The sun had barely begun to rise when the roar of engines shattered the morning silence.
Moreau had barely managed a few hours of restless sleep, his mind haunted by the images of blood, bodies, and the cold, merciless reality of war.
He hadn't even changed his uniform yet, the dried blood of the battle still staining his sleeves.
Then came the distant rumble of heavy military trucks.
His instincts screamed danger.
Within moments, he was out of his bunk, pistol strapped to his belt as he stepped outside, blinking against the early morning light.
And there it was.
A massive convoy of military trucks and armored vehicles rolled toward the base, kicking up dust in thick clouds.
At least a hundred men, heavily armed, moving in perfect formation.
This wasn't just a routine inspection.
This was a lockdown.