Part 147: [continued]

VLR OST: [Sinisterness]





The room was completely empty.
I edged forward and peeked around the partition...

There he was. Tenmyouji.
He was standing next to Quark, apparently oblivious to my presence, looking down at something in his hand.




(A...picture...?)



I must have made some small noise, because he suddenly looked up, saw me, and hastily shoved the photo back into his pocket.






...


It was a photo of something, right? Was it yours?

Listen in: [English/Japanese]


Forget it. It's got nothing to do with you.


But all of the stuff we had with us when we got grabbed was taken away...
Why were you hiding it?


Why should I tell all of you about one measly photo?


...
...


...
...


Um, anyway, where's Luna?


I asked her to leave.
I wanted to be alone with Quark for a bit.




I wanted to hear the rest.


The rest of what? What the hell are you talking about?


I'm talking about that simulated manned mission to Mars.
We heard that recording about it.


I don't have any idea what you're talking about. I'm getting old. Memory's not what it used to be.
I seem to be forgetting a lot of stuff lately...


Hey! Nice try pal, but you're not getting away with it this time!
You remember something, all right! You remember so much you told me it'd take way more than 10 minutes to tell it all!


...
...


...
...


You really sure you want to know?


Huh?


Maybe I'll tell you, and then you'll regret it. Maybe you'll wish you'd kept your fool mouth shut.
Just think about all the hopes you've got for the future, and all the happy memories of your past.
What if what I have to tell you makes everything you've ever believed ring hollow, and the whole world just crumbles around you?


You sure you want that?


H-Hey, c'mon, you don't need to threaten me...


This isn't a threat. I'm being honest here.


Are you really, truly prepared?


W-Well, of course—



I never got the chance to say "I am."

[Music fades out]

Before I could, Phi exploded into the room, her face a mixture of anxiety and fear.






D-Did something happen?


Alice...
Alice is...


...?


...?


Look, just come with me, all right!?
She's in the number 2 cabin!



Without waiting for a response, Phi spun around and ran back out of the room.
Tenmyouji and I exchanged a quick, confused look, then leapt up and took off after her.