It's freezing cold.

The ice in your veins feels right at home here in the dark.

You ponder how long exactly it'd take, to succumb to this cold and just fade away. Perhaps you deserve it. Perhaps not. It's too peaceful going out like that, just getting tired. Almost like drowning. That wouldn't be a penance at all, for all the atrocities you've committed.

If anyone knew the extent of them you would be vilified. You doubt even Navy would forgive you.

Which is why you'll go down with the ship, play with the band as it sinks. There's no rescue from this. To the end, there's nothing you can even do but pay lip service to the idea of being a good person. You'll never wipe the slate clean, never make up for it.

Even so. You know he'll scold you for that line of thinking and try to save you like a big damn hero. It puts a bad taste in your mouth, but you just spit and reach for your waist. Second capsule from the front, ivory and crimson.

The cinders of your fiery past still burn inside, fueling all that resentment and hatred deep within. To the point it doesn't matter anymore whether you've done all those awful things. You committed yourself to burn down the present together, and together you'll burn down the past, too. Til there's nothing to even look back on.

A flash of light. An ambient heat, like sitting beside a bonfire.

Sakura gazes around, searching her surroundings for something to fight. But you just shake your head as she looks up at you for confirmation.

"It's just cold. I'm using you as a space heater."

She appreciates the honesty at least. You know it wounds her pride, but you both have lived by the mantra of doing what you can to survive for so long. She doesn't judge you in the slightest.

You glance out at the black expanse, the empty cave walls. Lean your back against the truck you're meant to sit there and guard. The guy who said he'd be back said that an hour ago, and left you there.

"'At all costs', huh... protect it from what, exactly?"

---

CARGO
+10 MP