Uneasy Ground

The cold surface air stung their faces as Tobi and his squad trudged through the rocky terrain, the barren landscape stretching endlessly around them. The Vanguard outpost was now a distant memory, replaced by the grim reality of their return to a surface teetering on the edge of chaos. 

Despite their mission's clear objective, unease weighed heavily on the group. The surface was unpredictable, and so were its inhabitants.

"Stay sharp," Matilda said, scanning the horizon. Her voice carried an edge, the weight of recent losses etched into her tone.

Neon adjusted his gear, glancing at Tobi. "Feels quieter than it should. Too quiet."

Tobi nodded, gripping his rifle tightly. Friend's cryptic warnings echoed in his mind, reinforcing his sense that this mission was a delicate thread in a larger, unraveling tapestry.