July 19
The early morning sunlight shone through the somewhat aged glass windows into the clean, tidy room.
Red-Haired Girl stood by the window, gazed briefly at the scenery outside, then lowered her head and gently kneaded the now-crumpled package of Gummy Bears in her hand.
After lingering over it for a moment, she put the candy away, turned around, and looked at the simply decorated bedroom behind her.
At the end of her gaze, a small picture frame sat on a bedside table.
She slowly turned and walked to the bedside table, looking at the picture frame.
In the frame, a woman with flame-red hair held the arm of a man whose hair was streaked with white. Both faced the camera with faint smiles on their faces.
Between them, a Little Girl with the same red hair tightly clutched her father's coat with one hand, staring nervously toward the camera.
Looking at the photograph before her, Red-Haired Girl paused, reaching out to pick up the frame.
Buzz--
Just then, her wristband vibrated, and a communication request came through.
The girl withdrew her hand and accepted the call. Looking at the blonde woman projected before her, she softly asked, "Aunt Daisy, is something wrong?"
"Mm."
The blonde woman in the projection nodded lightly and said in a low voice, "There is something I need you to confirm... Can you come to the City Council? It's about the pallbearers..."
The girl's expression stiffened slightly before she gently nodded. "Okay."
--
Saint Ilan District Airport
The fighter jet, flames pouring from its engines, slowly landed on the broad tarmac, and its cabin door gradually opened.
Soldiers in ceremonial uniforms immediately stepped forward, laid down a carpet, and lined up on either side of the boarding stairs.
Under countless gazes, a man in