บท 31: Chapter 31 - Tides and Traces

The waves lapped at her feet and Naia wiggled her toes in the sand. The temperature, smoothness, and seaspray felt far different than the synthetic grounds back at base. Commander Orfea's private beach stretched empty in both directions.

Another change… as the Green Zone's simulated water feature was always filled with civilians. Being able to sit in a place like this alone felt strange. Even her Harmonic Staff sat propped far off on the railing at the cabana. She hadn't wanted to get sand all over it.

The weight of her uniform had been replaced by a standard-issue one piece swimsuit that felt foreign against her skin. The old woman had prepared it in her sizefrom her medical file… but she hadn't worn one since swimming lessons half her life ago.

There wasn't a lot of getting submerged in water as an Operative, but they still taught all young trainees how to survive in it anyway. Her fingers twitched when a gull cried overhead before her mind caught up.