>>5163806The tall woman waits for a moment before following, her hand guiding you along. You gave Anastasia's battered body one last look before the window slipped from view. You walk in silence for a few minutes before the woman speaks up again. "Ten minutes and 27 seconds…" The old voice croaks, you gave Yuliya an unsure glance. But more followed. "That was how long the two pilots you couldn't eject were exposed to the Fifth Layer for. Luckily their Internal Ejectors managed to save them for further exposure. Pilot Anthony Innokentiy Melnik and Pilot Castilla Zanhuesa. Both are catatonic, but thankfully Prince Class Phobos are commonly less daunting than your own Emperor." The words stung, you had failed to save your friends. It was your fault. You should have been able to save them, you felt cold.
A strange feeling you couldn't recognize was building in your chest, you smothered it and took deep breaths. "Do not feel responsible, you did an excellent job." The woman added almost wistfully. Her tone hadn't changed, the aged voice just oddly placid. Your journey continues and your mind wonders about the others. You hoped they would recover soon. "Six hours, 37 minutes and approximately twelve seconds." The length was enormous compared to the first set. "That was how long Pilot Anastasia… Assol Pavlovsky was exposed for. Of Course the majority of her physical wounds were received from excessive use of Manual Ejectors and her own internal system trying to save her. She was undergoing cardiac arrest when she was finally released from her Umbral Core. Thankfully, we were ready and waiting. All four of her limbs were subjected to Fifth degree burns, so they had to be amputated. Around forty percent of her body has suffered third degree burns. But those wounds she can recover from, it will be slow and painful. Excruciatingly so, but with time she'll be able to pilot, walk and even live. But that could all be for nothing. Her synchronization rate dropped to zero, if she ever does wake up. We do not know what we'll be getting back." Yuliya flinches at each word. They were harrowing to you too. The woman's tone finally changed, saddened by the truth she spoke.
