Story Reader / Affection / No. 21: Feral / Story

All of the stories in Punishing: Gray Raven, for your reading pleasure. Will contain all the stories that can be found in the archive in-game, together with all affection stories.

No. 21: Feral I

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Changing out the culture solution... adjusting the temperature... recording growth...

You tick off items on your morning to-do list one by one.

You put away your terminal and start toward the door, which opens before you reach it.

Phew, there you are, Gray Raven Commandant.

The greenhouse manager hurries in looking like she just ran, her forehead covered in sweat.

I hope I didn't interrupt you.

Oh, the flowers aren't out yet? It is harder to get them to flower on a growth medium. Looks like we might have to adjust the conditions a bit... Haha... ha...

She glances at you and then at a pot of white flower bud as if trying to ease her anxiety.

It's been a few days since you started working with this particular researcher, but the way she acts makes it seem as though you've just met. She used to be in Babylonia and rarely interacted with the Task Force.

Oh... that's great... Hahaha...

Oh... actually, um... I wanted to... There's, um... another task I wanted to ask you to...

She stutters in a hesitant voice, as if trying to decide if she should ask.

...Never mind, actually. I can't just ask you for help all the time, can I...

I will be away for a few days. You can go to the other managers if you need anything.

After hesitating for the last time, she gives up with a hopeless face.

Yep, you've heard of the building plans for the Clean Zone?

This is part of it. It is an important strategic plan, so don't underestimate it.

We've been short of hands for a while now... So before automation is installed, they'll need helpers.

Says Celica with a "you-caught-my-drift-there" look.

The manager has never been to Earth or had any contact with the Task Force, plus... she's somewhat timid with strangers.

So we wanted to send someone who's more easy-going.

Just think of it as alleviating her stress. Please?

Remembering what Celica said before you left, you call out to the manager.

Huh...?

...Sorry... I've always imagined the Task Force to be cold-blooded, emotionless fighters... I thought you weren't happy with the tasks we've asked you to do...

The manager becomes emotional all of a sudden and starts stuttering.

I can't believe you're willing to help me. I'm so thankful.

That's what everyone says... But anyways, I'll fill you in on the details on our way there.

You walk with the manager through the facilities still under construction toward the office.

Yes. The current staff is barely enough to maintain the greenhouse.

We have nobody to do fieldwork like soil sampling, plant sample collection, and ecosystem study.

I wanted to have a few extra hands to handle the fieldwork, so I applied for temporary assistants to keep the greenhouse running.

Once the greenhouse automation is up and running, we can start processing samples ASAP.

I submitted the application... It was approved... And backup has arrived... but...

The manager stops mid-sentence as if she's about to say something scary.

They sent us Cerberus, that bloodthirsty beast with murderous tendencies.

The Cerberus has always been known for their extreme ways, but this is definitely an overstatement.

Before you could explain anything, the manager goes on in an agitated tone.

I heard they'd put a knife to your throat at the slightest disagreement.

And put an excess amount of explosives but leave no time for you to get out of range?

And that ghastly white monster raised to kill with a smile like death?

It hits you that her descriptions aren't too far from the truth.

Just how in the world can anyone work with people like that?! I plan on teaching at the Center of Public Education when I retire!

So I wanted to ask you to help me out, since you're in the Task Force, too, but I didn't want to put all the burden on you.

I heard that even the Task Force is scared of them. Is that true?

She freezes at the office door with sweat dripping down her forehead.

You can still refuse... but once I open this door, there's no going back... Now, on the count of three...

Three...

Just when you are about to tell her that you know the members of Cerberus, the door is crashed open from the inside.

Ah! Help! Help!

The manager takes a step back to avoid being rammed into by the metal door, but trips and falls backward.

A short, slim figure moves past you quickly behind the manager to support her.

Thank you...

Having been supported from behind, the manager calms down and holds her hand to her chest.

She turns her head to see a ghastly white face with her prosthetic eye showing an image of shattered snowflakes.

Manager, asking for help.

Are there enemies that I didn't detect?

No. 21 scans your surroundings with a menacing look for the non-existent enemies.

The manager stares at the sharp fangs a few inches from her own throat before looking at you with tears in her eyes.

H-help...

?

Standing up from No. 21 with your support, the manager immediately hides behind you.

Hmm...

After hearing your words, No. 21 confirms the safety of the surroundings in her own way.

All clear.

No. 21 turns to look behind your back at the manager, who immediately hides away upon noticing her gaze.

I am sorry.

I detected a familiar scent but didn't notice there were other people.

I will be more careful next time.

Please pay no attention to me. Just ignore me like I am an insignificant shrub!

Looks like this manager who is "somewhat timid with strangers" got a good scare from the close interaction with No. 21 just now.

Okay, I got it, shrub.

I didn't mean to ask you to call me that, though...

The manager quietly murmurs her complaint behind you.

Captain said I should find work to do, so I'm here.

Huh... wait... You two know each other? Why was I even worried about you?

She sounds as if she's been betrayed.

Yeah, we're close.

You and No. 21 reply the same thing at almost exactly the same time, prompting you to turn to look at No. 21.

Her white outfit has been replaced by a black one, her upright ears and long tail are also signs that she is now a different No. 21 than before.

Completely different from how she used to be, the No. 21 standing before you now has found her unique colors.

Yeah, we're close.

You and No. 21 reply at almost exactly the same time. Hearing your answer, No. 21 reveals her fangs.

Panicked, you try to explain.

You smell the same, [player name]. I'll never forget how you smell.

I became stronger, but you haven't grown one bit, [player name].

You seem to feel a little pride from No. 21's words.

I know you well, so you also need to know me well, [player name].

Mission. We finish together.

Under the hot sun, the little pup sends out her invitation.

It isn't until now that you realize the biggest change in No. 21.

She is much more active.

Excuse me...

The manager's quiet voice sounds from behind.

Shouldn't we go over the details of the mission first?