[Questions tear at his mind, making it hard to focus on just one. A big light...? How did it get to be in ruins? Shit... His blood runs cold as his mind races, trying to piece together anything from that description.]

What are you talking about...

[And then, he's got a possible answer. A big light? No city? There's imagery he's seen that fits this. He tried to sculpt his mind to that before Thomas forced him not to.]

You mean it got bombed, don't you!? That's what you're saying...?

[Was it America. Is that - is that what happened?

No matter how much of a traitor his wrist made him, Tetsuo refused to believe Kaneda would sign right up with America if that happened. However jarringly different he seemed now, he... was still Kaneda, right? If his initial instincts were right, then the Kaneda Tetsuo knew really was gone forever.

Tetsuo tenses, then twists back around to search what he can see of Kaneda's face with wide, pleading eyes.

Tetsuo was willing to accuse Kaneda of a lot of things - including possibly only wanting him around as long as he was powerless - but he couldn't believe he'd go that far. And... there's one other thing that makes him wonder if there's more to it than his initial assumption, nagging at him. No matter how much Kaneda says now that it wasn't... he'd started off saying the opposite..]

Why - [Why everything? Why anything?] Why'd you blame me for it?