Chapter 10: Shifting Winds
Lena sat at her desk, a few papers scattered in front of her, but her mind was miles away. She could hear the soft tap of rain against the window, a sound that had once been calming but now felt like the ticking of a clock counting down to something inevitable.
The mission with the Spearhead Squadron was over for now. They had survived—barely. But she knew that survival was a fleeting thing in this world. It was only a matter of time before the next battle, the next trap, would find them. She needed more. More than just surviving. She needed to give them the fighting chance they deserved.
Her fingers drummed lightly on the desk, tapping out a rhythm that only she could hear. It's not just the usual skirmishes anymore. They're adapting.
Lena grabbed the latest data from the terminal and plugged it into her personal device. The more she scrolled through the reports, the more it became clear: the Legion had changed their tactics. What had once been coordinated, predictable attacks were now evolving into something more dangerous. It was as if they were anticipating every move. Every. Single. Move.
She gritted her teeth, resisting the urge to let panic rise in her chest. This wasn't the time for that. There was always a way forward—there had to be.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft chime of a message alert on her terminal. Lena glanced at it, expecting another update or report. But this one was different—it was a formal request for a meeting from Raiden Shuuga.
She raised an eyebrow. It was rare for anyone to reach out to her directly like this, especially someone from the Spearhead Squadron. They were supposed to remain distant, their interactions limited to missions and official channels.
What's this about?
Lena clicked on the message, reading it carefully. Raiden had requested a short meeting to discuss the orders she had issued earlier during the last mission. It was curious—there had been no complaints, no issues. Why would Raiden specifically want to discuss it?
She hesitated for a moment, then typed a quick response, agreeing to meet. It was protocol to have some communication with the squadron's members, especially if they were seeking clarification.
Later – A Few Hours Later, Military Complex
The military compound was quiet as Lena walked down the sterile, dimly lit hallways. Her boots echoed on the cold concrete floor as she made her way to the designated meeting room, where Raiden was waiting.
When she entered, Raiden stood, offering a quick, respectful nod.
"Handler Milizé," he said with a tone that balanced professionalism and curiosity.
Lena gestured for him to sit, taking her own seat across from him. "What's this about, Raiden? I didn't expect a direct request from you."
Raiden shifted slightly, his usual confidence tempered by something else—maybe uncertainty. "It's about the rerouting of the squadron during the mission," he began.
"That call you made saved us. But I can't help but wonder... how did you know?"
Lena looked at him, her gaze steady. He wasn't wrong, but she had to tread carefully. Revealing too much could cause problems.
"I made the decision based on the information I had at the time," she said, her voice calm. "The Legion was adjusting their patterns. I couldn't afford to risk your lives without acting."
Raiden studied her for a long moment. He didn't push further, but the look in his eyes told Lena he wasn't fully satisfied with her answer. She could understand that. Raiden wasn't the kind of man who accepted things at face value.
"Is that all?" she asked, leaning slightly forward.
Raiden hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. I just wanted to understand. That's all."
Lena offered a faint smile. "You're right to ask. I'll always act in your best interest, Raiden. That's my job. And I intend to do it right."
Raiden gave a brief nod, then stood. "We'll hold you to that, Handler."
Lena rose as well. "I expect you to."
Raiden nodded again and turned to leave. As he reached the door, he paused and glanced back at her, his expression unreadable.
"Thanks," he said before walking out, leaving Lena alone in the quiet room.
Lena stood still for a moment, reflecting on the conversation. Raiden was no fool. He had a sharp mind, and if there was one thing she had learned over the years, it was that people like him didn't forget easily.
Still, she had done what she had to do. The squadron had to trust her. Even if it meant taking the harder road, even if it meant making decisions they wouldn't fully understand. She couldn't let them down.
Lena turned back to her desk, her thoughts already shifting to the next mission, the next challenge. There would be no room for error. She couldn't afford it.
Later that night – Spearhead Barracks
Theo lay on his bunk upside down, tossing a ball against the ceiling. "So… Handler Milizé, huh?"
"What about her?" Kurena muttered from her bed without looking up.
"She's different from the last ones," he said. "Actually sounds like she knows what she's doing."
Anju sat by her locker, brushing out her long hair. "She gives clear commands. No fumbling. That's something."
"She's calm," Raiden added. "She saw the Legion adapting. We didn't. But she did."
Theo raised a brow. "And how exactly? What, she got super intel the rest of us don't get?"
Raiden didn't answer immediately. "I don't know. But it saved us."
Kurena scoffed. "She's still just a handler."
Anju glanced at her. "A handler who's not panicking over comms is already an improvement."
Theo smirked. "Guess we've finally got one with an actual spine."
Shin, who had been silent until now, spoke without looking up from his gear. "She gives orders like someone who knows we'll follow them."
Kurena tilted her head. "You sound like you respect her already."
Shin paused for a moment. "I respect competence."
There was a brief silence before Theo muttered, "Let's just hope she stays competent. We've seen what happens when they crack."
No one disagreed.
End of Chapter 10