The writer gives life to a story, the reader keeps it alive.
Anya has watched Alexand Merek place each soul tube next to the children’s hair, inside bags, which she has marked with their names. (Happy Birthday, Dad, this is for you, wherever you are.)
Anya desperately wants to be saved, but she is reluctant to trust these strangers, associated with her old friend Inajda. However, she has no choice, her only option is to believe Alexand Merek’s words to be true. (For Ukraine – for peace.)
Anya has followed the eccentric future version of Alexand Merek, posing as a Kyo-ashita called Creya Johal, to the Kyo-ashita quarters, after being granted probationary sanctuary.
Inajda relays her mission to Moscow to Field Marshal Panak and President Bomani.
Future Alexand’s Guild Master has arranged for her alter ego, Creya Johal to have lodgings onboard the Kyuunansen. Future Alexand had to pretend not to care about Katherine, and they both reluctantly parted from each other, Kat returning to her laboratory and Alexand chaperoning her ward, Anya Ranyevzsky.
Asenath Bomani orders the entire army of Kyo-ashita, and everyone else save Inajda Rekaya out of her High Council chamber.
Future Alexand, in the guise of a Kyo-ashita guard, has been charged with the custody of Anya Ranyevzsky.
Disguised as a Kyo-ashita guard, Future Alexand (although not an intruder on the ship) thought it best to observe the events of the past, incognito. Her mission in this time was not purely to visit Katherine, but to take part in an event which set in motion a series of occurrences, leading to a cataclysm in her own past self’s life.
