"You remember me?" I asked, unable to hide my surprise. We had only spent a few hours together on Bethany, years ago now.
She smiled with what seemed like genuine warmth. "I remember you quite clearly. You were remarkable out there." I’d heard that voice in broadcasts, but hearing it directed at me was something else. It was warm and precise, with an underlying firmness that made every word feel deliberately chosen. She tilted her head. "I tended to some of your shrapnel wounds, if I recall. You were not particularly cooperative."
A small snort escaped me. "Yeah, that sounds like me. I still have the scars to remind me."
She pushed a button on the side of the wall and a door swung open. Together we stepped into yet another hallway, and then she continued, "Yeah, that was an interesting day. That region really needed help." A short pause and an "Um" as she brushed some hair from her face to wrap it behind her ear. "I kept a loose eye on you from afar, during the Bethany years. I never did reach out directly… I’m sorry for what happened."
A small wince behind my eye.
"I wanted you to know that your retirement after that was perfectly reasonable in my opinion. I’m glad you were with us through Bethany."
"Yeah well," I said, carrying on, continuing to walk beside her. "You can imagine my… surprise… being asked to come here."
"You must have so many questions for me." She paused and added, "Questions I usually prefer not to answer… but things are a lot different now, huh?" A hint of playfulness in her tone, like trying to be formal with an old friend. This was Sun Jin Kaisara, talking to me so casually?
"Namely questions about how you defeated all those soldiers so easily. I saw it. Many others did throughout the Bethany war, but broadcasts and logs never mentioned your kit. The swords you used, the armor, that energy weapon system. I've been dying to know since the last time I asked... You were rather evasive when I asked you about it after that fight. I really had forgotten all about it until today."
"Don't forget that I only handled the second half of them. It was you who took care of the first group. In the end, you did more damage than me."
My mind drifted back to my hiding spot, crouching behind a pile of debris and covered in dust. I could hear my heavy breathing as I clutched two pistols tightly in my hands. With each shot, I could drop someone from just a quick peek around the side of the barricade. Over the next few years, my skill with firearms earned me a reputation within the battalion - it seemed I was the best marksman of our time. I really hoped I wasn't here for some assassination job, again. That’s what lead to my retirement in the first place and frankly I would walk out of here, despite the company.
"The tank, though. That was me, wasn't it?" She tilted her head slightly, reaching for the memory.
"Yeah," I said, keeping my voice low as we passed a cluster of staff.
"You were rough around the edges back then. But I saw something in you. I've been watching you for a long time, Rio. Waiting for the right moment." She glanced at me sidelong. "You're not like the others, and I know you know that."
A job offer. I heard myself think it before she could say it. She wasn't going to tell me anything about those swords or her armor. She was too careful for that. And a job was exactly what I'd been dreading since the moment I was escorted through that door.
"You know why you’re here, and yes, I have an opportunity for you."
I let out a slow breath and looked ahead. "With respect, my Empress, like we said, I'm retired. I mean that sincerely and respect."
"I know you do."
I kept walking for a moment before I spoke again. What did she actually need from me? "Tell me what it is," I said. "Then I'll give you my answer."