Art and Jean exited the briefing room, heading towards the cafeteria.
Neither spoke.
A silent buzzing came from the lights above.
Footsteps tapping on the floor filled the space.
Jean noticed Art's gaze focused on the floor, and tapped on her shoulder.
"What are you thinking about now?"
Art looked at her.
"The northern district and the preparations for it."
Jean softly smiled.
"That's good."
Art's eyebrows twitched.
"What do you mean by that?"
Jean looked forward.
"Who knows."
Art's head slightly turned, as they continued into the courtyard.
Sunlight warmed the area around them.
The fountain stream flowed steadily.
Jean split off from Art and headed to Tremor's workshop.
Art looked around the courtyard for someone.
He's not here.
She paused for a brief moment.
Wheels creaking sounded from the Sadr wing.
A soothing hum drew closer to the courtyard.
Art turned to the sounds.
Her eyes widened.
Her movement stalled.
Yvette pushed Elaina into the courtyard sunlight.
Elaina sat in the wheelchair.
Motionless.
Gray strings hung loosely from her fingers.
Yvette noticed Art and pushed Elaina to her.
Art's hand trembled.
Yvette stopped humming.
"I wanted her to get some fresh air."
Art exhaled deeply, composing herself.
"Is she..."
Her eyes moved to the strings.
"...going to be like this?"
Yvette placed her hand on Elaina's shoulder.
"Her body is completely healthy..."
She pulled out a special brush from her pocket.
"...but her mind is still gone."
Yvette started brushing her hair.
Her fingers moved softly through the strands.
Art noticed the handle.
An orange stuffed animal was imprinted on it.
Art waved to Yvette as she headed for the training room.
Her eyes focused in front of her.
Breathing was steady.
Focused.
Her ears twitched to the sound of light explosions.
Smog drifted out as she opened the sliding door.
Targets were busted.
Heavy breathing came from the bench area.
She entered, walking over to Grimm.
Her jaw tightened.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Grimm moved the towel off his face.
"Training, duh."
Art pointed to the damaged floor.
"You're just destroying the place."
Grimm smiled.
"Are you going to stop me?"
Art clenched her fist.
"Fine."
Art walked over to the terminal and input a set of commands.
The training ground flattened.
They lined up across from each other.
Art raised her guard, her veins surged with white light.
Grimm opened his hands, forming nuclei in them.
Strands connected.
He split the nuclei towards her.
Art surged past the explosions.
Her eyes saw Grimm clearly through the smoke.
He jumped back, priming another nuclei.
Art closed in.
Grimm flicked it at her, the strands still attached to his finger.
Art shifted her head.
"You missed."
Grimm lightly smiled.
Art's hair twitched, sensing danger.
He curled his finger, snapping the strand.
The nucleus split behind Art.
She jumped, avoiding the explosion.
Her stance recovered as she lifted her head.
Another nucleus was already in front of her.
The strand detached, splitting the nuclei.
Art was forced back.
Landing hard.
The dust settled.
Grimm stood before her, his arm extended to her.
Art took it, standing with his help.
He walked away and returned after a moment.
Grimm handed her a towel.
"Do you feel better?"
Art's eyebrow raised.
"Huh?"
Grimm wiped his face.
"You seemed stressed so I wanted you to blow off some steam."
Art placed the towel around her neck.
"Thanks."
...
Jean pushed through the metal door, entering Tremor's workshop.
Tinkering echoed in the workshop.
The smell of burning metal filled her nose.
She walked to Tremor's workstation.
"Hey Tremor."
Tremor placed his torch down, as the floating pieces softly landed on the table.
"Oh, Hey Jean."
Jean started grabbing various gadgets from the shelves next to her.
Tremor turned in his chair towards her.
"Don't just grab stuff."
Jean placed them in a backpack.
"I need them for a mission."
Tremor's hand slightly shook.
"What kind of mission?"
Jean turned towards the insurgent suits.
"Scouting the Maker's Lab."
Tremor pointed at the shelf next to the suits.
"The disguises they used to get on the train are on that shelf."
Jean tapped Tremor's shoulder.
"Thanks."
She walked over to the shelf.
Tremor turned back to his workbench.
His veins emitted a blue glow as he resumed his task.
Jean placed the bag on her shoulders and started to leave.
Tremor faintly smiled.
"You're welcome."
Jean opened the door.
Her cheeks warmed slightly as she opened the door.
She continued through the courtyard and entered the garage.
Jean grabbed the keys to a motorcycle and opened the garage.
The setting sun reflected off her helmet visor.
A cool breeze passed into the open garage.
Jean turned the ignition.
The engine roared to life.
She accelerated into the evening.
...
Kane sat at his desk.
His window was cracked open.
The night breeze flowed through.
The room was dark.
And cold.
Magnums laid in front.
The cracks faced him.
Eyes focused on them.
Unmoving.
Chains rattled.
The emptiness within him stirred.