The two emerged from an access walkway near the end of the port. Sam took a moment to look out over the fence ledge and out into the bay, which had swallowed up most of the shallow areas almost a century prior. She then turned back to see the city behind them and compared it to the much larger and more densely packed Central Bahia Blanca.

“So, what makes this place so much safer?” She asked as they began their way to the cross walk that would take them toward town.

[I’m assuming it’s the network they have set up. They must be all over Cerri Port more than the main city. Why, would you rather be over there?] He asked back with a hand toward the central town’s side of the bay.

Yeah, actually, I would. But Sebastian’s not here, so it’s not like I’d enjoy it particularly.

“Ah, never mind, was just curious,” she diverted as the light changed and they set off across the wide street.

Renzo noticed a few large church belltowers at either corner of the port town, then started to check his map. [I see,] he mumbled as they got to the other side. [I bet they have security set up in those areas. Great vantage points for both visuals and for electronics.]

Hmm, sounds sort of like what Sebastian would say. They definitely are brothers.

[But anyway, hey, I’ll start looking for a spot to eat. What do you like?]

Sam took a moment to try to think about eating, knowing she should but wasn’t of any mindset to think about it. “Something light. Not really too picky anymore, so anything is fine.” She then remembered that instant she had wanted to call her father the second she had a chance. “Hey, I forgot to call my dad. Do you mind looking while I make a quick call?”

[Ah, definitely, go ahead,] Renzo replied, also remembering the important information her father might have for them.

.

.

●　● Akkadia One, Eden Space Territories

Al leaned over a guard rail; his head heavy with memories he allowed to temporarily consume his conscious as he emptily stared out into the cloudless, blue, artificial sky. The backdrop was the hospital he left earlier, having just finished the paperwork on his father’s passing with the help of those from his law firm. He knew all he could do afterwards was to pick up where he left off, but even after what he told Lucian hours before and even his own late father spoke to him, it wouldn’t be that simple. For most of his adult life, everything he had lost was always to the greed and endless consumption of war, never in the passing of the more peaceful of times, regardless of the madness that began encircling him since June. And it was his only remaining parent, at that.

And then his thoughts shifted to Amelie and Isaiah. It was then that he was firmly reminded of how focused he needed to be to not lose more in the midst of the madness.

A ring from his headset startled him. He took a quick second to gather himself before looking at his watch to see a number he hadn’t seen in a few years. “Sam!?” he thought aloud as he swiped the call open.

“Sam, are you alright?!”

“Yes, thankfully. So sorry to keep you worried,” she quickly replied, almost sounding ashamed.

Al sighed in relief. “I knew you were handed over to that cell Rodger’s is tied to, assuming everything was alright but I could never truly tell.”

“Hey, sorry too about my phone situation. I uh, got it destroyed after compromising it.”

“I also assume that’s because of what you called me about?” Al asked, recalling the request she made the evening prior.

“Yeah, we think a guy faked an Infinity pilot to bug our lines and ended up trying to kill us… hence we are where we are now. But, let me say Mrs. Rodgers seems honest about what she’s trying to get done for us. She got us some serious help lined up and even told me about the simulation upgrade package we’ll use to train on here under their security umbrella. Ah, and I’m here with Sebastian’s brother, Renzo, who also helped save us.”

“Perfect, good to hear. And yes, I did get a good explanation from Tricky, which reminds me, Sam, don’t try to contact them anymore.”

“Wait, huh? Why? How’d you figure that was my next plan?”

“Just, don’t,” Al replied as he let out a difficult chuckle. “I’ve exhausted more lines than I needed to in both trying to not only figure out your situation, but also to keep up in my search for your mother and brother.”

“Any luck?”

The highly relevant but still small talk-like conversation brought him to some relative ease as he leaned back on the guardrail, but much less tensed. “Small steps. I do know one thing, though.” He held a few thoughts back, hoping to leave Sam as little to stress over as he could, feeling like he was talking to the only family he had left. “You’re presently in Bahia Blanca, right?” he outrightly asked, already having figured anyone wanting her dead already knew exactly where she would be at any given time anyway.

“That’s what it seems like. Not a bad town, real clean and quiet for a big city.”

“Well, you’re far enough to stay out of trouble for now. Listen, your brother is in Buenos Aires.”

Sam paused, and expectedly so. “Where is that?” she nervously asked.

“Just north of you. The capital. I don’t know where exactly nor what he intends to do there, but he’s there. Stay where you are because I can almost guarantee you leaving would spell your end.”

“I don’t, and shit… thanks Dad. I… no, I can’t just run around without good company or a good plan like before. I’m training with Kaylen and will wait for Sebastian to join up once his end is sorted out. He’s still over in Colombia I think, and there’s no way I leave off for anywhere without him.”

“Good. You stay in that mindset. I’ll keep moving.”

“What about Mom?”

There was the question he knew she’d get to. “She… Who knows She might be close by. I don’t know what else to say until I dig more.”

“And Grandpa? You know I finally got to see him and talk to him for the first time in ages. Have you checked on him lately?”

Al unintentionally hesitated longer than he wanted to. “I also got a chance to talk to him yesterday. He’s worried about us both terribly.”

“Yeah… he was…”

“Look, I can’t hold up too long here- I got a shuttle to catch back toward Earth.”

“Oh, no, thanks for filling me in on those things. Can you… stop by here at some point? I’d hope you, er… I’d feel better if you could.”

“Sure, I’ll find time,” Al smiled to himself as he tried to hide his guilt for lying, unable to spill certain realities. “Stay hidden, alright.”

“Bye, Dad.”

A long sigh took its time getting out as he went back over what he just said, pondering the chances he would regret not involving her more in what he knew.

And a beep from his watch reminded him of his scheduled flight out of Akkadia and back to Earth. “Forgive me, Sam,” he mumbled to himself as he took off, hoping everything lying in wait ahead of them would dissipate with finding Amelie or Isaiah first.

.

.

●　● New General Cerri District, Bahia Blanca, Argentina

Dad’s hiding something again, I just know it.

Sam shook her head with a heavy sigh before looking over to see where Renzo was leading them, noticing he too was on the phone. She cared less for switching her translation back on to make out what he was saying and looked more at the view ahead, seeing a food court entrance at the base of a moderately sized office park. Makes sense.

Without any verbal exchange, Sam took a seat at the table Renzo stood next to as he continued his conversation, now looking at the choices she had to eat. Nothing felt right, though, only looking out of necessity and feeling quite weak. She then spotted what looked to be a bakery. Something like a croissant and a coffee would be the most she could handle, and figured perhaps the caffeine might help get her thoughts moving along more efficiently.

[Sorry, Cruella,] Renzo called to her as he took a seat across from her, cueing her to switch back to her in-ear translation. [That was Dani. She’s freed up but Bas has to go through reconstructive surgery on his arm.]

“Surgery? How bad is it?” She asked with a worried look, although she could read Renzo’s voice enough to determine it wasn’t all terrible.

[Tendon and ligament issue. He’ll be joining us in two days, but can’t use his arm for about two to three weeks.]

If anything, Renzo sounded to Sam like he still held some guilt. “Well, you’ve both suffered and survived through a lot. I can’t speak too much for myself, but…”

[Here,] Renzo interrupted with the intention to change the topic, handing her his mobile. [Copy his new number to your phone. Dani’s, too, just in case.] And as Sam took the handset and thanked him, he turned to the bakery behind him. [I assume you want some bread? And a coffee?]

“Oh, um, yeah- how’d you guess?” She stumbled through her reply as she finished moving over the contacts.

He put in an effort to smile, somewhat returning things to a more normal mood. [You were staring at it a second ago. Seems like it’d be normal for ‘Sardines’, too.]

Sam couldn’t quite return the same. “I bet you got that little term from Kaylen. Please, we Akkadians especially don’t like that term.”

“Space girl?” he tacked on with the same unwanted humor.

“Sam,” she flatly corrected.

“Okay, Cruella.” He then stood up to lead her toward the bakery. “Let’s go,” he continued through his accent.

Sam followed, realizing what was going on. I realize he’s doing that because of what happened to Sebastian, and who knows how scared he must have been to think he almost lost his sister a second time. I do need to back off some.

.

▽　▽　▽

.

Sam finished cleaning up her area and dropped off her plate and cup at the receptacle, turning to look for Renzo who was still on the line with Kaylen, who had called toward the end of their meal. After waiting a few minutes, her mind began to wander further as she subconsciously began staring off into the distance.

I bet I could… no, Dad said not to call them. But then again, there is the other little device they gave me. I wonder…

She then stepped off into the emptier corner of the food court and found a spot just out of everyone’s view, now reaching into her bag. She held it with a finger resting over one of the buttons as her nerves tightened.

Wait, two? What the…? There are two buttons this time…

One was bigger than the other, located on the other side towards the top of the device, and the larger was green unlike the other uncolored one. She recalled no explanation other than being told to sync it to her mobile earlier which at that point her thumb was already trained to hit the large, centrally located button.

Her mind again fixated on the smaller, top-located button. Pondering whether to try pressing it or not, she now felt like a cat with a life to spare perhaps.

*Click*

…

A nerve-wracking, tense fifteen seconds passed where she felt she could die from the suspense before a beep quickly and stoutly drew in her focus. But the voices that came pouring in as if they were urgent radio exchanges were completely unrecognizable despite having never turned off her translation function. She raced to check her mobile’s translator, seeing it was still up and running. Why?! Why isn’t anything translating?!

Flustered but still intent on keeping her profile low, she cowered further into her corner as she desperately tried to make out any piece of information she could before she’d have to give up and meet back up with Renzo before he could suspect anything. And several seconds into it, she noticed the name Bishop mentioned several times along with Rex. Two names she had heard enough of to begin assuming there was some operation going on, and it seemed like it wasn’t good. Then, she heard a third name for the second time. “Bender,” she mumbled to herself before realizing she spoke. Jerking straight up, she looked to make sure no one was near and checked to see if Renzo was still on the line.

Shit, he’s off the phone!

She quickly clicked the button once more and threw it in her bag, closing it back up as she tried to look casual in her walk back towards him, noting he had just put away his tray and cup as well. “So, what was up just now?” She managed to ask without any overt sign of exasperation or nervousness. “I thought she was going to get some sleep?”

[Hexa isn’t letting her sleep, it seems,] he replied while shouldering his bag, headed for the exit. [She also said for me to tell you don’t think about joining the comms.]

Shit, was I busted just now?

[Said that it’s not anything you can gain anything from anyway- just a bunch of things you won’t understand.]

Sam hid her relief, regardless of how short-lived it might be. Well, I definitely wont be getting past the language part, that’s for sure. Which reminds me… “What else was up?” She asked as they passed through the exit.

[The parts already arrived ahead of schedule and they’ll be ready for us in less than an hour.]

He still seemed bummed from her perspective, encouraging her to once again try to lighten up the mood. “Oh wow, damn, that was quick.” Then the bright sunshine along with the heat and humidity kicked in as always as they walked out from the shade of the surrounding buildings. “You know, I’ve been to so many different corners of the globe this year and everywhere is the same: hot and humid.”

[You been here in the winter yet?]

“Huh? Isn’t it almost December here?”

[This is the southern hemisphere.]

“So?”

[Southern hemisphere countries get more sun in December- opposite from the northern hemisphere, dipshit.]

Hey?! She thought to go off after that insult, but at least he seemed a bit more like his usual self. Not my fault I never had to learn something like that where I lived! But… what really happened on the phone just now? He’s been… worse since that call.

“Well, forgive me…” She then hurried to resolve the issue. “Hey, did Kaylen tell us anything else? Or is it just get back to start simulations training?”

[No, that is all. Just that.]

His response was unchangeably flat.

Must be his problems with her as a boyfriend to girlfriend kind of thing, perhaps. She let out a sigh as they continued on back for the harbor. At least I hope that’s all it is. He’s all I got until Sebastian and Dani join back. And I still don’t know how much I can trust that Kaylen person, and I only know so much from our little talks and what people have told me… which still amounts to nothing.

She fought off the urge to look her up later during her next downtime, instead thinking of how to approach the upcoming simulations as she still had other thoughts she kept aside for the right time. “Hey, did you know Reaper is in the capital north of here?”

Renzo stopped in his tracks, either out of surprise or from irritation. [Yeah, why?] he finally asked after a silent few seconds passed.

Sam hesitated to go further after all, given his reaction. No, maybe it’s still too soon. “Just had to make sure. Let me know if there’s anything you want to know about him- my Dad passed me a good bit of information on him a minute ago.”

Renzo hesitated as well, getting back to moving forward toward the harbor. [I will probably have to. Later, though.] He then looked back moments later with a nod. [Thanks.]

But minutes later as they neared the last intersection, Renzo turned with a suspicious look in his eyes. [Hey,] he quietly spoke. [I thought to wait until later since I got too much on my mind, but you used that thing without me, didn’t you.]

Shit. Busted after all.

Sam bit down, looking away in shame. No use hiding it at this rate. “I, well, I got curious while I sat and waited for your call to end earlier. Sorry.”

[Well? Did it do any good?] he impatiently continued.

“No. My translator didn’t work with it- it sounded like Spanish but nothing like what you use.”

He shook his head and turned back for the intersection cross guard. [Don’t mention anything to Kaylen about it. She’ll do more than kick our asses I’d bet.]

“I already figured that part out, too, but if you want to know to use it later I can-”

[-Yeah, later.]

Sam couldn’t figure out whether she screwed that whole situation up with her curiosity or if he was being a bit too harsh. But as she thought earlier, as things stood, he was all she had. “Alright. And again, sorry for earlier.”

Crossing the street, her mobile then buzzed as she peeked over at her watch, seeing it was a message from Sebastian. “Hey! Sebastian’s up from his post-surgery I think!” Hurrying to the other side, she stopped to read as Renzo looked over her shoulder:

“I’ll call when I can. Message from Rodrigo is don’t trust anyone but my brother. Not even Emilia, who I think is Kaylen Rodgers. Don’t go anywhere or do anything unless you are told to do it.”

The two paused for a moment, having least expected such an ominous message, especially for having just woke up from a surgery operation.