Part 1

I'm lying on the bed of my new quarters languidly, probably looking all spaced out. Dr. Saionji came by earlier and answered some of the most pressing questions that got stuck in my head after witnessing something of that magnitude. I'm still finding it hard to digest all of the previous events without feeling lost. 

Virtually all the knowledge and experience, however meager, that I've managed to acquire during my twenty years of life had been completely overturned. Of course I'd be distraught. This isn't something I could naturally accept just like that. 

This unfamiliar world and the foreign body of knowledge they called 'Science' truly fascinated me. But I was also terrified. Completely, utterly terrified...

Battles like the one earlier made the ones waged in my old world seem like nothing. The sheer scale of it gave me goosebumps. 

I felt my forehead up only to find it drenched in cold sweat. This situation really was crazy beyond all belief. And I had a feeling I was only able to gaze upon a very small part of it.

I had agreed to cooperate with Dr. Saionji for the time being as I try to gather more information. I felt that it was the best course of action I could have taken, given the circumstances. But now, I'm actually having second thoughts.

Even as I was assailed with countless worries, fatigue finally caught up to me and I slowly drifted to sleep.

Part 2

Dr. Saionji briskly walked towards his personal quarters with a somewhat annoying looking smirk hanging on his lips. He had met with his new prospect earlier and was quite satisfied with the results. He couldn't wait to mess around with the guy some more, especially after he's shown such promise. 

"It looks like you're quite taken with your new found toy doctor." 

Dr. Saionji turned around to find Nemu Morikaze looking at him with an expression of cold indifference. It was a large departure from her usual bubbly demeanor. 

"How couldn't I be dear? That fellow is quite interesting after all. And he's not just a toy. He's THE toy."

The smirk never left Dr. Saionji's lips as he turned to reply. He's already quite used to dealing with this so called 'assistant nurse' who also happens to be an agent of the Confederation militaries Intelligence division. She's the one sent by those busybodies in order to keep him on a tight leash. 

His smirk deepened at the thought. As if a pretty little thing like this could reign him in. 

Still, he was quite thankful that the young woman in front of him actually played along with this little farce in quite an amusing manner. The two of them usually acted like they got along well; hiding their innermost thoughts and intentions from each other while constantly trying probe and sound the other out in a veritable mental game of cat and mouse. 

"You shouldn't get too invested in him just yet. His circumstances are quite unexpectedly complicated. Even if he proves to be a potential major asset, his background is still quite a cause for concern." Nemu warned. Dr. Saionji just shrugged it off nonchalantly. 

"Don't worry. I read the report. I think it's part of his charm actually. I don't know what he was trying to accomplish by entering the Confederation military through a forged identity. But the irony is what makes it interesting, don't you think?" Dr. Saionji said as he chuckled in obvious amusement.

Nemu shook her head slightly and sighed.

"Unlike you, I don't have a taste for playing with fire. Managing to slip through Confederation Intelligence's scrutiny for so long and even successfully enrolling and graduating from the C.E.I.S. Defense Forces TF pilot training academy without a hitch most likely proves he still has a considerably solid and competent support base." she replied and tossed a portable data terminal towards Dr. Saionji with a huff. 

"His forged personal data and citizenship were incredibly thorough. Took all we had to ferret the truth about his background. Considering what happened to him, it's quite possible that the people behind him would start to act in some way. 

He's too much of an unknown. So are the elements backing him. And if his background comes to light, there's probably going to be a lot of people who'll come after his head. And they're most likely going to be from both sides too. Miya Iwamori is a prime example." 

Dr. Saionji remained indifferent even after Nemu's cautionary statements. Naturally, he'd already considered things to that extent. Even so, he's still determined to have Myst join the project. He had already vowed not to pass an opportunity like this up, risks be damned. He beamed at Nemu and waved his free hand dismissively.

"I appreciate the warning Nemu-chan. Even so, I think the potential he offers is worth the risks involved. And besides, it's not like we're gonna move in and crack down on his shadowy conspirators just like that right? Considering his past and background, the people supporting  him may be competent, but I doubt they have enough clout with either side nor enough manpower to pose a significant threat to us. After all, if they're who we think they are, then they're actually considered traitors and hated enemies by both camps. 

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Besides, we have the best possible hostage right with us. Conveniently enough, he's apparently had a major breakdown. Now he's lost, confused and more easily led to suit our needs, no matter what his background and former goals were. 

We can also use him as a bargaining chip to possibly gain the services of his "little helpers". They'll surely attempt to make contact. If they're still willing to serve the guy even after all that's happened, they're either extremely loyal or are confident that sticking with him will benefit them in the long run, despite the risk. That alone merits some interest."

Dr. Saionji paused abruptly and focused his gaze on Nemu's countenance, which had turned increasingly grim. His eyes seemed like that of a hunter staring down his prey. 

"I'm sure you and your superiors have already considered such options. In fact, I'm sure that's exactly the course of action they ordered you to take. Therefore, this discussion is actually moot. It's not good to mix personal feelings with work my dear." Dr.  Saionji rambled on while sporting one of his insincere smiles. Nemu's brows twitched slightly. But she quickly gained her composure and let out a resigned sigh. 

"Fine. You win. Just don't forget your place. As long as you do not step out of line, you'll have our full cooperation and support." she retorted.

"But of course milady." 

Dr. Saionji bowed theatrically as he replied. Nemu momentarily shot him an icy glare and walked away.

Dr. Saionji let out a soft chuckle and continued on towards his quarters. His heart rate was uncharacteristically elevated. It seems he was more excited about the future than he first thought. 

"This unsightly status quo... It's finally time to smash it to bits." he whispered in a voice not even he himself could hear. 

Part 3

-CSS Aegis: Maximum Security Brig-

Miya Iwamori sat completely still on the small bed attached to the wall of her cell, immersed in quiet contemplation. She was busy admonishing herself for giving in to her emotions as she attempted to fulfill her designated mission. She hadn't expected that she would be affected to that extent. 

Even now, she was endeavoring to settle her fraught nerves. It's like all the training she had undergone got invalidated in that one moment. Her mind blanked out and all her pent up frustration and hatred exploded. She attempted to get rid of the source, but landed in her current predicament instead.

She let out a light, derisive chuckle. Who would have thought that snot nosed brat would actually learn how to fight. And he was actually decent to boot. That was a little too hard for Miya to swallow, considering the fact that she knew him since they were children.

Yes. 

She "knew" him...

At one point, she had even pledged to serve him. Him and not his father nor his older brother who was the actual heir. 

She had adored him. 

That fact made seeing him in his current pathetic state all the more painful and, above all, infuriating!

"How dare he forget!..." she spat out in a venomous tone. 

The hopelessness and despair that  overcame her after the betrayal of the ones she and her family had served and protected for generations had scarred her deeply. She even believed there could be no greater pain. And yet, there was. 

The young master she had thought dead had unexpectedly come into her life again. She should have been elated. But instead, all she felt was seething anger. Whether it was directed at him or her own person, even she wasn't sure. 

She couldn't bear seeing him waste away like this. "Severe trauma? Amnesia?!" she whispered in a vexed voice. Even death would have been better, she thought. Her earlier attempt to kill him was, in a way, something that she did partly to protect his honor. What remained of it anyway. 

A grin slowly spread on her lips and grew increasingly lopsided as she contemplated her actions. She faintly realized just how utterly absurd and unreasonable she was being. But it couldn't be helped. She was thoroughly, utterly broken after all. Ever since that faithful day... 

As she further sank into a depressed silence, someone abruptly entered her cell. Upon seeing who it was, Miya instantly grew wary. 

"What do YOU want?!" she spat out with a tone surprisingly tinged with nervousness. Her instincts were practically screaming "danger". 

"I have a proposition for you, young lady." the visitor began. The persons voice carried a calm, serene quality. The gaze fixed upon Miya did not have any hint of antagonism within it. But it was also highly indifferent and unfathomable. It elicited a foreign sense of incongruity within her. 

An almost instinctual feeling of rejection invaded her heart. And yet, all she could manage to do was stay still, transfixed by that lofty gaze. 

For the first time in her life, the young woman known as Miya Iwamori experienced an overpowering sense of dread. 

- Chapter 11 End -