“It has been quite a while, Ms.Thales,” Dr.Eliza Brendan said with a smile.

“Yes, it has,” Visette replied as calm as ever.

Normally, calmness was an admirable trait, but it became concerning when that tranquility never slipped. That was doubly so for Visette who was already a very distant individual with a talent for taking lives. Her lack of empathy for her fellow human was an extremely worrying characteristic.

Inwardly, Dr. Eliza had a bitter feeling when she looked at Visette as she wished to have comprehensive sessions during her adolescence. In her early teenage years, it may have been possible to instill some sense of compassion. Now, Visette was nearly an adult and her beliefs were most likely solidified in her mind.

“I’d like to get straight into things if you don’t mind.” Dr. Eliza opened her small notebook and began writing.

“I do not mind,” Vis assented.

“Then, could I ask you how has your life been since the incident at the academy?”

“Could you elaborate?”

“Well, are you disappointed that you can’t see your classmates anymore?”

“No, there is no benefit in continuing contact with the students at the academy.”

“So how do you feel about saving them? You risked your life to do so, after all. You should feel some sense of accomplishment from it.”

“I did as I was ordered. My personal feelings are irrelevant, but if I was to discuss my opinion on the matter… I feel that I was inefficient in some areas.”

“Such as?”

“I could have performed better when eliminating the Abnormals occupying the academy.”

“...I see.”

Dr.Eliza made sure to take note of Visette’s disappointment. It didn’t relate to not seeing friends, or causing the students any emotional stress, but failing to kill her enemies in a more efficient way.

“There is a ceremony arranged for you later today, are you not excited?”

“I am not.” Visette replied honestly, speaking further, “Though I do understand the concept of morale and its uses, but I do not think social events should be mandatory.”

“Let’s move onto another subject then...” Dr.Eliza flipped a page in her book. “How did you feel when you killed those Abnormals at the academy?”

“...Could you elaborate?”

“Has the act of taking a life begun to weigh on you in any way?”

“Why would it?” Visette asked as a small hint of confusion drifted across her face. She couldn’t possibly comprehend the value of a single life.

It was more accurate to say that she rarely found a single individual was worth much. Sure, her overall goal would be to preserve as much human life as possible, but she was in no way a humanitarian. Her idea of preservation was flexible as her bottom line was 30% of the human population. As long as an estimated number of 30% of humans remained on the planet, she felt that she’d have access to an adequate amount of resources.

Dr.Eliza couldn’t respond immediately, she could only stare at Visette’s empty dark brown eyes. A rush of realization overcame her as she failed to see a single shred of humanity in Visette. Those eyes that were cold and still seemed so innocent at the same time. Dr.Eliza felt pity and sadness when she thought of the normal life that Visette was deprived of and the fact she wouldn’t be able to get it back.

…

As the ceremony for Visette was being prepared, Governor of New Mayhall, Malcolm Burke, received a message from Eden Hall far faster than he expected. He didn’t have time to gather the council and he couldn’t afford to sour relations by delaying it, so he took the call personally.

Well, he attempted to, but he realized it was a pre-recorded video message sent by one of Eden Hall’s representative.

“This is an emergency message! The Cataclysm Variant has escaped and our city is under siege by a massive horde. We estimate numbers to be around half a million and growing. The Queen has demonstrated the ability to draw a horde to her exact location and has been hiding her intelligence from us this entire time-”

The video briefly cut as a loud explosion rang out in the background.

“Our top researchers are held up within the central tower, the most fortified location in the entire city. We have been working to synthesize a biological agent that would force the Corrupted to continually evolve until the point of fatality. Unfortunately, we weren't even halfway finished when this tragedy occurred. As of now, we are sending this request to every city we have made contact with. In exchange for the rescue of those researchers, we share our weapons research which can give you all a fighting chance in the inevitable battle. If you don’t wish to undertake such a task, we leave you with a warning. Prepare now, as much as you can. If you don’t, your cities will fall.”

The video cut out just as the sound of gunfire and detonations reverberated. Governor Burke was left to contemplate in silence while his Advisor, Eugene Price, stood beside him.

“To think that Eden Hall would be the first city to fall after all these years of peace,” Eugene muttered with a drained look on his face.

“Now is not the time to think of such trivial things. They may have been the first city to be overrun by a horde, but they won’t be the last. Send word to Commander Wakefield and have him assemble a team of Abnormals. I’ll arrange a call with the other cities to see if we can coordinate our efforts. I’m sure they’re all greedy for whatever technology Eden Hall has, but there are more important things at stake. Make sure that Wakefield selects the best people he has, including Thales. Also, divert all labor efforts to Wakefield’s evacuation plan. We need to accept the fact that we may not be able to hold this city. ”

“As you say, Sir.” Eugene Price slightly bowed his head before departing with haste.

It was likely that all cities in close proximity to Eden Hall received the same message and they would be scrambling to respond at that very moment.

The day where peace would be seen as nothing more than a dream had arrived. Those who had grown too accustomed to the carefree days would be the first to drown in the approaching storm.

…

“Cancelled?” Lyn said in a confused tone.

When she was called in to see Commander Wakefield along with Visette, she didn’t expect the first thing to say was that the award ceremony was suddenly called off.

“Yes, canceled, and you’ll understand why soon,” Commander Wakefield replied before turning his attention to Visette who didn’t seem to care. Her tranquil demeanor always bothered him, but he could do nothing about her at the current moment.

He hid his true feelings and spun his terminal around for the two of them to see.

“This is the current threat we’re facing,” He said as he played the video.

The classified video that depicted the Mutated Corrupted Queen was shown. Lyn responded as expected, repulsion and fear while Visette eyes flashed with interest.

“When?” Lyn asked.

“What?” Commander Wakefield furrowed his eyebrows.

“When did this arrive?”

“Very recently. Eden Hall has- was- containing the Corrupted you saw in the video. Today, they have sent an emergency request of rescue.”

“You have to be fucking kidding me,” Lyn replied with pure disbelief on her face.

“...A joint operation is being staged under the Governor’s order. You and Thales will be joining a team and will cooperate with the teams from Freedom City, Roslin, and Copperhaven.”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m sure two of those guys worked together to fuck us over.”

“There are bigger things in play, O’Hara. I thought you would realize that above all people… Do you have a problem with it, Thales?”

“No, Sir.” Visette’s dull tone almost made her seem condescending, but she wasn’t capable of such of a thing.

“Good, the both of you are to be on standby for deployment orders. You’ll probably be flying out tonight so I recommend you get some sleep. Dismissed.”

Lyn and Visette saluted in tandem, but the former was half-hearted and the latter didn’t have any sincerity in her movements. The two of them left while Commander Wakefield fell into thought, Visette’s value suddenly increased and the plans that were already in motion would now do more harm than good.