Chapter 39 Yuina Nijima 4

Chapter 39 Yuina Nijima 4
Walker and Yuina raced through the corridors, heading deeper into the ship. They were almost to the lab's section when they stumbled across another Syndicate soldier—a woman with black hair tied back in a ponytail.
"Hm?" Walker blinked, looking down at her.
The woman tilted her head, her dark eyes narrowing as she sized up Walker and Yuina. Her black combat suit was reinforced with armor plating, and the insignia of the Entropy Syndicate was etched onto her shoulder. But the purple crystal floating above her caught Walker’s attention the most.

She was his.

Walker clenched his jaw, his grip tightening on his rifle. “Who are you?”

The woman smirked, resting a hand on her hip. “You don’t remember me, do you?”

Walker stiffened. That voice…

Yuina frowned. “Walker, do you know her?”

The woman let out a soft chuckle. “Of course, he does. Isn’t that right… honey?”

Walker’s eyes widened.

“…Vivienne?!”

Vivienne nodded, amusement dancing in her dark eyes. “Took you long enough.”

Yuina’s gaze snapped between Walker and Vivienne, her expression filled with suspicion. “Hold on… honey?” She pointed an accusing finger at Walker. “Explain. Now.”

Walker rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “Uh… it’s… complicated.”

Vivienne laughed, crossing her arms. “Typical. You always leave things unfinished.”

Yuina turned her glare toward Vivienne. “Wait, you’re Syndicate—are you here to capture us?”

Vivienne smirked. “Capture you? No, sweetie. If I wanted you dead, you’d already be bleeding on the floor.”

Walker narrowed his eyes. “Then why are you here?”

Vivienne’s smirk faded slightly, her expression growing serious. “Because General Kael isn’t playing around. He wants you both alive. And trust me… you don’t want to find out why.”

Yuina’s fingers twitched toward her gun. “Then why aren’t you stopping us?”

Vivienne sighed. “Because… I don’t exactly want to follow orders anymore.”

Walker’s breath caught in his throat. “You’re defecting?”

Vivienne shrugged. “Something like that.” Then, she stepped closer to him, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Besides… I’ve been waiting for you, Walker.”

Yuina’s eye twitched. “You better start explaining.”

Walker groaned. This was going to be a long conversation.
The problem is that in this universe, he didn't know anything about the past, about Yuina and Vivienne Kannuki.
> Name: Vivienne Kannuki
> Age: 35 years old
> Species: Human
> Class: Executive Officer (Lieutenant)
> Occupation: Mercenary
> Home Planet: Earth
> Rank: Lieutenant Commander in the Syndicate's Military
> Alliance Affiliation: None
> Grade: Captain
He had no idea how or why he met her.
Walker’s mind raced as he stared at the holographic profile of Vivienne Kannuki, floating before him. Executive Officer? Mercenary? Syndicate military? None of this made sense—he had no memories of her in this universe, yet the purple crystal above her told him she was one of his mistresses.

Yuina, still glaring at both of them, tapped her foot impatiently. “Walker. Explain.”

Walker exhaled slowly. “I… I don’t remember.”

Vivienne raised an eyebrow. “You don’t remember me?”

Walker hesitated. “I’m sorry. I—I woke up here without my memories of this universe. I don’t even know how I got here.”

Vivienne studied him for a long moment before sighing. “So that’s why you’re acting weird.” She shook her head, muttering under her breath. “Just my luck.”

Yuina, still suspicious, folded her arms. “That still doesn’t answer why you’re helping us. If you’re Syndicate, why turn against them?”

Vivienne’s smirk returned, though there was a flicker of something softer in her expression. “Because I’m not Syndicate anymore.”

Walker narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”

Vivienne let out a slow breath, her fingers brushing against the black insignia on her armored shoulder. “I was loyal to them once. Until I realized I was just a pawn. A disposable soldier in their war.” She met Walker’s gaze. “Then you happened.”

Walker blinked. “Me?”

Vivienne’s lips curled into a smirk. “Yeah, you. You always had a way of making me… rethink things.”

Yuina scowled. “Tch. Sounds like he seduced you.”

Vivienne chuckled. “Oh, honey, you have no idea.”

Walker coughed awkwardly. “Uh, can we focus? We’re still in danger here.”

Vivienne’s smirk faded as she nodded. “You’re right. Look, I know this ship. I know its layout, its defenses, and how to get past the security checkpoints.”

Yuina’s fingers twitched toward her gun. “And we’re just supposed to trust you?”

Vivienne’s gaze softened. “I know I don’t deserve your trust. But I’m your best chance of getting off this ship alive.”

Walker took a deep breath. Despite the uncertainty, despite his missing memories, there was something about Vivienne that felt… familiar.

Finally, he nodded. “Alright, Vivienne. Lead the way.”

Vivienne grinned. “Now you’re making smart decisions.”

Yuina sighed heavily. “If she betrays us, I’m blowing her head off.”

Vivienne chuckled. “I’d expect nothing less.”

With that, the three of them moved forward, heading deeper into the ship—toward their escape… and toward whatever fate awaited them.

Tight corridors, dim lights—the Syndicate guards seemed to be everywhere. Walker and Yuina fired down the hallways, forcing the soldiers to retreat. But there were more than just soldiers. The Syndicate also employed drones—small, spider-like machines that scuttled along the ceiling, firing laser weapons.
"They're almost gone," Vivienne muttered. "Just hold on."
Walker grunted, still firing. He didn't bother looking back. Already his rifle was running low on ammo. The others were doing better—Yuina had hacked the shuttle controls and was maneuvering the craft toward the hangar.
"How much longer?" Yuina asked.
"I'm not sure," Vivienne replied. She tapped away at the console, guiding the craft with a quick flurry of finger movements.
"It'll only be a couple of minutes," Walker said. "Keep shooting!"
There was a flash of light above them, then another. A small explosion sounded, and smoke filled the air.
"Vivienne why did you betray us." General Kael's voice rang through the comm. "You traitorous bitch! You'll die for this betrayal!"
"Shut up, Kael," Walker shouted. 
General Kael’s voice crackled over the comms again, filled with rage.

“You think you can escape? You’re trapped like rats. Surrender now, and I might let you live.”
Walker scoffed, blasting another drone out of the air. "Not happening."

Vivienne’s fingers flew over the console, her expression tense. “Hang tight—I’m bypassing the last security lock.”

Yuina fired a burst at a squad of Syndicate soldiers charging from the left. “We don’t have much time! They’re closing in fast!”

Walker took a deep breath. He had to buy Vivienne more time.

He grabbed a stun grenade from his belt, pulled the pin, and tossed it toward the oncoming soldiers.

BOOM!

A flash of blue energy erupted, sending the Syndicate troops crashing to the floor, convulsing.

“Got it!” Vivienne exclaimed. “The shuttle’s auto-pilot is set! We just have to get there!”

The door at the end of the corridor slammed open—and General Kael stepped in.

He was massive.

Dressed in black Syndicate armor with a glowing red visor, he carried a plasma blade in one hand and a heavy rifle in the other.

Walker clenched his jaw. "Yuina, Vivienne—get to the shuttle."

Yuina looked at him, her eyes flashing with anger. “No! We fight together.”

Walker knew they didn’t have time to argue. He raised his gun, aimed directly at Kael’s chest, and fired.

Kael didn’t even flinch.

His energy shield flared to life, absorbing the bullets. Then, with inhuman speed, he lunged forward, slashing his plasma blade toward Walker.

Walker barely dodged, rolling to the side.

“Go!” he shouted.

Vivienne hesitated, then grabbed Yuina’s arm. “He’s right! If we stay, we all die!”

Yuina gritted her teeth, her hands balling into fists. But she knew Walker was right.

“Fine,” she spat. “But if you die, I’m killing you myself.”

She and Vivienne sprinted toward the exit.

Walker faced Kael, gripping his rifle tightly. The enemy commander tilted his head.

“Foolish. You think you can stand against me alone?”
Walker smirked, raising his gun again. “Oh, I don’t think. I know.”

And the final battle began.
A volley of plasma bolts cut down the hallway, shredding the wall beside Walker's face. He ducked instinctively, his rifle clattering to the ground.
"Come on," Walker growled, dodging another blast. He dove around the corner, peeking his head around the edge.
Kael marched forward, his plasma blade humming with deadly energy. His visor glowed ominously as he scanned for movement.

"You can't run forever, Walker." His voice was cold, mechanical. "You're outmatched."

Walker gritted his teeth. His rifle was too far away, and his ammo was running low. But he still had one trick left.

He reached into his belt and pulled out a stun grenade—his last one.

"Let's see how good that armor is."

With a flick of his wrist, he lobbed the grenade straight at Kael’s feet.

BOOM!

A blast of electric energy erupted, sending a shockwave through the corridor. Sparks flew as Kael staggered, his shield flickering under the strain.

This was his chance!

Walker rushed forward, drawing his combat knife. He lunged at Kael, aiming straight for a gap in the armor—

But Kael recovered too fast.

With inhuman reflexes, he caught Walker’s wrist mid-strike.

"Too slow."

Kael squeezed, his enhanced strength crushing Walker’s wrist.

CRACK.

Walker groaned in pain as his knife slipped from his fingers.

Kael raised his plasma blade. "This ends now."

Suddenly—

BANG!

A sniper round slammed into Kael’s helmet, snapping his head to the side.

Walker blinked. What the—?

Another shot ripped through Kael’s shoulder. His energy shield failed.

"Who—?" Kael growled, turning—

BANG!

A final round struck his knee, forcing him down.

From the other end of the hallway, Vivienne stood with a sniper rifle, her barrel still smoking.

"You talk too much, Kael." She smirked.

Yuina sprinted up beside her, plasma pistol in hand. "Walker, MOVE!"

Walker didn’t need to be told twice. He ripped free from Kael’s grip, stumbling backward.

Kael roared in frustration, trying to rise—

But Yuina tossed a thermal grenade.

BOOM!

The explosion engulfed Kael, sending fire and smoke through the corridor.

Walker shielded his face, his ears ringing. When he looked back—

Kael was gone.

A massive hole was left in the corridor where he had stood.

Yuina ran up, grabbing Walker’s arm. "We have to go! The Syndicate will send reinforcements!"

Walker took a shaky breath, then nodded.

Together, the three of them ran toward the hangar—toward their only chance of escape.