses it in his hand.
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:Tut-tut. She'd rather sell her son than pawn the gold to pay the debt... What a real piece of work. Hahahaha...
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:His gaze shifts to the Commander, who is still standing with their hands raised.
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:I know the rules—you're just a paid merc doing your job; I shouldn't hold it against you... but you did hurt a few of my boys...
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:Let's make this easy for both of us. Leave your valuables and walk away.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Fair enough...
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>Rope</SE1><SE1>ClothingUp</SE1><BGM>BGM_Empty</BGM>:The Commander slowly crouches down and slips off their backpack.
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:That's more like it. No need to make this harder than it is—
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||<SE1>RunStep</SE1>:<size=50>Tony!</size>
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<BGM>GF_22W_BGM_4</BGM><SE1>AVG_Cloak_Whoosh</SE1><震屏3>:At that very moment, Tony lunges forward, heedless of the guns around him, and sinks his teeth into the gang leader's leg.
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:<size=50>Son of a—! Pull him off me!</size>
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_Punch_Hit</SE1><震屏3>:Not wanting to kill the boy, the leader raises his gunstock to strike.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:At the same time, the Commander reaches for a flashbang on their chest rig.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<BIN>183</BIN><SE1>AVG_The_Division_Flash_Bomb_Explosion</SE1>:
()||<白屏1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<BIN>764</BIN><SE1>AVG_Tinnitus</SE1><白屏2><controll_shake>%%type_id=2%%duration=50000%%delay=0%%range=2</controll_shake>:SQUEEEEEE—
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:A piercing sound fills the room.
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:Dammit! Stun grenade! Ear pro off! Off, damn it! Don't let them get away! Freaking hell! You hear me?!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>RunStep</SE1><CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_Door_Hit</SE1><震屏3>:Hauling the stunned boy, the Commander shoves the guard aside and barrels through the door.
()||<黑屏1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<controll_shake>%%type_id=2%%duration=1%%delay=0%%range=1</controll_shake><黑屏2><BIN>9</BIN>:
()||<黑屏1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<黑屏2><BIN>168</BIN><CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||<SE1>RunStep</SE1>:Feeling better? Can you run on your own?
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:After staggering for a bit, Tony slowly regains some orientation despite the lingering effects of the stun grenade. He plants his feet and scans the streets.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||<CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:...Yeah.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Commander</Speaker><同时置暗>||:Split up. Lose them and regroup at the west-side ruins.
NPC-Tony_AB(1)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:Stay with me!
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:No time. I'll draw them off—GO!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_XXS_kick</SE1><震屏3>:With a firm shove, the Commander sends the boy running. They wait a moment until they see the gangsters coming after them in the distance.
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:Get 'em! Dead or alive!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>RunStep</SE1>:The Commander turns and sprints the other way.
()||<黑点1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<黑点2><BIN>9</BIN>:
()||<黑点1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<Night><黑屏2><BIN>750</BIN><CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<BGM>BGM_Empty</BGM>:Night falls. After shaking off the pursuers, the Commander arrives at the agreed hideout in the west.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:You made it!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:Tony is already inside, covered in dust and grime. He also got there somehow.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:No one followed you?
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:N-no...
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_20Winter_Door_Open</SE1>:The Commander steps in and carefully shuts the door.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_Button_Click</SE1><震屏3>:Click.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<BGM>10065</BGM>:The door locks—from the outside.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:I'm sorry!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:Tony drops to his knees and lowers his head to avoid the Commander's eyes.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:Familiar voices sound from beyond the door.
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:Shouldn't have gone soft on you. No more Mr. Nice Guy. Light it up!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_splash_water</SE1>:There is a splash. A pungent smell seeps through the doorframe—gasoline.
NPC-Tony_AB(1)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:Wait! You said you'd let me go!
NPC-Tony_AB(1)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker><Shake>||<SE1>RunStep</SE1>:Let me out! Let me out!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_Door_Hit</SE1><震屏3>:Tony pounds the door. The Commander has already moved aside.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:Shuk—the sound of a match being struck.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_Fire_Bonfire</SE1><common_effect>%%code=CJ_fire%%</common_effect><白屏2>:Flames rise.
NPC-Tony_AB(1)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:Dammit!
()||<黑屏1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<黑屏2><关闭蒙版><BIN>9</BIN>:
()||<黑屏1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<BIN>750</BIN><SE1>RunStep</SE1><Night><黑点2>:Tony stumbles away from the burning entrance and sees the Commander calmly leaning against a table, watching him.
NPC-Tony_AB(1)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:Do something!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:The Commander eyes the panicking, pale-faced boy. For a moment, they consider saying nothing, but then they chuckle nonchalantly.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Save your energy. They're just waiting for us to break the door down. Cover your mouth, wait until they let their guard down—
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE2>Gunfight</SE2><震屏3>:Before they can finish, gunfire erupts outside.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_Door_Hit</SE1><震屏3>:Bang! The door bursts open.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:A young woman with long dark hair tied in a ponytail stands in the doorway. Four pale-haired girls are engaged in combat behind her.
AK12(0)<Speaker>???</Speaker>||:Focus fire!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<CGDelay>0.7</CGDelay><震屏3><SE1>AVG_2022Saros_SCARL3</SE1>:
()<Speaker>Gangster</Speaker>||:Bunch of busybodies...
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:The Commander studies the dark-haired woman. They don't recognize her, but the group's coordinated movements remind them of a name...
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:You're...
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_rifle_finalshot_n</SE1><CGDelay>0.2</CGDelay>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_rifle_finalshot_n</SE1><CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:
NPC-Ange(0)<Speaker>???</Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_rifle_finalshot_n</SE1>:Now's not the time for introductions. Got a gun?
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_weapon_reload</SE1>:She tosses them a UMP9 and joins the fray. Not bothering to check on Tony, who is still huddling in the corner, the Commander follows suit.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE2>Gunfight</SE2><震屏3><CGDelay>0.7</CGDelay>:
()||<黑屏1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<BGM>BGM_Empty</BGM><黑屏2><BIN>9</BIN>:
()||<黑屏1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<Night><BGM>BGM_TK_face</BGM><黑屏2><BIN>750</BIN>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:The gang is routed, and the fire is extinguished. Inside, the group finally sits down to talk.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Thanks for the save.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:If I'm not mistaken... you're Task Force DEFY?
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:The dark-haired woman raises an eyebrow but doesn't deny it.
NPC-Ange(0)<Speaker>Angelia</Speaker>||:Name's Angelia.
NPC-Ange(0)<Speaker>Commander</Speaker><同时置暗>||:A five-operator strike team known for taking tough contracts together—widely respected in the Dark Zone, but also rarely seen.
NPC-Ange(0)<Speaker>Angelia</Speaker>||:Rarely seen? I suppose.
NPC-Ange(0)<Speaker>Angelia</Speaker>||:We were passing through, heard the Sewer Rats was after a civvie and a operator, so we tracked the trail... showed up just in time.
NPC-Ange(0)<Speaker>Commander</Speaker><同时置暗>||:And thank goodness you did. I almost ate it right here.
AK12(0)<Speaker>Lucia</Speaker>||:Getting locked in a one-exit room? Not typical of a seasoned merc.
RPK16(0)<Speaker>Renate</Speaker>||:Taking a no-pay job? Not typical of seasoned operator either.
AK12(0)<Speaker>Lucia</Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:...
AN94(0)<Speaker>Antje</Speaker>||:So, that's the abducted kid?
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:Tony stands quietly in the shadows under the light, trying to disappear.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:I'll let him explain himself.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:I'm sorry! I really had no other choice! Please forgive me!
AN94(0)<Speaker>Antje</Speaker>||:What's going on?
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_XXS_kick</SE1>:Tony throws himself at the Commander's feet, smacking his forehead against the floor. Then he slumps back in a daze.
NPC-Tony_AB(1)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:I just...
NPC-Tony_AB(1)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:...Wanted to live...
RPK16(0)<Speaker>Renate</Speaker>||:So that's why you got locked in. You don't seem surprised.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:The Dark Zone's like that, isn't it?
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>Rope</SE1><SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:The Commander shrugs. Erwin, who has been silent until now, suddenly plucks Tony off the floor by the collar.
AK15(0)<Speaker>Erwin</Speaker>||:I'll teach him a lesson.
NPC-Ange(0)<Speaker>Angelia</Speaker>||:Erwin.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:Erwin releases him. Tony stumbles behind the Commander, cowering.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:...
RPK16(0)<Speaker>Renate</Speaker>||:You're letting him go?
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Let it be.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Betrayal, exploitation... might get him killed someday. Or maybe that's how you survive here in the Dark Zone.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||<CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:I'm in no place to be his judge.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:You can go.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:Tony scans the Commander's face for signs of anger or disappointment, but he is utterly calm—like it's nothing new.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>AVG_footsteps_woodfloor</SE1>:The others watch on as he makes for the door wordlessly.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>Stop_AVG_loop</SE1>:After several paces, he suddenly stops. He looks conflicted and hesitant.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:Finally, he turns back and presses something into the Commander's hand.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:I picked this up earlier. No idea where she got it from, but... my mom promised you a reward for saving me.
NPC-Tony_AB(0)<Speaker>Tony</Speaker>||:Take it.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:Without meeting their eyes, Tony mutters quickly and flees into the night.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:The Commander opens their hand. A droplet-shaped gold pendant gleams faintly in the dim light.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:I'm heading to Marulos next; got a job there. What about you all?
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:Angelia shakes her head, not answering the question.
NPC-Ange(0)<Speaker>Angelia</Speaker>||:We're done here. Maybe we'll meet again.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:...Take care.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:The Commander doesn't press further. Angelia and the rest of Task Force DEFY gather their gear and take their leave.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:At the door, Angelia pauses.
NPC-Ange(0)<Speaker>Angelia</Speaker>||:Oh, one more thing.
NPC-Ange(0)<Speaker>Commander</Speaker><同时置暗>||:Hm?
NPC-Ange(0)<Speaker>Angelia</Speaker>||:Betrayal and exploitation may be the norm here... but having teammates still beats being alone.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:...
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:She turns, waving goodbye.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:Ahead of her, Erwin is adjusting her gear in silence, Antje is consulting a map, and Renate has an arm thrown lazily over Lucia's shoulder.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Heh...
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:With a wry chuckle, the Commander glances at their watch.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||<CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:Still plenty to do tonight...
()||<黑屏1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<黑屏2><BIN>9</BIN>:
()||<黑屏1>:
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<BIN>168</BIN><黑屏2><CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay><关闭蒙版>:The next day.
()<Speaker>Town Resident</Speaker>||:Did you hear? Someone hit the Sewer Rats's villa by the river—tore the place apart! Serves 'em right!
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:The town has been bustling with gossip since the morning. Everyone is discussing the skirmish that took place the night before.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>ClothingUp</SE1>:A masked operative passes by the crowd unnoticed.
()<Speaker>Town Resident</Speaker>||:Whoever did it... I hope they don't get caught. Otherwise... sigh.
()<Speaker></Speaker>||:One hand in their pocket, the Commander toys with a string of metal tags—stamped with the Sewer Rats's insignia.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||:Too bad... job's done, but the client didn't make it...
()<Speaker></Speaker>||<SE1>Rope</SE1>:They adjust the gold pendant around their neck, tucking it deeper into their collar, and smiles wanly as they walk toward the crowd.
()<Speaker>Commander</Speaker>||<CGDelay>0.5</CGDelay>:Excuse me, how do I get to Marulos?
()||<黑点1>: