The whisp of smoke above the high treetops of the rainforest locked her gaze, the shape blurred by the tears in her eyes. It felt as a testament to her objections, proof of her failure to keep her friends safe. Here she was, safe and sound, while half of her squad was blasted to pieces cause she made a mistake. Her knees hurt, she hadn't realized she had fallen on her knees. She had never wanted to command, never wanted to fight. Couldn't the machines just have left them alone? What terrible things had they done, to deserve such a treatment? Her entire life, people who had wanted nothing else but to live had died. Forced to fight for their existence against an undefeatable enemy. People who wanted nothing else than spend their time in peace and wanted nothing else but a safe haven for the people they loved. 

She wept without shame, griefing for the fate of Ani, for Dimitar. Wept for the fate of her people, for the losses she had endured during her life and for the losses she would have in the future. She wept for the world, wept for her failure and wept for the grief her choices would bestow upon others. The tears kept coming and she did nothing to hold them back. The world was so unfair, the situation so stressful and her forced command had gone completely awry. 

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

She the whisp of smoke turned smaller rapidly as the transporter zoomed through the air towards the tower. The leafy roof of the forest became thinner and thinner, the trees grew shorter and further apart from one another. Next to her, Dimitar moaned loudly. She tore her gaze from the horizon where the remaining smoke was no longer discernible. Tears streaked down his wet cheeks, his eyes red. He didn't respond to her when she laid a hand on his shoulder. 

"I'm so sorry," Alexa whispered. "Im so.. so sorry."

Dimitar shook off her hand, got to his feet and walked to the other side of the room. He didn't say a word, nor looked at her and sat down next to Velislava. Alexa wasn't worried, they had been friends for years and been through many losses in their lives together. He would come to her when he was ready and they would grief together, they always did. 

Her voice was shaky when she turned on the intercom to inform the squad what had happened.