"Every beginning whispers its own end — but some are loud enough to shake the world."
The metallic hum of the Western Base's command wing filled the air as Unit 3 gathered around the circular holo-table. Maps and mission grids glowed in pale blue light, reflecting across their tired faces.
Vexen stood at the center, arms folded, wind resonance swirling faintly at his boots. His sharp grin was gone — replaced by the look of a soldier ready to lead.
Jet leaned toward Po, whispering, "Why do I feel like this is gonna hurt?"
"Because it always does," Po muttered back.
Vexen cleared his throat. "Alright, cadets. Listen up."
The chatter stopped instantly.
He tapped the console, and a flickering map of Halvyr City came up — tight streets, Dominion checkpoints, and red-marked pursuit zones.
"Our next mission comes directly from Commander Cael. There's a scientist on the run — Dr. Lyra Voss. She's carrying data the Dominion would burn the sky to bury. We're to extract her and escort her to Central Base for presentation before the Council."
Rayon frowned. "So it's a protection op?"
Vexen nodded. "Extraction and escort. Minimal confrontation if possible. She's too valuable for a firefight."
Lana crossed her arms. "And what about Captain Elyra? Shouldn't she be leading this?"
Vexen's tone softened slightly. "Elyra's already on assignment. She and the other captains are accompanying Commander Cael to Central ahead of us. You'll be under my command for this mission."
The announcement drew mixed reactions — Jet's groan, Po's resigned sigh, Rayon's quiet nod. But Kaen stayed silent, gaze focused on the map.
Vexen noticed. His grin returned — just barely. "You've changed, kid."
Kaen blinked. "Sir?"
Vexen tilted his head. "Hair white, eyes glowing, standing straighter than usual — you don't even flinch when I look at you anymore. Guess you finally decided who you are."
A faint smile tugged at Kaen's mouth. "Still figuring that out."
Vexen smirked. "Good. Keep doing that. The battlefield's the best teacher there is."
The wind user's gaze swept across the team, his tone sharp again. "Now — assignments."
He flicked the holo-map to a split layout showing two routes.
"Lana, Rayon — you're being reassigned temporarily. Captain Elyra requested you two personally to accompany her team to Central as security detail. You'll leave within the hour."
Lana's eyes widened. "Wait, what?!"
Vexen's tone stayed firm. "You heard me. You've both proven reliable, and Elyra needs trusted eyes on that route."
Rayon nodded immediately. "Understood, sir."
Lana hesitated. Her lips parted like she wanted to protest — but then she caught Kaen's gaze across the table. He gave her a small nod — quiet, reassuring.
Her shoulders sank. "Understood, sir."
Vexen smirked. "Don't look so grim, Flame Tyrant. You'll be back before you miss him."
That earned him a red glare and an embarrassed huff. "I don't—! That's not—! Ugh!"
Jet elbowed Kaen. "You so owe me dinner for this wingman moment."
Kaen sighed. "You're unbelievable."
Po muttered, "And yet, unfortunately, unstoppable."
Vexen pinched the bridge of his nose. "Focus, children."
He gestured toward the remaining three. "Kaen, Jet, Po — you're with me. We'll depart within the next six hours for Halvyr. The Dominion has mercenaries and assassins crawling through that city. Our goal is to reach Dr. Voss before they do."
The lights on the map pulsed red — movement markers surrounding a blinking blue dot.
"That," Vexen said, "is her last known signal. After that… she went dark."
Kaen studied the map, quiet determination tightening his jaw. "Then we find her before the Dominion does."
"Exactly."
Vexen shut off the holo-display. "Get prepped. Weapons, armor, resonance stabilizers. We move by nightfall."
He paused as they started to leave, voice lowering. "And cadets…"
They turned.
"Don't underestimate this mission. Protect her. Protect each other. That's an order."
They saluted in unison — and for the first time, Vexen returned the gesture fully.
Elsewhere…
The city of Halvyr burned in twilight haze — neon lights flickering through layers of steam, Dominion banners hanging like shadows over the streets.
Footsteps echoed through an alley. A figure sprinted — cloak torn, hair disheveled, a small data drive clutched tightly in one gloved hand.
Dr. Lyra Voss stumbled into the light, chest heaving, eyes wild. Her glasses were cracked, her coat bloodied.
Behind her, the sound of metallic boots drew closer.
Mercenaries.
Their voices echoed through the maze of narrow corridors:
"Spread out! She's close!"
"She can't have gone far—Dominion wants her alive!"
Lyra pressed herself against a wall, trembling. Her breath came shallow. The faint hum of Dominion drones passed overhead, scanning the streets.
Two mercenaries rushed past her hiding place — she could feel the wind from their steps brush against her sleeve.
She didn't move. Not even to breathe.
The moment they disappeared around the corner, she bolted the other way — toward the flickering lights of the lower district.
Behind her, the drone turned back.
Its red sensor flared.
And just like that—
the hunt began again.
"The truth doesn't hide from power — it runs from it, bleeding, until someone is brave enough to catch it."