Anton lay on the hospital bed with lifeless eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Fifteen days had passed since that battle. He had awakened five days ago and was now lying in a hospital on Tiangui Satellite.
Other than his friend Sonia, who had come to visit him, and a senior representative from Mission Accomplished who had come to offer condolences, no one else had visited him.
He had been severely injured in that battle. Although a series of emergency treatments had saved his life, nearly his entire body, apart from his head and hands, had been paralyzed. He could only spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
It dealt him a devastating blow. The senior representative who had been sent over had appeared to be there to offer condolences, but had actually come to terminate his contract. Besides promising compensation for the breach of contract, the company would cover all his hospital expenses.
Of course, Mission Accomplished had also given Anton ten million Earth credits as a consolation payment, unwilling to be criticized as heartless by others.
Anton felt no reaction toward the company's actions. What hurt him most was the prospect of being paralyzed for life, unable to continue the work he loved—piloting mobile suits.
Anton flatly refused all media interviews.
The door to the ward opened, and Sonia entered carrying a basket of fruit to visit Anton.
When the vacant-eyed Anton saw Sonia, some life finally returned to his gaze. He smiled at her. "Thank you for coming to see me."
"Mm. Today is the last day I can visit you. I have to return to work tomorrow."
"Alright. Work is more important."
Sonia adjusted the bed so Anton was propped up on his side, then peeled an apple for him.
Anton accepted the peeled