911 stood alone in the infirmary, shaking.

404 had come to her just a few hours earlier, asking her to make up some reason to give Ten a checkup. She’d refused to tell her why this had to be done, only saying that it had something to do with Ten’s strange behavior. She’d also asked her to avoid mentioning her involvement, and to send the data to her afterward.

Secrets. Lies. 911 wasn’t comfortable with those things.

People tended to think of her as a confident, blunt Phaeton. And she was, under normal circumstances. But all of this change didn’t sit well with her. It made her nervous.

She twirled a loaded syringe between her fingers, trying to decide whether or not to use it. She had done it a few times over the past few days, and she’d enjoyed the feeling it gave her. It made her calm.

Part of her felt guilty for using the facility’s drugs for such selfish reasons. But then, with the dry spell going on, they would only go to waste otherwise.

That was her justification, anyway.

Before she could make a decision, Ten finally entered the room, closing the door behind her. She smiled at 911. “You called for me?”

911 shoved the syringe into her pocket. “Yeah, I…I know it’s kind of close to bedtime, but I had to see you for a…checkup.”

“Really…why?”

“Because…you know. Everyone thinks you’re weird; I’m not the only one…”

“I see. But why now? I’ve already been here almost a week. Shouldn’t you have done this as soon as I got here?”

“I needed time to observe you, okay?! Besides, I’m not used to…doing this kind of thing. Normally I only deal with things I…already…understand…”

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Ten hopped up onto the examination table. “911…is something bothering you?”

911 didn’t answer. She went to a panel on the wall and flipped a switch.

The table lit up. Ten’s temperature and weight were displayed.

“Lie back so I can do the scans. And stay still. After that, you can go.”

Ten did as she was told, still smiling. 911 wished she would stop.

“…You know, Hundred told me something interesting today. She found 404.”

“Oh…?”

“She told me that 404 was sitting in the staff room, doing research. Research about…Administration’s Residue projects. That’s how she said it. With the pause in the middle.”

“Oh…”

“Doesn’t that sound suspicious to you? Like a half-truth.”

“I…guess. I don’t think Hundred’s much of a liar, though…”

“How would you know? She never changes her face.”

Ten licked her lips. “I didn’t want to challenge her…I wasn’t sure if anything would come of it. And I already know 404’s up to something concerning me. But it’s unsettling, you know? To know that someone thinks they can deceive you.”

911 twisted her ponytail. “W-what would she be deceiving you about? It’s not like…something’s going on. What would be going on, anyway? I don’t even…know….”

“I think you do.”

Ten sat up. “I think you know something’s going on. I think you’ve gotten caught in the middle of it, even.”

“Y-you’re, um…I told you to stay still…”

“There’s no point. You won’t be finishing the scans, anyway.”

Ten went over to 911 and held her face. “Tell me what’s bothering you, 911,” she whispered. “You shouldn’t have to feel like this. All nervous and upset. Phaetons should be able to trust each other.”

“Y-you’re what’s bothering me! You’re so creepy! If you don’t want to do the scans, fine; just leave me alone!”

“Tell me what’s bothering you, 911,” Ten repeated, materializing her armor. “Before I kill you.”

911 tried to scream, but Ten clamped her hand over her mouth. She unsheathed her sword and held it to her throat.

“I know what you’re doing right now,” Ten said. “You’re recording me with your eyes. Trying to send a video of this to 404. But I can corrupt any file you try to send. The Exhaust has that kind of power.” She loosened her grip on 911’s face. “Now, tell me.”

“I don’t know anything! 404 did talk to me, okay?! She wanted me to give you a checkup and send her the data, but she didn’t tell me anything else and I don’t KNOW anything else!” 911 started to cry. “I don’t know why you’re doing this…what’s wrong with you?!”

“…What I’m about to do now is for your own good,” Ten said.

She raised her sword. The room filled with darkness.