Alterin Saga: Biohazard
Episode 29: The sound of the freezing wind

Bill... was it in 49938?! How come?

Rave brought the photo closer to his face to make sure. Right, that's a hundred percent of Bill's face. In the photo, Bill is wearing Flemington State military attire. The photo contains not only soldiers, but also presidents and even young scientists.

Bill...are you hiding something from us?

A bus arrives at the terminal, disembarking all passengers who are about to rest or arrive at their destination. Miko came down with a pale face, assisted by Sixth who was about to rest. They walked to the rest area and bought drinks.

"Where are you going after this?" sixth asked while unsealing the bottle of drink.

"I'm here to find my old friend. It's been a year, but we haven't told each other."

"Oh, huh? What's your friend like?"

Miko thought for a moment, "People who are innocent, sentimental, and a little stupid."

"Hey, hey, you can't say that—"

"But somehow the world chose him as a special person. He lives without knowing who his parents are, or who his family are. It's really unfortunate, but it makes me jealous."

"Why are you jealous?"

"Because he can live freely, and can solve problems quickly," Miko recalled the situation while still living in her old apartment.

"He's brave, desperate to do anything for someone he just met" A flash of memory of Rave saving Bill pops into his head.

Sixth was silent for a moment. Then he finished his drink without saying a word.

"Then, goodbye. Thank you for accompanying me to this town," Miko shook Sixth's hand and left.

But...

...---...

Jin was done tidying things up in his old room, at his parents' house. But unlike most people, Jin immediately turned on his work laptop and sent someone an email.

*captain, this is Sergeant Jin Dalton. I've been investigating the suspect.

"How did it go*?" the email got an answer immediately.

Exactly as expected. Targets found. I will send evidence data from my observations.

Jin sent a folder from his laptop. Then no other e-mail appeared in 3 minutes. Till...

"*Data has been confirmed. Good job, Sergeant Jin. With this, we will send the Artemis Army to Alexander Rave. So."

Glad to help, captain*.

...---...

A man in a black fedora hat was buying a drink from a Vending Machine on the side of the road. He put in a piece of 5 Grand money and picked out a can of beer.

At first glance he stared at the news of the local newspaper containing the Artemis Army. He read it from a distance quickly because he did not want to buy it.

"The Artemis army will be deployed to secure the Western District today. One of the captains in charge in the District will lead activity—"

"Hey, if you want to read it, please buy it."

Apparently the man was found out. He quickly picked up his beer and immediately turned around. Leaving the newspaper suitcase that scolded him.

...---...

"Eh? Isn't that..." Miko stared at the familiar figure in the distance. The figure was enjoying canned coffee near the terminal counter.

"Rave's? You're that?" Miko waved her hand.

Rave, who was still busy with his thoughts and coffee, did not hear Miko's voice like a kitten. He asked the counter guard, "When was this photo taken?"

"About 28 years ago. Jesus, it's the newspaper of the famous editor of his time, Lawchest's. I used to dream of working there, but it's impossible."

"Why?"

"Because they went bankrupt about 25 years ago."

"How did that happen? Isn't that a famous editor? Impossible to lose a customer."

"Disappeared? You mean kidnapped?"

"Some think so. But it makes no sense if there is no ransom. After the company went bankrupt, the employees were arrested for alleged money-embezzlement cases. Well, that's one of the reasons, anyway."

Hmm. interesting. There are many things that are likely to have a relationship with Projects. I need to find more information. After that—

"Really true!" Rave was too preoccupied with his thoughts to realize that Miko had been standing in front of him, "You're Rave, right? It's really you, isn't it?"

Rave just took a quick glance at it then swept back the (again) dirty terminal area and a lot of trash. Like it wasn't Miko.

"Hey! Don't ignore me!" Miko stomped her feet. Rave stopped sweeping and looked at him.

"Sorry, miss. I'm working on it. Or maybe she wants to give me another job? Here's his business card. Call sometime," Rave gave a card from his pocket. Miko received it in a daze and somehow, her eyes immediately read the card.

Act like you don't know each other on missions, because it can be dangerous—Sora

Miko understood and immediately said, "Ah, alright. Sorry to bother you. Then I'll call you later."

Behind that card, there's Rave's cell phone number. Miko knew it because she memorized the Rave's habits. He then went straight to the toilet.

The toilet is empty. Good circumstances to speak are important. Miko walks into one of the rooms and calls Rave.

"Hey, you! What are you doing here? What the hell with that uniform and broom?! Aren't you working for a company or something?!"

"For someone new to come, your question is too chained. The company caught fire, I got out and ended up working at this terminal as a janitor. What are you doing here, Miko? Don't you know the news?"

"News? What news?"

"The Artemis army will be combing this district. More precisely, quarantine until everyone is declared clean and not Projects. Your arrival here is wrong."

"What?! There was nothing like that before."

"Indeed. I don't know because they started doing it on a regular basis. Or maybe..."

"What?"

"Or maybe they've realized that there are projects in this district."

Tut—

The call just stopped. There was a faint sound of sirens coming from outside. Not police, ambulance, or fire department sirens. Cyrine disaster.

"They've come."

...---...

The man in the hat arrived at the terminal. In front of him, Alexander Rave was standing without the slightest trepidation and putting on the face of a normal person.

Behind the man, there were several trucks filled with combat-ready troops and complete weaponry. The symbol of the Artemis Army is engraved on the body of each truck.

The man walked up to Rave and dropped his beer can on purpose. Then he asked, "Are you a man named Alexander Rave?"

But Rave remained calm and instead replied, "Sorry, sir. Please respect me who's been sweeping all day. This trash will litter the terminal area."

"Ah, sorry. Please respect us too. Because we've been tracking you for a year. Trash like you will tarnish this country. I'm asking you once again, are you a man named Alexander Rave?"

"Sorry, sir. If you want to find people, you're in the wrong place."

The man paused for a moment, "Right. I shouldn't have asked a scavenger like you. Hey, ask this terminal manager. Is there anyone named Alexander Rave, and please show me which one."

One of the troops immediately ran towards the terminal office. Silence, not even birds chirping. The sound of vehicles and buses stopped as if frightened by the hundreds of trained troops surrounding the terminal.

"That's the guy!"

Rave instantly reacted and put up the horses, he instantly froze the area within a radius of 100 meters from him. The temperature drops so much that no water does not freeze.

The man leapt back and resisted the burst of freezing wind from the Rave. The entire troop truck instantly froze and died instantly. The battle atmosphere instantly ventured out strongly.

"Yes, I'm Alexander Rave. Project 01, Ice Naraka!" rave said amid the freezing wind explosion.

He was cornered, and it was time to fight against the world.