Chapter Text
Working at such a small yet busy hospital is no joke. All the former, current, or future staff will at least once think the same thing. ‘Why am I here working?’ and they are right. There are countless jobs in this animal world.. yet they chose the weirdest one. To be even more absurd, they still keep hiring unqualified personnel.
With the current state of the world, it became surprisingly an important place. Especially in dire need of treatments.. even small places become a high ground of respite.
In recent year ??? strange phenomenons came to the surface. A virus, of some sorts, or atleast that’s what people back then assumed at first glance. Animals affected by these became aggressive and mindless to the rest of the population, striking the beginning of the new global problem.. anomalies. They are presented as altered animals that are beyond saving, and have little-to-none self consciousness. It spiked great crime, harassment, and murder cases. That’s when all industries capable of treating the injured became of such importance. This phenomenon had a habit of jumping up and down in terms of severity. Thank anything that’s above that it seemed to calm down as now.
As of now, let’s focus on where it began leaking evidence..or suspicion.
“Agent, do you copy?”
The voice came into Secret Agent’s ear, their fur covering these sorts of communication devices.
“Mm. I’ve been officially enrolled.. hah, still can’t believe that this hospital is so desperate to not even look into the new hires..”
Secret Agent said as they fixed their suit. He saw some nurses around in uniforms.. yet someone with the role of security doesn’t get any? Strange.
“Well, despite that, be on alert all times, don’t forget why you’re here. A bit of digging led here, there must be a reason for it.”
The previous voice spoke with firmness, as it should be. This is a mission, not a vacation.
“Got that, I’ll report anything important. Keep the comms open for the next few weeks, alright?”
“Will do, Agent. Make sure not to be.. distracted. And stay safe. If you’re going to end up on the missing list we might be done for.”
“Mh-hm.”
Secret Agent replied in a dismissive manner. This isn’t their first mission, and certainly is not the last. No need to baby them.
The workplace is just getting started up, coworkers getting ready for shifts, some discussing plans.. everything in the mornings, basically.
As Secret Agent looked around, their eyes immediately zeroed on a rather.. interesting animal in the front desk, helping a blue-skinned dog. They are likely the secretary.. and that hoodie guy. Whoever the hell is that.
Why does that presence alone makes Secret Agent be wary?
Regardless, they decide to ignore their guts, and go get intel from those figures.
“I don’t know the other secretary is not going to be in shift today.. you sure you want to fill in, intern? You’re new here afterall.. It’s not a beginner friendly role..”
The dog spoke, clear concern in their voice towards that hoodie bunny guy with a weird face..inhumane, weird but oh so alluring face..
However, (un)fortunately the secretary noticed Secret Agent and raised an eyebrow in question.. whether it was of their appearance, being a new face, or a simple ‘whats up’ is unknown.
Secret Agent finally mustered a hey, their nature is coming back in an instant.
“Hey.”
..
okay wow that was amazing social skills..
The dog cleared their throat after an awkward minute.
“Hello. You’re the new security, right? I’m Ron from accounting. And this is Intern. Is there anything I can help with?”
Oh.. wait, accounting? Why is anyone accounting here so present? In the front desk, nonetheless?
“Uh, Ron from.. accounting? Is this an all-in-everything workplace?”
“Haha no.. that’s my last name.”
Ron looked away sheepishly, even though they are a dog and not a sheep. Looks like they get that a lot.
..Weird last name for sure… but that’s trivial information.. GET TO THE POINT!
“Anyway..”
Secret Agent started, time to get the intel. No gossiping time.
"What exactly is the threat here, to have such a big staff team and need for security?"
Ron shaked his head, while the Intern looked just as curious as they were.
"We, near the reception, have to make sure no anomalies get past us into the treatment halls, where our overworked doctors and nurses.. It gets pretty intense, trust me."
"I was just about to hand Intern the guide book on how to deal with anomalies, and as security when you applied I think they have uh.. told you what to do, right?"
"Not precisely, protect from threats, guns allowed, searching for strong animals. That's all."
Ron sighed, as if becoming the unpaid mentor to new hires..
"Well, the threats are the anomalies, there are a few..persistent ones that we can't just shut the shutters on, you'll come in and deal with them. For how, I don't think it matters, just dispose of them out of here."
"Sounds easy enough. Is it really that frequent?"
Secret Agent thought there is no way it's that simple and vague. Too much freedom for methods.. who in their right mind would agree to these?
"Haha you'd be surprised... Just clock in for now, at break I'll get someone to show all the areas of this hospital, okay?"
Intern nodded silently as Secret Agent began filing away information necessary to survive this job. They got a feeling they will need it..
The first shift was surprisingly easy, there was no threat to be taken care of, so Secret Agent took that opportunity to observe.
The coworkers around them are so.. strange. They are all different species of animals, that’s great.. But so far there has been nothing interesting. It just raises the question: why need so many people working here???
And the strangest of them all.. that Intern guy.. That overall presence makes the cat in them flare up with caution. They don’t seem to be doing any harm.. just odd, silly even. Best to avoid.
Regardless of any inside turbulence, the shift had a break between going to the next one, that’s when they should get a tour of some sorts, right?
On cue, Ron waved over Secret Agent, with Intern staring intensely at the coffee machine, as if to will it faster.
“Good, I’ve asked Head Nurse to take you two around the halls, they should be here anytime soon, finishing up after Room 6.”
Secret Agent nodded in acknowledgement while the words fell right in and out of Intern’s head.. just the machine and them I guess..
A while later, the head nurse, a fox-like white animal with grey spots finally arrived in their uniform. They had a rather..dominating presence, already.
“Oh you two are them. Alright let's get it going we don't have all day and I've just dealt with someone crying about a few cuts."
They seem pretty impatient.. but honestly, it fits them.
Whilst walking, they quickly introduced themselves..along with a few complaints, of course.
" Tsk Ron giving more and more tasks like they are the boss it's infuriating. By the way, I'm Head Nurse, and don't be a dumbass. She/they I do not care literally. Come to me if something meaningful happened,oh and if you guys see Secretary, not Ron, tell my darling to check the storage herbs.”
Her voice softened when mentioning the other secretary.. so there's already favourites now, huh? She seems pretty straightforward.. and blunt. Rudely so.
She showed them the way around, the two halls, the surgery room, the storage room, the staff room, the small shop for some reason.. Why is there a shop in the hospital in the first place..? Doesn't seem to be used by patients..
The group walked past a few other workers, on their break with a coffee..
Is everyone a coffee addict here? Is there no other beverages or..
Secret Agent’s line of thought has been disrupted by yet again the Intern, they were so strange and quiet, and somehow drawn to them in a way none of them could explain..
The Head Nurse turned to the Intern after their brief tour, giving a warm welcome despite her earlier attitude.
“Look, Intern, if you get bored of Ron and my darling still isn't there, you're welcome to come help us anytime..
And you, uh, whatever your name is, one of us will call you if we need assistance with an anomaly.”
Secret Agent hummed alright.
Then decided to also tell their name..since everyone calls someone something..
“You can call me Agent."
“Agent? A weird name there. Weirder than Ron’s."
“You can say that again, Head Nurse . You have a weird name too."
“Well, it matches perfectly, alright?! Unlike yours, it sounds like someone would be a spy for the government."
That hit too close home.. better not expose themself so fast.
“Whatever. It matches as well, an Agent protects.”
"Uhuh sure.”
..They already know they won't get along with her at all.. so prickly for what..
The Intern just stood there, still unspoken and listening to their talk (banter).
Well, luckily the next shift is about to begin.. Head Nurse grumbled something about her time being wasted while they have more important stuff to attend to.. Secret Agent was rolling their eyes at this whole thing.
They both went back to the entrance together. They still haven't spoken to each other. Yet none of them will change it. Intern went back to help Ron at the reception, while our totally not stubborn cat went to their position.
As Secret Agent observes the patients entering and leaving, they can note these visitors looked unhinged. Extra wide eyes, 3 eyes, too wide grin or frown..not to mention the some creepy eyes.
Most of the anomalies though were pretty easygoing. Complained out loud like ‘No service? How dare you!’ when the shutters dropped in front of them. None were an actual threat so far though. They kind of feel guilty for doing bare minimum. They listened in what they could, mostly though they paid a huge amount of attention in Intern. That guy is definitely up for something bad.
And as a Secret Agent they should—
..
Did they just chug 3 cups of coffee? In 3 sips each???? What in the world..
.. that one there is definitely insane.
Did no one see that or they don't care?!
Secret Agent decided that was enough idiocy for him right now and went to patrol instead on the halls..
Mostly machines beeping, and a lot of technical noises..and some yelling.
They came there to check it out.. only to be met with Head Nurse crashing the hell out on a patient..
“MR BROWN. DID YOU JUST SHIT YOURSELF?? I GAVE YOU MEDICINE NOT DIARRHEA."
..Whatever the hell is going on in this place..
They all need mental help. Including the patients.