[Status: Awake.] [Alert Level: CRITICAL.]
I woke up to the sound of sirens.
My datapad buzzed. A new mission order. Priority Alpha.
OBJECTIVE: Reconnaissance of the "Black Spire." SQUAD: Solo Operative (Specialist Caelum). ESTIMATED SURVIVAL RATE: 0.00%.
I stared at the screen.
The Black Spire was an enemy fortress deep in the radioactive wasteland. It was heavily shielded. Sending one man was an execution.
"She's testing me," I muttered, strapping on my armor.
I walked to the hangar bay. Vesper was waiting there, her arms crossed.
"This is a mistake," I said, stopping in front of her. "You know I can't survive that radiation without heavy shielding."
"According to my data on your arm," Vesper said coolly, "the Ouroboros absorbs energy. Theoretically, it should absorb the radiation and sustain you."
"Theoretically?" I snapped. "You're betting my life on a theory?"
"I am betting on the anomaly," she corrected. "If you are what I think you are, you will survive. If you aren't... then you were just a soldier with unauthorized tech."
She handed me a helmet.
"Bring me the data from inside the Spire, Specialist. Or don't come back."
I took the helmet. I wanted to scream at her. I wanted to tell her that I had loved her in a thousand lives and hated her in a thousand others.
"Fine," I said. "But if I die, I'm haunting you."