Uncertainty

Valeria City Army Base, Commander Mercer’s Office

Dirk sat across from Mercer. “Once the interim government is chosen by the people, I’ll discuss the final decision on your actions with them.

“It’s likely you’ll lose command for a certain period of time.

“But there’s no way you’re going back in a cell.”

"That sounds more like an outcome you’re trying to prevent than what my actions actually warrant," Mercer said.

The office door opened, and a soldier stepped inside. "Commander Mercer, Malia and her squad have arrived. They succeeded in recovering Warui."

Mercer straightened. “Bring them in.”

Ten minutes later

Malia, Warui, Chena, River, Khyrie, Kiel, and Sarah stood before Mercer and Dirk.

“Commander Mercer,” Malia said. “We’re glad to see you free and back in command.”

“This is only temporary,” Dirk said.

“Wait, what?”

“It isn’t relevant until anything final happens.” Mercer's attention settled on the group. “But thanks to you and your squad, I’m no longer in a prison cell.

“Give me your report.”

Malia took it in. “As I’m sure Commander Dirk told you, the government was responsible for bringing the operatives into Tiria.

“They were requested the day Warui was placed under surveillance and entered Tiria on the day of the memorial.”

“Their stated purpose?”

“To review the Fort Avelorn report and decide whether to assist with the security situation.” Malia glanced toward Warui. “When we recovered him and restrained the three operatives a short while ago, we interrogated them.”

"Define interrogated," Dirk said.

“We asked questions...

“...I’m not exactly sure what made one of them start talking, but eventually one did.”

Mercer’s expression went still and controlled. “So what did they say?”

“The operative said that after reading the Fort Avelorn report, their agenda changed.”

Dirk sat up. “So it’s possible the government officials weren’t actually behind the attack?”

“I think that’s likely.”

“They’re still indirectly responsible,” Mercer said. “Regardless.”

“Well, at the center of it all…”

Warui felt the room turn toward him.

“It’s Warui.

“The operative called him the missing inheritance.”

"Hm. And what exactly is he missing from?" Mercer asked.

“We never found out.” Malia’s expression darkened. “The operatives died from what looked like their own ability before we could get more from them.”

Dirk’s eyes widened.

“River Klein.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Having witnessed that moment, what do you conclude?”

“Uh…” Sweat beaded along his forehead. “The operative’s exact words, and the way he spoke…

“They heavily implied they were pursuing a personal objective after reading the Avelorn report and learning about Warui’s unknown weapon appearances.

“I also don’t think they killed themselves after giving us that information.”

“Why wouldn’t they decide they were better off dead than useful to an enemy?”

“Because they gave us vital information first.” River’s voice steadied. “And then their bodies froze. Their expressions went completely still.”

Their faces came back to him. “They seemed shocked. Maybe scared.” His certainty faded again. “I don’t think there was a decision.”

"There isn’t much we can do with that. It only raises more questions," Dirk said.

“And it gives the officials something to argue in their defense," Mercer added.

“The Crown Warden will consider it during the investigation.”

“I just can’t help thinking…”

The room turned toward River.

“What or who would silence them?”

Mercer let the question remain.

The room settled.

Mercer unfolded a paper. “Malia squad, your efforts throughout this situation have ensured that Tiria remains protected by those of us tasked with facing threats to this country.

“Our priority now is the next operation.

“One that may answer some of the questions this situation has raised...

“I’ll be sending Warui and five other soldiers to the ruins of Callineth.”

Warui stopped breathing for a moment.

“Home?”

The word barely left him.

And the office was gone.

He was twelve again, walking beside Chena along the path to Callineth.

His mother leaned against the fence post near the entrance.

Warui skipped a step before breaking into a jog. “Mom!”

She pushed herself away from the fence.

Warui stopped a few steps in front of her.

“You two took your ti—”

The memory broke.

Wind.

Callineth.

Another wave struck the town.

Warui was on the ground trying to crawl.

His right hand reached forward.

Toward home.

Toward—

Blink.

Chena’s hand rested on his shoulder.

The office returned.

For a moment, Chena pulled Warui’s focus away from Mercer.

“The mission is to understand Callineth’s current state,” Mercer said.

Warui tried to follow.

"Depending on what we find, Tiria intends to reconstruct the city and declare sovereignty over the land. That would make Callineth Tiria’s fourth major city.

"Three of the five soldiers accompanying Warui will come from this group. It’s probably best that most of the team consists of people familiar with him."

“Why Warui specifically, sir?” Kiel asked.

“He survived the disaster, so it’s possible whatever happened to him is connected to Callineth.” Mercer looked down at the paper in front of him. “Kiel Lever.”

Kiel straightened.

“Khyrie Corum.”

Khyrie nodded.

“Chena Park.”

Chena’s hand had already left Warui’s shoulder.

“You’ll be the three from this group assigned to the Callineth reconnaissance mission.”

“Excuse me, Commander.” Malia raised a hand slightly. “Who will oversee the operation?

“It can’t be you. Captain Zay is under arrest, and I’m not normally assigned operations outside Tiria.”

"It’ll be Squad Leader Yuri Watanabe from the Seria base and whichever soldier she chooses to bring along."

Sarah’s eyes lit up. “Ooh, my sister.”

Mercer pushed the list away from himself. “For now, let the dust settle...

“We’ll discuss the reconstruction operation in greater detail later.”

“Yes, sir.”

Underground Prison, three hours later

Zay sat slouched in the chair, staring through the cell bars as slow, even footsteps approached.

“Duncan.”

They kept coming.

“You don’t have to do that eerie walking cadence.”

Mercer stopped in front of the cell. “They made it nice in there.”

“Sure did…”

Mercer took in the sight of him. “I wanted to send the squad to talk to you.”

“Let the kids do what they want.”

“They got Warui back.”

“Great.” Zay's voice stayed low.

Mercer rested one hand against the bars. “…You chose those two again for the mission?”

Silence.

Zay's attention was on the floor. “Now I can’t choose them anymore.”

Mercer said nothing.

Neither did Zay.

“You saved people...

“...And crossed a line.”

Nothing followed.

The prison remained quiet.

Perimeter of Valeria City

Warui walked between Chena and River beneath the night-darkened plains.

River fidgeted with his sleeve. “Do you think Captain Zay hates us?”

“Why would he?” Chena replied.

"We singled him out for being the one who tortured the warden and now he’s stuck in a cell."

“It’s only for a month.”

Warui stared at the ground as they walked. “I couldn’t have watched that warden get tortured.”

River stopped fidgeting. “I couldn’t either... but I still stayed in the—”

"Knowing I’m why the Captain reached that point… I wouldn’t have been able to stand in that room," Warui said.

Chena’s expression sharpened, the softness draining away. “It’s not your fault—”

“The captain’s friends told me not to help.” Warui’s breathing changed. “I was able to call out the—”

“Warui... not everything that happens around you belongs to you.”

Warui said nothing.

“The captain entrusted you to them,” River said quietly.

"I’m—” River stumbled over it. "Don’t blame yourself...

“...Maybe the Captain wouldn’t blame you either.”

Warui took another few steps, then a faint smile appeared.  “You know… they were great people.” 

Warui’s smile lingered. “Ela and Lio.”

Then it faded.

The three sat on a log overlooking the open plains, Warui between Chena and River. 

His silver necklace rested over the neckline of his tunic, the square pendant catching faint moonlight. Chena wore the same.

“We’re going back.” River corrected himself. “Well… you two are.”

“Mm,” they answered together.

“And look. N—now we know more than before. We can try to understand the weapon.

“Maybe that’ll help protect people next time. And if they're able to rebuild our home...

“The old days could come back.

"M—maybe just slightly."

The words sat with them.

Chena looked across the dark field. “I think I’d like slightly.”

"I think so too," River said softly.

Warui lifted his face to the full moon above them. “I’m not sure what it’ll feel like.”

Chena followed his gaze. “I don’t either.”

The three sat in silence.