Chapter 46: A Cliché Setting

Charlotte would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous. No matter how real the experience was, she lived in the movement alongside those she called comrades.

Like any great planner, she had a backup plan. It wasn't the last resort, but more like Plan B.

Lucianna gave her a quick look, seeking her reassurance and confirmation.

"Commander, fire it."

"Luna!"

Something else projectiles from our own base, setting its course toward the incoming missile. The mechanism that fired it was powerful, ensuring to the creation of at least a dent in the coming projectile.

"Everyone out of the way!" Lucian warned while displaying the course of the flying object.

The informants all held their breath, knowing the intense pressure that derived from the collision. Although the fighter was fully aware of their plan, it was different sitting in the direction the missile was supposed to hit.

The two objects met, one about to change its course slightly to the left. Of course, theirs was also capable of control, turning to meet the head of the other. If the enemy were to turn any further, they would miss their base completely. Thus, they allowed it to collide.

It created a loud 'bang', making a small gray mushroom-shaped cloud as debris flew from all different directions.

The flying object sent was a missile of their own. The reasoning was simple. 'If they have robots, we would have robots. If they had a missile, we would have one as well.' This isn't exactly accurate when it came to a showdown between two sides, one force might be mightier than the other. However, there will always be a force to counter another, it just takes some thinking.

As they used one of the robots to scan the site of the point at which the two missiles met. the fighters had reported back.

"We successfully defeated the horde of robots. Waiting for the issued order," Eric reported.

They had won their first official battle. It may have been a small victory that may not even make a dent into the grand scheme of war, but it was a victory nonetheless.

"We have received orders to retreat and expand the camp base, taking more territory from the area defeated," Lucianna sounded.

Everyone then went back to work after a silent victory. They updated the virtual map, marking the earned territory after the fight.

After deploying all the equipment as well as scouting robots, the fighters dashed back with a look of pride showed on their faces.

They were warmly greeted by the informants, marking their first celebration. They were careful to not be too full of themself, seeing as how this was only the first of many to come. But milestones deserved to be celebrated, particularly the first victory.

Although it was nothing fancy, everyone was served a hearty meal filled with laughter and chatter.

Unlike the first night, Charlotte decided to sit the socializing while observing everyone else as they all cuddled up in their respective groups.

Lucianna, Luna, and Eric continued the lively atmosphere. As veterans and past comrades, something brought up at random, they already had a small bond that linked them together.

Finnian's voice was still the loudest, accompanying Bert through the tiring night. They both did look tired, but it didn't stop them from having fun and genuinely enjoying each other's comfort.

As for the pair who previously didn't get along so well, Lucian seemed to be more interested in Armand's scar with a slightly worried look on his face. He reached to touch the one on his arm, frowning while asking about its history.

'Each scar would be regarded as a trophy of a fight, making them meaningful and unforgetful. It sort of sounds a bit barbaric, but the sense of attachment made sense. I guess I could never truly understand unless I fought through an actual battle...'

Despite being touched, especially around places where it hasn't fully healed, Armand seemed not to mind. Charlotte could only assume the man's attitude must have changed while they were out alone together.

'If this was like any cliches, they would have met accidentally. and were unable to ignore the other's presence, forcing them to get closer.' she thoughted.

As some got notably closer in distance, she started to ponder over cliches.

She was inside a story after all. Cliches are just the common dramatic tropes that move the plot forward.

'Despite the much hate cliches gained, the point of cliches was to be a plot point people enjoyed reading. The point of cliches is to be hated or loved, criticized or embraced. Although repeated in many different works, it was created because it was something not commonly seen in our progressing world. Scenarios that would never happen existed through cliches and development, making them loved by some.'

As she looked around at her comrades, she would start to wonder.

'Although they are characters, if each individual work was real, are they characters anymore? If a piece of our imagination came to life, how different would it be? Would it color our gray-toned world?'

Sighing while staring at the night sky.

'I am here now. Might as well find out.'

Staged inside a world of war, normalizing technology while striving to fight and defend the world, it's a common setting. Living in that world would be a different story.