The tension in the Citadel had barely begun to settle when the next wave of conflict arose. Marcus Winchester stood in the center of the meeting room, his arms crossed and his expression defiant.
"No. Absolutely not," Marcus said, his voice firm. "I'm not joining the Assembly. I belong in the field, not behind a desk."
Damien and Constantine exchanged a look, both understanding Marcus's sentiment but knowing the importance of their proposal.
"Marcus, listen," Damien started, his tone calm but insistent. "Having someone we trust in the Assembly could make a world of difference. You could ensure that what happened with Nasri never happens again."
Marcus shook his head. "I appreciate the trust, but I can't do it. The field is where I make the most impact. I can't abandon that."
