Loliel turns her head to the side. “Yes, erm, things were said… And I suppose you need an… Explanation—”

“I don’t want one.” Miya interjects.

Koko grits her teeth and takes a step forward. Loliel puts a hand in front of her and shakes her head.

“You’re right, no explanation is needed. I lost control of my emotions and acted on them for selfish reasons.”

Koko throws her hand to the side with scrunched eyebrows. “W-What? Selfish reasons? But they aren’t selfish at all!”

“Leave it, Koko.” Loliel seethes.

“No, I won’t! You’re always trying to hide your emotions, thinking that they’re a hindrance to us all.”

“I said, leave it.” Loliel repeats.

“But the truth is you’re hurting just like the rest of us! Aren’t we your friends, your family, why won’t you just talk to us!”

“God, you’re always like this! Just let it go!”

“And you’re always so secretive! Maybe if you talked to me like you use to we wouldn’t have to be—“

“…Yaagh…”

A faint yawn makes Miya, Loliel, and Koko turn their attention to the top of the metal gates. There sat a woman wearing a torn black-latex suit with colorless skin and hair, swinging her legs back and forth with a cheery smile.

“You humans are so fascinating. Hey, I never got your name, little girl.” Kensa smiles toward Miya.

Koko points a finger toward her. “I-Isn’t that the woman from before… I thought she was—“

“… Dead?” Kensa finishes. “I thought so as well, but it seems that I am not. I’ve never fought someone who could damage me to that extent, very good mystery girl.”

Miya reaches for her side but looks down to her empty metal holster with a white blinking button on the front.

Kensa then jumps down from the gate and lands in front of the entrance on all fours, crawling toward Miya and then circling around her. She then sniffs Miya’s legs and arms before taking a large whiff of her hair.

“You’re like a mixture… Like half and half, yes I believe you’re the one I’m supposed to retrieve.” Kensa surmises with an itch of her nose.

Miya closes her eyes and sniffs. “That sweet scent again…”

Kensa giggles and takes a step back, holding her hands behind her. “That’s just me apologizing for our… Previous altercation. I just wanted to have some fun, but I took it too far. Forgiveness?”

Miya narrows her eyes. “Forgiveness? You’re making no sense, you should’ve just kept playing dead.”

Kensa laughs with a hand hovering over her mouth. “You’re funny half and half! I like you!”

“Ahem.” Koko clears her throat. “You two mind making this conversation any less covert?”

Kensa smiles at Koko then Loliel. “Are these two with you? Oh yes, the professor did say you had acquaintances. The others who took care of the strays, he didn’t say what to do with them though… Or maybe he did… I’m not very good at paying attention to instructions.”

“Who’s this professor you speak of? And he gave you instructions, about what?” Miya questions.

“Lots of questions… Lots and lots… If you come down with me then you can find out.” Kensa responds while leaning in front of Miya’s face with a smile.

“Enough. What is she saying, Miya?” Loliel demands with a scowl.

Miya turns toward her. “What’re you talking about?”

“You two are talking… In a weird language…” Koko clarifies.

Miya turns to Kensa, who shrugs while doing a twirl on one foot.

“What’re they talking about, weird language?”

Kensa stops mid-handstand and looks up at Miya while upside down. “Prochatti’ vrenum no moit?”

“Aii’yet—“ Miya eyes widen as she holds both her cheeks and her mouth.

She then looks at Loliel and Koko with a confused look.

Kensa leans herself up onto her feet and waves in front of Miya’s face. “Hellooo? Did you hear me? Are we going or not? The professor’s waiting~”

“How am I… How are you? What did you do to me?” Miya grits her teeth with a glare.

“W-woah… I did nothing to you, erm… Y-you’ve got this mean look in your eye, are you still upset about our fight? You did technically, kind of kill me so I thought we were even…”

“Just, shut up for a second… Stay right there.” Miya commands while pointing toward Kensa.

Kensa nods her head several times with a smile and plops onto her knees.

Miya then walks over to Loliel and Koko and scratches her head.

“What were you two saying? Did she relay any information pertaining to the creatures or where they come from?” Loliel inquires.

“Her name is Kensa, she didn’t disclose anything relevant yet. However, she does want us to meet with this ‘professor’ guy who will apparently answer all of our questions.” Miya divulges.

“And where does she want us to go, exactly?” Koko gives her an unsure look.

Miya points her thumb behind her, with Koko and Loliel looking down at the gapping black hole leading past the large metal doors.

“You and that woman are crazy, there’s no way we’re going down there.” Koko glimpses at Kensa who gives her a peppy wave. “And then there’s the fact… That she’s one of them.”

“That wasn’t an issue when she was dead on the floor.” Loliel points out.

“Well, who would care about a dead Ya’valt? It was honestly a pleasing… Yet horrific sight to behold.”

Loliel rests her hands on the inside of her armored vest with a nod of her head. “It all sounds a bit far-fetched, Miya. Who’s to say this isn’t a trap? We don’t know this individual except for the fact that they send up monstrous entities for us to risk our lives killing.”

“You don’t have to go, but I do. I’m on an assignment, and my duty encourages me to look further into whoever this person is.” Miya counters.

Koko looks down at Miya’s glittering pinkish-metal badge pinned onto the top of her shirt. “Space Patroller business, huh?”

“Somewhat.”

“And what if something happens to you? Do you have the authority to call for reinforcements?”

“Are you implying that I cannot fend for myself?”

“N-no it’s just—“

Miya turns around and looks back at Koko with a narrow gaze. “I’m perfectly capable of doing this on my own. It’s my position as a Patroller to ensure the safety of all parties not involved in my assignment.”

Koko scoffs. “You’re acting as if you’re some unstoppable force! Sure you can heal back some wounds and you’re a decent fighter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t die!”

“If I die, I wasn’t competent enough and they’ll send out someone who rightfully is. My life means nothing in the grand scheme of things. My only value to the Galactic Federation is to carry out the orders of my superiors, I have no other value to anyone.”

“Your life means nothing? … Your only value is to the Galactic Federat— Captain say something!” Koko fumes.

Loliel looks at Koko and then to Miya with a sigh. “You want my contact to Stravos, right?”

Miya turns back around and nods her head.

“There’s some information I want for you to gather for me, from this person you’re planning to meet. If you get it, then I’ll let you in.”

“Understood. What do you need to know?”