Rey sat in the stark room, his face impassive as the silence stretched on.
The sight of Admiral Zach Skylar, his father, stirred memories he'd long buried.
He remembered being a boy, no older than seven, standing in the grand library of their family estate. His older brother, Ezra, had just returned from winning some prestigious competition—one of many trophies that adorned the shelves. Their younger sister, Mira, sat on the couch, her piano recital awards spread out like a display of gemstones.
Rey held a sketch he'd worked on for days, his small hands clutching the paper tightly as he approached his parents.
"I made this," he said softly, holding it out to them.
His father barely glanced up from his business tablet. "That's nice, Rey."
His mother, sitting across the room with her campaign advisor, didn't even look up. "Why don't you show it to your siblings, dear? They're the ones with the artistic touch in this family."
Ezra smirked, Mira giggled, and Rey retreated, folding the sketch tightly in his hands until the edges tore.
"You're just… average, Rey," his father had said once during a rare family dinner. "There's nothing wrong with that. The world needs average people too."
His father's words echoed in his mind, a refrain that had haunted him throughout his childhood. The disappointment in his father's eyes, the lack of recognition from his mother—these had shaped him in ways he still didn't fully understand.
Average.
'My dad was a very successful businessman, and my mother was a popular politician… both of them were well-known in the world.'
Even as children, his parents would show off his sister and brother to the world, while he remained in the background.
It was no wonder why practically no one ever figured out the connection he had with the successful Skylar Family. Even though he lived in the same house and had the same family, the life he shared with his siblings could not be any further apart.
He had to go to a less advanced school.
None of his parents cared to attend any school function, and he was stuck with a stand-in.
… And so on.
Ultimately, Rey learned to accept his place in the world.
He was Average… he would always be.
Until… the transmigration to H'trae happened… and he wasn't so average anymore.
"Hmm…"
Back in the present, Rey's fingers tightened slightly on the edge of the chair as Admiral Skylar spoke.
"The destruction of that base was not the desired outcome," the Admiral said, his tone sharp and unyielding. "Headquarters had plans to monitor the location further to gather critical intelligence. That opportunity has now been lost. Because of this, your squad's mission is deemed a failure."
Tess, standing at attention, said nothing, though the tightening of her jaw betrayed her frustration. Josh looked like he wanted to argue, but a glance from Tess kept him silent. The rest of the squad remained stoic, their expressions carefully neutral.
Rey, however, couldn't hold back. He stood, his voice cutting through the tense air.
"Bullshit."
All eyes snapped to him, but he only had eyes for the man at the head of the room.
Admiral Skylar's expression darkened. "Excuse me?"
"I said bullshit," Rey repeated, his tone calm but his words biting. "You're blaming this team for something they had no control over. We didn't destroy the base, and you know it. If anything, we're lucky it's gone."
"Watch your tone, boy," his father snapped, his voice filled with authority. "This is a professional assessment, not a family dispute."
"Family?" Rey's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Who's bringing family into this? As far as I'm concerned… I have none."
Tess's eyes widened slightly, as did the rest of the squad's. The tension in the room became suffocating, but Rey didn't stop.
"Boy, if you don't shut your mouth this instant, I'll—"
"You can try to suppress me, Admiral," Rey said, deliberately using the title instead of "father." "But I'm not going to stand by while you belittle this team for something out of their control."
The Admiral's gaze bore into Rey, his anger rising, but Rey didn't waver.
"And let's not forget," Rey continued, his voice rising slightly, "what was going on in that base—atrocities that needed to be stopped. Whoever destroyed it did the world a favor, even if it wasn't us."
The silence that followed was heavy, but Rey didn't flinch. He stood his ground, his gaze locked with his father's.
For the first time in years, Rey felt unshackled.
Not by defiance, but by the realization that he didn't need his father's approval.
'Such sweet catharsis…' He smiled to himself. 'I finally got it all out of my system.'
The tension in the room crackled like electricity as Admiral Skylar's gaze remained locked on Rey, but before he could speak again, the sound of boots against the floor interrupted the silence.
Ezra entered, his imposing frame dominating the doorway.
His sharp eyes swept across the room before settling on Rey, his expression a mixture of irritation and disdain.
"Rey," Ezra began, his voice cold, "you've stepped out of line. I could hear your voice from outside the room, and it's clear you have forgotten the chain of command. Your insubordination will not be tolerated."
Rey turned his head slowly, his lips curling into a faint smile.
"You clearly need to be disciplined!"
"Discipline me? You?" He laughed, the sound low and mocking. "Ezra, you're not worthy of disciplining me. Only the strong can pass judgment on the weak, and you... you're weak."
Ezra's face darkened, and he stepped forward, his fists clenching. The room's atmosphere grew heavier with each step he took.
But then, a serene voice cut through the tension, halting Ezra mid-stride.
"That's enough, Ezra," the voice said, calm but commanding.
Rey's smile widened.
"It's been a long time since I've heard that voice," he said, turning his gaze toward the doorway.
Standing there was Lisa Skylar, her composed demeanor radiating an unshakable confidence. Her long hair framed her face, and her sharp eyes held a warmth reserved for family.
"Big brother," Lisa said with a small smile, her voice gentle.
Rey shrugged nonchalantly. "Don't call me that. I don't consider you my sister, or any of you my family."
His voice was steady, almost indifferent, but the weight of his words hit the room like a hammer.
Lisa's smile faltered for a moment before she regained her composure.
"I see," she said softly.
Rey crossed his arms and leaned back slightly. "I'm not your subordinate, either. I'm working with you to help humanity, but that's not the same as being under you."
Lisa tilted her head, her tone remaining calm.
"Rey, an organization can't function like that. There needs to be a hierarchy, discipline, and trust. Without those, everything falls apart."
Rey chuckled, his eyes gleaming with defiance. "An organization based on hierarchy should put the most capable person in charge. If that were the case, I'd be superior to all of you."
He straightened, his gaze sweeping across Ezra, Lisa, and Admiral Skylar.
"Compared to me, you're simply average."
Ezra's face contorted in anger, his fists trembling as he struggled to contain himself.
But Rey wasn't finished. His expression turned icy as he mimicked his father's tone from years ago, his voice dripping with irony.
"There's nothing wrong with being average. The world needs average people too."