[b]New Clark City - 10/18/2022, 19:38 UTC+8[/b]

Jasmine exited the vehicle first, bearing an ample knapsack and wearing a sundress. She heralded the disembarking military personnel and Noble Masters as they descended the steps onto the fresh concrete below and encircled her. Iker was last and lingered longest. His shorts and collared T-shirt caused him to stick out unfashionably from the ensemble. On the final step, he inhaled the twilight air. [color=fff200]"Fresher than that of urban landscapes; lovelier than the sea's,"[/color] he commented, [color=fff200]"our transport's exhaust notwithstanding."[/color]

The streetlights at that moment happened to flicker on, and Jasmine announced: "Welcome to New Clark City's inaugural evening shift!"

The following awkward pause hampered the cheerful introduction. "It feels so... empty," remarked a traveler. "It's eerie."

"As I'd suspect of a pet development project during wartime," Jasmine supposed. "It's nighttime, as well."

"So... What do we do?"

Jasmine lacked a fitting answer. "Well, um, walk around. Check out the facilities? Enjoy yourselves!"

[color=fff200]"I recommend locating the restrooms and whatever amenities have food and drink,"[/color] Iker intervened. [color=fff200]"Remember this location relative to key landmarks, such as that government complex over yonder. I'd otherwise identify what work was needed and assemble a squad, but, since I'm to relax... Is there a tennis court present?"[/color]

"It's largely track and field, or alternatively a covered Olympic size swimming pool," Jasmine suggested.

[color=fff200]"Oh."[/color] The minor assembly returned to silence.

A soldier signaled for attention. "I'm running laps in the amphitheater, if anyone wishes to join." He jogged off. Stragglers trickled behind him until Iker and Jasmine comprised the remnant.

Jasmine bowed in deferral. "You have experience with this!"

[color=fff200]"Most employment in my adult career started by departing a bus,"[/color] Iker explained. [color=fff200]"You learn to unravel alien environments. Not everyone and everywhere is identical, but they do share certain aspects."[/color]

"Wonderful!" Jasmine affirmed. "Meanwhile, as the stadium's occupied, what say we visit the aquatics center?"

[color=fff200]"I'd rather not,"[/color] Iker stated. [color=fff200]"And, I apologize, but I'd be a poor lifeguard if you sought to utilize it yourself."[/color]

"Why is that?"

Iker swallowed, hesitant to disclose the information. [color=fff200]"I can't swim."[/color]

Jasmine instinctively laughed at the absurdity and tried to rein herself in. "Wait, but I heard you manned the lifeboat?"

Iker nodded. [color=fff200]"That was a boat."[/color]

That was hardly an explanation. "So you risked your life, knowing how dangerous failure was for you especially?"

[color=fff200]"It's what you do everyday, isn't it?"[/color]

Jasmine reflected on Iker's comment. An attaché had the luxury of safety, merely tasked with supporting from the sidelines. She motioned for Iker to follow. "If you're in the employ of the navy, that won't do! Let's remedy that, shall we?"

[b]New Clark City - Aquatics Center - 10/18/2022, 20:49 UTC+8[/b]

Jasmine had packed a modest two piece swimsuit with her gear, and the grounds thankfully possessed official spare shirts and trunks for Iker (which an hour of [s]rummaging and scrounging[/s] exploration would produce). They forewent the massive professional lanes for the humble training area. Iker submerged his bare feet. Jasmine lay herself astride the edge. "How's the water?"

[color=fff200]"I anticipated colder."[/color] Iker recalled a prior gig in the wintertime, beside a frozen lake. He had doubted the frigidity that the rumors detailed. Curiosity nearly succumbed his digits to frostbite; his comrades saved him. He shuddered in remembrance. [color=fff200]"It's quite warm, actually."[/color]

"Doesn't look it from my view," Jasmine teased.

[color=fff200]"Recognized."[/color] Iker ventured further, pausing as it touched his waist and just before it reached his bearded chin. [color=fff200]"I await your instructions, maestro."[/color] Iker glanced aside. [color=fff200]"Maestra?"[/color]

"Either works," Jasmine chuckled, kicking her legs up in alternation. "I want you to mimic this." Iker's mimicry resembled an a old fashioned march. "No, off the ground, and much faster," Jasmine corrected.

Iker jumped up and followed his teacher's directions, bobbing himself upward while suspended underwater. He teetered into the ledge, bumping close to Jasmine and catching himself with his hands. [color=fff200]"Apologies."[/color]

"No, that was adequate," Jasmine assured.

Meters away, her backpack vibrated, emanating a repeated fragment of a heavy metal tune. Iker pointed to it. [color=fff200]"Is that important?"[/color]

"It's my cellphone," she dismissed, mildly embarrassed. "No, we're on a roll. I don't wish to disrupt that."

[color=fff200]"What if it's an emergency?"[/color]

She peered back as the device chirped. "There's naught we can accomplish out here," she countered. "Admiral Abasolo mandated productive relaxation, and we're doing that. If he demanded us specifically, he told me he'd send an escort to recall us. Perhaps a helicopter! Return to your exercises; you were doing swimmingly. Next, you'll outline circles with your arms, cupping the surface and pushing it underneath you. Lie on your belly for this, as I am."

Iker breathed deeply and planked flatly. Despite splashing Jasmine, he successfully propelled himself forward. Jasmine beheld him sputtering like a toy mechanism to the opposite side, where he bounced innocently off. He floated backwards, motionless. Jasmine stood up in alert. After a few seconds passed, he flailed about, a flurry of white foam obscuring the helpless whelp.

Without skipping a beat, Jasmine dove in, wrapped herself across his abdomen, and kicked herself to shore. As Iker coughed up the chlorinated solution, Jasmine exhaled. "Don't forget to breathe, you fool! Tilt your head sideways!" She embraced him. "You had me worried there!" In the distance, the telephone reiterated hard rock.

[color=fff200]"It's not my only brush with death; simply my sorriest,"[/color] Iker quipped. [color=fff200]"Regardless, I appreciate it. Permission to commence again?"[/color]

Jasmine waited for her heart to stop pounding as she vacated and dried herself off. She investigated her pack. Not looking at its screen for notifications, she shutdown her phone and stowed it. Her matters settled, she crisscrossed on the pavement. "Alright. Don't scare me this time."

Iker's second attempt was noisier and splashier but smoother. He remembered to collect oxygen, and he clung to the finish line once his crown bumped into it. Jasmine applauded. "Excellent; it's a start!" She stopped herself. "Sorry, that sounded condescending. Are you okay with... all this? I'm treating you as a child."

Iker inspected his watery reflection. [color=fff200]"I was in Argentina, the Cordoba region if you're familiar with the geography. The hired help were intended to carry these enormous bales of hay."[/color] He outstretched his arm for effect but lost balance and reclaimed his position. [color=fff200]"Raul was a street rat, down on his luck. He migrated to the countryside because none would hire him in Buenos Aires."[/color]

His eyes grew misty. [color=fff200]"He wasn't strong, but he was willing. He never adapted to the climate, though. When he hauled it up to the truck with his partner, his allergies forced him to sneeze. He relaxed his grip, and the bale slid and crushed his chest. He died in the hospital."[/color] He looked to the sky. [color=fff200]"It gave me perspective on the world. Something as simple as that can kill. A mining incident killed my father, and I figure I might die from another triviality. Humans are fragile creatures, indeed."[/color]

He smiled. [color=fff200]"So I don't mind mockery, or mocking others in kind. The sheer scale of things beyond us, or that can be made so, renders any arrogance fruitless. My quest is to guide other folk through the hazards, that by my sacrifice my neighbors may prosper."[/color] He refreshed his mindset. [color=fff200]"That was far too heady a topic for my intention. Whoops."[/color]

Jasmine arose and circumnavigated to Iker's place. "No, that was beautiful." She extended her hand to pull Iker out. "I suppose that's enough practice for tonight. It's getting late; we should change, and notify the land athletes."