The dust of the battlefield had barely settled when Dominic found himself standing before a high-ranking officer from the UOP. His hands still trembled slightly from the adrenaline of the fight, but he maintained his usual composed demeanor. Despite the weariness in his body and the strain on his mind, he had done what needed to be done.
His heart was still heavy from the earlier battles, and the memories of the Juggernaut fight and Zara's loss weighed on him. But today, the UOP had recognized his efforts in a way he hadn't expected.
"Dominic," the officer said, his voice grave but respectful. "I've been following your progress since you joined the ranks as a mercenary. You've proven yourself on the battlefield, not just as a fighter, but as someone who understands strategy, leadership, and the sacrifices this war demands." The officer paused, his eyes scanning Dominic's worn armor before meeting his gaze again. "Effective immediately, you are being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel within the UOP military forces."
Dominic blinked, not fully processing the words at first. His mind had been focused on the fight, on the mission. He hadn't expected this. His life as a mercenary had always been defined by contracts, by payment, and by surviving to see the next job. But now, a permanent place had opened for him within the UOP.
"Lieutenant Colonel?" Dominic echoed, his voice sounding foreign to his own ears.
"Yes," the officer nodded. "This isn't just a formality. We need soldiers like you—people who understand what it means to fight and lead with conviction. You'll be assigned a unit. Your first task will be to command a new battalion that will spearhead the offensive into CMC territory."
Dominic stood tall, the weight of the promotion starting to settle in. His thoughts flashed to Zara, to all the fallen comrades he had known, to the countless lives lost in this war. He had never sought recognition—he had only ever wanted to fight for something greater than himself. But now, it seemed that something bigger had found him.
A new chapter in his life had begun, one where the stakes were even higher, and the consequences more dire. But for better or worse, he was no longer just a scavenger or a hired gun. He was part of something far more significant.
"Understood, sir," Dominic replied with a cold determination, his voice sharp. "I won't let you down."
The officer gave him a sharp nod, a small smile crossing his face. "I know you won't. Now, get some rest. Your new unit is waiting for you in the briefing room. The next phase of the war is about to begin, and we'll need every hand on deck."
As the officer turned to leave, Dominic stood in the quiet aftermath of the battle. His mind raced, torn between the weight of responsibility and the desire to push forward, to keep fighting. The war had claimed much, but it had also given him something else—purpose.
But as he walked toward the briefing room, there was no turning back. The life of a mercenary was over. The life of a soldier, however, had just begun.