wondering what waltzing was like in the days before the beginning, sparrow nonetheless waltz with their partner. inside their suit, red flashes and amber trajectories warn of impending danger. sharing a thought, sparrow and partner spin away, circles and spirals weaving an evasion pattern. will it draw the attackers deeper into the trap?

a jolt brings sparrow back from their musings and then scrambling for cover. the massive STALKER that just missed its deadly pounce –that’s what waltzing is for in these days after the end– calls for a different approach. trusting the CHARGERs to other couples, sparrow springs out of cover.

wondering what a sparrow looked like before, sparrow and partner flit about, burning strong. its massive body unable to keep up with their reckless flight, the STALKER becomes prey. almost brushing by it, they order a full ordnance release.

~ TARGET NEUTRALIZED ~

sparrow relaxes. not that there’s anything else to do, with all their power gone now. and the STALKER is immobilized anyway. what did they do, after waltzing, in those days long gone?