Vera and Jax arrived to find Kaelin’s squad under heavy fire. Coalition forces had set up makeshift barriers, pinning the Wardens in a narrow ravine. Explosions echoed through the canyon as plasma bolts streaked overhead.

“Vera!” Kaelin called out from behind a boulder. “About time you showed up!”

“Had to pick up a stray,” Vera quipped, gesturing toward Jax.

“Stray?” Jax said with mock indignation. “I just saved your life.”

“Focus,” Vera snapped, assessing the situation. Her HUD displayed enemy positions, highlighting a key weak point in their defenses—a power generator fueling the Coalition’s heavy weapons.

“Take out that generator,” Vera told Jax, pointing to the glowing marker. “Kaelin, suppressive fire. I’ll cover him.”

“Got it!” Kaelin replied, opening fire on the enemy positions.

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Jax nodded and sprinted toward the generator, his movements fluid and precise. Vera activated her Resonance Field, shielding him from incoming fire as he closed the distance.

The generator was heavily guarded, but Jax wasted no time. He tossed a small, disc-shaped device onto the structure.

“What’s that?” Vera asked over the comm.

“EMP charge,” Jax replied. “Stand back.”

Seconds later, the charge detonated, sending a shockwave through the Coalition ranks. Their heavy weapons fell silent, and several soldiers collapsed as their powered armor malfunctioned.

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Objective Complete: Neutralize Coalition Generator.

* XP Gained: 600.

* Tactical Advantage Secured.

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“Nice work,” Vera said as the remaining Coalition forces retreated.

Kaelin approached, her rifle slung over her shoulder. “Who’s the new guy?”

“Jax,” Vera said. “And he’s apparently on our side. For now.”

Jax gave a mock bow. “Always happy to lend a hand.”

Kaelin raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue. “We’ve still got one more artillery site to take out. Think your new friend can handle it?”

Vera glanced at Jax, then back at Kaelin. “We’ll find out.”

As the group prepared to move, Vera couldn’t shake the feeling that Jax was more than he seemed. But with the Coalition closing in and the mission far from over, there was no time for questions. All she could do was press forward and hope she’d made the right call.