Firekiss

[34th Brigade]

Waldemar tilted his head when he heard Andrea cough, and looked at her.

"Whoa." He slowed his pace, moving more carefully now. "So, you only see me, right? I'll take out my knife and free you, okay?"

He pressed a button, and one of the 341st pilots ran into the room. He already had his pistol in stun mode.

"What's wrong?"

"She's awake. Just don't make any sudden movements."

Waldemar drew his knife from its sheath and began to free Andrea from her captivity. She began to feel herself regaining her freedom. The pilot, meanwhile, was ready to shoot. When she was okay, she and Waldemar sat next to each other on her bed.

"Oh, right, you need an explanation. Here, take this. Koji asked me to give it to you." Waldemar carefully handed over the note from the senior scientist of the 34th Brigade, then stood up and headed for the exit with his comrade. "When you're finished reading, come visit us in our room. I'll brief you on the future work."

The note itself was a wide envelope. Inside was some kind of medallion. If Andrea had been a renowned cultural historian of the Kusari, she would have immediately guessed its meaning. But she didn't know. But she did have an explanation for everything written in beautiful handwriting. No wonder, since the note had been left for her by the greatest mind of the 34th Brigade.

When she finishes reading this, she will still have questions. But she will receive answers to some of what happened earlier here and now.

...

"Andrea, hello. If you're reading this letter, then Alfred and I are most likely already far from Barrier Gate, and you're somewhere in your cabin with the rest of the 341st Wing.

They'll take care of you and protect you. Unfortunately, our suspicions were correct: Alfred and I are spreading the infection. We're not slaves, and we don't obey the Nomads, but the longer we're with you, the worse it will be for you. You've been in contact with us the longest, so we believe the effect can be reversed if we distance ourselves from you.

By my calculations, it should pass in a week or two. Around that time. Then Andry and the nightmares associated with him will stop haunting you. We also know he can't invade everyone's heads at once. So even if you infect everyone but aren't cured, five of the seven will definitely be able to resist you before you do anything.

The letters he sent were an attempt to circumvent this restriction and establish permanent contact. Keep that in mind and don't open any of them. Otherwise, you'll side with him. Don't worry about us, we've been through far worse. Andry Scott can't take us. He's alive, he's flesh and blood. And we'll force him to appear before us.

Waldemar... Yes, his joke was stupid. Alfred and I know more about him than you do. He's something of a failure in the Order. But he's a good man. He's on the side of good, and his impulses are noble. If anyone can protect you now, it's them. And him.

Thank you for all the work you've done. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to do much of this. We'll contact you as soon as we can. Say "hi" to the guys. In the envelope, you'll find a medallion I made myself. It protects you from evil spirits. May it accompany you throughout your journey.

Don't be afraid of Scott. Don't try to be afraid of him. And don't be afraid of your past. The worst thing a person can do in the face of fear is try to hide.

Man is above that. Be proud to be human. Leave fear to the animals. It's their destiny. Not ours.

We were created by the universe for something greater."