The rescue was a complete success.
Because the serpent was neutralized instantly, the Reclamation Team only suffered a few minor injuries. Commander Sophie noted that if we had arrived even a minute later, the casualties would have been catastrophic.
It was a solid debut. I could feel the hostile and suspicious glares from the border guards and the other cadets soften considerably.
With the immediate crisis resolved, the Marksmanship Club moved on to the scheduled volunteer work.
"Here is how you plant the terraforming saplings," an experienced border instructor explained, demonstrating in the sand.
"It's just dry sand," a cadet muttered skeptically. "Will these things even take root?"
"Just watch," the instructor said.
