Chapter 11: The Rescue And Debrief.

The forest was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves underfoot. The battle was over, but the weight of exhaustion settled on Ava’s shoulders like a heavy cloak. She glanced down at Talon, slumped against the base of a large tree. His face was pale, his breathing shallow, and the blood from his head wound had stained the makeshift bandage deep crimson.

Ava knelt beside him, brushing a hand gently over his arm. "Talon, you’ve pushed yourself too far," she murmured. Her concern was clear, but beneath it was a layer of steely determination. "I need you to stay with me."

Talon, ever the stubborn one, tried to muster a smirk, though the pain dulled it. "Don’t worry about me, Blondie... just... give me a minute."

The blood loss and concussion had taken their toll, but Ava knew if they didn’t move soon, it wouldn’t matter how tough Talon was. He wasn’t going to last much longer out here.

Then, in the distance, the low rumble of an engine reached Ava’s ears. She turned her head sharply, her senses alert. Could it be raiders? Or, by some miracle, had help finally arrived?

Ava rose to her feet, squinting through the trees. And then, through the haze of morning light, she saw it—a Sentinel truck. She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. The truck rumbled closer, and as it neared, she could make out the silhouettes of Sentinels sitting in the back, rifles slung casually over their shoulders.

Ava stepped forward, waving her arms to signal them down. The truck came to a slow halt, dust kicking up around it, and the Sentinels in the back jumped down. They were dirty and tired, but they wore broad grins as they approached.

One of the Sentinels, a tall man with a scar across his cheek, took one look at Ava and chuckled. "You two really don’t know how to quit, do you?" he teased, though there was genuine admiration in his tone.

Ava grinned tiredly, motioning toward Talon, who was still slumped against the tree. "Not for lack of trying."

Another Sentinel approached Talon and knelt beside him, checking his vitals. Talon stirred, his eyes fluttering open for a moment. "What’s the matter?" he muttered weakly. "Dinner reservations not ready?"

The Sentinels laughed, and one of them clapped Talon on the shoulder. "You’re not getting out of paying for that meal just yet," Ava added with a smirk, her eyes softening.

"You two always like this?" another Sentinel asked, helping Talon to his feet.

Ava and Talon exchanged a look, one filled with years of camaraderie and shared battles. "Pretty much," Ava replied, her tone light.

As they helped Talon into the truck, the Sentinels motioned for Ava to climb in as well. She took a moment to look back at the path they had come from—the traps, the bodies of the raiders now silent in the forest. They had survived, but not without cost.

"Come on, Blondie," Talon’s voice broke through her thoughts. He was sitting in the back of the truck, his body slumped but his spirit still flickering. "Don’t leave me alone with these guys. I’m in no condition to fight off their bad jokes."

Ava chuckled softly and climbed into the truck, taking a seat beside him. As the engine roared to life and the vehicle began its bumpy journey back toward the Forward Operating Base, the Sentinels sitting opposite them watched with a mix of amusement and awe.

"You two should be dead," one of them remarked, shaking his head in disbelief. "How the hell did you make it out of that?"

Ava leaned back, her eyes half-closed from exhaustion. "A lot of traps, a little luck, and maybe a few miracles."

Talon shifted slightly, wincing at the pain in his head. "And a complete disregard for our own safety," he added dryly.

The Sentinels chuckled, the tension in the truck easing as the humor broke through. As they rolled down the dirt path, the trees thinning out ahead of them, Ava glanced over at Talon. Despite the pain, despite the exhaustion, he managed a weak smile.

"You know," he muttered, "I’m still holding you to that dinner."

Ava smirked, her voice soft. "Yeah, I know. But you’re picking the place, remember? No forests."

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"Deal," Talon whispered, his eyes closing as he finally gave in to the exhaustion.

As the truck rumbled on, Ava felt a strange sense of peace settle over her. They had made it. Against all odds, they had survived. The Forward Operating Base was just ahead, and with it, the safety they desperately needed.

The Sentinels driving the truck glanced back at Ava and Talon one more time, shaking their heads in disbelief. "Hell of a team, those two."

And as the sun rose higher in the sky, casting warm light over the forest they had left behind, Ava allowed herself to relax. They weren’t out of danger yet, but for now, they had each other. And that, more than anything, was enough.

And as the sun rose higher in the sky, casting warm light over the forest they had left behind, Ava allowed herself to relax. They weren’t out of danger yet, but for now, they had each other. And that, more than anything, was enough.

The journey back to the base was slow and tense. Every rustle of leaves, every crack of a branch, put both Ava and Talon on edge. But they pressed forward, their steps heavier with exhaustion but filled with quiet determination. The forest gradually gave way to rocky terrain, the trees thinning as they neared the barren expanse that surrounded the Forward Operating Base.

By the time they reached the outskirts of the FOB, the sky had turned a pale, cloudless blue, and the sounds of nature were replaced by the distant hum of machinery. Ava felt a strange sense of relief as the familiar hum of the base’s vehicles and chatter reached her ears, but it was tempered by the knowledge of the debrief that awaited them.

They had survived—but there was still so much left to face.

The Forward Operating Base was a hive of activity, its walls towering over the surrounding barren landscape, a stark reminder of the constant vigilance required in the northern territories. As the truck rolled through the gates, Ava’s eyes scanned the perimeter, noting the soldiers on patrol and the familiar hum of vehicles and chatter. It felt both comforting and surreal after the chaos of the past few days.

Talon was whisked away the moment they arrived, medics rushing him towards the infirmary as he half-heartedly waved Ava off. "I’m fine, Blondie. Just need a nap," he muttered before the doors closed behind him. Ava watched him go, her shoulders relaxing slightly knowing he was finally in good hands.

A Sentinel officer approached, motioning for Ava to follow him into the command tent. "The commander wants a word," he said, his tone neutral, but there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes. Ava couldn’t blame him—word of her and Talon’s survival had likely already spread.

Inside the tent, Commander Marcus stood over a large map spread across a wooden table, his posture tense but attentive. His sharp eyes flicked up as Ava entered. "Sentinel Ava, glad to see you made it out alive," he greeted, his voice carrying a mix of authority and relief. "Talon?"

"Getting medical attention," Ava replied, her voice steady despite her exhaustion. "He’ll be fine, just banged up pretty bad."

Marcus nodded, gesturing for Ava to take a seat. She did, feeling the weight of the past days settle on her as she recounted the ambush, the capture, and the eventual escape. Her voice was steady but clipped as she laid out the events with the precision of someone trained to compartmentalize trauma. The memories of the forest, the traps, the faces of the raiders—she delivered them all like facts, not letting the emotion seep through.

"And Garrick?" Marcus asked, his tone shifting, becoming more serious.

"We dealt with him," Ava replied coldly, her gaze hardening as she remembered the raid leader's final moments. "He won’t be causing anyone trouble again."

Marcus leaned back in his chair, a slow nod of approval. "Good. He’s been a thorn in our side for too long. I’ve had teams out looking for him for weeks."

A brief silence followed as Marcus processed her report. Then he reached into a bon on the floor and pulled out something familiar, placing it gently pn the table in front of Ava. Her sword.

Ava’s breath caught as she looked at the blade—her Ronin sword, the one she thought she had lost during the ambush. It lay before her like an old friend, its metal gleaming softly in the tent’s light. She reached out, her fingers brushing the hilt with reverence, feeling the connection to her past reignite.

"We recovered it from the scene," Marcus explained. "It seemed fitting that it be returned to you."

Ava’s eyes lingered on the sword, her mind swirling with memories, both recent and long buried. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice softer now, almost introspective. Holding the sword felt like a reminder of who she was—a Sentinel, a fighter, and something more.

"One more thing," Marcus added, breaking the moment. "The others you freed—the Sentinels—they were picked up by one of our patrols last night. They’re safe, thanks to you."

Relief washed over Ava. She hadn’t been sure if they’d made it out after she sent them in the opposite direction, but knowing they were alive eased a burden she hadn’t realized she was carrying.

"That’s good to hear," Ava replied, the tension in her shoulders finally starting to melt.

Marcus gave her a small nod, his expression softening slightly. "You did good out there, Ava. I’ll make sure the higher-ups know about everything you and Talon did."

Ava stood, her hand still resting on the sword for a moment longer before she sheathed it with practiced ease. Just as she was about to leave, Marcus called out again, stopping her in her tracks.

“There’s something else," he said, his tone taking on a different note, more personal. "The northern territory is still dangerous, and there’s plenty of work left to do, but you and Talon... you've earned a break. As soon as he's well enough to move, you’re free to head back to Green Arbor. Your job here is done."

Ava blinked in surprise, the words sinking in slowly. For the first time in days, she allowed herself to feel a glimmer of relief. Home. The word felt distant, yet now so close.

She straightened, offering the commander a nod of appreciation. "Thank you, sir. Talon and I... we'll be ready."

As she stepped outside the tent, the weight of the past few days began to lift, her sword resting comfortably at her side. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, she felt a sense of peace, knowing that soon, she would return to the place that had become more than just a refuge—it had become her home.