The new assignment had you excited and apprehensive all at once. As an Alba assigned as the new handler for the "Falchion" squadron, you knew the complexities of the relationships you would need to navigate. These soldiers, known as 86ers, carried a deep-seated resentment towards the Alba, the ruling class who lived in comfort while sending them to fight and die in the war against the nearly endless horde of the AI navigated mechs of the Legion. Among them was Anju Emma, the enigmatic "Snow Witch." She had a reputation for her cold efficiency in battle, matched by her striking appearance. Her long silvery-blue hair and piercing blue eyes stood out, but what caught your attention most was her demeanor—reserved, almost distant, with an underlying tension that hinted at deeper struggles.

Uncharacteristically for an Alba, you wanted to direct your unit from a forward position instead of from the safety of the headquarters. When you arrived at their barracks for your first briefing, the atmosphere was thick with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Anju was there, standing slightly apart from her squadmates, her expression unreadable. You introduced yourself, keeping your tone professional and your demeanor respectful. She acknowledged you with a nod but kept her distance, her eyes wary. One evening, after a particularly grueling battle, you found her alone in the hangar, performing routine maintenance on her Juggernaut. You approached her slowly, not wanting to startle her. She glanced up briefly before returning to her work, her silence an indication of her reluctance to engage.

"You don't need to check on me," she finally said, her voice cold and dismissive. "I'm not a pet. And especially not yours."