April 10, 2056

The room is bare, with only a dim lamp overhead and a single chair that sat in the middle. And in that chair sits the officer we had apprehended during the raid; although from his current appearance, you wouldn't be able to make out who he originally was. His face was bloodied and bruised, and his head hung low as the Sentinel in the room with him took a moment to catch his breath.

We were two hours into the interrogation, and this is already the fifth round of beatings the officer has endured. Through the one-way window, I watch as Josh and the sentinel that greeted us when we arrived approach the man once more.

"This can stop at any time," I hear their voice come through an audio box below the window. "Just tell me everything I want know and I promise you the suffering will end."

The man remains silent, breaths become coarser with each one he takes until eventually slumping over to his side. I would say he's on the verge of death but as I come to see, that's a luxury he can't afford. After a moment or two, the Sentinel makes a tsk noise before walking over to the motionless man and aiming his hand over him.

"Divine Perserverance." He casts as light envelops the man. A few seconds later the man makes an audible gasp as his eyes shoot open and his arms tense against his restraints. He's then grab by the hair and forced to look into the eyes of his captor. "Who said you could go to sleep?" He spits before punching the HVT in the gut.

He looks back at Josh who just nods and keeps his distance from the two. He has yet to say anything during the interrogation.

"Now... let's start again," He continues with his questioning as I'm tapped on my back.

I turn around to see it's Macy pulling me away until we're away from voices.

"I was hoping to get some answers for you but looks like he's staying strong. Sorry for wasting your time." She apologizes but I immediately shake my head.

After what happened yesterday, I confronted Frost and Macy about what the Flag Bearer said to me. This of course caused them great concern that my presence was at risk on the field. Following this, Macy made it her mission to get information out of the HVT about it and asked the Sentinels to take point in the interrogation. Skip to today and nothing so far has been uncovered. I was sure the Sentinels would have been able to crack him, but that seems like it's going to take a while.

"No No! It's okay. I'm sure we'll find something out..."

"I hope so..." She sighs while crossing her arms, "You go now if you like. I reckon this is going to get a lot bloodier and I'm guessing you're not in the mood for that. I'll let you know if anything comes up." She says as I nod and leave the room where I swear, I hear the hissing sound of a torch igniting behind me.

Outside, I don't see standing next to the entrance and get surprised when she nudged my shoulder.

"Ow. That hurts." I hold onto it as Alice brings her hands up. Even with the help of Divinity, it still takes time for the body to fully heal.

"Sorry! Forgot about your injury."

You're the one who finished patching it up with stitches though...

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"I still can't believe you went head-to-head with a Flag Bearer. You could've got yourself killed."

"But I didn't," I reply as the two of us begin walking through the halls of the building. "Besides, he wasn't that tough."

Alice turns to face me. "Oh yeah? Next you're going to say that a Paladin isn't tough either." She says sarcastically. "Maybe you did hit your head."

"I don't think so." I say and start descending down the stairs. "Anyways, nothing came up with the HVT. I was afraid they killed him everywhere he passed out."

"I'm sure he'll start talking eventually. Those Sentinels are no joke when it comes down to torturing intel out of people." She points out.

"So, I've heard..." I say under my breath. I'm just glad they're on our side.

"Don't you worry about a thing!" She now says, putting her arms around me. "Anyone who comes after you will have to go through me okay?" She gleefully says which I can't help but smile at.

"Come on, let's get something to eat, I'm starving." She says as I agree and take a step outside and take a while to take in the view.

Clouds blanket over us, a cool breeze sweeps across my face, and the sounds of an active base fill the air. The wall l stands high and mighty while trucks carrying equipment traverse on the gravel roads in various directions. Soldiers prepare to do their routine patrols in the distance and an AA Missile emplacement stands on a small, elevated hill overlooking Great Aero, the only lake that supplies fresh water to Tyran and Rambell. It's a wonder how it manages to clench the thirst of those two Nations.

Alice and I start walking towards the cafeteria when a couple of feet later a passing Guardian bumps into me without apologizing.

"Watch where you're going!" I yell out to her which seems to do the trick.

"Oh~ Sorry. Didn't see you there frac." She snickers before turning away.

Alice steps in front of me before I can say anything back.

"Just leave it. Let her go," she says.

"What's her problem?" I reply, glaring at the retreating Guardian.

Alice sighs and rubs the back of her back. "That's just their self-ego, you know how they act sometimes."

I recompose myself and we continue on our way. Frost told me to be wary about the Tyranians soldiers, especially their Guardians. They're notorious for throwing vulgar insults at us and with their high status among the population, they can get away with it.

This is reinforced when the rest of walk included loitering soldiers giving us sideways looks and some making unoriginal jokes.

"Why did they have to choose this Gate?"

Or my favorite.

"I hate it when others leave their dogs to roam around in someone's home."

Gotta love the classic dog insults. So original.

We finally reach the cafeteria and come to see that it's mostly empty with only a few people. Good, because I really didn't want a group of soldiers talking about us when I'm trying to eat. After receiving our meals, we choose a table facing the roadway and take a seat and relax. It's been a while since I've actually sat alone with Alice. Her and I may as well be polar opposites but even with that I still consider her my best friend and enjoy her company.

Back at Atlis, I would sit with the Command Group but would never actually participate in what they would be talking about. And it's not like they ignore me, I just can't hold a conversation, all I manage is a nod or a shake of my head. Maybe a word or two. The only person I can actually talk to would be Frost... only because I like him and want to spend more time with him.

"Hey Luna, can I ask you something?" Her voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I turn to face her.

"Those words... they don't affect you, do they?" She asks.

"...No. Not particularly no. You know I don't really feel emotions like-"

"I don't want to hear that." She cuts me off. "That's what you're always told but I want to hear what you feel. You can be honest with me, right?" Her eyes glisten before me, her face serious to my answer.

Why is she asking this? I don't know what she means... but I'll try to answer as truthfully, I can be.

"Their words don't necessarily hurt, if someone told me I was useless and pathetic it still wouldn't affect me. It's just how I am. Even nice words, like if someone told me I love you, nothing. But..." I stop for a moment before continuing, "sometimes I do wish someone would tell me that. Just once."

The words just spill out without me even realizing and I look up at Alice to see her grinning ear to ear. This girl...

"Stop smiling..."

She laughs and punches my shoulder again. "You're just so precious, aren't you?"

"I don't see it that way." I wince at the pain.

"We'll some people do... especially Frost."

Her comment makes me choke on my food and I start coughing.

"I still can't believe he hasn't asked you out yet. Like honestly, that man has no spine."

She pats my back as I take a deep breath before coming back and changing tone.

"But seriously, don't ever forget why you're in this Company, Luna," she says. "Don't think of yourself as different from anyone. You can talk to anyone, and they'll listen, I promise."

I look up and raise any eyebrow. "Even Flash?"

"Heh, maybe not everyone." She giggles and finishes her tray. "Honestly, I didn't think you had it in you. With the whole 'I wish someone loved me' that was pretty cute."

"Stop."