Chapter 17: A Moment of Rest
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The battleship thundered across the morning sky, leaving the battlefield far behind. Smoke still drifted from the burning city below, but Princess Aurora was finally safe. Inside the transport, the atmosphere was quiet. Hours of constant fighting, exhaustion, and the loss of so many soldiers weighed heavily on everyone. Sergeant Randy sat silently near the cargo bay, checking his rifle one last time before setting it aside. Across from him, Kayla monitored her medic drone while Kevin cleaned the dust from his Deployable Magshield. Wolf leaned against the wall with his light machine gun resting across his knees, and Ghost sat alone in the corner, his invisibility suit powered down as he quietly closed his eyes.
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Several hours later, the battleship crossed into the airspace of the Republic of Eimpus. The massive military airbase stretched across the horizon, with rows of transport aircraft, armored vehicles, and security personnel already waiting for their arrival. As the battleship slowly descended onto the runway, its engines roared before finally powering down.
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The loading ramp lowered.
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Sergeant Randy stepped off first, followed by Kevin, Wolf, Kayla, Ghost, Sergeant Elsie Lee, her remaining soldiers, Princess Aurora, Lieutenant Benjamin Allen, and Toby Lane.
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Waiting for them were dozens of heavily armed Republic security guards standing at attention. Behind them stood a man wearing a formal black military uniform with silver rank insignias.
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He stepped forward confidently.
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"My name is Frankie Lloyd," he introduced himself. "I am the commander of the Republic's new Royal Security Division. Prime Minister Darius has asked me to personally thank every one of you for risking your lives to save his daughter. Princess Aurora will now be escorted safely back to her father."
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Princess Aurora smiled gratefully at the soldiers who had fought so hard for her rescue.
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Sergeant Randy nodded respectfully.
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"We all worked together. Nobody could have completed this mission alone."
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Frankie nodded.
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"Lieutenant Benjamin Allen and Toby Lane are already receiving medical treatment. Their recovery has begun."
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His expression became more solemn.
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"As for the rest of the Royal Guards who were killed in action... their families are currently being notified. They will be honored for their sacrifice."
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Everyone lowered their heads for a brief moment of silence.
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Frankie continued.
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"Commander Thorne has also authorized your team to remain here for one day of rest. Transportation and accommodations have already been prepared."
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"Thank you," Randy replied. "I think we all need some rest."
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Before leaving, Sergeant Elsie Lee approached Randy.
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"I wanted to thank you personally."
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Randy looked at her.
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"My team was running out of hope," Elsie admitted quietly. "We were surrounded, running low on ammunition, and protecting the princess with almost no chance of surviving. Then your team arrived."
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She smiled.
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"Your leadership saved us."
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Randy shook his head.
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"Everyone did their part."
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Elsie laughed softly.
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"Maybe... but you kept everyone alive. That's what makes a great leader."
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She extended her hand.
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"I hope we fight together again someday."
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Randy shook her hand firmly.
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"I'd be honored."
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Elsie nodded before turning toward her own squad.
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"My team has to report everything that happened."
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"Take care," Randy replied.
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You too."
The two teams separated, each heading different vehicles waiting nearby.
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Six hours later...
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After a long drive across the Republic, Randy's transport convoy finally arrived at a secure Republic Army base deep within the countryside.
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The convoy stopped beside a newly prepared barracks.
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Frankie Lloyd was already waiting.
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"Once again," he said, "thank you for everything you've done. These quarters have been prepared exclusively for your team."
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Randy looked toward the building before turning back to his squad.
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"Don't get too comfortable," he said. "We're not staying long."
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He looked back at Frankie.
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"So... what's next for you?"
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Frankie sighed.
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"After everything that happened to Princess Aurora, the Republic government is changing its security policies. I'll be attending an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Darius, senior generals, and military commanders."
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He glanced toward the headquarters building.
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"We have a lot to discuss."
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Randy nodded.
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"I understand."
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Frankie smiled.
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"Get some rest."
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With that, he walked away toward headquarters.
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Wolf looked around the barracks.
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"I've got to admit... this place looks pretty nice."
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Kevin laughed.
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"Better than sleeping in ruined buildings."
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Randy opened the door.
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"Alright, everyone. Store your weapons, secure your gear, and get some sleep. Transport arrives tomorrow morning at 0900."
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Wolf dropped his heavy backpack beside his bunk.
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"Finally... a real bed."
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Kevin stretched his arms.
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"The princess is safe, the mission's complete, and we actually get a break."
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Kayla placed her medic drone on a maintenance table and began running a complete systems diagnostic.
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"Drone battery at twenty-eight percent... minor rotor damage... medical supplies need restocking."
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She recorded the team's injuries into her medical report before finally shutting the drone down.
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"Everyone should recover after some rest," she said.
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Ghost quietly removed his tactical gear, placed his helmet on the shelf beside his bed, and without saying a word, lay down and was asleep within minutes.
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Randy smiled slightly.
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"He earned it."
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After checking that everyone's weapons were secured and the room was locked down, Randy looked around at his exhausted squad.
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"Alright, everyone."
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He turned off the lights.
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"Rest while you can. We move early tomorrow... and Kayla, you too."
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She smiled.
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"Yes, Sergeant."
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The barracks soon became silent.
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For the first time in days, there were no explosions, no alarms, and no gunfire.
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Only peace.
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Eight hours later...
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Before sunrise, the team was already awake.
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One by one they dressed in their combat uniforms, secured their armor, checked their weapons, and attached their gadgets.
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Kevin folded his Deployable Magshield.
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Wolf inspected the feed mechanism on his light machine gun.
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Kayla confirmed her medic drone was fully charged.
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Ghost activated his invisibility suit for a quick systems test before powering it down again.
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Randy finished packing his equipment when the communicator resting on the table suddenly began flashing.
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Incoming transmission.
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He picked it up.
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"Sergeant Randy here."
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Commander Thorne's face appeared on the display.
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"My team is ready," Randy reported. "We're waiting for transport."
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Thorne's expression was unusually serious.
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"Change of plans."
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Randy immediately sensed something was wrong.
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"The situation has gotten worse."
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The room became completely silent.
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"Your team will remain in the Republic of Eimpus."
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Randy frowned.
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"Understood, sir. What's our new mission?"
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"You'll receive a full operational briefing shortly."
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The transmission ended.
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Randy slowly lowered the communicator.
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Kevin looked over.
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"That's not good."
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"No," Randy answered.
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"It isn't."
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He looked around at his team.
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"Looks like our break is over."
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No one complained.
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Without another word, the team gathered their equipment and prepared for whatever mission awaited them next.
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End of Chapter 17
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