In the early hours of April 2nd, Theresa Vazquez found herself abruptly awakened by a group of men and women dressed in black. Confused, she followed the group as ordered. After some time for her to compose herself, the young scientist found herself in one of the Tsukuyomi institute's interrogation rooms—rooms whose existence she hadn't even known about.
In the simple room, a square table separated her from the interviewer, who had a placid appearance. Behind the man, two base security members she knew stood armed with their high-tech rifles. Theresa observed the room attentively, surrounded by glass that did not allow her to see the other side. She was certainly being watched by an even larger group of people.
After reading some documents, the man dressed in an Aegis uniform finally spoke.
"Forgive the abrupt manner in which we summoned you here, Miss Vazquez, but we need your help on a critical matter...
Theresa Vazquez, born in Valencia, immigrated to England very early due to the war, where she is now considered an English citizen. At 13, she joined the Royal Academy, choosing the research field as her branch. She developed a theory responsible for the creation and standardization of M.M.U. interfaces used worldwide to this day. She is currently considered one of the leading minds of the Tsukuyomi project, with some grand achievements...
An impressive résumé for someone so young, don't you think?"
Theresa remained patient and just nodded; her intelligence indicated this would be the best path. The man observed her for a few moments before continuing.
"Professor Vazquez, what is your relationship with Gabriel Sirghi?"
She couldn't hide her doubt; her relationship with Biel was no secret, and they certainly already knew about it.
"He is my fiancé. Why the question?"
"When was the last time you contacted each other?"
"...A few weeks ago."
"And you haven't spoken since? For such a young couple, that's rare, Professor."
The man observed Theresa's left hand, and her engagement ring was not there. She felt a little ashamed and covered her fingers. The argument and the unfriendly way her last dialogue with Gabriel had ended weren't the reason she wasn't wearing the jewelry; she had simply removed it to do lab work and had forgotten to put it back on. But it was too late, and that explanation probably wouldn't be sufficient or convincing enough.
"...We had an argument, but nothing more than that."
The man leaned back in his chair and stared at Theresa for a few moments. He had heard the conversation; he certainly knew everything she had done or not done in recent months. Without further ado, the man tossed a report onto the table for her, which she picked up.
"We believe that First Lieutenant Gabriel Sirghi, and the rest of the Avalon's crew, have betrayed Aegis, Professor."
Theresa looked at him, truly frightened for the first time since the interrogation began.
"Unfortunately, we will need to keep you in custody until we have more details from our investigation. You will be transf-"
The room door was unceremoniously opened by Wilfried Dreyer, who had managed to overcome the resistance of the soldiers in front of it.
"Excuse me, Inspector, but we are in no condition to lose Professor Vazquez's talents at the moment!"
The man seemed unimpressed by the intrusion but gestured for the guards to release Aegis's research leader.
"You will manage to replace her adequately."
"No, we won't. In fact, the reason this room is still intact is largely thanks to Vazquez's research and projects. There is no way we will allow her to leave here like this!"
Theresa watched Wilfried's protest with relief, and the Aegis inspector, after a few seconds of contemplation, just nodded.
"Allow me to ask just one more question, and then I will release her."
After the pair agreed, the man continued.
"Would you know the possible whereabouts of Samantha Moncrief and your mother, Professor?"
Theresa's surprised reaction was answer enough for the man, who stood up, indicating the end of the inquiry and the young woman's freedom. Walking beside Wilfried, Theresa had more questions than she usually tolerated.
"What was that!?"
"Apparently, they are interrogating all family members or people with direct connections to members of the Avalon I's crew."
"But why would they do that? Do they really believe they would betray Aegis? Most of the crew has been fighting in this war for years!"
They were interrupted by a group of soldiers asking to pass. In the center of the group, Rodrigo Ferreira, Theresa's colleague and rival, was taken into custody by the men. After they disappeared down the corridor, Wilfried lamented.
"I couldn't help him. I only managed to intervene in your case, but I couldn't do anything about Rodrigo... His partner works in Avalon's engineering; he was taken for the same reason you would have been."
Theresa placed a hand on her devastated boss's shoulder to support him, and her finger, without its ring, was once again exposed. The memory of her argument with Gabriel returned strongly; she needed to talk to him again, they needed to make up as soon as possible, she was sure they loved each other enough to overcome any barrier together. Her mind was also occupied by Samantha and Julie, and especially her mother, with whom she still hadn't spoken since her father's wake.
Still confused by the interrogation, Theresa decided to focus the rest of her day on her project. Perhaps if she could help put an end to the conflict, all these answers would cease to be necessary, and she could go back to living peacefully beside Gabriel and his family. She felt she was close enough to the key to victory.
<>
In the medical bay of the Avalon, which was traveling camouflaged towards the planet's northern hemisphere, Kiyoko Ogata observed through the glass separating her from the room, the recovery chamber occupied by Gabriel Sirghi, still unconscious since the last mission.
With one hand on the glass and the other over her chest, the young woman couldn't hide her anguish and insecurity. She blamed herself; perhaps if she had been more competent, she could have helped Gabriel. Perhaps if she had been more competent, Jerome Gagnier wouldn't have lost his life, just as the hundreds of pilots from Japan's Self-Defense Forces wouldn't have met the same fate, even though her compatriots had received her with smiles and pride after the mission.
The young pilot knew little else but to blame herself. Despite the various people around her saying it wasn't her fault, that her actions were correct, it would be impossible for her to think otherwise. Not when the man she respected most, who was one of the first to show her there was more to life than war and obligations, was suffering like that.
The corridor door opened, and Henry Enfield seemed unsurprised by the lieutenant's presence.
"Of course you'd be here..."
Kiyoko thought about retorting; she knew Henry visited their friend as often as she did, but she couldn't find the right words.
"You know, we hated each other at first."
Henry approached, standing beside Kiyoko. He was probably talking about when he first met Gabriel Sirghi.
"When he joined the academy, we ended up becoming direct rivals. I thought he was an arrogant snob, and he probably saw me as an over-the-top loudmouth."
Henry smiled before continuing.
"I've rarely been so wrong in my life. It wasn't snobbery; he was simply the most focused guy in the entire academy. He was one of the few there who had seen and suffered from the war so directly and heavily.
A few years later, when we were more friends than rivals, I asked him why he wanted so badly to be one of the best in the class; he said he just wanted to end the war as quickly as possible. Not once did I hear any mention of revenge from him."
Henry looked seriously at Kiyoko, and the intelligent girl understood the message he wanted to convey: Gabriel would want her to follow that same path.
"Anyway, his medical results are better; it's a matter of time before he wakes up. Come on, we have free time in the simulator. It'll be a better way to spend our time until this show-off wakes up."
Henry headed towards the corridor exit but was not followed. He turned around, and Kiyoko once again had that excruciating look of doubt that was becoming her primary expression with each passing day.
"...He asked me to take care of Samantha and Julie... Does he trust me that much?"
The R.A.F. pilot observed Kiyoko Ogata once more. The girl's talent and actions on the battlefield made him forget how young she really was, especially compared to the rest of the crew. He approached and, without realizing it, repeated the same gesture Gagnier had made a few weeks ago, involuntarily placing his hand on the young pilot's head.
"Yes, he trusts you. He said that because he trusts you. He's good at that: making you believe in yourself. And you can do that even when he gets back; I have no doubt he and Theresa will accept your help in making those two's lives calmer.
Now come on, I want to test a new M.M.U. configuration. Apparently, there's a surprise waiting for me at the North Pole; they sent me a preview."
Kiyoko nodded, following Henry down the corridor. Before leaving, however, she stopped once more, again observing Gabriel unconscious in his repose. For the sake of the first true friend life had given her, and the family that had welcomed her so well, she would give everything she had to end that conflict.