Chapter 249: Arc 4, Act II, - 94: Our Former Foe
"Ccchh..." "Many of our troops seem to be in delirium. We’ve had multiple suicides and homicides recorded. The entirety of Company Two has gone AWOL for several hours, nearing a complete day now," a feminine voice relayed over the radio.
The dog-human soldier who beckoned Jotou and Fumeko held the transceiver’s microphone. Surrounding them were the soldiers on night duty. "The Thundering Blade and..." he searched for some sort of nametag, "...her companion are here, if you could relay-"
"Warp," the microphone was snatched away by shadow into the brunette’s grasp. She gave a glare to the soldier and pressed the button, "Detective Fumeko Namora here, tell me, were the suicide and homicide victims sent in the same direction as Company Two?"
"Yes, Company Three was initially sent on reconnaissance to the west, but many of the troops returned and experienced some amounts of trauma and confusion; they were the victims.
The company’s captain reported that there seemed to be enemy encampments, but the enemies didn’t advance, allowing our troops to report back and I ordered Company Two to set up camp there.
There hasn’t been communication and the current victims have taken our attention. We’re in the process of exhausting possibilities, but we’re beginning to suspect magic may be in play so, we contacted Division Six," the radio crackled.
Fumeko glanced to Jotou, "Could be some invisible toxin in the air where they were? So many cases at once after returning, magic’s possible; my instincts’re saying either Poison Feather or."
"The Psyching Dread," Jotou completed the thought. ’It’s easier to explain who Dread is to the others with this evidence; not like Fumeko doesn’t already know of my informant. I can tell the others this though.’
"Remember the intel we got from Kor before we left Kria?" Jotou verbalized.
Fumeko’s eyes darted to the floor, taking a moment to recall which intel... "...Trailon succeeded in the evacuation of their telepath. The telepath was a she.
She couldn’t control minds, but could use spaces to create subliminal memories and lightly read people’s thoughts—only negative emotions and memories though. Happier memories warded off her abilities..."
"Negative emotions and memories being brought up and being amplified can very easily drive people to insanity or even suicide. Seemingly fine soldiers return, then the next moment in delirium?" Jotou hinted.