Inside the station, Yomogawa Ayame and the others showed signs of relief as they listened to the relentless gunfire outside.
"They're really clearing out the Kabane!"
"By the way, what about the surviving civilians? How do you plan to handle them?" Yomogawa Ayame asked with concern.
Marta shook her head calmly. "Not sure. That's the Army's business. It has nothing to do with us in Cipher Pol."
"This..."
Ayame bit her lip anxiously, her heart torn over the civilians. Just then, footsteps approached from behind. The group turned to see Amatori Biba, Ikoma, Mumei, and others being escorted over by another group of black-clad agents.
"Miss Ayame!"
"Ikoma!"
"Mumei's here too! Thank goodness you're all safe!"
The reunion of familiar faces from the 'Iron Fortress' lifted the mood, filling the air with lively chatter.
"You must be Dr. Shoei, the researcher studying the Kabane Virus, correct?"
Team Leader Ron, clad in the standard white lab coat of a researcher, immediately zeroed in on Dr. Shoei, who stood out despite his punk-style night-vision goggles. The loose white garment he wore was hard to miss.
"That's me. So you're from that so-called Biochemical Research Institute they mentioned?" Dr. Shoei eyed Ron before quickly adding, "Did you really create a 'Nue' that retained its consciousness?"
"'Nue'?" Ron looked puzzled.
"He's referring to Steve Gus. They seem to call Kabaneri with blue-glowing hearts 'Nue,'" Marta explained.
"Oh—" Ron chuckled in realization. "So that's what you call it? Not a bad name. Dean Fritz would probably like it."
"Indeed, Gus retained his consciousness. You'll see him soon enough."
Then, with an inviting smile, Ron said to Dr. Shoei, "By the way, I heard there's another blue Kabane Heart here. Mind showing it to me? We could chat a bit while we're at it."
"Sure!"
Dr. Shoei agreed without hesitation. He was desperate to learn more—what exactly was the World Government? What was this Biochemical Research Institute? How had they preserved the 'Nue's' consciousness?
Compared to these questions, his former employer, Amatori Biba, meant nothing to him now.
The key was that this new organization, the World Government, was clearly far more powerful than the Hunter Group. If they were willing to support his Kabane Virus research, he'd gladly switch employers!
"Now we just have to wait for Laskey and Steve Gus to bring that 'Nue' over. Ugh, I can't wait to get back to base and soak in a nice hot bath..."
Marta stretched lazily, her movements exuding a seductive charm that drew the eyes of nearly every man present. Even the usually innocent Ikoma and Kurusu blushed and looked away.
This earned an exasperated eye-roll from Mumei, Ayame, Yukina, and the other women nearby.
But even they had to admit Marta's outfit and figure were undeniably alluring—her slightest motion was enough to fluster the more conservative among them.
Only Amatori Biba remained silent, his gaze fixed on the station's exit as he intently listened to the chaotic gunfire outside.
"Marta."
At this moment, Laskey and the others finally arrived, with Steve Gus carrying the unconscious Horobi in a princess carry.
"You're finally here!" Marta exclaimed joyfully.
"Team Leader!"
"Team Leader!"
The four CP9 members who had remained at the station quickly greeted them. Laskey nodded at them but didn't say any words of consolation like "you've worked hard" or "glad you're safe."
Truth be told, in this Kabane World, nothing except 'Black Smoke' and 'Nue' could really threaten them.
"Ah, a perfect 'Nue'!"
Suddenly, Dr. Shoei's excited voice rang out from the front of the 'Steel Fortress.' Team Leader Ron stood behind him, looking both amused and exasperated, before the doctor abruptly jumped off the train without another word.
"This personality really reminds me of Dr. Fritz a bit."
Dr. Shoei quickly ran up to Steve Gus, examining him curiously from head to toe, with particular focus on the glowing blue heart in his chest, his neck, and his pupils.
"You didn't use Shackles to block the left carotid artery's blood flow? How did you prevent the virus from invading your brain? And you're actually male?!"
"Huh?"
"Of course I'm male. Being a man is great," Steve Gus replied nonchalantly, shrugging. "As for the virus, you just have to control the blood flow.
"At first, you can't sleep too deeply, but I've gotten used to it. It's become instinctual, so it's no big deal now."
Dr. Shoei gaped at him, utterly speechless, three golden question marks practically floating above his head. He thought to himself, What nonsense is this guy spouting? Controlling blood flow? And making it instinctual?
But then he remembered the giant whose body could turn into wind and sand, and suddenly felt this must be some kind of incredible biochemical technology.
"It seems I must join this World Government. This is far too fascinating..." As for whether it was an organization rebelling against the Shogunate—what did that have to do with him?
"Alright, time to go!"
After exchanging a few quiet words with Marta, Laskey adjusted his dark red sunglasses and stepped forward, his tone cold as he reminded them, "This place has nothing to do with us anymore. We're returning to base immediately."
But then, Yomogawa Ayame stepped forward, bowing her head sincerely as she made a request.
"Esteemed sir, I am the current administrator of Yomokawa Station. There are still many civilians we brought with us inside the city. May we take them aboard the 'Iron Fortress'? And the survivors of Iwahato Station here—I believe they will also need our leadership and management."
"Lady Ayame!" Samurai Kurusu's expression changed.
"That's right! Sukari, Takumi, Kajika, and Mr. Kibito are all still in the city. We can't just leave them behind!" Ikoma shouted.
Laskey shot Ikoma a cold glare and snorted, "Shut up. You don't get a say here."
His gaze then shifted to Yomogawa Ayame's delicate face, which carried an Eastern grace yet was filled with unmistakable sincerity and determination. In his eyes, this girl's status was entirely different from Ikoma's.
The former was an orphaned leader who cared deeply for her people, possessed a pure heart, and held significant political value as a regional administrator. The latter was just an ordinary Kabaneri.
"The civilians will be handled by the Army, but I can help you contact the higher-ups at the base. If they refuse, you'll have to comply."
After a moment of contemplation, Laskey gave this response, which made Ayame and the others show expressions of both joy and nervousness.
The former shook his head slightly, took out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket, picked up the receiver on its back, and turned the dial a few times—a process that once again drew curious gazes from the group.
After a few "Pururu Pururu" sounds, the call was quickly answered.
"Hello?"
"This is Laskey of CP9. We're preparing to bring all key targets back to the base, but the female administrator named Yomogawa Ayame wishes to—"
Laskey proceeded to explain the situation in detail in front of everyone. After listening, Senior Director Addison laughed and said, "That's fine!"
"Ah, wonderful!" Ayame, Ikoma, Mumei, and the others were overjoyed.
"Miss Yomogawa Ayame and those few ordinary civilians can stay there to help the Army manage the civilians. The people will likely trust them more, which will greatly aid in maintaining order."
Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi's tone turned serious. "However, Dr. Shoei, Amatori Biba, and those Kabaneri must be brought back to the base immediately—no room for negotiation!"