41:- Defibrillation

Ichiro:  Bladwin, we need to find them, and fast.

Bladwin:  Agreed. Let's track them down.

The two of them remained hidden in the shadows, plotting their next move in pursuit of Kudelia and Fumitan.

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As Ichiro and Bladwin moved through the unfamiliar streets, the tension was palpable. Bladwin couldn't help but question Ichiro's hunch about the masked man being McGillis Fareed.

Bladwin asked, "How did you know it was McGillis? It could have been someone else with the same eye color."

Ichiro slowed his pace for a moment, considering Bladwin's question. "You're right; it was a hunch. But it was the way he reacted when I mentioned his name. He could have denied it or tried to hide it, but he didn't. Instead, he asked, 'How do you know me?' That's when I realized something was off."

Bladwin furrowed his brow, thinking about it. "So, you confronted him without concrete evidence?"

Ichiro nodded. "Sometimes, you have to trust your instincts, especially in our line of work. Besides, even if I was wrong, he's clearly involved in something shady, and we can't let Kudelia or anyone else get caught up in it."

Bladwin understood Ichiro's reasoning but couldn't help feeling a bit uneasy about the situation.

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Ichiro and Bladwin exchanged grim glances as they heard the unmistakable sounds of chaos in the distance, accompanied by plumes of smoke rising into the sky.

Ichiro muttered, "It looks like the workers' armed uprising has begun. We can't waste any more time."

Bladwin nodded in agreement. "Agreed. Let's find Kudelia, Fumitan, and the others quickly and get out of here before things get even messier."

With a sense of urgency, they changed their course, following the rising smoke and distant gunfire as they navigated the labyrinthine streets of the Dort Colonies.

Ichiro's heart sank as he caught sight of the television screen in a shop's display window. The image portrayed a scene of chaos, with smoke billowing around Kudelia, who cradled the lifeless body of a girl in her arms. The girl's shirt was stained with blood, a stark and haunting image against the backdrop of devastation.

His mind raced, and it didn't take long for Ichiro to piece together the grim truth. The location and the horrifying scene unfolding before him were all too familiar—the very place where the protesting workers were.

His voice trembled as he turned to Bladwin, his expression grave. "Bladwin, that's where Kudelia is, and it's the same place where the workers protested. We need to get there quickly."

Without waiting for a response, Ichiro and Bladwin dashed towards the direction of the smoke.

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The scene was a nightmare come to life. The Union workers, who had dared to raise their voices against injustice, were now being mercilessly massacred by Gjallarhorn Mobile Workers. The streets were filled with chaos, and the air was thick with the stench of death and destruction.

Amidst the horror, only Kudelia remained alive, a solitary figure amidst the carnage. She was the target of Nobliss's agents, who took advantage of the chaos to take their shot. A bullet was fired, aimed straight at Kudelia, but in that critical moment, Fumitan stepped forward, her body becoming a shield to protect Kudelia.

The impact of the bullet hitting Fumitan was a sickening sound amidst the chaos. Fumitan's body convulsed as the bullet struck her, and she staggered backward, blood staining her clothing. Her pain was evident, but she managed to stay on her feet.

With her last remaining strength, Fumitan whispered her final words to Kudelia. Her voice was weak but filled with a deep sincerity. Fumitan gave her the necklace which Kudelia had given her.

Kudelia's eyes welled up with tears as she watched her dear friend and protector crumple to the ground, unconscious from her grievous wounds. In that moment, Kudelia believed that Fumitan had sacrificed her life to save her.

Mikazuki, the ever-watchful guardian, arrived just in time. He found Kudelia amidst the chaos, her tears streaming down her face as she cried for Fumitan. Without a word, Mikazuki scooped her up in his arms, cradling her gently.

As Mikazuki carried Kudelia away from the heart-wrenching scene, she clung to him, her sobs echoing through the streets.

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The sight that greeted Ichiro and Bladwin was nothing short of devastating. Fumitan, lying lifeless amidst the chaos. Bladwin's heart sank as he saw her motionless body, his emotions overwhelming him.

Ichiro, with a sense of urgency, urged Bladwin to use the sparkvision in his helmet to check if there was any sign of life. Bladwin, trembling with fear, activated the feature, and to his immense relief, he detected a faint but steady heartbeat. Tears welled up in Bladwin's eyes as he cried, "She's alive, Ichiro... but she's hanging by a thread."

Ichiro didn't waste a moment. He kicked Bladwin lightly, a gesture meant to snap him out of his shock, and instructed him to carefully pick up Fumitan. Bladwin nodded through his tears and gently cradled Fumitan's unconscious body in his arms.

Ichiro quickly moved to a nearby street, a slightly safer spot where they could try to help Fumitan. His bag contained life-saving equipment, and he was determined to do everything he could to keep Fumitan alive.

As they worked together in that dire moment, the atmosphere was filled with panic and sorrow. Bladwin's heart ached as he held Fumitan's fragile form, realizing just how close they had come to losing her. He couldn't bear to see her life hanging in the balance, and it fueled his determination to do whatever it took to save her.

In the tense and emotionally charged atmosphere, Ichiro knew that every second counted. He carefully began to cut Fumitan's skin to extract the bullet that had narrowly missed her heart. Bladwin watched in anxious silence, his heart aching with fear and worry for their dear friend.

Ichiro's hands were steady, his focus unwavering as he worked diligently to remove the dangerous projectile. He could feel the weight of the situation bearing down on him, the responsibility of saving a life resting on his shoulders.

As the seconds ticked by, Ichiro realized the gravity of the situation. The bullet that had been lodged so close to Fumitan's heart was not an ordinary one; it was a sniper rifle round. The revelation sent a shiver down his spine, and he couldn't help but wonder who could have taken such a shot.

Ichiro's hands trembled slightly as he carefully extracted the bullet, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. The surgery tool splinter was connected to Bladwin's helmet which allowed him to see the camera of the splinter, allowing Ichiro to work with precision. He sent the tool in, gripping the bullet with careful expertise.

Finally, the bullet was out, and Ichiro breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn't afford to dwell on the implications of such an attack right now; his focus was solely on saving Fumitan's life.

As Bladwin watched Ichiro's efforts, tears welled up in his eyes. The rollercoaster of emotions he had experienced in such a short span of time had left him emotionally unstable. He was grateful to Ichiro for his skill and determination but couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the fragility of life and the danger they were all in.

Ichiro placed the extracted bullet aside and began the delicate process of stitching up Fumitan's wound. The situation was far from over, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead weighed heavily on both of them.

As Ichiro successfully removed the bullet from Fumitan's body, he was relieved to have completed the most critical part of the procedure. He glanced at Bladwin, who had hastily put his helmet back on, and could see the panic in his eyes.

Bladwin's voice trembled with fear as he asked, tears streaming down his face, "Ichiro, why isn't she okay now? Why is she still in danger?"

Ichiro's expression remained tense as he grabbed a device from his bag, recognizing that Fumitan's life was still hanging in the balance. He quickly initiated defibrillation, placing the paddles on Fumitan's chest and administering a shock. Fumitan's body jolted in response, and a weak gasp escaped her lips as her breathing resumed, albeit shallow and faint.

Ichiro wiped the sweat from his forehead, his own emotions running high as he fought to save their friend. He knew that they couldn't let their guard down just yet, that Fumitan's life was still in a fragile state.

Bladwin, overwhelmed with relief and gratitude, hugged Ichiro tightly and patted him on the back, a silent but heartfelt thank you for his efforts. In that moment, their bond as comrades was stronger than ever, and they both understood the gravity of the situation they had just faced.

Ichiro, still focused on ensuring Fumitan's recovery, turned to Bladwin with a sense of urgency in his voice.

"I need you to contact James," Ichiro said, his hands deftly patching up Fumitan's wounds. Her condition had improved, but she was far from out of danger.

Bladwin, a mix of emotions swirling inside him, asked, "Why, Ichiro? What's going on?"

Ichiro paused for a moment, then explained, "If we keep Fumitan with us, her attacker, Nobliss Gordon, might come after her again. He won't leave any loose ends on his chessboard."

Bladwin didn't like the idea of potentially sending Fumitan away, but he understood the necessity of it. With a reluctant nod, he agreed to contact James, knowing that it might be the best chance to ensure Fumitan's safety.

As Bladwin reached for his communication device to call James, Ichiro continued to tend to Fumitan, his concern and determination unwavering. The chessboard of their lives was getting more complex, and they needed to make strategic moves to protect their pieces.

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