Framed as the Traitor
She finished her meal quickly. Though everyone had started eating after her, thanks to her smaller mouth, she was the last one done. Wiping her mouth with a tissue from the side, she said,
"I want to go now."
"What? Already?"
Roena said, looking a bit disappointed.
Her prosthetic adaptation should be complete by today. No need to drag this out any longer.
She straightened her clothes and said,
"Wouldn't it be better for you all to get your commission fee quickly too?"
"Yeah, yeah. If the client's saying so, we have to. I'll take you there."
Marco said, pulling out some gum from his pocket and popping it in his mouth.
"No, let's all go together."
"Nah, Captain. We've got stuff to do. New commission came in, gotta meet the client."
"Yeah, we've got our own things too."
Luca and Marco opposed the captain's words.
There was no need for multiple people on something like this. She chimed in to support them.
"I want to wrap this up as fast as possible too."
"Got it. Marco, she's in your hands."
She threw on the worn baseball jacket again. Seeing that, Seriana piped up.
"You gonna keep wearing that?"
"...It's cold outside."
"Luca, lend her a coat~."
"...Why me?"
"You're the only one whose size fits."
"Mine are all high-end... Sigh."
He grumbled, but Luca pulled out a brown leather jacket anyway.
"Thanks. I'll wear it well."
"Leah, this is a 100,000-bel jacket, you know? Add it to the commission fee."
"I'll cover that. Luca."
Roena cut in. Then she helped her into the jacket.
"Wow, you look pretty. It suits you great, Leah!"
She complimented her, but it didn't sit entirely well. Still, she didn't show it.
Marco and she left the Errant ship. Even though it was a small vessel, it had landed on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by open plains. Stepping outside, a clear sky greeted them. It was still daytime.
Their destination was the city of Sakar. The only high-tech metropolis built on this planet where most of the land remained untouched nature. The place where she had regained her senses—and met these people.
She rode on the back of Marco's bike, helmet on, speeding down the road. The cool wind felt refreshing against her body.
Tactile sense, taste, smell... All five senses are perfectly replicated. The Favila bastards put real effort into this.
After quite a ride, a massive walled city appeared in the distance. The wall marked the boundary between the barren wasteland and the forest of buildings.
How long had they been going? Upon arriving at the city and dismounting, dazzling screens plastered the sides of skyscrapers, and crowds bustled below, each absorbed in their own tasks. She hadn't noticed before due to the urgency, but seeing it again in daylight revealed a new landscape.
"Pretty advanced place."
"What, just this spot. The insides are full of slum dens."
Marco responded to her musing as he parked the bike.
"Alright, we walk from here."
Marco handed her the helmet separately and took her hand, starting to walk. Marco wasn't particularly large-framed. Smaller than her original body, no muscles to speak of. But compared to her now, his hands and height were bigger, forcing her to look up.
...This doesn't sit right.
With nothing much to say to each other, Marco broke the awkward silence.
"By the way, you're really not... y'know?"
"What do you mean?"
"Ah, just with your looks and all, you don't seem ordinary. Like, rich girl in an accident or something—"
"Nothing like that. But I can't tell you. No obligation to, either."
"Kinda prickly~. Got it."
...Everyone's been rubbing me the wrong way since earlier.
The changed attitudes from those around her due to her new body grated on his nerves. She gripped his hand tightly, squeezing.
Squeeze.
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
Frail. Nothing likeable about it. Tsk.
After walking a good while, they reached Sakar's central street.
"Where should I drop you?"
"Pay the commission first. Let's hit the nearest bank."
They crossed through the heart of downtown and entered the bank. A guide android greeted them at the entrance. They pulled a number ticket right away and sat down. The TV nearby was playing the news.
Luckily, no one was waiting, so her turn came quickly.
"How may I assist you today, customer?"
A young-looking, friendly teller asked.
"Here to withdraw money."
"Yes. Account details and ID, please."
But she lacked both essentials. Instead, she handed over a note with a cipher written on it.
"Pass this to your supervisor."
"Pardon? Ah, yes—."
The teller looked puzzled as she said it.
This was a cipher known only to the Imperial Guard. It encoded her identity and rank. Any bank could provide support through it. Of course, amounts exceeding support would deduct from her account, but it was handy for emergencies during missions.
I can report my position through this too.
The teller left her post. In the meantime, breaking news flowed from the TV. And its content was...
"......What the hell are they saying...?"
Regardless of her, the TV continued. The anchor's voice merely recited the report.
"Kairos."
It made no sense. Every word from the TV echoed hollowly in her ears, devoid of reality.
Me, a traitor? Evidence pointing to that?
"Those bastards' doing?"
The shadowy figure that had shoved her last came to mind.
Has to be them. Kidnapped me and set this up?
She couldn't fathom why. Her information was limited, and the situation grew more tangled. Another question bubbled up from within.
The Golden Dragon Unit's solo op, ordered from above. But it had been a trap...
"No way. They wouldn't treat me like this."
Or did Kai betray me...?
But his appearance on screen was battered too. Neat uniform, but an eyepatch over one eye, bandages around his neck. He wore an incredulous frown.
No way a squad member betrayed me. This is manipulated.
The teller returned shortly after. Empty-handed.
"Customer, the withdrawal is not possible..."
"...Understood."
She stood immediately. And headed straight out of the bank.
Pushing through the downtown crowds. Where she was going or the surroundings didn't matter now. Her mind swirled internally.
Think, Lean. Withdrawal blocked, and now a bounty on me. Command thinks I'm the traitor. Two possibilities. One, I got hit by those Favila rebels. This body was probably their doing too. Most likely. And the other...
"Hey! Where you going!"
Marco caught up from behind, grabbing her shoulder. He looked at her with worry.
"Running off like that?"
"Sorry, Marco. Can't pay you after all."
"...Something go wrong?"
"Yeah... My apologies. Maybe something else—"
Once the prosthetic was tuned, she could fight to some degree and pay back. But Marco cut her off.
"Forget it! Wasn't expecting it anyway. Got a place to crash?"
Marco said astutely, sensing the plan had fallen through.
She'd intended to head to the Guard's rendezvous, but not in this situation.
Some weird woman shows up claiming to be a traitor... No. Can't go now.
"...Had one. Not anymore."
"Hm. Follow me for now."
He took her hand again, leading the way.
"Where to?"
"Back, duh. You got nowhere to go, right?"
He pulled gum from his pocket. Popped one in naturally and chewed. Pulled another and offered it.
"Want one? Good for calming down."
"...Thanks."
Mint-flavored gum, and the scent was surprisingly pleasant. He chattered about what came next. But none of it registered.
She ran a hand through her tangled hair, thinking.
Have to get back. Somehow. Meet the squad... and Kai. To uncover the truth of that day...
Tall buildings faded, narrow alleys appeared. He turned into one.
A doubt crept in. This wasn't the way they'd come.
"This the right path?"
"Yeah. Shortcut. How old are you anyway?"
"...Why ask?"
"Just curious. You don't sound that young."
No intent to hide her actual age, so she answered straight.
"25."
"Whoa, really? Older than me?"
Marco turned, eyes wide, scanning her.
Should've lied?
"...Problem? I never said I was young."
"N-no. Perfect. Total baby face."
He replied awkwardly.
"...Complicated circumstances."
"Ah~ Yeah?"
Marco nodded to himself and kept walking. Faster now.
"But seriously, this the way?"
The alley grew dimmer. Trash and puddles littered the ground.
His grip tightened. Her frail hand couldn't resist.
"Told you, yes? Just follow."
He tried to reassure, but his face looked tense. Forcing a smile.
She sensed something. Overlapping with the thug vibe from before.
She stopped dead. Marco halted too.
"Let go of my hand, Marco. And tell the truth. Is this really the way?"
She stared at him blankly. Gray hair swaying in the breeze, sharp blue eyes piercing through. Doll-like loveliness, but the aura was different. Like a battle-hardened veteran's hollow gaze.
Marco looked at her face. Met her eyes.
Empty blue depths.
"Tch."