Chapter 54- Regret
Captain Rayden walked briskly toward the front post of the military base, the hallway abuzz with quiet chatter and shuffling boots. Upon reaching the checkpoint, he stopped in front of a petite girl wearing a crisp uniform, her round glasses slightly tilted, clipboard in hand. Despite her youthful appearance, there was sharpness in her eyes. She looked up immediately and saluted.
"Lieutenant Naria Winchell reporting, sir."
Rayden returned the gesture casually.
"Naria. Where’s Lieutenant Celestia and her squad?"
The girl adjusted her glasses and replied efficiently,
"Lieutenant Celestia is currently in the waiting room. Her squad returned earlier this morning. Many of them sustained injuries and are under medical observation."
Rayden nodded thoughtfully, a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes.
"Perfect. I can’t wait to hear her report."
He continued down the corridor with Naria following closely behind. As they entered the main infirmary area, Rayden’s eyes swept over the room, soldiers wrapped in bandages, slumped with fatigue. The toll of survival was etched on every face. A few nodded respectfully at his presence.
He turned and entered the waiting room.
Inside, Celestia stood at attention, flanked by a group of unfamiliar faces, a calm young man surrounded by four distinctly capable women. The air seemed to shift around them, the kind of group you could spot as weardo without a single word exchanged.