Chapter 2: Rising Threats.

Under the overcast skies that loomed over Green Arbor, Ava's boots crunched softly on the training field’s gravel as she approached. The sharp commands from Miko filled the air, echoed by the rhythmic clatter of boots as the Arbor Defense Force drilled with precision. Each movement—each turn, each strike—was disciplined, but the tension in the air was palpable. Ava could feel it; everyone was preparing for something larger, something deadly.

As she neared, Miko noticed her and jogged over, his usual warmth muted by exhaustion. Without hesitation, he pulled her into a tight embrace. "Welcome back, Blondie," he murmured, his voice gruff but comforting. "Your timing couldn’t be better."

Ava stepped back, her eyes scanning the field, noting the changes since she’d been gone. The ADF moved with more cohesion than she remembered. There was a hunger in their eyes—a desperation that wasn’t there before.

"Miko," Ava began, her voice low, "I caught some chatter on the radio, but I need the full picture. What’s happening here?"

Miko’s face darkened, the weight of the situation etched deeply into his features. He nodded toward the edge of the training field, guiding her away from the ears of the soldiers. "It’s the Reclaimers," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "They’ve been moving fast, tearing through the eastern territories. They don’t just conquer, Ava—they destroy. Enslave. Expand."

The words hit Ava like a punch to the gut. "And Talon?" she asked, her voice tight. "Where’s Talon? We need him on this, Miko. He’s a part of our team, one of the best scouts we have."

Miko hesitated, looking around to make sure no one was listening. His expression was a mix of frustration and helplessness. "He’s confined. He clashed with command over their tactics, and now they’re treating him like a liability. They don’t trust him to follow orders, so they’ve got him under guard."

Ava’s chest tightened with anger, her fists curling at her sides. "What is command thinking? We can’t afford to bench Talon, not now. Not when we need him most."

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Miko ran a hand through his hair, his own frustration bubbling to the surface. "I know. But the commanders—they’re scared, Ava. The Reclaimers have tech we’ve never seen. They will want Lucas work with the analysts, trying to figure out how to counter it. They think... they think they can win this battle without Talon’s field experience, but we both know that’s a mistake."

Ava glanced toward the troops, her eyes scanning their faces. Young, determined, but not ready. Not for what was coming. "We need a solid plan," she said, her voice steady, though the fire in her eyes betrayed her calm exterior. "Improvising won’t save us. We need precision, strategy."

Miko nodded, but his eyes were distant. "Jess and the kids are leaving tomorrow, heading to Eli’s family farm for safety. Speaking of Eli... he’s stationed on the north wall, low-risk duties. It’s the safest place for him right now."

Ava’s heart twisted at the mention of Eli. She needed to see him—needed to make sure he was safe. "I’ll check in with him soon," she promised, her voice softer. "But first, we need to deal with Talon. We have to get him out of that cell. We can’t afford to sideline him."

Miko’s eyes darkened, a silent agreement passing between them. "We’ll figure it out," he said. "But tonight—Jess and I are having a grill at the cabin. Come by, we’ll talk more then. Jess will be thrilled to see you back."

Ava managed a small smile, the first real one in days. "I’ll be there," she promised. Then, with a determined look, she stepped toward the ADF soldiers, raising her voice so it carried across the field. "Everyone, gather up!"

The soldiers, weary but determined, formed a tight circle around her. Ava stood tall, her presence commanding, her eyes blazing with fierce determination. "I know many of you are new to this. I know some of you have never seen real combat. But what’s coming... it’s unlike anything we’ve faced before."

She paused, letting her words sink in, watching the resolve harden in their faces. "The Reclaimers won’t show mercy. They won’t give us a second chance. But together—together, we are stronger. We fight not just for ourselves but for each other, for our families, for Green Arbor. Today, we train harder than ever before. Today, we prepare to win."

Miko stepped forward then, his voice calmer but no less resolute. "Listen to Sentinel Ava. She’s been through battles you can’t imagine, and she’s still standing. So will you—if you stick to what you’ve learned and fight smart. We survive as one."

The soldiers, despite their weariness, straightened their backs, finding renewed strength in Ava and Miko’s words.

Ava moved through the ranks, offering individual words of support and guidance, her hand resting on the shoulders of soldiers who needed that extra reassurance. Miko followed suit, cracking jokes and offering a lighter touch to balance the weight of the moment. Together, they helped the ADF realize that they were not just soldiers—they were Green Arbor’s first and last line of defense.