Earlier that day,

Private Kael Swiftail settled into his bunk after a full day of working on his newly issued cargo truck. As a Transportation specialist and one of the newest members of the 3rd Logistics company, he was tasked to keep his vehicle in top shape, and he took pride in it. He spent most of the morning looking over the newly arrived truck, from its matte green, black and brown camouflage paintjob, the large newly installed Remote Weapons station, to the large, impressive engine that powered the entire truck. During the morning the young Beastkin learned simple repairs that can be done with the onboard tool bag as well what did what on the truck. He spent the latter half of the day learning to drive the truck. Once the trainers were done with all of them, they were sent back to the barracks to eat, sleep, bathe and be ready to do it all again the next day.

“It was so tiring,” Swifttail said. “They went over the same information I learned in the Transportation school!!” He grabbed his pillow from his bed and yelled into it. ” Ughh!!! Give me a break! “He stated, exasperated, as he fell into his bed. His roommate, Private Sael Roughspike put his newly acquired comic book down and looked at Kael with an odd glance.

“At least you got your truck!” Roughspike stated with a disapproving tone, “Our unit won’t get them for another two weeks! All we do is sweep the concrete as we wait or do physical training. I would love to get a couple more classes, at least it would break the monotony.” Roughspike huffed and turned back to his comic book.

Kael smiled slyly at his friend and looked out the window of the five-story barracks. His window pointed to the city of Yasumin and towards the massive volcano of Savior’s Peak. As he looked towards the volcano, he could almost see the river Bruim as it began from the massive waterfall from the lake in the caldera of the volcano. That same river that went near his family’s farm in the Preduim.

He thought back to his family’s farm as they were now getting a tractor to assist with the plowing. His Father as well as the rest of the farmers in the area were getting tractors, other farm implements and training to become better farmers. The first two crop harvests were used as payment for the tractors as they would soon have more food than they could ever use. As he got back from his shower he lay down on his bed and began to sleep, thinking about the massive new truck he had and how he would show it off to his parents. He smiled as he began to sleep deeply.

The non-Commissioned Officer in charge, a grizzled Beastkin named Corporal Remus Ironclaw, barged into his room as he was asleep. "Swiftail! Wake up! We got a briefing in 10 minutes. Grab your gear too; we might be rolling out."

The sudden urgency snapped Kael awake. He scrambled to his feet, hastily pulling on his uniform and combat gear. The adrenaline coursing through his veins replaced the fatigue from the all-day training. Kael joined the hurried activity in the outpost, the atmosphere charged with a mix of anticipation and readiness.

The outpost came alive as Beastkin soldiers readied themselves for whatever lay ahead. Kael Swiftail, now fully awake and alert, followed his fellow soldiers to an outdoor stage, formed up with his unit, and waited for the mission brief to begin.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff Sergeant Marinus Redfur and Sergeant Jesse Wildtalon stood by the cramped Troop Medical Clinic (TMC), quietly talking while keeping an eye on the activity outside. The base was for the most part quiet as well albeit with some movement, as soldiers walking the window as they walked towards various jobs.

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Marinus glanced at the young recruits darting about, his expression pensive. "Look at them, Jesse… fresh-faced, full of nerves. Makes me think of when we were their age, thinking we were invincible."

Jesse gave a small, wistful smile, her gaze following his. "Yeah, but they don’t know what’s ahead of them. Some things change… but the scars? They stick around." Her eyes shifted to Corporal Thessa Brightclaw, who was meticulously counting and organizing medical supplies. "Thessa… she’s seen more than her share already."

Thessa, focused on her task, seemed distant. Her hands moved with methodical precision, but her mind was elsewhere—lost in memories of her sister, who would have thrived in a place like this. A sudden wave of grief hit her, and she blinked hard, trying to keep the tears at bay.

Marinus noticed the tremble in Thessa’s shoulders and stepped closer. "Hey, Thessa… you okay?" he asked gently.

Thessa’s voice was tight, barely a whisper. "It's just… my sister… she would’ve loved it here. She was so… so young." Her voice broke, and she let out a sob, tears falling freely onto the cold, painted concrete floor.

Marinus placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "I know, Thessa," he said softly. "We all carry the weight of what we’ve lost. But we find strength in each other, right?"

Thessa nodded, sniffling, and managed a small, grateful smile. "Yeah… I guess we do." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I’m fine," she added, more to herself than anyone else, and turned back to her work, continuing the countdown of supplies.

The moment of calm was shattered by a blaring alarm outside. The base’s address system echoed through the walls, followed by the sound of boots pounding against the ground as soldiers sprinted past the clinic window.

Before they could react, Corporal Ironclaw burst into the TMC, breathless and flushed. "We need a medic, now!" he gasped, trying to catch his breath. "There’s a mission… briefing in less than ten minutes. Someone’s gotta go. Pick quickly!" He quickly closed the door and ran off to alert more soldiers.

Thessa didn’t hesitate. "I’ll go," she said firmly, already moving to grab her gear.

Marinus and Jesse exchanged a quick, worried glance. Jesse put a hand on Thessa's arm as she passed. "Be careful out there," she said, her tone serious. "And let us know if you need anything when you’re back."

Thessa gave a determined nod, her face set with resolve. "I will," she replied, then hurried out the door.

Marinus and Jesse watched her leave, their concern lingering in the air. After a moment, they turned back to their duties, waiting for whatever would come next.

Meanwhile, in the operation center, Shara began to move towards the door as her relief shift arrived. The days events were dancing around in her head, just as SFC Grey stopped her before she left the center.

“Stoneclaw, grab your gear, you’re going as well.” Grey said in a low tone.

“Sergeant?” She stammered, not believing what she heard.

“You’re the best communication specialist we have, and they are going to need you. You will be on….” His voice trailed off as he looked at the board of vehicles. “Alpha 2, Private Kael Swiftails vehicle. He’s a good kid and has an unholy obsession with that truck. You’ll be fine with him, as well as Corporal Thessa Brightclaw the medic has been assigned to it as well. I can’t think of a better place for you.”

Corporal Stoneclaw sighed and stated “Yes, Sergeant.”

“Now go get your gear and get to the briefing, but please get some sleep before roll out, ok?”

She smiled at SFC Grey and left heading towards the large outdoor auditorium where the briefing was to be held.