oking at the photo on his phone. He knew they needed help, but co

Elias had gone off to the military. Laura had never forgiven him f

and called her number. She

her voice frigid.

 said, getting right t

e responded. "I'll see you in an h

at the lively street Tapan ᾶ, lost to the world. He stood to

you look different,"

," he said. "Thank

inquisitive," she said. "

ivulge. "I'm working on something a case. I don'

eyebrow. "You'

I didn't want to pull you into it

cond, then nodded. "Alri

ndescent jewel, and everyone cast long shadows across the dusty land. This was no ordinar

ot just about tactics or shooting straight. Out there, it's about tr

Reed. Each of them brought unique skill sets, but they hadn't learned yet ho

m, stressing on communication and promptness in adjusting. Laur

ld the group. "Cover ea

s. Miscommunications and missed cues resulted in mistakes that could have been fatal

Elias said, jabbi

tably. "I figured Reed

sharply. "You act. You cover.

recognized that building relationships needed more than criticism - it needed trust, respect and common c

rous training. Late one night, Elias foun

ssion?" Marcus asked,

could I forget? We

forged over years of hardship endured together. These moments, Elias felt, were as importa

nder the cover of darkness. There was intelligence that the rogue faction w

as whispered. "We don't kn

 down, the air became cooler, bringing with it the smell of earth and damp rock. The enclo

the air thick with dust and smoke. His unit had been ambushed, and there were no way out on the

voice broke through the fog

mories out of his mind. "

cavernous space beyond, illuminating the uneven stone walls. The farther they drov

g at a part of the wall that appe

 the vicinity. "Seems like s

orage room filled with crates highlighted with mil

elt disquiet. "Let's log eve

n Elias. [backtobasics] The tight tunnels, the fee