The room was dark. Dante sat on the floor. His back was against the wall. His legs were stretched out in front of him. The notebook lay open on his knee. The pages were filled with handwriting. Sharp. Angular. Lists of memories. Dates. Facts. Some lines were crossed out. Some were marked Missing.
The safehouse was quiet. The crew was preparing for the mission. Gear was being checked. Engines were being warmed. Dante was not moving. He was listening.
(Dante): "Why her."
The voice echoed in the empty space of his mind. It did not sound like speech. It sounded like thought.
(Kairo): "Efficiency. Emotional weight provides higher energy yield."
(Dante): "Do not lie."
(Kairo): "I do not lie. I calculate."
(Dante): "You take the moments that matter. You leave the rest."
(Mūn): "…"
