The Storm Wolf: Gathering Clouds - 3. Snowflakes

Snowflakes: It is said that no two snowflakes are alike. Has anyone ever actually tried to find a match?

A full hundred million particles of adamantine moved at my will, sweeping through the entire room like a raging blizzard.

Each particle had its own unique shape, modeled after snowflakes, using a basic hexagonal unit to stack into countless larger, more intricate ice crystals. Each one was different, but together, they formed the very concept of snow.

This allowed me to use consciousness union to manage a quantity so vast it would be impossible to comprehend individually. This was my exclusive skill, something even Luther couldn't imitate.

It's said that this is related to how we perceive ourselves. I could effortlessly sense every tiny snowflake falling from the sky, as if each were an extension of my own consciousness.

Luther would have to find his own way; otherwise, he'd never truly master the Empire's Heart or achieve the goal of building this marvelously grand structure--the Empire's Heart wasn't merely a very large ship.

Even though I had accepted that I wasn't truly the master of the Empire's Heart, recalling this still brought a hint of melancholy. After all, I had prepared for this for so long, and all the pain and sacrifice were for the dawn of a final reckoning.

However, there was still a role that only I could play--something that no one else could replace.

With that in mind, I glanced again at the black box on the display rack--hopefully, Luther wouldn't be too angry by then.

Then again, we might not even live to see that final reckoning. Who knows?

I shrugged and was about to look away when I noticed another black box beside it.

Huh? When did that get there? And... was that a ribbon?

With Domination, I pulled the black box tied with a red ribbon onto the desk. At the same time, the terminal chimed with an incoming call. I answered the communication link at the desk, the pure metallic storm raging around me. Quite the mood-setter.

"...He's made all the printers malfunction, and now I have to check each prescription against the actual medication manually!" Karl's roar nearly ruptured my eardrums.

"I believe I did warn you that he's stronger than me." I dared to shrug because I knew the old German shepherd couldn't see me. "Wouldn't it be faster to disintegrate them and reprint a new batch?"

"That's not an option because all the logistics staff coming to replace the parts are waiting for medical pod diagnostics, the upright scanner is down, and the handheld ones are too inefficient!" Karl sounded a bit desperate.

"Uh... What about the engineering team? Are they held up by something else?" I scratched my ear, trying to make sure I didn't sound too aloof.

"Who do you think is using the medical pods right now?" The terminal carried the sound of Karl cursing someone. "The printer created some... thing, and it's spewing acid everywhere!" More curses and a few cries followed. "Your mutt almost demolished the sick bay trying to kill that unspeakable abomination!"

"To banish 'unnamable flesh,' you need the resonance of a complete adamantine weapon. Luther's attunement with Ether still needs improvement..." I rubbed my temples, imagining the situation. "Do you need my help?"

"No, absolutely not!" Karl's tone was firm. "I only contacted you to remind you how foresighted I was in opposing your mutt wandering around on the flagship! I just got rid of him, and the last thing I need is more surreal monstrosities coming out of the printers!"

"Technically, it's 'extradimensional,' but your understanding is close enough." I fiddled with the black box tied with the red ribbon in my paw, ultimately deciding to study it later since there were more pressing matters. "You know I can help. It feels strange to stand by when crew members are hurt."

"No, save me your savior complex!" Karl roared, startling me with his anger--I couldn't understand how this was connected to savior complex. Wasn't this just a basic decency? "And don't give me that 'basic decency' nonsense; I'm too tired to argue. Take your meticulous logic elsewhere."

The Chief Medical Officer's tone made me swallow my words.

"This is why discipline in the fleet is becoming increasingly lax," Karl sighed and resumed speaking in a calmer voice. "If I have to keep defying you, won't the rest of the officers follow suit?"

"But..." I gestured, making the door slide open.

"I'm still lecturing!" Karl barked again, and I had to hold the terminal away from my ear.

"Yes, Master..." My ears involuntarily flattened against my head as I mumbled.

"Your personal brand of 'leading by example' is so evident that you seem eager to dismantle not just the fleet, but the entire military organization, rather than set an example. Your stunt of jumping out of the airlock to land on Aphrodite' surface, just to prove how unnecessary ground forces are, still gives me nightmares!" I stood silently in front of the transport pod door, without summoning it. "I don't care how strong you are like a star or how deeply you've planned for the future of the world--this isn't okay!"

In the recesses of my memory, I seemed to recall someone else saying something similar to me, but I couldn't remember who.

"You can't protect everyone, and trying to do so only leads to the opposite effect, conflicting with your duty as a commander," Karl continued, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "And while I know this is what you believe, why do your actions always appear like you're pushing everyone away--as if you're preparing to abandon us at any moment--to abandon everyone who follows you?"

"I'm sorry, Karl..." I gritted my teeth to stop the sobs from escaping my throat. "I'll do better." How should I tell all of you...? How should I tell you all that I...

"Something happened during the landing ceremony, and you refused to talk about it. I understand that. But you should also understand that this is the third time you've nearly died under my watch, Richter. The average lifespan of a Snow faction wolf is one hundred and twenty years--I don't want..." Karl trailed off, falling silent for a while. "If you're ready someday, would you tell us what really happened?"

"I..." My entire life seemed to be spent trying to prepare for things I was never ready for. "I'll try, Karl."

The Chief Medical Officer sighed, seeming unsatisfied with my answer but accepting it nonetheless.

"In any case, I was just venting because I'm furious. And if the situation really is dire enough to need the fleet commander's presence in the infirmary, I'll let you know." Karl gave a quick report on the latest status of the infirmary, and after coordinating personnel and supplies, we ended the call.

Standing in front of the transport pod, I reflected on the Chief Medical Officer's words, trying to sort out my thoughts. Taking a deep breath, I extended my consciousness, fully spreading it to every corner of the Empire's Heart, feeling the countless tiny snowflakes.

Suddenly, two sharp pops resounded, and the surroundings plunged into darkness. Dim emergency lighting flickered on.

I was still wondering what was going on when the terminal received a communication from the reactor room.

"Uh, Admiral..." The screen showed a young German shepherd, looking a bit at a loss, scratching his ear with a hesitant expression. I couldn't remember the name of Leon's successor; hopefully, the Chief Engineer wouldn't mind. "It's Private First Class Luther."

I rubbed my temples and took a few deep breaths, preparing myself for whatever news might come next.