The screech of metal rang out. The cabin opened, and from it, stumbling and swaying, emerged a human figure. Cassian walked slowly, his entire body shifting between chills and fever. His vision darkened. The ground swayed like a ship in a storm. He nearly collapsed, but grabbing the railing, managed to keep his balance.
— W-what... the hell...
A wave of nausea interrupted his stream of curses. The world spun even harder, his stomach twisted — and his last meal ended up on the floor. Cassian's body weakened even more, his legs gave out. He collapsed onto his back like a puppet with its strings cut, and once again lost consciousness.
*
The smell of medicine and antiseptic. Cassian pried open his sticky eyes — a white ceiling, sterile white sheets. He tried to sit up but felt a pain like being struck in the back of the head with a baseball bat.
— I... I'm in the infirmary? — his voice was hoarse.
— Oh my goodness, look at that — our princess is awake! How was your sleep, see any pink ponies? Heh-heh, — came Ryuji's voice from somewhere nearby.
— Stop talking nonsense! — along with Alexa's voice came a heavy thud.
— First of all, Alexa, remember — throwing med-books is unethical. And really, can't I laugh a little? Cass passed out coming out of the Nexus and ended up in the med ward. That's karma for setting me up with the old man during that training, — Ryuji snorted dramatically, clearly anticipating an argument.
— Yeah, except for one tiny detail — you're here too. And if my memory serves me right — two hours ago you were whining about how bad you felt, — she glanced mockingly at Ryuji, then smiled sweetly. The taste of victory was truly sweet. At least, that's what she thought.
— That doesn't matter! What matters is that I was conscious, which means I have every right to laugh. And I absolutely will! — a completely illogical counterargument was declared.
— And this idiot was lecturing me about ethics...?
— Shut up, damn it! Let me sleep! — Sora's shout interrupted the argument. — My head already hurts, and now you're yelling too! Do you even have a conscience?
— Then put in some earplugs, what's the problem?
She couldn't care less about Sora's complaints. More importantly, her moment of triumph over the fool had been ruined — now that was truly unfortunate.
— We can hear you even through those!
— Well... that's not our problem anymore.
— Stop, stop, stop! Guys, let's not fight. We're not strangers after all — we're sharing a room.
A brief silence fell.
— Weren't you just arguing with me? — Alexa shot him a scornful look. — Or did you suddenly decide to become a peacemaker? Be careful, or your halo might fall off.
— Let's not get into details, okay? And I'd prefer to call what happened an emotional dialogue.
— Is there a difference? — Alexa raised an eyebrow, waiting for an answer.
— Yes, and a significant one — it sounds completely different, — a silly smile appeared on Ryuji's face.
— ...
The conversation faded. Silence returned, and everyone went back to their own business — as much as one could in a hospital room. Alexa lazily flipped through a virtual book, Ryuji stared at the ceiling lost in thought, and Sora, finally granted peace, drifted into a nap.
Cassian had finally come to his senses. His head still ached, and his body was weak, but he managed to sit up.
A white, half-empty room. Four beds and four nightstands — opposite him was Ryuji, to the left Alexa, and diagonally across, Sora.
— So why did you pass out? — Ryuji's voice broke the silence. He was still staring at the ceiling. Alexa appeared indifferent, but a fleeting glance said otherwise.
— Why did I pass out? — Cassian paused. For a moment, he was back in the cabin, and a shiver ran down his spine. — I'm more curious why you didn't.
— What? — both Ryuji and Alexa froze. — Were we supposed to? — the girl replied logically, cutting off Ryuji. — Well... it wasn't pleasant, and yeah, exhausting, but nothing terrible.
— No pain? I mean the feeling like your body is being turned inside out.
— Um... no, — she looked at Cassian in surprise. Ryuji, who had been staring at the ceiling, sat up, waiting for more.
— No screaming?
— You mean sensitivity to sound?
— No! I mean screaming. Like thousands of creatures crying out in agony right next to you.
—...
Silence lingered. No one understood what Cassian was talking about.
— Maybe... synchronization is different for everyone? I mean, the process and result vary depending on life experience, mental resilience, and physical condition of the pilot. Maybe you remembered something terrible? — Alexa suggested.
— I don't think so... I'd remember something like that. Nothing like that has ever happened to me. I was assigned to the third citadel straight from the incubation zone and never left it until I came here.
Like many others, Cassian had never been in any real trouble. Until the age of fifteen, he lived peacefully in the incubator citadel, and after choosing a name, he was sent to the second citadel — one of the largest and safest in the entire third sector. You could even call it luck.
— Then maybe it was a glitch? They say that happens if someone is mentally fragile, — Ryuji shrugged.
— A glitch? — Cassian frowned. — According to the tests, I don't have that issue, — the theory could've been valid, but all evaluations showed Cassian's resilience was high.
— In that case, maybe...
— Your guesses won't lead anywhere, — Sora, still lying in bed, interrupted Ryuji. — Wouldn't it be easier to ask the instructors when we see them?
— Well... you're right, — Alexa turned off her communicator.
— Weren't you going to sleep? — Ryuji's tone showed clear irritation at being interrupted.
— How can I sleep when you won't shut up? — Sora snorted, sitting up.
— Oh, excuse us for disturbing your rest, your majesty, — Ryuji replied with a sarcastic chuckle. He clearly didn't care about his friend's annoyance.
Cassian, lost in thought, exhaled wearily. He still couldn't shake the memory of that terrible scream. Alexa's theory might've been true, but nothing like that had ever happened to him. At least, that's what he thought. And hallucinations? Nonsense.
— Fine, — he said hoarsely, — forget it. I'll ask Darius at the next training.
A chill ran down Cassian's spine at the sudden thought that he'd have to endure the pain of synchronization training many more times. Somehow, he felt he'd be back in the infirmary more than once.
— Well then... how about we play something? — Alexa suggested. — There's not much else to do anyway.
*
Spacious apartments were bathed in soft twilight. Through wide panoramic windows stretched a majestic view of the glowing city within the citadel — a web of luminous highways, towers, and arches disappearing into the misty heights.
On a wide bed, almost blending with the shadows, lay a girl with platinum-colored hair. Without changing position, she lazily reached toward the bedside table in search of candy. But finding only wrappers, she slowly sat up. Casting a glance around the half-empty room, she picked up the communicator lying nearby. One unread message appeared on the screen: "Sorry, but you don't have access to this information."
— Well... that's unfortunate. Guess I'll find out myself.
She tossed the device back and, rising from the bed, left the room.