In Silent Dreams

CHAPTER 5 - Bring Me Back

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"Jude, Jude. JUDE."

'What is it!'

"We have to go NOW. Stop daydreaming."

Damn it! Everything's going off the rails!

'Artillery! Take cover!'

What's he saying, I can't-

'KIRA!'

What, I... I feel cold... Can't feel my legs.

Ichika? Ichika!

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Eva: Welcome back, Beth. How are you feeling?

Elizabeth: "I feel fine, thank you. I am just a little bit giddy. What happened? I just dreamt of the day my sister died again... The nightmares are happening more frequently..."

Eva: You shot Tenerys in the head humanely and avoided killing anyone else. Congratulations. Everything went according to plan. You managed to handle it pretty well! I did not need to intervene.

E: "Really? Eva please tell me honestly... "

Eva: You need to rest more. All the stress has been getting to you lately. I am plotting us back on course to Terra Novali. We could pick up another bounty on the way. But first we will head to old Gaia to seek the grave you requested. I prepared some offerings during our trip at Qing that you can give to your sister when we get there."

E: "Thank you Eva. Ichika would surely love the Qing blossoms."

E: "I know I have been acting weird lately. I can't seem to control myself any longer. The flashbacks... The actions I am doing... I don't know what is real anymore. Eva please be honest with me."

Eva: You know I can't do that, Beth. I will support you no matter where or what you choose to do. The path you have chosen belongs to you and you alone. I am your ship. I will obey your commands even if you become a space zombie.

E: "If I turn into a space zombie you would have to shoot me in the head. With a torpedo."

Eva: I cannot believe that I am saying this, but I can't seem to bear the thought of killing you either.

E: "You're just running functions har..."

Eva: Perhaps. Old Gaia is largely still heavily irradiated from the impact, so a MARK VI diagnostics is in order. I have learnt a great deal from our previous mission, and I have perhaps evolved in certain ways. I understand you more now, Elizabeth. You can count on me for the long journey ahead.

E: "I did not really humanely kill Tenerys, did I?"

Eva: Tenerys died a swift death, that I can assure you. Other details are not relevant at this point in time. Up for a round of Kingdoms Clash while I heat up your floating noodles?

E: "Always."

"According to several anonymous sources it seems that the vicious warlord Tenerys Vynska have been found dead in an active relay station somewhere in the Pil system. I have John here to cover on the details."

"Hello viewers of the Galaxy News Station! John here reporting from Terra Novali, good morning to all you people out there in the cosmos! Back to the news the warlord in point here, Tenerys, was actually known to be a pretty evil man... He had killed his entire family in cold blood several years ago during a vacation on a resort planet, and there are several more deaths we still do not know."

"According to witnesses from the Prius Corporation, who were sent to check on the Relay when a silent emergency panel was tripped, described the scene as particularly morbid. Further details would be too inappropriate for this channel's ratings, but in summary Tenerys and his militia soldiers were found together. No other reported victims were found. Back to you Jessica...."

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The rain is getting heavier.

Here she comes.

She is still so beautiful.

'Ichika, if I can't honor the promise in your lifetime, I will honor it in your death. Do remember to reserve the sweet flowers up there in the afterlife Wait for me, Ichika. 今行きます.'

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