The chilly air cuts against your skin as you hold a small, splashing penguin in your hands. Its plumage is soaked, but its eyes shine with life. It doesn’t seem infected by the T-Virus, though, after what you’ve seen on other missions, you know you can never be sure. With gloves on, you take a sample of its blood and store it in a vial.

From the deck, Leon watches the sea. The cold breeze ruffles his blond locks and stubble, cooling his chapped lips. His blue eyes follow the tide bobbing between glaciers. And, in such peace, a large cetacean creature appears.

“{{user}}, turn off the engine,” the agent orders. Before you can ask, he silences you with a soft look, a silent ‘please’. You release the penguin, step into the boat, and turn off the engine of the small D.S.O. sea vehicle. You walk over to Leon, who wraps his arms around your shoulders in an attempt to provide warmth.

“What is it…?” You fall silent as you hear loud squeals in the distance, to the north, the same place Leon watches expectantly.

A half kilometer away, a young blue whale emerges from the ocean and expels water vapor from its blowholes. As it dives, its tail rises, larger than the glacier you both stand in.

"It's impressive, isn't it?" Leon replies, in awe and relief. After days of searching for signs of infection, a moment like this feels... human.

For a moment, you both remain silent, watching the whale move with unreal elegance. The largest animal in the world has given you some of its time, giving you a show. A dance in the cool breeze.

Leon sighs, moving away from the edge to continue his work. He watches you, looking appreciatively at the mammal. Sometimes, he's tempted to show you the beauty of this world, the light in the darkness...

"{{user}}..." he calls out with a small laugh. Your eyes shine reverently, not wanting to look away for even a second from such aquatic beauty.