Takes place right after the Astral Express departs from Herta Space Station
.....
Reaching the base, Silver Wolf sighed in relief at finally making it back. Entering, she took a seat on the sofa and let out a groan. "That was way too close. Almost nothing went according to Elio's 'script' except for a few parts. We didn't even arrive at the right time!"
Beside her, Kafka could only smile at Silver Wolf's complaint. "Calm down, will you? Besides, we didn't get caught and even managed to complete our mission."
"Barely." Silver Wolf then took out her handheld console and began playing a video game. "Elio's 'script' has become unreliable ever since a few months ago, and we've had to improvise a lot. Does Elio know why?"
Kafka shook her head. "No. Not even he can understand why the future is veering off from the intended course. The only thing he advises us is to continue playing our part and, as you've said, improvise along the way. Although... Silver Wolf, do you manage to secure the footage of the security camera in Herta's Space Station?"
Silver Wolf paused her game and began showing Kafka the footage that she managed to secure. "Ahead of you. Wanna see them together?"
"Sure."
The footage started at the beginning, before the arrival of the Astral Express. The personnel on board are going about their day, unaware of the incoming danger.
Silver Wolf fast-forwarded the footage to the Astral Express arrival. They watched the crew disembark. All was according to the script until they saw something that was definitely not in any part of it.
"Pause." Told Kafka as Silver Wolf paused when the footage landed on a bug-looking boy. She looks at the boy in confusion as the script never mentions anything about the boy.
Similarly, Silver Wolf also had a look of confusion as she observed the boy.
"Continue. Let's observe the boy." The footage then resumed as the two Stellaron Hunter member focused their attention on the boy, who they learned was named Cole. They watched as he was being toured by the head of the security department.
When the Legion attacked, any confusion as to whether the boy was connected to the Propagation was squashed as he transformed into a form similar to the various species of the Swarm.
"What are you both looking at?" The voice of Firefly surprised them as Silver Wolf quickly ended the recording.
She and Kafka looked back to see Firefly looking at them in confusion, with Blade not far behind her, also looking at them. "What's the matter? Did something go wrong?
"Um no, no... We're just... rereading the script... yeah..." Silver Wolf blurted out, hoping that Firefly didn't pry further.
"I see. But aren't you guys watching something earlier? I didn't see anything since both of you were blocking the view."
Just as Silver Wolf was about to answer, Kafka beat her to the punch. "Oh, it's nothing, Silver Wolf just wanted to show me her impeccable gameplay."
"Really?"
"Never mind that. Kafka and I noticed that you've been out of your mech for much longer than usual. Are you sure it's okay?" Asked Silver Wolf.
Firefly nodded happily. "Yep. I don't know why, but ever since a few months ago, my Entropy Loss Syndrome has been slowing down drastically. I can do activities outside for what seems like days without having to be in SAM."
"It honestly feels pretty nice not having to always wear my suit or be in a cryopod. It makes me feel like an ordinary girl." She then demonstrated what she meant by twirling around.
After that, she turned to face Kafka and Silver Wolf. "So... Stelle is now with the Astral Express. My part in Penacony is approaching fast, and I can't wait to see her again. Silver Wolf, do you have any security footage of Herta's Space Station? I want to see her again."
Silver Wolf panicked internally as her brain tried to come up with an excuse to not have Firefly see the footage. She honestly has no idea what Firefly might do when she sees the boy, but she knows it's not going to be anything good.
She glanced at Kafka, who glanced back, seemingly knowing what she was hinting at.
Just as Kafka opened her mouth, a cough from Blade interrupted her, causing them all to look at him.
"The next script?" He asked.
"Ah, right. Firefly, aren't you in the next script?" Questioned Kafka.
"Huh? Are you sure?" Firefly looked rather confused. "I was pretty sure I was not in it. Better double-check it. Come on, Blade." She then went to the next room to rereview the next script with Blade behind her.
"Phew... Thankfully, she didn't suspect anything, it seems. Kafka, what should we do about the boy?"
Kafka pondered for a moment before giving Silver Wolf a small smile. "For now, nothing. All we can do is observe him in the next part of our script at the Luofu. As for the recording..." She thinks for a moment. "Make sure to edit any part with the boy in it, don't delete them, just store them so we can watch it together again."
"Alright. You go and distract her while I do my magic, okay?"
"Of course. Oh, and a question, Silver Wolf. What are your thoughts about the boy?"
"I don't know, I'm just confused as to how he wasn't in Elio's script. What about you?"
"Hmm..." Kafka hummed to herself for a moment before answering Silver Wolf. "I have a feeling he might be more than what is on the surface and perhaps play a large part in the future." She then looked towards the windows to the outside world. "Perhaps larger than we can ever imagine."