The soft glow of the Ark's artificial dawn filtered through the narrow windows of the Infinity Rail crew quarters, casting long shadows across the modest room. Diesel lay tangled in her sheets, her dark hair splayed like a chaotic halo. Her face twisted in distress, breaths coming in sharp, uneven gasps. In her mind, the nightmare replayed with merciless clarity—the screech of twisting metal, the acrid smoke choking the air, the terrified screams of passengers aboard the AFX train. Her little brother's hand slipped from hers as explosions rocked the carriage. "Sis!" his voice echoed, fading into the chaos. Heavenly Ascension's fanatics laughed maniacally, their bombs detonating in a symphony of destruction. She reached for him, but the world dissolved into fire and darkness.
Diesel bolted upright, sweat-soaked and trembling, the dream's grip lingering like a phantom pain. She glanced at the clock—late afternoon. The memorial. Panic surged as she realized she'd overslept again, the trauma's invisible chains pulling her under despite her resolve. The room spun slightly, her insomnia's toll evident in the dark circles under her eyes. Brid and Soline must have gone without her. Disappointment crashed over her like a wave.
A knock at the door jolted her. "Diesel? It's Arthur. You in there?"
She hesitated, wiping her face hastily. "Yeah, come in. Door's unlocked."
Arthur entered, his tactical coat draped over his broad shoulders, concealing the sleek lines of his prosthetic arms. His handsome features, framed by slicked-back brown hair and a short beard, softened with concern as he took in her disheveled state. "Hey. Brid mentioned you might still be here. Rough night?"
She forced a weak smile, pulling the blanket around her. "You could say that. Nightmares again. I... I missed it, didn't I? The memorial."
He sat on the edge of the bed, his goddesium legs folding with mechanical precision. "Not exactly. But we'll get to that. First, I need you to wake up properly. Remember yesterday? You asked me to call you 'Big Sis.' Well, Big Sis, time to rise and shine. I've got a full day planned for us."
Her eyes widened, a flicker of surprise cutting through the fog. The nickname, uttered in his steady voice, stirred something deep— a mix of warmth and melancholy. She blinked, sitting up straighter. "Arthur? What are you... You don't have to do this. The day's probably half over."
"Humor me," he said with a grin, standing and offering his hand. "Trust me, Big Sis. This is going to be good."
Reluctantly, she took his hand, his prosthetic grip firm yet gentle. The term 'Big Sis' echoed oddly, pulling her from the haze. She dressed quickly in her rail uniform, the cheerful blue accents a stark contrast to her mood. As they stepped out into the terminal's bustle, she glanced at him curiously. "So, what's this plan? And why the nickname again? It freaked me out last time."
"Because it worked," he replied, leading her toward the AZX platform. "And today, we're making up for lost time. First stop: Royal Road."
The train ride was short, the Ark's simulated scenery blurring past. Diesel leaned against the window, her thoughts drifting. Arthur watched her, his mind weaving through his own web of responsibilities—the Outpost, his Monarks, the Vapaus. But here, with Diesel, he saw a chance to heal a fracture, to build another bond.
They arrived at Royal Road, the Ark's vibrant shopping district alive with holographic ads and throngs of shoppers. Neon lights danced across polished floors, vendors calling out deals on everything from tech gadgets to synthetic delicacies. Diesel's eyes lit up slightly, the energy infectious. "Okay, Elevator Bro, spill. What's first?"
Arthur chuckled at the nickname. "Choo Choo Splendamin. You mentioned it yesterday—your brother's favorite. I figured we'd start there. But yeah, the memorial's over. Brid and Soline went ahead. This is just for us."
Her steps faltered, a pang of guilt mixing with curiosity. "Over? Damn. But... thanks for this. It's sweet."
They found the stall, a colorful booth adorned with train motifs. The vendor, a jovial man with a mustache, beamed. "Three Choo Choo Splendamins, please," Arthur ordered, paying with a swipe of his credit chip.
Diesel raised an eyebrow. "Three? Who's the third for?"
"One for you, one for me, and one for the memory," he said softly.
She accepted the treat—a swirled confection of vibrant colors, shaped like a miniature locomotive. "I've never actually tried it myself. Always got it for him."
They bit in simultaneously. The flavor burst forth: a cool rush of sweetness laced with tangy sour notes and a subtle saltiness that balanced it perfectly. It was refreshing, like a summer breeze captured in candy form. Diesel's eyes widened in delight. "Whoa. No wonder he begged for it. This is amazing—pure bliss in every bite."
Arthur nodded, savoring the taste. "Yeah, I get the hype now. Glad we did this."
With the treats devoured, Diesel's spirits lifted further. "Alright, Commander, what's next? Your call, but fair warning: letting a girl loose on Royal Road is dangerous. Wallets beware."
He smirked, undeterred. "I'm willing to risk it. Lead the way, Big Sis."
She laughed, the sound genuine and light. Their first stop was a toy store, shelves brimming with miniatures and playsets. Diesel gravitated to a display of Ark Ranger figures—tiny heroes in ranger outfits, complete with toy weapons and vehicles. "These are perfect for those kids we played with yesterday. They'd love them."
She picked up a set, examining the details. "Want one? Could be your little guardian on the desk."
Arthur shook his head, amused. "Appreciate it, but I'm good. Grown-up here, remember?"
"Oh, I can tell," she teased, her eyes sparkling. "Fine, these are for me then. A little nostalgia never hurts."
They purchased the set, Diesel tucking it away with a satisfied grin. Next, they wandered to a candy store, the air thick with sugary aromas. Rows of confections gleamed under lights, from chocolate replicas to fruit-flavored gems. Diesel zeroed in on the strawberry section. "These were his absolute favorite. I used to make them at home—simple recipe, but he'd gobble them up. One time, he got so mad because I overdid it; said I was turning him into a strawberry himself. We agreed to treats only occasionally after that."
She selected a bag, popping one in her mouth. As they browsed, a familiar melody drifted from the store's speakers—an upbeat jingle with lyrics about sweet adventures and endless flavors. Diesel froze, then beamed. "That's the old jingle! The one I sang yesterday. They discontinued it ages ago. Hearing it again... it's like a piece of the past coming back."
Arthur listened, the tune catchy and nostalgic. "Suits you. Glad it's revived."
As the artificial night settled over the Ark, casting a soft twilight glow, they found a quiet bench overlooking a holographic fountain. The day's adventures had woven a tapestry of joy, pushing back the shadows of her grief. Diesel sighed contentedly. "This was incredible, Arthur. I forgot all my worries for a while. But be honest—was this Brid's idea? Some pity play?"
He shook his head, his expression earnest. "Not entirely. Earlier today, Brid and I saw you were still out cold. I suggested she go to the memorial with Soline while I handled this. Truth is, I planned it to give you the day you dreamed of with your brother. The treats, the toys, the candy—all of it."
Her breath caught, eyes widening. He reached into his coat, pulling out a slim book: a Commander's Manual, its cover embossed with official seals. "And this. Signed by Deputy Chief Andersen himself. Had to explain it wasn't for me—took some convincing, but he understood."
Diesel took it with trembling hands, flipping to the inscription: *To a future commander—keep dreaming big. Andersen.* Tears welled up, spilling over as the realization hit. "You... you did all this for me? To recreate that day?"
Arthur pulled her into a hug, his arms enveloping her with warmth. She sobbed quietly against his chest, the release cathartic. "Thank you," she whispered. "I think... I'm ready now. To visit the memorial site. Even if it's late."
"Then let's go."