Chapter Text
A shot rings out.
Sentinel has eliminated another target of hers— a diplomat from Germany who was an infiltrator from what the Foundation calls the Manus.
But in that moment, as she pulled the trigger, she can’t help but be reminded of when Marsha was shot.
Sentinel slings her rifle back over her shoulder, thinking that she should ask about Marsha despite Sentinel’s own reluctance to interact with the Foundation.
Sentinel goes to the Foundation’s safe zone, and speaks to the first person who catches her eye— a man with short red hair and carrying a gun.
“Pardon me. Where may Marsha be seen now?”
The man responds, “Hm… so you must be that Gargoyle that Marsha mentioned. She’s been shot, so probably in Laplace for treatment.“
Sentinel nods in thanks and replies, “Thank you.”
Sentinel then attempts to sneak around Foundation employees in order to figure out where Marsha was being kept, but her investigation ended fruitless. Instead, she decides to make her way over to the nearest Laplace location she’s aware of.
Sentinel predicts that she will likely not be accepted quick enough for the conventional way of entering through the front door. So what happens instead?
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Glass shatters across the tiled floor, shining under the fluorescent lights. Just outside the door Laplace employees rush towards the room, one bursting the door open as Sentinel stands among the glass, holding her rifle.
The employee moves to demand for Sentinel to leave Marsha, but at that moment, Marsha speaks out.
“Wait— let her stay, Marie isn’t a threat.”
The employee responds, “But you need to rest, and this gargoyle entered through unauthorized means—“
Sentinel ignores the Laplace employee’s demands, and slings her rifle over her shoulder and turns to Marsha’s bedside.
“Marsha, pray, tell me, what happened? I heard a gunshot, and chaos followed. I need to make sure that thou shall recover, so I came as soon as I could.”
Marsha smiles gently and replies,
“Please, there’s no need to worry about me, Marie. I’ll be alright.”
“…”
“You don’t believe me, do you?”
Sentinel casts her eyes downward, thinking of what to say, but also observing the placement of the bandages on Marsha.
“Although I trust thee, I must say that… thy condition worries me.“
Marsha continues to speak in a gentle voice to Sentinel, replying,
“I should’ve known you’d realize immediately— you’re far too observant for me to hide anything. The truth is, though, I was shot just below the ribs.”
Sentinel then replies immediately upon hearing where Marsha was shot, insisting,
“Then thou should rest. I would not wish to be the reason that thou cannot stay with us any longer.”
Marsha continues to speak, though by now it’s clear that the shot has taken a toll on her energy.
“No, it’s alright. I’m sure we both know that… I’m not likely to survive. All I ask for is that you stay by my side.”
“…As you wish.”
By now, the Laplace employees are completely forgotten by the two, though they’ve been courteous enough to keep quiet. A young woman among them, clearly newer than the rest, sheepishly speaks up.
“Um— Excuse me, miss, but—“
A taller woman, also an employee, puts a hand over the sheepish woman’s mouth and hisses at her to shut up.
Sentinel silently stays by Marsha’s bedside for about another hour or so, before reluctantly telling Marsha about her departure for now.
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In the dead of night, Marsha sleeps peacefully.
A loud beep.
The monitor flatlines.
And so, Marsha silently departs from the world.