The room's energy was electric, a mix of anticipation and determination.
Rey found his designated seat near the front, among the Supervising Officers. Lady A and her squad sat nearby, their composed demeanor contrasting with the nervous energy of many in the room. Rey couldn't help but glance at her.
The resemblance to Alicia was still unnerving, but he forced himself to focus.
His gaze drifted briefly to the HQ staff section, where he spotted Ezra. The former Supervising Officer sat stiffly, his expression dark. It didn't take a genius to see the bitterness in his eyes. Rey allowed himself a small smirk before turning his attention forward.
Admiral Zach Skylar stepped onto the stage, the murmurs in the room fading to silence as he approached the podium. The Admiral cleared his throat, his commanding presence filling the space.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice steady and authoritative, "we are here today because we stand on the precipice of one of the most significant operations in the Resistance's history. The mission we are about to undertake is not just a battle—it is a turning point. A chance to strike a decisive blow against the Dragon Emperor and his forces."
The room was silent, every eye fixed on the Admiral as he continued.
"In a few days, we will launch a full-scale assault on the Dragon Emperor's Production Center—a facility of immense strategic importance. Thanks to Lady A's reconnaissance and her team's efforts, we have identified this location as a critical point in the enemy's operations. Whatever they are producing there poses a grave threat, and it is our duty to eliminate it before it can be unleashed."
Rey leaned forward slightly, his attention sharp. This was it—the moment that would set the stage for everything to come.
The Admiral's gaze swept over the room, his tone firm. "This mission will require the combined efforts of every Squad present, along with HQ's support. Over the next two days, you will receive detailed briefings, training, and assignments to ensure you are prepared. I expect nothing less than your best."
He turned slightly toward Lady A.
"Lady A will now provide further details on the operation. Pay close attention—your lives and the lives of countless others depend on this."
Rey sat back as Lady A stood, her presence commanding as ever.
The room braced itself for what would undoubtedly be one of the most important briefings of their lives.
**********
Rey stood at the back of the crowded assembly hall, arms crossed as the meeting concluded.
The room buzzed with tension as squads, officers, and staff filtered out, their minds no doubt racing with the sheer scale of the operation. He leaned against the wall, studying his assignment on the tablet in his hand.
His placement in the battle plan was clear: the front lines.
He would be part of the force directly countering the enemy's initial charge after Lady A and her squad initiated the attack.
A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he thought of Admiral Zach.
'Of course, he'd put me there. A perfect opportunity to eliminate the family disappointment under the guise of strategy.'
But the idea didn't bother Rey much.
He had long since stopped caring about his so-called family. The placement, however dangerous, was a double-edged sword. While they might hope for his demise, it was also an opportunity—a chance to grow stronger, to level up.
Pocketing the tablet, Rey made his way back to his quarters, the noise of the dispersing crowd fading behind him. As he stepped into the relative silence of his room, he exhaled and stretched, the tension of the meeting slipping from his shoulders. He tossed the tablet onto his desk and sat on the edge of his bed, his mind already calculating.
'The front lines… it'll be a bloodbath. But if I play my cards right, I'll walk out stronger than ever.'
Rey lay back, staring at the ceiling.
Thoughts of the battle swirled in his mind, but exhaustion soon claimed him, and he drifted off into a restless nap.
***********
The next morning, Rey decided to clear his head before preparations consumed the day.
The training halls, he reasoned, would be mostly empty with everyone busy finalizing their plans. It was the perfect opportunity to get some practice in.
He arrived at one of the smaller halls, the double doors creaking as he pushed them open. The space was dimly lit, the faint hum of the facility's machinery the only sound. But as he stepped inside, he froze.
In the far corner of the hall, Lady A was stretching, her movements deliberate and fluid. Her brown hair was tied back, and her violet eyes flicked toward him as she noticed his presence.
"Good morning," she said, her voice carrying easily across the hall.
Rey considered leaving.
Being alone with her wasn't exactly comfortable, especially after how much she reminded him of Alicia. But leaving now would look awkward. He sighed inwardly and forced himself to reply.
"Morning," he said, his tone neutral as he stepped further into the room.
Lady A straightened, tilting her head slightly as she studied him. "I didn't think anyone else would be here this early. Planning to train?"
Rey shrugged. "Something like that."
She nodded, gesturing toward the open space. "Plenty of room. Feel free."
Rey hesitated for a moment before moving to the opposite side of the hall. He began his warm-up routine, deliberately keeping his back to her. The silence between them felt heavy, and Rey could feel her gaze on him occasionally.
"So," Lady A said after a while, breaking the quiet. "How do you feel about your placement in the plan?"
Rey paused mid-stretch, glancing over his shoulder.
"What about it?"
She gave a small smile, crossing her arms. "Front lines are… challenging. Not everyone would take it well."
He turned back to his routine, his voice casual. "I'll manage."
Lady A watched him for a moment before speaking again. "You seem confident. That's good. But confidence alone won't keep you alive out there."
Rey straightened, meeting her gaze for the first time.
"I know that."
Something in his tone made her expression soften, and she nodded. "Good. Then we're on the same page."
The silence returned, but this time it felt less strained. Rey resumed his training, focusing on his movements and letting the tension in his mind ease. Lady A continued her stretches, her presence oddly grounding despite the unease she still stirred in him.
As he worked through his routine, Rey found himself glancing at her occasionally, his thoughts lingering on the similarities between her and Alicia. He quickly shoved those thoughts aside, forcing himself to focus on the present.
'Whatever the resemblance, she's not Alicia. I need to remember that.'
The training session stretched on in companionable quiet, both of them preparing in their own way for the battles to come.
After a while, Rey couldn't help it any longer.
'I should probably leave. I won't get anywhere with training if I keep getting distracted like this.'
Besides, he need privacy to practice some of his abilities—both old and new.
However, before he could act on his thoughts, he heard a voice come from the other side of the room.
"Hey… want to spar with me?"
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[A/N]
I deeply apologize for no chapters yesterday! To apologize, I'll be uploading three chapters today.
Thanks for reading.