— Major, it makes no sense to defend this outpost. We need to retreat to the citadel!

In a silent room, thick with the strong scent of tobacco and sweet herb, two men argued. The dim lighting cast long, flickering shadows on the metallic walls, creating an atmosphere even heavier with tension. The first man, Kartus Bravak, wore a dark cloak of fine fabric, embroidered with golden patterns that revealed his wealth. His fingers were adorned with rings encrusted with precious stones, and his expression was a mix of disdain and concern. In every aspect, he looked like a civilian, and indeed he was recognized as such, but he had also earned the nickname of bourgeois—not just any bourgeois, but one of the richest the Major sitting before him had ever seen.

The other man, Major André, maintained a rigid and imposing posture. His uniform was impeccable, the insignias on his chest gleaming under the room's yellowish light, and his neatly trimmed mustache reinforced the image of a disciplined soldier. The contrast between them was striking: on one side, luxury; on the other, the firm structure of military hierarchy. The Major crossed his arms, unwilling to entertain yet another speech from a man who had never wielded a weapon.

— Mr. Kartus, we are not leaving this place. We, along with outposts 5 and 9, are the last line of defense for the citadel. If you think I will give in to your whims, I suggest you stop now before I have you arrested for insubordination.

The Major's voice didn't rise beyond what was necessary, but there was an unmistakable weight in his words. He was a man of war, shaped by battles few could even imagine, and he had no patience for nonsense. His distinctive mustache and firm stance revealed a man accustomed to command, someone who knew the true cost of duty and loyalty.

To him, Kartus was nothing more than another spoiled bourgeois caught in the crossfire. A man who had lived in gilded palaces, surrounded by luxury and servants ready to fulfill his every whim. Now, forced to face the harsh reality of war, Kartus clung to what little control he had left, trying to manipulate the situation in his favor.

Apparently, the Bravak family had been traveling on the moon when the conflict erupted. The Major understood the man's concern—his entire family was lodged in the visitor sector, vulnerable to any enemy attack. For Kartus, this situation was an unimaginable nightmare. He had grown up under the security of impenetrable fortifications, protected by well-paid bodyguards and an influence that opened all doors. Now, he found himself cornered in a hostile environment, where his money seemed unable to buy his survival.

He knew that Kartus wasn't just afraid for his own life but also for what he could lose if the citadel fell—his possessions, his connections, his reputation. War was the great equalizer, and the Major knew that once the bullets started flying, no one would distinguish between rich and poor. To the enemy, Kartus was just another target.

However, André would not tolerate insubordination. He knew that any weak link could doom the entire station, and at that moment, his responsibility was greater than any privilege of a wealthy man. He had no time for futile arguments. There were soldiers to command, strategies to coordinate, and, above all, a base to defend. The Major took a deep breath, remaining impassive. War did not choose sides based on wealth or titles. And in this base, it didn't matter who Kartus Bravak was outside these walls. What mattered was that he didn't get in the way.

— Sir, I think you don't know who you're talking to, I…

— I know exactly who you are, Mr. Bravak, — the Major interrupted, his gaze sharp as a blade. — But I want you to understand something before you continue spouting nonsense: here at outpost 7, I am in charge. And while we are in this crisis, I suggest you shut up or pick up a weapon and help us defend your family.

Kartus was many things, but he was not a fool. His face turned red with anger, but he simply chose to remain silent and process the situation. Deep down, he had always known that one day would come when all the money in the world wouldn't save him. He just hadn't expected that day to arrive so soon.

— Very well. If you have nothing more to say, I ask you to leave. I still have…

Before the Major could finish his sentence, a soldier burst into the room. He was young, athletic, and his expression carried urgency.

— Sir, sorry to interrupt, but we've received a request for arrival authorization at the gate. Should we approve it?

The Major allowed himself a faint smile.

— Finally, Mr. Kartus, our reinforcements have arrived. Soldier, take me to the gate. We need to properly welcome our allies.

The tension in the room dissipated. It was understandable—who wouldn't feel relieved knowing reinforcements were on their way? And even better, reinforcements coming directly from the legendary planet of the Astra.

Outpost 7 followed the standard structure of the lunar bases of Drokavas: a quadrangular design with a large central courtyard, where trucks of Supplies and armored vehicles moved constantly across the base, their heavy wheels and treads leaving deep imprints in the reinforced tracks embedded in the ground. These tracks allowed for the rapid deployment of units in case of an emergency.

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Surrounding the outpost was a massive wall, sixty inches thick, built from a reinforced metal alloy capable of withstanding direct impacts from high-caliber projectiles. At each corner and along the center of the perimeter, towers were mounted with twin-barreled turrets, loaded with 100mm ammunition—enough firepower to take down most threats. However, the Major had never actually seen them in action. They served more as a deterrent than a true line of defense, but their mere presence was often enough to dissuade direct assaults.

Beyond the towers, robotic sentinels patrolled the perimeter, their optical sensors glowing with a faint blue hue as they scanned the surroundings for any sign of suspicious movement. Small surveillance drones hovered above the base, ensuring a panoramic view of the area.

At the heart of the outpost, a vast training ground stretched out, where soldiers honed their close-combat skills and practiced handling heavy weaponry. A row of shattered targets bore witness to the intensity of their recent drills. And right in the middle of this strategic zone, the portal hummed with energy, its pulsating blue glow flickering as if eagerly awaiting the arrival of the next travelers.

Standing before the portal, the Major and Kartus anxiously debated who would be coming to their aid. The tension was palpable—almost suffocating. Soldiers gathered around, exchanging hopeful glances as they adjusted their gear and checked their ammunition for what felt like the hundredth time. For many, this moment was the thin line between despair and survival. The silence before the arrival of reinforcements was filled only by the steady hum of the portal, its shimmering blue light reflecting off the weary faces of the combatants.

Even those stationed farther away strained to listen in on the conversation, eager to catch any hint of the force that might turn the tide of battle. Quiet smiles and murmurs of optimism began to ripple through the ranks.

The Major, steadfast, kept his eyes fixed on the interdimensional vortex, waiting impatiently for the silhouettes of their allies to emerge. For the first time in a long while, he felt a rare sense of relief—finally, they wouldn't be alone in this fight.

But that relief evaporated the instant figures began stepping through the portal. The sight that unfolded before him made his expression freeze.

The energy of the moment vanished in an instant. Soldiers swallowed hard, their once-hopeful gazes now dull with disbelief. Kartus, stunned, raised a hand to his mouth, as if trying to stifle a frustrated outburst.

Three people.

Two children and an adult.

Silence gripped the entire base.

— What kind of reinforcement is this?! — Kartus erupted. — Major, this has to be a joke! Three people? And two of them are children?!

The Major frowned, trying to make sense of the situation himself.

— I don't know what happened either, but I intend to find out. Excuse me.

Portal travel was nothing new to Gertrudes. She had done it countless times before. However, as she stepped onto the base, she immediately noticed the group of uniformed men approaching her.

— Miss Gertrudes, where are we? — one of the children asked.

— Wait. Let me introduce myself, and then we'll talk. You two, find someone to take you to the barracks and wait for me there.

Gertrudes was enormous—imposing even by Astra standards. But her towering presence did nothing to intimidate the Major, who wasted no time in voicing his frustration.

— What kind of nonsense is this?! Where are the soldiers I requested? A woman and two children won't make a difference in the fight ahead!

Throughout the far reaches of the universe, the Astra were respected by civilians. However, due to the rigid structure of military hierarchy, they were often forced to submit to the chain of command of the places where they served. This led to situations where some officers abused their authority.

But Gertrudes was not submissive. Not in the slightest.

Her eyes narrowed, and her voice thundered:

— You idiots! You should feel honored that we came to this insignificant hole! Your mediocre moon does not make you any more respectable than the pig that becomes my meal! Choose your next words wisely, for they may be your last. And before you ask—yes, that is a threat. Now, let's start over. What do you need us to do?

The Major's eyes widened in shock. He had never seen an Astra act with such defiance. But as he looked at Gertrudes, he realized how insignificant he was before this woman—this living wall of flesh and steel. Every instinct in his body screamed at him to back down and obey.

— My apologies, Lady Astra. We are all on edge. The enemy is just a few miles away, and we were expecting… more substantial reinforcements.

Gertrudes nodded.

— Very well. My name is Gertrudes, and we are here to provide support. Our group is small because I am accompanying my students. I believe I can handle the situation on my own, but I want them to train and grow. Now, if I'm not mistaken, this outpost follows Imperial regulations, correct?

— Yes, ma'am. My name is André, and I apologize for the misunderstanding. We can station you on the eastern flank, where the first wave of battle will take place.

— Perfect. I will need three men on the turrets. We will remain outside during the fight.

The Major hesitated.

— Outside? But the enemy numbers in the thousands! Are you certain about this?

— I think you're still underestimating me. CaoCao, come.

She raised an invocation amulet. Within seconds, a colossal figure emerged before them—a towering orangutan, over fifteen meters tall.

The soldiers held their breath.

Gertrudes smiled.

— How are you, my baby?

Everyone knew the name of that creature. And everyone knew what it meant.

The Major swallowed hard.

— Gertrudes Scar… It is an honor to have your family here. I will make all necessary arrangements for your stay, and… thank you for helping us.

— No problem. Now, show me the battlefield and tell me about our enemies.

— Of course… Follow me.

Gertrudes turned to the massive creature.

— CaoCao, go for a walk and find some stones to help us. But don't go too far—Mama might get worried.

The orangutan let out a deep roar and sprinted across the field, disappearing over the horizon.

The Major took a deep breath.

— Shall we, ma'am?

— Yes, — Gertrudes said with a grin. — Let's go.