The air inside the warship's command deck was thick with the aftertaste of battle—tension lingering in every corner. The final wave of enemy mechs had been wiped out, and the remaining CMC forces had either retreated or been destroyed. The UOP fleet, though battered, had secured a hard-earned victory. Dominic's mech had come out of the fray scarred, but he had come out victorious.
Yet as the UOP's commanding officers celebrated the hard-won battle, Dominic felt none of the relief. He still felt the burn in his chest, the weight of the lives lost and the comrades he had failed to save. His thoughts kept drifting back to Zara, her body slipping away in his arms as the missile struck. He pushed the thoughts away, but they lingered like shadows in his mind.
He was standing near the briefing room, his Titanus having been moved to the hangar for repairs. His comms buzzed with a new transmission.
"Dominic, report to the command center," came Hailey's voice, firm yet welcoming. "The brass wants to speak with you."
Dominic took a deep breath, steeling himself. The last time he had been summoned, it was after the brutal skirmish at the CMC station. He had no idea what was coming this time, but the weight of his reputation as a mercenary was something he was ready to leave behind. The mercenary life had been a means to an end—a way to survive, to push forward without the burden of allegiance.
Now, he was a soldier. Officially.
As he walked into the command center, he was met with the sight of Colonel Hailey, along with several high-ranking officers. The room buzzed with activity, but they all fell silent when he entered.
"Dominic," Hailey said, her voice steady but with an underlying note of approval. "Please, come in. We've been waiting for you."
He nodded, moving forward to stand at attention.
General Katlan, the grizzled veteran who had led the UOP's forces in this campaign, turned toward him. "Dominic," he said, his voice low but commanding. "Your performance in the field has been nothing short of exceptional. You single-handedly brought down that CMC flagship. Your actions in the battle have saved countless lives. We've been watching you closely."
Dominic didn't speak, but his eyes met the general's without hesitation. He was used to the praise, but it didn't do much to quiet the storm inside him.
General Katlan continued, his gaze piercing. "After everything you've done, we believe it's time to offer you something... more permanent."
Dominic raised an eyebrow, his thoughts racing. What did they mean by "more permanent"?
Hailey stepped forward, handing him a data pad. "This is an offer for a promotion," she said, her tone professional but warm. "You've proven your worth in combat, and more importantly, your leadership in these situations has been undeniable. We want to offer you a position within the UOP military—an official officer's rank. No more mercenary contracts. You'd be a permanent part of the UOP's war machine, with all the rights, responsibilities, and perks that come with it."
Dominic stood still for a long moment, digesting the offer. His mind flashed back to the chaos of his past—his time as a scavenger, his life on Tetramirgarannie, and his brutal decision to step back into the fray after Zara's death. This wasn't just a job offer. It was an invitation to something bigger. A chance to be more than a tool or a hired gun.
But with that offer came something else: a return to structure, to the authority of the UOP, to the discipline he had long avoided. Could he embrace it? Could he give up the freedom of the mercenary life, the life of a lone wolf?
"What does it entail?" Dominic finally asked, his voice cold but curious.
General Katlan leaned forward, his fingers steepled. "You'd be placed in command of your own unit. A strike force under the UOP banner. You'd lead a team of elite soldiers, including mech pilots, engineers, and scouts. Your skills would be utilized for high-value operations, both in space and on the ground. You would answer directly to us, of course, but you would have the autonomy to carry out missions as you see fit, with the full resources of the UOP at your disposal."
Dominic glanced at Hailey, who was watching him with a thoughtful expression.
"It's a hell of a responsibility," she said softly, as if reading his thoughts. "But you've got what it takes. You always have."
Dominic's mind was racing, weighing the cost of this decision. His path had been one of isolation, self-sufficiency, but what did that leave him with? A life of fighting for pay, of facing enemies with no clear cause or direction. But now, he was being offered the chance to fight for something bigger. The UOP needed men like him—someone who could lead, who could take charge in the heat of battle.
He didn't know if he was ready for this, but something deep inside him told him this was the next step. He had never been one to turn away from a challenge, no matter how daunting.
"I'll accept," he said finally, his voice steady, resolute.
The room was silent for a moment, and then General Katlan gave a slight nod of approval. "Good," he said. "You've made the right choice, Dominic. Welcome to the UOP military, Officer. You're one of us now."
Dominic didn't smile, but there was something in his chest—an unfamiliar sensation, perhaps hope. His future had just shifted in a way he hadn't expected.
Hailey smiled, clapping him on the back. "Congratulations. I know you'll make us proud."
"Don't expect any miracles," Dominic replied, his tone gruff, but there was a trace of something different now. Something new. He wasn't just a mercenary anymore. He wasn't just fighting for pay. He had a purpose, and it was bigger than any one mission.
The road ahead wouldn't be easy, and there was still much to prove. But Dominic knew one thing for certain: the battle was just beginning.