(Viewpoint: Chetan)
The noise arrived before the shadow.
A low rumble. Distant.
I immediately closed my eyes over his head.
The sand vibrated slightly beneath my feet.
Eugene remained frozen.
Even the waves seemed more discreet.
The sandstorms subsided and I finally allowed myself to look at the sky.
Something descended.
A capsule.
Large. White.
She slowly pierced the clouds, surrounded by vapor and light.
My heart sank.
Finally.
Finally.
After all this time.
After the ruins. After the escape. After the sleepless nights. After that impossible beach.
They had come.
– …
I was almost "happy"
I glanced towards Roum.
His black arm seemed to have gained even more ground.
But now it was no longer our problem.
The capsule hit the ground with a metallic roar; I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time.
Relief.
Finally.
The rescue team.
The ramp lowered slowly.
A cloud of sand rose around us.
Then they went out.
Dozens.
Then hundreds.
And then even more.
Silhouettes dressed in black.
Helmets. Armor. Weapons.
They immediately spread out around us.
Methodically.
Like a tide.
I frowned.
– What is it…
They were not slowing down.
They were surrounding us.
Completely.
Eugene looked around him.
– Chetan…
I did not reply.
Something was wrong.
No way.
The weapons were already raised.
Pointed…
Towards us.
The relief vanished immediately.
Replaced by an icy sensation.
Then a final figure appeared at the top of the ramp.
Blanche.
Completely white.
Unlike the others.
I recognized her immediately.
Even at that distance.
Asmara .
The wind slightly lifted her immaculate clothes.
She went downstairs calmly.
Without rushing.
As if it were all already over.
As if the outcome were never in doubt.
Eugene took a step forward.
– Asmara!
His voice echoed across the beach.
– STEP BACK
No one reacts.
Eugene raised his hands.
– Calm down, it's us
– and then Roum is injured
He pointed to the body lying behind us.
– We must help him!
Still nothing.
Then Asmara's voice rose.
Calm.
Cold.
– Stop him.
My stomach knotted.
Two soldiers stepped forward immediately.
Eugène remains motionless.
Incredulous.
- What ?
- Wait !
– You don't understand!
I took a step in front of him.
Instinctively.
– Stop.
The soldiers slowed down.
I looked directly at Asmara and tried to regain authority.
- What are you doing ?
No emotion crossed his face.
– Stand aside.
– No.
The word came out on its own.
I pointed at Roum.
– He's here, I've done my part.
– Take care of him.
– We'll talk after that.
Silence.
The weapons remained pointed at us.
I could feel their stares.
Hundreds of glances.
It was as if we had become enemies.
– We didn't do anything.
My voice rose slightly.
– You arrive with an entire army and you threaten us?
– what is the goal
Eugene immediately agreed.
- Yes !
– We don't even know how we ended up here!
Asmara only had eyes for Roum.
As if our condition didn't matter.
As if she were already observing something else.
– Take them with you.
My blood freezes.
– Do you think Alpha-1 is going to let that slide?
The soldiers advanced.
This time for good.
I immediately positioned myself in front of Eugene.
– Back up.
He hesitated.
I kept my eyes on the soldiers.
– stay behind me.
The first ones arrived, they closed in a circle around us.
I pushed away the arms that were trying to pull me aside.
But suddenly
Everything became confusing.
Sand was projected into my vision.
I had no intention of letting them take Eugene away without explanation.
None.
Not after everything we'd been through.
Not after all this time.
Even though I couldn't see, I hugged Eugene very tightly.
They threw themselves upon us.
An impulse suddenly coursed through my body.
Violent.
My muscles seized up instantly.
– GHH–
My legs gave way.
I fell to my knees.
Impossible to move.
The paralysis rose up into my arms.
In the nape of my neck.
In my jaw.
I raised my eyes with difficulty.
Eugene slipped out of my grasp.
I no longer understood.
Two soldiers were holding him down.
A third man was attaching a device to his neck.
– Wait! Asmara!
– Listen to us! Let me go.
His voice was distant.
I saw his body suddenly relax.
Her eyes closed and she collapsed.
- shit
My voice isn't even coming out.
They lifted him up immediately.
Like a package.
I tried to get up, to crawl, but my body wouldn't follow.
The paralysis was still there.
A dull rage rose in my chest.
– What's going on?!
No one answered.
I didn't even know if they were ignoring me or if he just hadn't heard me.
– Tell me what we did!
Asmara finally stopped in front of me.
The wind made her white clothes billow.
She looked at me for a few seconds.
Simply.
Then she spoke.
– You survived.
– So what?
No response.
Just that empty stare.
Impossible to read.
Then she looked away.
As if the conversation had already ended.
As if I were no longer important.
Bonds tightened around my wrists.
Then from my arms.
Then from my legs.
I couldn't even struggle.
Eugene had disappeared inside the capsule.
Roum too.
And me...
I was the only one still left outside.
Tied up in the sand.
Like a criminal.
I thought I was saved.