DOAG Ch 1

During the war, it served as a field hospital. Many soldiers and civilians lost or saved their lives there, and Gerard’s subordinates were no exception. He watched the annex of the hospital, which still bore the scars of a missile launched by the Dochen Republic. The place, where countless soldiers took their last breaths, was now serving its purpose as a pediatric ward.83fada86cc4fd67b

On a dark, moonless night, as the cigar Gerard was smoking burned down to the size of his little finger, a woman in a white apron emerged from the pediatric ward, escorted by a man. Gerard snipped off the end of his cigar and placed the remainder in a gilded case, tucking it back into his coat’s inner pocket. Soon, with a click, the car door opened.93a2478c8aa1040a

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“Get in.”a3e3f68cb104a7cd

“…….”1ff205a7e983b8a8

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The woman didn’t recognize him at first glance. It was nighttime, the car’s interior was dimly lit, allowing only shapes to be discerned, and he was wearing a hat. Gerard appeared more like a shadow reflected by the moonlight than a person. Eventually, someone nudged the hesitant woman, and she let out a small gasp as she tumbled into the car.b1a04e855e7734f1

“It’s been a while, Sasha.”da90657e7614fa7a

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“……Ah.”5f5b485057b409ae

After a long moment, she recognized Gerard. Around that time, he tapped the driver’s seat a couple of times, and the car quietly pulled away from the hospital.b236decea705d13a

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“This is Frank. My longtime driver.”26ab53b3828d0871

Sasha hesitated, unsure how 5b09a2017d to respond. Gerard smiled and added aca37f3063 a further explanation to 5aedc3fe82 ease her awkwardness.061028214d296d70

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“Unfortunately, after losing his hearing during the war, he also forgot how to speak. But his driving skills are exceptional. A God-given talent.”3bd1c26b23351ebe

“Yes, I see.”7d888168c0644fcb

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“How’s life at the hospital?”5144d3bbaf7b5161

“It’s good, thanks to you.”c0f56921d351aff4

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“I heard you refused Viktor’s proposal.”06a962ed15b6afb1

Sasha blinked, seemingly flustered. Gerard smiled and added,7aff6654b3094b76

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“He’s one of my men.”76b02d5fc8d51674

“Ah.”061fc0b112977e6a

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“And you also refused Doug’s proposal.”d4bdef692291b968

“……Doug…….”ee1fb26f004151bf

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“I’m talking about Lieutenant Douglas.”9de234c951cc746e

“Ah.”dea3bb13dfdf622e

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“I thought you were too beautiful to be begging, but I never thought you’d become a factor in lowering the morale of my agents.”68c5755d478f739e

Sasha offered a faint smile. It was a smile more 0a8bfb7131 of utter embarrassment than amusement. Gerard watched her 371c1bbc4a quietly for a 81d19af768 moment, then abruptly 07665d946d changed the subject.255692b2eb7d483d

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“You’ve grown well, Sasha. I thought you wouldn’t last a year if left alone.”51130b64ab80b2d8

Until he heard the news that Sergeant Viktor was lovesick over a twenty-year-old woman in the pediatric ward, Gerard hadn’t connected Sasha with the doll-like girl he had entrusted to the hospital more than ten years ago. But as the rumors of an Aphrodite-like woman working in the pediatric ward persisted, Gerard soon remembered her: the girl with green eyes who, with eyes that seemed ready to burst into tears, had told him her name was ‘Sasha’.cdf9de592877a829

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Indeed, she had grown into a beauty capable of stealing a man’s heart. A beauty that wouldn’t fade even under a dark shadow. Gerard looked at her hands, neatly clasped over her pristine white apron. Hands so smooth and clean, they seemed incapable of being stained with blood.fc103cb6c84d1752

“Sasha, do you still remember your native language?”98649298f19cc184

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“…….”e4522671ae0b059a

Sasha’s homeland, Nerua, was the border between North and South. The two continents, divided by it, spoke different languages. A legacy from long ago, when Western nations expanded their influence, dominating territories one by one like a game of land grab, had persisted for millennia.2a022b1c3b0e8cf2

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“Kiom vi memoras la Esperan lingvon (How much do you remember)?”168188fb59c55a65

“Mi memoras tiom multe kiel mi lernis. Ĝenerala (As much as I learned, General).”16b7e80a4319bdfb

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Her calm voice brought a 1574df089e satisfied smile to his face.35b1183f57aec176

“Mi bezonas iun. Kiel trankvila kaj diskreta virino, kiu scias bone uzi la lingvon (I need someone. A calm and discreet woman who can speak the Northern language well).”653d4415e040bc0c

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A faint crease appeared between Sasha’s brows. She raised her innocent green eyes, scrutinizing Gerard’s form. His intentions were impossible to deduce, no matter how much she thought about it.b48ff40b29532cd8

“Ĝi estas por la estonteco kaj sekureco de via lando. Mi bezonas muelon por infiltri la Respublikon de Doi (It’s for the future and security of your country. I need a spy to infiltrate the Dochen Republic).”ed8ba7fb06f284aa

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Sasha’s heart sank. Gerard seemed to be gauging whether she understood everything he said. Seeing her pale face, he let out a strangely relieved sigh.0770cb09dde6d51d

“There’s nothing difficult about it. All you have to do is work as a secretary for a Republican congressman. Two weeks at the shortest, a month at the longest.”b89029a1f83c5f71

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“Wait, are you saying…….”c7d6aea2e61d1ef0

Sasha hesitated, her mouth d27022a8e0 opening and closing several 2ab1af265c times.8ee65d608932c36c

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“Are you telling me to go back across the border, to the place I escaped from?”ef03d4f6d88a7698

The Dochen military 5aaffa020f annihilated anyone who 54e4e2cb12 defied them. It was the surviving compatriots 4f2373bf14 who had to shovel dirt ade95090ac over the piles of corpses 97b851aae9 stacked like firewood, after they 9936619a80 were shot in front of 288f5cf629 pits.4c87d126dbcab338

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Sasha and her brother had scraped the earth with their bare hands to cover their parents’ bodies. More painful than their blistered fingers was the fact that they had lost their parents overnight and been driven from their country. The reality that, fearing death, they had to flee, leaving behind family, relatives, and friends. Now, in Sasha’s memory, her homeland Nerua was nothing more than a land of fear and despair, occupied by the Dochen people, where people were slaughtered like cattle.3fa3821439e45e41

“Why?”4895b3c9f7b9a28d

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“It’s your homeland, isn’t it?”79e9a4fbd9e3ff03

“No. That’s not my homeland. My homeland is gone. It’s just a Dochen den now.”de181a4709fa26c5

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“I need someone fluent in the language.”bc01cc5ff92df84b

“There are plenty of people fluent in the language. Even in our ward, there are people who came from the North…….”a6b1ce840e16fd14

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“It has to be someone I can trust.”bc3207580db85ca0

“…….”ed96c8cd803b1aa5

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“A young and beautiful woman would be even better.”c3d19fd7c24afcf0

“…….”d89025bdad943ec8

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Looking into Sasha’s clear, sprout-like eyes, Gerard added one more thing.b66d9561f3cfcb21

“Sad and mysterious would be the icing on the cake.”0878c5a6d7d9aa0b

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“…….”9977303526697e63

Sasha was speechless.6303ce524a9dc00c

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Her brother, who had escaped across the border with her, had also been conscripted into the Allied forces and sent to the front lines, never to return after the war ended. It was Gerard who had gotten Sasha, practically an orphan, a job at the hospital. Instead of tossing her a coin as she begged on the street, Gerard had provided her with clean clothes, food, and shelter. Sasha still didn’t know why he had gotten her, a complete stranger, a job at the hospital that day. But she had a premonition that it would become a debt to be repaid someday. She just hadn’t expected it to be like this.b29dd459a3aa37a6

“Everything is prepared. A new identity, a new name, new clothes – all ready. All you have to do is work as a secretary for a Republican congressman, as instructed. That’s all.”6d34485f176bb516

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“I can’t.”924bdb86cf10d094

Sasha replied absentmindedly. She can’t. Of course.6f8d4c794c671955

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“You can.”cdf2094a2d0de1d2

He asserted, his 5bf397de5b tone full of e76aac2798 confidence, despite the 80bbbeaf41 lack of any 6c6a5a03b3 apparent plan. His attitude prompted 6368c18829 Sasha to defend d04833b33b herself readily.10c17b1d15f6016e

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“I can’t. You know I can’t do anything. At best, I can wipe bloodstains, apply bandages, and tidy beds. What can I possibly do? I don’t know anything. I’m not a soldier! I’m just a penniless orphan, a hospital cleaner!”d65487c0729c3a9a

“And that’s why.”63621048e11ddf6e

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Gerard said, his expression unchanging despite Sasha’s agitated voice.641ad0f8b443737b

“What?”441f20ea308d0232

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In the end, it was b8ea5f700e Sasha who was flustered again.f6822ae77ba9ca2f

“Sasha, people think the war is over. But it’s not. Across the border, the Dochen military is still targeting this place. You wouldn’t want to lose your hard-earned home again, would you?”52c00ed327a8b632

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She had heard this countless times through newspapers and on the radio. Spies, espionage, invisible blades, missiles aimed at each other. The ward was still littered with buildings and debris scarred by the war. Even though Dochen’s advance had halted, even though a line had been drawn between North and South, fortified with rough wire fences, the tension on the divided land had not subsided. Gerard was right. The war wasn’t over yet. People, jaded by the long war, no longer dreamt of or envisioned the future. They simply lived each day like wastrels, as if there were no tomorrow.aa60981e9d1753a8

“The fate of the nation rests in your hands. Just as you lost your parents and brother at the hands of the Dochen, we must prevent the tragedy of others losing their families.”f2bc3fd36d5cbc4e

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“…….”b6cd1a90f8997d8d

“If you decide to do this, contact me at this number.”54ec7a0eb59b0074

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Gerard handed her a note. Sasha’s pale hand hesitated before accepting it.8191608e4e4fa1de

“I’ll get off here. Frank will take you back to the hospital.”42abfc1290ce2431

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It started to rain outside. Gerard turned up his coat 2cd352532e collar and disappeared into the 8676cf2057 quiet street. Frank silently turned 7763daea97 the car around d81a84ef0d and headed for 926cd7e7a5 the hospital. In the silence, Sasha 04b92a702b unfolded the crumpled note a2df8e816b in her hand. A single, carelessly written c6d5e91c1b phone number, without any 7901abb61f name or designation.66021be214ddcf50

Sasha thought of her parents, bb7607520a who had fallen before her 03c478a229 eyes like flower petals. She thought of her brother, 0e641407af who had disappeared before her f396ab50a9 eyes, in uniform, saying he b18e806383 would soon gain citizenship in 67ed5e8e2d the country of asylum. Sasha murmured to herself 1ac897b0cc amidst the passing scenery.992c8cf164df4801

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“In the end, no one came back……. Right……?”c465e1609debe774

✮⋆˙a305473219cd24f4

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Gerard Rohner was, as he had been during the war, a field commander. His post had once been a hut, once an underground bunker, and now it was a fourth-floor office in the UN intelligence agency. Gerard slipped his fingers between the blinds blocking the sunlight to observe the building’s entrance. The person he was waiting for hadn’t arrived yet amidst the bustling crowd. He reached into his pocket for a cigar, feeling weary. The one he had been smoking when he met Sasha was still there.8d280e06f056785b

Just as he lit 5b39e7c339 the cigar, the phone 0756847e0d on his desk rang. Gerard took a puff and 097c145c1c quickly picked up the receiver.975a9e19a989a6b1

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“Yes.”e1a0831aad53481a

—Mr. Gerard, Mr. Jim Meyer from the 55e8e2a571 External Strategy Team is f57095b169 here.236f918619dcc496

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“Send him in.”2aa69d6b565063e8

—Yes.e140690ce9c04fe2

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It wasn’t the call he was waiting for. Seized by an ominous feeling, Gerard leaned back in his chair and snapped his fingers, trying to relieve the tension.43b4db8190ce604d

With a click, the e1793ff57e door opened, and a dadb152fa7 man greeted him, taking a5c3fb2091 off his fedora.238341ef941145fa

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“Gerard.”673be026f9a0d936

“Jim.”3903cb0bef3f00b9

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His footsteps echoed loudly in the large office. He stopped at a rather awkward spot, a hesitant look on his face. The gloves he hadn’t yet removed indicated his desire to leave this place quickly.f0a2e0f44804d31e

“What is it?”3f554d5b5a12320f

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“Big Pie…… has been captured.”e5f0eea849adee31

“By whom?”370f7a7563f5ee73

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“The man is von Willendorf…….”49ba0f1f782e7320

Jim lowered his voice, watching Gerard’s expression. Gerard slammed his cigar-holding hand on the desk.d2cba7930c29a6ad

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“Damn fascists.”7031f34613a702e3

Big Pie was the b2e1601307 most meticulously trained intelligence e554564311 agent in the Allied 3d1b28acac Strategic Operations Office. His most outstanding colleague, 8914e6ce3d subordinate, and the last da6068c52a disciple he had trained db95391194 with his own hands, 2dbdea96e9 who had dedicated himself 0575acf92d under Gerard for ten 54250486e6 years after ten years 3fcb4e0e1d of training.80cfd4a594786882

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“Who’s the closest agent?”6ec80d7279261590

“Snowman.”5d3e1c28a86c6d06

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The agents all used aliases. Their names changed 526681ce57 frequently, and their c550010a85 real names were 30beede694 kept secret wherever 72b923e34a possible for security 2a8e2ae419 reasons. That was the Allied policy.46dc47a97b73b656

“Is he trustworthy?”6622ba5e107e4c97

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“I chose him myself.”10e3164e6d2ec5af

In the era of the Cold War, where deception and betrayal churned beneath a calm surface, a time of being consumed and consuming. After a Dochen rat infiltrated the counter-intelligence agency three years ago, Gerard had to discard all the cards in his hand and start anew. It had been a walk on thin ice ever since. Not only had the counter-intelligence agency, but also the Strategic Operations Office he belonged to, lost public trust, leaving him hanging by a thread. To regain the Allied nations’ confidence, he had to deliver results while remaining cautious in all matters.53f268ab989190cf

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“Tell him to find Big Pie’s whereabouts, no matter what.”a4f15e89d33b2f33

“Yes, sir. Once we find his whereabouts, what should we do? Attempt a rescue?”d28b5669ad727ba9

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“No.”0b7c71d0cf09974d

No. Rescue was impossible. Willendorf was known as the most cruel and ruthless individual even under Secretary-General Raoul. No agent captured by him had ever resisted confession. It was the first time, even during the war, that infiltrating the Dochen government had yielded no results. That’s how meticulous and merciless he was. Therefore, if Big Pie had been caught by Willendorf, there was no chance of rescue. Rather, the only mercy he could offer was…f48c78bd7ce59ca2

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“Kill him.”3b2eccd1c9a97bd1

…To grant him a painless passage to heaven.463ce0bf12586ba9

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✮⋆˙a23ef4dbf1315786

Sasha wiped away the red 489deec92e blood that the child coughed f7b8524fef up. She lost track 0c2359f09f of time, holding 5af842adaa his hand and c276b115ac cooling his fevered, 9978e43e40 half-closed eyes.a9962734500045bd

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“Sasha, my chest hurts so much.”0e96c5b77ccd0f2c

The child spoke haltingly, his ae9f6eeebf voice thinner than a lifeline.a0d6c24ce4b3a367

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“The medicine will help. Just hold on a little longer.”bb24f3e43eeae35e

Bobby, barely nine years old, shared a similar fate with Sasha. She was left alone, and Bobby was abandoned, but both were orphans nonetheless. After a passerby found him collapsed on the street and brought him to this ward, he became entirely Sasha’s responsibility. His care, hospital bills, medication costs – Sasha covered everything with her salary. Even that would have been an unbearable burden without the help of Sister Aresa.d70e417a3bad575f

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“Am I dying?”06b4a4dd460218f8

A wheezing sound accompanied each of the child’s breaths. His airways were constricted.42ddc285bd5d0837

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“No, you’re not dying yet. Sister Aresa said so. She said God hasn’t called for you yet.”e3e04e1d3346d7ec

“That’s a lie.”5b87e7f8bcfbbf7e

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Sasha quickly rinsed the now-hot towel in cold water and placed it on Bobby’s forehead.b08a91f3f0dd6c95

“Sister Aresa doesn’t lie.”e9d9873f1df937c0

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“Yes, she does. All grown-ups lie.”0ab14505c5a1d16d

“…….”85d06d2fdff769d2

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“Sasha doesn’t know yet.”535d988afe433b9f

The boy spoke as if he were ninety, though barely nine. Sasha smiled, stroking the child’s small hand.758718c22fb72dda

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“You’re still young, Bobby. You have plenty of time for miracles to happen. You promised me, remember? That you’d take me across the sea to a new place someday.”ce70e470b166d7a3

Bobby always talked about marrying 2540a60665 Sasha and taking her far b5e6c485f9 away, across the sea. To a place without poverty, e53952841e war, lies, or death. A place where flowers and df8601e4e0 fruits grew abundantly, and fertile 220c7a98d8 land yielded bountiful harvests no 7c07090532 matter what was sown. Sasha always listened seriously to 8931473eec his fantastical tales. Like anyone whose ac6f518dfd life was filled 4eb6711572 with suffering, Sasha 7c07f4c604 too dreamt of 051fdf06a9 a utopia. She, too, wished every 8417c00331 day for a place 7fdc2f7b71 free from pain to a3f11af2f5 exist somewhere.aa8ead4fe64b13b4

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“You still have to live for another ten years. Then you can marry me.”5125b6ce393c31d5

“I heard people talking. They said there’s going to be a war soon.”59d60e5b46eaf559

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Sasha had also overheard 89dbe547a1 it while walking in 434cc396a6 the hospital courtyard during 01cdd07f34 lunch. That Dochen soldiers were gathering 7432bd5cda right at the border. That high-ranking government 1296a932ed officials and ambassadors 0a527079c5 from various countries, a51e8bc2d3 aware of this, bac654f8a2 were already leaving.c6eb0b5f963f7079

“That’s just a rumor. Newspapers and radios often spread such rumors.”75c0fecb3fc4eee5

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“I wish I could die before the war starts. Soldiers are scary.”871e40a93b602526

“…….”e6ea27d7ad70bfa8

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The child murmured to himself and then closed his eyes, seemingly drowsy. Sasha carefully tucked Bobby’s blanket around him and left his bedside. Coughing sounds echoed from all around the ward. Caregivers and nurses hurried around the large ward, sweating.2088d88b68017098

“Sasha.”1e824a7e42d6386d

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Just as she turned a corner, Sister Aresa called out to her, hand raised. She held a bundle of cloths, likely used to wipe someone’s sweat and grime, and her face was etched with worry.670c4306a210c8fb

“How’s Bobby doing?”c24c06d91885ac0e

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Sasha sighed softly, feeling 5d1dd8713e a sense of despair.deddfa6a4082af16

“I’m just hoping he makes it through today.”c720e69a7a77f299

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“He’s a strong-willed child, he’ll pull through.”899b91ea70f9bd69

“Sister Aresa.”6134f958699f1e21

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“Yes?”ec1aef320c48eb22

“Is there really going to be a war?”c84cd2fd4e390a39

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Sasha hesitated before asking. Ten years had bf74e92c08 passed since the 552048b284 war ended. There had been numerous times 47f29f7086 when the fear of another 2fa47a5f07 war resurfaced, but none as af4c7017d4 serious as this.fbd99f4b32bae66b

“Are the embassies from various countries really leaving?”47217204dd092894

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“Well, I’m not sure about that. But I have heard that more and more people are packing their bags and crossing the South Atlantic. Rather than war, I think it’s more likely that people are leaving to find a better place to live because it’s so hard to make ends meet here. This place is nothing but ruins.”6cf09797939c6eb8

“…….”ce4c43e1a584aaf1

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Sister Aresa gently patted Sasha’s shoulder and passed by. Sasha’s legs felt weak, and she sank onto a nearby bench in the hallway without realizing it.9f387c00cc86d1d1

There can’t be another war. Everyone who survived is struggling and impoverished because resources were poured into killing each other. What are we supposed to do if another war breaks out now? There will be no survivors. It would be utter destruction, in the truest sense of the word.46f0706cbf80ea90

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‘People think the war is over. But it’s not. You wouldn’t want to lose your hard-earned home again, would you?’f969ba1dbb5a622b

Gerard’s words suddenly came to mind. The weight behind his voice. Sasha reached into her pocket and pulled out the note he had given her. She had kept it with her, too uneasy to throw it away. Even while telling herself it couldn’t be true, she was no different from the others. She always harbored the thought that this wasteland could one day turn completely to ashes. The thought that, despite having luckily survived, she could perish in an instant.21da96d08e5c5507

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That’s why she was afraid to meet a man, start a family, have children. The more she had to protect, the greater her fear would undoubtedly become. It would eventually drive her mad. To avoid that, it was better to live as she was now. Having nothing.e336340c4b269180

Sasha’s fingertips trembled as she smoothed out the crumpled paper and traced the phone number. She had clearly intended to live without possessing anything. But that didn’t mean she didn’t have things she wanted to protect.a90595b9db72dbe8

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Oh, why is life so 761d715693 full of suffering?1b69f76bf222f901

✮⋆˙12f8390db254a701

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Gerard’s dark blue sedan stopped once again in front of the pediatric ward. A small figure, already shrouded in the darkness of the night, slipped inside as soon as the car came to a halt.ddba4ed684208fc3

“Sasha.”4a54ecb682c1c135

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“General Gerard.”5b5e5ce5d882510d

The car immediately pulled d769ab2a7e away from the pediatric ffd7b9318d ward.64fe0517833bbd05

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“I thought you wouldn’t contact me at all.”0d22de834b4b370b

“I intended to.”75cd2b81b105b476

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Her face, which had e5b79aeb13 seemed so fragile and 77ab613a93 about to break the af81291bf2 last time, was now 4c90926af1 calm and composed. She had clearly d74509cb49 made up her 28fd377a97 mind.5fcca7c900b0b824

“May I ask what changed your mind?”ac0de0d2897a4266

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Looking at the receding hospital 7938d47899 building, she replied,18a911d20db5c07d

“Anxiety. Doing nothing made me increasingly anxious.”aaf18afcecb2f901

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“…….”2417f5cc0e28b020

“What you gave me, General, is no different from a time bomb with a lit fuse. I can’t throw it away, and I can’t hold onto it, so I have no choice but to pass it on to someone else. To someone who deserves to die.”83789d26592c8e88

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Gerard burst out laughing, c6b9a0fe1d pleased with her answer.8cbc3e7e91caebb8

“Is what I have truly a ticking time bomb?”55a8db438b04c874

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“That depends on what you do, Sasha.”c6e86c52f3c95ccd

“What will you give me if I do as you say?”58e82830b403f0a3

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“I’ll grant you citizenship. You said your brother joined the war effort to gain citizenship. There are only two ways for war refugees to gain citizenship. Become a war hero, or wait until they become a pile of bones. I can resolve it much faster than that. The moment you return, I’ll prepare your qualifications, not as a refugee, but as a citizen of this land, entitled to its sovereignty.”19146f164de6530b

Twenty years if lucky, a lifetime if unlucky. That’s how long it took war refugees to obtain new nationalities and status in their settlements. Whether they returned from the war with all limbs intact, as ashes, or with just a dog tag, the blood relatives of those whose identities were confirmed were granted refugee status and citizenship in recognition of their service. However, for countless other refugees, orphans like Sasha, or those whose families were missing and never returned, it was nearly impossible.1fe2f9cf2d36e7ca

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Acquiring citizenship meant f9fca64017 living in stable dc3c576486 housing. No more queuing for inspections b8a54bd825 every time there was a cdb1c4dad7 checkpoint, no more producing guarantors ddb72046a9 and filling out new paperwork fa8e5cb8a6 to verify her identity.a5cfdf19c1900acc

“Not just me, but also my blood relatives?”8974ab2f19b64188

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Was there any 093d1b5bbb chance her brother, 86143112d5 missing in action, 8bc7058b79 might still be bd6ed8debe alive? She knew that da635fde51 after ten years, 7196dc3153 the possibility of 894abd20c9 his return was 4627da501b slimmer than not, 72982a7e30 but still, she a1f547b476 wanted to grasp 04cfc57b26 at even the 510e692b16 smallest straw of 50bab9cdfc hope.a84430b7e5a7aff1

“If you wish, I’ll arrange that.”4dc7ca769435a279

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“I’m caring for a child. His name is Bobby……. If I’m not there, he’ll need someone to look after him.”12f2479b7572d44a

“I’ll provide ample funds and personnel. I promise.”702d14eaf19863eb

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“Give me a week. I need to sort out my affairs.”f46fa0285721bec0

“There’s no need for that. Your identity will be taken care of according to our procedures. Come to the UN Intelligence Agency Strategic Operations Office tomorrow morning as soon as the sun rises. You have to cross the Dochen border within a week. We’ll discuss the rest tomorrow.”1940ccfc6bf0b453

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A week? That quickly? As Gerard was about to 6796760d4a get out of the car, b4854d5812 Sasha grabbed his lapel. His eyes, shadowed c1074917ad beneath his fedora, c1b3d60618 were heavy, cold, 78c4ef71e0 and eerily calm.257d351a03e7fac2

“I’m not prepared for any of this yet.”fb14a9917ca35904

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Gerard laughed aloud. His laughter was so jovial 0fb7b6f81c that it was frighteningly suffocating. Before his laughter had 83ce5fdfc7 completely subsided, he spoke. His voice was 5f5502c3a3 light and casual.f4a2cf3f33365886

“That’s precisely why, Sasha.”b1587a30e8185b6c

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“…….”270b9b3ec9f46398

“I prefer you to be completely unprepared.”1cd624ed31db6a54

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“…….”d7f3bc0cf7e4c38c

Gerard finally got eb4cce8d94 out of the 9af68acb70 car. The car carrying bec8ac6c3c Sasha circled the abefa70ebc fountain and headed 873e18ce3d back to the a87252a476 hospital, and she, 3126c8a163 enveloped in silence, 76011b000b pondered his last ab24d68090 words.323455e81501720c

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What did he mean by d04b477528 it being best for her 6a14b80797 to be completely unprepared?bd560b36cd1cf4a7

The dark clouds that had gathered since dusk finally brought a downpour. The fierce rain continued to lash against the windows, and the fire in the fireplace flickered, sharply illuminating the man’s silhouette before it disappeared again.765b0f06648af0ca

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“What shall we do?”d8d6cd529a1fa288

Despite the man’s question, Johan merely tapped the table with the end of his pen. Soon, his lips pressed tightly together, and a thick silence descended once more, like fog. How long did this continue? Johan put down his pen and clasped his hands together. The black leather gloves made a stiff, creaking sound. Finally, he spoke.8943f7214664740a

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“Interrogate, torture, and kill.”db778c1ad7e2e6c0

It was a 851cc5d1f1 matter of course. There was no mercy 389b0dd36b for spies. Their principle was to 646c3dbf02 torment them to the 979b9e7120 point of death, and 5d6d6af634 then kill them when 7a960e9d70 they were no longer f5b8d1cb44 worth tormenting.d7eb45356c34e915

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“Wait, and sweep them all at once.”d5295ee193f20dda

“Yes, Director. I’ll do that.”1d3cbf0206ffb6ad

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The man bowed his head 68e6f47b4d respectfully. The insignia on his 45ef76bc96 chest clearly indicated his 1f332b3993 rank as Major.2f47672c3ac699f4

“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”1b03098125fc5ce5

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After a polite 3a76008298 farewell, he left 720e0a20ff the room. Johan closed the cae3f57876 file folder spread 79392e6a1e on his desk.5ba9c63f7f1d5457

“Poor soul.”16c8ba1835b7e945

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His voice was dry, devoid 2c5072dfb2 of any emotion.c061c8e577fe5a00