Part 33: Abduction

Yes... I had to be persistent, but they finally caved...

Angie's annoyance is finally good for something!

Angie, I know Professor Blackwell must have had a good reason for joining them. Otherwise, he never would have accepted their offer without at least consulting you first.
Can you think of a good enough reason for him to not even tell his own daughter? I've supported him this entire time as he worked to atone for all the things he did...
...... Maybe his last GUILT operation made him have a change of heart. Even though it was successful, it may have made him more concerned about his condition...
Then he should have come to Caduceus.
...If we see him in person though, that should give us our answers. I'm sorry to have dragged you into coming along.
It's no problem, Angie. I'd like to hear what his true intentions are too.
Dr. Stiles... Thank you.



Well, Angie, let's go inside.
Right... My father is here...



It's a lot like Caduceus, but it may be even better equipped...
......
I had a feeling you'd come...
Father...
Angie... Derek. It's been a while. It may have been better though if we hadn't met like this...
...? Professor Blackwell... Are you OK?
My prognostics look great, thanks to your flawless operation. I'd expect no less from you, Derek. Thank you.
You're welcome...
...Why...? Why have you joined the Hands of Asclepius, Father!?
Was it all a big lie when you told me all that about atoning for your sins!?
I... can't blame you for thinking that way... ...... ...But there were limits on how much research I could actually accomplish while in prison. Despite my crimes, I was treated very well, but I was constantly frustrated by those limitations.
If prison wasn't sufficient enough, then why didn't you come to Caduceus!? Wouldn't that have been a more logical choice than coming here!?
The facility here, the funds, the lack of restrictions... These are all very beneficial conditions.





And... they've requested that I participate in the ability enhancement program as well.
...!? Then you were recruited by Patrick Mercer!?
Yes, that's correct. The mass production of doctors capable of the Healing Touch... It will help people around the world. And I want to be a part of the research that will help take down diseases like GUILT.
Father...
...That's all I can tell you, unfortunately. Everyone here has signed non-disclosure agreements. But, I'm doing well, so please, don't worry about me.
Can I ask one more thing before we leave, Professor?
...Yes?
What are those remnants of Delphi trying to do with GUILT?
...Since they've lost Adam, I doubt they can do much more than seek out vengeance. Without his guiding philosophy, they'll probably just try to hurt society by any means possible. Though, I hope that's not the case. We'd have a much harder time stopping them if it is... I'm sorry, I shouldn't speak of such pessimistic things. Lately, it's just been very difficult to perceive what's true and what isn't. Anyway, I've got to get going. Angie, take care... *leaves*
Father... Why...?
He's up to something, Angie... I know it.



Yeah, the episode is still going. It really should've been split into two.

The possibility of that outbreak being an organized terrorist attack was suggested early on... But now that Delphi's reformation has been confirmed, it's logical to assume they were behind it.
So you're saying the attacks on Elysium and Acropolis were connected?
Yes, exactly... But there's more to it... At the time of the attack, Elysium and Acropolis were in cooperation, for PGS medicine research. That means Acropolis has been somehow involved in both of the attacks thus far. It isn't so far-fetched, then, to theorize that someone from the inside may have aided the assault. And since Elysium is government-staffed, it'd be more plausible that it was on Acropolis' side.
...Then Delphi has already managed to infiltrate them...?
...I believe it would be a good idea to alert Acropolis of that possibility. Of course, we'll need to send them a very detailed explanation of why we believe so...
Dr. Stiles and I need to go there to check on their infected personnel, so why not send us? Acropolis and the HOA have gotten very close lately, making it hard for us to even get in there... But since Dr. Stiles is well-liked by both sides, we'll have a better chance of getting an appointment.
You have a good point, Angie. Then I'll count on both of you to inform President Mayuzumi.
You're pretty aggressive today, Angie.
I don't think we can afford to be on the defensive any more, Doctor.



Yes, we have an appointment with her.

Secretary: "Mr. Stiles... Yes, we have you down. Unfortunately, President Mayuzumi is running a little late returning from a lunch meeting... Would you like to wait for her to return, or try again later?"

We'll wait. She is returning though, right?

If you remember the title of this episode...

Secretary: "Yes... Oh, in fact, her car is pulling up on the parking lot monitor now. Wait... Who are those-- What the...!?"

...!? Is something wrong!?

Secretary: "*gasp* President Mayuzumi! Oh no...! She's surrounded by men all dressed in black!"

What!?



Angie, watch out! ...Th-That car almost hit you!
It was going way too fast!

*Siren*

The police are finally here!
Wh-What's going on!?



Th-This is terrible... Help!
Hey, tell us what happened!
The President...! Someone has kidnapped President Mayuzumi...!
Kidnapped!?
I'm the driver of the President's car... but, we were suddenly ambushed by three men... They put a gun to my head and dragged me out of the car!
Then the car that just tore out of here.... Was the President still inside!?
The security guard on duty saw it happening and tried to stop them... But they got away!

Man's voice: "We need a doctor! Get someone down here, quick!"

...!? Is someone hurt!?
Th-That's one of the assailants... They exchanged gunfire with the security guards... He got shot, and--
As the president's driver, you have access to the rooms inside, right?
What are you planning, Doctor!?
I need him to let the employees here know about the situation so we can use their operating room! If we wait for an ambulance, that man won't make it! Can you do that for me!?
I-I'll try!
Angie, I'm going to need your help!
Yes, Dr. Stiles!

Operation Video


Yep. One Fucking Minute. ONE.

The bullet hit the patient very close to his heart but it doesn't seem to have penetrated all the way through.
Then the bullet must still be inside... This is going to be a tricky procedure.
Yes, we need to operate with the utmost of care. We have only one objective for this operation:

• Extract the bullet lodged near the heart.

We only have an approximate location of the bullet. Let's be careful, Doctor.





Let's begin. The patient is in critical condition. We'll have to work both quickly and carefully. First, let's drain the blood pool and treat the exterior gunshot wound.



Yep. Fifteen Max Vitals. FIFTEEN.



Treating that wound and opening him up costs 6 seconds. From 60.

We can't see the affected areas because of all the blood... Please clear it up with the drain.



Yeah, we're using Healing Touch right now. Especially since right when ...



Doctor! The patient's undergone cardiac arrest! We need to resuscitate him with the defib--
No, we can't use that until we've extracted the bullet round!
And it'll be too dangerous to massage the heart... We'll have to treat him as is!
...Understood. Let's hurry!

Did I mention fifteen max vitals? I mean ten. TEN.

Here's your reminder that Atlus made this game; the same Atlus that feeds on its players' tears.



Technically we can leave those blood pools around the bullet around since they don't drain HP by themselves, but since I'm already using the drain...



At least the bullet isn't torn in half this time.

Make sure you don't get a Miss when removing the bullet/placing the membrane, though. One Miss and we're toast (technically the patient is the dead one, but details).

Extraction complete! Let's treat the remaining--



What the--!?

Oh for fuck's sake!



The funny thing is that because we're using HT here, the wounds come up very slowly. So it seems like Derek is just staring in disbelief at all this bullshit.

N-No... The myocardium is severely damaged!
We can use the defibrillator to-- No, that won't be quick enough!
I'll massage it directly with my hand, but you'll have to help me time it!

Did someone ask for a new gameplay mechanic? No? Well too fucking bad!

...Understood! I'll project the guideline in the shape of a ring! The larger ring on the outside will contract, overlapping the center ring. When the two rings overlap each other, press down in their center!



Massaging the heart is very straightforward. Once you get the timing down, it's very easy to do. 5 massages are enough to bring the patient back to life.

...I don't know why they suddenly decided to get realistic. Or how it's faster than using the defibrillator. Or why they think it's a good idea to introduce it in a operation with this much bullshit already

Anyway, after resuscitating the patient we just have to patch up the wound.

......
What's the matter, Angie?
O-Oh, it's nothing. Please close him up.

Just kidding! We also have to close him up. Sucks to be the guy who had like two seconds left by this point!

_{It's me. I actually finished with like 20 centiseconds left}

...Operation complete. Well done. ...Doctor, do you think a mole could really have infiltrated Acropolis?
I don't know, but we can't deny that it's a possibility...
I'm worried about President Mayuzumi...



We finished in less than 15 seconds (with Healing Touch)!







My name is Detective Buckley, from the precinct.
Oh, yes. I'm Derek Stiles.
What is the suspect's condition?
The bullet has caused damage to his heart. He needs to remain under close observation.
Is there any way we can transport him?
Absolutely not! It would be too dangerous to move him right now!
...I see. Well, it's imperative that we question him as soon as he's conscious.
...That won't be possible, for at least a while... He could still undergo arrhythmia, so he may even need to have a pacemaker put in.

Arrythmia means problem regarding irregular heartbeat pattern.

Hm, well, the longer we wait, the more of a problem we have. We don't have any leads as to where Ms. Mayuzumi may have been taken. So, as of right now, that suspect is our best source of information. Isn't there anything you can do, Doctor?
......

Well that was a bullshit operation. But at least we have the Healing Touch this time. And the game doesn't pile on more gimmicks like that NB operation where we can't use any stabilizer.









...









Bonus Operation Video