Chapter 31, Revalation and Disaster Prevention

Chapter 31, Revalation and Disaster Prevention

The general seemed happy with the situation, although, for some reason, Craig seemed a bit He was off in the corner, clutching at his arm, hissing curses between ragged breaths. Gerald helpfully informed Kreig that when Craig (confidently) approached him after he defeated the wyrm, Kreig had wasted no time in attacking him, though the punch had missed. Even then, despite missing by several inches, the air force from the blow had been enough to shatter Craigs arm.

Somehow, Kreig couldnt muster any pity for him.

General sighs of relief could be heard from both here and there as people relaxed. Not everyone had evacuated, and these few civilians could now be heard laughing and crying, hugging in relief. It was a lovely, human scene of joy, and yet Kreig couldnt enjoy it. He could remember in his early days as the captain of the royal guard, when defeating a dangerous foe and bringing back its head could rouse such immense emotion in civilians, and he used to enjoy it immensely.

Gratitude. Now, he felt none.

The general spoke widely and openly about how this was good news for the organization, and that it proved this-or-that. Nothing about how it was a good thing the monster was dead, or anything along those lines. The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Just another job. He was led back to the helicopter without any further ado, where he was strapped in beside Frank (though Craig had mysteriously disappeared).

Things got strange once they returned to the Other Island. For the first time, Kreig saw Darius in the meagre light of the sun, and not on the other side of the window, either. He stood there, arms folded behind his back, a lab-geek on each of his side. Awaiting Kreigs return. Until he stepped out of the helicopter, he didnt know why.

Darius gave a rare, out-of-character smile. Kreig! General Thunderhead! You return as heroes, do you? Something felt off, but Kreig couldnt understand what. Then, Darius eyes fell on Gerald where he stood, escorted by soldiers in a pair of cuffs. What in the-? General, is there a reason for the innocent child to be in cuffs?

Huh? The generals eyes went wide. Why shouldnt he be? Hes a prisoner! To be brought along as a hostage in case-,

Now it was Darius turn to become bewildered. General, that is Did you even take the time to read the entire order?! The boy was to be brought along as emotional support in case the battle took a psychological toll on Inmate Wiedemann! On Kreig. Not as some sort of mind-game hostage! What youve done has not only been an extreme ignorance of orders, but also a sabotage of our efforts to gain Kreigs trust!

Sir-, doctor Darius, thats

Dont you dare. I personally overviewed this hasty order! And nowhere did it so much as mention for such an action to be performed! I would be deeply impressed if you managed to evade the courts. Otherwise, Darius said, suddenly turning to Gerald, who remained trembling and chained. Sir Speerhalter. Forgive the generals unacceptable treatment of you. As of today, we assure you, you are no longer a prisoner.

A man at the edge of the table spoke. Even then, sir, I retain my belief that unless a monster is above the level of 700, we must abstain from forcing him into combat. The effect it has on his psyche is clearly detrimental and must be avoided, Dr Darius Falk explained.

Really, he had no place among these men, but as Kreig Wiedemanns head observer and a qualified psychologist, his presence was widely accepted.

Of course, there is no doubt of that. Should Kreig Wiedemanns mental state for any reason degenerate, his status may need to be changed from Dormant Threat Grade X to Active Threat Grade X. Should he so much as mention a wish to personally become a Fighter or do anything of the sort, you will personally shut his endeavours down. This is one of the many reasons we have agreed to your proposition of acting as Kreig Wiedemanns personal psychotherapist during his release and return to society. Is that clear, Dr Darius Falk?

Yessir. Im grateful, sir, Darius replied.

Furthermore, we have also decided that Kreig Wiedemann is to be released in two days, though his isolation will continue for these days. Covertly find reasons to use the speakers when possible. Tomorrow evening, explain his situation and how he will be treated and what benefits he will be granted. Gain his trust and continue to refer to him by his first name, Sir Reiker said. You are hereby dismissed.

Thank you, sir, Darius said as he stood up, leaving the room without any wait. Hed gotten what he wanted, and he was ecstatic. Not only had his petition to release Inmate Wiedemann sooner than later been accepted, but his idea of having himself act as Inmate Wiedemanns personal psychiatrist had also gone through, too!

The reasons he gave for it had been manipulative and selfish in nature. If Kreig Wiedemann can open up to me, I will be able to better understand the state of his mind and what missions he is able to fulfil. I can keep an eye on him at all times. Hell trust OICRO better.

But his true intentions were far less focused on the good of the world, and more so on improving Inmate Wiedemanns own psychic health. Sure, his new family and Speerhalter (who would otherwise find education and housing in the same city Inmate Wiedemann would live in, funny coincidence) would do plenty and be a great help for his personal improvements, but in the end, they knew next to nothing about how to actually care for him. Darius himself was no wiser, but he at least knew better how to care for a man experiencing PTSD and other trauma-and-stressor related mental disorders.

To him, it was an act of personal kindness to help Inmate Wiedemann. To IOCRO, it was an act of international disaster prevention.

It wasnt just about making sure Kreig didnt become an active threat, it was also about preventing any future disasters by using him as a reusable nuke. It was a terribly inhuman reason that treated Inmate Wiedemann like an object rather than a human, but if it saved lives, IOCRO couldnt care less about the actual damage he took psychologically (so long as it had no effect on the world in turn).

In was a thin line to tread, but they treaded it well.

And now, it was time to prepare Inmate Wiedemanns release.