The extraction shuttle arrived an hour later. The Gravorgs had suffered sixty percent casualties, but they'd held the line. Their leader clasped Echo's arm with a stone hand.
"You fight well, little flesh-thing. Honor to your bonds."
Back at Aethelgard, the debrief was clinical. Commander Selene reviewed their combat data, her expression unreadable.
"Efficient. Unconventional. Your bond-resonance turned the tide." She paused. "The Thinker called you 'Anomaly.' Explain."
Echo kept his voice level. "It was trying to disrupt our morale. Psychological warfare."
Selene's eyes narrowed, but she nodded. "Perhaps. Regardless, your performance earns your team a commendation. 500 AP each. And access to the Advanced Simulation Chambers for specialized training."
It was a reward, but also a test. The Advanced Chambers were where the Academy's best were pushed to their limits—and closely observed.
As they left the debrief room, Mira leaned close. "She doesn't believe you."
"I know," Echo murmured. "We have to be more careful than ever."