Freya woke up in a cold sweat, and saw Kira and Axeran's faces staring at her, showing their anger and hurt. "You lied to us. You said you wouldn't let us fall. And yet you did. You betrayed us. You were weak. You failed. And now, Because of your weakness, we will never return", they said in unison. "I am so sorry. I tried. I didn't know Olsur was- "Do not blame him for your failure. He did what he could. He protected us, while you were distracted. He tried to do what you couldn't", they said sharply, their tone more intense. "I am sorry. What can I do?" Freya said, despairing. Then, their faces disappeared, and Atlas appeared in their place. "Yes, yes. As I said, you failed. Once more, you have let your precious brother and sister fall away from you. You have no one to blame but yourself. And losing your friend, Lyra. You have no future with the Rebellion. But with me, you still can. Join me, daughter, and be reunited with your brother and sister. All shall be forgiven", Atlas said. "I shall never join you. I shall fight for them, for those that died because of you, and for those who I have left. And one day, I will kill you, with my friends and family by my side. Be gone", Freya said, her despair replaced by anger. "We shall see, daughter. We shall see", Atlas said, disappearing, only to be replaced by her mother. "Mother?" The ghost stared back at her for a moment, before speaking. "You let them fall into his grasp again. My babies are lost again. How could you? How could you let this happen?" "I almost had them. I am sorry. I will do all I can to bring them back. I promise", Freya said. "I hope so. And make sure Atlas pays for their suffering with his blood", her mother said, fading away. It was the last ghost that hit her hardest. "Lyra?" Freya said, getting up. "Why did you let that Imperial kill me? Why didn't you save me?" the ghost Lyra asked, stepping closer. "Lyra, please- "No. You can not brush me off. We were friends. We trained together. I helped in your rescue you from that prison in Trellos. We got in trouble for sneaking out late with the others, together. We fought the Empire together. And then, you abandoned me. And now, you shall pay the price", Lyra exclaimed, drawing her sword, and flame sparked to life, coating the blade. Freya barely had time to draw her staff, as the ghost leapt at her, swinging with the fire sword. She struck again, and Freya found herself retreating. "Lyra, please, you don't have to do this!" Freya said, trying to reach her. "I am afraid I do", the ghost replied, its tone cold, as it swung again, and she barely evaded in time. The ghost maintained its offensive, and Freya almost screamed, as the fire sword grazed her shoulder. Out of reflex, Freya swung her staff, striking the ghost on the temple and drove her staff into her chest. "There you go, hurting me again", the ghost hissed, and sent Freya flying. Freya tried to get back up, but found herself surrounded by fire on all sides, her strength having disappeared. The last thing she saw, as the pleaded the ghost to show mercy, was the bright gold flame, as her sword descended on her, cutting through her neck.

Freya sat up, panting, and washed her face, taking in deep breaths, trying to calm herself. Knowing she would not be able to sleep anyway, she dressed, and went to the training room. She went through her practice routine, and activated the combat simulation. The room turned dark, and she drew her electro staff, glancing around her. Light flashed off to her left, as the first simulated foe showed itself, sprinting at her with its sword raised. Freya met the weapon with her staff and bashed the simulation on the head, causing it to explode in simulated sparks.

Another came at her, this time with a spear. Freya sidestepped the thrust, and destroyed the simulation in a similar manner to the first. Shots fired at her, and she spun around, blocking them with her staff. Two warriors rushed at her, both armed with swords. Freya blocked their first blows, and locked one's arm in place, pushing the other away with a kick. The first slashed with a dagger, but she moved out of the way, and snapped the warrior's neck. The second came at her again, but she deflected her strikes and ended her with a thrust to the neck, crushing her trachea.

Sparks of light flashed all around her, as more warriors attacked, some from a distance, some from close range. She evaded their shots, and drew her electro guns, taking down two of them. She danced between their shots, and leapt over an axe. Several of her assailants dropped, killed by their own comrades. Freya rolled on the floor, and blasted the axe man at point blank range. The rest came down, and once more, she met them with her staff. Within seconds, it was all over. Freya turned off the simulation, and leaned against a wall, exhausted. Seeing Kira, Axeran, Atlas, her mother, and then the short, but violent engagement with Lyra, and seeing herself die, even in a dream, coupled with the intense simulation run, had drained her almost completely.

Someone else entered the training room, and walked over to her.

"Gunter? What are you doing here?" she asked. "I thought you might go here. Just wanted to talk. Something we have missed for a while now", Gunter replied. Freya realized he was right. Since Lyra's death, and Kira and Axeran's capture, and even before she has been distant from many people whom she has known in the Underground City.

"What made you get up this early?" Freya asked. "I was working on some stuff for the new prototype. Months ago, Toren had asked me, Kendra, and a few others to help with designing a new artillery piece. I am no longer the engineer that I used to be, but it feels good to remember those things that fascinated me so much, before everything changed, before the Empire came and took it all. And, I figured I might as well try and see you, to check up on you", Gunter replied.

"Now, I saw you doing that simulation. Something heavy is on your mind, isn't it?" Gunter added. "How did you know?" Freya asked. "Freya, I've known you most of your life. You don't usually do things like this unless there is something really bothering you. I mean, when was the last time you used this simulation?" Gunter said. "The first night on a ship. After we were pushed out of the Underground City", Freya replied. "There you go. You were thinking about Olsur, Kira and Axeran?"

"Yes. It's just... I don't know. I reacted without thinking. When Olsur shot me, it wasn't even the pain, which lasted all of 4 seconds or so. It was just so sudden. My hands were cramping. I felt them slipping out of my grip, and myself sliding down, halfway out of the ship. Had Olsur not shot me, I would have went down with them. And from there, everything just... spiraled out of control", Freya said.

"I know. We all saw it. I still see the flashes of their guns, as they maintained suppressive fire, preventing us from coming to your aid. Olsur did what no one else was even capable of considering. Days later, attacked the Trellos base in the dead of night, during a rain storm, and somehow came back alive, having succeeded. This whole affair had been so bizarre", Gunter said. "Maybe I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. I think it scared him off. And now, after that attack, there is no telling what he will do next, because of his guilt. As much as I thought I hated him for shooting me, and for letting Kira and Axeran get captured, I am also worried for him. And truthfully, I came here because I couldn't sleep. I dreamed of seeing them, in a prison cell, and then I saw Atlas, and then mother. And lastly, Lyra. I saw us fight, and then my death by her sword. I don't know what to do anymore", Freya said.

"Well, let's start of with this. Do you think he made the wrong choice?" Gunter asked. "I used to. But no more", Freya said. "Would you have preferred him to do something else, while still understanding that he may have made the only reasonable one?" Gunter asked. "Yes." "Sometimes, the best we can do, is talk things out. And I will not tell you to force yourself to do so, but maybe consider it. Despite how much he is avoiding everyone now, I can tell he does so only because of guilt. Talking things out can only make things better. Consider it", Gunter said.

"Thank you. I needed this", Freya said.

Her comlink beeped. "You are needed in the hangar. It's urgent", came in Keltor's voice. They rushed to the hangar, where the Command was gathered, along with the other Sky Guards, except Olsur.

"Where is Olsur?" she asked. "That's why we are here. His fighter is gone. And so is Freon's crew. They left without explanation. Something must have happened", Raleon said. "Attacking Trellos is one thing, but this? This is something else. We shall have to send out search units, and bring them back safely", said Lanzur. "There is no point. They could have gone anywhere. Although, knowing Freon, it could have been Sturmgard or Arealkara", Admiral Roledar said. "Best thing we can do is wait, hope they get back soon, and stay on alert. Right now, our intel operators are scanning through all the information we have, which isn't much, and also trying to find something new. As soon as we have anything, we will let everyone know. For now, we should go about the day as usual, but be ready to send aid the moment we get more intel", Admiral Aegis said.

Everyone resigned themselves to waiting, as the morning dragged out into the afternoon, and then into late evening.