1
[...On Halloween afternoon.]
[In the Griffin base.]

[P7 walks dejectedly through the parade square, with a Dinergate following carefully behind her.]

P7
Ahhhh, seriously! I’m so mad!
Hey, do you think this prank was too tame? Or did I choose the wrong person? What’s a prank if nobody reacts to it!?

[The Dinergate raises its head to look at P7’s angry face, and its camera lens shrinks and expands with a quiet whir.]

P7
I’ve had the feeling that something was spying on me all afternoon...
Urgh… If only I could see where the enemy was looking from on my minimap… I need to ask the Commander to put that function in…
Ah, we’re home.

[...In the Doll dorms.]
[P7 throws herself onto her bed and pulls out her tactical tablet, scrolling boredly through one window after another.]

P7
What the heck is this...
“The recent outbreak of the new type of USO infectious disease has apparently claimed the lives of several humans humans already. The cause and transmission of the disease is still under investigation, and currently the only information known is…”

[...At the same time]
[At the base parade square.]

Welrod
“...The only information known is that infected humans manifest large, brightly-colored blotches on their bodies.”
Hmm… this seems most dire.

[Welrod frowns as she reads the words displayed on the tactical tablet. ]
[P90 — who is manning the position with her — peers over to look from the side.]

P90
Whatcha you looking at?
Oh, it’s a news article that MDR posted on Grifchan, which means it’s most likely fake…
I mean, look at how she’s going, “there’s a fear that Dolls might get infected too” with a perfectly straight face. How could Dolls catch human illnesses? What a silly girl.

[Welrod turns, transfixing P90 with a stern look.]

Welrod
That is not true. Have you not realized it yet, P90?

[Welrod drags P90 to their workstation. P90 doesn’t quite understand, but she looks out at the base parade square with Welrod.]

Welrod
Look, over there, and there, and behind there too!

[Welrod suddenly exclaims quietly and her finger jabs out at several positions.]

P90
What’s that… huh?
Why does everyone have those weird, colorful patches on their bodies? Is this some kind of prank makeup for Halloween?

Welrod
Hah... are you even looking at anything when you stand sentry…
In any case, something is not quite right here… although I agree that it seems unlikely that Dolls can catch human diseases.
Still, we cannot rule out the possibility of some wicked conspiracy either; we need to act like serious detectives—

P90
Welrod, quick! Ccome take a look at this!

[P90 pushes her tablet into Welrod’s face before the latter can finish.]

Welrod
…!
These replies...

[Welrod’s face blanches as she looks at the messages on the tablet.]
[Just then, Welrod hears hurried footsteps drawing closer to herself.]

Spitfire
Welrod, something bad’s happened!

Welrod
What’s the situation? Take your time, no need to—

Spitfire
It’s 75! Big Sis 75’s been... Welrod, did you see MDR’s post on Grifchan?
A lot of people replied about how these colored spots suddenly appeared on them, and MDR said it must be that new disease…

[Welrod scrolls down on her tactical tablet.]

Welrod
Mm, I saw those pictures too…
Some people replied that a drone bumped into them, and they found those spots on them after being sent to the treatment room. Others said that they found all kinds of spots on them after finishing simulator training…
Tch, Miss WA2000 was affected as well? Apparently the Commander asked her about the spots on her body while she was giving a report...

P90
Hah! How did FAMAS end up this way? She said that she sprouted these colorful spots after patrolling the warehouses on the east side of the base—

Spitfire
These aren't important! The important thing is that I saw a picture from Big Sis 75 in there! What should I do, 75's been infected...
Don't, don't tell me she's going to be written off...

Welrod
Spitfire, calm down!

[Welrod briefly reproaches Spitfire, and then her tone softens.]

Welrod
I saw those pictures as well. It seems like we have no choice but to accept MDR’s conjecture.
That said, I have no idea exactly how this dark shadow spread to the base...

P90
I know! Surely some source of evil snuck in and then spread its tentacles of terror everywhere!

Spitfire
Evil… what was that about tentacles?

Welrod
She is saying that a human must have served as the source of infection and made contact with everyone.
That line of thinking makes sense. Now, as for the humans on the base...

Spitfire
Could it be Miss Kalin?

P90
Miss Kalin hasn’t been in the base for the past couple of days. Apparently she’s gone for some kind of business fair.

Welrod
So apart from Miss Kalin...

Spitfire
The only other human who’s still in the base is...

P90
...Wait a minute! Do you mean… the Commander?

[Welrod nods slightly.]

Welrod
The Commander has also been interacting often with humans from the outside recently… Hm, in that case, it all makes sense.
Spitfire, did the Commander not praise CZ75 last night for her great success on an operation?

Spitfire
That’s right, that’s Big Sis 75 for you!

[Welrod falls silent for a while, and then turns to P90.]

Welrod
P90, sentry duty is cancelled for the time being. By the power invested in me as today’s security team leader, I hereby pass down the following secret orders to you—
Proceed immediately to the database and find everything you can regarding human infectious diseases, then contact the medical team and find some way to exorcise the demonic marks which are afflicting everyone!
Take note, all these must be done in secrecy!

P90
Understood!

Welrod
Spitfire, I will help everyone solve this problem.
Things being what they are now, we must secretly quarantine the source of this evil… no, I mean, the Commander has to be temporarily quarantined, lest more of our fellows fall victim to this malady…!

Spitfire
Wait, Welrod! I’m going too!
I want to do my part for 75!

Welrod
That is fine too.
Now then, we shall act as a Secret Special Search Team until the end of today. Move out!

[...Close to evening.]
[In the Griffin command room.]

Spitfire
Welrod, the Commander just said… something about being certain about not being sick...

Commander
I'm not sick! Really, I'm not!

Spitfire
Hm? Is it me, or is the Commander wailing from inside the secret room?

Welrod
Mm, I do feel sorry for the Commander… to think a person could shout so loudly that even their voice changed...

[Welrod places an electronic keycard on the command terminal.]

Welrod
I did not expect that the secret chamber of the command room would end up being used in a situation like this…
Just in case, let us leave the keycard here. Until the matter is settled, we will just have to impose upon the Commander—

？？？
My, aren’t we free and easy.

[The 3D projector on the command terminal suddenly lights up, but it doesn’t display the speaker.]

Spitfire
This voice is…!

Welrod
It is Architect… but how? Where did a beaten dog like you obtain the authorization to make a transmission?

Architect
Hey! Calling me a beaten dog makes it sound so bad! Surely I count as the base's mascot or something, right?

Spitfire
...I have no interest in the position you have given yourself.

Architect
Aw, you're boring, little miss. Today's Halloween! It's a festive occasion! I thought you'd be friendlier to me…

Welrod
Don't change the subject! Tell me, how did you hack into our communications?

Architect
My, aren't we strict... You were using my digimind data for training today, remember? So what happened? Is there some crisis in the Griffin base? It must be so embarrassing for you to mess up like this, teehee.

Welrod
Tch… We were careless, everyone was in a panic earlier, and we only just...

Architect
Oho? So you elite Dolls are just as dumb as me... no, wait, my brain's pretty good…

Spitfire
Well, at least we locked up the Commander. Welrod, let's go—

Architect
Heehee, you even locked up the Commander and you think you can control the “outbreak” like that?
I doubt you can even keep outsiders from sneaking in amidst the confusion.

Spitfire
What do you know about the disease!?

Architect
Well, I accidentally learned about it~ This afternoon's transmissions were a mess, everyone was making such a racket that I didn't have the time to take a nap…

Welrod
...Do you think we would not dare to delete your digimind data?

Architect
Heh, how did you know?
Still, what can you pitiful Griffin Dolls do without the Commander’s orders?
Honestly, I can’t believe I actually got locked up by Dolls like you… it makes me mad just thinking about it!

Welrod
Explain yourself!

[Whum— whum—]
[Before Welrod can finish, alarms suddenly ring throughout the base.]

Architect
Oh my, it seems they’re here sooner than I expected.

Spitfire
These signals… they’re SF!

Welrod
Architect! You knew about this beforehand? Why didn't you say anything!?

Architect
I can’t believe you’re still barking at me… if you had been just a bit more polite, things wouldn’t have ended up like this, you know.

Welrod
Dammit, they actually broke in while security’s at its weakest…
Spitfire, contact M1919A4 and Type 79; start by taking care of the peons and minimise the impact of the battle.
As for you, Architect… I will settle things with you later!



2
[...Slightly earlier that evening.]
[In the Doll dorms.]

[P7 carefully peeps out through the gaps in the curtains to see what's going on outside. This is probably the busiest — or perhaps the most chaotic that the base has been in P7's memory...]

P7
Uwah! FF FNC's so daring, she looted all that chocolate from the warehouses during the confusion!
Hey, hurry up and run! Ahhh, no, don't pick up the chocolates you dropped, Makarov's going to corner you!
...Ah, Makarov cornered her... holy crap, FF FNC's awesome, she actually smashed Vector right in the face with her chocolates as she was running up to catch her!
...No, no, why am I getting all excited about this?

[P7 paces back and forth inside her room, her eyes fixed on the tactical tablet in front of her as she rapidly refreshes the threads on the screen.]

MDR
"It's chaos as far as the eye can see outside, sick Dolls are running around everywhere and refusing treatment!”
"Oho, isn't that SAT8? Did she think people wouldn't see her if she hid behind a pumpkin? Well, ladies and gentlemen, the vanguard of the treatment team P90 has just smashed the pumpkin and captured SAT8 with lightning speed!"
"And now my drone's got footage of F1 trying to escape on a broom! Such foolishness; Type 64's giving chase on a broom of her own! F1 accelerates, F1 turns, F1 crashes into a pillar! She'll have to come in quietly for treatment now!"
"Ah! While Type 64 was dragging F1 away, she collided with Bren in mid-air! Bren's trying to escape with F1! They're picking up speed! Will F1 be able to catch them at the next intersection!?"
"Stay tuned for live coverage from the scene! And quit interrupting me while I'm posting! I expect a gift from all of you who cut in!"

???
"Stop adding fuel to the fire, MDR! Don't catch me! I've worked for the base and bled for it, you can't take me away!"

MDR
"We've locked onto the IP of the post above this one! Let's go, P90! Hehe, goodbye my friend, it's all for the safety of the base…”

P7
What, what’s going on, is there an outbreak of some plague inside the base…
The threads on Grifchan sound really scary, what does it mean to be taken in by P90’s team for treatment? Don’t tell me they’re going to scrap the infected Dolls! Why are Miss Springfield and Miss IWS going around helping P90 catch people...
And everyone outside has scary looks on their faces... Uuu, I don't want to catch that disease...

[P7 lowers her head to look at her hands. She tries tugging at her sleeves to cover up her arms, but after a long while, she resigns herself and gives up.]

P7
Miss Kalin’s private stock is really scary…
I can’t wash it off no matter what I do, why do humans buy things like these?

[P7 plops her butt down on the bed and sighs.]

P7
If I go out like this, they’ll think I’m an infected Doll and catch me, and then they’ll take out my core… Uuu…
Wait, I’ve got it! I’ll go ask the Commander! Surely the Commander will know how to deal with this weird disease!

[Beep… beep…]

P7
What’s going on, why isn’t the Commander picking up?
…
Hm? Wait a minute… what’s this…?

[...Back to this afternoon.]
[In a corner of the base’s parade square.]

Spitfire
Whew... it's hard going with just the two of us.
I didn't expect that M1919A4 would grab Type 79 after she came out from the fitting room; turns out Type 79 was also infected, and then M1919A4 started whining about taking Type 79 to the treatment room...

Welrod
Fortunately, they only broke through the outer perimeter… in any case, we took care of them in secret, so everyone else in the base probably has not found out about the SF incursion.

[Just as Welrod and the others are about to head back to the command center to cut off Architect’s access, their communicators ring.]

Architect
Heehee, taken care of them?

Welrod
Damn you, how dare you collaborate with the enemy!

Architect
What are you saying, Welrod? You can't keep slandering your mascot, you know?
Besides, I’m locked up in your database. Even talking to you today was simple chance.


Welrod
Fret not, your exile into endless silence shall resume forthwith.

Architect
Ehhhh? Take it easy, I’ve got some interesting news for you. Wanna hear it?

Welrod
News? So you WERE in cahoots with the enemy!

Architect
Ahhh, let me finish, dammit!
Honestly, I’m referring to the situation in your base.

Spitfire
…! You mean, Big Sis 75’s condition!

Architect
Hehe, looks like you’re pretty quick on the uptake, my fair lady.
Who knows… you might be able to find some clues related to this weird sickness.

Welrod
If you think I am going to believe a filthy Sangvis—

[Spitfire glances at Welrod, and lightly shakes her head.]

Welrod
...Speak.

Architect
Hey… work your smart little artificial heads a little and think about why Griffin would be suddenly attacked by scattered SF forces.

Spitfire
....Don’t tell me there’s a new SF base nearby?

Architect
I... wouldn’t know about that.
However, there’s an “Alchemist” in SF, and I’m pretty familiar with her.

Spitfire
You mean the SF ringleader who killed herself?

Architect
Yep, she was always using weird methods to interrogate the enemy, a really annoying character...
That said, although Alchemist’s already gone BOOM, I’m thinking that there might be one or two dummies of her left behind in SF. It would hardly be unusual.

[Welrod and Spitfire briefly exchange looks.]

Spitfire
So what do you get out of telling us all this?

Architect
Who knows? Maybe I gain something, maybe I don’t.
Still, watching you all make fools of yourself... well, it was amusing, at least.
...Whoa, wait a minute, I sounded really cool with that last line, just like a movie villain who knows what's actually going on! Don't you agree?


Spitfire
....Based on what you just said, can I assume that the information you just provided was fake?

Architect
And to think I praised you for being smart just now, little lady, why did you become stupid again?
Watching you blunder around in response to this illness has been amusing enough for me, so you can consider that information to be your payment

[Spitfire silently chambers a round].

Architect
Waitwaitwait! Fine, I'll tell you, I'll tell you…
What I'm saying is, watching you blunder around in response to this illness has been amusing enough for me, so you can consider that information to be your payment.

[Spitfire is silent for several seconds.]

Spitfire
We can’t fully trust what Architect says, since she’s SF at her core… but it’s true that some SF mooks made it into the base. Perhaps we might really be able to find their lair nearby—

Welrod
Correct, this requires investigation.
As for the name “Alchemist”... it sounds just like the source of the disease!

Spitfire
...While I don’t quite understand your logic...
In any case, please give us your orders, Leader!

[At the same time.]
[In the command center’s secret room.]

Commander
Are you doing all this to settle a personal score?

Architect
...Do you think that's what this is all about?

Commander
Why else would you mention Alchemist? All the information I have seems to say you're just a brainlet who only knows how to blow things up.

Architect
W-what? Your information on me needs an update! Hurry up and put the line "Architect is a graceful and well-behaved lady who is also an intellectual" in there!

Commander
Sure, I'll do it once I get out of here. Besides, you haven't answered my question yet.

Architect
Now what could the answer be... Life is full of surprises like this. Griffin taught me that.

Commander
Alright, I guess you’re not going to tell me.

Architect
Still, I can’t believe you actually infected your own people with a disease, how mean.

Commander
Oh come on, I’m innocent...
And this vacation I was forced to take today is just… hahhh, there’s something fishy about this whole infection business, but I’ve been locked up now and I can’t do anything about it...

Architect
Heehee, why not ask a favor of me then, Commander of Griffin!
There’s been a signal trying to connect to your command center since just now. I thought it was kind of noisy, but now… perhaps it could be useful to you, no?

[...Elsewhere.]
[On the outskirts of the base.]

[The members of the Special Search Team are standing behind cover.]

Welrod
S-surely this coincidence must be the work of Fate!

Spitfire
Yeah, I didn’t expect there to be a new SF outpost next to our base, and it’s actually being led by one of Alchemist’s dummies.

Welrod
Infiltrating shouldn’t be a problem, and we’ve finished decrypting the minimap.
Let’s plunge right in and crush their warning line.

Spitfire
Roger.

？？？
Tch, I just built this new home and the rats have already come sniffing around.

[Welrod and the others listen to the arrogant voice coming through the transmitters in silence, without any sign of surprise..]

Alchemist
What’s the matter? Are you so frightened you don’t dare speak?

Welrod
There is no need to waste words on you.

Alchemist
Well, I have countless ways of making you talk.
—But that will have to wait until you get to me alive.

[Their hands tighten around their pistols in wordless coordination.
The clear, crisp sound of rounds chambering is lost within the rustling of the leaves.]

Welrod
You are nothing but a piece of trash, spouting nonsense you do not understand…
Onward!



3
[...Several battles later.]
[In the SF base.]

Welrod
Hmph, are these the enhanced SF?
All too easy.

Spitfire
Welrod, we’re almost there. Alchemist ought to be inside that bunker up ahead.

Welrod
Yes…
The one who spread this terrifying evil has come out to welcome us.

[Spitfire wrinkles her brow and looks toward Alchemist, who smiles coldly as she stands at the entrance to the bunker.]

Alchemist
Welcome, little vermin. Would you like a rest?

Welrod
Surely you jest. That was nothing more than a warmup.

Alchemist
Eavesdropping on your transmissions was really quite amusing. I didn’t think you’d come here at the behest of that lump of scrap.
It was really… laughable.

Welrod
Our mission has always been the extermination of Sangvis Ferri.

Alchemist
Oh? What a grand statement; the Griffin Dolls in my memories said similar things.
However, one could also say that… you inferior Griffin Dolls haven’t improved even after such a long time.

Spitfire
Hmph, that’s not for you to say.

Alchemist
Doesn’t that make you inferior Dolls?
You lot… You probably don’t even know what thinking is, do you? Haha… you actually thought that a human sickness could spread to Dolls, and blamed ME for it? Haha!
Well, you deserve it; you’re nothing more than scrap which should have been cast aside by the passing of eras. I wouldn’t be surprised if you WERE infected by some stupid disease—

[Bang!]
[A gunshot interrupts Alchemist’s mocking speech.]
[The bullet seems to pass through Alchemist’s hair. The strands follow a somewhat unnatural arc before settling back down.]

Spitfire
Shut up!
If you keep insulting Big Sis 75… if you keep insulting my valued comrades, I’ll tear that mouth of yours to bits!

[Alchemist says nothing. She simply steps back, her laughter growing wilder and wilder.]

Spitfire
It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re responsible for what happened, we’ll find out once we kill you and bring you back to the base for research...
Now die!

[...Halloween, at night.]
[In the Griffin base.]

[P7 flits between the shadows of the buildings, like a little bat.]

P7
This is Halloween and all… so are there really going to be ghosts about?
That encrypted transmission I got out of the blue was pretty spooky too, even if it didn’t sound like it came from a bad person…
Hey you, stay behind me! Don’t let anyone else spot you!

[P7 speaks quietly and urgently to the Dinergate beside her, and then she carefully inspects her surroundings before she starts moving again, darting into the next patch of shadow.]

P7
Ah, the camera should be just up ahead.
The encrypted transmission told me to check the base’s security cameras, which kind of makes sense.
Though there were a few monitored areas that I couldn’t enter, I think I saw some weird things in the security footage from just now...

[P7 looks around some more, and then she orders her Dinergate to connect to the security camera high above them.]

P7
Alright, the data’s downloading.
Hehe, turns out I’ve got a hidden talent for being a secret agent. I need to go flaunt this to the Commander…

P7
Weird things, weird things... it feels like the base has been cursed today.
Eh, this video clip is... FF FNC escaped from Vector? You big dummy! Why did you steal from the warehouses in the same sector again! See, now Vector's chasing you again...
Huh? How come m45 was captured too? Didn't I see her trying on makeup with a Doll that had a knife through her head... Wow, P90's really vicious, she's taking m45 away just because she got a bit of makeup on her...
And what's the matter with this corner?
Oh my, Gr Mk23's sitting down and crying and she's firing her gun everywhere while she's doing it! Good thing I'm nowhere near her...
Hm? What's she whining about? Let's zoom in, and judging by the shape of her lips, it should be... "I want to see the Commander, let me see the Commander"? Hehe, dream on, if I could see the Commander, would I need to hide like a thief now?

[P7 is so absorbed in watching the security camera footage that she doesn't notice that her Dinergate has finished downloading the video and walked up to her.]
[The Dinergate, in its miniature pumpkin disguise, looks at P7 and then walks up to step on her shoe.]

P7
What the heck!? Watch where you're going!
...Uwah! Why did I get engrossed in watching the videos again!?
Time to work, time to work! Let's see, the next security camera is... ah, I can't enter the next sector, so it can't be helped, I guess. Let's look for a place to watch the newest videos.

[...15 minutes later]

P7
Uwah—!
My instincts WERE correct! No wonder I kept feeling like someone was watching me all afternoon.
This Doll is… no, she ran away too quickly, I can’t make her out…
And the weird thing is, the security footage from this morning is all choppy and intermittent, as though… as though...

[P7 scratches her head, as though the word was right on the tip of her tongue, but she can’t quite put her finger on it.]
[The Dinergate looks up at P7, and its camera lens makes a mechanical whirring as it opens and closes.]

P7
Ah, that’s right! It’s as though there was some kind of signal interference!
In the past, the Dinergates’ recording of their surroundings used to get that way if there were drones around… ah, drones!

[P7 goes through the security footage again on fast forward.]

P7
Hehe, I was right after all!
There were way too many drones in the base today, but… what exactly does this mean…
I’ll just send it all to that mysterious signal for now.

[In these few short hours, P7 has exhibited a caution and focus she had never shown before.]
[Loud footsteps were to be avoided, and drawing others’ attention was equally dangerous.]
[From time to time she grumbles in her heart,]
[“If only I could use my electronic map to see where the enemy was looking from!”]

P7
Uh… I don’t think anyone spotted me, right?
I mustn’t get caught, I mustn’t run into an infected Doll, I don’t want to get infected, I don’t want to die...

[Beep—]

P7
It’s here! Let’s see…
Hm? Go to the command center and access the main security terminal, and then use it to obtain the Dolls’ ID data to construct a holographic display so you can track the movement paths of each Doll?
Should, should I go? If the Commander finds out I was poking around in the command center without permission, I might get a scolding...

[P7 chews on her sleeve as she thinks about it for a moment.]

P7
Forget it, let’s go! We’ll settle the matter first!
Besides, the Commander probably won’t be able to catch me… hehe...

[In front of the command center.]

[Whum— whum—!]

[After an arduous journey to the command center, P7 finally ends up panicking in front of its door.]

P7
How could I have set off an alarm! I just pulled on the door!

[P7 is so flustered that she doesn’t know where to hide her hands, but just then, her communicator starts ringing.]

What are you doing sending me a message at a time like this, hurry up and save me—
What? The base’s internal security has been beefed up due to various reasons, so in order to access the security terminal I’ll have to… force my way through the alarms?

P7
What are you doing sending me a message at a time like this, hurry up and save me—
What? The base’s internal security has been beefed up due to various reasons, so in order to access the security terminal I’ll have to… force my way through the alarms?

P7
Hey, what the heck is this? Is this something you should be saying to fragile old me!?

？？？
Freeze!
I’ve got you, you sneaky little thief.

P7
Uuu…!

[P7 reflexively puts her hands up, and in the next moment she suddenly remembers something and pulls her hands back down, before stiffly turning to face the voice behind her.]

KSVK
Your hands… you’re an infected Doll!

P7
No, no, I’m not!

KSVK
All drunkards claim they’re not drunk, so we can’t take your word for it.
What are you doing standing around there so suspiciously, little miss?

P7
I, I… transmission…!

[P7 is briefly at a loss for words, as though all the data in her digimind were jammed up, and she suddenly has no idea what to say.]
[“I mustn’t get infected, I mustn’t die…”]
[These are the only distinct thoughts inside P7’s head.]
[Standing in the corridor outside the command center, which is intermittently lit by red lights, P7 speaks without thinking—]

P7
I need to get into the command center! Or else we’ll all be scrapped!
That mysterious transmission… was destiny… right! God sent me here, everything will be sorted out if only I can recover that transmission from our superiors!

[After listening to that, KSVK slowly puts her gun down and eyes P7 suspiciously.]

KSVK
I’m sorry, was what you said just now a metaphor or something?
Everyone’s going to get scrapped? And God sent you here to… trigger the alarms?

P7
No, no, the transmission told me to get through the alert…

KSVK
Excuse me, but...
Would you happen to be referring to “Mr. God Joestar, The Unfathomable Abyss, The Dancing Stardust of Sagittarius, The Blazing Inferno of the Frozen Hell, Second Principal Leader of the Incomplete Brigade"?

P7
Hah? What Abyss? Joestar?
Any God is fine, but I need to get into the command center!
Uuu… could you wait until I sort things out before you catch me... but I’m really not sick, uuu...

[KSVK knits her brow and mutters to herself.]

KSVK
For all I know, this might have been ordained by Fate...
I didn't expect to meet a fellow believer in Mr. God Joestar, The Unfathomable Abyss, The Dancing Stardust of Sagittarius, The Blazing Inferno of the Frozen Hell, Second Principal Leader of the Incomplete Brigade in a place like this...
Yes, all this must have been planned by Destiny, I see, I see, so this is the reason I exist in this place...

P7
What the heck is she talking about? It feels like only Miss Welrod would understand her... Also, do these chuuni Dolls not have hearing modules installed?

[KSVK stares at P7 for a while, and then smiles as she approaches her.]

KSVK
Little miss, it is good to meet you. When I was assigned here for emergency patrols, I had the feeling that something was going to happen, and perhaps you are that something.
You can leave a trifling little electronic alarm like that to me.

[P7’s digimind is still frozen up, and she had not anticipated that the situation would turn out like this.]
[However… this development suits her just fine.]

P7
You, you’re going to help me get through this alert?
I… I… ah, forget it, I’m going in too!



4- Beginning
[...Inside the command center.]
[P7 obtains access and hurriedly downloads the data to reconstruct the movement patterns of the base personnel in the morning.]

Getting this sure took a lot of effort… I need to show off to the Commander!+The culprit’s really evil, I can’t believe they tried to get our base sick!+Who knows, we might end up saving Griffin by doing this, don’t you think, KSVK—

P7
Getting this sure took a lot of effort… I need to show off to the Commander!
The culprit’s really evil, I can’t believe they tried to get our base sick!
Who knows, we might end up saving Griffin by doing this, don’t you think, KSVK—

KSVK
Ugh…!

[There is a soft thud from behind her, and by the time P7 turns back to look, KSVK is collapsed on the floor. Standing in front of the door to the command center is P90, holding her gun.]

P7
You you you…?

Don’t worry, it was just a karate chop.
You, on the other hand… what are you trying to accomplish by wrecking the base’s alarm systems, P7?

[P7 is about to repeat her explanation when she glances at the holographic model on the control terminal.]
[—The indistinct form from the security footage earlier was P90.]
[P7 freezes in place, while P90 approaches her with her gun drawn.]



[...]
[P90 comes to a halt.]

P90
Oh? You’re pointing your gun at me… what’s the meaning of this?

P7
So, so it was you!
You were the one sneaking around and following me all afternoon!

P90
...Who was following you? I have no idea what you’re talking about.

P7
Oh, come off it already! You must have gotten everyone infected too, right?
I’ve already checked the security footage, you were present in all the locations where the infection broke out this morning, so don’t tell me it was a coincidence!

P90
But it WAS a coincidence! How, how could I go around spreading a disease? You’re trying to make me look bad!
As for you, what are those weirdly colored spots on your hands?

P7
I accidentally got it on me and...

P90
So you’re an infected Doll, P7. Don’t tell me… YOU’RE the source of the infection?
And now you’ve snuck into the command center to destroy the security footage evidence!

P7
You, you’re talking nonsense!
Hmph, I’m going to catch you and hand you over to the Commander!

P90
I was going to say just that!

[...At the same time.]
[In the SF base.]

[The Special Search Team overcomes one obstacle after another and finally comes face to face with Alchemist.]

Alchemist
Heh, what stubborn rats you are.
I won’t lose to Griffin again… torturing you will surely be more fun than torturing other Dolls.

Spitfire
Tch, the winner hasn’t been decided yet.

Alchemist
You’re all a pack of fools, I can’t believe you actually thought I was the one spreading the plague…
Still, if I could decide my own destiny, it would have been a good option.

Welrod
I would advise you to abandon such villainous thinking as soon as possible.

Alchemist
While you’re all foolish, you’re so dumb that it’s actually kind of adorable.
Do you understand how stupid you’ve been?
You fought your way here because of something that could never happen to a Doll.

Spitfire
How would SF trash like you know about wanting a precious friend to live on?

Alchemist
Is that so…
Hmph, if we SF Dolls didn’t understand that, you wouldn’t have found your way here today, Griffin.

Welrod
...And what is that supposed to mean?

Alchemist
Nothing in particular…
It’s just that… neither of us have ever been willing to acknowledge certain things we have in common.

Spitfire
…
There’s no point talking any further! Let’s go, Welrod! I’m going to make this day the anniversary of her death!



4 –  End
[...In the SF base.]

Alchemist
Hah… hah, I guess… this dummy body just wasn’t enough, huh?

[Spitfire has one knee on the ground, the muzzle of her gun pointed between Alchemist’s eyes.] [Alchemist’s platinum hair is a mess, but she’s still smiling as smugly as she was when she had been standing in front of the bunker.]

Spitfire
Now then… it’s over.

[...]
[Beep—!]

P90
Ahem… ah, I’ve got an emergency announcement to make!

[...]
[Just as Spitfire is about the reach the break pressure of her gun’s trigger, the call that suddenly comes through startles all the Dolls present.]
[The image that appears shows P90 carrying P7 likes a chick.]

P90
The transmission should have gone through, right? I’ll let P7 explain everything, then—

P7
In that case, put me down already!
Koff… in any case, this disease thing, ah… it was all a misunderstanding!

[Everyone in the SF base freezes. Spitfire puts ehr gun away, and then she and Welrod exchange blank looks.]
[Alchemist, on the other hand, can no longer contain herself and laughs out loud.]

P7
So, ah, this morning, I had my Dinergates steal one of Miss Kalin’s makeup kits so I could draw some spots on Super SASS’ body and make her look like a zombie…
I'll have you know my plan was perfect! I learned that Miss Kalin would be heading out several days in advance, and that she'd be putting on makeup before she left!
As it turned out, the heavens were on my side; she left that makeup kit and its ridiculous colors sitting right there on her table, although I could have still gotten it even if she did lock it inside her cabinet!
And then, I mobilized my Dinergate army to go smear bits of dye inside Super SASS' clothes while she wasn't looking! Even if it didn't get on her body, it'd get on her face, at least! Man, that was scary, TAC-50 nearly ran into me!
But how was I to know that SASS wouldn't wear her normal outfit today, but her Halloween clothing! I can't believe she'd dress up so well for a mission, hmph! I thought she was supposed to be so sloppy she wouldn't even wash her face!

Spitfire
Get to the point, P7!

P7
Okay, okay, I'm getting there!
The point is that I was totally disappointed that Super SASS went out and I accidentally rubbed against the makeup and I couldn't wash it off so I threw the kit away—

[Bang! Spitfire shoots at the ground.]
[P7 cringes away in the transmission image and P90 takes the communicator.]

P90
Ah, I think I’ll explain the rest…

[P90 takes a deep breath. ]

P90
Back then, I saw P7 giving her Dinergate instructions, but I didn’t see how SASS got pranked…
So, uh, later on, I was on sentry duty, and I got so bored that when I was changing posts, I copied P7’s voice and and had the drones pick up the makeup kit and gave the same orders to the drones…
I have to say, P7 really messed it up, so I tried to sort things out in a corner somewhere and after a lot of doing I finished writing up the orders and had a few of the drones carrying bits of dye.
I even researched their routes! That would allow the drones' flight paths to cover the entire base, and if they spotted a target they would swoop down and scatter the dye on them! Hehe, I'm sure P7 could never have thought of such a cunning plan—

Spitfire
And. Then?

P90
And and and then! And then I ended up with Welrod, and because I started imitating Welrod, I… I forgot about those drones...

[P90’s voice trails off in the image, and her eyes seem to be unfocused and darting around.]
[The only sound in the SF base, apart from Alchemist’s exhausted laughter, is the quiet electrical hum of their communicators.]
[Welrod and Spitfire look at each other, suddenly unsure what to say.]

Spitfire
In other words… there was no epidemic in the base, Big Sis 75 isn’t sick, and all of it was because of… Miss Kalin’s makeup?

P90
Um… yes, that’s it...

[P90’s voice is barely audible.]

Spitfire
...P7, P90… you two...

P7
Uuu… we’re sorry… Big Sis Spitfire, I can hear you cracking your knuckles from over there...

[The SF base is silent again. At this point, even Alchemist has shut up and is listening to the entire thing with a look of interest on her face.]

P7
P90, didn't you say it would be safer if we came clean…

P90
Well, you went into waaay too much detail...

P7
I thought it our punishment would be lighter that way…

P90
I didn't expect Spitfire to be so fierce either…

Spitfire
...Do the two of you really think I can't see what you're saying just because you reduced your font sizes?

P90
We're sorry we're sorry we're really really sorry...!

Alchemist
Well, since that’s the end of your stupid antics, maybe it’s time for me to—

[Welrod pins down Alchemist as she prepares to get up.]

Welrod
It is true that Alchemist was innocent regarding this incident.
But comrades, her name is Alchemist, and even if she did not spread this sickness, there is no telling what other kind of contagion she will spread next time.
Shall we… take her alive and put her in the base for research?

Spitfire
I agree.

P90
I’m not opposed to it...

P7
Research? Sure, sure—

Spitfire
However, when we get back... I have a condition for the two of you, P7, P90.

[...]
[Halloween, late at night.]
[Inside the Griffin base.]

[A post on Grifchan has gotten a massive surge of replies in a short period of time. Unsurprisingly, it is by MDR.]



MDR
“Hehe, come see the exclusive picture personally taken by everyone’s favorite MDR! I got this shot by accident when I was sending my drones out to collect material, remember to like and subscribe if you’re a Griffin Doll!”
“Did something happen between them this Halloween, something that we don’t know anything about? MDR’s going to investigate in person after this! Ahhh stop posting while I’m commenting—”

[...]
[The slightly blurred picture at the end of the post clearly depicts five different smiling faces.]
—Of course, Alchemist still has her usual mocking smile on, which somewhat annoys Spitfire who’s beside her, but it only serves to make MDR’s post that much more popular.]

Just A Passing Hero
“I’m so moved by the Special Search Team, they protected the people who were important to them…”

Cola Is Best
“P7 is such a dork, she messed up right from the start with her dumb prank ahahaha”

Do Androids Eat Electric Pigs?
“Honestly, to think they’d cause such a big hoo-ha! I almost thought I wouldn’t be able to make it until Master came back from her mission…”

Miss Tarot
“Huh, I wonder what we can put Alchemist to in the base. It would be nice if she could help me with my fortune-telling…”

Low-Key King Of Fairies
“Hehe, an alchemist, Alchemist is great! Just the one I need to enrich my vaults—”

[...Midnight.]
[In the secret room of the command center.]

Commander
Is anybody out there? Will someone PLEASE let me out? It's past midnight already, it isn't even Halloween anymore!

Architect
Griffin's secret rooms really live up to their name, hehe... you can scream until you go hoarse but nobody will hear you.

Commander
You talk like this was your own home.

Architect
Well, today was really interesting, after all! And besides, nobody's come to lock me back up. Ah, freedom is bliss—

Commander
So you’re not disappointed?

Architect
Hm? I have no idea what you’re talking about.

Commander
You must feel upset that you didn’t achieve your aim, right?

Architect
Hehe, well, I don't really hold grudges... and besides, it's fun to play around like this from time to time.
You, on the other hand, will probably have to wait until Halloween’s over before someone thinks of releasing you.

Commander
Ehhhh... not having comms access is really annoying…
Hey, go call someone to rescue me. When I get out, I’ll make sure to have Kalina pay you back after we get out!

Architect
Heehee… in that case, you’ll owe me one then, Commander of Griffin♪

END