Finally, the squadron of SeeD had returned, but not without sacrifice. In all honesty, Mei had expected bloodshed, (it was true that she was not as astute to detail as her brother but even she was aware of the Major's terrible power), but even she had not expected the outcome of the fight to be...[i]this.[/i]

She was rendered at a loss for words when she first caught wind of Syrus's injuries. Not only had the SeeD apparently suffered critical damage during the fight, but the boy was likely to stay in an indefinite coma as a result. Once the diagnosis was made clear, Mei could feel her stomach drop, images of the boy dancing with her the night before. There was so much about him that she wanted to know, [i]needed[/i] to know. And now...would she ever get the chance?

[i]The life of the SeeD...[/i] The words echoed solemnly in her head as she hung her head low, watching the wounded and the dead arrive along with the group. This was their life, it was true. Their existence was always hanging in the balance, the thread about to be cut short at any moment. Tyler often teased her that she didn't really comprehend the life of a soldier, and he was probably right. 

An array of emotions crossed her face as she watched on helplessly, but it wasn't until she caught the sight of her mangled brother that the girl immediately sprung to action. "Tyler!" She cried, bounding over to where her bloodied sibling was being laid to rest. "Oh god. He's not-?!"

"No, not dead. Although the kid should have known better," the SeeD sighed piteously at the unconscious male as he tended to his gushing wounds. "Got right into the thick of it when he should have left it to us. Wiggs was no joke, I can tell you that." He looked over at the distraught looking girl, his features softening slightly at her despair. "Look, compared to some of us, he got off lightly. He'll be feeling it for a while, but he's gonna be just fine."

"...Thank you." Mei's words were quiet and defeated as her hand rested over her brother's clammy forehead, a look of regret filling her eyes. "I...I need to speak with the others. Where are they?"

"Should be back in the operations room by now. I know Lerwick had some things to say."

"Right." After making a polite bow, Mei left the room, a grim expression forming on her face as she prepared for the encounter ahead.

[b]"...Dismissed."[/b]

The gravelly sound of Duncan's voice echoed through the room as Mei slinked her way past the departing SeeDs, swollen eyes fixed on the former Instructor. "I heard about Syrus. And my brother." Her voice was choked as she struggled through her words, looking downcast as delicate fingers caressed the wood of one of the chair frames. "I...I can't believe this could happen." Tears began to well in her eyes before she brushed them away stubbornly with the back of her hand. "This wasn't supposed to happen. Duncan...wh-why did this happen?"