"To Squadron Leader #12,

I say this with great disappointment, but also great pride, your 10-man squad will be the last of the escapees for quite some time. It seems Sylas has returned, in typical brutal fashion, I must add. It won't be long before us remaining cyborgs are all eliminated from the picture, just as the board of directors were. While we've had so much success in liberation over the years, I can't help but feel like this is my fault. Alas, we must push forward, this trek is all that remains of our mission now. I've remotely updated everyone's navigators with the coordinates to the haven and sent a signal out. They'll be expecting your arrival.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

One more thing, please keep an eye on C-13 for me, I've placed some important information in his carrying pouch. That one is still young and will need not just your protection, but your guidance."

Thank you for everything and be safe,

This is Ace signing off...~"

The wind howled as particles of sand blew over a small crater in the ground.

"My apologies, Ace..." a voice muttered, "...we've all but failed."

Within the crater lay the squadron leader and eight of his finest operatives, each critically damaged in a recent mortar strike. Soldiers surveyed the area to retrieve the bodies for their employer. However, they could only locate the nine compromised cyborgs in the battlefield.

The young cyborg, designated C-13, had successfully fled and was currently en route to the haven.