Priority: Exploration
-Special Region HQ, Fort Alnus-
Date May 6th, 3001 Earth time.

The early morning sun cast long shadows over the fortified walls of Fort Alnus. In the briefing room, Ava and nine other commanding officers of recon platoons sat attentively before a large screen. The UNE's advanced recon drones had provided a detailed map of the continent, but maps alone weren't enough. Their mission was to explore the cultures, political landscapes, and people of this new world, most importantly, to locate any lost UNE civilians.

The 5th SIF was assigned to the mission, a decision partly driven by General Nguyen's desire to keep Ava occupied and focused especially given her relentless preoccupation with finding her mother.

"Are we clear on our mission objectives?" General Nguyen asked, his gaze sweeping the room. "If anyone has questions, now's the time."

The holoscreen displayed a map divided into sections, each labeled with the assigned recon platoon.

"What's our ROE, sir?" one of the officers asked, his tone clipped and professional.

"Assume hostility, but do not shoot first," Nguyen replied. "Your unit's safety is your top priority."

"What if we find one of our people, sir?"

"If it's safe, extract them and call for evac," Nguyen answered briskly. He paused, ensuring no further questions arose, then continued. "Remember, our goal is to win the locals' hearts and minds. Be cautious, but don't act recklessly. Dismissed!"

-North Gate, Fort Alnus-

Ava strode to the North Gate, where the 5th SIF and other recon units awaited their orders. Each platoon had been assigned a complement of vehicles: an APC, an IFV, and a Lander-2 tank for fire support. The 5th SIF, along with their newly assigned tank crew and communications specialist, formed up smartly as Ava approached.

"Ten-hut!" Ashley called out, her voice sharp and commanding.

The soldiers snapped to attention, their posture immaculate.

"At ease," Ava said, her voice steady but warm. She surveyed the team, her gaze firm yet encouraging. "We're among the first to explore this new world. There's danger out there, and we might face enemies who've proven they can harm us. I expect nothing less than your best. Some of the locals may look like us, but remember they're still aliens. Standard First Contact Protocol applies, always be on guard, and if you don't have a good reason to shoot, keep your finger off the trigger."

She paused, her eyes settling on the tank crew and their comms specialist. "You're our plus four. Welcome to the team."

Specialist Chris Turner, a fresh-faced young soldier, snapped a salute. "Specialist Chris Turner, ma'am! It's an honor to be here."

Ava returned the salute with a faint smile. "TACNet tells me you're fresh out of the academy. This is your first tour, correct?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"At ease, Turner," Ava said, her tone softening. "Follow your training, and you'll do just fine. And it's 'Commander,' not 'ma'am.'"

Staff Sergeant Gary Jones, a grizzled tank crew leader with a thick Texas drawl, chimed in. "Commander, it's an honor to work with you and the 5th SIF. Y'all are legends where I'm from."

"It's a reputation that came at a cost, Staff Sergeant," Ava replied, her expression briefly shadowed by memories. "But we appreciate it. Alright, everyone mount up!"

As the soldiers moved to their vehicles, Ava made her way to her APC. Quietly, she muttered to herself, "A cost too big," her mind flashing back to the "Suicide Mission" that had claimed so many lives under her command.

Inside the command APC, Ava took her seat, signaling Rob to start the engine. She gave the order, and the convoy began to roll out. Behind her, Ashley settled into the IFV with Jimmy and the 2nd squad.

The engines hummed steadily as the recon platoons set off, their vehicles a gleaming display of UNE's technological prowess against the backdrop of an unfamiliar world. Despite the seriousness of their mission, there was an undercurrent of excitement a sense that they were venturing into the unknown, where anything could happen.

Ashley's voice crackled over the comms. "So, Commander, how long until Turner starts calling you 'ma'am' again?"

Ava chuckled softly, her mood lightened by the banter. "Not long, I bet. Let's just hope he doesn't salute every time I walk past."

Jimmy's voice chimed in. "If he does, Ashley, I'm holding you responsible for breaking him in."

Ashley laughed. "Challenge accepted."

The convoy pressed onward, the humor between them a reminder of their humanity, something they would need to hold onto in the face of their job.

"Intel from the recon drones suggests there's a small village two days from Fort Alnus," Ava informed the unit over the radio, her eyes scanning the holographic map glowing softly in front of her. "That will be our first stop."

Before the team could fully absorb the briefing, Lieutenant Rob Anderson's voice crackled through the comms, dripping with theatrical flair.

"Goooood morning, ladies and gentlemen! This is your friendly navigator, Lieutenant Rob Anderson, broadcasting live from the command APC. Riding shotgun with me is none other than the one, the only, Commander Ava Bennett. On behalf of the UNE military, we thank you for choosing our convoy service today. Please sit back, keep your seatbelts fastened, and enjoy the scenic views of the Special Region!"

The convoy collectively groaned.

"Boooooooo!" A chorus of boos erupted over the comms, mixed with stifled chuckles and sarcastic comments.

Ashley's voice cut through the noise. "Rob, that was bad even by your standards. Did you rehearse that in front of a mirror this morning?"

"I'll have you know, Lieutenant, I'm naturally gifted. No rehearsal needed," Rob shot back, smug as ever.

Ava shook her head, smiling despite herself. "Focus up, people. Save the comedy routine for downtime."

The convoy settled back into a steady rhythm, the vehicles hum softly as they moved deeper into uncharted territory.

-Throne Room, Sadera Palace-

In the grand, opulent throne room of Sadera Palace, Emperor Molt held an unusual arrow in his hand. Its iron tip was welded to an oval cylinder a vessel for the same explosive magic that had powered the traps used at Alnus Hill.

"So this can pierce the enemy's magic barriers and armor?" Molt asked, his tone laced with intrigue.

"Yes, my Emperor," Tiberius replied with a respectful bow. "This arrow contains condensed explosive magic. While smaller than the traps, a volley of these can at least disable their defenses."

"And our ballista?"

"They can be equipped with larger versions of this magic payload, my Emperor," Tiberius assured him.

Molt frowned. "Why haven't we used these before?"

Tiberius hesitated before answering. "There was no need for such powerful battle magic against lesser enemies. Additionally, producing this magic requires life force from humans, dwarves, or elves. But worry not, my Emperor. By rotating through the slaves, we can create hundreds of thousands of arrows from a single individual."

Molt's expression remained impassive. "Very well. Have the magic guild prioritize production. Begin training additional crossbowmen immediately."

Tiberius bowed low and exited the throne room to carry out his orders.

Moments later, Princess Pina Co Lada entered. The third child of Emperor Molt, she led the Rose Order a ceremonial force of noblewomen and a few lower-ranking noblemen trained to high standards. Though well-equipped and highly disciplined, the Rose Order had never seen real combat, spending most of their time parading at ceremonies under the watchful eye of their trainer, the ex-centurion Grey Co Aldo.

"Father," Pina began, her voice carrying a mix of indignation and resolve. "I've heard about our defeat at Alnus Hill. Do you have a plan to regain our honor?"

The Emperor studied her carefully, reading the ambition in her eyes. He had originally approved the Rose Order as a way to occupy his spirited daughter, never intending for them to become more than a decorative force. Yet Pina had turned the order into something formidable. Still, he couldn't bear the thought of his daughter in direct combat.

"My daughter," Molt began, his tone measured, "I have a task for you. Take your Rose Order to Italica and defend the city. It is the Empire's most critical trade hub, with strong walls and significant defenses. You will ride ahead with your cavalry to reinforce Italica's garrison. The rest of your foot knights will follow within one to two days."

Pina blinked, caught off guard. "You… want me to take my Order on a real mission?" Her surprise quickly morphed into elation. "Yes, Father. I won't let you down!"

Molt nodded approvingly as his daughter left, her steps brimming with excitement. For Pina, this was an opportunity to prove the Rose Order's worth and her own. For Molt, it was a way to keep her occupied and safe within Italica's sturdy walls.

As the grand doors closed behind her, Molt leaned back on his throne, turning the arrow over in his hand once more. The winds of war were shifting, and the Special Region was rapidly becoming a battlefield of unprecedented stakes.

-5th SIF, somewhere on the road-

Commander Ava sat in the front seat of the APC, her helmet set to filter out the sound of everyone singing "Old Town Road" along with Staff Sergeant Gary. All the combat vehicles on the ground, as well as the fighters and spaceships, had no real windows. Instead, they were equipped with holographic windows that displayed highly realistic images captured by nanotech cameras, which could continuously repair themselves until the vehicle was destroyed. Despite being artificial, it was impossible to tell the difference between these and real glass windows.

"We're approaching the target's location, no sign of hostiles, over," Ava spoke into the comms, finishing the hourly update to HQ. She switched back to the unit's comm channel, sounding a little more excited than usual. "Whoa."

"You seem excited, Commander," Rob's voice came through with a teasing tone.

"I am excited," Ava responded, glancing at the road ahead. "We've found all kinds of aliens, but elves, dwarfs, orcs, trolls, and wyverns? Those are things you read about in ancient literature, and until last month, they were just fantasy." She paused for a moment before adding, "And magic? Terra Sphere confirmed they're actually using magic. This could be as big as the discovery of String Theory!"

"Hell yeah," David chimed in, leaning forward from the back, his voice full of enthusiasm. "Our names are going to be in the history archives."

"Yeah, David, you're gonna be remembered as that alcoholic nerd who found magic!" Ashley's voice crackled over the comms, playful as ever. "But seriously, this planet is like Earth 2.0. The trees, the grass, even the day-night cycle. What are the odds?"

"Right?" Ava replied, still looking ahead. "It's uncanny. So similar, but... so different."

"Oh, and David," Ava added with a smirk. "Aren't you the expert on fantasy worlds? What do you think we'll find next?"

David grinned, clearly having fun with the topic. "Well, let's see. We've already seen elves, orcs, trolls, pigmen, dwarfs... My bet is we're gonna run into bunny people, fairies, maybe even some catgirls for Lieutenant Jimmy here."

Jimmy, who was seated beside David, rolled his eyes and gave him a shove. "Hey, it's not like you're not into bunny girls," he said, laughing.

"Yeah, yeah, David," Ava teased through the radio. "I didn't know you were into fantasy, too, Jimmy."

Jimmy joined in, clearly enjoying the banter. "Not all fantasy, Commander. Just catgirls. There's something about them... Mmmm hmmm," he said, a mischievous tone in his voice.

The whole team burst into laughter over the comms. It was a rare moment of lightness on this journey, but it was exactly what they needed.

"Alright, everyone, we're here. Let's get to work," Ava commanded, her tone sharp and focused as the convoy came to a halt about 150 meters (500 feet) from a small village. "Deploy the shield dome, launch the recon drones to scout the area. Chris, get the base on standby. I want missile support on standby in case we need it. Jimmy, Rob, you're with me. The rest of you, stay here. Happy faces, people. Try not to look too scary the last thing we want is to have to shoot panic-stricken farmers armed with pitchforks."

"Err, Commander, our helmets cover our faces..." Ashley replied, sounding a little confused but clearly amused.

"Just... try, okay?" Ava answered, her tone light but still carrying that unmistakable authority.

Everyone quickly fell into their roles. Four cloaked recon drones were launched from the APC, their sleek forms disappearing into the sky as they spread out in different directions to scan for potential threats or points of interest. The 4 SAT8s, the team's reliable security drones, were set on patrol mode, establishing a protective perimeter around their position. Through TACNet, the team could see that there were 78 villagers, all human, hiding in their cottages. Some were armed with swords, but most seemed to be clutching sticks and pitchforks. The scan from the APC showed that the villagers were scared—understandably so.

"Stay sharp," Ava muttered as she led her team into the village, eyes scanning the buildings for signs of danger. Her destination: the largest structure in the center, which seemed to be the town hall. Through the feed from TACNet, she could make out five figures inside. Four of them were armed, standing close to the windows and doors, peering out as if trying to gauge what kind of threat they were dealing with.

As they approached, the door to the building creaked open. An old man stepped out, followed by four others. One was armed with a sword, while the others held pitchforks, their expressions wary but resolute.

Ava stepped forward, her voice calm and friendly as the translation program in her helmet kicked in, converting her speech to the village's language. To her team, it just sounded like her regular voice.

"Hello there. We mean you no harm," she said, making sure to sound reassuring. Realizing the old man was likely the village leader, she continued, "Are you the leader of this village?"

The villagers exchanged confused glances, their eyes flicking nervously between each other. They debated in hushed tones, clearly unsure if they could trust the strangers standing before them. After a brief but intense discussion, they seemed to come to a unanimous decision, likely realizing that if these were indeed the warriors from another world, they stood little chance of fighting them.

The old man finally spoke, his voice cautious but not unfriendly. "Welcome to Coda Village. I am the mayor. If you mean no harm to us, then we shall do no harm to you," he said, his eyes lingering on the convoy behind Ava's team. "Not that we could harm you, anyway."

Ava gave a small, reassuring smile and then dematerialized the front of her helmet. As the visor slid away, her face was revealed in the soft light of the village, a striking contrast to the hard, battle-worn exterior of her combat gear. The villagers couldn't help but notice her delicate features sharp, but softened by her warm, approachable expression. Her long hair, slightly tousled from the helmet, framed her face in a way that emphasized her graceful yet confident demeanor. The way she held herself, poised yet undeniably strong, left a lasting impression.

Rob and Jimmy followed suit, removing their own helmets, but it was Ava who drew the most attention. Her beauty, natural and effortless, seemed almost out of place amidst the rugged military environment, yet it was captivating in its own right.

The mayor hesitated for just a moment, his eyes lingering on her, before signaling to his guards. Slowly, they lowered their weapons, and the villagers, still hesitant but increasingly curious, began to emerge from their cottages. They watched in awe, some clearly captivated by the mysterious warrior woman who stood before them, her beauty and strength unmistakable.

"I'm Gorm. So, you people do have faces, then. May I know your names?" The mayor asks, offering a cautious smile, though the wariness in his eyes lingers. His gaze drifts to the convoy once more. "Strange... but impressive wagons you have there."

"Thank you. My name is Commander Ava Bennett," she replies with a warm smile, her tone lightening just a little. "This is Lieutenant Rob Anderson and Lieutenant Jimmy Parson. We're soldiers of the United Nations of Earth, from... well, the other side of the gate." She chuckles lightly, clearly trying to ease the tension. "We call them vehicles, not wagons, and our helmets are worn in combat to protect us." With a gesture, she materializes then dematerializes the front of her helmet once more, her smile softening as the mayor gets a clearer view of her.

Gorm's eyes flicker with intrigue as he takes in Ava's face, noticing the elegant features and the calm confidence she exudes. He looks back at the convoy, visibly impressed but still guarded. "Ah yes, you are the Other Worlders that destroyed the Imperial Army... strange, given that you have a woman as a commander," he comments, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Now, what business do you have in our humble village, Other Worlders?"

Ava's smile doesn't falter. "We are an exploration convoy," she explains, her voice friendly yet firm. "Our mission is to learn about the wonders and cultures of your world and establish peaceful relations." She pauses for a moment, her curiosity piqued. "I'm curious are there any dragons in this world? So far, we've only encountered wyverns while fighting the Imperial Army."

"Wyverns are common, yes," Gorm responds thoughtfully. "But dragons, those are rare. Fire Dragons and Ocean Dragons great and terrible creatures. No one has survived an encounter with them, and no weapon can harm them." He shifts his gaze to the convoy again, as though calculating the odds of a peaceful encounter. "But you must be weary from your travels. You are welcome to stay the night in our town hall. Now, if you'll excuse me... I must tend to a very sick boy. He may not make it, but I can at least ease his suffering."

Jimmy steps forward at once, his compassionate nature shining through. "I can take a look if you would allow it? Maybe I can help him." He glances at Ava, who gives him a subtle nod of approval. "Is he your son?" Jimmy asks the mayor, following him as he turns to lead the way.

"The boy is a slave who escaped the Imperial camp when you defeated them at Alnus Hill," Gorm replies, his voice thick with concern. "He arrived here a few days ago, gravely ill. We've done what we can, but he only grows worse." He looks at Jimmy, clearly torn between hope and dread. "So, are you a healer?"

"I'm what we call a medic, but yes, technically, I am a healer," Jimmy says with a reassuring smile as he follows Gorm into what seems to be a small healing house.

Ava's voice comes through the radio shortly after. "LC, bring the convoy in and park them at the entrance. Set them to sentry mode. We'll be staying the night here."

Ava and the members of the 5th SIF not on guard duty sat around a large campfire, enjoying the warm night with the locals. The fire crackled in the cool air, casting a glow on the village's faces. Food, drinks, music, and dancing filled the atmosphere with a lively energy.

"Are you sure these are safe to consume?" Chris asked, eyeing the strange dish in front of him with some trepidation.

"What's the matter, boy? The scanner says it's safe." Gary took a hearty bite of what appeared to be a large bird drumstick. "Mhmm, it's like chicken, but better. You should try it."

Chris hesitated for a moment before picking up a drumstick. He took a small bite, and his eyes widened in surprise. "Mmmm, gosh, you're right, this is so good." His uncertainty faded, and he took another larger bite, laughing along with Gary.

"So, Turner," Ashley asked with curiosity, "what did you do to end up with us? You graduated top of your class. You could've picked any post you wanted."

Chris's expression shifted slightly. "Chris is fine, ma'am. My dad was a Comms Specialist on the HSS Sphere of Terra," he began, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "He was always there for me. When I got the news that he was KIA, I made it my mission to join the military in his honor. I chose the 5th SIF because of Admiral Bennett. My dad looked up to him a lot. I wanted to serve under his daughter's command."

Ava's eyes softened, a mix of empathy and understanding in her gaze. "No wonder you seem familiar. My dad mentioned your dad often. Specialist Glenn Turner, they were very close." She extended her hand to Chris, offering a firm handshake. "I'd like to get to know you better, Chris."

Before Chris could respond, Ava noticed Jimmy approaching with the mayor. She stood, turning to the two of them. "How's the boy?"

"You have a good healer, Commander," the mayor said, still a bit stunned. "The boy is cured and recovering quickly."

Jimmy grinned, happy to share the good news. "He was suffering from dehydration and a serious case of the flu. It could've been fatal, but with our advanced medical tech, it was an easy fix."

Ashley walked over to join the conversation. "So, what happens to the boy now?"

The mayor looked down, a sad glint in his eyes. "We'll give him supplies once he's fully healed and send him off to find his way. He's no longer in danger, but..." His voice faltered. "We can't take him in. We barely have enough to feed ourselves. Now that the Imperial Army has been wiped out in this region by you, things are only going to get worse."

Ava frowned, confused by the mayor's reluctance. "But he's just 11 years old. He could die out there. Can't one of your families take him in?"

The mayor shook his head, his expression somber. "We would, but look around, Commander. We are barely surviving as it is. If the boy's master survives and comes looking for him, he might think we stole his slave and could kill us."

Ava thought for a moment, a sense of determination settling over her. "We'll take him with us tomorrow."

"Commander?" Ashley sounded surprised, her voice filled with uncertainty. "Are you sure about this?"

Ava shrugged, her tone resolute. "Well, we can't just leave him out there to die. I'd rather deal with the paperwork than live with the regret of knowing I could've saved him, but didn't."

She glanced around, noticing the flickering light from the fire and the weariness settling in. "Now, that's settled. Let's get some rest. We move out tomorrow at 0800."

Later that night, as the campfire burned low and the village settled into quiet, Ava lay awake, staring up at the stars above. Her thoughts drifted back to Ned. His death had haunted her for so long, a weight she couldn't shake. The slave boy reminded her too much of Ned. If she had done something differently, maybe she could've saved him, too. But there was nothing she could have done for Ned. This boy... this boy she could save.

Ava closed her eyes, trying to push away the memories. She had to sleep, to prepare for tomorrow. But the guilt lingered, as always, threatening to pull her under.