Chapter Text
Counters had just finished their yearly inspection, what would also normally include a scan of their NIMPH was thankfully passed thanks to the Commander’s high security level.
On their way back to the Commander’s room the usual suspects were arguing while Rapi tried to ignore them
“Thankfully we didn’t have to stay longer like we usually do because of my spy connections!”
“Yeah because you and your ‘firepower’ have been so helpful to us thus far, you dragged it out even longer wanting to take those poor researchers to the firing range! Because of you we had to stand out in the heat, my throat is so dry, if we get back to the Commander’s room and you drank my sodas again we’re gonna fight.”
Rapi sighed, this was typical for these two, but she also agreed with Anis, they could’ve been back a long time ago in the Commander’s AC filled office.
Rapi chimed into the conversation, “It doesn’t help that the M.M.R. Research building is out in The Ark. Makes the walk to the outpost such a pain, the simulated summer heat from the Dome of Eternity really isn’t necessary, we get enough of this on the surface”. She groaned squinting up at the virtual sky.
As they walked through the roads of the outpost they began seeing more familiar faces and other squads. They passed by each building glancing inside, it seems that most squads off-duty were enjoying snow cones and ice cream.
Anis broke the silence of humid misery, “We should go see Crust with the Commander and get something cold to enjoy”.
Not wanting to speak because of the oppressive heat, Rapi and Neon simply nodded and kept along their way.
As they approached the command center it seemed eerily empty. Despite the heat, Rapi felt a chill up her spine. The other two didn’t notice much, their minds being focused on getting out of the heat.
They walk through the automatic doors and the usual desk attendant is seemingly missing, normally they’d wait for her to return but Rapi’s intuition is screaming at her.
She sprints down the hallway leaving Anis and Neon in the lobby.
“Rapi wait up! What’s wrong!?” Anis yells after her with Neon in tow.
The stench of blood stings Rapi’s nose, she turns the corner and sees one of the doors forced open.
Her heart sinks, she tries to push thoughts of a worst-case scenario out of her head, but they seem to have their grip over her emotions.
She reaches the broken-in door and freezes.
Anis and Neon finally catch up, “What’s your problem Rapi!? It’s hot enough as is out-,“ Anis can’t even finish her thought looking into what they once considered their safe haven.
Blood.
Fresh blood.
Red coats the couch where they would receive advisements from the Commander.
Everything on his desk has been thrown to the floor.
There are dents in the fridge and his desk.
The blood trails into his bathroom…
Rapi snaps out of her initial shock and runs into the room to the bathroom.
There he is, ‘The Ark’s Final Hope’…
Surrounded by shattered glass
Drenched in blood
Slumped against the wall next to the shower
Perfectly… still… like he’s just sleeping.
Rapi drops to her knees with tears in her eyes, the pain in her chest so much worse than that of the glass slicing her leg.
She gently cups the Commander's pained face.
He’s come back from so much worse, he’s just unconscious.
Though it was only a moment, it felt like ages before Anis and Neon arrived at the bathroom door.
Anis’ mouth was open as if she wanted to call out for him, but no sound came out. And for the first time, Neon couldn’t think of a way to reassure them.
Rapi pressed her head to his chest to listen
Silence…
“Call Seraphim…,” Rapi choked out. Anis and Neon had never seen her breakdown like this, it made the situation feel too real. They couldn’t move, all they could do was stare at the man who had given them the worth they felt they had each lost in life.
“CALL SERAPHIM!” Rapi nearly screamed at them with tears streaming down her cheeks
Anis and Neon sprinted out of the room in search of help while dialing the emergency number of the outpost
Rapi pulled the Commander from a sitting position to lying on his back and roughly pushed on his chest trying to perform CPR all while begging between tears, “Please… please…”
She felt the dead weight of his body and clutched his body in her arms desperately, minutes felt like hours in the silence of cradling him, the shards of glass may as well have not been there, she felt numb.
Why was it so quiet in the command center…? Where was everyone…? They had only stepped out for their inspection briefly… Why…? Why…?
Eventually the rush of questions in her head simply stopped, she could only look at his face and try to memorize it before they took him.
…
…
…
After what felt like days, she heard sirens.