Chapter 9: Handler
Lena stood in the operations room, her eyes scanning the large wall display as she typed a few commands into the console. The sounds of murmuring voices and clinking keys surrounded her, but her focus was on the map in front of her. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, processing the new intel that had just come in about the Spearhead Squadron's mission.
She knew this mission. She knew the route they would take. She knew what lay ahead for them. The thought of the upcoming battle made her stomach twist. The Eighty-Six were walking into a trap—once again.
It wasn't right.
Lena clenched her fists on the console. She had learned so much over the past few days—about the Legion, about the Spearhead Squadron, about the lies that Command had fed her all these years. She couldn't let them fall victim to the same patterns. Not again.
Forcing her emotions back, she adjusted the mission parameters on the terminal, adjusting the coordinates for their upcoming route. There was no time to waste. If she was going to do this, she needed to make sure the squadron had the best chance of survival. The commander had already marked the path, but Lena was about to change it.
Her voice, calm and composed, rang out through the communications room. "Squadron, this is Handler Milizé. Your current route will lead you straight into Legion territory. I suggest you adjust course to avoid the ambush at Sector 45. I'll transmit the new coordinates."
There was a brief silence before the static filled the air.
"Handler, are you sure?" came the voice of Raiden, the squadron's second-in-command, crackling over the line.
Lena didn't hesitate. "Positive. I've been monitoring the Legion movements in your area. It's a direct line to a trap. Trust me on this."
She could hear the slight hesitation in Raiden's voice, but he didn't argue. "Understood, Handler."
Lena continued to watch as the squadron members began adjusting their course on their end, moving swiftly to follow her new orders. Each change in direction brought a fleeting sense of relief—she could feel the weight of their lives in her hands, and the burden was heavy.
Minutes later, she watched on the screen as the squadron successfully avoided the ambush. The Legion's forces had been waiting, but they were no longer on the path to intercept them. Lena exhaled deeply, but she couldn't afford to relax. This was only one battle. There were more to come.
As the squadron moved forward, Lena made a note to herself: This isn't enough. Not yet.
Her role as the handler was just beginning. She wasn't just a voice behind the comms; she was now part of the operation. The fight, the strategy, and the survival of these soldiers would rest on her decisions.
And she wouldn't make the same mistakes again.
---
After her conversation with the squadron, Lena leaned back in her chair and wiped the sweat from her brow. Her fingers trembled slightly, but she hid it well. She was the handler now. There was no room for doubt.
She closed her eyes for a brief moment, letting the silence settle around her. She could hear the faint hum of equipment, the distant sounds of soldiers outside the command room. Her father's words echoed in her mind: "Just live long enough to change something."
Lena opened her eyes and stood up, walking towards the large map on the wall. It showed not just the locations of Legion forces, but also the shifting patterns in the military's movements. Lena had access to more than anyone else in the room, and she intended to use that knowledge.
There was still so much to do.
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> Later that day – Milizé Estate
Vaclav Milizé sat across from his daughter in his study, an old-fashioned fireplace crackling softly behind them. The weight of the conversation hung in the air.
"You've made your move," he said, eyeing her with quiet intensity.
Lena gave a small nod. "I did what I had to. The squadron survived today."
"And they trust you now?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lena's expression remained unreadable. "They follow the orders. I did my job."
Vaclav leaned back in his chair, thoughtful. "The road ahead will be difficult. There's no guarantee they'll always trust your decisions. You must prove yourself every day."
"I will," Lena said, her voice steady. "I've seen what happens when they don't trust. I won't let that happen again."
Vaclav studied her carefully. "And you'll protect them, no matter what?"
"Yes," she replied, her eyes firm.
Her father's gaze softened for a moment. "Then I'll support you. But be careful. You're walking a fine line."
Lena nodded, knowing the risks all too well. But this time, she had something she didn't have before: the knowledge of the future, and the resolve to change it.
She wasn't going to lose them again.
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End of Chapter 9