The revelation of Captain Aelar's deal with the enemy commander left Tyson in a state of turmoil. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were treading a dangerous path. Despite the captain's assurances, doubt gnawed at him. His principles were being tested in ways he had never anticipated.

The days passed, and Tyson threw himself into training and preparations for the next mission. The base buzzed with activity, everyone aware of the high stakes. As Tyson sharpened his skills, he kept a close eye on the commander's interrogation, hoping to glean any signs of betrayal.

One evening, Tyson gathered his closest comrades—Jax, Lena, and Amir's father, Reza—to discuss his concerns.

"I don't trust the deal Aelar made with the commander," Tyson said, his voice low and urgent. "We need to be prepared for any treachery."

Reza, a seasoned warrior with a stern demeanor, nodded. "I've been wary of it too. But what can we do? We're soldiers, not policymakers."

Lena, always pragmatic, added, "We need to focus on what we can control. If we suspect a betrayal, we should be ready to act."

Jax leaned in, his expression serious. "Agreed. We stick together and stay vigilant. If something goes wrong, we'll handle it."

Their pact solidified, Tyson felt a renewed sense of purpose. He couldn't control the actions of his superiors, but he could protect his team and stay true to his values.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

The next mission came swiftly. The team was tasked with infiltrating a heavily fortified enemy outpost to gather critical intelligence. The objective was clear, but the risk was immense. Tyson led his team with precision, their movements synchronized and silent.

As they breached the outpost's perimeter, Tyson's unease grew. The enemy presence was lighter than expected, almost as if they were walking into a trap. He signaled his team to halt, scanning the area for any signs of danger.

"We're too exposed," he whispered to Jax. "Something's not right."

Before Jax could respond, an explosion rocked the ground, and enemy soldiers emerged from the shadows, weapons blazing. The team scattered, returning fire as they sought cover. Tyson's heart pounded as he fought to keep his team together.

Amid the chaos, Tyson saw the enemy commander smirking from a distance. The betrayal was clear. Aelar's deal had backfired, and now they were paying the price.

"Fall back!" Tyson shouted. "Regroup and fall back!"

The team fought their way out, narrowly escaping the ambush. They returned to the base battered and bruised, their trust in their leadership fractured.

Captain Aelar met them at the gate, her face a mask of concern. "What happened?"

Tyson confronted her, anger simmering beneath his calm exterior. "The commander betrayed us. Your deal put us all at risk."

Aelar's expression faltered. "I didn't expect—"

"That's the problem," Tyson interrupted. "You gambled with our lives. We can't afford mistakes like this."

Aelar's eyes hardened. "I made a judgment call. Not every decision is black and white, Tyson. You need to understand that."

Tyson's jaw tightened. "I understand that lives were lost today because of a poor judgment call. We need to be better than this."

The tension between them was palpable. As Tyson walked away, he knew he had to find a way to rebuild trust within the team and ensure their safety, no matter the cost.