The sun was beginning to rise over New Alexandria as three teams of soldiers gathered at the eastern gate, preparing for their mission into the wild. The air was crisp with a hint of anticipation as they organized themselves, laser rifles gleaming in the faint light.
Captain Mary Lain of Team Bravo stood at the forefront, her commanding presence evident as she oversaw the preparations. She checked her own equipment, making sure her weapons were fully operational and her tactical gear was secured.
Her team consisted of Private Emma Morin, Private Larry Carter, Private Dylan Cunningham, and their newest member, Private Lucas Anderson, who had recently joined Team Bravo to substitute for Private John Murray. They worked swiftly and efficiently, each soldier grabbing their gear with practiced efficiency.
The other team was Team Delta, led by the newly appointed Captain Nico Montgomery, who moved with purpose as they readied themselves for the mission.
The other team members diligently followed Captain Montgomery's orders, grabbing their laser rifles and checking their explosives. However, the team's cohesion and camaraderie were not great since this was a newly established team, as most of the members died during the attack on the city.
The last team was Team Tiger, comprised of Captain Bisk, Private Miranda Morin, and three other members who had substituted Andrea, Jacob, and Azelia. They were not less powerful than their predecessors, but it was clear that it was not the same for Bisk and Miranda. Bisk and Miranda had formed a strong bond with their previous team members, and adjusting to the new dynamic was difficult. Despite this, they were doing what they were tasked with without complaining.
Captain Lain raised her hand as the teams finished their preparations, signaling for them to gather around her. The soldiers quickly formed a tight circle, their laser rifles and white weapons slung over their shoulders, and listened attentively to their respective team leaders.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen," Captain Lain began, her voice carrying authority. "We have a mission ahead of us, and we cannot afford any mistakes. We are Frant's best of the best, and we had been tasked with finding the Heniate. So, stay vigilant, watch out for each other, and remember your training. We leave as soon as the gate is open. Move out!"
ραпdα n?νa| сom With a chorus of "Yes, ma'am." and nods of determination, the soldiers moved towards the gate, the anticipation palpable in the air.
The teams made their way toward the parking lot where their land SUVs were parked, moving swiftly and silently. The morning light was slowly brightening the sky as they approached the vehicles, their laser rifles held at the ready in case of any unforeseen threats.
Captain Lain led Team Bravo and the other teams toward their designated SUV, with her team following closely behind. They quickly loaded their gear into the vehicle, ensuring everything was securely stowed. Emma took the wheel, ready to drive. The others did the same, and quickly every team was ready to depart.
Then the eastern gate doors slowly opened, revealing the vast wilderness beyond. Captains Lain, Montgomery, and Bisk exchanged nods, a silent signal to move out. The SUVs roared to life, speeding towards the gate with their laser rifles and equipment secured in the back.
With a burst of excitement, the teams raced through the gate, their vehicles kicking up dust as they accelerated into the wild. The inside of the gate slowly disappeared behind them as the door closed, and they were now fully immersed in the untamed wilderness. The drivers navigated through rugged terrain, the boulders, and the artillery embedded in the ground, and which was still under repair as they raced toward the outer wall. As they raced through, the soldiers couldn't help but take notice of the destruction that the Thaids had wrought.
Captain Lain's sharp eyes caught sight of the holes in the ground between the barrier and the city wall. It was clear from the deep craters and scars left in their wake by the monsters' repeated attempts to breach the city's defenses that they had failed, as well as from the ones made by the army's attempts to defend the city. Emma and Lain exchanged solemn glances, realizing the magnitude of the threat that almost destroyed their capital city.
As Team Bravo drove further, Emma, who was at the wheel, carefully observed the upturned trees at the forest's edge. Bombs, brain crystal powers, and thaids had clearly plowed through the once-thriving forest, leaving a path of destruction in their wake.
The broken trunks and branches littered the ground and were currently on their way to be removed by the soldiers.
The army soldiers were also in the process of gathering some of the massive Thaids' remains. The sight was chilling and sobering. Lain, Bisk, and Montgomery knew that they were probably going to fight these kinds of monsters in the near future; it was scary to think about it.
It was even possible to spot claw marks on rocks and deep gouges on the ground, signs of the recent battle that took place outside the city.
"It's heartbreaking to see what could have happened to the city if we didn't manage to stop the invasion," remarked Emma.
"Yeah, the scale of their rampage is unbelievable," added Captain Montgomery, his voice filled with emotion.
"Hey, sis, where were you when the battle started?" Miranda asked Emma.
"North side, with Captain Lain. We even faced the Blirdoth," the woman replied, with a slight tint of pride in it.
"We know it was in all the newspapers," Dylan replied. He could not join her team members in that fight, and he missed the glory of battling the Blirdoth.
"What, are you jealous?" Captain Lain said. They kept bickering with each other, but quickly the conversation turned to each team member expressing their anger and frustration over the destruction caused by the Thaids. The memories of the battle were still fresh in their minds, and the images of chaos haunted them.
As they drove past the outer wall, their resolve increased. They knew their mission's stakes were high, and they were determined to make the Heniate pay for its actions.
They quickly entered the forest, following the trail from which the thaids' horde came. The rugged wilderness and the remnants of the Thaid attack only fueled their resolve to protect their city and complete their mission.
The teams moved in a tight convoy, keeping a keen eye out for any potential threats. The landscape around them was rugged and unforgiving, but they were prepared.
"All right, just a brief recap of the situation," Lain said. "The Blirdoth was first spotted 4000 kilometers east from our current position, so the higher-ups assumed the Heniate must be there. We are not certain about this, so the first thing we will do is search a 20-kilometer-wide area for the monster."
"Indeed," Bis added, "Keep in mind that there could be monsters at levels higher than the KAPPA one. In that case, we should avoid them. Report to me if you spot them."
"Yes, sir," Bisk's team members replied.
The trip proceeded calmly for some hours. The journey to their destination was long, so Lain observed her team members and quickly noticed Emma and Miranda talking. They were sisters, and it was even weirder that they had been assigned to the same mission but on different teams. Lain was curious about her subordinate, as she didn't talk that much about her youth.
"So, how was Emma when she was a child?" Lain asked Miranda with genuine curiosity.
Emma exchanged a glance with her sister before the woman replied, "She was a sweetheart, but our family's demands quickly ruined that. They had high expectations for us, being born with our powerful abilities. We were trained from a young age to control them and join the military soon after the military academy."
Miranda nodded in agreement. Lain nodded, impressed. "That must have been quite an experience. Your family certainly had a prestigious reputation in New Alexandria."
Emma smiled faintly. "Yes, they do. But it also came with its own set of challenges and expectations. We were constantly under scrutiny and had to work hard to meet those expectations."
Lain nodded understandingly, then asked, "So, why did you both decide to join the military in the end? Was it your family's wish?"
Miranda sighed softly before replying, "In a way, yes. Our family wanted us to use our powers for the greater good, and serving in the military seemed like a way to do that. It was expected of us, and we obeyed."
Emma nodded in agreement. "Yeah, basically everyone in our family is in the military."
Lain could sense a hint of sadness in their voices. She realized the Morin sisters had joined the military out of duty rather than personal choice. She decided to change the topic, wanting to avoid pressing them further.
"Well, regardless of your reasons for joining, I'm glad to have had your sister on my team. Her skills and abilities are invaluable to us," Lain said with a smile, trying to lift their spirits.
Emma and Miranda exchanged grateful glances, their expressions softening. "Thank you, Captain Lain," Emma replied sincerely.
(A.N: Hello guys. To apologize for the past few days' single-chapter release, I uploaded slightly longer ones. You will be able to see them in five days, but you can do so now if you buy privilege. Also, read the Author's notes below)
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