The year is 2276, and the desolate landscape of a post-war world stretches out before Aika and Hina, the ruins of a once-great city looming in the distance. The air is heavy with the acrid scent of metal and radiation, and the only sound is the soft hum of the CORE7 rig in the background, a constant reminder of their mission. The mood is one of tense urgency, as the two women tend to Hina's wound in the faint light of a dying fire.
Aika's hands move with precision as she wraps the bandage around Hina's forearm, her eyes fixed intently on the wound. Hina's gaze drifts out to the ruined landscape, her expression a mask of calm observation. The fire crackles and spits in the foreground, casting flickering shadows on the walls of the ruined building. Aika's movements are economical and efficient, a testament to her training and experience.
“This should hold until we can get you to a proper medbay.”
“I'm sorry, Aika. I wasn't careful enough.”
“It's not your fault. We're in a war zone. Accidents happen.”
“But what if it's not an accident? What if we're being herded towards something?”
“We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, let's just focus on getting you patched up.”
As Aika finishes wrapping the bandage, Hina's eyes refocus on her, a look of determination etched on her face, and for a moment, the weight of their mission and the dangers they face seem to recede, replaced by a sense of solidarity and shared purpose. The pause is brief, but it's enough to steel them for what lies ahead, the search for the Polyák family and the secrets they hold.
