Bio-Mech Warrior

0630 Hours — Andrew's Apartment, Hagnayan City, Cornalian Region, New Sandesta

The sun rose slowly over the horizon, its golden light casting long shadows over the skyscrapers of Hagnayan City. It was a pleasant morning—quiet, warm, and peaceful.

Andrew, having just finished his morning jog, returned to his apartment. As he opened the door, the stale scent of dust and sweat greeted him. He hadn't cleaned the place in days. With no other plans for the day, he decided he might as well tidy up—after a shower.

Steam filled the bathroom as Andrew washed off the grime and sweat. But as the water cascaded down, so did the memories.

Images from the last mission came flooding back. The gunfire. The screams. The Titans.

He paused, standing still under the stream, lost in a moment of reflection.

If not for the timely arrival of the extraction team, they would all be dead.

He exhaled, thankful they'd made it back alive.

After a long shower, Andrew dried himself off and changed into a fresh set of clothes—just a plain shirt, shorts, and boxers. Something comfortable.

In the living room, he turned on the television, flipping through the channels in search of something to distract him. Nothing worthwhile was on—just endless coverage of the fallout from Operation Dawnbreak.

One channel showed street protests along Osmeña Street. Protesters shouted into megaphones, waving banners that denounced the military partnership between New Sandesta and the Oceanic Union of Fereldia. The screen displayed slogans like "Not Our War" and "Our Blood, Their War Profits."

Watching it felt like reopening a wound that hadn't even scabbed over.

Then came a face he didn't want to see—General Heraldo Almirez, the commanding officer of the 1st Division.

Almirez, standing in front of a line of cameras, addressed the press. His tone was calm, almost rehearsed.

"We did everything within our power. Unfortunately, some mishaps occurred. The Fereldians and their so-called support were minimal at best. In the end, it was the blood and toil of our soldiers that contained the biological threat in Catarman Province."

Andrew's eyes narrowed. Bile rose in his throat.

"Son of a bitch," he muttered.

He remembered all too well how Almirez's meddling had nearly gotten them killed. If only the General hadn't interfered. If Enrique Gomez had been taken out earlier, none of this would've happened.

Frustrated, Andrew shut off the TV and walked back to his room.

He checked his handphone. Several missed calls.

All from Tanya.

He tapped her number and pressed call.

After a few rings, she answered, "Where are you, handsome? I've been calling since... forever."

"Sorry," Andrew replied, rubbing his temple. "Got caught up in a few things."

"Busy, huh?" she teased. "Well, I was thinking—we should go for a stroll downtown. There's an event happening in the park."

"Who else is coming?" Andrew asked.

"Our gang. Peter's been pushing for it. Says we need to unwind. And maybe... we could steal a little time just for us?" she added, her voice playful.

Andrew smirked. "Mind if we extend that time? Maybe... the whole night?"

Tanya giggled. "Why not? It's been a long week. I bet there's something you want to share with me?"

"Maybe," Andrew said. "As long as I get to keep you all to myself."

"Silly," she replied with a laugh. "Alright, I've got a few errands to run. I'll text you at 1300 hours. See you later, handsome." She ended the call with a kiss sound.

Her words—and her voice—warmed him more than the morning sunlight ever could.

Feeling a bit more alive, Andrew headed to the kitchen to make breakfast.

---

1100 Hours – Ambrose Boulevard, Hagnayan City, Cornalian Region, New Sandesta

The sun was at its peak. Humid and hot, Andrew sweated under his shirt. His cologne mixed with the scent of perspiration, which he wiped off with a towel. He wore straight-cut jeans and polished brown shoes.

So much had changed. The city looked different now—more modern, more crowded. Compared to ten years ago, the transformation was obvious.

Andrew had been in Valhalla for fifteen years. He remembered how Hagnayan used to be—modest, a little sleepy. Now it was alive. Skyscrapers, fast food chains, busy streets. The city had flourished.

He wondered how it would look in five, maybe twenty years.

While walking, Andrew stopped in front of a 70s-themed restaurant. A landmark, still operating after fifty years.

He checked his handphone—1235, 7th of the 20th, 2019 CT. Tanya would text him any minute.

Suddenly, his handphone rang.

It was Peter.

"Yo, wassup?"

"Peter? Where you at?" Andrew asked.

"We're at MacBee. Mikhail, Tanya, and I are here."

"You guys are early."

"Yeah, we've got something for ya. Gorordo Drive branch. See ya!" Peter hung up.

Andrew headed that way. He was about 300 meters away, near Emilio Kilat Street, just beside the tall Kong Tian building.

With time to spare, he decided to take the scenic route.

He passed Pelaez Corner, a preserved stretch showcasing colonial-era buildings from the Fereldian and Castillan times. Though beautiful, the area was plagued by poverty.

Beggars and homeless people dotted the sidewalks. Some lay on cardboard mats, others wandered the streets.

A young beggar approached him.

Andrew handed over a 50 Mint coin. It wasn't much, but it could buy a meal and a drink. The boy ran off without even saying thanks.

It didn't matter.

Andrew kept walking until he reached Gorordo Drive and saw the MacBee restaurant.

The cold blast of air conditioning greeted him at the entrance.

Inside, he spotted them—Tanya, Mikhail, and Peter, waving from a booth. He also noticed Peter's new prosthetic arm.

"If it isn't our Captain! Congrats on your promotion!" Peter greeted with a grin.

"Yeah, and they say the celebrant should pay the bill!" Tanya added, smirking.

Mikhail offered a fist bump, which Andrew returned.

Andrew smiled, heart warmed by the sight of his friends.

For some, it was just another ordinary day.

But for Andrew, it meant something more.

A moment of peace.

Time spent with people who cared for him.

People he cared for in return.

And in a world full of uncertainty, maybe that was enough.