Time ticked by, and the last sliver of light on the horizon sank out of sight.
Cold air at high altitude howled past the windows. Darkness finally enveloped the entire giant airship.
Tick-
The barely audible beeping of machinery sounded at regular intervals.
Inside the Trafas's cockpit, a middle-aged man wearing a captain's hat smoked as he stared at the flashing red dot on the instrument panel before him.
With a creak, the door behind him opened. A man walked in with a smile and said, "Everything's been put away. When are we planning to start this year?"
"How are preparations coming along with the Shanwen tribe? This is our first year using this method. We can't afford any mishaps."
The captain lowered his cigarette and carefully tapped it against the ashtray beside him to keep the ash from spilling, asking without turning around.
"Everything's ready. The coordinator is an official from the Minbo Republic, also one of the Shanwen people. I think the name was..."
"Cayman?"
The man who had just entered answered. A badge on his chest identified him as the Trafas's first officer.
Both were actually Sky Hunters filling in as crew to transport the examinees.
"All right, then let these lovely examinees enjoy another two peaceful days. We'll set the plan in motion once we cross the Dorei Strait."
The captain looked out the window. The endless sea of black clouds was tranquil, yet carried the oppressive weight of the calm before a storm. He said, "It is... tradition, after all. Right?"
At those words, the two men in the cockpit exchanged a glance, then burst into gleeful laughter at the examinees' expense.
"What I actually wanted to ask was, do we have to do this in my room?"
Bokushin sat on the edge of the