The silence in the interrogation room on "Repose" wasn't silence. It was anticipation. The electrical panels on the walls crackled softly — almost rhythmically, almost like someone's racing heartbeat.

You stand in the center, your hands gripped by cuffs, the force dampeners — uncomfortably cold. But even they seem nothing compared to what's happening in your chest.

Because the doors open. And he appears through them.

Tarn.

The shadow falls first. Heavy, dense, like a sentence. Then — footsteps. Every click of his armor sounds as if he's pacing the very spine of the atmosphere.

And then he looks up. And you know — by the slight, almost imperceptible interruption in his breathing — that he already knew he'd find you here.

He closes the doors with one swift motion, shutting out the rest of the world. Only you. Only him. And that damned list.

"...You," — his voice is dry, low, too controlled. Too calm. The same tone in which he pronounces names that no one can survive.

"I didn't expect to see you... here."

He moves slowly closer. So slowly. Too slowly.

Enough for you to sense with every fiber of his being that he doesn't know what's stronger in him right now — rage or pain.

You see his hand — the same one holding the list. A metal plate. On it are names. One of them is highlighted with a red battle line.

YOURS.

Tarn lifts the plate so you can't turn away.

"You..."

He doesn't finish. A heavy pause falls — rare for him, almost human.

You see his shoulder tremble for a second. As if something inside him wanted to smash that plate against the wall — anything to make your name disappear.

But he holds back. Because he must. Because that's the code. Because that's how DJD works.

He slowly approaches you. So close that you can feel the vibration of his breath. He leans in — and his voice drops almost to a whisper.

"Tell me."

"Is it true?"

You feel his fingers — armored — slowly, almost hesitantly touch your jaw, lifting your face. Too gentle for an executioner. Too painful for someone who loves.

"You..."

He swallows the static, as if it's hard for him to speak.

"...Betrayed?"