Hopefully, I will recover

Forty-six hours until rescue ship arrival

"Overwriting pilot command."

"What?! No, no, no, Cerviel, let's go."

"I am sorry, pilot Vega. You cannot extract pilot Nova and Command in time."

"That isn't for you to decide!"

Two missiles slammed into the Duke. Fire and smoke surrounded its face before parting at its fearsome roar. The red eye's gaze fell on the fallen mech.

"Please! Please get out of there!"

"I'll see you in heaven, sister!"

"Give them hell for me, Vega!"

"Noooo!" My eyes flashed open.

There was nothing. No Duke charging toward the Command Center. No white sphere swallowing all I held dear.

Nothing.

Only a dead light strip attached to a metallic ceiling.

"Shh. It's alright."

Something touched my hand. At least, I think so. The pain made it difficult to be sure.

"You're safe."

I slowly turned my head. I found the speaker sitting next to me. "You kept us safe." Father Alcor stroked my hand as he spoke, yet he didn't meet my gaze. "You kept us... safe..."

No. No, I didn't. I clenched my jaw. Tears tickled my cheeks as they fell. I couldn't stop them, nor did I want to. Grief would consume me if I didn't free the pain from my heart. Maybe it would be better that way. Perhaps then I would be released from the pain and doubt that followed me like a shadow.

Maybe then I can find some peace.

"You did your best." Father Alcor's vice hitched. "Nobody is blaming you. We... we all know you did your best."

But it wasn't good enough. I folded my hand over Father Alcor's. His hand shook as he tightened his grip.

"Nine hundred people know of the sacrifices it took. Never forget that. Nine hundred people still have a chance at a new life because of you... and him..."

Nova isn’t among them.

"You did your best."

But it wasn't good enough. I... wasn't good enough...