~August 30th, 2025~

"Yeah? What did you find out?" Sage asks, crawling carefully out of the secret room and sitting down with the others. Maxie greeted enthusiastically the lead warrior.

"Hey, Sage." He smiled, Sage eagerly gave a wave back with their non-injured hand.

"Hey." They grinned in returned. Geo and Rose were in the corner, partially paying attention to the conundrum as Geo played FNAF games on their phone. Them hissing in anger as they got jump-scared time and time again. Rose just browsed a few websites out of boredom. Sabre looked at Okame, cooking their rats. Tommy watched Sabre cook the rodents, a look of partial disgust overspreading his face.

"What is it?" Sabre passed one cooked rat to MaL, who devoured it. "I never caught your name. I'm Sabre." They whispered,  MaL smiled.

"I'm MaL." She explained as she wolfed down on the rat Sabre had given her, thankful. Feather and Compass waited for Okame's response patiently as Crystal and Rosia shifted around. Both more eager and less willing to wait to figure out what Okame had to say.

"Is that even safe to eat?" Maxie muttered to Sage, looking at the rats Sabre and MaL were eating. Sage just gave a shrug, Sabre and MaL didn't take the time to respond to the lead warrior. Their gazes fixed upon Okame.

"I'm going to need everyone in here. Can someone go get Melon?" Okame asked, leaning to the side to see if he could spot the lead hunter standing out in front of the base.

Melon puffed some smoke, looking out at the open with a dazed look. Melon disposed of her cigarette in a nearby trash can, then going inside of the base. Her breath stinking of smoke. "Yuppp, I'm here." She slurred a bit.

Okame nodded, a bit worried for his friend. The alphabeta turned back to look at everyone. "Alright, so based on the symptoms of ITEV, we've figured out that this virus is associated with blood. MaL, remember that time when we roleplayed about the Goldenvirus, mind reminding us of how it killed its victims?" He asked, looking thoughtfully at the taller being.

MaL gave a nod. "The Goldenvirus would kill its victims through the insides, such as infecting the blood and turning it into golden goo. The insides and organs of the victim would slowly turn into the goo causing an agonizing death." She muttered. Okame nodded, turning to Sabre, who had their hand raised.

"Excuse me for interrupting, Okame. But this is the real deal. The Goldenvirus was a figment of imagination." Sabre pointed out, continuing to eat heartily their cooked rat. Okame sighed.

"Yes, I know. But if it means that we have a shot at curing this virus, we might as well take it...the amounts of cases and deaths aren't going down anytime soon. We either die from the virus or something else. So, perhaps we could forge some sort of cure." Okame stated, merely scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. Sabre narrowed their eyes just a bit, not entirely convinced, however. The lead healer gave a nod. Deciding they might as well figure out a way out of the ITEV mess.

MaL gave a smile, "I'll help." She generously offered with a raise of her hand. Okame grinned, turning to Maxie, who also had something to say.

"I'd be willing to help too." He stated with a smirk, "but what items would we have to use to make a cure? Are we just going to wander around looking for random things to merge together?" Maxie asked Okame smiled. As if he knew that someone would ask that question.

"I'm no doctor-" Okame started. Rosia gave a snicker.

"Yes, you are." They teased, Crystal nodding with a smirk. Compass gestured for Okame to continue. Okame shook his head with a smile, amused.

"Alright, I'm no doctor, but I believe merging things might be able to do the trick." He explained, he looked at everyone in the eyes. "For example, when someone gets infected with ITEV, their blood turns oddly light. I've inferred that this is because of the lack of hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is vital for carrying oxygen and iron through the bloodstream." The alphabeta clarified. He turned to Rose, Sabre, and Feather.

Rose looked up from her phone to see what the boy had to declare. Sabre watched Okame as Feather nodded, both nervous and excited.

"Uh-, yeah, you may be onto something." She cracked a faint smile. Okame grinned.

"Rose, Sabre, Feather. Last time I checked, and if I remember correctly, there is a place called the Sayo clinic. It's in Idaho. I'm extremely sure that there are some hemoglobin supplements there. If you all leave by next morning, the trip there should take around ten days, would you all be willing to contribute in helping find the cure?" He asked, a bit anxious about what the trio's response would be.

Feather nodded slowly, "Uh...sure! I-I can try." She chirped with an awkward smile. Sabre stretched out a bit as Rose nodded in mutual agreement with Feather.

"Sure," Sabre responded, still a bit unconvinced about the entire idea of a cure. How could a group of kids accomplish something scientists couldn't? They pondered, they shrugged off the thought. Okame's face lit up.

"Awesome!" He chirped. "You guys should go pack and get a good rest before tomorrow. Pack some clothes, food, water, and such but just uh..leave some resources behind for others please." Okame smiled as Sabre, Feather, and Rose went to pack up their things.

Okame averted his attention back to the others, merely focusing his gaze directly on Rosia, Crystal, Tommy, and Geo. "Alright, I need your full attention for this next part. You all focusing?" He asked. Tommy straightened up as Rosia and Crystal scooted closer. Geo, who had almost fell asleep, perked up a bit, listening.

"Hmm-, what, Wait? Oh- yeah..?" They asked, a bit drowsy and tired.

"Yup." Tommy nodded his sufficient attention on Okame. Rosia and Crystal gave a thumbs up.

"I'll need you four to go to Texas into the Andrew Cancer Center. I need you all to collect some blood samples and Neupogen. Neupogen should help with white blood cells. I'm hoping that with enhanced to more white blood cells, ITEV would be easier to fight off." Okame stated, examining the high ranks' expressions. They all nodded, seeming to not mind going with the plan, Okame took this as a signal to continue.

"It's in Houston and should 9 or 10 days to get there." He added on, looking at Tommy. The lead hunter stiffened a bit. "Tommy, as the oldest of the group, I'm trusting in you to lead it. Think you can handle the challenge?" Okame asked. Tommy gave a satisfied nod.

"Seems easy enough." He admitted with a pleasant smile and a soft shrug, Okame turned to Rosia, Geo, and Crystal for their responses.

"Hell yeah!" Rosia fist-pumped the air, Geo was too busy thinking of memes to respond as Crystal gave a nod and a thumbs up towards the Alphabeta. Okame sighed in slight relief.

"Alright, you all can go get ready for the morning tomorrow. Get packed up." He gently waved his hand in dismissal. The four going off to pack up. He looked back at the remaining others who were in the room, Maxie, Sage, Melon, Compass, and MaL.

"Compass, Melon, MaL." He spoke out, his hand under his chin as he looked at the three of the names he had just called out. "Your goal is to find some romiplostim. It should help with bone marrow, and I have a feeling that it should be in some sort of pharmacy. The nearest pharmacy that may have it is a four days travel away, it's not too bad." He smiled.

Melon just stared into Okame's eyes for an entire 15 seconds, silent. "Ohhh, ermm yueeep." She stated, blinking oddly. MaL and Compass stared at Melon, concerned, and worried. MaL turned back to Okame and nodded.

"Perfect, go ahead and pack up all your stuff. A big day ahead of you all." He grinned, he signaled for MaL to come over, in which the Lead Healer leaned down next to the sitting alphabeta to see what he had to say.

"Please keep an eye on Melon please...I'm worried about her," Okame muttered in MaL's ear. MaL nodded grimly.

"I sure will." She gave him a thumbs-up before following after Melon and Compass to pack their things.

"I wonder what we are gonna do," Sage told Maxie, excited. Maxie grinned, munching on a bit of bread that he had found earlier.

"I suppose that we are going to help find an ingredient for the cure." He gave a slight shrug, smirking and turning back at Okame, who was now looking at them with a smirk plastered on his face. Maxie copied the smirk, causing Okame to let out a small amused laugh.

"Alright, you two are with me. So if you've noticed, people get infected with ITEV through contaminated blood. Get the virus in an open wound and just like that, you're good as dead. My grandfather used to have struggled with platelets. Platelets are what causes scabbing, so, I'm thinking that if we can find some platelet pills or supplements. We might be able to add it into the cure or perhaps just reduce the chance of getting infected in general." He naturally inferred, Maxie and Sage nodded, listening with every bit of their prime focus.

"It would take around 8 to 9 days. I don't know how you guys would do with heat, however. So you all up for the task?" Okame asked. Sage nodded with a smile.

Maxie leaned back a bit, "how could someone as hot as me be affected by a little heat." He grinned, Okame smirked, wiggling his eyebrows a bit. Sage gave an amused facepalm.

"Alright, anything that we'd need for the journey?" The lead warrior asked. Okame nodded.

"Love!" He barked out suddenly, then clearing his throat. "And food, water, that sort of stuff. And sunscreen, a lot of sunscreen. But lucky for us, I have some." Okame dug into his bag, which was sitting nearby. He through the bottle of sunscreen to Maxie, the delta seizing it.

"I was told to bring the sunscreen with me on my way to Colorado, but fortunately, I never get sunburns so I never needed the stuff." He gestured to the full unopened bottle of sunscreen. Maxie nodded eagerly with a smile,

"Awesome! I get a lot of sunburns so this is perfect." He said Sage looked at the sunscreen, licking their lips teasingly.

"Looks tasty." They commented with a grin. Okame laughed, standing up and stretching.

"Well, I suppose we start packing."

———————

Sabre browsed through all the things they could pack for their journey the next morning. Thoughts ran through their head like a Hurricane. This is a waste of time... they thought bitterly to themselves with a sigh. Carefully packing some food, water, clothes, and a few other items. Such as their pocket knife and lighter, not hesitating to also bring along the piece of wood that they and Compass had collected earlier. It could eventually come in handy.

Feather softly hummed to one of her favorite songs as she packed her own things up, alike Sabre, she had packed food, drinks, and clothes. She packed along a dog stuffed animal plushie to keep her company during the nights, and a small galaxy charm for good luck and fond memories of home. She turned around to looked at Rose and Sabre.

"You all excited?" She chirped, Sabre looked up from the pocket knife they were observing in their hands.

"Hm? Oh-, yep." They replied half-heartedly. Rose gave a nod, packing her usual things she needed to bring along for the journey. Throwing in a poncho, first aid kit, and a phone charger into her bag that was already packed with food, beverages, and clothes.

Sabre looked at the rest of the things that were clustered in broken wood crates. "I believe that we've collected a good number of things to help us sustain well over the journey." They commented, walking off to find a place to sleep. Rose and Feather followed suit.

———————

"Alright lads, this gon' be epic," Tommy commented as he led his group around the base to collect their things, looking at what Sabre and their group had left behind. The lead hunter stuffed the usual food and drinks into his bag, also adding in his spare set of clothes. He popped a dagger and a hammer into his bag as well, seeing as it could be fun to use, or maybe they'd critically need it for something.

"Mhm." Crystal nodded in agreement, the lead hunter packing their own things as well. Like everyone else, they decided to put some food, water, and clothes in their bag, similar to Tommy, they also decided to pack a dagger. Then putting a blanket in their bag to keep them warm during cold nights.

"Yep! Rosia as leader and me as co-leader!" Geo stated with a grin, stowing their own bag full of clothes, drinks, food, phone accessories, a dagger, and a first aid kit. Rosia tilted their head but didn't say anything. Tommy and Crystal looked back at Geo.

"You do know that Okame put Tommy in charge, right?" Crystal inquired with a matter-of-fact tone. Geo hummed in response.

"Mhm." They chirped, too excited and nervous about the upcoming mission to correct themselves. The others went back to packing. Rosia packing their knife and flashlight with their other items.

"So...are we supposed to sleep or summit?" Tommy asked bluntly, sneakily shoving some tea bags into his travel sack. Crystal shrugged.

"I think so." Rosia nodded, Tommy blinked, then walking off. The rest naturally following him.

"Aight, let's get some sleep, lads." The lead hunter yawned.

————————

Melon fiddled around with her gleaming knife, running a trembling finger across the blade. Compass was currently packing up as well with her food, water, and clothes. Adding in their cactus light and knife into their stash. She looked back at the other high rank.

"Melon..are you okay..?" Compass asked, her tone filled with slight amusement and vital concern.

"Yupppp." Melon trailed off, lazily shoving their knife into their bag along with the other clothes, weapons, food, and beverages. Compass shot a final worried glance towards the lead hunter, then going back and finishing packing up. MaL walked towards Melon, awkwardly placing a hand on her shoulder. Melon looked at MaL.

"Whaaaa-" she asked, not fully aware of what was going on. MaL gave a frown, looking at Melon's state. Her hair was a bit ruffled and her pupils were slightly dilated.

"Yeah, it's not a good idea to smoke, alright?" MaL told the lead hunter, patting her shoulder. "I mean...you've been smoking, right?" She carefully questioned.

"Hmmmmm...maybeeee." She drawled out. MaL gave a sigh, smelling the acrid smoke infused with the lead hunter's breath.

She went to packing her own clothes, food, and beverages in her bag. "Just...don't smoke too much, actually, at all." She pleaded a bit. Bringing a flower charm and a flashlight in her bag, along with a sharp stick for self-defense.

Melon slouched over. "But whyyyyy." She slurred a bit, MaL put Melon's bag in the lead hunter's grasp, slowly leading Melon to a mattress and sitting her down on it. "Heheh, butt-" Melon giggled a bit.

"Because smoking isn't good for your health,"  MaL explained, walking off to finish packing up. Melon lay down, a small giggle rising in her chest. The lead hunter slowly fell asleep.

"Heheheheh, okieee bet."

———————

Okame, Sage, and Maxie packed their things. The trio packing their food, beverages, and extra sets of clothes. Okame packed along with a journal, pen, knife, and a first aid kit. He looked back at the other two, who were still packing.

Maxie shoved a few other items such as a knife and the phone charger from the convenience store into his bag as Sage put their knife and the rusty nail that they had found earlier into their travel sack. Without a word, all three of them walked back to the vacant main room. Maxie and Sage laying down on the pillows and mattresses.

Okame sat right behind the entrance of the base, staring anxiously at the stars, he fiddled with his fingers a bit. Maxie cracked open an eye, staring at the alphabeta. Maxie walked over to Okame, taking a seat next to the other boy. "Something on your mind, broski?" Maxie asked, looking into Okame's dark eyes.

Okame glanced at the delta, cracking a smile as he then averted his gaze towards the bright moon. "I...I just hope that this is the right choice. I don't want someone to get hurt because of me.." he sighed. Maxie wrapped his arm around Okame's shoulders, shaking them a little bit.

"Hey, it's gonna be okay. I can reassure you that it'll all be okay." He comforted Okame, the boy smiled. Maxie leaned into the smaller one, the two continuing passionately to stare at the dark blue starry night sky.

"Take a look at that bromance right there." A soft voice murmured with a snicker. Maxie looked back to recognize Sage.

"I-, how long have you been there-" Okame instantly asked, shocked. Sage laughed, sitting down next to the others.

"Long enough to see all that." They nudged Okame, the alphabeta merely giving an awkward chuckle. They had a few moments of deafening silence, the trio continuing to stargaze.

Okame looked away from the night sky. "Well, I suppose that we should go off to bed." He admitted, looking at Maxie, who was half asleep on his shoulder. The three collapsed on their own separate mattresses, them all drifting to sleep in seconds.

———————

~August 31st, 2025~

"Gee, have you been staying up all night or summit?" Tommy asked, poking Okame as the alphabeta opened their sleepy eyes. Okame yawned sleepily a bit.

"Maybe." He willingly admitted, putting on his glasses. Maxie and Sage waking up and gently stretching. Okame sat upwards, looking around.

"I suppose everyone is up already-" he inferred. Tommy blinked, merely scratching the back of his neck.

"Erm, you could say that. Everyone but Melon is up." He explained, pointing to Melon. Okame nodded, standing up and walking over to the lead hunter. He shook her a bit.

"Hey, Melon. It's time to go. Get ready." He told the sleepy being as she slowly woke up. Melon looked at Okame, taking a bit of time to process what the boy had just say.

"Oh, hey Okameeeee. Sure." She drawled out, sleepy. She left her bed and enthusiastically joined MaL and Compass, who both greeted her kindly. Okame went outside of the base, looking out at the now brilliant blue sky. He turned to look back at everyone else.

"You all ready?" He smiled, partially out of determination and partially out of nervousness. Everyone gave their approval, a few giving thumbs up and grins. Okame smirked. "Alright, Sabre, your group is headed off to Idaho. Remember, the place you're looking for is the Sayo Clinic." He explained. Sabre saluted the other.

"You got it, captain." Sabre naturally gave a teasing grin as they high-fived Tommy, waving their hand as a gesture for Rose and Feather to promptly follow.

"Good luck!" Sage called out to their friend. Sabre turned around and winked slyly at the lead warrior.

"Luck? I've got skill." They grinned jokingly as they left the abandoned city, waving at the group before leaving their view. Okame cracked a smile, then turning to Tommy's group which consisted of him, Geo, Rosia, and Crystal.

"Alright, you four. Good luck, stay safe, your destination is the Andrew Cancer Center in Houston." He chirped Geo, looking at the map they had traced onto a piece of used cloth from their phone, straightening the hat they had been wearing on their head.

"If I don't make it back, put an 'f' in the chat." Geo tipped their hat as Crystal hugged Okame, Rosia smiling and saying last goodbyes. Tommy led the group towards Houston, Geo right next to Tommy due to having the map. Geo gently folded the cloth map and packed it away, using their phone as guidance. The four disappeared from their view, Okame turned to MaL's group which had Compass and Melon included.

"You all stay safe, alright? Take care, all of you." Okame chirped, they all gave their thumbs up.

"Be careful on your own little mission!" Compass called, waving as they all left.

"Byeee 'Kameee." Melon shouted as MaL waved her goodbye. The three left off towards the nearest pharmacy. Okame focused on Sage and Maxie, the air still and empty.

"Alright, I guess it's just us." Okame smiled, Maxie, and Sage grinned. "I sent a text to all of the other BA members telling them about the base. And if the base is claimed again by someone who has dropped by, I made sure to give them directions to the convenience store for shelter." He added on. The two nodded, despite Sage having no knowledge about the abandoned convenience store.

The three looked at the base that they had all called home for the past week. A gentle breeze blew through their hair.

"Well, off we go."

———————