Alice stood at the helm of the armed transport ship; her eyes focused on the blip on the radar representing the Expiator squad engaged in a fierce battle with the cultists. She and her branch of the Field Biosciences Squad—or the FBS (also known as the Executioners by their opponent) —were on a mission to evacuate the endangered Expiators. Time was running out.

"Prepare for extraction," Alice commanded. "We're going in hot. Keep your eyes peeled for any sign of the Expiators."

This Field Biosciences Squad, consisting of skilled pilots and medics, acknowledged her orders and readied themselves for the rescue operation. The transport ship's engines roared to life as they approached the battleground, weaving through the stormy sky.

As the transport ships descended, Alice could see the Expiators locked in the combat of tides of cultists; among them, Racheal was utterly exhausted to brandish her sword. Everyone had reached their limit. The cultists had grown even more aggressive, fighting tooth and nail to prevent their adversaries' escape...

With precise maneuvering, the transport ship landed amidst the battle, creating a temporary safe zone. The ramp lowered, and the medics rushed out to retrieve the wounded Expiators while the pilots provided cover fire to keep the cultists at bay.

"Move, move, move!" Alice shouted, urging the injured Expiators to board the transport. She could see the exhaustion in their eyes, their bodies battered and bruised from the relentless fight. It was a race against time to save as many as possible before the situation escalated.

One by one, the wounded Expiators were brought on board, their safety assured as they were whisked away from the chaos. Alice couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and satisfaction as she watched her team execute the evacuation flawlessly.

However, as the last of the Expiators was brought aboard, an approaching army appeared from the wood line. Alice turned her attention to the woods, her eyes narrowing as she saw the unmistakable insignia of the backup Expiator team from the Church. She knew their arrival could complicate matters.

The Expiators from the Church, known for their pride and unshaken loyalty, had a long-standing tension with Alice's faction, the FBS. The Church and Veritas, the organizations behind the Expiators and the FBS, respectively, were constantly collaborating and competing, vying for dominance in the fight against supernatural threats, especially the parasite-infected Harbingers within the New Verdiana Republic.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

The backup team's leader, Captain Harris, stormed out, bringing an army of mounted Expiators, their sabers gleaming as they sliced through the cultists; fueled by their deep hatred for the cultists, they found distorted happiness in the act of brutality.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Alice? We had everything under control!" yelled Harris.

Alice met Captain Harris' gaze, her voice steady but tinged with defiance. "We were here to assist the Expiators, as Geneva instructed us. Our primary objective was their safety, and we successfully evacuated them."

Captain Harris clenched his fists, his voice seething with indignation. "You think you can swoop in and take credit for our work? We don't need your help, Executioners. We had the situation handled."

Alice remained composed, refusing to let Captain Harris's words rattle her. "Captain Harris, we are not the Executioners. Please refer to us by our correct name, the Field Biosciences Squad, or FBS. Furthermore, this is not about credit, Captain. It's about saving lives. The Expiators were outnumbered and wrongly equipped; we couldn't stand and watch them perish. We intended to aid, not undermine."

As the tense standoff continued, the rescued Expiators watched the exchange, their expressions reflecting a mix of gratitude and confusion. They had witnessed the FBS's timely intervention and had been saved by their efforts.

One of the Expiators, a veteran named Donovan, stepped forward, his voice resonating with gratitude. "Captain Harris, I understand our intertwined history, but those Executioners saved our lives today. Let's remember that. We should be grateful for their support."

"FBS," Alice mumbled.

Captain Harris paused, his gaze shifting between Alice, the rescued Expiators, and his team. Slowly, his expression softened, and he nodded begrudgingly. "Fine, Brother Donovan. We owe the Executioners a debt of gratitude for their assistance. Thank you, Alice and your team."

With tensions diffused, but the tension between the Church and Veritas would continue.

Little did they know, however, that the battle against the supernatural forces would soon escalate. They remained unaware that the goat demon, a threat in the future that would take their joint force to eliminate, was still staring at them in the darkness of the woods.