The three young officers followed Aurora through the precinct neighborhood under a sky heavy with gray clouds, a light drizzle dampening the air.
Military vehicles rumbled by, their engines growling, while soldiers' boots splashed rhythmically through puddles, painting a vivid picture of the militant zone.
"So," Aurora began, her tone sharp. "What's the truth, Nyota?"
Sage and Kilo exchanged nervous glances before looking at Nyota, fear evident in their eyes.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about," Nyota replied with a strained laugh. "What I've said is the truth. What reason would I have to lie?"
"You tell me." Aurora glanced back at them, her piercing eyes meeting Nyota's. The restless expressions on the young officers' faces only deepened her smirk.
"Fine, I guess I'll start," she said with a sigh. "I'm from a former country southwest of Lunanova. Belteria. Ever heard of it?"
The three officers shook their heads in unison. "No, Lieutenant."
Aurora waved a dismissive hand. "Please, call me by my first."
She continued, her voice softening slightly. "The town I'm from was called Alkin. Small place, no more than five thousand people, which is wild considering we were the country's largest city. The capital, even."
Nyota stole a glance at Sage and Kilo, sensing the shift in Aurora's tone. The way she spoke about her origins—both distant and raw—put them on edge.
"As you might've guessed, Belteria lost its sovereignty," Aurora said, her gaze distant. "It's part of the District of Lunanova now. That happened after a single move: taking control of the country's capital—Alkin. And if there's one thing Noriko does exceptionally well, it's that."
Aurora's words were calm, but her bitterness was palpable.
"The seamless nature of the takeover might lead you to believe it was peaceful," she went on. "Just another one of those nations that bowed to Noriko in exchange for her protection and a ticket into the so-called 'grand economy of Lunanova.'" She made air quotes, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"After all, how could it not be?" Aurora's eyes burned as she spoke. "The persecution of an entire nation, the silencing of its people, all without the world batting an eye. Even here, in Lunanova, no one questions it."
She paused, then added, "You might be wondering how Noriko could pull off something like this without resistance, whether domestic or international. And the answer is—" Aurora hesitated, then shook her head. "I don't know. I can't explain it. I guess Noriko is just that much of a genius... or a monster."
Nyota swallowed hard. "I'm sorry, but... how can you be so sure? Taking over an entire country by force, even a small one—how is it possible without anyone fighting back? No public uproar, no global intervention?"
Aurora turned to him, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Well, Nyota, tell me this—how did it happen to you?"
Nyota's heart skipped a beat. Sage and Kilo stiffened beside him, their eyes darting toward Aurora. Her words felt far too precise to be a coincidence.
The silence hung heavy between them as they approached their destination.
Aurora led them into an internal archives wing of one of the precinct buildings, a restricted-access area reserved for classified files and case logs.
Rows of filing cabinets lined the walls, and the faint glow of monitors illuminated the dim space with an eerie, sterile light. The hum of electronics filled the otherwise quiet room, amplifying the atmosphere of secrecy.
Nyota broke the silence, his voice tentative. "Why did you bring us here?"
"Are you going to answer my question?" Aurora's tone sharpened. "All I need is to hear you say it, tell me the raw truth. I know you're not from here, Nyota. And that's not from any prior information that I know about you—because I don't know you." She firmly braced her hand over a nearby desk, littered with stacks of documents and manila folders.
"But what I do know is that you and I are alike," she continued, her voice low but firm. "Depending on what you reveal to me, the four of us here"—her gaze flicked momentarily between Sage and Kilo—"may be able to make something happen."
Once again, Nyota turned to Sage and Kilo, panic flickering in his eyes. The three of them were alarmed, unsure of what to do next. They barely knew Aurora, and now she had them cornered in a confined space with no one else around.
It was clear she wouldn't take no for an answer. Her rank as Lieutenant only solidified that defiance wasn't an option.
This was a gamble—one that could lead to a breakthrough or end in disaster.
"So? What ya got?" Aurora's voice broke the silence, her gaze sharp and unyielding.
Nyota glanced at the brothers, their expressions a mix of uncertainty and resolve. Finally, he nodded to them, signaling his decision, and took a step forward.
"I'm from a small town called Lunenrane," Nyota began, his voice steady but tinged with a quiet pain. "There were only a couple thousand of us. My father was the chief, and my mother, of course, his principal wife. It was north of here, closer toward the east coast."
He paused, his eyes distant as the memories surfaced. "Everyone knew each other. It was a close-knit community, completely independent from—and practically unknown to—the outside world. At least, that's what we believed, until a certain point. I can't quite pinpoint when it all began to unravel."
Nyota's fists tightened, his knuckles whitening as the weight of his past bore down on him. The memories came flooding back, vivid and undeniable, etched into his mind.
"But it became painfully obvious when it was too late—when that dreaded day came." His voice faltered briefly, then hardened. "It was hardly a year ago… when Lunanova's military raided us."
Sage and Kilo instinctively stepped closer, each placing a single hand on Nyota's shoulders, offering silent support. Aurora watched the scene unfold, her brow furrowing, her expression caught between disbelief and empathy. She blinked rapidly, as if fighting to hold back tears.
"You two knew about this?" she asked, her voice quieter now.
"Yeah," Sage replied softly, his grip firm on Nyota's shoulder.
Aurora exhaled sharply, crossing her arms as she paced a step forward. Then, after a moment of hesitation, she approached Nyota. Gently, she placed a hand on his head, her touch surprisingly tender.
"So," she murmured, her voice heavy with understanding, "Noriko got to you, too, huh?"
Nyota flinched at Aurora's unexpected touch, his gaze fixed on the ground.
"Hey," she called softly, her tone a blend of gentleness and command. She dropped her hand to her side. "Look at me."
Slowly, Nyota raised his eyes to meet hers. To his surprise, an optimistic smile crossed Aurora's face.
"How do you remember?" she asked, her voice steady but curious.
Nyota hesitated, his thoughts briefly tangling before he found the words. "It's complicated," he admitted. "It's like the memory alteration worked… but only in part. Over time, it just started wearing off, like it couldn't hold. I don't know why. All I can say is… while I'm glad to remember, there's a small part of me that wishes I hadn't."
Aurora nodded, her expression shifting to something unreadable.
"And you?" Nyota asked after a pause. "How do you remember?"
Aurora let out a soft breath, leaning back against the desk as her gaze drifted momentarily. Well, like your Lunenrane, my people of Belteria stayed out of the way of bigger nations for generations, minding our own, keeping to ourselves. We didn't need the outside world, and it didn't seem to need us."
She paused, her voice tightening slightly. "But, like you, there came a day when we realized we weren't invisible anymore. That our independence, our anonymity—everything we'd taken for granted—was gone."
Nyota and the brothers watched her intently as she pressed her hands against the edge of the desk, her knuckles whitening.
"It happened fast," she said. "Lunanova's military came in with their weapons, their machines, and their orders. They said it was 'a transition of power.' That our government had agreed to it, that it was for our own good. The headlines called it a 'concession.' Peaceful. Voluntary. A chance for Belteria to 'flourish' under Lunanova's protection, to join the 'booming economy.'"
Aurora scoffed bitterly, her eyes narrowing. "But it wasn't peaceful. And it damn sure wasn't voluntary. By the time people understood what was happening, it was already too late. They took everything. Our sovereignty. Our identity. The world didn't bat an eye because Noriko made it all look so clean, so orderly. Like we handed it to her with a smile and a handshake."
Her gaze shifted, and for the first time, her voice wavered. "I watched as they rounded up the youth of Alkin—including me—saying it was for 'reorientation' into Lunanova's society. What they really meant was memory alteration. They were wiping out who we were, one mind at a time, erasing any trace of Belteria from our heads. If they could rewrite us, there wouldn't be anyone left to resist. No one left to remember."
Aurora took a slow, steadying breath, then straightened her posture, her voice regaining its edge. "But I caught on. I don't know if it was luck, or just desperation, but I managed to slip through their process. I made them think I escaped, when in reality, I stayed hidden in plain sight, pretending they'd altered me just like the others."
Nyota's eyes widened as Aurora's intensity grew.
"They didn't know I remembered. I made sure of it. But it meant walking on a razor's edge every single day—acting like I didn't know my own history, pretending to be the perfect soldier while carrying the weight of Belteria in my mind."
Her voice softened, her gaze locking on Nyota's. "And that's why I knew. The way you spoke about your past—the way you hesitated—I recognized it. Because it's the same story I've been carrying with me since the day Belteria was erased from the map."
Aurora leaned forward slightly, her eyes searching Nyota's. "You don't just forget where you came from, Nyota. Not completely. Not if you're still willing to fight for it.
Which brings me to why I'm here, so far north in the District's capital city of New Jericho—so far away from what was once home." Aurora's voice hardened, her gaze distant.
"I'm here for revenge."
The words hung heavy in the air, and Nyota, Sage, and Kilo exchanged uneasy glances.
"Obviously, I can't face Noriko head-on," she admitted, her tone bitter yet resolute. "I couldn't even take on her top soldiers by myself if I wanted to. So, I've been waiting—for a team, for the right people, for the chance to start some kind of elaborate plan."
Aurora folded her arms, leaning back against the desk, her eyes scanning the room as if lost in thought. "It's been five years. Maybe that's not forever, but when every day feels like a battle just to hold on to your identity, it sure as hell feels like it."
"Time to get serious," Aurora said, her tone sharpening as she straightened up. Her piercing gaze shifted between the three young officers, her expression unreadable.
"I overheard your conversation earlier," she continued after a beat. "And that's exactly why I think I couldn't have caught you at a better time. You three have something special—something a lot of people around here forget about. It's called camaraderie."
She crossed her arms, her voice steady but insistent. "Camaraderie isn't just about standing side by side in battle or having someone's back in the field.
It's about trust, about knowing you're stronger together than you could ever be alone. And trust me when I say, when everything falls apart—and it will—the only thing that's going to keep you going is each other."
Aurora let the weight of her words settle in the air for a moment. Then, she smiled, her tone suddenly lightening. "And if I didn't know any better, I'd venture to guess that the three of you want what I want. But here's the thing—you're new to the business, while I've been in it for a while now."
She stepped closer, her voice dropping just enough to draw them in. "Tell you what—why don't we stop tiptoeing around the obvious? Why don't the four of us join forces and do something about all this, hm?"
Aurora extended her hand toward Nyota, her smile faint but resolute. "What do you say? It's time to stop surviving and start fighting back."
Nyota stood silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on Aurora's outstretched hand. He could feel the weight of her words settling over him like a storm cloud. Her offer was bold, dangerous even, but it was also undeniable. The chance to stop feeling powerless, to fight back, and to finally take control of his own narrative—it was more than tempting.
His gaze drifted to Sage and Kilo, who had been quiet for most of the exchange. Sage leaned slightly forward, his thoughtful expression unreadable as always. Kilo, on the other hand, looked as though he was holding himself back from jumping in with a cheeky remark.
"What do you guys think?" Nyota asked, his voice quiet but steady.
Sage responded first, offering a single, firm nod. "If it's you, I'll follow. Whatever path you take, I'm with you."
Kilo grinned, leaning back casually but with a spark of determination in his eyes. "Yeah, I mean, what's life without a little chaos, right? Let's make some moves."
Nyota let their words sink in, their approval steadying him like an anchor. He turned back to Aurora, who still held her hand out, waiting. Her expression didn't waver, but there was something in her eyes—a mix of hope and resolve—that made her seem more human than the sharp-tongued officer he'd met earlier.
Finally, Nyota stepped forward, extending his hand toward hers. "No better time than now," he said, gripping her hand firmly.
Aurora's smile widened, and for the first time, it felt like the tension in the room began to lift. "Good," she said, her voice softer now. "Because waiting for the perfect moment? That's a myth. This is the perfect moment—the moment we decide to do something."
Sage and Kilo moved closer, their presence solidifying the pact now forming between the four of them. "Guess we're in this together now," Kilo said, his grin widening. "Teamwork makes the dream work, right?"
Aurora chuckled, shaking her head. "If that's what you want to call it. Just don't expect this to be easy. We've got a lot of work to do, and if we're going to make moves, we need to make a plan. A real one."
Nyota released her hand and nodded, the weight of the decision already beginning to sink in. "Then let's make one."
Aurora suddenly raised a finger, her expression shifting to something more mischievous. "But first!" she declared, her voice cutting through the moment like a whip. "A test."
Nyota's brow furrowed in confusion. "A test?"
"That's right," she replied, a smirk playing on her lips. "I've heard about your abilities—your Modi. But talk is cheap, and I need to see what you're really capable of. So, how does a three-on-one sparring match sound?"
Kilo practically lit up at the challenge, his grin spreading wide as he exchanged glances with Sage and Nyota. "You're serious? A three-on-one? Against you?"
Aurora tilted her head, her smirk widening. "What, don't think you can handle it?"
Kilo laughed, nudging Sage with his elbow. "Oh, she's on! This is gonna be fun."
Sage, ever the cautious one, crossed his arms and studied Aurora carefully. "You're confident, Lieutenant. That's dangerous."
"Confidence is only dangerous when it's misplaced," Aurora quipped. "And please, enough with the 'Lieutenant.' It's Aurora. Just Aurora. As a matter of fact, you might as well start calling me 'Big Sis' from now on."
"Yeah," Kilo began. "I don't—um… I don't know about that."
Nyota, meanwhile, felt a mix of excitement and unease bubbling up inside him. "Alright," he said, finally finding his voice. "If this is what it takes to prove ourselves, then we're in."
Aurora clapped her hands together, her enthusiasm infectious. "Great! Let's see what you've got. And—oh—!" She suddenly stopped mid-thought, a mock gasp escaping her lips. "How could I forget? We need a group name, too! Something to call ourselves. Any ideas?"
Kilo threw his arms up dramatically. "Every good team needs a name. Okay, okay, how about…" He paused, clearly savoring the moment. "The Stormbreakers. No, wait—the Lightning Wolves! Nah, too cheesy…"
Sage rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a small grin. "Let's focus on the match first. The name can wait."
"No way," Kilo shot back, a glint of rebellion in his eyes. "A name sets the tone. It's the foundation. It tells people what we stand for—and maybe, just maybe, pisses off the right people while we're at it."
Aurora raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on."
Kilo paced, thinking aloud as he gestured animatedly. "Something simple, strong, but with an edge. Something that sticks. How about… Zteel?"
"Steel?" Nyota repeated, skeptical.
"Zteel," Kilo corrected, dragging out the "Z" for emphasis. "Like steel, but stylized. A little unconventional—like us. Plus," he added with a shrug, "it's a nod to Aurora. Steele's her last name, right? I figure it's fitting. She's been at this longer than we have."
Aurora blinked, momentarily caught off guard, then let out a surprised laugh. "Zteel, huh? Not bad."
Nyota tilted his head, considering the name. "It's strong, simple… and a little rebellious."
"Exactly!" Kilo exclaimed, snapping his fingers. "It's perfect. The Z throws it off just enough to stand out. It's like a middle finger to the District—taking something rigid and traditional, like steel, and flipping it into something our own."
Sage nodded slowly, a faint smile forming. "I hate to admit it, but… it works."
Aurora crossed her arms. "Alright, then, Zteel it is, then. I like it. Let's see if the name lives up to the weight it carries." Her smirk returned, sharp and ready. "Welcome to the resistance."
Nyota glanced at his teammates, a strange sense of unity beginning to take shape. For the first time since the conversation began, he felt a spark of hope—not just for the fight ahead but for what they could accomplish together.
"So, where's this match happening?" he asked, a determined edge creeping into his voice.
Aurora's smirk widened. "There's a training bay around here somewhere. Plenty of room to go all out. Let's not waste any more time."
With that, she turned on her heel, her boots clicking against the floor as she led the way out of the archives. The trio exchanged one last glance—excitement, nerves, and determination all swirling between them—before following close behind.