POV: Cyrus / LOCATION: Galactic Energy HQ
Pus coats the bandages in a slurry green foam. Peeling off said bandages requires extra caution as to not tear the fragile layer of skin, still a shiny yellow while in the infantile stage of healing.
I dread cleaning the wound. Not because it hurts—the flames penetrated deep enough to destroy nerve endings—but because there's always something new to clean up. The more I attempt to fix it, the more it breaks apart.
Yet I temper my willpower and continue removing debris and dead tissue from the burned area, afterwards dabbing balm over the charred wasteland of skin. Then I wrap my neck, arms, and torso in clean white bandages. When the numbness eases somewhat, I ingest a bottle of acetaminophen tablets and slowly, deliberately sink down into my chair.
There's something almost magical about not feeling pain from these near-lethal burns. But while the mind is invincible, the body is only mortal. It will make me pay if I don't treat it like glass. Stupid, useless thing…
Jupiter comes in without knocking.
"Smells like something almost died in here," she says. "Oh, wait. There's the walking matchstick."
As I do not have time for her crass remarks, I immerse myself in analyzing our most recent shareholders' report.
"So how did you little publicity stunt go?" she says.
"It went well," I sigh. "The world knows she is alive and well. Most importantly, she remains blissfully ignorant."
When it goes quiet, I glance up to meet Jupiter's disapproving frown.
"What's really going on between you two?"
Her question strikes me between the eyeballs. I am at a loss as to how to even respond to such lunacy.
"Cyrus, you gave her free access to your room."
"Where else was I to detain her? With those idiotic Grunts running around, my personal quarters is the safest place in all of Headquarters."
Jupiter slaps her palm on my desk. "Do you hear yourself right now? You sound like a schoolboy in denial over his unrequited feelings!"
I shoot up to my feet. "I forbid you from uttering such baseless assumptions!"
"Everyone knows except for you, kid."
She matches my glare ire for ire, holding steadfast when countless others would've cursed me before scurrying away like the cowards they were. Jupiter is unafraid to challenge me. Hence why I consider her my most valuable tool.
"It didn't look like you were acting," she continues. "You were genuinely happy to be by her side."
Again with the insolence! Why would her presence bring me joy? She is a blur in my fovea. An obstacle to be eliminated. For Jupiter to state otherwise is an insult to everything I've sacrificed to be here!
"When was the last time you took Saturn and Mars out to a restaurant? Sure, you give us more than enough money, but they want you to be there too. What's more important: one billion Poke, or twenty-four hours with you?"
Her words make me ill. "Commander Jupiter, that is enough—"
"Why do you treat your own enemy like family? Whereas your team—"
I slam my fist on the desk. "There is no reason for you to stay if you are dissatisfied with my behavior. I run a company, Miss Jane, not a family!"
They call me many things. Cold. Cruel. Heartless. I only wish I am deplorable enough to be immune to the hurt in her eyes.
Without another word, Jupiter storms out of my office, slamming the door behind her. Like the moon reacting to the pull of the earth, I stagger after her, her name about to rip out of my mouth—until I bite down on my tongue and crush this disgusting weakness under my heel.
Loathe me all you want, Jupiter. I am above such vacuous sentimentality. I am better than this. I need to be…
Wiping the blood from my lips, I locate the secret compartment in my desk and pull out the memory erasure device. Now that I've paid off all my dues, I can finally end this fairytale.
I enter my personal quarters like a soldier boy returning to a place he once called home. My enemy is asleep on my bed. She drools on my mattress. I position my memory erasure device above her head, finger twitching over the button—
"Mm. You'll regret not wanting to be my friend… silly Mister Spaceman…"
I almost drop the machine. Focus, Cyrus. You came here to get the job done, not—
"Cyrus? Like the sun?"
My feet move on their own, dragging me out of my personal quarters, across the hall, and back into the sanctity of my office. There the memory erasure device slips out of my grasp. I rummage for another bottle of tablets, but it too falls and vomits its precious white contents all over the floor. I bend to pick them up—and the world tilts, bringing me to my knees.
I am drenched in cold sweat. My bandages have already acquired a muddy pink hue, wet with pus and blood and other fluids. A hot wave washes up my throat…
You're pathetic, Cyrus. You think you're so strong, yet you fall prey to your weak and incomplete heart?
No! I'm better than this.
Then focus, Cyrus. Remember the plan. Remember your dream!
My dream… The sole reason why I've held on for so long.
Exhaling deeply to soothe the tremors running throughout my body, I rise to my feet. I must prepare for the upcoming expedition. A large backpack. The Wonder Map. My Pokemon. Speaking of which, Crobat is due for blood soon.
I'll have to let my Commanders know before I leave. The time is now nine in the morning. When I come back, I will be one step closer to making my dream a reality.
My dear Champion, I know you will regain your memories very soon.
But by then, it will be too late to stop me.
