“Commander Kassidy reporting to headquarters!”

  “Facility Lambda Report.”

  “Hideaki escaped, and Cacto, who was responsible for this, is already incapacitated, but Lucia rescued her and is sheltering her.”

  “We can worry about the Turtle Master Brigade later. Tsundora!”

  She arrived diligently at the General's office.

  “What is it, General?”

  “Dispatch your squad, Hideaki is on the loose!”

  “Understood, General!”

  “As for you, Commander, you are dismissed. You may return to your quarters.”

  “Understood.”

  What is General Aaron thinking? If even I, the Commander, couldn't handle them, what about Tsundora's squad? She may look down on my rank, but I came this far for a good reason.

  But what am I even saying? That mission was a failure. The machine may have been disabled, but I know how quickly those Cogs can recover—it's only a matter of time before it's back in action!

  "Great job," Tsundora entered my quarters, "not only did you let Hideaki escape, but you didn't even finish your target."

  “It was a… tactical mistake.”

  “Tactics have nothing to do with letting someone go unharmed and not finishing off someone who was on their knees.”

  "Cacto is a crucial tool for my plan!" I stammered. "She's the only one I know capable of taking down that monster!"

  “I know that it is nothing but an excuse to keep her alive for your own interests! I have seen the recordings.”

  “W-what do you mean?”

  “Have you forgotten that we are all recorded during our missions? That is the only way that you could have given in to such a thing.”

  “That's none of your business! Anyway, don't you believe the Cogs have their merits yourself?”

  She took a step forward, her face inches from mine.

  “This is about you. Regardless, there is a point where they stop being victims and become threats to be contained. And under no circumstances have I ever considered any of them as a romantic partner!”

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  The words vanished from my mouth; there was nothing left to refute. All that remains for me is to surrender and atone for my mistakes.

  “Understood. Tell the general that I will not fail in my next mission.”

  Tsundora walked away, turning her back to me.

  "I admit a promotion would do you good," I murmured.

  "Empathy will not get you anywhere now. All that is left is to atone for your mistakes." She said as she closed the door.

  A few minutes alone in front of my fireplace, my mind began to wander. Hideaki barely glanced at me as he passed by—he seemed to have a specific target and was desperate to reach it. Strange for someone who seemed to resent me so much…

  Cacto was also in a hurry, but this time, furious, in contrast to Hideaki's despair. But when I started to confront her, her face contorted into the same expression I had seen earlier… all the way back in Facility Theta.

  And the way she defended herself, the way she screamed… it wasn't the destructive hatred I so often associated with the Cogs…

  …it was fear! The same fear that gripped Hideaki at Theta, the same fear that drove me to attack Cacto!

  I misinterpreted a single moment and embarked on a crusade, executing each and every Cog that crossed my path. They all shared that same look before my blade…

  …I wasn't born for this! I just wanted to take care of others, to be kind and caring, not to become a soulless killing machine. That doesn't make me any better than Hideaki himself!

  Now, the way Cacto was staring ahead before noticing my presence, there was nothing but blind hatred in her crimson eyes. She had only one goal in mind; eliminating Hideaki. Just as I had already dedicated myself to executing the Cogs.

  Knowing how stubborn she can be, she'll be willing to run to the ends of the earth to hunt him down. And I can't be losing her!

  So I rushed out the door, taking off my cloak to make my movement easier. Leaving the room, I came across Tsundora talking to her squad.

  “Tsundora!” I shouted. “You can leave that to your squad later, I'll go first!”

  "Orders from the general," she said coldly, "even if you are the commander, you can not change this."

  “I'm going after Hideaki! If I don't return in an hour, you can send them away!”

  After thinking for a few seconds, she turned to her soldiers:

  “All of you are dismissed for now!”

  And with that, I left the barracks, my Cog radar in hand, heading towards the imminent fight. Running a few meters ahead, I was able to intercept two Cog energy signals and set off towards them.

  As I approached the signals, I could see… another facility? And it seemed to be an important one, as it was named “Facility Omega”, the last letter of the Greek alphabet. My radar beeped again, now showing… a third Cog signal?! But this one was weaker; it must be another mass-produced unit, Divine wouldn't be leaving their exile anytime soon. Or maybe it could be… Not now, Kassidy, focus on what’s at hand.

  Its metallic interior was painted violet and red, and the technology seemed even more recent than what I had seen in Lambda.

  My boots echoed through the tunnels of stairwells, but I didn't have to go down very far to find them—Cacto and Hideaki.

  Upon noticing my arrival, they both turned around, surprised.