Jean decelerated her motorcycle, stopping at the threshold of forest and wasteland.
The moonlight illuminated the green forest.
The grass swayed in the wind.
She stepped off the bike, looking at the dome in the distance.
This won't take long.
Jean pressed her wrist, turning on the jammer.
She entered the forest.
Noises of small critters circled her.
Twigs snapped beneath her feet.
A stone path came into view.
Activating her disguise, she exited the forest.
The park was vibrant.
Blossom trees swayed in the same motion.
A ticking guided her.
Jean moved towards the lab as a citizen would.
Timing her walk with precision.
Control.
It's surprising Elaina managed to do this.
Her eyes looked to the ground.
In reflection.
She passed the train station.
Steam flowed from the roof.
Gears clicked in unison.
Jean observed the building.
Two guards outside.
She moved past.
No high vantage points.
Continuing forward, the lab entrance came into view.
A glass dome covered the landscape.
The wind moved slowly around it.
It felt distorting like the forest.
Jean stood nearby watching.
Scientists entered with badges.
Guards stationed high and low.
It's strange...
Sensors rotated to detect intruders.
Spotlights moved in rhythm.
...there's no watchman.
Jean noticed the pattern on the scientist ID badges.
The bar lines moved in parallel.
No pictures and only last names.
It's reversed from a civilian.
She took mental note of potential blind spots.
None were available.
Entry will require contact.
Footsteps approached her.
A scientist was rushing to the lab.
Jean stepped out, bumping into him.
The scientist fell, dropping their identification badge.
He stood, brushing off the dust.
Jean picked it up, taking the scan.
"I'm terribly sorry."
The scientist snatched it.
"It's fine."
Jean hovered her hand over her mouth.
"My apologies."
The scientist continued.
Jean slipped the device into her purse.
Mission complete.
She headed back to her point of entry.
Entering the forest, she checked her scanned data.
Perfect.
Jean stepped out into the wasteland.
She mounted her bike, reaching for a pen and paper.
Ink glided across the paper, taking the shape of the lab.
Notes were made, drafting different plans.
She placed her pen down.
Entry is only possible with identification.
Jean's face tightened as she packed her things.
A moment later, the ignition clicked.
Its engine roared.
She accelerated towards base.
The moon behind her.
...
Kane awakened.
Sunlight peered through the blinds.
Vultures crowded outside.
Watching.
Too loud.
His clock ticked.
Half past twelve.
His stomach growled.
Hungry.
Magnums rested at his sides.
Chains softly rattled.
Kane exited his room.
Voices echoed down the hall.
He stepped out into the light.
Too bright.
Grimm saw him.
"Come over here."
Kane's eyes looked past.
His body moved to them.
Art pointed.
"Sit."
Kane stood behind the chair.
Then sat.
His stomach ached.
Food was placed in front of him.
His arms stayed down.
Unmoving.
A moment passed.
His hand raised to a fork.
To eat.
Grimm placed his drink down.
"Arthur is making me excavate."
Art looked at him.
"Why?"
Grimm pointed his fork at her.
"Cause they need a new section to cut stone from..."
He stabbed his food.
"...and because I wrecked the training hall."
Art's eyes narrowed.
"I told you–"
Grimm chewed loudly.
"Yeah, yeah."
Art's eyebrows twitched.
Disgusting.
The fountain streamed consistently.
The conversation went silent.
Chewing filled the space.
Kane ate slowly.
He heard words.
Didn't follow them.
Art placed her fork down.
"Kane..."
His head tilted.
Her eyes fixed on him.
"...we have a mission tonight."
Kane's eyes were blank.
Empty.
Staring at his plate.
His lips moved.
"...Yeah."
The air felt tense.
A fork dropped.
Grimm finished his last bite.
He stood, taking his plate with him.
"I'm going to the quarry."
Art was quick to follow.
She turned to Kane.
"Be ready."
Kane's fork rose.
No response.
He chewed.
Art exhaled.
He seems distant.
She left.
Kane stayed.
Still.
Alone.
...
Art sat on the balcony outside of her room.
The sunlight warmed her skin.
A warm breeze flowed past her.
She pulled the chamber of her railgun.
Kane felt different...
Using a towel, she cleaned the inside.
Before pouring grease in the chamber.
She grabbed a heavy bullet loading it.
Her veins surged with white light, as she cocked the gun.
She looked down the barrel at a stone seven miles away.
It was clear.
Like it was right in front of her.
The gun sway halted.
Her breathing stabilized.
...like he was sleepwalking.
The trigger was pulled.
Her posture stayed disciplined.
Accurate.
Like recoil never occurred.
The shot boomed across the wasteland.
Dust picked up beneath the bullet.
The stone burst into pieces.
Rubble crashing in the distance.
She pulled the railgun down as her veins returned to normal.
Good.
Art picked up her pistols.
She spun one on her finger before holstering.
The other she opened the magazine.
Bullets were fully loaded.
She lowered the gun, her eyes focusing on the setting sun.
It's time.