A while later when Samuel’s core had cooled down, we managed to start heading back again.

The rest of the trip back was also not as calm as the way over. Johnson failed to spot an ambush of Lessers and Mediums that was hiding in the ruins of an old building. It was not too much trouble, but I did get a nasty hit on Fea’s shoulder.

“That's what you get when you let your alertness drop after getting a scout. Your fault.”

… Quilty as charged.

Nevertheless. The trip back was not too troubling, I suppose that is what makes a squad so nice, moving with a group that you are used to significantly reduces the difficulty of a minor skirmish.

After returning to the arcology we agreed to meet again tomorrow, for the next job. After which I began hunting Hicks down.

...Found him at home.

...Asleep.

It is bloody 7 PM! Who sleeps so early!?

“Hicks.”

...Yeah. Apparently so …*sigh*

For the time being I dragged him back to the Commission Hub and put him to work.

He promised and boasted greatly that he could get the job done easily by tomorrow, so that is good.

...Albeit in hindsight next time I agree to a schedule with my squad I really should check with my engineer…

Well, with that out of the way, Alicia and myself headed to a local restaurant for supper. bought some rather filling stew and a small pudding for Alicia. Myself, I only ate some stew and got a coffee after.

That being said, midway our meal a familiar pair of figures walked through the restaurant door.

“Ah, Bo-...sir. It's been awhile has it not!” the cheerful voice of Nastim voiced his greetings. It seems Nastim and his daughter Lìca had come for a meal here as well.

Well, I suppose a little company would be alright.

“Good evening Nastim. It has Indeed been too long, have a seat. Lìca too.” I welcomed them to my table.

I had a pleasant talk With Nastim as we waited for his order to arrive, mostly about the business. Discussions on capitalizing the weapons trade in the area of the nearby arcologies. After all, Ìrota is currently under C&C Corps influence. Making it a very beneficial as a situation for us. For some reason neither Lìca or Alicia seemed interested in taking part and were mostly having a weird stare-contest of some sort.

“Forbidden love?”

…I am slightly confused on how you managed to reach that conclusion.

Nevertheless, we continued our conversation as Nastim and Lica began their meal. (We moved to our desert.) At some point in time, both Alicia and Lìca had excused themselves to use the bathroom. Leaving us alone. It was at that time that Nastim brought up a weird subject

“So… If you don't mind me asking sir… What do you think of my daughter. Lìca?”

“...She is alright I suppose?” I responded, confused on what brought this up.

“Don't tell me...forced marriage sealing the forbidden love route? Reality is wicked...”

Ok. Lily. Seriously. Getting annoying now.

“But I am always annoying~ that's why you like me remember? ^.^”

Ignoring Lily’s babbling I tried to catch back up on my talk with Nastim.

“I was just thinking… Ok sir, I will say it plain: ...How do you feel about the feelings she has for you?”

Erm… I did not realize there were any.

...Am I more popular than I realize?    (*Author bangs his head against a wall*)

“...I don't have anything against them I suppose… But I don’t think I can meet them at this time.” For the time being I decided to respond honestly

“Oh don't worry about it sir! ...but If, say.. You were to spend more time with her… Do you think some might develop?” He answered in a roundabout-ish way.

“...Maybe?” I just responded for now… Honestly I don't know how I fare on the… emotion warfront.

“Then that truly I-” He began his cheerful response, but was interrupted by a bloodcurdling scream from the women's bathroom door.

We were not certain what was happening, but we headed right over. Especially since Alicia and Lìca had headed there.

As we reached the bathroom door, Nastim let out an anguished wail and ran to Lìca.

Inside the women's bathroom, Lìca was lying in a bool of blood with a cracked head next to a sink, and Alicia was a few meters away, breathing laboriously, as if she had just emerged victorious in a fight, her hands and face had blood on them

...What the fuck went down?

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“...What the fuck went down?”

Just as I was about to ask Alicia what happened, Nastim who was sobbing and clutching onto his daughter's body raised his arm and yelled

“IT WAS YOU! YOU PIECE OF FUCKING SLAVE FUCK!”

He pointed his pistol at Alicia. Not good.

As I rushed forward as fast as I could, shoving away others in the way. A sound reverberated through the room,

*Bang*

The sound followed by more screams.

“Ah..?”

A soft suprised voice escaped Alicia's lips

  as she looked down

...At the center of her’s chest…

...bloomed a red flower of blood.