Major Quinn’s voice rang out once more, bringing a sudden hush over the murmurs and anxious energy filling the hall.

  “Now, as I just mentioned, the recipients of the Most Valuable Marine awards gain the right to challenge an Alpha Squad member for their position, should they choose to do so,” she reiterated, her voice steady and authoritative. There was a renewed ripple of whispers at this, a few heads turning back towards specific members of Alpha Squad they were already targeting ahead of time.

  “But,” Major Quinn added, holding up a hand for silence, “before any of you get carried away with thoughts of glory and ambition, I advise patience. While I cannot stop you from issuing a challenge immediately, as that right is yours the moment you receive your medal, I would seriously recommend caution. Wait until the upcoming GalPol101 classes, where we will cover in detail how the challenge system functions within the UHF. It is not as simple as calling someone out and fighting them in a dark corner of the ship for their spot. Any rash decisions could come at a steep price.”

  A collective sigh, a mix of relief and tension, rippled through the room.

  Heads turned, glances exchanged, as murmurs of consideration settled among the recruits.

  Thea found herself exhaling too, the tight coil in her chest loosening just a fraction at the thought that immediate challenges were unlikely.

  For now, she had a small reprieve.

  Major Quinn’s eyes sparkled with a hint of anticipation as she gestured to the screen behind her. The soft light from the display began to illuminate as images from the recordings of the first award recipient’s actions slowly came into view.

  “With that said, it’s time to reveal the Marine who has earned the Silver MVM Medal. While this Marine has “only” claimed the third-place medal, let me be clear in no uncertain terms: Every MVM Medal winner stands heads, shoulders, and rifles above the rest of you. Just as Alpha Squad represents the pinnacle of what a squad of Marines within this drive can achieve, these Marines that will be joining me on stage truly exemplified the apex of individual skill and valour within the assessment. Underestimating them in any way will undoubtedly lead to bitter regret.”

  A heavy silence fell over the hall as every pair of eyes locked onto the screen, waiting for the first name to appear. The anticipation was nearly tangible, a collective breath held in unison.

  Thea’s gaze flickered to her left, catching the unmistakable tension etched across her squadmates’ faces.

  Even the normally boisterous and downright relaxed Isabella was now silent, perched on the edge of her seat, her fingers tapping a restless rhythm on her knee.

  Desmond had leaned forward as well, as if physically inching closer to the podium would somehow give him a glimpse of the winners that much sooner.

  Both seemed as if they couldn’t tear their eyes from the screen if they tried.

  Further down, Corvus and Lucas, usually the calm pillars of Alpha Squad, showed hints of nervousness in the subtle shifts of their posture.

  Corvus’s hands rested together in his lap, but his knuckles were white from the grip.

  Lucas, seated just beyond Corvus, had his eyes closed, lips moving in barely audible whispers. Thea recognized it as the quiet, sincere prayers to Xagis that he often offered during moments of uncertainty. She focused, allowing her heightened Perception to pick up the soft intonation of his quietly whispered words, a rhythmic plea for strength and guidance.

  The calm in his voice was almost enough to soothe her own nerves.

  Karania, in stark contrast, sat with the same composed expression she always wore. It was as if nothing could touch her, as if she already knew the outcome and had no doubts at all.

  “That Marine’s name is Rachel Veronica Masters, of Beta Squad!” Major Quinn announced, her voice sharp and authoritative, slicing through the charged silence.

  The room erupted in applause, but to Thea, it felt muted, like she was underwater.

  ‘That fucking girl again…?’ The disbelief echoed in her mind.

  Masters had already snagged the Platinum medal for Valiant Defender alongside Lucas, and she had been part of Beta Squad’s win for the Ace Squad award.

  Now, she was also adding a Most Valuable Marine award to her growing collection.

  It made Rachel the most decorated Recruit in the room by a landslide.

  But Thea’s mind snagged on a different detail, one that didn’t make sense in her head.

  The memory of Rachel’s heated, venomous words to her own squad mate just minutes before flashed in front of her eyes, and the sting of confusion bit hard. ‘How does that make any sense? Isn’t being a good squad member a part of this whole calculus? Or is the UHF just focused on individual success, no matter how toxic you are to your own team…?’

  The recordings on the screen switched to highlights of Rachel’s exploits—strategic kills, heroic defences, bold charges, and acts that clearly showcased her inarguably impressive skills.

  But Thea’s attention drifted, her eyes sliding to Karania next to her.

  She couldn’t hold back her question.

  “Her? Why?” she asked, her voice low and strained, trusting that Karania would pick up on the deeper frustration and confusion woven into those few words.

  Karania had been watching the footage as well before she leaned closer to Thea, speaking quietly so only she could hear.

  “Thea,” Karania began, “you have to remember this; at all times: The UHF is a meritocracy, through and through. You might not have dealt with much of the UHF on Lumiosia, but in the Inner and Core worlds; this is more of a lived fact, than something you simply know. They want the best people doing the most impactful things, even if… well, even if those people aren’t always easy to work with; or are downright sociopaths.”

  She gestured to the screen, where Rachel’s precise, oftentimes unnecessarily brutal takedowns played out. “Look at what she’s doing up there. Her combat skills, her decisiveness, her ability to handle high-stakes situations, the way she leads her squad and keeps them safe through sheer brutality... You can’t objectively deny she’s an absolute powerhouse; even if you don’t like her.”

  Thea frowned, watching Rachel in action as she cleared a room with frightening efficiency, shattering enemies left and right with her giant power hammer, while simultaneously providing necessary cover for the rest of her squad behind her. “But… Doesn’t that matter too? I mean, how she treats the people around her? Shouldn’t they take that into account if they’re really looking for the best? Because… I mean… How can she lead like that? I would have trouble following her orders, if she was our squad leader; considering how she behaved so far.”

  Karania nodded slowly, mulling over Thea’s question. “I get what you’re saying, and normally, I’d think the same. But remember, the UHF evaluates impact, primarily, and if the impact of her actions outweighs any internal issues, they might see it as more than acceptable. Maybe they think her value in the field is so high that it cancels out the costs of her less… Cooperative tendencies.”

  Thea’s gaze turned back to the screen, her confusion shifting into a more complex frustration. “So, if she’s that good… They’re just willing to overlook fucking anything?”

  Karania hesitated, giving Thea a serious look. “Not necessarily anything. But I can think of two reasons why she might be up there right now. Either the earlier outburst is the first real display of discord in her squad—something new and surprising even to the brass—or she really is simply that good, meaning her skills provide benefits that outweigh the negatives. Consider Staff-Sergeant Venn as an example; I am sure the brass isn’t entirely too happy with how he treats people either, but he gets results. So much so that he’s a Prime-T2 Command Rank at Prime-T1 Power. The UHF can’t simply ignore a valuable piece like that, just because they don’t agree with their social skills.”

  “Even with someone like her? If she’s this much of a headache to work with now, isn’t that a problem just waiting to blow the fuck up?” Thea pressed.

  Karania shrugged with a sigh. “Possibly. It’s always a risk. But if the UHF sees her as irreplaceable in certain ways, they may consider it worth it. Or maybe,” she added, her tone more thoughtful, “they’re giving her these awards because they think that recognition could smooth out the issues altogether.”

  Thea raised an eyebrow. “As if she’d be humbled by them? The Masters girl? Humbled?”

  She struggled to picture Rachel—proud, intense, downright arrogant—changing because of an award.

  “Maybe not humbled,” Karania replied with a slight smile, “not immediately, at least. But think about what these awards mean, overall. They put you on the map for every other Recruit here. And the MVM Award now? It will give her a shot at Lucas’ spot. There’s a chance the brass has already done the calculations and either believes she is a superior fit for Alpha Squad, or, and that’s something I feel has a higher chance of being true, they already know Lucas will win the challenge. The Masters girl undoubtedly feels snubbed by Lucas “taking her spot” out of the Cube Trial, but if she loses a direct head-to-head against him? Maybe that truly would humble her. And who knows? The UHF may just be counting on that very possibility to get her in line.”

  Thea glanced back at the screen where Rachel’s final recording ended, her brow furrowed in thought. “I get it. But still… it feels like they’re just feeding her ego. And what if Lucas doesn’t win? We don’t even know how these challenges work yet; what they’re even about.”

  Karania chuckled softly. “Maybe so, but if feeding her ego keeps getting results like that, I doubt the UHF cares much, if at all. And about Lucas… We’ll figure something out. Don’t stress over it now. Once we learn more about the challenge system in those GalPol101 classes, we’ll help him prepare. It will be fine, Thea.”

  Thea’s chest tightened, but Karania’s confidence, even with its thin layer of doubt, managed to soothe some of her worries. It was a strange comfort—knowing that even Karania, usually the one with all the answers, could admit to needing more information.

  As Rachel Masters stepped down from the podium, her chin raised and an insufferably smug smile plastered on her undeniably striking face, the room erupted into a mix of cheers and other, less formal, comments—particularly from the male audience in the hall.

  The display only added fuel to Thea’s simmering nerves.

  Rachel soaked in the attention, her eyes daring anyone to challenge her dominance as she strode back towards the seats of Beta Squad; greeted tentatively by the rest of her squad.

  Major Quinn’s voice rose over the noise, drawing everyone’s focus back to the stage. “Let us continue straight with the next winner—the Gold-medal recipient of the Most Valuable Marine Award!”

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  Thea clenched her hands on her lap, tension coiling through her muscles.

  ‘We need this for Alpha Squad. If Lucas wins, it would stop any challenge from Masters before it even starts…’ Thea’s breath hitched as she waited for the name that could shift everything for her squad.

  “Tiberius Soren from Wano Squad!” Major Quinn’s voice cut through the hall, her announcement shattering Thea’s fragile hope that the issue would resolve itself as immediately and neatly as it had with the Valiant Defender award.

  Thea’s heart sank as Tiberius strode up to the podium, his steps confident, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. Applause and cheers erupted around them, with congratulations shouted from all directions—some clearly genuine, others laced with sarcasm.

  To Thea, it felt as though the rest of the Recruits were in a different world entirely, cheering without a hint of worry about the deeper implications.

  Masters and Tiberius, now wielding MVM medals, posed very real threats to Alpha Squad’s future. Yet here the crowd was, revelling in the moment, oblivious to the potential fallout.

  Thea’s chest tightened as she glanced over at her squad, who wore similarly serious expressions, their own apprehensions mirroring hers.

  For them, this wasn’t a spectacle; it was a danger that loomed closer with each MVM medal awarded to someone outside Alpha Squad.

  As she turned back to the screen, a highlight reel of Tiberius’s best moments began to play.

  It didn’t take long for her to recognize that his actions as an individual and his orders as squad leader of Wano Squad were precise, brutal, and devastatingly effective.

  ‘Tiberius Soren? That’s the guy that won the Platinum Medal for the Reaper award too…! This guy’s dangerous…’ Thea thought, as she focused even more intently on the recordings, trying her best to compare this sudden new danger’s capabilities with the rest of her squad.

  The questions in her mind were manifold, yet singular in nature: Was he a threat to any of them? Which member of Alpha Squad might he target, if he decided to issue a challenge? And, most importantly, how well would he match up to any one of them in a direct face-off?

  Thea’s eyes tracked every detail in the recordings.

  Tiberius was methodical, almost surgical in the way he handled himself.

  His precision when using his oversized rifle was undeniable—something she had noted during the Stellar Republic Reaper Award recordings as well. His ability to prioritise the right enemy, take them out and continue killing again and again was impressive; even for an Offensive Heavy.

  She noted the calculated glances, the way he assessed his surroundings even while giving orders. His ability to adapt to shifting circumstances was eerily similar to Corvus, but there was a distinctly more aggressive edge to it, as he often charged ahead of his squad, ordering the others to follow his lead; while Corvus preferred to order the rest of Alpha Squad from a more strategic position in the back.

  ‘He’s confident. He’s skilled. He doesn’t just order the line to move; he takes it forward himself… He’s an exceedingly effective Offensive Heavy, but also an accomplished Squad Leader… That only really opens up two people.’ she thought.

  If Tiberius decided to challenge someone in Alpha Squad, it would have to be Isabella or Corvus.

  Corvus was an exceptional squad leader in Thea’s mind, particularly for his strategic mind and strong interpersonal skills that had helped the squad not only stick together, but come together in the first place. Without his relentless efforts to alleviate tensions within the squad from day one, there was a good chance that Alpha Squad wouldn’t be as close-knit as they now were.

  But, depending on how the UHF measured leadership for an Alpha Squad specifically, Tiberius’s bold, direct approach could be viewed as more fitting for them; a squad constantly under scrutiny and serving as the model for others. If the UHF wanted the rest of the squads to be more direct and aggressive, then Tiberius was the clearly superior choice.

  Then there was Isabella.

  Could Tiberius’s precision rival her raw, relentless power? Thea wasn’t so sure.

  In a controlled, head-to-head challenge, skill could certainly outweigh sheer force, of course. After all, Isabella hadn’t even thought of herself as a contender for the Stellar Republic Reaper Award, while Tiberius had already secured the Platinum Medal for it.

  From a cost/benefit analysis, Tiberius had definitely beaten out Isabella during the assessment, if what the brass looked at was primarily the efficacy of their kills.

  It, ultimately, all hinged on what the UHF valued more for Alpha Squad: An Offensive Heavy that drew enemy attention with chaotic, overwhelming force and destruction, or one who systematically eliminated high-value targets en-masse, with deadly efficiency.

  ‘This is going to be fucking messy,’ Thea thought, a wave of apprehension washing over her as she glanced at the rest of Alpha Squad. Her eyes immediately sought out Corvus and Isabella, gauging their reactions.

  Corvus was leaning forward slightly, his expression intense and thoughtful, one hand supporting his chin as he studied the recordings, analysing every detail with the calm focus that defined him. Isabella, on the other hand, was taking in the highlights with a wide, almost feral grin, her eyes glinting with excitement at the possibility of a challenge.

  Neither of them was dismissing the threat that Tiberius posed.

  They knew, just as Thea did, that he would likely aim to challenge one of them.

  ‘I’ll have to do my best to help them prepare, if they don’t win their own medals,’ Thea resolved, her mind buzzing with questions.

  What would these challenges entail? Would it be a simple point comparison? A direct combat scenario? Would the rest of Alpha Squad be involved in some way, if Tiberius targeted Corvus for the squad leader position?

  These thoughts tangled in Thea’s mind, unresolved and buzzing like static, until Major Quinn’s voice cut through her reverie, introducing the Platinum-medal winner and pulling her abruptly back to the present.

  “For the Platinum Medal of the Most Valuable Marine Award, I welcome none other than the Squad Leader of our very own Alpha Squad: Corvus Leander Sylarion!”

  For an instant, Thea’s mind blanked, unable to fully process the words.

  ‘Corvus? The Platinum Medal…?’

  Slowly, the reality of it settled in as she watched him stand and stride past her toward the podium.

  "Let’s go, Corvus! Fuck yeah!” Thea screamed, her voice joining the rising applause and cheers around her.

  Relief surged through her, a weight lifted off her heart as the significance hit her—Corvus was safe.

  And even more importantly, he had finally gotten some of the recognition he deserved.

  After being passed over in every other category, he’d finally won an award; and the one that mattered most at that. The one that would secure his place in Alpha Squad without question.

  ‘That only leaves Isabella,’ she thought, hope sparking in her chest.

  If Corvus could win one here, maybe Isabella had a shot too.

  As the recordings of Corvus’ actions began to play, Major Quinn’s voice provided commentary over each scene. “Recruit Sylarion takes a more traditional approach to leadership than someone like Recruit Soren. Instead of heroically leading from the front, he’s more focused on precisely orchestrating his squad's movements, prioritising strategy and tactical positioning instead. In his hands, encounters are resolved not through individual acts or him leading the charge, but by manoeuvring his team efficiently to exploit every advantage they can get a hold of.”

  The first recording showed the moments leading up to the firefight in front of the compound toward the end of the assessment, in which he sent Lucas and Thea ahead to engage from a nearby building, rather than keeping them with the main squad.

  Another recording depicted the very first day of the assessment, when Alpha Squad had been ambushed, forcing Thea to split off with Arrow Squad on a covert mission.

  As Thea watched, she realised she was seeing a side of Corvus’ leadership she hadn’t ever experienced directly—the intricate way he positioned each member with his orders, while continuously analysing their surroundings to maximise each of the member’s survival chances and combat efficacy.

  For her, this was new.

  Being the scout and often out ahead, she rarely witnessed, much less experienced first-hand, Corvus’ real-time commands over Lucas, Desmond, and Isabella. To see it now, unfolding through the recordings, gave her a new appreciation for his style—his voice steady and confident, leading his squad through each chaotic moment with unshakable precision.

  But then, the final recording started playing.

  On the screen was a sped-up replay of the critical moment in Nova Tertius’ industrial sector, showing their squad discussion. Corvus’ face was focused and thoroughly determined, as he stepped in to claim the shooter’s spot, his tone decisive as he overrode the others’ hesitations and concerns.

  That choice had put him in the line of fire, protecting them while taking on one of the most dangerous positions himself.

  Thea’s applause slowed and then stopped as she watched the recording unfold—Corvus overruling their ideas, claiming that spot, taking that risk, and in the process, shielding her, specifically, from the repercussions of being the shooter.

  “Recruit Sylarion is also painfully aware of his own standing and capabilities, as this recording shows,” Major Quinn narrated, her voice firm and unwavering. “During an infiltration mission ahead of the main assault on the wall, Alpha Squad identified a high-value target deep behind enemy lines. The squad struggled to decide who would take the shot, knowing full well that it would be a death sentence for whoever pulled the trigger due to the target’s heavily defended position. Considering the importance of Alpha Squad’s Scout for navigation and the unique skills of the other members, Recruit Sylarion ultimately made the call—he would be the sacrificial piece.”

  The screen flickered, displaying Corvus perched on a rusted metal platform high above the enemy base, the Caliburn rifle gripped tightly in his hands.

  Thea felt her breath catch in her throat as the memory resurfaced—the moment of hesitation, of realisation, before Corvus stepped up to take on what was almost certain death.

  The familiar guilt and regret churned in her stomach; she hadn’t wanted him to go through with it, knowing that perhaps she could have taken the risk instead.

  But it was Corvus’ choice, and his right as Squad Leader, and he had made it with unyielding resolve.

  The recording showed the shot as it rang out, the Caliburn’s blast piercing through the tense air and striking the target dead on. A heartbeat later, the truck erupted into a brilliant explosion, engulfing the surrounding area in a tidal wave of fire and shrapnel.

  The camera followed Corvus as he leapt from the tower and hit the ground running, the chaos closing in behind him.

  The assembly hall grew eerily quiet as Corvus’ desperate flight played out.

  His figure, covered in grime and blood, flashed across the screen as he darted through the maze of twisted metal and broken concrete. The desperate struggle as he got cornered in an abandoned office, but refused to go down without a fight.

  The moment his body finally gave out, crumpling against a jagged wall inside the office, there were audible gasps and muffled cries from Recruits who hadn’t known the full extent of what Corvus had endured.

  The recording zoomed in on his battered face, eyes blazing with defiance despite the gaping wounds that sapped his strength.

  He somehow still managed to raise the Caliburn, its barrel smoking as he fired again and again, despite the entire chassis already being far beyond the point of overheating. The hand and the flesh holding the weapon had long lost cohesion, as the fingers had molten together, making each pull of the trigger a fight in itself.

  Yet the sheer defiance in his last remaining eye as he stared down his continuously approaching attackers made the entire room feel the weight of his resolve.

  Thea’s heart ached, seeing him like that, but she felt an odd pride as well.

  In the recording’s last moments, Corvus muttered words under his breath, words that only she could recognize instantly. She was the one that had told them to him, to remember them, to hold onto them as an anchor in case of plan B being a necessity.

  “Just keep shooting…” she mouthed alongside him, barely aware of herself as the Corvus in the recording pulled the trigger one last time, a defiant smile on his beaten and battered face.

  Then, a brilliant white light flooded the screen, the Caliburn’s explosion blinding everyone in the hall despite the screen’s attempts to dim it. The Recruits shielded their eyes or turned away, some visibly shaken, others moved beyond words.

  The silence in the hall that followed was absolute, the weight of what they’d just witnessed settling over the entire assembly.

  ‘Thank you, Corvus… Truly,’ Thea thought as the harsh light of the recording ebbed away.

  Gratitude flooded her—not just for his sacrifice, but for the unshakable trust he’d shown in her words, even when neither of them knew exactly where they would lead. His willingness to follow through—not just on his own decision, but also her words—even at the very cost of his own life, had opened doors for all of Alpha Squad.

  It had set the stage for their successes, created opportunities, and secured benefits they might never have gained without his decisive choice to stand alone at that moment.

  The silence in the hall stretched, heavy and reverent, as the light dimmed.

  The weight of what they’d just witnessed hung like a shroud over the room; nobody daring to clap, to cheer or even to discuss what they had just seen.

  That was, until Major Quinn’s voice sliced through the stillness, firm yet respectful. “And that level of foresight, that willingness to put himself on the line for the greater good of his squad, is why Recruit Sylarion rightfully deserves this Platinum-medal. Congratulations, Recruit. Your actions have etched a legacy that won’t fade from the minds of your squad—or from anyone in this hall—anytime soon.”

  She shook Corvus’ hand, and the medal glimmered as she handed it to him.

  He took it with a solemnity that felt almost out of place.

  Corvus, usually so composed and commanding, held the medal with a gentleness that Thea wasn’t used to seeing. Her eyes picked up the slight tremble in his hands, a subtle quiver that most wouldn’t catch, but she did.

  ‘He’s nervous…? Corvus… Nervous?!’ The thought left her stunned, unable to match this image of him with the leader she’d come to admire and rely on.

  Then, without warning, a smile broke across her face, and she shook her head at her own foolishness. She had been holding him—and the rest of Alpha Squad—to almost impossible standards in her mind.

  ‘Of course, he would be nervous. Anyone would be in his position…! Stop being so ridiculous, Thea,’ she silently scolded herself.

  Corvus, despite everything, was just as human as the rest of them, after all…

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