Blackness was Akemi's world. For what seemed like an eternity, he floated in the dark. He felt nothing, saw nothing, heard nothing. On rare occasion, he remembered. Those were the best and worst moments of his ordeal. Faceless men behind masks shooting his friends, family, children. He also remembered his children. Always playful and elated, their lives were cut short by a brutal man named Richter. He vowed to protect his family at all costs, and he failed. He would hold a grudge against him for the rest of his life. Fading into black once more, Akemi left his world of memories and fell into a slumber. All of a sudden, lights and sounds overwhelmed his senses. He awoke, gaining consciousness much quicker than she anticipated. She looked over at him with a smile, and spoke softly. "You're awake." Akemi couldn't form the words, but his thoughts were erratic. She was aware of this, but it was of no matter to her. She knew he was alive, and she held hope in her heart.
She had seen him fall, seen where he had landed. The caustic nature of the pools would surely scar him for life. She knew what the burns would feel like, how he would look. What she didn't know was what happened next. She was suddenly knocked unconscious, her last words before she faded were ones of sorrow. "No, Akemi! No!" After she and Akemi had been rescued, she watched him for weeks. She would not leave the room, would not eat much, and her green eyes shimmered with tears like pools of starlight. Then he awoke.
"Akemi, can you hear me?" she inquired softly.
"Yes."
He could only speak for short periods, as he was fatigued and frail.
"Oh thank God. I'd thought for sure you weren't going to make it. Akemi, I-"
She broke down sobbing. He smiled, knowing everything was going to be okay. After a long time, she came to and smiled again. "I'm so glad you're back. We have to talk though. Your burns are serious, unlike anything they've ever seen. They said you'd have to be... augmented. I'm so sorry. I couldn't do anything for fear that you'd die. Akemi, I-"
"It's okay. I knew this would happen, as soon as I fell. Everything will be okay. I wanted this to be done for a while now. I have to fight again. Everything we've fought for, everything we've lost. The kids, Lexi, oh hell, the kids. We've lost too much to back down now. We have to help the other families, the other planets. I'm ready to become a true Pilot."
"I was worried about that. You will never be the same. I'm begging you, promise me this won't happen again. I can't take it. After what happened to Jacen and Leah, I just can't take more of the IMC's shit about saving lives. We know what's really going on." She paused, deep in thought. Her eyes brimming with tears again, she spoke tentatively. "Please, Akemi. We don't have any other choice."
He nodded, confirming her greatest hope, but also her greatest fear.