The Hyperion — lower deck passageways.
The corridor outside the medical bay was a storm of motion.
Medics shouted instructions. Boots pounded against steel flooring. The wounded were rushed past on stretchers, uniforms soaked in blood, bandages hastily wrapped around broken limbs.
Emergency lights painted everything in red.
Amidst it all—
Himeko Murata leaned quietly against the cold railing.
Her armor was partially disengaged, cracked and scorched from battle. Blood continued to seep through the seams despite her attempts to press it closed.
Her breathing was shallow.
She pressed a hand against her side and winced faintly.
Himeko: "I guess I did a number on myself this time."
No one heard her.
Or perhaps no one had the time.
From within her coat, she withdrew a small vial.
The serum inside glistened faintly under the flashing lights, pale and almost beautiful.
Its surface reflected her face—
Scarred.
Smudged with soot.
Older than she felt just hours ago.
Suddenly—
Alarms flared.
A piercing siren screamed through the corridors, amplifying the chaos. Emergency indicators flickered wildly as personnel rushed even faster.
But to Himeko—
The noise felt distant.
Muted.
As if she stood apart from it all.
Himeko: "Alright, I guess it's time for a breather."
She pushed herself upright, ignoring the protest in her muscles.
Instead of following the current of rushing crew members toward the medical bay—
She walked the opposite direction.
Each step steady.
Measured.
For a brief, fragile moment—
It felt like time itself had paused.
The frantic movement around her blurred.
Faces passed by.
Young Valkyries she had trained.
Engineers from the Far East Branch.
Members of Anti-Entropy.
Soldiers she had shared drinks with.
Medics she had scolded for skipping rest.
Some knew her.
Some did not.
None stopped her.
None noticed.
Himeko: "You girls never grow up. But I really like it here. We probably still have a long way to go, right? Godspeed, girls."
The red emergency lights flickered across her face.
Her grip tightened slightly around the serum.
She watched as the corridor filled and emptied in waves of humanity fighting to survive.
And then, with a faint smirk—
Himeko: "I'll kill for another can of beer."