Color Sergeant Iosefine Alezia…lies here…

Caitlyn reads the words on the wooden plank in her mind. She grips her tag tight as if it’s her own soul. A fragile soul that will break if it hits the ground. She just made her a resting place. Genesis helped her in the crime. It’s a tiny grave amidst nowhere. It’ll be a while until someone finds out. Caitlyn hopes that the war is over by then.

“She’s gone…” Caitlyn sniffs.

She is the only friend she has, the only person that cares for her. They have been working together up until they are sergeants. They even shared the same Chord once, with her leading and Caitlyn on the wheel. They got separated when Command promoted Alezia. The girl was like a sister to her, and only now she realizes it.

Caitlyn is always a good person in her eyes. All her flaws never once bothered her. She even took the steps to help her overcome it. She can never command a tank had Alezia not lent her hand. The girl told her everything about its nook and cranny so that she knows what to expect. Caitlyn is eternally indebted. Yet she can’t even return the compassion that she has given her throughout their struggle. Once more she convinces herself of how pathetic she is.

There’s a pat on her shoulder. Genesis did it.

“Remember what she said to you when she is about to…pass away.” Genesis says.

“She wished for me to stay safe?”

“Not that one.” Genesis says. “She is happy that you finally achieved something.”

Caitlyn glances at the maid. A particular thing she said suddenly spring to her.

…It’s your big day…

It’s too good to be true, her overwhelming kindness. But it’s real. She wished the best for her. She took actions that pushed her further every day. Caitlyn suspected an ulterior motive. There is none. Alezia said it herself. She gazed through her eyes and sensed a troubled individual. Caitlyn admits that she needs help. And the girl just granted it. She even sacrificed herself for Caitlyn to come out on top.

“But…it’s not even a day without her.” Caitlyn sniffs again.

“Make one without her, then.”

Caitlyn frowns. “Are you trying to start a fight, Genesis?”

“You…misunderstood. It’s more than pleasing for her to see you succeed. She dedicated her life to help you quell your challenges. This is probably one where she desires the most to see you victorious.”

“But how do I do tha…oh…”

That’s the challenge.

She now has to acknowledge that Alezia has helped her enough. It’s time for her to help herself. To appreciate what had been granted by her. To achieve victory with everything she had learned from her. To utilize her own strength and make a day without her. That girl will be proud.

Genesis nods. “I suppose that’s how you honor those who passed away. Carry out their merit. Show her that you can now achieve things by yourself. You don’t want everything she did for you to be in vain, do you?”

“I absolutely don’t.”

“That’s the spirit.” Genesis pats her shoulder.

The maid steps back and opens her arms. She puts up her usual friendly smile.

“What?” Caitlyn shrugs.

“Don’t you want a hug?”

“What is that for?”

“Oh well you know, Charlotte usually needs it after a hard day at work. Or a hard day in general.”

“You two are that close, huh.”

Genesis shakes her hands. “I’m getting tired here, Caitlyn.”

Caitlyn half-smiles as she pushes herself into the maid’s embrace. She wraps her arms around her waist. Genesis wraps hers around Caitlyn’s arms. She can feel them patting her back. She is glad that she just found another friend. And she put some effort into making her one too. Getting her into her group was her decision.

“You girls are aware that we’re still buggered, right?” PT says.

The sun is setting. They are stranded in sparse woods. They called for help and are still waiting after a whole day. They believe that Command is gathering an extraction team. The problem is they are now some kilometers inside enemy territory. Getting them out of there without drawing more telves attention is a challenge.

“Well what are you suggesting?” Genesis asks. “Call Fort again? Do you want a bunch of telves crawling on us?”

“I can self-destruct.”

“Well I can’t. So, I do mind.”

Caitlyn let go.

“Better?” Genesis asks her.

Caitlyn nods. “Thank you.” She didn’t believe that it’s going to work. She is pleased that she is disproven.

Caitlyn once more approaches Alezia’s grave. She crouches on her knee and gives the grave marker a pat.

“Rest well, friend.” She mumbles. “The war is over for you.”

Inside, she thanks her for her benevolence. She won’t make it this far without her boundless support. She promises that she’ll take proper care of herself from now. She promises that she’ll make her proud.

“Right, so what now?” PT asks.

“We wait.” Caitlyn stands up. “What else? Making your way back is too risky.”

“So, it’s me babysitting you both until help arrives?”

Caitlyn approaches the tank. “You’ll get picked up too, though.” She sits beside him, legs curled. She is trying to keep her profile as low as possible. Genesis sits beside her.

PT’s engine is busted. Replacement is the only way. Unless they are going to set up a repair station around here, PT has to be dragged back to friendly lines. Telves presence is sparse along this front thanks to Command’s shelling campaign. But stumbling into their unit with only a carbine and two sidearm is less preferable than sitting around a rotating 130mm gun waiting for help. At least they have some firepower to fend off approaching hostiles. Especially when Caitlyn and Genesis aren’t meant to combat them directly.

“Did you know that rotation is coming soon?” PT says. “Hm…why do I tell you that?”

“Yeah, I don’t have a home.” Genesis replies.

Caitlyn finds Genesis gazing at her with curiosity. She gazes in return. “What?”

“Will you…you know…?”

“Going…home?” Caitlyn looks upward.

…Die…

She hears the voices again. But this time Caitlyn doesn’t flinch. They disappear like a flushed campfire, and Caitlyn remains impassive.

“Sorry I shouldn’t have asked you that.”

“It’s okay.”

“A long night again, eh?” PT says.

“Again, we should be staying alert.” Caitlyn replies.

“How does it feel like to go home?” Genesis asks.

“I don’t know. I haven’t done that in ten years.”

“Damn, Caitlyn. Are you sure you didn’t break anything?”

Her family were already broken by her presence. Caitlyn thought that it shouldn’t matter if she leaves them. She did that to fix their condition anyway. But she starts to feel uneasy. Probably due to what PT said. Even when she is a problem to them, plucking herself out only worsens it. She had caused them trouble. It has to be upsetting. She now invests in the thought that her absence is crushing. What if it’s true?

Caitlyn shrugs. “My mental state.” She follows it up with a half-smile.

Genesis awkwardly looks at her in silence.

“I’m concerned about you.” She then says. “Really.”

“Yeah, KT. That’s not funny.”

“My bad…” Caitlyn rubs her nape.

The bushes on the other side of PT rustles. It sounds like a person trying to carve his path through dense vegetation. The tank immediately turns his gun at that direction. Genesis snatches the carbine beside her and holds Caitlyn in place. The maid wants her to remain there while she takes a look. Caitlyn only pulls out her sidearm and nods at Genesis. The maid creeps around her and assume position to fire at the bushes.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“Friendly! Friendly!”

Genesis lowers her carbine. She seems to recognize the voice.

A figure emerges. His arms flail around, shoving all sorts of vegetations away from him.

“Bugger, I’ve seen wankers more civilized than these oversized grasses.” The figure grumps. “Hey, how you lot doing?” He adds while clearing the last of the bushes.

Genesis gasps and quickly slung the carbine. She trots toward the man and bows before him.

“Sir Edward.”

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I-I’m fine, sir.”

Caitlyn walks beside Genesis and salutes the man. “Sir…”

“At ease, first sergeant.” He returns the salute.

It’s a shocking presence. Just a day ago they were talking about him. Now they see him in person. What is the second highest state authority doing out here by himself? And how did he manage to get here by himself? His SANTET module?

“With due respect, it’s dangerous here sir.” Genesis says.

“Next you’re telling me deserts are dry.” Sir Edward gestures at Genesis.

The man looks left. He finally notices the metallic hump that has been accompanying them since morning. He takes a careful look, especially at its missing turret.

“Impressive.” He says as he approaches it. “You took it down?” He points at it.

“We took it down, sir.” Caitlyn says.

Sir Edward then reaches for his pocket and pulls out a spherical object the size of half of his hand. His thumb presses on its button. Its azure ring glows as it floats mid-air. It flies closer and emit a blue-ray that scans the Thorn’s wreckage. It returns to Sir Edward’s hand a few seconds later.

“More work for the scholars.” He says as he puts it back into his pocket. “Anyway, I’m here to pick you up. Chop-chop.”

Caitlyn and Genesis share a glance.

“So, we’re not taking him?” Caitlyn points her thumb at PT.

“What do you think am I? A flatbed?” Sir Edward asks. “We got plenty of them in the warehouse.”

“Yeah, KT. Just go with him.”

Caitlyn turns her attention to him. The tank sees joy in the presence of others. She understands now how pleasing that feeling is. Caitlyn doesn’t want to leave him alone. It surely will pain him. She usually doesn’t mind. It’s part of the job. But now she sees him more than just a tank. A friend, a partner who almost matches Alezia. She just lost her. She doesn’t want to lose another especially when she can afford it.

She can’t say that to Sir Edward, however. It always comes to reason when arguing with a superior. Unless of course the superior demands what suit them the most. But that shouldn’t be the case with Sir Edward. He’s the co-ruler of the state. What gives the best result should be the only thing in his mind.

“How long have you served, PT?” Caitlyn asks.

“Ten years. What about it?”

“I’d argue that we take him back, sir. He’s a crack shot.” Caitlyn insists. “I ordered him to shoot down the barrel of the Thorn’s gun. That’s how we eliminated it.”

Sir Edward takes a deep breath. “Girl, you were just lucky.” He says. “Him alone won’t make any difference, units’ coordination does. Also, his AI is literally made for accurate and precise shot.”

“But AI learns don’t they, sir? Like me,” Caitlyn points at Genesis. “Like her. And with due respect sir, like you.” She says, gesturing at him. “And who are we to think an elite won’t make a difference in units’ coordination?”

These people usually know combat by heart. They are fully aware of the weapons on both sides, friendlies’ and enemies’ behavior, and the terrain they are working on. They are able to utilize those knowledges to maximize their performance. They sometimes could be depended upon to stabilize things if they go haywire.

Sir Edward wipes his face. “By my master’s will…” He groans. “How many of these delinquent lasses are there in the country?”

“Pardon me, sir?”

“Fine.” He states. “But I’m still going and won’t be returning. Command just said that he needs me. You sit here and don’t die or I will sue you.” He points at Caitlyn.

An intimidating sight.

“Are you really going to sue her for dying, sir?” Genesis asks Sir Edward.

Sir Edward silently pointed a finger to their direction. He isn’t pointing at Caitlyn, nor Genesis. He is pointing at something behind them; Alezia’s grave. Caitlyn silently turns to Genesis with a shocked expression. The maid does the same. Without it being said, they know that they are screwed. Caitlyn doesn’t expect being caught red-handed by the second highest state-authority will spell the end of her career.

“Fine,” Sir Edward sighs. “Since you’re the first one to kill this thing,” He nods at the Thorn. “I’ll suspend the charge against you until you find yourselves a MASCOT in your defense.”

“T-thank you so much, sir.” Caitlyn bows.

“Allow me to stay with her, sir.” Genesis says.

“You’re coming with me, or you’re starting over.” Sir Edward points at the maid. “Medals, ranks, privileges, et cetera.”

“Y-yes sir.”

Sir Edward turns his back on them and immediately strides away.

“I’m sorry, Caitlyn…” Genesis gestures at her as if her bladder is full, if she has one. “I’ll be back with some hel-”

“Maid corporal.” Sir Edward exclaims.

“Go.” Caitlyn nods.

Genesis nods back and quickly catches up with the man. They disappear through the bushes, into the darkness.

Caitlyn rests her back on PT’s side hull.

“Well, here we are again.” She comments.

“Think you pissed him off.” PT says.

“Did I?”

“Sir Edward is literally the person you want for a drinking partner. Sure, it is the first time I see him in person. Never thought he would speak up like that.”

Caitlyn shrugs. “He still sounds friendly though.”

“Now who did it better, him, Hassle, or Fort?”

“Are you talking hospitality?”

“Yes.”

Caitlyn takes a moment to gather her thought. She takes a glance at the tank’s turret and comes up with an idea.

“How about, you?”

“I’ll tell you mine after you answer.”

Caitlyn chuckles. “Are you dense? That was my answer.”

“Oh…?” PT is briefly silent. “Hmm. Didn’t think so. You remember how I teased you the first time we met?”

“You don’t tease someone unless you know them for two years at least.”

“So, by that you consider me as the friendliest of those I mentioned?”

Caitlyn nods.

“Even though you don’t like it to begin with?”

“Hey, don’t be too fixated on me. Some people like it, I believe.”

The tank is silent. Caitlyn thinks it doesn’t suit him. She wants to keep the conversation going.

“Do you remember when we were escorting KP, you asked Genesis about musical preferences? I don’t have one, I never listened to anything. Would you tell me yours? I might like it.”

“Anything that sings about a girl, actually. My favorite is this one.”

PT sends an audio file through private message. Caitlyn can play it the way she operates her utilizer, with her mind. She thinks about opening the file and it plays. Caitlyn doesn’t broadcast the audio hence it’s playing exclusively for her.

The piece is sung by a male choir. The verse sounds overall flat with periodic rise of intonation. The chorus however, sounds like it’s sung by someone drunk by love.

The maple is curly, the maple is green. Where my heart lies, you bloom therein.

The maple is curly, the maple is green. Where you’ve gone to, please give me a hint.

The maple is curly, the maple is green. Towards you, forever I would lean.

The green maple is all curly and carved. Truly curly and carved.

It invokes a deep longing inside—a longing for a beloved one. There’s not a single second passed without thinking about her. Caitlyn thinks it applies both ways. Although no-one infatuates her, it reminds her of someone that cared for her once. Someone that saw hope in her when everyone else gave up.

The soldier in the song is finally reunited with the girl he met. It touches and make her jealous at the same time. She wants it to happen to her. She again wants to be one with the person she loved. The picture of that person comes to mind. A blurry image of a mature woman in a maid uniform. She pieces her as best as she could, recalling every corner of her feature at that time. Pain flares in her chest as she does so.

“PT…”

“Lovely isn’t it?”

Caitlyn half-smiles. “Y-yeah…” She says, trying to hide her actual feeling.

“It reminds you of your family, doesn’t it?”

Caitlyn takes a deep breath.

“So, you really wanted to return to them.”

Caitlyn takes another deep breath, trying to calm herself. But a sniff goes through. “I miss her PT…my sister…”

“Uh…okay, okay.” PT says, trying to calm her. “No need to go further if you can’t do it.”

“No, it’s okay.” Caitlyn wipes a tear off her eye. “I wanted to help her. But I probably did more to hurt instead.”

At that moment, a loud clank turns on Caitlyn’s adrenaline. A shot goes through PT’s armor. The shock nudge Caitlyn away but she is still standing. She immediately pulls her sidearm out. She notices the hole on PT’s side hull. It’s somewhere between the engine and the ammunition compartment. A shivering sight. That’s where PT’s power core is.

“Oh no…”

Caitlyn trains her sidearm around, from one flank to the other. She doesn’t see anyone. Nothing shows up even on her night vision filter.

Caitlyn yelps as she feels a hit on her leg. It’s powerful enough to topple her. Her face picks up dirt. Caitlyn can no longer feel her left leg. The pain kicks in. She flips herself and dares to look. It’s gone. Everything below her knee is now a mess of shredded endoskeleton, organic tissues, and all sorts of fibers scattered around her leg.

Caitlyn screams. It’s an excruciating pain. She presses against her left thigh but it barely does anything. Her breath is short. She wishes it kills her, but her sight isn’t fading out. It’s only dark because she tightly shuts her eyes. No one told her that it would be this painful.

Suddenly the bushes around her rustle. Two soldiers emerge out, telve Guards. Caitlyn can technically still reach for her sidearm and shoot at them. But she is too occupied with the pain. She doesn’t even think about it. She let them get close. When she looks up, one of them has the butt of his rifle facing her. One bruising impact on her face and her vision finally blackens.

“S-sister…Gvozdika…”