Beckett's flight unit ignited, its thrusters roaring as he stabilized midair, his silhouette a purple blaze against the evening sky.
The cannon hurtled back toward him, responding like an extension of his will—its form splitting mid-flight, transforming into a rifle and a pistol, both humming with uncontained energy.
Without hesitation, Beckett raised the rifle, its core surging, and in the next instant—
A barrage of radion beams tore through the sky, streaking toward the retreating Styx dragons with unrelenting force.
The beasts twisted, their metallic scales reflecting the blinding assault. Their movements were desperate as they dove toward the Nest, retreating into the depths of the trench.
But Beckett?
Beckett wasn't going to let them go so easily.
His engines screamed, his form tilting forward as he descended after them, the sound of his approach drowned beneath the dragons' echoing roars, their fury reverberating from below.
The moment the Styx and General Beckett vanished into the trench, it was as if someone had pressed play on the Citadel's operations once more.
The barriers dropped, dissipating as the city returned to motion, the frozen urgency resuming its relentless rhythm.
Engines roared to life, ships lifting off with renewed urgency, their destinations varying—some reinforcing positions, others preparing for rapid deployment into hot zones.
Meanwhile, medic squads flooded the field, they streamed out of the citadel with others hoping to save what would be any survivors who survived the aftermath of the battle.
Gilbert took a deep breath, his shoulders heavy.
"Alright," he murmured releasing a slow breath, addressing his squad.
"Head to the armory, then return to the barracks and get some rest. We've earned it."
His gaze flickered toward Aisling, offering a subtle nod of acknowledgment before turning toward the medical wing.
As he walked away, Kean tilted his head.
"Where is he going? Did he forget where the barracks are located? Oi- ouch! Who hit me?"
Adam, passing by spun his sniper rifle along his torso, gave him a sidelong glance but said nothing.
Beside him, William sighed with a shake of his head.
"It is quite obvious," he intoned, sounding like one of their professors.
"He intends to check on the girl."
Kean blinked, still processing, while Vivian scoffed at him shaking her short hair.
"Honestly, must you be so insipid? It is painfully obvious Giobert is off to indulge his sentimental nonsense once again."
Her tone makes the entire affair seem tedious.
Gilbert traveled through the Citadel his mind heavy with thoughts, arriving at the medical wing he used his helmet's HUD to see where they were holding Lorelai, he followed the map for several steps but then he paused. Instead, he went towards where the offices were located.
Pausing at the door it was marked Doctor Eden, he let the AI alert her to his presence then he was allowed in. Stepping inside the office Aniela could be seen at her desk studying some medical records while typing on a holographic keyboard. Staring at her back Gilbert took a deep breath. For several seconds all that could be heard in the office was the hum of electronics.
The silence was eventually broken by Aniela's plain soothing voice.
"What do you want, Gilbert? You just returned from deployment, correct? So what could be so urgent that you rushed over here," She asked in a blunt familiar tone.
Gilbert took one last deep breath before speaking.
"I need a favor," He said slowly.
"Oh, a favor." She said interest mixing into her dull tone as she paused her work turning to face him crossing her legs. "What is it that you need, my dear lumberjack?"
"There is a small girl being held in a quarantine zone, I was wondering is possible for you to give me a chance to visit her? If that is not possible could you check on her for me?" Gilbert asked speaking quickly as if in a hurry to get all the words out of his mouth.
Aniela's brow lifted slightly, her expression losing its interest.
"A small girl, held in quarantine," she repeated, her fingers tapping lightly against the armrest of her chair, her eyes studying Gilbert. "And you want me to either grant you access or personally oversee her condition?"
She exhaled quietly turning back to her holographic keyboard.
"You've come here in a hurry, stumbling over words for something like that-"
Her tone remained steady as she continuously tapped her keyboard.
"It is not that I cannot do it but tell me Gilbert- why does this child warrant such concern?"
Gilbert stood there, staring at her wine-red hair, his thoughts heavy.
"She's a small girl named Lorelai. The battlefield was set for cleanup when we found her and brought her back—but supposedly, the area had been laced with an enhanced strain of the Black Mind. So now, she's being held in quarantine."
Aniela listened, processing his words as she accessed the Citadel's system, pulling up Lorelai's profile—a file containing more information than Gilbert had known.
She studied it for a moment, her expression unreadable, before finally turning toward him.
"Alright, I'll make sure to keep an eye on her," she said, her tone measured yet firm.
Then—a pause, a glint of amusement in her eyes
"But you know how this works, my dear lumberjack—there's one thing which I want in return. So after you've rested come back here tonight"
Gilbert nodded at her before turning to leave, he had a long night ahead of him.
*****
"So, Gilbert, what exactly does Colonel Aniela need you to do at night? Is it going to be some boombyai? You know some karma sutra" Asked Kean, his words accompanied by exaggerated hip thrust.
The collective eye roll from the squad was immediate.
Gilbert, entirely unbothered, sprawled across a sofa, lazily sipping his sorrel through a straw.
"I'm going there strictly for business," he muttered, his tone flat and disinterested not bothering to entertain Kean's antics.
William who was playing a holographic game, his tone casual but inquisitive as he asked,
"But seriously though Gilbert, what does she want to see you for?"
Gilbert, already prepared for such a question, repeated a lie Aniela had crafted for him.
"She wants me to help with some studies she is doing based on naturals like me."
The explanation sounds plausible enough causing the squad to lose interest almost immediately, their attention shifting back to their routines, except for Adam and Anastasia.
Both of their gazes lingered, watching Gilbert for several seconds each pair of eyes carrying a different meaning but in the end like the rest they averted their gazes.
Checking the time, Gilbert got up for his appointment with Aniela, he signaled his squad but they all ignored him.
As he made his way towards the medical wing, he unexpectedly ran into Doctor Wolmer once more. As they were both out of uniform, Gilbert instinctively attempted to avoid him, taking the widest possible radius around him.
But it was as if Doctor Wolmer was waiting for him.
"Sergeant Kruger, a lovely night to you, sir! I've been meaning to speak with you!"
His voice boomed across the passageway catching everyone's attention.
Gilbert gritted his teeth before releasing a deep breath, his attempt to avoid Wolmer failing spectacularly. His mind raced with all kinds of exit strategies.
"Good night Doctor Wolmer. I would love to speak with you sir, but I have an appointment in the medical wing." Gilbert replied, his tone polite yet firm, as he tried to stride away.
Wolmer, however, was much was snake stalking prey.
"No worries Kruger-we can walk talk. I left something in my office anyways," he said, coolly as he effortlessly matched Gilbert's pace, continuing before Gilbert could find an excuse to refuse.
"I heard that there is a small child in the quarantine zone- one who they said was rescued by you. But don't worry she's under my care, I promise to take care of her."
Gilbert's heart pounded in his chest as step faltered-just for a second-before forced himself to keep moving.
"Well then, I would like to thank you in advance, sir."
Wolmer's smile remained, his hands comfortably clasped behind his back, his steps filled with ease.
"So then, Sergeant Kruger, how do you feel about your life in the Dragon Legion so far?"
Gilbert kept his expression blank, his tone neutral.
"It's been fine sir, it has been hard, but I've adjusted well enough."
"That's good to hear," Wolmer replied, his voice smooth and effortless. "I also heard one of your squadmates betrayed you before jumping ship. That must have hurt."
Gilbert's fist tightened slightly, but his words came out controlled.
"I don't worry about that anymore, sir. The position has been filled nicely."
Yet his thoughts were different.
"Thanks to you, at least we got to see what kind of person he really was. A snake just like you."
Wolmer's expression didn't change though his eyes carried a dark hue.
"That's good to know," he continued, unfazed. "But I have an offer for you, and I hope you'll consider it."
Gilbert kept a simple smile on his face
"I am all ears, sir."
Wolmer nodded, his posture composed as he continued.
"As you know, the Magistrate's office has its armed units- the Advocates. I heard you had a run-in with them during your deployment. I was wondering if you would like to transfer to that unit."
He paused, his tone remaining smooth and deliberate. "In the spirit of full disclosure, I would like you to know your squadmate, Wolfgang, came to me after your infamous match and asked for my assistance in securing such a transfer."
Gilbert took a deep breath as he heard the offer.
"I am honored, sir, but I can't just walk away from my squad and legion after how much they have invested in me plus I am happy here."
Wolmer gave a soft nod as they arrived by the medical wing they both stopped short of the entrance.
"That is good- you are a man of honor, Sargent but don't refuse me just yet. This transfer would benefit you in so many ways. The problems you have with the Advocates would disappear. Aren't you also an orphan? St. Mary's was it? Yes, I'm sure they can benefit from more remittances after a place like that is always in need of money especially when it wishes to protect itself."
Gilbert turned, looking Doctor Wolmer in the eye for the first time in their entire conversation, veins thumping in his neck.
I don't have any issues with the Advocates, sir. I made my mistakes, I have accepted my punishment and I'll see it done without complaint."
His words were measured as he tried his best to keep his composure.
"As for remittances-"
He pauses hesitating slightly.
"The name Kruger isn't famous, not in Federation not anywhere truths are chances you never heard it before. Still, the orphanage has stood strong for a long time seeing through the reign of at least three presidents. Over the years plenty who've left St. Mary's and made their way through the Federation."
He took a slow breath, as the presence of Wolmer loomed over him.
"We may not have wealth, but we've never lacked support. And that means even with outside help St. Mary's can be protected."
After finishing his speech Gilbert felt as though he had just been underwater and finally came up for a breath.