冷风卷起灰尘.
The cold wind stirred the dust.
荒野的尽头,天色低垂如铁.
At the edge of the wasteland, the sky hung low and gray like iron.
距离那场在第十三区的惨烈战斗,已经过去整整三周.
It had been three full weeks since the devastating battle at District 13.
凯恩的伤势终于稳定.
Kaine's injuries had finally stabilized.
雷能反噬让他几乎丧命,若不是艾琳娜与尤娜轮流守在医舱旁,他早就化作灰烬.
The lightning backlash had nearly killed him; if not for Elina and Yuna taking turns watching by the med pod, he would've long turned to ash.
如今,他能行走,也能握住武器,只是手臂上的雷痕仍在隐隐闪光.
Now he could walk and hold a weapon again, though the faint blue scars on his arm still pulsed with energy.
那是他尚未痊愈的烙印.
It was the mark of a wound that had yet to heal.
---
夜色笼罩油站基地.
Night covered the gas station base.
指挥舱的灯光闪烁不定,每个人的神情都被拉得紧绷.
The command room's flickering lights stretched tension across every face.
苏黎盯着桌面上的投影地图.
Su Li stared at the projection map on the table.
"第十三区是E.DEN的新指挥分部,一旦核心防御启动,我们就没第二次机会."
"District 13 is E.DEN's new command hub. Once their core defense activates, we won't get another chance."
凌焰靠在门边,双手交叉.
Ling Yan leaned against the doorway, arms crossed.
"我们不会再让任何人白白牺牲."
"No one else dies for nothing."
莱恩投影出侦查影像.
Ryan projected the recon footage.
"外围有三层防御,内区至少一支机甲中队."
"Three outer defenses, at least one mech battalion inside."
尤娜皱眉分析:"他们正在升级外层塔防,十小时内不动手,就是等死."
Yuna frowned. "They're upgrading the outer towers — if we don't move within ten hours, it's suicide."
"那我们就快."凯恩沉声说.
"Then we move fast," Kaine said gravely.
他话音落下,胸口的能量脉冲轻微闪动.
As he spoke, faint arcs of energy rippled across his chest.
艾琳娜的目光落在他身上,神情微乱.
Elina's gaze flickered toward him, uncertain and tense.
---
会议暂告一段落.
The meeting adjourned for a short break.
凯恩与尤娜到外部调试通讯天线.
Kaine and Yuna went outside to adjust the comm antenna.
"干扰信号是人为的.E.DEN在追踪."尤娜低声.
"The interference is deliberate — E.DEN's tracking us," Yuna whispered.
凯恩弯腰接线,雷能在他指尖闪烁.
Kaine crouched, reconnecting the lines as lightning danced around his fingertips.
"你还没完全恢复."她担忧地说.
"You're not fully healed," she said worriedly.
"能动就够了."凯恩淡淡回应.
"I can move. That's enough," Kaine replied quietly.
尤娜看着他笑了笑.
Yuna gave a small smile.
"总有一天你会学会休息."
"One day you'll learn to rest."
"那要等地狱结冰."
"That'll happen when hell freezes over."
两人相视一笑.
They both laughed softly.
这一幕,恰好被从仓库走出的艾琳娜看到.
That moment was seen by Elina, who had just stepped out of the warehouse.
她的脚步僵住,眼神黯淡.
Her steps halted, and her eyes dimmed.
她什么也没说,只是转身离开.
She said nothing — just turned and walked away.
凯恩察觉到异样,追了出去.
Kaine sensed something was wrong and followed her.
---
[误会与告白]
Misunderstanding and Confession
艾琳娜站在油站后的风口处,
Elina stood behind the gas station where the wind howled through the cracks,
手里的医疗扫描仪被她紧紧握着.
clutching her med scanner tightly in her hands.
"艾琳娜."凯恩叫住她.
"Elina," Kaine called out to her.
她没有回头.
She didn't turn.
"我知道你在想什么."他走近一步.
"I know what you're thinking," he said, stepping closer.
"你和尤娜."她的声音有些颤抖.
"You and Yuna," she murmured, voice trembling.
凯恩愣了一下,随即皱眉.
Kaine blinked, then frowned.
"那不是你看到的那样."
"It's not what you think."
"是吗?那你为什么要笑?她看你的眼神——"
"Is it not? Then why did you smile? The way she looked at you—"
"她在修通讯设备!"
"She was fixing the comms!"
空气陷入短暂的沉默.
The air between them froze.
艾琳娜低声说:"那天你救我,我以为...那是因为我特别."
Elina whispered, "That day you saved me… I thought it was because I meant something."
凯恩的声音低沉而稳.
Kaine's voice was steady and low.
"你确实特别."
"You do mean something."
"但不是我喜欢你那种特别?"
"But not in that way?"
凯恩沉默片刻,终于抬起头.
Kaine paused, then finally looked up.
"不是那样——是更深的那种."
"Not that way — deeper."
艾琳娜怔住,风在她耳边呼啸.
Elina froze as the wind howled around them.
凯恩走近,声音几乎是低语.
Kaine stepped closer, his voice barely above a whisper.
"我救你,不是任务,是因为我怕你死.
我不知道那是不是喜欢,但我知道——我不想再失去你."
"I saved you not because it was a mission, but because I was afraid you'd die.
I don't know if it's love, but I know this — I don't want to lose you again."
艾琳娜的眼泪在灯光下闪烁.
Tears shimmered under Elina's lashes.
"那就别再替我挡子弹."她低声说.
"Then stop taking bullets for me," she whispered.
凯恩笑了笑,眼神柔和下来.
Kaine smiled faintly, his expression softening.
"那你别再哭."
"Then stop crying."
风掠过,两人的影子重叠.
The wind swept past, and their shadows overlapped on the cracked wall.
那一刻,灰烬散尽.
For that moment, the ash finally settled.
---
[会议再启]
Briefing Reopens
翌日清晨.
The next morning.
苏黎重新召集所有人.
Su Li gathered everyone again.
"夜尘传来新情报——第十三区正在集结主力.
能源中枢将在十二小时内启动."
"Nightdust just sent word — District 13 is amassing its main force.
Their energy core will activate in twelve hours."
凌焰深吸一口气.
Ling Yan took a deep breath.
"这次,我们要一举摧毁它."
"This time, we end it in one strike."
苏黎点头.
Su Li nodded.
"凯恩,你的身体撑得住吗?"
"Kaine, can your body handle it?"
"我没事."他握紧拳头,雷光在指尖跳动.
"I'm fine," he said, lightning sparking faintly between his fingers.
艾琳娜抬头,微微一笑.
Elina looked up and smiled faintly.
"那我也准备好了."
"Then so am I."
风吹进指挥舱,带来黎明的气息.
The wind swept through the cabin, carrying the scent of dawn.
苏黎看向众人.
Su Li looked at them all.
"灰烬计划,必须在今天终结."
"The Ash Project — ends today."
凌焰目光如火.
Ling Yan's gaze burned like fire.
"焰队,出发."
"Flame Unit — move out."