The sun was setting on the compound, casting long shadows over the mechs in the distance. The air was thick with the heat of the day, but the stillness of the evening felt heavier to Graham. He stood just outside the mech bay, staring out across the fields, his expression hard but thoughtful.

Sarah approached quietly, her steps almost soundless in the dirt. She had a way of sensing when something was off, and right now, something about Graham’s demeanor was setting off alarms in her head. She came to stand beside him, arms folded loosely across her chest, her eyes focused on the horizon.

“You’re quiet, old man,” she said, using the term affectionately, though her tone was softer than usual. “That’s not like you after a mission.”

Graham didn’t reply right away, his gaze fixed on the distant landscape, as though lost in thought. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice low. “I’m not as sharp as I used to be, Sarah.”

She blinked at that, turning her head slightly to study his profile. “What makes you say that?”

Graham exhaled, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck. “You saw what happened out there. This mission went south because I miscalculated. My tactics—what worked for smaller contracts, back when it was just a handful of us—they don’t fit these bigger operations. Marcus was right when he said I was stretching myself too thin.” His jaw tightened, frustration clear in his voice. “The company's getting larger, and I’m not keeping up. I can’t lead every mission, and I can’t be everywhere at once.”

Sarah nodded, understanding immediately where this was going. She had seen the signs over the last few months—the weight of responsibility pressing harder on Graham with each new contract, the toll of managing the growing demands of the unit. But hearing him say it out loud made it real.

“So, what are you thinking?” she asked carefully.

Graham sighed. “I’ve been thinking about calling someone. Ferdinand Sinclair. *The Count.* We served together years ago. He’s been a field commander for units bigger than ours. Pilots a damn good Warhammer, too. He’s got the experience we need, and... I trust him. It’s just—” He stopped, his words hanging in the air.

“You don’t want to step back,” Sarah finished for him, her voice gentle.

Graham’s silence was all the confirmation she needed. He didn’t want to admit that his time as the go-to field commander might be coming to an end. He was used to being in control, to leading his people on the battlefield. But the weight of leadership was bearing down on him, and even he could see that things needed to change if they were going to survive bigger contracts.

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“I’m not ready to sit in the background and watch someone else lead my people,” Graham admitted. “But I know it’s the right call. Sinclair could handle these bigger operations, keep things running smoothly on the ground while I focus on the bigger picture.”

Sarah was quiet for a moment, then she placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. “You’re still the commander, Graham. Bringing in Sinclair doesn’t change that. It just means you’re making sure the company has what it needs to grow. You’ll still be here, still making the calls that matter. You’re just delegating the battlefield tactics to someone who’s got more experience with larger operations.”

He looked at her, brow furrowed but softening. “You think I’m doing the right thing?”

“I do,” she replied, without hesitation. “You taught me what real leadership looks like, back when you freed me from my bond. It’s not about who’s in front all the time. It’s about knowing when to rely on others, when to trust them to have your back. If you think Sinclair’s the one to help us grow, then I trust your judgment.”

Graham let out a slow breath, her words settling some of the turmoil inside him. He knew Sarah’s loyalty ran deep, and her support made this decision a little easier to bear. “I’ll give him the call, then,” he said after a moment. “See if he’s available to join us for the next contract.”

Sarah nodded, her eyes softening. “I’ll stand by you, no matter what. You know that.”

He managed a small, tired smile. “I know, Sarah. I know.”

The conversation fell into a comfortable silence after that, the two of them standing together as the sun finally dipped below the horizon. Graham felt the weight on his shoulders, but it wasn’t as heavy now. With Sarah’s support, and the thought of an old friend like Sinclair joining them, maybe—just maybe—things would turn around.

As they made their way back to the command building, Graham could already feel the shift in his thinking. He wasn’t just making this choice for himself—he was making it for the company. And with Sinclair at his side, they’d be stronger for it.